Aliah University Students Protest in Kolkata Against Waqf Act, Assert Constitutional Rights Can’t Be Denied
New Age Islam News Bureau
12April 2024
· Aliah University Students Protest in Kolkata Against Waqf Act, Assert Constitutional Rights Can’t Be Denied
· Life For 'Lone Wolf' Terrorist, Jason Savage, A Follower Of Salafi Movement, Who Planned To Attack Mosque And Bookshop
· Selangor Islamic Religious Department To Hold Inspections After Temples Found On Mosque Land
· UNAMA Calls For Immediate Halt To Executions In Afghanistan
· Million-Person March In Sana'a Under The Slogan "Jihad, Steadfastness, And Bravery... We Will Not Leave Gaza”
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India
· As Waqf Protests Spiral In West Bengal’s Murshidabad 118 Arrested, 15 Cops Injured
· Mamata Banerjee to hold meeting with West Bengal Imams next week on opposing Waqf Act
· Protests against Waqf Act in parts of Hyderabad
· 'Despite nearly 40% Muslim population, Assam remained peaceful': CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Waqf Act protests
· J&K imams read joint resolution against Waqf Act in mosques
· Muslims in Lucknow protest Waqf Amendment Act after Friday prayers
· Mass protest against Waqf reforms in Coimbatore
· J&K: PDP stages protest in Srinagar; says Waqf (Amendment) Act against Muslims
· BJP’s Lone Muslim MP Weighs In On Waqf Debate: ‘Presence Of Non-Muslims In Boards Won’t Be A Problem’
· Put under house arrest, prevented from offering Friday prayers: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
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Europe
· IT Worker Faces Jail For Anti-Islam Cyber Attack On Wi-Fi At London Train Stations
· England: Quran-Burning Charge Evokes ‘Blasphemy’ Offence, Says Akua Reindorf KC
· Birmingham mosque helps collect tonnes of rubbish as 'community pulls together'
· Man jailed for 14 years after 'utterly horrendous' Oxford knife attack
· London mosque stabbing sees police rush to Greenwich street
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Southeast Asia
· Malaysian police chief says opposition leader Samsuri not under surveillance as claimed
· Anwar: Malaysia to make history with first Asean-Gulf leaders’ summit, China’s premier likely to attend
· PM calls for strict monitoring to ensure timely completion of all projects during Kelantan visit
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South Asia
· Accountability key to resolving Rohingya crisis
· Sharp rise in forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan
· US Senate convenes commission to review Afghanistan War
· State reform demands rooted in public will, says Prof Ali Riaz
· March for Gaza: Crowds throng Suhrawardy Udyan
· 451 cases filed in 2024, highest in 5 years
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Mideast
· Israeli forces summon Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher for investigation over his prayer for Gaza
· Gaza ‘hell on earth’ as hospital supplies running out, warns head of Red Cross
· UN: 36 Israeli strikes in Gaza killed ‘only women and children’
· Tens of Thousands of Palestinians Perform Friday Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque
· Israel’s army says it will fire air force reservists who condemned the war
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North America
· Justice Department Files Statement of Interest In New York in Support of Religious Muslim Community’s Land Use Claim
· US Pastor Kidnapped During Church Service In South Africa
· Judge Allows Columbia Graduate Mahmoud Khalil's Deportation
· CAIR-GA, Advancing Justice-Atlanta Condemn Trump Admin’s Revocation of International Students’ Visas at UGA, KSU and Emory
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Pakistan
· Tribal Elders Reluctantly Agree To ‘Internal Migration’ In Tirah
· JUI-F Chief urges Muslim unity for Palestine
· JUI-F objects to PTI’s contact with establishment
· JUI-F offers to mediate between govt, BNP-M amid deadlock
· LHC redefines NAB hearing procedure after 26 years
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Arab World
· Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Closure Orders For UNRWA Schools In East Jerusalem
· Saudi Foreign Minister says aid entry to Gaza cannot be linked to ceasefire
· How conservation efforts are helping Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts bloom
· Silver handicrafts reflect Saudi Arabia’s cultural diversity and artistic heritage
· Saudi Arabia to take part in London Design Biennale
· King Salman Global Academy launches Arabic equestrian glossary
· Consulate brings a taste of France to Jeddah
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Africa
· Dalung Blames Military Campaign Against Boko Haram For Spread Of Banditry, Kidnapping
· Mosque Demolition: Ekiti Meets With Muslim Leaders
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/aliah-university-students-protest-waqf-act/d/135146
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Aliah University Students Protest in Kolkata Against Waqf Act, Assert Constitutional Rights Can’t Be Denied
April 11, 2025
Students of Aliah University staged a major protest in Kolkata on Friday against the Waqf Amendment Act introduced by the Union government. The demonstration, which saw participation from hundreds of students, was held near the Seven Point Crossing in the Park Circus area, bringing traffic to a halt for several hours.
Led by both male and female students, the protest march echoed with slogans condemning the Union government’s move, which they believe infringes on constitutional rights. Protesters carried banners and placards, with one prominently reading, “Constitutional rights cannot be denied.” The Indian national flag was also waved throughout the demonstration, symbolizing a peaceful yet firm assertion of their democratic rights.
Students expressed concerns that the amended Waqf Act could impact the autonomy and management of waqf properties, potentially affecting the rights of minority communities.
They called for an immediate rollback of the legislation, stating that it undermines the secular and inclusive fabric of the Constitution.
The protest remained peaceful, though it caused significant traffic disruptions in the busy Park Circus area. Local authorities were deployed to manage the situation and ensure that the protest did not escalate.
This demonstration marks a growing unrest among student communities in the region, who are increasingly taking to the streets to voice their opposition to central policies they view as discriminatory or unconstitutional.
The students have vowed to continue their movement until their demands are addressed and the Act is repealed. — With Agencies Inputs
Source: muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/aliah-university-students-protest-against-waqf-act-assert-constitutional-rights-cant-be-denied/
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Life For 'Lone Wolf' Terrorist, Jason Savage, A Follower Of Salafi Movement, Who Planned To Attack Mosque And Bookshop
11 Apr 2025
Jason Savage is arrested by police(Image: PA)
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A 'lone wolf' terrorist who planned to attack a mosque and a bookshop in Birmingham has been handed a life sentence.
Jason Savage converted to Islam in the 2010s and followed an extreme and violent interpretation of the Salafi movement.
The 35-year-old targeted a Salafi cleric associated with a Small Heath mosque and bookstore because the target was an outspoken critic of Islamist terrorism and extremism.
Video issued by West Midlands Police showed Savage on a reconnaissance mission three days before his arrest.
In the footage, he walked around the location of the mosque and bookstore, discussing points of entry, the routes the police would likely attend from and escape routes.
Savage also downloaded and watched violent and extremist videos, researched how to kill with a knife and how to make parts of a gun and ammunition. He also scouted out military buildings and police stations as potential locations.
Days before his arrest, Savage changed his Whatsapp profile to ‘Lone Wolf’.
On the day of his arrest, March 14 last year, Savage’s messaging and intentions increased. In a voice note to a friend - in fact an undercover officer- he told him he would “see him in paradise” as he expected to die in the terror attack.
He was arrested hours later in a Birmingham street.
He was charged on March 21 under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.
A knife was recovered from his address which he had adapted by removing the handle and wrapping with cloth.
Savage, from Fourth Avenue, Small Heath, was convicted following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court earlier this year.
The jury heard Savage had researched and planned to carry out an attack from March 2022.
Source: birminghammail.co.uk
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/life-lone-wolf-terrorist-who-31406576
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Selangor Islamic Religious Department To Hold Inspections After Temples Found On Mosque Land
Apr 11, 2025
The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) said it will inspect all lands under its control within the next month to ensure there has been no encroachment.
This was after two temples were found illegally encroaching on land meant for a mosque in Dengkil, said the religious authority in a statement today.
Source: malaysiakini.com
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/739865?login_method=google
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UNAMA calls for immediate halt to executions in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
April 12, 2025
UNAMA has urged the Taliban to immediately stop executions in Afghanistan, calling for a suspension of capital punishment to uphold human rights.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has strongly condemned the recent execution of four individuals by the Taliban, calling it a violation of the fundamental right to life. The agency urged an immediate halt to capital punishment in the country.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, April 11, UNAMA declared, “The death penalty is incompatible with the fundamental right to life. UNAMA calls for an immediate moratorium as a step toward abolition.”
According to Taliban officials, four men were executed publicly across three Afghanistan provinces. Two were executed in Qala-i-Naw, the capital of Badghis Province, one in Zaranj, Nimroz Province, and another in the central area of Farah Province.
These executions have drawn criticism from international human rights organizations. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, and Amnesty International both expressed deep concern, labeling the act a clear violation of human rights.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have increasingly resorted to public executions despite widespread international opposition. The total number of known executions by the group over the past four years has now reached nine.
Human rights experts emphasize that the use of capital punishment without transparent legal proceedings undermines justice and accountability. Amnesty International has repeatedly urged the de facto authorities to adhere to international human rights standards.
The UN and other watchdogs continue to call on the Taliban to stop public punishments and align Afghanistan’s judicial practices with global human rights conventions. A failure to do so, experts warn, could further isolate the regime diplomatically.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/unama-calls-for-immediate-halt-to-executions-in-afghanistan/
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Million-Person March In Sana'a Under The Slogan "Jihad, Steadfastness, And Bravery... We Will Not Leave Gaza”
11 Apr 2025
The capital, Sana'a, witnessed a massive million-person march today under the slogan "Jihad, Steadfastness, and Bravery... We Will Not Abandon Gaza."
The Yemeni masses affirmed their commitment to their steadfast and supportive stance for Gaza in the face of the Zionist-American aggression, considering support for Palestine a religious and humanitarian responsibility.
The crowds affirmed the continuation of the marches in support of Gaza and their rejection of the siege, starvation, and forced displacement.
The participants emphasized their readiness to wage the "Promised Victory" battle and to continue operations against Israeli targets.
The chants and slogans focused on jihad, confronting America and "Israel," and the popular mandate for the Yemeni leadership.
The official statement of the march was delivered by the Deputy Head of the Security and Intelligence Service, Major General Abdul Qader Al-Shami, who emphasized that the aggression will not deter Yemen from supporting Gaza, and that the failure of America and "Israel" to achieve their goals is evidence of the justice of the Yemeni and Palestinian cause.
A general call to intensify efforts in all areas, from military mobilization to economic and media boycotts, and to impose stricter penalties on those who cooperate with the enemy.
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3463868.htm
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India
As Waqf Protests Spiral In West Bengal’s Murshidabad 118 Arrested, 15 Cops Injured
Written by Ravik Bhattacharya
Kolkata | April 12, 2025
Police arrested 118 people in connection with violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, which broke out during protests against the Waqf Act. Police had to fire four rounds to control the mob, leaving two people injured.
Fifteen police personnel also received injuries while trying to control the mob on Friday.
A fresh flare-up took place on Saturday morning in Shamshergunj but was quickly controlled. A huge contingent of the police force and the BSF has been deployed in trouble-torn areas.
“We will not tolerate hooliganism. We will deal with it very, very strongly. Police use minimum force. But I want to make it clear – wherever it takes, we will deal strongly with the situation,” said Rajeev Kumar, the state’s director general of police, at a press conference in Bhawani Bhawan.
“It started as demonstrations, then public property was damaged, and then it took a communal angle. Last night, we controlled the situation. In the morning, a fresh flare-up took place, and we again controlled the situation. We are not action-shy. If miscreants take the law into their hands, we will act very, very strongly,” Kumar said.
“Strong action will be taken against people who spread rumours. I appeal to everyone not to spread rumours,” Kumar said.
Jawed Shamim, ADG (law and order), confirmed that police had to report to firing on Friday evening to control the mob.
“Trouble erupted in Sujarmore crossing under Suti police station as agitators blocked National Highway 12. We tried to follow the rules and our drill. We baton charged and used tear gas shells. But the mob started to ransack and set fire to public property and public buses, and police were attacked by the crowd. We had to resort to firing. Four rounds were fired, and two persons were injured. They are recovering,” said Shamim. “Fifteen policemen were injured and some very seriously; they are admitted to hospitals.”
Prohibitory orders and an internet ban remained in place in various areas of Murshidabad.
Meanwhile, the house of TMC MLA Manirul Islam was ransacked on Friday, and he was heckled by the mob.
“The mob pelted stones and ransacked my house. I was not at home. I went to talk with the agitators and I was heckled by them,” said Islam.
The office of local TMC MP Khalilur Rehman was also ransacked. Train services were hit as protesters squatted on the rail tracks.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/waqf-protests-murshidabad-arrested-cops-injured-9940544/?ref=hometop_hp
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Mamata Banerjee to hold meeting with West Bengal Imams next week on opposing Waqf Act
April 11, 2025
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with the imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community in the state on April 16 to prepare the blueprint on how to oppose the recently promulgated Waqf Amendment Act.
The venue of the meeting will be Netaji Indoor Stadium in central Kolkata.
Firhad Hakim, the West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister and the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, will also be present at the meeting.
Recently, at a programme of the Jain community in Kolkata, the Chief Minister gave a subtle message to the Union government that the Waqf Amendment Act will not be implemented in West Bengal.
He also described the Waqf Act as an “attempt to snatch others’ property”.
“Just as no one has the right to snatch my property, similarly, I too do not have the right to snatch others’ property. In West Bengal, I will never allow that. In West Bengal, the people from the minority community are almost 33 per cent of the population. Always remember that your Didi is there to protect you and your property. Our mission should be — ‘Jio Aur Jine Do (Live and let live)’,” CM Banerjee said on Wednesday.
Political observers feel that the proposed meeting at Netaji Indoor Stadium on April 16 will be an extension of the Chief Minister’s proclamation as regards the Act and the involvement of the imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community had been done to ensure that future movements on this issue take a bigger shape in the coming days.
Haikm, on Friday, told media persons that West Bengal is fortunate to have a Chief Minister as a result of which the interests of people from all religious communities are protected in the state.
“In West Bengal, there is no question of misrule arising out of attempts to divide people on the basis of religious beliefs. Our protests against the Waqf Amendment Act will continue,” he said. –IANS
Source: muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/mamata-banerjee-to-hold-meeting-with-west-bengal-imams-next-week-on-opposing-waqf-act/
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Protests against Waqf Act in parts of Hyderabad
April 12, 2025
Small groups took to the streets on Friday to register their protest against the new Waqf legislation, which brings about significant changes in Muslim endowments and bodies that administer them.
Demonstrations were seen near the Mecca Masjid near Charminar, Azizia Masjid in Humayun Nagar, Ujale Shah Masjid in Saidabad, and other neighbourhoods. Protesters carried banners and signs denouncing the legislation and describing it as a “black law”.
Talks, deliberations, and public protest meetings have been planned on April 12, 13, 19, and April 26. These are under the banner of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Muslim Joint Action Committee, and also by Congress leaders. One of the public meetings - on April 19 - is scheduled at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen headquarters in Dar us Salaam. thehindu.com
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/protests-against-waqf-act-in-parts-of-hyderabad/article69440319.ece
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'Despite nearly 40% Muslim population, Assam remained peaceful': CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Waqf Act protests
Apr 12, 2025
NEW DELHI: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the state remained largely peaceful despite limited protests against the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act. He praised the Assam Police for their effective preparation and highlighted the state's communal harmony ahead of the Bohag Bihu festivities.
Posting on X, Sarma wrote, “Despite having nearly 40% Muslim population, Assam has remained peaceful today except isolated protests in three places involving not more than 150 participants each against the Waqf Amendment Act.”
The chief minister credited the calm to the groundwork done by law enforcement. “My compliments to Assam Police for their extensive groundwork that helped maintain calm and order. People across Assam—irrespective of caste, creed, or community and religion—are united in spirit and eagerly preparing to welcome our beloved Bohag Bihu with joy and harmony,” he said.
As preparations intensify across Guwahati and other regions, the festive spirit of Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, has taken hold. The annual celebration, which marks the Assamese New Year, is observed across the state in the second week of April with great enthusiasm and cultural vibrance.
Meanwhile, protests against the Waqf Amendment Act were held by groups of Muslims in several states on Friday.
The Act received presidential assent on April 5, following its passage in Parliament during the Budget session. The Rajya Sabha approved the bill with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha passed it after a lengthy debate with 288 MPs supporting it and 232 opposing.
The Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, aims to enhance the management of waqf properties by empowering stakeholders, streamlining survey and registration processes, accelerating case resolutions, and encouraging development of waqf assets.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/despite-nearly-40-muslim-population-assam-remained-peaceful-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-on-waqf-act-protests/articleshow/120222872.cms
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J&K imams read joint resolution against Waqf Act in mosques
April 12, 2025
Peerzada AshiqPeerzada Ashiq
Several Imams on Friday (April 11, 2025) read out a joint resolution against the Waqf Act during congregational prayers in Srinagar, even as Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house arrest.
NC, PDP to move Supreme Court over Waqf Act; Mirwaiz to support AIMPLB’s legal action
The Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also hit the streets in Srinagar to express their displeasure over the Waqf issue.
According to a spokesman of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), Imams and religious leaders of the MMU “publicly read out the resolution prepared by the council in major mosques, khanqahs, shrines, and imambaras throughout the Kashmir Valley, the Chenab region, Jammu, Leh, and Kargil”.
“The resolution received overwhelming public support and endorsement. In the resolution, the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, was categorically rejected with a strong demand for immediate withdrawal,” the MMU said.
The six-point resolution reads in the religious places claimed that the Act “reduces the powers of Muslim-led Waqf Boards, assign greater role non-Muslim officials, removal of the provision of the Chief Executive Officer to be a Muslim, transfer of key decision-making powers to district collectors and repeal of Section 40 of the Waqf Act, 1995, that empowered Waqf Boards to determine the status of properties.
“The removal of the concept of ‘Waqf by long-standing use’, which protected mosques, graveyards, and other Islamic sites used for generations without formal documentation, may result in the loss of such properties simply due to lack of official records,” the MMU resolution reads.
The MMU said the Act has given rise to serious concerns across the Muslim community. “It is essential that the management of Waqf remains rooted in those values and guided by individuals who understand their spiritual and legal significance,” it added.
The MMU, an amalgam of over 20 religious bodies, again extended its support to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to address the issues arising from the new law.
Meanwhile, Mr. Farooq, who heads the MMU, was denied permission to lead Friday prayers at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar. “The government’s authoritarian, undemocratic, and un-Islamic actions are deeply hurtful to the sentiments of the Muslim community,” the MMU said.
Meanwhile, scores of PDP leaders assembled at the party headquarters in Srinagar and made a bid to march towards Lal Chowk over the Waqf issue. The police foiled the attempt by disallowing the protesters to leave the party office premises.
The protest march was led by senior PDP leaders Iqbal Tramboo and Khursheed Alam. “The PDP opposes the Act. The party decided to hit the streets because it wants the Supreme Court and the Central government to know that this anti-Muslim Act was not acceptable,” Mr. Tramboo said.
Mr. Alam said the party expressed its dissent to put across the message that “no section of the society accepts it”. “The BJP’s approach towards Muslims is condemnable. The criminal silence of the NC is equally regretful,” Mr. Alam said.
Source: thehindu.com
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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/mmu-affiliated-imams-read-resolution-against-waqf-act-in-jk-mosques/article69439103.ece
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Muslims in Lucknow protest Waqf Amendment Act after Friday prayers
April 11, 2025
Muslims held a protest demonstration outside the Asifi Mosque here in Bara Imambara after Friday prayers against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, a Shia cleric, led the rally with the protesters castigating Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the passage of the new law that they claimed is detrimental to the interests of Muslim community in the country.
A heavy police force was deployed near the Bara Imambara anticipating trouble ahead of the protest.
Addressing the protesters, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said, “The government claims to be working for the progress of Muslims. How can we progress when they snatch our house?”
Reiterating the support of the Shia community to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board in the matter, he asserted that they would continue to protest against the new law on the Waqf.
Meanwhile, a report from Agra said that a major law and order problem was averted after the head of an animal was found in a bag in the Shahi Jama Masjid before the Friday prayers. Worshippers found the bag when they assembled at the mosque for Friday prayers. As the information spread, hundreds of Muslims reached the mosque.
The Jama Masjid Committee informed the police about the bag containing the animal head kept in a corner of the mosque. The police removed the bag before washing the mosque clean.
While scanning the CCTV footage of the area, the police came across a young man depositing the bag in the mosque. Soon, the police arrested the accused, identified as Nazaruddin, and registered a case against him. He is being questioned by the police.
After the incident, additional forces have been deployed near the mosque.
Source: thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/muslims-in-lucknow-protest-waqf-amendment-act-after-friday-prayers-1503419193.html
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Mass protest against Waqf reforms in Coimbatore
pril 11, 2025
The Coimbatore District United Jamath, the Federation of Islamic Organisations and Muslim-centric political parties staged a mass protest in Coimbatore on Friday, urging the Union government to revoke the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Hundreds of people took out a rally that started from Athupalam and ended at Ukkadam, where a public meeting was held. Participants, including women, raised slogans “Don’t usurp Waqf properties” and “Don’t destroy India’s diversity”.
Leaders and members from Coimbatore District United Jamath , Jamiat Ulama Sabhai, Indian Union Muslim League , Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, Jammiyyathu Ahlil Quran Val Hadees, India Thowheed Jamaath, Yegathuva Muslim Jamaath, Welfare Party of India, Kerala Muslim Educational, and Wahdat-e-Islami Hind took part in the rally and public meeting.
Source: thehindu.com
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https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/mass-protest-against-waqf-reforms-in-coimbatore/article69439588.ece
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J&K: PDP stages protest in Srinagar; says Waqf (Amendment) Act against Muslims
Apr 11, 2025
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday staged a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act and said that the Act is not acceptable to Muslims and is against Muslims.
“We are opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act... We are taking this fight to the streets so that the Supreme Court and the Central government know that this Act is not acceptable to Muslims and is against Muslims,” Trumboo told ANI.
PDP leader Abdul Qayoom said that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been passed in the Parliament without any discussions.
“PDP is against the act, and there is no need for the act...They have taken away our lands, mosques and graveyards...Kashmiris are standing in support of every Muslim of the nation,” Qayoom told ANI.
Earlier, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti criticised Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and the BJP over the Waqf Amendment Act, saying that the BJP is attacking the “Muslims left, right, and centre.”
“The drama created by the ruling party in the assembly from the last three days, and what we saw in the Tulip Garden, is shameful. The BJP is attacking the Muslims of the country left, right, and centre. By welcoming and entertaining Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, the CM has sent a message to all Muslims of the country that the J&K government supports the Waqf Amendment...,” Mufti told reporters.
On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which Parliament passed during the budget session.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to focus on improving the management of Waqf properties, empowering relevant stakeholders to this, improving the efficiency of survey, registration, and case disposal processes, and developing waqf properties.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/jk-pdp-stages-protest-in-srinagar-says-waqf-amendment-act-against-muslims-101744365555252.html
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BJP’s lone Muslim MP weighs in on Waqf debate: ‘Presence of non-Muslims in boards won’t be a problem’
by Vikas Pathak
April 11, 2025
As the BJP plans to embark on a nationwide outreach campaign to talk about the “benefits” of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which has been challenged in the Supreme Court, the BJP’s lone Muslim MP, Gulam Ali, has said people need to be told that the law is for the benefit of ordinary Muslims and necessary because of the “huge corruption” that was taking place in the name of Waqf.
“I am a small worker of the party,” Ali, a nominated Rajya Sabha MP, told The Indian Express on Friday. “I have not received a specific instruction yet from the BJP regarding my role in the campaign. But it is important for the party to go to the people. It is important to tell them what loot went on in the name of Waqf.”
The 54-year-old supported the law in the Upper House at a time when the Opposition accused the BJP of claiming to speak for the welfare of Muslims despite not having a single elected MP or Union minister from the minority community.
On the Opposition’s charge that a single official above the rank of collector would now decide whether a property was Waqf property or not, Ali said the survey commissioners were the ones to take a call in the earlier version of the law too. “Under the new law, the door to take the matter to the High Court has been opened if one is not satisfied with the decision of the officer,” he said.
While some Opposition leaders expressed concerns about registration of Waqf properties on a website, wondering whether they would be deemed illegal if registration was not possible for some reason, Ali said it was important to change with the times. “There was a time when a marriage would take place without Nikahnama, but now Nikahnama is important,” he said, adding that registration made matters more transparent and automatically reduced the burden of litigation.
Ali underlined that common Muslims would have “no problem with the presence of non-Muslims in the Waqf Boards” as the central issue was of better and transparent management of Waqf properties. “It is not as if masjids, dargahs, and qabristans (cemeteries) are being handed over to non-Muslims,” he added. Ali insisted it was more important to ensure that Waqf properties were being used for the purpose for which they had been donated. “It is improper that a donation for a hospital or an orphanage is diverted for the creation of a commercial complex,” he said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji wants proper running of Waqf so that the properties are used for the benefit of ordinary Muslims,” Ali said, adding that the increase in revenue due to transparent management would be used for the benefit of Muslims.
Ali offered the example of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in Katra, which also offers oncology services, under the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. He said the efficient management of such Trusts benefits the community, while opacity benefits only a few who use the properties for their own benefit. He expressed hope that transparency in the running of Waqf Boards would make such facilities available for Muslims too.
A Gujjar Muslim from Jammu and Kashmir, Ali joined the BJP in 2008. In 2022, the Narendra Modi government nominated him to the Rajya Sabha, a move that was seen as an outreach to the Gujjars and Bakarwals in the state.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/bjp-muslim-mp-waqf-debate-non-muslims-problem-9938670/
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Put under house arrest, prevented from offering Friday prayers: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Apr 11, 2025
Hurriyat Conference chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said he was put under house arrest and not allowed to offer the congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid here.
Mirwaiz, who is Kashmir’s chief cleric, delivers a sermon at the historic mosque in the Nowhatta locality of the city on Fridays, and was scheduled to do so today as well. But in a post on X, he said, “Yet again, this Friday put under house arrest and barred from offering prayers at Jama Masjid. It is both heartbreaking and outrageous that authorities continue to trample on my basic religious rights at their will.”
The Mirwaiz, who lives in the city’s Nigeen area, also posted a copy of a resolution formulated by the Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) -- an amalgam of several religious bodies -- against the Waqf Amendment Act. “Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama Jammu & Kashmir, expresses its concern regarding several provisions of the new law, which are being widely viewed by the Muslim community as affecting the established and religious character of the Waqf institution in India,” the resolution reads. The resolution was to be read out in mosques, shrines, and Imambaras across J-K during Friday prayers.
The resolution said the new legislation introduces significant changes in the management and supervision of Waqf properties, and many feel that it may diminish the role and authority of the Muslim community in overseeing its religious endowments, which have traditionally been managed in accordance with Islamic principles.
The resolution was formulated by the MMU after its meeting on the issue was not allowed on Wednesday.
The MMU said the “reduction in the powers” of Muslim-led Waqf Boards, and the greater role now assigned to government authorities and non-Muslim officials, has led to apprehensions that the core religious and charitable purpose of Waqf may not be fully understood or upheld.
“The provision allowing non-Muslims to be appointed to the Central and State Waqf Boards, and the removal of the earlier condition that the CEO of a Waqf Board must be a Muslim, has been viewed by the community as a deviation from the spiritual and religious ethos of Waqf management,” it said.
The religious amalgam said the transfer of key decision-making powers to district collectors, including the authority to determine whether a property is Waqf or not, may lead to unilateral decisions and a weakening of the role of Waqf Boards.
“This is of particular concern in the context of ongoing disputes involving Waqf properties in various regions,” it added.
The MMU said the removal of the concept of ‘Waqf by long-standing use’, which protected mosques, graveyards, and other Islamic sites used for generations without formal documentation, may result in the loss of such properties simply due to a lack of official records.
“Changes in the functioning of Waqf Tribunals, allowing for appeals in high courts, may lead to prolonged legal proceedings and delays in the resolution of matters affecting religious endowments,” it said.
The MMU said it reaffirms its full support to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and will stand by the Board in whatever course of action it deems appropriate to address the issues arising from the new law.
It also called upon the Muslim community to remain united, aware, and engaged, and to support all peaceful and lawful efforts for the protection and proper functioning of the religious institutions and endowments.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/put-under-house-arrest-prevented-from-offering-friday-prayers-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-101744364174947.html
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Europe
IT Worker Faces Jail For Anti-Islam Cyber Attack On Wi-Fi At London Train Stations
Evening Standard
11 April 2025
An IT worker who hijacked the WiFi at train stations around the country with messages about terrorist attacks and a claim that Islam is “taking over Europe” is facing jail. John Andreas Wik, 36, hacked the system so that members of the public who went online saw information about the Manchester Arena bombing, the London Bridge attack, as well as terror attacks in Paris and Stockholm.The webpage was headed: “We love you, Europe. The Islamisation of Europe is already happening and it’s getting worse each day.”
Source: yahoo.com
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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/worker-faces-jail-anti-islam-143353310.html
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England: Quran-Burning Charge Evokes ‘Blasphemy’ Offence, Says Akua Reindorf KC
11 Apr 2025
Akua Reindorf KC has said the charge against Hamit Coskun, who in February burnt a Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London, is “plainly defective”.
Mr Coskun said his display was a protest against the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and an act of solidarity with Salwan Momika – an Iraqi refugee who was assassinated in Sweden in January after burning Qurans in repeated public protests.
He was subsequently charged with “intent to cause against the religious institution of Islam, harassment, alarm or distress”. He has pleaded not guilty. Ms Reindorf said the charge was “plainly defective on its face” as the “religious institution of Islam” is not a “person” for the purposes of the Public Order Act.
She added that treating the “religious institution of Islam” as a person was “tantamount to preferring a charge of blasphemy”, and that a conviction on the basis of available facts “would amount to the criminalisation of the act of desecrating a religious text in a public place”.
Blasphemy was abolished as a common law offence in England and Wales in 2008.
The National Secular Society this week wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service urging it to drop the prosecution of Mr Coskun.
In its letter, the NSS said his burning of the Quran was clearly an act of political protest – a type of expression protected under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech.
Last year, the UK government explicitly ruled out reintroducing blasphemy laws, after Tahir Ali MP asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and prophets of the Abrahamic religions”.
In February, the government also committed to protecting the right to free expression as part of efforts to challenge anti-Muslim bigotry, stating that “no blasphemy laws will be introduced by this government”.
Mr Coskun is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court for trial on 28 May.
Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, said: “This prosecution is legally flawed and amounts to a dangerous reintroduction of blasphemy laws through the backdoor.
“The burning of a Quran, however offensive to some, was in this instance a legitimate form of political protest, protected under human rights law. Proceeding with charge would not only undermine free speech but also set a perilous precedent, effectively reintroducing blasphemy laws that were abolished in 2008.
“As the legal opinion we’ve obtained makes clear, these charges should be dropped to safeguard both the integrity of our legal system and to protect the fundamental right freedom of expression.”
Source: scottishlegal.com
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https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/england-quran-burning-charge-evokes-blasphemy-offence-says-kc
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Birmingham mosque helps collect tonnes of rubbish as 'community pulls together'
Claire Elliott
12 Apr 2025
A team of volunteers joined forces to gather a staggering 120 tonnes of waste, leaving not even the smallest trace of dirt on the streets.
UKIM Sparkbrook Islamic Centre and Masjid, received high praise for its collaboration with Birmingham City Council's mobile waste crews to rid rubbish from 1,400 cars driven by around 2,000 local residents, thereby averting potential fly-tipping due to the persistent bin strike.
Weeks earlier, impatient residents had caused chaos, dumping heaps of refuse at the side of roads, but this situation was markedly different thanks to the mosque's intervention. Birmingham Live readers are thankful for the community effort.
On Thursday, 3 April, officials resorted to using a JCB to remove an enormous amount of illegally dumped trash from Tyseley Community Centre's premises, which had obstructed access to a children's play area. To ensure this wouldn't happen again, the mosque convened a meeting on Thursday night to craft a plan of action.
Over 40 individuals gathered early on Saturday, 5 April, well before the waste trucks' arrival. Quickly assigned locations across two car parks, their goal was clear: to remove bin bags from vehicles and take rubbish from those with wheelie bins, allowing for swift departures and open roadways.
Council bins boss Coun Mahmood lauded the efforts of UKIM Sparkbrook Islamic Centre and Masjid, saying: "This is a shining example of the ongoing partnerships we are developing with community groups across the city to work together in keeping our city clean.
"Thank you to the chair, Mohammed Ishtiaq, and the brilliant volunteers for their support throughout. I'm pleased that after the successful event more community groups approached us offering their facilities."
Commenter Rocket-adventure thinks: “Excellent example, just think what a wonderful society if everyone worked together to support the elderly, resolve crime, make the streets safer, allow young children to play in the parks. What a great society we’d all live in. Well done to these individuals.”
Doubletrouble1 agrees: “Shining Examples, we should all take a leaf out of their book - well done!”
Lovebrum states: “Lovely to see people working together. It would be great to see the strike come to an end. Don’t normally praise Cllrs but must admit Mr Mahmood has been doing a great job getting his hands dirty whilst dealing with the strike also. Can only imagine how stressful this must be for him personally too.”
Utv1982 adds: “Fantastic, they need to carry on this behaviour and clear the streets of fly tipping, graffiti, litter and local drug dealers.”
MaxPayne agrees: “Love this. What a wonderful encapsulation of Brum’s diversity and community.”
Pgree says: “How nice to see the community pulling together. My bins got emptied today after four weeks by pleasant agency staff. Why can't we keep them please?”
Chosen in 1957 points out: “This type of work in the community has been going on in various areas of the city for years without the full backing from the council that they really deserve. Where I live in Acocks Green, litter champions are an example of what great work citizens do to try to keep our streets clean and tidy. We can trust and assist the volunteers who work unpaid to uphold and cherish their communities.”
Stephen G thinks: “Credit where credit is due. Well done to all concerned.”
Source: birminghammail.co.uk
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-mosque-helps-collect-tonnes-31388255
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Man jailed for 14 years after 'utterly horrendous' Oxford knife attack
11th April
A man has today been jailed following a stabbing in Oxford.
Hassan Hussain, aged 25, of Nye Bevan Close, Oxford was sentenced to 14 years in prison following a hearing at Oxford Crown Court.
He previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a knife, and was found guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm with intent by a unanimous jury verdict following a trial at the same court.
Hussain was found not guilty of one count each of attempted murder and possession of a firearm.
On 13 March last year, the victim, a 42-year-old man, was stabbed multiple times on Manzil Way.
The victim went into a mosque to seek help and received immediate first aid before an ambulance was called.
The victim suffered significant injuries to his abdomen, forearm and left hand and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Officers launched an investigation into the incident and Hussain was arrested the following day.
He was charged on 16 March last year.
Lead investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Krista Thompson, said: “This was an utterly horrendous attack which left a man with very serious injuries.
“Hussain committed an act of extreme violence, and it is only right that he now spends time in prison.
“The ripples of serious violence and knife crime are far reaching, it affects the victims, their families, and our communities.
“We continue to take a robust approach to those carrying weapons in the area, and we are committed to ensuring that those who carry and use knives face the full consequences of their actions.
“If you use or carry weapons, expect to be stopped, searched, arrested, charged and in some cases, face the prospect of being sent to prison immediately on remand.
“My message to the community is if you have any information about anybody who is carrying a knife, please report this to us, either on 101 or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Source: hellorayo.co.uk
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https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/oxfordshire/news/man-jailed-14-years-oxford-knife-attack/
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London mosque stabbing sees police rush to Greenwich street
By Mieka Smiles,
Apr 11, 2025
Police have rushed to the scene after a stabbing outside a mosque in London.
A man in his 30s has been taken to hospital after the attack outside the Greenwich Islamic Centre in Plumstead Road at around 1pm today.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told the Express: "Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Plumstead Road, SE18, at around 13:00hrs on Friday, 11 April.
"Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service. One man in his 30s was taken to hospital for stab wounds. There is no update on the man’s injuries at this time.
"There have been two arrests. One man in his 30’s was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. Another man in his 20’s was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. They remain in custody.
The London Ambulance Service told the Express: “We were called at 12.56pm today (Friday 11 April) to reports of an injured person in Plumstead Road, SE18.
“We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews and an incident response officer.
“Our crews treated a man at the scene, before taking him to hospital.”
Pictures shared on social media showed what looks like a sheet covering a bus stop with heavy police presence.
Source: express.co.uk
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https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2040593/london-mosque-stabbing-sees-police
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Southeast Asia
Malaysian police chief says opposition leader Samsuri not under surveillance as claimed
Apr 11, 2025
A senior leader of Malaysia’s Islamist party said he was under state surveillance and his phone was tapped after he was flagged for travel control in the country’s border systems, a claim which the government downplayed.
Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the vice-president of Malaysia’s biggest opposition party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia or PAS, said the surveillance on him was a “blatant misuse of government resources as a political weapon”, according to a statement on April 10.
Dr Samsuri is a Member of Parliament and the Chief Minister of Terengganu, an east coast state which PAS controls. He’s been touted as a potential prime minister candidate by Malaysia’s longest-serving premier Mahathir Mohamad, which would be a first for the Islamist party.
In response, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on April 11 said he, too, and all of the country’s top leaders are flagged in the border control system through the so-called Travel Control Office/Order or TCO, Malay Mail reported.
There is no reason for Dr Samsuri to be placed under surveillance as he is not a criminal, said Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Hussain.
According to Sinar Harian, Tan Sri Razarudin said that the Terengganu Chief Minister was mistaken in his claims about being placed under the TCO.
“The term TCO used by him in his social media post is also incorrect because TCO is actually a police officer on duty at the country’s entry and exit points.
“He is not a criminal who needs to be placed in on a watch list for wanted individuals (criminals) who need to be detained inside or outside the country,” he said.
“In fact, his position as a menteri besar also requires protection and security from escort officers consisting of the police themselves, so indirectly all his movements are known,” he said on April 11.
Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution earlier denied the state was placing additional surveillance on Dr Samsuri beyond the security detail already accorded to the latter as a state chief minister, according to a report in Free Malaysia Today.
All “VVIPs” in the country were under surveillance for security reasons, Mr Saifuddin was quoted as saying. He also denied Dr Samsuri’s phone was being tapped.
“I was stopped and pulled aside on hold,” Dr Samsuri said regarding his movements in and out of Malaysia’s borders since the last quarter of 2024.
He said additional clearance was needed before he was allowed to cross the border. “Is my phone tapped? Of course,” he said.
Dr Samsuri said he was being followed everywhere, even for his personal matters, and that he was placed under surveillance to “ease the paranoia of some people”. BLOOMBERG
Source: straitstimes.com
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-opposition-leader-says-he-faces-state-surveillance
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Anwar: Malaysia to make history with first Asean-Gulf leaders’ summit, China’s premier likely to attend
12 Apr 2025
BACHOK, April 12 — Malaysia will create history when it hosts the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit involving all the Asean countries and six Gulf nations, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He added that the summit would be held in Kuala Lumpur in May.
“Alhamdulillah, our system, our peace and our strong economic growth have attracted global attention for the summit to be held here,” he said at the Kelantan state-level Aidilfitri Madani 2025 celebration at Pantai Irama here today.
The prime minister added that Malaysia had also invited China to attend the summit, clearly showing Malaysia’s openness to all countries in order to safeguard the interests of the people.
“InsyaAllah, at the end of May, Malaysia will make history again. For the first time, we are organising a summit of Asean heads of state together with the leaders of the Gulf nations, namely Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.
“... we’ve also invited China and there is a strong possibility that its Premier, Li Qiang, will be present.
“We remain friends with all our neighbouring countries. And remain committed to safeguarding the interests of our people... our people must have access to good job opportunities. (We) Must attract new investments — if it is from (the United States of) America, we accept; from Arab countries we accept, from China we accept,” he said.
Elaborating, Anwar said Malaysia is now seen as a reference point for developing and developed countries, especially when it comes to the economy, thus proving that the fiscal and administrative policies adopted are on the right track.
“Alhamdulillah, many foreign leaders have expressed their admiration for the economic stability and investment climate in Malaysia.
“We are not merely talking but delivering real results through economic growth and good inflation control,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/12/anwar-malaysia-to-make-history-with-first-asean-gulf-leaders-summit-chinas-premier-likely-to-attend/172842
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PM calls for strict monitoring to ensure timely completion of all projects during Kelantan visit
12 Apr 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 — All development projects, including those categorised as ‘sick projects’, must be monitored to ensure they are completed within the stipulated timeframe said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the matter was raised during the Kelantan State Development special meeting held at the Kota Darulnaim Complex in Kota Baru today.
“I emphasised the need to enhance and streamline people-centric projects that are a priority, particularly those with an impact on economic development and shared progress.
“Discussions also centred on expediting key initiatives such as flood mitigation projects to avoid burdening the public with rising costs and financial losses,” he said in a Facebook post.
The meeting was attended by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, state executive councillors, and senior federal and state officials, including Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar also expressed hope that the well-being of the people in Kelantan will continue to be a top priority and be managed efficiently.
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister attended the 2025 state-level Madani Aidilfitri celebration at Pantai Irama in Bachok. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/12/pm-calls-for-strict-monitoring-to-ensure-timely-completion-of-all-projects-during-kelantan-visit/172807
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South Asia
Accountability key to resolving Rohingya crisis
Apr 12, 2025
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, now visiting Turkey, yesterday emphasised that accountability for the crimes against humanity perpetrated against the Rohingya community is a crucial factor in ensuring justice and the ultimate resolution of the crisis.
He also reassured that Bangladesh will continue to lend its unwavering support for the just cause of establishing an independent Palestinian state in accordance with multiple UN resolutions.
On the sidelines of the "Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025," Hossain had a meeting with Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim AA Khan KC and discussed the issue.
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam, Bangladesh Ambassador to Türkiye, and other senior officials from both sides attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed all aspects of engagements between Bangladesh and the ICC. The ICC prosecutor lauded Bangladesh's unwavering stance for the cause of the international justice system, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The foreign adviser expressed Bangladesh's continued support for the Rome Statute and the ICC.
He said Bangladesh's interest in exploring tangible cooperation with ICC in training and skilling experts, academics, and jurists.
He appreciated ICC for its stance vis-a-vis on the situation in the Rohingya crisis and Gaza.
Both sides agreed to further enhance the level of existing engagements in the coming days.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/accountability-key-resolving-rohingya-crisis-3869276
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Sharp rise in forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan
ByFidel Rahmati
April 12, 2025
Nearly 45,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan in ten days amid a sharp rise in forced deportations, UNHCR reports.
Since the second phase of the forced deportation campaign began, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that 44,900 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan in just ten days, from April 1 to April 11.
The report states that this figure marks a 31 percent increase compared to the first ten days of the original deportation wave in November 2023. Among the 44,900 returnees, 14,100 were forcibly expelled by Pakistani authorities, primarily through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings.
The UNHCR expressed serious concern, highlighting that many of these refugees had originally fled to Pakistan due to economic collapse, insecurity, and human rights restrictions in Afghanistan. Forced deportation, especially of women and children, exposes them to heightened risks including poverty, homelessness, and lack of access to basic services.
International human rights groups and the UN have repeatedly urged Pakistan to halt mass deportations and uphold international refugee protections, particularly the principle of non-refoulement. Despite this, Pakistan defends its stance by citing economic strain and security concerns as the main justifications for the crackdown.
The report also noted that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other humanitarian partners have provided immediate assistance to 2,614 deportees. Nonetheless, challenges related to shelter and basic services for the large influx of returnees remain pressing.
The intensification of forced deportations not only worsens Afghanistan’s already dire humanitarian situation but also risks straining diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Kabul further.
Addressing this issue requires urgent international engagement, both in pressuring Pakistan to respect refugee rights and in supporting Afghanistan to accommodate those returning under difficult conditions.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/sharp-rise-in-forced-deportation-of-afghan-refugees-from-pakistan/
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US Senate convenes commission to review Afghanistan War
By Fidel Rahmati
April 12, 2025
The U.S. Senate has launched a commission to review the Afghanistan war, aiming to assess key lessons and policies.
The U.S. Senate Commission reviewing the Afghanistan War convened a high-level session with former American generals, diplomats, political advisors, and former Afghan officials. Held on Friday, April 11, the session aimed to assess the war’s trajectory and evaluate the reconciliation efforts with the Taliban.
Commission Chair Colin Jackson emphasized the importance of incorporating insights from Afghan partners when seeking answers to crucial questions about the U.S.-Taliban peace process. He noted that understanding the complexities of the reconciliation requires diverse voices that were engaged on the ground.
Shamila Chaudhary, co-chair of the commission, warned that without clearly explaining what occurred in Afghanistan, there is a danger that the war could become an abstract and misunderstood concept. She stressed the need for accountability and clarity in understanding the conflict’s outcomes.
Henry Crumpton, a retired CIA operations officer, described the initial U.S. mission post-9/11 as a tactical success. According to him, the CIA and U.S. Special Operations were able to significantly weaken enemy forces in the early months of the war.
Andrew Natsios, former director of USAID, highlighted the contradiction in U.S. objectives in Afghanistan, stating that conflicting goals undermined overall mission success. He pointed out that while development efforts were broad, they often lacked strategic cohesion.
Retired Lt. Gen. David Barno, former U.S. commander in Afghanistan, identified several critical factors in the war’s failure: lack of unified strategy, inconsistent leadership, and the persistent threat of safe havens for militants in neighboring regions.
In its second public hearing, the commission also discussed U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanistan and Iran, Pakistan’s role in regional instability, and the Taliban’s capacity for future international security cooperation.
The commission underscored the need for the U.S. government to internalize these lessons to avoid repeating similar strategic missteps in future engagements, especially in volatile regions.
Finally, the panel concluded that a transparent and comprehensive review of the Afghanistan war is essential not only for accountability but also for shaping a more coherent and effective U.S. foreign policy moving forward.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/us-senate-convenes-commission-to-review-afghanistan-war/
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State reform demands rooted in public will, says Prof Ali Riaz
Apr 12, 2025
Professor Ali Riaz, vice-chairperson of the National Consensus Commission (NCC), today said that although the interim government has initiated the process of state reform, the demand for such changes stems from the people themselves.
He made the remarks during a meeting with the Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) at the LD Hall of the National Parliament Complex.
"The commission aims to conclude the first phase of discussions with political parties by mid-May. Following that, the second phase will begin. Through this process, we hope to identify a clear roadmap for state reform," said Prof Riaz.
The meeting was part of the NCC's ongoing efforts to build national consensus around key reform issues.
Other commission members present included Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Monir Haider, special assistant to the chief adviser.
JASAD's 10-member delegation was led by General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan. Other participants included Indu Nondo Dutta, Mushtaq Hossain, and ATM Mohabbat Ali.
The NCC was formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and officially began its activities on February 15 .
In its first phase, the NCC established five specialised reform commissions: the Constitution Reform Commission, Public Administration Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission, Judicial Reform Commission, and Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission.
A spreadsheet of key recommendations from these commissions was sent to 39 political parties, inviting their opinions. To date, 32 parties have responded.
Formal discussions on the reform proposals began on March 20. So far, the NCC has completed initial consultations with seven political parties.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/state-reform-demands-rooted-public-will-says-prof-ali-riaz-3869511
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451 cases filed in 2024, highest in 5 years
Apr 12, 2025
Following the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5, the Anti-Corruption Commission has significantly increased its activities, as the number of cases filed, charge sheets approved, and complaints investigated in 2024 surpassed those of the past five years, according to the commission's draft annual report.
ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said the commission is working impartially and not favouring any political party.
Following the mass student and public uprising on August 5, the ACC began investigations against former PM Sheikh Hasina -- who led the Awami League for over 15 years -- her family members, former ministers, and lawmakers. More than 200 party leaders and activists were also sued.
ACC activities were briefly halted after the resignation of the previous commission led by Moinuddin Abdullah on October 29. The commission resumed its work after Dr Abdul Momen took over on December 12.
According to the draft annual report, the ACC received 15,842 complaints in 2024. Of these, 1,894 were accepted for investigation, and 1,012 were forwarded to other departments.
In comparison, complaints accepted for investigation were 845 in 2023, 901 in 2022, 533 in 2021, and 822 in 2020. The ACC filed 451 cases in 2024, mostly against ministers, state ministers, and MPs affiliated with AL. The number of cases filed in previous years was 404 in 2023, 406 in 2022, 347 in 2021, and 348 in 2020.
Charge sheet approvals reached a five-year high in 2024, with 403 approved by the ACC. The report credits this rise to better training for investigators and improved monitoring by supervising officers. In comparison, the numbers of approved charge sheets were -- 363 in 2023, 224 in 2022, 260 in 2021, and 228 in 2020.
The ACC also made progress in asset recovery. In 2024, assets worth Tk 170.55 crore were confiscated in 69 cases through court orders, and another Tk 190.90 crore was frozen in 38 other cases.
However, fines collected totalled Tk 1,147.33 crore in 2024, which is lower than the previous two years. The amount was Tk 1,683.67 crore in 2023 and Tk 2,632.41 crore in 2022, while Tk 75.18 crore was collected in 2021 and Tk 72.48 crore in 2020.
Despite the post-August 5 momentum, many cases against BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman and other party leaders ended in acquittals.
The ACC Chairman clarified that since the commission resumed operations only on December 12, none of these acquittals were made by the ACC. Those were court decisions, which are outside the commission's jurisdiction.
Regarding concerns about accused individuals fleeing the country, Abdul Momen acknowledged the ACC's limitations.
Asked whether the ACC would conduct raids, he said, "The commission is not a law enforcement agency and must rely on support from other institutions. It is known who remains in the country and who has left. Repatriating those abroad requires a complex international process."
"For those still in Bangladesh, I ask the public to judge whether the commission has been lenient or strict," he added.
He assured that the ACC is doing everything within its capacity to bring accused individuals to justice.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/451-cases-filed-2024-highest-5-years-3869286
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Mideast
Israeli forces summon Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher for investigation over his prayer for Gaza
11 Apr 2025
Israeli forces summoned Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Muhammad Salim for investigation following Friday prayers.
The Al-Quds Governorate reported, according to the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA), that Israeli intelligence summoned Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Muhammad Salim for investigation after he prayed for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip during his Friday sermon. The statement indicated that Israeli police detained Salim after he left the mosque and handed him a summons.
Source: saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3463861.htm
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Gaza ‘hell on earth’ as hospital supplies running out, warns head of Red Cross
April 11, 2025
GENEVA: The president of the Red Cross described the humanitarian situation in Gaza on Friday as “hell on earth” and warned that its field hospital will run out of supplies within two weeks.
“We are now finding ourselves in a situation that I have to describe as hell on earth ... People don’t have access to water, electricity, food, in many parts,” Mirjana Spoljaric said at the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters in Geneva.
No new humanitarian supplies have entered the Palestinian enclave since Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks on March 2, as talks stalled on the next stage of a now broken truce. Israel resumed its military assault on March 18.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 25,000 aid trucks had entered Gaza in the 42 days of the ceasefire and that Hamas had used the aid to rebuild its war machine, an allegation that the group has denied. Spoljaric said supplies were running critically low.
“For six weeks, nothing has come in, so we will, in a couple of weeks, run out of supplies that we need to keep the hospital going,” she said.
The World Health Organization said supplies of antibiotics and blood bags were dwindling fast. Twenty-two out of 36 hospitals in the enclave are only minimally functional, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn told reporters in Geneva via video link in Jerusalem.
The Red Cross president also raised concerns about the safety of humanitarian operations.
“It is extremely dangerous for the population to move, but it’s especially also dangerous for us to operate,” Spoljaric said.
In March, the bodies of 15 emergency and aid workers, including eight members of the Palestinian Red Crescent, were found buried in a mass grave in southern Gaza.
The UN and Red Crescent accused Israeli forces of killing them.
The Israeli military said on Monday that an initial investigation showed that the incident occurred “due to a sense of threat” after it said it had identified six Hamas militants in the vicinity.
Spoljaric called for an immediate ceasefire to release the remaining hostages held by Hamas and to address the grave humanitarian issues in Gaza.
Israel began its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023.
Since then, more than 50,800 Palestinians have been killed and much of the territory has been reduced to rubble.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596695/middle-east
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UN: 36 Israeli strikes in Gaza killed ‘only women and children’
April 11, 2025
GAZA: Dozens of Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed “only women and children” after a ceasefire collapsed, the UN said, as an Israeli attack in the territory’s south on Friday left a family of 10 dead.
A UN rights office report also warned that expanding Israeli evacuation orders were resulting in the “forcible transfer” of people into ever-shrinking areas, raising “real concern as to the future viability of Palestinians as a group in Gaza.”
Israel’s military said it was looking into the attack that killed members of the same family in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, adding separately that it had struck approximately 40 “terror targets” across the territory over the past day.
Israel resumed its Gaza strikes on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
Since then, more than 1,500 people have been killed, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory to which Israel cut off aid more than a month ago.
“Ten people, including seven children, were brought to the hospital as martyrs following an Israeli air strike that targeted the Farra family home in central Khan Yunis,” civil defense spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.
AFP footage of the aftermath showed several bodies wrapped in white shrouds and blankets, and footage of the house showed mangled concrete slabs and twisted metal.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed denounced Israel, saying: “If this is not barbarism, I ask you, what is it?“
Early Friday, Israel’s military issued an evacuation warning to residents of several areas east of Gaza City ahead of a new offensive there.
The UN decried the impact of the ongoing Israeli strikes, finding that “a large percentage of fatalities are children and women.”
“Between 18 March and 9 April 2025, there were some 224 incidents of Israeli strikes on residential buildings and tents for internally displaced people,” the UN human rights office said in Geneva.
“In some 36 strikes about which the UN Human Rights Office corroborated information, the fatalities recorded so far were only women and children.”
Israel’s military has repeatedly said Palestinian militants often hide among civilians, a charge Hamas denies.
UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani also raised concerns over “the denial of access to basic necessities within Gaza and the repeated suggestion that Gazans should leave the territory entirely.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, after meeting regional counterparts in Turkiye, urged “maximum pressure to ensure” aid is delivered into Gaza.
The war broke out after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Militants also took 251 hostages, 58 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Gaza’s health ministry said Friday at least 1,542 Palestinians have been killed since March 18, taking the overall death toll since the war began to 50,912.
A truce brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar that took effect on January 19 and lasted until March 17 saw the return of 33 Israeli hostages, eight of them in coffins, in exchange for around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
In a Passover holiday message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his pledge to bring the remaining captives home.
He spoke after US President Donald Trump suggested progress in hostage release talks, telling a cabinet meeting on Thursday that “we’re getting close to getting them back.”
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was also quoted in an Israeli media report as saying “a very serious deal is taking shape, it’s a matter of days.”
Israeli media reported Friday that Egypt and Israel had exchanged draft documents on a ceasefire-hostage release deal.
The Times of Israel said Egypt’s proposal would mean eight living hostages and eight bodies released in exchange for a truce of between 40 and 70 days and a large number of Palestinian prisoner releases.
A senior Hamas leader who declined to be identified told journalists the group had “not received any new ceasefire offer.”
“The movement is open to any new proposal that would achieve a ceasefire, withdraw the occupation’s forces, and end the suffering of the Palestinian people.”
In his message for Passover — a holiday celebrating the biblical liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt — Netanyahu said that “together we will return our hostages.”
He has insisted that increased military pressure is the only way to get the captives home.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596640/middle-east
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Tens of Thousands of Palestinians Perform Friday Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque
11 Apr 2025
Tens of thousands of Palestinians performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite the Israeli occupation forces' restrictions inside Quds, preventing many young men from reaching the mosque.
The Islamic Endowments Department in occupied Quds reported that tens of thousands of Palestinians performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, mourning the souls of the martyrs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The Palestinian Safa News Agency reported that the occupation forces imposed a tight military cordon around Quds and prevented thousands of worshippers from reaching the city through military checkpoints, including elderly men and women. This refutes their statements and conditions regarding the entry of elderly people into Quds.
Extremist Jewish groups have called on settlers to escalate their attempts to bring in and slaughter Passover sacrifices in and around the mosque, a week before the official start of the holiday on April 13.
Source: saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3463894.htm
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Israel’s army says it will fire air force reservists who condemned the war
April 12, 2025
TEL AVIV, Israel: Israel’s military said Friday it will fire air force reservists who signed an open letter that condemns the war in Gaza for mainly serving political interests while failing to bring home the hostages.
In a statement to The Associated Press, an army official said there was no room for any individual, including reservists on active duty, “to exploit their military status while simultaneously participating in the fighting,” calling the letter a breach of trust between commanders and subordinates.
The army said it had decided that any active reservist who signed the letter will not be able to continue serving. It did not specify how many people that included or if the firings had begun.
Nearly 1,000 Israeli Air Force reservists and retirees signed the letter, published in Israeli media Thursday, demanding the immediate return of the hostages, even at the cost of ending the fighting.
The letter comes as Israel has ramped up its offensive in Gaza, trying to increase pressure on Hamas to return the 59 hostages still being held. More than half are presumed dead. Israel has imposed a blockade on food, fuel and humanitarian aid that has left civilians facing acute shortages as supplies dwindle. It has pledged to seize large parts of the Palestinian territory and establish a new security corridor through it.
While those who signed the letter did not refuse military service, they are the latest in a growing number of Israeli soldiers speaking out against the prolonged conflict, some saying they saw or did things that crossed ethical lines.
“It’s completely illogical and irresponsible on behalf of the Israeli policy makers … risking the lives of the hostages, risking the lives of more soldiers and risking lives of many, many more innocent Palestinians, while it had a very clear alternative,” Guy Poran, a retired Israeli Air Force pilot who spearheaded the letter told The AP.
He said he’s not aware of anyone who signed the letter being fired, and since it was published, it has gained dozens more signatures.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed the letter on Friday, saying it was written by a “small handful of weeds, operated by foreign-funded (non-governmental organizations) whose sole goal is to overthrow the right-wing government.” He said anyone who encourages refusal will be immediately dismissed.
Soldiers are required to steer clear of politics, and they rarely speak out against the army. After Hamas stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel quickly united behind the war launched against the militant group. Divisions here have grown as the war progresses, but most criticism has focused on the mounting number of soldiers killed and the failure to bring home hostages, not actions in Gaza.
Advocates for hostage return keep up the pressure
Freed hostages and their families are doing what they can to keep attention on their plight and urge the government to get everyone out.
Agam Berger, a military spotter who was taken hostage and freed in January, plans to join an upcoming March of the Living Ceremony at the sites of former Nazi concentration camps in Poland. Berger, playing a 130-year-old violin that survived the Holocaust, will be accompanied by Daniel Weiss, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri whose parents were killed by Hamas.
But the war ignited by that attack shows no signs of slowing.
Since Israel ended an eight-week ceasefire last month, it said it will push farther into Gaza until Hamas releases the hostages. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire collapsed, according to the United Nations.
The Israeli military on Friday issued an urgent warning to residents in several neighborhoods in northern Gaza, calling on them to evacuate immediately. At least 26 people have been killed and more than 100 others wounded in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Palestinians lined up at a charity kitchen Friday in central Gaza said shortages of food, fuel and other essentials are worsening.
“There is no flour or gas or wood. Everything is expensive and there is no money,” said Reem Oweis, a displaced woman from Al-Mughraqa in south Gaza, waiting in line for a serving of rice, the only food available.
“I completely rely on charity kitchens. If those charity kitchens close, my children and I will die,” said another displaced woman, Nema Faragallah.
Brazil pushes for the release of body of teen who died in Israeli custody
Also this week, Brazil’s Embassy in the West Bank said it had requested the immediate release of the body of a 17-year-old Palestinian prisoner who died in Israeli custody.
A representative from Brazil’s office in Ramallah, told the AP it was helping the family speed up the process to bring Walid Ahmad’s body home. Ahmad had a Brazilian passport.
According to an Israeli doctor who observed the autopsy, starvation was likely the primary cause of his death.
Ahmad had been held for six months without being charged. He was extremely malnourished and also showed signs of inflammation of the colon and scabies, said a report written by Dr. Daniel Solomon, who watched the autopsy conducted by Israeli experts at the request of the boy’s family.
Israel’s prison service said it operates according to the law and all prisoners are given basic rights.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596732/middle-east
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North America
Justice Department Files Statement of Interest In New York in Support of Religious Muslim Community’s Land Use Claim
April 11, 2025
The Justice Department filed a statement of interest today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York supporting a claim by a religious Islamic organization that the Town of Oyster Bay violated its rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied the organization’s site plan application to expand its current facility into a mosque that would meet the religious needs of its congregation.
The lawsuit alleges that Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) have worshipped at a mosque in Bethpage, Long Island, since 1998, but that it has grown and now needs additional space for prayer, religious education, ritual washing and religious counseling. In its complaint and motion for a preliminary injunction, MOLI claims that the Town’s recently revised zoning code imposes more onerous parking requirements on houses of worship than on comparable nonreligious places of assembly like theaters, museums and libraries. MOLI alleges that the Town denied its application to expand its house of worship, relying on the Town’s recently revised parking code. The Department’s statement of interest supports MOLI’s argument that the zoning code treats religious uses less favorably than non-religious uses, in violation of RLUIPA’s equal terms provision, and that the Town has failed to justify this unequal treatment.
“RLUIPA prohibits local governments from imposing more onerous requirements on religious assemblies than comparable nonreligious assemblies,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Zoning codes violate RLUIPA when they single out religious uses for tougher restrictions than comparable secular uses. The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigilantly enforce RLUIPA’s protections and ensure that religious groups have equal access to places to worship.”
“Zoning regulations that unfairly restrict assemblies by faith-based groups violate federal law,” said United States Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. “Municipalities cannot impose tougher parking or other land use standards on houses of worship than comparable secular assemblies. The Justice Department and my Office will vigorously protect the right of religious institutions to receive equal treatment under the law.”
RLUIPA is a federal law that protects persons and religious institutions from unduly burdensome, unequal, or discriminatory land use regulations. More information about RLUIPA and the department’s efforts to enforce it can be found on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage.
As part of this initiative, the department distributed a letter to state, county, and municipal leaders throughout the country to remind them of their obligations under RLUIPA, including its requirement that land use regulations treat religious assemblies and institutions at least as well as nonreligious assemblies and institutions.
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section at (718) 254-7000 or the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (833) 591-0291 or may submit a complaint through the RLUIPA complaint portal. More information about RLUIPA, including questions and answers about the law and other documents, may be found at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php.
Source: justice.gov
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-new-york-support-religious-muslim-communitys
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US pastor kidnapped during church service in South Africa
12 Apr, 2025
An American pastor has been kidnapped by armed men after they stormed his church service in South Africa, local authorities say.
Josh Sullivan had been conducting a service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, a township in Gqeberra in the Eastern Cape, on Thursday evening when "four armed and masked male suspects entered", police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge told the BBC.
The men stole two phones before fleeing the church in the 45-year-old pastor's silver Toyota Fortuner. Police later found the vehicle abandoned, but there was no trace of Mr Sullivan.
A spokesperson from the US State Department told the BBC that they were aware of the kidnapping of a US citizen in South Africa.
They said there was no "greater priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad".
Capt Beetge told the BBC the case had been handed to South Africa's elite police unit, known as the Hawks, which investigates serious organised and commercial crimes and high-level corruption.
"The police is currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators," said Hawks spokesman Lt Col Avele Fumba.
Jeremy Hall, the Sullivan family's spokesman, told local newspaper TimesLive that he was at the church with his wife and their children when the incident took place.
"They knew his name," he said.
Mr Sullivan's mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, wrote on Facebook that she was heartbroken over the news.
She added: "Our congressman and American embassy are working on finding him."
No ransom has been requested, according to the privately-owned News24.
Mr Sullivan describes himself as "a church planting missionary" on his personal website.
On it, he says he moved to South Africa with his wife and children in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking people.
Over the past decade, there has been 264% increase in kidnappings in South Africa, according to police statistics.
Just a few days ago, a Chinese national was kidnapped in Gqberra.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y6xq4ex1ro
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Judge allows Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil's deportation
12 Apr, 2025
A US judge has ruled the Trump administration can deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate detained last month over his role in pro-Palestinian protests.
Mr Khalil, a permanent legal US resident, has not been charged with a crime. In a letter written from the facility, he has said his "arrest was a direct consequence" of speaking out for Palestinian rights.
The government has cited a Cold War-era immigration law, declaring that his presence in the US was adverse to American foreign policy interests.
The immigration court's ruling does not mean Mr Khalil would be immediately removed from the country. The judge gave his lawyers until 23 April to appeal against the order.
The activist has been held at a Louisiana detention centre since 8 March, when immigration officers told him he was being deported for taking part in protests against the war in Gaza.
The 30-year-old was a prominent voice at Columbia University's protests against the war in Gaza last year.
The Trump administration has cited a 1952 law that empowers the government to order someone deported if their presence in the country could pose unfavourable consequences for American foreign policy.
The judge said the Trump administration was allowed to move forward with its effort to deport Mr Khalil because the argument that he poses "adverse foreign policy consequences" for the US is "facially reasonable".
Mr Khalil, who was otherwise silent, addressed the court after the ruling.
"I would like to quote what you said last time that there's nothing that's more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness," Mr Khalil said in court.
"Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process," he said. "This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family."
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) described the decision as "pre-written".
The rights group said the ruling came less than 48 hours after the US government "handed over the 'evidence' they have on Mr. Khalil - which included nothing more than a letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that made clear Mr Khalil had not committed a crime and was being targeted solely based on his speech".
The government, particularly Rubio, has said its efforts to deport Mr Khalil were also to "protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States" even if his activities were "otherwise lawful".
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the judge's ruling on Friday.
"It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live and study in the United States of America," she wrote on social media. "When you advocate for violence, glorify and support terrorists that relish the killing of Americans, and harass Jews, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. Good riddance."
Mr Khalil's legal team has repeatedly said evidence of antisemitism has not been presented.
His lawyer, Marc Van Der Hout, condemned the decision and said his team was going to fight for Mr Khalil's "right to speak out against what's happening in the US".
The legal team also said they expected further hearings in the case.
"I actually had a long conversation with him after the hearing," Johnny Sinodis, another member of Mr Khalil's legal team, told the BBC later on Friday. "He's feeling confident. He's feeling supported."
"Mahmoud is not against the United States, he is not antisemitic," he said. "He has done nothing wrong."
Mr Khalil has also filed a federal court lawsuit in New Jersey challenging his arrest as unconstitutional. His lawyers have said the outcome of that case could block his deportation if they win.
The Trump administration has separately alleged that the student committed immigration fraud by failing to disclose certain information on his green card application.
This includes working for the British embassy in Beirut and the United Nations agency for Palestinian migrants and refugees. But the government has not submitted any new evidence related to this.
In a statement, White House Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers said the Trump administration is "committed to the enforcement of our immigration laws and will take swift action to remove aliens who pose serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States".
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy0ngd11yzo
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CAIR-GA, Advancing Justice-Atlanta Condemn Trump Admin’s Revocation of International Students’ Visas at UGA, KSU and Emory
April 11, 2025
Civil rights groups call for immediate reinstatement and protection of international students’ rights
The Georgia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-GA), the local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, today expressed grave concern and outrage following reports from international students in Georgia that their student visas have been revoked by the Department of State and their student status terminated by the Department of Homeland Security.
CAIR-Georgia Legal Director Javeria Jamil stated:
“It’s clear that the crackdown and visa revocations of international students are politically motivated and target Black, Brown, Muslim and other students of color, who the Trump Administration finds undesirable. The Department of Homeland Security should immediately reverse these illegal status terminations, and university officials, Georgia elected officials, and all Georgians, should stand firmly with international students who are being targeted.”
Advancing Justice – Atlanta Policy Director Jennifer Lee said:
“Advancing Justice – Atlanta strongly condemns this recent federal abuse of power that uses the immigration and criminal legal systems to exclude and remove individuals from the country as part of its anti-immigrant agenda. International students have long made vital contributions to Georgia, and these attacks hurt both the intellectual and economic impact of our colleges and universities.”
Among those impacted are students at the University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University and Emory University. The students report that their student status was abruptly terminated without warning.
The broad attack on students evidences a continued escalation against all immigrants. These sweeping actions come in addition to the pattern of the Trump administration targeting international students for political reasons and follows the unlawful arrests and detentions of Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, the visa revocations and pursuit of Yunseo Chung and Ranjani Srinivasan by ICE agents, and the targeting of many others in colleges, workplaces and communities across the country.
CAIR-Georgia and Advancing Justice – Atlanta are working with the impacted students, campus groups and partner legal organizations to investigate the scope of the visa cancellations and to offer advocacy and legal support.
Students and community members impacted by visa revocations or related intimidation can contact CAIR-Georgia’s legal team by filling out an intake form at: cairgeorgia.org/report-incident
CAIR-Georgia’s mission is to protect civil rights, promote justice, empower American Muslims, and enhance the understanding of Islam.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ga-advancing-justice-atlanta-condemn-trump-admins-revocation-of-international-students-visas-at-uga-ksu-and-emory/
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Pakistan
Tribal elders reluctantly agree to ‘internal migration’ in Tirah
Ibrahim Shinwari
April 12, 2025
KHYBER: Tribal elders in Tirah have reluctantly agreed to ‘internal migration’ on a temporary basis in case of selected intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in parts of the valley, where security forces suspected the presence of militants.
Sources in the valley told Dawn that the understanding regarding temporary internal displacement was reached during their protracted parlays with security officials in the valley with a group of elders calling for a grand Jirga to ascertain the view point of all the elders of leading Tirah tribes on the issue.
They however said that the April 10 grand Jirga was postponed at the eleventh hour after the security officials’ assurance that no forced displacement of families would be conducted for the IBOs, while the family of a 12 years old girl student, who was killed in a mortar shell fire in Mastikhel area a few days back, would also be given ‘adequate’ compensation.
Dawn also learnt from some local elders that while the local security officials had long been insisting for vacating of houses by the local residents during an operation, they also held a meeting with some senior security officials and commissioner Peshawar before Eidul Azha and conveyed to them their strong reservations against their forced displacement.
They said that the killing of Amna in the mortar fire further infuriated the local residents who then staged a demonstration in front of the local army camp while also pelting stones on some military vehicles and vociferously demanding a halt to targeting private houses during the IBOs.
Sources said that a grand jirga was then convened on April 10 in order to take stock of the existing security situation along with conveying a clear message about their stern refusal about vacating their houses during the IBOs.
Local security officials then held several rounds of talks with the agitated Tirah elders on April 9 and finally convinced them to call off the jirga, with the elders reluctantly expressing their willingness for temporary internal migration, sources confided to Dawn.
“We agreed to the internal migration as this experiment was already tested in Zakhakhel and Battai Gutt area of Malakdinkhel in recent days with local families accommodated in nearby mosques and other safe locations while later returning to their homes after the conclusion of the IBO,” a Malakdinkhel elder told Dawn, adding that it was in light of that successful experiment of temporary displacement that we agreed to call off the April 10 jirga.
He said that Tirah residents had suffered a lot during the previous full-fledged military operations when the entire population of the valley was evicted with heavy bombardment badly damaging their decades old houses and they were still waiting for compensation for those losses.
“It is due to this reason that we are not willing to again leave our houses at the mercy of both the militants and the military only to find them completely or partially destroyed after the operations,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, former state minister and MNA from Bara, Hameedullah Jan Afridi, also paid a visit to Bara on April 9 and 10 and met local elders in his bid to acquire firsthand information about the current security situation in the valley and also to recommend some practical proposals to the concerned authorities for restoration of peace in the troubled valley.
Upon his return from Tirah, he told this correspondent that people of Tirah were in a state of constant fear due to the uncertain and confused situation with the majority of the Tirah elders and ordinary residents losing faith in restoration of a lasting peace in the valley.
He said Tirah residents had serious reservations about the ability of law enforcement agencies to effectively tackle the menace of militancy, while local elders were constantly denied an opportunity to propose effective strategy to handle the current situation.
He was also very critical of the role of both the federal and provincial governments about the Tirah situation as they had no real authority and suggested that the military establishment shall hold direct talks with the tribesmen, as they possess enough knowledge and experience to resolve such thorny issues.
On the other hand, sitting MNA Iqbal Afridi of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) also accused the federal government of not taking the Tirah issue seriously and alleged that his repeated efforts to highlight the issue on the floor of the National Assembly was thwarted by the speaker on the pretext of lack of quorum in the house.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1903602/tribal-elders-reluctantly-agree-to-internal-migration-in-tirah
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JUI-F Chief urges Muslim unity for Palestine
April 11, 2025
ISLAMABAD - Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday called for the unity of the Muslim Ummah and declared that “practical jihad alongside the people of Palestine” had become a religious obligation as Israeli military operations continue in Gaza.
Speaking at a national conference on “Palestine and the Responsibility of the Muslim Ummah” at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged Muslims to take a firm stand against what he termed Israeli “state terrorism.”
The conference, organised by Majlis Ittehad-e-Ummat Pakistan, was attended by scholars and clerics from religious parties across Pakistan to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“This is not a traditional gathering. This is a message to the world that Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder with our Palestinian brothers. It is now a duty to rise up and join the practical jihad against Israeli aggression,” Maulana Fazlur Rehman declared.
The JUI-F Chief condemned Israel’s decades-long occupation while citing historical records to challenge narratives that Palestinians voluntarily ceded land. “In 1917, Jews occupied only 2 percent of Palestinian land. By 1948, it was just 6 percent,” he said.
Fazlur Rehman criticised the silence of the international community and warned that failure to support Palestine would be a betrayal of Pakistan’s founding principles. He invoked the Objectives Resolution and statements by Pakistan’s early leadership rejecting Israel’s legitimacy. “If this is a Muslim League government, it must adhere to Quaid-e-Azam’s vision,” he said.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman did not limit his criticism to Israel; he also criticised Pakistan’s internal issues, including its economic dependency on foreign powers, particularly accusing Jewish interests of influencing national crises. He lamented the current government’s confusion, stating, “Pakistan must rise and utilise its own resources,” condemning its reliance on foreign aid.
Addressing the broader Muslim world, he said, “No Muslim should hand over another to oppressors. If we abandon the Palestinians, we forfeit our right to call ourselves Muslims.”
Other speakers showed similar sentiments, condemning Israeli military actions and urging global intervention. The conference concluded with a strongly worded declaration.
The resolution labelled Israel’s actions in Gaza “the most horrific massacre of the century,” citing over 55,000 deaths and extensive civilian suffering. It criticised the UN, Security Council, and international rights bodies for their failure to stop the violence, and denounced the US for blocking ceasefire efforts.
The declaration called for Muslim-majority nations to sever diplomatic and trade ties with Israel until an unconditional ceasefire is achieved. It also urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to establish a humanitarian relief fund and called for Pakistan, as a temporary member of the UN Security Council, to lead diplomatic efforts. The declaration further recommended withdrawing ambassadors from Israel, expelling Israeli diplomats, launching global awareness campaigns, peaceful protests, and social media outreach. It also called for sending humanitarian aid, including mobile hospitals and medical personnel, organising a global boycott of pro-Israel companies, and observing the upcoming Friday as a “Day of Solidarity with the Oppressed Palestinians.”
Source: nation.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.nation.com.pk/11-Apr-2025/jui-f-chief-urges-muslim-unity-for-palestine
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JUI-F objects to PTI’s contact with establishment
By Mumtaz Alvi & Web Desk
April 12, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Irked over the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) purported attempts to establish contact with the establishment, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has sought clarification from the Imran Khan-founded party.
Speaking on Geo News programme "Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath" on Friday, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza said that this party has reservations on the fact that if the PTI wants to forge an alliance with them and has contacts with the establishment simultaneously.
Noting that the Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led party wants any contacts, talks to be on behalf of the alliance's platform, Senator Murtaza said that an understanding needs to be reached if they and the PTI are to move forward together.
Highlighting that PTI's Humayun Mohmand has denied the party's contacts with the establishment, the JUI-F leader said that they still seek Asad Qasier's clarification on the issue.
"We have no issues with their [PTI's] contacts [with establishment], but we will step back from [any] alliance [if that's the case]," the lawmaker warned.
Senator Murtaza's remarks are to be taken against the backdrop of PTI Senator Azam Swati's remarks that he has started contacting the establishment with party founder Khan's permission and is set to meet a"special personality" next Wednesday.
Swati, while speaking on a private TV channel, said he had told his party founder that he, former president Dr Arif Alvi and some other people would start this process together. "I have sent a message to Dr Alvi that I am meeting someone next Wednesday. I want Alvi and some other friends to join me".
The former ruling party's attempts to initiate talks with the establishment run parallel with its hopes to forge an alliance with the JUI-F which has expressed its intention to "play a more active role" against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led collation government in Centre.
The JUI-F and the PTI, both of which share a rather bitter political past have found a common ground against last year's "rigged" February 8 elections, have held multiple meetings and have been in talks to forge an anti-government alliance for some time now.
However, issues and reservations persist between the two parties who have yet to iron out their differences and reach a consensus on any alliance framework.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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JUI-F offers to mediate between govt, BNP-M amid deadlock
Saleem Shahid
April 12, 2025
QUETTA: Amid an ongoing political standoff in Balochistan, opposition party JUI-F has offered to mediate between the provincial government and the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) to resolve the two-week-long protest sit-in over the detention of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other female activists of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
On Friday, a JUI-F delegation led by the party’s Secretary General Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and the party’s provincial emir Senator Maulana Wasay held a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. The delegation also included the opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly, Younis Aziz Zehri, and other party lawmakers.
Officials said the meeting focused on the province’s deteriorating law and order situation and the ongoing BNP-M protest in the Lakpass area. “Despite multiple efforts by the government and political leadership, a deadlock persists and no agreement has been reached to end the sit-in,” a senior Balochistan government official noted.
CM Bugti briefed the JUI-F leadership on the outcome of three rounds of negotiations held with BNP leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal. He added that the government had offered to allow the long march participants to enter Quetta, but no breakthrough had been achieved so far.
Maulana Haideri offered to play a reconciliatory role in the current political crisis. “We are ready to mediate and help bring the province out of this worsening situation,” he told CM Bugti.
The chief minister welcomed the offer and emphasised that restoring peace and political stability was a collective responsibility of both the government and the opposition. He acknowledged JUI-F’s constructive political contributions and praised its commitment to democratic principles.
CM Bugti reiterated his government’s commitment to resolving all political issues through dialogue and consultation and welcomed all positive steps in this regard.
Govt legitimacy rejected
Meanwhile, opposition parties held a joint press conference in Quetta, rejecting the legitimacy of the current provincial government. They accused it of being formed through electoral manipulation, alleging that the people’s mandate was stolen with the support of the establishment.
BNP-M Senior Vice President Sajid Tareen, PkMAP Secretary General Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, PTI Balochistan President Dawood Shah Kakar, BNP-Awami Vice President Hassan Advocate and other leaders spoke at the press conference.
Mr Tareen condemned recent remarks by PPP ministers against BNP-M leaders, calling them “baseless and abusive”, and accused them of hiding the details of closed-door negotiations. “They are not worth responding to; all they know is how to hurl accusations,” he said.
He also alleged that a fake leadership had long been imposed on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the resources of both regions were exploited to develop Punjab. He rejected the authority of the current parliament, terming its decisions illegitimate.
Mr Ziaratwal said Pakistan must be governed under the principles of the 1940 Resolution, which called for provincial autonomy. He alleged that in the Feb 8 elections, eight PkMAP seats were fraudulently handed over to rival candidates, prompting the formation of the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan to safeguard the Constitution.
He opposed constitutional amendments passed by the present government and denounced legislation transferring control of provincial minerals to the federal government, vowing to resist such actions.
Dawood Shah Kakar also warned against federal encroachment on the mineral wealth of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We will not allow this to happen,” he said, voicing support for the BNP-M protest sit-in.
Mengal slams PPP
BNP-M President Akhtar Mengal also strongly rebutted allegations made by PPP ministers during a recent press conference, challenging them to organise a public gathering at the same location where his party has been staging a sit-in for the past two weeks.
Speaking at the sit-in in Lakpass on Friday evening, Mr Mengal lashed out at the PPP leadership, accusing it of betraying citizens. The PPP promised roti, kapra aur makaan to the people, but instead delivered bullets, shrouds and burned down huts, he said, referring to repeated crackdowns against protesters.
Addressing PPP leaders Sadiq Umrani and Ali Madad Jattak directly, he dared them to bring their party supporters to the protest site. “We’ve been sitting here in this rugged terrain for 14 days, demanding the release of our daughters and sisters. Your people can’t even match the courage of our women,” he said.
He also criticised former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, claiming he ordered crackdowns on Baloch people and jailed their leaders. He also President Asif Ali Zardari of abandoning Sindh and its people. “He faked illness and vanished to avoid facing public anger over Punjab canal construction. PPP has never stood with the Baloch — their hands are stained with our blood,” he alleged.
The BNP-M chief noted that while leaders from various parties have visited the protest site in solidarity, the PPP and PML-N have remained absent. “They are only interested in clinging to power,” he said.
Source: dawn.com
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LHC redefines NAB hearing procedure after 26 years
Malik Asad
April 12, 2025
RAWALPINDI: In a landmark ruling, the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court has redefined the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) after 26 years, mandating that constitutional petitions against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) be heard by a single judge, overturning the longstanding practice of referring such cases directly to a division bench.
The judgement, delivered by a two-judge bench comprising Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, emphasised adherence to procedural laws and the protection of citizens’ rights to a fair trial and due process. The ruling was issued during proceedings on a petition filed by Aamir Nawaz Minhas and others against NAB and other respondents.
The petitioners had sought a court directive for NAB to expedite inquiries into their complaints, alleging that inordinate delays and lack of transparency violated their constitutional rights under Articles 4, 10A and 19A of the Constitution.
The bench asked the additional registrar (judicial) why NAB matters were routinely placed before division benches, despite no provision in the NAO 1999 or the High Court Rules allowing it.
The registrar cited a “longstanding practice”, but the court rejected this justification, asserting that such practices cannot override statutory procedures.
Referencing to Rule 1 of Chapter 3 of the LHC Rules, the judgement clarified that constitutional petitions under Article 199(1) of the Constitution must be heard by a single judge unless explicitly mandated by law.
The bench highlighted Section 32 of the NAO, which limits division benches to appeals against final judgements, not initial petitions.
The ruling stated: “No provision (express or implied) is available under the Ordinance which deals with direct placement of matters before the division bench of high court except the appeals arising out of final judgement or order of the court under Section 32 of the [National Accountability Ordinance].”
The court underscored that bypassing single judges deprives litigants of their right to appeal and violates Article 10A (right to fair trial).
It cited multiple precedents, including Azgard Nine Limited vs. Registrar of Companies (2022) and Ms Shagufta Shaheen vs. NAB (2019), where single judges adjudicated NAB-related petitions.
The court noted that “rule outlines the procedure for presenting a particular type of writ petition, unless a law permits, before a single judge for its decision unless the chief justice orders something different.
“It is inalienable right of every person to be treated as per law and rule of justice which has two major components: first is access to justice and second is dispensation of justice and, if the cases before the division bench are directly fixed or filed, it will deny the access to justice to a party’s right to file appeal against the order of a single judge of the high court before the division bench leaving aside a party remediless.
“Article 4 of the Constitution itself deals with enjoyment of protection of law and to be treated as per law and Article 10A of the Constitution deals with right of fair trial and due process.”
The bench subsequently ordered the additional registrar to relist the current petition before a single judge and ensure that future cases are categorised correctly.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1903684/lhc-redefines-nab-hearing-procedure-after-26-years
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Arab World
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli closure orders for UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem
April 11, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned Israel’s closure orders against six schools in East Jerusalem operated by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the move a blatant violation of international norms and a threat to humanitarian work.
The ministry said it “condemns in the strongest terms” the Israeli decision and reiterated the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of what it described as “continued intransigence and systematic targeting” of UNRWA by the Israeli occupation authorities.
The ministry also criticized what it called the international community’s silence in the face of repeated violations against the Palestinian people, warning that such silence “exacerbates the crisis and undermines the chances of achieving peace in the region.”
The UN agency said the closure orders were delivered following the forcible entry of Israeli security forces into six UNRWA-run schools, which have now been told to shut down within 30 days.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner general, said this week that around 800 students were at risk of not completing the school year.
“These illegal closure orders come in the wake of Knesset legislation seeking to curtail UNRWA operations,” Lazzarini said, adding that the schools were protected under the privileges and immunities of the UN.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Foreign Minister says aid entry to Gaza cannot be linked to ceasefire
April 11, 2025
ANTALYA: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said on Friday aid entry to Gaza cannot be linked to a ceasefire.
Prince Faisal also said the international community must pressure the Israeli government to allow aid deliveries to Gaza.
The Saudi minister was speaking at a joint press conference in Antalya following a meeting of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee on a Gaza ceasefire, which discussed developments in the enclave, as well as efforts to achieve an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.
The meeting also emphasized the need for efforts to continue to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their inherent rights.
Prince Faisal said any displacement of Palestinians was categorically rejected. He added that the Kingdom appreciated the efforts of Egypt and Qatar in the ceasefire negotiations.
“We categorically reject any proposal related to the displacement of Palestinians from their land, this applies to all forms of displacement, he said.
“There are some who attempt to describe certain types of Palestinian departures as "voluntary," but you cannot speak of voluntary departure while Palestinians in Gaza are being deprived of the most basic necessities of life.
“If aid is not getting in, if people are unable to find food, water, or electricity, and if they are under constant threat of military bombardment — then even if someone is forced to leave, this is not a voluntary departure. This is a form of coercion,” he added.
He also said that any proposal that tried to frame the departure of Palestinians — or what is called “allowing the opportunity” for voluntary departure under these circumstances — was “simply a distortion of the truth.”
He continued: “The reality is that Palestinians in Gaza are being deprived of the most basic requirements for life. That’s why we must continue to clarify this reality, work consistently, and we hope this message is clear to everyone, especially within the framework of the action plan we agreed upon today in the committee.”
The minister also condemned Israeli violations of international law in the West Bank, including settlement expansion, home demolitions, and land seizures.
Source: arabnews.com
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How conservation efforts are helping Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts bloom
Haifa Alshammari
April 11, 2025
RIYADH: Following an unusually wet season, Saudi Arabia’s northern desert has erupted into a sea of wildflowers. Among the most striking sights is Silene arabica, a rare species once on the brink of extinction, now thriving thanks to a national commitment to conservation.
Part of the Caryophyllaceae family — commonly known as the “pink family” — Silene arabica is one of 3,000 species within the group, which also includes the sun-loving Dianthus and the delicate Gypsophila, better known as “baby’s-breath.”
What sets Silene arabica apart is its remarkable resilience. Unlike its thirstier relatives, this hardy desert dweller thrives in clayey soils and stores water internally, making it uniquely suited to Saudi Arabia’s arid northern border region.
Its natural range spans desert and semi-desert ecosystems stretching from North Africa to southern Iran, but this year’s extraordinary bloom has made it a poster child for Saudi Arabia’s expanding efforts to protect its native flora.
Beyond Silene arabica, countless other wild plants are enjoying a resurgence — the result not only of rainfall, but also of determined national efforts to rehabilitate and safeguard the Kingdom’s biodiversity.
One of the driving forces behind this green renaissance is the Saudi Arabia Botanical Society, co-founded by Munira Al-Hazani and Joshua van Alstine. Al-Hazani is the first woman in the world to found a national botanical society.
The organization’s goals include preserving native species, building a national botanical garden and institute and cultivating environmental awareness across the country.
“We are doing this as a service to human beings through nature,” Texas-born van Alstine told Arab News. “We are not doing this only to walk around and say, ‘we do plant research, we do plant conservation.’ We are doing this to make life better for humans.”
A longtime admirer of Saudi Arabia, van Alstine said his passion for the Kingdom’s natural environment led him to become part of its sustainable development journey.
“I really want to make the biggest impact possible,” he said. “I thought, how can I do something, really, in the service of the Kingdom, and I thought of serving Saudi Arabia’s soil and plants. I really see Saudi Arabia becoming the world’s first fully green state.”
Among the native species championed by the society is Horwoodia dicksoniae, commonly known as Saudi lavender. Yet protecting these desert-adapted plants requires an understanding of their unique survival strategies — and the fragile conditions that sustain them.
“What do plants need? Plants need carbon in their soil, they need minerals in their soil, and they also need to be in a place where water is going to be stored after it rains,” said van Alstine.
This is where the desert’s hidden geology plays a critical role. “We see native plants in a lower area, rocky areas, in the desert,” he said.
“No matter where you are in the desert, if you see native plants, there is most likely going to be rocks either under the sand or above the sand, but you will see these plants are kind of growing in areas that don’t get very much wind, in comparison to the rest of the desert … and they have some sort of shade from the rough desert conditions.”
These rocky pockets act like underground rain barrels, collecting water that can sustain plants through long dry periods. Native species like Silene arabica have evolved long, deep roots to reach these hidden reserves.
But resilience alone is not always enough. Over the years, Silene arabica has become increasingly scarce, in large part due to overgrazing. “That is what made them disappear. There is overgrazing,” said van Alstine.
Grazing animals, especially camels, are drawn to the flower’s grassy stems and white blooms. Their popularity among foragers has taken a toll on the population. In response, the National Center for Vegetation Cover has taken steps to limit grazing in sensitive areas, allowing native species the chance to recover.
The impact is already visible. From plains to rocky valleys, wild plants are reclaiming their place in the landscape — a transformation that is being noticed not just by scientists and conservationists but by residents and visitors alike.
Silene arabica may be one of the stars of this year’s desert bloom, but it is far from the only beneficiary. Thanks to coordinated efforts to curb destructive practices and promote responsible land stewardship, Saudi Arabia’s desert is alive once again with color and life.
And for those working to make it happen, this is just the beginning.
Source: arabnews.com
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Silver handicrafts reflect Saudi Arabia’s cultural diversity and artistic heritage
April 11, 2025
RIYADH: Silver handicrafts continue to highlight the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural diversity, reflecting elegance, luxury, and the unique artistic craftsmanship of Saudi artisans.
The craft of silver jewelry holds deep historical significance, and the designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts” has renewed interest among young women and artisans, turning traditional silverwork into a modern fashion trend.
This includes learning the skills to shape, refine, and transform silver into appealing consumer products such as anklets, bracelets, rings, and necklace sets.
Silver-crafting specialist Maher Al-Awlaki noted that silver continues to attract strong demand across the Kingdom, particularly from visitors seeking traditional pieces that reflect Saudi heritage.
“Silver crafting is a prominent traditional craft practiced by both men and women, and it often overlaps with gold and copper work. However, silver remains the most widely used and visually appealing material in jewelry making,” he said.
Young Saudi women are increasingly selecting silver accessories for weddings and national celebrations due to their distinctive and attractive appearance compared to contemporary jewelry, according to Al-Awlaki.
In conjunction with the “Year of Handicrafts 2025,” Al-Awlaki reports that numerous Saudi women have begun mastering silver craftsmanship through specialized training programs.
Leveraging their creativity, these artisans have successfully launched businesses to showcase their handcrafted pieces, which have been met with remarkable consumer interest.
The traditional craft has evolved with modern techniques, Al-Awlaki explained.
Artisans now employ machinery instead of manual methods, use gas flames rather than coal for soldering, and utilize prepared wax molds.
These innovations have streamlined production, allowing craftspeople to create multiple pieces efficiently while maintaining consistent sizing and design quality without the extensive time and effort previously required.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia to take part in London Design Biennale
April 11, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Architecture and Design Commission and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, will be part of the 2025 London Design Biennale under the theme “Drinkable Water.”
The event will be held in Somerset House from June 5-29.
This year’s pavilion is handled by a team of designers who will use their expertise to present an exhibition that examines, challenges, and reimagines systems of water access and distribution, as well as the nature of our relationship with it.
The “Drinkable Water” concept, chosen by the organizers of the exhibition, is in line with the biennale’s theme for this year, which is “Surface Reflections,” as it explores how ideas are shaped through the interaction of inner experiences, external influences and personal history.
The national Saudi pavilion tackles the water dispenser concept, which provides drinking water for free and symbolizes hospitality, a value deeply rooted in Saudi Arabia’s rich traditions. These water dispensers are spread throughout the Kingdom, offering water to passersby, reflecting the ethics of generosity and kindness.
The water dispenser in the context of this exhibition does not only represent mere goodwill but also raises fundamental questions, such as: Who pays for the “free” water? How much does it really cost? And most importantly, if this burden falls on another party, won’t the cost, in one way or another, ultimately be borne by everyone?
The pavilion also stresses that water dispensers are often taken for granted and seen as mere public utilities; by reframing water as a subject of scrutiny and inquiry, we shift perceptions and uncover the unseen, turning thus these marginal structures into an active force in our daily lives.
CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission Dr. Sumaya Al-Sulaiman said: “Saudi Arabia’s return to the London Design Biennale constitutes a new promising chapter of our commitment to using design as an effective tool for dialogue and cultural exchange.”
She added: “We hope that our participation in the London Design Biennale will enable us to contribute to discussions on creativity, innovation, and systemic thinking.”
Source: arabnews.com
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King Salman Global Academy launches Arabic equestrian glossary
April 11, 2025
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in collaboration with the Equestrian Authority has launched an Arabic glossary of equestrian terms.
The resource targets enthusiasts and individuals interested in equestrianism and horses, aligning with the academy’s strategic goals to develop specialized glossaries that support the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, a key component of Saudi Vision 2030.
Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the academy's secretary-general, highlighted its role as Saudi Arabia’s primary Arabic language reference, with its glossary development efforts serving key sectors.
He said the significant cultural importance of equestrianism in the Kingdom had led to the development of the glossary, which includes terms for competitions, participation, horse descriptions, Arabian breed distinctions, colors, and ages.
The dictionary is an authoritative reference work, with a complete vocabulary of horsemanship.
Scholars and enthusiasts can readily access precise information, while the dictionary also serves the vital purpose of cultural preservation. By recording the rich terminology Arab horsemen have employed throughout history, the resource ensures that traditional equestrian knowledge and linguistic heritage will endure for generations to come, he added.
The academy’s objectives for the dictionary include bolstering academic research in Arabic linguistics and history by offering rich equestrian terminology, enhancing digital and print Arabic content with thorough horsemanship information, and establishing collaboration with the Equestrian Authority to continuously update the reference work with new definitions reflecting evolving needs in the field.
The initiative aligns with the academy’s broader mission to safeguard the integrity and identity of the Arabic language through various linguistic programs.
The organization continues to support Arabic in both spoken and written forms while facilitating Arabic language education within Saudi Arabia and internationally.
Source: arabnews.com
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Consulate brings a taste of France to Jeddah
Nada Hameed
April 11, 2025
JEDDAH: Gastronomy met diplomacy in Jeddah on Thursday with an evening of fine dining hosted by the French consulate general.
The event, held at the consulate, was part of this year’s Gout de/Good France. The initiative, launched in 2015 by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and renowned chef Alain Ducasse, aims to promote French cuisine — recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
Consul General of France in Jeddah Mohammed Nehad opened the evening with a speech that highlighted the role of gastronomy in fostering cultural cooperation between his country and Saudi Arabia.
The dinner was prepared by chef Jacques Rolancy, a “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” — the title translates as “best craftsman.”
Rolancy has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants and is a member of the French Culinary Academy and Association of Master Chefs of France. He is committed to sharing his expertise and preserving the French culinary heritage.
He was assisted by Saudi chef Asma Al-Khan, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, who helped prepare the special menu.
Al-Khan told Arab News: “I was observing how the chef worked and honestly, he was impressively fast and precise. I assisted with various tasks in the kitchen and took part in preparing and plating the dishes.”
She also explained why she continued to learn about French cuisine.
“I love how they use very minimal spices — often just salt and black pepper. That allows the original flavors of the ingredients, like meat or vegetables, to shine without being overwhelmed by seasoning. You get to taste the true flavor of the food,” she said.
The dinner menu featured foie gras escalope, marinated salmon, white radish and candied ginger with a soy vinaigrette.
Rolancy told Arab News: “This dish is one I created 10 years ago. It’s one of my signature dishes. I love to travel, discover new ingredients and experiment with how different products can complement each other.”
Also served was a traditional French dish of roasted veal fillet with green pea puree, figs, red peppers, strawberries and a touch of wasabi, as well as sliced Camembert — either plain or paired with mashed banana and a sprinkle of cinnamon in a delicate sauce. For dessert, there was a chocolate and coffee tartlet.
The event marked Rolancy’s second visit to the Kingdom. “I really enjoyed it. It’s a country full of culinary expression and creativity,” he said. “I tried different Saudi dishes when I was in Riyadh. Some of the spices felt familiar, like cardamom and clove. We use those in French cooking too.”
The evening highlighted the excellence of French culinary expertise and strengthened cultural and professional ties with Saudi partners.
Source: arabnews.com
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Africa
Dalung Blames Military Campaign Against Boko Haram For Spread Of Banditry, Kidnapping
April 12, 2025
By Justina Otio
Former Minister of Sports and chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Solomon Dalung, has alleged that the influx of insecurity in Nigeria is due to the military campaign against Boko Haram in the north-east.
He asserted that the dispersal of Boko Haram fighters from the north-east has directly contributed to the rise of banditry and kidnapping in the north-west, Plateau, and other regions.
Speaking on Politics HQ, a programme aired on News Central, the SDP lamented that kidnapping for ransom has become a “political economy”.
“What started as a localised issue has evolved into an organised criminal enterprise,” he said.
According to him, the expansion of these criminal activities is also driven by a struggle over land rich in mineral resources.
He said, “The genocidal elimination of native communities, to grab their land which is very rich in minerals deposits, and then the sponsors who sustain this criminality, that are interested in the minerals deposits.”
Dalung criticized the government for neglecting areas like Plateau State, historically known for its mining wealth.
He also accused authorities of withholding the truth about the origins of the armed groups.
He cited evidence from criminal interrogations, saying some suspects have disclosed the identities of their sponsors.
Recalling a televised confession, Dalung said, “When they asked him ‘how much have you collected for ransom?’, he said ‘in one of the instances, we collected N100 million. How much were you given?’ he said N200,000.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/12/dalung-blames-military-campaign-against-boko-haram-for-spread-of-banditry-kidnapping/
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Mosque Demolition: Ekiti Meets With Muslim Leaders
Apr 11, 2025
Popoola Yaqoub
In a bid to clam down frayed nerves over apprehension stoked by alleged demolition of a mosque at Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, the state government has met with Islamic leaders, promising to intervene and resolve the raging crisis in the interest of peace, unity and justice.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the assurance, on Thursday, while interfacing with Muslim community, led by the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), to pacify the aggrieved Muslim adherents and fashion out ways to resolve the bedlam.
The mosque under contention, was said to have been demolished, to give way for the construction of an ultra modern market, as part of the constituency project of the Senate Leader and Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Opeyemi Bamidele.
Interfacing with the Muslim leaders, Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, posited that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration stands for religious harmony, promising to summon a meeting comprising all the stakeholders and nip the crisis in the bud.
The Deputy Governor averred that information at her disposal revealed that another plot of land had been allotted to the Muslim community by Alara -in -Council, led by Alara, Oba Olu Adeyemi, to rebuild the mosque alleged to have been demolished
She was emphatic that the allotment of a plot of land for the rebuilding process, was a signal that the community owes the Muslims in high esteem.
To further placate the Muslim faithful, Mrs Afuye added the modern market was conceptualised by Senator Bamidele, to advance the development of Aramoko Ekiti, where Muslims, as integral part, would benefit immensely.
The Deputy Governor added that the state government would speak with Senator Bamidele and Alara-in-Council, on the raging issue and devise ways to assuage the feelings muslim community.
“Whatever might be your grievances, I want you to calm down. We will convene a meeting soon to speak with all the stakeholders. I am even happy that the Alara- of Aramoko Ekiti, is a Muslim leader. He can’t be in a place where you will be cheated.
“This government can’t treat Muslims with contempt. You have always been supporting us and the Senate Leader too is a man of the people. He doesn’t believe in religious crisis. He has demonstrated this with the ways he has been interacting with people across religious lines.
“I am assuring you that we will get to the root of this matter and if your claims that the mosque was actually demolished and you had been offered another land to rebuild it, we will ensure you get justice”.
Speaking at the parley, the NSCIA President, Ekiti chapter, Dr. Hameed Bakri, commended the government of Ekiti State for its swift action and mediation spirit in the matter, saying this further buttressed the fact that the current government stands solidly for religious balancing.
Alhaji Bakri stressed that the entire Muslims of Ekiti are solidly behind Governor Oyebanji, advising that the matter shouldn’t be allowed to tinker with the solid religious harmony and brotherhood being savoured in the state.
“Muslims in Ekiti State are not hooligans and extremists. We are for peace always. We want this matter resolved timely and we believe in the leadership of Governor Oyebanji that he won’t allow this matter to fester.
“I plead with our people to be patient and allow the government to intervene and resolve it amicably. We have nothing to gain in crisis. Even if we are cheated, the government can still make a position that will pacify us”.
Shedding light on the alleged demolition, the Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alhaji Abdul-Raheem Junaid Bamigbola, said it was vexatious that two mosques, had allegedly been demolished in Aramoko Ekiti within a spate of six months, to give way for development, without commensurate efforts to rebuild them.
The Imam revealed that the Muslim appreciated the efforts of Senator Bamidele to develop the community, but emphasized the expediency of him sticking to his promise and build another mosque to pacify the aggrieved muslim members.
The Muslim scholar added that he had discussed with the contractor handling the market project, whom he said confirmed to him that there wasn’t provision for the rebuilding of the facility in his scope of work, which prompted members to start the process of rebuilding before the community stopped them and ordered immediate demolition.
“We were then surprised over how the Alara- in -Council then ordered the stoppage of the work and ordered demolition of our mosque, despite granting the rebuilding approval. We are for peace and we know the government will give us justice in this matter.
“What we want is for the mosque to be rebuilt for us and at a location that will be acceptable to us. We know the government can facilitate these for us to keep the tempo of religious peace we are enjoying in our dear state”, the Islamic scholar said.
Present at the parley were the Chairman, Ekiti State Muslim Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Alhaji Salman Adedipe and other high profile Islamic leaders.
Source: independent.ng
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