Muslim Man Attacked With Swords, Iron Rods And Sticks, Forced To Chant Jai Sri Ram In Rajasthan
New Age
Islam News Bureau
13 July 20123
In yet
another incident fuelled by hatred, a 21-year-old Muslim youth has suffered
severe injuries and trauma in Rajasthan’s Bhiwara district on 8 July.
----
India
• No Scope For Changing Muslim Personal
Law; Says Sunni Mahal Federation
• Muslim Dalits Halalkhors are the same
as Valmikis. They need legal protection too
• Two Islamic Secular Front workers
killed in Bhangar counting booth violence
• India Home To Second Largest
Population Of Muslims In World: President Murmu
• Moradabad Muslim man who moved
application to convert booked after wife files complaint
--------
Pakistan
• Five Killed In Attack by
Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan On Balochistan Military Garrison
• Pakistan gets first tranche of $1.2bn
from IMF: Ishaq Dar
• Pakistan sells embassy building in US
for $7.1m
• Three soldiers sacrifice lives in
counterterrorism operation in Sui district
• Nine soldiers martyred in Zhob terror
attack
• Army, FC deployed in Kurram as land
dispute escalates
--------
Arab World
• Saudi Delegation Prepares For G20
Young Entrepreneurs Alliance Summit In India
• 224 Students from 17 Saudi
universities embark on scientific trips to Japan
• More than 750,000 passengers used
Haramain railway during Hajj
• Fourth Riyadh Season to begin with
boxing spectacular
• Makkah Mosque hosts special prayers as
work begins on new building
--------
Mideast
• Settler faces ‘terrorism’ charges over
West Bank mosque vandalism
• HAQQ Becomes Istanbul Blockchain
Week’s Title Sponsor Promoting Islamic Culture in Web3.
--------
South Asia
• Islamic Emirate Wants to Develop
Afghanistan with Available Resources: Acting PM Kabir
• IEA Spokesman Visits Officials,
Businessmen of Herat Industrial Park
• Acting Refugees Minister Meets IOM Top
Official
• Dr. Naeem Meets UK Charge d’Affaires
for Afghanistan in Qatar
• Reconstruction Project of Salang
Highway Officially Begins Wednesday
--------
Africa
• World Muslim Communities Council
Organises Training Course In Ghana On Empowering Religious Leaders
• Ogun Election Petition Tribunal Stops
Muslim Witness From Swearing By Quran
• 6 killed and 4 wounded in a mass
shooting in South Africa. Police search for gunmen
• Iran Africa tour: Kenya and Iran
strengthen bilateral ties
• Czechia withholds support for UNHRC
resolution on Quran burning
--------
Southeast Asia
• Indonesia LGBTQ Event Moved After
Security Threats In Muslim-Majority Country
• NKS Indian Muslim Food in Clementi
suspended 2 weeks for infestation on premises
• Muslim-majority countries discuss Islamic
archives' digitization
--------
North America
• New Hyde Park residents object to
proposal to expand Hillside Islamic Centre
--------
Europe
• High Commissioner for Human Rights:
Urgent Debate of the HRC that Speech and Inflammatory Acts against Muslims and
Others Are Offensive
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslim-swords-rods-jsr-rajasthan/d/130205
-----
Muslim Man Attacked With Swords, Iron
Rods And Sticks, Forced To Chant Jai Sri Ram In Rajasthan
In yet
another incident fuelled by hatred, a 21-year-old Muslim youth has suffered
severe injuries and trauma in Rajasthan’s Bhiwara district on 8 July.
----
July 13, 2023
SAMRIDHI TEWARI
A 32-year-old Muslim man was allegedly
harassed and attacked with swords, iron rods and sticks by a group of men who
forced him to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district, police
have registered an FIR.
Khan said he goes to the dairy shop to
buy milk for his family near the tea shop in Bhilwara’s Subhash Nagar area
every day in evening after coming back home.
On July 4, when he went to buy milk
around 7 p.m., around seven men surrounded the shop and started hurling
Islamophobic terms against him, he said, adding they started forcing him to
chant Jai Sri Ram, following which, he ran away home.
“I was too scared for my life, my family
told me to not go there in the evening but in the morning, when the group won’t
be there,” he said.
Four days later, when he went to shop
around 10 a.m., he left his house worried and anxious.
“I kept hoping and praying to not meet
the group of men, I kept thinking about my little children,” Mr. Khan said.
However, when he reached the spot, he
found relief as only one of the group members were standing outside the shop.
He hurriedly went to buy milk, when one
of them stopped him, and started abusing him.
“Some people were standing around us, but
they were scared to intervene, he forced me to chant Jai Sri Ram and then hit
me on my stomach with his foot, when I fell down, he called more associates
with swords, iron rods and sticks, they attacked me with that and hit my head,
limbs, chest and stomach,” Mr. Khan.
During the attack, Saheb said, he could
only think about his mother and children.
“I thought I would die and nobody would
even get to know about me, my family would have to fight for answers, I hope we
are able to create a safe world for people of all religions,” he said.
“I remember everything turned black, I
could only cry and ask them to not hit me, I kept telling them no religion
forces people to attack me, I had read about victims of communal hatred, but
did not know I would become a part this hatred,” Mr. Khan says, as he pleads
for justice.
He says police have assured him with
arrests.
According to a senior police officer, an
FIR has been registered against Mukesh Gurjar, Shiva Gurjar and five others at
Subhash Nagar police station under IPC sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily
causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 307 (attempt to murder), 295-A (
(hurting religious sentiments)).
The area near the Registrar’s office
doesn’t have residential buildings and has farms around it. There aren’t many
people seen in the area.
Following the incident, Mr. Khan remains
hospitalised and his family has not been able to leave their residence since
two days.
“I live with my ailing mother, a wife
and four children, they’re all living in fear due to the circumstances, I don’t
know how long it will take for us to come out of the trauma, I wish we could
leave this city but there’s financial crunch,” Mr. Khan said.
He moved to Bhilwari from U.P.’s Lucknow
district when he was 11 to look for employment along with his elder brother.
According to Deputy Superindent of
Police (Bhilwara Sadar) Yogesh Sharma, three accused, Ayush Jain, Shiva Gurjar
and Mukesh Gurjar have been arrested and raids are on to arrest the other
accused persons.
“During investigation, it was revealed
the altercation took place over accused persons forcing the victim to chant Jai
Shree Ram, however, the accused persons, during interrogation claimed that they
weren’t aware of the victim’s identity, we are corroborating the different versions,
investigation is underway,” DSP said.
Source: thehindu.com
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Muslim World League Chief Sheikh Al-Issa
Hails PM Modi's 'Passionate Perspective' On Inclusive Growth
Muslim World
League Secretary-General Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa praised PM Modi
-----
Jul 13, 2023
NEW DELHI: Muslim World League chief
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa on Wednesday hailed PM Narendra Modi’s
“passionate perspective” towards inclusive growth, recalling his “insightful
discussion” with him.
A day after the meeting, Al-Issa said in
a tweet that he held discussions with the PM on a wide range of issues,
including ways to further human-centric development and the importance of
promoting understanding and harmony among followers of various faiths and
cultures. “I appreciate His Excellency's passionate perspective towards
inclusive growth,” he said.
In response, Modi tweeted, “We had a
great exchange of views on furthering inter-faith dialogue, countering
extremist ideologies, promoting global peace, and deepening partnership between
India and Saudi Arabia.”
Al- Issa, one of the strongest voices on
moderate Islam from Saudi Arabia, said that “there was also agreement on the
importance of working together on confronting all aspects of extremism and
hatred, regardless of their source and reason, as peace and prosperity in our
diverse world can only be achieved with aware and comprehensive citizenship”.
On Wednesday Al-Issa called on President
Droupadi Murmu who said India appreciates the role and objectives of the Muslim
World League in “promoting tolerant values, moderation of consciousness and
inter-faith dialogue”.
“Our more than 200 million Indian Muslim
brothers and sisters make us the country with the second largest population of
Muslims in the world,” the President said and added that India and Saudi Arabia
both condemn terrorism in all its forms and are calling for ‘zero tolerance’
against terrorism.
The two leaders agreed that there is a
need for a holistic approach to counter terrorism and violent extremism, and
this is possible only by engaging with moderate schools of thought, said an
official statement.
Addressing a gathering at the Vivekananda
International Foundation, Al-Issa said he was impressed by the diversity of
thought in India and asserted that he had not experienced anywhere else the
kind of peaceful coexistence he witnessed in the country. “The diversity of
thought in India has impressed me a lot... The world can benefit from India's
wisdom,” he said.
He stressed the importance of
inter-faith dialogue to combat misconceptions and said there is a need to
protect and guide the next generation in order to prevent a clash of
civilisations. “We believe that we are different parts of the same tree. Our
religion is humanity. All of us are from the same genealogy. We need to find a
remedy for the misconceptions that are being spread,” he said.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/muslim-world-league-chief-hails-pms-passionate-perspective-on-inclusive-growth/articleshow/101720817.cms
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After Quran Burning In Sweden, UN Approves
Pakistan-Led Motion On Religious Hatred
An Iranian
protester holds the Koran in his hand, during a protest against a man who
burned a copy outside a mosque in the Swedish capital Stockholm, in front of
the Swedish Embassy in Tehran, Iran July 3, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West
Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
-----
12 Jul 2023
In the wake of the burning of a Quran in
Sweden, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved a contentious
resolution on religious hatred on 12 July, reported news agency Reuters.
Though the resolution was opposed by the
United States and the European Union who opined that it would conflict with
their view on human rights and freedom of expression.
As per details, 28 countries voted in
favor, 12 voted against and seven countries abstained.
In response to last month's incident,
Pakistan brought in the motion for the U.N. rights chief to publish a report on
the topic and call on states to review their laws and plug gaps that may
"impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred".
Earlier on 28 July, a demonstrator -- an
Iraqi immigrant to Sweden -- burned the Quran outside Stockholm's central
mosque in Stockholm, that sparked outrage across the Muslim world and protests
in several Pakistani cities.
Following this, on 7 July, the
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) supporters burnt a Swedish flag in Karachi
during a protest to denounce the desecration of the Quran. The protest also
took place in Pakistan's Lahore on 9 July.
Muslim states including Iran and
Pakistan on 11 July said desecration of the Quran amounted to inciting
religious hatred and called for accountability.
Source: livemint.com
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https://www.livemint.com/news/world/Quran-burning-in-sweden-un-hrc-approves-pakistan-led-motion-on-religious-hatred-11689152631199.html
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes UN Rights Body’s
Approval Of Motion On Religious Hatred
UN Human
Rights Council on Wednesday approved a resolution on religious hatred in the
wake of the burning of copies of the Qur’an in Sweden. (File/AFP)
-----
July 12, 2023
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed on
Wednesday the UN Human Rights Council’s approval of a measure calling on
countries to do more to prevent religious hatred in the wake of Qur’an burnings
in Europe.
The resolution comes after copies of the
Qur’an were burned in Sweden, and calls on countries to take steps to “prevent
and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement
to discrimination, hostility or violence.”
Saudi Arabia said the approval of the
resolution, which came after vigorous demands from the Kingdom and a number of
countries around the world, is an embodiment of the principles of respect for
religions and cultures and a promotion of human values guaranteed by
international law.
The Kingdom indicated that it will
continue all its efforts in support of dialogue, tolerance, and moderation, and
rejects all destructive acts that seek to spread hatred and extremism.
Jassem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of
the Gulf Cooperation Council, also praised the action.
He said incidents, such as the burning
of the Qur’an by extremists in Sweden and similar events, highlighted the
urgent need for international resolutions to address despicable acts that
promote religious hatred and encourage violence and discrimination.
He added that the GCC countries always
seek to promote tolerance and mutual understanding between different cultures
and religions, and stressed respect for freedom of religious belief as one of
the most important foundations of human rights and peaceful coexistence in a
way that enables everyone to practice their faith freely without
discrimination.
He also expressed the GCC’s rejection of
any violence or action that affects religions and holy books.
Meanwhile, the King Abdullah bin
Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue
praised the intervention of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan,
which he made during the Human Rights Council’s emergency session on the Qur’an
burning incident.
“While KAICIID rejects the link between
freedom of expression and insulting beliefs, it asserts that what happened
greatly and seriously threatens the efforts exerted to maintain world peace,
the coexistence of nations, and the acculturation of peoples and
civilizations,” the Portugal-based international dialogue center said in a
statement.
It warned of the “danger of such
disgraceful acts, which ignite hatred and unleash violence, especially in a
world moaning from the blows of racism and chauvinism, and suffering from the
awakening of extreme nationalist movements.”
The statement added: “Despite the pain
of the current moment, KAICIID renews the call to all countries and groups,
especially those seeking to consolidate the roots of harmony and peace, to make
more creative efforts that support stability.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2336741/saudi-arabia
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Iran’s Khamenei Urges Seminary Students
to “Propagate” Islamic System
Iranian
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged seminary students to work for the
conservation of the authoritarian system governing the Islamic Republic, after
protests against Iran’s clerical establishment swept the country for months.
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JULY 12, 2023
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
urged seminary students to work for the conservation of the authoritarian
system governing the Islamic Republic, after protests against Iran’s clerical
establishment swept the country for months.
"Ensuring the preservation of the
system and the people's faith is an imperative obligation," Khamenei told
a group of Islamic seminary students on July 12.
"The significance of propagation as
one of the duties of the seminaries has redoubled following the establishment
of the Islamic Republic [in 1979], because the establishment of a political
establishment based on religion has increased the enmity of the arrogant powers
toward Islam," he said, in reference to Western countries.
In the “chaos of media pluralism,”
Khamenei added, the youth should be the focus of religious propagation.
“If we are negligent and weak in
propagation in the face of new developments, we would be afflicted by a
cultural transformation," he warned. "Like the West, we would become
caught up in a step-by-step process toward the normalization of major sins,
which then couldn't be easily remedied.”
Khamenei did not explicitly mention last
year’s nationwide protests sparked by the September death in police custody of
22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
The authorities cracked down hard on the
women-led protest movement, the biggest challenge to Iran’s clerical leaders in
decades, killing more than 520 people and unlawfully detaining over 19,000,
including dozens of journalists, activists say.
Following biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences,
including the death penalty, to protesters.
In his latest speech, Khamenei also
accused the West of pushing Ukrainians to fight occupying Russian forces to
serve "the interests of Western arms production and sales companies."
Kyiv’s Western backers have sent weapons
worth tens of billions of dollars to help Ukraine counter Russia’s unprovoked
invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine and its allies accuse Tehran of
supplying Moscow with drones for use in the conflict. Tehran rejects that,
despite widespread evidence that Russia is using Iranian-made drones to attack
both civilian and military targets in Ukraine.
Source: iranwire.com
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https://iranwire.com/en/politics/118433-irans-khamenei-urges-seminary-students-to-propagate-islamic-system/
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India
No Scope For Changing Muslim Personal
Law; Says Sunni Mahal Federation
13th July 2023
KOZHIKODE: Exposing the basic
contradictions in the positions of the communists and the Muslim organisations
regarding the reform of personal laws, the Sunni Mahal Federation (SMF), a
feeder organisation of the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, has stated that
there is no scope for changing the Muslim Personal Law. Samastha is one of the
organisations that accepted the CPM’s invitation to attend the seminar on the
Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Reacting to CPM state secretary M V
Govindan’s remarks that reforms can be brought in personal laws, SMF said that
the fight against the UCC is to protect personal laws.
“Govindan’s remark that personal laws
should be changed is unacceptable,” the statement issued by the SMF said. The
organisation regretted that such a remark has come at a time when everyone is
fighting the UCC, which is the agenda of the Sangh Parivar.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday,
Govindan said his party is for reforming the personal laws, but added that the
timing of such a demand is the issue. “Constitution has pointed out that there
should be gender justice in personal laws. But many processes should be carried
out before raising such issues,” he said.
In the press release, the SMF state
general secretary U Shafi Haji, working secretary Abdusamad Pookkoottoor and
Jem-Iyyathul Qutba Association general secretary Nazar Faizy Koodathayi said
that there is no gender discrimination in Islamic law on succession.
“Sharia says that the male member has
every responsibility in taking care of the family and that woman need not spend
anything even to meet her expenses. This is the high-status Islam gives to
women,” they said.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/jul/13/no-scope-for-changing-muslim-personal-law-2594291.html
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Muslim Dalits Halalkhors are the same as
Valmikis. They need legal protection too
ABDULLAH MANSOOR
12 July, 2023
Article 14 of the Indian Constitution
states that all people are equal before the law. But this guarantee remains
elusive for the Halalkhor caste, a Muslim community engaged in manual
scavengers and sanitation work. Despite being subjected to similar
untouchability practices as Hindu sweepers from lowered-castes, the Halalkhors
are not guaranteed Scheduled Caste status due to religious limitations in
Article 341. Let’s explore the social and religious stigmatisation faced by the
Halalkhor Pasmanda community, whose struggles are often ignored by Ashraaf
leaders, who are quite vocal on larger Hindu-Muslim issues.
Who are the Halalkhors?
The term Halalkhor literally means one
who consumes (khor) that which is lawfully gained (halal). The caste’s
traditional occupations include cleaning drains, roads, excreta, playing
musical instruments, and weaving winnowing baskets. The origin of the name
Halalkhor is subject to various theories. Some argue that the group acquired
this name after converting to Islam and abstaining from consuming pork. Another
theory suggests that the name is derived from their practice of earning their
food through physically demanding labour. But other Muslim castes also engage
in similar work. “Halalkhor caste was part of a larger group that was engaged
in sanitation work. As we see, Lalbegi Muslims are a class of sweepers who came
from northern India,” writes anthropologist Joel Lee. He adds that
Ain-e-Akbari, written by Abul Fazl, mentions a ‘Muslim’ caste for the first
time — khakrub, meaning dirt or dust sweepers.
Dr Ayub Rayeen, the author of Bharat Ke
Dalit Musalman (Dalit Muslims of India), said that the name Halalkhor was first
recorded as a caste name during the reign of Akbar. It was during this time that
the practice of identifying Muslim communities by their ethnicities began.
Several oral traditions link the Halalkhor community to Prophet Muhammad. In
one story, a companion of the prophet assisted him when he fell sick and
cleaned his vomit and diarrhoea. In return, he was given the title of Sheikh
Halalkhor. This tradition continues in Kashmir, where individuals with the
suffix ‘Sheikh’ in their names are considered Halalkhor, while those with the
prefix ‘Sheikh’ are Ashraaf.
Another story suggests that a man named
Hazrat Bilal took up the responsibility of cleaning the quarters of Prophet
Muhammad’s wives. Some Halalkhors add ‘Bilali’ to their names to commemorate
this story. These stories are important as they link the community to Prophet
Muhammad, giving them a sense of ‘honour’.
An alternative theory traces the origins
of the Halalkhor community to 14th-century Iran, associating them with the
Bhangi community. The book Herufi Nama mentions a man named Fazalullah
Halalkhor who lived in Iran in the 1300s and founded a new religion called
Herufia. The main followers of this religion were skilled artisans. According
to the book’s author, engineer Bashir A Alhaj, Miran Shah, the son of emperor
Timur, imprisoned and murdered Fazalullah Halalkhor on charges of blasphemy.
His followers were then forced into menial labour, such as cleaning stables,
and were referred to as Halalkhors based on their preacher’s name. It is
believed that over time, due to their living conditions, this community began
consuming Bhang, and thus were also referred to as Bhangi.
Much like the concept of
‘Sankritisation’ in Hindu society, there exists ‘Arabisation’ or
‘Ashraafisation’ in Muslim society. Pasmanda castes often claim descent from
Arab society to earn respect from upper-caste Muslims. For example, weavers
adopt the title ‘Ansari’, barbers take the title ‘Salmani’; dhunis, those who
card cotton, become ‘Mansuri’; butchers are called ‘Qureshi’; washerpeople
‘Hawari’; manihari, bangle makers, ‘Siddiqui’; bhatiyara, brick makers,
‘Faruqi’; gorkan, grave digger, ‘Shah’; and pamaria, folk singers, ‘Abbasi’.
These name changes are attempts to
establish a link with Arab society in hopes of gaining respect. But, in
reality, they face discrimination because they lack the ancestral lineage,
‘Shijrat’, that the Syeds possess.
Social conditions of Halalkhor
The Halalkhor community has faced social
discrimination and oppression for centuries. “When our forefathers used to go
to the mosque they were made to stand in the last row. They used to perform
ablution at home as it was forbidden to perform ablution inside the mosque. The
upper castes of the village did not like to drink water in our house,” said
Naseem Bilal, District President of Dalit Muslim Halalkhor Samaj, Mau, Uttar
Pradesh in an earlier interview for my YouTube channel, Pasmanda Democracy.
When asked if they still face
discrimination today, he asked back, “You must have heard of Yadav Juice
Corner, Chauhan Juice Corner, but have you ever heard of Halalkhor Juice
Corner?” He said they can’t use their caste name for such a shop because no one
will buy from them. He narrated the tale of his friend Salahuddin Sahab, a
retired railways employee who opened a hotel. He said that people used to
demean the hotel due to the owner’s caste. He had to close the hotel due to
this.
In an interview with retired railway
employee Ansar Saheb, he spoke about how Halakhor students hide their
identities to avoid discrimination. He added that the level of education in the
Halalkhor community is also very low. He alleged that this was by design of the
Ashraafs and that they had been kept away so that they could be “enslaved”. Sir
Syed Ahmed Khan was also not in favour of modern education for the Pasmandas
castes.
In the absence of education, no one
spoke their mind or questioned the establishments, Sahab said. “When an Ashraaf
ulema talks in our colony after eating our chicken, then they preach about
equal and compulsory education for every Muslim man and woman. But once this
Ulema gets down from the pulpit, they don’t remember any of it,” he said.
The Halalkhor community also experiences
other aspects of the Hindu caste structure, such as endogamy, where individuals
marry within their own caste.
He said that Muslims are equal in Islam
only in theory, in practice society is divided. He adds that this is seen in
politics as well. “When a Pasmanda contests elections, he is seen on the basis
of caste but when an Ashraaf contests election, he is just a Muslim leader
representing all communities,” Saheb said.
And when Pasmandas do stand for
election, they are ridiculed for their background and lack of education.
Questions are raised about what “these people” will do in Parliament. Slogans
like “Allah miya ki marzi, chunaav lade darzi” are popular among Ashraaf. It
roughly translates to — the lower caste can compete in elections but God’s will
will prevail.
The need for SC status
Though socially similar to Hindu Dalit
communities like Valmikis, Halalkhors do not receive the same treatment in the
eyes of the law. Hindu Dalits have Scheduled Caste status, which grants them
access to government schemes and welfare measures. Halalkhors and other
Pasmanda castes are excluded from SC status, despite BR Ambedkar identifying
the Halalkhor caste as untouchable in his 1948 book The Untouchables: Who Were
They And Why They Became Untouchables. The 1921 census also recorded Halalkhors
as a Scheduled Caste.
The absence of Scheduled Caste status
keeps the Halalkhor community trapped in a marginalised state. In October 2022,
the central government set up a panel to examine the issue of SC status for
Muslim and Christian Dalits. In April this year, the Supreme Court also heard a
petition regarding SC status for converted Dalits. For the government to
recognise the need for such provisions, it is important to understand that
Muslim society is not homogeneous, and casteism, discrimination, and
untouchability exist within it, similar to Hindu society.
Reservation serves as an instrument of
social justice for these socially excluded castes and contributes to
nation-building. It is the first step in ensuring their proportional
representation in politics, education, justice, business, and other fields.
Granting SC status to Pasmandas, who have faced exclusion, exploitation,
disrespect, and deprivation for thousands of years, would provide them with
opportunities for improvement and upliftment.
Abdullah Mansoor is a teacher and runs a
YouTube channel named Pasmanda Democracy. Views are personal.
Source: theprint.in
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Two Islamic Secular Front workers killed
in Bhangar counting booth violence
13.07.23
Bhangar, the epicentre of political
clashes in the run up to the panchayat polls, again erupted late on Tuesday
night with three youths, including two supporters of the Indian Secular Front
(ISF), succumbing to bullets at Kantalia while counting for the zilla parishad
seats was on inside a high school in Bhangar II block.
A police officer of the rank of
additional superintendent of police of the Baruipur police and his bodyguard
also received bullet injuries as bombs and bullets flew indiscriminately
outside the counting centre on Tuesday night with Arabul Islam, the Trinamul
strongman of the area, holed up inside the high school with Hakimul, his son.
ISF workers alleged violence erupted
when their Trinamul counterparts inside the counting centre realised they would
lose one of the three zilla parishad seats. Arabul and his men “manipulated”
the counting and ensured the ISF candidate lost, they alleged.
Trinamul leaders said ISF supporters
resorted to bombing outside the counting centre from 11pm all of a sudden
leaving several party workers seriously injured. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee
on Wednesday wondered how violence broke out in Bhangar in presence of the
central forces.
“How did trouble break out in Bhangar
last night (Tuesday)? Central forces were deployed there,” Mamata wondered
while addressing the media. “They had gathered people from outside and had
stacked bombs before inside a school. When additional SP was fired upon...
there were central forces. I would have been happy if they had arrested some
Trinamul workers if they were found guilty,” she said, declaring a compensation
of Rs 2 lakh and the job of a home guard to the next of kin of those killed in
violence during the panchayat polls.
Among the two killed ISF supporters,
family members of Rezaul Gazi refused to hand over the body to the police for
post-mortem till 6pm on Wednesday, almost 18 hours after his death. A worker in
a bag-making unit from Bhogali in Bhangar, Rezaul had joined other ISF workers
at Kantalia to celebrate his party candidates’ win in several gram panchayat
seats close to midnight.
Rezaul’s relatives said violence erupted
suddenly and bullets started flying on the road outside the school followed by
bombing. The father of a four-month-old daughter received a bullet and died
instantly.
The second victim, Hasan Ali, 26,
succumbed to his injuries two hours later. The 26-year-old was declared
“brought dead” at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Calcutta, around
2.45am on Wednesday He is survived by his pregnant wife, family members said.
A police report on Hasan said: “At about
00.10 hours (12.7.2023) some unknown persons injured him by gunshot. As a
result, he received injury on his person and was removed to Jirangacha hospital
thence to RG Kar MCH Trauma care unit. On duty doctor examined the patient and declared
the patient dead....”
The third, Raju Molla, of Chinipukur
stepped out of his house on Tuesday night to visit his sister’s home. His
relatives said Raju left after picking up a fight with his mother and was
caught amid bullets and bombs. He died on the spot.
As violence continued through the better
part of the night, Maqsood Hasan, the additional police superintendent,
received a bullet on his left hand. His bodyguard took a bullet in trying to
save him.
“Arabul led an attack inside the
counting centre to ensure his candidate won a zilla parishad seat.... What were
government officials doing? A CBI probe will reveal the truth,” ISF MLA Nawad
Siddique said.
On Wednesday, police clamped Section 144
of the CrPC across parts of Bhangar with senior police officers combing the
area. A team from the CID’s bomb disposal squad defused several bombs recovered
last night.
Overall toll
55 Poll-related deaths were reported
from other parts of the state too. While a Congress worker and a Trinamul
worker were killed in Malda, the body of a Trinamul worker was found at
Raidighi in South 24-Parganas.
A Congress worker injured in Sagardighi
on Saturday, the day of polling, died in a Calcutta hospital on Wednesday
afternoon. The poll-related toll rose to 55, which includes 24 Trinamul
workers.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/two-islamic-secular-front-workers-killed-in-bhangar-counting-booth-violence/cid/1951675
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India Home To Second Largest Population
Of Muslims In World: President Murmu
12 JUL 2023
India, as a multi-cultural and
multi-religious society, celebrates unity in diversity and its over 200 million
Muslims make the country the second largest population of the community in the
world, President Droupadi Murmu said on Wednesday.
Welcoming Muslim World League Secretary
General Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who had called on the president at
Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu said India appreciates the role and objectives
of the Muslim World League in promoting tolerant values, moderation of
consciousness and inter-faith dialogue.
She stated that India, as a
multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society,
celebrates unity in diversity, a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan
said.
"Our more than 200 million Indian
Muslim brothers and sisters make us the country with the second largest
population of Muslims in the world," the president said.
Murmu said India attaches great importance
to its relationship with Saudi Arabia.
She said both the countries condemn
terrorism in its all forms and are calling for "zero tolerance"
against terrorism.
"The two leaders agreed that there
is a need for a holistic approach to counter terrorism and violent extremism,
and this is possible only by engaging with moderate schools of thoughts,"
the statement said.
The president also appreciated Al-Issa’s
stand against extremism, terrorism and violence.
She expressed confidence that his visit
to India would provide more avenues for collaboration with the Muslim World
League.
The two countries have a longstanding
history of amicable relations rooted in trade and people-to-people ties, the
president said.
"Both our countries have valuable
teachings to share with the world," she added.
Al-Issa is on his first official visit
to India. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
Source: outlookindia.com
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https://www.outlookindia.com/national/india-home-to-second-largest-population-of-muslims-in-world-president-murmu-news-302281
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Moradabad Muslim man who moved
application to convert booked after wife files complaint
Aamir Ali, 22, had sent an application
through registered post to the office of the Moradabad district magistrate on
July 3 seeking permission to convert.
July 13, 2023
The wife of the Muslim man who sought
permission to convert to Hinduism lodged a First Information Report (FIR)
against him and six of his family members for forgery and cruelty other
allegations in Moradabad Wednesday evening.
Aamir Ali, 22, had sent an application
through registered post to the office of the Moradabad district magistrate on
July 3 seeking permission to convert and had also requested security
apprehending an attack from his community members over the issue.
His wife Gulphansa, 19, had alleged
Aamir had an affair with a Hindu woman before they got married and that his
family members had kept her in the dark on the issue.
“The family members knew that Aamir was
in a live-in relationship with the woman yet they contacted my family with the
proposal of marriage and now my life is ruined. His family members had tried to
get me abort forcibly after I got pregnant following which I had started living
with my parents,” she had said.
While speaking to The Indian Express
over the phone, Amit Kumar, in charge of the Mughalpura police station in
Moradabad, said Ali and six of his family members, including his parents, have
been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 420 (cheating) and 498A
(husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) on the
basis of the complaint lodged by Gulphansa.
“We are investigating the veracity of
allegations made by her and no arrests have been made so far. There is no trace
of Aamir Ali as his mobile is switched off and the house is locked,” Kumar
said.
District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar
Singh confirmed Ali had moved an application to his office seeking to change
his religion.
“As per the law, there is no need for
any sort of permission from an officer if an adult is willing to change his or
her religion but in this case, his wife too has moved an application. She has
claimed her husband is playing tricks with the existing law,” said Singh.
“I have asked the ADM and the SSP to
look into the issue to ascertain the truth before taking any action. They have
now registered an FIR in this regard,” he added.
The police said Ali works as a sales
executive in a private firm in Ghaziabad and is a resident of the Prince Road
under the Mughapura police jurisdiction in Moradabad.
Meanwhile, Gulphansa has also written to
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking his intervention. “I am your daughter
and do hope that you will come to my rescue to protect your daughter on this
issue,” she wrote in her letter to Adityanath.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/moradabad-muslim-man-who-moved-application-to-convert-booked-after-wife-files-complaint-8832861/
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Pakistan
Five killed in attack by Tehreek-e-Jihad
Pakistan on Balochistan military garrison
13.07.23
Heavily-armed militants attacked an army
garrison in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province in the early hours of
Wednesday, killing at least four soldiers and wounding five others, the army
said.
A group of terrorists launched a
“dastardly attack” on Zhob Garrison in the north of the province, leading to
clashes in which three militants were also killed, the Inter-Services Public
Relations (ISPR) — the media wing of the army — said in a statement.
The intense shootout also resulted in
the death of a female passerby and left five other civilians injured, it added.
A little-known militant group —
Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan — claimed responsibility for the attack in a
statement, without providing any details.
An initial attempt of terrorists to
sneak into the facility was countered by soldiers on duty and in the ensuing
heavy exchange of fire, terrorists were contained into a small area at the
boundary.
“A clearance operation by Security
Forces is underway to apprehend remaining two terrorists as well,” the
statement said, adding that the security forces were determined to thwart all
such “ghastly attempts at destroying peace” in Balochistan.
Balochistan chief minister Mir Abdul
Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack on the Zhob garrison and paid tribute to
the Pakistan army for thwarting it by taking swift action.
He offered his condolences to the
families of the dead and said that the “Pakistan army is the guarantor of peace
and security in the region”.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/five-killed-in-attack-by-tehreek-e-jihad-pakistan-on-balochistan-army-garrison/cid/1951707
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Pakistan gets first tranche of $1.2bn
from IMF: Ishaq Dar
July 13, 2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
has deposited $1.2 billion into the account of the State Bank of Pakistan
(SBP), allowing breathing space to the cash-strapped economy, which has been
dealing with the risk of default for almost a year.
The Fund's executive board late last
night approved a $3 billion Stand-By Agreement (SBA) under a nine-month
programme, after almost eight months of tough negotiations over fiscal
discipline.
A staff-level agreement was made with
the lender last month, which under a short-term pact got more than expected
funding for the country as it underwent severe liquidity crunch, with the
central bank reserves enough to provide for barely a month of controlled
imports
In a televised address from Islamabad,
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Thursday said Pakistan would receive the balance
amount after two reviews — the second in November and the third in February.
This inflow will increase Pakistan's
foreign exchange reserves, he said, noting that during the ongoing week, the
central bank's reserves have moved up by around $4.2 billion.
"Our foreign exchange reserves will
close at around $13-$14 billion on July 14 [...] and the SBP will release the
exact numbers later on," the finance minister said, as he thanked Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his efforts in securing the programme.
"Pakistan is on the road to
development [...] we must all make efforts to make gains through this,"
Dar added.
"Our foreign exchange reserves will
close at around $13-$14 billion on July 14 [...] and the SBP will release the
exact numbers later on," the finance minister said, as he thanked Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his efforts in securing the programme.
The prime minister played a key role in
convincing the IMF to agree to the new programme as he repeatedly interacted
with the lender's chief in Paris and on phone calls.
In a statement, the IMF said its
executive board gave the green light to the nine-month standby arrangement in
order "to support the authorities' economic stabilization program."
"Pakistan is on the road to
development [...] we must all make efforts to make gains through this,"
Dar added.
Pakistan has suffered from a
balance-of-payments crisis as it attempts to service crippling external debt
amid a fraught political environment -- following the removal of the country's
former prime minister Imran Khan.
Inflation has rocketed, the rupee has
reached a record low against the dollar, and the country is struggling to
afford imports, causing a severe decline in industrial output.
Pakistan has brokered close to two dozen
arrangements with the IMF, most of which have gone uncompleted.
In the days before the decision was
approved, Pakistan received $3 billion in deposits from Saudi Arabia and the
United Arab Emirates.
The money from the two Gulf countries
boosted Pakistan's foreign reserves to $7.5 billion — more than double last
week's account balance.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1090096-finmin-dar-addresses-presser-after-imf-bailout-approval
--------
Pakistan sells embassy building in US
for $7.1m
July 13, 2023
WASHINGTON: Pakistan has finally sold a
historic building in the US capital that has been vacant since 2003 for $7.1
million, it emerged Thursday.
A Pakistani businessman named Hafeez
Khan took the property off the government's hands.
The property classification of the
Pakistan Embassy-owned building, which was up for sale for the past few months,
was recently downgraded by the District of Columbia — a move that inevitably
increased taxes on its assessed value.
The local authorities had changed the
class status of this old now-crumbling building formerly owned by the Pakistani
government.
The famous R Street building, which used
to be a chancery in the past, was put up for auction late last year, after
which the government received three bids. However, the Pakistani authorities
later canceled the complete bidding process without giving any reason.
The highest bidder at the time had
offered $6.8 million for the property in the heart of the city, while
pre-auction evaluation of the building on an "as is" basis was set
for $4.5 million as a benchmark.
The building has been unoccupied for
well over a decade. Its diplomatic status was also revoked in 2018, which made
it liable to pay taxes to the local government.
Building status downgraded
he local authorities had further
downgraded the property status earlier this year, putting more burden on the
national kitty.
The real estate categorisation,
according to building codes here, is listed as follows:
Class 1 - improved residential real
property that is occupied and is used exclusively for non-transient residential
dwelling purposes;
Class 2- Commercial property;
Class 3 - Vacant property;
Class 4 - Blighted property.
Official documents from the District of
Columbia revealed that the Pakistani government did not get any tax relief on
that property from 2018 onwards.
Subsequently, in 2018 and 2019, the
building was first categorised as Class 2 because it was commercial and was
then placed into Class 3 because it was vacant from 2020 to 2022.
In April 2023, the building's property
classification was further downgraded, and it has now been designated Class 4
for its deteriorated condition.
The local government's Department of
Buildings determines a building as blighted if it's unsafe, unsanitary, or
otherwise determined to threaten the community's health, safety, or general
welfare.
The building department determines this
status based on the following factors:
Is the building boarded up?
Are doors, windows, and other openings weather-tight
and secured?
Are exterior walls free of holes,
graffiti, and rotting material?
Are all exposed metal and wood surfaces
protected from decay by paint, or another weather-coating material?
Are all balconies, porches, signs, and
similar features safe and sound?
It's also pertinent to mention that
Class 3 is taxed at $5 per $100 of assessed value, and Class 4 is taxed at
$10.00 per $100 of assessed value.
Since it was not looked after properly,
the building deteriorated, even though then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani
approved the repairs through a $7 million loan from the National Bank of
Pakistan in 2010.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1090071-pakistan-sells-embassy-building-in-us-for-71m
--------
Three soldiers sacrifice lives in
counterterrorism operation in Sui district
July 13, 2023
Three soldiers of the Pakistan Army
tragically lost their lives on Wednesday while engaged in combat against heavily
armed terrorists in Balochistan's Sui District, the Inter-Services Public
Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The operation, which was underway at the
time, resulted in the successful elimination of two terrorists, said the
Pakistan army's media wing.
According to the ISPR, on July 12,
during an ongoing operation in Sui District, an exchange of fire took place
between the security forces and heavily armed terrorists.
“Security forces are maintaining
pressure and clearance operation is underway to apprehend remaining terrorists
as well," the statement said.
"Security forces remain unwavered
to expose/ neutralise the enemies of peace in Balochistan and Pakistan,” the
ISPR said.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1089891-three-soldiers-sacrifice-lives-in-counterterrorism-operation-in-sui-district
--------
Nine soldiers martyred in Zhob terror
attack
JULY 13, 2023
Nine Pakistan Army soldiers embraced
martyrdom while five terrorists were killed after security forces retaliated to
a “dastardly attack” on the Zhob garrison in northern Balochistan on Wednesday,
the military’s media affairs wing said.
In a statement issued in the morning,
the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the militants launched the
attack in the early hours of Wednesday, following which four soldiers were
martyred and five others were injured. The terrorists’ initial attempt “to
sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty”, the ISPR said, adding
that they were “contained into a small area at the boundary” in the ensuing
exchange of fire.
Meanwhile, three “heavily armed
terrorists” were killed and a clearance operation was initiated to apprehend
the remaining two militants, the ISPR said. Later, in an update shared at
night, the ISPR said the clearance operation had been completed and in total,
five terrorists have been sent to hell”. However, it added, the five soldiers
who got critically injured earlier while “fighting gallantly” had succumbed to
their injuries and embraced martyrdom.
“Security forces and the nation remain
resilient and determined to thwart all such dastardly attempts of the enemy
aimed at destroying the peace of Balochistan and Pakistan,” the ISPR statement read.
Earlier in the day, Zhob District Commissioner (DC) Azeem Kakar had said a
woman civilian was also killed after being caught in the crossfire while five
other civilians were left injured. The official added that the severely injured
were being referred to Quetta.
DC Kakar said that a passenger bus
coming from Dera Ismail Khan was also caught in the firing. He added that
“nothing can be said about the number of attackers”, and asserted that all
departments were on alert.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister
Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack on the Zhob garrison and paid
tribute to the Pakistan Army for thwarting it by taking swift action.
In a statement, he said that the nation
was proud of the sacrifices made by the martyrs and also offered his
condolences to their families. “Pakistan Army is the guarantor of peace and
security in the region,” the chief minister said.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz
Sharif said that Pakistan was safe and secure today due to the sacrifices of
the martyrs. “The ongoing war against terrorism is a fight for the country’s
future,” he stated.
“In the last decade, our valiant forces
and the nation together eradicated the menace of terrorism and in the future
too, they will spare no effort to uproot this monster.
“The protection of this country is our
mission and our responsibility, which is dearer than our own lives,” the
premier added and prayed for the souls of the martyred.
Source: dailytimes.com.pk
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https://dailytimes.com.pk/1113339/nine-soldiers-martyred-in-zhob-terror-attack/
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Army, FC deployed in Kurram as land
dispute escalates
JULY 13, 2023
Troops from the Pakistani Army and the
Frontier Corps (FC) have been deployed in Kurram tribal district on the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa government’s request to control the escalating situation caused by
land dispute among locals.
The ongoing clashes have resulted in the
deaths of at least 11 people and left 77 others injured. The violence, which
erupted approximately five days ago in the Boshera Dandar area, has now spread
to several neighbouring areas, including Khar Kallay, Baleshkhel, Pewar, Gidu,
Teri Mengal, Kamran Para Chamkani, Maqbal, and Kunj Alizai.
In an official communiqué issued by the
KP Home Department, it was stated that the Army and FC would remain in the area
until the situation returns to normal. The decision to deploy additional troops
was made to restore peace, prevent further losses, and avoid casualties. The
government has been making efforts to resolve the longstanding land disputes
amicably through the involvement of a Jirga (tribal assembly) and the support
of the revenue department.
The government has warned of strict
action against individuals involved in the clashes and has urged the public to
cooperate with the district government and law enforcement agencies to thwart
the nefarious designs of anti-state elements. The escalating situation prompted
a federal minister to appeal to the provincial and federal governments for immediate
steps to restore law and order in Kurram district. Federal Overseas Pakistanis
and Human Resource Development Minister Sajid Hussain Turri, who has been
present in his constituency for the past three days, expressed concern over the
continuous clashes despite multiple ceasefires.
Minister Turri reported that the
district administration, local elders, and security forces had made attempts to
bring an end to the fighting in Teri Mengal, Baleshkhel, and Khar Kallay.
Although a temporary ceasefire was achieved, clashes reignited shortly after.
The pattern of ceasefires followed by renewed clashes has persisted for the
past two days.
The minister has remained in contact
with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Principal
Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, and the military’s
11 Corps, keeping them updated on the situation.
To aid in the negotiation of peace, a
30-member peace Jirga from Kohat, Orakzai, and Hangu, led by Kohat Deputy
Commissioner Dr Azmatullah Wazir, has arrived in Kurram district. The
delegation, carrying white flags on their vehicles, is actively working towards
resolving the conflicts in the area.
The recent clashes are a continuation of
the long-standing land disputes in Kurram district. On Friday afternoon,
heavily armed tribesmen engaged in fighting, resulting in five deaths and at
least 23 injuries. The district administration initially claimed to have
achieved a ceasefire through the involvement of a local Jirga. However, clashes
erupted again during the night in various localities of the Tari Mangal area,
which has a history of law and order issues.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has
made significant efforts to address the land disputes in Kurram district and
restore normalcy before the clashes on July 7. The government’s press statement
highlighted that there are eight different ongoing land disputes in central,
lower, and upper areas of the district, some of which date back to
pre-independence times. Section 144, which prohibits gatherings and the
carrying of weapons, has already been imposed in the affected area.
In response to the clashes, the district
administration, with the support of the police and law enforcement agencies,
engaged prominent elders to establish a ceasefire and initiate negotiations
with both parties involved. Additionally, a 12-member Jirga comprising elders
of Kurram district was formed to address the land disputes and hold discussions
with the conflicting tribes. The Jirga received assistance from a Revenue
Commission and successfully demarcated the land in the Gido area.
Furthermore, the government has
established a high-level Revenue Commission at the provincial level through the
Board of Revenue to settle measured and unmeasured land in the district, aiming
to resolve the issue permanently.
Source: dailytimes.com.pk
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Arab World
Saudi delegation prepares for G20 Young
Entrepreneurs Alliance Summit in India
July 12, 2023
RIYADH: Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser,
founder and chairman of the board of directors of the Entrepreneurship Vision
Association, and chairman of the Saudi G20 Young Entrepreneurship Alliance,
will lead the Kingdom’s delegation at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance
Summit that begins in New Delhi, India, on Thursday.
The three-day event will bring together
a select group of young entrepreneurs from G20 member states and other invited
countries.
The focus of the Kingdom’s delegation
will be on highlighting the support it can provide to entrepreneurs, and its
efforts to create a regulatory environment conducive to the growth of small and
medium-sized enterprises, in keeping with the goals of Vision 2030, the
country’s development and diversification plan, the Saudi Press Agency reported
on Wednesday.
The delegates will also showcase the
advantages on offer to entrepreneurs that decide to start their businesses in
the Kingdom, as well as those seeking to expand or relocate to Saudi Arabia.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2336796/saudi-arabia
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224 Students from 17 Saudi universities
embark on scientific trips to Japan
July 12, 2023
JEDDAH: A total of 224 students from 17
Saudi universities are currently participating in two scientific trips to
Japan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The trips, which will continue for two
weeks, are being supervised by King Abdulaziz University and the Student
Affairs Deans Committee of the Saudi Universities.
The itinerary includes visits to various
Japanese universities, as well as tours to explore the industrial and economic
sectors.
Following these visits, there will be a
separate trip for female students, providing them with the opportunity to learn
about the different aspects of scientific and industrial progress in Japan.
During both trips, the students will
have the chance to visit cultural sites, institutions, scientific centers, and
factories, aiming to enhance their scientific and cultural knowledge, skills,
and capabilities.
The main objective of these trips is to
promote the exchange of knowledge and culture, while also providing the
students an opportunity to gain insight into pioneering scientific and
educational expertise in Japan.
During the tour, the delegation from
Saudi universities will also be visiting the Kingdom’s embassy in Japan.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2336766/saudi-arabia
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More than 750,000 passengers used
Haramain railway during Hajj
July 12, 2023
RIYADH: More than 750,000 passengers
used the Haramain High-Speed Railway during this year’s Hajj season, an
increase of 96 percent compared to the same period in 2022.
3,627 trips were made during the Hajj
2023 season, an increase of 79 percent compared to Hajj 2022, Saudi Press
Agency reported.
An average of 126 trips were made during
peak days due to high demand and a record-breaking 131 trips were made on Dhul
Hijjah 7 (the day before Hajj started).
The railway transported pilgrims and
travelers between Makkah and Madinah with a punctuality rate of 98 percent,
which contributed to providing wider options for the smooth movement of
passengers and times that suited them, SPA added.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2336626/saudi-arabia
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Fourth Riyadh Season to begin with
boxing spectacular
July 12, 2023
JEDDAH: The fourth Riyadh Season will
kick off on Oct. 28 with an opening ceremony and momentous boxing match
featuring Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou.
Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General
Entertainment Authority said the event is back with “world-class experiences
and live events — keeping its claim as one of the most anticipated
entertainment seasons worldwide.”
“Following its opening ceremony, Riyadh
Season will kick off with an electrifying boxing match on Oct. 28. MMA and
boxing audiences will witness the ultimate clash between two champions, Tyson
Fury against Francis Ngannou. This face-off will set a new standard for such an
event.”
Every winter, the capital of Saudi
Arabia hosts an enormous entertainment event, attracting visitors from around
the world.
Riyadh Season, first launched in 2019,
has become a renowned festival offering a plethora of experiences, including
concerts, sports events, culinary delights and distinct cultural activities.
Meanwhile, Fury will face mixed martial
arts star Ngannou in Riyadh on Oct. 28, for an epic showdown between two giants
following the Riyadh Season opening.
The clash to find out who is the
“Baddest Man on the Planet” will take place under professional rules.
Fury is now training in Dubai in
preparation for the contest.
He was last seen in Riyadh with his
father, John Fury, supporting his brother Tommy Fury, who headlined “The Truth”
fight against Jake Paul.
This will be Francis Ngannou’s first
professional fight as a boxer.
Fury said in a press release: “As soon
as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away! This guy is supposed to be the hardest
puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big
GK (Gypsy King).
“I can’t wait to get back out there
under the lights. I’m looking forward to showing the world that The Gypsy King
is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master
of his craft. Francis looked tough when he jumped in the ring after the Whyte
fight, but there is no one tougher than me, and you’ll all see that in
devastating fashion on Oct. 28.”
Ngannou said: “I’ve been waiting to meet
Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box, and to
box the best. After becoming the undisputed MMA heavyweight champion, this is
my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the
baddest man on the planet. I’d like to thank Riyadh Season and my team at
3Point0 Labs for helping put this event together. All I will say to Tyson for
now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to
sleep.”
Three judges at ringside will utilize
the 10-point must system as both fighters commit to engaging in an intense
battle, aiming to secure victory through a powerful knockout.
A collaboration between Queensberry, Top
Rank, Ngannou’s promotional banner GIMIK Fight Promotions and Riyadh Season has
been established to host the clash, which is bound to captivate boxing
enthusiasts worldwide.
The epic battle will determine the
ultimate heavyweight and will put the toughest chin in boxing to the test
against the Guinness World Records-certified most powerful puncher.
Set to be one of the most financially
lucrative fights in history, the fight will adhere to standard boxing
regulations and take place in a conventional boxing ring in Riyadh.
The third Riyadh Season in 2022 attracted
more than 10 million international visitors. The season offered more than 8,500
activity days and experiences in 15 diverse zones, each of which has a special
entertainment character, as well as 252 restaurants and cafes, 240 stores,
eight international shows, more than 150 concerts, 108 interactive experiences,
seven global exhibitions, two international football matches, 17 Saudi and Arab
plays, and WWE events, among others.
Source: arabnews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2336561/saudi-arabia
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Makkah Mosque hosts special prayers as
work begins on new building
11th July
A mosque held a day of celebration
before work begins on constructing a new building.
Members of the Makkah Mosque on Grecian
Crescent, Bolton have been fighting for 10 years to secure an expansion.
And after securing planning permission
and raising funds which come solely from the community, work will begin on the
construction of the new site this week.
The mosque welcomed its members in on
Sunday afternoon for a final prayer and celebration before the transformation
takes place.
Among those who were excited by what the
new building will have to offer is Waseem Hussain, who is at the site daily and
who does regular volunteering and fundraising.
He has long ties with the mosque as his
grandfather Rehmdad was a Hafiz - someone who memorises and recites the Quran -
who was present at its founding.
He said: "We are looking to do more
with the community in the new building.
"One of the ideas we have had is
for a gym.
"Great Lever is classed as a very
deprived area and it has one of the highest crime rates in Bolton.
"When I was growing up I can
remember there were youth centres but there is not as much for kids, you have
got something like boxing and football but a lot of parents can't afford to be
taking kids to them.
"There are not enough youth centres
around so one possibility we are looking at is a gym."
They also want to address issues in the
area such as the use of nitrous oxide by bringing in an Imam to tell youngsters
about the dangers of drugs.
Other facilities which will be available
in the new building will be a rooftop garden and a lift which will make
transporting bodies for funerals far easier.
During Eid the mosque has been holding
five prayers a day due to the volume of people attending but it is hoped after
the new facility is built this can be reduced to two or one.
Under the plans the existing building
will be replaced with car parking space.
Another person who is looking forward to
the new project is worshipper Waqas Khan.
He said: "I have been coming here
my whole life and I am very excited for it.
"We need the new building for the
community.
"It is a very big day."
Source: asianimage.co.uk
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https://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/23649034.makkah-mosque-hosts-special-prayers-work-begins-new-building/
--------
Mideast
Settler faces ‘terrorism’ charges over
West Bank mosque vandalism
12 Jul 2023
Israeli prosecutors have filed charges
related to “terrorism” against a Jewish settler accused of vandalising a mosque
as part of anti-Palestinian rampages in the occupied West Bank last month,
which drew a rare demand from the United States for accountability.
The spree of vandalism and arson by
hundreds of settlers in several villages and towns followed the June 20 killing
of four Israelis by Hamas gunmen, which in turn was a response to a deadly
Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp that killed seven Palestinians and
wounded more than 90 others.
At least one man was killed in the
village of Turmus Ayya. Many of the Palestinians who lost property in the
subsequent settler rampage were US dual nationals.
The defendant, in his early 30s, was among
“a large number [of] rioters” who threw objects at buildings in the village of
Orif, wrecked furniture and windows in its mosque and ripped up and threw to
the floor copies of the Quran, the indictment said on Wednesday.
Their goal was “to arouse fear or shock
in the community through a grave blow to the sacrosanct”, it said, adding that
authorities were unable to identify the others who took part.
The Honenu law firm representing the
defendant said he denied the charges filed in the Central District Court. The
charges were disorderly conduct resulting in damage, the infliction of special
damage and insulting religion, all designated as “acts of terrorism”.
Under Israeli law, the designation
enables the court to double the penalty for any of the counts on which it
convicts. Without the designation, the counts normally carry maximum prison
terms of between three and 10 years.
It is rare for the Israeli government to
file such a charge against one of its Jewish citizens when it comes to
Palestinian-related issues. According to Israeli human rights organisation Yesh
Din, which has been tracking settler violence since 2005, just seven percent of
settler attacks have led to criminal charges, with only three percent of
investigations leading to a conviction.
Israeli soldiers and police are also
often rarely punished for actions committed against Palestinians. Most
recently, a police officer was acquitted despite killing an autistic
Palestinian man in 2020.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in the occupied
territories are tried by Israeli military courts, which have a 99.7 percent
conviction rate. The United Nations has described Israel’s “justice system” for
Palestinians as violating international law.
The indictment provided to Reuters did
not make clear what evidence will be brought against the defendant. It appeared
to have redacted the names of three witnesses for the prosecution.
A Honenu spokesperson accused Israel’s
Shin Bet domestic intelligence service of having wrongfully detained the
defendant “instead of finding the people who killed Jews”.
Asked if that meant the defendant also
denied being in Orif during the ramage, the spokesperson declined to comment.
Increase of settler attacks
he limited scale and pace of Israel’s
law-enforcement effort against settlers have left Palestinians unmoved, almost
a decade since the stalling of US-sponsored efforts to achieve their statehood
goals through negotiations.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry
described the settler rampages as “state-sponsored terrorism”. The US said it was
“actively engaging” with Israel, while the US ambassador to the country said,
“We do not stand and watch settler violence.”
The settler rampage was part of a sharp
increase in coordinated and armed settler attacks across the occupied West Bank
since October, carried out under Israeli army protection, according to
Palestinian officials. They have included shootings, arson attacks, rock
throwing and physical assaults with pipes and other objects.
This is not the first time settlers have
carried out such attacks on Palestinian towns and villages. Last February, at
least 400 Israeli settlers attacked several Palestinian villages in the Nablus
area, including in Huwara, killing one man and injuring hundreds of others.
Settlers burned down more than 30 homes
and at least 100 cars while beating Palestinians with metal rods and rocks.
At least 600,000 settlers live
throughout the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, on
settlements that were built either partially or entirely on private Palestinian
land.
Source: aljazeera.com
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/12/settler-faces-terrorism-charges-over-west-bank-mosque-vandalism
--------
HAQQ Becomes Istanbul Blockchain Week’s
Title Sponsor Promoting Islamic Culture in Web3.
JULY 13, 2023
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – July 12th, 2023 –
Istanbul Blockchain Week, the highly anticipated global event that attracts
industry leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, and developers, is excited to unveil
its collaboration with HAQQ (Islamic Coin), dedicated to creating a fair and
ethical decentralized financial system. HAQQ will serve as the title sponsor
for this year’s event, reflecting IBW’s strong commitment to technological
innovation and financial inclusion, rooted in a culture of inclusivity, and
social responsibility.
Crypto has made its mark in Turkey, and
Istanbul has emerged as the go-to destination for the country’s Web3
enthusiasts. Many small businesses in the region are actively involved in
cash-to-crypto transactions, and crypto has become a practical solution to
counter the effects of inflation. By assuming the title sponsorship for
Istanbul Blockchain Week, HAQQ stands as a testament to the harmonious
coexistence of crypto trading and investments, Web3 engagement, and the guiding
principles of Shariah. IBW becomes a cultural melting pot where Europe meets
the Middle East, thereby emerging as the symbol of ethical crypto investing and
practices, representing an inclusive and decentralized future.
“Upon meeting the team behind IBW, it
became evident that HAQQ had to be a part of this remarkable event. The
meticulously curated list of sponsors and speakers reflects the dedication of
IBW to bring together a community of fair, transparent, and forward-thinking
projects,” explained Alex Malkov, the CEO of HAQQ, “As we strive to drive the
ESG change and promote the integration of Shariah-compliant principles in Web3,
our commitment extends to fostering cross-cultural collaboration and inclusivity.
With its unique blend of European and Middle Eastern influences, Istanbul
provides the perfect backdrop for our vision of a supranational, inclusive, and
decentralized future to flourish.”
Attendees of IBW will have a unique
opportunity to participate in a workshop organized by HAQQ, focused on
exploring sustainable and ethical blockchain infrastructure. During this
session, participants will learn about the principles of Shariah and understand
why projects following this philosophy are considered ethical and
ESG-compliant. The CEO of HAQQ, Alex Malkov, will also deliver a keynote speech
at IBW, sharing his journey and emphasizing the importance of reliable measures
to verify and support sustainable projects within Web3.
“Last year, Istanbul Blockchain Week
attracted over 4,000 attendees and featured more than 120 speakers, including
prominent Turkish leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials. I am
immensely proud that HAQQ recognizes the unwavering dedication of IBW to create
a space where ethical and transformative leaders from around the world can come
together, network, collaborate, and elevate our industry,” commented Erhan
Korhaliller, the founder of Istanbul Blockchain Week, “HAQQ’s participation as
the title sponsor reaffirms our commitment to technological innovation,
financial inclusion, and the values that hold significant importance in Islamic
and Turkish cultures on a global scale. With HAQQ’s invaluable support, we
pledge to foster an ethical and inclusive decentralized finance system that
empowers individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide.”
Istanbul Blockchain Week will take place
in Istanbul Hilton Bomonti Hotel from August 22nd through 23rd. It is a
celebration of decentralized culture and trade, gathering forward-thinking leaders
from all over the world.
About HAQQ
HAQQ is an ethics-first L1 blockchain
that brings together sustainability-centered developers, validators,
open-source contributors, and Muslim innovators in sustainable finance with its
native asset – Islamic Coin. As an EVM-equivalent chain built using the Cosmos
SDK, HAQQ’s innovative technology allows for the seamless deployment of smart
contracts from other EVM chains. HAQQ aims to create a fairer, more sustainable
financial system by balancing Shariah-compliant philosophy with cutting-edge
technology using Shariah Oracle – an on-chain registry of Halal Certificates,
which assures compliance with Islamic principles. HAQQ ensures that its users
interact exclusively with whitelisted Shariah-compliant dApps, minimizing
unethical or Haram activity within the network.
Learn more about HAQQ at haqq.network.
About Istanbul Blockchain Week
Istanbul Blockchain Week is an annual
event that brings together blockchain enthusiasts, industry experts, and
thought leaders from across the globe. Following its remarkable success in
November 2022, which witnessed an impressive turnout of over 4,000 attendees
and featured 120+ international and Turkish speakers such as Yoshihisa
Hashimoto, Changpeng Zhao, Ziya Altunyaldız, and Şant Manukyan, IBW is set to
return to Turkey’s prominent crypto hub from August 22nd to 23rd. As a dynamic
platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploration of the latest
advancements in blockchain technology, Istanbul Blockchain Week creates an environment
conducive to collaboration and innovation. The event offers attendees a diverse
program featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and
exhibitions that delve into various aspects of Web3. Istanbul Blockchain Week
presents a unique opportunity for individuals to immerse themselves in the
blockchain world and connect with like-minded visionaries actively shaping the
future.
To learn more about HAQQ, visit
istanbulblockchainweek.com.
Source: bitcoinworld.co.in
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://bitcoinworld.co.in/haqq-becomes-istanbul-blockchain-weeks-title-sponsor-promoting-islamic-culture-in-web3/
--------
South Asia
Islamic Emirate Wants to Develop
Afghanistan with Available Resources: Acting PM Kabir
2023-07-13
KABUL ( BNA) Acting Prime Minister,
Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, in a meeting with several owners and officials of
construction companies, said that the Islamic Emirate will develop Afghanistan
with the cooperation of Afghan engineers and available resources.
According to a statement released by his
office, Mawlvi Abdul Kabir, met with several owners and officials of
construction companies.
In the meeting, the owners and officials
of the Afghan companies said that they have excellent capacity in building,
roads and major dams sector and are ready to start construction projects for
the development of the country at a proper cost.
With the start of development projects
by the Islamic Emirate, the works of construction companies have started and
many job opportunities have been created, they added.
These officials shared a series of
suggestions to provide better and more effective services to construction
companies in the field of getting work permits, arranging bank guarantees, and
collecting taxes from them with the Acting Prime Minister.
The Islamic Emirate will develop
Afghanistan with the assistance of Afghan engineers and available resources and
intends to start other major projects as well, said Acting Prime Minister
Kabir.
The digging of the Qosh tape canal
proved that Afghan engineers have good knowledge and management, Kabir said.
He assured them that their suggestions
will be considered in the light of principles adding that all government
construction projects will be handed over to domestic companies for their
support.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-wants-to-develop-afghanistan-with-available-resources-acting-pm-kabir/
--------
IEA Spokesman Visits Officials,
Businessmen of Herat Industrial Park
2023-07-13
HERAT (BNA) The spokesman of the Islamic
Emirate emphasized serious support for the industrialists of Herat province.
The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate,
Mawlavi Zabiullah Mujahid visited several other officials and businessmen of
Herat Industrial Park.
The industrialists in Herat demanded
serious government support for domestic products and said that if the industrialists
were not supported, the country would never be self-sufficient.
For his part, Mujahid said that the
Islamic Emirate with stands with the businessmen and supports them in any
situation.
Referring to the opening of the Herat
Khaf railway, Mujahid says that this line will make it very comfortable in the
traders’ export sector.
During his visit to the companies in the
industrial park, Mujahid emphasized raising the quality of domestic products
and stated that efforts should be made to make the production standard.
Herat is the economic hub of the country
and with about 480 companies, 80% are self-sufficient in terms of production in
the industrial park of this province.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://bakhtarnews.af/en/iea-spokesman-visits-officials-businessmen-of-herat-industrial-park/
--------
Acting Refugees Minister Meets IOM Top
Official
2023-07-13
KABUL ( BNA) Acting Minister of Refugees
and Repatriation Alhaj Mohammad Ajmal Weyar in a meeting with the head of the
International Organization for Migration in Afghanistan stressed more
cooperation, coordination, and effective implementation of projects.
Acting Minister Alhaj Mohammad Ajmal
Weyar, met with Adnan Baghjati, Head of International Migration Organization
office in Afghanistan, the Ministry said in a statement.
The two sides discussed providing better
services for the returnees, reopening of returnees’ office at Kabul
International Airport, and addressing the problems of the offices of the
mentioned organization in the borders of Islam Qala-e-Herat, Spin Boldak,
Kandahar, Torkham Nangarhar, and other borders, the statement added.
The head of the International
Organization for Migration vowed to boost cooperation in addressing the
problems at the mentioned borders.
The two sides further stressed
developing cooperation, coordination, and effective implementation of projects.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://bakhtarnews.af/en/acting-refugees-minister-meets-iom-top-official/
--------
Dr. Naeem Meets UK Charge d’Affaires for
Afghanistan in Qatar
2023-07-13
KABUL (BNA) The head of the Afghan
Embassy in Qatar Dr. Mohammad Naeem Wardak, met with Robert Dickson, British
Charge d’Affaires for Afghanistan.
The two sides in a meeting discussed in
detail the current situation, and recent developments in Afghanistan and
exchanged views on bilateral ties between the two countries, the Embassy of
Afghanistan in Qatar said in a statement.
The head of the embassy of the Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan in Qatar hailed Britain’s position of not supporting
violence in Afghanistan.
Both sides stressed that all issues
should be addressed through understanding and dialogue.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://bakhtarnews.af/en/dr-naeem-meets-uk-charge-daffaires-for-afghanistan-in-qatar/
--------
Reconstruction Project of Salang Highway
Officially Begins Wednesday
2023-07-13
KABUL (BNA) Deputy Minister Prime for
Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani
Baradar, inaugurated the reconstruction project of the Salang Passway on
Wednesday.
The inauguration of the project was
attended by Deputy PM Bardar, Acting Public Work Minister, Mullah Mohammad Isa
Sani, local authorities of Parwan and Baghlan, and representatives of the
private sector.
Addressing the occasion Deputy PM Bardar
said that this is the 2nd major national and economic project after the Qosh
Tepa National Canal, adding that with the completion of these projects, many
traveling difficulties will be resolved and trade from the north to the south
of the country will be developed.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is
ready to complete this national project with all its strength and assures all
kinds of cooperation to the contracting companies, Mr.Bardar added.
The reconstruction project of the Salang
Passway will be completed in two years with the support of the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan in North and South Salang with a length of 80km.
Thousands of passenger and cargo
vehicles travel on this highway every day. Passengers and motorists traveling
on this road are happy that the current traveling issues will be solved after
its restoration.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://bakhtarnews.af/en/reconstruction-project-of-salang-highway-officially-begins-wednesday/
--------
Africa
World Muslim Communities Council organises
training course in Ghana on empowering religious leaders
Wed 12-07-2023
ABU DHABI, 12th July, 2023 (WAM) -- The
World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC) organised a training course. themed
'Formation of Leaders in the Fields of Religious Discourse and Education' in
Accra, Ghana.
Hasan Al Marzouqi, the Assistant
Secretary-General of TWMCC, delivered the Council's inaugural speech, in which
he referred to the role played by the Council in supporting the Muslim
community in Ghana in particular and in Africa in general. He also praised the
climate of coexistence and tolerance enjoyed by the Republic of Ghana, praising
the role of the Muslim community and its distinguished contributions to the
construction and development process in Ghana.
Al Marzouqi noted the role played by the
World Muslim Communities Council in correcting religious discourse, developing
and preparing religious education curricula and governance of religious
institutions in Muslim societies. He alluded to the government institutions in
the Republic of Ghana, and their cooperation in organising and hosting this
course, and all the experts, directors of participating educational
institutions, and religious leaders.
On his part, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chief
Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), extended his
thanks and appreciation to UAE's institutions that were the reason for his
inspiration and encouragement to establish ‘Education Ghana’ as a
non-government organisation concerned with educating Muslims, especially in poor
communities called in the local language "Zongo".
He also pointed out that the only way
for Muslims in Ghana to flourish is through education that enables them to
actively participate in serving their country, developing their society, and
contributing effectively to the progress of the Republic of Ghana, whose
constitution gives full rights to all religions and sects to practice their
rituals and express their beliefs in various forms.
Dr Khidr Abdul Baqi Muhammad, Director
of the Nigerian Center for Arab Research in Nigeria, also addressed the
importance of national integration and belonging to the homelands to achieve
peace, stability, and prosperity for Muslims and focused on the need to move
away from the differences and conflicts that exist in history and not to
transfer or repeat them. He called for Muslims to focus in Africa on their
reality and issues, discuss their Islamic origin and history, and not be
preoccupied with the origin and history of others.
The World Muslim Communities Council is
an international non-governmental organisation established on May 8, 2018. It's
headquartered in Abu Dhabi and has over 900 Islamic organisations and
institutions from 142 countries. It is considered a house of expertise to
rationalise organisations and associations operating in Muslim societies, renew
their thinking, and improve their performance and coordination among
themselves.
Source: wam.ae
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https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303176872
--------
Ogun Election Petition Tribunal Stops
Muslim Witness From Swearing By Quran
July 12, 2023
The chairman of the Ogun State election
petition tribunal, Hamidu Kunaza, on Wednesday, stopped a Muslim witness, Akeem
Rafiu Aro, from using the Quran for his oath-taking.
Aro had appeared before the tribunal to
testify in favour of the petitioner, Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP).
While in the box, the court official had
asked Aro to state his religion and how he would love to take the oath before
giving evidence.
A Quran was brought forward the moment
Aro said he was a Muslim and would love to swear by the holy book.
However, as the oath was about to be
taken, the tribunal Chairman asked the witness, “Where are you coming from?”
The question was asked twice, and when
the witness and lawyers in court could not understand the chairman, he turned
to the petitioners’ lawyer, Gordy Uche, saying: “I am asking where he is coming
from because I understand there are certain things to be done before swearing
with the Quran.”
Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said
he was not aware of the process that precedes swearing with the Quran, and said
that the witness should be allowed to proceed without the holy book.
Kunaza asked that the witness rather affirm
instead of taking an oath with the Quran.
The witness thereafter raised his right
hand to affirm that his evidence before the tribunal would be the truth,
without using the Quran.
Source: dailypost.ng
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https://dailypost.ng/2023/07/12/ogun-tribunal-stops-muslim-witness-from-swearing-by-quran/
--------
6 killed and 4 wounded in a mass
shooting in South Africa. Police search for gunmen
A mass shooting in South Africa left six
people dead and four wounded when three men entered the yard of a home and
opened fire, police said Wednesday.
The shootings happened Tuesday night in
the township of Kwanobuhle near the town of Kariega in the Eastern Cape
province. The suspects have not been arrested and a search was underway, police
said.
South Africa has one of the highest
homicide rates in the world and at least 2,629 people were killed with a
firearm in the first three months of this year, according to official crime
statistics. That's a rate of 30 people a day.
Police said five men and a woman were
killed in Tuesday's shooting and a woman was among the wounded.
"It is alleged that ... three
unknown males entered the yard and opened fire at people who were in the
property or nearby to the house," said police spokesperson Col. Priscilla
Naidu. "Two females were shot at the gate. One female succumbed to her
injuries while the other sustained gunshot wounds."
Police said the motive for the shooting
is unclear.
There has been a series of mass
shootings in South Africa recently, including at least three this year before
Tuesday.
Eight people were fatally shot at a
birthday party in the same Eastern Cape province in January. A child was among
10 members of the same family killed at a house in April. Eight died when
gunmen burst into a men's hostel and shot at occupants last month.
Last year, 16 people were killed in the
township of Soweto in Johannesburg after numerous gunmen shot at people at a
bar.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2023/07/12/6-killed-and-4-wounded-in-a-mass-shooting-in-south-africa-police-search-for-gunmen/
--------
Iran Africa tour: Kenya and Iran
strengthen bilateral ties
Kenya's president William Ruto and
Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi have signed a number of trade agreements during
a visit by Iran to the East African country on Wednesday.
The two leaders pledged to strengthen
bilateral ties, with Raisi describing his visit to Kenya as "a turning
point in the development of relations between (the) two countries".
The five memoranda of understanding
signed on Wednesday focus on "cooperation in information, communication,
and technology, fisheries, animal health, and livestock products, and
investment promotion," Ruto told reporters.
Iran also plans to to set up a
"motor vehicle assembly plant" in Mombasa county, according to Ruto.
"Common political views"
The visit is the start of a three-day
tour of Africa by Raisi. From Kenya, he will head to Uganda later on Wednesday
before finishing his trip in Zimbabwe on Thursday.
Prior to the trip, Iranian foreign
ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani expressed optimism that the three-day trip
to Africa could help bolster economic and trade ties with African countries.
Iran is currently seeking to shore up
diplomatic support in an effort to ease its international isolation.
Kanani said on Monday that Tehran and
the African continent share "common political views", without
elaborating further.
The trip is the first by an Iranian
leader to the continent in 11 years. The last leader to visit was Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad in 2013.
Source: africanews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.africanews.com/2023/07/12/iran-africa-tour-kenya-and-iran-strengthen-bilateral-ties/
--------
Czechia withholds support for UNHRC
resolution on Quran burning
13.07.2023
Czechia, along with the United States,
Britain, and France, chose not to support a resolution against the burning of
the Quran during today's United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) vote.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Daniel Drake explained that while Czechia condemns
such acts, there were additional concerns with the resolution's wording.
The resolution, which condemns Quran burning
and religious hate speech, was adopted by the UNHRC today. Western countries,
including the U.S., Britain, France, and the Czech Republic, voted against the
document, emphasizing the importance of freedom of speech alongside their
condemnation of religious hatred, according to the AFP agency.
Drake clarified that Czechia does not
approve of burning religious books but raised concerns regarding specific
aspects of the resolution's text.
The resolution was prompted by a debate
initiated by Pakistan on behalf of several Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
countries. The discussion was sparked by an incident in late June where an
Iraqi refugee burned several pages of the Quran near a mosque in Stockholm,
which was not the first such incident in Sweden. While Sweden and other Western
countries have condemned such acts, they have also defended the principle of
freedom of speech.
The resolution condemns all acts of
religious hatred, including the "desecration of the sacred Quran,"
and calls for the prevention and prosecution of such acts. Of the voting UNHRC
countries, 28 were in favor, 12 opposed, and seven abstained.
Drake highlighted the problematic
elements of the resolution, as seen from Czechia's perspective. First, there is
a public reference to European states, which implies that burning the Quran
inherently incites hatred.
The use of the adjective
"holy" before the word "Quran" also poses an issue,
considering the UN's secular and neutral nature. Finally, the resolution's call
for the criminalization of desecrating the Quran or other holy books represents
an unwelcome push for legislative changes.
"Another unacceptable formulation
is the call for desecration of the Quran or holy books to be generally
criminalized, i.e., a call for a change in national legislation," Drake
said.
Source: expats.cz
Please
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https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/czechia-withholds-support-for-unhrc-resolution-on-Quran-burning
--------
Southeast Asia
Indonesia LGBTQ event moved after
security threats in Muslim-majority country
13 Jul, 2023
A Southeast Asian LGBTQ event set to be
held in Indonesia next week has been cancelled and relocated after a series of
security threats, organisers said in a statement.
Homosexuality is legal everywhere in
Indonesia except in conservative Aceh province, which adheres to strict Islamic
laws, but gay couples often face discrimination in the world’s most populous
Muslim-majority country.
Asean Queer Advocacy Week was set to be
held in the capital Jakarta from July 17 to 21, bringing together LGBTQ
activists from around the region to connect and discuss challenges to the
community.
“The organisers of the Asean Queer
Advocacy Week decided to relocate the venue of the programme outside Indonesia,
after receiving a series of security threats from various groups,”
Philippines-based organiser Asean SOGIE Caucus said in a statement late on
Tuesday.
“The decision was made to ensure the
safety and security of both the participants and the organiser.”
Asean SOGIE Caucus, which organised the
event with Indonesian group Arus Pelangi and Thailand’s Asian Forum for Human
Rights and Development, said it had been monitoring a “wave of ‘anti-LGBT’
sentiment on social media”.
They did not say when or where the
relocated event would take place for security reasons.
The Southeast Asian country’s most
powerful Islamic regulatory body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, called on the
government to prevent the meeting from being held in Indonesia.
“The government should not give a permit
to any event in this country that contradicts religious values,” the council’s
deputy chairman Anwar Abbas said in a statement.
He said none of the six officially
recognised religions in Indonesia “tolerates LGBT practices”.
Other LGBTQ events have been cancelled
in Indonesia after resistance from Islamic groups in recent years, including a
visit by US special LGBTQ envoy Jessica Stern in December.
Outside Aceh, Indonesia’s current laws
on homosexuality are, however, more liberal than some of its neighbours.
Sodomy is a criminal offence in Malaysia
and can result in imprisonment, corporal punishment, and fines.
Source: scmp.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.scmp.com/print/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3227479/indonesia-lgbtq-event-moved-after-security-threats-muslim-majority-country
--------
NKS Indian Muslim Food in Clementi
suspended 2 weeks for infestation on premises
July 13, 2023
NKS Indian Muslim Food, a food stall at
Block 420A Clementi Avenue 1, has been temporarily suspended for two weeks from
July 12 to 25, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced.
The suspension under the Points Demerit
System was the result of the licensee of the eatery accumulating 12 demerit
points over a 12-month period.
NKS Indian Muslim Food was fined a total
of S$800 for two offences that incurred 12 demerit points in total.
The two offences were the failure to
register an assistant and failure to keep licensed premises free of
infestation.
Each offence incurred six demerit
points.
Risk getting licence cancelled
SFA said that based on track records, a
licensee who accumulates 12 or more demerit points during a 12-month period may
have his licence suspended for a period of either two or four weeks, or
cancelled.
Rehabilitative action
All food handlers working in the
suspended premises would also be required to re-attend and pass the Food Safety
Course Level 1, before they can resume work as food handlers.
The licensee is also required to ensure
that all food hygiene officers working in the suspended premises, if any,
re-attend and pass the Food Safety Course Level 3.
SFA said it takes a serious view of
these offences and would like to remind food operators to observe good food and
personal hygiene practices at all times, and to engage only registered food
handlers.
SFA added it will not hesitate to take
firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public
Health Act.
In the interest of maintaining a high
standard of food hygiene at all eating establishments, SFA is advising members
of the public who come across poor hygiene practices in food establishments not
to patronise such outlets and provide feedback via the online feedback form
(https://csp.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) or to call our SFA Contact Centre at 68052871
with details for our follow-up investigations.
Source: mothership.sg
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://mothership.sg/2023/07/nks-indian-muslim-food-clementi-suspended/
--------
Muslim-majority countries discuss
Islamic archives' digitization
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Archives
of Indonesia (ANRI) hosted a meeting of archival leaders from countries with
Muslim-majority populations to discuss cooperation in preserving collective
memory about Islam through digitization of archives.
Representatives from 19 countries were
invited to a preliminary meeting to form an archive cooperation forum among
Muslim-majority countries on Wednesday.
Heads of archive agencies from Saudi
Arabia, Malaysia, Morocco, Iraq, Palestine, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Brunei
Darussalam directly attended the meeting in Jakarta.
The preliminary meeting regarding
efforts to digitize Islamic archives was also attended by 19 ambassadors of
Muslim-majority countries and attended virtually by chief archivists throughout
Indonesia.
"This is the first time that
leaders of archival institutions from Muslim-majority countries have gathered.
Through this forum, we focus on preserving the collective memory of an Islamic
country through digitization," ANRI Head Imam Gunarto stated during a
preliminary meeting at the ANRI Office in South Jakarta.
Gunarto noted that the cooperation forum
was established to provide digital access to the archives of Islamic
civilization in all Muslim-majority countries for the world community.
The forum will also discuss
opportunities for inter-state cooperation in digitizing archives on Islamic
history and civilization, he remarked.
He said that archives regarding Islam
would be documented as a national treasury and become a national-level Islamic
archive database that would then be combined with archives from other
Muslim-majority countries.
"We have archives on Islam that are
still spread nationally. Some are being kept by community leaders, Islamic
boarding schools, and the community. In the future, we target to digitize them
soon," he remarked.
Gunarto stated that currently, 30
percent of old archives in central and regional ANRI have been digitized.
Meanwhile, the digitization of new archives in ministries and agencies has been
conducted for two years.
"There are already more than 300
ministries, agencies, and regions that have digitized their archives," he
revealed.
In addition, he noted that currently,
almost 20 million archives are available digitally.
Source: en.antaranews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://en.antaranews.com/news/288060/muslim-majority-countries-discuss-islamic-archives-digitization
--------
North America
New Hyde Park residents object to
proposal to expand Hillside Islamic Center
Jul 13, 2023
Some residents are fired up over a
proposal to expand a mosque on Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park.
Leaders of the Hillside Islamic Center
say they want to expand because they need more room to accommodate hundreds of
worshippers who come every week.
Neighbors, however, say the expansion
will make parking problems in the area worse.
Gary Heesemann, of New Hyde Park, says
worshippers for the mosque routinely clog traffic by packing the street with
vehicles, some illegally parked.
"What happens if there's an
emergency?" Heesemann asks. "They're putting people in this
neighborhood at risk because they want to do what they want to do."
Hillside Islamic Center Chairman Abdul
Aziz Bhuiyan says they want to build an additional flood and expand the parking
lot to 45 spaces. He says that could accommodate hundreds of people for Friday
services.
"We have our volunteers going
around putting stickers on cars illegally parked," Aziz Bhuiyan says.
"We are working with the 3rd Precinct to make sure they come here, if
there are any violations, they give tickets."
During Wednesday's Town of North
Hempstead board meeting, a councilman grilled the Islamic Center
representatives about the parking issues.
Heesemann says the town needs to crack
down on parking problems before considering the expansion.
The board tabled the proposal until Aug.
8. News 12 is told that the Hillside Islamic Center did not have updated plans
to present at Wednesday's meeting.
Source: longisland.news12.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://longisland.news12.com/new-hyde-park-residents-object-to-proposal-to-expand-hillside-islamic-center
--------
Europe
High Commissioner for Human Rights:
Urgent Debate of the HRC that Speech and Inflammatory Acts against Muslims and
Others Are Offensive
11 July 2023
The Human Rights Council this afternoon
held an urgent debate on the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of
religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran in
some European and other countries.
Action on a draft resolution on
“Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination,
hostility or violence” was postponed to Wednesday, 12 July at 10 a.m. because
of time constraints.
Volker Türk, United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, in a keynote address, said that beyond words,
human beings communicated through symbols. Religious symbols went so much
deeper. For millions of people these religious symbols had deep significance
and were the essence of peoples’ identity and core beliefs. The abuse or
destruction of the manifestations of innermost beliefs could polarise societies
and aggravate tensions. This urgent debate was prompted by recent incidents of
burning of the Quran, which was the core of faith for well over one billion
people. These and other incidents appeared to have been manufactured to express
contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke,
transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence.
The High Commissioner said that it was
clear to him that speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims; Islamophobia;
anti-Semitism; and actions and speech that targeted Christians – or minority
groups such as Ahmadis, Baháʼís or Yazidis – were
manifestations of utter disrespect. They were
offensive, irresponsible and wrong. Advocacy of hatred that constituted
incitement to violence, discrimination and hostility should be prohibited in
every State. Other forms of expression could amount to hate speech, if they
used pejorative or bigoted language towards a person or group on the basis of
their sex, belief, race, migration status, sexual orientation or any other
factor inherent to their person or identity, seeking to diminish their dignity
and demean their value in the eyes of others.
Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on
freedom of religion or belief, speaking on behalf of the Coordination Committee
of Special Procedures in a keynote address, said religions, beliefs or their
followers should not be instrumentalised to incite hatred and violence,
including for electoral purposes or political gains. Public acts of intolerance
were on the increase around the world and were more common in times of
political tension such as elections; these acts should be condemned. Acts which
manifested intolerance and were intentionally aimed at stirring up hatred, such
as some recent instances of the public burning of the holy Quran or desecration
of places of worship, were objectionable and risked drawing societies
backwards, reversing positive educational and social investments towards
understanding and diversity. They raised concern regarding tolerance, civility,
and respect for the rights of others.
Ms. Ghanea said that restrictions of
freedom of expression needed to respect the three-part test set out in the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: they must be legal,
strictly necessary, and proportionate to achieve a legitimate objective set out
in international human rights law. All States should exercise due diligence to
prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to
religious minorities and to detect signs of intolerance that may lead to
discrimination based on religion or belief. Expressions of intolerance needed
to be countered so that they did not encourage further acts of intolerance or
even of violence.
In the ensuing debate, many speakers
said the values of tolerance and dialogue must be reaffirmed, and hatred
rejected. Burning copies of the Holy Quran could not be justified, as they were
incitements to discrimination and hatred, running counter to international
efforts, and undermining the respect between peoples and countries. Despite
normative stipulations, there was a clear pattern of deliberate desecration,
leading to expressions of religious hatred. Promoting the culture of peace,
mutual respect, inter-cultural tolerance and harmony were a start, but
combatting religious hatred and its incitement were duties that States must
address. The escalating anti-Muslim phenomena across the world were a matter
for great concern for many speakers, who pointed out how they undermined
respect, tolerance, and mutual understanding. The international community
should stand firm against this rampant scourge.
One speaker pointed out that human
rights protected individuals, not religions or religious systems. It was not up
to the United Nations to determine what was holy or not, it was up to
individuals to determine their beliefs, and to live up to them up to the limits
of the law - this was a requirement for living in tolerant societies.
Exercising freedom of expression required self-discipline, not incitement to
war, hatred, or distinction. All forms of censorship should be carefully
monitored - the freedom of expression, pursuant to international law, was not
an absolute, whilst nevertheless requiring protection. Restrictions on the
right must be carefully assessed as per international agreements. In combatting
religious intolerance, all must be mindful that that combat must not limit
other rights.
Speaking in the discussion were Saudi
Arabia on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan, Qatar, Pakistan on behalf
of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Côte d'Ivoire on behalf of a group
of African States, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Lebanon on
behalf of a group of Arab States, Spain on behalf of the European Union,
Maldives, Cuba, France, Morocco, Sudan, Viet Nam, Mexico, Algeria, Cameroon,
United States, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, India,
Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Benin, Germany, Senegal, Lithuania, Romania, Luxembourg,
Belgium, Bolivia, Eritrea, United Kingdom, Kyrgyzstan, Czech Republic, Gambia, Finland,
China, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Türkiye, Holy See, Bahrain, Japan, Iraq,
Belarus, Sri Lanka, Libya, Kuwait, Dominican Republic, Djibouti, Mauritania,
Netherlands, Oman, Nigeria, Lebanon, Brunei Darussalam, Niger, Azerbaijan,
Ecuador, Israel, Singapore, Syria, Timor-Leste, Brazil, Venezuela, Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, Afghanistan, Russian Federation, Canada, Cyprus,
Thailand, Italy, Philippines, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain,
Malta, Peru, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, Mali, Sweden, Denmark and Tunisia.
Also speaking were World Evangelical
Alliance, World Jewish Congress, European Centre for Law and Justice, Centre
European pour le droit, les Justice et les droits de l'homme, Article 19 -
International Centre against Censorship, Maat for Peace, Development and Human
Rights Association, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Humanists
International, Association Ma'onah for Human Rights and Immigration, Partners
For Transparency, Union of Northwest Human Rights Organization, World Muslim
Congress, Centre d'études juridiques africaines, Human Rights Research League,
International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination, Jubilee Campaign, and Legal Analysis and Research Public Union.
Speaking in right of reply at the end of
the discussion was Ukraine.
The webcast of the Human Rights Council
meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents
and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-third regular session
can be found here.
The next meeting of the Council will be
at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 July, when it will continue its consideration of
the draft resolution issuing from the urgent debate. The Council will then
conclude an enhanced interactive dialogue on technical cooperation and capacity
building in the field of human rights. Next, it will hold an interactive
dialogue on the oral update of the Independent Expert on the situation of human
rights in the Central African Republic, followed by an interactive dialogue on
the oral presentation of the High Commissioner of the findings of the periodic
report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation
of human rights in Ukraine, and the interim report of the Secretary-General on
the situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic
of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine. This will be followed by the
presentation of the oral update of the High Commissioner on Georgia.
Urgent Debate to Discuss the Alarming Rise
in Premeditated and Public Acts of Religious Hatred as Manifested by Recurrent
Desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other Countries
Keynote Addresses
VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, said
that beyond words, human beings
communicated through symbols. Religious symbols went so much deeper. A
crescent, a star, a cross, a seated figure: for some, these might mean little,
but for millions of people they had deep significance and were the essence of
their identity and core beliefs. The abuse or destruction of the manifestations
of innermost beliefs could polarise societies and aggravate tensions. This
urgent debate was prompted by recent incidents of burning of the Quran, which
was the core of faith for well over one billion people. These and other
incidents appeared to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame
anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences
of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence.
The vandalism of religious sites and
destructions of icons, texts that were sacred to their believers, and religious
items, had been used to insult and provoke people for centuries. The High
Commissioner said that it was clear to him that speech and inflammatory acts against
Muslims; Islamophobia; anti-Semitism; and actions and speech that targeted
Christians – or minority groups such as Ahmadis, Baháʼís or Yazidis – were manifestations
of utter disrespect. They were offensive, irresponsible and wrong.
Mr. Türk said it was important to recall
the immense benefit of diversity for all societies. All people had an equal
right to believe, or not to believe: this was fundamental to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. These were complex areas. The limitation of any
kind of speech or expression must, as a matter of fundamental principle, remain
an exception – particularly since laws limiting speech were often misused by
those in power, including to stifle debate on critical issues. But on the other
hand, an act of speech, in the specific circumstances in which it occurred,
could constitute incitement to action on the part of others — in some cases,
very violent and discriminatory action. In recent years, numerous acts of
violence, terror attacks and mass atrocities had targeted people on account of
their religious beliefs.
International law was clear on these
kinds of incitement. Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights stated: States parties must, without exception, prohibit “any
advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence”. Ultimately, the application of article
20 was a matter for national lawmakers and courts to determine in a particular
case, in a manner that was consistent with the guardrails that international
human rights law provided. Any national restrictions to the overriding right to
freedom of opinion and expression must be formulated so that their sole purpose
and outcome was to protect individuals – rather than to shield religious
doctrine from critical review.
Advocacy of hatred that constituted
incitement to violence, discrimination and hostility should be prohibited in
every State. Other forms of expression could amount to hate speech, if they
used pejorative or bigoted language towards a person or group on the basis of
their sex, belief, race, migration status, sexual orientation or any other
factor inherent to their person or identity, seeking to diminish their dignity
and demean their value in the eyes of others. Powered by the tidal forces of
social media, and in a context of increasing international and national discord
and polarisation, hate speech of every kind was rising, everywhere. It was
harmful to individuals, and it damaged the social cohesion necessary to the
sound functioning of all societies.
Hate speech needed to be addressed, in
all societies, through dialogue, education, awareness raising, inter-faith and
inter-community engagement, and other public policy tools. It needed to be
actively countered by all responsible authorities, figures of influence, and
the private sector. The United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate
Speech was the Organization’s response to address this phenomenon and to
support States to counter it. Effective prevention strategies by national
authorities and others could identify and address the underlying causes of hate
speech.
Many societies were struggling with the
weaponisation of religious differences for
political purposes. All must not allow
themselves to be reeled in and become instrumentalised by these merchants of
chaos for political gain - these provocateurs who deliberately sought out ways
to divide, Mr. Türk said.
Societies – all societies, whatever
their religious and cultural backgrounds – must
strive to become magnets of respect,
dialogue and cooperation among different peoples, as had been achieved by
multiple civilisations in the past. The international community must commit to
advancing greater tolerance; greater respect; and greater recognition of the
importance and value of all differences. All had rights, including the right to
hold different beliefs, to adopt different ways of living, and to have and
share different opinions.
NAZILA GHANEA, Special Rapporteur on
freedom of religion or belief, speaking on behalf of the Coordination Committee
of Special Procedures, said religions, beliefs or their followers should not be
instrumentalised to incite hatred and violence, including for electoral
purposes or political gains. Public acts of intolerance were on the increase
around the world and were more common in times of political tension such as
elections; these acts should be condemned. Acts which manifested intolerance
and were intentionally aimed at stirring up hatred, such as some recent
instances of the public burning of the holy Quran or desecration of places of
worship, were objectionable and risked drawing societies backwards, reversing
positive educational and social investments towards understanding and
diversity. They raised concern regarding tolerance, civility, and respect for
the rights of others.
The responses to these acts should be
strongly anchored in the international human rights law framework and should be
compatible with international human rights law. Ms. Ghanea said the Coordination
Committee of Special Procedures welcomed the rejections by State authorities
and other actors, which made clear that these acts, carried out by individuals,
were not condoned by the authorities or representative of the wider society.
This was in line with paragraph 5(e) of Human Rights Council resolution 16/18’s
action points and the resolve to strongly encourage “government representatives
and leaders in all sectors of society and respective communities to speak out
against acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief”. It also
called on States to foster a domestic environment of religious tolerance and
recognised the need to combat denigration and negative religious stereotyping.
The statement of the Coordination
Committee said the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or
belief had requested to visit Sweden due to recent events, and this had been
welcomed by Sweden. The Special Procedures were aware of and had raised
concerns regarding religious intolerance and attacks on religious minorities in
Asia and Africa and urged those governments to welcome visits from Special
Procedure mandate holders to examine and advise on these problems in their
countries. Freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion and expression were
mutually reinforcing. Freedom of expression was essential for combatting
negative stereotypes, offering alternative views and creating an atmosphere of
respect and understanding between peoples and communities. While the advocacy
of national, racial or religious hatred that constituted incitement to
discrimination, was prohibited under international law, there was a high
threshold required to reach that standard, and the need for a case-by-case
analysis.
Restrictions of freedom of expression
needed to respect the three-part test set out in the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights: they must be legal, strictly necessary, and
proportionate to achieve a legitimate objective set out in international human
rights law. All States should exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate
and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities
and to detect signs of intolerance that may lead to discrimination based on
religion or belief. Expressions of intolerance needed to be countered so that
they did not encourage further acts of intolerance or even of violence.
Political, religious and civil society leaders could play a major role in
condemning intolerance and encouraging diversity, inclusions and understanding
among communities.
Discussion
In the discussion, many speakers said
the values of tolerance and dialogue must be reaffirmed, and hatred rejected.
Burning copies of the Holy Quran could not be justified, as they were
incitements to discrimination and hatred, running counter to international
efforts, and undermining the respect between peoples and countries.
International organizations must move to end these acts that provoked peoples’
feelings and incited hatred, affecting the freedom of opinion and expression.
Freedom of expression was an ethical value that should spread peaceful
co-existence rather than causing the clash of civilisations. The universal
culture of peace and tolerance could only be built through international
efforts to ensure the respect of all in all societies.
Some speakers said the United Nations
General Assembly had spoken with one voice in condemnation of Islamophobia.
Unfortunately, the deliberate desecration of the Holy Quran had continued under
government sanction and with the sense of impunity. Increasingly, these acts
were designed to maximise provocation. This was incitement to religious hatred
and discrimination, and attempted to provoke violence. The international
community must join hands in condemning it, isolating those who stroked hatred.
Free speech was as indispensable as hate
speech should be indefensible, some speakers said. The vigour to protect free
speech must not lose sight of the imperative to reject hate speech. There must
be prevention, legal deterrence and accountability of actions that constituted
incitement to hostility against people of faith. The international community
must unite against hatred, discrimination and intolerance, and forge pathways
for mutual respect, understanding and tolerance.
The debate addressed an urgent topic
that fell within the Council’s mandate, a number of speakers said. At a time
when the whole world was facing great challenges, the Council had to select
standards. Anti-Semitism was an issue that it was required to address. This
session was an opportunity to shed light on religious minorities across the
world, which were not limited to any one country. In European countries, many
laws did not respect religious practices, including for Muslims. There was a
confusion of ethnic and religious discrimination, which could lead to deaths.
No sacred book should ever be
disrespected, speakers said, and such acts were a contemporary form of racism,
requiring meaningful prevention. International human rights law called for the
protection of several indivisible rights. Despite normative stipulations, there
was a clear pattern of deliberate desecration, leading to expressions of
religious hatred. One speaker said that the desecration of a book sacred to
billions was not an exercise of free speech: it was an affront to humanity’s
common dignity. This was an inflection point; there was much at stake in this
interconnected world. Silence was no longer tenable. Promoting the culture of
peace, mutual respect, inter-cultural tolerance and harmony were a start, but
combatting religious hatred and its incitement were duties that States must
address. States should join ranks and lend support to the proposed resolution.
Some speakers said that the world was
witnessing alarming trends and acts. The values of civilizations and unions ran
against all forms of religious hatred and the desecration of scriptures. The
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International
Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination placed an obligation on
States to counter the expression of hatred and all acts linked thereto. The
enjoyment of rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, carried with
it specific rights and duties. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
recognised that religion, spirituality and belief played a central role in the
lives of billions, and warned against the dissemination of hatred and religious
intolerance.
Some speakers said that hate speech that
could initially seem harmless could lead to tragedies. Religious hatred
fortified discrimination and stigma: if left unchecked, it could harm peace and
development, laying the ground for tensions and widespread human rights
violations. Only through cooperation and dialogue, and the adoption of
appropriate domestic legal frameworks could these phenomena be fought
successfully.
The escalating anti-Muslim phenomena
across the world was a matter for great concern for many speakers, who pointed
out how it undermined respect, tolerance, and mutual understanding. The
international community should stand firm against this rampant scourge, which
was sheltered under the banner of freedom of expression, whilst remaining far
from it, and take all acts necessary to combat Islamophobia and prevent its
recurrence. States were committed to protecting the right of freedom of
religion and belief, including to combat acts that offended religious
sentiment. Promoting dialogue between cultures and religions was key to
ensuring peace throughout the world.
No State could claim to strengthen and
promote human rights whilst at the same time tolerating acts of discrimination,
and attacks on peace and on the acceptance of others that claimed to be acts of
freedom of expression. Over the past decades, the international community had
invested much diplomacy to advance a common understanding of how article 20 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights should be interpreted,
and how it related to freedom of expression as set out in general comment 34 by
the Human Rights Committee. Human Rights Council resolution 16/18, the Istanbul
Process, the Beirut Declaration on ‘Faith for Rights’ and the Rabat Plan of
Action were among the most important results of these endeavours. They all
shared the premise that the threshold for unlawful incitement must be set high,
based on an analysis of the context, and that limitations of freedom of
expression must remain the exception.
Only an independent judge could decide,
taking into account the specific context and purpose, if an act was incitement
to discrimination, hostility or violence against persons. For these reasons,
generic prohibitions such as blasphemy laws were a clear violation of the
Covenant, a speaker said. The subject of this debate and of the resolution
submitted was not religious, but implied that of respect for human rights, and
in particular freedom of belief, which could not be sacrificed against freedom
of expression. When Governments respected the right to freedom of religion or
belief, including the right to not have a religion, then societies benefited.
In Western countries, there was still
discrimination and segregation on religious grounds - national legal frameworks
should be strengthened, as should be national institutions, to prevent
recurrence of these acts. Hate speech must come to an end, as should
discriminatory opinions and views expressed to political ends. The limits of
this exercise had been recognised in international instruments and
international rules. No country had the right to proclaim being a guarantor of
religious freedom across the world.
The fight against radicalisation,
extremism, obscurantism and violence must in no way be selective: these
demonstrations must be unequivocally condemned. Speakers called upon the
Council not to be divided and to show unity and a common will by asserting the
wisdom that should guide its positions on such sensitive subjects. States must
take clear and urgent action to ensure that such acts were not repeated, and
all statements that expressed dismay at these acts were welcomed. It was the
shared responsibility of Governments, the international community, groups and
of individuals to respect the rights and dignity of others and help each other
to achieve the highest level of development and prosperity.
One speaker pointed out that human
rights protected individuals, not religions or religious systems. It was not up
to the United Nations to determine what was holy or not, it was up to
individuals to determine their beliefs, and to live up to them up to the limits
of the law - this was a requirement for living in tolerant societies.
Exercising freedom of expression required self-discipline, not incitement to
war, hatred, or distinction. Hatred bred hatred, and violence bred violence -
they should not have a place in the global village. All forms of censorship
should be carefully monitored - freedom of expression, pursuant to
international law, was not an absolute, whilst nevertheless requiring
protection. Restrictions on the right must be carefully assessed as per
international agreements. In combatting religious intolerance, all must be
mindful that that combat must not limit other rights. Actions should be based
on the relevant international norms and standards.
With regard to the draft resolution,
although many called for its adoption, others pointed out that the Council must
unite in calling for respect, cooperation and dialogue, upholding both freedom
of religion and of expression. What was needed was dialogue, and there should
be further meaningful negotiations to find consensus on the resolution. The Council’s
precious consensus that it had maintained for over 10 years with regard to the
freedom of religion and belief must be preserved.
Some speakers appealed to all
constituencies, to Muslim leaders and to all those who wanted to protect
freedom of expression as well as freedom of religion, to engage in dialogue
across religions and beliefs, urging all to continue to work together to
promote a shared understanding of how increasingly pluralistic societies could
be inclusive, tolerant, welcoming and flourishing. Interfaith dialogue was a
way to build bridges and counter stereotypes, to build strong and resilient
societies, based on empathy and understanding.
Freedom of religion and speech were
foundational human rights, a number of speakers said. The Council was
discussing the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious
hatred and although desecrating any religion’s holy book was despicable, when
the acts took a life or wrongfully accused another, with the intent to harm
them, that could not be tolerated. Human rights were the responsibility of the
State. Freedom and inclusive pluralistic societies were the responsibility of
all.
Some speakers said that the
“desecration” of religious books and symbols in and of itself was not an act of
incitement. Context was vital when assessing whether a particular expression
reached the prohibited threshold under article 20 of the International
Convention on Civil and Political Rights and ignoring that with blanket bans
like anti-blasphemy or religious defamation laws paved the way for mass
censorship and the silencing of legitimate expression and dissent. Such bans
often targeted people from minority religions or beliefs whose very existence
may challenge the convictions of majority religious communities or highlight
the instrumentalisation of religion by those in power.
It was clear that international human
rights law protected individuals and not religions, and that prohibitions on
the defamation of religions were contrary to the rights to freedom of expression
and religion or belief. These prohibitions fuelled division and religious
intolerance by shutting down interfaith dialogue, and could facilitate and
legitimise horrifying human rights violations against religious minorities.
In 2011, the Council adopted resolution
16/18, a speaker said, which was a landmark achievement that set out a
consensual action plan for addressing religious intolerance and replaced
divisive calls to combat defamation of religions in favour of a positive agenda
driven by the understanding that the rights to freedom of expression, freedom
of religion or belief, and equality were mutually dependent and reinforcing.
The speaker said that the current draft resolution was not the solution to the
problem, but rather would undermine existing efforts to combat religious
intolerance. By evoking language on the defamation of religions, this
resolution seriously risked disrupting the consensus achieved in resolution
16/18 and posed a great threat to the future of this action plan in addressing
religious intolerance.
Source: ohchr.org
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