Manipur: Meitei Armed Group Allegedly Assaults Muslim Boy, Forces Him to Eat Pork Over Allegations of ‘Love-Jihad’
New Age Islam News Bureau
12 January 2025
• Manipur: Meitei Armed Group Allegedly Assaults Muslim Boy, Forces Him to Eat Pork Over Allegations of ‘Love-Jihad’
• Bangladesh Eases Visa Process For Pakistanis
• Most Of Attacks On Minorities ‘Political’: Bangladesh Police
• UK Minister Warns Of Violence Against Muslims After Inflammatory Coverage Of ‘Grooming Gangs’Who Abuse Children In The UK
• PM Shehbaz Calls For Collective Efforts To Promote Girls’ Education In Muslim Countries
India
• Reportedly Illiterate Bareilly Man Arrested For Hate Posts Against UP Cm Yogi Adityanath, Ram Mandir And Hindu Women
• Case Against Kerala BJP Leader For 'Hate Speech' Against Muslim Community
• Muslims Keep AAP And Cong Hopes Alive
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South Asia
• Pakistan court halts forced repatriation of Afghan musicians
• Bangladesh's SC upholds HC verdict scrapping cases against Muhammad Yunus
• Russia says Afghanistan was its top flour buyer in 2024
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Europe
• UK’s City Minister Tulip Siddiq Should Be SackedOver Gifts She Received From Sheikh Hasina Regime, Says Kemi Badenoch
• British Islamic org. calls for boycott of Holocaust Memorial Day
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Pakistan
• Imran moves LHC for post-arrest bail in eight May 9 riots cases
• Govt, PTI locked in war of words over stalled dialogue
• Pakistan tops world in hepatitis C cases: PM’s aide
• 15 Levies men dismissed after Khuzdar attack
• Joint Investigation Team to probe into forged pics of Punjab CM, UAE head
• Bilawal slams ‘discriminatory attitude’ of Centre towards Sindh
• Crypto trader picks out two alleged abductors before magistrate in Karachi
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Mideast
• Syrian Intelligence Agency Says It Thwarted Planned Islamic State Attack On Shiite Shrine
• Will Iran build a nuclear bomb while Trump is in power in the US?
• Iran holding war games as it faces Israel tensions, Trump's return
• Terrorists use West Bank mosques to attack soldiers, IDF reports
• Iran's IRGC unveils new underground missile base: Report
• Trump’s Middle East envoy visits Netanyahu in push for Gaza ceasefire
• Has The War In Gaza Radicalised Young Palestinians?
• Israeli military says 4 soldiers killed in north Gaza
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North America
• 'A Light Of Faith And Hope': Biden Awards Pope Francis Presidential Medal Of Freedom
• 16 Dead, Landscapes Turn Hellscapes As Los Angeles Battles Costliest Wildfire Disaster In US History
• U.S. & The Islamic Republic Of Mauritania Sign Agreement To Enhance Power Sector • Resilience & Climate Adaptation
• 'Connecting place': Manitoba city welcoming first mosque
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Africa
• Christian Group Faults Tinubu’s Participation In Arab-Islamic Summit
• President Mahama Commits To Redeem Muslims Holiday Pledge
• Naira abuse: EFCC confirms invitation of Okoya’s sons for questioning
• Health workers at UCH decry poor performance over power outage
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Southeast Asia
• World Economic Forum confirms PM Anwar’s participation in 2025 Davos meeting
• Family of five killed in Pekan crash buried in single grave as over 500 gather for prayers
• DPM Fadillah: Sarawak’s hydrogen research draws interest, investments from Japan, South Korea
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Arab World
• Arab, EU Diplomats Arrive In Riyadh For Meeting On Syria
• KSrelief continues humanitarian outreach in Syria, Yemen
• Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
• GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
• HayyMatsuri celebrates Japanese, Saudi cultural traditions
• Saudi Arabia arrests 19,418 illegals in one week
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/manipur-muslim-love-jihad-eat-pork/d/134309
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Manipur: Meitei Armed Group Allegedly Assaults Muslim Boy, Forces Him to Eat Pork Over Allegations of ‘Love-Jihad’
January 11, 2025
Tampakmayum Akhtar, who belonged to the Kwatka area of Imphal, the capital of ethnic conflict-torn Manipur, found his life turned upside down after a casual conversation at work spiraled into a brutal, life-altering ordeal. The 18-year-old boy, a chef at Kafyah Cafe in the Keshampat area, was used to the daily rhythms of his job, surrounded by co-workers and customers. He had no reason to anticipate the violence that would soon befall him.
It all started with a harmless joke Akhtar made while talking with the younger brother of the cafe’s owner. Jenita, a waitress at the cafe, grew upset and allegedly reported the incident to her brothers, who reached out to ArambaiTenggol (AT), a Meitei armed group with a history of violence toward the Muslim community. What followed was a horrific assault that would forever mark Akhtar’s life.
The accusations against him, which — he says — had no basis in reality, were centered around an alleged “assault” on Jenita. Akhtar is clear in his defense. “We co-workers often chit-chat casually. After I cracked a normal joke with the younger brother of our cafe owner, the waitress became angry and complained to her brothers, who reported this to ArambaiTenggol,” he told TwoCircles.net, alleging, “They hurt my religious faith, forced me to kneel and threatened me. Despite denying all the charges, I was viciously beaten until I could barely breathe.”
The violence was brutal. Akhtar was not only allegedly assaulted. His nails into his feet and hands were allegedly hammered. The attackers did not subjected him to physical torture only. Akhtar was allegedly forced to swallow pork, consumption of which is not permissible in Islamic beliefs.
“They deliberately stuffed his mouth with bacon, which he vomited out of disgust. He somehow managed to keep a piece of pork in plastic wrap as evidence of assault,” said Saddam, a member of the All Meitei Pangal Youth Association (AMPYA) while speaking out about the incident.
The physical abuse was accompanied by psychological torment. Akhtar was allegedly pressured to falsely accuse local imams (prayer leaders) and the Muslim community of engaging in “love jihad” — a conspiracy theory claiming that Muslims are attempting to convert non-Muslim women through deceptive relationships. “They made me say that Pangals (indigenous Muslims) were promoting love jihad and conspiring against the Meitei community,” alleged Akhtar, recalling the horror. “They forced me to record videos to circulate on Meitei-led social media platforms to spread lies about my community.”
The incident left deep scars on Akhtar. For his family, the attack was both a personal tragedy and a reflection of the alleged growing communal tensions in the region. Expressing anguish, his father, Tampakmayum Kamal Hassan, said, “Our locality is still comparatively safe, but we cannot imagine our lives in Imphal because of the fast-growing communalism. We are more shocked at how they are tarnishing the entire community of Pangals.”
Akhtar has lost his job at the cafe. Fearing for his safety, the cafe owner is considering closing the business due to alleged mounting threats.
Despite the horror he had endured, Akhtar’s resolve remained strong. “I want the officials to take action against those who harassed me,” he said, though his words lacked the confidence of someone who felt secure in the justice system’s response.
The assault on Akhtar ignited outrage among civil society organisations and student groups. The All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation (AMMSO) on January 5 issued a statement condemning the violence and demanding accountability. The AMMSO questioned the validity of the accusations against Akhtar and called for an end to the alleged toxic influence of groups like ArambaiTenggol. “Targeting Islam and its principles, along with defaming imams of the mosque, is unacceptable,” read outfit’s statement.
The political response, however, has allegedly been largely inadequate. Maharaja SanajaobaLeishemba, a member of the Rajya Sabha, issued a resolution in response to the incident, but it failed to offer any concrete protection for Akhtar or his family. According to regional reporter Safiur Rahman, “Akhtar’s family and CSOs, including the AMMSO, have rejected the resolution because they were not even invited to the meeting.” This dismissal only deepened the sense of abandonment felt by the Muslim community in Manipur.
AMMSO President ImtiyasHeibokmayum emphasised the broader implications of the attack. “The Manipuri Muslims are quite unique due to their indigenous status, but Tenggols are slowly poisoning young minds against us. It seems like the general Meitei population is getting fed with the ideology of RSS. ‘Love jihad’ accusations are just an aftermath of the pervasive sociopolitical hoopla,” he noted, highlighting the alleged role of radical ideologies in inflaming tensions.
For many in Manipur, the incident has underscored the vulnerability of the Muslim community, who have long been targets of unfounded accusations and scapegoating. Manipur, historically, has been a place of relative harmony between different communities. But now, the indigenous Muslim population finds itself caught in the crossfire of alleged growing communal discord.
Talking about the broader impact, Safiur Rahman said, “Not a single Meitei driver has been able to drive through the national highway in Manipur during turmoil. However, Pangals have been driving on this way to ensure the supply of basic essential commodities and food in the valley areas of Manipur. But our contribution is not valued by anyone, anywhere.”
Still unresolved, Akhtar’s case highlights the alleged growing insecurity faced by indigenous Muslims in the region. The alleged threat to the Muslim community will only grow if the silence of the authorities persists.
Source: Twocircles.Net
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Bangladesh eases visa process for Pakistanis
halid Hasnain
January 12, 2025
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. File photo.
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LAHORE: Bangladesh has simplified visa process for Pakistanis, with an objective to further strengthen trade and economic relations.
While speaking to business community here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Saturday, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain has said the present government in Bangladesh has removed the need for clearance from Dhaka for Pakistani heads of missions while issuing visa. He said that increasing trade and investment between the two countries must be a top priority to move forward. He stressed collaboration with LCCI to achieve this goal.
Mr Hussain stated Bangladeshi government is eager to improve relations with Pakistan, which had been less than satisfactory over the past decade. He said Bangladesh, with its population of 180 million, represents a significant consumer market that Pakistan has the potential to tap. The diplomat said the trade potential between the two countries remains largely untapped, and Pakistan has the capacity to capitalise on it.
He also mentioned the efforts of Dr Mohammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, for regional cooperation. He called for greater collaboration between South Asian countries and stressed the importance of revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to enhance regional trade and cooperation. Despite growing regional cooperation globally, South Asia still faces challenges which require collective efforts to overcome.
The High Commissioner said that it is responsibility of both countries to create opportunities for the current generation and remove obstacles to mutual trade and cooperation. He said LCCI has an influential role in fostering increased trade and investment between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
He also reflected on the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and how it underscored the importance of international cooperation, stating, “It is essential to recognise that nations must collaborate in times of crisis to keep trade flowing smoothly,” he added.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad shared data indicating that two-way trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh amounted to $718 million during the fiscal year 2023-24.
“Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh were valued at $661m, while imports from Bangladesh stood at $57m. The first five months of the 2024 fiscal year (July-November) saw exports to Bangladesh increase to $314m, while imports from Bangladesh remained low at $31m,” he explained.
The LCCI president expressed a strong desire to boost the volume of two-way trade to at least $2 billion in the near future. He urged both governments and the private sector to take decisive actions to achieve this goal. He said that the sectors including information technology, pharmaceuticals, rice, surgical instruments, processed foods, automotive parts and sports goods can play an important role in this regard.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Most of attacks on minorities ‘political’: Bangladesh police
January 12, 2025
Police have set up a WhatsApp number to directly receive complaints of communal violence and maintain contact with the minority community (Archives)
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A majority of incidents against the minority communities since August 4 last year were ‘political in nature’ and not ‘communal,’ Bangladesh government said Saturday quoting a police report.
Police have set up a WhatsApp number to directly receive complaints of communal violence and maintain contact with the minority community.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ press wing said that the police investigation came after the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council recently claimed there were 2,010 incidents of communal violence since a day before deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 following a massive student-led protest that toppled her 16-year regime.
Of these, a total of 1,769 incidents were reported as attacks and vandalism; police have so far registered 62 cases on claims, and arrested at least 35 culprits based on the investigation, the CA office’s press wing statement said.
Claiming that it was found that “in the majority of the cases, the attacks were not communally motivated — rather, those were political in nature,” the statement said: “Police investigations found that 1,234 incidents were ‘political in nature’, 20 incidents were communal and at least 161 claims were found to be false or untrue.” “According to the claims of the Council, 1,452 incidents — or 82.8 per cent of the total claims — took place on August 5, 2024, when Hasina was ousted from power.
Apart from the Council claims, police also received 134 allegations of communal violence from August 5 through January 8, 2025, it said, adding, police responded to all those complaints and at least 53 cases were filed against those complaints and 65 offenders were held.
“In all, since August 4, a total of 115 cases have been registered over complaints of communal attacks and at least 100 people have been arrested over the cases,” the statement said.
Before preparing the report, Bangladesh police collected the list of allegations prepared by the Council (and) communicated with the persons claimed to have been the targets of the violence, it said. The police also visited each and every place, establishment and met those mentioned in the Council’s report.
The press wing said the interim government maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards any communal attacks and ordered police to arrest the culprits. It also said it would compensate the victims.
There has been a spate of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh as well as attacks on temples or cases of vandalism of properties belonging to the minority communities over the last few months triggering strong concerns in New Delhi.
The arrest of a Hindu monk on sedition charges further added to India’s concerns, which Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed when he travelled to Dhaka in December.
Ahead of Misri’s visit, the interim government head Yunus on December 5 sought the cooperation of the religious leaders in collecting accurate information about attacks on minorities amid reports of attacks on the Hindus.
Source: Indianexpress.Com
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UK Minister Warns Of Violence Against Muslims After Inflammatory Coverage Of ‘Grooming Gangs’Who Abuse Children In The UK
11 January, 2025
Wes Streeting warned of a potential deadly attack on Muslims [Getty]
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Inflammatory language around grooming gangs who abuse children in the UK could demonise entire communities and lead to atrocities against Muslims, similar to the New Zealand mosque massacre which killed over 50 people, UK health secretary Wes Streeting warned in an interview with The Guardian.
In 2011, media and police investigations revealed that girls had been abused and raped after being “groomed” by men who were of predominantly Asian background in several towns in northern England, including Rotherham and Huddersfield.
However, UK media have been accused of covering the issue in an inflammatory way, with excessive focus and fearmongering about the Muslim and Pakistani perpetrators of the criminals.
Researchers have pointed out that similar crimes by gangs of non-Asian and non-Muslim paedophiles do not receive the same amount of coverage in the media.
Streeting, who represents east London’s Ilford North constituency in the UK parliament told The Guardian, “there are people in my community who have either Pakistani heritage or look different, who are now more fearful today than they were before.”
The right-wing owner of the X social media platform, Elon Musk, has recently made hundreds of increasingly erratic posts about the grooming gangs issue, using it to attack UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and calling prominent Labour MP Jess Philips a “genocide rape apologist”.
In his interview with The Guardian, Streeting also accused opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch of further inflaming the issue.
Badenoch has been accused of playing politics by recently calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, when no such inquiry was held in the 14 years when the Conservatives were in power.
“If Kemi Badenoch is in any doubt whatsoever about where irresponsible and coarse public discourse can lead on this issue, look on the other side of the world, in Christchurch, New Zealand, where someone walked into a mosque and killed innocent Muslims stone cold dead,” Streeting said.
Brenton Tarrant, the far-right extremist who carried out the 2019 massacre at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, had the words “For Rotherham” painted on one ammunition clip he used to kill Muslim worshippers.
In an apparent reaction to Musk’s intervention in the issue, Streeting said, “We’ve given way too much air time to one tech titan who lives in a different country, who, frankly, doesn’t know what he’s talking about when it comes to what happens here in Britain.”
Streeting however, also called out the “sickening” crimes of sexual abuse gangs, suggesting that “political correctness” had resulted in the stifling of discussion around the issue, with thousands of children being let down as a result.
Statistics regarding grooming gangs however, are controversial. While UK media have reported that most of those convicted of taking part in grooming gangs in the north of England in the previous decade are of Pakistani origin, other research has found that on a UK-wide scale, most paedophiles who operate as part of organised gangs belong to the white British majority of the population.
Source: Www.Newarab.Com
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PM Shehbaz calls for collective efforts to promote girls’ education in Muslim countries
January 12, 2025
ISLAMABAD: PM Shehbaz Sharif addresses two-day International Conference on Girls’ education.
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ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday call-ed upon the global and local organisa-tions, philanthropists and entrepreneurs to join hands in creating scalable and sustai-nable opportunities for ensuring education to women. Addressing a two-day Internat-ional Conference on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Oppo-rtunities,” as a chief guest, the prime mini-ster said that in the next decade, millions of young girls would enter the jobs market with immense prospects for social and economic prosperity.
“As they do so, they have the potential to not just lift themselves, their families and the nation out of the poverty but also to enrich the global economy, new markets and find innovative solutions to their shared challenges,” he observed.
The prime minister also stressed that they should assure the womenfolk that their rights should be respected and their ambitions be met, besides, no cultural or social impediment stood in the way of achieving their dreams. He said despite their rich legacy, the Islamic world, including Pakistan, was facing numerous challenges in ensuring access to education for girls, adding that denying education to girls, amounted to denying their rights and voice and denying them their right to bright future.
In Pakistan, the prime minister said women made half of the total population, yet the female literacy rate stood at 49 percent only, while alarmingly around 22.8 million children, with age bracket of five to eight years, were out of schools, including a proportionate number of girls.
The inadequate infrastructure, safety concerns, as well as deeply entrenched societal norms further exacerbated the issue, creating a cycle of deprivation, spanning over generations, he regretted.
The prime minister said the founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a strong advocate for women’s role in nation building.
Quaid-e-Azam had stated “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you,” and advised that the magnitude of these problems might be considerable but they should keep fighting for their cause by committing resources and raising their voice, he recalled.
The prime minister further elaborated that one of the major steps to addressing the educational disparities in Pakistan was the establishment of Danish schools during his tenure as chief minister Punjab.
It was a unique initiative to provide quality education to the deprived population and to the unprivileged students in the under-developed rural areas. Without this opportunity, their talent would have been lost in the dusty streets of their remote villages, he added.
The prime minister said this initiative was now replicated in different far-flung areas of Pakistan, paving way for a promising and inclusive future. He also expressed his satisfaction over presence of girl students in the ceremony, who had graduated from these schools.
Their presence was a testimony to their efforts and culmination of a collective dream as these students embodied the hope and nation’s bright future, he added.
The prime minister said through the youth programmes, the government was committed to providing quality education and creating jobs, and offering meaningful opportunities which included scholarships, vocational training and demand driven skills in AI, data and cyber security etc; as well as, provision of free laptops to the high achievers.
He said the pursuit of knowledge was the sacred duty of every Muslim regardless of gender as emphasised upon by the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
His all-inspiring message was preached in the society which was still in darkness and in denial of the basic rights to women, and to address these grave injustices, Islam introduced a transformed social paradigm which declared the pursuit of knowledge as the true measure of social development, he added.
The prime minister said history witnessed to the resilience and determination of women who thrived in the limited spaces afforded to them, breaking the shackles of societal servitude and leaving their deep marks on the society from the early days of Islamic history and cited Hazrat Khadijah (RA) who stood an inspiring example of a successful businesswoman.
At home, he said they celebrated, MohtarmaFatema Jinnah, the mother of the nation, who stood shoulder to shoulder with her brother Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah while spearheading Pakistan Movement.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto broke the political ceilings to become the first female prime minister in the Muslim world, inspiring and paving the way for women at all levels, he added.
The prime minister also mentioned late Arfa Kareem who made history as the youngest Microsoft certified professional at the tender age of nine years.
Today, he said the dynamic political leaders like Maryam Nawaz, the first chief minister in Pakistan was leading a province and continuing to inspire women in the political, social and economic empowerment.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support and patronage of the conference.
The prime minister also announced the signing of Islamabad declaration in line with the UNSC objectives, and to reflecting a collective aspiration of the ummah.
While speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the government was taking steps to increase the number of schools in the country.
Special attention was being paid on education of girls, free transport for girls, vocational training and training of teachers, he added.
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) HisseinBrahim Taha said education of girls was important for progress of a society.
Secretary General of Muslim World League (MWL) Muhammad Bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa stressed that it was obligatory on men and women to acquire education, adding, “We have to stress on the importance of education of girls.”
The conference aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities in advancing girls’ education across Muslim communities worldwide; foster dialogue; and find actionable solutions to address the challenges.
The event brought together over 150 international dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars and academia from 44 Muslim and friendly countries, OIC Secretary General, General Secretary Muslim World League, representatives from the international organizations including UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank.
Source: Www.Nation.Com.Pk
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India
Reportedly Illiterate Bareilly Man Arrested For Hate Posts Against UP Cm Yogi Adityanath, Ram Mandir And Hindu Women
Jan 11, 2025
According to Bareilly circle officer Pankaj Srivastava, Maizan Raza, the son of a snack shop owner, was apprehended following a tip-off by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader KK Shankdhar.
A 30-year-old man from Bareilly was arrested on Saturday for posting hate-filled messages on social media, including threats to rape Hindu women, blow up the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and disrupt the Mahakumbh-2025, along with targeting chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
According to Bareilly circle officer Pankaj Srivastava, Maizan Raza, the son of a snack shop owner, was apprehended following a tip-off by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader KK Shankdhar.
Source: Www.hindustantimes.Com
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Case against Kerala BJP leader for 'hate speech' against Muslim community
By: Sahil Sinha
Jan 11, 2025
A case was registered against Kerala BJP leader PC Gorge for allegedly making hate speech against the Muslim community during a TV debate earlier this week.
Police in Kerala's Kottayam district have initiated action against the BJP leader following a complaint lodged by the Muslim Youth League Municipal Committee. The complaint alleges that George made communal remarks against Muslims during a televised discussion.
In his controversial statement, George reportedly said: "I am sitting in Erattupetta and saying this. Out of the 40,000 population here, 38,600 are Muslims. There are no such communal forces without any conscience like you anywhere in this world. Do you have conscience? Do you have a soft approach towards people from other religious groups? You should learn the diversity we show. Are we saying that any Muslims should be killed? If you are a Muslim, then you are communal. It’s become like that. You don’t want India but Pakistan. Go to Pakistan".
The remarks sparked widespread criticism, prompting George to issue an apology on social media. In a Facebook post, he wrote: "I unconditionally retract my reply that all Muslims in India are terrorists, and I apologise to all my Muslim brothers and sisters who love this country who were hurt by it. But I clearly know that there is a small percentage of people among them who have anti-national extremist thoughts. I will always strongly oppose them and all those who silently support them".
Source: Www.Indiatoday.In
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Muslims Keep AAP And Cong Hopes Alive
Jan 12, 2025
New Delhi: Mohammad Salim is discussing the assembly elections in New Seelampur market in northeast Delhi. Aware of the perils of a triangular contest, Salim, being a minority voter, will probably pick either AAP or Congress to contain BJP on Feb 5. "Do log kiphootmein, teesrafaydauthatahai (When two people fight each other, a third benefits)," he quipped about the possibility of the Muslim vote being divided between the two non-BJP contenders.
Indeed, as Delhi's 21.6 lakh Muslims think about choices, analyst Chandrachur Singh, associate professor of political science at Hindu College, is fairly certain who their ballots will support. "It is not rocket science that Muslims will not vote for BJP. If the elections are to happen tomorrow, AAP is likely to be favoured. However, much depends on how Congress organises its campaign, manifesto and candidates," said Singh.
Asked whether a soft Hindutva stance of AAP would impact Muslim votes, Singh said, "AAP focus is on women and freebies and since the party is hard on BJP, it will not alienate the Muslim electorate. However, there might be some shifting of allegiance to Congress."
Making up 12.9% of the population, their sizeable number in most constituencies is coveted by the political parties. The Muslim community can be a game changer in six of Delhi 70 assembly seats, with Seelampur having around 50% Muslim voters, followed by Matia Mahal (48%), Okhla (43%), Mustafabad (36%), Ballimaran (38%) and Babarpur (35%). AAP swept all these six seats in the 2020 assembly polls.
Other constituencies with significant percentage of Muslim voters include Seemapuri (25%), Gandhi Nagar (22%), Chandni Chowk (20%), Sadar Bazar (20%), Vikaspuri (20%), and Karwal Nagar (20%). Hyderabad-centred All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is also contesting and could make a dent in the vote share of the two major parties.
"Congress is a party with good people, while Kejriwal has done good work for Delhi. I will be very happy if either forms the govt," said Saira Banu, 50, who was shopping with her daughter in New Seelampur market. Banu, however, complained about dirty piped water, uncleared garbage and overflowing sewers near her residence in Jafrabad. So, she said, she is yet to pick who to support this election.
Source: Www.Timesofindia.In
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South Asia
Pakistan court halts forced repatriation of Afghan musicians
DivyabharthiBaradhan
January 11, 2025
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) issued a two-page interim order on Friday preventing the forced repatriation of around 150 Afghan singers and musicians who fled to Pakistan after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, according to local media.
Justice Wiqar Ahmad, who presided over the case, instructed the government to issue a decision on the musicians’ asylum applications within two months. The court said that if the asylum claims are not resolved within 60 days, the interior ministry’s secretary should grant permission for the petitioners to stay for a period sufficient to reach a final decision. The court also allowed the musicians to apply to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to process their asylum claims.
The musicians filed a petition last year, citing fears of persecution under the Taliban, who banned music and suppressed artists during their first term in power from 1996 to 2001. Since the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghanistan government in August 2021, musicians in the country have expressed fears of renewed suppression.
Source: Www.Jurist.Org
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Bangladesh's SC upholds HC verdict scrapping cases against Muhammad Yunus
Jan 12 2025
Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Saturday said that its judgement of upholding a High Court ruling which scrapped five labour law cases against Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus had no legal weakness or interference, according to a media report.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice MdAshfaqul Islam passed the order last month, dismissing a leave to appeal petition filed against the High Court judgment, state-run BSS news agency reported on Saturday.
The full text of the judgment was published recently where the Supreme Court said there was no legal weakness or interference in the High Court judgment, the report said.
Five cases were filed with the Labour Court in Dhaka against Yunus in 2019 when he was the chairman of Grameen Telecommunications. The cases were filed after the termination of employees under a proposed trade union act.
Later, on October 24 last year, the court made the rule absolute and after the final hearing, scrapped the proceedings of those cases, the report said.
Source: Www.Business-Standard.Com
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Russia says Afghanistan was its top flour buyer in 2024
January 11, 2025
MOSCOW, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Afghanistan became the largest importer of Russian flour last year as it doubled purchases, Russia's state agricultural export agency, Agroexport, said late on Friday.
Last month, Moscow moved a step closer towards recognising the Taliban government, with Russia's parliament voting in favour of a law that would make it possible to remove the movement from a list of banned terrorist organisations.
Agroexport, citing preliminary estimates, said Afghanistan bought Russian flour worth almost $80 million last year, double the 2023 level.
Russia's total wheat and wheat-rye flour exports reached $300 million last year, up 3% year on year in value terms and 7% more by volume, according to the watchdog.
Source: Www.Reuters.Com
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Europe
UK’s City Minister Tulip Siddiq Should Be SackedOver Gifts She Received From Sheikh Hasina Regime, Says Kemi Badenoch
Andy Gregory
12 January 2025
Kemi Badenoch has called on Keir Starmer’s anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to resign amid ongoing questions over gifts she received from her aunt’s regime in Bangladesh.
Pressure is mounting on the minister who is also responsible for the City and finance as it emerged that she had to abandon the trip to China with chancellor Rachel Reeves and is unable to do her job.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption. Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
The Tory leader said Ms Siddiq, who is Sir Keir’s constituency neighbour in North London, had become “a distraction, adding: “The prime minister tried to make a big deal of his commitment to standards and integrity. His weak leadership on Siddiq suggests he is not as bothered by integrity as he claims.”
He told Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “I think she’s done exactly the right thing, she’s referred herself. That enquiry needs to go through. I think that that’s the appropriate way forward. I’m giving it all the space it needs to do. I’ll be listening for the outcome as the prime minister will.”
He pointed out that when former Tory home secretary Dame Priti Patel was investigated for bullying in her department she remained in her role and did not quit even when she was found guilty.
The row came as the leader of Bangladesh has called on UK anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to apologise over allegations that she has lived in London properties linked to the regime of his predecessor.
Sir Keir Starmer faced fresh calls from the Tories on Saturday to sack Ms Siddiq as a minister, as Bangladesh’s leader Muhammad Yunus called for an investigation into the properties to determine whether they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Ms Siddiq – whose aunt Sheikh Hasina led an increasingly autocratic regime in Bangladesh for 15 years until its shock fall in August – reported herself to the UK government’s ethics watchdog last week after it emerged that she was being investigated by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Source: Www.Independent.Co.Uk
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British Islamic org. calls for boycott of Holocaust Memorial Day
JANUARY 12, 2025
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) wrote to 460 town halls and educational centers asking them to boycott the UK's Holocaust Memorial Day.
The IHRC, which British media has linked to Iran, said it was "morally unacceptable" that Gaza was not considered a "genocide" alongside the Holocaust.
The letter quotes the Holocaust Memorial Day's website, which states the aim of the day is to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, as well as victims of recent genocides in "Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.”
IHRC said that the failure to include Gaza in commemorations undermines the aim of marking the Holocaust, which is to prevent further genocides from occurring.
It added that if the organizers refuse, supporters should "publicize the event organizer’s refusal to recognize all genocides, including that of the Palestinians in Gaza" and "organize a boycott of their event until they commit to opposing and condemning all genocides universally."
The chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock, told The Telegraph that the IHRC’s call to boycott the day was “shocking and disgraceful."
Source: Www.Jpost.Com
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Pakistan
Imran moves LHC for post-arrest bail in eight May 9 riots cases
Wajih Ahmad Sheikh
January 12, 2025
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf incarcerated founding chairman Imran Khan on Saturday approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking post-arrest bail in eight cases of May 9 riots including an attack on the corps commander’s residence.
The petitions mainly argued that the prosecution failed to establish the petitioner’s association with the unfortunate occurrences narrated in the FIRs.
They said the petitioner has been implicated in the May 9 cases as a result of a well-orchestrated plan merely to harass and humiliate him for political reasons even though admittedly he was in the custody of the NAB.
The arrest of the petitioner was never required in the cases, which was evident from the fact that police remained reluctant to secure his arrest during five months and 12 days after the dismissal of his pre-arrest bail by the trial court.
The petitions alleged that the indifferent behaviour of police and lack of effort in securing the arrest of the petitioner at a time when he was detained at Adiala Jail, supplement the argument that arrest of the petitioner was not required in the cases.
The sole allegation against the petitioner in the cases is of “abetment”, which has been supplemented by the prosecution most vaguely, the pleas added.
They argued that the trial judge overlooked the fact that frivolous and baseless allegations related to the May 9 events have already been rejected due to inconsistencies in the story of the investigating agency.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Govt, PTI locked in war of words over stalled dialogue
Ikram Junaidi
January 12, 2025
ISLAMABAD / SWABI: Claim and counter-claim between the government and the opposition continued on Saturday despite the initiation of dialogue after months of deadlock, with the PML-N-led coalition and the PTI accusing each other of derailing negotiation and lacking seriousness.
As the blame game continued, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq claimed that neither the government nor the PTI had approached him for the next round of negotiations, despite his willingness to provide a venue.
He said it was not possible for him to arrange a meeting between the PTI committee members and incarcerated party founder Imran Khan and suggested they should approach the government for this purpose.
However, Mr Sadiq said PTI leader Asad Qaiser had contacted him on Jan 4 to inform him that the party’s desire for meeting with Imran Khan had already been conveyed to the government. He said he had advised Mr Qaiser to directly contact Rana Sanaullah and other government representatives regarding the matter.
However, Asad Qaiser, speaking to Dawn, confirmed reaching out to the NA speaker on Jan 4 but said Mr Sadiq became inaccessible afterwards. “I tried to contact him on Saturday and even sent a text message, but there was no reply. I don’t know if he is in Pakistan or still abroad. I wanted to ask if the government is serious about the talks and what kind of hurdles exist in its way,” he said.
Mr Qaiser emphasised that PTI had entered into talks solely for the sake of Pakistan, considering the country’s law and order situation and the tense situation at its borders. “Pakistan cannot be run the way the incumbent government has been trying to run it. PTI is the largest political party, and our leader is in jail just for the sake of Pakistan,” he added.
He criticised the statements of PML-N leaders, alleging they were sabotaging the negotiation process. In a video message, he accused Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of attempting to obstruct the ongoing talks.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Pakistan tops world in hepatitis C cases: PM’s aide
January 12, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath on Saturday said Pakistan has the largest number of hepatitis C patients in the world, with 10 million of the global 60 million cases.
“This places us at the heart of the global effort to eliminate this disease,” he said while addressing participants of a seminar organised by the Health Foundation on hepatitis elimination.
He also stressed the urgent need for collective action to combat Hepatitis C, a significant public health challenge facing Pakistan.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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15 Levies men dismissed after Khuzdar attack
Abdul Wahid Shahwani
January 12, 2025
KHUZDAR: Fifteen personnel of the Levies Force in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan have been dismissed from service for failing to resist terrorists and surrendering their weapons.
On Jan 8, 80 militants riding motorcycles and vehicles entered the Zehri Tehsil of Khuzdar and caused damage to several government buildings, including the Levies station, Nadra office, and municipal committee. They also took some Levies personnel hostage, seized their weapons, government vehicles and escaped.
However, before the investigation was completed, Khuzdar Deputy Commissioner Yasir Iqbal Dashti dismissed the 15 Levies personnel, stating that no inquiry was needed due to their negligence in duty.
A notification issued by the Khuzdar deputy commissioner on Saturday stated that the Levies personnel showed cowardice and surrendered during an attack by terrorists.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Joint Investigation Team to probe into forged pics of Punjab CM, UAE head
January 12, 2025
LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cyber crime wing has expanded scope of the probe against those involved in editing and spreading doctored images/videos of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on social media and formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
The FIA Lahore on Saturday arrested five persons from different areas of Punjab for allegedly uploading fake images/videos of the foreign dignitary and CM Punjab and also making objectionable comments and booked them under PECA.
The JIT comprises the deputy directors from Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and Lahore. The JIT will be headed by FIA Lahore Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz. The FIA scrutinised a number of suspected accounts on social media and registered cases against five culprits.
According to the FIA, preliminary findings showed that 20 social media accounts were involved in uploading the manipulated images and videos of the UAE president and the Punjab CM. The identified accounts were reportedly used to spread false visuals and create a negative impression among social media users. More arrests are expected in coming days, the FIA said.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Bilawal slams ‘discriminatory attitude’ of Centre towards Sindh
Tahir Siddiqui
January 12, 2025
KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday criticised what he called the discriminatory attitude of the federal government towards Sindh, likening it to step-motherly treatment.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the first segment of the Malir Expressway project here, he said that the federation deprived Sindh of its due resources through various excuses, which creates numerous problems. “The Pakistan Peoples Party does not want to engage in extremist or retaliatory politics,” he declared.
Accompanied by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and other senior party leaders, the PPP chairman celebrated the opening ceremony by driving his vehicle on the 9.1-km section of the six-lane 39-km-long Malir Expressway project, which has been renamed as Shahrah-i-Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Bhutto-Zardari took pride in introducing and completing several development projects on a public-private partnership basis, saying the model was adopted “because the federal government, under various pretexts, failed to allocate resources to Sindh”.
He shed light on the positive outcomes of the public-private partnership model, saying it yielded excellent results in sectors like education, healthcare, and power infrastructure. “Water issues in Sindh will also be resolved through this model, and energy parks should be established under public-private partnership,” he said.
He further emphasised that projects under the public-private partnership model are not only successful but also exemplify good governance in Pakistan. While other provinces and the federal government failed in implementing public-private partnerships effectively, Sindh’s success had earned international acclaim, he noted.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Crypto trader picks out two alleged abductors before magistrate in Karachi
Sumair Abdullah
January 12, 2025
KARACHI: A crypto trader, who was kidnapped and released after paying around $340,000 worth of digital coins, rightly picked out two men as those who had abducted him during an identification parade conducted by a judicial magistrate on Saturday.
Investigating officer Makhdoom Moinuddin brought the two suspects — Mohammed Rizwan Shah and Tariq Hasan Shah — said to be private persons, before Judicial Magistrate (West) Hasnain Gul, who conducted the identification parade after completing legal formalities.
He assigned Rizwan’s role and said that he had threatened him with dire consequences. The victim also picked out Tariq Shah and told the magistrate that he had interrogated him during captivity.
A couple of days ago, two constables of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) among eight suspects were booked and arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of the trader and releasing him after he transferred the ransom into their digital wallets.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Mideast
Syrian intelligence agency says it thwarted planned Islamic State attack on Shiite shrine
11.01.25
Intelligence officials in Syria's new de facto government thwarted a plan by the Islamic State group to set off a bomb at a Shiite shrine in the Damascus suburb of SayyidaZeinab, state media reported Saturday.
State news agency SANA reported, citing an unnamed official in the General Intelligence Service, that members of the IS cell planning the attack were arrested.
It quoted the official as saying that the intelligence service is “putting all its capabilities to stand in the face of all attempts to target the Syrian people in all their spectrums.”
SayyidaZeinab has been the site of past attacks on Shiite pilgrims by IS — which takes an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam and considers Shiites to be infidels.
In 2023, a motorcycle planted with explosives detonated in SayyidaZeinab, killing at least six people and wounding dozens a day before the Shiite holy day of Ashoura.
The announcement that the attack had been thwarted appeared to be another attempt by the country's new leaders to reassure religious minorities, including those seen as having been supporters of the former government of Bashar Assad.
Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, was allied with Iran and with the Shiite Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as well as Iranian-backed Iraqi militias.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the former insurgent group that led the lightning offensive that toppled Assad last month and is now the de facto ruling party in the country, is a Sunni Islamist group that formerly had ties with al-Qaida.
Source: Www.Telegraph India.Com
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Will Iran build a nuclear bomb while Trump is in power in the US?
By MaziarMotamedi
11 Jan 2025
Tehran, Iran – Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States promises Iran a rocky road that could lead to different outcomes when it comes to its relations with the West, analysts say.
US leaders, along with Israelis, have been openly discussing military strikes on top Iranian nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure like power plants and oil and petrochemical facilities.
Iran’s leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remain defiant, and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have held large-scale military exercises, predominantly focusing on defending sensitive sites.
For more than two decades, Iran’s relationship with the West has largely been defined by developments in the country’s nuclear programme and efforts to stop it from getting a bomb. Tehran has consistently maintained that it does not seek a weapon of mass destruction.
Recently, top political and military authorities in Iran have been discussing the possibility of shifting Tehran’s officially stated policy of not pursuing a nuclear weapon amid rising security threats.
There seem to be two schools of thought in Tehran: one appears open to the possibility of engaging the US, including on the nuclear programme, and another is vocal about pursuing a weapon, especially given the erosion of deterrence against Israel and setbacks to its regional allies, NaysanRafati, senior Iran analyst at the Washington-based Crisis Group, pointed out.
“But if the former camp prevails, it will still require willingness in Washington to engage Tehran – and given the Islamic republic’s vulnerabilities, there will likely be some inclination to press the regime harder rather than entertain concessions to it.”
Iran has lost one of the tenets of its forward defence strategy with the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the blows dealt to its “axis of resistance” across the region.
The country is also labouring under extensive sanctions that are negatively affecting its already embattled economy, plummeting national currency and high inflation, along with an energy crisis.
Source: Www.Aljazeera.Com
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Iran holding war games as it faces Israel tensions, Trump's return
12 January 2025
Dubai: Iran was holding air defence exercises on Saturday, state media reported, as the country braces for more friction with arch-enemy Israel and the United States under incoming US president Donald Trump.
The war games take place as Iranian leaders face the risk that Trump could empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attack Iran's nuclear sites, while further tightening US sanctions on its oil industry through his "maximum pressure" poli...
"In these exercises,...defence systems will practice the fight against air, missile and electronic warfare threats in real battlefield conditions... to protect the country's skies and sensitive and vital areas," Iranian state television said.
Saturday's drills are part of two-months-long exercises launched on Jan. 4 which have already included war games in which the elite Revolutionary Guards defended key nuclear installations in Natanz against mock attacks by missiles and drones, state m...
Source: Www.Deccanherald.Com
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Terrorists use West Bank mosques to attack soldiers, IDF reports
12-01-2024
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reported on Saturday that forces operating within the West Bank’s Jabaliya and Tulkarm encountered terrorists making use of several mosques and other civilian buildings in the area to mount attacks against troops, risking civilian lives in the process.
“Terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria persistently takes place within civilian infrastructures, including mosques, hospitals, medical centers and educational institutions,” the IDF said in a statement.
According to the military, three main mosques were identified as being used by terrorists in Jabaliya and Tulkarm: Jabriyat Mosque and Khalid Ibn al-Walid Mosque in Jenin, and the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in Tulkarm.
“During counterterrorism activity conducted in the area of Jenin on 19.11.2024, terrorists opened fire at IDF soldiers from inside and near the Jabriyat Mosque, using it for cover,” the IDF reported.
Source: Www.Ynetnews.Com
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Iran's IRGC unveils new underground missile base: Report
Jan 12 2025
Tehran, Jan 12 (IANS): Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new underground missile base, local media reported.
Footage broadcast by state-run IRIB TV on Friday night showed the facility, described as a "missile city," being unveiled in the presence of IRGC Commander Hossein Salami and Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC's Aerospace Force.
The base houses advanced Iranian missiles, including the "Emad, Qadr and Qiam," all liquid-fueled, the state TV narrator said. The subterranean facility is one of hundreds of such bases belonging to the IRGC's Aerospace Force, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting IRIB.
The footage indicated missiles from the base were used in Iran's second retaliatory military operation against Israel in October last year.
Source: Daijiworld.Com
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Trump’s Middle East envoy visits Netanyahu in push for Gaza ceasefire
Lorenzo Tondo
11 Jan 2025
The US Middle East envoy chosen by the president-elect, Donald Trump, met the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Saturday amid efforts to secure a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza, an Israeli official said.
On Friday, Steve Witkoff met the Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, to discuss “the latest developments in the region, especially the efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip”, the Qatari foreign ministry said.
After Witkoff’s visit to the mediator in Qatar, the envoy, who has reportedly assured that the US would continue to work towards a deal to end the war soon, flew to Israel where he met Netanyahu.
After their talk, Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister would send the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency, David Barnea, to Qatar’s capital, “in order to continue advancing a deal to release our hostages”.
It was not immediately clear when Barnea would travel to Doha, but the US is pressing for a deal before Trump takes office on 20 January. Barnea’s presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved.
In an interview with National Public Radio, William Burns, the director of the CIA, said the White House was working to reach a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas before Trump’s inauguration.
“Negotiations going on right now are quite serious and do offer the possibility, at least, of getting this done in the next couple of weeks. This administration will work very hard at that right up until 20 January. I think the coordination with the new administration on this issue has been good. President-elect Trump has made clear his interest in trying to get a deal, you know, before his inauguration,” Burns said.
The CIA director’s interview with Mary Louise Kelley on NPR’s All Things Considered took place as Israel and Hamas appeared to be edging closer towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal that could bring the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip to an end amid reports of optimism among decision-makers.
Hamas said on Monday that it had given mediators a list of 34 Israeli captives who were seized during the group’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 that triggered the war, and who could be freed as part of the “first phase of a prisoner exchange deal”.
Source: Www.theguardian.Com
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Has the war in Gaza radicalised young Palestinians?
11 Jan 2025
Among the banks, law firms and luxury hotels of central London, a piece of Palestine is rising. Born in an adjacent falafel joint, Palestine House has spread over five floors. Each depicts a different period of Palestinian history. The walls of one recreate the wooden latticework of a traditional inner courtyard; another, the smashed rubble of Gaza. Palestinian flags and banners protesting against genocide decorate the walls and pavement outside. By the end of the year Osama Qashoo, its founder, plans to open a journalists’ club, a radio station, a startup hub, an exhibition hall and a cultural salon in the building. “Each bomb Israel drops on Gaza is an amplifier,” says Mr Qashoo, an exile from the West Bank city of Nablus: “We are the carriers making sure Palestine’s story lives.”
Mr Qashoo is part of a new generation of activists among Palestinians whose sense of identity had been waning. They have been mobilised by the horrifying bloodshed and destruction in Gaza. They are dismissive of an ageing and discredited Palestinian leadership and seek new ways to pursue their century-long struggle. Mr Qashoo’s vision of the route to a Palestinian state is a peaceful one. Others sound more resigned to bloodshed. “Forget the dumb doves,” says Zeina Hashem Beck, a young poet at a recital in support of Gaza in New York. Will the war in Gaza galvanise young Palestinians to new forms of struggle, or prompt further violence in their quest for a state?
The horrors of the past year are manifold. Nearly 42,000 have been killed in Gaza. Around 70% of Gaza’s housing stock has been destroyed. Many feel that the shock is already as awful as the nakba (catastrophe) of 1948, when Israel was formed and around 15,000 Palestinians were killed and some 750,000 were driven from their homes or fled. Others compare it to the naksa (setback) of 1967, when Israel seized the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Measured by the numbers killed and the length of the conflict, the past year has been the worst in the Palestinians’ recent history.
Israel again controls the lives of all 7m Palestinians in the land that was their ancestral home. In Gaza 2.2m Palestinians are as disorientated and fearful as they were in 1948. Polling by Zogby, a research firm, suggests that over half of Gaza’s people have lost a relative and some three-quarters have been displaced at least three times during this war.
West Bankers liken their situation to that of pre-war Gaza. Checkpoints keep them locked under siege and shut out of Israel’s labour markets. Strikes by drones, common in Gaza, frequently occur. Jewish settler violence has increased sharply since October 7th.
Source: Www.Livemint.Com
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Israeli military says 4 soldiers killed in north Gaza
January 11, 2025
JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY — Four soldiers died in combat in the north of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said Saturday, more than 15 months into its war with Hamas militants.
The deaths brought to 403 the number of soldiers killed in the Palestinian territory since Israel launched its ground offensive in retaliation for Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack.
An officer and a reservist soldier were "seriously wounded" during the same incident and were taken to a hospital, the military said in a statement.
The military said Saturday it had killed three militants in a ground operation near Jabalia in northern Gaza, where Israeli troops have been waging an intense offensive since early October, saying it aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping.
Source: Www.Voanews.Com
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North America
'A light of faith and hope': Biden awards Pope Francis Presidential medal of freedom
Jan 12, 2025
President Joe Biden on Saturday honoured Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the highest civilian award given by the president, saying the pontiff was "a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world."
Biden had been scheduled to present the medal to the pope in person on Saturday in Rome on what was to be the final overseas trip of his presidency, but Biden cancelled his travel plans so he could monitor the wildfires in California.
The White House said Biden bestowed the award to the pope during a phone call in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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16 dead, landscapes turn hellscapes as Los Angeles battles costliest wildfire disaster in US history
Jan 12, 2025
The devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles County have claimed the lives of at least 16 people and damaged or destroyed over 12,000 structures since they began last week. Authorities have warned of worsening conditions in the days ahead as firefighters struggle to contain the blazes.
The fires have upended daily life in Los Angeles County, prompting school closures and the cancellation of entertainment, sports, and community events. Authorities have urged residents to adhere to evacuation orders and avoid affected areas.
Firefighters have been battling multiple blazes, including the Palisades Fire, which has consumed 86 square kilometers (33 square miles), and the Eaton Fire, which has burned through 56 square kilometers (22 square miles). The Palisades Fire has ravaged the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to multimillion-dollar properties and celebrities.
Three smaller fires—the Kenneth Fire (four sq km), the Hurst Fire (three sq km), and the Lidia Fire (1.6 sq km)—are partially contained, with containment levels ranging from 50% to 98%.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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U.S. & The Islamic Republic Of Mauritania Sign Agreement To Enhance Power Sector Resilience & Climate Adaptation
12 January 2025
The United States welcomes the signing of a landmark $27 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program agreement with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. MCC and the Mauritanian government designed this program to build Mauritania’s capacity in inclusive power sector planning, grid operations, and electricity regulation. The Threshold Program will provide debt-free grants to develop fundable environment resilience projects and to incorporate climate change and social considerations into the environmental impact assessment process.
This Threshold Program represents a critical step in our ongoing partnership with Mauritania. By enhancing the power sector and improving environment adaptation, this program will contribute to Mauritania’s long-term economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. This significant U.S. government investment will support the development of critical infrastructure, attract greater private sector investment, and create prosperity for the people of Mauritania.
The United States remains committed to supporting Mauritania’s efforts to foster inclusive growth and build a resilient future for its people. We look forward to working closely with our Mauritanian partners to implement this program and achieve meaningful progress in these vital areas.
Source: Www.Scoop.Co.Nz
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'Connecting place': Manitoba city welcoming first mosque
Charles Lefebvre
Jan. 11, 2025
A Manitoba city is getting closer to opening its first-ever mosque.
The Pembina Valley Islamic Association is putting the finishing touches on a new mosque set to open in Morden.
Association president Rubaiyat Zaman said the facility will help fill a void in the area.
“We have been living here for three, four years now, and there's no mosque in this area,” he said.
“My son is eight years old. When we came here, it was during COVID, and he didn't see a mosque… Our childhood has memories where we went to mosque and then enjoy our time over their play with other kids. It's a socialization place, so my son didn't have that option.”
Zaman said several attempts have been made over the years to set up a mosque in the area, but until now, nothing was able to get off the ground. Members of Morden’s Muslim community, which numbers roughly 100 families, previously had to travel to Winkler for worship.
“They need a place to come and pray and not only that, they need a place to connect with different Muslims and share their ideas, so we have been very grateful that we have started this place,” Zaman said.
Source: Winnipeg.Ctvnews.Ca
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Africa
Christian group faults Tinubu’s participation in Arab-Islamic Summit
By SodiqOmolaoye
11 January 2025
The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), on Saturday, expressed worry over President Bola Tinubu’s participation in the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia last November.
NCEF Chairman, Dr. Samuel DanjumaGani, in a statement on the State of the Nation on Saturday, noted that Section 10 of the Nigeria Constitution explicitly states that the government shall not adopt any religion as a state religion.
The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit from 2023 and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab.
However, the christian elders observed that Tinubu’s actions could deepen the religious divide in Nigeria, saying that the President’s “should not have participated in the Arab-Islamic Summit because Nigeria is neither an Arab country, nor an Islamic state.-
Gani while maintaining that Nigeria remains a deeply divided country with many non-state actors putting pressure on its security, said the matter of religious discrimination is yet to be fully addressed by the government.
Source: Guardian.Ng
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Africa
Christian group faults Tinubu’s participation in Arab-Islamic Summit
By Sodiq Omolaoye
11 January 2025
The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), on Saturday, expressed worry over President Bola Tinubu’s participation in the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia last November.
NCEF Chairman, Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani, in a statement on the State of the Nation on Saturday, noted that Section 10 of the Nigeria Constitution explicitly states that the government shall not adopt any religion as a state religion.
The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit from 2023 and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab.
However, the christian elders observed that Tinubu’s actions could deepen the religious divide in Nigeria, saying that the President’s “should not have participated in the Arab-Islamic Summit because Nigeria is neither an Arab country, nor an Islamic state.-
Gani while maintaining that Nigeria remains a deeply divided country with many non-state actors putting pressure on its security, said the matter of religious discrimination is yet to be
Source: Guardian.Ng
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President Mahama commits to redeem Muslims holiday pledge
Jan - 11 - 2025
President John DramaniMahama, has reiterated his pledge to add another holiday for Muslims during Eid-Fitr to address the issue of the 29 or 30-day rule for sighting the moon, beginning this year.
He said the move was aimed at ensuring that all Muslim citizens could enjoy the public holiday without conflict with their places of work.
He emphasised that the additional holiday would not affect productivity, as his government would modify the Public Holidays Act to maintain the same number of public holidays per year.
He said this was part of his efforts to promote Islamic values and recognise the contributions of Muslim communities in the country.
Source: Www.Graphic.Com
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Naira abuse: EFCC confirms invitation of Okoya’s sons for questioning
January 11, 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited two children of billionaire businessman, Chief RazaqOkoya, for questioning over alleged naira abuse.
“Yes, they have been invited; the two children, Wahab and Raheem Okoya are expected to report to the commission’s Lagos office for questioning on Monday.
”They are to report to the Head, Special Operations Team, at the 15A Awolowo Road Office of the commission by 10 am on Monday,” he said
Source: Thenationonlineng.Net
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Health workers at UCH decry poor performance over power outage
January 12, 2025
THE Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has decried workers’ poor performance due to the hospital’s power outage
The union’s chairman, Mr OladayoOlabampe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday that the workers were not at their optimum capacity due to the outage.
He recalled that the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) disconnected the hospital on November 25, 2024, due to accumulated debts.
Olabampe lamented that the workers and patients had dark Christmas and New Year celebrations because of the disconnection.Festive New Year's decorations
Source: Tribuneonlineng.Com
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Southeast Asia
World Economic Forum confirms PM Anwar’s participation in 2025 Davos meeting
12 Jan 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland.
“Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of #Malaysia will join the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland,” said the post.
Scheduled from Jan 20 to 24 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, the 55th annual meeting, themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, will convene global leaders from government, business and civil society to address pressing global and regional challenges
Key topics include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating economic growth to improving living standards, and guiding a just and inclusive energy transition.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Family of five killed in Pekan crash buried in single grave as over 500 gather for prayers
12 Jan 2025
PEKAN, Jan 12 — Five family members who were killed in a road crash involving two vehicles at Kilometre 65 of JalanPekan-Nenasi-Rompin here yesterday were buried at the NenasiPantai Muslim Cemetery at noon today.
The remains of Hamzah Zahari, 53, his wife, RahimahAwangMuda, 38, and their children, AinulMardhiyah Hamzah, 10, Muhammad Luqman Nur Hakim, 8, and Muhammad Lutfi, 4, were buried together in one grave.
The funeral rites were carried out at the Pekan Hospital, after which the bodies were brought to the Nenasi Mosque for the funeral prayers which were performed by more than 500 people consisting of family members, relatives and friends.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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DPM Fadillah: Sarawak’s hydrogen research draws interest, investments from Japan, South Korea
12 Jan 2025
KUCHING Jan 12 — Sarawak’s advancements in hydrogen research have attracted investment interest from countries such as Japan and South Korea, positioning the state as a potential primary hub for the hydrogen economy in Asia, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri FadillahYusof.
According to Fadillah, Japan has expressed interest and committed to investing in Sarawak, particularly in the hydrogen energy sector, following Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg’s meeting alongside Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the recent visit by the Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Malaysia.
“In that meeting, they discussed and jointly committed that Sarawak will become a centre for the development of hydrogen energy, which will be exported not only to Japan but to other regions as well. Japan has shown interest and pledged to invest in Sarawak, particularly in the hydrogen energy sector.
“Sarawak’s research in hydrogen is already quite advanced. The interest isn’t only from Japan and (South) Korea. Their technology is undoubtedly more advanced, which is why they want to invest here, making Sarawak the preferred destination for such investments,” he told reporters when met during the inaugural Inns of Court Malaysia (ICM) East Malaysia Grand Night 2025, held at Borneo Cultures Museum here last night.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Arab World
Arab, EU diplomats arrive in Riyadh for meeting on Syria
Arab News
January 12, 2025
RIYADH: An expanded ministerial meeting on Syria is being hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday in the capital Riyadh as world powers push for stability after the fall of Bashar Assad.
Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq were all in Riyadh ahead of Sunday’s meeting plus envoys from the United Kingdom and the United States.
The meeting, which is expected to focus on Syria post-Assad, comes as the country’s new administration urges a lift of sanctions by the West to help in the country’s recovery.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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KSrelief continues humanitarian outreach in Syria, Yemen
Arab News
January 12, 2025
RYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues with its humanitarian activities in Syria and Yemen with the distribution of food supplies, health kits and prosthetic services.
In the town of Beit Yashout, Jabla District of Syria’s Latakia Governorate, 499 families each received boxes containing a bag of flour as well as personal care kits on Saturday, state news agency SPA reported.
In Jindires of Aleppo Governorate, KSrelief distributed 1,476 food boxes and 1,476 health kits while in Talbiseh of Homs Governorate the aid agency on Thursday handed out to 86 families food parcels, each containing a 10-kilogram bag of flour, along with winter kits and personal care kits on Thursday.
This initiative is part of the Kingdom’s continuous humanitarian efforts, through KSrelief, to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people during various crises and hardships, SPA reported.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
Arab News
January 11, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad, which left 19 people dead, including a soldier guarding the complex, and injured others.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Chad’s security and stability, while rejecting any actions that threaten the country’s peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In its statement, the Ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier and to the government and people of Chad. The Kingdom also wished a swift recovery for those injured in the assault.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Arab News
January 11, 2025
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently received New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles Kingston at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.
During the meeting, they also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, notably the progress of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and updates on the joint action plan between the two sides. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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HayyMatsuri celebrates Japanese, Saudi cultural traditions
Afshan Aziz
January 11, 2025
JEDDAH: Art Jameel, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Japan in Jeddah and Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, has launched the second edition of HayyMatsuri, a cultural festival celebrating the fusion of Japanese and Saudi traditions, arts, and innovation.
This year’s event features exclusive performances by Japanese music project ElectronicosFantasticos! and sound artist Daisuke Tanabe, both making their Saudi debut.
Their groundbreaking work, which transforms everyday objects and repurposed electronics into musical instruments, will be showcased in collaboration with Saudi artists such as DesertFish, Akram Ali, and Abstract Crew. Together, they explore memories of the past, present, and future through immersive audiovisual performances.
“This year marks 70 years of Toyota in Saudi Arabia and 70 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia, making it a particularly significant year for us.
“The enthusiasm for Japanese culture in Saudi Arabia is immense, as demonstrated by the overwhelming response we received during our open call for the HayyMatsuri market and the crowds here tonight — the creativity and passion for Japan that exists here is truly remarkable.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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Saudi Arabia arrests 19,418 illegals in one week
Arab News
January 11, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,418 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 11,787 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,380 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,251 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,221 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 56 percent were Ethiopian, 42 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2586024/saudi-arabia
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/manipur-muslim-love-jihad-eat-pork/d/134309