Muslims Guard Hindu Temple In Nuh, Who Says There Is Communal Hatred?

New Age Islam News Bureau

04 August 20123

 

Photo: The Statesman

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India

• Buddhist organization, Shraman Sanskriti Raksha Manch: Gyanvapi Mosque Stands On Remains Of A Stupa

• Muslim Body Concerned Over Forced Migration From Gurugram Following Communal Violence

• Haryana Violence: Mosques Cancel Friday Prayers, Urge People To Offer Namaz At Home

• Scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi resumes

• Haryana: Over 250 Shanties Of Muslim Workers Demolished In Nuh

• Can Railway Minister reassure Muslims of their safety in trains?

• Sunni board takes ‘high road’ with textbooks

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North America

• Abdullah Hasan, The First Muslim Spokesperson Is Leaving The White House

• GOP Reps Raise Alarm Bells over Iran's Influence in American Mosques

• John John Da Don Returns With Mecca Rap Battle

• Media ignores Muslim killing of gay man because it doesn’t fit narrative

• Iran 1953: MI6 Plots with Islamists to Overthrow Democracy

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Mideast

• Qur'an Insulters Actually Burning Themselves, Iranian Cleric Says

• Significant number of Palestinians attend Al-Fajr prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

• Israeli forces kill Palestinian youth during West Bank raid

• Lebanon state TV employees strike amid fears of station closure

• GCC chief stresses importance of partnership with US in securing freedom of maritime navigation

• US military may put armed troops on commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran seizures

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Arab World

• Saudi Arabia’s Sawsan Al-Bahiti Is Getting Opera Fans Singing Along

• OIC chief, Dutch envoy discuss ways to enhance dialogue and cooperation

• 15 Outstanding Saudi Students Join Artificial Intelligence Training Camp At University Of Oxford

• 22.7m visitors attended Saudi General Entertainment Authority events in first half of year

• Saudi National Day to celebrate dreams becoming reality

• Djibouti supports Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 bid

• Saudi customs governor discuss ties with Azerbaijani counterpart

• Saudi minister meets with Nigerian and Bangladeshi ambassadors

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South Asia

• Delegation Of Prominent British Imams Visit Afghanistan

• Kabul strongly reacts against Islamabad’s statement on the right to strike terrorists in Afghanistan

• Pakistani police detain Afghan refugees in Islamabad

• Acting FM Muttaqi says meeting with US envoys was positive

• Afghanistan Humanitarian Situation Highlighted at UNSC Meeting

• UN denounces Bangladesh pre-election violence

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Europe

• Denmark Tightens Border Control After QuranBurnings

• Vladimir Kornilov: How today’s Russia-Ukraine conflict has its roots in the policies of Lenin’s Bolsheviks 100 years ago

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Southeast Asia

• VP Ma'ruf Amin Calls For Development Of Sharia Economy In East Kalimantan

• Selangor PAS secretary accuses state Speaker of blocking unilateral conversion of minors to Islam Bill, overriding Mais’ approval

• Umno’s Nur Jazlan lashes out at PAS for using Islam to mask 'ugly' side

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Pakistan

• National Assembly To Be Dissolved On August 9

• Senate passes bill for setting up financial crimes authority

• SC dismisses Imran’s plea against Toshakhana trial

• SC judge facing Supreme Judicial Council complaints fears he may not get justice

• Bajaur bombing bid to sabotage visit of Chinese vice premier: Fazl

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Africa

• Miyetti Allah Begs Tinubu To Appoint Its Members Into Govt

• Ethiopia declares state of emergency in Amhara region

• Give us appointments even as Aso Rock sweepers, Miyetti Allah begs Tinubu

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:    https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslims-guard-hindu-temple-haryana-nuh/d/130381

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Muslims Guard Hindu Temple In Nuh, Who Says There Is Communal Hatred?

 

Photo: The Statesman

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Statesman News Service

New Delhi | August 4, 2023

One thing that survived the “nefarious mindset” of the criminals who started the worst-ever communal fighting in Haryana on July 31: The social fabric of this society in Nuh, where mistrust has prevented religious divisions between the communities.

Muslims have been manning the local temple in the village of Ghasera, where Mahatma Gandhi had appealed to the Meos to prefer remaining in India over moving to Pakistan during Partition.

Shaukat Ali keeps a cautious eye out for any strange activity all day because his home is the closest to the temple. “We don’t want strangers to jeopardise the tranquility of our neighbourhoods. Ten Muslim men and two men from the Hindu community sleep on the temple grounds every night to defend it. We are more concerned about outsiders who could cause trouble than the people themselves, he claims.

In Ghasera, there aren’t many Hindu families, thus the Muslims are in charge of keeping an eye on the former. “The Sarpanch held a meeting right after the riots and we were assigned this duty of protecting the brotherhood that exists in our village,” says TayabHussai as he wraps his arm around villager Mukesh Bhardwaj during a passionate conversation.

Ram Karan, a former Sarpanch in the nearby village of Chhapera, shares his hookah with Ismail and other locals. In tough times like these, when attempts are being made to divide us, there is complete trust between our communities, and we frequently accompany members of the other group to guarantee that they reach their homes safely. Mohd Abdullah and Shahida both nod in agreement.

“A temple and a mosque cannot be separated from one another. Going to any location is irrelevant given that we have all grown up here. No local participated in the VHP’s ShobhaYatra, which is when these confrontations broke out, therefore Ravinder Kumar claims that this is nothing more than a political plot to gain support before the 2024 election.

Desraj, the owner of a private school, claims that he sees his farmer friend Hakim every day in Chhachera. “On July 31st, an autorickshaw driver dropped off four Muslim women in front of my school before fleeing the area when fighting started. Before their families arrived and removed them, we made them comfortable. One woman who had a baby was unable to return that evening. She refused my offer to take her to my house so that I could make sure she was secure. Hakim opened his doors for her after I explained to him why I didn’t want to leave the girl alone on the school grounds, despite the fact that it was safe to do so. She stayed at his house since she felt safer there till her husband picked her up.

Source: thestatesman.com

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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/muslims-guard-hindu-temple-in-nuh-who-says-there-is-communal-hatred-1503208147.html

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Gyanvapi Case: ASI Survey Will Reopen Wounds Of Past, Mosque Committee Tells SC

 

Gyanvapi mosque. File picture

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04th August 2023

NEW DELHI: Muslim body Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee told the Supreme Court on Friday the ASI survey at the Gyanvapi mosque intends to go into history and will 'reopen wounds of past'.

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the mosque management committee, contended before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that the exercise by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is 'digging into history', violating the Places of Worship Act and impinging upon fraternity and secularism.

"You can't oppose every interlocutory order on the same ground and your objections will be decided during the course of the hearing," said the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

"The ASI survey intends to go into the history as to what happened 500 years ago. It would reopen wounds of the past," Ahmadi said voicing displeasure over the survey ordered by the Allahabad High Court.

During the hearing, which is underway, Ahmadi said the survey violates the Places of Worship (special provisions) Act, 1991 which prohibited change of character of religious places as they existed in 1947.

The apex court is hearing a plea by the mosque committee against the Allahabad High Court order permitting an ASI survey at the Gyanvapi mosque.

The high court had on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Gyanvapi committee challenging a district court order directing the ASI to conduct the survey to determine if the mosque was built upon a pre-existing temple.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/aug/04/gyanvapi-case-asi-survey-will-reopen-wounds-of-past-mosque-committee-tells-sc-2601941.html

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US Congress Urged To Recognise Islam As Great Religion, Emphasising Its Role In Promoting Peace And Harmony

 

The US Capitol dome is seen in Washington, US, December 17, 2020. — Reuters/File

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August 4, 2023

WASHINGTON: Congress has taken a significant step towards recognising Islam as a major religion, emphasising its role in promoting peace and harmony.

The resolution — introduced by Representative Al Green of Texas and backed by Representatives Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Andre Carson — comes at a time of renewed effort to brand Islam as a radical faith and would discourage anti-Islamic deeds like the desecration of Holy Quran.

Mr Green, a Texas Democrat, is also a member of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus. He opposed President Trump’s order to ban immigration from Muslim countries and a 2015 move to brand Islam as a radical faith.

The House received the resolution, which aims to foster better understanding and respect for the Islamic faith within American society, on July 28 and referred it to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The text covers basic tenets of Islam and practices and traditions of the Muslim community, pointing out that the word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God” and “peace”.

It recognises the Holy Quran as the primary scripture of Islam and notes that Muslims consider it to be the book of divine guidance. It also points out that Islam is the second largest and fastest-growing religion of the world, with approximately two billion Muslims worldwide while 3,500,000 Muslims live in the US as well.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1768260/us-congress-urged-to-recognise-islam-as-great-religion

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Islamic State Confirms Death of Leader Abu Hussein al-Quraishi, Names Successor, Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi

 

The ISIL (ISIS) group once controlled large swathes of Iraq and Syria, before being defeated [File: Stringer/Reuters]

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AUGUST 04, 2023

Islamic State on Thursday confirmed the death of its leader Abu Hussein al-Husseini al-Quraishi and named Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as his replacement, the group’s spokesperson said in an undated recording published on its Telegram channel.

It appeared to be the militant group’s first official announcement on his fate since Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan said in April that Turkish intelligence forces had killed him in Syria. Erdogan said the Turkish national intelligence organization had pursued Quraishi for a long time.

Quraishi was killed during a gun battle with Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), the main Islamist group that holds sway in the last opposition bastion in northwest Syria, the spokesman said.

“The Sheikh (Quraishi), may God have mercy on him, was killed after they (HTS) tried to take him captive. He clashed with them with his arms until he died of his wounds," the spokesman said, accusing the rival Islamist group of acting as agents of Turkish intelligence.

Islamic State, a shadow of the organisation that once ruled a third of Iraq and Syria, gave no details about the new leader. The movement reached its peak in 2014 when its then head, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared the territory it controlled a caliphate. It was beaten back by adversaries in both countries including a U.S.-led coalition, and Baghdadi was killed during a U.S. military operation in Syria in 2019.

Abu Hussein al-Husseini al-Quraishi took over in November 2022 after his predecessor was killed, also in Syria. Islamic State militants continue to wage insurgent attacks in both Syria and Iraq.

Its remaining thousands of militants have in recent years mostly hid out in remote hinterlands of both countries, though they are still capable of carrying out hit-and-run attacks.

The U.S.-led coalition alongside a Kurdish-led alliance known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is still carrying out raids against Islamic State in Syria.

Source: news18.com

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https://www.news18.com/world/islamic-state-confirms-death-of-leader-abu-hussein-al-quraishi-names-successor-8500825.html

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Yazidi Survivors Of 2014 Daesh Atrocities In Iraq Speak Of Coping With Trauma, Struggle To Find Justice

 

Remains of people from the Yazidi minority, who were killed in Daesh attacks in 2014, after they were exhumed from a mass grave, in Mosul, Iraq June 20, 2023. (Reuters)

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August 03, 2023

IRBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan: Shortly after midnight on Aug. 3, 2014, heavily armed Daesh extremists swept into the Yazidi homeland of Sinjar in northwestern Iraq, rounding up the civilian population to slaughter them or take them into captivity.

Daesh deliberately targeted the Yazidi community, one of Iraq’s oldest ethnoreligious minorities, because it considered them apostates for their religious traditions. Nine years later, the survivors are still coming to terms with what happened.

“I remember my parents frantically waking me and my siblings up at around 2 a.m.,” Barzan H., 23, told Arab News in Irbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, where he now resides along with thousands of other displaced Yazidis.

“I peeked out of the windows and saw black trucks and jeeps coming in from the distance. The men who were older and able took up arms, with the rifles they had at home and anything else they could get their hands on to protect us.”

Barzan was only 14 years old when Daesh attacked his hometown. As the extremists advanced, he and his neighbors grabbed whatever they could carry and fled their homes. About 400,000 were displaced. Few would return.

“I recall hiding in the mountains until 8 a.m. It was hot. We were thirsty and physically exhausted from the fear and the fleeing,” said Barzan.

However, the militants soon caught up with them and encircled the area.

“They were on to us,” he added. “They put us in their trucks and hauled us off to a deserted building. They split the women and female children from us minors who were male.”

Those who had been captured were taken to a school building, where the women and children were separated from husbands and brothers. Those men and the elderly who refused to convert to Islam were massacred.

As for the women and children, an estimated 7,000 were bundled onto trucks and forcibly relocated to Syria and other parts of Iraq, where many were trafficked into domestic servitude or sexual slavery.

Boys and younger men were taken away for training and brainwashing to become “cubs of the caliphate,” forced to fight alongside the militants.

“My friends and I were taken to Tel Afar, then to Mosul,” said Barzan. “They told us to forget about our religion, that we were to convert to Islam and start military training.”

His training took place in DeirEzzor, Syria, and then he was deployed to the front line in Iraq’s Mosul, where some of the heaviest combat against Iraqi and coalition forces would later take place.

“I had some friends for whom Daesh’s brainwashing was effective, and they were the ones who turned into suicide bombers,” Barzan said.

“I saw Daesh soldiers killing sons in front of their mothers, I saw them taking away prepubescent girls from their mothers’ arms to rape them.”

As Daesh’s self-proclaimed caliphate began to crumble, the militants were gradually pushed back to their last holdout of Baghouz in DeirEzzor. In early 2019, as the Syrian Democratic Forces and their coalition partners closed in, Barzan’s father contacted a smuggler to rescue his son.

Under heavy bombardment, Barzan was able to desert from his regiment and escape from Baghouz. It took him five days to cross no man’s land and reach safety.

Although he was eventually reunited with his surviving family, the fate of his sister and two brothers remains unknown. His family, like thousands of others, has not returned to Sinjar.

“There is nothing to return to,” said Barzan. “They (Daesh) broke Sinjar down. Too many lives lost, too much blood.”

In March 2021, Iraq’s then-president Barham Salih ratified the Yazidi Survivors’ Bill, which mandated reparations and material compensation for Yazidis and other minority groups that had been persecuted by Daesh. The Iraqi government also said it would invest in Sinjar’s reconstruction.

However, the bill and the promised reconstruction have yet to be properly implemented and the majority of the Yazidis remain displaced across the Kurdistan region, mostly concentrated around the city of Duhok in makeshift camps.

“The Muslim community had their houses rebuilt,” Barzan said. “Our village is still rubble and we are tired of knocking on organizations’ doors and not being compensated. The Iraqi government doesn’t really care for us.”

Yazidi women and girls suffered the worst indignities at the hands of Daesh, with many of them sold into sexual slavery and forced to bear the children of their captors.

“I was about 15 years old. That night plays in my head almost like a movie. Some parts I wish to forget,” Siham Suleiman Hussein, a 23-year-old Yazidi who now lives in the Khanke Camp near Duhok, told Arab News as she recalled Daesh’s arrival in Sinjar.

“The militants found us hiding in the mountains. They put us in their trucks and drove us into Iraq. They kept us at Galaxy Hall, a wedding venue. The younger girls were separated from their mothers. Elderly women were sent to Mosul.”

It was there that Hussein was put up for sale. She was first bought by a Tunisian Daesh fighter who “thankfully died a few days after my purchase,” she said. “The few days I spent with him were brutal.”

She was later bought by a Libyan militant.

“Sometimes my memory is vivid, other times I feel like there are blank spaces in there,” she said. “I think my brain is actively and purposefully blanking things out to protect me.

“I resisted all throughout my captivity. I never lost hope that I would be rescued.”

Hussein remained with the Libyan man for a few months before he “gifted” her to a Syrian friend.

“I was constantly beaten and starved,” she said. “They broke bones in my body.”

She attempted to escape several times, without success. Each time she was brought back, her punishments were increasingly severe.

After one escape bid, she said the Syrian militant “brought a knife, held it against my neck and whispered in my ear that he would slit my throat if I ever tried to escape again. But I told him I really had no fear of death, especially after my community was massacred.”

Hussein was eventually rescued thanks to her uncle, Abdullah, who sent an Arab, posing as a Daesh militant interested in purchasing her.

“When the purchase was taking place, I was screaming to be left alone,” she said. “I was yelling at them, telling them they were monsters, that people shouldn’t be bought and sold.”

The man her uncle had sent whispered that he was there to save her. She was later reunited with what remained of her family.

“I lost my father, my grandfather and my brothers,” said Hussein. “We don’t know if they are dead or alive.

“Life is so hard without them. We live in this camp, women on our own. Some NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) used to come over to offer us support but the aid has now dwindled. I also used to go to therapy but I have now stopped. I feel like healing should be done on one’s own.”

Reflecting on the life that was so cruelly taken from her, Hussein said she can never forgive the militants who kidnapped her and destroyed her home and family.

“I miss my old life,” she said. “We were a happy family, we had a farm and so many animals. We were innocents and we had our innocence stolen. I wish those terrorists twice the suffering they imposed on us.”

In the run-up to the ninth anniversary of the attack on Sinjar, the UK government formally recognized the acts committed against the Yazidi community as genocide.

Tariq Mahmood Ahmad, Britain’s minister of state for the Middle East, said last week that the Yazidi population “suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day. Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated.”

He added: “Today, we have made the historic acknowledgment that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people. This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and can access meaningful justice.

“The UK will continue to play a leading role in eradicating Daesh, including through rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda.”

Yazidi survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad welcomed the announcement.

“Today, the British government formally acknowledges the Daesh attacks on my Yazidi community in 2014 was genocide,” she said in a message posted on Twitter.

“Thousands died, thousands more were enslaved and so many of us are displaced and traumatized. I hope this step by Tariq Mahmood Ahmad and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office brings us closer to justice.”

The UK has officially recognized five genocides: the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica, Cambodia and now the Yazidis.

MasrourBarzani, prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, said on Twitter that he “welcomes the UK’s decision.”

He added: “Our Yazidi brothers and sisters have prevailed and remain strong. We stand by our proud people as they heal and rebuild.”

Barzani’s government continues to call on federal authorities in Baghdad to deliver on their promise to reconstruct Sinjar so that the Yazidi community can return to its homeland.

Meanwhile, survivor Barzan earns a living training horses, an occupation that he says provides a measure of catharsis. However, the emotional wounds inflicted by the trauma of his abduction, the loss of his family and his years fighting under the command of his kidnappers remain raw.

“All I can say is, Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), life goes on,” he said. “Everyone’s fate is written and sealed.

“My family tree’s branches have been cut and I’ll never forgive those monsters. The battles are over but we continue with a trail of trauma.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2349296/middle-east

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 India

Buddhist organization, Shraman Sanskriti Raksha Manch: Gyanvapi MosqueStands On Remains Of A Stupa

Aug 4, 2023

LUCKNOW: Lucknow-based Buddhist organization, Shraman Sanskriti Raksha Manch, has also sought a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex by experts of Buddhist history, claiming that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Gyanvapi Mosque stand on the remains of a 2,500-year-old Buddha stupa.

The organization's convener, Bhante Sumit Ratan, told TOI that though his petition is yet to be admitted by the apex court, he had submitted over 800 pages of evidence. The association has also filed similar pleas in the Varanasi district court and Allahabad high court.

"We have submitted before the court that the temple and mosque were built on the premises which was an ancient stupa. It existed about 2,500 years ago and was an educational centre where more than 1,000 monks were engaged in learning. It belongs to the followers of Buddha and must be returned to its original state," Ratan said.

Asked that ASI was already doing a survey of the mosque side, he said: "We welcome the decision of the Allahabad high court. They have methods and tools to conduct a scientific excavation of the place."

Ratan claimed that he has been designated by veteran Buddhist monks across India to take up the cause which is associated with the pride of the followers of Buddha. An expert in Pali and Prakrit languages from the University of Magadh, he also claimed that Hinduism was a manifestation of Buddhism's Mahayana school of thought.

Asked if SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya was echoing his views on the Gyanvapi issue, he said: "Maurya is a follower of Buddha and I have been saying all this for about a decade now."

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/buddhist-body-it-stands-on-remains-of-a-stupa/articleshow/102406547.cms

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Muslim body concerned over forced migration from Gurugram following communal violence

It may cause untold damage to our reputation as the destination of choice for a stable and peaceful business climate, national secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said

August 04, 2023

Ziya Us Salam

A delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) which visited the strife-torn areas of Gurugram, has expressed concern at the “forced migration of people from the premier business hub of the country”. A number of working class men and women had migrated after a number of jhuggis (temporary structures) and roadside shops were set on fire in the violence, they said. Their migration, the delegation felt, had a ripple effect on apartment residents too, who expressed lack of confidence in the administration.

“It [labour migration] may cause untold damage to our reputation as the destination of choice for a stable and peaceful business climate,” Maulana Shafi Madani, national secretary of the Jamaat, who led the delegation, said.

Calling for “confidence-building measures amidst widespread unrest”, the delegation asked for accountability for the attack on the mosque in Sector 57 of the satellite township, and the killing of its imam. The mosque was among the two Muslim places of worship to be attacked in the violence.

The mosque has been the site of a sustained legal battle with local estate magnates allegedly eyeing the property for the past few years. “Taking advantage of the circumstances, they may have had a role in the attack on the mosque,” Nadeem Khan, a member of the delegation, said.

In a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Kala Ramachandran, members of the delegation were informed that social media posts and videos had led to an escalation in violence. “The police force could not adequately handle the situation as it got diverted to multiple locations,” Jamaat members were informed.

“The Commissioner claimed 70% of the forces were diverted to Mewat due to violence there, and that the police did not anticipate such violence in Gurugram,” Mr. Khan said, adding, “It is difficult to believe such a thing as there was widespread fear of the violence from Mewat spreading to Gurugram. It is not easy to trust the police after seeing photos of the Commissioner with Monu Manesar on the latter’s Twitter (now known as X) handle.”

Mr. Manesar is accused of instigating violence through his hate videos shared on social media just before the violence began. He is also an accused in the lynching of Nasir and Junaid in Mewat earlier this year. The two were accused of cow smuggling and burned inside a car. The Haryana Government claims Mr. Manesar has been absconding since then.

A letter has been sent on behalf of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights to the police, stating: “Since July 31, there has been a rapid escalation of hate speech and violence in Haryana, often directed at the Muslim community. This requires your urgent intervention. As per information available, communal clashes broke out around a yatra organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal. This was preceded by a provocative video posted by Monu Manesar, a self-proclaimed gaurakshak and a repeat offender.”

“The Jamaat feels that the situation in Gurugram is a failure of our intelligence and coordination with the police department. A climate of impunity also added fuel to the fire as anti-social elements who indulged in violence felt assured that no action would be taken against them as they enjoyed political patronage,” Mr. Madani told the media, even as he asked for prompt measures for restoring peace.

“There should be serious efforts towards the initiation of dialogue across communities as communal harmony has been impacted because of the vicious media propaganda and instigation of violence across social media platforms,” he said, adding, “There is a palpable fear in people who have been affected by the violence even in the surrounding areas. The police and the administration must assure people that nobody will be allowed to take the law into their hands and strict action will be taken against anti-social elements fomenting violence. It must take appropriate steps to prevent the recurrence of such a situation.”

Further, the JIH delegation also met residents who have lived through the ongoing communal tension and unrest. Residents shared their fear and called for better security.

The delegation also demanded suitable compensation for the victims of the violence, and punishment for the guilty. The Jamaat is likely to file a petition for compensation next week.

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/muslim-body-concerned-over-forced-migration-from-gurugram-following-communal-violence/article67155474.ece

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Haryana Violence: Mosques Cancel Friday Prayers, Urge People To Offer Namaz At Home

Aug 4, 2023

By India Today News Desk: Mosques in the violence-hit areas in Haryana have cancelled Friday prayers following this week's communal violence, which claimed six lives. The people were urged not to offer namaz in the open and advised them to perform their prayers at their homes.

Haryana remains on the edge after clashes broke out on Monday during a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in Nuh, with the violence spilling over into neighbouring Gurugram, where several restaurants and shops were set ablaze and vandalised.

The district administration in Gurugram, Nuh and other places and the police took strict security measures, including heavy deployment of forces to ensure law and order is maintained at all mosques in the violence-hit areas.

GURUGRAM

In Gurugram, one of the most affected places hit by violence, the city's Muslim Council urged people to refrain from offering namaz in mosques and open areas as a precautionary measure in light of the recent violence in Nuh.

In accordance with this decision, Friday prayers will not be observed in the open in Gurugram.

Earlier, a cleric was killed when a mosque in Gurugram's Sector 57 was set ablaze by a mob in the late night hours of August 1.

NUH

Extra security forces were deployed outside mosques in Nuh following the clashes.

The district administration issued an order asking people to offer their Friday prayers at their homes.

ROHTAK

In Rohtak, prohibitory orders were issued to prevent people from offering Namaz in the open.

The police said they were keeping an eye on anti-social elements as an uneasy calm prevails in the state.

Source: indiatoday.in

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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/haryana-violence-mosque-friday-prayers-cancelled-people-offer-namaz-home-2416196-2023-08-04

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Scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi resumes

Aug 04, 2023

Varanasi: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday resumed its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises here to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

The Allahabad High Court had on Thursday allowed the ASI to conduct the survey.

The survey, which was boycotted by members of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, began at 7 am, ASI sources said.

In view of Friday prayers, the survey has been halted for two hours between 12 pm and 2 pm.

Subhash Chaturvedi, a lawyer of the Hindu side who is inside the complex along with the ASI team for the survey, said, "The ASI team began the survey work at 7 am and stopped it at 12 pm for two hours in view of the Friday prayers. The survey work will resume again after 2 pm."

Additional security personnel have been deployed by the district authorities to ensure law and order near the complex.

Representatives of the Hindu petitioners in the legal dispute involving the mosque, were present inside the complex during the survey.

However, representatives of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, who were to accompany the ASI team for the survey, kept away.

The Hindu side's lawyer Madan Mohan Yadav told PTI that a 43-member ASI team is conducting the survey work.

Yadav said the survey work is likely to continue for five-six days.

He added that during this period the plaintiffs of the case Laxmi Singh, Sita Sahu, Rekha Pathak and Manju Vyas along with their lawyers will be present on the spot along with the ASI team.

Rakhi Singh, another litigant in the case, was not present on Friday for the survey. However, her counsel was present.

Syed Mohammad Yasin, secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, told PTI that the lawyers of the Muslim side did not participate in the survey as the decision to conduct the survey has already been challenged in the Supreme Court.

"The High Court has ordered the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi without any demolition. The Anjuman Intazamiya Masjid had appealed against this order in the Supreme Court on Thursday itself, which is to be heard on Friday. We have informed the senior officials in Varanasi about this," he said.

"Our request was that the survey should be postponed till the order of the apex court. Our advocate from Delhi had also sent a letter to the same effect to the officials here, but after not getting a response, the committee met on Thursday night and decided to abstain from this survey," he added.

The survey began after the Allahabad High Court upheld a Varanasi district court order and ruled that the proposed step is "necessary in the interest of justice" and will benefit both sides.

The order came after the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, representing the Muslim side to the legal dispute, moved the Supreme Court against the Varanasi district court order.

The mosque stands next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Source: dnaindia.com

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https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-scientific-survey-of-gyanvapi-mosque-complex-in-varanasi-resumes-3054570

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Haryana: Over 250 shanties of Muslim workers demolished in Nuh

The Haryana government on Thursday demolished shanties of more than 250 migrant workers in Tauru town of the violence-hit Nuh district for allegedly encroaching on government land, reported NDTV.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the police have accused the migrant workers of being involved in the violence in Haryana that broke out on Monday.

The violence started as a clash between Hindus and Muslims during the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, a procession organised by the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, on Monday. The violence spread to neighbouring districts, with Gurugram in particular witnessing widespread arson and mob attacks.

Homes and shops of Muslim migrants have been burnt and they have have been threatened with violence unless they left. Six people, including a cleric and two home guards, have died so far. Since Monday, 176 people have been arrested, over 90 detained and 41 cases have been registered.

On Thursday, the demolition by bulldozers took place amid heavy security. Over 250 shanties were built in about one acre of land on Mohammadpur Road where migrants had been living for four years, according to NDTV.

NarenderBirjaniya, the officer on Special Duty to Additional Director General of Police (Law) Mamta Singh, claimed that demolitions have been carried out as the structures were illegal, reported The Tribune. “You cannot have an illegal structure and use it to hamper law and order,” he said.

Meanwhile, in view of the tense situation, Friday prayers were not allowed in Gurugram mosques. Muslim religious leaders have appealed to people to pray in their homes.

Source: scroll.in

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https://scroll.in/latest/1053794/haryana-over-250-shanties-of-muslim-migrant-workers-demolished-in-nuh

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Can Railway Minister reassure Muslims of their safety in trains?

AUG 04 2023

Whatever may have been the trigger that prompted Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawan Chetan Singh to gun down his senior officer and three Muslim passengers, these killings in a moving train give rise to one obvious question: can Muslims who bear th...

Already, train travel for Muslims had become fraught with tension, entailing precautions that other communities didn’t need: not carrying non-vegetarian food, and not getting into arguments with others. These cautionary measures followed the assault ...

It has not helped that none have been punished for these crimes.

Incidentally, Junaid studied in a madrasa in Nuh, and his family lives near Ballabgarh, both places currently engulfed by communal violence. The Haryana Police watered down the charges against his alleged killers; the government lawyer proved to be n...

The recent riots don’t indicate that the Haryana Police have changed. Five cops assigned to protect the Anjuman Jama Masjid in Gurugram did little as a mob killed the young Naib Imam and set the masjid on fire.

In both the cases mentioned above, it was their co-passengers who turned on Muslims. While no one helped Junaid, a GRP constable rushed to the rescue of the MP couple. But what can passengers do when a policeman assigned to protect them turns on them...

Ultimately, the buck for ensuring the safety of train passengers stops with the Indian Railways. That’s why the armed RPF exists. On July 31, this force betrayed the trust passengers had in them. Whose duty is it now to restore that trust? Surely the...

But can such an assurance be given? There are only two ways to ensure passengers are not targeted by armed train guards. Check their mental health regularly to see if they are fit to carry weapons; or disarm them. The second option negates their very...

But is mental illness the only explanation? There is an alleged video, said to be shot by a fellow passenger, in which Chetan Singh is heard exhorting the victims that ‘if you want to live in Hindustan, it has to be only Yogi and Modi’. The veracity ...

The slogan ‘Uttar Pradesh meinrehnahogatoh Yogi Yogikehnahoga’ was heard in 2017 the day Adityanath was selected Chief Minister. It was repeated during the Uttar Pradesh election campaign last year by BJP MLA T Raja Singh, who threatened ‘enemie...

 But it’s not just politicians who make such threats. WhatsApp groups of BJP supporters — and these are legion — speak everyday of doing away with Muslims. The cyber police can’t be unaware of them; yet, they multiply. Interestingly, a look at recent ...

Stew the people in hate; some time, someone, perhaps suddenly triggered, will act on it in the most unexpected way. It is this reality that will prevent any meaningful, concrete measures that could reassure Muslims of their safety in trains.

When the Prime Minister and the Home Minister think nothing of invoking resentment towards Muslims in their speeches, how can the Railway Minister dare to reach out to that very community? It is hardly surprising that just hours after a uniformed jaw...

Source: deccanherald.com

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https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/can-railway-minister-reassure-muslims-of-their-safety-in-trains-1243662.html

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Sunni board takes ‘high road’ with textbooks

04th August 2023

By Vishnuprasad

MALAPPURAM: Vaseem and his uncle were embarking on a trip to the airport to welcome the former’s father, who was returning from the Gulf. Before starting their journey, Vaseem’s uncle reminded him to buckle his seatbelt. A curious Vaseem asks why it's important to wear seatbelts, and his uncle explains that it is a crucial safety precaution while travelling in a car. He proceeds to emphasise the importance of wearing helmets when riding a two-wheeler, highlighting that these safety protocols are in place to ensure protection.

During the journey, an excited Vaseem urges his uncle to increase the speed of their vehicle. However, his responsible uncle took the opportunity to educate him about the potential risks of speeding and how it could significantly elevate the chances of accidents. Vaseem’s curiosity persists, and his uncle continues to patiently address his queries, fostering a dialogue that imparts well-rounded road-safety knowledge.

This exchange between Vaseem and his uncle appears in a chapter titled ‘Thavakkalthu Allah’ in the class III textbook ‘Duroosul Islam.’ The chapter is part of the curriculum of approximately 10,000 madrasas and English medium schools under the AP Samastha’s Sunni Vidyabhyasa Board.

The president of the board and chairman of Ma’din Academy in Malappuram, Sayyid Ibraheem Khaleel Al Bukhari, emphasised the need for students to be well-versed not only in prayers during travel but also in traffic regulations.

“Reckless driving is tantamount to endangering one’s life,” Bukhari said. He highlighted that incorporating road safety education into the curriculum aligns with the motor vehicles department’s (MVD) goal of instilling road safety principles in young minds. Plans are underway to conduct awareness programmes at various levels across the state to propagate road safety.

Commitment gets MVD recognition

The board’s proactive commitment to road safety has been recognised by MVD. C V M Shareef, regional transport officer for Malappuram, praised the initiative as a positive step, stating that imparting road safety lessons to children contributes to cultivating a society that values responsible driving.

He also urged other educational boards to adopt the Sunni Vidyabhyasa Board’s commendable approach.

The Sunni Vidyabhyasa Board had taken preemptive measures by integrating road-safety lessons into school textbooks, even before the Kerala state government considered a similar initiative.

“The state government is evaluating the proposition of incorporating traffic rules into the state syllabus, potentially from the next academic year,” Shareef said. During a recent visit to the Ma’din Academy, Perinthalmanna MVI P K Muhammad Shafeek, enforcement MVI M K Pramod Shankar, and AMVI ShabeerPakkadan conveyed the department’s appreciation to Bukhari.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/aug/04/sunni-board-takes-high-road-with-textbooks-2601707.html

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North America

 

Abdullah Hasan, The First Muslim Spokesperson Is Leaving The White House

Aug 3, 2023

Abdullah Hasan, assistant press secretary and the first openly practicing Muslim to serve as a White House spokesperson, is leaving the Biden administration.

Hasan served as the president’s lead spokesperson on issues related to climate, higher education, immigration, and oil and gas including overseeing the communications rollout of the student debt relief plan. He will be starting law school at Georgetown University this fall. His last day will be Friday.

“Being one of the first comes with a lot of responsibility,” Hasan said in an interview. “It’s also special in many ways.”

“I’m very mindful that someone with a name, like Abdullah Hasan carries a stigma, and I’m often reminded of that stigma when I see certain reactions on Twitter or elsewhere with statements or tweets I put out under my name,” he added. “But it’s also a testament to the president and the first lady that they’ve valued, they’ve prioritized, and they’ve supported diversity, and that they have trusted people like me to speak on their behalf.”

Hasan is one of the more than 100 Muslim American appointees currently working in the administration.

There was a so-called Muslim blue wave in 2018, when more than 90 American Muslims ran for office up and down the ballot, emboldened to push back against then-President Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric and policies toward their community. Muslim Americans secured seats in many levels of state and federal government, and Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (Minn.) became the first Muslim women elected to serve in Congress.

But progress is still to be made. For example, no Muslim American has served in a Cabinet-level position.

“Speaking on behalf of the president and speaking on behalf of the White House is important,” Hasan said. “Not just important for our community to see themselves represented in government, but also for the folks who may not know our community or may misunderstand it.”

Hasan previously served as the deputy communications director at the Office of Management and Budget before joining the White House press staff last June. He also held various communications roles in the Obama administration in 2015.

“Abdullah is a special talent and has been a huge part of both the communications office at OMB and the White House press office,” said Shalanda Delores Young, the director of the OMB. “He is sharp, tactful, and an all-around great person. I can’t wait to see what incredible things he does in the future.”

Source: huffpost.com

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https://www.huffpost.com/entry/first-muslim-white-house-spokesperson-leaving_n_64cc0d76e4b0338d8de28d87

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GOP Reps Raise Alarm Bells over Iran's Influence in American Mosques

August 1, 2023

Republicans in Congress have issued a tough letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines warning about the influence of Iran's terror ideology in at least four U.S.-based mosques and centers.

The GOP letter, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, is a highly detailed three-page document that outlines a kind of bill of particulars against alleged Iranian regime-linked mosques and centers in Maryland, Texas, Michigan and Virginia.

According to the letter, the Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Potomac, Maryland, secured funding from what it says is the Iranian regime-controlled Alavi Foundation and Bahram AbolfaziNahidian, an IEC member... was "acknowledged by all as the most prominent supporter in this country of Khomeini." The Alavi Foundation did not respond to numerous Fox News Digital press queries.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, and the firebrand cleric was instrumental in taking 52 American diplomats as hostages for 444 days.

The letter noted, "Disturbingly, the Maryland legislature has even provided public funds to the IEC!." Fox News Digital sent numerous press queries to the IEC and Brian Feldman, the Democrat state representative sponsor of the funding for the IEC.

Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., who spearheaded the letter, told Fox News Digital, "The Iranian regime's attempts to spread malign influence in the United States in multiple Shi'a mosques and cultural centers across the country has been happening for years. These state-sponsored mosques preach hatred toward anyone who disagrees with the Iranian regime and go as far as to praise the ayatollah's repressive reign through songs and shrines. It is imperative that the U.S. government understand and respond to the threat posed by state-sponsored terrorism wherever it appears, whether in the Middle East or at home."

The letter stressed that the glorification of the world's worst state-sponsor of terrorism is not limited to the IEC in Maryland.

"Another institution with the same name, the Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Houston, had dozens of young children perform an anthem titled 'Salam Farmande' ('Hello Commander'), a new propaganda song that has been widely promoted by the Iranian regime inside Iran to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's death," noted the letter.

The letter to Garland and Haines added that the song sung by children also "praises Qassem Soleimani, the terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and thousands of Iraqis, Syrians, Lebanese, and others."

The Trump administration used a drone to assassinate the U.S. and EU-designated terrorist Soleimani in 2020.

The congressional letter said, "But there are more reasons to suspect that both IEC Houston is serving the Iranian regime directly. Perhaps most obviously is the fact that Maulana Ghulam HurrShabbiri was the lead Imam of IEC for 10 years, from 2005-2015. According to the website of Maulana Shabbiri's current employer, he was 'directly appointed by the office of the Supreme Leader' to his post at IEC."

The Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Houston did not respond to multiple Fox News Digital press queries.

Rep. Gus Bilirakis R-Fla., told Fox News Digital, "Iran's efforts to sow its malign influence in American religious and cultural institutions is something that should alarm every American. It's about time that the U.S. government takes this activity seriously." He added, "The American people deserve to know how the Department of Justice and the Intelligence Community are combating this growing threat to the nation."

A third example of alleged Iranian regime influence in American religious life is, according to the letter, the Islamic House of Wisdom (IHW) in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The congressional representatives wrote the "Iranian-led Shi'ite mosque... shows similar signs of being under the direction of the Iranian regime. The Imam of IHW, Mohammad Ali Elahi, served as the head of 'political ideology' for the Iranian Navy in the 1980s, according to a publicly available CIA report."

A recent video of inside the Mosque showed that it is adorned with pictures of 'martyrs' of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S. designated terrorist group, a life-sized cutout of Khomeini, as well as Iranian flags and slogans.

The letter continued that in March 2017, Ali Elahi met "with former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, who he called a friend of 'almost 30 years.' According to investigative journalists, IHW has been a significant purveyor of extremist propaganda, in line with the Iranian regime's views." The IHW did not respond to numerous Fox News Digital press queries.

The fourth example of alleged influence carried out by the theocratic Iranian state in the U.S. is the Manassas Mosque in Manassas, Virginia, according to the letter.

"A recent video of inside the Mosque showed that it is adorned with pictures of 'martyrs' of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S. designated terrorist group, that were killed in Syria, a life-sized cutout of Khomeini, as well as Iranian flags and slogans," wrote the congressional representatives.

Fox News Digital located on the blog section of the webpage of the Manassas Mosque a tribute to Soleimani, along with his picture.

Abolfazl Bahram Nahidian wrote the blog dedicated to Soleimani, who was responsible for the deaths of over 600 hundred American military personnel in the Middle East, according to the U.S. government.

The congressional letter noted that in 2019 the Manassas Mosque "openly celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran."

The Middle East Media Research Institute's (MEMRI) translated sermons of Nahidian, in which he lashed out at Israel and the CIA in conspiratorial terms. He said at an al-Quds Day rally that Israel "created September 11" and blew up the towers to "create hatred" for the Muslims and to justify the occupation of Muslim lands.

Khomeini founded the al-Quds Day demonstration, which calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.

MEMRI wrote, "In two Friday sermons, delivered in the Manassas Mosque on December 16, 2016 and January 20, 2017 and posted on the mosque's official YouTube channel, Imam Nahidian said that the CIA was 'working continuously to create separation between the people' because 'if they are divided, it is much easier to defeat them one by one' and that the Sunni-Shiite divide was a plot of the infidels against the Muslims."

Nahidian provided no evidence for his assertions.

Manassas Mosque did not respond to numerous Fox News Digital press queries.

The fact that these very specific, detailed and dangerous instances are being outlined in a letter to the Department of Justice is a great wake-up call and test of integrity to see if our administration will move to rid our neighborhoods of these influences.

The congressional representatives asked in their letter if the Justice Department and U.S. intelligence community "have a strategy, along with other U.S. government departments and agencies, to counter malign influence by Iran's regime in the United States, especially such influence exercised through cultural or religious institutions?"

Lisa Daftari, editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, told Fox News Digital, "It's been public knowledge for quite a while now that Iran's regime has sought access to American private and public institutions. We know that they've used every tool at their disposal to circumvent sanctions and deal directly with Iran's regime both for financial and ideological gains here in the United States. They've also had the fortune of evading the law because Biden's administration has from the onset been after normalization and another nuclear deal with Iran's regime, stopping short from punishing any apparatuses of the regime."

Daftari, a leading expert on Iran's regime, added, "The fact that these very specific, detailed and dangerous instances are being outlined in a letter to the Department of Justice is a great wake-up call and test of integrity to see if our administration will move to rid our neighborhoods of these influences."

In June, Fox News Digital reported that Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., sent a letter to Garland pressing him to investigate ongoing efforts of an anti-American website that is allegedly promoted by Iran's regime and incites assassination attacks against U.S. law enforcement personnel and American Jews.

Fox News Digital sent requests for comment to the Department of Justice, DNI, the Iranian foreign ministry and its mission to the United Nations.

Source: meforum.org

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https://www.meforum.org/64654/gop-reps-raise-alarm-bells-over-iran-influence-in

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John John Da Don Returns With Mecca Rap Battle

August 4, 2023

Battle rap aficionados and performers recently gathered at the Yonkers Arts Project Space for Bullpen Battle Rap League’s Mecca event. The return of John John Da Don proved to be a highlight of the event, delivering a battle experience that left fans buzzing.

The event kicked off with CNG TY vs. Quwan Da Rebel and Taj Milli vs. Wavyington, setting the stage for a night of intense battles. However, the real magic started when Cortez and Philly Haze took the spotlight as the main event.

Both Cortez and Philly Haze showcased their lyrical talents and engaged the audience with hard-hitting bars and clever lyrics. Philly Haze, in particular, left the crowds reeling with an impressive freestyle that incorporated every word on the backdrop. Cortez’s veteran presence and skillful wordplay solidified his reputation as a top-tier battle rapper.

Lady Caution and Bonnie Godiva also took center stage, delivering a fiery exchange that left fans impressed with their improvisational skills. The battle between these two talented rappers showcased their lyrical and performance abilities. Lady Caution’s newfound confidence was evident, while Bonnie Godiva’s familiarity with the crowd as a Yonkers native added to the battle’s intensity.

E-Hart and CashfloRizzy rode the wave of momentum with their showdown. E-Hart, a Yonkers native herself, faced off against CashfloRizzy from Norfolk. While CashfloRizzy held her ground admirably, E-Hart’s skillful rhymes and stage presence left no doubt about her status as a battle rap legend.

The headlining battle featured John John Da Don against Jae Millz, creating a clash of styles and lyrical prowess. Jae Millz’s star power was on full display, supported by icons like MurdaMook and Loaded Lux. His verses were concise and impactful, drawing from his more than 20 years of experience as a performer. John John Da Don showcased both his extraordinary rap skills and his ability to organize a high-caliber event that drew local and national talent to the stage.

The event drew a notable audience, including prominent figures from the battle rap community and the Ultimate Rap League team. Smack White was also present to honor John John Da Don with a Certificate of Recognition from the Yonkers City Council that read:

Source: theyonkersledger.com

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https://www.theyonkersledger.com/culture/john-john-da-don-returns-with-mecca-rap-battle/4241/

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Media ignores Muslim killing of gay man because it doesn’t fit narrative

August 3, 2023

It is worth pausing over every murder that goes on in this city. But a brutal killing this week deserves special attention.

Not least because it tells us something it appears we don’t want to know.

O’Shae Sibley was a talented 28-year-old dancer and choreographer.

He was stabbed to death last Saturday night at a gas station in Brooklyn.

Video surveillance footage obtained by The Post shows that Sibley and three of his friends stopped at the local Mobil station to refill.

While they were there Sibley and one of his friends started dancing (“voguing”) to Beyonce.

This drew the attention of another group of men at the station.

Words were exchanged and Sibley was stabbed. His friends and some bystanders called 911 and tried to help him.

But he bled to death on the sidewalk.

But lives are cruelly disposed of every week in this city. Why do I say that we should linger on this one?

Firstly, because it is strange that O’Shae Sibley’s killing has not had more attention.

Every life matters. But Sibley happened to be black and gay.

Normally either of these things — let alone both — would attract serious attention from the media and campaign groups.

Yet while the killing has widely been reported as a “hate crime,” it is the wrong sort of “hate crime.” One that doesn’t fit the dominant, enforced narrative of our time.

 Had the group who confronted Sibley and his friends been white and shouted that they didn’t like gay people, or black people, this country would be in meltdown right now.

Every Presidential candidate would be condemning it.

All the “community groups” who make a profession out of campaigning against “hate” would be in full fund-raising mode.

The New York Times would have cleared the pages for days of reflections on what this said about America.

But that is not what happened.

Here’s what happened according to the people who were there.

One of the friends who was with Sibley when he was murdered posted a photo on social media of the bloodied sidewalk and wrote: “They hated us cause we are gay! Screaming we Muslim and we don’t like gays!!!!! As we are innocently pumping gas and y’all decided to stab one of us!!! #justice.”

Perhaps the media were simply cautious about reporting this, given that it was only one eye-witness?

Yet there is a second witness who has spoken to a local website.

An employee at the gas station said that the “flamboyant” behavior of Sibley and his friends offended the other group because the other group were Muslims.

Here’s what the gas station employee said: “These people were like ‘We’re Muslim, I don’t want you dancing.’ The gay people, they were not trying to fight.”

Yet these facts don’t fit the narrative. The victim was gay and black. The perpetrator was Muslim.

Our era is obsessed with “hate-crimes.” So much so that it sees them in places where they don’t even happen.

Yet last Saturday in Brooklyn was a hate crime. And the media are actually covering it up.

All because Sibley’s assailants were not hood-wearing members of the KKK or “MAGA” hat-wearing Republicans.

Instead they come from another group that our media identifies as a victim class.

The fact that the men were Muslim is why the media has been actively dishonest in its reporting. Despite the story going around the world.

The New York Times has written about the case. But it has not bothered to inform its readers of why Sibley bled out on a Brooklyn sidewalk.

Had the Times had even a whiff of this being a white-on-gay hate crime they wouldn’t have waited for one eye-witness, let alone two.

They would have told all, speculated about everything and asked what this said about this country and everyone in it.

But because the identity and motive of the perpetrators are an awkward glitch in that paper’s big narrative the Times simply covered over the facts.

The Guardian went one worse. That paper quoted Sibley’s friend who I quoted above, but they actually edited out the detail about the attackers being Muslim and the words they said.

Because again, it doesn’t fit The Guardian’s narrative.

The most that newspaper could bring itself to say was that an eyewitness said that the perpetrators mentioned “defending their religious beliefs” during the confrontation.”

Apparently dancing to Beyonce can be an assault on some peoples’ religious beliefs.

But whose? The Guardian wouldn’t tell you. It is happy to leave its readers with the impression that white Christian rednecks or Orthodox Jews might have carried out the killing.

Shamefully the gay press has done the same. In their usual betrayal of the people they claim to speak for, gay rights groups have reacted to the story by helping to cover it up.

Some gay groups have even tried to link the killing to recent debates about transgender issues.

Ignoring the fact that the men at the Brooklyn gas station seem to have been more influenced by the views of the founder of Islam than the Governor of California.

Obviously such false reporting is another reason why so many people don’t trust the media these days.

But this cover-up also displays an appalling cowardice.

Because we should be able to look facts in the face.

We should be able to face the complexity of the world. “Reality,” as we used to call it.

Nobody should be murdered because of who they are. But nor should a murderer be given cover because of who they are.

In particular they should not have their crime-scenes tidied up for them by a media and activist class who can’t deal with facts.

The reality is that life is more complex than the lies we have been telling ourselves in recent years.

America shouldn’t be divided by groups. And evil shouldn’t be divided by groups either.

Anybody might be a victim of hate. And anyone, from any group — even a minority — might be a perpetrator.

Ponder that and we’ll do this one victim, at least, a fragment of the justice he deserves.

Source: nypost.com

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https://nypost.com/2023/08/03/media-ignores-muslim-killing-of-gay-man-because-it-doesnt-fit-narrative/

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Iran 1953: MI6 Plots with Islamists to Overthrow Democracy

August 3, 2023

British officials wanted “a non-communist coup d’etat” in Iran to install a “dictator” who would promote U.K. oil interests

U.K. and U.S. governments backed Islamist forces to stir up unrest and even considered installing Ayatollah Kashani as a client leader following a coup

In many accounts the C.I.A. is regarded as the prime mover behind the 1953 coup in Iran, yet Britain was in fact the initial instigator and provided considerable resources to the plot, which U.K. planners named “Operation Boot.”

In the early 1950s, the Anglo–Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), or BP as it is now known, was run from London and owned jointly by the British government and private citizens. It controlled Iran’s main source of income and oil, and by 1951 had become, according to one British official, “in effect an imperium in imperio [an empire within an empire] in Persia.”

Iranian nationalists objected to the fact that the AIOC’s revenues from oil were greater than the Iranian government’s.

Britain’s ambassador in Tehran, Sir Francis Shepherd, had a typically colonialist take on the situation. The declassified files show his writing: “It is so important to prevent the Persians from destroying their main source of revenue…by trying to run it themselves.”

He added: “The need for Persia is not to run the oil industry for herself (which she cannot do) but to profit from the technical ability of the West.”

Of course, Iran was perfectly capable of running its own oil industry. In March 1951 the Iranian Parliament voted to nationalise oil operations, take control of the Anglo–Iranian Oil Company and expropriate its assets.

In May, Mohammed Mossadeq, the leader of Iran’s social-democratic National Front Party, was elected as prime minister and immediately implemented the bill.

Britain responded by withdrawing the AIOC’s technicians and announcing a blockade on Iranian oil exports. Moreover, it also began planning to overthrow Mossadeq.

“Our policy”, a British official later recalled, “was to get rid of Mossadeq as soon as possible”.

‘An Authoritarian Regime’

Following the well-worn pattern of installing and backing compliant Middle Eastern monarchs, British officials were keen on “a non-communist coup d’etat, preferably in the name of the shah,” which “would mean an authoritarian regime.”

The ambassador in Tehran wanted “a dictator” who “would carry out the necessary administrative and economic reforms and settle the oil question on reasonable terms” – meaning reversing the nationalisation.

The military strongman chosen to preside over the coup was General Fazlollah Zahedi, a figure who had been arrested by the British for pro-Nazi activities during the Second World War, and was by the early 1950s Iran’s interior minister.

Despite British propaganda, Mossadeq’s government was privately recognised by U.K. officials as generally being democratic, popular, nationalist and anti-communist.

One difference between the National Front and other political groupings in Iran was that its members were, as Britain’s ambassador privately admitted, “comparatively free from the taint of having amassed wealth and influence through the improper use of official positions.”

Mossadeq had considerable popular support, and as prime minister managed to break the grip over Iranian affairs exercised by the large landowners, wealthy merchants, the army and the civil service.

Danger of Independence

The popular nationalist threat posed by Mossadeq was compounded by his alliance of convenience with the pro-Soviet Iranian communist party – Tudeh.

As British and U.S. covert planners met throughout 1952, the former tried to enlist the latter in attempting a joint overthrow of the government by deliberately playing up the scenario of a communist threat to Iran.

One British official noted in August 1952 that

“the Americans would be more likely to work with us if they saw the problem as one of containing communism rather than restoring the position of the AIOC.”

However, neither the British nor U.S. planning files show that they took seriously the prospect of a communist take-over of the country. Rather, both primarily feared the dangerous example Mossadeq’s independent policies presented to Western interests in Iran and elsewhere in the region.

By November 1952, an MI6–Foreign Office team was jointly proposing with the C.I.A. the overthrow of Iran’s democratic government. British agents in Iran were provided with radio transmitters to maintain contact with MI6, while the head of the MI6 operation, Christopher Woodhouse, put the C.I.A. in touch with other British contacts in the country.

MI6 also began to provide arms to tribal leaders in the north of Iran.

The most important religious figure in Iran was the 65-year-old Shia cleric, Ayatollah Seyyed Kashani. He had helped German agents in Persia in 1944, and a year later helped found the unofficial Iranian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Fadayan-e-Islam (“Devotees of Islam”), a militant fundamentalist organisation.

The Fadayan was involved in a number of terrorist attacks against Iran’s then ruler, the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in the late 1940s, including an assassination attempt in 1949, and killed the Shah’s prime minister, Ali Razmara, in 1951. Around this time, it appears Kashani broke with the organisation.

By the early 1950s, the Ayatollah had become the speaker in the Iranian parliament, the Majlis, and a key ally of Mossadeq.

A U.S. intelligence report noted that, like Mossadeq, Kashani had a large popular appeal and strongly supported the National Front’s policies of oil nationalisation and the elimination of British influence in Iran.

However, by early 1953 relations between Kashani and Mossadeq became strained, notably over the latter’s proposals to extend his powers, and in July of that year Mossadeq dismissed Kashani from the post of speaker.

Tensions between Mossadeq and Kashani and other religious supporters of the ruling National Front were further stirred up by two of the principal British agents in the country: the Rashidian brothers, who came from a wealthy family with connections to the Iranian royals.

Instrumental in securing the Shah’s endorsement for the coup, the Rashidians also later acted as go-betweens among army officers distributing weapons to rebellious tribes and other ayatollahs, as well as Kashani.

 Rioting

In February 1953 rioting broke out in Tehran, and pro-Zahedi supporters attacked Mossadeq’s residence, calling for the prime minister’s blood.

Stephen Dorril notes in his book, MI6: Fifty Years of Special Operations, that this mob had been financed by Ayatollah Kashani and was acting in collaboration with British agents.

Kashani’s potential for attracting the Iranian street had been noted by the British Foreign Office, which remarked on his “considerable following in the bazaar [markets] among the older type of shop-keeper, merchant and the like. This is the chief source of his political power and his ability to stage demonstrations”.

British pay-offs had also secured the cooperation of senior army and police officers, deputies and senators, mullahs, merchants, newspaper editors and elder statesmen, as well as mob leaders.

 “These forces,” explained MI6 officer Christopher Woodhouse, “were to seize control of Tehran, preferably with the support of the shah but if necessary without it, and to arrest Mossadeq and his ministers.”

The British also operated agents inside the Tudeh Party and were involved in organising “false flag” attacks on mosques and public figures in the party’s name.

C.I.A. officer Richard Cottam later observed that the British

“saw the opportunity and sent the people we had under our control into the streets to act as if they were Tudeh. They were more than just provocateurs, they were shock troops, who acted as if they were Tudeh people throwing rocks at mosques and priests.”

Black Propaganda

All this was intended to frighten Iranians into believing that a victory for Mossadeq would be a victory for communism and would mean an increase in Tudeh’s political influence.

A secret U.S. history of the coup plan, drawn up by C.I.A. officer Donald Wilber in 1954, and published by The New York Times in 2000, relates how C.I.A. agents gave serious attention to alarming the religious leaders in Tehran by issuing black propaganda in the name of the Tudeh Party, threatening these leaders with savage punishment if they opposed Mossadeq.

Threatening phone calls were made to some of them, in the name of the Tudeh, and one of several planned sham bombings of the houses of these leaders was carried out.

British declassified files show that both the British and U.S. governments considered installing Ayatollah Kashani as a client political leader in Iran following the coup.

In March 1953 Foreign Office official Alan Rothnie wrote how Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden had discussed with the head of the C.I.A., General Walter Bedell Smith, the possibility of dealing with Kashani as an alternative to Mossadeq.

Rothnie noted that

“they would be glad to learn whether we have any information which would suggest that the United States and United Kingdom could find a modus vivendi [way of working] with Kashani once he was in power. They feel that Kashani might be bought, but are doubtful, once he was in power, whether he could be held to a reasonable line.”

The British and U.S. consideration of Kashani as a future leader is itself instructive yet the answer that came back both from the U.S. State Department and the British Foreign Office was that Kashani would be a liability: he was seen as far too independent.

‘Complete Political Reactionary’

The Foreign Office stated that Kashani “would be of no use to us, and almost certainly a hindrance, as a successor to Dr Mossadeq, both generally and in an oil settlement.”

It regarded him as even more anti-Western than Mossadeq, describing him as “anti-British” and as nursing a “bitter enmity towards us” after being arrested for helping the Nazis during the war.

The Foreign Office termed him “a complete political reactionary…totally opposed to political reforms.” “He would conceivably…accept Western money,” it noted, but he would not follow “a reasonable line about an oil settlement.”

“If he came to power it would be impossible to reach a modus vivendi with him…We could not count on Kashani giving Persia that minimum of order and stability which is our basic need,” the Foreign Office concluded.

However, written comments appended to this report show other Foreign Office officials pondering the “the idea of Kashani as a stop gap, or a bridge to some more amenable regime.”

One official questioned whether Britain should work to replace Mossadeq with Kashani “before we can expect something better in order to produce the necessary public revulsion.”

The British view was that if Kashani could not be entrusted with power, his forces could still be used as shock troops to change the regime.

The evidence points to British and U.S. support being provided to this “complete political reactionary” both before and after the report noted above was written, in March 1953.

Go-Ahead

Aug. 16, 1953: Pro-Mosaddegh protests in Tehran. (William Arthur Cram, The Guardian, Wikimedia Commons)

In late June 1953, the U.S. gave the final go-ahead for the coup, setting the date for mid-August.

The initial coup plan was thwarted when Mossadeq – having been warned of the plot, possibly by the Tudeh Party — arrested some officials plotting with Zahedi and set up roadblocks in Tehran. This caused the Shah to panic and flee abroad where he would stay until the coup restored him as absolute monarch.

In order to trigger a wider uprising, the C.I.A. turned to the clergy and made contact with Kashani via the Rashidian brothers. Footing the bill for this joint Anglo–American operation, the U.S. gave Kashani $10,000 to organise massive demonstrations in central Tehran, together with other ayatollahs who also brought their supporters out onto the streets.

Amidst these demonstrations, the Shah appointed General Zahidi as prime minister and appealed to the military to come out in support of him.

Wider protests developed in which anti-Shah activists were beaten up and pro-Shah forces, including elements in the military, seized the radio station, army headquarters and Mossadeq’s home, forcing the latter to surrender to Zahidi.

The C.I.A. also helped to mobilise militants of the Fadayan-e-Islam in these demonstrations; it is not known if Britain also did.

The Fadayan’s founder and leader, NavabSafavi, is believed to have had associations at the time with Ruhollah Khomeini, a Shia cleric and scholar based at the shrine city of Qom in Iran. According to Iranian officials, Khomeini, then a follower of Kashani, was among the MI6/C.I.A.-sponsored crowd protesting against Mossadeq in 1953.

Fadayan-e-Islam’s members would act as the foot soldiers of the Islamic revolution of 1979, helping to implement the wholesale introduction of Islamic law in Iran.

Thanking Kashani

1953 caricature of Kashani with Union Jack. (Unknown author/Wikimedia Commons)

After Mossadeq’s overthrow, the British received a report from the new Iraqi ambassador in Tehran, telling how the Shah and Zahedi had together visited Kashani, “kissed his hands, and thanked him for his help in restoring the monarchy.”

The Shah soon assumed all powers and became the “dictator” preferred by the British ambassador. The following year a new consortium was established, controlling the production and export of Iranian oil, in which the U.S. and Britain each secured a 40 percent interest — a sign of the new order, the U.S. having muscled in on a formerly British preserve.

Kashani, meanwhile, faded from political view after 1953, but he acted as Khomeini’s mentor and the latter was a frequent visitor to Kashani’s home. Kashani’s death in 1961 would mark the start of Khomeini’s long rise to power.

Despite eventual U.S. management of the coup, the British had been the prime movers, and their motives were evident.

As a former Iranian ambassador to the U.N. until the 1979 Islamic revolution, FereydounHoveyda, claimed years later:

“The British wanted to keep up their empire and the best way to do that was to divide and rule.”

He added: “The British were playing all sides. They were dealing with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the mullahs in Iran, but at the same time they were dealing with the army and the royal families.”

Hoveyda continued:

“They had financial deals with the mullahs. They would find the most important ones and would help them…The British would bring suitcases of cash and give it to these people. For example, people in the bazaar, the wealthy merchants, would each have their own ayatollah that they would finance. And that’s what the British were doing.”

 ‘Made in Britain’

In her memoirs, written in exile in 1980, the Shah’s twin sister, Ashraf Pahlavi, who pressed her brother to assume power in 1953, observed that “many influential clergymen formed alliances with representatives of foreign powers, most often the British, and there was in fact a standing joke in Persia that if you picked up a clergyman’s beard, you would see the words ‘Made in England’ stamped on the other side.”

Although exaggerating with her ‘Made in England’ claim, Ashraf neatly summed up the British view of the Islamists – that they could be used to counter threats to U.K. interests.

During the 1951–1953 coup planning period, Kashani was seen by the British as too much of an anti-Western liability to be a strategic ally. But his forces could be used to prepare the way for the installation of pro-Western figures, and be dropped as soon as their tasks for the imperial powers had been performed.

Kashani’s successor, Ayatollah Khomeini, took over the country following the 1979 revolution, presiding over an Islamic theocracy until his death a decade later.

 This is an edited extract from Mark Curtis’ book, Secret Affairs: Britain’s Collusion with Radical Islam.

Source: consortiumnews.com

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Mideast

 

Qur'an Insulters Actually Burning Themselves, Iranian Cleric Says

Aug 4, 2023

TEHRAN, Aug. 04 (MNA) – Referring to the recent desecration of the Qur'an, the interim Leader of Tehran Friday Prayers said that those who burn the Qur'an are in fact burning themselves.

Speaking at the sermons of Friday prayers in Tehran, Ayatollah KazemSeddiqi said that the Zionists and evil beings who burn the Qur'an have no way to Qur'an at all and they are in fact self-immolating.

Saying that the desecration of the Qur'an is not a new phenomenon, he added that desecration of the Qur'an had been done in the US, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany previously, and recently it was repeated in Sweden.

Some ignorant people want to absolve the Western governments of this horrible crime, he said, adding that according to Imam Khomeini (RA), this is a colonial trend and the evil governments in the West consider the Qur'an as an obstacle to their looting.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Seddiqi pointed to the day of commemoration of holy shrine defenders and stated that the defenders of the shrine established security in Iran and the world, even for the creators of ISIL terrorists.

Source: en.mehrnews.com

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Significant number of Palestinians attend Al-Fajr prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

August 4, 2023

A significant number of Palestinian worshipers gathered on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to observe the Al-Fajr prayers, expressing their commitment to safeguard the holy site from Israeli occupation infractions.

The “Great Fajr” campaign, initiated in 2020, aims to pray at the revered locations in response to Israeli violations and attempts to Judaize the sacred sites.

Every Friday, thousands of Palestinians come to Al-Aqsa mosque, the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims, to recite the Holy Quran and perform both dawn and Friday prayers.

Palestinian officials have called for constant prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque to counter aggressive Israeli actions against the sacred place.

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Israeli forces kill Palestinian youth during West Bank raid

August 04, 2023

TULKARM: Israeli forces shot dead an 18-year-old Palestinian during a raid in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, amid one of the deadliest periods in years.

The Israeli military said soldiers shot at suspects who fired and hurled explosives and stones at troops operating around the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm. It said one person was hit but reported no injuries to its forces.

The health ministry said Mahmoud Abu Sa’an was shot in the head in Tulkarm, during what the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said was a military operation in a nearby refugee camp that led to confrontations with Palestinians.

Some 40,700 Palestinians are registered with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees in two camps in the Tulkarm area. They are Palestinian refugees, or their descendants, who were forced out or fled their homes during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation.

Violence in the West Bank has worsened over the past 15 months amid stepped-up Israeli raids, Palestinian street attacks and rampages by Jewish settlers on Palestinian villages.

The Islamist Hamas movement, which governs blockaded Gaza, mourned Abu Sa’an but did not claim him as a member. “Our people will continue their revolution until the occupation ends,” it said in a statement.

Israel occupied the West Bank, among territories the Palestinians want for an independent state, in a 1967 Middle East war. It has continued to build Jewish settlements there, which most countries deem illegal.

Source: arabnews.com

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Lebanon state TV employees strike amid fears of station closure

August 03, 2023

BEIRUT: Employees of Lebanon’s state-owned television channel Tele Liban began an open-ended strike on Thursday in a dispute over salaries and unpaid social assistance.

Work in the news and program departments stopped. However, technicians continued to broadcast recorded music “to keep this station on the Lebanese media map,” an employee said.

MirnaChidiac, head of the Tele Liban employees syndicate, told Arab New that the strike follows a long series of reviews and “failed attempts to receive our dues.”

Employees are still receiving salaries based on an exchange rate of 1,500 Lebanese pounds to the dollar, which was set before the currency collapse in 2019, she said.

“There are 200 employees at Tele Liban, and some have to borrow money to reach the station’s headquarters in Beirut to continue working,” she said.

“All employees of the public sector have received dues approved by the government to help them, whereas the Tele Liban employees still receive LBP1.5 million, which is equivalent to $16 today. This salary was equivalent to $1,000 before the economic crisis.

“An employee’s salary that was LBP5 million, or $3,500, is not even $55 today.”

On Wednesday, the channel’s administration was told by the Ministry of Finance that “work is underway to transfer the owed funds,” but this “may take days.”

Payment requires a decision from the finance minister to transfer credits from the general budget reserve worth LBP17 billion to cover employees’ dues from November 2021 until the end of May 2023.

However, Chidiac voiced doubts that the promises over wages will be fulfilled.

“Our problem has been ongoing for two years, as if there is an intention to neglect Tele Liban,” she said.

“The transactions go back and forth to the Ministry of Finance. Why are they being obstructed and to whose benefit?”

ZiadMakari, the caretaker information minister, refused to deny claims that the government is neglecting Tele Liban employees’ rights.

He said: “I have pushed for including the names of the Tele Liban employees to the list of the public sector employees, so they benefit from social assistance and other salary increases, and I obtained a government decision on this, but transactions are slow due to the lack of employees attending their work in state institutions.”

Employees last took strike action a year ago, leaving all production suspended, except for coverage from three official headquarters and the evening news.

However, promises made at the time remain unfulfilled.

Some employees believe that there is a move to marginalize the station in preparation for its closure.

Tele Liban personalities such as Chef Antoine and other media figures protested publicly about their salaries and concerns the station may be shut down.

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GCC chief stresses importance of partnership with US in securing freedom of maritime navigation

August 03, 2023

RIYADH: The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between the bloc and the US in enhancing maritime security in the region and securing freedom of maritime navigation on Thursday.

Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed the importance of joint work to maintain the security of waterways and maritime navigation in a way that guarantees freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade to other countries during a meeting in Riyadh with the commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper.

The two officials also discussed a number of issues related to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf region, strengthening GCC-US cooperation, and working with international and regional partners for this purpose.

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US military may put armed troops on commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran seizures

August 03, 2023

DUBAI: The US military is considering putting armed personnel on commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, in what would be an unheard of action aimed at stopping Iran from seizing and harassing civilian vessels, American officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Since 2019, Iran has seized a series of ships in the strait, the narrow mouth of the Arabian Gulf, as part of its efforts to pressure the West over negotiations regarding its collapsed nuclear deal with world powers. Putting US troops on commercial ships could further deter Iran from seizing vessels — or escalate tensions further.

The contemplated move also would represent an extraordinary commitment in the Mideast by US forces as the Pentagon tries to focus on Russia and China. America didn’t even take the step during the so-called “Tanker War,” which culminated with the US Navy and Iran fighting a one-day naval battle in 1988 that was the Navy’s largest since World War II.

While officials offered few details of the plan, it comes as thousands of Marines and sailors on both the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall, a landing ship, are on their way to the Arabian Gulf. Those Marines and sailors could provide the backbone for any armed guard mission in the strait, through which 20 percent of the world’s crude oil passes.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment from AP about the US proposal. Hours later, however, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency acknowledged the proposal, citing this AP report.

Five US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the proposal, acknowledged its broad details. The officials stressed no final decision had been made and that discussions continue between US military officials and America’s Gulf Arab allies in the region.

Officials said the Marines and Navy sailors would provide the security only at the request of the ships involved. One official described the process as complex, saying any deployment likely also would require approval of the country under which the ship is flagged and the country under which the owner is registered. So far, that has yet to happen and it might not for some time, the official said.

At the Pentagon, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder was asked about the plans and would only say that he has no announcements to make on the matter. More broadly, however, he noted that additional ships, aircraft and Marines have been deployed to the Gulf region, making it easier to respond more quickly to any Iranian provocations.

That effort by US and partners, he said, is aimed at ensuring “the Strait of Hormuz remains open, there’s freedom of navigation, and that we’re deterring any type of malign activity.”

And White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, speaking to reporters, underscored the importance of the strait and US concerns about Iranian harassment of vessels there.

“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital seaway that has a huge impact on seaborne trade around the world,” Kirby said. “It’s a critical chokepoint in the maritime world. And we have seen threats by Iran to affect that chokepoint.”

Earlier Thursday, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet, met with the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The six-nation bloc includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

While a statement from the GCC about the meeting did not hint at the proposal, it did say that Cooper and officials discussed “strengthening GCC-US cooperation and working with international and regional partners.”

The Bataan and Carter Hall left Norfolk, Virginia, on July 10 on a mission the Pentagon described as being “in response to recent attempts by Iran to threaten the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters.” The Bataan passed through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea last week on its way to the Mideast.

Already, the US has sent A-10 Thunderbolt II warplanes, F-16 and F-35 fighters, as well as the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, and other warships to the region over Iran’s actions at sea.

The deployment has captured Iran’s attention, with its chief diplomat telling neighboring nations that the region doesn’t need “foreigners” providing security. On Wednesday, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched a surprise military drill on disputed islands in the Arabian Gulf, with swarms of small fast boats, paratroopers and missile units taking part.

The renewed hostilities come as Iran now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal. International inspectors also believe it has enough enriched uranium for “several” nuclear bombs if it chose to build them. Iran maintains its program is for peaceful purposes, and US intelligence agencies assess Tehran is not pursuing an atomic bomb.

The US also has pursued ships across the world believed to be carrying sanctioned Iranian oil. Oil industry worries over another seizure by Iran likely has left a ship allegedly carrying Iranian oil stranded off Texas as no company has yet to unload it.

Source: arabnews.com

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Arab World

 

Saudi Arabia’s Sawsan Al-Bahiti is getting opera fans singing along

August 03, 2023

RIYADH: It all started with a love for singing and playing rock ’n’ roll music, and now Sawsan Al-Bahiti is Saudi Arabia’s first opera singer, and in 2019 became the first woman to perform the national anthem in public.

Speaking on The Mayman Show recently, Al-Bahiti said opera was gaining more fans because Saudis are drawn to the quality and poetic elements of much of the genre.

Al-Bahiti lauded the Ministry of Culture and the Music Commission for laying the groundwork for musicians to flourish in the Kingdom, including the announcement that the Saudi Opera House is scheduled to open in 2026. This made it “the right time to be an artist and a singer.”

Al-Bahiti said she wants to help grow opera’s fanbase. “I chose it because I want to pioneer and lead (the way by) introducing opera to this part of the world.”

She chose music because her work in marketing left her unfulfilled. Her family provided support, which made her understand that “when your dream is something of big value, it provides you with lifelong energy.”

“My family always tells me how happy I am now versus how I was before and how different I became as a personality. This tells me constantly that I’m on the right track and it’s like my compass,” she said.

Al-Bahiti is also passionate about teaching. She founded the Soulful Voice Studio in Jeddah, where she focuses on coaching aspiring singers. She is also a project manager with the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir.

It was in 2019 that Al-Bahiti made the decision to pursue a career in opera. An unforgettable moment was her debut at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh, where she became the first woman to perform the Saudi national anthem. This was to mark the opening performance of the prestigious La Scala di Milano Orchestra.

“I was literally above the stars, it was out of this world. The excitement, the happiness, the pride, the seeing of the audience’s reactions as well, was overwhelming.”

Another highlight of her career was meeting Andrea Bocelli and his family in AlUla. “I was privileged enough to be invited to meet him before his concerts.”

Looking ahead, Al-Bahiti said she is scheduled to perform at the Natural History Museum in London.

Al-Bahiti outlined some of the techniques involved in singing opera, which is “more relying on the breath and the strength of the singer’s breath rather than the voice itself. So, if you have a strong breath and you know how to use it in the right technique, you’ll be able to sing nicely.”

She encourages people to “follow their dreams,” adding “it’s not unrealistic if you put (in place) a plan, a vision. And if you’re supported with good values to drive your dream and get the right advice from the right people, you will be able to achieve things that you never thought you could.”

Source: arabnews.com

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OIC chief, Dutch envoy discuss ways to enhance dialogue and cooperation

August 03, 2023

JEDDAH: HisseinBrahim Taha, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, received Janet Alberda, the Netherlands’ ambassador to the Kingdom, in Jeddah on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed prospects for relations between the OIC and the Netherlands and ways to enhance dialogue and cooperation.

The two sides also discussed several issues of common concern, especially the desecration of the Holy Quran, in light of the outcomes of the 18th special session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC, held on July 31.

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15 Outstanding Saudi Students Join Artificial Intelligence Training Camp At University Of Oxford

August 03, 2023

LONDON: Fifteen outstanding undergraduates, who were nominated based on results from universities across Saudi Arabia, are taking part in summer camp training for AI at the University of Oxford in the UK.

The summer camp for artificial intelligence was launched by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in cooperation with the summer program of Lady Margaret Hall College at the University of Oxford, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.

The undergraduates will attend a series of educational programs in AI over an eight-week period.

The University of Oxford’s program complements the existing program at KAUST in Thuwal.

The summer camp is one of three launched by SDAIA and KAUST for undergraduates and secondary students between the campuses of KAUST and University of Oxford. The camp is also aimed at enhancing students’ skills in natural language processing, and learning about graphical intelligence networks.

Launching the camps comes within the framework of SDAIA’s efforts in collaboration with KAUST to develop student capabilities through specialized programs to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

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22.7m visitors attended Saudi General Entertainment Authority events in first half of year

August 03, 2023

RIYADH: Some 22.7 million visitors attended the General Entertainment Authority’s events in the first half of 2023, in 120 cities and governorates in the Kingdom.

Given the importance of entertainment and its role in strengthening social ties, and being an indicator of achieving prosperity and well-being, the authority worked throughout the first six months of this year to develop new options to enhance the participation of visitors in its activities.

In addition, the GEA’s events created thousands of jobs and helped in the diversification of economic activities.

The GEA carries out the tasks of organizing and developing the entertainment sector in the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, while providing options and entertainment opportunities for all segments of society in all Saudi Arabia’s regions.

The authority aims to enrich life and motivate the private sector to play its role in building and developing entertainment activities.

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Saudi National Day to celebrate dreams becoming reality

August 03, 2023

RIYADH: This year’s National Day public holiday will be held under the slogan, “We dream and achieve,” the General Entertainment Authority said.

The identity for the 93rd annual celebration, which falls on Sept. 23, was announced by GEA Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The phrase reflects the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 blueprint for sweeping economic, societal and cultural reforms and was inspired by the dreams that have already become reality for the nation, the report said.

Four songs have also been selected to mark the special day. They are: “Our Date 2030,” “Above the Clouds,” “Yes” and “My Home Is Here.”

The GEA announced Diriyah Gate, Sindala, AlUla, The Line, AlSoudah Development, Sports Boulevard, King Salman Park, Shuaiba Solar Power Plant, electric cars, Astronaut Program and The Cube as National Day 93 identity projects.

It urged all government and private agencies to use the identity in their various activities. A guide to its use is available to download at https://nd.gea.gov.sa/.

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Djibouti supports Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 bid

August 03, 2023

RIYADH: Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh announced his country’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.

Guelleh also welcomed the hosting of the Saudi-African summit and Arab-African summit in the Kingdom later this year.

The announcement came during the president’s meeting with Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Kattan, Saudi Royal Court adviser, in Djibouti where the Saudi official delivered a verbal message from King Salman.

During the meeting, Kattan reaffirmed the solid ties between the two countries and reiterated the Kingdom’s keenness to enhance cooperation. He also thanked Djibouti’s president for his country’s support to the Kingdom, which reflected the depth of bilateral relations.

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Saudi customs governor discuss ties with Azerbaijani counterpart

August 03, 2023

BAKU: Suhail Abanmi, governor of Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Shahin Bagirov, chairman of the State Customs Committee, during his visit to Azerbaijan.

The two officials discussed ways to exchange experiences and boost cooperation between the customs of both countries.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2348916/saudi-arabia

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Saudi minister meets with Nigerian and Bangladeshi ambassadors

August 04, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs, Ambassador Ali Al-Yousef met with the Ambassador of Nigeria, Yahya Lawal and Ali Al-Yousef – the ambassador of Bangladesh on Thursday.

In both meetings they reviewed bilateral relations and topics of common interest – as well as joint cooperation.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2349456/saudi-arabia

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South Asia

 

Delegation of prominent British Imams visit Afghanistan

4th August 2023

A delegation of prominent British Imams and Muslim scholars led by the Human Aid & Advocacy charity has concluded an eight day humanitarian visit to Afghanistan.

The delegation, which included Shaykh Haitham Al-Haddad and Shaykh SulimanGani, was organised in coordination with a fact-finding mission led by Prosper Afghanistan, a community initiative dedicated to furthering understanding of Afghanistan.

Prosper Afghanistan facilitated a series of meetings between the scholars and Afghan officials.

Human Aid & Advocacy said the Muslim leaders travelled to Afghanistan in order to better understand the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people and witness some of the current aid projects established by the charity in the country.

These included an orphanage, a widow’s skills training centre, a vocational skills centre, and an aid delivery to Kapisa province. Human Aid & Advocacy has since committed to support a girls’ school in Paghman, currently educating over 100 girls.

The charity also called for the end of sanctions on Afghanistan that “are collectively punishing the Afghan people.”

Prosper Afghanistan gave more details about the visit, saying: “Delegates comprised a range of Muslim scholars representing a variety of backgrounds. The delegation follows visits to Afghanistan by UK Charge D’Affaires Robert Dixon, his predecessor Hugo Shorter and more recently MP Tobias Ellwood.

“As religious leaders and citizens of Britain, Muslim scholars hold a unique position that grants them a vantage point and an ability to build bridges between two worlds that they know well.

“Prosper Afghanistan organised a series of meetings with ministers and held constructive dialogue on a range of issues. The delegates learnt about the progress made with regards to economy, security and drug control. Delegates shared questions raised by Muslims of the West regarding what they read about the government of Afghanistan in Western press.

“The delegation intends to publish a report on its visit and seek further constructive engagements with stakeholders in Afghanistan. On future visits, delegates intend to seek meetings with the UN and EU offices in Kabul.

“Prosper Afghanistan supports the position of the UK government that ‘to promote peace and stability, to deliver essential humanitarian support to the Afghan people…there is no alternative to engaging pragmatically with the current administration of Afghanistan…’

“Prosper Afghanistan will be working with communities across the UK to enhance the public understanding on Afghanistan and promote a safe, independent and prosperous Afghanistan. We support the UK’s policy of constructive engagement and we call for the end to economic sanctions.”

The visit by the British imams follows a trip to Afghanistan by prominent Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood in mid July during which he praised the Islamic Emirate for transforming the nation and urged British government to re-establish formal relations.

Writing in The Telegraph, he said: “Two years after the Taliban forced the West to scuttle from Kabul, I’ve just returned from an Afghanistan which is totally transformed. Hold your breath. Security has vastly improved, people are free to travel and the widespread corruption that impacted at every level of former President Ashraf Ghani’s government has all the disappeared. And the dreaded black market opium trade that blighted the nation’s economy has seemingly gone.

“This war-torn nation has not experienced relative peace like this since the 1970s. And it shows. The congested streets are bustling with life as everyone goes about their business – free from the infinite checkpoints and perpetual fear of violence. The Taliban authorities are no more visible than our own police are in London.”

Ellwood did criticise the IEA’s restrictions on female work and education, but said it could be used as a tool to negotiate with the Afghan authorities.

Source: 5pillarsuk.com

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https://5pillarsuk.com/2023/08/04/delegation-of-prominent-british-imams-visit-afghanistan/

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Kabul strongly reacts against Islamabad’s statement on the right to strike terrorists in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati

August 4, 2023

On Thursday, the Afghan Taliban’s caretaker administration denied a recent statement by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari that Pakistan reserved the right to attack terrorists inside Afghanistan in self-defence. The Afghan Taliban’s administration urged Islamabad to communicate its concerns to Kabul rather than making “unnecessary claims” in the media.

In response to foreign minister Bilawal’s earlier statement, the Taliban senior spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that such “claims” regarding the existence of terrorist groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) “are not in the interest of both countries and people.”

“We refuse Pakistan officials’ allegations about the security situation in Afghanistan, and we call them baseless. The Islamic Emirate does not allow anyone to use the territory of Afghanistan against another country,” Mujahid said on Twitter.

“If there is any concern, it should be shared with the officials of the Islamic Emirate face to face, rather than making unnecessary claims in the media and confusing people’s minds. Such claims are not in the interest of both countries and people,” Mujahid added.

Pakistan repeatedly accused Kabul of not taking severe action against TTP hideouts in the country. At the same time, the Taliban rulers in Afghanistan rejected all allegations and asked the Pakistani officials to hold dialogue with the TTP.

On August 1, 2023, Foreign Minister Bilawal refused to negotiate with the extremists operating out of Afghanistan. Pakistan’s stance is unambiguous. We are neither in favour of appeasing the terrorists nor tolerant of terrorism. We intend to stop these [terror] groups and bring back peace while establishing the authority of the State, the minister said.

Meanwhile, he said Pakistan was ready to support if the Taliban government needed so. “If they [the Afghan authorities] request us for any assistance, I am sure the government of Pakistan will be ready to extend a helping hand to the Afghan interim government – that should also be a preferable option for Pakistan,” he added.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/kabul-strongly-reacts-against-islamabads-statement-on-the-right-to-strike-terrorists-in-afghanistan/

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Pakistani police detain Afghan refugees in Islamabad

August 3, 2023

More than 17 immigrants have been detained in Islamabad, according to a statement from the Afghan Immigrant Council in Pakistan.

Even though they had visas and passports, some immigrants said Pakistani police arbitrarily detained them.

“I’ve been told seventeen people were arrested, and then the number rose. They frighten and threaten people in vehicles dangerously. Both those with passports and those without were detained till morning,” According to the Afghan Immigrant Council head in Pakistan, Mir Ahmad Rufi, Tolonews reported.

The move came after the suicide bombing on Sunday, which claimed the lives of over 62 and injured more than 123 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, announced on Wednesday that militants behind a recent suicide bombing were being helped by ‘Afghan citizens’ across the border.

 “The Prime Minister noted with concern the involvement of the Afghan citizens in the suicide blasts,” a statement from Sharif’s office said.

He also warned Kabul and noted “liberty of action available to the elements hostile to Pakistan in planning and executing such cowardly attacks on innocent civilians from the sanctuaries across the border”.

However, Kabul has denied all the allegations and reiterated that they would not allow individuals or groups to use Afghanistan’s soil against neighbouring countries, including Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) of Afghanistan called the neighbours, especially Pakistan, to handle the Afghan immigrants in accordance with international principles to avoid politicizing the issue of immigrants in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is our neighbour, and the Afghans who have moved there have done so to live safely. They ought to be treated as immigrants and given rights per international principles and laws,” said Abdulmutallab Haqqani, the spokesperson of the MoRR.

According to Afghanistan’s consul in Pakistan’s Karachi, over 2.5 million Afghan migrants live in Pakistan, and over 300,000 of them lack proper documents.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/pakistani-police-detain-afghan-refugees-in-islamabad/

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Acting FM Muttaqi says meeting with US envoys was positive

August 3, 2023

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, says his talks with the US delegation in Doha, Qatar were highly positive, and both sides agreed on continuing such interactions, including political, economic and security issues.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Muttaqi said that the Islamic Emirate asked the US to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty, lift sanctions and unfreeze the country’s frozen assets.

The Taliban’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that they would not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against other countries, including the United States.

Meanwhile, the US special envoy emphasized the “immediate and unconditional” release of US citizens who had been held in Afghanistan during a meeting with the Taliban delegation in Doha.

“We want to solve the issue of foreign prisoners in Afghanistan in such a way that all parties are satisfied,” Muttaqi said.

“We assured them during the meeting with the American delegation that Afghanistan’s soil will never be used against any country, including the United States and its allies and partners. In Afghanistan, national security prevails, which is something that America itself admits. Our fight against Daesh has been successful, which the world also mentions.”

“The insecurities have decreased in an unprecedented way, and the security and defence forces of Afghanistan provide national security in every corner of Afghanistan and protect the stability and sovereignty of the country,” he said.

In Doha on July 30 and 31, senior Taliban representatives and the group’s technocrats met with US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West, Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri, Chief of the US Mission to Afghanistan based in Doha Karen Decker, and other US officials to discuss critical issues.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/acting-fm-muttaqi-says-meeting-with-us-envoys-was-positive/

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Afghanistan Humanitarian Situation Highlighted at UNSC Meeting

Representatives of countries including Russia, UK, Pakistan, India, Qatar and Switzerland at the UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate on Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Security in New York pointed out the humanitarian situation of Afghanistan and expressed concerns over the number of people in need of aid.

Barbara Woodward, UK ambassador to the UN, said that the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace calls for renewed multilateral cooperation and putting women, such as those in Afghanistan facing a choice between selling their children or starving, at the centre of peace initiatives.

Dmitry Polyanskiy, 1st Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, said that the most acute food crises are directly or indirectly provoked by the action of the United States or its allies.

“For example, Afghanistan has been struggling to climb out of the abyss of hunger and poverty for over 20 years because of the experiments carried by the United States-led coalition to democratize this deeply traditional country in a Western fashion,” he said.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, Mohammad Aamir Khan,  said that 117 million of the 258 million food-insecure live in 19 war and conflict zones, and that 15.3 million Afghans are projected to face high food insecurity.

“Pakistan will continue to provide support to the 29 million Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance and to help revive Afghanistan’s economy,” he said.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184493

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UN denounces Bangladesh pre-election violence

Fri Aug 4, 2023

The United Nations today called on Bangladeshi police to refrain from excessive use of force amid recurring violence and mass arrests ahead of general elections.

The UN human rights office on Monday lamented the violence that has erupted at opposition rallies in recent months, with police using rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons.

"Police, alongside men in plain clothing, have been seen using hammers, sticks, bats and iron rods, among other objects, to beat protesters," spokesman Jeremy Laurence told reporters in Geneva.

"Many opposition supporters, as well as some police, have been injured," he said, adding that "senior opposition leaders have been beaten in broad daylight, and their homes raided by people claiming to be law enforcement."

"Hundreds of opposition leaders and supporters have been arrested before and during the rallies."

Bangladesh's next general election is due before the current parliament's term expires in January.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and dozens of smaller allies have called for protests throughout the country demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down and the polls take place under a neutral caretaker government.

Hasina has rejected the demand, saying it is unconstitutional.

Laurence stressed that Bangladeshi authorities "must abide by their human rights obligations and allow people to exercise their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion and expression."

They must also "act diligently to protect against attempts by third parties to suppress or limit exercise of those rights", he said.

The UN rights office, he said, was calling on "police to ensure that force is only used when strictly necessary", insisting that any "excessive use of force must be promptly investigated, and those responsible held to account."

Laurence also called on the authorities to ensure that those canvassing ahead of the elections were assured "a safe and peaceful environment that respects and promotes political plurality and the expression of diverse views, in full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms."

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/un-denounces-bangladesh-pre-election-violence-3386351

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Europe

 

Denmark Tightens Border Control After QuranBurnings

August 4, 2023

COPENHAGEN, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Denmark is tightening border controls to boost domestic security and prevent unwanted individuals from entering the country after recent Quran burnings, the government said, following a similar decision by Sweden earlier in the week.

Authorities fear revenge attacks after anti-Islam activists in Denmark and Sweden burned and damaged several copies of the Muslim holy book in recent months, inciting outrage in the Muslim world and demands that governments ban such acts.

"Authorities have today concluded that it is necessary at this time to increase the focus on who is entering Denmark, in order to respond to the specific and current threats," the Danish justice ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

A small group of Danish far-right activists has burned at least ten copies of the Quran in the past week and said it plans to burn more Qurans at two demonstrations on Friday and at three more events over the weekend.

The Danish and Swedish governments have condemned the burnings and are considering new laws that could stop them. But domestic critics say any such decisions would undermine freedom of speech that is protected in their constitutions.

Denmark's tighter border controls will initially be in place until Aug. 10.

"The recent Quran burnings have, as the security police have said, affected the current security situation," Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said.

The decision to tighten border controls with more checks of travellers arriving in Denmark follows a similar move by Sweden.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen late on Thursday said religious texts should not be burned.

"I think it would be wrong if someone stood there and burned the Bible. I also don't think we should burn the Torah for the sake of those who belong to the Jewish faith," Frederiksen told public broadcaster DR.

Muslims view the Quran as the literal word of God and actual or alleged desecration of the holy book often sparks protests in the Muslim world.

Reporting by Johannes Birkebaek and TerjeSolsvik Editing by Tom Hogue, Robert Birsel, Peter Graff

Source: reuters.com

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https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/denmark-tighten-border-control-amid-Quran-burnings-2023-08-04/

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Vladimir Kornilov: How today’s Russia-Ukraine conflict has its roots in the policies of Lenin’s Bolsheviks 100 years ago

2 Aug, 2023

One hundred years ago, on August 1, 1923, the All-Ukrainian Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic) adopted a joint resolution on the beginning of the process of Ukrainianization. It sounded quite positive: ‘On Measures to Ensure the Equality of Languages and Assistance to the Development of the Ukrainian Language’.

At first glance it seemed like there was nothing to fear – after all, it was about ‘equality’. But literally in the very first paragraphs of this decree, discrimination was established against Russian, which was the main – and even only – language for a significant part of the territories of the southern Russian Empire.

The decree stated: “The Ukrainian language shall be chosen as the predominant language for official relations.” It prohibited the employment in state and Soviet institutions of people who did not speak the language. This was a disaster for the Russian-speaking Donbass, where Ukrainian-speaking people were hard to find. And so this is how it all began.

Some will say: ‘It is understandable, it was called Ukraine, that’s why these orders were adopted.’ But the point is that these native Russian lands were declared to be part of Ukraine only a few years before this decree.

It is no coincidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin, commenting recently on the nature of the conflict in Donbass, has repeatedly noted how the region came to be part of the Ukrainian SSR: “We had to look at what is happening in the south-east, in Donbass, which originally, even when the Soviet Union was organized in 1922-1924, did not think of itself as anything other than as part of Russia? But [Vladimir] Lenin and his comrades-in-arms pushed it there by force... They created a country that had never existed before… They shoved there historical territories with a people from whom no one asked how and where they wanted to live.”

As a historian of the period who has studied this process in detail, I would add: Donbass, when it was forced to become part of Soviet Ukraine, was solemnly promised that the language issue would not be touched. I have unearthed in the archives the originals (including handwritten) of documents in which the Kiev National Bolsheviks, who persuaded the Donbass people not to create a Donetsk Republic in 1918, swore that Soviet Ukraine would not be formed on the basis of nationality. But then, after this region was ‘forcibly’ incorporated into the Ukrainian SSR, all these promises were quickly forgotten.

This turned into a tragedy for the Russian lands of Donbass and Novorossiya. People were dismissed en masse for refusing to switch to the Ukrainian language, and were even subjected to criminal reprisals. In just ten years, schools and universities in Donbass were forcibly Ukrainianized. In Russian-speaking Makeyevka, there was not a single Russian class left in primary schools in the 1932-33 academic year. By 1933, all Russian pedagogical technical schools in Donbass were closed – there was nowhere to train Russian-speaking teachers.

Although in the mid-1930s, the process of total, savage Ukrainianization was slowed down and even reversed a little, it is not true to say that it was stopped. As early as January 1941, the Donbass party organs reported on the “insufficient pace of Ukrainianization.” And with the arrival of the German Nazis, the wagons brought in ideological servants from the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (a radical nationalist group which collaborated with Adolf Hitler’s fascists, and helped carry out the Holocaust), who first rushed to ban the Russian language.

So there followed wave after wave of campaigns to ban everything Russian in Russian neighborhoods. In the end, in 2014, the inhabitants of Donbass had to take up arms to defend a natural right – the right to teach their children in their mother tongue. Think about it – it took an entire century to correct a historical mistake, to give a vast region back its homeland and the opportunity to speak its mother tongue freely.

This is why it is important to remember how it all began. In order to never step on the same rake again, so that short-term tactical tasks, like those of Lenin, do not take precedence over defining the principles of the state structure and the future of our country.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/russia/580730-todays-conflict-bolshevik-roots/

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Southeast Asia

 

VP Ma'ruf Amin Calls For Development Of Sharia Economy In East Kalimantan

Tarakan, North Kalimantan (ANTARA) –

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has called for the development of the Sharia economy and finance sector in East Kalimantan, which will be the location of the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara.

During the inauguration of the East Kalimantan Regional Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KDEKS) in Samarinda on Friday, Amin stated that the province had officially been selected as the new capital's location, believed to make it a new magnet for economic growth.

"This step will encourage the flow of trade, boost investment in regions, and reduce disparities between regions," he affirmed.

Additionally, there is a multiplier effect from relocating Indonesia's capital city from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, resulting in more equally distributed development across the country, as well as inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic growth, in line with the Indonesia 2045 vision, he said.

He noted that IKN's development goals align with the concept of the Sharia economy and finance, which is inclusive, universal, and upholds the principles of justice, balance, and togetherness.

To this end, Amin, who serves as the executive chair of the National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS), pressed for encouraging the development of the Sharia economy and finance in East Kalimantan.

He said that the vast local potential and the high level of enthusiasm of the regional government are positive energy for creating a new source of growth and strengthening regional economic resilience.

Moreover, he assessed that the natural resources in East Kalimantan should be managed sustainably and inclusively for the progress and welfare of the community.

He also noted that the East Kalimantan Provincial Government has actively encouraged Sharia-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enter the global market. Training and assistance have been systematically carried out, including bolstering digitalization and facilitating halal certification.

East Kalimantan successfully hosted the 2023 Sharia Economy Festival for Eastern Indonesia on May 25-28, one of the prestigious annual Sharia economic events in Indonesia.

On that occasion, he expressed gratitude and appreciation for the synergy between the East Kalimantan Provincial Government, KNEKS, and all relevant parties.

Source: en.antaranews.com

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/290235/vp-calls-for-development-of-sharia-economy-in-east-kalimantan

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Selangor PAS secretary accuses state Speaker of blocking unilateral conversion of minors to Islam Bill, overriding Mais’ approval

By Zarrah Morden

Friday, 04 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — Selangor PAS secretary RoslanShahirMohdShahir revived debate over a controversial state Bill to enable the unilateral conversion of underaged children to Islam on the state election campaign last night.

Roslan claimed the Bill would have sailed through the state assembly in 2019 if not for incumbent Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim from DAP who was also the state assembly Speaker then, news portal Malaysiakini reported today.

He claimed that Ng had blocked the proposed amendment to change the Selangor Enactment stating that those below 18 years of age must obtain the consent of their “mother and father” instead of just the “mother or father” to become Muslim.

“From my understanding from our assemblymen, this issue has been briefed to all assemblymen, meaning that the superior levels of Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) has approved.

“But when it came to the state assembly sitting, it was rejected, no discussion at all. Why? Because the speaker is from DAP, that one assemblyman from Sekinchan whom we want to defeat,” Roslan was quoted as saying during a forum last night to endorse Nurul Syazwani Noh — the daughter of former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar — as the PerikatanNasional (PN) Permatang candidate.

Roslan reportedly said the Bill was prompted by concerns that children who became Muslim would not grow up with the religion or in an Islamic society once the non-Muslim parent had their custody.

“How dare he block matters involving Muslims, what does it have to do with him?” Roslan was quoted as saying.

The controversy first arose in 2019 and the DAP rallied to Ng’s defence amid rumours that he would be removed as Speaker for allegedly blocking a proposed amendment to the state enactment to allow the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam.

Controversy over the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam continues to today despite the 2018 landmark Federal Court ruling in favour of Hindu mother M. Indira Gandhi who challenged her Muslim convert ex-husband’s secret conversion of their three children to Islam without her consent or knowledge.

The Federal Court declared that it is unconstitutional to convert children’s religion without both parents’ agreement, but about half of the states in the country still have laws enabling unilateral conversion.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/08/04/selangor-pas-secretary-accuses-state-speaker-of-blocking-unilateral-conversion-of-minors-to-islam-bill-overriding-mais-approval/83484

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Umno’s Nur Jazlan lashes out at PAS for using Islam to mask 'ugly' side

By ShahrinAizatNoorshahrizam

Friday, 04 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — Umno senior leader Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed chided PAS for using Islam as a front to cover the party’s real “ugly” features.

In a Facebook post today, he said that PAS has continued to manipulate their voters by reciting verses in the Quran to further indoctrinate and influence their voters.

“They will quote the Quran and hadith to claim that anyone who votes for that party will be rewarded. They will use religious arguments to persuade the supporters to stay with PAS and hate other parties.

“This is not a new thing but PAS always renews the way they ride on religion based on the current political developments that are profitable for their greed,” he said.

He further said that the Islamist party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has repeatedly labeled the current federal administration as “unholy” and dominated by the non-Malays.

“Enough is enough for Hadi that is always putting up a play and constantly changing the party’s Islamic ‘cosmetic’.

“You are the real one who is a pest and a threat to national unity. You use fatwas for political interests and ride on religion for the sake of rank and position,” he added.

Yesterday, Hadi had assured the non-Muslims, especially in Penang, that they would not be marginalised if PAS was given the mandate to rule.

He said, non-Muslims do not need to be afraid because Islam is peaceful by nature and PAS will surely rule fairly for all.

This came a few weeks after Hadi’s serial rant on Facebook about how non-Malay Muslims are second class citizens and make up a majority of grafters.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/08/04/umnos-nur-jazlan-lashes-out-at-pas-for-using-islam-to-mask-ugly-side/83485

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Pakistan

 

National Assembly to be dissolved on August 9

August 4, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday revealed that he will dissolve the National Assembly on Aug 9, three days before the incumbent assembly’s term is scheduled to end.

The premier shared this information at a dinner reception hosted in honour of the ruling allies at the Prime Minister’s House, a source who attended the event told Dawn.

Since the National Assembly would be dissolved before time, this means that general elections are to be held within 90 days.

The Constitution provides that if the assembly completes its tenure, elections are to be held in 60 days, but in case of premature dissolution — which will be the case here — this period is extended to 90 days.

At the reception, the PM apprised the participants that the ruling PML-N had finalised consultations within the party and the premier will begin a final round of discussions with allies on the caretaker set-up today (Friday), a process which is expected to take at least three days.

A meeting with allies on the caretaker set-up is also expected to be held today (Friday) through Zoom. On Thursday, Foreign Minis­ter Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also held a lengthy meeting with the PM on this issue, the source said.

At the dinner, the prime minister apprised his allies about the performance of the coalition government and claimed that the government had increased revenue collection by 13 per cent in 15 months as more than 1.3 million new taxpayers were included in the tax net.

PM Shehbaz claimed in the power sector recoveries remained over 90 per cent. However, it may be noted that the circular debt posted an 18 per cent — Rs393 billion — increase in the past 11 months.

The PM said in the IT sector significant progress was witnessed during the last four months and added that the total volume of IT expo­rts went up to $2.6 billion during the last fiscal year.

Total foreign investment remained at $1.45 billion during the fiscal year 2022-23, he said, hoping with the establishment of the Special Investment Facili­tation Council (SIFC) more foreign invest­ment would be fetched.

The prime minister said with the Rs1.8 trillion Kissan Package, the government has met 99 per cent of targets. He said the government had saved the country from being default and comprehensive policies have been devised for the welfare of the people.

The reception was attended by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, PPP leaders Yousuf Raza Gilani, MQM Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, JUI-F leader Asad Mehmood, Balochistan Awami Party leaders Khalid Magsi and Senator Ahmed Khan, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Chairman ShahzainBugti, Aslam Bhootani, Mohsin Dawar and others.

‘Establishment’s man’

Earlier in the day, the prime minister listed reasons why he was taking Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir along on major issues and initiatives.

It has been observed for the last few days that the COAS accompanied the PM at different occasions and ceremonies.

“People taunt me, calling me the establishment’s man. But this doesn’t bother me. Why? Because […] I did not intend to get any personal gains,” Dawn.com quoted the premier as saying.

“We will take the country forward together. There doesn’t need to be a complete unanimity on every issue but through consultations, we will set targets and priorities,” the prime minister said at the inauguration ceremony of the BharaKahu Bypass in Islamabad.

PPP opposes polls on new census

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Shah expressed reservations over the PM’s decision to hold forthcoming general elections as per the new census. He was of the view that the new census required new delimitations which was not possible in three months.

The PPP, which is one of the major allies in the ruling coalition, also disagreed with the idea of selecting a caretaker prime minister from any political party. In a statement, the PPP leader said the PPP has finalised five names for the post of caretaker prime minister. He, however, added that any other name could also be considered for the coveted slot.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1768266/national-assembly-to-be-dissolved-on-august-9

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Senate passes bill for setting up financial crimes authority

August 4, 2023

The upper house of Parliament on Friday passed a bill to set up a new authority to counter money laundering and terror financing despite opposition from some Senators, a day after the legislation was rushed through the National Assembly.

The bill, titled “National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority Bill”, was tabled in the Senate by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar.

According to the draft, the proposed authority will be headed by a chairman and will consist of the federal secretaries for finance, foreign affairs and interior; the State Bank of Pakistan governor; chairpersons of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, National Account­ability Bureau, and Federal Board of Revenue; directors general of the Federal Investigation Agency, Anti Narcotics Force and Financial Monitoring Unit; national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta); and chief secretaries of all four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

It may be mentioned that most of these officials were also part of Nacta, formed in 2008. The authority — set up to improve coordination on counter-terrorism efforts — remained dormant for years as it could not convene its meetings because of the non-availability of members.

According to the new legislation, the proposed authority can convene meetings on the requisition of the chairman or half of its members.

As per the objectives of the draft bill, Pakistan is required to cooperate with international organisations “for anti-money laundering, countering financing of terrorism and targeted financial sanctions by way of promulgating requisite legal and regulatory framework.”

Shortly after tabling the bill, Khar attempted to “explain” the need for the legislation, saying that it appeared “dangerous” due to its title.

“In my eyes, this bill is actually an effort by the government of Pakistan for the continuation of the great work that the state has done to get Pakistan out of not only the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, but now ensuring that the continuation of that work must happen in an institutionalised manner,” she said.

Khar also gave a rundown of FATF’s history. She said that it was created in 1989 by G7 countries with the primary goal of countering money laundering. She said that in 2001, countering terrorist financing was also included in taskforce’s mandate.

Khar further said that later, the United Nations Security Council recognised FATF as a “global norms setter” with regard to anti-money laundering, terrorist financing and controlling proliferation.

“And we have seen how FATF’s role has increased over the years. And we have seen the effects of this too,” she said.

She said that the monitoring of money laundering and terror financing could not be confined to one area. She said that the financial monitoring unit was set up under the Ministry of Finance while Nacta was also set up.

“So this bill basically is proposing to set up an authority,” she said, adding that the chairperson would be appointed by the premier.

Khar said that the authority will ensure that it is able to bring all the work that is happening within the government of Pakistan and the provinces at one place so that “we can monitor our progress, and if there are any loopholes, we can connect them and stop them before we run into serious problems”.

The state minister requested the House to pass the bill as “quickly as possible”.

Senator Yousaf Raza Gilani then said that this was an issue which concerned the whole country, terming it to be “important”. Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar asked Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to get a “sense of the House”, noting that complaints had arisen that the treasury benches were “bulldozing” legislation.

The law minister said that this was a matter of “national interest”, saying that Pakistan was a sovereign state that needed to fulfil the commitments it had made to exit the FATF grey list. “We should take care [but] we never leave politics out of anything,” he said.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar then said that this was a “sensitive subject” and had a “long history”. “I dealt with this issue. In 2013, Pakistan was virtually on the black list,” the minister said, adding that Pakistan had to take “so many actions” to become “virtually grey” in 2014.

He said that Pakistan was removed from the grey list in 2015 after presenting its plan for the future. “Now, our job was to never let Pakistan come back into the grey list […] I think this is a national issue, kindly consider it,” he said, adding three months could not be afforded to the bill.

“Maximum I think it should be cleared on Sunday because it will cause us harm internationally by delaying it,” Dar said as he voiced his support for Khar’s request for taking up the bill at once.

PTI’s Mohsin Aziz, meanwhile, highlighted that editorials were being written about Parliament and various debates were taking place. He said that 12 bills were on today’s agenda.

“How can these be read in one day? How can deliberations be done? Some of these bills may be good but don’t make us a rubber stamp […] tell me what these collectives deliberations, these committees are for,” Aziz said.

“I don’t understand this haste […] 54 bills presented during the past four days and presented, I don’t think this has ever happened. What is the need for this haste?” he asked as he urged the Senate chairman to put the bill up for discussion.

When Sanjrani put the bill up for a vote, it was passed with 28 Senators voting in its favour and nine members opposing it. However, Senators Raza Rabbani, Kamran Murtaza, Tahir Bizenjo and Umer Farooq did not partake in the bill’s voting.

The Senate also approved the Import Export Control Act Amendment Bill, the Trademark Amendment Bill, the Hajj and Umrah Regulatory Bill, and the Ruet-i-Hilal Bill.

Pemra amendment bill referred to standing committee

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Electronic Media Reg­ulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was referred to the relevant standing committee of the Senate after fierce opposition.

It was tabled by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Earlier this week, the National Assembly approved two key amendments to the bill, streamlining the procedures to register and monitor rating agencies of TV channels.

However, broadcasters have expressed concern over the government’s move and said that the powers to monitor the rating agencies should be given to advertisers.

The draft of the bill says that “disinformation means verifiably false, misleading, manipulated, created or fabricated information which is disseminated or shared with the intention to cause harm to the reputation of or to harass any person for political, personal, or financial interest or gains without making an effort to get other person’s point of view or not giving it proper coverage and space, but does not include misinformation”.

As for misinformation, the bill states that “misinformation means verifiable false content or information that is unintentionally disseminated or shared”.

The bill also authorises the Pemra to impose a fine of up to Rs1 million on a licensee who “contravenes any of the provisions of this ordinance or the rules or regulations of the code of conduct or terms and conditions of the licence” after giving them a reasonable opportunity to show cause.

While tabling the bill, Aurangzeb said the government had held consultations on the bill for 12 months. “Discussions on the definitions of information and disinformation took place for 11 months.”

She clarified that under the new amendments, fines over violation had been increased, adding that the definitions in the current law were “draconian” while the new bill gave room for errors.

The amendments, Aurangzeb continued, empowered Pemra as it took away the right from the body’s chairman to shut down channels and gave them to the authority.

“A time period of two months has been given for payments of minimum wages and arrears to journalists and a strict penalty would be imposed in the instance of non-compulsion,” she explained.

Talking about digital platforms, the minister said the platforms would only be able to run content aired on television, while 10 per cent of content would comprise “public service messages”.

During Marriyum’s speech, members of the opposition benches kept chanting ‘no’ and demanded that the bill be sent to the relevant Senate standing committee.

For her part, Aurangzeb said her party and she had faced “media censorship”. “But in the last 15 months, freedom of expression has jumped up seven points up on the international level.”

“What happened with Imran Riaz,” one of the opposition leaders interjected, referring to the anchorperson who has been “missing” since May 11.

Subsequently, Senate Chairman Sanjarani referred the Pemra Amendment Bill to the relevant standing committee.

Source: dawn.com

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SC dismisses Imran’s plea against Toshakhana trial

August 4, 2023

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed former premier Imran Khan’s plea against trial proceedings pertaining to the Toshakhana criminal complaint after he withdrew the petition.

On Wednesday, the apex court had turned down Imran’s request to stay the trial in the Toshakhana case being heard at an Islamabad sessions court. However, it had also granted relief to the PTI chief by postponing further proceedings till today so that he could approach the court again in case any adverse order was passed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Meanwhile, IHC on Thursday had reserved its verdict on a set of petitions filed by Imran against the Toshakhana trial, and is expected to issue the said verdict today. The IHC will also issue the reserved verdict on Imran’s appeal against the trial court’s order to refuse his right to produce witnesses in the case.

A three-member SC bench, led by Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, was set to hear Imran’s plea today. However, the bench was reconstituted earlier today with Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi replacing Justice Naqvi.

During the hearing, Advocate Khawaja Haris appeared as Imran’s counsel while Advocate Amjad Pervaiz appeared as the counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The hearing

At the outset of the hearing, the apex court observed that the trial court could not reserve its verdict on the Toshakhana case until the IHC’s gave its verdict.

Justice Afridi summoned the ECP lawyer to the rostrum, upon which Imran’s lawyer informed the court that the IHC had reserved its verdict yesterday on his client’s pleas.

The judge then asked, “Has the high court given a stay order?” to which Advocate Haris answered in the negative.

“The trial court cannot make a decision until a decision is made on the plea to transfer the case,” Justice Afridi noted.

At this, the ECP lawyer said Section 528 (sessions judge may withdraw cases from assistant sessions judge) of the Code of Criminal Procedure was “clear on this matter”.

Under the said section, “any sessions judge may withdraw any case from, or recall any ease which he has made over to, any assistant sessions judge subordinate to him”.

At one point during the hearing, Justice Afridi asked Advocate Haris about the current status of the pleas pending in the IHC, to which he responded that the IHC heard four pleas yesterday and that requests were also made during the arguments.

“We have requested the high court that the case be transferred to any other judge,” the PTI chief’s lawyer said.

He further informed the apex court of the IHC’s dismissal of Imran’s witnesses in the Toshskhana trial.

Here, Justice Afridi asked the lawyer, “Has the high court given you any interim relief?”, to which the latter replied that the IHC “has not issued the interim order” yet.

Advocate Haris further apprised the Supreme Court that the IHC would possibly issue its verdict today on his pleas.

At this point, Justice Afridi noted: “If both the respondents agree on the law, then we may write in the order”.

However, the ECP lawyer asked the court to not include his consent in the written order, adding that Imran’s lawyer “interprets the order in his own way”.

Justice Afridi said that the matter had “now gone beyond the law and had come to the respondents’ consent”.

However, Advocate Pervaiz lamented that Advocate Haris “misinterprets if I express consent”.

While dismissing the plea, the apex court observed that the application seeking the transfer of the case to another court was under way in the IHC. The court expressed the hope that the trial and the IHC will make decisions as per the law.

The Supreme Court observed that the said decision would not affect other pleas filed by Imran.

Toshakhana case

The case, filed by ruling party lawmakers, is based on a criminal complaint filed by the ECP.

The case alleges that Imran had “deliberately concealed” details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana — a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept — during his time as the prime minister and proceeds from their reported sales.

According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

Imran has faced a number of legal issues over his retention of gifts. The issue also led to his disqualification by the ECP.

On Oct 21, 2022, the ECP concluded that the former premier had indeed made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts.

The watchdog’s order had said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

Subsequently, the ECP had approached the Islamabad sessions court with a copy of the complaint, seeking proceedings against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister.

On May 10, Imran had been indicted in the case, rejecting his petition to declare the Toshkhana case inadmissible. However, on July 4, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had overturned the said ruling.

On July 8, an Islamabad district and sessions court had declared the Toshakhana case against Imran to be maintainable. Subsequently, the former premier challenged the session court’s verdict in the IHC.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1768363/sc-dismisses-imrans-plea-against-toshakhana-trial

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SC judge facing Supreme Judicial Council complaints fears he may not get justice

August 4, 2023

ISLAMABAD: A sitting judge of the Supreme Court facing complaints before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has expressed the apprehension that he might not get justice or may face discrimination contrary to what the law requires.

In a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), who heads the SJC, a constitutional body which probes allegations of misconduct of a superior court judge, Justice SayyedMazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi expressed the fear that delay in formulating the opinion on the fate of a number of complaints by a member of the SJC was allegedly deliberate and by design.

On May 29, the CJP sought the opinion of Justice Sardar Tariq Masood on complaints moved against the SC judge. The complaints accused Justice Naqvi of allegedly violating the Code of Conduct for judges and thus committing misconduct.

An informed source told Dawn that the letter was written by Jus­tice Naqvi almost a month ago in which apprehensions were expres­sed that delay in deciding the fate of the complaints, was creating doubts that the judge may not get justice.

The source said financial transactions, including the purchase of properties being alleged against the judge, were all in order and could be accounted for any time.

When a complaint or information is received by the SJC, it is always referred to a member of the council before initiating any formal proceedings of the judicial council to ascertain whether it was a fit case to be proceeded or not. Justice Masood is also a member of the five-man SJC.

It is the responsibility of the judge to whom the matter has been referred to form the opinion about the fate of the complaints as early as possible, preferably within a period of 14 days. Moreover, in case of an adverse opinion the respondent judge is also given an opportunity to defend himself within a fortnight.

But despite a period of several months, the judge concerned has not formed his opinion on the complaints, the letter said, adding that the secretary of the SJC was seized with a number of complaints but only Justice Naqvi was being discriminated against and targeted.

The complaints accused Justice Naqvi of managing and legalising his income through the sale of properties or allegedly maneuvering by revising his 2021 tax returns multiple times in an attempt to justify his income.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1768273/sc-judge-facing-supreme-judicial-council-complaints-fears-he-may-not-get-justice

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Bajaur bombing bid to sabotage visit of Chinese vice premier: Fazl

August 4, 2023

BAJAUR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman on Thursday condemned Sunday’s suicide bombing of his party’s workers convention in Bajaur tribal district and said the attack was an attempt by the country’s “enemies” to sabotage the visit of China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng.

“Several foreign forces are behind Sunday’s carnage,” Mr Fazl told a jirga of elders and party’s senior leaders and activists at the district administration’s Jirga Hall in Civil Colony, Khar.

The JUI-F leader visited the district with provincial Governor Haji Ghulam Ali in the latter’s official helicopter.

He said the bomb blast at the peaceful gathering that left 63 innocent people, mostly JUI-F workers, dead and 123 injured was an attack on democracy and a conspiracy against national economy and security.

Claims foreign forces behind attack

“The attack was carried out when the Chinese vice premier was landing in Islamabad for talks over CPEC and other matters related to Pakistan’s development. It was meant to create a sense of uncertainty in the country and thus, stopping the Chinese government from funding Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Fazl said such “anti-development” acts were carried out by a political party in the past to create hurdles to the visit of the Chinese president to the country.

He said the rising incidents of militancy in the country were carried out under a “great conspiracy by several foreign forces that are opposed to the resolution of our security and financial issues.”

The JUI-F chief said party leader Maulana Ziaullah Jan wasn’t the prime target of Sunday’s bombing.

“Had Maulana Ziaullah been the main target, militants would have easily attacked him earlier,” he said.

Mr Fazl said he didn’t know why his party workers in Bajaur were targeted by militants.

He blamed “security lapse” for the bomb blast and said it was the responsibility of authorities to protect public life.

The JUI-F leader said authorities had some “weaknesses” that should be removed.

He said he was keen to go to the houses of all blast victims to sympathise with their families but couldn’t do so due to security reasons.

Mr Fazl said terrorist attacks couldn’t stop his party from advocating the enforcement of Islamic laws in the country in a democratic manner.

He said party workers deserved praise for remaining calm after the bombing and that showed that theirs was a peaceful and democratic party.

“I am very concerned over Sunday’s bomb blast and a surge in the activities of militancy in KP, so he has called a jirga to discuss the issue today (Friday),” he said.

On the occasion, the JUI-F chief announced Rs500,000 each for the families of the deceased and Rs300,000 each for the injured on behalf of his party.

Earlier, he along with Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, officials of the district administration and local party leaders visited the District Headquarters Hospital, Khar, and inquired after the people, who were injured in Sunday’s suicide bombing.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1768337/bajaur-bombing-bid-to-sabotage-visit-of-chinese-vice-premier-fazl

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Africa

 

Miyetti Allah begs Tinubu to appoint its members into govt

August 4, 2023

The leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), has begged President Bola Tinubu to give its members appointments into his government, even if it means appointing them as office sweepers and cleaners.

The South-East zonal leader of the Miyetti Allah, AllhajiGidadoSiddikki, who made the appeal in a statement in Owerri, Imo State on Thursday, said the ordinary Fulani people in Nigeria have been neglected by government at various levels and should also be considered for appointments.

“We are demanding appointments from Tinubu’s government, even if it is as office sweepers, and cleaners, we are okay with it,” Siddikki said.

“All we want is for us to be part of the government at the center.

“During the election, to my knowledge, my people voted for President Bola Tinubu because his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, told my people to vote for him and they all did so.

“We prayed, supported, endorsed and did everything politically possible to ensure his victory. So he should not abandon us. He should also consider my people for appointments,” he said.

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Source: ripplesnigeria.com

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Ethiopia declares state of emergency in Amhara region

Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers is declaring a state of emergency in the country’s Amhara region after authorities pleaded for help as clashes intensify between regional forces and the military.

The prime minister’s office announced the decision on Friday after the region’s leader said regular law enforcement was no longer able to contain the violence. The declaration needs approval from Parliament.

Ethiopia’s second most populous region has been gripped by instability since April, when federal authorities moved to disarm Amhara’s security forces following the end of the devasting two-year war in the neighboring Tigray region. Authorities last year also tried to dismantle the informal Amhara militia known as Fano.

This week, residents have reported fighting across the Amhara region as militia members attacked army units and protesters blocked roads. Flights to two popular tourist towns, Lalibela and Gondar, have been suspended. Internet access has been affected.

A state of emergency likely means restrictions on movement and increased powers of detention.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/04/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency-in-amhara-region/

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Give us appointments even as Aso Rock sweepers, Miyetti Allah begs Tinubu

The leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, South-East chapter, AlhajiGidadoSiddikki, has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint its members even as office sweepers in the Presidency.

Siddikki stated this while addressing journalists on the current state of the nation in Awka, on Thursday.

He said the call for the appointment of its members was necessary considering their prayers and the 85 per cent votes that led to Tinubu’s victory in the February 25th, 2023 presidential election.

He lamented that so far, in all the boards, parastatals and other appointments made by the President, no Miyetti Allah member is among, including the recent ministerial nominees screened by the Senate.

He said, “We are demanding an appointment in Tinubu’s administration even as office sweepers, we are okay with it. All we want is for us to be part of the government at the centre.

“During the election to the best of my knowledge, my people (Fulanis), voted for President Tinubu because of his predecessor, President Mohammadu Buhari. Buhari told my people to vote for Tinubu, and they all did so.

“They prayed, supported, endorsed and do everything politically possible to ensure his victory. So he should not abandon us.

“In all the boards, parastatals and other appointments the President has made so far, no Miyetti Allah member is among, including the recent ministerial nominees screened by the Senate.

“Apart from exempting us from the N8,000 proposed palliative and other benefits of the Federal Government, the President should appoint us too, even as sweepers at the Presidential Villa we are okay with that.

He commended the South-East governors for their continued support for the association in the region.

He appealed to government at all levels to also fund the livestock sector, noting that the sector was gradually going into extinction due to lack of funding.

Source: punchng.com

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https://punchng.com/give-us-appointments-even-as-aso-rock-sweepers-miyetti-allah-begs-tinubu/

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