Saffron Party’s ‘Mullah-Maulvi Pitch’ in West Bengal Helps Prevent Minority Vote Split
New Age Islam News Bureau
05 Jun 2024
·
Saffron Party’s ‘Mullah-Maulvi Pitch’ in West
Bengal Helps Prevent Minority Vote Split
·
Ex-Mossad Chief: We Cannot Defeat Hamas,
Islamic Jihad Militarily
·
In Burkina Faso, a Growing Number of Children
Are Traumatized By War
·
Biden Admits Netanyahu 'Prolonging' Gaza
Bombardment for Political Gains
·
PTI's Arif Alvi Says 'Lost All Hope As
Accountability Is Impossible In Pakistan'
India
·
Mayawati Pins Blame on Muslims for Rout in LS Polls:
‘Community Has Not Understood the BSP’
·
The Game Changers: In UP, All Four of Samajwadi
Party's Muslim Candidates Win
·
Ladakh Refuses Mandate To BJP, Elects Shia
Leader Hanifa Jan
·
Asaduddin Owaisi, A Powerful Voice ofMuslims in
Country, Beats BJP Rival Madhavi Latha by Huge Margin
-----
Europe
·
Tunisian Muslim Community Turns To Artificial
IntelligenceTo Save Heritage
·
German Right-Wing Politician Stabbed Just Days
after Knife Attack at Anti-Islam Rally
·
Historic Blackburn Mosque Takes Shape as New
Appeal Launched
·
After Mannheim Islamic Terror Attack, Germany’s
Left-Liberal Parties Call For More Immigration from Syria and Afghanistan at
Migration Summit
·
German authorities find evidence of Islamic
extremist motive in knife attack
-----
Africa
·
Islamic Scholar Accuses Gov Yusuf, Kwankwaso of
Prioritising Politics over Governance
·
Nigeria unions suspend strike for one week
--------
North America
·
Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Israeli
consulate in San Francisco
·
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. defeats mayor who
accused Pascrell of turning his back on Muslims
·
Biden Uses Trump 'Muslim Ban' Manoeuvre to Cap
Asylum Seekers
·
Christian Realism and Reemergence of Islamic
Extremist Terrorism
--------
Pakistan
·
PM vows to replicate China's development model
in Pakistan
·
PTI challenge to ECP powers referred to LHC
larger bench
·
MQM-P asks govt to issue arms licences to
Karachiites
·
HRCP suspects Sargodha incident was a targeted
attack
·
IHC halts implementation of death sentence
awarded to five ex-navy personnel
·
PTI leaders move IHC against FIA summons over
Imran Khan's controversial X post
·
Vawda declines to offer unconditional apology
over anti-judiciary remarks
--------
Mideast
·
Ibrahim Gulcu, aTurkish Imam Uses Music To Heal
Earthquake Survivors' Wounds
·
'Palestinian Cause' Is A Monumental Legacy Of Imam
Khomeini: Ambassador
·
Jerusalem Day Flag March To Pass Through Muslim
Quarter Amid Heightened Tensions In Old City
--------
South Asia
·
IEA and Indonesian Red Crescent Heads Discuss
Joint Efforts and Future Support
·
Interior Minister Haqqani Meets UAE Emir in Abu
Dhabi
·
Ministry of Interior Reports Rescue of
Kidnapped Child in Balkh
·
Herat Saffron once again ranked best in the
world
·
German Interior Minister: Considering
deportation of Afghan refugees
·
UNICEF announces drinking water distribution
for thousands in Ghor province
·
Removing IEA from banned list demonstrates true
understanding
--------
Arab World
·
Saudi Leaders Congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum,
Mexico’s New President
·
Authorities detain 8 suspects for transporting 28
people not permitted to perform Hajj
·
Saudi FM discusses US proposal for Gaza
ceasefire with Blinken
·
Canadian Doctor Reminisces Spearheading Medical
Milestone In Riyadh In The 80s
·
Saudi Arabia: Crowd Management Boosted at
Prophet’s Mosque for Hajj Season
·
The International Islamic Trade Finance
Corporation signs MOU on mutual business cooperation with Qatar Development
Bank
--------
Southeast Asia
·
Judicial Review Over House Arrest: Court Allows
Najib’s Bid To Insert Two More Affidavits
·
Perlis Customs instructs trailer carrying
Israeli shipping container to turn back from entering state
·
Importance of human rights aligns with concept
of Malaysia MADANI - Anwar
·
UN praises Malaysia’s leadership in
strengthening ASEAN human rights agenda, urges action on Myanmar crisis
·
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights Volker Türk at the end of his mission to Malaysia
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
-----------
Saffron
Party’s ‘Mullah-Maulvi Pitch’ in West Bengal Helps Prevent Minority Vote Split
Jun 5,
2024
Kolkata:
Helped partly by a deeply polarizing campaign by BJP, Trinamool Congress
successfully thwarted a split in minority votes with Left and Congress.
Trinamool held on to its minority vote bank by scaling up its pitch against
CAA-NRC and challenging the Calcutta High Court’s May 22 order on Other
Backward Class (OBC) status, which also benefited 77 Muslim communities.
Trinamool
has swept the south Bengal districts of South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas,
Birbhum and part of Nadia. For the first time since its inception, the party
has won all three seats in Murshidabad by overcoming sharp polarization and a
spirited fight by Congress. Even in the urban centre of Kolkata North, in a
close fight, the minority voters from Entally, Tangra and Topsia secured
massive leads for Trinamool nominee Sudip Bandyopadhyay.
When CM
Mamata Banerjee decided to go it alone, fielding candidates in all 42 seats,
there was some concern over the possibility of minority votes getting divided.
BJP’s campaign focus on CAA, and Union home minister Amit Shah’s claim that
Trinamool’s politics was all about “mullah, maulvi, madrassa and mafia”, and
leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s constant reference to “sanatani” votes
further helped consolidate the minority vote.
The only
exception was Malda, where the minority vote remained fragmented. While
Congress’s Isha Khan Choudhury managed to rally the Muslims — around 65% — in
the party’s favour in Malda South, no single party managed to do so for Malda
North, with BJP’s Khagen Murmu (45% minority votes) emerging victorious the
second time. In North Dinajpur, Trinamool accused the Indian Secular Front
(ISF) for splitting its support base.
During
the last decadal census in 2011, Bengal’s Hindu population stood at 70.5% while
Muslims comprised 27%. This made Bengal’s Muslim population the second highest
among all the states in India, where the community is in the minority. Assam,
with a Muslim population of 34.2%, was ahead of Bengal in 2011.
Of the
state’s 42 LS seats, the minorities play a major role in determining the fate
of Raiganj, Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Murshidabad, Jangipur, Behrampur,
Krishnanagar, Birbhum, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Diamond Harbour, Balurghat, Uluberia
and Bolpur.
CM
Banerjee has projected CAA as a threat to both Hindus and Muslims, saying it is
a precursor to enforcement of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) that left
1.9 million Hindus in jeopardy in BJP-ruled Assam in 2018 and the Uniform Civil
Code (UCC), on which Uttarakhand passed a law in Feb.
“Muslim
votes would have consolidated against BJP in any case this year but these
developments have ensured that the section of Muslims that might have voted for
CPM or Congress, something we saw in the 2023 panchayat polls, will back
Trinamool,” said Maidul Islam from the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences.
The ISF,
which had threatened to reduce Trinamool’s share of Muslim votes, also failed
to make a mark.
“We had
to choose someone who can represent us on a larger stage,” said Abdul Rashid, a
school teacher from Bhangar, where ISF has a presence.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/saffron-partys-mullah-maulvi-pitch-helps-trinamool-prevent-minority-vote-split/articleshow/110715043.cms
--------
Ex-Mossad
Chief: We Cannot Defeat Hamas, Islamic Jihad Militarily
June 4,
2024
Former
head of the Israeli spy agency Mossad Danny Yatom in Cairo on 19 May 2011
[KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images]
-------------
A former
chief of the Israeli Foreign Intelligence Service (Mossad) confirmed yesterday
that Tel Aviv cannot defeat Hamas and Islamic Jihad militarily.
Since 7
October, Israel has waged a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, leaving more than
118,000 Palestinians killed or injured, over 70 per cent children and women,
and about 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine.
Writing
in Israel’s Maariv newspaper under the title ‘The Bitter Truth: Hamas and Jihad
will not be defeated by military actions’, Danny Yatom said: “We are unable to
achieve the goals of the war in the north [Lebanon] and the south [Gaza].”
“There
are still many hostages in the Gaza tunnels, thousands of displaced [Israelis]
who are far from returning to their homes, and Hezbollah is destroying our
towns in the north.”
Israel
estimates that there are 128 Israeli prisoners of war held in Gaza, while Hamas
announced that more than 70 of them were killed in random raids launched by
Israel, which holds at least 9,500 Palestinians in its prisons, many without
charge or trial.
Yatom
continued: “Despite the Israeli army’s military presence throughout the Gaza
Strip, Hamas and Islamic Jihad will not be defeated by military actions, and
the hostages will not return under military pressure without political
arrangements.”
Source: middleeastmonitor.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240604-ex-mossad-chief-we-cannot-defeat-hamas-islamic-jihad-militarily/
--------
In
Burkina Faso, a growing number of children are traumatized by war
Young
Sudanese refugee boys sit under the partial shade of a tree at the Iridimi
refugee camp near Iriba in eastern Chad, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2004.
-
Copyright
© africanews
BEN
CURTIS/AP
----------
When
armed men entered Safi's village in northern Burkina Faso and began firing, she
hid in her home with her four children. The gunmen found them and let them
live to suffer the guilt of survival
after killing her husband and other relatives.
Safi, is
among 2 million people displaced in the West African country by growing
violence between Islamic extremists and security forces.
About
60% of the displaced are children. Many are traumatized, but mental health
services are limited and children are often overlooked for treatment.
"People
often think that the children have seen nothing, nothing has happened to them,
it's fine," said Rudy Lukamba, the health coordinator for the
International Committee of the Red Cross in Burkina Faso.
Identifying
Trauma in Children
He works
on a program to help identify and treat traumatized children. It often relies
on mothers to spot signs in children as young as 3 or 4. The chances of a
successful outcome after treatment is greater when the children have a parental
figure in their lives, he said.
Mass
killings have become common in northern Burkina Faso as fighters linked to the
Islamic State group and al-Qaida attack the army and volunteer forces. Those
forces can turn on villages accused of cooperating with the enemy. More than
20,000 people have been killed since the fighting began a decade ago, according
to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit
group.
Limited
Mental Health Services
Mental
health services in Burkina Faso are often reserved for only the most severe
cases. A U.N. survey published in 2023 showed 103 mental health professionals
in the country of more than 20 million people, including 11 psychiatrists.
Community-based
mental health services by social workers are expanding, now numbering in the
hundreds and supported by a small team of U.N. psychologists. In addition,
traditional medicine practitioners in Burkina Faso say families are
increasingly turning to them for help with traumatized children.
With no
money and fearing another attack, Safi set off on foot with seven children,
including her own, across the arid plains in search of safety. They settled in
a community in Ouahigouya, the capital of Yatenga province, and sought help.
It was
there that Safi learned how post-traumatic stress can affect children. They had
nightmares and couldn't sleep. During the day, they didn't play with other
children. Through the ICRC, Safi was connected with a health worker who helped
through home visits and art, encouraging the children to draw their fears and
talk about them.
Role of
Traditional Medicine
Traditional
medicine practitioners are also helping traumatized children. One, Rasmane
Rouamba, said he treats about five children a month, adapting the approach
depending on the trauma suffered.
Children
in Burkina Faso also have lost access to education and basic healthcare in
fighting-affected areas.
The
closure of schools is depriving almost 850,000 children of access to education,
the U.N. children's agency has said. The closure of hundreds of health
facilities has left 3.6 million people without access to care, it said.
Burkina
Faso's government has struggled to improve security.
Military
Leadership
The
country's military leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, seized power in 2022 amid
frustrations with the government over the deadly attacks. He is expected to remain
in office for another five years, delaying the junta's promises of a democratic
transition.
Around
half of Burkina Faso's territory remains outside government control. Civic
freedoms have been rolled back and journalists expelled.
And the
country has distanced itself from regional and Western nations that don't agree
with its approach, severing military ties with former colonial ruler France and
turning to Russia instead for security support.
Safi,
adrift with her children, said she plans to stay in her new community for now.
She has no money or other place to go.
"There's
a perfect harmony in the community, and they have become like family," she
said.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/05/in-burkina-faso-a-growing-number-of-children-are-traumatized-by-war/
--------
Biden
admits Netanyahu 'prolonging' Gaza bombardment for political gains
04 June
2024
The
bodies of Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike lie on the ground of the
morgue of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, June 2, 2024. (AFP)
-----------
US
President Joe Biden says there is "every reason" to conclude Benjamin
Netanyahu of Israel is prolonging the savage military offensive in the besieged
Gaza Strip due to his own political considerations.
Asked if
he believed Netanyahu was dragging out the war for political self-preservation,
the president said, "There is every reason for people to draw that
conclusion.”
Biden
made the comment in an interview with Time magazine on May 28, when he also
denied that the regime’s forces were committing war crimes in the besieged
enclave.
Asked
whether he’s seen evidence of Israel’s war crimes during the nearly eight-month
war against Palestinians, Biden replied: “The answer is it’s uncertain."
He
claimed that Tel Aviv was investigating if its forces had committed war crimes.
Biden
also rejected that the regime is using starvation of civilians as a method of
warfare, but he admitted that "the Palestinians have suffered greatly, for
lack of food, water, medicine, etc. And a lot of innocent people have been
killed.”
Biden
says that Israel has offered a "roadmap" to end its nearly
eight-month war genocidal war against in Gaza.
The
81-year-old made the remarks not long after the International Criminal Court's
prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his military chief over
committing war crimes in Gaza.
“The ICC
is something that we don’t, we don’t recognize,” Biden told the magazine.
Israel
launched its air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip last October, after it
was caught off guard by Hamas unprecedented operation against the occupied
territories.
The
regime's war machine, into which Biden poured more than 10,000 tonnes of
weapons, has so far claimed the lives of more than 36,550 people, according to
Gaza health, who say thousands more bodies are buried under rubble.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/06/04/726846/Netanyahu-prolonging-Gaza-war-
--------
PTI's
Arif Alvi says 'lost all hope as accountability is impossible in Pakistan'
June 04,
2024
PTI
leader Arif Alvi (C) walks back with party leaders after submitting papers for
the presidential election outside the high court building in Islamabad. —
AFP/File
-----------
After
praising the Islamabad High Court’s verdict in the cipher case, former
president and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Dr Arif Alvi said on
Tuesday that he has “lost all hope as accountability is impossible in
Pakistan”.
Addressing
a press conference in Lahore, Alvi further claimed that the cipher case was
“lodged for no reason”.
As a
former head of the state, Dr Alvi maintained that it was the prerogative of a
prime minister to decide whether to apprise the nation or not regarding a
cipher.
The
ex-president said that the “entire elite class is opposing the accountability
or investigation” into the sensitive matters. “I have lost all hope as
accountability is impossible in our country,” he added.
“From
[former military ruler] Ayub Khan till today, accountability is not our
priority. Our people are so sure to see no justice here in Pakistan,” he
lamented.
“Pakistan
has suffered a major loss due to regime change,” Alvi said referring to the
ouster of PTI-led government in April 2022.
He went
on to say that the political developments also impacted the national economy by
creating uncertainty everywhere which led the local business class to invest
abroad.
Alvi
also said his party would hold dialogue with the one who has real power to make
decisions.
He
stated this while responding to a question about the impression that
incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan was not in favour of holding dialogue with
his political opponents to bring stability to the country.
The
statement came after multiple calls from the incumbent government urging the
embattled Imran Khan-founded party to hold talks to find a solution to end the
political crisis, however, the former ruling party failed to give a clear
response so far.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1196862-arif-alvi-says-lost-all-hope-as-accountability-is-impossible-in-pakistan
--------
India
Mayawati
pins blame on Muslims for rout in LS polls: ‘Community has not understood the
BSP’
June 5,
2024
A day
after the BSP registered its poorest performance in the Lok Sabha elections,
party president Mayawati said on Wednesday Muslims failed to understand her
party despite being given adequate representation and, hence, her party would
give them an opportunity only after considerable thought.
The
Bahujan Samaj Party, which contested 424 seats across the country and 79 in
Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, could not win a single seat,
just like in the 2014 polls when the party did not win any seat.
In the
Lok Sabha elections 2024, the BSP’s vote share dipped to 2.04 per cent
nationally and 9.39 per cent in UP — in an indication that the party got the
votes of only Jatav and Dalits in the state where the SP-Congress alliance won
the majority of the seats.
Calling
Muslims an important part of the BSP, Mayawati said in a statement in Hindi,
“Muslim community has not been able to understand the BSP despite that party
giving them adequate representation in the past several elections. In this
situation, the party will give an opportunity to them in future elections
thoughtfully (kaafi sonch samajhkar) so that the party does not suffer a
terrible loss like this election in future.”
In the Lok
Sabha elections 2024, the BSP fielded the maximum number of Muslim candidates
across the country — 35 — in a bid to broaden her support base with a
combination of Dalits and Muslim votes. Muslims constitute about 20 per cent of
the population in UP and Dalits form 21 per cent of the population. In UP, the
BSP had fielded 17 Muslim candidates and none of them could even reach the
runners-up position.
Mayawati
claimed that the majority of Dalits — especially her community (Jatav) — polled
their votes in favour of the BSP, and she expressed gratitude to them for their
support. She said the party will take the Lok Sabha results in UP seriously,
analyse it at every level, and take every possible step in the interest of the
party and movement.
Mayawati
added the Lok Sabha elections were not supposed to be stretched to seven phases
and it should have been completed in a maximum of four phases. She also said
the election was affected by the scorching sun and hot weather conditions which
resulted in a decline in voter turnout.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mayawati-muslims-lok-sabha-election-results-9373206/
--------
The Game
Changers: In UP, All Four of Samajwadi Party's Muslim Candidates Win
Jun 5,
2024
LUCKNOW:
All four Samajwadi Party (SP) Muslim candidates fielded came out with flying
colours despite facing tough BJP competition as the community voted en bloc in
favour of the Akhilesh Yadav led party as well as his INDIA ally Congress.
SP
fielded just four Muslims in a bid to shrug off its image as a party of Muslims
and Yadavs (MY). This was against 20 put into the fray by BSP. The pattern was
so stark that the 20 BSP candidates not only failed to win but managed to get a
very small share of votes. The four SP Muslim winners were Iqra Hasan
(Kairana), Mohinullah Nadvi (Rampur), Zia Ur Rehman (Sambhal) and Afzal Ansari
(Ghazipur).
The
outcome this time is a far cry from not too long ago when Muslims were seen as
a deciding factor on at least a dozen seats of BJP-governed UP’s 80 Lok Sabha
seats.
Then
came a stage when BJP managed to bring most castes under Hindutva umbrella,
rendering minorities’ votes almost redundant. The state’s 19% Muslim population
was regarded by many as fragmented “tactical voters” who would vote for anyone
in a position to defeat the saffron party.
That
pattern has snapped this time, with Muslims managing to break the two moulds
and voting as a homogeneous entity for SP and INDIA bloc, irrespective of the
candidate.
As per
the exit polls assessments available in public domain, 87% of the Muslim votes
polled went to the INDIA bloc across the state which reflected a massive
increase of 38% from 2019 polls. Most of these voters — 34% to be precise —
were those who voted for BSP in the last parliamentary polls. The exit polls
found that only 2% of the Muslim votes went to BSP, down from 36% in 2019. The
exit poll has also found that against the 12% Muslim votes that went to BJP in
the last Lok Sabha elections, this time only 6% went to the saffron party.
BJP made
Muslims a large part of its 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, with various party leaders
and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking the community to vote keeping in
mind the future of the generations to come. In UP, the coming together of
Congress and SP worked to consolidate the community votes in a big way. The
growing perception in the community that Mayawati had sided with BJP, only
helped the opposition alliance better.
In 2019
LS polls, 6 Muslims made it to Parliament, three of whom were from Mayawati’s
party —Danish Ali (Amroha: BSP), Afzal Anasari (Ghazipur: BSP) and Fazlur
Rehman (Saharanpur: BSP).
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/minority-report-4/4-for-sps-muslim-pick/articleshow/110718197.cms
--------
Ladakh
Refuses Mandate To BJP, Elects Shia Leader Hanifa Jan
Jun 05,
2024
After
two consecutive wins in 2014 and 2019 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) lost Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency to a prominent Shia leader from
Kargil district, Hanifa Jan on Tuesday.
As
anticipated amid a protracted agitation over the Sixth Schedule and statehood
demand, Independent candidate and prominent Shia leader from Kargil, Mohammad
Hanifa Jan, won the strategic Lok Sabha constituency of Ladakh.
The BJP
had won the seat twice in the 2014 and 2019 general elections.
The
returning officer of Ladakh constituency, Santosh Sukhadeve issued a
Certificate of Election to Hanifa Jan declaring him elected by the voters of
Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency “to be a member of the House of the People”
Ladakh
chief electoral officer Yatin Maralkar also confirmed that Hanifa Jan has been
declared winner by the returning officer.
Earlier,
Maralkar said, “Independent candidate Mohammad Hanifa Jan is leading with a big
margin over his rivals. Only one round of counting, including postal ballots,
is left but he is almost certain to win.”
Out of
1,35,524 votes, Hanifa secured 65,259 votes with a vote share of 48.15 %
followed by Tsering Namgyal of the Congress with 37,397 votes and 27.59 % vote
share and Tashi Gyalson of the BJP with 31,956 votes and 23.58% vote share.
A total
of 1,32,614 EVM votes and 2,910 postal votes were polled on May 20. Ladakh had
recorded 70% polling that day.
National
Conference vice-president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah has already
extended greetings to Hanifa Jan. “To @HajiHanifa I’m really very happy for you
today. A few months ago, you tasted defeat in the hill council elections &
now you will represent Ladakh, especially the marginalised people of Kargil in
the Lok Sabha. Your victory cost @JKNC_ its Kargil unit but it was well worth
the price.”
Though
Ladakh witnessed a triangular contest in the first election since the
abrogation of Article 370 and being granted Union Territory status, the
prospects of Hanifa Jan, who comes from the Shia Muslim community, always
looked brighter as compared to the Congress and BJP candidates Tsering Namgyal
and Tashi Gyalson, respectively, both from the Buddhist community.
Leh
district has Buddhists in majority and Kargil is dominated by the Shia Muslims.
The constituency with 1.84 lakh voters went to the polls on May 20.
To
support Hanifa Jan as the consensus candidate from Kargil, the National
Conference unit had resigned en-masse.
People
in Ladakh are miffed with the BJP over its U-turn on granting constitutional
safeguards to the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and
statehood. To soothe frayed nerves, the BJP had dropped sitting MP Tsering
Namgyal and gave the mandate to Leh hill council chairman Tashi Gyalson.
There
has been an increasing demand, across religious lines, for statehood and
constitutional guarantees under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for
Ladakh to protect its unique ethnicities, culture, language, environment.
In 2014,
BJP candidate Thupstan Chhewang had won the seat followed by party candidate
Jamyang Tsering Namgayal in 2019.
The
union territory had been rocked by protracted agitations over Sixth Schedule,
statehood, additional Lok Sabha constituency, unemployment and a separate public
service commission for 66 days this year.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/ladakh-refuses-mandate-to-bjp-elects-shia-leader-hanifa-jan-101717541975340.html
---------
Asaduddin
Owaisi, a powerful voice of Muslims in country, beats BJP rival Madhavi Latha
by huge margin
Jun 05,
2024
Asaduddin
Owaisi, who was once the leader of a little-known outfit confined to the old
city of Hyderabad, has emerged as a powerful voice of Muslims in the country in
recent years. On Tuesday, as the votes polled for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha
constituency were counted, the MP defeated his BJP rival Madhavi Latha by a big
margin of over 3.38 lakh votes, in what is seen as a testament to the iron grip
of the Owaisi family over the old city.
Unfazed
by criticism that he is "B team of BJP", Owaisi has been making
efforts to expand the party's footprint across the country albeit with limited
success.
Under
his stewardship, the AIMIM has secured electoral wins in states, including
Maharashtra and Bihar.
Though
he is seen as a highly polarizing figure, Owaisi, a lawyer and Bar-at-Law from
Lincoln's Inn, London, is a highly effective communicator in Urdu and English
who can make his opponents defensive in any debate.
The fact
that he does not hesitate to tread the lonely path was witnessed when he and
his Lok Sabha colleague Imtiaz Jaleel were the only two members who voted
against the women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha.
A sworn
critic of BJP and RSS, Owiaisi has been vociferous in his opposition to the
CAA, NRC and NPR.
He hits
back when BJP leaders often accuse the AIMIM of being a party of 'Razakars' (a
private militia who defended the erstwhile Nizam rule in Hyderabad) and him of
wielding influence over BRS and Congress.
Born on
May 13, 1969, Asaduddin Owaisi was elected to the undivided Andhra Pradesh
Legislative Assembly from Charminar constituency in Hyderabad in 1994 and
re-elected in 1999.
He was
elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from Hyderabad and later in 2009, 2014 and
2019 and faced a spirited fight from BJP's Madhavi Latha in the just concluded
elections.
Owaisi
was elected as president of AIMIM after the demise of his father and eminent
Muslim leader Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi, a six-term MP and five-term legislator,
in 2008. Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi also represented Hyderabad as both MLA and
MP.
Asaduddin
Owaisi has been instrumental in persuading the Centre to establish an exclusive
Ministry of Minority Affairs to look after the welfare of religious minorities,
including Muslims, in the country, the party claims.
Asaduddin
Owaisi worked for securing four percent reservation for socially and
educationally backward Muslims in undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2004, the website
said.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/telangana/asaduddin-owaisi-beats-bjp-rival-madhavi-latha-by-huge-margin-shows-powerful-voice-of-muslims-in-india/articleshow/110718183.cms
--------
Europe
Tunisian
Muslim Community Turns To Artificial IntelligenceTo Save Heritage
05/06/2024
Issued
on: 05/06/2024
The
74-year-old librarian and member of the Islamic offshoot Ibadism took up the
reins of his family's six-generation library in the 1960s and has been in a
race against time to preserve whatever Ibadi manuscripts he can find.
"Look
at what Djerba's humidity has done to this one," he said, his gloved hand
bearing a tarnished piece of paper inside a climate-controlled room.
Today,
the library holds over 1,600 ancient Ibadi texts and books on various topics,
including astrology and medicine, dating from as early as 1357.
But
Barouni is still on a quest to gather more literature, which has been scattered
for centuries among families after they resigned themselves to practising their
faith in secret.
After
disagreeing on the succession following the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632
AD, Ibadis were considered Kharijites, an early divergent branch of Islam whose
adherents were labelled heretics.
They
fled to remote areas in modern-day Oman -- where most Ibadis today live -- as
well as Libya, Tunisia and Algeria.
In North
Africa, they established a capital in Tihert, today's Algerian city of Tiaret,
but their newfound peace was short-lived when the Shiite Fatimid dynasty swept
through the region in the 10th century and chased the Ibadis out of their main
urban hubs.
'Invisibility'
"In
order to preserve their existence, Ibadis took refuge on the island of Djerba,
in the desert in Algeria, or in the difficult (to access) Nafusa mountains in
Libya," Zohair Tighlet, an author and expert on Ibadism, told AFP.
They
were faced with two options, he added, "to take on a never-ending war and
disappear, like other minorities, or accept a state of invisibility and use it
to begin a cultural rebirth".
Today
most of their manuscripts are held in family libraries, said Barouni.
"All
families in Djerba have libraries, but a lot of the manuscripts were sold or
exchanged among different people."
In the
small conservation room, heaps of weathered books stand amid the humming of
ozone generators, which help mitigate paper deterioration by preventing harmful
organisms such as mould from taking hold.
The
manuscripts are dusted and scanned for digital copies, which Barouni believes
is "today's only solution" to preserve the old texts.
Because
old Arabic cursive is challenging to modern readers, Barouni also started using
Zinki, an AI software able to read and simplify the ancient writings.
For
Feras Ben Abid, a London-based Tunisian software engineer who founded Zinki,
the tool enables access to a myriad of manuscripts the average reader couldn't
decipher.
It is
also a way to "change misconceptions some have had on certain
topics", like Ibadi heritage.
'Against
tyrants'
Ibadism
has historically incurred the wrath of both Sunni and Shia rulers, such as the
Umayyad and Fatimid dynasties respectively, by adhering to the idea that any
Muslim, regardless of lineage, can become the next leader after the death of
the prophet.
"They
call us Kharijites, as if we were against the religion," said Al-Barouni.
"But no, we were against tyrants."
Presenting
themselves as "democrats of Islam", Ibadis have a tradition of
entrusting a council of elders to oversee the community's social and political
issues "with the goal of preserving Ibadite society", said Tighlet.
That
system was brought to an end under the French protectorate of Tunisia.
Those in
present-day Tunisia found safety in Djerba -- a haven for minorities that was
added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites last year for its unique
settlement pattern.
The
resort island is also home to a Christian Catholic group and one of the
region's biggest Jewish communities outside of Israel, with over 1,500 members
of the faith.
Nestled
on their Mediterranean island, the Ibadis settled for a new and quiet life,
contributing to its modern-day cultural kaleidoscope and accounting for
two-thirds of its population, said Tighlet.
Ibadis
"brought a particular urban theory, which was among the reasons the island
was listed in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites," added the expert.
They
adopted an unpretentious and frugal way of living, often reflected in their
architecture with white-washed, nondescript mosques, small minarets, and no
outward-looking windows.
Some of
their mosques were built underground, "both for safety and symbolic
reasons", whereas other temples rim the island's shore in order to remain
on the look-out for enemy ships.
© 2024
AFP
Source: france24.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240605-tunisian-muslim-community-turns-to-ai-to-save-heritage
---------
German
right-wing politician stabbed just days after knife attack at anti-Islam rally
05/06/2024
A German
politician has been stabbed in Mannheim days after a police officer was killed
at an anti-Islam rally.
The
local council candidate, who is a member of the populist AFD party, was
attacked with a knife late on Tuesday evening.
He
sustained injuries and the suspect was arrested by local police.
Heinrich
Koch was named as the Mannheim candidate stabbed after confronting someone for
pulling down posters in the square.
Police
in Mannheim confirmed a police investigation is underway.
The
local AFD association claimed the incident occurred near the city's market
square shortly before 11pm.
The
incident comes just days after a 29-year-old police officer was killed
following a knife attack in the same city.
A
29-year-old police officer was killed during the rampage.
He was
placed in an artificial coma but died on Sunday.
Responding
to the death, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was "deeply grieved" and
claimed the officer's "commitment to the safety of us all deserves the
highest recognition".
A
25-year-old suspect, originally from Afghanistan, was shot and wounded at the
scene.
He was
transferred to hospital and held on suspicion of attempted murder.
Activists
from Pax Europa organised the event where the rampage took place.
Anti-Islam
activist Michael Sturzenberger, 59, who is one of the group's leading figures,
was among those wounded.
Other
victims included four men aged 25, 36, 42 and 54.
The
54-year-old man sustained injuries but they are no longer considered
life-threatening.
Source: gbnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.gbnews.com/news/world/germany-mannheim-politician-stabbed-afd-attack
--------
Historic
Blackburn mosque takes shape as new appeal launched
The
Masjid-e-Rizwan on Newton Street is being re-built by the Kokni Muslim
Association who are extending the building near to the Lidl store off
Furthergate
The
estimated cost of the renovations is said to be around £1.2 million and is
being funded by private donations. The new larger mosque will accommodate 450
worshippers.
In
recent years volunteers have been organising a range of charity events to raise
funds.
An appeal
for windows has been launched to raise £125,000. The mosque had managed to
raise £75,000 and are appealing for donations of £250 to help them reach their
target.
A mosque
spokesperson said: “Volunteers have been working hard for a number of years so
the mosque extension can take place.
“Work
has continued at the site the new development is taking shape.
“We have
now launched an appeal to raise funds for one of the most expensive aspects of
any building – the windows.
“We do
hope the wider community can donate towards this worthwhile project.”
The
mosque is one of the oldest in the town.
Rizwan
Hall was used for functions such as weddings through the 1970s and the 80s by
first generation immigrants who settled in Blackburn and Darwen.
Source: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24363009.historic-blackburn-mosque-takes-shape-new-appeal-launched/
--------
After
Mannheim Islamic terror attack, Germany’s left-liberal parties call for more
immigration from Syria and Afghanistan at migration summit
JUNE 04,
2024
Following
a brutal attack by an illegal Afghan migrant in Mannheim that resulted in a
German police officer losing his life and an anti-Islam politician being sent
to the hospital, Germany’rs ruling left-liberal parties are calling for even
more immigration from Syria and Afghanistan.
A day
after the death of police officer Rouven L., a migration conference was held in
the Paul Löbe House in the Bundestag, the German parliament, where the ruling
left-liberal parties primarily ignored the terror attack in Mannheim and
focused on how to boost migrants from countries like Afghanistan.
During
the conference, Development Aid Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) called for more
migrants from Syria, Afghanistan and other countries to continue to arrive in
Germany; however, she said more aid must also be provided locally to support
countries of the Global South.
The
threat of Islamism in the country played no role at the conference whatsoever,
according to the report from Welt.
Social
Democrat (SPD) parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich instead warned of a
“split in the country” over immigration policy.
Other
prominent speakers, such as the Federal Government’s Special Representative for
Migration Agreements Joachim Stamp, of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP),
even called for a halt on all deportations to countries like Afghanistan,
saying that deportations are impossible “if butchers like Assad rule there.”
Deliver
a “positive migration narrative”
Stamp
says the German court system will not go along with any deportation to Syria
either. Under Germany’s new far-left immigration law, every migrant facing
deportation will be able to file a lawsuit against their deportation, which
could end up leaving murderers and rapists in the country for years, with
costly trials at the expense of German taxpayers.
The same
FDP politician says the way to counter criticism of mass immigration, which is
hitting record numbers in Germany and has led to a record amount of violent
crime, is instead to deliver a “positive migration narrative” to society.
‘These
countries have a large surplus of young people’
He said
he was personally working on gaining more young people from Uzbekistan and
Kyrgyzstan to migrate to Germany. Kyrgyzstan, for instance, has a population
that is 85 percent Muslim.
“These
countries have a large surplus of young people, so we are not taking anything
away from anyone,” said Stamp.
Notably,
the German public completely rejects this position.
As Remix
News reported in October of last year, an Insa poll found hat that 71.1 percent
of respondents believe immigrants from countries with a strong Islamic
influence pose a “security risk for Germany.” On the contrary, only 9.1 percent
answered in the negative. Another 19.8 percent gave no answer.
The poll
also shows that 57.7 percent of Germans say they are convinced there are “many”
Muslims in Germany who support terror against Israel, while 18.1 percent reject
this assertion. Another 24.2 percent did not provide an answer.
Taking
it even further, another Insa poll conducted just last month showed that an
absolute majority of 52 percent rather agree with the statement that “Germany
should generally no longer accept refugees from Islamic countries.” Only 34
percent “disagree” or “tend to disagree” with this statement.
The poll
further shows that 54 percent of respondents said they were “afraid that
Germans will become a minority in Germany.” On the other hand, 37 percent said
they were not concerned.
A
relative majority also supports the theory of the Great Replacement, which the
domestic intelligence agency the Office for the Protection of the Constitution
(BfV) classifies as a “right-wing extremist” viewpoint. According to the poll,
45 percent of respondents agree with the statement: “I believe that Europeans
are gradually being replaced by immigrants from Africa and the Middle East.” A
smaller number of people, 41 percent, reject this statement.
Source: rmx.news
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://rmx.news/article/after-mannheim-islamic-terror-attack-germanys-left-liberal-parties-call-for-more-immigration-from-syria-and-afghanistan-at-migration-summit/
----------
German authorities
find evidence of Islamic extremist motive in knife attack
4 June
2024
Germany’s
justice minister said ‘there are now clear indications of an Islamist motive’
in the Mannheim attack.
German
authorities say they have uncovered evidence of an Islamic extremist motive in
last week’s knife attack in the city of Mannheim in which a police officer was
killed.
Germany’s
justice minister Marco Buschmann wrote on the social media platform X late on
Monday that “there are now clear indications of an Islamist motive” for the
attack and federal prosecutors, who are responsible for terrorism and national
security cases, are taking over the investigation.
The
federal prosecutor’s office confirmed it has taken on the investigation, citing
the significance of the case and the suspicion that it was religiously
motivated.
Investigators
have said the suspected assailant, a 25-year-old man from Afghanistan who has
lived in Germany since 2014 and reportedly had his asylum application rejected,
stabbed several members of a group that describes itself as opposing “political
Islam”.
Five
members of the Pax Europa group were injured along with a police officer who
tried to stop the attack. The 29-year-old officer died of his injuries on
Sunday.
Police
quickly put an end to the attack by shooting the assailant, who was wounded.
The
stabbing, about a week before Germany votes in European Parliament elections,
has prompted calls from opposition and some governing party politicians for
authorities to enable deportations to Afghanistan, which were effectively
suspended when the Taliban took power there in 2021, and to Syria.
Source: lbc.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/44d454e5bd08408f889b4ba1628e367e/
--------
Africa
Islamic
scholar accuses Gov Yusuf, Kwankwaso of prioritising politics over governance
June 5,
2024
Ayoung
Islamic scholar in Kano State, Mallam Isa Ibrahim, has alleged the duo of
Governor Abba Yusuf and former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is not interested in
the governance of Kano State but politics.
The
cleric claimed that Governor Yusuf is only running errands for Kwankwaso whom
he alleged is bent on asserting vengeance on perceived political enemies at the
expense of peace and development in Kano State.
Addressing
his congregation recently in Tudun Wada, Kano, Mallam Ibrahim, noted that the
dangerous politics that Governor Yusuf and his godfather Kwankwaso are playing
has brought untold hardship to the state.
He said:
“Recently, Kano people were made to watch from the sidelines as other state
were celebrating the achievements of their Governors in the last one year. It’s
unfortunate that the Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and the power behind the
throne, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have chose playing crass politics over provision
of good governance,” he lamented.
“Despite
the huge monthly allocation the current administration receives from the
federal government, there is nothing on ground to show for it. Even the N5
billion palliative released to each state by the federal government to cushion
the impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy is not felt by Kano people.
Instead Governor Yusuf and his godfather used the resources meant for Kano
people to enrich themselves, their cronies, and sponsor attacks on perceived
political enemies.
“Even
after one year in office, Governor Yusuf is still blaming the past
administration for his failures. Whereas, he is the one who has failed to
consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje. The poor
standard of education, health care services, and infrastructural decay in Kano
are pointers to that.
“Truth
must be told, Governor Yusuf and his godfather Kwankwaso are not interested in
the governance of Kano State but politics. Right from the inception of his
administration, the governor has always demonstrated that. Immediately after
assuming office, without looking at government records, he went ahead with the
demolition of shops, businesses and people’s homes simply because most of the
properties were developed during the administration of his predecessor,
Ganduje.
“After
failing in his bid to push the blame for his poor performance to his
predecessor with baseless corruption allegations, Governor Yusuf has now
resolved to stirring Emirship crisis in the state to distract citizens from his
monumental failures as Governor.
“One of
the popular sayings of Kano people right now is that Governor Yusuf is an
errand boy to Kwankwaso. The Governor himself has proved that by appointing
godfather’s children into his administration and taking directives from the
former Governor. Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso are leading Kano to hell. They
have made life a living hell for Kano people. Should Kano people be made to
suffer because Kwankwaso lost the 2023 presidential election to President
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Is Kwankwaso’s political ambition worth the
sufferings of millions of Kano citizens? Is governance all about political
vendetta or provision of basic social amenities?
“Kano
people have suffered enough in the hands of Governor Yusuf and his godfather
Kwankwaso. Even their party, the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, has passed a
vote of no confidence on Governor Yusuf. Governor Yusuf should retrace his
steps and do the needful. Governance should be the number one priority or
agenda on his table as far as Kano state is concerned. He should also remember
that no government lasts forever.”
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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--------
Nigeria
unions suspend strike for one week
Nigeria's
main labour unions have suspended a strike which led to the shutdown of the
country's power grid and the closure of its busiest airports on Monday.
The
Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said on
Tuesday they were suspending the strike for one week in order to continue talks
with the government over a new minimum wage.
The
unions warned that failure on the part of the government to offer an acceptable
new minimum wage will "prompt the organised labour to resume the strike
without further notice."
The
unions had demanded a 16-fold rise in the minimum wage from 30,000 naira to
494,000. The government had proposed doubling the current wage to 60,000 but
now says it is open to raising this, although no new amount has yet been
announced.
The
stand-off comes amidst the country's worst economic crisis in a generation,
after government reforms fuelled inflation, and aggravated a cost-of-living
crisis.
President
Bola Tinubu, who took office in 2023, removed a fuel subsidy to reduce pressure
on government expenditure and, last month put in place an electricity tariff,
prompting backlash from unions.
The
latest strike is the fourth since Tinubu took office.
Government
and union representatives will now hold daily negotiations over the next week
in the hopes of agreeing on a new minimum wage.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/05/nigeria-unions-suspend-strike-for-one-week/
--------
North America
Pro-Palestinian
protesters occupy Israeli consulate in San Francisco
04 June
2024
Scores
of pro-Palestinian Americans have occupied the Israeli consulate in San
Francisco, protesting against the occupying regime’s ongoing genocidal war on
the Gaza Strip and the US’s complicity in the brutal military onslaught.
Around
60 protesters occupied the building on Monday and were arrested by the police a
few hours later.
The
protest prompted the law enforcement to block off the entrance to the building
and an adjacent street.
“In a
sense, we’re occupying the occupier’s space,” said Sara, a 54-year-old Bay Area
resident, who partook in the protest.
“We’re
doing that because we are part of the growing masses of people who are
demanding an end to the genocide and who are in solidarity with Palestine and
very concerned about the complicity of particularly the United States
government with the genocide that’s happening,” she added.
“So at
this point we’ve marched, we’ve occupied,” said Margot, another protester,
adding, “The consulate is a place that represents what we need to keep pushing
back on. Ultimately, Israel is making these decisions with US backing and we
have to disrupt wherever we can.”
More
than 36,470 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the
war that began following a retaliatory operation staged by Gaza’s resistance
movements.
The
United States has been providing the regime with thousands of tons of military
equipment since the onset of the war.
It has
also cast its veto against several United Nations Security Council resolutions
calling for implementation of an immediate ceasefire in the Israeli onslaught.
Across
the United States, dozens of universities have, meanwhile, been witnessing
demonstrations and setting up of encampments in protest at the war and
Washington’s support for it.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/06/04/726811/United-States-protesters-occupy-Israel-consulate-San-Francisco
--------
Rep.
Bill Pascrell Jr. defeats mayor who accused Pascrell of turning his back on
Muslims
Jun 04,
2024
Rep.
Bill Pascrell Jr. is projected to win the Democratic nomination for the 9th
Congressional District, defeating a challenger who said Pascrell turned his
back on his Muslim constituents with his support of Israel.
The
Associated Press called the race for Pascrell over Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed
Khairullah about 40 minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“I will
never stop fighting for our neighbors. I love New Jersey! American democracy
itself is on the ballot this fall,” Pascrell said in a celebratory social media
post.
Progressive
critics of Pascrell have hammered him over his response to the war in Gaza,
saying his March call for a cease-fire was slow to come and inadequate.
Pascrell’s
home base of Paterson — he was once the city’s mayor — is home to one of the
largest Muslim communities in the nation, if not the largest. The city also
boasts that it has the largest Palestinian American enclave in the United
States, Little Ramallah.
Pascrell,
who at 87 is one of the oldest members of Congress, has been in the House for
more than 25 years. If he wins reelection in November, his next term will be
his 15th.
Incumbent
Reps. Chris Smith (R-04), Frank Pallone (D-06), Tom Kean Jr. (R-07), Mikie
Sherrill (D-11), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) also won their contested
primaries.
Source: newsfromthestates.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rep-bill-pascrell-jr-defeats-mayor-who-accused-pascrell-turning-his-back-muslims
---------
Biden
Uses Trump 'Muslim Ban' Manoeuvre to Cap Asylum Seekers
Jun 04,
2024
President
Joe Biden on Tuesday signed an executive order to restrict asylum seekers at
the U.S.-Mexico border, using a controversial regulation last introduced by his
predecessor.
The new
restriction will effectively halt the number of migrants able to cross into the
U.S. once a daily cap has been reached and allow officials to swiftly deport
those who enter illegally.
The
measure would kick in once illegal entries surpassed 2,500 per day over a
seven-day average, which means it would take effect immediately as crossings
already surpass that figure.
Legal
challenges are expected, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) telling
Newsweek on Tuesday that it would be reading the order closely.
Following
the White House announcement, the ACLU confirmed it would sue, just as it had
during the Trump administration.
"We
need solutions to address the challenges at the border, but the administration's
planned executive actions will put thousands of lives at risk," said
Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer at the nonprofit, in a
press release.
"They
will not meet the needs at the border, nor will they fix our broken immigration
system."
Source: newsweek.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.newsweek.com/biden-immigration-executive-order-signed-asylum-seekers-1908097?piano_t=1
--------
Christian
Realism and Reemergence of Islamic Extremist Terrorism
June 4,
2024
The
United States government, along with the intelligence community and military,
is currently preoccupied with several major conflicts: Israel-Hamas,
Russia-Ukraine, and China-Taiwan. Additionally, resources must be directed
towards addressing the ongoing, direct threats to the US emanating from China,
Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Yet amid renewed challenges to the United States
by state actors, Islamic extremism is resurging and cannot go unignored.
While
Americans are weary of more potential
conflict, the reemergence of Islamic extremism presents a significant threat to
people around the world, Christians in particular. Reinhold Niebuhr, a
prominent figure in Christian Realism, emphasized the importance of addressing
evil and injustice with a thoughtful understanding of human nature and power
dynamics. Just as Niebuhr warned the world about the dangers of Nazi ideology
before World War II, these attacks should serve as a sobering warning for the
future. Drawing on Niebuhr’s insights, Christians must urgently engage with
lawmakers to address the growing danger of Islamic terrorist attacks targeting
their communities.
Over the
past several months, Islamic extremist groups have conducted attacks across
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Since the start of this year, the Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has carried out separate attacks in Russia,
Iran, Afghanistan, and Africa. Additionally, Boko Haram has resurfaced. In
Nigeria, a hundred inmates, including Boko Haram members, escaped from a
prison.
In
Somalia, the Jihadist group Al-Shabab has resurfaced in the headlines. In
February, the group targeted a UAE military base, attributing the attack to the
Emirates’ support of the Somali government. On the evening of March 14th,
al-Shabab struck the Syl Hotel in Mogadishu, injuring 27 people and claiming
the lives of three soldiers and three members of parliament. Affiliated with
al-Qaeda, al-Shabab controls significant portions of southern and central
Somalia and has persistently carried out attacks, culminating in the Syl Hotel
massacre. In a similar incident in 2022, the group claimed the lives of 14
individuals in an assault on Mogadishu’s Villa Rays hotel. In response to the
escalating threat posed by Al-Shabab, the international community lifted an
arms embargo on Somalia late last year.
The
Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for a March
attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall concert venue, resulting in 143 deaths.
This ISIS faction is active in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran and is believed
to be planning its expansion into Europe and beyond.
In late
April, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) launched an
attack on a mosque in Herat, Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of six
individuals. The targeted mosque belonged to the country’s Shia minority. In
addition to its hostility towards Christians and Jews, ISIS is also engages in
conflict with other terrorist groups. Despite the Taliban’s pledge to expel
ISIS from Afghanistan, they have thus far been unsuccessful. Presently, various
factions of ISIS are carrying out attacks across three continents.
Fighting
erupted last October between Boko Haram’s JAS faction (Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna
Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in
Nigeria. In 2015, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) and
transformed into ISWAP. However, a dispute in 2016 led to its fragmentation
into two factions. ISWAP continued under a new leader chosen by IS, while Boko
Haram reorganized under its original leader. In recent clashes, Boko Haram JAS
fighters expelled ISWAP fighters from their island strongholds in the Lake Chad
area. Both Boko Haram and ISWAP remain significant threats to the Nigerian government
and Christians, targeting churches, Christian communities, and
individuals.
In
January 2024, ISWAP carried out an attack near the Nigerian capital of Abuja,
resulting in the deaths of four Christians. Additionally, due to ISIS viewing
Shia Muslims as heretics, they also target Iran. In the first week of this
year, Islamic State suicide bombers killed nearly 100 people gathered at a
memorial to Qassem Soleimani in Iran. While this situation doesn’t directly
endanger Americans, it will exacerbate the security landscape in the Middle
East, leading to heightened violence.
Beyond
the Middle East, attacks against Christians are rising in Africa, Asia, and
even Europe. In June last year, at least 42 people were murdered when an
Islamic State-linked terror group attacked a Christian school in Uganda. In
December, four Catholics lost their lives and 45 were wounded when bombs
exploded during a mass in the gymnasium of a university in the Philippines;
ISIL claimed responsibility. In Nigeria, 200 Christians were killed in
Christmas massacres.
In the
first two weeks of this year, IS claimed responsibility for a series of attacks
in Mozambique that resulted in the deaths of 10 Christians. In Burkina Faso, 15
Catholics were killed when gunmen opened fire during mass. ISIS gunmen also
attacked a Christian church in Istanbul, leaving one man dead. An ISIS
statement cited the attack as a response to its global call to target Jews and
Christians. Regrettably, Turkey, a NATO ally of the United States, is unlikely
to take steps to protect Christians as President Erdoğan expressed support for
Hamas, characterizing it as a legitimate independence movement.
Terrorism
continues even when attention wanes or conflicts dominate headlines elsewhere.
It’s crucial for Christian realists to continue highlighting the seriousness of
these threats, even if public interest dwindles. Reinhold Niebuhr’s early
warnings about the Nazis, long before they were widely acknowledged as a major
threat, offer a pertinent parallel. Niebuhr’s emphasis on moral responsibility
encourages Christians to take proactive steps. His call for “the grace to
change with courage what must be altered” is a poignant reminder to urge
lawmakers to enhance security measures and to stop the proliferation of
terrorism around the world.
Source: providencemag.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://providencemag.com/2024/06/christian-realism-and-reemergence-of-islamic-extremist-terrorism/
--------
Pakistan
PM vows
to replicate China's development model in Pakistan
June 05,
2024
Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to replicate China's successful model of
development in Pakistan.
In his
article published by Global Times, he expressed the confidence that
China-Pakistan deepening cooperation will yield even greater benefits,
improving the lives of their citizens and their most vital assets. He said this
will build a stronger China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
The
Prime Minister said the upgraded version of the CPEC promises an even brighter
future. Both sides have jointly built a growth corridor, a livelihood-enhancing
corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor, and an open corridor, which
resonate with the people-centric development agenda of the Pakistani
government.
He said
the upgraded version of the CPEC envisions over sixty high-quality cooperation
projects. He said Pakistan is dedicated to further elevating its time-tested
and enduring partnership with China to greater heights.
The
Prime Minister said Pakistan is fully committed to supporting and securing Chinese
personnel, projects, and institutions as they continue to make immense
contributions to the development and prosperity of Pakistan.
Highlighting
the priorities and reform agenda of his government, Shehbaz Sharif said we have
also established a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to foster and
enhance Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), through a whole of a government
approach and a one window facility. He
said the SIFC is delivering results in increasing ease of doing business,
removing barriers, and optimizing synergy between federal and provincial
governments. It is prioritizing key sectors such as agriculture, mining,
information technology, and energy through foreign investments.
Referring
to the strong bonds between the two countries, the Prime Minister said our All
Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership has grown into a sturdy tree with
deep roots in the hearts of our two peoples. He said the two countries have
stood by each other, through weal and woe, sharing good as well as challenging
times together, in the true spirit of iron-clad friendship.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.radio.gov.pk/05-06-2024/pm-vows-to-replicate-chinas-model-of-development-in-pakistan
--------
PTI
challenge to ECP powers referred to LHC larger bench
June 5,
2024
LAHORE:
Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday referred to a full
court bench a petition of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) challenging the
powers of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to withdraw the party symbol.
When the
matter came for hearing before the LHC, Justice Sheikh asked the PTI counsel
how details about the intra-party elections. “Who selects in your intra-party
elections? What is the procedure of the election schedule? Where do you control
the election from?” he asked.
Uzair
Bhandari, the counsel for the party, said the intra-party polls were held
nationwide. He said all information was provided to the ECP before the
intra-party elections had been conducted.
Asked
about the territorial jurisdiction of the court to hear the plea, the lawyer
replied that the ECP initiated the proceedings against the intra-party election
in Islamabad. He said the party polls were conducted digitally due to the alleged
suppression by the government.
Justice
Sheikh reminded the counsel to talk about territorial jurisdiction and legal
matters only, instead of discussing political matters.
About
the maintainability of the petition, Advocate Bhandari said since the ECP was a
federal institution, therefore, the petition could be filed anywhere in the
country. He argued that if the ECP took action against the PTI, its effects
would be felt nationwide.
The
judge noted that the ECP had not taken any action against the petitioner as
only a notice had been issued so far.
Later,
the court referred the request to a larger bench, observing that a similar
matter was already before a larger bench. While forwarding the petition to the
chief justice, Justice Sheikh requested him to fix its hearing before the
larger bench.
The
petition filed by PTI secretary general Omar Ayub Khan and other leaders argued
that Section 215 of the Elections Act, 2017, which provided for eligibility of
a party to obtain election symbols, was against the constitution.
Election
tribunal case
On the
other hand, Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC recused himself from hearing a
petition that challenges the presidential ordinance allowing appointment of
retired judges as election tribunals.
The judge
noted he had already passed a decision in a similar matter pertaining to the
appointment of the election tribunals. Therefore, the judge referred the
petition to the chief justice with a request to place it before any other
bench.
Judicial
Activism Panel (JAP) chairman Advocate Azhar Siddique filed the petition,
alleging that the ordinance was unconstitutional when a law related to the
election tribunal appointment already exists.
He said
the government issued the ordinance only to frustrate an order of the high
court.
Earlier
on May 27, acting President Yousaf Raza Gillani passed “The Election
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2024”, which provides appointment of retired judges as
the election tribunals.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1837847/pti-challenge-to-ecp-powers-referred-to-lhc-larger-bench
--------
MQM-P
asks govt to issue arms licences to Karachiites
June 5,
2024
KARACHI:
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Tuesday demanded that the
government issue licences to all those residents of Karachi who were willing to
carry arms as both the administration and state had “failed” to ensure safety
of the people.
The
party also suspected that the recent surge in killing of citizens during
robberies was not just a type of normal street crime but rather a ‘genocide’ in
which bandits were mainly targeting the youth of the city.
Speaking
at a press conference, senior MQM-P leader Syed Mustafa Kamal questioned the
role of law-enforcement agency and criticised the performance of the Pakistan
Peoples Party government in Sindh.
Accompanied
by the party legislators who were wearing face masks printed with the portraits
of the victims of street crime in the city, the MQM-P leader said enough was
enough and it was time for Karachiites to come forward and make arrangements of
security on their own.
“We have
decided to guard ourselves and our people. We are going to introduce mohalla
committees through our MNAs and MPAs in their constituencies. We have done it
in the past and we’re going to do it again to secure our streets and roads from
street crime. We would be erecting barriers in the streets and introducing
neighbourhood system for the security of residential areas,” he said.
Mr Kamal
said the rise in street crime was “a deliberate conspiracy” and part of a
larger scheme to economically exploit the residents of Karachi.
He
demanded issuing arms license to the people of the city so that they could
protect themselves as the law-enforcement agencies had failed to do so.
“You
[law-enforcement agencies and the Sindh government] have failed miserably,”
said Mr Kamal. “So issue arms licences and allow people to carry arms. Once you
allow them to protect themselves on their own and carry arms, we would make no
complaint. We would not lodge any protest,” he said.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1837823/mqm-p-asks-govt-to-issue-arms-licences-to-karachiites
--------
HRCP
suspects Sargodha incident was a targeted attack
June 5,
2024
LAHORE:
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday released a
fact-finding report on the mob violence in Mujahid Colony in Sargodha that
resulted in the death of a Christian man.
On 25
May, a mob attacked the house of Nazir Masih, following allegations that he had
burnt pages of the Holy Quran.
Although
his family was evacuated in time by the police, Masih, in his seventies, was
caught by the mob, beaten severely and left for dead. He was shifted to the
hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries a week later.
According
to the HRCP’s mission, it is highly likely that the incident was not just mob
violence but a targeted attack on Nazir Masih’s family, emanating from a
personal dispute that was given a religious colour to get the maximum leverage.
There is also credible evidence of a connection between the alleged instigator
of the attack and the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The Punjab government
has attempted to downplay the incident by reportedly discouraging the press
coverage and failing to condemn the incident unequivocally.
The HRCP
report stressed that the connection between Ayub Gondal as the alleged
instigator and the TLP must be taken very seriously, given the HRCP’s previous
observations regarding a similar role played by the TLP supporters in
instigating attacks on the members of religious minorities.
While
the mission commended the role of the police in evacuating the family from the
area, it pointed out that the police failed to protect the elderly vulnerable
man from being lynched. The mission also noted that the police failed to
anticipate that the 15 call they had received (prior to the mob attack),
alleging that an instance of blasphemy could put the Christian residents of
Mujahid Colony at serious risk.
Regarding
the Punjab government, the commission said had the chief minister unequivocally
condemned the incident, this would have served the Christian community better
than attempting to ‘restore’ the victims’ homes.
The
commission recommended that those who participated in the attack and were
responsible for the death of Nazir Masih must be arrested, investigated and
charged, followed by the prosecution, conviction and sentence and there should
be any leniency shown to anyone.
The
other recommendation of the HRCP included measures to restore Christian
citizens’ confidence and concerted efforts to counter hate speech, especially on
social media platforms and through mosque loudspeakers.
Strict
action should be taken against political parties that use blasphemy allegations
as a tool for political purposes. Police response time should be improved and
adequate equipment and powers given to them to deal with such incidents. Police
officers on the ground must be sensitised to the very real risk that complaints
of alleged blasphemy can carry for religious minorities.
The 2014
Supreme Court judgment on the rights of religious minorities must be
implemented in letter and spirit. The government must ensure the physical and
economic wellbeing of the affected families and rehabilitate them as swiftly as
possible.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1837834/hrcp-suspects-sargodha-incident-was-a-targeted-attack
---------
IHC
halts implementation of death sentence awarded to five ex-navy personnel
June 04,
2024
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday halted the implementation of the
death sentence awarded to five former naval officers by the General Court
Martial (GCM).
In a
written order issued by the IHC, Justice Babar Sattar noted that the case
before the court relates to the fundamental rights of the petitioners
guaranteed under Articles 9 and 10 A of the Constitution.
“It is
the contention of the petitioners that they were granted death sentence in a
General Court Martial (GCM) and during such proceedings they were not allowed
the assistance of a counsel,” it added.
Further,
the verdict said a counsel for the petitioners submitted that the permissible
documents to be shared with the petitioners such as the abstract of evidence
and court of inquiry were also not shared with them.
As per
the order, the petitioner stated that without access to such documents an
appeal was filed, which was dismissed, and the death sentence was upheld.
The
petitioners’ counsel was only provided with limited access and the counsel of
the petitioners was shown some documents, which prevented the petitioners from
defending their rights, the order cited the petitioner as saying.
As per
the assistant attorney general, the chief of the naval staff has the discretion
“to form an opinion that supply of any proceedings may be prejudicial to the
safety or interests of the State”.
The
chief of naval staff has formed an opinion that sharing details of the
proceedings, including the findings recorded by the GCM and the order passed in
appeal upholding the death penalty, would be prejudicial to the safety or the
interests of the state, the verdict added.
“The
question before the court is as to how the interests of the State are to be
balanced against the interests of an individual to his right to live as well as
his right to due process guaranteed by Articles 9 and 10A of the Constitution.
“It
appears to be the contention of the State that given the opinion of the Chief
of Naval Staff that proceedings and reasoning for passing the death sentence
cannot be shared with those against whom such death sentences have been passed,
they have no further remedy under the law and the Constitution.”
Given
that the fundamental question of protection of the right to life and due
process is in question, the petitioners shall not be executed till the disposal
of the petition, ruled the IHC.
Moreover,
the IHC directed the respondents to file the opinion of the chief of naval
staff along with the reasoning as to why he formed an opinion that sharing the
proceedings in relation to the petitioners would be detrimental to the
interests of the state.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1196861-ihc-halts-implementation-of-death-sentence-awarded-to-five-ex-navy-personnel
--------
PTI
leaders move IHC against FIA summons over Imran Khan's controversial X post
June 04,
2024
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday challenged the Federal Investigation
Agency's (FIA) summons issued to the party leaders in relation to party founder
Imran Khan's controversial X post.
PTI
Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, and
Secretary-General Omar Ayub Khan filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court
(IHC), alleging that the government and its allies were targeting the party
through a "pre-planned attack".
The
development comes after the FIA's cybercrime team started an investigation into
a post on X, formerly Twitter, which was attributed to the former prime
minister.
The post
read: "Every Pakistani should study the Hamood ur Rahman Commission Report
and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman."
The post
drew flak from government members and other politicians, with Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif saying that Khan's true face was finally in front of the nation,
implying that he wanted to divide the country.
In
response, the party said the PTI founder had nothing to do with the post since
he was in jail. Later, a leader said everything was posted with Khan's
approval, opening a new Pandora's box.
However,
the party later owned the post and said it was uploaded to inform the public
about past mistakes as it was crucial to learn from them so they aren't
repeated. The FIA then issued notices to the party leaders.
In the
petition filed today, the PTI leader said: "...in the garb of the alleged
tweet, the FIA is hell-bent on making another case against Imran Khan, workers
of PTI and its leadership."
The
notices issued to the leaders, the plea said, are void, illegal, without
jurisdiction, and malafide, having been issued without lawful authority, and
are liable to be set aside.
The plea
said that the contents of the notices — issued on May 30 — are vague and the
purpose of the notice, the information sought, and its connection with the
complaint has not been explained.
They
mentioned that "it is well established" that the right to a fair
trial includes the right to a fair investigation. In this case, however, it
said, it is clear from the complaint and surrounding circumstances and the
notice that the petitioners would not be treated in accordance with the law and
would also be denied a fair investigation.
They
added that in the case, it appears that the complainant, namely Anees Ur
Rehman, technical assistant FIA, CCRC, made the alleged complaint without
"approval of the federal government and under a dictation".
The plea
said that Rehman is neither personally aggrieved nor is there any reference to
any previous approval with regard to the alleged commission of offence granted
by any authority or institution.
The plea
said that the FIA's decision to initiate an inquiry regarding the misuse of the
X account is tainted with "malice" in a bid to "victimi[s]e,
oppress, and target the workers and leadership of PTI" with a view to
causing irreparable damage to the party.
"The
petitioners have already explained their and party's position on TV shows and
they have nothing to do with the said tweet and it is worth mentioning. The
impugned notice is ex-facie illegal and malafide."
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1196759-pti-leaders-move-ihc-against-fia-summons-over-imrans-controversial-x-post
-------
Vawda
declines to offer unconditional apology over anti-judiciary remarks
June 04,
2024
ISLAMABAD:
Refusing to offer an unconditional apology over his anti-judiciary tirade,
independent Senator Faisal Vawda has urged the Supreme Court to end the matter
of contempt of court against him.
Referring
to other politicians’ comments in his response submitted to the apex court, he
claimed he was not the only person making such remarks.
Over his
anti-judiciary remarks during his press conference on May 15, Vawda asked the
court to show restraint in the contempt of court proceedings.
In
response to the notice, he asked the Supreme Court to withdraw the contempt of
court case against him, saying that the purpose behind his allegedly malicious
press conference was the country’s wellbeing.
The
politico issued the statement a day prior to his appearance in the contempt of
court case for his tirade against the judiciary over the Islamabad High Court
(IHC) judges’ letter, pointing out the intelligence agency’s meddling in
judicial affairs and alleged dual nationality of a senior judge.
The apex
court has fixed the hearing of the case against the independent senator and
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader Mustafa Kamal on June
5, as Kamal has also held a similar press conference on May 16.
In the
response submitted to the Supreme Court, Senator Vawda submitted transcripts of
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Jamiat Ulema e Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur
Rehman and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Raoof Hasan’s speeches wherein
they had made hard-hitting speeches against the judiciary.
He
apprised the court that Hasan had threatened judges and the judiciary as well
as called a judge “tout”. Whereas, Shehbaz had called judges “black sheep” and
Fazl threatened judges in a speech outside the top court's building.
On the
other hand, Vawda said he had every respect and regard for the judiciary and
could never imagine doing any act which lowered the estimation of the judiciary
in any manner.
However,
he said: “…highlighting or critique of judgements of the courts deemed to have
had a negative impact on the lives of the citizens of Pakistan is not
contempt.”
He said
the said press conference called upon the need for the judiciary to act on
certain matters pertaining to the common public which remained unattended by
the judiciary and executive.
Vawda
said he highlighted those judgments which caused problems for the people with
bona fide intentions and felt that it was a fair criticism.
He also
drew the court’s attention to several instances “where the court has not taken
notice of a direct threat issued to the judiciary and untoward remarks against
the judges. The instances include but are not limited to threats made by Fazl,
Hasan and Shehbaz.”
MQM-P's
Mustafa Kamal tenders apology
Meanwhile,
Kamal has sought an unconditional apology for his remarks against the judiciary
he made last month during a press conference.
MNA
Kamal has submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court's Karachi Registry,
saying that he held "all the judges, in particular, the judges of the
superior courts of Pakistan in the highest respect and esteem".
The top
MQM-P leader said he could not imagine bringing the reputation or authority of
the court or its judges into disrepute.
Now, he
has sought an apology over his remarks that were made one day after Vawda had
held a similar press conference at the same venue.
“I
hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology with regard to any of my
utterances, in particular my press conference dated May 16, 2024, throwing
myself at the mercy of this court, seeking its clemency, pardon, forgiveness
and discharge of the notice/proceedings of contempt of court initiated against
me,” said Kamal.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1196733-vawda-declines-to-offer-unconditional-apology-over-anti-judiciary-remarks
--------
Mideast
Ibrahim
Gulcu, ATurkish Imam Uses Music To Heal Earthquake Survivors' Wounds
June 5,
2024
Ibrahim
Gulcu, a 37-year-old imam of the Payas Selim II Mosque built in 1574 in
Türkiye's southern province of Hatay, mesmerises visitors with soothing ney
music in the mosque's courtyard.
Having
developed an interest in crafting ney flutes 12 years ago at the mosque within
the Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex, Gulcu transformed part of the mosque into a
workshop where he spends his free time making these traditional end-blown
flutes.
His
music, played under the shade of a 1,357-year-old monumental olive tree in the
mosque's courtyard, attracts both local and foreign visitors.
Gifting
students with neys
Gulcu
also gifts the neys he crafts to students participating in his lessons,
including those affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes that hit southern
Türkiye. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, he said his passion for ney-making began
out of curiosity and has since become a significant part of his life.
Gulcu
has received positive feedback from the mosque's congregation, known locally as
Sari Selim Mosque. He noted: "Under the olive tree, I play the pieces
requested by our congregation, and we receive wonderful comments.
Besides
hymns, I also play ancestral pieces. Some visitors, intrigued by the sound,
want to learn how to make and play the ney.
"There
are 20 students to whom I offer free ney-crafting and playing lessons. I derive
no profit from neys I produce. I gift them to my students, especially to our
earthquake-affected brothers and sisters."
The
Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex and Payas Selim II Mosque, built by Mimar Sinan in
1574, attract many local and international visitors. Gulcu, fluent in Arabic,
French, and English, also gives tourists a historical insight into the site.
Source: trtworld.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkish-imam-uses-music-to-heal-earthquake-survivors-wounds-18169688
--------
'Palestinian
cause' is a monumental legacy of Imam Khomeini: ambassador
June 4,
2024
TEHRAN —
The Iranian ambassador to Berlin has said the issue of Palestine and al-Quds
stand as among the most significant legacies of the late Imam Khomeini, founder
of the Islamic Revolution, IRNA reported on Tuesday.
During
the late Monday ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the passing of Imam
Khomeini attended by representatives from Islamic organizations, families of
Iranian diplomats and embassy staff, Ambassador Mahmoud Farazandeh highlighted
several key areas, including serving the people, promoting unity, and
supporting Palestine, that were of paramount importance to Imam Khomeini.
"Imam
Khomeini brought honor to us," Farazandeh stated.
Farazandeh
underscored the enduring significance of the Palestinian issue, noting,
"One of the most important legacies of the Imam is the issue of Palestine
and al-Quds. Today, we witness the importance of this issue more acutely than
ever before."
Highlighting
the central role that Palestine played in Imam Khomeini’s ideology, the
diplomat pointed to Imam Khomeini's profound assertion that "Palestine is
not a matter of land, but an issue for the monotheists of the ages, past,
present, and future."
The
ceremony featured a recitation of the Quran, followed by a summary of Imam
Khomeini's biography.
The
program also included the reading of poems celebrating Imam Khomeini and his
distinctive moral qualities, adding a poignant touch to the event.
Source: tehrantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/499433/Palestinian-cause-is-a-monumental-legacy-of-Imam-Khomeini
--------
Jerusalem
Day Flag March to pass through Muslim Quarter amid heightened tensions in Old
City
June 4,
2024
The
annual flag march in honor of Jerusalem Day will follow its usual route,
passing through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter on the way to the Western Wall,
Israel Police said in a statement on Monday.
The
Jerusalem Day flag parade on Wednesday will feature two possible routes, both
starting in downtown Jerusalem and ending at the Western Wall, with an
alternative route leading around the Old City’s southern wall and through the
Dung Gate.
In past
years, the march, which celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 – and
mainly observed by religious and ultra-Orthodox Jews – has led to altercations
with the Arab population in the Old City
The
police urged participants and the general public to follow instructions,
"avoid any physical or verbal violence, and allow the event to proceed
safely while strictly adhering to law and order. Any disruptions or acts of
violence will be dealt with firmly by the police.”
In 2021,
the march route was changed after Hamas used it as a pretext to begin the
11-day conflict, Operation Guardian of the Walls
The
route remained unchanged in the years since, leading from western Jerusalem
through the formerly Jordanian part of the city to the Western Wall.
More
than 3,000 officers will reportedly be deployed in and around the Old City and
large parts of Jerusalem will be blocked for traffic during the parade.
On
Monday, an alternative “March for Peace” attended by about 200 people – and led
by an interfaith coalition of rabbis, Druze sheiks and priests – protested
against this year's Jerusalem Day march.
It has
become a “symbol of violence and occupation” over the past years, characterized
by hateful chants and violence towards Palestinians, the March for Peace
participants told The Times of Israel.
“We
decided to create a joint march that sends the opposite message, one of peace,
justice and equality,” said the director of “Rabbis for Human Rights,” Avi
Dabush, who survived Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre on Kibbutz Nirim.
The
Israeli capital continues to grow and maintain its status as the nation's
largest city, according to statistics published ahead of Jerusalem Day.
One in
ten Israelis is a Jerusalemite, with the city’s population now exceeding 1
million, nearly double that of the second-largest city, Tel Aviv. Of this
population, 600,000 are Jewish and 390,000 are Arab.
About
29% of the residents of Jerusalem are ultra-Orthodox, representing about half
of the Jews in the city.
Among
Jews aged 20 and over in Jerusalem, 36% define themselves as ultra-Orthodox,
21% as religious, 24% as traditional and 17% as secular.
The high
proportion of ultra-Orthodox and Arab residents in Jerusalem contributes to an
exceptionally high fertility rate – with an average of 3.68 children per woman
significantly above the national average of 2.89.
According
to statistics, a large majority of Jerusalemites are satisfied with their lives
in the capital, with approximately 93% of Jews and 86% of Arabs expressing
contentment.
Last
year, Jerusalem was the leading tourism destination in the country. The number
of overnight stays in the city stood at 2,735,400 – a number that has cratered
due to the ongoing war.
Source: allisrael.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://allisrael.com/jerusalem-day-flag-march-to-pass-through-muslim-quarter-amid-heightened-tensions
--------
South Asia
IEA and
Indonesian Red Crescent Heads Discuss Joint Efforts and Future Support
2024-06-05
KABUL(BNA):
Mawlawi Matiul Haq Khalis, the Acting Head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society,
met with Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, President of the Indonesian Red Cross, and his
accompanying delegation at his office to discuss the expansion of joint efforts
and bilateral cooperation.
During
the meeting, Khalis expressed gratitude for the recent $300,000 donation from
Indonesia to assist the earthquake victims in Herat province.
He
further highlighted the health services provided by the Afghan Red Crescent and
its initiatives aimed at generating income for orphans and widowed women,
emphasizing the importance of these charitable efforts.
Meanwhile,
Muhammad Jusuf Kalla and his delegation appreciated the services of the Afghan
Red Crescent and stressed the importance of continued mutual cooperation.
Additionally,
Jusuf Kalla extended an invitation to Khalis to visit Indonesia to meet with
officials from various charitable organizations, to discuss the activities of
the Afghan Red Crescent, and to seek further assistance for those in need and
affected by disasters.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/iea-and-indonesian-red-crescent-heads-discuss-joint-efforts-and-future-support/
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Interior
Minister Haqqani Meets UAE Emir in Abu Dhabi
2024-06-05
KABUL(BNA):
Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Acting Minister of Interior, and Mullah Abdul
Haq Wasiq, the Chief of General Intelligence of the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan, held a high-level meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, the Emir of the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi.
Zabihullah
Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, announced on his
X page that His Excellency Sheikh Sirajuddin Haqqani, leading a delegation and
accompanied by Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq, travelled to the United Arab Emirates.
According
to Mujahid, Sheikh Sirajuddin Haqqani and Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq held
discussions with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emir of the United
Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/interior-minister-sirajuddin-haqqani-and-intelligence-chief-wasiq-meet-uae-emir-in-abu-dhabi/
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Ministry
of Interior Reports Rescue of Kidnapped Child in Balkh
2024-06-04
KABUL(BNA):
The Ministry of Interior has announced the successful rescue of a child
kidnapped a week ago in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province.
According
to Mufti Abdul Mateen Qani, the ministry’s spokesperson, the child was rescued
by the 888th National Battalion of Balkh under the General Command of Special
Forces, following a special and tactical operation. The kidnappers had demanded
a ransom of $300,000 for the child’s release.
Qani
added that yesterday, June 3rd, was the final deadline set by the kidnappers
for the payment, threatening to kill the child if the ransom was not paid.
During
the operation, one kidnapper was killed in a clash with security forces, and
five others were arrested. The arrested individuals will be handed over to
judicial authorities for further investigation.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/ministry-of-interior-reports-rescue-of-kidnapped-child-in-balkh/
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Herat
Saffron once again ranked best in the world
June 5,
2024
The
International Taste Institute of Belgium has announced that Herat saffron has once again secured the top
position globally for the ninth time, being recognized as the “most delicious”
saffron.
On
Tuesday, June 4th, the institute published a report stating that Herat saffron was identified as the best
saffron following laboratory tests.
The
International Taste Institute, based in Belgium, annually evaluates food
products from various countries worldwide based on specific criteria.
It is
noteworthy that, according to this institute’s assessments, Afghanistan saffron
has received the award for the best taste.
It is
worth mentioning that saffron is one of Afghanistan’s most valuable industrial
crops, consistently receiving the top award for best taste over the years.
According
to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Afghanistan,
in 2023, 8,304 hectares of land in 26 provinces of the country were cultivated
with saffron, yielding 23.249 metric tons of saffron, of which 22.240 metric
tons were harvested from Herat province.
Afghan
saffron, also known as “red gold,” is currently exported to numerous markets in
many countries, especially Arab countries, India, and China.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/herat-saffron-once-again-ranked-best-in-the-world/
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German
Interior Minister: Considering deportation of Afghan refugees
June 5, 2024
After an
Afghan attacker killed a German police officer, the country’s interior minister
has stated that the option of deporting Afghan refugees is being considered.
During a
press conference, Nancy Faeser, the German Interior Minister, raised this issue
on Tuesday, June 4. She said that they would review the deportation of Afghan
refugees who are considered potential threats.
She
mentioned that refugees who pose a threat to the security of German citizens
would be sent back to their country, even if that country is not safe.
This
comes after an Afghan man attacked a gathering of Islam critics named “Pax
Europa” on Friday. In this attack, seven people, including a police officer,
were injured, but the officer succumbed to his injuries.
This
comes amid the dire situation of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries
continues to be a significant concern. Many Afghan refugees in countries like
Iran and Pakistan face harsh living conditions, limited access to basic
services, and the constant threat of deportation.
These
countries struggle to support the large influx of refugees, leading to
overcrowded camps and strained resources.
Additionally,
the issue of illegal migration of Afghans attempting to reach European
countries has escalated. Many refugees undertake perilous journeys, facing
dangers such as human trafficking and dangerous sea crossings.
The
desire for safety and a better life drives this illegal migration, but it often
results in tragic outcomes, with many losing their lives or ending up in
detention centers across Europe.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/german-interior-minister-considering-deportation-of-afghan-refugees/
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UNICEF
announces drinking water distribution for thousands in Ghor province
June 4,
2024
The
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that it distributes
drinking water daily to over 30,000 people in this province’s villages.
This
organization stated on Monday, June 3, on its social media platform X that some
of the water supply networks in Ghor province have been destroyed due to recent
floods.
According
to UNICEF, over 400 houses have been destroyed in Ghor province due to recent
floods. The organization has also distributed blankets, children’s clothing,
and hygiene items to affected families.
The
United Nations Children’s Fund emphasizes the life of a flood-affected child in
Ghor province, highlighting that a 5,000-liter truck distributes drinking water
to children and families in this province.
UNICEF
has warned of the devastating effects of floods in Afghanistan and added that
Afghan children are more vulnerable to climate change than in other parts of
the world.
This
comes as several international organizations have consistently warned of the
climatic effects in Afghanistan, leading to natural disasters, including
drought, water scarcity, destructive floods, and heat waves.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/unicef-announces-drinking-water-distribution-for-thousands-in-ghor-province/
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Removing
IEA from banned list demonstrates true understanding
June 5,
2024
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan welcomes the
decision
made by
the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, taking
the
name of
the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan off the list of banned groups in Kazakhstan.
IEA-MoFA
deems this step a significant development in the understanding of Kazakhstan in
relation
with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and calls it the removal of an obstacle
in upgrading bilateral relations.
Kazakhstan
is an important trade and transit partner of Afghanistan in the region and this
decision
will lead to enhanced bilateral relations and further economic cooperation,
which is in the
interest
of both countries.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/removing-iea-from-banned-list-demonstrates-true-understanding/
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Arab World
Saudi
leaders congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s new president
June 05,
2024
RIYADH:
Saudi leaders congratulated Mexico’s new president on Tuesday, the Saudi Press
Agency reported.
King
Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent separate cables of
congratulations to Claudia Sheinbaum who won a landslide victory in Sunday’s
presidential election to become Mexico’s first woman leader.
The king
and crown prince expressed their best wishes for her success, and for the
Mexican people, wishing them continued progress and prosperity.
Sheinbaum
has promised to continue the political course set by her populist predecessor.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2523961/saudi-arabia
--------
Authorities
detain 8 suspects for transporting 28 people not permitted to perform Hajj
June 05,
2024
MAKKAH:
The Interior Ministry has announced that Hajj Security Forces have apprehended
eight suspects at Makkah’s entrances for transporting 28 people who did not
have Hajj permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The
suspects — three non-Saudis and five from the Kingdom — were stopped for
breaching Hajj rules and regulations after transporting violators who had
failed to obtain permits required to perform Hajj.
The
General Directorate of Passports’ seasonal administrative committees issued
administrative decisions against the offenders, who will each serve 15 days in
prison and pay a fine of SR10,000 ($2,666) for each violator transported.
The
offenders will also be named and shamed and the non-Saudis will be deported
after serving their prison terms.
Authorities
have also impounded three vehicles which were used to transport the violators.
The
ministry has called on all citizens and expatriates to abide by Hajj rules,
regulations and instructions so that all pilgrims enjoy a safe, secure and
comfortable time performing Hajj rituals.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2523886/saudi-arabia
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Saudi FM
discusses US proposal for Gaza ceasefire with Blinken
June 04,
2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed a US proposal for a
ceasefire in Gaza with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
US
President Joe Biden outlined a ceasefire proposal for the war in Gaza on
Friday. The offer calls for a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and
Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
During a
phone call, the two officials also discussed developments in Sudan, Saudi Press
Agency reported.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2523726/saudi-arabia
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Canadian
doctor reminisces spearheading medical milestone in Riyadh in the 80s
June 04,
2024
RIYADH:
A driver of healthcare innovation, Dr. Andrew Padmos built and managed a
hematology and oncology clinical program at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and
Research Centre, establishing the first bone marrow transplant program in the
Middle East during his 15-year tenure in the Kingdom that started in 1978.
“We left
Canada in September of that year (1978) with two small boys, aged 2 and 4, and
came to Riyadh at that time for what we thought was one or two years. We found
it a marvelous place to live, to work, and to raise a family. We stayed for 15
years,” Padmos, a physician and hematologist, told Arab News.
“As a
family, we felt very welcome. We were treated very well, not only by the
hospital but in the community. And we felt obviously safe. Our children went to
preschool at that time. Later they attended international schools,” he said.
Padmos
and his wife had their third son in Saudi Arabia. Their children attended the
British school in Riyadh and later the American school.
Discussing
his professional career in medicine, he described as “exciting” the work he did
at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre.
“I was
the only hematologist … in the hospital. In fact, I think I was the only
hematologist in the Kingdom. I became very busy very quickly with patients with
leukemias, lymphomas, and other disorders,” he said. “We developed, I think,
sophisticated medical services.
“I was
fortunate at King Faisal Specialist that we were not limited in our vision or
our resources, so we were able to accommodate patients with (more) advanced
medication, advanced treatment available (than) other places in the world. And
we were constantly in touch with other centers of advanced medical care,” he
recalled.
In 1982,
Padmos spearheaded a major milestone in the Kingdom’s health sector. He
approached the head of King Faisal Hospital and presented the idea of conducting
life-saving bone marrow transplants within the Kingdom rather than sending
patients abroad.
“I made
a point that we were sending patients out to the US and the UK for bone marrow
transplantation. And the head of the hospital said, ‘If we can do it here,
please go ahead and set it up.’ And nine months later, we did the first bone
marrow transplant, and that would be earlier than in many countries around the
world,” Padmos said.
“It was
in 1983 that the first transplant was done. And, now at King Faisal Specialist,
they do more than 100 a year,” he added.
Discussing
the Kingdom’s early ambitions to be a driver in healthcare development, Padmos
said: “The speed of development, the enthusiasm to develop and advance medical
technology was always with us. And happily, the resources were available to
make it happen.”
When
asked what the most significant aspect of his career in the Kingdom was, he
said: “The patients probably are the most significant thing in my career, to
work with so many young, old, and deserving patients. They were so gracious …
They had a religious and cultural acceptance of the medical situation.”
He also
acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the nurses he worked with during his
tenure, who came from around the world.
Reflecting
on the accomplishments and milestones he helped achieve in healthcare, Padmos
humbly added: “I was lucky to be in the right place and to be with the right
leaders”
As a
part of his efforts to enhance the Saudi health sector for generations to come,
Padmos assisted in facilitating a training program for Saudi students to learn
from leading experts in hematology and oncology in Canada.
After
helping set up the program, there are now 1,000 Saudi physicians undergoing
their advanced post-graduate training in Canada.
“It’s a
program that’s been going now for 40 years, and many, maybe even the majority,
of the advanced positions in the Kingdom are filled by Saudi physicians who
trained in Canada. And I was very happy and lucky to be at the beginning of
that process,” Padmos said.
The
doctor commended the King Abdullah Scholarship program, which he said sent
600,000 young Saudis “out all over the world.”
He
added: “(It is) probably one of the most, impressive, most extensive social
engineering and transformation projects the world has ever seen, in (terms) of
dedicating so much effort and so many resources to … training young people
outside the country.”
Padmos
left the Kingdom in 1993 and went on to become the head of the cancer center
and program at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he worked for
five years.
Within
that timeframe, he made multiple visits to the Kingdom to meet with patients
who wanted him to come back and reconnect.
“In
2006, I joined the Royal College of Physicians Surgeons of Canada as the chief
executive, and the first people to knock on the door were from the Saudi
Cultural Bureau to try and expand the number of Saudi medical trainees in
Canada,” he recalled.
During that
time, Padmos said there would be a greater capacity for sending Canada’s
educators to Saudi Arabia to work with local hospitals.
“We
started a collaboration and an accreditation. And now in several of the
postgraduate programs, Saudi physicians can do their training in Saudi Arabia,”
he said.
“We’ve
created a bridge, a very long bridge, from Canada to Saudi Arabia, based on the
same standards for specialty certification of physicians in many disciplines.
And that program is continuing and growing year by year.”
Padmos
highlighted the many changes he has witnessed since returning to the Kingdom in
2024 for the KSA-Canada Education Forum in Riyadh.
“The …
country has entirely become more modernized and more developed,” he said. “When
I came and we moved into our townhouse at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, we
were at the edge of the city. It was nothing but desert and some survey blocks
beyond that and to the airport — 25 km of nothing.
“Now, of
course, that’s totally built up. The population is big. So dramatic changes
there, dramatic changes in the capability, the confidence, and the enthusiasm
of young people (who) still respect … their teachers. So, these strong cultural
roots are still evident, but there is a modern overtone. More women are now
advancing their careers outside of the home, in medicine, in other
specialties.”
Padmos
is currently working to link up Saudi and Canadian institutions for training
nurses.
“There’s
been a social transformation, commitment to education, to excellence, and to
real enterprise that I think is so gratifying, so impressive. And I hope we can
bring many more Canadians here so they can see and participate in this
development process. I think it strengthens everything we do in Canada,” he
said.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2523831/saudi-arabia
--------
Saudi
Arabia: Crowd management boosted at Prophet’s Mosque for Hajj season
June 04,
2024
Cairo: A
Saudi state agency in charge of the Prophet’s Mosque, Islam’s second holiest
place, has put in place a plan to manage crowds during the current Hajj
pilgrimage season to ensure comfort for a massive congregation of worshippers.
The plan
designates a total of 60 corridors, including 38 main ones and eight for
emergencies to guarantee smooth entry and exit inside and outside the mosque in
the holy city of Medina, a major destination for Muslims from all over the
world.
Around
7.8 million worshippers performed prayers last week at the mosque where a
network of multilingual services are offered including allocating areas for the
elderly people and the physically challenged as well as distribution of the
blessed Zamzam water.
More
than 2 million Muslims from across the globe are expected to attend this
month’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Before
heading to the holy city of Mecca for the Hajj rites, thousands of them land at
Medina’s international airport where they would be welcomed in their native
languages and presented with commemorative gifts.
They
would flock to the Prophet’s Mosque to offer prayers and visit Al Rawda Al
Sharifa that includes the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).
Last week, more than 304,000 worshippers prayed at Al Rawda Al Sharifa and had
access to the site via a designated entry track.
More
than 280 million Muslims prayed at the Prophet’s Mosque during 2023, according
to official figures.
Source: gulfnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-crowd-management-boosted-at-prophets-mosque-for-hajj-season-1.102955592
--------
The
International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation signs MOU on mutual business
cooperation with Qatar Development Bank
04-06-2024
The International
Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) have
announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster mutual
business cooperation.
The MoU
aims to support QDB’s SME Export Development Program and enhance the
capabilities of Qatari entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as small and
medium enterprises (SMEs), to compete effectively in the global market. The
agreement was signed by Mr. Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi, Chief Executive
Officer of QDB, and Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC.
On this
occasion, Eng. Hani Sonbol, CEO of ITFC, stated that, "This MoU is a
significant step towards strengthening collaboration in our shared commitment
to support trade, development, and empower SMEs and exporters in Qatar and OIC
member countries."
On his
part, Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QDB, expressed enthusiasm on the
partnership, saying, " "We are pleased to enrich our portfolio of
partnerships with diverse international organizations to increase the reach of
SMEs and the private sector as a whole to international markets and support the
export of Qatari products and services, in line with QDB’s comprehensive
private sector support strategy. This agreement will enhance the services provided
by the Bank to entrepreneurs, hence increasing their contribution to the
development and diversification of the Qatari economy.”
Under
the terms of the MoU, ITFC will partner with QDB to support the development of
the Qatar Export Development Program, with a focus on key products under the
program and connecting QDB with financial institutions in key markets in the
OIC member countries. Furthermore, ITFC
will provide QDB with advisory services in the areas of trade operations and
product development.
The
signing of this MoU highlights the commitment of both QDB and ITFC to fostering
economic growth and empowering SMEs in Qatar and represents a significant
milestone in the efforts of collaboration in achieving sustainable economic
development.
Source: africabusinesscommunities.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://africabusinesscommunities.com/middle-east/the-international-islamic-trade-finance-corporation-signs-mou-on-mutual-business-cooperation-with-qatar-development-bank/
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Southeast Asia
Judicial
review over house arrest: Court allows Najib’s bid to insert two more
affidavits
05-06-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: The High Court here today allowed Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s
application to insert two more affidavits in his leave application to challenge
the existence of a royal addendum order, purportedly issued with the consent of
the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, allowing the former prime minister to serve the
remaining six years of his prison sentence under house arrest.
The two
affidavits are the one affirmed by the Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan
Rosdy Wan Ismail and the one that contained Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim’s speech at the 5th Convention of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in Shah
Alam last April.
Senior
federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC)
said Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh allowed Najib’s application to insert the two
affidavits and set July 3 to decide on the leave application for a judicial
review filed by Najib on April 1.
“The AGC
objected to the two affidavits as they were filed at the very last minute,
which was yesterday, when the court had already set today for the decision on
the leave application.
“However,
the court’s allowed the application to insert the affidavits,” he told
reporters after the proceedings held in chambers today.
Meanwhile,
Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah confirmed that the affidavits
were accepted by the court.
Najib,
70, Najib, 70, in his leave application for judicial review filed las April,
named Home Minister, Commissioner-General of Prisons, Attorney-General, the
Pardons Board for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya;
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) (Law and Institutional
Reform), Director-General of Legal Affairs Division at JPM and the Malaysian
Government as the first to the seventh respondents.
The
former Pekan Member of Parliament is seeking a mandamus order to compel either
all or one of the respondents to respond and confirm the existence of the
additional decree dated Jan 29, 2024.
He is
also seeking a mandamus order that if the additional decree exists, all or one
of the respondents must enforce it immediately by transferring him from Kajang
Prison to his residence in Kuala Lumpur for him to serve the remainder of his
prison sentence under house arrest.
Najib
has been serving his sentence in Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, after being
convicted of embezzling RM42 million in funds belonging to SRC International
Sdn Bhd.
On Sept
2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon. The Pardon Board reduced
Najib’s prison sentence from 12 years to six years, while the fine was reduced
from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/judicial-review-over-house-arrest-court-allows-najib-s-bid-to-insert-two-more-affidavits-EF12536367
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Perlis
Customs instructs trailer carrying Israeli shipping container to turn back from
entering state
05-06-
2024
PETALING
JAYA: A trailer transporting a container from Israeli shipping company, ZIM
which arrived at Perlis from the Malaysia-Thailand border was instructed to
turn back after being intercepted by the state’s Customs Department.
The New
Straits Times reported the container was carrying frozen goods on Sunday (June
2) at 12pm after it drove through the scanning tunnel at the Perlis
Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex (ICQS), according to
Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim.
The
company’s logo displayed on the container was detected to be from Israel after
it was scanned, said Ismail, adding that the vehicle was detained for further
investigation.
Ismail
also confirmed that a review with other government agencies showed that said
container was barred from entering Malaysia as it was believed to be associated
with an Israeli company.
Previously,
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for a further
investigation on the presence of an Israeli-based shipping container at a port
in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
Zahid
asserted that the government cannot compromise on such incidents as Malaysia
has no direct business relations let alone diplomatic relations with Israel.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/perlis-customs-instructs-trailer-carrying-israeli-shipping-container-to-turn-back-from-entering-state-NF12535778
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Importance
of human rights aligns with concept of Malaysia MADANI - Anwar
05-06-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: The importance of human rights is in line with what is advocated in the
Malaysia MADANI concept, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
In a Facebook
post, Anwar said he had pointed this out during a meeting with the United
Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, in Parliament
today.
“A
country needs to have a vision based on the basic values needed in a
harmonious, prosperous and peaceful society without forgetting the concept of
compassion and human rights,” he said.
The
prime minister said the visit of Volker and his delegation to Malaysia was at
the invitation of the government.
He said
it was part of Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to foster cooperation with the UN to
increase awareness and understanding of human rights for all to benefit
together.
In a
separate post, Anwar said he also received a courtesy visit from the Minister
of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dr Thani Ahmed
Al-Zeyoudi.
Among
the topics discussed in the meeting, also attended by Minister of Investment,
Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, was bilateral
cooperation between Malaysia and the UAE, especially in the economic field.
“Alhamdulillah,
many collaborations have been worked on between agencies and companies of both
countries before and also those planned for the future,” he said.
The
prime minister said a more cohesive and close commitment is expected to be
explored through deeper economic cooperation, particularly through the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that is being negotiated.
Tengku
Zafrul, in a statement today, said both countries confirmed their commitment to
sign the agreement by this year.
As
Malaysia’s first free trade agreement with members of the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC), it is expected to pave the way towards deeper economic
cooperation and foster an environment conducive to increased trade and
investment flows, not only between the two countries but also ASEAN and the GCC
region in general.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/importance-of-human-rights-aligns-with-concept-of-malaysia-madani-anwar-MF12534967
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UN
praises Malaysia’s leadership in strengthening ASEAN human rights agenda, urges
action on Myanmar crisis
04-06-
2024
PUTRAJAYA:
The United Nations (UN) looks forward to Malaysia’s leadership in strengthening
ASEAN’s human rights agenda and injecting renewed vigour into the international
response to crises, including the catastrophic situation in Myanmar, as it
assumes the ASEAN chairmanship next year.
UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said the issue was among the
highlights during his meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in
Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday.
He said
that three years after the military coup in Myanmar, over three million people
are internally displaced, with a significant need for humanitarian assistance
and people desperate for an end to the violence and mayhem.
He said
Malaysia has made clear its strong opposition to the military coup and is
hosting refugees from Myanmar, including the Rohingya.
“In my
discussions with a diverse group of refugees from Myanmar, as well as with
Malaysian government officials, it was evident that there are high expectations
of ASEAN in relation to resolving the current crisis in Myanmar, with
humanitarian aid and protection of civilians at the forefront, while not losing
sight of the need for an urgent solution to an untenable situation.
“Malaysia’s
leadership role as future ASEAN chair will be key,“ he said at a press
conference at the end of his mission to Malaysia on Tuesday.
Meanwhile,
Turk said the development of Malaysia’s first National Action Plan on Business
and Human Rights is another welcome development and hope it will be finalised
soon in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
He said
there has been a lot of progress in terms of development of human rights in
Malaysia compared to 20 years ago, as well as real changes in laws, attitude
and opening up of civil society in the last couple of years.
“How a
society treats its most vulnerable is a key measure of progress, and indeed a
litmus test for social and human rights protection. I welcome the Malaysia
MADANI national vision, which is about humanity, inclusivity, sustainability as
well as just and effective governance,“ he said.
Source: thesun.my
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the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/un-praises-malaysia-s-leadership-in-strengthening-asean-human-rights-agenda-urges-action-on-myanmar-crisis-EF12534572
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Statement
by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at the end of his mission
to Malaysia
04 June
2024
Kuala
Lumpur, 4 June 2024
Good
afternoon, selamat petang and thank you for joining us today.
It has
been good to be back in Malaysia* at a time of many opportunities, so much
potential, and various challenges in the realm of human rights, at national,
regional and international levels. I am grateful to Prime Minister Dato Seri
Anwar Ibrahim for inviting me to visit at this time, and to the Government for
facilitating my visit.
As
Malaysia is poised to take the ASEAN Chairmanship next year, we look forward to
its leadership to strengthen ASEAN’s human rights agenda and to inject renewed
vigour into the international response to crises like the catastrophic
situation in Myanmar. This week I will also be engaging with the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic on its current chairmanship.
Three
years after the military coup, more than three million people are internally
displaced in Myanmar, with significant need for humanitarian assistance, and
people desperate for an end to the violence and mayhem. Malaysia has made clear
its strong opposition to the military coup, and is hosting refugees from
Myanmar, including Rohingya. In my discussions with a diverse group of refugees
from Myanmar, as well as with Malaysian Government officials, it was evident
that there are high expectations of ASEAN in relation to resolving the current
crisis in Myanmar, with humanitarian aid and protection of civilians at the
forefront, while not losing sight of the need for an urgent solution to an
untenable situation. Malaysia’s leadership role as future ASEAN chair will be
key.
In
today’s polarized, geopolitically fraught world, Malaysia’s active engagement
with multilateral institutions like the UN Human Rights Council, as well as with
my Office and UN human rights bodies, is particularly welcome and much needed
as we go forward.
Malaysia’s
review under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women has just concluded. As CEDAW has noted in its concluding
observations, Malaysia needs to take immediate steps to increase the
representation of women in decision-making positions – currently very low. My
Office is ready to provide support in implementation of the recommendations of
the UN Committee. I welcome in particular the adoption of the Anti-Sexual
Harassment Act, the Anti-Stalking Act, and the Sexual Offences against Children
Act.
Malaysia
has ratified three international human rights treaties. I have also offered our
support to move forward on ratification of the other six core international
human rights instruments by Malaysia, including the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights.
There
are many opportunities to build on the human rights advances of recent years
and for the seeds of the reform agenda to bear fruit in tackling ongoing
challenges. How Malaysia navigates these issues will define its future, and
human rights can provide a compass.
In my
meetings with many committed civil society representatives, members of the
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and parliamentarians, some key
areas emerged: sustainable development, including the right to a clean and
healthy environment; business and human rights; economic inequalities; societal
issues, including discrimination based on gender, disability, race or sexual
orientation; civic space and the freedom of expression; and the treatment of
migrants and refugees; as well as inconsistencies between national legislation
and Syariah law.
How a
society treats its most vulnerable is a key measure of progress, and indeed a
litmus test for social and human rights protection. I welcome the Malaysia
Madani national vision, which is about humanity, inclusivity, sustainability as
well as just and effective governance.
I
welcome the proposed constitutional amendment to enable Malaysian women to pass
citizenship on to their children on the same basis as Malaysian men. I hope
that all possible steps will be taken to address other forms of statelessness.
The
abolition of mandatory capital punishment and the reduction in the number of
offences punishable by death are also very welcome steps, and I hope this will
pave the way for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. I also welcome
initiatives to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs –
it is important that a human rights and health-based approach be taken in
managing the drug problem.
The
Internal Security Act – which was widely misused to penalize legitimate
exercise of the freedom of expression – was finally repealed in 2012. It will
be important also to review the colonial-era Sedition Act, as well as other
vague and overly-broad legislation like the Security Offences (Special
Measures) Act (Sosma). Laws such as the Communications and Multimedia Act, the
Peaceful Assembly Act and Printing Presses and Publications Act continue to be
used against human rights defenders, including environmental human rights
defenders. For a society to be able to harness creativity, innovation and
progress, people must be able to express dissenting views without fear of
reprisal.
The
development of the country’s first National Action Plan on Business and Human
Rights is another very welcome development – and I hope it will be finalized
soon, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
It is
clear to me that there is a need for a comprehensive human rights-based
migration plan. I urge the Government to end the criminalization of irregular
migrants and to develop alternatives to immigration detention, in particular
for all children and other groups in situations of vulnerability.
Malaysia
is also not alone in having to grapple with exploitation, extortion and
ill-treatment of low-wage migrant workers, including foreign domestic
employees. I call on the Government to ensure equal access to justice,
including through free legal aid, for all migrants, documented or undocumented.
It would
be important for the Government to adopt a comprehensive refugee protection
system reinforcing the legal status of refugees and enabling their access to
employment, formal education, health and other essential services.
I also
call on the Government to reinstate access to detention facilities for national
monitoring bodies and UNHCR. I heard worrying accounts from several
interlocutors of harsh conditions and ill treatment in detention facilities –
reports which need to be investigated.
It is
important that disinformation campaigns and hate speech against migrants and
refugees are stemmed. Migrants’ manifold contributions to society need to be
validated, honoured and appreciated. According to research commissioned by my
Office, a clear majority of Malaysians see the benefits that migration brings
to the country’s economy and society. Some 63 per cent of those polled agreed
that our communities are stronger when we support everyone – and more than half
said that we should help other people no matter who they are or where they come
from.
Anti-rights
movements – including those that instrumentalize religious beliefs to incite
hatred and intolerance – continue to proliferate in many parts of the world,
online and offline. I urge all Malaysians to resist such provocations to hate,
and to instead stand strong in preserving this country’s rich diversity and its
tradition of inclusivity and warmth.
As
Malaysia progresses in economic development, I have heard loud and clear – from
many of the people I spoke to during my visit – about the desire to ensure the
progress is grounded in human rights, and to keep the human rights ambitions
high and the scope wide.
With its
already vibrant civil society, a strong judiciary, and a well-established
national human rights institution, I trust Malaysia will keep the human rights
ambitions high. The UN Human Rights Office, including through our Southeast
Asia Regional presence, remains ready to support.
Terima
kasih, thank you.
Source: ohchr.org
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/06/statement-un-high-commissioner-human-rights-volker-turk-end-his
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