Kerala Retort To Babri Axe: State To Issue Booklets On Topics Deleted From NCERT Texts
New Age Islam News Bureau
22 Jun 2024
Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel conduct a march
on the occasion of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary, in Ayodhya.
PTI
-------------
·
Kerala Retort To Babri Axe: State To Issue
Booklets On Topics Deleted From NCERT Texts
·
Human Milk Bank: Pakistan Initiative Suspended
After Religious Edict(Islamic Fatwa)
·
UK’s First Muslim Pride Event For LGBTQ+ Set To
Take Place This Weekend
·
Namibian Court Declares Laws Banning Gay Sex
Unconstitutional
·
Beehives Of Saudi Arabia’s Maysan Believed To
Be Over 1,000 Years Old
India
·
Karnataka HC Stays Summons To BJP’s JP Nadda,
Amit Malviya For Post Allegedly Targeting Muslims
·
Behind Encounter In Kathua: A Missing Guide,
Two Terrorists Who Lost Their Way
·
NIA Court Seeks Security For Gyanvapi Survey
Order Judge
·
Modi Yoga Outreach Gives Kashmir A Cramp, Local
Leaders Allege Mistreatment Of Employees At Event
·
Jodhpur: Two Policemen Injured, Shop Set On
Fire As Violence Erupts Over Construction Of Gate In An Eidgah
--------
Pakistan
·
Bushra Bibi’s Ex-Husband’s Lawyer ‘Seeks To
Delay’ Iddat Case Further
·
President, PM vow to continue fight against
terrorism
·
Pakistan calls for decisive action against
terrorism in Afghanistan
·
Call for end to attacks on Ahmadiyya community
·
IED blast martyrs five soldiers in KP's Kurram
·
Peshawar High Court halts deportation of Afghan
artists and transgender individuals
--------
Europe
·
Olympics-Islamist Terrorism Main Concern Ahead
Of Paris Games, City's Police Chief Says
·
For British Muslim Voters, Gaza Ushers In New
Era Of UK Politics
·
Comment made about Luton mosque treated as a
hate crime by police
·
Dawat-e-Islami: Leading Islamic Organisation in
the UK
--------
Africa
·
Newly appointed South African MP suspended for
racist language video
·
"We are ready to fight," President
Kagame responds to DRC
·
South Sudan's vice president expresses concerns
over ongoing peace talks
·
Bulldozers Move In To Demolish Bayero’s
Nasarawa Palace As Security Operatives Block Entrances
·
Khartoum and UAE envoys clash at UN Security
Council over Sudan civil war
·
UN chief warns 'world cannot afford Lebanon to
become another Gaza'
--------
Arab World
·
The Saudi artist’s gallery celebrates unbounded
imagination
·
Saudi Arabia concludes participation at
Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris
·
Saudi Arabia urges all nations to work together
to prioritize cybersecurity
·
Harnessing agricultural terraces for blackberry
cultivation in Al-Baha
·
Saudi Arabia welcomes Armenia’s decision to
recognize state of Palestine
·
Saudi Arabia pledges to promote peaceful,
sustainable use of outer space
·
SDAIA Prepares Infrastructure At Entry Points
To Ease Umrah Visitors Procedures
--------
North America
·
New Jersey School District Apologizes For
Offending Muslim Group With Question About ISIS Terror Group In Quiz
·
CAIR Condemns Ban on Hijab, Islamic Clothing in
Tajikistan
·
CAIR-MA Calls for Hate Crime Probe of
Anti-Muslim Vandalism
·
Muslim group sues Washtenaw County township
over mosque dispute
·
South Florida Muslim leader Shaikh Shafayat
dies. He spent decades bridging religious divides
·
UK firms under scrutiny for criminal liability
over arms sales to Israel
--------
Mideast
·
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Terrorists Planning
Attack Eliminated in West Bank by IDF
·
Qatar working to ‘bridge the gap’ between
Israel and Hamas
·
Legendary musicians Roger Waters, Yusuf Islam,
headline concert for Palestine in London
·
Radical Islam will not stop with annihilation
of Jews
·
Israel army says Israeli civilian shot dead in
West Bank
·
UAE contributes $5 million to United Nations
OCHA for humanitarian efforts in Sudan
·
Red Cross says 22 killed in shelling near Gaza
office
·
Lebanon’s FM meets with UN, French and US
envoys in bid to prevent full-scale war
--------
South Asia
·
Human Rights Watch Calls Exclusion Of Afghan Women
From Doha Talks “Shocking”
·
Islamic Emirate at a glance
·
Consultation; a short way to success
·
Eid in southern provinces; people celebrate
with recreational activities
·
World Refugee Day: Afghan refugees still facing
deportation
·
Pilgrims recount horrors of heat during this
year’s Hajj
--------
Southeast Asia
·
Anti-Israel Backlash Keeps US Conglomerate Away
From Major Malaysia Project
·
King of Bhutan pays Agong a courtesy visit at
Johor palace
·
10 foreigners nabbed for attempting to enter
Malaysia illegally
·
PM’s foreign relations strategy in the right
direction, unity government urged to sync with each other: SPCAAM
·
Unity Gov’t never defended parties
collaborating with Israeli regime - Kamil Munim
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Kerala
Retort To Babri Axe: State To Issue Booklets On Topics Deleted From NCERT Texts
22.06.24
Rapid
Action Force (RAF) personnel conduct a march on the occasion of the Babri
Masjid demolition anniversary, in Ayodhya.
PTI
------------
The
Kerala government plans to issue an additional booklet containing content on
the Babri Masjid demolition and other topics recently removed by the NCERT.
Dr
Jayaprakash R.K., the director of the State Council for Educational Research
and Training (SCERT), said on Friday that once the curriculum sub-committee
finalises the chapters, these will be restored through new booklets.
The
National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Class XII
political science textbook refers to the Babri Masjid only as a “three-domed
structure” built at the birthplace of Lord Ram. This year, chapters on L.K. Advani’s
1990 Rath Yatra and the 2002 Gujarat riots were among those deleted.
Expressing
opposition to the NCERT’s decision, Kerala’s primary education minister V.
Sivankutty emphasised that true history and science should be taught.
“Kerala
does not accept the NCERT’s move to change the syllabus covering the Babri
Masjid-Ayodhya topics. Textbooks should not contain the narrow ideological
positions/propaganda of any single movement. True history & science must be
taught instead. This is Kerala’s policy,” Sivankutty posted on X.
While
Kerala state board schools follow textbooks prepared by the SCERT until Class
X, over 40 NCERTtextbooks in various subjects are prescribed for Classes XI and
XII.
NCERT
director Dinesh Prasad Saklani justified the removal of the Babri Masjid
reference, arguing against teaching violence and hatred.
Jayaprakash
confirmed that the SCERT will provide newly prepared chapters instead of merely
restoring deleted NCERT content. This follows a precedent set last year when
the SCERT issued booklets covering omitted chapters on topics such as the
assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mughal kings and the Cold
War.
“We
provide freshly prepared chapters based on whatever has been dropped by NCERT.
The procedure is the specific subject’s sub-committee that decides on the
content of chapters would ask us to come up with textbooks or additional
booklets. Once we get clearance we will print and issue them to schools,” he
added.
The
curriculum committee comprising 72 members is divided into subject-specific
sub-committees that decide on the contents of textbooks.
The
removal of references to the Babri Masjid has faced widespread criticism.
Political analysts Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar have requested the NCERT
chief to remove their names from the textbooks, disagreeing with the changes
made under their advisory roles and threatening legal action if their names are
not removed.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/kerala-retort-to-babri-masjid-axe-state-to-issue-booklets-on-topics-deleted-from-ncert-texts/cid/2028779
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Human
Milk Bank: Pakistan Initiative Suspended After Religious Edict(Islamic Fatwa)
June 22,
2024
The
building of the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) in
Karachi. — SICHN website
-----------
KARACHI:
After the issuance of a new fatwa (religious edict), the Sindh Institute of
Child Health & Neonatology (SICHN) on Friday suspended the Human Milk Bank
project — the country’s first such initiative.
In a
statement, a SICHN spokesperson said they would consult the Jamia Darul Uloom
Karachi and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for further guidance over
this matter.
Pakistan’s
first Shariah-compliant Human Milk Bank and Early Childhood Center at SICHN was
inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, along with officials from
UNICEF and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), a few weeks ago.
It was
intended to provide breast milk to premature babies who could not receive the
required nutrition from their mothers.
Sharing
the purpose of the project, the spokesperson said, "The premature babies
are of 34 weeks or less gestation and they have less than 2kg weight. Most of
the mothers having such babies do not have this much breast milk that could
meet children’s nutrition requirement."
The spox
said the human milk bank was established to particularly deal with this
challenge.
“Giving
them (premature kids) milk other than breast milk exposes them to the risk of
complications, infections and early death. Therefore, to save the lives of
these premature newborns, it is necessary to provide them breast milk,” the
official further stated.
Clarifying
doubts about the service, the SICHN official said the Muslim children would be
provided milk of Muslim women only. Whereas, the service would be offered free
of cost to dispel the impression of commercial exchange, the spokesperson
added.
In
December 2023, Darululoom Karachi issued a fatwa with preconditions
"providing necessary religious endorsement to proceed" with the
project, "however, a revised fatwa has prompted us to pause the
functionality of the Human Milk Bank. This decision (of suspension) is in
compliance with the updated religious guidance," the official added.
However,
a revised fatwa by the seminary, issued on June 16, prompted the authorities to
suspend the project till further guidance on the matter.
Source: geo.tv
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.geo.tv/latest/550437-pakistans-first-human-milk-bank-initiative-suspended-after-new-fatwa
--------
UK’s
First Muslim Pride Event For LGBTQ+ Set To Take Place This Weekend
Jun 21
Mulsim
Pride is taking place on Saturday (WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty
Images)
-------------
A
first-of-its-kind Pride event for LGBTQ+ Muslims is happening this weekend.
Organised
by charity Imaan LGBTQI+, Muslim Pride 2024 is set to take place at Queen Mary,
University of London, on Saturday (22 June) and hundreds of people are expected
to attend the full-day “celebration of queer Muslim culture, activism and
history”.
The
event was originally scheduled for 2020 but was cancelled because of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The day
will begin with a panel discussion featuring scholars and activists, including
Dr Sanah Ahsan, Hafsa Qureshi, Imam Muhsin Hendricks and Dr Amina Wadud.
There
will also be workshops that focus on topics from Islamic feminism to the joys
and challenges of being out as a Muslim, and entertainment from members of the
community.
Speaking
to the BBC about the event, non-binary practising Muslim Ferhan Khan said:
“It’s going to be filled with people [who] are just like me and understand me.
I don’t need to explain myself to them.”
Khan
spoke about the negative experiences they had growing up as someone who engaged
with femininity.
“Unfortunately,
what I found was that any queerness, any kind of identity that deviated away
from masculinity, was being quite firmly oppressed in me.
“I was
made to feel ashamed of my sexuality, ashamed of my non-masculine traits and
kind of encouraged to minimise those traits,” they said, recalling one story
where they were given a lecture by family members after wearing make-up and
nail varnish.
Despite
this, Khan still has a relationship with their family.
‘Celebration
and joy’
Events
such as Muslim Pride are important, to challenge the idea that Islam is “inherently
queer-phobic”, Khan added.
“This is
an assumption that’s not necessarily based on fact because if you read the
parts of the Quran that supposedly condemn homosexuality, it’s not clear cut.
What this serves to do is invalidate the notion that you can be both queer and
Muslim.
“For a
lot of queer Muslims, this is a difficult one because they might want to retain
their faith. They might want to simply be in a space where they are validated
for being both queer and Muslim, and that’s what Imaan is doing, serving up a
space where you can be… validated for that choice.”
Event
organiser Sayyada told the BBC she was extremely excited ahead of Muslim Pride,
but also a little nervous.
“We’ve
worked so hard for this for so many years and we feel it’ll be a really good
celebration of our community. So often when you talk about these multiply
marginalised communities, the whole story is one of doom and gloom, struggle
and rejection.
“We want
Saturday to be a story of celebration and joy and finding community together.”
Source: thepinknews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/06/21/muslim-pride-2024-london-event/
--------
Namibian
court declares laws banning gay sex unconstitutional
Activists
celebrate outside the High Court in Gaborone, Botswana, Tuesday June 11, 2019.
-
Copyright
© africanews
AP/Copyright
2019 The AP. All rights reserved.
-------------
In a
historic ruling on Friday, June 21, a Namibian high court declared
unconstitutional two colonial-era laws that criminalized same-sex acts between
men. This decision marks a significant victory for the LGBTQ community in
Namibia.
The case
was initiated by Namibian activist Friedel Dausab, with support from the
UK-based Human Dignity Trust. Following the court's decision, Dausab expressed
his joy, stating, "It's a great day for Namibia. It won't be a crime to
love anymore."
Rights activists have noted that, although prosecutions
under the "sodomy" and "unnatural sexual offences" laws
were infrequent, these laws have fostered ongoing discrimination against the
LGBTQ community and instilled fear of arrest among gay men.
Namibia
inherited the laws when it gained independence from South Africa in 1990,
though same-sex acts between men were initially criminalised under colonial
rule.
South
Africa has since decriminalised same-sex sexual activity and is the only
country on the African continent to allow LGBTQ couples to adopt children,
marry and enter civil unions.
Last
year, Uganda enacted one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, which
included the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", despite
widespread condemnations from the West.
In Ghana
for instance. many are speaking out against a dangerous anti-lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bill.
In
February this year, Ghana's parliament passed a bill, which toughens criminal
penalties for consensual same-sex relations, and criminalizes the actions of
individuals and organizations that defend the rights of LGBT people.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/namibian-court-declares-laws-banning-gay-sex-unconstitutional/
--------
Beehives
Of Saudi Arabia’s Maysan Believed To Be Over 1,000 Years Old
June 22,
2024
A
general view of the apiaries of Maysan governorate feature beautiful
engineering with remarkable design specifications for honey production. (SPA)
-------------
TAIF:
Maysan governorate, located in western Saudi Arabia's Sarawat mountain range,
showcases stunning archaeological scenes of some of the most important and
impressive environmental engineering formations. These include approximately
1,200 beehives that were a major source of daily sustenance for the early
inhabitants of the place.
The
apiaries in Maysan have become a primary source for the production and sale of
Saudi honey, which is deeply embedded in the Kingdom’s culture and trade. These
sites date back to ancient history, highlighting the community’s longstanding
interest in honey in Maysan.
Abdul
Wahab Al-Khudaidi, a history enthusiast, confirmed that the Al-Kharafi apiaries
are situated between the Sarawat and Tihamah mountains and are believed to be
over 1,000 years old.
These
apiaries feature beautiful engineering with remarkable design specifications
for honey production. The structures are paved with stones in intricate
geometric patterns, spanning up to four levels.
The site
is difficult to access, requiring navigation through a designated path by an
experienced individual. The honeycombs are reinforced with solid stones and
columns to support the floors, which are constructed from large, closely
positioned stones in balanced shapes.
Al-Khudaidi
noted that the ancient beehives in the villages of Maysan and Bani Al-Harith,
which are part of Makkah province, are intricately designed with multiple
levels and floors nestled between steep, solid mountains.
The
hives, dating back over 10 centuries, serve as evidence of the place’s
authenticity and deep-rooted history. The famous mountains are a summer resort
for visitors and locals, a historical legacy celebrated in their poems, and
home to towering forts and castles that highlight the importance of the
villages' history.
The
structures testify to the rare profession practiced by the ancestors in
beekeeping and honey extraction, producing various types of honey such as
Acacia, Summer, and Seyal.
Al-Khudaidi
pointed out that the initial apiaries were carefully located between mountain
peaks to benefit from the diverse array of local aromatic plants.
These
mountains host more than 50 species, including Rue, Basil, Marjoram, Lavender,
among other wildflowers.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2535151/saudi-arabia
--------
India
Karnataka
HC Stays Summons To BJP’s JP Nadda, Amit Malviya For Post Allegedly Targeting
Muslims
The
Karnataka High Court on Friday said that the police need not summon Bharatiya
Janata Party chief JP Nadda and publicity wing head Amit Malviya for
investigation in connection with its “objectionable” campaign video targeting
Muslims, Bar and Bench reported.
Justice
Krishna S Dixit said that the case investigation can continue but without
insisting on the personal presence of Nadda or Malviya. The Karnataka Police
had issued summons to Nadda and Malviya on May 8 to appear before it within
seven days.
On May
5, a first information report was filed against the two and the party’s state
unit chief BY Vijayendra after the Congress lodged a complaint against an
animated video that was uploaded to the BJP’s Karnataka social media handles on
May 4.
The
video showed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi feeding “funds” to a bird, shown
wearing a skullcap, as it hatches out of the “Muslim” egg. The video shows the
“Muslim” bird pushing away the fledglings that hatch from the other three eggs,
followed by the sound of laughter.
The
Congress’ complaint said that the account to which the video was uploaded is
operated by Malviya and that the video was shared on the instructions of Nadda
and Vijayendra.
The
three BJP leaders have been booked under sections of the Representation of People
Act for making statements promoting enmity on religious grounds, under
provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
The
video was uploaded to the Hindutva party’s social media handles on May 4, three
days before the second and final round of polling in Karnataka.
On May
7, the Election Commission had told social media platform X to take down the
video on grounds that it violated the “extant legal framework”.
However,
the poll regulator’s notice to X came after campaigning for the Lok Sabha
elections in the state had ended, and during the second phase of polling in the
state. While voting for 14 seats in Karnataka took place on April 26, the
remaining 14 seats went to the polls on May 7.
Source: scroll.in
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://scroll.in/latest/1069634/karnataka-hc-stays-summons-to-bjps-jp-nadda-amit-malviya-for-post-allegedly-targeting-muslims
--------
NIA
Court Seeks Security For Gyanvapi Survey Order Judge
Jun 22,
2024
MEERUT:
Following threats linked to judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar's 2022 verdict ordering a
survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi to determine
if a temple existed underneath, an NIA court's special judge has requested
increased security for him.
Three
weeks after an FIR was filed against Adnan Khan for allegedly threatening
additional sessions judge Diwakar, NIA court special judge Vivekanand Sharan
Tripathi has written to the registrar general of the Allahabad high court
seeking more protection for judge Diwakar.
Special
judge Tripathi's letter, accessed by TOI, says, "Investigations have
revealed that Islamic fundamentalists are plotting to kill judge Diwakar...
This is a sensitive issue. If the activities of Adnan are not curbed, it could
lead to an untoward incident."
Judge
Diwakar, now an additional sessions judge in Bareilly, also wrote to the UP
chief secretary, expressing concerns about his current security. "On 13
May 2022, after the Allahabad HC's order, my family and I were provided
security, but the current level seems inadequate. It is clear that the Islamic
fundamentalists are brainwashing members of the minority community and turning
them against me by labelling me a kafir to get me killed. Hence this letter is
being forwarded to provide adequate security to me and my family."
On 25
April this year, judge Diwakar informed Bareilly police that he was receiving
threatening international calls. His current security detail includes two
personnel, "inadequately equipped for a potential terrorist attack,"
according to a judge's associate. "They are not even equipped with
adequate modern weapons in case of a terrorist attack," the associate
said.
On 3
June, the UP ATS investigation officer filed an FIR against Adnan Khan under
several IPC sections and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Khan allegedly
used his Instagram account to issue threats against judge Diwakar, encouraging
violence against him.
"Adnan
Khan runs an Instagram account through which a threat has been issued to judge
Ravi Kumar Diwakar, who is hearing the Gyanvapi mosque case in Varanasi,"
the FIR by ATS officer Prabhakar Ojha said.
Threats
against judge Diwakar have persisted since June 2022, when Varanasi police
investigated a threatening letter from the Islamic Aagaz Movement's president,
which mentioned his family and the Prime Minister in offensive terms, leading
to enhanced security measures for him.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/nia-court-seeks-security-for-gyanvapi-survey-order-judge/articleshow/111175770.cms
--------
Modi
yoga outreach gives Kashmir a cramp, local leaders allege mistreatment of
employees at event
22.06.24
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged Kashmiris to take inspiration from Egypt
and transform yoga into a tourist attraction, potentially generating new
livelihoods.
His
comments came amid concerns from Valley politicians about the treatment of
government officials at a recent yoga event on the banks of the Dal Lake,
highlighting a divide in perspectives on yoga.
Modi
spoke at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar
after rain delayed outdoor yoga, prompting participants, including girls in
hijabs, to improvise with yoga mats.
Addressing
the gathering of waiting participants on the lawns of the SKICC, Modi said:
“Two days ago I saw a video from Egypt. They organised a competition and
awarded the best yoga photographs and videos from iconic tourist places in the
country. I saw boys and girls from Egypt, in pictures and videos, standing in
front of the iconic pyramids. It was so attractive.
“For
Kashmir, yoga can become such a big source of livelihood. It can become a
centre of attraction for the tourists,” he added.
The PM
appeared to have cited an example from a Muslim nation to allay local concerns
over an alleged project to saffronise Kashmir.
Modi
praised the local participants for “holding their ground” despite the rain. He
said the rain delayed the event, which had to be “fragmented into two to three
parts”.
“The
weather was a little challenging but you stood your ground. I was watching our
girls who used yoga mats as a cover against the rain. But they did not leave
and stood their ground,” he said.
The PM
later clicked selfies with the women participants.
Local
politicians, however, appeared angry after videos showed participants having a
tough time at the event.
“Reports
and videos surfaced showing employees forced into walking barefoot in an event
organised for the Prime Minister. The way this administration has treated the
employees shows its disregard for respect and basic rights of the employees.
And this behaviour is unacceptable. If these reports are true, @PMOIndia should
apologise for this disrespectful treatment of the employees,” Srinagar’s newly
elected MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi posted on X.
Ruhullah
uploaded a video showing several employees, mostly women and apparently
doctors, walking barefoot in a muddy parking lot.
Despite
local criticisms and claims of mistreatment, government officials maintained
that the participation was voluntary, while several schools in Srinagar
remained closed during the PM’s visit as a precautionary measure.
Former
chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said “an occasion for celebration has
become one that fills people with dread”.
“A day
before International Yoga Day, all govt employees along with schoolchildren
have been ordered to show up at different venues at ungodly hours (pre-dawn),”
she had posted on X.
“Even
pregnant employees have not been spared. A pregnant employee was threatened to
choose between her job or being present at the event,” she wrote.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/modi-yoga-outreach-gives-kashmir-a-cramp-local-leaders-allege-mistreatment-of-employees-at-event/cid/2028800
--------
Jodhpur:
Two policemen injured, shop set on fire as violence erupts over construction of
gate in an eidgah
22.06.24
Two
policemen were injured in stone-pelting, a shop was set on fire and two
vehicles were damaged as violence erupted in a Jodhpur locality, police said on
Saturday.
Jodhpur
West DCP Rajesh Kumar Yadav said the clash began Friday night over the
construction of a gate in the backside of an eidgah near Rajaram Circle in the
Soor Sagar area here.
Locals
in the area had opposed the gate so that there was no movement of people at the
backside of the eidgah.
Last
night, tension escalated and some people pelted stones, injuring two policemen,
DCP Yadav said.
"A
shop and a tractor were set on fire, and a jeep was vandalised," a senior
police officer said.
"Police
dispersed people to their homes by using batons and fired 4-5 rounds of tear
gas shells," the officer added.
By late
Friday night, the situation was brought under control but the area remained
tense. Heavy police and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary forces continue to be
deployed on Saturday morning to maintain law and order.
Police
Commissioner Rajendra Singh said two FIRs were filed based on complaints from
both sides.
Police
said people from both sides have been taken into custody. Police are still
raiding houses in the locality to apprehend suspects.
According
to police, the construction of the wall on the back side of the eidgah began on
Friday evening, which was resisted by locals. The subsequent confrontation
turned violent later with stone-pelting, arson and vandalism.
When
police arrived at the scene and used batons to disperse the crowd, some people
set fire to a tractor parked by the roadside and damaged a vehicle.
While
charging at the crowd, police had to face a barrage of stones hurled at them,
which for a moment blocked their advancement.
A brief
peace was also worked out by the police with the help of senior members from
both communities but sudden stone-pelting turned the situation tense again.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jodhpur-two-policemen-injured-shop-set-on-fire-as-violence-erupts-over-construction-of-gate-in-an-eidgah/cid/2028861
--------
Pakistan
Bushra
Bibi’s Ex-Husband’s Lawyer ‘Seeks To Delay’ Iddat Case Further
June 22,
2024
ISLAMABAD:
As an additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) resumed hearing the pleas
seeking suspension of sentences of former PM Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra
Bibi, in the Iddat case, the counsel for her ex-husband repeatedly sought an
adjournment, trying to delay the case further.
Zahid
Asif, the counsel for Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka, requested
ADSJ Afzal Majooka to adjourn the hearing since his client, who is the
complainant in the instant case, was not present.
The
counsel, however, submitted his power of attorney (wakalatnama) to the court.
The
judge asked Mr Asif to conclude his arguments on the applications by June 25 as
the court would then take up the main appeals against their convictions.
When
Barrister Salman Akram Raja, the lead counsel for Imran Khan, began his
arguments and suggested that the complainant’s lawyer take notes, the latter
again requested an adjournment.
Barrister
Raja argued that the complainant acknowledged the divorce, but disputed the
duration of the Iddat period. According to Mr Maneka, the divorce occurred on
Nov 14, 2017, whereas Imran Khan maintained that it took place in April 2017,
the counsel explained. He said the trial court did not provide an opportunity
to Bushra Bibi to explain her stance and hurriedly concluded the trial.
The
counsel claimed that Mr Maneka changed his mind about six years after he was
arrested and jailed for four months, adding that Mr Maneka was released from
jail on Nov 14 last year, and he filed the complaint in the trial court on Nov
25.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1841174/khawar-manekas-lawyer-seeks-to-delay-iddat-case-further
--------
President,
PM vow to continue fight against terrorism
June 22,
2024
President
Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have strongly
condemned the bomb blast in Kurram district, which resulted in martyrdom of
five soldiers of Pakistan Army.
In a
statement, the President expressed the resolve to uproot terrorism from the
country and said the operations of law enforcement agencies would continue till
complete elimination of the menace.
He paid
tribute to the security personnel who embraced martyrdom and commended their
patriotism and sense of duty.
In his
message, the Prime Minister expressed condolences to the families of the
martyrs and prayed for high ranks of the martyrs.
He vowed
to continue the fight against terrorism till complete elimination of the
menace.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.radio.gov.pk/22-06-2024/president-pm-vow-to-continue-fight-against-terrorism
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Pakistan
calls for decisive action against terrorism in Afghanistan
June 22,
2024
At the
United Nations, Pakistan has called for decisive action against terrorism in
Afghanistan.
Speaking
at UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, Pakistan's Permanent
Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram highlighted the
dangers of allowing impunity for terrorist groups in Afghanistan.
He said
despite progress made by the Afghan Interim Government in combating Daesh
(ISKP), several other terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda and TTP continue to
operate in Afghanistan.
The
ambassador emphasized that goals of socio-economic development in Afghanistan
cannot be achieved as long as these groups operate freely within and from
Afghanistan.
He
reiterated that elimination of terrorism within and from Afghanistan remained
the highest priority for the international community, Afghanistan's neighbours
and Afghanistan itself.
Ambassador
Munir Akram described the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan as the most direct and
serious threat to Pakistan and detailed the TTP's activities, which have
resulted in hundreds of civilian and military casualties.
He said
despite Pakistan's repeated calls to Afghanistan to take action against the
TTP, no significant action has been taken.
He said
the TTP safe havens near Pakistan's borders persist and recent cross-border attacks
include the one that killed Chinese engineers working on Dasu hydropower
project.
Munir
Akram urged the UN Security Council to call on the Afghan interim government to
sever its links with the TTP and its associates, prevent cross-border attacks
against Pakistan, disarm TTP terrorists, and capture and hand over TTP leaders
to Pakistan.
He
emphasized a realistic roadmap for Afghanistan's normalization and integration
into the global community.
Munir
Akram said Pakistan is ready and will continue to work at bilateral, regional
and international levels to achieve sustainable peace and development in
Afghanistan.
He also
reminded the international community of its obligation to assist the 23 million
Afghans in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
Ambassador
Munir Akram termed the revival of the Afghan economy and finding pathways for
sustained development as being equally important.
He said
Pakistan enjoys close ethnic, cultural, historic and religious bonds with
Afghanistan, therefore promoting peace there is a national compulsion for
Pakistan.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.radio.gov.pk/22-06-2024/pakistan-calls-for-decisive-action-against-terrorism-in-afghanistan
--------
Call for
end to attacks on Ahmadiyya community
June 22,
2024
LAHORE:
The Pakistani authorities must end harassment, intimidation and attacks on the
Ahmadiyya community and uphold its right to freedom of belief and religion,
especially during the religious holidays such as Eidul Azha, said Amnesty
International.
It
documented 36 cases of arrests and detention in addition to dozens of cases of
alleged police harassment of the Ahmadis from June 10 to 19. Several attacks on
Ahmadi places of worship also took place with the authorities failing to ensure
their security.
“The
authorities must end the growing attacks on the Ahmadis. They must respect,
protect the human rights of the members of the community,” said Livia Saccardi,
the deputy regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, on the
website of the organisation.
“These
incidents of human rights violations by district administrations across
Pakistan have demonstrated a pattern that Ahmadis remain one of the most
systematically discriminated communities in Pakistan,” she added.
Speaking
to AI, a 60-year-old man from the Ahmadiyya community in Punjab alleged the
police entered his house without lawful authority by scaling the walls on the
first day of Eid.
“The
Ahmadiyya community faces threats every year, but this year has been
unprecedented. They took eight of my family members into custody, including my
sons, nephews and brother-in-law simply because we were practising our faith
within the four walls of our home,” he said.
AI
reviewed 11 FIRs filed against 14 members of the Ahmadiyya community on June 17
and 18 in Toba Tek Singh, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Khushab and Gojra.
These FIRs contained charges under the blasphemy laws and several of these FIRs
are based on complaints filed by affiliates of the TLP, the human rights
organisation said.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1841097
--------
IED
blast martyrs five soldiers in KP's Kurram
June 21,
2024
Terrorists
targeted a security forces’ vehicle in the Sadda area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s
Kurram district via an improvised explosive device (IED) in which five soldiers
of the Pakistan Army were martyred.
Five
brave sons of soil identified as Havildar Aqeel Ahmed, age 33 years, resident
of Okara district; Lance Naik Muhammad Tafeer, age 30 years, resident of Poonch
district; Sepoy Anosh Rufun, age 24 years, resident of Attock district; Sepoy
Muhammad Azam Khan, age 26 years, resident of Haripur district and Sepoy Haroon
William, age 29 years, resident of Islamabad Capital Territory), made the
ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat (martyrdom), according to the
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday.
The
sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists
present in the area and perpetrators of this henious act will be brought to
justice, the ISPR added.
“Security
forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such
sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," the ISPR
said.
Earlier
this month, seven Pakistan Army soldiers, including a captain, were martyred
after an IED hit the vehicle of the security forces in Lakki Marwat district,
the ISPR said June 9.
Subsequently,
security forces eliminated 11 terrorists, involved in the martyrdom of seven
army men, during an intelligence-based operation in the Lakki Marwat district,
the military’s media wing said on June 11.
At least
92% of all fatalities and 86% of attacks, including those related to terrorism
and security forces operations, were recorded in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and
Balochistan provinces in the first quarter of 2024.
These
key findings were revealed in the Q1 2024 Security Report issued by the Centre
for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), detailing that the country witnessed
at least 432 violence-linked fatalities and 370 injuries among civilians,
security personnel and outlaws resulting from as many as 245 incidents of
terror attacks and counter-terror operations.
Among
the 432 fatalities, 281 included that of civilians and security forces
personnel.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1202194-ied-blast-martyrs-five-soldiers-in-kps-kurram
--------
Peshawar
High Court halts deportation of Afghan artists and transgender individuals
June 21,
2024
The
Peshawar High Court has ordered the police not to deport Afghan artists from
Pakistan until their immigration cases are resolved.
Previously,
some Afghan artists in Pakistan had approached the Peshawar High Court seeking
political asylum.
These
artists, who lack legal residency documents in Pakistan, had requested the
court to prevent their deportation from the country.
The
plaintiffs, represented by a lawyer for the Afghan artists, submitted their
asylum requests to the Peshawar High Court, asking for permission to remain in
Pakistan until their fate is determined.
Judge
Ejaz Anwar and Judge Waqar Ahmad listened to the difficulties faced by these
artists in Pakistan and reviewed their asylum applications.
The
plaintiffs’ lawyer also stated during the hearing that these artists had
submitted asylum requests to the UN Refugee Agency but were being harassed due
to their lack of legal residency documents in Pakistan.
The
Peshawar High Court postponed the hearing of these artists’ cases to the next
session but instructed the authorities not to deport them from Pakistan until
their cases were resolved.
This
situation arose as some Afghan artists fled to Pakistan and Iran after the
Taliban took over in August 2021. The Taliban, upon taking control of
Afghanistan, banned musical instruments, singing, and listening to music.
Many
Afghan artists fled to neighboring countries out of fear of prosecution and
torture by the Taliban. Without legal residency documents, these artists face
deportation but are unwilling to return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
The
humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with widespread poverty,
food insecurity, and lack of basic services. The Taliban’s restrictive policies
have led to significant human rights violations, particularly against women and
ethnic groups. This crisis is compounded by limited access to international aid
and resources.
Additionally,
the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries
exacerbates the current situation. Many refugees face harsh conditions and
legal uncertainties in their host countries.
Returning
to Afghanistan under Taliban rule poses severe risks, including persecution,
lack of livelihood opportunities, and potential violence. The international
community has been urged to provide more support and protection for these
vulnerable populations.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/peshawar-high-court-halts-deportation-of-afghan-artists-and-transgender-individuals/
--------
Europe
Olympics-Islamist
terrorism main concern ahead of Paris Games, city's police chief says
Fri, 21
June 2024
PARIS
(Reuters) - Islamist terrorism is the main security worry ahead of the upcoming
Paris Olympics, the French capital's chief of police Laurent Nunez said on
Friday.
France
is on its highest level of security alert as the Games approach, with the
country additionally preparing for snap legislative elections at the end of
June.
French
authorities also recently foiled an attack on a sports stadium in another
French city.
"Islamist
terrorism remains our main concern," Nunez told a press conference seven
weeks before the Olympics opening ceremony, which will be held on and along the
River Seine on July 26.
"There
is no clear-cut threat yet against the Games and our country but I'd like to
remind you that at the end of May, two individuals were arrested in
Saint-Etienne and were plotting a project aimed directly at the Olympic Games.
"The
terrorist threat remains just as important as the protest threat posed by
radical environmental groups, the ultra left and the pro-Palestinian movement,"
Nunez said.
Last
month, an 18-year-old Chechen man was arrested in the city of Saint-Etienne,
suspected of planning an attack in the name of Islamic State at the city's
soccer stadium during the Olympics.
Source: uk.news.yahoo.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/olympics-islamist-terrorism-main-concern-104001766.html
--------
For
British Muslim voters, Gaza ushers in new era of UK politics
21 Jun,
2024
From
Jeremy Corbyn’s independent campaign for his long-held constituency of
Islington to Faiza Shaheen’s high-profile ejection from the candidacy of
Chingford and Woodford Green, independent candidates have never been as
politically relevant as they are now in the run-up to next month’s General
Election on July 4.
This is
especially true for Muslim voters who abandoned Labour in their masses for
independent candidates and smaller parties in last month’s mayoral and local
elections — with Labour’s vote share down by a third in some Muslim-majority
areas. In Rochdale, which is 18% Muslim, Workers Party of Britain candidate
George Galloway even achieved a staggering — albeit controversial — victory
over the incumbent Labour Party, winning the seat with a 12,000 majority.
With
Muslim voters — and others —increasingly growing despondent with the main
parties over their stance on Gaza, independent candidates have popped up across
the country, battling with Labour and Conservative representatives to win over
their constituencies and ultimately punish establishment politicians for their
pro-genocide attitudes.
However,
as is often the case when it comes to Muslims partaking in civil life, there
has been an underlying dismissiveness — even ridicule — in much of the media
coverage around these independent candidates.
On one
level, there seems to be an almost puritanical attitude by the mainstream media
that dictates that individuals running without the backing of a large party
machine are somehow lesser politicians or unqualified to become MPs.
We see
this with the derogatory way independent candidates are often dismissed like
Tiger Patel in Blackburn called a “taxi driver” or Leanne Mohamad in Ilford
North repeatedly labelled an “activist”.
When a
Labour or Conservative MP comes from humble roots — like Wes Streeting’s East
London upbringing — this is often commended. However, when it comes to members
of the community standing up against the two-party system and seeking to
represent the constituency they come from, their “non-political” background seems
to be warped into evidence of their inadequacy — especially if they happen to
be Muslim and a vocal advocate for Palestine.
Are
British Muslims fighting over Gaza?
More
ominously, though, there is a current of Islamophobia and racism that is
skewing the portrayal of many independent candidates. Time and time again in
the mainstream media, we see the label “pro-Palestinian” attributed to
independent candidates as though to claim that not only is their politics
extreme and Islamist in nature, but that their priorities don’t lie with the
people of Britain — or even their own constituency — but with a foreign
conflict instead.
After
last month’s local elections, tabloid media ran a host of sensationalist
headlines about “40 pro-Palestine activists” being elected into council seats —
alongside alarmist and Islamophobic reporting of keffiyehs being worn,
Palestine flags being waved and Gaza being mentioned in campaign materials. One
Green Party councillor who, upon winning, declared “Allahu Akbar, this is for
the people of Gaza”, was even investigated by his party and eventually forced
to apologise after accusations of antisemitism from local Jewish groups and the
rightwing media.
"The
heartfelt pro-Palestinian views of a community have been weaponised by
candidates seeking to build a platform for themselves"
What’s
more, there seems to be an assumption that Muslim independent candidates have
nothing to offer but a pro-Gaza stance and that a vote for them will achieve
nothing but a protest against the main parties.
We saw
this after Akhmad Yakoob came third in the West Midlands mayoral vote last
month where an unnamed Labour source claimed that Hamas were the “real winners”
and accused Muslim voters of having more loyalty to the Middle East than their
own constituencies.
Of
course, it is true that many independent candidates are running with Gaza at
the forefront of their campaign. There are those running with the express
intention of unseating Labour MPs who didn’t support a ceasefire earlier in the
year — like Ajmal Masroor running against Rushanara Ali, Labour MP of Bethnal
Green and Bow who abstained from supporting a ceasefire despite representing an
overwhelmingly Muslim constituency.
In some
cases, it even seems as though the heartfelt pro-Palestinian views of a
community have been weaponised by candidates seeking to build a platform for
themselves. In some constituencies, the pro-Palestine vote has begun to
cannibalise each other, sowing disunity within communities and
counterintuitively handing the vote to the very Labour candidate they are
seeking to punish.
However,
the presumption that Muslim independent candidates on the whole have nothing to
offer beyond Gaza represents just how much of a stronghold our two-party
electoral system has over our media and public imagination — and how embedded
Islamophobia is in our society.
Take
Leanne Mohamad of Ilford North who is running against Shadow Health Secretary
Wes Streeting. She is often portrayed as nothing but a pro-Palestine activist,
almost exclusively depicted in the media wearing a keffiyeh or alongside
political allies like Jeremy Corbyn in order to signal that her politics is
radical, extreme or somehow un-British.
However,
listening to Mohamad speak for even a matter of minutes it is clear that she
understands the issues in her local community are far more complex and nuanced
than simply offering an alternative to Labour’s pro-genocide position. She
repeatedly references issues like street safety, housing and healthcare as
pivotal issues on the doorstep and whilst Gaza has become the prism through
which many of her potential voters now view politics, it isn’t the be-all and end-all
of their needs as constituents.
Given
that Muslims are disproportionately represented in the poorest areas with the
worst health and education outcomes and higher rates of poverty and crime,
these issues matter to Muslim voters as much as Gaza.
Independent
candidates like Leanne Mohamad have grown up in the communities they now seek
to represent — unlike many Labour and Conservative MPs who are often dropped
into a seat they might have barely heard of before appearing on the ballot.
Perhaps
if there’s anything remotely positive that can come out of months of heinous
genocide greenlighted by our own political establishment, it can be that we
usher in a new kind of politics in the UK. One in which normal people stand up
to represent the views and demands of their own communities rather than seeing
MPs parachuted into an area to toe the line of a party machine.
A Labour
victory is all but guaranteed next month, however, independent candidates
remain our only hope to ensure that we have voices in the House of Commons that
actually represent our values — and with a British population overwhelmingly in
favour of ending the indiscriminate decimation of Gaza, the opportunity to
break the political stronghold and see those views actually represented in parliament
is reason enough to rally around our local independent candidates on July 4.
Source: newarab.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.newarab.com/opinion/british-muslim-voters-gaza-ushers-new-era-uk-politics
--------
Comment
made about Luton mosque treated as a hate crime by police
21st Jun
2024
The
Luton Community Policing Team said: “We are aware of a comment made via social
media toward Luton Central Mosque yesterday (Wednesday), which is being treated
as a hate crime.”
Officers
have been to the mosque on Westbourne Road and community officers will do “high
visibility patrols in the area to reassure the community”.
Luton
Central Mosque has been approached for comment.
Anyone
with any information or concerns is asked to call police on 101 or tell them
online quoting reference 40/33695/24.
The
force said: “There is no place for hate or discrimination of any kind in our
county. We would always encourage people to report instances of hate crime or
speech and want to assure our communities that reports of this nature are taken
seriously.”
Source: lutontoday.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/crime/comment-made-about-luton-mosque-treated-as-a-hate-crime-by-police-4674921
--------
Dawat-e-Islami:
Leading Islamic Organisation in the UK
21st Jun
2024
Dawat-e-Islami
is a global, non-political, Islamic organisation working for the propagation of
Quran and Sunnah throughout the world. To reach the needs of humanity, and for
the betterment of society, Dawat-e-Islami operates through 82 departments. Each
department focuses upon a specific need to help better lives and communities.
Click
Here: An introduction to Dawateislami
Dawat-e-Islami
is a global Islamic organisation that has established a significant presence in
the UK, focusing on the promotion of Islamic teachings and values through
various activities and services.
In the
UK, Dawat-e-Islami operates over 105 centres across various cities, including
but not limited to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, and Glasgow. These
centres serve as hubs for religious, educational, and community activities.
Religious
Education: FREE classes are offered on Quranic studies, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic
jurisprudence), and other religious subjects. These classes cater to both
children and adults.
Spiritual
Development: Regular gatherings and spiritual sessions are held to foster
spiritual growth and understanding among Muslims.
Community
Services: Dawat-e-Islami engages in charitable activities through its
department 'FGRF', including food distribution, support for the vulnerable, and
humanitarian aid during natural disasters.
Youth
Engagement: Special programmes are designed to engage the youth, providing them
with a platform to learn about their faith and develop their skills in a
supportive environment.
Publications
and Media: Dawat-e-Islami publishes Islamic literature and runs its own TV
channel, Madani Channel, which broadcasts religious content globally.
In
Birmingham, Dawat-e-Islami has established a strong presence, playing a pivotal
role in the religious and community life of the city's Muslim population. The
organisation operates over 25 centres across Birmingham and the Midlands,
serving as vibrant hubs for educational, spiritual, and charitable activities.
These centres are located to be accessible to communities within the city,
ensuring that services reach a wide audience.
One of
the core activities of Dawat-e-Islami in Birmingham is providing religious
education. A range of classes and courses are offered covering Quranic studies,
Hadith, Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), and Arabic language. These classes cater
to all age groups, from children to adults, ensuring that everyone has the
opportunity to deepen their understanding of Islam. These educational
programmes are designed to be comprehensive and are taught by knowledgeable
scholars and teachers who are well-versed in Islamic sciences.
In
addition to educational initiatives, Dawat-e-Islami in Birmingham is also
heavily involved in community service and charitable work through FGRF. Regular
food drives and distributions, youth programmes, tree plantations, free health
checks and much more are held to support the community. FGRF also runs
campaigns to help the vulnerable, providing essential items and support. FGRF's
charitable efforts extend beyond immediate relief, as long-term community
development projects aimed at improving the living standards and lives of the
community are regularly organised.
Dawat-e-Islami's
efforts in Birmingham also focus on youth engagement and spiritual development.
Weekly gatherings are held where community members can come together for a
spiritual discourse and collective worship. These sessions provide a platform
for individuals to seek spiritual guidance, ask questions, and connect with
like-minded individuals.
Dawat-e-Islami's
presence in the UK has had several positive impacts:
Community
Cohesion: By organising community events and services, Dawat-e-Islami helps in
building a strong sense of community among British Muslims.
Educational
Upliftment: Dawat-e-Islami's educational programmes contribute to the religious
and moral education of thousands, promoting better understanding and practice
of Islam.
Charitable
Work: Through active involvement in charity work by FGRF, support is available
for vulnerable groups and addresses are made on social issues, thus positively
impacting wider society.
Youth
Empowerment: Through youth initiatives, Dawat-e-Islami helps young Muslims to
stay connected with their faith and community, providing a positive direction
for their lives.
Overall,
Dawat-e-Islami has established itself as a key player in the Islamic landscape
of the UK, fostering religious knowledge, spiritual growth, and community
service.
Source: birminghamworld.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.birminghamworld.uk/community/dawat-e-islami-leading-islamic-organisation-in-the-uk-4674730
--------
Africa
Newly
appointed South African MP suspended for racist language video
Controversial
South African opposition politician, Renaldo Gouws, has been suspended by his
party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), less than a week after being sworn in as a
member of parliament.
His
suspension comes after videos he made about 15 years ago, in which he is seen
spewing racist language against black people, resurfaced online.
Initially,
one of the videos was suspected of being fake, but the DA issued a statement on
Thursday saying it had established it was genuine.
The
party said his comments did not reflect what it as an organisation stands for
and that Gouws will face disciplinary charges before its federal legal
commission.
South
Africa’s Human Rights Commission has also said it will be taking legal action against him in the
Equality Court.
The
controversy comes as the DA joined the African National Congress in President
Cyril Ramaphosa’s newly formed government of national unity.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/newly-appointed-south-african-mp-suspended-for-racist-language-video/
--------
"We
are ready to fight," President Kagame responds to DRC
In an
exclusive interview with France 24, Rwandan President Paul Kagame declared
Rwanda's readiness to go to war with the Democratic Republic of Congo if
necessary, stating, 'they are ready to fight and are not afraid of anything.'
This
follows accusations from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who claimed
Rwanda is organizing a genocide in Eastern DRC. Kagame responded by accusing
Tshisekedi of promoting a genocidal ideology against Congolese Tutsis.
Kagame
also refused to confirm the presence of Rwandan soldiers in the DRC,
emphasizing the need to address the root causes of regional tensions.
As he
prepares for a fourth term in the upcoming July 15 presidential election,
Kagame denied claims that the election is rigged and rejected accusations of
repressing and assassinating opponents. He asserted his government's commitment
to free and fair elections.
These
statements underscore the rising tensions between Rwanda and the DRC and
highlight the challenges facing Kagame as the election approaches."
The
decades-long conflict in eastern Congo has produced one of the world’s worst
humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups fighting in the region, most
for land and control of mines with valuable minerals. Some are fighting to try
to protect their communities. Many groups are accused of carrying out mass
killings, rapes and other human rights violations.
The
violence has displaced about 7 million people, including thousands living in
temporary camps like the one that was attacked last month. Many others are
beyond the reach of aid.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/we-are-ready-to-fight-president-kagame-responds-to-drc/
--------
South
Sudan's vice president expresses concerns over ongoing peace talks
South
Sudan's vice president said Thursday that peace talks in neighbouring Kenya
have failed to acknowledge the country's peace agreement established in 2018,
alleging a new draft agreement is aimed at replacing the original peace deal.
Riek
Machar in a protest letter to the talks' mediator said the draft established
alternative institutions to replace or run in parallel with those established
by the previous peace agreement. He added that the current peace talks should
complement and not obliterate the original deal.
The
former rebel leader signed an agreement with President Salva Kiir in 2018 that
ended a five-year civil war that killed about 400,000 people. Machar and Kiir
were on opposite sides in the war and Machar was appointed vice president after
the 2018 deal. His group isn't part of the current talks, which are for groups
that were not included in the 2018 agreement.
Despite
the peace deal, violence in South Sudan has continued, most of it attributed to
rebel groups and warring ethnic groups.
The body
mandated with monitoring the implementation of the 2018 peace deal raised
concerns in May over the slow implementation of election-related tasks with
only a few months left until the December elections.
Opposition
groups that were not part of the 2018 peace agreement have been in talks in
Kenya since May 9 aimed at bringing groups on board ahead of the December
elections.
The
talks have resulted in a draft agreement that recommends an extension of the
transitional period to provide more time for election preparations.
President
Kiir on Thursday received a progress report from government representatives in
the ongoing talks with the government spokesperson telling media that
participants in the talks are close to reaching a final agreement.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/south-sudans-vice-president-expresses-concerns-over-ongoing-peace-talks/
--------
Bulldozers
Move In To Demolish Bayero’s Nasarawa Palace As Security Operatives Block
Entrances
21 June
2024
Excavators
and bulldozers have been seen driving towards the Nasarawa Palace of deposed
15th Emir of Kano State, Aminu Ado Bayero.
Naija
News reports that this is coming after security operatives on Friday blocked
all entrances to the Nasarawa mini Palace, the current residence of Bayero.
Security
operatives reportedly took the action to prevent miscreants from getting in the
way of the Nasarawa Palace’s scheduled demolition.
Recall
that the Kano State government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf,
had instructed the Police to remove the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado, from the
Nasarawa Palace.
The
government said the palace is set to be demolished to allow for a
reconstruction and renovation.
The Kano
State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, who was
accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Baffa Bichi, gave the
order while addressing newsmen at the government house on Thursday.
Dederi
submitted that Bayero is trespassing on government property, and the State
Commissioner of Police has been ordered to remove him.
The
Commissioner insisted that the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, remains
the Emir and urged the people of the state to remain peaceful in the face of
the recent court order which he claimed validated the dissolution of the five
emirates carried out by the state government.
Source: naijanews.com
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Khartoum
and UAE envoys clash at UN Security Council over Sudan civil war
JUNE 19
2024
Sudan
and the United Arab Emirates clashed at the UN Security Council on Tuesday over
accusations by the army-aligned Sudanese government that the UAE is providing
weapons and support to a rival warring party in the country's 14-month-long
conflict.
Sitting
next to each other at the Security Council table, UAE UN Ambassador Mohamed
Abushahab said Sudan's UN Ambassador Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed had
made "ludicrous" and false allegations designed to distract from
"grave violations that are happening on the ground."
War
erupted in April last year between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) over a transition to free elections. The UN says nearly 25
million people - half Sudan's population - need aid, famine is looming and some
eight million people have fled their homes.
"The
military aggression launched by the Rapid Support militia, supported with
weapons by the Emirates, is deliberately and systematically targeting the
villages and cities," Mohamed told the Security Council.
UN
sanctions monitors have described as "credible" accusations that the
UAE had provided military support to the RSF. The UAE has denied involvement in
military support to any of Sudan's warring parties.
Without
naming any countries, the Security Council adopted a resolution last week that
urged countries "to refrain from external interference which seeks to
foment conflict and instability" and reminded "member states who
facilitate the transfers of arms and military material to Darfur of their
obligations to comply with the arms embargo measures."
The
United States says the warring parties have committed war crimes and the RSF
and allied militias have also committed crimes against humanity and ethnic
cleansing.
Abushahab
turned to his Sudanese counterpart at the Security Council table and said:
"If they seek an end to the conflict and civilian suffering, then why
won't they come to the Jeddah talks? Why are they blocking aid? What are you
waiting for?"
"You
should stop grandstanding in international fora such as this and instead, take
responsibility for ending the conflict you started," Abushahab added.
Late
last month Sudan's army rejected a call to return to peace talks with the RSF
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mohamed
responded angrily to Abushahab: "Whoever wants to create peace in Sudan
must first come with pure intentions and the United Arab Emirates is the state
that is sponsoring terrorism."
Source: theeastafrican.co.ke
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--------
UN chief
warns 'world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza'
Amid
soaring tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, the United Nations
Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has warned that one false move could
trigger a catastrophe for the whole region and beyond.
"One
rash move - one miscalculation - could trigger a catastrophe that goes far
beyond the border, and frankly, beyond imagination," he told reporters at
the UN headquarters in New York.
Since
the eruption of war in Gaza, Lebanon’s armed group, Hezbollah, and Israel have
been trading fire daily across the so-called Blue Line separating the two
countries.
"I
felt compelled today to voice my profound concerns about escalation between
Israel and Hezbollah along the Blue Line,” Guterres said.
“Escalation
in continued exchanges of fire. And escalation in bellicose rhetoric from both
sides, as if an all-out war was imminent. The risk for the conflict in the
Middle East to widen is real -- and must be avoided,” he said.
The UN
chief also highlighted that on both sides of the Blue Line, many people have
already lost their lives and been driven from their homes and livelihoods.
On
Thursday, Hezbollah’s leader issued a warning to Israel amid reports that the
Israeli military has approved plans for an offensive on southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah
has been exchanging fire with Israel for the past eight months in solidarity
with its Palestinian ally, Hamas, in Gaza.
“Let’s
be clear: The people of the region and
the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza,” said
Guterres.
He added
that UN peacekeepers were on the ground working to de-escalate tensions and
help prevent miscalculation.
"The
world must say loudly and clearly: immediate de-escalation is not only possible
– it is essential," he said. "There is no military solution."
He also
underscored the need to protect civilians, ensure that children, journalists
and medical workers are not targeted, and ensure the displaced can return to
their homes.
Guterres
added that the UN supported diplomatic efforts to end the violence, restore
stability, and avoid even greater human suffering in the region
Source: africanews.com
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--------
Arab World
The
Saudi artist’s gallery celebrates unbounded imagination
June 21,
2024
RIYADH:
Saudi artist Mohammed Abubshait has created a haven for other artists in
Riyadh. His gallery, Living in Wonderland, is a treasure trove of imaginative
artistic expression.
“Art has
always been in my blood, and I believe it is in everyone’s blood. I used to
mess around with my clothes, accessories, goods, cars, and whatever else. I
don’t like the way things are,” Abubshait told Arab News.
After 10
years as an employee at an oil company, he chose to switch gears and pursue his
passion for creating art out of various materials including metal, wood, and
resin.
“When
COVID-19 hit, I decided work on my art and I ended up with 150 pieces … I
decided to open a gallery in Riyadh to showcase them,” he explained. “It was
kind of risky at the time because, as you see, this is not a typical art
gallery. It’s different — a lot of pop art, street art and things that are a
bit outside-of-the-box.”
Abubshait
opened Living in Wonderland in 2020. “Many of us have seen and grew up with
‘Alice in Wonderland.’ It’s an escape to another world — unrealistic, creative,
no boundaries,” he said. “So, I thought it would fit the creative idea and
concept that we’re looking for. (The gallery) takes you down the rabbit hole to
another world.”
The
gallery supports — and sells the work of — many local artists, work created in
a variety of mediums, with a particular focus on modern and pop art. It also
currently includes work by artists from Mali, Italy, the UK and the US. Prices
range from SR2 (50 cents), to more than SR20,000.
“We’ve
got something for everyone,” Abubshait said. “I believe we introduced something
unique and different to the market.”
From
paintings and sculptures to installations and interactive displays, the gallery
features an eclectic mix of work that pushes boundaries, giving visitors an
intriguing and thought-provoking experience.
Abubshait
is also known for incorporating currency — both real and virtual — into his
work.
“The
majority of my art features money in the background, whether Saudi riyals or
American dollars,” he said. “And the cryptocurrency Bitcoin is one of my
signature backgrounds. People ask me why I use money and I’m, like, ‘Well, we
use money in our everyday lives.’ Everyone can manifest money.”
The
gallery also offers a variety of workshops including resin, rug tufting, and
painting.
“If you
haven’t been to Living in Wonderland yet, even if you’re not an art fan, you
should come and socialize. People (often come here) to work. If you’re looking
for a distinct feel, a different ambience, and something exciting, then you
must visit,” Abubshait said.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2535076/saudi-arabia
--------
Saudi
Arabia concludes participation at Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris
June 22,
2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia concluded its participation in the global defense and security
exhibition Eurosatory 2024 in Paris on Friday, where officials sought to boost
partnerships with France, the state news agency SPA reported.
The
Saudi pavilion participating in the exhibition, which started on Monday, saw
wide interaction and a large presence to view the latest achievements, products
and developments of the military industries sector in the Kingdom, SPA
reported.
The
pavilion, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, sought to
welcome investors from all over the world looking to invest in the military
industries sector, and the efforts made to develop research and innovation in
the sector.
It also
reviewed the most prominent policies, legislation and incentives in Saudi
Arabia that contributed to stimulating the process of localization and empowerment
of the sector, enhancing supply chains and investment opportunities, and the
importance of concerted efforts to achieve the military industries sector
strategy.
On the
sidelines of Eurosatory 2024, the governor of GAMI, Ahmed Al-Ohali, took part in
the activities of a Saudi-French Day, where he spoke about building industrial
and defense partnerships between Saudi Arabia and France, while the deputy
governor of the authority’s empowerment sector, Saleh Al-Aqili, touched on the
regulatory framework and organization of local content policy in the Kingdom.
Several
meetings were also held at the pavilion with other entities participating in
the exhibition, where a number of initiatives and partnerships were instigated.
Many
parties from the public and private sectors joined forces to showcase at the
pavilion, including the Ministry of Investment, represented by the Invest in
Saudi Arabia platform (Invest Saudi), the General Authority for Defense
Development, and a number of Saudi national institutions and companies
specializing in the field of military industries.
They
included the Saudi Arabian Military Industries, Saudia Technic, Life Shield,
Scopa, the Arabian International Company, the Saudi Leather Industries Company,
the Al-Esnad Military Industries Group, KRMC, and the World Defense Show.
The
Kingdom’s military industries are localizing and empowering the sector in
“attracting qualitative investments that will effectively contribute to
building a prosperous economy and a sustainable industry,” SPA reported.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2535146/saudi-arabia
--------
Saudi
Arabia urges all nations to work together to prioritize cybersecurity
June 22,
2024
LONDON:
The need for a safe and reliable cyberspace that can help enable growth and
prosperity is more urgent than ever, Saudi Arabia said as it urged all nations
to prioritize efforts to strengthen cybersecurity.
Abdulaziz
Al-Wasel, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, said it was time
for the international community to adopt a serious and practical approach, in
collaboration with the UN, to unifying international efforts to combat threats.
This is particularly important given the role cybersecurity plays in protecting
the vital interests of countries and national security, he explained.
His
comments came on Thursday during a UN Security Council debate about evolving
cyberspace threats under the heading “maintenance of international peace and
security,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
Al-Wasel
highlighted the work and rapid progress of the Kingdom’s cybersecurity sector,
which he said was established as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for
national development and diversification. The sector has developed rapidly and
dynamically, he added, helping to advance the field domestically, regionally
and globally.
The
Kingdom began its transformative journey by developing a model for
cybersecurity that is based on centralized governance and decentralized
operability, he said, and falls under the responsibility of national
authorities. The model is distinguished by its comprehensive framework for
dealing with all aspects related to cybersecurity, whether legislative, security-focused,
economic or developmental.
In 2017,
Saudi authorities established the National Institute for Cybersecurity, and the
Kingdom’s efforts in the field have resulted in several international
achievements, one of the most most notable of which was earning second place
globally, and first in the Arab world, the Middle East and Asia, in the
International Telecommunication Union’s 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index.
And this
week Saudi Arabia topped the global cybersecurity rankings in the World Competitiveness
Yearbook 2024, which is compiled by the World Competitiveness Center of the
International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland. In the
overall World Competitiveness Index for 2024, the country climbed to 16th
place, having ranked 24th in 2022 and 17th last year.
Al-Wasel
also noted the launch in 2020 of the Global Cybersecurity Forum in the Kingdom,
an international platform that brings together decision-makers from around the
world to discuss strategic issues related to cybersecurity. More than 120
countries attended the forum last year, during which the International
Cybersecurity Forum Foundation was established, with its headquarters in
Riyadh, to aid the enhancement of cybersecurity at an international level.
“The
Kingdom is keen to unify regional efforts to cooperate in enhancing regional
cybersecurity, which resulted in the establishment of a specialized ministerial
committee for cybersecurity under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council,
based on a proposal from the Kingdom,” Al-Wasel said.
Another
proposal by the Kingdom led to the establishment in September last year of the
Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, under the aegis of the Arab League,
with its general secretariat and executive offices in Riyadh.
The UN
welcomed the work of the Kingdom in the sector and said: “Saudi Arabia also
provides capacity-building exercises worldwide, with over 40 states and
organizations participating in such training.”
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Harnessing
agricultural terraces for blackberry cultivation in Al-Baha
June 21,
2024
AL-BAHA:
Al-Baha is proving to be an ideal region for the cultivation of blackberries.
Utilizing
advanced plant tissue culture techniques, this initiative has shown great
potential, benefiting both farmers and beekeepers due to the plant’s rapid
growth, high yield, and superior quality blossoms.
The
blackberry cultivation initiative in Al-Baha has thrived, with more than 30,000
bushes planted to date. According to the Saudi Press Agency, this endeavor
promises significant economic and investment returns for the region, leveraging
its natural agricultural assets, fertile soil, and ample groundwater.
Fahd
Al-Zahrani, director of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in
the region, highlighted the crop’s potential. He stated that over 30,000
blackberry seedlings have been planted in open fields, achieving nearly 100
percent success. The seedlings began producing high-quality fruit in the spring
of 2024, underscoring the experiment’s success.
The
ministry aims to increase the number of blackberry trees in Al-Baha to 3
million within the next three years, supported by various programs and
collaboration with farmers and agricultural associations. Numerous field
workshops have been conducted to train farmers in propagation techniques,
facilitating the expansion of blackberry cultivation.
Hassan
Saeed Al-Shantir, owner of Al-Shantir Farm, emphasized the region’s favorable
agricultural conditions, including fertile soil and groundwater. He started
preparing the agricultural terraces and planting blackberries at the end of
2022, supported by the regional branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water,
and Agriculture, and the Agricultural Arabian Shield initiative, planting
around 100 blackberry seedlings.
Al-Shantir
reported that his farm now boasts over 750 seedlings, with notable production
increases. The farm has opened sales points in Al-Baha and begun exporting to
Jeddah, with plans to expand to other major cities. He noted the rapid growth,
abundant blossoms, high-quality fruit, and economic benefits of blackberries,
which also resist various climatic conditions.
He plans
to utilize the attractive, sweet blackberries, rich in nutrients and
antioxidants, in various products such as desserts and food decorations,
capitalizing on their low-calorie content.
He also
benefited from workshops organized by the ministry, which focused on crop
composition plans, propagation techniques using tissue culture, suitable
irrigation methods for blackberry cultivation, and seedling production through
tissue culture.
Dr.
Fatima Al-Omari, an advisor at the agriculture under-secretariat, explained
that blackberry is a perennial plant or small shrub with curved, thorny
branches. It blooms from late spring to early summer, with typically white
flowers and black fruit. This fruit offers high health and nutritional benefits
due to its vitamins, minerals, and fiber, with relatively low sugar content.
She
added that the current condition of the farms is good, with high-quality blooms
and fruit observed in several farms within a year of planting the seedlings.
These farms are regularly monitored by a committee headed by Dr. Ibrahim
Mohammed Aref, the initiative supervisor and advisor at the Agriculture Agency,
in cooperation with the Agricultural Cooperative Society in Baljurashi and the
Ministry’s regional branch.
Al-Baha
region, known for its unique agricultural identity, boasts distinct terraces
that align with the mountainous terrain, slopes, and elevations retaining soil
and rainwater. The region also offers a variety of fruits year-round.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Saudi
Arabia welcomes Armenia’s decision to recognize state of Palestine
June 21,
2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed a decision by Armenia’s government to recognize
the state of Palestine, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It
stressed that this “decision is an important step that supports the path of
establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem
as its capital.”
Earlier
on Friday, Armenia announced that it was recognizing the state of Palestine
becoming the latest nation to do so during the war in Gaza, saying it was
“genuinely interested in establishing long-term peace and stability in the
Middle East.”
Three-quarters
of the 193 UN member nations have recognized the state of Palestine, with
Spain, Ireland and Norway taking the decision last month, stating that they saw
the move as a step toward peace in the region.
The
ministry renewed the Kingdom’s call to the international community, especially
the permanent members of the UN Security Council that have not recognized the
state of Palestine, to move forward toward recognition “in a way that supports
the two-state solution and strengthens the foundations of international peace
and security,” it said.
Palestinians
believe that the recognitions confer international legitimacy on their
struggle, especially as Israel’s war against Hamas, now in its ninth month,
faces growing international criticism over the campaign of systematic
destruction in Gaza and a huge cost in civilian lives.
The head
of the Gulf Cooperation Council also praised the “supportive step from Armenia”
for the Palestinian people to obtain all their rights and maintain regional
stability and security, and called on all countries to take similar steps.
Jasem
Albudaiwi “reiterated the firm and established position of the GCC in
supporting the Palestinian cause, and reaching a solution based on ending the
Israeli occupation,” the bloc said in a statement.
The Arab
Parliament welcomed Armenia’s decision, stressing that it represents a new
victory for the Palestinian cause, diplomacy and the right of the Palestinian
people to establish their independent state.
The
parliament said that increased international recognition of the State of
Palestine represents a practical response to the Israel’s failed plans to
liquidate the Palestinian cause.
In a
statement, it called on all countries that have not yet recognized the State of
Palestine to move forward with recognition as a step toward ending the
historical injustice to which the Palestinian people have been exposed for
decades of occupation, calling at the same time on the international community
to stand by the Palestinian cause.
The Kuwaiti
Foreign Ministry said the recognition was a positive step toward enabling the
Palestinian people to self-determination and establishing their independent
state, and also urged countries to take similar decisions to find a just and
comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Saudi
Arabia pledges to promote peaceful, sustainable use of outer space
June 21,
2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia has confirmed its commitment to promoting international
cooperation and the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space, highlighting
its achievements, capabilities and efforts in the sector at a UN meeting in
Austria.
The Kingdom,
represented by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission and the
Saudi Space Agency, is participating in the 67th session of the UN Committee on
the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which is being held in Vienna from June 19 to
28.
The participating
delegation held a meeting under the theme “Saudi Arabia Towards Space: Igniting
the Space Sector,” with more than 80 leaders and experts in the field, to
discuss cooperative opportunities to advance the global space industry, the
commission said in a statement.
The
delegation also reviewed the progress of the Saudi space sector and the
Kingdom’s efforts to enhance the sustainability of space through its
initiatives, such as organizing the Space Debris conference in February, and
“its permanent presence in international forums, which reflects its commitment
to achieving the vision of the peaceful use of outer space in accordance with
international principles,” the CST said.
On space
exploration, “the Kingdom shed light on its journey toward space, which
achieved many successes, most notably conducting 14 pioneering scientific and
research experiments, and reviewed developments in the regulatory framework and
governance of the space sector in the Kingdom,” it added.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2534936/saudi-arabia
--------
SDAIA
prepares infrastructure at entry points to ease Umrah visitors procedures
June 21,
2024
RIYADH:
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has prepared the technical
infrastructure to ease entry procedures for Umrah visitors following the
announcement that Umrah visas will be issued after Hajj.
Saudi
Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started issuing Umrah visas, Saudi
Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The new
Umrah season will coincide with the start of the new Islamic year on Muharram
1, and the move aims to streamline the arrival of pilgrims and ensure a smooth
and worry-free experience.
The
ministry is working diligently to implement the directives of the Saudi
leadership and accommodate more Umrah pilgrims, providing services that meet
their needs.
As SDAIA
works to facilitate the entry procedures for Umrah performers into the Kingdom,
this comes in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and relevant
government entities across all air, sea, and land entry points in the Kingdom,
which are now preparing for the arrival of Umrah performers from around the world.
SDAIA is
present at the entry points of Makkah, Madinah, the Eastern Region, Tabuk,
Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, Najran, and Jeddah Islamic Port. It has equipped
these entry points with primary and backup communication circuits.
These
are operated by SDAIA’s national experts, specialising in computing and
necessary technical devices.
Moreover,
SDAIA provides round-the-clock technical and logistical support, carries out
preventive maintenance for data rooms, network devices, and workstations, and activates
the traveller system, which helps expedite the transfer of Umrah performers’
data to streamline their entry procedures.
SDAIA
has also installed biometric capture and registration stations at entry points,
configuring and programming the devices. Additionally, it has prepared mobile
kits equipped with biometric registration devices and provided backup systems
to ensure uninterrupted operations at entry points, facilitating the year-round
entry of Umrah performers.
SDAIA is
committed to advancing secure digital services and intelligent solutions,
particularly for government entities serving visitors to the Two Holy Mosques
during the Umrah season. This initiative is part of SDAIA’s broader mandate to
utilize data and AI to improve services at these sacred sites.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2534926/saudi-arabia
--------
North America
New
Jersey school district apologizes for offending Muslim group with question
about ISIS terror group in quiz
June 21,
2024
A New
Jersey school district apologized for offending a Muslim activist group this
week after a middle school teacher featured a class quiz question naming the
Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, as a terror group.
The
Wayne Township Public Schools superintendent’s office sent out a statement to
the district expressing regret over an "inappropriate" question that
was asked during a quiz at Schuyler-Colfax Middle School earlier this week.
"The
question was offensive and contrary to our values of respect, inclusivity, and
cultural sensitivity," the office said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The
group, which describes itself on its website as a network of Muslim educators
that confronts "discrimination, implicit bias, and institutional
racism" against Muslims in public schools, shared an Instagram post
condemning a quiz question that one teacher posed to his seventh-grade students
about the Islamic State.
The
group shared a screenshot of the question, which read, "It is a terrorist
organization that commits acts of violence, destroys cultural artifacts, and
encourages loss of life in order to achieve its goal of global rule under
strict Islamic Sharia law."
Students
were prompted to choose the group from the multiple choices below, which
included, "The Shining Path," "al Qaeda," "Islamic
State," and the "Palestinian Liberation Organization."
The
image featured the "Islamic State" bubble filled in, as it was the
correct answer. TWM condemned the question in the post’s caption, stating,
"We have seen anti Muslim & anti Palestinian sentiments, teachers, and
content in our schools over and over again. But we must not allow it to
continue. Call and email everyone that you can."
"This
is not okay on a million levels. Go. And yes. This is real," the post
added. It also included a screenshot of the school principal’s alleged apology
for the question, as pointed out by conservative journalist Andy Ngo on X.
A recent
Congressional research document defined the Islamic State as "a
transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group. At its 2015 height,
the group controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria from which it launched
attacks in the region and beyond."
The
document continued, noting that "The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA)
of the U.S. Intelligence Community assessed that ‘ISIS will remain a
centralized global organization even as it has been forced to rely on regional
branches ... [and will attempt] to conduct and inspire global attacks against the
West and Western interests.’"
When
asked to confirm details of TWM’s account against Schuyler-Colfax Middle
School, the superintendent’s office provided its statement apologizing for the
incident.
It read,
"First, I sincerely apologize on behalf of the school district. Such
incidents are unacceptable and do not reflect the standards we uphold for our
educational community. We understand the deep concern and disappointment this
has caused among students, parents, and the broader community. It is also important
to recognize that one question does not define our entire school
community."
The
statement went on to say an "investigation" had been launched into
the matter and found that "the test question was derived, in part, from
software used as a resource for this class."
"It
is crucial to emphasize that our schools are committed to fostering safe and
respectful environments for all students, regardless of background, belief,
race, or religion. We have a process in place for reviewing curriculum
materials and have already initiated a review of this software," it added,
also mentioning that the school continues to "provide cultural sensitivity
training to all teachers and staff."
Source: foxnews.com
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https://www.foxnews.com/media/new-jersey-school-district-apologizes-offending-muslim-group-question-about-isis-terror-group-quiz
--------
CAIR
Condemns Ban on Hijab, Islamic Clothing in Tajikistan
June 21,
2024
The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the passage of a bill in
Tajikistan that would ban the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, and other Islamic
clothing.
The bill
aims to curb the wearing of what it terms “alien garments.” It is expected to
primarily target the hijab and other Islamic clothing.
SEE:
Tajikistan Parliament Approves Controversial Ban On Hijab And Islamic Garments
“Banning
the hijab is a violation of religious freedom and such bans on religious attire
should have no place in any nation that respects the rights of its people,”
said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “We condemn this
draconian, repressive law and urge the Tajik government to reverse this
decision.”
He noted
that CAIR previously condemned the proposal to ban the hijab in Tajikistan.
SEE:
CAIR Condemns Tajikistan’s Threat to Ban Hijab as Latest Example of Global
Islamophobia-
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-ban-on-hijab-islamic-clothing-in-tajikistan/
--------
CAIR-MA
Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Anti-Muslim Vandalism
June 21,
2024
The
Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA),
the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today
called on law enforcement authorities to investigate reported anti-Muslim
vandalism in Mashpee, Massachusetts, as a possible hate crime.
The
Mashpee Police Department said a retaining wall was spray-painted with “Muslims
not welcome” and a large stone was spray-painted with “[expletive deleted] off
Muslims.”
In a
statement, CAIR-MA Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud said:
“We
thank law enforcement authorities for the swift investigation of these
apparently bias-motivated incidents and urge that they be treated as possible
hate crimes. As we have witnessed nationwide, hate-filled rhetoric can often
result in acts of violence.”
Earlier
this year, CAIR released new civil rights data showing that it has received
3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023 amid an ongoing wave of
anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.
CAIR’s
mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote
justice, and empower American Muslims.
La
misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del
Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados
Unidos.
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Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ma-calls-for-hate-crime-probe-of-anti-muslim-vandalism/
--------
Muslim
group sues Washtenaw County township over mosque dispute
Jun 21,
2024
A Muslim
advocacy group filed a federal lawsuit against a Washtenaw County township on
Thursday, alleging local officials are making it impossible to open a mosque.The
lawsuit, filed by the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic
Relations (CAIR-MI), claims Lodi Township has unconstitutional zoning laws and
practices that violate the religious rights of Muslims.
Masjid
Al-Farook, a nonprofit, filed an application for rezoning to develop an Islamic
place of worship on Ellesworth Road in 2021 in Lodi Township near Ann Arbor. In
March 2024, the Lodi Township Planning Commission recommended that the Board of
Trustees deny the application. Trustees said they have no plan to take any
action on the recommendation, leaving the Muslim community with no recourse
other than filing a lawsuit challenging the township’s zoning ordinance and
master plan, the lawsuit states.
The
township has just one zoning district where places of worship are permitted to
exist, yet there’s no land within that district to build a place of worship,
the lawsuit alleges.
“Lodi
Township’s current zoning ordinance makes it impossible for any new place of
worship to be developed within the township which is an abject violation of
RLUIPA (Religious Land Use And Institutionalized Persons Act) and the U.S.
Constitution,” CAIR-MI staff attorney Amy Doukoure said in a statement.
“Despite being on notice since at least 2021 that their zoning scheme likely
violated Masjid Al-Farook’s constitutional and legal rights, the Township has
voted to deny their request for rezoning and took no action to review their
zoning ordinance until Masjid Al-Farook demanded that they finally take action.
Despite the time that has elapsed since the original request for rezoning has
been filed, the Township has been unable to rectify their zoning ordinance and
bring it in compliance with their obligations under the U.S. Constitution and
federal law.”
The
lawsuit alleges the township violated RLUIPA and the First and Fourteenth
Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
The
Muslim community has no place of worship in the township.
Under
the township’s master plan, local officials only approved one application for a
rezoning of a religious institution, and that was for the expansion of a
preexisting Christian church.
“Lodi
Township, like the many other municipalities, has taken the route of
restricting development and expansions of religious institutions for American
Muslims,” CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said. “After nearly three
years of waiting and giving the Township time to fix their zoning scheme,
CAIR-MI has no other choice than to assert the Muslim community’s rights
through litigation.”
This
isn’t the first time CAIR-MI has sued a Michigan community for allegedly
thwarting plans to build a mosque. In 2022, the advocacy group settled a
similar lawsuit on behalf of Adam Community Center against the city of Troy
after the municipality denied variances that would have allowed the development
of the first mosque in the city. As part of the settlement, Troy paid
undisclosed monetary damages and acknowledged that the property could be used
for a place of worship.
In 2o16,
the Michigan Islamic Academy in Ann Arbor settled a lawsuit, filed by CAIR-MI,
that alleged Pittsfield Township prevented the construction of a
70,000-square-foot Islamic school. The academy was awarded $1.7 million and
granted the right to build the school.
Source: metrotimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.metrotimes.com/news/muslim-group-sues-washtenaw-county-township-over-mosque-dispute-36598270
--------
South
Florida Muslim leader Shaikh Shafayat dies. He spent decades bridging religious
divides
JUNE 21,
2024
For most
of his life, Imam Shaikh Shafayat Mohamed worked to bring people of different
backgrounds together to better understand each other. Shafayat, who died at
Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood on June 8 at the age of 65, devoted
decades to leading interfaith councils, lecturing at mosques, churches and
synagogues and facilitating hundreds of conversations on a YouTube program
widely viewed in the Muslim community. Through establishing his own Islamic
Institute, he brought the message of the Quran to hundreds of students in South
Florida.
“His
work on interfaith issues was intended to literally bridge the gap among major
religious groups,” said Bob Knotts, founder of an organization that advocates
for respect for all people called The Humanity Project, which Shafayat served
as a board director. “He wanted to get those elements of the community, whether
locally or more broadly .... talking to each other, understanding each other
better.” INTERFAITH WORK Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Shafayat grew up with
Hindu and Christian influences in his family — beginning a life-long career of
interfaith work and promoting tolerance for different religions and cultures.
In Florida, Shafayat was a well-known Muslim leader, speaker and the director
of Darul Uloom Islamic Institute, which he established in Pembroke Pines in
1994. “One of his dreams was to spread the message of the Quran, and that’s
what we as kids would like to continue,” said his daughter Faria Mohamed. “He
has hundreds of kids in the Darul Uloom that are there following in his
footsteps.” Shafayat was also a man of many firsts. In 1975, he was the first
student from the Caribbean and North America to study Islam at Darul Uloom
Deoband, one of the largest and oldest Islamic institutes in India. He was the
first Muslim to serve as president of the Interfaith Council of South Florida
in 2002, and the first Muslim to represent Islam at a Florida faith summit in
2000, held at the Capitol Building with Gov. Jeb Bush, according to a biography
on his school’s website. Later in his life, he returned to the Caribbean to
establish the Islamic Home for Children Trinidad and Tobago. “He was the Imam
for all South Floridians, the Caribbean and across America. An irreplaceable
leader, Shaykh Shafayat has left a lasting impression on the community,” wrote
the South Florida Muslim Federation in an email. Shafayat was also on the
advisory board for many interfaith efforts, including the Sacred Journey
Interfaith Seminary, a religious school in Oakland Park that trains people in
multi-faith practices, the first of its kind in South Florida. “To me, the true
testament of education about difference is through partnering and being in
relationship with ‘the other’ — whoever ‘the other’ is,” said Rev. Grace
Telesco, co-founder and executive director at Sacred Journey. Telesco said
Shafayat often brought students to his mosque on Fridays to learn about Islam.
“For our seminarians, they may have come in with their own notions and
assumptions about Islam, but then when they were in relationship with Shaikh
Shafayat and all of the folks at the mosque … They were able to come to a new
level of understanding the beauty of Islam,” she said. Shaikh Shafayat Mohamed,
a well-known South Florida imam and Muslim scholar, died earlier this month.
Faria Mohamed Telesco said she admired the way Shafayat was able to moderate
panels that tackled tough issues — religion, politics, morality — without
creating a divisive atmosphere. “That’s the beauty of Shaikh Shafayat, he listened,”
said Rev. Telesco. “He never really inserted his opinion about something, he
just served to facilitate a dialogue.” Shafayat often organized events that
exposed non-Muslims to Islamic traditions of fasting, prayer and iftar dinners,
the meal Muslims partake in each night during Ramadan to break their fast.
Earlier this year, Shafayat spoke at a city-sponsored iftar dinner in Pembroke
Pines — the first of its kind there — which was attended by city officials,
faith leaders and members of various South Florida mosques. “I think it’s
important especially now, for all of these cities and elected officials to get
to know Islam, to get to know Muslims,” said Shafayat. “We don’t have to wait
for some problem before we get together to socialize.” Pembroke Pines
Commissioner Jay D. Schwartz, who has known and worked with Shafayat since
2015, said the city plans to continue the tradition of a community iftar
dinner. “His passion to bring people together is what drew me to him, and
together, we did a lot of things and I’m saddened I’m unable to continue the
journey with him,” Schwartz said, adding that the city honored Shafayat with a
proclamation in his memory. Using his platform to combat misconceptions about
Islam was another important goal for Shafayat, according to many friends of the
Imam who spoke with the Miami Herald. It’s an effort that became particularly
relevant after the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, which led to
heightened Islamophobia against Muslims in America. Shafayat traveled the country
after 9/11 with the U.S. Department of justice to educate law enforcement on
how to avoid dangerous stereotypes about Muslims, according to Schwartz. He was
also a co-founder of JAM & ALL Interfaith (Jews and Muslims & all)
along with Moshe David Kamrat, a son of Holocaust survivors, who created the
organization in response to 9/11 attacks. JAM brought together Jews and
Muslims, and eventually other faith communities, through round-table
discussions, a Youth Initiative, town hall meetings, conferences and other
special events.
Source: miamiherald.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article289377200.html
--------
UK firms
under scrutiny for criminal liability over arms sales to Israel
20 June
2024
Weapons
manufacturers and exporters in Britain have come under close scrutiny for
criminal liability over arms sales to Israel.
Media
reports said on Thursday that the directors of 20 UK arms companies received
notices warning them they could be held responsible in courts of law for
complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity for selling arms to the
genocidal regime.
Citing a
section in the 2001 International Criminal Court Act, pro-Palestine campaigners
warned the directors of the companies that it is illegal under British law “to
engage in conduct ancillary to a war crime or a crime against humanity” in
foreign jurisdictions.
“Individuals
transferring weapons to Israel are exposed to criminal liability, plain and
simple,” said a Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) senior lawyer, Dearbhla
Minogue, in a statement.
“The
fact that they are hiding behind a licensing system which is unfit for purpose
will not protect them if and when they face a jury of their peers because ordinary
people can see through politicians' obfuscation.”
GLAN and
three other campaign groups, including Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), War
on Want and the International Center of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP),
addressed the directors of the British arms companies supplying F-35 fighter
jet parts used by Israel in its ongoing savage campaign in Gaza.
Lockheed
Martin manufactures the F-35 fighter jet in the United States with the help of
international partners, including British firm BAE Systems, which supplies
essential components to build the warplanes heavily used by Israel’s military.
The
campaigners warned the British companies that they could face “potential
criminal liability for atrocity crimes currently taking place in Gaza.”
“There
is nowhere to hide for company directors choosing to provide weaponry to a
state whose leaders have made clear their intent not to comply with
international law and whose armed forces commit atrocity after atrocity,” said
Neil Sammonds, a senior campaigner at War on Want.
Britain
and the United States, alongside Germany and Italy, have been the main
suppliers of weaponry to the Israeli regime.
The US
Congress recently approved one of the largest arms sales to Israel since
October, including 50 F-15 fighter jets worth more than $18 billion.
The
Israeli war machine began the genocide in Gaza in early October. The regime has
killed nearly 37,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over
85,500 since.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/06/20/727844/UK-firms-scrutiny-Israel
--------
Mideast
Palestinian
Islamic Jihad Terrorists Planning Attack Eliminated in West Bank by IDF
Israeli
special forces eliminated two terrorists from the Iran-backed Palestinian
Islamic Jihad (PIJ) near the West Bank boundary on June 21, preventing an
attack.
The two
wanted men and a third Palestinian were intercepted in a car in the city of
Qalqilya. They were shot after they opened fire at the combined Israeli police
and military commando unit that was attempting to detain them. The identity and
condition of the third man was not immediately clear.
One of
the PIJ men was planning to carry out an attack in the area, Israeli
authorities said, adding that he and his comrade were armed with pistols.
Expert
Analysis
“While
much attention has been given to Israel’s efforts to prevent Hamas from rising
in the West Bank in parallel to the dominant Palestinian terrorist group’s
hostilities in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Islamic Jihad remains a significant
threat in its own right. Lacking Hamas’s political exposure and enjoying
consistent funding from Iran over the years, PIJ is tight-knit and especially
vicious.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO
“Qalqilya
abuts the 1949 armistice line and what is today Israel’s heavily traveled
Highway 6. That puts many Israeli civilians within easy access of terrorists
from the Palestinian town, giving security forces very little margin for error
in preventive actions.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research
Analyst
Source: fdd.org
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/06/21/palestinian-islamic-jihad-terrorists-planning-attack-eliminated-in-west-bank-by-idf/
--------
Qatar
working to ‘bridge the gap’ between Israel and Hamas
June 22,
2024
MADRID:
Qatar said Friday it was pursuing efforts to “bridge the gap” between Israel
and Palestinian militant group Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and release Israeli
hostages held there.
The Gulf
emirate, the United States and Egypt, have been engaged in months of
negotiations for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that erupted on October 7.
There
has been one seven-day pause in November which led to the release of more than
100 hostages. Efforts since have been deadlocked.
“We have
continued our efforts without interruption over the last few days,” Qatar’s
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told a news conference
in Madrid with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.
“There
have been several meetings with the Hamas leadership to try to bridge the gap
between the two parties and reach an agreement that will lead to a ceasefire
and the release of the Israeli hostages,” he added.
The talks
are based on a plan US President Joe Biden laid out on May 31 calling for an
Israeli withdrawal from “major population centers” in Gaza and a six week
ceasefire, which could be extended if negotiators need more time to seek a
permanent deal.
“Efforts
are continuing, but so far we have not reached a formula that we feel is the
most appropriate and closest to what has been presented,” the Qatari prime
minister said.
“As soon
as this is done, we will communicate with the Israeli side to try to bridge the
gap and reach an agreement as quickly as possible,” he added.
Qatar-based
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement that the Palestinian Islamist
movement was open to “any document or initiative that ensures the foundations
of the resistance’s position in ceasefire negotiations.”
Hamas
has insisted on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a
permanent ceasefire before the release of all hostages sought by Israel. The
Israeli goverment has rejected the demands.
Haniyeh
said “the priority is to stop the criminal war on our people.”
The Gaza
war was sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted
in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally
based on Israeli official figures.
Militants
also took 251 hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army says
are dead.
Israel’s
retaliatory offensive has killed at least 37,431 people in Gaza, also mostly
civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2535106/middle-east
--------
Legendary
musicians Roger Waters, Yusuf Islam, headline concert for Palestine in London
22.06.2024
Legendary
musicians Roger Waters and Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, performed
alongside rapper Lowkey at St. Pancras Church in London at a concert Friday
that was dedicated to raising awareness and solidarity for Palestine.
It
featured impassioned performances and speeches, highlighting the struggles in
Gaza and occupied territories.
Waters,
known for his activism and poignant musical commentary, delivered a stirring
rendition of "Wish You Were Here," reinterpreting the song as an
anthem for Palestine.
"I'm
sure many of you, like me, live on the brink of tears," Waters told the
crowd. "We live on that uncomfortable edge, on the brink of tears because
we feel empathy for our brothers and sisters in Gaza and the other occupied
territories in Palestine. People sometimes think: 'Wish You Were Here' is a
lament for a dead childhood friend of mine. Guess what? Sometimes it is, but
not tonight. Tonight is for Palestine. Tonight, my song, 'Wish You Were Here'
is about choices. If you think you can tell heaven from hell, you can choose one
or the other on polling day, the fourth of July."
Waters
used the platform to address the political climate in the UK, endorsing Andrew
Feinstein as an independent candidate in Holborn and St. Pancras. He
characterized Labour leader Keir Starmer as a "genocide enabler" and
demanded a new moral compass in Westminster.
"To
prevent the genocide enabler Keir Starmer from becoming prime minister would be
a huge gift to the people of England and, in fact, to the whole of
mankind," said Waters. "We are in desperate need of a new moral
compass in Westminster to help guide a new Labour movement that truly
represents the people through the corridors of power."
'It's
not all dark'
For his
part, Islam said he was there to add another voice for the children in Gaza.
"Because
they are the ones. They are the most innocent, the most pure and they are the
ones who do not deserve this," he said.
He
emphasized the moral imperative to protect innocent lives. "There is a
saying: Whoever murders an innocent soul, it is as if they have killed all
humanity. And who is more innocent than babies and children?" he asked
rhetorically.
Islam
celebrated the collective efforts of those gathered at the concert. "It's
not all dark, because I love. I love what's happening here tonight. It's
beautiful and it's bright and there's a light," he said, praising the
unity and compassion displayed by concert-goers.
He did
not, however, shy away from critiquing political leaders, condemning their
roles in perpetuating violence.
"We
can see the smart-suited politicians lining up and ordering their men in
uniform to go out and destroy our world. That's the reality, and that's what
we're fighting," he said as he demanded an end to the destruction wrought
by wars.
'Our
freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian people'
Former
South African politician and pro-Palestine activist Andrew Feinstein said:
"Let us remember we are together, not just on the fourth of July, but for
years and years after the fourth of July.
“We’re
going to change our politics, and we’re going to change our world, and we’re
not going to do it by looking to any leaders. We are going to do it by looking
in the mirror at ourselves, and we are going to do it by joining arms with our
neighbors. We are going to do this together,” he said.
Feinstein,
who served as an African National Congress Member of Parliament, drew
inspiration from Nelson Mandela.
He
reflected on Mandela's legacy and his unwavering commitment to equality and
justice in South Africa and globally.
“We are
going to create a just and equal world in which we all strive for a better life
for all of us, just as my former boss, Nelson Mandela, did in South Africa and
the world,” he said. “And we will never forget that after 27 years in an apartheid
prison, Nelson Mandela emerged to say: ‘Our freedom is incomplete without the
freedom of the Palestinian people.’”
Source: aa.com.tr
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/legendary-musicians-roger-waters-yusuf-islam-headline-concert-for-palestine-in-london/3255336
--------
Radical
Islam will not stop with annihilation of Jews
Radical
Islam, has for many years used intimidation to increase its sway over moderates
and has now turned its sights on the West, with democracy as its tool to
advance an ideology and shape the future, countries like oil-rich Qatar have
poured money into the pockets of politicians, and elite universities.
Freedom
and Democracy, though sometimes flawed are the world's best options. There are
no Arab democracies, only ruthless dictatorships even when a democratic system
appears to be in place, as in Tunisia and Iraq.
When it
comes to Israel, the false narrative that is being used has solidified a
perception of reality that ignores historical truth.
From
'occupation' to October 7
The word
'occupation, is thrown around when describing the situation in Gaza, before the
massacre of October 7. but in 2005 Israel pulled out of the Strip, under a
policy of "Gaza first", to see what would happen if the Palestinians
have autonomy without any Israeli presence in the strip. The Palestinian
Authority Within 2 years Hamas overthrew
the PA government in a short coup, killing many, torturing others, including
famously throwing opponents off buildings to their deaths.
Hamas
targeted Israel's south with rockets, produced with materials smuggled in and
began building an extensive tunnel system to facilitate their smuggling. How
would the residents of Texas or California have dealt with 20 years of rocket
attacks from Mexico causing death, injury and damage to their property? What
would America have done?
It is
hard to estimate the amount of money that went into building Gaza's tunnel
system. It was built with a vast investment of hundreds of millions of dollars
to be used for attacks against Israel. Terrorists popped up through shafts, to
launch rockets, while tunnels were built near the border, to facilitate
incursions into Israeli communities.
The
funding for the massive project came from Iran and Qatar, funds that were
delivered as aid and taxes collected from Gazan workers who were employed in
Israel making higher wages that were available in the Strip. while a tax on
smuggled goods brought in from Egypt made the leaders of Hamas, rich. Ismail
Haniyeh, Moussa Abu Matzuk and Khaled Mashal became billionaires, no less,
stealing money from their own people, and are living in mansions in Qatar. It
pays well to be a "freedom fighter" these days...
As for
the West Bank, most of it is administered by the PA. Israel maintains a
military presence there to prevent a scenario like the one we experienced on
October 7. Without Israel's presence there, the PA would have been toppled a
long time ago, and replaced by a Hamas regime.
School
books in Gaza and the West Bank contain straightforward antisemitsm, including
all the "classic" images from Joseph Goebel’s Nazi propaganda. This
is in order to foment hatred against the Jews. Generations of children have
been raised with lies.
On
October 7 Hamas terrorists targeted civilians, killing, torturing, raping and
gang raping women and girls, decapitating babies in front of their mothers.
Burning people alive, in an orgy of sadistic, evil, sinister, satanic behavior.
Many of their victims were residents of Kibbutzim near the border who hoped and
believed in peaceful relations with their neighbors. But the Hamas charter of
1988, does not allow for that. It calls for the total destruction of Israel,
using violent means.
The
radical Islamists want no Jews and no Christians to exist in Palestine. The
Christian population has been on the decline in Palestinian areas and only in
Israel do they enjoy protection from persecution and terror. In the beginning
of the 20th century, Christians made up 20% of the population and are now only
5%.
If this
is not ethnic cleansing – then what is? Even in Bethlehem, the birthplace of
Christ, their numbers have dropped to only 30% and continue to fall. The
Jihadists have a saying: "After Saturday comes Sunday", which means
that once they were done with the Jews, they would turn to deal with the
Christians.
"If
the Arabs put down their weapons today, there will be no more violence. If the
Jews put down their weapons today, there will be no Israel," said Golda
Meir. War is a terrible thing, and people are killed and wounded in it. We
didn't start this war, it was the monsters from Hamas, backed by the Iranian
dictatorial regime.
And
although the civilian suffering in Gaza has been great, the figures of dead and
wounded, provided by Hamas, are questionable. The IDF operates on humane
principles and aims to avoid civilian casualties while Hamas is using those
civilians as human shields. They have for years, launched their missiles and
rockets at Israel from near their schools, hospitals and mosques - knowing that
Israel would not attack such places.
IDF
forces in Gaza (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Israel's
practice was to warn civilians to escape before bombing their area. In the war,
the IDF sought to evacuate civilians to safe areas although it was putting its
own troops in harms way when alerting Hamas to their arrival. The terrorists
would then booby trap buildings that would explode when the forces arrived.
This we
absolutely cannot afford. I knew a young soldier, an ex-student of mine and a
wonderful young man, who was killed in a house that was known to have an
entrance to a tunnel, but there was a bomb that exploded upon the soldiers
entering the house.
This
young man was the grandson of a renowned heart surgeon who used to go into the
Gaza strip and operate voluntarily on children there. When his grandson died,
many families from Gaza called him personally to offer their condolences.
Many
houses, apartments, hospitals, mosques, Universities, were packed with guns and
ammunition, including under kids’ beds and anywhere you could imagine, Former
British military colonel Richard Kemp described what he saw when he accompanied
IDF troops into many of these places.
When the
Western coalition invaded Iraq in 2003 after 9/11, hundreds of thousands of
Iraqi people were killed, and millions were dislocated from their homes. Then
the attack was justified by a claim that the Iraqis were hiding W.M.Ds, weapons
of mass destruction, which turned out not to be true.
During
the Syrian civil war, hundreds of thousands were also killed, and about 14
million became refugees, about half of them displaced within their own country
and the rest leaving for Lebanon or elsewhere.
Many of
the "liberals" and" "Progressives" of the world who
protest about Israel, have not protested about these massive killings. They
ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas. They say nothing of the Gaza
civilians who lived in fear of the violent Hamas regime and who know that
speaking out against it would result in their execution.
Boaz
Frenkel
Boaz
Frenkel
Hamas is
not Islam. Their atrocities are absolutely against what is written in the Koran
and they have nothing to do with real Islam. They use its name only. Anyone
supporting Hamas is not being pro-Palestinian. Hamas wants to destroy Israel
and has shown its “capabilities”. By supporting these readical Islamists, they
are strengthening evil in the world.
Source: ynetnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rktp7oblr
--------
Israel
army says Israeli civilian shot dead in West Bank
June 22,
2024
JERUSALEM:
The Israeli military said on Saturday that an Israeli civilian died after being
shot near the occupied West Bank city of Qalqilya and that troops had launched
an operation in the area.
The
military and Israeli police were investigating the circumstances of the death,
the military said, without offering details.
“IDF
troops are currently operating in the area of Qalqilya after an Israeli
civilian was pronounced dead, shortly after being found shot in the area,” the
military said in a statement.
Israeli
media reported that the dead man, who was in his 60s, was a Jewish Israeli
citizen.
In
recent days, there have been several violent incidents in Qalqilya and its
vicinity.
On
Friday, Israeli and Palestinian authorities said at least two Palestinians were
killed in an Israeli operation in the city.
Israeli
authorities said the two were militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
group.
Violence
in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has been on the rise for more
than a year, particularly since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7.
At least
549 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers across the West
Bank since October 7, according to Palestinian officials.
Attacks
by Palestinians have killed at least 14 Israelis in the West Bank over the same
period, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Source: arabnews.com
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UAE
contributes $5 million to United Nations OCHA for humanitarian efforts in Sudan
June 22,
2024
DUBAI:
The UAE will allocate $5 million to support the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF)
that would be managed by the United Nations, state-run WAM news agency
reported.
In an
agreement with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA), the UAE contribution to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund will be
managed by OCHA, in order to “facilitate access to funds to address the most
critical humanitarian needs and emergencies on the ground,” WAM reported.
Martin
Griffiths, Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief
Coordinator, in a statement said: “We are deeply grateful to the Government and
the people of the United Arab Emirates for your generous support of $70 million
to help bring relief to the people of Sudan through the United Nations. With
this allocation, we can bolster our lifesaving support to families and
communities caught up in Sudan's unprecedented humanitarian crisis.”
“The
UAE’s long-term support to Sudan is a testament to our dedication to fostering
a prosperous Sudan and promoting stability in the region. We are pleased to
partner with OCHA and other UN agencies to deliver vital aid to those most
impacted,” according to Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s Assistant Minister for
Political Affairs and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“I
reiterate the UAE’s unwavering position is to call for an immediate and
permanent ceasefire, and a peaceful solution to the crisis,” she added.
Meanwhile,
Emirati officials also signed an agreement with the Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan
and prevent the imminent risk of famine.
FAO has
received US$5 million in funding from the UAE, which will be directed towards
the project titled ‘Mitigating Famine in Sudan – Support to Conflict-Affected
Vulnerable Smallholder Farming and Pastoralist Households’.
The FAO
project, set to run for one year, aims to provide emergency crop, livestock,
and veterinary assistance to 275,000 vulnerable smallholder farmer and
pastoralist households, benefiting approximately 1,375,000 individuals.
The UAE
contributions to OCHA and FAO are part of a broader commitment of $70 million
dedicated to addressing urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan, through UN agencies
and humanitarian organizations.
This
funding is a substantial portion of the $100 million pledge made by the UAE in
April at a global humanitarian conference for Sudan and its neighboring
countries.
This
contribution takes the total amount of UAE aid to Sudan in the past 10 years to
more than $3.5 billion.
Source: arabnews.com
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Red
Cross says 22 killed in shelling near Gaza office
June 22,
2024
GENEVA:
The International Committee of the Red Cross said its Gaza office was ‘damaged’
by in a shell attack Friday that killed at least 22 people who had taken
shelter around the compound.
The ICRC
did not say who fired the “heavy calibre projectiles” but in a statement on the
X platform said they “damaged the structure of the ICRC office,” which is
surrounded by hundreds of displaced persons living in tents.
It said
22 bodies and 45 wounded had been taken to a nearby Red Cross field hospital
after the shelling, and there were “reports of additional casualties.”
“Heavy-calibre
projectiles landed within meters of the office and residences of the
International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday afternoon,” the statement
said.
“Firing
so dangerously close to humanitarian structures, of whose locations the parties
to the conflict are aware and which are clearly marked with the Red Cross
emblem, puts the lives of civilians and Red Cross staff at risk,” said the
body.
“This
grave security incident is one of several in recent days,” it added.
“Previously
stray bullets have reached ICRC structures. We decry these incidents that put
the lives of humanitarians and civilians at risk.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Lebanon’s
FM meets with UN, French and US envoys in bid to prevent full-scale war
June 21,
2024
BEIRUT:
Lebanon’s Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met with French
Ambassador Herva Magro, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine
Hennis-Plasschaert, and US Ambassador Lisa Johnson on Friday.
The
minister reiterated Lebanon’s call for the full implementation of UN Resolution
1701.
Hennis-Plasschaert
said there was “no inevitability (to wider conflict with Israel)” during her
visit to UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
Also on
Friday, it was announced that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will
make shuttle visits to Lebanon, Israel, and the West Bank.
Concerned
at the risk of Israel’s war on Gaza spreading across the region, US President
Joe Biden sent his special envoy Amos Hochstein to embark on a new round of
diplomacy last week. Hochstein called for “urgent” de-escalation during talks
with Lebanon and Israel on Tuesday, informing both sides that “the threat of a
full-scale war persists and must be avoided.”
It is
widely believed in Lebanon that Hochstein convinced Israel to refrain from
escalating its military actions against Lebanon for the time being.
In a
meeting with visiting Israeli officials including National Security Advisor
Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Washington on
Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the importance of
“avoiding further escalation in Lebanon and reaching a diplomatic resolution
that allows Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes,” according
to a statement.
According
to his spokesperson, Matthew Miller, Blinken also stressed America’s
“unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”
During
his talks in Beirut, Hochstein reportedly reassured Lebanese Prime Minister
Najib Mikati that Biden’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza was being viewed
positively, and that Qatar was working to make it happen.
Hochstein
also reportedly told Mikati that “things are under control and positive when it
comes to the war between Lebanon and Israel.”
Former
Lebanese Ambassador to Washington, Riad Tabbarah, described threats of war as a
“mere outburst.”
He told
Arab News: “Since military operations began on the southern front about nine
months ago, the Lebanese have been hearing that war is coming, but it never
arrives.
“During
diplomatic negotiations, it is common for both sides to face pressure and
threats,” he continued. “It appears that there are numerous and diverse
negotiations happening behind the scenes, including discussions between the
Americans and Iranians, as well as between the Americans and Hezbollah.”
Tabbarah
acknowledged the recklessness of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
said the Israeli leader “has two options — either war or prison. And there is
significant pressure on him, especially from the families of the hostages.”
Tabbarah
noted that there are limits to what military action can achieve. “We still
recall the time when former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon crossed those
limits in 1982 when he set the Litani Line as his target. However, he went
beyond that and reached Beirut. As a result, international powers united to
bring him back to the Litani Line.
“No one
has an interest in war,” he continued. “Americans, Europeans, and Iranians are
working in the opposite direction. The general trend is to avoid escalating to
open war.”
Military
operations on the Lebanese front decreased significantly on Friday, although
the outskirts of Naqoura in the western sector were targeted by Israeli
artillery, causing a fire in a house. In the morning, an Israeli military raid
targeted the town of Wazzani.
Hezbollah
made a series of announcements about their operations, which were “focused on
specific targets within the rules of engagement.”
Hezbollah
attacked the sites of Ramtha and Samaka in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shouba
Hills, the Zabadin site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms, and carried out
an air attack using drones on the Ras Al-Naqoura naval site, aiming at
locations containing Israeli military personnel.
The
Lebanese Ministry of Health said that, up to June 19, it has recorded a total
of 1,774 casualties, including 432 fatalities, caused by Israeli attacks.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
South Asia
Human
Rights Watch calls exclusion of Afghan women from Doha talks “Shocking”
June 21,
2024
The
executive director of Human Rights Watch described the exclusion of women’s
rights and the absence of women from the Doha talks as “shocking.”
Tirana
Hassan sharply criticized this omission, warning that it risks legitimizing the
Taliban and causing irreparable damage to the UN’s credibility.
This
human rights organization states that despite the Taliban’s violations of
women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan, which has led to the most severe
women’s rights crisis in the world, there will be no discussion about women and
their rights at the Doha talks.
According
to reports, no Afghan women have been invited to participate in this meeting.
The executive director of the organization harshly criticized the UN for
organizing a meeting with the Taliban without including women’s rights on the
agenda or inviting Afghan women.
The
Taliban has stated that the agenda shared by the UN for the Doha meeting will
focus on private sectors, finance, banking, and narcotics. This has drawn
serious criticism from women’s rights groups, who emphasize that any
international conference on Afghanistan lacking the full participation of women
is illegitimate.
The
upcoming Doha talks on June 30 and July 1 come amid a dire humanitarian and
human rights crisis in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban took power, restrictions
on women’s education and employment have severely worsened the situation,
drawing international condemnation.
The
exclusion of women’s issues from the Doha talks is particularly alarming, given
the Taliban’s systematic dismantling of women’s rights. This further highlights
the urgent need for the international community to address these violations and
ensure women’s representation in discussions about Afghanistan’s future.
Source: khaama.com
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--------
Islamic
Emirate at a glance
June 22,
2024
Part XXI
By:
Hashmat Nasiri
Provision
of Social Services Over the course of the preceding year, pivotal endeavors
have been undertaken in the realm of social service provision, notably focusing
on facilitating public access to clean drinking water, rehabilitating rural
transportation infrastructure, and administering social welfare initiatives.
The following delineates select initiatives: A. Water Supply Over the past two
years, more than 41,000 sanitary water supply networks have been completed in
rural areas at a cost of over 3 billion Afghanis. With the completion of these
projects, clean drinking water has been provided to over 1.6 million people,
playing a crucial role in maintaining public health. Additionally, the
implementation of these projects has provided job opportunities to over 3.6
million people. Furthermore, in the past year, over 3,000 different water
supply projects, including refurbishment of water supply networks, well
digging, and water reservoir construction, have been implemented nationwide. B.
Rehabilitation of Rural Roads In the recent annum, the restoration of rural
thoroughfares in diverse provinces has stood as a focal point for the Ministry
of Rural Development of Afghanistan. Noteworthy among these efforts is the
construction of 15 kilometers of roadways, valued at approximately 3 million
Afghanis, in the Balamorghab district of Badghis province, ameliorating transit
constraints for a population exceeding 12,000. Additionally, the completion of
four concrete road projects spanning 19 kilometers, with an outlay
approximating 2 billion Afghanis, in Kabul, Logar, Kapisa, and Parwan
provinces, has assuaged transportation impediments for over 37,000 individuals
and engendered gainful employment avenues for multitudes. C. Construction of
Canals and Retaining Walls The construction and reconstruction of canals and
retaining walls in provinces are another achievement in the field of social
services. Dozens of concrete canals, costing 79 million Afghanis, have been
rebuilt and put into operation in the Zheri and Daman districts of Kandahar
province. Additionally, dozens of projects involving the reconstruction of
wells and underground aqueducts, totaling 58 million Afghanis, have been
completed and put into operation in various districts of the country. The
construction and rehabilitation of canals and retaining walls represent another
substantive stride in the domain of social welfare provision. Notably, scores
of concrete canals, at a cost of 79 million Afghanis, have been rehabilitated
and commissioned in the Zherai and Daman districts of Kandahar province.
Furthermore, numerous projects entailing the rehabilitation of wells and
aqueducts, totaling 58 million Afghanis, have been completed and
operationalized across various districts. Moreover, in diverse districts of
Badghis province, over 2,000 kilometers of concrete canals and more than 5
kilometers of protective walls, with a cumulative valuation exceeding 172
million Afghanis, have been rehabilitated and commissioned, thereby fostering
employment prospects for local denizens and benefiting myriad beneficiaries. D.
Employment Generation The Islamic Emirate’s persistent endeavors to mitigate
unemployment have entailed the creation of conducive environments and the
provision of avenues for gainful employment. In consonance with this objective,
the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Afghanistan has disbursed in excess
of 52,000 licenses to domestic constituents over the past year. Additionally, a
total of 1,534 work permits have been disseminated to foreign nationals during
the same period, constituting a pivotal contribution to job creation endeavors.
End
Source: thekabultimes.com
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--------
Consultation;
a short way to success
June 22,
2024
No one
can achieve success through his intellect alone and not every person has
experience in all matters. So everyone must know his home, village and country.
About issues relating to administration, listening carefully to the advice of
elders, wide wise people, and experienced individuals and thinking about them,
and then leaving the evil and practicing good helps one achieve success. Maybe
some people will think that they don’t need anyone’s advice, or they will think
that if he/she listen to someone else’s words and advice or ask them questions
about their own issues and ask them for advice, then it will be their weakness,
but, such an idea is never correct, rather it is a false arrogance and negative
perception. Also, the holy religion of Islam has recommended its believers for
practicing forgiveness and ordered people to forgive the mistakes of their
friends and family and consult with them in matters important to them. Because,
with such a behavior, the holy Prophet of Islam could gather people around him
and advise them about religion. Many clear examples can be read in the
Prophet’s biography about listening and accepting advice, which is considered a
very useful lesson for Muslims and should be read carefully. Also, about
listening to advice, there is another thing that it is possible that every
person has a lot of words, recommendations and advices to the rulers and
officials or have various objections and criticisms, which will definitely lead
to reforms in a system. For example, more than forty million people are living
in our country and naturally, many people among them are leaders, experienced,
and very intelligent people. They also call themselves servants of the country,
the nation, and the government as well as people who are willing bad and act
against the system. This situation demands that the ruling leaders should be
more tolerant than others, because, when every individual has full opportunity
to share their words and ideas with the rulers, through hundreds of TV
channels, radios, newspapers, and social media, it’s not possible to blame all
of them to be against the system and punish them or take them to jail. The fact
is that this solution is not constructive and the government cannot be
strengthened by taking into account and prosecuting all the protestors. So,
government officials should have and hear the advice and recommendations of the
elders, experts, and the experienced people to gain their support in
strengthening the pillars of the system.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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--------
Eid in
southern provinces; people celebrate with recreational activities
June 22,
2024
Most
residents of the country’s southern provinces as Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan and
Helmand have celebrated the second and third days of Eid al-Adha by going to
recreational and historical areas. Residents of Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan and
Zabul provinces of southern Afghanistan say that they celebrated the three days
of Eid al-Adha in a peaceful environment and marked the second and third days
of Eid by going to recreational places in their provinces. They are happy about
the improvement of the overall security situation as the highways are open day
and night and they could go to the recreational areas of their provinces and
celebrate the Eid days. Taj Mohammad Hemat, a resident of Kandahar, says that
good security measures have been taken for Eid in Kandahar this year;
therefore, they celebrate the Eid days by visiting historic sites and going to
recreational areas in the province. “The majority of Kanda har’s youth went to
Kandahar’s Dehli, Baba Sahib, Ainu Mena, Arghandab, and Spin Boldak districts
to celebrate the Eid days,” Hemat said, adding that the youth also celebrated
the Eid days by playing various traditional and local games as wrestling,
cricket, volleyball, and other common games. According to Hemat, the economic
condition of the people has now improved compared to previous years; therefore,
the number of people going to recreational and historic areas increased this
year. “The youth of Kandahar also go to some neighboring and northern provinces
of Afghanistan to celebrate the Eid days. The number of people who have visited
other provinces during the Eid days has increased as the economic situation of
people has improved,” Hemat added. Meanwhile, several residents of Zabul say
that most people, particularly the youth have left for the the northern
provinces of the country to celebrate the second and third days of Eid al-Adha,
while some of others celebrated the second and third days of Eid by going to
some recreational areas in Zabul. Hedayatullah Nikzad, a resident of Zabul,
says people had previously celebrated the Eid festivals in Qalat, the
provincial capital due to insecurities, but with the Islamic Emirate takeover
and improvement of the overall security situation, people have now celebrated
the Eid days by going to recreational areas beyond the provincial capital and
Zabul. “Zabuli people can celebrate the Eid days by going to recreational areas
without any problem as the security situation has improved,” Nikzad said,
adding that most people of Zabul even went to other provinces to celebrate the
Eid days. He also said that others celebrated the second and third days of Eid
al-Adha by going to some recreational areas in Zabul’s Mizan district with
holding some traditional games as wrestling. “Most people, particularly the
youth of Zabul went to other provinces this year to celebrate the Eid days.
Some others celebrated the second and third days of Eid by recreational
activities such as wrestling and other traditional games in the Mizan district
of the province,” Nikzad said. Meanwhile, several residents of Uruzgan province
say that this year they were wellprepared for Eid holidays than other years,
adding that this year, young people went to remote areas of the province for
some recreational activities. Hikmatullah Uruzgani, a resident of Uruzgan, says
that Uruzgan’s Chora, Chacharchino, and Khas Uruzgan were among the districts
of the province where people visited to celebrate the second and third days of
Eid al-Adha. “This year, the youth of Uruzgan were well-prepared for the Eid
festival. Uruzgan’s Chora and Chaharchaine districts are two key areas for
following recreational activities; therefore, most people of the province
visited the respective districts to celebrate the Eid days,” Uruzgani said,
adding that some others even went to other provinces to celebrate their Eid
days. This comes as Helmand, another southern province of the country, hosted
hundreds of people from other provinces this year. Hazrat Mohammad Rouhani, a
resident of Helmand, says that Helmand, which has many historical places,
hosted this year hundreds of people from other provinces and celebrated Eid
days by going to recreational and historical areas of the province. According
to Rouhani, Helmand’s Sangin and Nad Ali districts, considered as one of the
districts where people go for for entertainment and recreational activities,
hosted people this year from other provinces as well as Lashkar Gah, the
provincial capital. He said that people had previously not visited Helmand due
to insecurities, adding that the number of people visiting historical sites of
the province has increased with the Islamic Emirate takeover and improvement of
the overall security situation in the country. Afghans celebrated Eid alAdha,
the Feast of Sacrifice and the second most important holiday in the Islamic
calendar, in a peaceful environment and without any security incident across
the country. They marked it by offering special prayers and slaughtering
livestock, usually goat, sheep, cow, or camel to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s
test of faith. It is worth mentioning that the three-day celebration is marked
with special prayers, feasts, and the ritual slaughter of an animal – with the
meat then evenly distributed to family, friends, neighbors, and the poor and
needy. It’s the second and larger of the two annual Eid’s – and also coincides
with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Ehsanullah
Walasmal
Source: thekabultimes.com
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--------
World
Refugee Day: Afghan refugees still facing deportation
June 22,
2024
As World
Refugee Day was marked on 20th June with international neglect, Afghan refugees
are facing with deportation from various countries of the world, particularly
Pakistan, Iran, Turkiye, and Germany. This comes as the second phase of
deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is underway. World Refugee Day is
an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around
the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and celebrates the strength and
courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape
conflict or persecution. It was the first Pakistan that started the mass
expulsion of Afghan refugees from the country in November 2023, which received
scant attention from the international community. Now, as the second phase of
deportation is underway, the issue of refugees has once again become a top
issue of the international community. Pakistan has generously played host to
Afghan refugees for over four decades, with estimates typically ranging from
three to four million. This process began as early as 1979 due to foreign
interventions, civil wars, recurrent natural disasters, and bleak economic
opportunities. Afghan refugees in Pakistan can primarily be categorized into
three groups: undocumented Afghans, approximately 840,000 holding Afghan
Citizen Cards (ACC), and 1.3 million Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders.
In 2017, ACCs were issued (in collaboration with the Afghan government), to
those Afghans who had failed to obtain UNHCR-issued PoR cards during a 2006-7
census. These three groups have varying levels of access to basic services.
Undocumented Afghans have the least degree of access, while PoR cardholders enjoy
the most, including legal access to public education, and health care, as well
as the liberty to acquire SIM cards and open bank accounts. On 3rd October
2023, the then caretaker government of Pakistan, led by Prime Minister
Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, unveiled the first phase of the ‘Illegal Foreigners’
Repatriation Plan’ (IFRP). Under this, all undocumented foreigners were issued
an ultimatum to leave voluntarily before November 1, failing which they would
be forcibly deported. In theory, it was aimed at all illegal foreigners
residing in Pakistan, irrespective of their provenance, but in practice, it
predominantly targeted the 1.7 million undocumented Afghans. In March of this
year, it was reported that all concerned authorities were instructed to
expedite the mapping of ACC holders. The drive, also hailed as the second phase
of the repatriation, was said to pick up pace after Eid al-Fitr, which was
celebrated on April 10th in Pakistan. Shortly after, Amnesty International’s
report on April 4 warned that this would “unleash another wave of harassment
and detentions after the holy month of Ramadan” and described Pakistan’s
“callous disregard” for Afghan refugees as heartbreaking. More recently,
however, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there are no plans to
repatriate the ACC holders, but thousands of Afghans are currently being
expelled from the country. According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, between
April 1-20, the rate of arrest and detention for ACC holders and undocumented
Afghans was 25% higher compared to PoR holders and asylum seekers. Following
the completion of the second phase, the third phase will extend to PoR
cardholders. The only saving grace though is that they have freshly been
granted an extension till June 30 to legally reside in the country. This could
have stemmed from a recalibration in the newly elected government’s approach,
particularly as some have voiced concerns about the unjust nature of deporting
‘legal’ Afghans (both ACC and PoR cardholders). This comes as the Islamic Emirate
has repeatedly asked Pakistan and other countries to consider mutual
understanding regarding Afghan refugees, emphasizing the bilateral nature of
immigration decisions. For further possible deportation of more Afghan refugees
from Pakistan, Iran, and now Germany, all necessary preparations should be
taken to manage the repatriation process of Afghan refugees to their home
areas. It is time to make a plan for the management of new Afghan returnees as
more countries have joined the deportation drive of Afghan refugees from their
countries. Mashal Noori
Source: thekabultimes.com
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--------
Pilgrims
recount horrors of heat during this year’s Hajj
June 22,
2024
After
years of failing to secure a Hajj visa, Yasser finally concluded he had no
choice but to perform the holy pilgrimage illegally, a move he has now come to
regret. While he survived the gruelling annual rites that unfolded in extreme
heat again this year, he has not seen his wife since Sunday and fears she is
among the more than 1,000 reported fatalities — the majority unregistered
Egyptians like himself. “I have searched every single hospital in Mecca. She’s
not there,” the 60-year-old retired engineer said on Friday by phone from his
hotel room, where he is reluctant to pack his wife’s suitcase in hopes she’ll
be back to do it herself. “I don’t want to believe in this possibility that
she’s dead. Because if she’s dead, it’s the end of her life and also the end of
my life.” Egypt accounts for more than half of this year’s Hajj fatalities —
658 out of more than 1,000 reported as of Friday by around 10 countries
stretching from Senegal to Indonesia, according to an AFP news agency tally. An
Arab diplomat said that 630 of those 658 dead Egyptians were unregistered,
meaning they could not rely on access to amenities meant to make the pilgrimage
more bearable. That included air-conditioned tents meant to offer some relief
as temperatures soared to as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) at
the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam. Saudi authorities have
not responded to requests for comment about fatalities. The health ministry reported
more than 2,700 cases of “heat exhaustion” on Sunday alone, but has not updated
the figure since then. The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be
completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet official permits are
allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals
via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the
irregular route — which costs thousands of dollars less — more attractive. That
is especially true since 2019 when Saudi Arabia began issuing general tourist
visas, making it easier to travel to the country. But for Yasser, who declined
to be identified by his full name because he is still in Saudi Arabia, the
complications from being unregistered became clear as soon as he reached the
country in May. Well before the formal Hajj rites began a week ago, some shops
and restaurants refused service to visitors who could not show permits on the
official Hajj app, known as Nusuk. Once the long days of walking and praying
beneath the blazing sun got underway, he could not access official Hajj buses —
the only transportation around the holy sites — without paying exorbitant,
off-the-books fees. When heat drove him to exhaustion, he sought urgent care at
a hospital in Mina but was turned away, he said, again for lack of a permit. As
their conditions worsened, Yasser and his wife Safaa lost each other in the
crowds during the symbolic “stoning the devil” ritual in Mina. Since then
Yasser has repeatedly postponed their return flight home, hoping she will turn
up. “I will keep postponing it until I find her,” he said. Other unregistered
Egyptian pilgrims interviewed this week described similar hardships — and
similarly alarming sights along the Hajj route as the heat’s toll mounted. “There
were dead bodies on the ground” in Arafat, Mina and on the way to Mecca, said
Mohammed, 31, an Egyptian who lives in Saudi Arabia and who performed the Hajj
this year with his 56-year-old mother. “I saw people suddenly collapse and die
from exhaustion.” Another Egyptian whose mother died on the pilgrimage route,
and who declined to be identified by even a first name because she lives in
Riyadh, said it was impossible to get her mother an ambulance. An emergency
vehicle only materialised after her mother was dead, taking the body to an
unknown location. Trtworld
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/pilgrims-recount-horrors-of-heat-during-this-years-hajj/
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Southeast Asia
Anti-Israel
backlash keeps US conglomerate away from major Malaysia project
21 June
2024,
Global
Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has said its buyer, the US-based investment firm
BlackRock, will not be involved in privatizing Malaysia’s airport operator,
after criticism in Muslim-majority Malaysia over BlackRock’s ties to Israel.
GIP,
Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional and others are part of a
consortium that has offered to take over Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB)
in a privatization deal that would value the airport operator at $3.9 billion.
MAHB manages 39 airports across Malaysia and an international airport in
Turkey.
But the
plan has come under criticism and protests from some ruling party and
opposition lawmakers in Malaysia over GIP’s ties to BlackRock’s significant
investments in Israel.
BlackRock,
the world’s largest asset manager, acquired GIP in January for $12.5 billion,
in a deal expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024.
It is
the latest target of anti-Israel protests in Malaysia, following boycott
campaigns against such Western brands as McDonald’s and Starbucks.
Malaysia
is often seen as one of the world’s most antisemitic countries — former prime
minister Mahathir Mohamad notoriously said he was glad to be called
antisemitic, and alleged that “hook-nosed” Jews run the world.
Prime
Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the October 7 attack — in which thousands of
terrorists invaded southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, killed 1,200 people, mostly
civilians, and took 251 hostages — was “understandable.” Israel has been at war
with Hamas, the Palestinian terror group that led the assault, since then.
Malaysia
has no formal ties with Israel but does maintain ties with Hamas. The state
bans Israeli passport-holders from entering the country, while also seeking to
prevent its citizens from traveling to Israel, inscribing on its passports:
“This passport is valid for all countries except Israel.”
Anwar
has described claims that 25 percent of the airport authority would be owned by
a so-called “pro-Zionist company” as baseless, without naming the company,
state news agency Bernama reported.
GIP said
its existing leadership team will “retain full control and responsibility for
the strategic direction and operation of GIP and the companies in which we have
invested” after its acquisition by BlackRock, Bernama reported on Friday,
citing a written reply from GIP head of transport Phil Iley.
A GIP
spokesperson confirmed the Bernama report. Khazanah did not immediately respond
to requests for comment.
Iley
said the firm would provide MAHB with as much operational support and
assistance as needed despite being a minority shareholder.
“If we
are successful with our transformation, we would very much consider re-listing
MAHB on the Malaysian stock exchange in the future,” he wrote.
Khazanah
has said GIP would not hire staff to directly manage MAHB.
Under
the deal, GIP and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority would own 30% of MAHB,
while the majority stake would be held by Khazanah and the Employees Provident
Fund, Malaysia’s largest pension body. The fund did not respond to a request
for comment on GIP’s statement.
Source: timesofisrael.com
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https://www.timesofisrael.com/anti-israel-backlash-keeps-us-conglomerate-away-from-major-malaysia-project/
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King of
Bhutan pays Agong a courtesy visit at Johor palace
22 Jun
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR, June 22 — The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck paid a
courtesy visit to Malaysia’s Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim at Istana
Bukit Serene in Johor today.
Following
the audience, Sultan Ibrahim hosted a luncheon for the King of Bhutan where
they were engaged in a discussion aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
Also
present were the Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibrahim and the Tunku Panglima Johor
Tunku Abdul Rahman Ibrahim.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/06/22/king-of-bhutan-pays-agong-a-courtesy-visit-at-johor-palace/140951
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10
foreigners nabbed for attempting to enter Malaysia illegally
22-06-
2024
ALOR
SETAR: Ten Myanmar nationals were detained yesterday while trying to enter the
country illegally near the Malaysia-Thailand border in Bukit Kayu Hitam.
The
Second Infantry Division headquarters in a statement today said that all those
detained comprised seven men and three women, aged between 21 and 49.
“A team
conducting patrols spotted a group of individuals behaving suspiciously in a
rubber estate on the Malaysia-Thailand border at 03.40 pm.
“Inspections
revealed that all 10 Myanmar nationals did not possess valid travel documents
and had attempted to enter Malaysia through an illegal route at the border,” it
said.
The
division also seized six mobile phones, 12 bags, a fake passport, and cash in
Thai and Myanmar currency estimated to be worth RM3,326.23.
All the
illegal immigrants had been taken to the Bukit Kayu Hitam Police Station for
further action.
Source: thesun.my
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the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/10-foreigners-nabbed-for-attempting-to-enter-malaysia-illegally-CF12604897#google_vignette
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PM’s
foreign relations strategy in the right direction, unity government urged to
sync with each other: SPCAAM
22-06-
2024
PETALING
JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s strategy to court investments
from the United States and China is a move in the right direction and augurs
well for the country, said an NGO.
The
Social Protection Contributors’ Advisory Association Malaysia (SPCAAM) said
while some international commentators see this as a clever play, others are
disappointed that Anwar is not choosing one side over the other.
“A lot
of criticism stems from the West, where the Western-influenced media would
point to reasons as to why Anwar should not cosy up to China.
“The
real reason for the angst of the West is that the rise of China and India is
now serving a real threat to the neo-liberal and neo-imperialist Western
agenda.
“Anwar
is doing what is right for Malaysia, and not being led by any particular dogma
or partisan interest,“ said international labour advisor, Callistus Anthony
D’Angelus.
However,
he said a big challenge for the Prime Minister is that the unity government he
helms is not entirely running in the same direction as he is.
He said
political parties within his government, such as the Barisan Nasional (BN) and
even the DAP are largely communal-based parties.
“The
shift towards a more dynamic, prosperous and equitable Malaysia can only be
achieved if we truly dismantle the type of politics that has divided Malaysia
along racial and religious lines.
“Big
business has seen to it that Malaysians are divided into two halves
economically - with a small minority seeing their wealth expand exponentially
and a growing number of people finding it difficult to make a decent living,“
he said.
D’Angelus
said little has been achieved by the Madani government to correct this
imbalance and certain ministries have only accentuated the divide between the
rich and poor in the country.
“The
Prime Minister is on the right trajectory strategically, and he now needs his
government to line up behind him,“ he added.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/pm-s-foreign-relations-strategy-in-the-right-direction-unity-government-urged-to-sync-with-each-other-spcaam-EF12604365
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Unity
Gov’t never defended parties collaborating with Israeli regime - Kamil Munim
22-06-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) -- The Unity Government has never defended any party
that collaborates with the Israeli Zionist regime, Political Secretary to the
Finance Minister, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said.
In a
statement today, he addressed comments made by former cabinet minister Khairy
Jamaluddin, who alleged that BlackRock, a firm purportedly linked to Israel,
has taken up stakes in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
“The
stance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government on the
issue of Israeli violence against the Palestinian people is clear. We are among
the most vocal in defending and advocating for the rights of the Palestinians.
“As such,
labelling the Prime Minister as an accomplice of Israel’s genocidal crimes is
extreme and disrespectful,” he said.
Muhammad
Kamil said while Khairy is free to criticise, he must be more responsible,
avoid hypocrisy and refrain from making emotionally driven statements.
He said
MAHB, through Khazanah Nasional Berhad, had clarified that negotiations were
conducted with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a consortium that
announced an offer to take over MAHB on May 15.
“BlackRock
only emerged this year with the intention to acquire GIP’s shareholding. In
this context, neither Khazanah nor EPF (Employees Provident Fund) has ever
negotiated with any representative from BlackRock.
“Khazanah
and EPF have not sold MAHB to any foreign entity. Instead, they have increased
their shareholding to 70 per cent. In fact, this strategic asset will continue
to be owned by the country through a Golden Share by the Malaysian government,”
he said.
GIP is a
leading infrastructure investor managing US$112 billion worth of assets on
behalf of its investors, which include about 500 investment institutions
worldwide.
Furthermore,
GIP possesses expertise in investing, managing and operating some of the
largest and most complex infrastructure businesses globally, including several airports.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/unity-gov-t-never-defended-parties-collaborating-with-israeli-regime-kamil-munim-HF12603532
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/kerala-babri-state-ncert-texts/d/132556