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Islamic World News ( 22 Jul 2025, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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2006 Mumbai Train Blast: Torture of Accused Barbaric, Indhuman says HC

New Age Islam News Bureau

22 July 2025

In this July 11, 2006 file photo, a train coach is damaged by a bomb blast at Matunga railway station in Mumbai. (PTI)

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· 2006 Mumbai Train Blast: Torture of Accused Barbaric, Indhuman says HC

· Supreme Court Directs All Hotel Owners Along Kanwar Yatra Route To Display Licenses

· Kerala Leader Urges Hindu Women To Have More Children, Warns Of Muslim Majority

· Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Seeks Chinese Drones to Enhance Attacks on Pakistani Military

· Muslim Americans Share Political Attitudes With Both The Democratic And Republican Parties

· UK And 24 Other Nations Condemn Israel Over ‘Inhumane Killing’ Of Civilians

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India

· 2006 Mumbai Blasts: ‘Truth Prevailed, Justice Delivered’: Acquitted Accused

· ‘Noticed Cases Of Love Jihad’: Now Goa CM Wants A Law Against ‘Forced’ Conversions

· Hindus To Become Minority In Assam In 10 Years: CM Himanta Sarma

· Fake Pakistan Clip Shared To Incite Riots During Kanwar Yatra; Three Arrested In UP; ISI Link Being Probed

· CM Yogi Adityanath orders land ownership rights for 10,000 East Pakistan refugee families in UP

· Mehbooba Mufti urges Rahul Gandhi to raise concerns about ‘victimisation of Muslims’ in Parliament

· Asaduddin Owaisi demands action against ATS officers after 2006 blast acquittals by Bombay HC

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South Asia

· Islamic Emirate Statement On The Starvation And Oppression Of Women And Children In Gaza

· PM Hassan Akhund meets Muslim World League Head, urges cooperation

· The Responsibilities Of Islamic Scholars In Today’s Technological World

· Foreign Minister Discusses Unity with MWL Top Official

· British Special Envoy: Afghanistan’s Progress Depends on Inclusive Dialogue

· Visa Processing for Afghan Allies of U.S. Forces Begins in UAE

· UK Parliament Security Committee Probes Afghan Data Leak

· Pakistanis Paying Up to £50,000 for Fake UK Visas Through Black Market

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North America

· Muslim Community Gathers In Prayer, Holds Rights Training Ahead Of Local Imam's ICE Detention Hearing

· After An LA Mosque Was Vandalized, Its New Mural Centers ‘Healing And Resilience’

· CAIR Calls on Maryland to Reverse ‘Biased, Racist, and Exclusionary’ Social Studies Revisions Erasing Palestine

· Trump administration releases files on Martin Luther King Jr

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Mideast

· Once A Beacon Of Hope, Tunisia’s Civil Society Struggles To Survive

· Israeli Forces Push Into Parts Of A Central Gaza City That The War Had Largely Spared

· Kurdish farmers return to mountains in peace as PKK tensions calm

· WHO says Israeli military attacked staff residence in Gaza

· Why Lebanon’s fragile state hinges on Hezbollah’s next move

· Egypt provides free train rides for Sudanese refugees returning home

· UNRWA says some Gaza staff starving as malnutrition soars

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Europe

· New Zealand’s Muslim And Jewish Organisations Join As Signatories To The Harmony Accord At Government House

· Doncaster Muslims Set To Attend UK’s Largest International Islamic Convention

· Abuse Towards Mosque Leads To Extra Police Patrols

· Lancashire mosque given the go-ahead to expand into neighbouring shop

· Accrington man, 22, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following stabbing near mosque

· G7 ‘concerned’ about clampdown on Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau

· Zelensky announces date of next Russia-Ukraine talks

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Southeast Asia

· Anwar Says Malaysia Won’t Bow To US Pressure On Gaza Stance Amid Ongoing Tariff Talks

· Islamic Religious Department Denies Approving Controversial Marriage Programme In Selangor

· Anwar: Dr Mahathir ‘at fault’ on Batu Puteh, but Opposition will cry foul if we take a 100-year-old to court

· ‘Kutty’ row ends as Dr Mahathir, Zahid withdraw legal actions against each other

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Arab World

· KAUST Develops New Tool To Advance Study Of Human Embryos

· New golf course to boost Saudi Arabia’s sports, entertainment vision

· KSrelief extends support to 5 nations in need

· Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children

· Saudi Arabia hands over 129 housing units to Tunisian families

· Madinah presents SDG progress at UN in New York

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Africa

· Anyone That Punishes His Wife Is Not A Good Person – Emir of Kano

· Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi defiant after court appearance over protest-linked charges

· DRC signs peace deal with M23 rebels but experts in North Kivu remain sceptical

· Trump's tariffs threat leaves Brazilian coffee producers in the dark

· Cameroon: 81 candidates apply to run in presidential elections

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/mumbai-train-blast-torture-barbaric-indhuman/d/136253

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2006 Mumbai Train Blast: Torture of Accused Barbaric, Indhuman says HC

Jul 22, 2025

In this July 11, 2006 file photo, a train coach is damaged by a bomb blast at Matunga railway station in Mumbai. (PTI)

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MUMBAI: Bombay HC termed the “torture” of accused number 1 in the train blasts case as “barbaric and inhuman” and, saying that complaints of many other accused also raised doubts that torture was inflicted, discarded the confessions obtained by the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) as “unreliable and inadmissible.”

The HC in its judgment elaborated on the complaints of torture by police to extract confessional statements from the accused. The alleged methods included splitting legs 180 degrees wide, tying individuals to a chair all night, denying food from morning to evening, and putting cockroaches in vests and rats in underwear amid a lot of beating.

Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak, while acquitting all the dozen accused, invoked two-century-old history to invalidate confessions eked from threats, saying, “We can get the evidence of police atrocities from 1817… the passing of Bengal Police Regulation, 1817, is the example. This shows that for more than two centuries, the safeguards and checks are tried to be placed on malpractices of police officers.”

The defence argued that though the accused were in custody for over 60 days, police complained of non-cooperation. However, once MCOCA was invoked on Sept 24, 2006, 11 confessions poured in, showing they “are not voluntary but the result of continuous torture in police custody.”

On Oct 9, 2006, when produced in court, all retracted the confessions and detailed the torture inflicted by ATS, defence counsel Yug Chaudhri argued. They also stepped in as defence witnesses, and their evidence merits acceptance, the HC held, since the cross-examination failed to dislodge their claim, which was “corroborated by medical and other evidence” to a “very substantial degree.”

The HC said, “Not allowing a person to sleep, making him stand the whole night with his arms tied above his head, or stretching his legs to 180 degrees, as has been repeatedly testified to by the accused, will not leave visible scars on the body, no matter how much this may bruise the mind or injure the psyche.”

While accused number 1, Kamal Ansari, who died in 2021 in prison, did not testify as a witness, HC noted his complaint in detail, alleging a DCP had said, “I won’t kill you, I have a pen, with this pen, I will make your life hell, your entire family will come on the road.” The high court said such detailed third-degree methods can’t be an “afterthought” as argued by the prosecution.

Medical and ocular evidence “not only corroborates the complaint of A.1 of torture and its truthfulness but also the fact that police warned him not to disclose about the torture meted out to him by them to the doctor.”

“The torture was barbaric and inhuman, and it exposes the frustration the officers might have had at the relevant time for obvious reasons,” said the HC, holding his confession can’t form the basis of convictions. The HC also came to a similar conclusion of torture being inflicted on many other accused.

For instance, in the case of accused number 5, the HC said “evidence sufficiently hints at the possibility of torture being inflicted… to extort his confession.”

The HC also said, “Detailed narration of torture with all the specific details creates doubt about torture to extort confession.”

The judgment devoted 350-odd pages to confessions and about 100 pages to complaints of torture. The HC also said the prior approval to invoke MCOCA by an additional police commissioner was vitiated on grounds of complete non-application of mind by the then additional police commissioner.

“The procedure(s) of sanction provided in the legislation are meant to be followed strictly, to the letter, more so to the spirit. Even the slightest of variation from the written word may render the proceedings arising therefrom to be cast in doubt,” the HC noted.

Source: indiatimes.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2006-mumbai-train-blasts-torture-of-accused-barbaric-inhuman-says-hc/articleshow/122823079.cms

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Supreme Court Directs All Hotel Owners Along Kanwar Yatra Route To Display Licenses

22 Jul 2025

The Kanwar Yatra, which takes place during the Hindu month of Shravan, sees lakhs of devotees carrying holy water from the Ganga to perform ‘jalabhishek’ on Shivlings. (File Photo | ANI)

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The apex court however refrained from passing any orders on the controversial requirement for displaying names of owners or QR codes, noting that the annual pilgrimage was drawing to a close.

The Kanwar Yatra, which takes place during the Hindu month of Shravan, sees lakhs of devotees carrying holy water from the Ganga to perform ‘jalabhishek’ on ShivlingsNEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all hotel and eatery owners along the Kanwar Yatra route in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to display their licences and registration certificates in accordance with statutory norms.

A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh, however, refrained from passing any orders on the controversial requirement for displaying names of owners or QR codes, noting that the annual pilgrimage was drawing to a close.

"We are told that today is the last day of the yatra. In any case, it is likely to come to an end shortly. Therefore, at this stage, we would only direct that all hotel owners comply with the statutory mandate to display their licences and registration certificates," the bench observed.

The court was hearing a plea filed by academician Apoorvanand Jha and others, challenging a recent directive by the Uttar Pradesh government.

The petitioners flagged a June 25 press release by the state government, which mandated eateries along the yatra route to display QR codes that would reveal the names and identities of the owners. The plea argued that such measures amounted to discriminatory profiling and violated the right to privacy.

“The new measures mandate the display of QR codes on all eateries along the Kanwar route, thereby achieving the same discriminatory profiling that was previously stayed by this court,” the petition said.

It further contended that the state’s move to seek religious and caste identities of dhaba, stall, and restaurant owners under the guise of “lawful licence requirements” was unconstitutional.

Last year, the top court had stayed similar directives issued by the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh governments, which had asked eateries along the yatra route to display ownership and staff details.

The Kanwar Yatra, which takes place during the Hindu month of Shravan, sees lakhs of devotees carrying holy water from the Ganga to perform ‘jalabhishek’ on Shivlings. During this period, many devotees refrain from consuming meat, onion, and garlic, prompting state authorities to issue food-related advisories for establishments along the pilgrimage route.

Source: newindianexpress.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jul/22/supreme-court-directs-all-hotel-owners-along-kanwar-yatra-route-to-display-licenses

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Kerala Leader Urges Hindu Women To Have More Children, Warns Of Muslim Majority

Jul 22, 2025

Vellapally Natesan urges Hindu women in Kerala to have more children, warns of Muslims becoming majority and political bias.

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Prominent Hindu Ezhava community leader in Kerala, Vellapally Natesan sparked a row after he said that Kerala could soon become a Muslim-majority state, blaming Hindu women for “reducing reproduction” and urging them not to do so.

Speaking at a leadership meeting of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in Kottayam on Saturday, Natesan claimed that both the ruling LDF and opposition UDF were aiding the Muslim community politically, and that Hindus needed to unite to protect their influence.

“If the Ezhavas unite, we can decide who should rule Kerala,” Natesan said, addressing members of the state’s largest Hindu caste group.

Criticising what he described as “religious dominance” in public life, Natesan cited a recent controversy over extending school timings.

“When the education department wanted to increase school timings based on a court order, Samastha (a prominent Muslim body) said the government could instead reduce Onam and Christmas holidays. Where is this country headed? This is no longer secular,” he said.

Natesan also referred to former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan’s remark that Kerala would become a Muslim-majority state by 2040. “Doesn’t look like we’ll have to wait till 2040,” he added, noting demographic changes in electoral constituencies. “In Alappuzha district, two seats have been reduced as Hindus reduced reproduction. In Malappuram, four seats increased as they increased reproduction. My dearest sisters, don’t reduce reproduction,” he appealed.

Earlier in April this year, Natesan had sparked another controversy during a speech at a convention in Kerala’s Malappuram district.

Referring to the Muslim-majority district as “a different country,” he said: “I don’t think you can live in Malappuram by breathing fresh air. I don’t think you can live by even saying an independent opinion. Malappuram is a different country. It is a state of different people.”

Source: indiatoday.in

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/kerala/story/vellapally-natesan-urges-hindu-women-in-kerala-to-have-more-children-warns-of-muslims-becoming-majority-and-political-bias-ldf-udf-sndp-2759375-2025-07-22

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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Seeks Chinese Drones to Enhance Attacks on Pakistani Military

July 22, 2025

By Fidel Rahmati

TTP is actively seeking to buy drones to enhance their capabilities for launching attacks against the Pakistani military forces, according to the Pakistani media outlets.

In recent months, the Pakistani military has widely used drones in operations against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups, leading to increased insurgent casualties.

In reponse, TTP affiliates have been seeking Chinese commercial drones and quadcopters in Kabul and other cities over the past three months. They are also recruiting technicians and students to modify these drones to carry bombs or fire projectiles, Pakistani media reported.

Militants aim to use these modified drones first for reconnaissance and later for delivering explosives up to 10 kilometers away. Such modifications require expert knowledge to replace parts like batteries and cameras.

The first reported drone attack by the Gul Bahadur group occurred in Mir Ali, North Waziristan. So far, these quadcopters have only been used during daytime and can target only fixed locations.

Afghan Taliban have blocked the use of these drones along the border and rejected TTP’s request for reconnaissance drones. Some reconnaissance drones left by U.S. forces remain in the area and are sometimes flown by the Taliban.

Reports indicated that the militants have also turned to Honda motorcycle batteries to power roadside bombs and drones for longer periods. These batteries last much longer than smaller ones previously used, reducing the risk to bombers during replacements.

Pakistan’s military has developed indigenous drones like the “Burraq,” “Ababeel,” and “Shaheen,” which they use for surveillance and targeted attacks. While not officially confirmed, local sources say drone use by the military has increased significantly. Despite heavy losses, militant groups like TTP have not officially claimed drone attacks. They continue seeking advanced drones with thermal cameras and night vision to improve their operational capabilities.#

Source: khaama.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.khaama.com/ttp-seeks-drones-to-enhance-attacks-on-pakistani-military/

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Muslim Americans share political attitudes with both the Democratic and Republican parties

JULY 21, 2025

A voter casts their ballot in Dearborn on Oct. 29, 2024, during Michigan’s early voting period. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

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Muslims make up slightly more than 1% of the U.S. adult population. But they can have a significant political impact in areas where they are most highly concentrated.

For much of the last two decades, Muslims have been far more likely to identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party than the Republican Party. But Pew Research Center’s 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study shows that the Democratic advantage has shrunk considerably. Around half of Muslim adults (53%) identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, while 42% identity with or lean toward the Republican Party.

Many observers have attributed the shift away from the Democratic Party to Muslims’ disappointment with President Joe Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. In a February 2024 poll by the Center, most U.S. Muslims said Biden was favoring the Israelis too much.

However, Muslims’ political values are as diverse as their demographic characteristics. Looking at issues where there are significant partisan gaps, we find that Muslim Americans do not align consistently with either political party. On some issues, the balance of opinion among Muslims is similar to that found among Democrats. On other issues, Muslims tend to agree more with Republicans than Democrats. And on still others, they stand out from both political parties.

This analysis primarily draws from the Center’s 2023-24 RLS, a nationally representative survey of 36,908 U.S. adults. It included 273 Muslim respondents; the margin of error for results based on this group is plus or minus 8.3 percentage points.

Where Muslims align more with Democrats

Muslims are closer to Democrats than Republicans on questions about the scope and scale of government, racial and ethnic diversity, and immigration.

When asked whether they would prefer a bigger government that provides more services or a smaller government that provides fewer services, 71% of Muslims say they prefer a bigger government. This view is held by 79% of adults who consider themselves Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party. By comparison, only 31% of Republicans and GOP leaners prefer a bigger government that provides more services.

When it comes to immigration, 82% of Muslims say America’s openness to immigrants is essential to its identity as a nation. Roughly nine-in-ten Democrats (88%) share this opinion. Republicans, however, are evenly divided: Half say accepting immigrants is essential to America’s identity, while 48% say the nation risks losing its identity if it is too accepting of immigrants. (Previous studies have shown that support for immigration is common both among Muslims who immigrated to the United States from another country and those who were born in the U.S.)

The pattern is similar on the topic of racial and ethnic diversity. Around eight-in-ten Muslims (82%) say this type of diversity strengthens America – on par with the 84% of Democrats who say the same. A smaller majority of Republicans (66%) believe racial diversity strengthens the country.

Where Muslims align more with Republicans

Muslims are closer to Republicans than Democrats on topics including family dynamics, sexuality and gender identity.

For example, 63% of Muslims – and 66% of Republicans – say children with two parents are better off when one parent stays home to focus on the family. Democrats are more divided on this question: 45% say children are better off with a stay-at-home parent, while 54% say they are just as well off when both parents work outside the home.

Related: Religion, fertility and child-rearing among U.S. religious groups

When it comes to sexuality, opinions are divided among both Muslim Americans and Republicans. Roughly half of U.S. Muslims (55%) and Republicans (47%) say homosexuality should be discouraged by society, while 41% of Muslims and 50% of Republicans say it should be accepted by society. Very few Democrats (13%) say homosexuality should be discouraged by society.

And when asked about societal acceptance of transgender people, Muslims are again closer to Republicans than Democrats, even as there are divisions among both Muslims and Republicans. Around half of U.S. Muslims (48%) say growing social acceptance of transgender people has been a change for the worse, while a third say it has been a change for the better.

By comparison, 60% of Republicans say acceptance of transgender people has been a change for the worse, while 19% say it has been a change for the better. The reverse is true among Democrats: 17% say it has been a change for the worse, while 61% say this has been a change for the better.

Across all three groups, roughly one-in-five say the change hasn’t made much difference.

Where Muslims are more divided than either party

On some issues – including the proper role of religion in public life, as well as abortion – Muslims’ views are more divided than those of either Republicans or Democrats. This is similar to the pattern seen among all U.S. adults.

For example, 55% of Muslims favor allowing public school teachers to lead classroom prayers that refer to God, but not to any specific religion. This view is shared by 57% of U.S. adults overall. There are wide partisan differences on this question, however: Most Republicans (73%) are in favor of such classroom prayers, while fewer than half of Democrats (41%) agree.

When it comes to abortion, 57% of Muslims – and 64% of all adults – say it should be legal in all or most cases. But here, too, partisan divides are stark: 86% of Democrats say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while fewer than half of Republicans (42%) say the same.

Source: pewresearch.org

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/07/21/muslim-americans-share-political-attitudes-with-both-the-democratic-and-republican-parties/

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UK and 24 other nations condemn Israel over ‘inhumane killing’ of civilians

July 21, 2025

Smoke and flames rise from a residential building hit by an Israeli strike, in Gaza City July 21, 2025. (Reuters)

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LONDON: A group of 25 Western countries including Britain, France, and Canada said on Monday Israel must immediately end its war in Gaza and criticized what they called the “inhumane killing” of Palestinians, including hundreds near food distribution sites.

The countries in a joint statement condemned what they called the “drip feeding of aid” to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was “horrifying” that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking aid.

The majority of those killed were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, which the United States and Israel backed to take over aid distribution in Gaza from a network led by the United Nations.

“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” the countries’ foreign ministers said in a joint statement. “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.”

Israel’s foreign ministry said the statement was “disconnected from reality” and it would send the wrong message to Hamas.

“The statement fails to focus the pressure on Hamas and fails to recognize Hamas’s role and responsibility for the situation,” the Israeli statement said.

Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of the war that began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, with the latest deaths reported on Monday as Israel began a new incursion in central Gaza.

The call by about 20 European countries as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand for an end to the war in Gaza and the delivery of aid comes from many countries which are allied with Israel and its most important backer, the United States.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation uses private US security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing the UN-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians. Hamas denies the accusation.

The UN has called the GHF’s model unsafe and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards, which the GHF denies.

The countries behind the statement said Israel was denying essential humanitarian assistance and called on the country to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

They urged Israel to immediately lift restrictions to allow the flow of aid and to enable humanitarian organizations and the United Nations to operate safely and effectively.

They added they were “prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace” for Israelis and Palestinians.

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608903/middle-east

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India

2006 Mumbai Train Blast: Torture of Accused Barbaric, Indhuman says HC

Jul 22, 2025

For instance, in the case of accused number 5, the HC said “evidence sufficiently hints at the possibility of torture being inflicted… to extort his confession.”

The HC also said, “Detailed narration of torture with all the specific details creates doubt about torture to extort confession.”

Source: indiatimes.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2006-mumbai-train-blasts-torture-of-accused-barbaric-inhuman-says-hc/articleshow/122823079.cms

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‘Noticed cases of love jihad’: Now Goa CM wants a law against ‘forced’ conversions

by Pavneet Singh Chadha

July 22, 2025

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said there is a need for an anti-conversion law in Goa to deal with “forced” religious conversions.

Responding to a calling attention motion on the first day of the Goa Legislative Assembly’s Monsoon Session, Sawant said, “Forced conversions are not allowed under the anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh. Several states have passed such laws. I feel we too need a law so that forced conversions do not take place. There was denial about ‘love jihad’. We have noticed cases of ‘love-jihad’ in the state. If you want, I can give you details later.”

Pointing to the recent arrest of one S B Krishna, alias Ayesha, from Goa by Uttar Pradesh Police in an alleged illegal conversion racket, BJP MLA Premendra Shet and AAP MLA Cruz Silva had moved a calling attention motion, claiming an “international network” had been operating in Goa “funded by international operators”. They questioned the steps taken by the government to neutralise the “transnational network”.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday claimed to have busted a network allegedly indulging in illegal religious conversions with the arrest of 10 people from six states in connection with its probe into the abduction of two sisters from Agra in March this year. Police said the accused would allegedly lure young women, particularly minors, across states through deceitful means for religious conversion and were receiving funds from Canada and other countries to run their operations. As per UP police, preliminary investigations suggest the group’s link with organisations like PFI, SDPI and some extremist groups in Pakistan.

Calling on the Congress to support the government, Sawant said, “Recently, some targeted cases are occurring. You may say they are adults…they are in love, but when there are (specific) cases of targeting, then we will have to pay attention.”

Vijai Sardesai, Goa Forward Party (GFP) president, intervened, stating that the “narrative” of “love jihad” had been imported from the national discourse and was irrelevant to Goa’s ground reality. “If there are forced conversions, show us the data. Where is the report? Do not confuse Goans with borrowed narratives. This is about crime, not religion,” Sardesai said.

Independent MLA Aleixo Lourenco, also interjected, asking the Chief Minister to clarify. “There are no conversions happening in Goa, especially from the Catholic side,” he said.

Sawant responded by saying, “Goa’s harmony has never been disturbed and it should never be. I made it clear that this is against those who are attempting to do forced conversions. Inter-religious marriages are happening in Goa. That is their willingness…their wish. But forced conversions…by giving money…should not happen.”

AAP MLA Cruz Silva demanded a thorough investigation into the case, urging the law enforcement agencies to investigate how many such accused are residing in the state. “Goa is an international tourist destination. Tourists from across the country and abroad visit Goa. Recently, a grand Exposition of Saint Francis Xavier was held in Old Goa, attended by lakhs of people. However, during the same period, (this accused)…was also staying in Old Goa and was allegedly linked to ISIS. Now that the Uttar Pradesh police have arrested her, everything has come to light. But how is it that the Goa Police and the Crime Branch had no information about her?” Silva asked.

Source: indianexpress.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/noticed-cases-of-love-jihad-now-goa-cm-wants-a-law-against-forced-conversions-10140997/

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Hindus to become minority in Assam in 10 years: CM Himanta Sarma

22 Jul 2025

Two days earlier, he had said that the people of Assam, particularly Hindus, were becoming a “hopeless minority” in their own land, a transformation he claimed occurred over the past six decades.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarm

GUWAHATI: Citing demographic changes in Assam due to alleged illegal migration, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said Hindus are likely to become a minority in the state within the next 10 years.

“If you compare the demography of Assam in 1951 with that of the present day, it has reached a point where the Assamese and Hindus will become minorities in the next 10 years. We must revive a community staring at extinction,” Sarma told the media.

Reflecting on the past four years, the Chief Minister said they had been years of satisfaction for the BJP-led government, during which several achievements were made despite attempts to derail its efforts.

“We reclaimed 1.29 lakh bighas of land, and this endeavour is ongoing,” he said.

According to Sarma, the reclaimed land at Orang has become a habitat for one-horned rhinoceroses and tigers.

“At Borsola, a solar project has been set up. Elephants have returned to Lumding. The reclaimed land at Burapahar now provides a safe haven for tigers and rhinos. Paikan, once covered with teak plantations, will be green again,” he said, referring to areas cleared of encroachments.

Two days earlier, the Chief Minister had said that the people of Assam, particularly Hindus, were becoming a “hopeless minority” in their own land, a transformation he claimed occurred over the past six decades.

“We have lost our culture, our land, our temples. The law provides us no remedy. That is why we are desperate, not for revenge, but for survival. Yes, we may be fighting a losing battle. But we will go down fighting ,with dignity, within the bounds of law, and for the soul of Assam,” he had stated.

Meanwhile, the eviction drives in Assam have raised concerns in neighbouring Nagaland. A student organisation there expressed apprehension over a possible influx of displaced illegal immigrants into the state.

“It is pertinent to note that alleged illegal immigrants residing in areas adjacent to Naga-inhabited regions along the Assam–Nagaland border are in close proximity to villages within Nagaland.

This situation further heightens the risks of conflict, displacement, and demographic pressure on our vulnerable border communities,” the Western Sumi Students’ Union said in a statement issued on Monday.

The Assam government is now preparing to carry out an eviction drive at Uriamghat, near the Assam–Nagaland border.

Amid ongoing land survey operations in Golaghat district, illegal settlers have reportedly begun vacating the area.

Source: newindianexpress.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jul/21/hindus-to-become-minority-in-assam-in-10-years-cm-himanta-sarma

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Fake Pakistan clip shared to incite riots during kanwar yatra; three arrested in UP; ISI link being probed

Jul 21, 2025

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday arrested three men for circulating a fake video reportedly from Pakistan, claiming killings of Muslims. The police said that three accused confessed their motive to "incite communal tensions" during Kanwar Yatra.

Police also suspect the possible involvement of Pakistan-based ISI handlers behind the act.

The arrested men have been identified as Nadeem, Mansher, and Rahees. They were caught by the Muzaffarnagar police after the video was shared in several WhatsApp groups, especially on the second Monday of Sawan, when thousands of Kanwar Yatris pass through the region.

DIG Saharanpur Abhishek Singh said that during routine social media monitoring, they found a video being circulated that showed murdered children. An audio clip added to it falsely claimed that Bajrang Dal workers had killed Muslims in Mansoorpur and nearby areas.

"During questioning, the accused admitted they wanted to spark communal riots. Their plan could have led to mob lynching or even a lone-wolf attack in the name of religion," said the DIG. He added that the video was from Pakistan and the police are also looking into a possible link to ISI handlers across the border.

The video had already reached four large WhatsApp groups, each with hundreds of members. Police believe it may have been shared further through different modules.

Raids are being carried out in other states to identify and arrest anyone else involved in this network.

A case has been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the IT Act. Police have also seized three mobile phones used in the crime.

Officials have urged the public not to share unverified videos or messages, especially during religious festivals, to avoid creating unnecessary panic or tension.

Source: indiatimes.com

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CM Yogi Adityanath orders land ownership rights for 10,000 East Pakistan refugee families in UP

21.07.25

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday ordered land ownership rights to thousands of refugee families rehabilitated in the state from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), since the 1960s.

The chief minister, according to an official statement, termed the step not just an administrative decision, but a "national responsibility" and an act of "social justice and humanity." Chairing a meeting, Adityanath instructed district magistrates to ensure time-bound action to resolve long-pending legal and revenue issues that have prevented over 10,000 refugee families — settled in Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bijnor, and Rampur — from obtaining rightful ownership of the land allocated to them.

"These people have endured displacement and hardship for over six decades. This initiative is not merely about land transfer; it is about acknowledging their struggle and restoring dignity," the chief minister said, according to a statement.

He emphasised that officials must deal with these families with "empathy and due respect." According to officials, thousands of families migrated from East Pakistan between 1960 and 1975 and were resettled in several villages across the four districts.

While agricultural land was allocated to many families through transit camps in the early years, due to legal anomalies, record mismatches, and bureaucratic hurdles, most were never granted formal land titles.

Several of these cases involve land being recorded under forest department ownership, pending mutation processes, or lack of actual possession, leading to uncertainty for the occupants.

In some villages, refugees built permanent homes and cultivated land for decades, but their names still do not appear in official land records. In others, families originally settled have either moved or ceased to exist, complicating claims.

Highlighting the need for legal clarity, Adityanath said that earlier allotments under the now-repealed Government Grants Act should be reviewed in the current legal context to explore new avenues for resolution.

The 2018 repeal of the law has left many such cases in legal limbo, he said. "In cases where land ownership cannot be regularised due to technical reasons, suitable alternative land must be identified.

"This is about ensuring a dignified life for people who have long awaited recognition as rightful citizens," Adityanath said.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Mehbooba Mufti urges Rahul Gandhi to raise concerns about ‘victimisation of Muslims’ in Parliament

Scroll Staff

22 Jul 2025

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to raise concerns about the “victimisation, dispossession and disempowerment” of Muslims during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Mufti said that Muslims in India had chosen to remain in the country after Partition because of their faith in the Congress leadership.

“Today, as the bearer of that legacy, the responsibility falls on your shoulders to uphold and defend the secular and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution,” she added.

The Peoples Democratic Party leader said that the ongoing special intensive revision of voter rolls in Bihar appears to be another “systemic effort to dispossess, disempower and ultimately disenfranchise Muslims, effectively erasing their presence”.

As part of the revision of electoral rolls, persons whose names were not on the 2003 voter list will need to submit proof of eligibility to vote. Opposition leaders have alleged that the exercise risks disenfranchising a large number of voters as they may not be able to submit the necessary documents.

Mufti also referred to reports of India having deported refugees by “pushing” them into Bangladeshi waters, saying: “Under the pretext of targeting ‘Bangladeshis’ and ‘Rohingyas’, Muslims are being pushed into increasingly desperate situations. Disturbing media reports have even suggested that some were forced into the sea in attempts to expel them from India.”

The large scale demolition of thousands of Muslim homes in Assam is deeply troubling, Mufti added.

Between 2016 and August 2024, more than 10,620 families – the majority of them Muslim – have been evicted from government land in Assam, according to data provided by the state revenue and disaster management department.

Mufti said that while India rightly condemns the treatment of Hindu minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, there is “complete silence” when Muslims are targeted in India.

“As a politician from one of the only Muslim-majority regions that chose to join the Indian Union largely due to the vision and secular character of your great-grandfather, I feel extremely helpless at times,” she said. “Placing great hope in your leadership, I urge you to continue speaking up for a minority that is being steadily marginalised and pushed to the fringes of Indian society.”

The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on Monday and will conclude on August 21.

Source: scroll.in

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Asaduddin Owaisi demands action against ATS officers after 2006 blast acquittals by Bombay HC

21.07.25

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday sought to know whether Maharashtra government would take action against Anti-Terrorism Squad officers who investigated the serial train blasts of 2006, following the Bombay high court’s acquittal of all 12 accused.

"Twelve Muslim men were in jail for 18 years for a crime they didn’t commit. Their prime years are gone. The 180 families who lost loved ones, the many injured—there is no closure for them. Will the government take action against the Maharashtra ATS officers who investigated this case?" The Hyderabad MP wrote on X.

Owaisi alleged that the parties in power in Maharashtra in 2006 were also responsible for "disregarding complaints of torture." The AIMIM chief said, "innocent people are often jailed", and when acquitted years later, they are left with no path to rebuild their lives.

He further noted that the accused had not stepped out of jail even once in the 17 years since their arrest.

According to Owaisi, in high-profile cases that generate public outcry, the police tend to start investigations by "presuming guilt".

"In such cases, police officers hold press conferences, and the way the media reports on the case often shapes a narrative that declares the accused guilty," he said. "In many such terror cases, investigating agencies have failed us miserably.”

Shiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP), Milind Deora and said that the Maharashtra government should appeal against the verdict.

"As a Mumbaikar, I cannot accept the verdict of the Bombay High Court….I appeal to the Maharashtra government they involve the best lawyers of the country in this matter as soon as possible. And they should appeal against the verdict of the Bombay High Court as soon as possible," Deora said.

Minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the state government will study the verdict and it can approach the Supreme Court if it feels the need to do so.

Former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief, K P Raghuvanshi, who headed the investigation into the blasts case, also said the state government should appeal against the Bombay high court judgement acquitting all 12 accused.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Raghuvanshi said, “I believe we had made a very strong case on the basis of which the trial court had convicted the accused. Now, ATS will examine the judgment, and in consultation with the PP (public prosecutor) and other legal experts, they will decide on the appeal. In my opinion, they should definitely appeal against the judgment.”

“We are pretty sure that we have done a good investigation and collected ample evidence; that’s the reason why the trial court had convicted the accused previously. I have been retired from ATS for more than 10 years. The current ATS chief’s team will examine the judgment and decide on the appeal. I believe they should appeal against the verdict in the Supreme Court of India,” Raghuvanshi added.

On July 11, 2006, seven bomb blasts had ripped through separate Mumbai local trains within 11 minutes, killing over 180 people. Rigged pressure cookers were used for the bombings to amplify the damage caused.

In 2015, a trial court had convicted 12 accused, sentencing five of them to death and the others to life imprisonment.

The Bombay high court acquitted the accused, stating that the prosecution had "utterly failed" to prove its case and that it was "hard to believe they committed the crime."

Abdul Wahid Shaikh was one the 13 accused in the blast case. He was released in 2015 by a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court as the police couldn’t find any proof for the charges against him.

He claimed that police tortured him to confess the charges.

"From day one, we maintained our innocence. We were tortured, false statements were extracted, and fake recoveries were shown. All of this has now been proven wrong. It has been established that the ATS built a false case. I am happy that after 19 long years, this judgment has finally come, though delayed, it means those innocent individuals will now be released. My brother-in-law, Sajid Ansari, was also an accused in this case. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and is still in Nashik Jail. The court has now acquitted him too," he said to IANS.

In a damning indictment of the prosecution’s case, the high court declared all confessional statements of the accused as inadmissible suggesting "copying”.

Further eroding the credibility of the confessions, the court said the accused had successfully established that torture was inflicted upon them to extort these confessional statements.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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South Asia

Islamic Emirate statement on the starvation and oppression of women and children in Gaza

July 21, 2025

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful It is with profound concern that we witness the ongoing suffering of Muslims in Gaza, Palestine, who remain under the relentless assaults and violence carried out by Israeli Zionist forces. In recent days, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been subjected to acute food and water shortages, widespread illness, and continuous bombardment, resulting in immense human suffering.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan once again firmly denounces the ongoing crimes of the Israeli Zionists, including the deliberate starvation and siege of civilians, the weaponization of humanitarian aid, and the repeated targeting and killing of women and children.

Otherwise, we will have no justification before Almighty Allah, and all will be held accountable and face the severity of His divine punishment. We earnestly pray to Allah Almighty to open a path of relief and rescue for the Muslims in Gaza, and to bring down His just punishment upon the Zionist aggressors and their backers, a punishment so clear and overwhelming that it serves as a lesson to all of humanity.

Source: thekabultimes.com

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PM Hassan Akhund meets Muslim World League Head, urges cooperation

July 21, 2025

KABUL: Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Shaikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, urging continued bilateral cooperation, Arg said in a statement on Monday.

The meeting was attended by acting Foreign Minister Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi and Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi, the statement said.

PM Akhund welcomed the delegation and expressed hope that the visit would lead to stronger ties and continued cooperation between Afghanistan and the Islamic world.

“You have a strong Foreign Minister, whom I met in Mecca, and through him, our love for Afghanistan grew even more. His efforts in strengthening Islamic brotherhood are commendable,” the statement quoted Mullah Hassan as saying.

Expressing hope for the continuation of relations and cooperation between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister requested the head of the organization to use his influence to raise with the relevant authorities the issue of increasing the quota for Afghan pilgrims to perform the Hajj.

In response, Dr. Al-Issa said that Afghanistan holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims around the world. “We feel a deep sense of Islamic brotherhood with the Afghan people,” he said, adding that such gatherings are essential for unity in the Muslim Ummah.

Stressing the need for Afghanistan to move forward alongside the rest of the world, he said, “We stand with you in confronting the challenges posed by extremists who have harmed Islam’s image globally.”

Shaikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, presented the honorable Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hajj Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, with a blessed gift, the cover of the Holy Kaaba.

The Kabul Times

Source: thekabultimes.com

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The responsibilities of Islamic scholars in today’s technological world

July 21, 2025

Throughout Islamic history, the Prophets were not only spiritual mentors but also leaders in social, political, and scientific matters.

They tackled the issues of their time with wisdom, boldness, and practical leadership. Today’s Muslim scholars are expected to carry on that legacy—guiding the Muslim world not only in matters of faith but also in navigating modern advancements in science, technology, and strategy.

In the present era, technological innovation is not optional—it is a necessity. Societies that fail to keep up with digital progress risk falling into irrelevance and dependency. However, in many parts of the Muslim world, there exists a cautious or even resistant attitude among some scholars toward adopting modern tools.

This hesitation prevents them from using powerful technologies that could advance Islamic knowledge, empower the Muslim community, and communicate the message of Islam on a global scale.

During Islam’s golden age, the pursuit of knowledge and innovation was at the heart of the civilization’s growth. Inspired by Prophet Mohammad’s (peace be upon him) call to seek knowledge, even from distant lands, Muslims excelled in fields such as medicine, astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. This forward-thinking spirit allowed them to become world leaders in learning and innovation. Unfortunately, this momentum gradually declined. As global science and technology moved forward, many Islamic societies clung to traditionalism and became resistant to change.

Today, Muslim scholars occupy a pivotal role in shaping societal values and educational direction.

They are not only preservers of religious teachings but also community influencers whose words impact public attitudes and actions.

This unique position places a heavy responsibility on scholars to lead in addressing contemporary challenges—especially in the digital realm.

One major issue is the generational and intellectual gap between traditional scholars and the youth, who are deeply immersed in the digital ecosystem. Many young Muslims rely on social media, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms for communication, education, and religious exploration. Yet, numerous scholars are skeptical of these tools, often viewing them as harmful to Islamic ethics or as carriers of foreign values.

To remain relevant and effective, Muslim scholars must adapt to this digital age. Engagement with technology should not be seen as compromising religious values but rather as fulfilling the obligation to serve and educate the community. Scholars who understand digital tools can use them to expand their reach, deliver authentic Islamic content, and counter misinformation. Islamic apps, podcasts, online khutbahs, YouTube da’wah videos, and scholarly social media pages are just a few examples of how modern technology can be harnessed for good.

Moreover, technological progress is not limited to communication. It includes developments in military strategy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybersecurity—all fields crucial to the safety and independence of Muslim nations.

A lack of Muslim engagement in these areas creates long-term vulnerabilities and dependency on non-Muslim powers. Scholars must therefore broaden their scope, promoting not only spiritual discipline but also technological excellence as an Islamic duty.

This shift begins in the classroom. Islamic seminaries and educational institutions must rethink their curricula to integrate traditional religious education with contemporary sciences such as technology, engineering, and strategic studies.

A new generation of scholars must emerge—one that is firmly rooted in Islamic theology and law, yet fluent in the language of the modern world. This hybrid education will produce leaders capable of guiding their communities through a time of rapid change.

Furthermore, collaboration between religious scholars and professionals—engineers, data scientists, educators, doctors, and strategists—can foster mutual understanding. Such cooperation ensures that digital innovations are aligned with Islamic ethics and serve the broader goals of the ummah.

If this transformation does not take place, the consequences could be dire. The Muslim world will continue to rely on others for its technological needs, weakening its sovereignty and voice in global affairs.

Worse, without effective engagement in the digital sphere, Islamic teachings will be misrepresented, and misinformation may go unchallenged.

The role of Muslim scholars in the 21st century must extend. Just as the Prophets led their nations in all aspects of life, today’s scholars must rise to meet modern challenges—technological, scientific, and strategic—while preserving the moral compass of Islam. Embracing the digital age is not a rejection of Islamic tradition; it is a return to its foundational spirit of knowledge, innovation, and leadership. In doing so, scholars will not only guide their communities more effectively but also help lay the groundwork for a stronger, more independent, and enlightened Muslim world.

Sayed Sharfi

Source: thekabultimes.com

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Foreign Minister Discusses Unity with MWL Top Official

July 21, 2025

KABUL(BNA): In a meeting held on Monday in Kabul, Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, engaged with Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, the Secretary General of the Muslim WorldLeague (MWL).

The discussions, as reported by the Bakhtar News Agency, centered around the pressing need for enhanced coordination and cooperation among Islamic countries. Mawlavi Muttaqi highlighted the recent developments in Afghanistan, underscoring the importance of unity within the Islamic world.

During the meeting, the Afghanistan Foreign Minister praised the general amnesty declared by the Honorable Amir al-Muminin, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, describing it as a crucial step towards strengthening security and stability. He also noted ongoing reforms in religious and spiritual domains as significant achievements of the current administration.

Sheikh Al-Issa acknowledged the unique position Afghanistan holds in the Islamic world, emphasizing the necessity for regular ties between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Muslim World League.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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British Special Envoy: Afghanistan’s Progress Depends on Inclusive Dialogue

July 21, 2025

Fidel Rahmati

The British Special Representative emphasized that Afghanistan’s future hinges on inclusive dialogue, involving all groups to ensure lasting peace and development.

Richard Lindsay, the newly appointed British Special Representative for Afghanistan, recently made a visit to Kabul to engage with a broad spectrum of Afghan society, including Taliban officials. His discussions focused on the current situation in Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations between the UK and Afghanistan.

During his visit, Lindsay stressed that Afghanistan’s future depends on inclusive dialogue and sustained engagement. He spoke on critical issues such as healthcare and the repatriation of refugees from neighboring countries, including Iran and Pakistan.

The responsibilities of the British Special Representative include addressing counterterrorism efforts, human rights, humanitarian aid access, and supporting initiatives for an inclusive and representative Afghanistan government. He also aims to connect with various social groups, particularly women and religious and ethnic groups.

In addition to his meetings in Kabul, Lindsay plans to coordinate with British officials and regional counterparts to strengthen cooperation and develop a cohesive strategy for Afghanistan’s stability and development.

The UK’s approach, led by Richard Lindsay, emphasizes the importance of broad-based dialogue and engagement as essential components for achieving lasting peace and progress in Afghanistan.

Lindsay, an experienced diplomat, assumed his role in June 2025. Prior to this appointment, he served as Deputy Director of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office since 2022. His mission centers on advancing key British priorities through dialogue with the Taliban and other Afghan stakeholders.

Source: khaama.com

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Visa Processing for Afghan Allies of U.S. Forces Begins in UAE

July 22, 2025

By Fidel Rahmati

Visa processing has officially started in the UAE for Afghan allies who worked with U.S. forces, aiming to secure their safe relocation.

The Trump administration has reached an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to halt the deportation of Afghan interpreters and soldiers who worked alongside U.S. forces. The deal ensures that these individuals will remain in the UAE while their U.S. visa applications are being processed.

This agreement follows alarming reports last week suggesting the UAE was preparing to forcibly return some Afghans to Afghanistan—raising serious concerns among international observers and human rights advocates.

According to Just News, the decision was made in coordination with top U.S. officials including the Vice President, Secretary of State, and the White House Chief of Staff. Emirati authorities also took part in the agreement.

A senior White House official told the outlet that President Trump has ordered a full effort to begin the safe and permanent resettlement of these Afghan allies. The U.S. State Department is now actively reviewing their cases.

The development has renewed hope for thousands of vulnerable Afghans who supported American operations, many of whom have faced long delays and uncertainty in securing safe passage.

The agreement signals a meaningful step toward honoring commitments to those who risked their lives for the U.S., while also easing tensions caused by prior deportation threats.

If fully implemented, this deal could mark a turning point in how the U.S. handles its obligations to wartime allies, offering a model for future crisis response.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/visa-processing-for-afghan-allies-of-u-s-forces-begins-in-uae/

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UK Parliament Security Committee Probes Afghan Data Leak

July 22, 2025

By Fidel Rahmati

UK Parliament Security Committee launches investigation into accidental data leak exposing personal details of thousands of Afghans who supported British forces.

Following the leak of sensitive information about thousands of Afghans who had worked with British forces, the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has launched a formal investigation. The data, related to more than 30,000 applicants for the Afghan resettlement program, was accidentally shared with someone outside the government.

This disclosure raised serious concerns about possible Taliban retaliation. In response, the UK Ministry of Defence requested a “super-injunction” from the High Court, a legal order so strict that even reporting on its existence was prohibited. This restriction remained in place until last week.

Lord Beith, chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, has demanded that all related documents be handed over immediately for review. He stressed that the classified nature of the information must not be used as an excuse to block parliamentary oversight and accountability.

In the aftermath of the breach, the UK government quietly launched a scheme called the “Afghan Response Pathway” aimed at relocating around 7,000 vulnerable individuals to the UK. The estimated cost of this operation exceeds £850 million.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the Ministry of Defence has announced that it has no plans to compensate those affected. The ministry has also stated it will “vigorously” defend itself against any legal actions arising from the incident.

The leak of such sensitive information has not only endangered the lives of Afghan applicants but also raised serious questions about the UK government’s transparency and accountability in handling data breaches.

The outcome of the parliamentary investigation could play a crucial role in shaping future government policies on data protection and may intensify pressure on the authorities to take responsibility and provide real support for those at risk.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/uk-parliament-security-committee-probes-afghan-data-leak/

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Pakistanis Paying Up to £50,000 for Fake UK Visas Through Black Market

July 22, 2025

By Fidel Rahmati

Pakistani migrants are entering the UK using forged documents sold on the black market, exploiting visa system loopholes, The Telegraph has revealed.

An investigation by The Telegraph has revealed that Pakistani nationals are entering the UK using forged visa documents, purchased for up to £50,000 from black market networks. These applications, despite containing false information, are sometimes approved by the UK Home Office.

A key figure in the scheme is Syed Kamran Haider, head of the MVC visa consultancy firm in Mirpur, Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Haider openly promotes methods to exploit weaknesses in the UK asylum system, which experts say are vulnerable to abuse.

The Telegraph found that MVC produces fake résumés, bank statements, and employment letters to meet UK visa requirements. In one example, a document claimed the applicant worked at a hospital that had shut down years earlier. The hospital’s former director confirmed the certificate was fake and included false contact details.

While illegal boat crossings into the UK have drawn headlines, the report shows that some migrants are using less visible, document-based methods to enter the country. These schemes are harder to detect and can bypass immigration controls.

According to government data, asylum claims from Pakistani nationals surged by 80% last year, reaching over 10,500 cases. The findings have sparked calls for tighter verification processes and urgent reforms in the UK’s visa and asylum system.

Source: khaama.com

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North America

Muslim community gathers in prayer, holds rights training ahead of local imam's ICE detention hearing

Jul 22, 2025

CINCINNATI — Members of the Muslim community gathered Monday evening at the Clifton Mosque for a training session and prayer service as they continue to advocate for the release of Imam Ayman Soliman from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention.

Soliman was detained by ICE earlier this month after his asylum status, which was granted in 2018, was revoked.

"It's been frustrating, it's been scary!" said Tala Ali, Clifton Mosque chairperson.

The evening included both educational training on immigration rights and a prayer service for Soliman and others in similar situations.

"We believe in our tradition that God hears the prayers of the oppressed," Ali said.

Soliman's attorney, Robert Ratliff, believes the government made a mistake in revoking his client's asylum status.

"The basis for the termination was not proper. The asylum that made that determination did so with misconstrued some of the evidence he, he or she relied on," Ratliff said.

Soliman's detention has sparked multiple vigils and protests across the Cincinnati area. Last week, several protesters were arrested by Covington police during a demonstration that moved onto the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Monday's training session was presented by Ignite Peace, an organization that walked attendees through their legal rights when encountering immigration or law enforcement officials.

"Everybody on U.S. soil, regardless of immigration status, is protected by the rights in our Constitution," said Samantha Searls, the immigration justice program director at Ignite Peace.

Soliman is scheduled to appear virtually before a federal immigration judge in Cleveland on Tuesday for a bond hearing that could result in his release. On July 24, Soliman has a status hearing regarding an order that temporarily prevents immigration officials from removing him from Ohio.

"Our prayers tonight are for, as advertised, not just for Ayman but all those who find themselves in a similar situation to Ayman and who find themselves in hardships to be relieved from their oppression," Ali said.

What ICE detention looks like at the Butler County Jail

Under a contract with the county signed in February, U.S. taxpayers pay Butler County $68 per ICE detainee per day plus $36 per hour for transportation provided by a corrections officer or deputy.

The number of ICE detainees at the facility fluctuates, but it often fills up more than half of the jail’s 860-bed capacity.

Most of the inmates held under the ICE contract aren’t facing violent criminal charges. Our partners at Journal-News analyzed the jail roster on July 10. Of the 384 inmates detained for ICE that day, less than 8% had any charges other than immigration law violations. Other charges that were listed ranged from traffic violations to drug charges, domestic violence, assault, theft and non-ICE-related federal holds.

Source: wcpo.com

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https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/muslim-community-gathers-in-prayer-holds-rights-training-ahead-of-local-imams-ice-detention-hearing

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After an LA mosque was vandalized, its new mural centers ‘healing and resilience’

July 21, 2025

Out of a hate-motivated incident comes community healing and art, these organizers say.

On Monday, July 21, officials from the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and the Greater L.A. office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) unveiled a new mural at the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) — a mosque targeted by Islamophobic graffiti just two months prior.

ICSC officials said the center was targeted by a “disturbing act of vandalism” on its wall and surrounding trees, including symbols police determined as hate-motivated, on May 12. The LAPD’s Major Crimes Division launched a hate crime investigation into the incident, which police were investigating as a hate crime.

Monday’s mural unveiling included family activities, food, live music, and speeches from elected officials and partnering organizations from CAIR-LA and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

Organizers hope the piece, supported by the L.A. County Human Relations Commission and other community groups, is seen as a symbol of “healing, visibility and resistance.”

On one side of the mosque’s wall, the blue and yellow-tinted mural — titled “Sabr at Fajr,” by Palestinian-American artist Saj Issa — explores “notions of patience, resilience and cultural identity through the symbolic Sabr plant” centered in the artwork. Organizers said the plant, a prickly pear cactus, “takes root in an ethereal landscape that evokes connections to both Los Angeles and the Middle East.” Other elements of the mural include a yellow moon and flowing water, symbols of life and growth.

“This imagery serves as a reminder that we are never truly alone, so long as we remain steadfast in our faith,” said Issa before the mural’s unveiling. “It also speaks to the beauty of endurance and the shared human story of finding belonging after hardship.”

The mural was funded through a grant from the county’s Measure B fund, with support through MuralColors’ artist residency program. It was developed through a community input process which included hundreds of responses from Muslims across L.A., officials said.

Members of the community and allies swiftly condemned the vandalism at the inclusive mosque and community center, near Koreatown.

“ICSC is a beacon of faith and service in our community, and this hateful act of vandalism is not just an attack on a house of faith, it is an assault on the values of diversity and tolerance,” said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush in a May press release. “Amidst rising anti-Muslim rhetoric across the country, this disturbing attempt to intimidate and marginalize our community is deeply concerning. Hate and bigotry, against any group regardless of faith or background, cannot go unchecked.”

Officials arrested a man who reportedly scrawled anti-Islamic hate words at the same mosque in April 2023.

The mural, “Sabr at Fajr,” builds upon LA vs. Hate’s “Signs of Solidarity” campaign, aimed at fighting hate and uplifting diversity through public displays, officials said — including signs, posters, and community-commissioned artwork across L.A. County.

The campaign comes in response to a 45% increase in hate crimes reported county-wide, according to the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations’ latest report in 2023.

L.A. County reported an increase in religiously-motivated attacks on both Jewish and Muslim communities since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in late 2023. Anti-Muslim incidents represented 8% of all reported religious hate in both 2022 and 2023 — an increase of 133% during those years. Incidents related to conflict in the Middle East increased 2,150%, up to 64 in 2023, officials said.

“There’s no question — there’s already a huge increase,” said Robin Toma, executive director of the commission, before Monday’s unveiling. “This is the largest number we’ve ever recorded.”

Toma said that in response to the rising attacks, the county’s LA v. Hate campaign offers resources for people standing up to hate, and partners with community organizations to create rapid-response networks for reported hate-motivated attacks, which people can report through its multilingual, confidential 211 hotline.

The campaign also seeks to “reclaim” public spaces, communities and neighborhoods that have been frequent targets of hate, officials said.

County officials identified through reporting that Koreatown, MacArthur Park, San Pedro and Pico-Robertson are among the L.A. neighborhoods “most impacted” by hate incidents. In response, the commission began its campaign creating signage and murals in those areas to show solidarity. Several new murals unveiled over the last two years include an El Monte mural celebrating the area’s diverse workforce, one in Pico-Robertson combating antisemitism, and another highlighting the LGBTQ+ community in Long Beach.

Seeing communities united against hate, Toma hopes, will deter people from committing offenses.

“When there have been hate crimes, and when there’s been a response by the entire community by showing solidarity against hate, that has sent a strong message and deterred people even from thinking of community acts of hate,” Toma said. “We are preventing hate from happening by building that visible solidarity.”

Toma said that he hopes the new mural and support of public officials — including District 2 Supervisor Holly Mitchell and Vahid Khorsand, L.A.’s new Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement, both of whom attended Monday’s unveiling — will “affirm that the Muslim community belongs.”

“They’re part of our civic and cultural fabric,” Toma said. “We will not let hate divide us.”

Victims or witnesses of hate crimes can report by calling 2-1-1, the county’s confidential hotline, or visit LAvsHate.org for access to free resources and multilingual support.

Source: dailybreeze.com

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CAIR Calls on Maryland to Reverse ‘Biased, Racist, and Exclusionary’ Social Studies Revisions Erasing Palestine

July 21, 2025

The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to reverse recent “biased, racist and exclusionary” changes to its statewide social studies curriculum, including removing all references to Palestine as part of a process that excluded input from Maryland’s Muslim and Arab community.

CAIR said the revisions, undertaken in coordination with Jewish community leadership but without any consultation with Arab or Muslim educators and advocates, would result in the complete erasure of Palestine from the curriculum, a move the organization condemns as disingenuous, harmful and exclusionary.

The controversial rewrite is billed as part of an initiative aimed at addressing antisemitism. In addition to removing any reference to Palestine, the social studies curriculum would stop educating students about any events in Israel and Palestine after 1994, erasing critical history and developments necessary to understanding current events.

In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:

“The complete removalof any reference to Palestine from Maryland’s social studies curriculum is a blatant erasure of Palestinian history that not only marginalizes Arab and Muslim students, but also undermines the very goals of inclusive education.

“The unacceptable and dishonest message that this committee has delivered is that combating antisemitism mandates erasing the existence, history and lived experiences of Palestinians, who are currently being subjected by the Israeli government to among the worst forms of slaughter, mass destruction, ethnic cleansing, and genocide in modern history.

“The social studies curriculum was revised without any meaningful input from some of the most directly impacted communities, including Maryland’s Arab and Muslim community, and it implies that some narratives deserve more prominence than others. Education should not be weaponized to silence or exclude under the guise of combating hate. Rather, it should empower students with critical thinking and the truth.

“Students deserve factual and comprehensive representation in how history is taught. At a time when society needs honest, nuanced understanding of global conflicts more than ever, MSDE must demonstrate its commitment and ability to exhibit moral courage in objectively upholding the truth in order to preserve integrity in this institution.”

CAIR has issued a formal letter to State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright and the Maryland State Board of Education outlining the following demands:

1. Reopen the curriculum development process to include Arab and Muslim scholars, educators, and advocates.

2. Restore accurate historical references to Palestine and ensure the “Israeli-Palestinian conflict” is taught in its full, accurate context spanning decades, including the Israeli government’s ongoing genocide and campaign of forced famine in Gaza.

3. Establish a formal advisory committee inclusive of impacted voices previously excluded—particularly Palestinians, Muslims, and Arabs—for all relevant curriculum revisions.

4. Publicly acknowledge this oversight and commit to prompt structural reforms that prevent similar occurrences in the future.

CAIR has requested a meeting with Dr. Wright and relevant Board members to address these concerns and chart a path forward.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

Source: cair.com

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Trump administration releases files on Martin Luther King Jr

July 22, 2025

Brandon Drenon

US President Donald Trump's administration has released a trove of records on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, including FBI surveillance files on the civil rights leader.

A court-imposed order had kept the documents, totalling 230,000 pages, blocked from public view since 1977.

Prominent members of King's family had opposed the release. A statement from his two living children condemned "any attempts to misuse these documents in ways intended to undermine our father's legacy".

King, a Baptist minister, was shot in Memphis on 4 April 1968, at age 39. James Earl Ray, a career criminal, pleaded guilty to the killing, but later renounced his plea.

King Jr's two living children, Martin III and Bernice, who were notified ahead of time about the release, said in a statement on Monday: "We ask those who engage with the release of these files to do so with empathy, restraint, and respect for our family's continuing grief.

"The release of these files must be viewed within their full historical context.

"During our father's lifetime, he was relentlessly targeted by an invasive, predatory, and deeply disturbing disinformation and surveillance campaign orchestrated by J Edgar Hoover through the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

The statement said the government's surveillance had denied King the "dignity and freedoms of private citizens".

The family also cited a jury verdict in a 1999 wrongful death civil lawsuit that found the civil rights leader was the victim not of a lone racist gunman, but of a vast conspiracy.

In January, Trump ordered that documents from the assassinations of King and former President John F Kennedy be declassified, along with the records in the assassination of Robert F Kennedy.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) said in a press release on Monday that the King files had "sat collecting dust in facilities across the federal government for decades, until today".

The documents include "internal FBI memos" and "never-before-seen CIA records" behind the hunt for King's assassin, the DNI said.

The release was co-ordinated with the FBI, Department of Justice, National Archives and CIA.

"The American people deserve answers decades after the horrific assassination of one of our nation's great leaders," US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said.

Not all of King's family was upset about the release.

Referring to the civil rights leader as "my uncle", Alveda King said: "I am grateful to President Trump and DNI Gabbard for delivering on their pledge of transparency.

"While we continue to mourn his death, the declassification and release of these documents are a historic step towards the truth that the American people deserve."

Trump's critics noted the release comes as the administration is accused of a lack of transparency over files relating to influential sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose 2019 jail death was ruled a suicide.

Civil rights leader Al Sharpton said the disclosure of the King files was "a desperate attempt to distract" from "the firestorm engulfing Trump over the Epstein files and the public unraveling of his credibility".

Before his arrest, King's convicted assassin, James Earl Ray, fled the country to Canada, Portugal and the UK, where he raided a bank.

Extradited to Memphis, he entered a guilty plea in 1969 and was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

He later claimed he had been framed by shadowy conspirators and tried to recant his guilty plea, but it was repeatedly upheld by the courts. Ray died in 1998 at 70.

Source: bbc.com

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Mideast

Once a beacon of hope, Tunisia’s civil society struggles to survive

July 21, 2025

TUNIS: In May 2024, Tunisian activist Cherifa Riahi was arrested just two months after giving birth, accused of harboring illegal migrants. Over a year later, she is still in prison without charge.

Rights groups see Riahi’s case as a symbol of accelerating repression of civil society under President Kais Saied, who dissolved parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree.

The crackdown marks a significant turnaround for Tunisia, where civil society groups flourished in the wake of the 2011 uprising that unseated President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, inspired other Arab Spring uprisings, and helped shape a democratic transition.

As head of a refugee support group, Riahi had been helping sub-Saharan asylum seekers and other migrants find housing and access medicine and food. Her family says she did nothing wrong.

The forced separation from her daughter and young son has been traumatic.

“The girl doesn’t recognize her mother at all,” Riahi’s mother Farida, who is now caring for her grandchild, told Reuters at their family home in La Marsa near the capital, Tunis.

“They took her while she was breastfeeding. We didn’t even have time to understand what was happening.”

Since Saied’s power grab, at least a dozen civil society figures like Riahi have been detained on allegations activists denounce as fabricated, according to rights groups and lawyers. At least 10 civil society groups have had their assets frozen and offices raided, they say.

The Tunisian General Labour Union, which won the 2015 Nobel peace prize with other civil society groups and could once bring tens of thousands onto the streets, has been sapped by the arrests of junior officials on corruption charges.

The Tunisian government’s media office did not respond to calls and written questions seeking comment about Riahi’s case and those of other activists and civil society groups.

Saied, 67, has accused civil society groups of “serving foreign agendas” and undermining national unity.

He has said he will not be a dictator and that freedom and democracy will be preserved, but that he will not allow chaos or interference through foreign funding or organizations that represent a “tool of treason.”

Activists warn that some of Tunisia’s last surviving democratic gains are at risk as the judiciary, media and parliament have all come under tighter executive control and most opposition party leaders are in prison.

“The attack on civil society organizations is not an isolated incident,” said Romdhane Ben Amor of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, an independent advocacy group.

“It comes within the context of the authorities’ plan to close civic space and to end the democratic openness achieved by Tunisians after January 14, 2011.”

’SEEN AS ENEMIES’

In Tunis, the offices of I Watch, an anti-corruption watchdog founded after the 2011 revolution, used to bustle with dozens of employees, volunteers and journalists.

These days, only three employees work on-site. Dozens work remotely, some fearing raids or arrests.

Wajdi Belloumi, I Watch’s president, said its bank transfers have been hindered and official investigations into the group are piling up. Hotels have stopped renting spaces for the group’s events, citing vague instructions from authorities, Belloumi said.

Last year, the electoral commission refused for the first time to allow I Watch to monitor elections due to suspicions of foreign funding.

“We’re seen as enemies now,” Belloumi told Reuters. “Many volunteers are afraid. Whistle-blowers have gone quiet. The pressure is everywhere — legal, financial, even personal.”

Ben Amor said he had received anonymous threats and started looking over his shoulder in public spaces.

“People start saying, ‘This man must be gotten rid of’,” he said, referring to comments sent in private messages, or “’your son studies at that school, your daughter studies at that school ... I saw you on that street’.”

Foreign governments that once championed Tunisia’s democratic transition now prioritize curbing migration and short-term stability, rights groups say.

Ben Amor said he believed he had been targeted particularly after speaking out against Saied’s recent anti-migrant rhetoric.

In 2023, the same year Tunisia signed a pact with the European Union aimed at stemming migration across the Mediterranean, Saied said illegal immigration was part of a “conspiracy” to alter Tunisia’s demographics.

Since then, authorities have dismantled tents and carried out forced deportations — the campaign amid which Riahi was detained.

Though the space for civil society groups is shrinking by the day, Belloumi said he remains committed.

“We chose this path — transparency, justice, accountability,” he said. “And we’re not walking away.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Israeli forces push into parts of a central Gaza city that the war had largely spared

July 21, 2025

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: Israeli ground troops for the first time Monday pushed into areas of a central Gaza city where several aid groups are based, in what appeared to be the latest effort to carve up the Palestinian territory with military corridors.

Deir Al-Balah is the only Gaza city that has not seen major ground operations or suffered widespread devastation in 21 months of war, leading to speculation that the Hamas militant group holds large numbers of hostages there. The main group representing hostages’ families said it was “shocked and alarmed” by the incursion and demanded answers from Israeli leaders.

Israel says the seizure of territory in Gaza is aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages, but it is a major point of contention in ongoing ceasefire talks.

The UN food agency, meanwhile, accused Israeli forces of firing on a crowd of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid over the weekend. Gaza’s Health Ministry called it one of the deadliest attacks on aid-seekers in the war that has driven the territory to the brink of famine.

In the latest sign of international frustration, the UK, France and 23 other Western-aligned countries issued a statement saying “the war in Gaza must end now.” They harshly criticized Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid and called for the release of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza.

Explosions were heard from parts of the city that were ordered evacuated on Sunday. The Israeli military official said it was the first time ground troops had operated in the area.

A man living in the evacuation zone said Israel dropped pamphlets at dawn ordering people to evacuate. Two hours later, tanks rolled into the area.

He said his 62-year-old father, who had spent the night elsewhere, fled from house to house as Israeli forces moved in and saw them flattening structures with bulldozers and tanks. Both men managed to leave the evacuation zone.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said two UN guesthouses in Deir Al-Balah were damaged by shrapnel. He said the cause was still being investigated but that heavy Israeli airstrikes had been reported in the area. Local and international staff will continue to work there, he said.

The military declined to say if it had ordered the evacuation of aid groups based in the city, saying only that it maintains continuous contact with them and facilitates their relocation when necessary.

Tens of thousands of people have sought refuge in Deir Al-Balah during repeated waves of mass displacement in Gaza.

The UN humanitarian coordinator says 87.8 percent of Gaza is now under evacuation orders or inside Israeli military zones, “leaving 2.1 million civilians squeezed into a fragmented 12 percent of the Strip, where essential services have collapsed.”

Israel has taken over large areas of Gaza and split the territory with corridors stretching from the border to the sea as it seeks to pressure Hamas to release more hostages.

In response to the Deir Al-Balah incursion, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned in its statement that “the people of Israel will not forgive anyone who knowingly endangered the hostages — both the living and the deceased. No one will be able to claim they didn’t know what was at stake.”

Israel blames the deaths of Palestinian civilians on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas, and it accuses the group of prolonging the war because Hamas has not accepted Israel’s terms for a ceasefire.

The World Food Programme, in a rare condemnation, said the crowd surrounding its convoy in northern Gaza on Sunday “came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire.” It said “countless lives” were lost. A photographer working with the AP counted 51 bodies at two hospitals.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 80 people were killed. Israel’s military said it fired warning shots “to remove an immediate threat” and questioned the death toll reported by the Palestinians. It declined to comment on the WFP statement.

Source: arabnews.com

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Kurdish farmers return to mountains in peace as PKK tensions calm

July 21, 2025

TURKIYE: Deep in the mountains of Turkiye’s southeastern Hakkari province, bordering Iran and Iraq, Kurdish livestock owners and farmers have gradually returned with their animals after decades of armed conflict between Kurdish militants and the Turkish army.

“We’ve been coming here for a long time. Thirty years ago we used to come and go, but then we couldn’t come. Now we just started to come again and to bring our animals as we want,” said 57-year-old Selahattin Irinc, speaking Kurdish, while gently pressing his hand on a sheep’s neck to keep it from moving during shearing.

On July 11 a symbolic weapons destruction ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan marked a major step in the transition of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from armed insurgency to democratic politics – part of a broader effort to end one of the region’s longest-running conflicts.

The PKK, listed as a terror group by Turkiye and much of the international community, was formed in 1978 by Ankara University students, with the ultimate goal of achieving the Kurds’ liberation. It took up arms in 1984.

The conflict has caused 50,000 deaths among civilians and 2,000 among soldiers, according to Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Alongside with several other men and women, Irinc practices animal husbandry in the grassy highlands at the foot of the Cilo Mountains and its Resko peak, which stands as the second-highest in the country with an altitude of 4,137 meters (13,572 feet).

A place of scenic beauty, with waterfalls, glacial lakes and trekking routes, Cilo has gradually opened its roads over the past few years to shepherds and tourists alike as the armed conflict with PKK died down on the backdrop of peace negotiations.

But the picturesque mountains had long been the scene of heavy fighting between the Turkish army and PKK fighters who took advantage of the rough terrain to hide and strike. It left the Kurdish farmers often at odds with the army.

“In the past we always had problems with the Turkish soldiers. They accused us of helping PKK fighters by feeding them things like milk and meat from our herd,” another Kurdish livestock owner, who asked not to be named, said, rejecting such claims.

“Now it’s calmer,” he added.

Although the peace process brought more openness and ease to the region, tensions did not vanish overnight.

Checkpoints remain present around the city of Hakkari, and also to the main access point to the trekking path leading to Cilo glacier, a major tourist attraction.

“Life is quite good and it’s very beautiful here. Tourists come and stay in the mountains for one or two days with their tents, food, water and so on,” said farmer Mahir Irinc.

But the mountains are a hard, demanding environment for those making a living in their imposing shadow, and the 37-year-old thinks his generation might be the last to do animal husbandry far away from the city.

“I don’t think a new generation will come after us. We will be happy if it does, but the young people nowadays don’t want to raise animals, they just do whatever job is easier,” he lamented.

An open truck carrying more than a dozen Kurdish women made its way to another farm in the heart of the mountains, where sheep waited to be fed and milked.

The livestock graze at the foot of the mountains for three to four months, while the weather is warm, before being brought back to the village.

“We all work here. Mothers, sisters, our whole family. Normally I’m preparing for university, but today I was forced to come because my mother is sick,” explained 22-year-old Hicran Denis.

“I told my mother: don’t do this anymore, because it’s so tiring. But when you live in a village, livestock is the only work. There’s nothing else,” she said.

Source: arabnews.com

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WHO says Israeli military attacked staff residence in Gaza

July 21, 2025

The World Health Organization said the Israeli military attacked its staff residence and main warehouse in the Gazan city of Deir Al-Balah on Monday, compromising its operations in Gaza.

The United Nations agency said the WHO staff residence was attacked three times, with airstrikes causing a fire and extensive damage, and endangering staff and their families, including children.

Israeli tanks pushed into southern and eastern districts of Deir Al-Balah for the first time on Monday, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes hostages may be held. Tank shelling in the area hit houses and mosques, killing at least three Palestinians and wounding several others, local medics said.

“Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot, and screened at gunpoint,” WHO said.

Two WHO staff and two family members were detained, it said in a post on X, adding that three were later released, while one staff member remained in detention.

“WHO demands the immediate release of the detained staff and protection of all its staff,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Deir Al-Balah is packed with Palestinians displaced during more than 21 months of war in Gaza, hundreds of whom fled west or south after Israel issued an evacuation order, saying it sought to destroy infrastructure and capabilities of the militant group Hamas.

WHO said its main warehouse, located within an evacuation zone, was damaged on Sunday due to an attack that triggered explosions and a fire inside.

WHO stated it will remain in Deir Al-Balah and expand its operations despite the attacks.

Britain and more than 20 other countries called on Monday for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and criticized the Israeli government’s aid delivery model after hundreds of Palestinians were killed near sites distributing food.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed over 59,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population, and caused a humanitarian crisis.

The World Health Organization describes the health sector in Gaza as being “on its knees,” with shortages of fuel, medical supplies and frequent mass casualty influxes.

Source: arabnews.com

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Why Lebanon’s fragile state hinges on Hezbollah’s next move

July 21, 2025

BEIRUT: As pressure intensifies on Lebanon’s new government to resolve the question of Hezbollah’s arms, it confronts a fundamental challenge: Can the Iran-backed group relinquish its military wing and become a purely political party? And if it does, will Lebanon’s state institutions and political culture prove capable of supporting such a transition?

Earlier this month, Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkiye and special envoy for Syria, telegraphed Washington’s growing impatience with the status quo in Lebanon in remarks to journalists following his visit to Beirut. He described Hezbollah’s disarmament as an essential condition for the renewal of international financial aid and long-term political stability in Lebanon.

As part of a proposal presented to Lebanese officials, the US offered support for Lebanon’s economic reform efforts in exchange for Hezbollah’s complete disarmament, Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and the release of Lebanese detainees held by Israel.

“If Lebanon doesn’t hurry up and get in line, everyone around them will,” Barrack said. He acknowledged what he described as a “spectacular” response from Beirut in a short time, but criticized the Lebanese political system’s ingrained culture of “delay, detour, and deflect,” saying time was running out for the country to adapt to a fast-changing regional order.

But disarming Hezbollah is far from straightforward. Despite suffering significant losses last year during its war with Israel, including the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and the destruction of much of its military infrastructure, Hezbollah has shown no willingness to give up its arms.

The group’s new leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, reiterated that stance in a video address on July 19. “We will not surrender or give up to Israel; Israel will not take our weapons away from us,” he said.

According to him, any disarmament would be discussed only as part of a national defense strategy determined internally by Lebanon, and only after a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

That position is tied to continued Israeli airstrikes, including recent attacks in the south that killed two individuals on July 20, as per local media reports.

Hezbollah cites these violations, along with Israel’s continued occupation of five positions seized after the November 2024 ceasefire, as justification for retaining its arms.

Although the group claims to have handed over 190 of its 265 southern military positions to the Lebanese army, it continues to maintain a significant arsenal in the region and in other strongholds.

Hezbollah emerged as Lebanon’s most powerful military force and dominant political actor in the post-civil war era, representing a significant portion of the Shiite population alongside the Amal party. Together, the two groups hold all the 27 Shiite seats in the 128-member parliament.

Analysts say that Hezbollah’s ideological foundation has long rested on armed resistance, so shifting toward civilian politics would require not only strategic recalculation but also a new political message capable of sustaining its popular base.

“For decades, the party has emphasized armed resistance against Israel as central to its appeal,” said David Wood, senior analyst on Lebanon at the International Crisis Group (ICG).

“If Hezbollah wants to transition into a normal political party, it will need to craft another electoral narrative based around how it can improve the socio-economic fortunes of its constituents.”

Such a transformation is not without precedent. Other armed movements in the region, such as the Palestinian Fatah in earlier decades, have evolved into political organizations. However, the Lebanese context is unique in many ways. Years of economic collapse, institutional paralysis and political gridlock have left the state too weak to assert its authority.

The November 2024 ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, was intended to revive the terms of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, a halt to Hezbollah’s military operations near the southern border, and full control of arms by the Lebanese state. But little progress has been made.

Bilal Saab, associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House, expressed doubt over Hezbollah’s ability to function effectively as a conventional political party. He pointed to signs of waning support in southern Lebanon and other Hezbollah strongholds.

The group’s military losses, the destruction of southern villages, and the economic suffering in Hezbollah-controlled areas are undermining its grassroots support, Saab told Arab News. “It is therefore unclear whether an unarmed Hezbollah could compete effectively in free elections, within Lebanon’s complex political system.”

He said the obstacles ahead of the government are political willingness and “exaggerated” fears of sectarian violence. The new leaders, he said, “must recognize that the chances of sectarian tensions are higher with the status quo unchanged.”

According to Saab, lack of serious action to address the issue of Hezbollah’s arms would prompt Israel to continue its attacks and cause more damage and human casualties. “If that happens, war-weary and economically dispossessed Lebanese could blame Hezbollah for causing even more death and destruction. This would in turn increase the risk of sectarian violence and people taking up arms against Hezbollah and its supporters,” he said.

For Lebanon’s new leadership under President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the challenge is to preserve national stability while dealing with an increasingly polarized domestic landscape and pressure from powerful external actors.

Though both leaders have reiterated their commitment to imposing a state monopoly on arms, they have insisted that any progress depends on Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory and an end to violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

While Barrack’s proposal received praise for its ambition, its feasibility depends on wider geopolitical considerations. Paul Salem, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, believes that Iran, Hezbollah’s principal backer, will have the final say.

“The key decision of disarming Hezbollah would have to be made in Iran, the group’s main backer, not in Lebanon,” he told Arab News. “For the time being, it is clear that Tehran is encouraging Hezbollah to drag its feet and not to hand over all its arms and I think that will remain the case.”

Salem emphasized the need for a coordinated domestic and international effort to encourage Hezbollah’s transition into a political entity. This, he said, would require guarantees from the US, a defined role for the LAF, and political assurances from the Arab Gulf states.

“Hezbollah, at a minimum, would need assurances about Israel’s withdrawal and protection of its operatives in Lebanon, which would have to come from the US, as well reassurances from Gulf countries of aid for reconstruction of the war-ravaged areas,” Salem said.

“They would want some of that money to come through their auspices so they could benefit politically.”

The World Bank has estimated the cost of Lebanon’s reconstruction at $11 billion. US and Gulf officials have indicated that significant portions of that aid will only be unlocked if Hezbollah agrees to disarm.

The issue of integrating Hezbollah supporters into Lebanon’s broader political and economic fabric is also paramount. Wood emphasized that the process of disarming Hezbollah should come with assurances that the Shiite community would remain part of the nation-building process in a country long paralyzed by factional politics.

“Lebanon’s leaders must think very carefully about how to fully integrate Hezbollah’s supporters into the country’s future, or else they risk creating dangerous fissures in Lebanese society,” the ICG’s Wood said.

Despite mounting pressure, few expect a quick resolution. Reports suggest Hezbollah is conducting a strategic review of its military posture, exploring possible scenarios but delaying concrete action. “Hezbollah is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach for now,” Wood said. “Perhaps it wants to know if regional circumstances might improve for it before seriously entertaining the idea of surrendering its military wing.”

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has consolidated control over Rafik Hariri International Airport and large parts of the south, improving state authority and border security. A successful disarmament, officials argue, would boost the credibility of Lebanon’s institutions and the case for the state’s monopoly on force.

The Middle East Institute’s Salem cautioned that Hezbollah is unlikely to fully relinquish its arms without assurances that go beyond Lebanese borders. If anything, he said, the disarmament would reduce sectarian tensions “with the Sunnis, Christians, Druze and other communities that have been afraid of Hezbollah’s arms.”

The potential rewards for Lebanon are clearly substantial. Hezbollah’s disarmament would enable Lebanon to form new alliances with regional and global partners. The disarmament process could also unlock vital economic assistance, helping the country recover from years of political paralysis, financial crisis and social unrest.

However, Lebanon’s leadership remains caught between the demands of the international community and the compulsions of domestic sectarian politics. For now, a delicate balance holds. But as pressure builds, time may be running out for Lebanon’s politicians to chart the country’s future — before others do it for them.

Source: arabnews.com

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Egypt provides free train rides for Sudanese refugees returning home

July 21, 2025

CAIRO: Hundreds of people who have been displaced by fighting in Sudan gathered Monday at the central train station in Cairo to begin a free journey home.

The Egyptian government is funding train rides to Khartoum, Sudan's capital, which recently was recaptured by the Sudanese Armed Forces from its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.

udan has been in the throes of civil war since April 2023. The battle for power between the military and the RSF has caused a humanitarian crisis. Over 40,000 people have been killed and the war has caused one of the world’s largest displacement emergencies.

Egypt hosts the largest number of Sudanese refugees from the war with over 1.5 million people who fled north across the border. Over 7 million have been displaced internally as the war engulfed much of the country. The RSF took Khartoum at the start of the fighting in 2023 and held the capital until the government declared its recapture on May 20.

Khartoum was largely destroyed, including the presidential palace and the airport, but is experiencing a slow rebirth as residents return and markets reopen. Electricity and basic services are not fully operational around the city.

The journey from Cairo to Khartoum is about 2,080 kilometers (1,292 miles) and will include a train ride of about 12 hours to the southern Egyptian city of Aswan, where riders will change to ferries and buses to cross into Sudan.

People packed their lives in small suitcases as they as they filled the train Monday. Some cried with “overwhelming emotions” including sadness and joy about leaving Egypt and returning home, said Sudanese journalist Asem al-Taieb, one of the train riders.

“I am happy because I am finally going back to my family and my children,” said Awatef al Hassan, originally from Omdurman, Sudan, who is returning with her daughter.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608928/middle-east

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UNRWA says some Gaza staff starving as malnutrition soars

July 21, 2025

GAZA CITY: The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Monday that it was “receiving desperate messages of starvation” from its Gaza staff, as the Palestinian territory experiences surging levels of hunger.

Gaza’s population of more than two million people are facing severe shortages of food and other essentials, with doctors, the civil defense agency and medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reporting a spike in malnutrition cases in recent days.

In a post on X, UNRWA said that shortages in the Palestinian territory had caused food prices to increase by 40 times, while the aid stockpiled in its warehouses outside Gaza could feed “the entire population for over three months.”

“The suffering in Gaza is manmade and must be stopped,” it wrote. “Lift the siege and let aid in safely and at scale.”

After talks to extend a six-week ceasefire broke down, Israel imposed a full blockade on Gaza on March 2, allowing nothing in until trucks were again permitted at a trickle in late May.

The civil defense agency on Sunday reported at least three infant deaths from “severe hunger and malnutrition” in the past week.

Eighteen reportedly died of starvation within 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday, the ministry said.

“Infants under one year of age suffer from a lack of milk, which leads to a significant decrease in their weight and a decrease in their immunity that makes them vulnerable to diseases,” said Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital.

Israel on Monday said there was “no ban or restriction on the entry of baby formula or baby food into Gaza.”

COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry body that oversees civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, said that “over 2,000 tons of baby food and infant formula were delivered into Gaza,” without specifying the time frame.

“We urge international organizations to continue coordinating with us to ensure the entry of baby food and formula without delay. Our commitment remains firm: to support humanitarian aid for civilians — not for Hamas,” COGAT wrote on X.

The war was sparked by Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed 59,029 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608916/middle-east

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Europe

New Zealand’s Muslim And Jewish Organisations Join As Signatories To The Harmony Accord At Government House

22 July 2025

Today, leaders from New Zealand’s Muslim and Jewish organisations gathered at Government House in Auckland to present the New Zealand Harmony Accord to the Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro.

This landmark agreement affirms their shared commitment to promoting understanding, rejecting hate, and strengthening social cohesion in New Zealand.

“This Accord is a powerful statement of unity, courage, and compassion,” says Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand. “It reminds us that dialogue, even when difficult, is the foundation of a peaceful and inclusive nation. I commend those who have worked so tirelessly to bring this vision to life.”

More than 70 guests attended, including Members of Parliament, senior faith leaders, and community representatives. Participants and guests at the ceremony included Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Juliet Moses (President of the New Zealand Jewish Council), Ibrar Sheikh (President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand), Phillip Green (Jewish Community Security Group), Avigail Allan (Dayenu), and Salman Momin, Member for New Zealand, (The Aga Khan Council for Australia and New Zealand).

This Accord is about enabling diverse perspectives to co-exist and mutual respect still afforded even through challenging times,” says Mervin Singham, Chief Executive of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. “It speaks to the everyday New Zealander who believes in respect, dignity, and belonging.

“The Ministry recognises that the journey toward consensus has been challenging, especially in today’s global climate where tensions and emotions run high,” says Mervin.

At this stage, the Accord has begun with national organisations ready to lead efforts to strengthen relationships within and between communities, with the vison that other organisations who wish to participate can join over time, ensuring it remains inclusive, evolving, and enduring.

“That these Jewish and Muslim organisations in New Zealand have come together to sign this Accord is a powerful testament to their shared commitment to dialogue. Very importantly, the Accord does not take away respective organisations’ right to advocate for what they believe in,” says Mervin.

The Ministry supports a range of initiatives that promote social inclusion, including funding through the Ethnic Communities Development Fund and a national behaviour-change campaign to promote empathy and respect.

Source: scoop.co.nz

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https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2507/S00127/new-zealands-muslim-and-jewish-organisations-join-as-signatories-to-the-harmony-accord-at-government-house.htm

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Doncaster Muslims set to attend UK’s largest international Islamic convention

By Darren Burke

21 Jul 2025

Members of Doncaster’s Muslim community are set to attend one of the UK’s largest Islamic conventions this weekend.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Doncaster, based at Baitul Baseer Mosque, are preparing to attend the Jalsa Salana UK, the largest annual international Muslim gathering in the United Kingdom, taking place this coming weekend from July 25-27.

Held at Hadeeqatul Mahdi in Alton, Hampshire, the “spiritually uplifting” convention is expected to welcome around 40,000 attendees from over 100 countries.

Founded more than 125 years ago by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Jalsa Salana continues to serve as a unique platform for Muslims from diverse backgrounds to come together in unity, peace and spiritual reflection.

Source: doncasterfreepress.co.uk

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https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/doncaster-muslims-set-to-attend-uks-largest-international-islamic-convention-5234795

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Abuse towards mosque leads to extra police patrols

Jason Arunn Murugesu

22 Jul 2025

Police patrols are being stepped up following a rise in online abuse directed against the construction of a new mosque.

The South Lakes Islamic Centre in Dalton-in-Furness in Cumbria is being spearheaded by a group of Muslim doctors at Barrow's Furness General Hospital.

Last month, UKIP leader Nick Tenconi filmed himself visiting the site and shouting "traitor" at several of the site's construction workers.

Mr Tenconi said he had "deliberately stood up" for the people of Dalton and criticised the local authority for allowing the "Islamic caliphate" into Britain.

On Saturday, between 150 and 200 protesters and counter protesters attended the site, according to Cumbria Police.

The force said it made three arrests though the majority of people acted in a "safe manner".

In June, UKIP posted a video on the social media site X in which Mr Tenconi, who became the party's leader in February, was standing outside the site and telling those working on the construction: "When an illegal, who gets housed here because there's a mosque, goes on to rape and murder – the blood is on your hands."

An official from the mosque said the video had been reported to police and a temporary fence was being built at the front of the site so people could not film and "harass" workers.

The mosque was also hiring a security guard to protect the site overnight, they said.

Cumbria Police declined to comment on specific reports but said it had increased patrols in the area, was monitoring online comments and threads, and was investigating potential offences.

Some posts on social media mentioned the names of the companies involved in building the mosque which was a "deliberate effort to harass them", the mosque official said.

Rumours and disinformation about the plans prompted Westmorland and Furness Council to release fact-checking guidance.

This included correcting the notion it would be a "mega-mosque" in the Lake District, as it would be a 33ft (10m) tall and 98ft (30m) long and outside the Lake District National Park.

It was also never the case that an application for a children's home had been turned down at the site, the local authority said.

When proposals for the mosque were first made, the then Barrow Council received 21 objections, 18 responses in support and eight neutral comments, it said.

Some of those objections were linked to the lack of parking provision and the site's impact on the local ecology.

The mosque would be over 40 miles (64km) from the next nearest and is due to be completed by early 2026.

Local resident Bob Mantle, who is a member of the Dalton Community Church, said he found the attacks against the Islamic Centre "very sad".

"I would hate it if I was a Christian and had to travel some 50 miles (80km) to go to church, I would think it was terrible," he said.

Mr Mantle said everyone in Dalton seemed "twitchy" about the new mosque and there was a lot of "bile" being published on local Facebook groups.

"I would love to think that when it's actually built… that people will settle down and realise it's not been the threat they thought it was," he said.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvj0981dvxo

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Lancashire mosque given the go-ahead to expand into neighbouring shop

By Aimee Seddon

21 Jul 2025

A mosque and madrassah in Blackburn can now extend its operations into the neighbouring vacant shop.

Councillors have been approved the plan which will see the Masjid Quwatul Islam and Madrassa Talimul Islam, in Stansfeld Street on the outskirts of the town centre, take over the neighbouring premises once used by The Old Curiosity Shop second-hand furniture store.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee on Thursday granted permission for the scheme with eight conditions, including a ban on amplified call to prayer broadcasts.

The scheme approved follows the applicant dropping proposals to give the terraced properties in Stansfeld Street large Islamic-style windows after council experts said they would be “in stark contrast to the traditional detailing within the street scene, thus appearing as incongruous”.

The initial scheme generated 29 individual letters for nearby residents objecting to the plans, on grounds including: there are already a significant number of mosques located within the borough; noise disturbance fears and ‘unsociable’ operating hours; inadequate parking and traffic issue concerns; loss of light and overshadowing worries; and alleged devaluation of nearby properties.

But the revised scheme produced only two objections from neighbours.

As part of the plan, a double-storey rear extension would be added to the properties to enable the addition of a dedicated female prayer space, ablution facilities, textbook storage and office space.

The applicant’s agent Naz Shah from the Urban Future Planning Consultancy said after the meeting: “Our client, a local community Place of Worship which has been part of the Blackburn community for decades has received a positive outcome from the council’s planning committee panel in their bid for expansion.”

The building was granted planning approval in 1983 for religious education and as a meeting place for Muslims once a week.

Later, the existing madrassa element was expanded following the conversion of the adjoining residential property, with planning permission.

A planning officer’s report to Thursday’s meeting said: “It should be noted that a place of worship at these properties was never formally authorised.

“Notwithstanding this, the mosque operations at the site have been ongoing for several decades.”

“The proposals represent a sustainable form of development that will deliver a number of social benefits.

“The proposed extension is not considered to result in an overbearing form of development.

“The anticipated average daily attendance for prayers is around 25, with the majority of users attending on foot.”

Source: lep.co.uk

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https://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/lancashire-mosque-given-the-go-ahead-to-expand-into-neighbouring-shop-5233844

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Accrington man, 22, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following stabbing near mosque

By Emma Downey

21 Jul 2025

Further arrests have been made in connection with a stabbing near Accrington mosque.

Officers were called to Lower Antley Street at 2.37pm on Friday following reports of an assault which happened outside Raza Jamia Masjid and found a man in his 40s had suffered an injury to his back, consistent with being stabbed.

He was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

At 5.15pm on Friday officers were then called to Steiner Street following reports that around a dozen people were fighting in the street with weapons.

At 5.18pm they were called to Craven Street following reports of a further assault where a man was taken to hospital with an injury consistent with being stabbed in the neck.

His condition has improved over the weekend and is now described as serious but stable.

All three incidents are being treated as linked.

Ishtaq Hussain, 33, of no fixed address, was last night charged with Section 18 wounding with intent, Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing of a bladed article, and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He was remanded into custody to appear before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court today.

A spokesperson for Hyndburn Police said: “As our enquiries continue, our colleagues in Warwickshire arrested a 22-year-old man from Accrington overnight on suspicion of attempted murder.

“He remains in custody at this time.”

A 36-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and a 36-year-old woman – all from Accrington and all arrested on suspicion of affray – have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

They added: “We continue to have a dedicated team of officers assigned to this case, who have made progress over the weekend.

“However, we are continuing to appeal for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, mobile phone, doorbell or dashcam footage to either make contact with us or independent charity Crimestoppers.

“Residents will have seen a significant police presence in the area over the weekend and our increased patrols will continue this week.”

Anyone with information or footage is asked to call 101, quoting log 1245 of 18th July 2025.Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Source: lep.co.uk

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https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/accrington-man-22-arrested-on-suspicion-of-attempted-murder-following-stabbing-near-mosque-5234072

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G7 ‘concerned’ about clampdown on Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau

22 Jul, 2025

Ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries say they are monitoring law enforcement raids on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

“The G7 is closely following today’s developments at NABU, including the investigation of several NABU employees for alleged crimes. We met today with NABU, have serious concerns, and intend to discuss these developments with government leaders,” the G7 Ambassadors’ Support Group for Ukraine said in a statement on X on Monday.

“Ukraine has achieved tremendous progress in reforms,” even amid its conflict with Russia, EU envoy Katarina Mathernova said. “Now it is as important as ever to preserve those achievements in order to maintain the support needed to prevail over the enemy.”

On Monday, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General’s Office carried out 70 searches targeting at least 15 NABU employees. SBU spokesman Artyom Dekhtyarenko said agents detained an unnamed Russian “mole” working in NABU’s elite D-2 unit. He was allegedly leaking classified information to Moscow and using internal databases to collect personal data on Ukrainian officials.

Dekhtyarenko claimed the suspect was receiving instructions from Dmitry Ivantsov, a former member of ex-president Viktor Yanukovich’s security team who now lives in Russia. Yanukovich was ousted during the 2014 US-backed coup in Kiev. The Ukrainian media outlet TSN identified the detained man as Ruslan Magamedrasulov, who coordinated the NABU’s activities near the front line with Russia.

NABU said its director, Semyon Krivonos, has cut short a visit to the UK. The agency has launched its own investigation to “determine the legal basis” for the raids. According to the NABU, SBU agents acted without a court order and used force against an employee who was not resisting.

“Agents of influence from the aggressor country remain a relevant risk for any government agency. However, that cannot justify paralyzing the work of the entire institution,” the NABU said in a statement.

The NABU was established in 2015 as part of judicial reforms aimed at aligning Ukraine with the standards of Western countries and international lenders.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/russia/621788-g7-concerned-ukraine-nabu/

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Zelensky announces date of next Russia-Ukraine talks

21 Jul, 2025

The next round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will take place in Türkiye on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky announced in a video statement on Telegram on Monday.

Moscow and Kiev have already held two rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul this year. At a meeting last month, the sides swapped draft memorandums outlining their roadmaps toward ending the conflict and agreed on new prisoner exchanges.

TASS had earlier reported, citing an insider source, that a new round of talks would take place on Thursday.

The secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, who led Kiev’s delegation at the previous talks, put forth Wednesday as the date for the next meeting, according to Zelensky.

“I discussed with Rustem Umerov the preparation of the [POW] exchange and another meeting in Turkiye with the Russian side. Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday,” he said.

Kiev’s agenda for the upcoming talks comprises humanitarian issues, such as new POW swaps and the negotiation of a potential meeting between the two countries’ leaders, Zelensky said in a statement earlier in the day.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that there is “extensive diplomatic work” to be done, as the Russian and Ukrainian peace memorandums are “diametrically opposed.”

The makeup of Moscow’s negotiating team remains the same, he told journalists on Monday.

Moscow’s memorandum seeks international legal recognition of Crimea, the LPR, the DPR, and Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions as part of Russia, as well as the full withdrawal from these territories of Ukrainian military and paramilitary formations. It also requires Ukraine to adopt a neutral status with no membership in military alliances and coalitions such as NATO. It must additionally limit the size of its armed forces and ban all Nazi and neo-Nazi organizations and propaganda on its territory, among other points.

Kiev’s memorandum calls for a full and unconditional ceasefire. It insists that Ukraine will not be forced to remain neutral – including the option of full NATO membership – and demands “robust security guarantees” backed by Western countries.

Russia has voiced opposition to UK- and France-led efforts to deploy “peacekeeping” troops in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Moscow has warned that any NATO forces on Ukrainian territory – under the guise of “peacekeepers” or otherwise – will be considered legitimate military targets.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/russia/621782-russia-ukraine-talks-zelensky/

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Southeast Asia

Anwar says Malaysia won’t bow to US pressure on Gaza stance amid ongoing tariff talks

22 Jul 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Malaysia’s stance on the Gaza issue, as well as matters concerning Palestine and West Asian countries including Iran, will remain unchanged despite the possibility of facing pressure or objections from the United States (US) during the ongoing tariff negotiations, which are expected to continue until August.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia, as an independent and sovereign nation, has the right to express its views on the matter.

“We are not yet at the final stage of negotiations as reported last week. There are still no clear indications, but there are several considerations during the negotiations,” he said.

“The main issue involves electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductors, and chips, as I mentioned in the Parliament. About 60 per cent of our production is exported to the US. However, the US also relies on Malaysia for chips and E&E, accounting for around 25 per cent of its production.

“So, we hope and pray, insya-Allah, that this matter can be resolved amicably,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar), who asked whether Malaysia’s firm stance in defending Palestinian rights would be taken into account by the United States, which is likely to impose additional tariffs, and whether Malaysia was prepared to compromise on the matter.

“My question is, on Aug 1, Malaysia will face an additional tariff of 25 per cent, even though US President Donald Trump announced this on economic grounds only. However, if we look at what was imposed on Brazil, it is clear that it was not due to a surplus or deficit, but because of Trump’s anger towards his friend who is about to be imprisoned,” said Syed Saddiq.

The Prime Minister said that although the latest tariff imposed by the US on Malaysia is 25 per cent — which is still lower compared to Vietnam, Cambodia or Thailand — Malaysia does not consider the US decision to be fair as it was made unilaterally and is not in line with the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the international agreements that have been signed.

“We have raised this issue, and Muar is right to mention that because of Brazil’s strong stance — with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva openly criticising the US over the genocide in Gaza and opposing unilateral measures to pressure developing countries, including those in BRICS — a 50 per cent tariff was imposed on Brazil.

“We still have time until August and negotiations are ongoing, so I do not want to pre-empt the outcome. However, in my recent meetings with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth in Singapore and US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, although tariffs were mentioned, they were not the main issue of discussion,” Anwar said.

Anwar said Malaysia has always respected diplomatic relations with all countries while firmly upholding universal humanitarian principles.

“Regardless of the impact, threats or objections towards our stance on Palestine, Gaza or our good relations with Iran, this will not change our firm position as an independent and sovereign country in voicing our views,” he said.

Responding to the original question from Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) on the government’s short- and long-term plans to address geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, Anwar said Malaysia had done what it could by firmly voicing its stance and views.

He said Malaysia has consistently maintained a strong position on the Palestinian issue at international conferences, including joint platforms with the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the United Nations (UN) and other multilateral forums.

“Malaysia has done its utmost to voice its views firmly... but Israel’s tyranny and violence have not ceased. Now, it is not only about Gaza, but also involves attacks on Iran, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon,” he said.

At the same time, the Prime Minister welcomed suggestions and advice from Members of Parliament to further strengthen Malaysia’s efforts in voicing opinions, providing humanitarian aid, and enhancing bilateral relations on the issue.

Meanwhile, in response to a supplementary question from Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) on the government’s measures to safeguard Malaysia against the infiltration of Mossad agents, Anwar said the government, through the Home Ministry, had taken additional steps to enhance the country’s security capabilities.

“What is being highlighted about Malaysia is perhaps due to our strong voice on the Middle East issue, which may have made the country a target for drug smuggling, weapons trafficking and the infiltration of Mossad agents.

“In the latest briefing by our intelligence agencies, there is genuine concern about national security, particularly since it has been proven that Mossad agents are present and have used, or colluded with, Malaysian spouses,” he said. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/07/22/anwar-says-malaysia-wont-bow-to-us-pressure-on-gaza-stance-amid-ongoing-tariff-talks/184753

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Islamic Religious Department Denies Approving Controversial Marriage Programme In Selangor

theSun Local

2025-07-21

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) has refuted claims that it approved a marriage motivation programme in 2022 after complaints emerged about inappropriate content.

JAIS director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad stated that while a clarification panel reviewed the programme, full approval was never granted.

In November 2022, JAIS formed a panel to investigate complaints from participants who alleged that certain activities violated Islamic teachings.

The panel reviewed a video used in the programme, which included a controversial technique for women aimed at strengthening marital intimacy.

The panel recommended revisions to ensure compliance with Islamic law and advised the organiser to consult religious authorities.

A disclaimer was also suggested, clarifying that the video was only for married couples.

However, Mohd Shahzihan stressed that this did not mean JAIS endorsed the entire programme.

“The organiser never submitted the revised module for final approval,“ he said.

“Had they followed our recommendations, the recent incident at IDCC Shah Alam might have been avoided.”

JAIS is now working with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) to update guidelines for religious and spiritual programmes.

The revised rules aim to prevent future controversies by providing clearer standards for organisers.

Mohd Shahzihan urged the public to report suspicious programmes to JAIS, emphasising the importance of community involvement in upholding Islamic teachings.

Earlier, the organiser claimed its 2022 programme had JAIS approval after submitting clarifications.

However, JAIS maintains that only partial adjustments were reviewed, not full endorsement. – Bernama

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/jais-denies-approving-controversial-marriage-programme-in-selangor-GB14514516

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Anwar: Dr Mahathir ‘at fault’ on Batu Puteh, but Opposition will cry foul if we take a 100-year-old to court

By Malay Mail

22 Jul 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — The Cabinet has reportedly decided not to pursue legal action against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over Malaysia’s withdrawal of its claim to Pulau Batu Puteh.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision was made in light of Dr Mahathir’s age, despite the government maintaining he was at fault.

“We made the decision because it involves a former prime minister who is 100 years old,” Anwar told the Parliament, as quoted by New Straits Times.

“Is he not at fault? He is at fault. Should action be taken? We agreed not to take action.”

Anwar added that any move to act against Dr Mahathir could lead to accusations of unfairness by the Opposition.

In December 2024, a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) recommended a criminal investigation against Dr Mahathir under Section 415(b) and Section 418 of the Penal Code.

The issue stems from his 2018 decision to withdraw Malaysia’s application to review the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling on Pulau Batu Puteh.

In 2008, the ICJ ruled Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore, Middle Rocks to Malaysia, and South Ledge’s ownership would depend on territorial waters delimitation.

The RCI did not recommend filing a civil suit against the the former prime minister for misfeasance in public office due to the six-year limitation period for such actions.

It also declined to suggest Malaysia submit a fresh request for interpretation to the ICJ, despite the option being available.

Dr Mahathir said then he was prepared to face any investigation and emphasised his integrity during his time as prime minister.

However, he alleged that the RCI was held to target him, and put all the blame on him for the loss of Malaysia’s claim over the island.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/07/22/anwar-dr-mahathir-at-fault-on-batu-puteh-but-opposition-will-cry-foul-if-we-take-a-100-year-old-to-court/184762

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‘Kutty’ row ends as Dr Mahathir, Zahid withdraw legal actions against each other

22 Jul 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today agreed to withdraw their respective defamation lawsuits filed against each other at the High Court here.

Dr Mahathir, 100, withdrew his suit against Ahmad Zahid, 73, over allegedly defamatory remarks related to the “kutty” issue, without the right to refile the case.

In return, Ahmad Zahid withdrew his suit accusing Dr Mahathir of abusing his position to interfere in his ongoing court case. He also dropped contempt of court proceedings related to a press conference held by Dr Mahathir at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex lobby on Dec 5 last year.

Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong allowed both applications and ordered the cases to be resolved without any order as to costs.

Dr Mahathir had initially filed the suit over remarks allegedly made by Ahmad Zahid during the Kelana Jaya UMNO Division meeting on July 30, 2017, which were later published by several news portals.

The contempt proceedings were related to Dr Mahathir’s press conference, during which he displayed documents including his identity card after testifying in the suit against Ahmad Zahid.

In the “kutty” defamation case, Dr Mahathir completed giving his testimony on Dec 5 last year, while his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, was the final witness for the plaintiff on Dec 9.

The court was initially set to hear the contempt proceedings today, but Dr Mahathir’s lawyer, Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi, informed that both parties had reached a mutual agreement.

This was confirmed by Ahmad Zahid’s lawyer, Mohamed Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, both lawyers said all related cases were dropped in the interest of the public and to help promote unity among national leaders.

Neither Dr Mahathir nor Ahmad Zahid was present in court. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/07/22/kutty-row-ends-as-dr-mahathir-zahid-withdraw-legal-actions-against-each-other/184755

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Arab World

KAUST Develops New Tool To Advance Study Of Human Embryos

July 21, 2025

RIYADH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has developed a new tool to study models of human embryos grown under artificial laboratory conditions.

Scientists at the university have explained how the tool — deepBlastoid — is capable of analyzing pictures of the models with results of equal quality to human experts — but 1,000 times faster.

“Little is known about the very early stages of embryo development. With deepBlastoid we can scale up blastoid research to study embryo development and the effects of chemicals on the embryo and pregnancy,” said Mo Li, an associate professor at KAUST and an expert in stem cell biology.

The laboratory at which Li works pioneered the embryo models known as human blastoids.

The understanding of the human embryo in its early stages is significantly important for scientists in order to study fertility and detect pregnancy complications as well as developmental disorders.

Due to ethical considerations, this type of research on human embryos has been limited.

In this study, researchers at KAUST developed and trained their new tool using more than 2,000 microscopic images of blastoids.

They also used the tool to analyze the impact of various chemicals on blastoid development, examining an additional 10,000 images.

The insights gained from the KAUST research are of significance for women who are taking prescription medication or other drugs while planning for pregnancy, as they shed light on how such substances might interfere with early embryonic development.

Peter Wonka, professor and member of the Center of Excellence for Generative AI at KAUST, said that “deepBlastoid not only matches human performance in accuracy, it delivers an unparalleled increase in throughput. This efficiency allows scientists to analyze vast amounts of data in a short time, enabling experiments that were previously unfeasible.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608917/saudi-arabia

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New golf course to boost Saudi Arabia’s sports, entertainment vision

July 21, 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s upcoming entertainment and sports city, Qiddiya, has unveiled plans for an 18-hole golf course designed by English golfer Sir Nick Faldo.

The course, set along the 200-meter-high cliffs of the Tuwaiq Mountains, is part of Qiddiya’s broader push to develop golf infrastructure in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The announcement follows Qiddiya’s new global partnership with the Faldo Series, regarded as the world’s leading development pathway for young golfers.

The partnership aims to grow the sport in Saudi Arabia and expand youth participation nationally and internationally, the SPA added.

Faldo called the partnership a unique opportunity to help shape one of the world’s most ambitious cities, where modern lifestyles blend with sports, entertainment, and culture in an innovative urban model.

He said: “The collaboration with Qiddiya City brings together one of the world’s foremost sporting communities and a vibrant society passionate about discovering new sports experiences.”

The project aligns with Qiddiya’s long-term vision to become a premier golf destination in Saudi Arabia, welcoming players of all ages and supporting the next generation of Saudi golfers.

Abdullah Al-Dawood, managing director of Qiddiya Investment Co., said: “Our partnership with Sir Nick Faldo to design a new golf course, along with becoming the global partner of the Faldo Series, affirms our commitment to supporting golf and nurturing the next generation of Saudi golfers.”

The course will offer a variety of playing options and accommodate all skill levels. Alongside a layout designed to challenge professionals, it will feature evening lighting for night play and structured training programs for beginners. The design blends traditional elements with contemporary, inclusive features to broaden participation.

The larger golf destination will include a clubhouse, extensive training grounds, and an advanced academy developed by Patterson Design. These facilities are tailored to the desert environment, emphasizing sustainability and alignment with global golf standards.

Beyond the sport itself, the site is envisioned as a community hub, featuring fitness and wellness centers, social spaces, indoor and outdoor pools, and a variety of restaurants and cafes.

At the heart of the site, a green-covered structure open to the public will host events and serve as a central gathering space. It will connect the golf club, the multi-use sports and social complex, and the training academy, creating a unified destination for recreation, learning, and community activity.

This distinctive architectural centerpiece will link the three key areas: the golf club as the operational core, a sports and social activity center, and an academy focused on high-level golf instruction and training.

Qiddiya City includes more than 20 master-planned districts focused on entertainment, sports, and culture, along with housing, commercial, and hospitality offerings.

The golf project joins several other high-profile developments under the Qiddiya umbrella, including the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium — expected to host global sports and entertainment events such as the 2034 FIFA World Cup — the Speed Park motorsports venue, Mercedes-AMG World with public racing experiences, and the Performing Arts Center, which will support diverse cultural and creative programming.

Source: arabnews.com

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KSrelief extends support to 5 nations in need

July 21, 2025

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief is continuing to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

The agency has launched a voluntary medical project for adult cardiac surgery and catheterization in Yemen’s Aden governorate, in cooperation with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.

Running until July 27, the project is set to perform 65 catheterizations and 30 surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

KSrelief in Somalia has distributed 130 shelter kits, 100 clothing kits, and 10 tents to 1,440 people in 240 families in Baki camp in the Awdal region.

The Saudi aid agency in Sudan has distributed 800 food baskets to families returning from displacement in Al-Jazirah state, helping 5,036 people.

In Afghanistan, 90 food baskets have been distributed at Omari camp near the Torkham border, helping 540 Afghan returnees from Pakistan.

In addition, KSrelief in the Syrian Arab Republic continues to help families affected by fires in Latakia, and has distributed shelter kits to 1,500 families.

Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,602 projects worth more than $8.1 billion across 108 countries, in partnership with more than 323 organizations.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608913/saudi-arabia

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Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children

July 21, 2025

Riyadh: The Baha Craftsmen Forum, organized by the Technical and Vocational Training Corp., teaches youth and children the basics of the traditional handicrafts for which the region is renowned.

Forum supervisor Nouf Al-Harbi said the forum offers 10 specialized training courses, including crochet doll-making, palm weaving, and stone and marble carving, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The courses are led by expert instructors who showcase works blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, striking a balance between preserving cultural heritage and meeting the evolving demands of today’s market.

As part of the Baha Summer Festival, the forum’s second week began on Saturday, drawing a remarkable turnout of visitors.

The month-long forum, held in partnership with governmental and private entities, offers various training programs, dialogue sessions and live interactive activities celebrating cultural heritage.

The forum aims to showcase the region’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage, while fostering interaction between artisans and the public.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608891/saudi-arabia

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Saudi Arabia hands over 129 housing units to Tunisian families

July 21, 2025

RIYADH: The Kingdom has handed over 129 housing units to families in Tunisia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The nation’s ambassador to Tunisia, Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr, and Tunisia’s Minister of Equipment and Housing Salah Zouari were present for the handover ceremony.

The project was funded by the Saudi Development Fund in Sousse governorate, south of Tunis.

Zouari thanked the Kingdom for its continued support and solidarity with Tunisia, noting that the project benefits low-income families.

Al-Saqr congratulated the beneficiaries and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Tunisia’s growth and development across various sectors.

The units are a part of the first phase of a social housing program across several Tunisian governorates.

The full project aims to provide 4,715 units through concessional financing from the Saudi Development Fund, totaling $150 million.

Source: arabnews.com

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Madinah presents SDG progress at UN in New York

July 21, 2025

RIYADH: The Madinah Region Development Authority participated in the main session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

In the session, titled “Transformation from the Ground Up: Acting at Local Level,” the authority highlighted Madinah’s pioneering role and the Kingdom’s leadership in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abdulrahman Ibrahim, the authority’s chief data and innovation officer, said Madinah had become a model for international best practices.

Key initiatives include the 2023 Madinah City Voluntary Local Review — the first in the Kingdom and second in the Arab region; the 2024 State of Sustainable Development Report for Madinah Region — the first Voluntary Subnational Review in the Arab region; and the launch of the Atlas of Sustainable Development in Madinah City Neighborhoods, a global first for precise, neighborhood-level SDG assessment.

The session also reviewed successful local and regional approaches to accelerating sustainable SDG solutions, discussing key enablers and opportunities to expand local action.

The authority’s participation, part of the Saudi delegation led by Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable development aligned with Vision 2030.

The UN forum, running through to July 23, also featured dialogue sessions on global frameworks for resilient urban development and strategies to create value for cities through data-driven trends.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608886/saudi-arabia

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Africa

Anyone That Punishes His Wife Is Not A Good Person – Emir of Kano

July 21, 2025

By Richard Ogunsile

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has strongly condemned the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kano State, warning that no good man raises a hand against his wife.

Speaking during a visit by officials of the Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) and Bayero University’s Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID), Sanusi emphasised that domestic violence has no basis in Islam and should be rooted out through community enlightenment and legal reform.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor lamented that cases of rape and domestic violence were becoming rampant in the state and tasked Islamic clerics and community leaders with the responsibility of influencing behavioural change.

“Whosoever beats and injures his wife is not a good person,” the emir said, “It is not me saying this; it is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who said it.

“Islam has respected and dignified women more than any other religion.

“Those who seek cover under it to abuse women do not even understand the religion,” Sanusi stated.

He noted that the mission of dRPC and CICID to engage Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) was timely and critical in addressing the growing social issue in Northern Nigeria.

Calling for urgent legislative reforms, Sanusi challenged stakeholders to revive the dormant Kano State family law draft, which addresses GBV and other family-related challenges.

“All the legal frameworks we need are already in our Islamic jurisprudence books. What is needed is to bring them out and assemble them into a usable draft,” he said.

Recalling his own academic research, the emir disclosed that he had studied nine Kano Shari’a courts over five years as part of his PhD thesis on the codification of Islamic family law. He said the research revealed widespread gender violence in society.

“That is why I told all my district and village heads that anyone caught beating his wife does so at the risk of losing his title,” he warned.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/07/21/anyone-that-punishes-his-wife-is-not-a-good-person-emir-sanusi/

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Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi defiant after court appearance over protest-linked charges

July 21, 2025

Outspoken Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has dismissed the government's attempt to link him to anti-government protests, calling it a weak and desperate move to silence dissent. Mwangi appeared in court on Monday, charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, a case stemming from his alleged role in the youth-led demonstrations that have gripped the country for months.

The charge sheet accused Mwangi of illegally possessing three tear gas canisters. His lawyer, Njanja Maina, strongly denied the allegations, calling them fabricated. The Kenya Human Rights Commission also condemned the case as a “trumped-up accusation.”

wangi was released on bond shortly after the hearing. Outside the court, he delivered a defiant message to journalists, calling President William Ruto a "real terrorist."

“Because we are terrorizing Ruto's heart and Ruto knows that he's going home, because Ruto is a real terrorist,” Mwangi said. “So we guys are not terrorists, we're terrorists' hunters. We're hunting Ruto to leave power because he's killing us and we're tired of being killed by our government.”

The arrest follows a raid on Mwangi’s home over the weekend, during which his wife, Njeri Mwangi, said security agents seized electronic devices and spoke of terrorism and arson. Many had feared Mwangi would be charged with terrorism.

In court, Mwangi distanced himself from organizing the recent protests, crediting young Kenyans — the so-called "Gen Z" movement — with leading the charge.

“These kids are saying we want real change and that's why they're protesting. They are so brave that when they leave their homes, they even write obituaries,” he said. “So this route tying to personalize the struggle for a better Kenya, about personality, it is very weak.”

The protests erupted in mid-2024 after President Ruto proposed a controversial set of tax increases. Demonstrators have since expanded their demands to include action against corruption and what they describe as the regime's broken promises to ordinary Kenyans.

As activists prepare for fresh demonstrations on August 8 — dubbed "nane-nane" — Mwangi made it clear the fight for a more accountable government is far from over, even as the state seeks to silence its critics through legal pressure.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2025/07/21/kenyan-activist-boniface-mwangi-defiant-after-court-appearance-over-protest-linked-charges/

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DRC signs peace deal with M23 rebels but experts in North Kivu remain sceptical

July 21, 2025

By Ali Bamba

Weeks after signing a peace deal with Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached an accord with M23 rebels operating in the country's North Kivu region. But long-time observers of the DRC's attempts to restore peace within its borders aren't ready to celebrate.

Following an initial peace deal with Rwanda last month, the DRC signed a ceasefire agreement with M23 rebels on Saturday in Qatar.

In this Statement of Intent, the parties agree to protect civilians and respect Congolese sovereignty. But on the ground in Goma, provincial capital of North Kivu and under the control of Kigali-backed insurgents, observers are sceptical.

For Congolese journalist and pan-African civil rights activist Maude-Salomé Ekila, this latest agreement is reminiscent of many others that raised hopes when they were signed but were trampled underfoot on the altar of the interests of each stakeholder:

"What's dramatic is that we've been systematically reproducing the same patterns for all these years. There's a system of international predation organized to exploit Congolese resources. And we forget that this is the heart of the matter. And every possible tool is being used so that this predation and this plan, which has been going on for decades now, can achieve certain objectives."

Like many local observers, Ekila is frustrated by an agreement that demonstrates the inability of the Congolese government to ensure the integrity of its territory.

"You see, we're once again in a position of great weakness, because we've had a defense apparatus that's been corrupted in every sense and that hasn't allowed us to face up to the hyper-sophisticated army we had in front of us, an army completely supported by the Rwandan army in reality, which supports the M23, which supports the AFC politico-military platform," Ekila told Africanews.

"And so we found ourselves in a weak position to negotiate. What did we negotiate? That's the question: are we going to be able to meet the deadline set in this communiqué?"

The problem, Ekila says, is justice:

"From the moment when the protagonists know that they can do it again, that in any case, there will be agreements that will not be kept and that will reproduce other militias, because there has been no justice, because justice has been bartered on the altar of so-called peace, just as justice is bartered on the altar of pseudo-democracy every time, we find ourselves in a situation where the facts are repeated. It's cyclical and, as a result, a system of predation quietly goes on its way."

The Statement of Intent will come into force immediately upon signing and must be implemented by 29 July. It provides for the opening of direct negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement by 8 August. These discussions will be based on the agreement signed last month in Washington between the DRC and Rwanda.

The aim is to conclude and sign this comprehensive peace agreement by 18 August. Experts, however, doubt that the timetable will be met.

Source: africanews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.africanews.com/2025/07/21/drc-signs-peace-deal-with-m23-rebels-but-experts-in-north-kivu-remain-sceptical/

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Trump's tariffs threat leaves Brazilian coffee producers in the dark

July 21, 2025

In the north of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state, expectations for this year’s coffee harvest are clouded by uncertainty, after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports to the United States.

For small producers in the region, the tariffs news hit like a bombshell.

"We had high expectations until about a month, 15 days ago, with very high hopes of having a good harvest, getting a good price, having a good coffee crop. And suddenly, out of nowhere, a bomb exploded and we were left not knowing who to talk to", said José Natal da Silva, a coffee producer in Varre-Sai.

Small coffee producers had to quickly adapt to the foreign trade market unpredictability, letting go of the workforce hired for the harvest and hold exports as there are no guarantees that their product will reach the US.

"How can we buy the products that our crops need, and also in our home, with our family, with those around us", said coffee producer Fernanda Marçola.

"All of this leaves us with our hearts in our hands. We still don't know what might come our way."

Trump’s move was explicitly linked to Brazil’s legal proceedings against former president Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally of the US president.

The right-winger is currently on trial before Brazil's Supreme Court over an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election results.

Brazilian president Lula called Trump's tariffs threat "unacceptable blackmail."

For coffee producer Marcio Vargas, "these tariffs are happening due to a political issue, and we here at the bottom [of the pyramid], we're going to suffer the consequences, right?"

American consumers may also feel the impact.

With global coffee stocks already low, the tariff could push retail prices higher, hitting an industry that relies heavily on Brazilian supply for volume and consistency.

Brazil supplies about 30% of the coffee consumed in the United States, making it the country’s top coffee provider.

The US imported over $1.6 billion in Brazilian coffee last year, according to trade data.

Source: africanews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.africanews.com/2025/07/21/trumps-tariffs-threat-leaves-brazilian-coffee-producers-in-the-dark

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Cameroon: 81 candidates apply to run in presidential elections

July 21, 2025

It's a record number: 81 candidate applications to run in the presidential elections set for October this year were made to Cameroon's national body in charge of organising elections by the deadline on Monday at midnight.

Among the hopefuls are many second-time runners.

After breaking away from supporting president Paul Biya earlier this year, Bello Bouba Maïgari is running in a presidential race for the second time in his political career.

The same goes for Maurice Kamto and Cabral Libii, with both also changing political party affiliations for the elections.

The flood of applications meanwhile remains dominated by men: out of the 81 total applications, only seven female candidates declared their intention to run in the presidential elections, among them Eliane Véronique Eboutou and independent candidates Mbengono Zouame Epse Ndzie Ngono Guyleine and Géneviève Zeh Amvene.

Biya's grip on power is unlikely to be broken

Among the men, it is incumbent president and oldest head of state in Africa Paul Biya who dominates the list.

The 92-year-old, who has held power for the past four decades, recently declared his intention to run for office again despite growing concerns over his health and ability to lead the country.

Some local media speculated that the number of candidates could point to a growing wish for political change from the population, as well as a fracturing of Cameroon's political landscape.

Despite Biya's age, the president's grip on power is unlikely to loosen through elections whose democratic nature is doubted, according to analysts.

Last week, Biya also reshuffled top military ranks in what was seen as a way to ensure his renewed run for the presidency would have the army's backing.

The country now waits for the decision of the electoral council, set to approve or reject each application in the coming weeks.

The final list of candidates can be published at the latest 60 days before the elections.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2025/07/22/cameroon-81-candidates-apply-to-run-in-presidential-elections/

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