Mosque Clinics In Hyderabad Are Now Providing Vital Scientific Clues To Researchers
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 May 2022
• Gift Of Eid To Muslims: Two Hindu Sisters Donated
Land For The Expansion Of Idgah
• Saudis Feel Let Down By America At A Time When They
Believe The US And Saudi Arabia Should Be Together, says Prince Turki Al-Faisal
• London Election Candidates Urge Engagement With Muslims
to Address Growing Wealth Divides Leading Muslim Children Into Poverty
• Shias Hold Protests Demanding UN Intervention In
Atrocities Against Them By Pakistan
India
• Mumbai: Churches Win Hearts With Multi-Faith Iftar
Gatherings
• Mosque Loudspeakers: Onus On Maharashtra Govt,
Police Now, Says AIMIM MP On Raj's Aggressive Language
• Bulldozer Has Become A Symbol Of State Terror
Against Muslims In India, Says Mehbooba Mufti
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Arab World
• Nineteenth Century Iraq Church Celebrates First Mass
Since ISIS Defeat
• Eid Prayers Resume To Full Capacity In Mecca For
First Time Since Pandemic
• Muslims Worldwide Mark Eid Al-Fitr With Joy Amid
Economic, Security Concerns
• Missile attack on oil refinery in Iraq’s Erbil hit
oil tank, fire erupted
• Turkey to normalize Egypt ties after ‘progress’ with
Saudi Arabia, UAE: Cavusoglu
• Flights grounded as Iraq hit by increasingly
frequent dust storms yet again
• Iraq seizes more than six million Captagon pills in
drug bust
• Two rockets target coalition troops in Iraq, no
casualties
• Turkish President Erdogan expresses satisfaction
with Saudi trip
• Saudi king and crown prince exchange Eid-Al-Fitr
greetings with Islamic leaders
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Europe
• Dutch Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr as ‘sugar feast’
loses flavour
• Peace and community in a Malaysian Ramadan for
Bosnian refugee
• UK government urged to secure release of geologist
facing execution in Iraq
• Former Iranian official jailed in Sweden put in
solitary confinement for 30 months: Wife
--------
Pakistan
• Imran Khan, PTI Leaders Accused Of Blasphemy For
Desecrating Al-Masjid an-Nabwi
• Ex-PM Imran, President Alvi To Be Tried For
‘Violating Constitution’
• Pakistani PM, OIC chief discuss Islamophobia
• Cash-strapped Pakistan gets $8 billion in financial
support from Saudi Arabia
• Pak's state-run PTV fires 17 officials over failure
to cover PM's event due to laptop unavailability
• Fawad moves IHC to term cases against PTI leaders
over Madina incident ‘illegal’
• Elements behind KU blast can’t tolerate Pakistan,
China’s prosperity: NA speaker
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South Asia
• With Spate Of Attacks, Islamic State Group Begins
Bloody New Chapter In Afghanistan
• International Community Should Stop Meddling In Afghan
Affairs: Taliban
• Afghan leader Hibatullah Akhundzada hails 'security'
in rare appearance to mark Eid
• Afghans celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid tight security
arrangements
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North America
• Muslims In US Pray For Inter-Faith Harmony As
Ramazan Ends
• US removes Saudi Arabia from intellectual property
protection concern list
--------
Southeast Asia
• Restaurant Serves Iftar At Yokohama Mosque In Japan
• Muslims Celebrate Aidilfitri In Lively Atmosphere
This Year
• Indonesian Muslims Fully Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr After
Two Years
• Muslim community has weathered pandemic well:
President Halimah Yacob
• King, Queen perform Aidilfitri prayers at Federal
Territory Mosque
• Mufti's office explains why Singapore Muslims
celebrate Hari Raya on Tuesday, unlike others in the region
--------
Mideast
• Iranian Speaker: US Using ISIL Terrorists to Create
Insecurity in Afghanistan
• Palestinian Islamic Jihad Thanks Iran's Leader on
Quds Day
• Hamas Slams 70 Years Of Israeli Occupation Of
Palestine As ‘Full-Fledged War Crime’
• Intelligence Ministry Warns of Enemies' Attempts to
Sow Discord between Iranians, Afghans
• Muslim Brotherhood TV channel leaves Turkey during
Ankara-Cairo thaw
• Former Afghanistan President congratulates Eid
al-Fitr to Iranian FM
• President Rayeesi: Iran Increases Oil Sales, Trade
with Neighbors to Nullify Sanctions
• Deputy Commander: Iranian Army at Highest Defense
Levels
• Leader Pardons, Commutes Sentences of over 1500
Prisoners
• Iran Calls for Permanent Ceasefire in Yemen
• Iranian FM: Muslims' Rallies on Quds Day Indicate
Survival of Palestinian Cause
• Ramadan ends for Palestinians with more arrests by
Israel
• People in Gaza prepare for Eid al-Fitr amid dire
conditions
• Turkish police detain dozens in Istanbul during May
Day demonstrations
• ‘Israel imposes collective punishment on
Palestinians due to lack of intl. accountability’
--------
Africa
• Eid-el-Kabir: Gov. Ugwuanyi Urges Muslims To Remain
Committed To God
• Ramadan: Tinubu distributes rice, sugar to 50, 000
families
• Protesters face tear gas on third anniversary of
Sudan sit-in killings
• Morocco’s King pardons 29 jailed for ‘terrorism or
extremism’ offenses
• Moroccan prison program aims to de-radicalize ISIS
veterans
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/mosque-clinics-hyderabad-scientific/d/126920
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Mosque Clinics In Hyderabad Are Now Providing Vital
Scientific Clues To Researchers
May 2, 2022
Hyderabad: After helping the poor in the treatment of
various diseases, the mosque clinics in Hyderabad are now providing vital
scientific clues to researchers. The first-ever research study on patients
being treated at various mosque clinics in Hyderabad has revealed that
diagnosis based on C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used as a biomarker to
distinguish fevers caused by bacteria and viruses.
Mosque clinics in Old City mostly treat cases of acute
febrile illness (sudden onset of fever). Researchers from Osmania Medical
College, Hyderabad, collected blood samples from the patients at a diagnostic
laboratory attached to mosque clinics and found that CRP levels are significantly
elevated in enteric fever cases (caused by bacteria) when compared to the
patients with positive dengue fevers.
“Thus, CRP can be a useful tool along with other blood
investigations in differentiating bacterial and viral causes of acute febrile illness,”
the researchers said. The research team comprised of Dr Abdul Rahim Rehan and
Dr Syed Tauseef Banu from Osmania Medical College and Dr Shameem Humaira from
the Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) laboratories. The result of the study was
published in the recent issue of the International Journal of Scientific
Research.
Blood samples from the patients attending mosque
clinics was collected for a period of two months for the analysis. The study
revealed that 28% patients were diagnosed as having typhoid, 20% were diagnosed
with positive dengue serology and remaining 52% patients were included as
having acute undifferentiated fever(AUF) with undetermined aetiology and needs
further evaluation.
“CRP levels are significantly elevated in enteric
fever cases when compared to the patients with positive dengue serology,” the
study said, adding that CRP can be a useful tool along with other blood
investigations in differentiating bacterial and viral causes of acute febrile
illness.
According to the researchers, every year with the
onset of the monsoon, the number of AUFI cases increases significantly and this
trend persists through the winter. Acute undifferentiated febrile illness
includes fever of less than14 days without any evidence of organ or system
specific aetiology.
AUFI includes scrub typhus, dengue, malaria, enteric
fever, and leptospirosis. They are the leading causes of morbidity and
mortality. It is difficult to distinguish these infections clinically, in the
initial stages, as early symptoms like high-grade fever, body pains and rashes
can be seen in many tropical infectious diseases. Similar clinical
presentations with diverse aetiologies, often confounds diagnosis of febrile
illness and delays initiation of appropriate treatment, researchers added.
Source: Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Gift Of Eid To Muslims: Two Hindu Sisters Donated Land
For The Expansion Of Idgah
Saroj Rastogi and Anita Rastogi.
-----
By Suraj Sewatkar
2 May 2022
These days in all parts of the country, where the news
of religious hysteria is snatching the peace of the people of peace. People are
coming face to face over small things, while two Hindu sisters have given gifts
to Muslim brothers just before Eid.
Expansion
Presenting an example of communal harmony, two Hindu
sisters have given the gift of Eid to Muslim brothers. According to the wishes
of his late father, he has donated about four Bighas of land for the expansion
of Idgah. The family members of both the married sisters have reached Kashipur
and given possession of the land to the Idgah Committee.
The committee has also started the boundary work by
digging the foundation. The market value of this land has been estimated to be
more than Rs 1.5 crore. These days in all parts of the country, where the news
of religious hysteria is snatching the peace of the people of peace. People are
coming face to face over small things, while two Hindu sisters have set an
example in front of the society by giving gifts to Muslim brothers just before
Eid.
Lala Brajnandan Prasad Rastogi’s family has
agricultural land near Idgah Maidan in Kashipur. On this land, about four
bighas of acreage number 827 (1) and (2) is adjacent to the boundary of the
Idgah. When this part is included, the shape of the Idgah becomes rectangular.
Brajnandan was willing to donate this land for the Idgah, but the acreage was
in the name of his two daughters Saroj Rastogi and Anita Rastogi.
Source: Sktodays News
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Saudis Feel Let Down By America At A Time When They
Believe The US And Saudi Arabia Should Be Together, says Prince Turki Al-Faisal
Prince Turki Al-Faisal
-----
May 01, 2022
JEDDAH: Saudis feel let down at a time when they
believe the US and Saudi Arabia should be together facing threats to the
stability and security of the Gulf region, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi
Arabia’s former intelligence chief and former ambassador to both London and
Washington D.C., told Arab News.
He identified the threats specifically as Iran’s
influence in Yemen and its use of the Houthis as a tool “not only to
destabilize Saudi Arabia, but also affect the security and stability of the
international sea lanes” along the Red Sea, the Gulf and the Arabian Sea.
“The fact that President Biden delisted the Houthis
from the terrorist list has emboldened them and made them even more aggressive
in their attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as on the UAE,” Prince Turki told
Katie Jensen, the new host of Arab News’ “Frankly Speaking.” He was alluding to
the Feb. 12, 2021, revocation by the new Democratic administration of the
Iran-aligned militia’s designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Frankly Speaking” features interviews with leading
policymakers and business leaders, diving deep into the biggest news-making
headlines across the Middle East and around the world. During his appearance on
the video show, Prince Turki offered his views on US-Saudi relations, the war
between Russia and Ukraine, and the ever-shifting dynamics of Middle Eastern
geopolitics at a time of rising oil prices and diplomatic tensions.
“We have always considered our relationship with the
US as being strategic,” he said on the question of whether many Saudis feel
they have been betrayed by one of their closest allies.
“We’ve had our ups and downs over the years and
perhaps, at this time, it’s one of the downs, particularly since the president
of the US, in his election campaign, said that he will make Saudi Arabia a
pariah. And, of course, he went on to practice what he preached: First of all,
by stopping the joint operations that America had with the Kingdom in meeting
the challenge of the Houthi-led rebellion in Yemen against the Yemeni people.
And, second, among other similar actions, by not meeting with (Saudi Arabia’s
crown prince) and publicly declaring that he would not meet with the crown
prince, and, at one stage, withdrawing anti-aircraft missile batteries from the
Kingdom when we were facing an increase in attacks by the Houthis using Iranian
equipment like missiles and drones.”
Pointing out that Saudi Arabia “all the time … has
been calling for a peaceful solution to the Yemen conflict,” Prince Turki said:
“Unfortunately the Houthis have always either not responded to that call or
simply ignored it or opposed it. And, as we see now, there is a supposed
ceasefire established by the UN, but the Houthis continue to infringe on that
ceasefire and to take advantage of the ceasefire to reposition their forces and
replenish them.”
“So, basically this is how the situation has come to
this stage,” he said, referring to the current state of US-Saudi relations. “I
hope that we’ll get over it like we got over so many previous downturns in the
relationship.”
On the face of it, Washington seems to be quite eager
to keep its communication channels with Riyadh open with phone calls and visits
by officials but, according to Prince Turki, “it’s not just one thing.”
He said: “It’s the general tone of the atmosphere and
America, for example, has been declaring, or American officials have been
declaring, that they are in support of Saudi Arabia and will help Saudi Arabia
defend itself against outside aggression and so on. We are grateful for those
statements, but we need to see more in terms of the relationship between the
two leaderships.”
He shrugged off the claim that Saudi Arabia has not
budged on the issue of the oil problems that the US is facing, countering it
with the argument that Washington itself “is the reason for the state that it
is in because of its energy policy.”
“President Biden made it a policy of the US government
to cut all links to what is called the oil and gas industry. He curtailed oil
production and gas production in the US (when) it had been, in the last few
years, the biggest producer of these two energy sources,” Prince Turki said.
This curtailment of US energy production, he says,
helped lift the price of oil, together with the OPEC+ agreement established
after the COVID-19 difficulty, which “was an agreement to bring down production
in order to stabilize the prices, for the benefit of everybody and stability of
oil prices.”
Prince Turki was emphatic that Saudi Arabia does not
want to be “an instrument or a reason for instability in oil prices,”
indicating that actions such as the embargo of 1973 were a thing of the past.
“That is why the Kingdom and the other OPEC members
and the OPEC+ members are sticking to the production quotas that they have
assigned themselves. I have read that the recent decision by OPEC+ to
incrementally increase oil production while the agreement is effective, is in response
to the difficulties that people have in the energy sector. Another factor that
adds to all this is the security issue, the high rates of insurance that have
come about as a result of the war in Ukraine, plus the European and US
curtailment of, and sanctions on, the Russian oil industry. All of these things
have added to the increase in oil prices.”
In this connection, Prince Turki expressed strong
displeasure with comments made by Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of
state, on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program in support of a “carrot-and-stick”
approach to force Saudi Arabia to increase its share of oil production in order
to reduce prices during what she called an “existential crisis.”
Reiterating that he could not speak for all Saudis,
Prince Turki said: “We are not schoolchildren to be treated with a carrot and
stick. We are a sovereign country, and when we are dealt with fairly and
squarely, we respond likewise. It is unfortunate that such statements are made
by politicians wherever they may be. I hope that the relationship of the
Kingdom and the US will not hinge around or be built upon that principle.”
Likewise, Prince Turki brushed away the charge that
Riyadh has chosen to side with Moscow in the Ukraine conflict, noting that “the
Kingdom has publicly declared and voted to condemn the aggression against
Ukraine that was passed by the UN General Assembly.”
Pointing out that Saudi Arabia offered to mediate
between Russia and Ukraine, he said: “As a mediator, it will have to maintain a
link and the ability to talk to both sides. We’ve had good relations with both
countries over the years. In general, as I mentioned, the Kingdom is against
the aggression in Ukraine. But also, most recently, the Kingdom has contributed
to the fund that was established by the UN to provide support for the Ukrainian
refugees in Europe. So that is where the Kingdom stands.”
He described the Saudi mediation bid as “an offer of a
friend to friends — both Ukraine and Russia — (with) whom we have had excellent
relations in the recent past.”
Moving on to what he perceives as international
hypocrisy exposed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Prince Turki said this has
been proven “by the way refugees from Ukraine have been described in
civilizational terms as being one with the West and one with Europe and so on,
as if other refugees from the Middle East or from other parts of the world are
not equally human as Ukrainians. That’s one discrepancy in the way that Western
media particularly has depicted the issue of the refugees.
“Another one of course — part of the hypocrisy — is
the UN and the way that sanctions have been placed on Russia for invading
Ukraine but no sanctions for example had been placed on Israel when it invaded
Arab countries a few years back. Those are the double standards and the
injustices that I think have been taking place over the years.”
On the question of whether Israel should therefore be
treated at par with Russia when it comes to sanctions, Prince Turki did not
pull punches. “Absolutely. I don’t see what the difference is there between the
two,” he told “Frankly Speaking.”
He added: “Aggression is aggression, whether it is
committed by Russia or by Israel.”
Furthermore, Prince Turki cast doubt on the theory
that normalizing relations with Israel — the route taken by a number of Arab
countries, including Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and Bahrain — could be a more
productive policy. “I have seen no evidence of that,” he said. “The Palestinian
people are still occupied, they are still being imprisoned by the Israeli
government. Attacks and assassinations of Palestinian individuals take place
almost on a daily basis. The stealing of Palestinian land by Israel continues
despite the assurances that Israel gave to the signatories of the peace
(accord) between the UAE and Israel. So, there is no sign whatsoever that
appeasing Israel is going to change their attitude.”
On issues closer to home, Prince Turki views the
recent visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for one, as a positive
development. “I think the leadership in Turkey has come to realize that their
previous animus toward the Kingdom was not serving anybody’s well-being and
purpose, especially the Turkish people,” he said, referring to the disputes and
disagreements of recent years.
“Historic links bring us together with Turkey not just
in terms of geography, but also in terms of human relations and family ties
between the two countries. My own grandmother was of Turkish extraction,
Circassian.”
Moving forward, the relationship “should be one of the
best in terms of benefit for both countries,” Prince Turki said, citing such
areas as trade, construction, development projects, and investments by Saudi
Arabia and Turkey.
“All of those, I hope, will be restored now that the
relationship is hopefully back to normal,” he added.
He expressed similarly cautious optimism about the
likelihood of a lasting peace deal in Yemen on the basis of the recently
concluded Riyadh agreement and the Ramadan ceasefire.
“I’ve always maintained that ceasefire agreements, as
attempted by the UN, particularly concerning Yemen, have lacked one crucial
aspect which has not led to their success, and that is a mechanism to enforce
the ceasefires,” Prince Turki said.
“We saw, after the Kuwait meeting back in 2016, there
was a ceasefire, but it led nowhere. And then there was the Swedish-sponsored
ceasefire attempt back in 2018, equally without much success. Saudi Arabia’s
own efforts at unilateral ceasefires of recent years have led nowhere because
there was no mechanism to implement the ceasefire.”
Nevertheless, Prince Turki expressed hope that with
the renewed international impetus to bring the fighting in Yemen to an end,
some sort of instrument can be implemented so that any party that does not
abide by the ceasefire terms is publicly shamed by the international community.
“That has not happened yet. I have not yet seen the UN
saying that the Houthis are not abiding by the ceasefire,” he said, adding:
“But I hope that they will have the courage and the moral courage to stand up
and say who is at fault here.”
Source: Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074216/saudi-arabia
--------
London
Election Candidates Urge Engagement With Muslims to Address Growing Wealth
Divides Leading Muslim Children Into Poverty
Candidates
in this week’s London elections are urging local councils to engage Muslim
communities. (File/AFP)
----
May
02, 2022
LONDON:
Candidates in this week’s London elections are urging local councils to engage
Muslim communities and address growing wealth divides leading Muslim children
into poverty faster than any other group.
Londoners
will go to the polls on Thursday in the wake of a damning indictment from Human
Rights Watch claiming that at 37 percent, the city has the UK’s highest rates
of child poverty.
But
for Muslim children it has reached 50 percent, a figure that does not surprise
Mustafa Field, director of the Faiths Forum for London.
“Poorer
communities tend to have weaker infrastructure, which includes access to
good-quality food and nutritional meals,” he told Arab News.
“I
don’t work on the frontline, but I’ve received direct requests from struggling
families for food in the wake of the pandemic, which has been a very alarming
development in the level of poverty within London’s Muslim communities.”
Field
said candidates can alleviate worsening poverty rates by increasing funding,
improving internet access to ensure children are not left behind educationally,
and tackling the social stigma around poverty, which he believes inhibits many
Muslim families from seeking support.
Sagal
Abdi-Wali, a council candidate in Camden, a trustee in the voluntary sector and
a former local government officer, said it is not unique that a minority
community is faring less well.
Some
14 percent of London’s population identify as Muslim, making them the
second-largest religious group after Christians, but they remain
underrepresented at government levels. This, Labour’s Abdi-Wali told Arab News,
makes it harder to address inequalities.
“Part
of the problem underrepresented communities have had for a long time now has
been that they’re disproportionately affected by socioeconomic and health
inequality,” she said.
“These
difficulties were compounded by the pandemic, which we in Camden found led to
surging housing, health and employment issues.
“And
now with a form of austerity coming and the cost-of-living crisis, it’s likely
this will worsen for the foreseeable if action isn’t taken.”
Rabina
Khan, the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for mayor in the borough of Tower
Hamlets, said there are multiple reasons for the growing disparity among
minority groups in London.
“It’s
a range of factors that are seeing Muslim children fall into poverty at faster
rates than other groups, from the pandemic to the cost of living, to Brexit and
the impact this has had on small businesses,” Khan told Arab News.
“All
these things are affecting children’s lives, but if we’re to address it, local
governments and Whitehall need to listen to local people, local authorities and
engage communities.”
Abdi-Wali
and Khan agree that no matter the outcome of the elections, the winners must
liaise with voluntary groups as they can help identify and support all
communities.
Khan
said since the pandemic, she had seen the voluntary and faith sectors play a
“huge” role in tackling child poverty in the city.
“Even
so, the voluntary sector is struggling, so it’s vital that local officials
remain engaged,” she added. “They can do this by reaching out to developers and
corporations active in the city to create mechanisms for them to give back.”
Field
said many charities were so focused on COVID-19 that they did not see the
looming cost-of-living crisis, and have resultantly found themselves unable to
meet demand.
“There
are mosques I’ve engaged with that used to provide free meals, but with rises
in the cost of living for everyone, they haven’t been receiving the same level
of donations that allowed them to provide daily meals, so they’re limiting
their days of operation,” he added.
“For
families who depleted their savings during the pandemic, they’re now having to
borrow money to meet their basic needs.”
London’s
local authorities are responsible for education, and for Khan, this offers a
means to address poverty through investment in youth activities, and to provide
free school meals, breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs and healthy snacks.
However,
Field worries about voter engagement with the elections, noting rising levels
of distrust in politicians among marginalized communities and younger voters.
“This
increasing lack of trust stems in part from the electorate having had less
engagement with their politicians, and if they’re unable to rally the support
of these marginalized groups, it may be that they prioritize their voters —
middle-class families, for instance,” he said.
“Should
things pan out this way, this will be a real challenge to addressing poverty,
and a big threat to democracy if the situation doesn’t change. It’s scary.”
Arab
News reached out to Conservative candidates, but at the time of going to press
had yet to receive a response.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074446/world
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Shias Hold Protests Demanding UN Intervention In Atrocities Against Them By
Pakistan
Photo:
ANI
-----
1
May, 2022
Lucknow
(Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 1 (ANI): Demanding UN intervention to investigate
crimes and discrimination against the Shia minority in Pakistan, a Shia organization
on Friday held protests in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow.
The
protests carried out by the All India Shia Hussaini Fund (AISHF) involved
banners and placards condemning discrimination and atrocities against Shias in
Pakistan, calling it a “state conspiracy”.
A
petition carrying 7000 signatures has also been prepared by the organization to
be sent to the United Nations (UN). The petition demands the UN’s intervention
in the alleged crimes and discrimination against the Shia minority in Pakistan.
The
event was held amidst reports of multiple anti-Shia incidents that occurred in
Pakistan, over the last few weeks. A recent bomb blast at a Shia mosque in
Peshawar killed over 60 people.
There
have been targeted attacks against the Shias at both individual and community
levels. Hate crime against Shias is also on an unprecedented rise in the
country.
Pakistan
is a Sunni dominant country where Shias allege that they are not treated at par
with other citizens.
Apart
from the Shias, other minority groups including people of other faiths like
Hinduism and Christianity, as well as other sects of Islam are regular targets
of Sunni fundamentalists.
Shias
allege that the discrimination against them happens under the patronage of the
authorities. The community members seek international cognizance of the issue
in order to initiate and ensure justice for the Shias. (ANI)
Source:
The Print
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
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India
Mumbai: Churches win hearts with multi-faith Iftar gatherings
May
1, 2022
MUMBAI:
Two city churches, St Peter's, Bandra, and Our Lady of Lourdes, Orlem, Malad,
organised a unique multi-faith Iftar outreach for the Muslim community last
week.
Namaz
was offered in church premises, a collective dua'a made for peace and harmony
in the country, and guests read the Preamble to the Constitution before
breaking the fast at the appointed time of 7.04pm.
Orlem
church is also distributing Eid hampers containing chicken, and ingredients
needed to prepare kheer and cake to poor Muslims. Parish priest Fr Michael
Pinto said, "The essence of every religion is to spread peace, unity and
harmony. We at St Anne's High School arranged a small Iftar party for the Muslim
parents of our KG and primary section.They were touched by the gesture and
echoed the thought, 'Where there is hate spread love'."
OLL
laid out a classic Iftar dastarkhwan of dates, dry fruit, nuts, fresh cut
fruits, bhajiyas, biryani, falooda, ice cream and cold drinks. Students at St
Anne's were presented one big bar of cake, fresh juices and ice cream.
Guests
were pleased by this intermingling of faiths especially given the present
atmosphere prevailing in the country.
Amina
Sutriwala, a computer teacher at St Anne's, who was invited to the Iftar said,
"It was a touching example of communal harmony. It really made us feel we
are equal citizens. All parents and teachers eagerly and happily joined the
celebration. Fr Michael organises Diwali, Navratra and Christmas, even
Maharashtra Day, with equal festivity. Last year he devised a sit-down Iftar
for the labourers who were renovating the school."
Head
teacher Shaila Dias said it was important to make Muslims feel cared for and
included.
Dr
Frazer Mascarenhas SJ, parish priest of St Peter’s Church, was pained by the
sight of "bulldozers invading shops and dwellings of a minority
community." He said, "A recently formed Collective for Multi Faith
Dialogue, in partnership with St Peter's Church, Bandra, decided to stand in
solidarity with people who have been treated unjustly, through the organising
of a multi-faith Iftar on Friday April 29. We invited about 200 Hindus,
Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and even people who only profess belief in
humanity, from all over Mumbai and even as far as Kalyan, to reflect on our
shared values."
Right
before the appointed Iftar time of 7.04pm, the Preamble to the Constitution was
read, and the Church bells ushered in the breaking of the fast.
It
was a beautiful sight. Participants like Apeksha Vora even offered namaz for
the first time alongside Muslim participants in the church's assembly hall.
Small 'flags' were placed at the round tables, inviting guests to write the one
prayer or petition they wanted to send into the world, be it to God or the
Supreme Court or any other entity.
Noorjehan
Safia Naaz of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan expressed the essence of
monotheism, and how man was created to do God's work on earth.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Mosque
loudspeakers: Onus on Maharashtra govt, police now, says AIMIM MP on Raj's
aggressive language
May
1, 2022
AURANGABAD:
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Lok Sabha MP from Aurangabad Imitiaz
Jaleel on Sunday said the Maharashtra government and the police must take full
cognizance of the aggressive language and tone used by MNS chief Raj Thackeray
at his rally here.
Thackeray,
who has sought the removal of loudspeakers atop mosques by May 3 and has
threatened to play Hanuman Chalisa to drown out azaan, had said during his
speech here that the Muslim community would see the "power of
Maharashtra" if they did not understand the request on loudspeakers
"nicely".
Speaking
to reporters, Jaleel, also the AIMIM's Maharashtra unit chief, said he and his
party could reply to Thackeray in equal measure but would desist from doing so
as "we have to stay in Maharashtra and there will no end to problems then
(if the community took an aggressive stand)".
"I
won't be responsible for what all happens after the May 3 deadline to remove
loudspeakers from mosques," Thackeray had said in his speech.
"We
will observe the stand of the Maharashtra government now. The ultimatum given
(by Thackeray) is not to the Muslim community but to the Maharashtra
government. Let us see how the government handles this, especially the NCP,
which has the Home portfolio," Jaleel said.
Source:
Times Of India
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Bulldozer
has become a symbol of state terror against Muslims in India, says Mehbooba
Mufti
MAY
02, 2022
Former
Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday
said the bulldozer has become a the symbol of state terror against Muslims in
India.
In
her Eid message, Ms. Mufti said Muslims truly lived Ramzan this year in the
spirit of the holy month by facing an unprecedented onslaught on the community
by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments and its militant political arms
across the country with exemplary patience, which is generally associated with
the early days of Islam.
“While
bulldozer has become the symbol of state terror against the community, the
demons of hate unleashed by the government seem to be on a rampage in every
form of their choice, depending on the occasion and the BJP’s ‘Hindu rashtra’
roadmap,” Ms. Mufti said.
Ms.
Mufti said her party would continue its struggle through all democratic and
peaceful means. “We miss on this Eid our young and old prisoners of all ages,
who are in jails in and out of Kashmir without any charges. Our heart goes out
to the families of those who lost their dear ones in staged encounters and
those who were targeted for their political or religious affiliations,” she
said.
She
said the people of J&K had faced attacks on their existence as a
distinguished part of the country with silent dignity and fortitude, and
without compromising on their aspirations.
“The
cries of family members not demanding justice but only the dead bodies of their
loved ones killed in the Hyderpora incident was distressing,” she added.
Ms.
Mufti said she was also sad for the lives lost of jawans from all over the
country, and brave members of the Jammu & Kashmir Police, who are becoming,
she said, “cannon fodder to the failure of our leadership to resolve political
problems through diplomacy and dialogue”.
She
also paid tributes to young independent journalists like Fahad Shah, Asif
Sultan and Sajad Gul, “who, just for carrying out their professional role, are
facing the wrath of the rulers”.
Source:
The Hindu
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Arab World
Nineteenth
century Iraq church celebrates first mass since ISIS defeat
30
April ,2022
Dozens
of faithful celebrated mass Saturday at a Mosul church in northern Iraq for the
first time since it was restored after its ransacking by ISIS.
ISIS
swept into Mosul and proclaimed it their “capital” in 2014, in an onslaught
that forced hundreds of thousands of Christians in the northern Nineveh
province to flee, some to Iraq’s nearby Kurdistan region.
The
Iraqi army drove out the extremists three years later after months of grueling
street fighting that devastated the city.
The
Mar Tuma Syriac Catholic church, which dates back to the 19th century, was used
by the extremists as a prison or a court.
Restoration
work is ongoing and its marble floor has been dismantled to be completely
redone.
In
September 2021, a new bell was inaugurated at the church during a ceremony
attended by dozens of worshipers.
The
285-kilogram (nearly 630-pound) bell cast in Lebanon rang out on Saturday to
cries of joy before the mass got underway, an AFP correspondent said.
The
service began with worshipers who packed the church chanting hymns as an
organist played.
“This
is the most beautiful church in Iraq,” said Father Pios Affas, 82, the
delighted parish priest.
Affas
also paid tribute to those behind the restoration work which, he said, had
“brought the church back to its past glory, like the way it was 160 years ago.”
Inside
the church, ochre and grey marble shone in the nave, where the altar and
colonnaded arches were restored and new stained glass installed.
Extremists
had destroyed all Christian symbols, including the holy cross, and parts of the
church were damaged by fire and shelling.
Artisans
worked diligently to “clean the scorched marble” and restore it, Fraternity in
Iraq, a French NGO that aids religious minorities, which helped fund the
restoration work said earlier this year.
Outbuildings
and rooms on the first floor, where windows have been broken and ISIS graffiti
can be seen, are still due to be repaired.
Mosul
and the surrounding plains of Nineveh were once home to one of the region’s
oldest Christian communities.
Iraq’s
Christian population has shrunk to fewer than 400,000 from around 1.5 million
before the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Nineveh
province was left in ruins after three years of extremist occupation which
ended in 2017 when Iraqi forces backed by US-led coalition airstrikes pushed
them out.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Eid
prayers resume to full capacity in Mecca for first time since pandemic
02
May ,2022
Eid
al-Fitr prayers were performed early Monday in Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mosque in
Mecca, as well as all mosques across the Kingdom, marking the first Eid prayers
held at full capacity since the pandemic’s onset.
Mosques
started operating at full capacity again in mid-October last year when the
Kingdom eased its COVID-19 measures as cases began to drop and most of the
Saudi population had already been vaccinated with at least two shots.
The
Eid prayers come after the announcement of the Eid al-Fitr holiday which was
determined by the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
Every
year, Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr after a month of
fasting, prayer, and reflection during Ramadan which falls on the ninth month
of the Islamic Hijri calendar, which consists of 12 months of 345 to 355 days a
year.
After
Eid prayers, families and friends gather to celebrate and give gifts which
include money, toys, and new clothes, often provided to children.
Saudi
Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
performed Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Muslims Worldwide Mark Eid Al-Fitr With Joy Amid Economic, Security Concerns
02
May, 2022
For
the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Fitr, the smell of freshly baked orange biscuits
and powdered sugar-dusted cookies typically fills the air in Mona Abubakr’s
home. But due to higher prices, the Egyptian housewife this year made smaller
quantities of the sweet treats, some of which she gives as gifts to relatives
and neighbors.
The
mother of three has also tweaked another tradition this Eid, which began Monday
in Egypt and many Muslim-majority countries and marks the end of the Islamic
holy month of Ramadan. She bought fewer outfits for her sons to wear during the
three-day feast.
"I
told them we have to compromise on some things in order to be able to afford
other things," she said.
This
year, Muslims around the world are observing Eid Al-Fitr- typically marked with
communal prayers, celebratory gatherings around festive meals and new clothes-
in the shadow of a surge in global food prices exacerbated by the war in
Ukraine.
Against
that backdrop, many are still determined to enjoy the Eid amid easing of
coronavirus restrictions in their countries while, for others, the festivities
are dampened by conflict and economic hardship.
At
the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, tens of thousands of Muslims attended
prayers Monday morning. The Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Indonesia's capital
Jakarta was shuttered when Islam’s holiest period coincided with the start of
the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and was closed to communal prayers last year.
"Words
can’t describe how happy I am today after two years we were separated by
pandemic. Today we can do Eid prayer together again," said Epi Tanjung
after he and his wife worshipped at another Jakarta mosque. "Hopefully all
of this will make us more faithful".
The
war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia have disrupted supplies of grain and
fertilizer, driving up food prices at a time when inflation was already raging.
A number of Muslim-majority countries are heavily reliant on Russia and Ukraine
for much of their wheat imports, for instance.
Even
before the Russian invasion, an unexpectedly strong global recovery from the
2020 coronavirus recession had created supply chain bottlenecks, causing
shipping delays and pushing prices of food and other commodities higher.
In
some countries, the fallout from the war in Ukraine is only adding to the woes
of those already suffering from turmoil, displacement or poverty.
In
Syria’s rebel-held northwestern province of Idlib, Ramadan this year was more
difficult than Ramadan's past. Abed Yassin said he, his wife and three children
now receive half the amounts of products- including chickpeas, lentils, rice
and cooking oil- which last year they used to get from an aid group. It has
made life more difficult.
Syria’s
economy has been hammered by war, Western sanctions, corruption and an economic
meltdown in neighboring Lebanon where Syrians have billions of dollars stuck in
Lebanese banks.
In
the Gaza Strip, though streets and markets are bustling, many say they cannot
afford much.
"The
situation is difficult," said Um Musab, a mother of five, as she toured a
traditional market in Gaza City. "Employees barely make a living but the
rest of the people are crushed".
Mahmoud
Al-Madhoun, who bought some date paste, flour and oil to make Eid cookies, said
financial conditions were going from bad to worse. "However, we are
determined to rejoice," he added.
The
Palestinian enclave, which relies heavily on imports, was already vulnerable
before the Ukraine war as it had been under a tight Israeli-Egyptian blockade
meant to isolate Hamas, its militant rulers.
Afghans
are celebrating the first Eid since the Taliban takeover amid grim security and
economic conditions. Many were cautious but poured into Kabul’s largest mosques
for prayers on Sunday, when the holiday started there, amid tight security.
Frequent
explosions marred the period leading to Eid. These included fatal bombings,
most claimed by the Islamic State affiliate known as IS in Khorasan Province,
targeting ethnic Hazaras who are mostly Shia, leaving many of them debating
whether it was safe to attend Eid prayers at mosques.
"We
want to show our resistance, that they cannot push us away," said
community leader Dr. Bakr Saeed before Eid. "We will go forward".
Violence
wasn’t the only cause for worry. Since the Taliban takeover in August,
Afghanistan’s economy has been in a freefall with food prices and inflation
soaring.
At
a charity food distribution center in Kabul on Saturday, Din Mohammad, a father
of 10, said he expected this Eid to be his worst.
"With
poverty, no one can celebrate Eid like in the past," he said. "I wish
we had jobs and work so we could buy something for ourselves, not have to wait
for people to give us food".
Muslims
follow a lunar calendar, and methodologies, including moon sighting, can lead
to different countries- or Muslim communities- declaring the start of Eid on
different days.
In
Iraq, fewer shoppers than usual appeared to have visited the capital’s clothing
markets this year. Security issues also plague celebrations, with security
forces going on high alert from Sunday to Thursday to avert possible attacks
after a suicide bombing in Baghdad last year ahead of another major Islamic
holiday killed dozens.
In
India, the country’s Muslim minority is reeling from vilification by hardline
Hindu nationalists who have long espoused anti-Muslim stances, with some
inciting against Muslims. Tensions boiled over into violence at Ramadan,
including stone-throwing between Hindu and Muslim groups.
Muslim
preachers cautioned the faithful to remain vigilant during Eid.
Indian
Muslims "are proactively preparing themselves to deal with the
worst," said Ovais Sultan Khan, a rights activist. "Nothing is as it
used to be for Muslims in India, including the Eid".
Still,
many Muslims elsewhere rejoiced in reviving rituals disrupted by pandemic
restrictions.
Millions
of Indonesians have crammed into trains, ferries and buses ahead of Eid as they
poured out of major cities to celebrate with their families in villages in the
world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. The return of the tradition of
homecoming caused great excitement after two years of subdued festivities due
to pandemic restrictions.
"The
longing for (the) Eid celebration in a normal way has finally been relieved
today although the pandemic has not yet ended," said Hadiyul Umam, a
resident of Jakarta.
Many
in the capital flocked to shopping centers to buy clothes, shoes and sweets
before the holiday despite pandemic warnings and food price surges.
Muslims
in Malaysia were also in a celebratory mood after their country’s borders fully
reopened and Covid-19 measures were further loosened. Ramadan bazaars and
shopping malls have been filled with shoppers ahead of Eid and many travelled
to their hometowns.
"It’s
a blessing that we can now go back to celebrate," said sales manager
Fairuz Mohamad Talib, who works in Kuala Lumpur. His family will celebrate at
his wife’s village after two years of being apart due to earlier travel curbs.
Source:
The Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/muslims-mark-eid-al-fitr-joy-amid-economic-concerns
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Missile
attack on oil refinery in Iraq’s Erbil hit oil tank, fire erupted
01
May ,2022
Six
missiles targeted the KAR Group oil refinery in Iraq's northern city of Erbil
on Sunday, leading to fire erupting in on of the man oil tanks, Iraq’s security
forces said.
The
fire was brought under control, the security forces added.
Earlier
on Sunday, Kurdistan’s anti-terrorism authorities said six missiles landed near
the refinery, adding that the missiles caused no casualties or material
damages.
Erbil-based
TV Rudaw quoted the anti-terrorism authorities as saying the missiles were
fired from the Nineveh province.
Three
missiles also fell near the refinery on April 6, without causing any
casualties.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Turkey
to normalize Egypt ties after ‘progress’ with Saudi Arabia, UAE: Cavusoglu
01
May ,2022
Turkey
is working to normalize relations with Egypt after “progress” has been made with
Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on
Sunday.
“The
process started with Egypt earlier, but it progresses a little slower. For
example, it started with the UAE and continued very quickly. Likewise with
Bahrain. There was a process that started with Saudi Arabia, we had talks.
Ultimately, this is part of our strategy to normalize our relations,” Cavusoglu
told Turkish newspaper Sabah.
He
said the next step in talks with Egypt can be at the level of deputy minister
or minister. “We will increase our contacts. We apply the principle of not
being against each other on international platforms,” Cavusoglu added.
‘New
era’ of regional ties
The
Turkish Foreign Minister’s comments come a few days after President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan visited Saudi Arabia last week for the first time since 2017.
Erdogan
met with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman.
Ties
between Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been strained after the killing of
journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
The
Turkish president said he hoped his visit would usher in a “new era of
cooperation” in all fields, including politics, military, economy and culture.
In
addition to Saudi Arabia, Erdogan has also been working to mend his ties with
countries in the region as he faces domestic challenges at home brought on by
an economy grappling with a currency crash and soaring inflation.
Turkey’s
ties with Egypt have been strained since Egypt’s army ousted Muslim Brotherhood
President Mohammed Mursi, an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in
2013.
The
two countries also clashed over maritime jurisdiction and offshore resources,
as well as differences in Libya, where they backed opposing sides in the civil
war.
After
trading insults and accusations for years, Turkey and Egypt lowered the
temperature of their public comments since last year.
As
for the UAE, Erdogan visited the Gulf country in February for the first time
since 2013. The visit saw countries sign a $5 billion currency swap agreement,
which will boost the depleted foreign-exchange reserves of Turkey as it suffers
historic economic struggles.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Flights
grounded as Iraq hit by increasingly frequent dust storms yet again
01
May ,2022
Iraq
on Sunday was yet again covered in a thick sheet of orange as it suffered the
latest in a series of dust storms that have become increasingly common.
Flights
were grounded due to poor visibility at airports serving the capital Baghdad
and the Shiite holy city of Najaf, with the phenomenon expected to continue
into Monday, according to the weather service.
“Flights
have been interrupted at the airports of Baghdad and Najaf due to the dust
storm,” the spokesman for the civil aviation authority, Jihad al-Diwan, told
AFP.
Visibility
was cited at less than 500 meters (550 yards), with flights expected to resume
once weather improves.
Iraq
was hammered by a series of such storms in April, grounding flights and leaving
dozens hospitalized with respiratory problems.
Amer
al-Jabri, of Iraq’s meteorological office, previously told AFP that the weather
phenomenon is expected to become increasingly common “due to drought,
desertification and declining rainfall.”
Iraq
is particularly vulnerable to climate change, having already witnessed record
low rainfall and high temperatures in recent years.
Experts
have said these factors threaten to bring social and economic disaster in the
war-scarred country.
In
November, the World Bank warned that Iraq could suffer a 20-percent drop in
water resources by 2050 due to climate change.
In
early April, environment ministry official Issa al-Fayad had warned that Iraq
could face “272 days of dust” a year in coming decades, according to the state
news agency INA.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Iraq
seizes more than six million Captagon pills in drug bust
01
May ,2022
Iraqi
security forces said Saturday they had broken up a drug trafficking ring and
seized more than six million pills of the amphetamine-type stimulant Captagon,
making several arrests.
Iraq’s
northwestern neighbor Syria is the Middle East’s main Captagon producer.
Iraqi
forces seized “around 6.2 million pills” from a warehouse in the southwest of
the capital, the national security agency said in a statement, adding that the
drugs were set for distribution “in areas of Baghdad and other provinces.”
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Three
Iraqis and four suspects from other Arab countries were arrested in connection
with the trafficking network, it added.
The
statement said security forces broke up a second drug ring after an Arab
national was arrested “in possession of six kilograms [13 pounds] of hashish,”
while two accomplices were also detained.
All
10 accused “admitted to links with international drug trafficking networks,” it
said.
Drug
trafficking convictions can be punishable by the death penalty in Iraq.
Trade
in Captagon in the Middle East grew exponentially in 2021 to top $5 billion,
posing an increasing health and security risk to the region, a report said
earlier this month.
Captagon
was the trade name of a drug initially patented in Germany in the early 1960s
that contained an amphetamine-type stimulant called fenethylline used to treat
attention deficit and narcolepsy among other conditions.
It
was later banned and became an illicit drug almost exclusively produced and
consumed in the Middle East.
The
sale and use of drugs in Iraq has soared in recent years. Security forces have
stepped up operations and make almost daily announcements of seizures or
arrests.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Two
rockets target coalition troops in Iraq, no casualties
30
April ,2022
Two
rockets targeting a base in western Iraq hosting US-led coalition troops on
Saturday crashed near the complex without causing casualties or damage,
security sources said.
“Two
rockets fell outside the Iraqi base of Ain al-Asad,” a security forces
statement said, adding there were no “losses.”
The
base, controlled by Iraq, is located in the desert in the western Anbar
province and hosts foreign troops from the coalition fighting ISIS.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
A
coalition official told AFP there was “no impact on the installation reported”
and “no coalition personnel injuries reported.”
A
previously unknown group calling itself “International Resistance” claimed the
attack on a pro-Iran channel of messaging app Telegram.
Rockets
and drones frequently target the Ain al-Asad base.
On
April 8, the coalition said it shot down an armed drone targeting the facility,
reporting no casualties or damage.
Dozens
of rocket and armed drone attacks have targeted US troops and interests in Iraq
in recent months.
Western
officials have blamed hardline pro-Iran factions for the attacks, most of which
go unclaimed.
The
coalition ended its combat mission in Iraq in December, four years after the
Baghdad government declared victory over the extremists.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Turkish
President Erdogan expresses satisfaction with Saudi trip
02
May ,2022
Turkish
President Recep Erdogan expressed his satisfaction with a visit to Saudi Arabia
aimed at bolstering economic ties between the two countries, the official Saudi
Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.
Erdogan
said that he had discussed with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a series
of steps that can be taken to advance relations.
He
reportedly highlighted the “great economic potential between Turkey and Saudi
Arabia,” and expressed support for the Saudi bid to host Expo 2030.
The
visit on Thursday was the first time the two leaders had met in years.
Ties
between the two countries had become strained after the killing of journalist
Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
Erdogan
met with King Salman in an official ceremony in the al-Salam palace in the Red
Sea city of Jeddah on Thursday, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
Speaking
to reporters before departing for Jeddah, Erdogan said Thursday’s visit was
“the manifestation of our common will” to improve ties and strengthen
political, military, and cultural relations.
He
added it would be mutually beneficial to boost cooperation in areas including
health, energy, food security, defense industry, and finance.
“With
common efforts, I believe we will carry our ties even beyond where they were in
the past,” he said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Saudi
king and crown prince exchange Eid-Al-Fitr greetings with Islamic leaders
May
01, 2022
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday
received cables from leaders of Islamic countries, extending greetings on the
eve of Eid Al-Fitr.
The
king and crown prince sent reply cables to the leaders, thanking them for their
well wishes and called for lasting security and stability and more progress and
prosperity for the Islamic nation.
Eid
Al-Fitr is the small eid marked by Muslims following the end of the fasting
holy month of Ramadan.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074166/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Dutch
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr as ‘sugar feast’ loses flavour
May
2, 2022
Muslims
in the Netherlands celebrate the end of Ramadan, or the festival of Eid
al-Fitr, on Monday, but the Dutch term for the holiday, the Suikerfeest or
sugar holiday, is increasingly out of favour, news website Nu.nl reported.
Suikerfeest is a literal translation of the Turkish Şeker Bayramı but that in
itself may be a misinterpretation of Şükür Bayramı (feast of thankfulness),
which once was the name for the celebrations to mark the end of the fasting
period in Turkey. Muslims in the Netherlands now want to get back to the real
meaning of Eid al-Fitr – the holiday of breaking the fast, Nu.nl said.
-ADVERTENTIE- After all, Muslims point out, ‘sugar feast’ implies they are
eating sweets all day, but Eid al-Fitr is about far more than that. It is a day
for dressing up, giving gifts and money to charity, and greeting each other
with the phrase ‘Eid Mubarak‘. Leading Muslim community group CMO never uses
the phrase and chairman Muhsin Köktas told Nu.nl suikerfeest is only used in
the Netherlands and Turkey. There is, he said, a swing away from term on social
media. ‘People would rather the term is not used,’ he said.
Source:
Dutch News
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Peace
and community in a Malaysian Ramadan for Bosnian refugee
Danial
Azhar
May
2, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: For Bosnian-born Rukija Kulasic, who fled her war-torn country 30 years
ago, there’s comfort in the peaceful, community spirit of Ramadan in Malaysia,
as well as its celebratory nature.
It’s
a contrast to Ramadan in Bosnia, which was a family-centred time, with meals
cooked at home rather than sold at bazaars.
“In
Malaysia, it’s like another celebration especially with the bazaars. It’s a
nice experience with friends after buka puasa as well, deciding which place to
go for supper,” she told FMT.
“I
just enjoy the relationships I have during this time, the ‘silaturahim’ as
Malaysians would say,” she said. “Ramadan brings people closer together and
people are more respectful.”
Kulasic
said Hari Raya Aidilfitri was a much bigger celebration in Malaysia than in
Bosnia, where Hari Raya Haji is more significant.
But
her family would not miss out on Aidilfitri celebrations: they have plans to
attend open houses for rendang and lemang.
Kulasic,
called Rukie by friends, was one of a number of Bosnians who fled to Malaysia
as refugees during the ethnic conflicts and wars of independence when
Yugoslavia fell apart in the 1990s.
Bosnia
and Herzegovina, a nation of Bosnian Muslims, or Bosniaks, suffered a campaign
of genocide of “ethnic cleansing” waged largely by Serbs and the army of the
former Yugoslavia.
Malaysia,
under prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, championed the cause of Bosnian
Muslims, with his then deputy Anwar Ibrahim playing an equally prominent role,
providing a safe haven to hundreds of Bosnian families.
Reflecting
on the conflict and her family’s decision to settle in Southeast Asia, Kulasic
said they felt much safer in Malaysia given that it was far from the war and a
Muslim-majority country.
“We
felt we’d be more accepted here,” she said, adding that her family saw no
reason to return to their homeland after the war ended as they had made a life
for themselves in Malaysia.
After
the Yugoslav wars ended, many Bosnians returned home or moved to other parts of
Europe, or to Australia and the United States, but a small number remained in
Malaysia.
Kulasic
said there were around 50 Bosnians currently here, and while the community is
scattered throughout the country, they try to hold gatherings as much as
possible, especially during Ramadan.
She
said her family, consisting of her father, brother and herself, try to maintain
as much of their cultural roots as possible by speaking the language and
cooking Bosnian food at home.
After
30 years here, she struggles a little with her identity. She has a Bosnian
passport and permanent resident status in Malaysia.
“I
was born in Bosnia and my family is from there but internally I’m 100%
Malaysian. I grew up here, speak the language and have become accustomed to the
culture.”
She
said they would be enjoying the Aidilfitri festivities with their “extended
Malaysian family”.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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UK
government urged to secure release of geologist facing execution in Iraq
May
01, 2022
LONDON:
The UK government is being urged to secure the release of a Briton accused of
smuggling artifacts in Iraq.
Jim
Fitton, 66, has been detained in Iraq for five weeks and is awaiting sentencing
beginning May 8.
Iraqi
law carries the death penalty for “whoever exported or intended to export,
deliberately, an antiquity.”
Fitton’s
family said that the father-of-two, who worked as an oil and gas geologist
before retiring to Malaysia, had traveled to Iraq for an archaeological tour.
He
visited the ancient site of Eridu as part of an organized tour and, while
there, collected stones and shards from the ground.
His
daughter Leila and her husband Sam Tasker said that Fitton’s sentencing was due
to happen during their wedding celebrations.
They
said: “There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but we are
one week away from what should be the happiest day of our lives and the
culmination of more than two years of planning, and it’s been turned into an
absolute living nightmare.
“We
have accepted the fact that, without timely intervention from the UK Foreign,
Commonwealth, and Development Office, Jim will be unable to attend this
ceremony, too.”
UK
MP Wera Hobhouse raised concerns in the House of Commons over Fitton’s case.
The
minister of state for Asia and the Middle East, Amanda Milling, said in
response last week: “We understand the urgency of the case, and have already
raised our concerns with the Iraqi authorities regarding the possible
imposition of the death penalty in Mr. Fitton’s case and the UK’s opposition to
the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle.”
Fitton’s
family lawyer is attempting to shut the case before trial through a draft
proposal but said the FCDO must endorse the draft so a meeting with Iraqi
judges could go ahead.
The
proposal cited Fitton’s “clear lack of criminality” and argued that he was a
“victim of poor guidance and circumstance.”
The
FCDO said it was in contact with local authorities in Iraq and was providing
consular support.
An
online petition launched by Fitton’s family demanding his release has amassed
almost 100,000 signatures since its launch on April 28.
Leila
Fitton described the response as “unbelievable.”
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074241/world
--------
Former
Iranian official jailed in Sweden put in solitary confinement for 30 months: Wife
02
May 2022
The
wife of a former Iranian official illegally arrested and imprisoned in Sweden
back in 2019 has complained that her husband was detained with no declared
reason or evidence and placed in solitary confinement for over 30 months.
“My
husband traveled to Sweden with an invitation and as he was disembarking from
the plane he was brutally detained and insulted by several police officers in
front of a crowd of Iranians and others and taken into custody,” said the wife
of Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian judiciary official.
She
further emphasized that Swedish authorities failed to inform Nouri’s family
members about his arrest and that they learned from media reports about his
detention in Sweden.
She
added that eight months after Nouri’s arrest she was informed that she can go
to the Swedish embassy to hold a brief telephone conversation with her husband
under very restricted conditions.
She
further censured the brutality and inhumane behavior of Swedish authorities in
issuing an international police citation for Nouri along with his photo,
requesting any information or complaints against him.
“What
kind of human rights is this? They arrested and jailed my husband without any
evidence or documents against him and kept renewing his prison term in efforts
to gather evidence against him,” she complained. “Aren’t you supposed to be
innocent until proven guilty? In the case of my husband, they detained him
without any evidence and then started looking for anything they could find
against him for his trial.”
Nouri’s
daughter also blasted Swedish authorities for their cruel treatment of his
father, “beating him severely on several occasions, placing him in solitary
confinement, denying medical care and attorney of his choice.”
She
further stressed that her father was detained and imprisoned based on baseless
claims of unidentified individuals that are members of a violent anti-Iran
opposition group who appeared in court and shouted slogans and abusive language
against my father.
The
Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Swedish ambassador to Tehran on Sunday to
protest the continued imprisonment of a former Iranian official on trial in
Sweden over alleged rights abuses.
Swedish
prosecutors have requested the maximum penalty of life imprisonment for Hamid
Nouri, accusing the former Iranian judiciary official of prisoner abuse in
1988.
The
charges against Nouri stem from accusations leveled against him by members of
anti-Iran terrorist Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO).
He
was arrested upon arrival in Sweden at Stockholm Airport in 2019 and was
immediately imprisoned. Nouri, now 61, has been held in solitary confinement
for over two years and his family has not been allowed to visit him in prison.
His
accusers allege that Nouri was involved in the execution and torture of MKO
members in 1988. Nouri vehemently rejects the allegations.
During
the 89th session of his trial on Friday, Swedish prosecutors read a summary of
Nouri’s indictment in court, a day after submitting a request for life
imprisonment for him.
The
ministry condemned the continued detention of the former Iranian official as
“totally illegal” and driven by “false allegations made by the MKO terrorist
organization and the hostile smear campaign against the Islamic Republic.”
It
also urged Sweden to end the “political show” of Nouri’s trial and release the
Iranian national.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
Imran
Khan, PTI Leaders Accused Of Blasphemy For Desecrating Al-Masjid an-Nabwi
By
Kamran Chaudhry
May
02, 2022
Church
leaders have joined activists in condemning the blasphemy case against
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan and leaders of his Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for desecrating Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s
Mosque) in the holy city of Medina.
Muhammad
Naeem, a local of Faisalabad city in Punjab province, registered the case under
Section 295-A of the penal code against 150 people including the former cricket
star, who was ousted as prime minister in April, and several former cabinet
ministers.
On
April 28, PTI supporters chanted slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
and members of his delegation visiting the mosque.
Police
in Medina arrested at least five Pakistani nationals for “abusing and
insulting” the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Sharif and his
companion as well as violating the sanctity of the second-holiest site in
Islam, after the Great Mosque in Mecca.
Both
political and religious leaders condemned the chanting of political slogans at
the Prophet's Mosque.
Khan
has distanced himself from the protesting pilgrims. “I cannot think of asking
anyone to do sloganeering at that sacred place. Nobody who loves the prophet
(PBUH) can even think of it,” he stated.
"What
happened was because of their [new government's] own actions — the way they
ousted the [previous] government by becoming a part of a foreign conspiracy.
This is the public reaction.”
Punishment
under Section 295-A of the blasphemy laws is up to 10 years' imprisonment, or a
fine, or both for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious
feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
Police
data shows that at least 585 persons were booked on charges of blasphemy in
2021, with the overwhelming majority from Punjab.
Human
rights activists have condemned the latest case, saying that the use of
blasphemy allegations to settle political scores is unacceptable.
“The
cases registered against senior PTI leaders under S. 295-A must be withdrawn
immediately. No government or political party can afford to allow allegations
of blasphemy to be weaponized against its rivals,” the Human Rights Commission
of Pakistan said in a statement on May 1.
According
to lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir, police cannot register a first information
report (FIR) under 295A on citizen's complaint.
“Instead
it requires a complaint on the government’s order. So the FIR against Imran
Khan is either defective or registered on express government orders. PML-N
learned nothing from Faizabad Dharna, playing the same dangerous blasphemy card
which it fell a victim to five years ago,” he said in a Facebook post.
“Whenever
politicians/state have played the blasphemy card, fear and insecurity creep in
society. People are enraged and the atmosphere eventually leads to outpouring
of violence. Anyone caring for society will not indulge in such politics.”
Kashif
Aslam, program coordinator of the Catholic bishops' National Commission for
Justice and Peace, agreed.
“This
is totally unacceptable. It is obvious that blasphemy cases are only used to
settle personal scores. We reject using religion in political issues,” he told
UCA News.
Source:
UCA News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistans-former-pm-pti-leaders-accused-of-blasphemy/97110
--------
Ex-PM
Imran, President Alvi To Be Tried For ‘Violating Constitution’
May
1, 2022
NEW
DELHI: Pakistan has secured $8 billion financial assiatnce from Saudi Arabia
following PM Shehbaz Sharif's visit to the country, general elections are
possible only around May 2023, Pakistan Election Commission indicates, and
other news from the neighbouring country in our weekly Pakistan round-up:
Here's
what made headlines in Pakistan over the past week
1
President
Alvi, ex-PM Imran to be tried for ‘violating Constitution’
The
Pakistan government will file a reference under Article 6 against the previous
PTI government leadership for violating the Constitution.
The
reference will be filed against President Dr Arif Alvi, former prime minister
Imran Khan, deputy speaker Qasim Suri and Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema.
Sources
said that the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Home Affairs have
started preparing the reference.
2
Pakistan
gets $8 billion in Saudi aid
Saudi
Arabia has agreed to provide Pakistan with a "sizeable package" of
around $8 billion to help the cash-starved country bolster dwindling forex
reserves and revive its ailing economy, a media report said on Sunday.
Pakistan
secured the deal during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Saudi
Arabia. The financial package includes doubling of the oil financing facility,
additional money either through deposits or Sukuks and rolling over of the
existing $4.2 billion facilities.
3
Pakistani
pilgrims arrested for sloganeering at Saudi mosque
Some
Pakistani pilgrims who hounded and chanted slogans against Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation at the Masjid-i-Nabwi in Madina have been
arrested by Saudi authorities.
A
Saudi official said that the protesters have been taken into custody for
"violating the regulations" and "disrespecting" the
sanctity of the holy mosque.
A
case has been registered in Pakistan's Faisalabad against Imran Khan and other
top figures of the previous government on the complaint of a common citizen.
4
Extreme
heatwave grips Pakistan
The
minimum temperature in Karachi on Friday did not drop below 29.4 degrees
Celsius amid a heatwave that has gripped Sindh and Punjab. The hottest place in
the country in the daytime was Jacobabad where 49 degrees Celsius was recorded,
followed by Mohenjo Daro at 48 degrees.
In
Balochistan, Sibbi and Turbat remained the hottest places with maximum
temperature ranging between 47 and 46 degrees Celsius, while in Punjab,
Bahawalpur recorded 46 degrees.
The
Met office said a westerly wave is likely to enter Balochistan from Monday and
under its influence, dust-thunderstorm and rain is expected in some parts on
May 2-4.
5
Elections
not possible before May 2023, poll body indicates
Census
and delimitation must be conducted before the country can go to polls, the Election
Commission of Pakistan has said.
In
a release, the commission said the work for delimitation of constituencies may
ony begin from January 2023, after it receives results of the seventh
population and housing census, expected to begin in August this year. This will
be followed by a revision of elecotral rolls.
Considering
these, holding general elections may not be possible before May 2023, the
commission indicated.
6
3
Chinese among 4 killed in Karachi university blast
hree
Chinese nationals, including two women, were among four people killed on
Tuesday when a powerful blast ripped through a van inside the premises of the
University of Karachi.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistani
PM, OIC chief discuss Islamophobia
May
02, 2022
MAKKAH:
Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim
Taha met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Makkah.
The
prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday on his first foreign trip
since taking office. The three-day visit to the Kingdom comes at the invitation
of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
At
the meeting with the OIC chief, discussions centered on the situation in the
Muslim world and issues on the OIC agenda, in particular the situations in
Palestine, Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir, and the issue of Islamophobia.
The
two sides underscored the necessity to enhance cooperation among member states
to defend the causes of the Islamic Ummah.
The
meeting also discussed cooperation between the OIC and Pakistan in light of
Pakistan’s role as the current chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Taha
reiterated the readiness of the OIC to support the government of Pakistan in
the implementation of the resolutions adopted at the 48th session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad from March 22-23, 2022.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074306/saudi-arabia
--------
Cash-strapped
Pakistan gets $8 billion in financial support from Saudi Arabia
May
1, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide Pakistan with a "sizeable package"
of around $8 billion to help the cash-starved country bolster dwindling forex
reserves and revive its ailing economy, a media report said on Sunday.
Pakistan
has faced growing economic challenges, with high inflation, sliding forex
reserves, a widening current account deficit and a depreciating currency.
Pakistan
secured the deal during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Saudi
Arabia. The financial package includes doubling of the oil financing facility,
additional money either through deposits or Sukuks and rolling over of the
existing $4.2 billion facilities., The News reported.
"However,
technical details are being worked out and it will take a couple of weeks to
get all documents ready," the report said, citing top official sources
privy to the development.
Prime
Minister Sharif and his official entourage have left Saudi Arabia but minister
for finance Miftah Ismail is still in the Gulf country to finalise the
modalities of the financial package.
"Just
said goodbye to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other colleagues at Jeddah
Airport, who are on their way to Islamabad after a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi
to meet Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Zayed. I remain in SA to meet Saudi officials
and start technical-level talks," Ismail said in a tweet.
Pakistan
had proposed doubling the oil facility from $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion and
Saudi Arabia agreed to it. It was also agreed that the existing deposits of $3
billion would be rolled over for an extended period of up to June 2023,
according to an official.
"Pakistan
and Saudi Arabia discussed an additional package of over $2 billion either
through deposits or Sukuk and it is likely that more money will be provided to Islamabad,"
the report said, adding that the size of the total package will be determined
when the additional money is finalised.
Saudi
Arabia provided $3 billion deposits to the State Bank of Pakistan in December
2021 while the Saudi oil facility was operationalised from March 2022,
providing Pakistan with $100 million to procure oil.
The
oil-rich Gulf nation had provided a $7.5 billion package to Pakistan during the
last tenure of the PML-N government (2013-18). Under the PTI-led regime headed
by ex-prime minister Imran Khan, Saudi Arabia provided a package of $4.2
billion, including $3 billion deposits and a $1.2 billion oil facility for one
year and linked it with the IMF programme.
Saudi
Arabia has provided an enhanced financial package to Pakistan when its economy
is in dire straits and the country is facing a balance of payment crisis. The
country's foreign exchange reserves have depleted by $6 billion in the last six
to seven weeks and nosedived to $10.5 billion.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pak's
state-run PTV fires 17 officials over failure to cover PM's event due to laptop
unavailability
May
1, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's state-run PTV has suspended 17 officials for failing to ensure
“proper” coverage of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Lahore visit due to the
non-availability of an advanced laptop.
The
newly-elected Prime Minister visited Kot Lakhpat Jail and Ramazan Bazaars in
Lahore last week.
However,
a Pakistan Television (PTV) team failed to ensure “proper” coverage due to the
non-availability of an advanced laptop required to upload the video footage
through File Transfer Protocol (FTP), the Dawn newspaper reported.
As
per the standard operating procedures, a VVIP team comprising reporters and
producers is responsible for the coverage of the prime minister. The team is
equipped with the latest gadgets, including laptops for live streaming and
timely uploading of the footage of any event, the report said.
The
core team is stationed in Islamabad and moves with the Prime Minister across
the country and abroad, it said.
When
the PTV Lahore centre was informed about the visit, it asked the PTV
headquarters to provide an advanced laptop, it said.
Earlier
on April 18 also, the Lahore centre wrote a letter to the headquarters saying:
“Since we don't have any laptop editing facility at the Lahore centre, we hired
a laptop with the editing facility… but as a permanent arrangement we must own
the same facility at the centre.”
However,
the state-run TV did not pay any attention and suggested hiring one again.
At
this, the Lahore centre arranged the personal laptop of an official. After
coverage, when the team tried to transmit the footage, it found the battery of
the laptop had drained.
Next
day, the PTV administration suspended a total of 17 officials, including the
VVIP coverage deputy controller Imran Bashir Khan.
In
addition, the administration suspended various engineers and cameramen over the
alleged neglect.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Fawad
moves IHC to term cases against PTI leaders over Madina incident ‘illegal’
Tahir
Naseer
May
2, 2022
PTI
leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday filed a writ
petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), calling for cases registered
against the party's leadership under the country's blasphemy laws to be termed
“illegal”.
These
cases were registered after some Pakistani pilgrims chanted slogans at Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation during their visit to the
Masjid-i-Nabwi last week.
While
PTI leaders said the incident was a spontaneous reaction and reflected the
public’s anger, the government claims it was planned and orchestrated by the
PTI leadership.
The
high court's assistant registrar, Asad Khan, confirmed that the petition had
been received. PTI's legal team, Advocate Faisal Fareed and Advocate Ali
Bukhari, filed the petition on Fawad's behalf.
The
Federation of Pakistan through the interior secretary, Interior Minister Rana
Sanaullah, the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as
well as the police chiefs of Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan have been
made respondents in the case.
In
the petition, Fawad said that the newly appointed interior minister had been
targeting the PTI leadership and had also "openly threatened" them
with dire consequences.
He
said that through "reliable sources", he had come to know that the
incumbent government had decided to teach him and other PTI leaders "a
lesson they must not forget".
Fawad
alleged that Sana had ordered to have him and other PTI leader nominated/booked
in false criminal cases registered in various parts of the country. The
petition noted that one FIR had been registered in Faisalabad while
applications had been filed in Burewala and Islamabad.
It
noted that when the unfortunate incident occurred at Masjid-i-Nabwi, the PTI
was celebrating 27th of Ramazan at an event organised at the house of Chairman
Imran Khan which was also shown live across the country.
"The
petitioner, like millions of other[s], came to know about the incident through
social media. Therefore, in a most unfortunate and clumsy manner, the ruling
party (that is hell-bent to sort out the petitioner and his party leadership,
including the former prime minister, Imran Khan) in a malafide intention
started a vilification campaign against them in an effort to equal the
political score [...]."
Fawad
claimed that the government was unnerved by the PTI's announcement regarding a
long march and, "acting in a hysteric manner", falsely implicated
him, former PM Imran, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid, former NA deputy
speaker Qasim Suri, PTI leader Shehbaz Gill and others.
The
petition urged the court to direct the respondents to "immediately stop
the unlawful and illegal harassment of the petitioner and his colleagues [...]
in the interest of justice equity and fair play."
It
also called for placing all the FIRs registered against the PTI leadership in
various parts of the country on record.
Further,
it called on the court to inform Fawad of the grounds and reasons for the
registration of the criminal cases against the PTI leadership to "ensure
his fundamental right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner".
The
plea urged the court to strictly implement the judgement laid down by the
Supreme Court in the "Sughran Bibi vs the state" case of 2018 where
the apex court ruled that there must be one FIR of a crime or incident.
The
petition urged the court to hold the action of the FIA and the police as
"illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional".
Police
obtain 2-day physical remand of Sheikh Rashid Shafiq
Meanwhile,
Attock police obtained two-day physical remand of Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, who was
arrested in connection with the case on Sunday.
Police
had produced the MNA, who is the nephew of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and
former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, before a duty magistrate and
obtained his physical remand.
An
FIR against Shafiq and other PTI leaders was filed at the New Airport Police
Station on the complaint of Advocate Qazi Tariq.
Subsequently,
the lawmaker was arrested at the Islamabad International Airport (IIA) as he
arrived from Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Later,
he was remanded in the custody of New Airport police for a day on charges of
posting a video on social media in which he was seen encouraging people who
chanted slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation inside
the premises of Masjid-i-Nabwi.
Shafiq
was detained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after he arrived at the
IIA on a private airline from Jeddah. He was taken into custody by the FIA at
5:45am and handed over to the police.
Imran,
PTI leaders booked
On
Sunday, Faisalabad police had registered a case under ‘blasphemy laws’ against
the PTI chairman and over 150 others, including some stalwarts of the party, in
the wake of the Masjid-i-Nabwi incident.
The
FIR was registered under the following sections of the Pakistan Penal Code: 295
(harming or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult a religion),
295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of
any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 296 (disturbing
religious assembly) and 109 (abetment).
Complainant
Muhammad Naeem, a resident of Faisalabad, nominated top leaders of the PTI and
Imran's close associates, including Chaudhry, Gill, Suri, Sahibzada Jahangir,
Aneel Musarrat as well as Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew Sheikh Rashid
Shafiq.
The
complainant alleged the Masjid-i-Nabwi episode was a “planned and thought-out
conspiracy” and supported his claims by referring to videos and speeches made
by certain PTI leaders.
Naeem
further said the suspects had violated the Quranic verses by raising political
slogans and using abusive language on the holy premises where scores of
pilgrims were offering prayers.
He
said most of the suspects belonged to a political party (PTI), as was evident
from the video statements that appeared on the official Twitter accounts of PTI
leaders and workers “before and after” the nasty incident.
Many
PTI leaders endorsed or supported the incident even when hundreds of thousands
of people from the Muslim community were strongly condemning it worldwide, he
claimed.
He
particularly mentioned the name of Shafiq who was present in the Masjid at that
time and was “confessing to his crime” through his video statement.
The
complainant claimed another delegation of the same political party (PTI) from
England also reached there. It included Sahibzada Jehangir alias Cheeku, Aneel
Musarrat, Nabil Musarrat, Ijaz Haq, Umair Ilyas, Rana Abdul Sattar, Barrister
Amir Ilyas, Gohar Jilani etc., he said.
Pilgrims
accost, chant slogans against PM Shehbaz, federal ministers
Last
week, a group of Pakistani pilgrims had accosted, heckled and chanted slogans
at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his entourage at the Masjid-i-Nabwi in
Madina during their three-day visit — their first foreign trip since assuming
office — to Saudi Arabia.
According
to videos circulating on social media, Pakistani pilgrims at the mosque started
chanting slogans of "chor, chor" (thieves, thieves) as soon as they
saw the prime minister.
In
another video, the pilgrims could be seen heckling and hurling obscenities at
federal ministers Marriyum Aurangzeb and Shahzain Bugti, as the pair are
escorted by Saudi guards. In another video, a pilgrim could be seen pulling
Bugti's hair from behind.
Following
the incident, the media director of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad
confirmed that some of the pilgrims involved in the incident had been arrested.
The official said that the protesters had been taken into custody for
"violating the regulations" and "disrespecting" the sanctity
of the holy mosque.
Politicians
and other religious figures had swiftly condemned the incident, however, some
had blamed the PTI. For his part, Imran Khan said he could "not even
imagine" asking anyone to carry out sloganeering at the sacred place.
"I
have spoken about Islamophobia at every forum," he said in a snippet from
an interview that will be aired on the first day of Eidul Fitr.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Elements
behind KU blast can’t tolerate Pakistan, China’s prosperity: NA speaker
May
2, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said elements involved in the
suicide attack at Karachi University (KU) were threatened by the idea of
Pakistan and China achieving economic prosperity.
This
was pointed out by National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who visited
The Chinese embassy to condole the deaths of Chinese academicians who were
killed in the blast.
According
to a statement, Mr Ashraf condemned the “cowardly and heinous terrorist attack”
in the strongest terms. Both sides should not allow enemies to spoil cordial
relations between the two friendly countries, he said, adding that Pakistan and
China were close friends and economic partners.
“Pakistan
attaches great importance to the safety and security of Chinese nationals,
ongoing projects and institutions in Pakistan,” he said.
The
Chinese side was assured that the government will make every effort towards
punishing those responsible for the attack.
“Our
security agencies will not rest until those involved in the incident are
punished,” the NA speaker said.
The
acting Chinese ambassador, Pang Chunxue, thanked the speaker for his support
and sympathy. She also appreciated the role of the government and security
agencies for their cooperation and support.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
South Asia
With
spate of attacks, Islamic State group begins bloody new chapter in Afghanistan
May
2, 2022
KABUL
(NYTIMES) - The first blast ripped through a school in Kabul, the Afghan
capital, killing high school students. Days later, explosions destroyed two
mosques and a minibus in the north of the country. The following week, three
more explosions targeted Shi'ite and Sufi Muslims.
The
attacks of the past two weeks have left at least 100 people dead, figures from
hospitals suggest, and stoked fears that Afghanistan is heading into a violent
spring, as the Islamic State's affiliate in the country tries to undermine the
Taliban government and assert its newfound reach.
The
sudden spate of attacks across the country has upended the relative calm that
followed the Taliban's seizing of power in August, which ended 20 years of war.
And by targeting civilians - the Hazara Shi'ite, an ethnic minority, and Sufis,
who practise a mystical form of Islam, in recent weeks - they have stirred
dread that the country may not be able to escape a long cycle of violence.
The
Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan - known as Islamic State Khorasan - has
claimed responsibility for four of the seven recent major attacks, according to
SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks extremist organisations. Those that
remain unclaimed fit the profile of previous attacks by the group, which
considers Shi'ites and Sufis heretics.
With
the attacks, the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate has undercut the
Taliban's claim that they had extinguished any threat from the Islamic State in
the country. It has also reinforced concerns about a potential resurgence of
extremist groups in Afghanistan that could eventually pose an international
threat.
Last
month the Islamic State claimed it had fired rockets into Uzbekistan from
northern Afghanistan - the first such purported attack by the group on a
Central Asian nation.
"ISIS-K
is resilient; it survived years of airstrikes from Nato forces and ground
operations from the Taliban during its insurgency," said Mr Michael
Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Programme at the Wilson Centre, a think
tank in Washington, using an alternate name for the Islamic State Khorasan.
"Now
after the Taliban takeover and the US departure, ISIS-K has emerged even
stronger."
The
Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate was established in 2015 by
disaffected Pakistani Taliban fighters. The group's ideology took hold partly
because many villages there are home to Salafi Muslims, the same branch of
Sunni Islam as the Islamic State. Salafists are a smaller minority among the
Taliban, who mostly follow the Hanafi school.
Since
its founding, the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate has been
antagonistic toward the Taliban: At times the two groups have fought for turf,
and last year Islamic State leaders denounced the Taliban's takeover of
Afghanistan, saying that the group's version of Islamic rule was insufficiently
hard line.
Still,
for most of the past six years the Islamic State has been contained to eastern
Afghanistan amid US airstrikes and Afghan commando raids that killed many of
its leaders. But since the Taliban seized power, the Islamic State has grown in
reach and expanded to nearly all 34 provinces, according to the United Nations
Mission in Afghanistan.
After
the Taliban broke open prisons across the country during their military advance
in the summer, the number of Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan doubled to
nearly 4,000, the UN found.
The
group also ramped up its activity across the country, said Mr Abdul Sayed, a
security specialist and researcher who tracks the Islamic State group's Afghanistan
affiliate and other radical groups. In the last four months of 2021, the
Islamic State carried out 119 attacks in Afghanistan, up from 39 during the
same period a year earlier. They included suicide bombings, assassinations and
ambushes on security checkpoints.
Of
those, 96 targeted Taliban officials or security forces, compared with only two
in the same period in 2020 - a marked shift from earlier last year when the
group primarily targeted civilians, including activists and journalists.
In
response, the Taliban carried out a brutal campaign last year against suspected
Islamic State fighters in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Their approach
relied heavily on extrajudicial detentions and killings of those suspected of
belonging to the Islamic State, according to local residents, analysts and
human rights monitors.
For
months this past winter, attacks by the Islamic State dwindled - raising some
hope that the Taliban's campaign was proving effective. But the recent spate of
high-profile attacks that have claimed many civilian lives suggests that the
Islamic State used the winter to regroup for a spring offensive - a pattern
perfected by the Taliban when it was an insurgency.
While
the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate does not appear to be trying to
seize territory, as the Islamic State did in Iraq and Syria, the attacks have
demonstrated the group's ability to sow violent chaos despite the Taliban's
heavy-handed tactics, analysts say.
They
have also stoked concerns that, sensing perceived weakness in the Taliban
government, other extremist groups in the region that already have reason to
resent the Taliban may shift alliances to the Islamic State.
"ISIS-K
wants to show its breadth and reach beyond Afghanistan, that its jihad is more
violent than that of the Taliban, and that it is a purer organisation that
doesn't compromise on who is righteous and who isn't," said Dr Asfandyar
Mir, a senior expert at the United States Institute of Peace.
The
blasts have particularly rattled the country's Hazara Shi'ites, who have long
feared that the Taliban - which persecuted Afghan Shi'ites for decades - would
allow violence against them to go unchecked. The strife has also caused concern
in neighbouring Iran, a Shi'ite theocracy.
Many
Afghan Shi'ites have been on edge since suicide bombings by the Islamic State
at Shi'ite mosques in one northern and one southern city together killed more
than 90 people in October. The recent blasts, which mainly targeted areas
dominated by Hazara communities, deepened those fears.
Late
last month, Mr Saeed Mohammad Agha Husseini, 21, was standing outside his home
in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul, a Hazara-dominated area, when he felt the
thud of an explosion. He and his father raced to the school down the street,
where throngs of terrified students poured out its gate, the bloodied bodies of
some of their classmates sprawled across the pavement.
His
father rushed to help the victims, but minutes later Mr Husseini heard another
deafening boom. A second explosion hit the school's gate, fatally wounding his
father.
A
week later, Mr Husseini sat under the shade of a small awning with his
relatives to mourn. Outside, their once-bustling street was quiet, the fear of
another explosion still ripe. At the school, community leaders had been
discussing hiring guards to take security into their own hands.
Source:
Straits Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
International
community should stop meddling in Afghan affairs: Taliban
May
2, 2022
KABUL
(AFGHANISTAN): Criticizing the freezing of Afghanistan's assets by the United
States, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Islamic Emirate Prime Minister, on
Sunday urged the international community to stop interfering in Afghanistan's
internal affairs.
"We
said that we will do no harm to anyone or any country and we do not want to be
interfered with by any country. We keep our promises because we are Muslims. We
call on foreign countries to not create problems for Muslims, and to keep your
promises," said Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund.
He
further asked Afghans to return to their country, stressing on country's good
security position. However, it still looks like a far cry as the country is
grappling with a serious humanitarian crisis according to international
assessments.
Afghanistan
has now the highest number of people in emergency food insecurity in the world,
with more than 23 million in need of assistance, and approximately 95 per cent
of the population having insufficient food consumption.
Sirajuddin
Haqqani, the acting minister of interior, said in a statement on the occasion
of Eid al-Fitr that the amnesty decree was the pledge of the Islamic Emirate's
leader, which everyone must follow, and forces who violate it will be brought
to justice in the near future.
The
Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, rolling back women's
rights advances and media freedom - the foremost achievements of the post-2001
reconstruction efforts on gender equality and freedom of speech, according to
media reports.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Afghan
leader Hibatullah Akhundzada hails 'security' in rare appearance to mark Eid
May
1, 2022
KANDAHAR:
Afghanistan's supreme leader appeared publicly for only the second time in six
years on Sunday, telling worshippers celebrating Eid al-Fitr the Taliban had
achieved freedom and security since seizing power last year.
Speaking
just days after a bomb ripped through a mosque in Kabul, an atmosphere of
heightened security surrounded the man introduced as Hibatullah Akhundzada.
"Congratulations
on victory, freedom and success," he told thousands of worshippers at the
Eidgah mosque in the southern city of Kandahar, the hardline Islamist group's
de facto power centre.
"Congratulations
on this security and for the Islamic system."
While
the number of bombings across the country has dropped since Kabul fell to the
Taliban last August, attacks soared over the final two weeks of the fasting
month of Ramadan, which ended Saturday for Afghans.
Dozens
of civilians have been killed in the primarily sectarian attacks -- some
claimed by the Islamic State group -- targeting members of the Shiite and Sufi
Muslim communities. Friday's bombing in the capital killed at least 10.
Akhundzada
delivered his brief address from one of the front rows of worshippers in
Kandahar without turning to face the crowd, according to social media posts.
Taliban officials did not allow journalists to approach him, an AFP
correspondent reported.
Two
helicopters hovered over the mosque for the whole of the two-hour event.
It
was Akhundzada's second known public appearance since taking control of the
Taliban in 2016.
In
October, he had visited the Darul Uloom Hakimiah mosque in Kandahar, according
to an audio recording circulated by Taliban social media accounts.
Akhundzada's
low profile has fed speculation about his role in the new Taliban government,
formed after the group took control of Kabul on August 15- and even rumours of
his death.
His
public profile has largely been limited to the release of messages during
Islamic holidays, and Akhundzada is believed to spend most of his time in Kandahar.
On
Friday, in a message released ahead of Eid al-Fitr, he made no mention of the
bloodshed that had rocked Afghanistan over Ramadan, instead praising the
Taliban's building of "a strong Islamic and national army" and
"strong intelligence organisation".
On
Sunday, many Afghans preferred to stay indoors after the recent deadly attacks.
"The
situation of our people is very sad, especially after what happened in the
mosques," Kabul resident Ahmad Shah Hashemi told AFP.
"Many
young and old people have been martyred. The people of Afghanistan have nothing
but sorrow."
The
deadliest attack during Ramadan was in the northern province of Kunduz, where a
bomb ripped through a mosque as a group of Sufis performed rituals.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Afghans
celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid tight security arrangements
May
2, 2022
War-torn
Afghanistan on Sunday celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the
Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"We
have offered our Eid al-Fitr prayers in a peaceful environment today,"
said Fakhrudin, a 35-year-old Kabul resident.
Although
no security incident has been reported across the country so far today, the
war-weary Afghans celebrated the Eid al-Fitr amid hope and frustration as
security personnel have arranged foolproof security measures around all mosques
in Kabul and other cities.
Kabul
police spokesman Khalid Zadran assured the public that security arrangements
are tight and Eid al-Fitr prayers have been offered a peaceful environment.
"We
have experienced war and miseries over the past 40 years. We need peace,
happiness and prosperity to forget the past desolation," Fakhrudin told
Xinhua outside a mosque where he offered his prayer.
Some
Afghan cities, including the capital city Kabul, have experienced deadly
terrorist attacks recently, even inside mosques, in the shape of bomb blasts
that claimed scores of lives.
On
Friday, a blast ripped through a mosque in Kabul, killing at least 10 persons
and injuring dozens others.
Following
the US-led forces’ withdrawal and the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the
war practically ended in the country, which has been widely welcomed by
Afghans.
"Today
is a joyful day for all the Muslims, and I congratulate Eid al-Fitr to all
Muslims across the globe and also pray for the return of lasting peace and
security to our country Afghanistan," Nawedullah Afzali said.
Afzali,
40, who came from the northern Badakhshan province to offer Eid al-Fitr prayer
at the historic Shah-e-Doshamshira mosque in Kabul, expressed his hatred
towards war.
"This
is my wish to see we Afghans get united and stop shedding our blood,"
Afzali said.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
North America
Muslims
In Us Pray For Inter-Faith Harmony As Ramazan Ends
Anwar
Iqbal
May
2, 2022
WASHINGTON:
The fasting ended in the US on Sunday night, marking the first post-Covid
Ramazan when America’s Muslim community resumed its social engagements.
The
Khatm-i-Quran ceremony at Adam’s Islamic Centre, Virginia’s largest, brought
1,000 to 1,500 worshippers and guests. And the center provided Iftar and dinner
to all.
The
Diyanet Center in Lanham, Maryland, has America’s largest mosque and perhaps
the most beautiful too.
Unlike
most mosques of the South Asian community, this Turkish-funded mosque has a
proper dining room, rather rooms, with dining tables and Turkish sofas. The
food is Turkish, complete with desserts and Turkish tea.
Iranian
mosques are smaller but impress visitors with their tiles and cleanliness.
African-American
Imam led prayers at Iftar hosted by Pakistan Embassy
African-American
Muslims also have large mosques and their interactions with the South Asia
community have influenced their culinary preferences too. They often serve
South Asian foods at their Iftars and dinners.
According
to the US Department of State, the largest ethnic groups of American Muslims
are those of South Asian, Arab and African-American descent.
So,
it was no surprise that an African-American Imam led the prayers at the
Interfaith Iftar dinner at the Pakistan Embassy.
“Prayers
for peace, harmony, compassion and tolerance from representatives of major
faiths at the interfaith Iftar,” noted Hannah Bloch, an editor at National
Public Radio. Ms Bloch, who has served in Pakistan as a correspondent for the
Time magazine, also enjoyed the traditional Pakistani food the embassy
provided.
Masood
Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, underlined the need for
promoting the spirit of religious freedom and inter-faith harmony. “Ours is a
pluralist society and we promote respect for diversity,” he said.
Like
previous years, members of the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and
Buddhist faiths participated in the event and spoke.
State
Department officials, National Security Council officers, Congressional staff,
members of US think tanks and prominent Pakistani Americans also attended the
dinner.
At
the entrance, the embassy displayed paintings and pictures of temples, churches
and Gurdwara in Pakistan. Pakistani Sikhs, Hindus and Christians also came.
Next
to those pictures was one of the oldest portraits of the nation’s founder in a
western suit, not in Sherwani, as promoted by the Zia regime.
The
keynote speaker, US Ambassador at-large for International Religious Freedom
Rashad Hussain noted that fasting, practiced in all religions in one form or
the other, promotes sacrifice,
discipline,
fortitude and empathy with the poor.
“Ramazan
is a great equaliser. Rich and poor, privileged and underprivileged all
experience hunger and thirst and together strive for physical and spiritual
cleansing,” he said.
Ambassador
Hussain lauded Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for religious freedom, protection
of rights of all minorities and a polity based on the tenets of equality and
tolerance for all.
The
famous anthropologist and a renowned author, Dr Akbar S. Ahmad cited the
Prophet’s (PBUH) last letter written to the Monks of Mount Sinai which had
affirmed protection of the rights of the minorities especially Christians in a
Muslim state.
Father
Dan Rooney, Dr Talib M. Shareef, Rabbi Lustig, Bhante Upartana, Ms Lee Bachu,
Mr Jasvinder Singh highlighted the themes of peace, religious harmony and
respect for human rights.
Interfaith
Iftar dinner is a yearly feature at the Pakistan Embassy which is commended by
followers of all religions.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1687833/muslims-in-us-pray-for-inter-faith-harmony-as-ramazan-ends
--------
US
removes Saudi Arabia from intellectual property protection concern list
April
30, 2022
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia has been removed from a US watchlist of countries it deems are
weak at enforcing Intellectual Property rules.
The
Office of the United States Trade Representative has taken the Kingdom off its
Priority Watch List in its annual Special 301 Report, after Saudi Arabia
tightened up its IP enforcement procedures.
These
efforts have been led by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, which
has created specialized IP enforcement courts, conducted strong IP awareness
and offered training to IP specialists in 76 different authorities to increase
government compliance with the laws.
The
authority has also established the permanent National Committee for the
Enforcement of Intellectual Property to coordinate IP enforcement, issue
reports and case studies and develop IP legislation and regulations.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2073856/business-economy
--------
Southeast Asia
Restaurant
serves Iftar at Yokohama Mosque in Japan
May
2, 2022
After
a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, mosques across Japan have resumed
community iftar gatherings, allowing people in the country to enjoy the
communal aspect that forms a central part of Ramadan for many.
The
Yokohama Mosque, the only mosque in the Japanese city, served more than 30
meals on Wednesday to Muslims to break their fast during Ramadan.
At
the Yokohama Mosque, the iftar meals were provided by the Lebanese restaurant
Al-Ain, which is located in Kanagawa. The meals donated by Al-Ain restaurant
consist of a main course including rice, a sandwich, a side such as a piece of
chicken and dessert.
Ziad
Karam, the owner of Al-Ain restaurant said that he tried to help anyone who
needed it at the mosque.
The
restaurant has also offered a set iftar menu that is created exclusively for
the holy month and charges ¥3,500 ($27) per person. The iftar features a
four-course menu that consists of cold and hot mezze platters, main dishes, and
desserts to allow guests to indulge in the traditional savory dishes from the
Lebanese cuisine.
“Ramadan
traditionally has been very busy for us. There are many Japanese people that
are interested in the Lebanese cuisine that also join in on the iftar meals,”
Karam said.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://en.abna24.com/news//restaurant-serves-iftar-at-yokohama-mosque-in-japan_1253910.html
--------
Muslims
celebrate Aidilfitri in lively atmosphere this year
05-
02- 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR: The Muslims in the country celebrated Aidilfitri today in a lively
atmosphere with mosques and surau filled with congregants who brought along
their family members, all decked in bright and colourful Raya clothes, to
perform the Aidilfitri prayers after two years of muted celebrations due to
Covid-19 pandemic.
Aidilfitri,
a joyous occasion for Muslims as it marks the culmination of the holy month of
Ramadan, is celebrated almost as normal as pre-pandemic with many taking the
opportunity to visit relatives and enjoy delicious Raya dishes after ‘balik
kampung’ (return to hometowns) to celebrate the special day with their loved
ones.
This
year’s Aidilfitri was celebrated during the transition to the endemic phase
period which saw the relaxation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
In
KUALA LUMPUR, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa
Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah
Iskandariah performed Aidilfitri prayers at the Federal Territory Mosque here.
Also
present with about 7,000 congregants filling the mosque's prayer hall were
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Cabinet ministers.
In
PUTRAJAYA, a congregation of more than 3,000 performed the Aidilfitri prayers
at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque.
In
PERLIS, Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail performed the
Aidilfitri prayers at Dataran Istiadat, Istana Arau, with residents of Perlis
while in KEDAH, Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Almarhum
Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah of Kedah Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff went to
perform the Aidilfitri prayers at the Zahir Mosque.
In
PERAK, Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah performed the Aidilfitri
prayers with about 1,000 congregants at the Ubudiah Mosque, Bukit Chandan and
he spent time greeting the congregants before leaving to visit the royal
mausoleum located next to the mosque.
In
NEGERI SEMBILAN, Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum
Tuanku Munawir and Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud
joined 1,500 congregants to perform the Aidilfitri prayers at the Tuanku
Munawir Royal Mosque, Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah.
Meanwhile,
in KELANTAN, Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V performed the prayers with
thousands of congregants at the Al-Ismaili Mosque in Bandar Baru Pasir Pekan,
Tumpat, and in TERENGGANU, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin performed the Aidilfitri
prayers at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque.
In
PAHANG, Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah performed the Aiditfitri prayers at the Sultan
Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Mosque, Temerloh.
In
MELAKA, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam performed the
prayers with thousands of congregants at the Al-Azim Mosque, Bukit Palah while
in PENANG, cloudy weather with occasional rain did not stop about 5,000 Muslims
from performing the Aidilfitri prayers with Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi
Abdul Razak at the Penang State Mosque.
In
SELANGOR, more than 15,000 Muslims performed the Aidilfitri prayers at the
Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque, Shah Alam, and some of them came as
early as 7 am.
In
JOHOR, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and his wife Datin Sharmin Fazlina
Mohd Shukor performed the Aidilfitri prayers with more than 1,000 congregants
at the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque.
Meanwhile,
traffic is reported to be slow-moving on several stretches of the highways this
afternoon as people took the opportunity to ‘balik kampung’ after performing
the Aidilfitri prayers.
According
to the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) Twitter page, the north-bound traffic
is reported to be slow-moving before the Rawang South Toll Plaza; from Bukit
Beruntung to Bukit Tafar; from Slim River to Sungkai; and from the Menora
Tunnel to Sungai Perak.
Traffic
is also slow-moving due to the increase in the number of vehicles plying
towards the east coast at the Gombak Toll Plaza and 4.4 kilometres before the
Genting Sempah Tunnel and from Gombak to Genting Sempah rest and service
(R&R) area.
Source:
The Sun Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Indonesian
Muslims fully celebrate Eid al-Fitr after two years
02
May ,2022
Millions
of Muslims in Indonesia returned to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in full swing Monday
after two years of subdued festivities due to pandemic restrictions and travel
curbs.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Eid
al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy month Ramadan, when the faithful fast
from dawn to dusk.
The
return of the Eid tradition of homecoming has caused great excitement for
people in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, as family
gatherings and meet-ups with friends were on people’s lists while shoppers
flocked shopping centers despite surges in food prices.
In
the past week, millions of Indonesians have crammed into trains, ferries,
busses and — in greater numbers than ever — motorcycles, as they poured out of
major cities to return to their villages to celebrate the holiday with families
amid severe traffic congestion starting to occur on major thoroughfares across
the country.
Flights
were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed
long lines at bus stations for journeys that can take days.
The
annual exodus tradition, known locally as “mudik,” returned this year after
President Joko Widodo surprisingly announced last month that the government
decided to ease restrictions for the holiday festivities for the first time
since it was banned two years ago due to COVID-19.
The
country had largely recovered from a third wave of COVID-19 infections as an
omicron-driven surge peaked at around 64,700 daily cases in mid-February. New
daily infections had fallen to around 200 by May.
About
80 percent of Indonesia’s eligible population of 208.2 million people have been
fully vaccinated as of Sunday.
The
government estimates around 85 million travelers were expected to crisscross
the vast archipelago that spans 17,000 islands for Eid al-Fitr this year, with
about 14 million travelers departing from Jakarta’s greater metropolitan area.
This
is significantly higher than pre-pandemic, when some 30 million people participated
in the annual exodus tradition.
Worshippers
wearing masks joined communal prayers shoulder-to-shoulder without physical
distancing in the streets of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, and in mosques
across the city.
In
Jakarta’s Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, tens of
thousands of Muslims attend prayers after authorities shuttered the mosque in
2020, when Islam’s holiest period coincided with the start of the coronavirus
pandemic.
The
Istiqlal mosque was totally closed during 2020 and remained closed for
congregational prayers in 2021.
“Words
can’t describe how happy I am today. After two years we were separated by
pandemic, today we can do Eid prayer together again,” said Epi Tanjung, a
resident in Jakarta. “Hopefully all of these will make us more faithful,” he
said after worshiping with his wife at Jakarta’s Al Azhar mosque where Muslims
were seen embracing one another after prayers.
Despite
soaring food prices in the past month, popular markets such as Tanah Abang in
Jakarta were teeming with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets
before the holiday.
Security
personnel were overwhelmed by thousands of shoppers and traders who ignored
health protocols.
The
Trade Ministry has said that prices of imported staple foods including wheat,
sugar, beef, and soybeans had seen the sharpest year-on-year rise in 2022 as a
result of rising global commodity prices and supply chain disruptions,
particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Prices
may go higher as loosened pandemic restrictions coupled with the Eid al-Fitr
festivities and the end of the Ramadan fasting month increase domestic food
demand.
“Food
prices, which are getting higher day by day, certainly affected my life,” said
Aneke Karolina, a mother of two in Jakarta.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Muslim
community has weathered pandemic well: President Halimah Yacob
Linette
Lai
SINGAPORE
- Singapore's Muslim community has done well in facing the pandemic, through
which they have learnt to prepare for uncertainty and disruption, as well as
bounce back from setbacks, said President Halimah Yacob on Monday (May 2).
"As
we enter the endemic stage and face the future, there will be new challenges
but I'm sure that given how far we have come, we are up to any challenge,"
she added in a video message ahead of Tuesday's Hari Raya Aidilfitri
celebrations.
It
is the first time in two years that people will be able to go all out with Hari
Raya celebrations after a month of fasting, as size limits on social gatherings
were completely lifted on April 26.
In
her message posted on social media, Madam Halimah said the pandemic has
strengthened the community's solidarity and resolve to support the needy.
Individuals
pitched in alongside organisations such as the Islamic Religious Council of
Singapore (Muis), mosques and other Malay/Muslim groups to help those who
needed it, she added.
The
President highlighted the efforts of Mr Asanul Fariq Sani and his wife
Norhasyimah Awaludin, who were nominated for The Straits Times' Singaporean of
the Year award last year for their efforts in helping others despite their own
livelihoods being affected by the pandemic.
The
couple, who were operating a school canteen stall which had to close during the
circuit breaker period, started out by delivering food to a few households in
need.
They
eventually turned the space outside their Tampines flat into a "kindness
corner" for people to help themselves to free groceries.
"Such
acts of charity brought us closer to the true meaning of our faith," Madam
Halimah said.
Despite
the challenges the community faced - such as strict limits on prayers at
mosques to prevent the virus' spread - it remained cohesive and strong, she
added.
"We
responded to the restrictions peacefully and continued to practise our faith
with deep conviction," Madam Halimah added. "We also continued to
forge strong bonds of understanding and trust with the other religious
communities and helped strengthen religious harmony and social cohesion."
Although
people were economically affected by job losses or pay cuts, many used the
downturn to reskill and upskill in preparation for better jobs in growth
sectors, she added.
"We
remained nimble and adaptable throughout and never let Covid-19 beat us. Now
that we are opening our borders and easing the restrictions, many sectors are
recruiting and providing good job opportunities."
Source:
Straits Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
King,
Queen perform Aidilfitri prayers at Federal Territory Mosque
05-
02- 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah
Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah
performed Aidilfitri prayers at the Federal Territory Mosque, here today.
Their
Majesties arrived at the mosque at 8.14 am, accompanied by their daughter,
Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafizatullah.
Grand
Imam of the Federal Territory Mosque, Muhyidin Aziz @ Saari led the prayers.
Also
participating in the Aidilfitri prayers were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail
Sabri Yaakob who arrived at the mosque at 8.07 am. Members of the Cabinet and
deputy ministers along with their spouses as well as members of the public have
also joined the congregation.
This
is the first time the Yang di-Pertuan Agong performed the Aidilfitri prayers
outside the Istana Negara.
Prior
to this, Their Majesties performed the Aidilfitri prayers at Istana Negara
following the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) nationwide in
the past two years.
The
prayers were conducted in accordance with the new guidelines on the relaxation
of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in mosques and surau in the Federal
Territories effective today following the government's announcement on the
relaxation of SOPs in mosques and surau.
Based
on the new guidelines, the requirement to scan the MySejahtera QR code to enter
mosques and surau, the use of a personal prayer mat and physical distancing
between the congregants have been lifted.
In
addition, everyone regardless of their vaccination status, except those in the
high-risk group or who are under home surveillance order (HSO), are allowed to
enter mosques and surau and the wearing of the mask is compulsory in mosques
and surau but not mandatory in open areas or outsides of these areas (mosques
and surau).
The
Aidilfitri sermon, titled 'Kemenangan Menuju Keredhaan', among others, called
on Muslims in the country to exercise self-control and complete the vaccination
including booster doses and vaccinations for children to reduce the risk of
more severe Covid-19 infection.
In
addition, Muslims are also called upon to work together to enhance the
brotherhood.
Before
leaving, Al-Sultan Abdullah spent time exchanging greetings with the
congregants.
The
Prime Minister also spent time with the congregants.
Source:
The Sun Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Mufti's
office explains why Singapore Muslims celebrate Hari Raya on Tuesday, unlike
others in the region
MAY
2, 2022
SINGAPORE
- Some Muslims in Singapore have been wondering why Hari Raya Puasa here falls
on Tuesday (May 3) when neighbouring countries Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei
are celebrating the festival on Monday (May 2).
Singapore
Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, the Republic's top Islamic leader, announced on
Sunday (May 1) night that Muslims here will celebrate Hari Raya Puasa, also
known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, on Tuesday.
This
is because according to astronomical calculations, the crescent moon for the
Islamic month of Syawal, which follows Ramadan, did not appear in the evening
after sunset on Sunday.
The
crescent moon - which traditionally marks the start of a new month - could not
be seen either, the Mufti added.
Nevertheless,
questions about the discrepancy continued to be asked on social media, given
that the rest of the region is marking the festival a day earlier.
In
a statement on Monday morning, the Office of the Mufti explained that in this
region, differences in the start of the Hijri, or Islamic calendar, have
occurred very frequently in the past - as recently as 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
and 2021 - and may well occur again in future.
Thus,
in 2022, not all countries in the world, including Muslim-majority countries,
celebrate Ramadan and Aidilfitri on the same dates.
"Indeed,
the crescent moon has also not been sighted in a few other countries, and as a
consequence, they will be celebrating Aidilfitri on Tuesday, May 3, like
Singapore," the statement said.
Bangladesh,
India and Pakistan are among the countries celebrating the festival on Tuesday.
Added
the statement: "For as long as we hold true to the principles of our faith
and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad, differences in the determination of
the Islamic calendar is something which is neither unexpected nor
alarming."
The
Office of the Mufti explained that Muslims are taught that if the moon is
obscured, they are to regard Ramadan as having 30 days.
According
to the Islamic calendar, which is lunar, some months can last 29 days and
others 30 days.
Scholars
have used two primary criteria - calculation based on astronomy, and the
sighting of the moon - to determine whether the crescent moon is visible.
However,
in Singapore, it is generally extremely difficult for the crescent moon to be
visible because of climatic conditions, which are often cloudy.
Singapore
therefore uses the commonly agreed upon criteria used by four regional
countries in MABIMS, an informal gathering of religious ministers of Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, in determining the sighting of the crescent
moon.
These
criteria have been reviewed and refined by the four countries since 2017, and
revised in 2021, based on more than 700 data points of crescent sightings from
around the world.
The
new criteria consider two parameters during sunset on the 29th day of the month
- the elevation of the crescent moon, which must exceed three degrees, and the
degree of elongation of the sun and the moon, which must exceed 6.4 degrees.
"Based
on these criteria, the crescent moon was not visible in Singapore at sunset on
29 Ramadan," the statement said.
"For
confirmation, the Office of the Mufti together with experts in the science of
falak (astronomy) attempted to conduct a physical sighting of the crescent
moon, which was unsuccessful - that is, the new moon was not visible.
During
the sighting, it was also clear that the western horizon was overcast with
clouds," it added.
The
statement noted that the religious authorities of the other MABIMS countries
reported that the crescent moon was visible in their sightings only at certain
sites in their own territories.
"Their
individual results are valid in their respective contexts," it said.
The
statement added that early Muslim chroniclers also acknowledged differences in
determining the start or end of Ramadan in different cities, based on
differences in sighting the crescent moon.
Source:
Straits Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Mideast
Iranian
Speaker: US Using ISIL Terrorists to Create Insecurity in Afghanistan
2022-May-1
The
US is using the ISIL terrorists to create insecurity in Afghanistan in order to
plunge the oppressed people of Afghanistan into an unprecedented crisis by
creating ethnic-religious sedition in Afghanistan and to put pressure on the
Kabul-based government to yield to its demands, Qalibaf said, addressing an
open session of the parliament in Tehran on Sunday.
He
added that the governing body in Kabul is responsible for establishment of
security and stability in the country which unfortunately has not been able to
fulfill its duty so far.
Forming
an inclusive government representing all ethnic groups in Afghanistan is a
prerequisite for success in achieving sustainable security, Qalibaf stressed.
Several
Afghan mosques have come under terrorist attacks over the past few weeks,
leaving scores of people dead and many others injured.
The
Iranian embassy in Kabul condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan
which killed a large number of innocent people in the holy month of Ramadan,
and wished success for the ruling body in the war-hit country in fight against
terrorism.
The
Iranian mission warned in its twitter account on Friday that neither Sunni nor
Shiite Muslims are safe in the face of criminal acts committed by extremist
groups.
The
statement was issued after a terrorist bombing at a Shiite mosque in the Afghan
capital that left dozens of people dead.
“This
embassy condemns the episode and hopes that the interim Afghan government would
succeed in fighting terrorism and extremism and ensuring the security of the
Afghan people,” part of the twitter post read.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Palestinian
Islamic Jihad Thanks Iran's Leader on Quds Day
2022-May-1
He
extended thanks to Ayatollah Khamenei for his insightful remarks stated on the
occasion of International Day of Quds.
Abu
Hamza pointed to the participation of millions of freedom-seekers in the world
who responded to the call of Al-Quds, and said that such massive turnout raised
glimmers of hopes for the liberation of Palestine and defeat of "the
Zionist regime in international arenas".
Freedom-seekers
from all over the world staged massive rally on Friday on the occasion of
International Day of Quds, which marks the last Friday of holy month of
Ramadan, and raised the flag in defense of Al-Quds in the city squares, he
pointed out.
The
International Quds Day is an annual event opposing Israel's occupation of
Beitul-Muqaddas. Anti-Zionist rallies and demonstrations are held on the last
Friday of Ramadan in Muslim and Arab countries around the world, specially in
Iran, as well as a large number of non-Muslim states.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Hamas
slams 70 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine as ‘full-fledged war crime’
01
May 2022
The
continuation of the Israeli occupation of Palestine for over 70 years is “a
full-fledged racist war crime,” says the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas,
which also denounced the Tel Aviv regime’s incessant violation of the
Palestinian people’s rights, in particular workers.
“All
the human suffering experienced by our people, especially the workers who are
exposed to different forms of targeting and restrictions on a daily basis and
denied their most basic rights, has been caused by the occupation,” Hamas said
in a Sunday press release on the occasion of the International Workers’ Day,
the Palestinian Information Center reported.
The
movement also denounced the attempts to target the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and change or end
its real role as the witness to crimes committed by the Israeli regime against
the Palestinian people
The
Palestinian refugees in all areas of their presence should be allowed to
exercise their rights, mainly their right to work, it added.
Hamas
further urged the competent UN and international human rights and humanitarian
organizations to assume their responsibilities in this regard, emphasizing that
they should work on exposing Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian workers,
pressuring the regime to lift its siege on the Gaza Strip, which affects
workers’ livelihoods, and ensuring that they are given their legitimate rights
to work and live with freedom and dignity on their own land.
The
statement came after the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Israel finds it easy
to impose “collective punishment” against Palestinians since the regime is
hardly ever held to account.
In
a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the Israeli regime
practices the worst forms of discrimination and colonial racism against the
defenseless Palestinian people on a daily basis and before the eyes of the
international community, Palestine’s official Wafa news agency reported.
Acts
of sabotage and settler violence against the Palestinians and their property
are commonplace throughout the occupied territories, particularly in the West Bank.
However, Israeli authorities rarely prosecute the settlers and the majority of
the files are closed due to deliberate police failure to investigate the crimes
properly.
The
latest development comes as the Israeli regime has escalated its deadly attacks
against Palestinians in the run-up to Ramadan and sustained the violence
throughout the holy fasting month, stirring up anti-Tel Aviv sentiments
throughout the occupied territories.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Intelligence
Ministry Warns of Enemies' Attempts to Sow Discord between Iranians, Afghans
2022-May-1
Common
enemies of the Iranian and Afghan nations are making attempts desperately and
constantly to create differences between the neighboring countries of the West
Asian region, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
Referring
to the spread of certain rumors against Afghan citizens on social media in Iran
in order to create fear and panic towards these citizens in the country and
reciprocally the release of similar rumors on social media against Iranian
people in Afghanistan, ministry announced that the claims and rumors are not
true.
These
rumors are part of the desperate and constant efforts of the common enemies of
the two nations of "Iran and Afghanistan" to create differences
between the neighboring countries of the West Asian region, it said.
These
actions are in line with the same actions that are being carried out inside
Afghanistan these days with a series of explosions in the Shiite and Sunni
mosques and the killing of innocent fasting worshipers, with the intention of
creating conflict among Muslims, the statement said.
The
ministry also extended condolences over the killing and injuring of a number of
Afghan people in recent terrorist incidents in Afghanistan.
Several
Afghan mosques have come under terrorist attacks over the past few weeks,
leaving scores of people dead and many others injured.
Iranian
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Washington is using the
ISIL terrorist group to create insecurity and rift among the religious and
ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
The
US is using the ISIL terrorists to create insecurity in Afghanistan in order to
plunge the oppressed people of Afghanistan into an unprecedented crisis by
creating ethnic-religious sedition in Afghanistan and to put pressure on the
Kabul-based government to yield to its demands, Qalibaf said, addressing an
open session of the parliament in Tehran on Sunday.
He
added that the governing body in Kabul is responsible for establishment of
security and stability in the country which unfortunately has not been able to
fulfill its duty so far.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Muslim
Brotherhood TV channel leaves Turkey during Ankara-Cairo thaw
Apr
30 2022
Egyptian
Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated satellite channel Mekameleen TV is moving all its
operations from Turkey amid increased efforts for a thaw a in relations between
Ankara and Cairo, Diken news site reported on Saturday.
The
channel’s departure from Turkey is part of an effort to continue “the ability
to report freely,” it cited the network as saying in a statement released on
Friday.
“We
take this chance to thank Turkey’s people and their leadership for the
hospitality over many years, which goes to show our deep shared roots that
transcend any current crisis,” the statement said.
Relations
between Turkey and Egypt were fractured after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah
el-Sisi came to power in a 2013 military coup and launched a crackdown on the
Muslim Brotherhood, which was declared a “terror group” by Cairo in the same
year.
Turkish
President Erdoğan, who had forged close ties with the ousted Egyptian leader
Mohammed Morsi, frequently condemned Sisi as a dictator and Turkey became a
safe haven for Egyptian exiles opposed to the government in Cairo.
But
last year, Egypt and Turkey resumed diplomatic contacts, holding rounds of
exploratory talks at deputy foreign minister level in May and September.
Turkey
last year ordered Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated television channels based in
Istanbul to halt criticism of the north African country, in a concrete step
towards a thaw, Saudi news outlet Al Arabiya reported.
Two
other Brotherhood-affiliated networks, Watan and El Sharq, also operate from
Turkey.
Source:
Ahval News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Former
Afghanistan President congratulates Eid al-Fitr to Iranian FM
May
2, 2022
Former
president of Afghanistan on Sunday evening in a phone talk with Iranian foreign
minister congratulated the upcoming Eid al-Fitr to him, the Iranian nation and
government.
Referring
to the recent days' terrorist acts in Afghanistan and condemning blind
terrorism, which targets innocent people, Karzai said that shaping up the
future of Afghanistan is merely possible in cooperation and contributions of
the entire Afghan tribes, ethnic groups and people.
Karzai,
meanwhile, appreciated the cooperation and assistance of Afghanistan’s
neighbors, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran to help the people of
Afghanistan pass through the current tough conditions.
In
the phone talk, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian felicitated
the blessed Eid al-Fitr to Hamid Karzai and prayed to Almighty Allah for the
prestigious life, wellbeing, and happiness of the Afghan nation.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
President
Rayeesi: Iran Increases Oil Sales, Trade with Neighbors to Nullify Sanctions
2022-May-1
The
government does not view the removal of the sanctions on Iran as the only
solution to the country’s economic woes, Rayeesi said on Sunday, addressing a
meeting with political activists in Tehran.
He
added that his administration had taken a range of measures to address Iran’s
economic issues.
“Efforts
to increase the sale of oil, to enhance commercial ties with neighboring
countries, and to boost the country’s economic relations in general have been
taken to neutralize the sanctions and make their removal easier,” the Iranian
president said.
He
said his administration had overlooked no approach to the resolving of Iran’s
economic hardships and had taken whatever step it believed could help.
Secretary
of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said in March
that in addition to efforts to remove the illegal sanctions against the country
through the Vienna talks, Tehran has focused its attempts on rendering the
embargoes ineffective.
“In
addition to efforts toward sanctions removal, the country’s major strategy is
to focus on creating mechanisms in order to render the sanctions tool
ineffective. Fortunately, very good measures have been taken in this regard,”
he said.
Head
of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) Alireza
Moqaddasi announced last month that the volume of the country's trade exchanges
with its neighboring countries has considerably increased.
"Iran
has increased its trade exchanges to $52 billion," Moqaddasi said.
“Iran’s
policy of convergence with the countries of the region, especially its
neighbors in the current administration, has led to the growth of trade with
all countries, especially neighbors, in parallel with efforts to increase
production in the country,” he added.
Moqaddasi
pointed out that 100.131 million tons of goods worth $51.85 billion were
exchanged last year between Iran and 15 neighboring countries.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Deputy
Commander: Iranian Army at Highest Defense Levels
2022-May-1
Today,
the Iranian Army is in the highest defensive position, General Sharafi said.
He
added that despite the sanctions, the range of the Army's missiles has been
improved, noting that today both friends and foes acknowledge that the Iranian
Army's artillery is the largest in West Asia.
The
Iranian Army in a ceremony last month unveiled a number of its home-made
achievements, including heavy vehicles and several medical equipment.
Super
heavy trailer trucks, optimized super heavy vehicles capable of carrying 100
tons and 60 tons, various wards of the field hospital, including laboratory, surgery
room, radiology, ICU, and armored ambulance capable of carrying 6 injured
people were unveiled during the ceremony.
The
ceremony was held in the presence of Army Commander Major General Seyed
Abdolrahim Moussavi, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army for Coordination Rear
Admiral Habibollah Sayyari and other top military officials.
"In
recent years, the Army Ground Force upgraded combat capabilities in the field
of military missions and civilian aid. The Army and the Armed forces of the
country will stand strong against any threat that targets Iran," General
Moussavi said, addressing the ceremony.
The
Iranian Army had also in April unveiled Fath tactical ballistic missile for the
first time during the military parades in Southern Tehran.
The
military parade was held in the vicinity of the holy shrine of Imam Khomeini,
the founder of the Islamic Republic, on the occasion of the National Army Day.
Army
combat and armored units, airborne helicopters, air force fighters, air defense
weapons, defense systems and naval equipment mounted on military trucks marched
in front of a stand, from where top government and military officials,
including President Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed
Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, General Moussavi, Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and
other Army and IRGC top commanders, observed the parade.
Task
units and armored divisions of the Army Ground Force, helicopters of Army
Aviation Force, fighter jets of Army Air Force, Air Defense Force’s warcraft
and batteries, and marine mobile arms also marched during the parade.
The
Army Ground Force demonstrated its new equipment and achievements in the field
of ground combat, including artillery, armor, electronic warfare, helicopters
and drones.
‘Kaman-22’,
a long-range and strategic multi-functional drone of the Army Air Force, was
shown to the public for the first time during the Army Day parade. It is the
first combat drone of the Army, which is capable of carrying all types of cargo
with a flight duration of more than 24 hours. This drone has an operation range
of more than three thousand kilometers and is capable of flying up to an
altitude of eight thousand meters.
The
drone is capable of carrying a variety of ammunition and laser and smart
missiles and has the ability to detect, monitor and collect information and
shoot at the long-range targets.
During
the ceremony, fighter jets of the Iranian Army also flew over the sky in
Tehran.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010211000801/Depy-Cmmander-Iranian-Army-a-Highes-Defense-Levels
--------
Leader
Pardons, Commutes Sentences of over 1500 Prisoners
2022-May-1
Ayatollah
Khamenei agreed with granting clemency to 1,542 convicts of different Iranian
courts.
He
issued the approval on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of
the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
The
pardon was made at the request of the country's Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein
Mohseni Ejeyee.
Iran's
Constitution grants the Supreme Leader the right to pardon or commute the
sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the judiciary.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010211000397/Leader-Pardns-Cmmes-Senences-f-ver-500-Prisners
--------
Iran
Calls for Permanent Ceasefire in Yemen
2022-May-1
Khaji
made the remarks in a meeting with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Henrik
Thune in Tehran on Saturday.
During
the meeting, the two officials called for achieving a peaceful resolution to
end the Yemen crisis.
The
latest developments in Yemen and the ways to reach a peaceful resolution to the
Yemen crisis were also discussed in this meeting.
Khaji
welcomed implementation of the temporary ceasefire in Yemen, but meantime,
stressed the need for a permanent cessation of aggression, as well as the start
of the intra-Yemeni political dialogue.
Thune,
for his part, said that his country makes efforts to support a political
solution to the Yemeni crisis.
In
relevant remarks in April, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian
had also underlined the necessity for continued ceasefire and stop of the
Saudi-led coalition war and siege on Yemen.
Amir
Abdollahian made the remarks in a meeting with Yemeni Ambassador to Tehran
Ibrahim Mohammad Mohammad al-Deilami.
He
stressed the need for complete removal of the blockade against Yemen and
establishment of a permanent ceasefire in the country.
Amir
Abdollahian hailed the resistance of the Yemeni people against the Saudi-led
coalition attacks, and expressed concern about the critical situation in Yemen.
He
underscored that lifting siege on Yemen and establishing a permanent ceasefire
will pave the way for Yemeni-Yemeni talks to determine their own destiny.
The
Iranian top diplomat also stated that the Yemeni people will decide their own
destiny with vigilance and resistance spirit.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010211000233/Iran-Calls-fr-Permanen-Ceasefire-in-Yemen
--------
Iranian
FM: Muslims' Rallies on Quds Day Indicate Survival of Palestinian Cause
2022-May-1
Amir
Abdollahian made the remarks in a phone conversation with his Bruneian counterpart
Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof on Saturday.
He
referred to the violence used by the Israeli regime against Palestinians
throughout the occupied territories, which has taken turn for the worse since
the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, condemning the regime's
brutality.
The
Iranian minister, however, asserted that Muslim nations' monumental
demonstrations on the occasion of the International Quds Day on Friday,
indicated that the Palestinian cause of freedom from Israeli aggression and
occupation as well as resistance for the liberation of the holy city of
al-Quds, were still alive.
Amir
Abdollahian underscored the significance of boosting cooperation between Iran
and Muslim, friendly, and Asian countries, noting that it was among the main
priorities of the current Iranian administration's foreign policy.
He
expressed gratitude for Brunei's "positive stances" across
international bodies, urging the two countries' technical committee to meet.
Iran's
top diplomat also emphasized the need for enhancement of bilateral technical,
commercial, scientific, and economic relations between Tehran and Bandar Seri
Begawan.
He
said that the Islamic Republic welcomes further expansion of relations with
Brunei.
The
Bruneian official, for his part, denounced the Israeli regime's atrocities,
saying his country backed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to hold a
meeting to discuss the dire situation across the occupied Palestinian
territories.
Millions
of people from all walks of life took to streets all over the world to mark the
International Quds Day on Friday to show their full and everlasting support for
the oppressed Palestinian nation against Israeli occupation and aggressions,
specially its recent crimes against the Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The
ralliers chanted 'death to the US' and 'death to Israel' slogans and showed
anger over normalization of relations between certain Arab states and Israel.
The
International Quds Day is an annual event opposing Israel's occupation of
Beitul-Muqaddas. Anti-Zionist rallies and demonstrations are held on the last
Friday of Ramadan in Muslim and Arab countries around the world, specially in
Iran, as well as a large number of non-Muslim states.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Ramadan
ends for Palestinians with more arrests by Israel
MOHAMMED
NAJIB
May
01, 2022
RAMALLAH:
On the last day of Ramadan, the Israeli army escalated its campaign of arrests
and raids against Palestinians in several cities and towns in the West Bank.
It
detained 12 Palestinians from the villages of Qarawat Bani Hassan, Jalazun
refugee camp, Merka, Sanur, Salem town, and the Balata refugee camp in Nablus.
There
were clashes between Palestinian youths and the Israeli armed forces, with five
youths sustaining bullet injuries.
An
Israeli spokesperson said the army and the Shin Bet security service carried
out an engineering survey of the house of the perpetrators of Friday's Ariel
settlement attack, which resulted in the killing of an Israeli security guard.
On
Saturday, the Israeli army announced arresting the perpetrators of the attack
in a house in the town of Qarawat Bani Hassan near Salfit. The weapons used in
the attack were seized.
Medical
sources said 18 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bullets during Ramadan.
The
Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the US to pressure Israel to stop the
policy of collective punishment against Palestinians and urged it to fulfill
its obligations and avoid double standards.
The
ministry said in a statement that the US administration's keenness to make
efforts to calm the situation must be accompanied by translating its pledges
into practical steps, especially its positions regarding equal rights to
freedom, dignity, and prosperity for both sides.
The
ministry condemned the attacks of the occupying forces and settler militias on
Palestinians in Palestinian towns and villages.
Israel
is imposing a security closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip crossings,
starting from May 3 until the evening of May 6 because of Israel’s Independence
Day. The Israeli army spokesperson said the decision to end the closure would
depend on the security situation on the ground.
The
Israeli army said it would hold military maneuvers next week in the city of
Wadi Ara to train its forces to deal with confrontations erupting in mixed
towns, similar to what happened in May last year.
Israeli
sources said the maneuvers would take place on a large scale, noting they were
part of the lessons learned from the “Guardian of the Fences” operation
launched against Hamas in May last year.
The
maneuvers will simulate several scenarios of moving the battle from the Gaza
and Lebanon fronts to the areas of the West Bank and Jerusalem, including mixed
cities such as Lod, Ramle, Haifa, Jerusalem, and others, in addition to
imposing the closure of several main roads and the handling of any
confrontations by the special forces.
In
a statement on the occasion of Labor Day, the Palestinian Central Bureau of
Statistics said the number of workers in Palestine was around 1.3 million —
630,000 in the West Bank, 259,000 in the Gaza Strip, and 145,000 in Israel and
the settlements.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074091/middle-east
--------
People
in Gaza prepare for Eid al-Fitr amid dire conditions
01
May 2022
Ashraf
Shannon
People
in the Gaza Strip will mark this year’s Eid al-Fitr holiday for the 16th time
under the Israeli blockade.
The
joyful occasion comes at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Traditionally,
Muslims go to markets several days before Eid to buy gifts, new clothes, and
sweets for their loved ones but many can’t afford that because of the high
unemployment and poverty rates.
United
Nations figures show that eighty percent of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have
been relying on handouts in recent years in order to survive.
For
Gazan families, it has been a very tough task to buy Eid items for their
children amid the harsh economic situation in the besieged coastal enclave.
People scour the markets for hours to try and find affordable gifts for their
families.
For
merchants, this Eid season has been one of the worst they had in years. Usually
during holidays like Eid al-Fitr sales are high in markets around the world but
in Gaza, shop owners complain of a lack of sales.
Despite
the harsh circumstances, Palestinians in Gaza are preparing themselves to
receive Eid al-Fitr holiday like all Muslims around the world.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/05/01/681352/Gaza-Eil-Fitr-Israel-blockade-Muslims-unemployment-
--------
Turkish
police detain dozens in Istanbul during May Day demonstrations
01
May 2022
Scores
of Turkish protesters in the coastal city of Istanbul have been detained by the
riot police during May Day demonstrations against the country’s economic
hardship caused by galloping inflation.
This
year's rallies took place on Sunday against the backdrop of soaring inflation
that has destroyed livelihoods and upended the economy.
Protesters
were arrested as they were trying to reach Istanbul’s main Taksim Square.
The
Istanbul governor's office said 164 people were held after staging "an
unauthorized rally" and refusing to disperse despite police warnings. May
Day celebrations were authorized in another district by the Istanbul governor’s
office, which had banned gatherings in all other locations.
Pictures
of scuffles with riot police and handcuffed protesters were shown on television
by domestic broadcasters.
Moreover,
a report citing Demiroren News Agency, says police also detained 30 people in
central Besiktas and 22 others in Sisli districts.
Marches
and demonstrations, led by workers and unions, are held on May 1 every year in
many countries to mark the International Labor Day.
However,
these days the rallies took on new meaning in the midst of economic crises
faced by some countries, including Turkey.
Turkey’s
annual inflation rate is expected to rise to 68% in April, driven higher by the
Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising commodity prices, receding only slightly by
the end of the year, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.
The
rampant inflation and the economic hardship it causes were cited in May Day
statements from several groups.
Head
of the Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Turk-Is), Ergun Atalay, said “our
main theme this year had to be cost of living,” demanding that minimum wages be
adjusted monthly to reflect rising prices.
“Inflation
is announced at the beginning of each month. The inflation rate should be added
to wages every month,” he said.
Source:
Press TV
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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‘Israel
imposes collective punishment on Palestinians due to lack of intl.
accountability’
01
May 2022
The
Palestinian Foreign Ministry says Israel finds it easy to impose “collective
punishment” against the Palestinians since the regime is hardly ever held to
account.
In
a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Expatriates said the Israeli regime
practices the worst forms of discrimination and colonial racism against the
defenseless Palestinian people on a daily basis, and before the eyes of the
international community, Palestine’s official Wafa news agency reported.
The
ministry went on to say that the settlers’ attacks against Palestinians occur
amid the Israeli authorities’ failure to condemn such raids or investigate
them.
“If
it was the other way round, the Israeli army and political leaders’ reaction
would have been different, and we would have heard a torrent of condemnations
and threats against Palestinians,” it said.
Acts
of sabotage and settler violence against the Palestinians and their property
are commonplace throughout the occupied territories, particularly in the West
Bank. However, Israeli authorities rarely prosecute the settlers and the
majority of the files are closed due to deliberate police failure to
investigate properly.
The
latest development comes as the Israeli regime has escalated its deadly attacks
against Palestinians in the run-up to Ramadan and sustained the violence
throughout the holy fasting month, stirring up anti-Tel Aviv sentiments
throughout the occupied territories.
The
Israeli regime has also ramped up its violent attacks on Palestinian
worshippers in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of al-Quds
in recent weeks.
Last
week, thousands of people across the globe took to the streets to deplore
Israeli violence against Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque and elsewhere in
the occupied territories.
Source:
Press TV
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Africa
Eid-el-Kabir:
Gov. Ugwuanyi urges Muslims to remain committed to God
May
2, 2022
By
Emmanuel Uzodinma
Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called on Muslims, and indeed all
Nigerians, to continue to pray fervently to God for the peace, security, unity
and progress of the country.
Gov.
Ugwuanyi, who made the call in his Sallah Message, congratulated Muslims as
they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
The
governor wished the Muslim faithful the blessings and guidance of Allah, urging
Nigerians to embrace peace, love, tolerance and sacrifice, which are the
exemplary virtues of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
Source:
Daily Post
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://dailypost.ng/2022/05/02/eid-el-kabir-gov-ugwuanyi-urges-muslims-to-remain-committed-to-god/
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Ramadan:
Tinubu distributes rice, sugar to 50, 000 families
02
May 2022
The
national leader of the All Progressives Congress APC) and 2023 presidential
aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has distributed sacks of Rice and Sugar to over
50,000 families across Nigeria.
The
distribution of the food items, which began last week, was aimed at putting
smiles on the faces of beneficiaries during the month of Ramadan. Many of them
expressed their gratitude to Tinubu.
Speaking
about Ramadan earlier in April, the former Lagos governor emphasised the need
to “contribute to the wellbeing of those around us, give succour to people we
find in need and study more how to solve problems instead of creating them.”
He
added: “Let us keep in the forefront of our minds that Ramadan also asks of us
to show greater compassion, empathy and understanding, and enlightenment in how
we treat and relate to one another.”
“Ramadan
asks of all of us to embrace acts of kindness, love our neighbours and reach
out to the poor, needy and unfortunate among us.”
Source:
Guardian Nigeria
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://guardian.ng/news/ramadan-tinubu-distributes-rice-sugar-to-50-000-families-1/
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Protesters
face tear gas on third anniversary of Sudan sit-in killings
30
April ,2022
Sudanese
security forces fired tear gas at crowds who massed in Khartoum on Saturday to
rally against military rule and mark the third anniversary of the killing of
scores of protesters.
The
crowds blocked a major road junction in the capital and laid out food to break
their Ramadan fast. But just before sundown, officers began breaking up the rally
and chased demonstrators into side streets, a Reuters reporter said.
Postings
on social media said people also gathered in the cities of Madani, Kosti and El
Obeid, carrying posters with faces of some of the young men killed in 2019.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“We
will continue on the path the martyrs began,” said one of the protesters in
Khartoum on Saturday who declined to be named.
Protests
and unrest have continued to rock Sudan since months of massed demonstrations
culminated in the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.
On
June 3 that year, armed men charged pro-democracy demonstrators who were
holding a sit-in outside the military headquarters in the center of the
capital, demanding the army hand over rule to civilians after Bashir’s ousting.
Activist
doctors said nearly 130 people were killed in that raid and ensuing violence.
Official tallies put the death count at 87.
The
military later agreed to share power with civilians but took power again in a
coup in October 2021.
Sudanese
police could not be reached for comment on Saturday, the third anniversary of
the sit-in raid according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
Khartoum
state’s security committee had on Friday called on protests to remain peaceful
and blocked off central Khartoum.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Morocco’s
King pardons 29 jailed for ‘terrorism or extremism’ offenses
02
May ,2022
Morocco’s
king pardoned 29 people jailed for “terrorism or extremism” offences in a
gesture marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the justice
ministry announced.
The
29 prisoners were pardoned “after having officially expressed their attachment
to the... sacredness of the nation and to national institutions, revised their
ideological orientations and rejected extremism and terrorism,” said a justice
ministry statement issued late Sunday.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Of
those pardoned, 23 will be freed while the remaining six will have their
sentences reduced.
The
29 are part of a total of 958 people sentenced by various courts across the
country that Morocco’s King Mohammed VI pardoned to mark the Eid al-Fitr
holiday at the end of Ramadan.
In
2017, the North African nation launched a reintegration program called
“Moussalaha,” or “Reconciliation,” in its prisons, targeting inmates convicted
of “terrorism” who were willing to question their beliefs.
Since
2022, the security services have dismantled more than 2,000 extremist cells and
made over 3,500 arrests linked to terrorism, according to official figures.
The
country has largely been spared terrorist attacks since 2003, when five suicide
attacks killed 33 people and wounded scores more in the economic capital
Casablanca.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Moroccan
prison program aims to de-radicalize ISIS veterans
01
May ,2022
Morocco’s
prison authority has been offering “de-radicalization” training since 2017 to
former ISIS fighters and others convicted of terrorism offenses
As
a combatant for the ISIS who left his native Morocco to join what he felt was a
holy fight in Syria, Mohsin says he saw all the horrors of war. “A terrifying
experience,” he says.
Now
a prisoner, the 38-year-old claims he is no longer the fanatic he was then,
enraged with a murderous hatred for non-Muslims. Captured in Turkey and
extradited to Morocco, he is serving a 10-year prison term on terrorism
charges.
Now
the former fighter has graduated with 14 other prisoners convicted of terror
offenses from a Morocco de-radicalization program that might make them more
eligible for an early release.
The
Associated Press and other media were invited to observe their graduation
ceremony Thursday in a prison in Sale near the Moroccan capital, Rabat, and to
interview some prisoners under monitored and controlled conditions.
Prison
administration officials picked out three men they said were willing to be
interviewed. Officials stipulated that the inmates shouldn’t be identified by
their full names and that their faces mustn’t be shown, citing privacy reasons.
But
prison officials didn’t listen to the interviews or intervene to shut down
media lines of questioning or inmates’ answers.
The
15 inmates in crisp shirts and trousers stood solemnly for Morocco’s national
anthem and were handed certificates.
Prison
officials said the de-radicalization program consisted of three months of
classes in prison on religion, law and economics, and that inmates also
received training on how to start a business.
These
most recent graduates were the ninth batch since the program started in 2017.
Moulay
Idriss Agoulmam, the director of social-cultural action and prisoner
reintegration at Morocco’s prison administration, said the program is entirely
voluntary and works with inmates “to change their behavior and improve their
life path.”
“It
enables prisoners to form an awareness of the gravity of their mistakes,” he
said.
Graduating
from the program doesn’t make inmates automatically eligible for early release,
but does increase their chances of getting a royal pardon or a reduced
sentence.
That’s
been the case for just over half of the program’s 222 graduates so far, the
prison administration says. Since 2019, the training has also been offered to
women convicted under Morocco’s Anti-Terrorism Act. Ten women have graduated so
far — all of them since released, including eight with pardons.
Called
“Moussalaha,” meaning “reconciliation” in Arabic, the program is offered to
prisoners who have demonstrated a readiness to disavow extremism.
Mohsin
said he left to fight in Syria in 2012. A school dropout as a teen, he said he
“was virtually illiterate and couldn’t discern good from bad.”
He
said he was radicalized by people who showed him extremist videos “about the
divine obligation to battle those who don’t follow Islamic principles and to
murder non-Muslims.”
In
Syria, “I saw massacres, rapes, and thefts,” he said. “I concluded after a time
that the fight being conducted in the name of Islam had nothing to do with our
religion.”
He
escaped to Turkey in 2018 and was detained for a year there before being
extradited to Morocco.
He
says he has now disavowed extremism.
“That
period of my life has passed,” he said.
Numerous
Moroccans have traveled to Syria, Iraq and elsewhere to join extremist groups.
Morocco has also experienced multiple attacks itself. Five suicide attacks in
Casablanca in 2003 killed 33 people. In 2011, an explosion destroyed a cafe in
Marrakech, killing 17 people, most of them foreign tourists.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/mosque-clinics-hyderabad-scientific/d/126920