BHU MA Paper: Discuss Triple Talaq as a Social Evil in Islam
New Age Islam News Bureau
10
Dec 2017
Photo: The MA history paper asked students to discuss triple talaq and halala as "social evils in Islam".
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• Pro-Peace Pak Activist Raza Mahmood Khan 'Disappeared' From Lahore
• Arab Ministers Demand Reversal of Trump Jerusalem Decision
• French ISIS Fighters Move to Afghanistan after Facing Defeat in Syria
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India
• BHU MA Paper: Discuss Triple Talaq as a Social Evil in Islam
• Rajasthan Hacking: Over 300 Activists Protest In Delhi against the Killing of Muslim Labourer
• Trapped in Pakistan, Hyderabad woman sends SOS
• Aligarh Muslim University observes 'Unity Week'
----------
Pakistan
• Pro-Peace Pak Activist Raza Mahmood Khan 'Disappeared' From Lahore
• CPEC Funds Halted: China Wants Pakistan Army To Take Over Projects?
• Pak blocks 937 web addresses to curb terrorist activities
• Sheikh Rashid joins list of leaders supporting Dr Qadri's demands on Model Town incident
• Babar Ghauri, Shamim Siddiqui quit Altaf-led MQM
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Arab World
• Arab Ministers Demand Reversal of Trump Jerusalem Decision
• Syria: ISIL Terrorists Capture Al-Nusra Positions in Idlib for First Time
• Iran Wants S. Arabia to Halt Yemen Attacks, Israel Ties before Resuming Relations
• Iranian Official Accuses S. Arabia of Involvement in US Decision on Jerusalem
• SDF Likely to Join Syrian Army
• Syrian Army Imposes Full Control over Strategic Mountains in Southwestern Damascus
• More Terrorist Commanders Killed in Southern Syria
• ISIL Drives Rival Terrorists out of More Positions in Northwestern Syria
• DeirEzzur: Syrian Army Finds More Ammunition, Modern Telecommunication Equipment in ISIL's Positions
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South Asia
• French ISIS Fighters Move to Afghanistan after Facing Defeat in Syria
• Taliban Militants Blown Up By Own Explosives in Laghman
• Zadran’s deprived of power only because of Haqqani network leader: Hekmatyar
• Ghani says defence approach not enough for next fighting season
• US military pound Taliban narcotics labs with M142 artillery system
• Afghanistan, Pakistan have common enemies: envoy
• Taliban execute two civilians over unknown charges in Nangarhar
• President Ghani in Badghis to review security, inaugurate key ring road project
• Taliban reacts as Afghan forces bust major treatment facility of the group
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North America
• Murder of Muslim Labourer In Rajasthan Sparks Outrage Among Indian Americans
• US After Hatching New Plots Against Muslims
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Mideast
• President Rouhani: Iran Not to Keep Silent on US, Israeli Plots against Al-Quds
• Iran Says 'Good Relations' Possible If Saudi Arabia Ends 'Friendship' With Israel
• 'Fear of Islam' to be addressed at Abu Dhabi peace forum
• Clashes Continue for Forth Day Between Israeli Soldiers, Palestinians in West Bank
• Palestinians to snub Pence during visit over Jerusalem move
• Israel air strikes kill two in Gaza as Trump rage simmers
• Israel says demolished tunnel from Gaza into its territory
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Southeast Asia
• Thousands of Indonesians Rally At US Embassy over Jerusalem
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Europe
• Britain’s foreign minister Johnson in Iran to push for Briton’s release
• German intel chief: Islamic radical numbers are growing
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bhu-ma-paper-discuss-triple/d/113514
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BHU MA Paper: Discuss Triple Talaq as a Social Evil in Islam
Rohan Dua | TNN | Updated: Dec 10, 2017
VARANASI: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is at the centre of a controversy for questions in its history and political science examination papers.
The MA history paper asked students to discuss triple talaq and halala as "social evils in Islam". The question read: Discuss about teen talaq and halala as a social evil in Islam
(Islam mein teen Talaq evam Halala ek samajik burai hai.Iski vyakhya kijiye).
Halala is a practice which involves a female divorcee marrying someone else, consummating the marriage and then getting a divorce in order to remarry her previous husband.
Also, the political science question paper stated that the recently-implemented goods and services tax (GST) was part of Kautilya'sArthashastra.
Varanasi: Questions on Triple Talaq, Halala and Alauddin Khilji asked in BHU's History paper for MA, students allege University administration is trying to impose ideology on students in the pretext of such questions, says such things must first be taught.
23:33 - 9 Dec 2017
27 27 Replies 169 169 Retweets 177 177 likes
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The history question paper also sought views on Rani Padmavati - the character is in the midst of a controversy for the last few weeks over stopping the release of the film by director Sanjay LeelaBhansali.
The question read: What do you mean by johar tradition? Describe Rani Padmavati'sjohar in the period of AllauddinKhalji. The alternate choice was: Describe the position of Muslim women in the Sultanage age.
The paper also had a question asking students to "examine the role by saints for the unity of Hindus and Muslims in medieval India".
Though a section of history students protested, saying the questions were a veiled attempt to polarise the students, the university found nothing wrong. "I felt that the question was offensive," said a student, who did not wish to be named.
"I am a PhD from Cambridge. I don't think I need to explain the quality of questions we have set," Head of BHU's history department, Dr Ajay Pratap Singh, said.
Varanasi: Questions on Triple Talaq, Halala and AlauddinKhilji asked in BHU's History paper for MA, students allege University administration is trying to impose ideology on students in the pretext of such questions, says such things must first be taught. pic.twitter.com/d4jTTJbPX1
If students aren't taught & asked such things how will they know about it? When they're taught medieval history these things automatically become a part of it. History has been distorted, we need to teach things to them to know real history: Rajiv Srivastava, Asst Professor, BHU pic.twitter.com/wvwa0sIciq
11:34 PM - Dec 9, 2017
View image on Twitter
9 9 Replies 97 97 Retweets 163 163 likes
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Rajeev Srivastava, a professor in the history department, said, "The medieval India period is a long one and if Padmavati or triple talaq were issues then, there should not be a problem in asking those questions." said Srivastava.He also said that he personally disagreed with Bhansali'spotrayal of Padmavati. "What he wants to show is clear attempt to malign both Padmavati as well Khilji," he said.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/bhu-ma-paper-discuss-triple-talaq-as-a-social-evil-in-islam/articleshow/62004050.cms
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Pro-peace Pak activist Raza Mahmood Khan 'disappeared' from Lahore
Omer Farooq Khan | TNN | Updated: Dec 9, 2017
ISLAMABAD: A week after rights activist Raza Mahmood Khan, a vocal supporter of India-Pak friendship, went missing, voices from several quarters called his "enforced disappearance" an attempt to silence and harass those working for peace and human rights on Saturday.
Khan went missing on December 2 from Lahore. He was last seen leaving his office around 8pm.
According to a report in Dawn, Khan's friends called him the next day but his phone was switched off. "Panicked, when they visited his single-room apartment, they found it locked from outside, but the lights inside were switched on," Dawn reported on Saturday.
RaheemulHaq, Raza's friend and fellow activist, said that they approached the police then. "When we entered his apartment, we found all of Raza's belongings scattered on the floor. The police pointed out that his computer's CPU was missing," Raheem told media.
A day earlier, his friends and activists had announced at a press conference in Lahore that they would file a habeas corpus petition for his recovery in the Lahore High Court on Monday and also approach the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
They also announced to hold nationwide protests and separate agitations in front of the Pakistani embassies in Washington DC and London.
Khan was a convener of Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an initiative aimed at promoting friendly relations between the people of India and Pakistan and help students from both countries send each other messages and paintings depicting peace. "The initiative - which did not receive any NGO funding - would publish calendars carrying paintings of students from India and Pakistan," activist Saeeda Diep said, adding that Raza had been a staunch advocate of peace in the region.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pro-peace-pakistan-activist-raza-mahmood-khan-dissappeared-from-lahore/articleshow/62000286.cms
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Arab ministers demand reversal of Trump Jerusalem decision
AP | Dec 10, 2017
CAIRO: Arab foreign ministers on Sunday demanded that the United States rescind President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, calling it a "grave" development that puts Washington on the same side as "occupation" and the violation of international law.
In a resolution long on rhetoric but short on concrete actions, the ministers also called for the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning Trump's decision, but acknowledged that Washington would most likely veto it.
If the US vetoes the resolution, the Arabs would seek a similar resolution in the UN General Assembly, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki told a pre-dawn news conference in Cairo.
A two-page resolution adopted by the emergency meeting, which began last night, did not include any punitive actions against the United States, like a call for a boycott of American products or suspending or downgrading ties with Washington.
It also appeared to fall short of matching the anger felt by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, which have seen three days of violent protests against Trump's decision.
"We have taken a political decision not meant to reflect (what is going on in) the streets. Political work is responsible work," said Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.
"Jerusalem has been occupied for 50 years. This is an extended battle, a battle that will be escalated," he told the news conference.
The resolution said the ministers would meet again within a month and held out the possibility that an emergency Arab summit would be held in Jordan to discuss Jerusalem.
Trump's December 6 announcement on Jerusalem, and his intention to move the US Embassy there, triggered denunciations from around the world, with even close allies suggesting he had needlessly stirred more conflict in an already volatile region.
Jerusalem's status lies at the core of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, and Trump's move was widely perceived as siding with Israel.
Even small crises over Jerusalem's status and that of the holy sites in its ancient Old City have sparked deadly bloodshed in the past.
Arab diplomats said some Arab League members had wanted a more hard-line resolution, including punitive measures against countries that follow the U.S. example and recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
That was considered too radical by moderate Arab nations and eventually dropped, according to the diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.
But Al-Maliki, the Palestinian Foreign Minister, sought to play down differences, saying the meeting produced "complete" unity among Arab nations.
"There were differences in assessment when we moved to specifying measures," he said. "But in the end we agreed on gradually escalating measures."
Both Aboul-Gheit and Al-Maliki said Arab nations remained committed to a 2002 Arab peace plan that provides for recognition of Israel in exchange for lands occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.
"That plan is a key reference in the Middle East peace process," Al-Maliki told the news conference.
Trump's decision, according to the Arab resolution, was "illegal" and a "dangerous violation" of international law.
"It's a dangerous development that places the United States at a position of bias in favor of the occupation and the violation of international law and resolutions."
Israel occupied and later annexed the eastern part of Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war, declaring the holy city its eternal capital. Palestinians want that part to be the capital of their future state.
Trump's decision, said the resolution, also stripped the US of its role as a "sponsor and broker" in the Mideast peace process, and "undermines efforts to bring about peace, deepens tension and will spark anger that will threaten to push the region to the edge of the abyss of violence, chaos and bloodshed."
The resolution adopted by the ministers reiterated that only the creation of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital would end the Arab-Israeli conflict. It also mandated the Arab League to launch an "international media campaign" explaining the "gravity" of the American decision.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/arab-ministers-demand-reversal-of-trump-jerusalem-decision/articleshow/62005741.cms
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French ISIS fighters move to Afghanistan after facing defeat in Syria
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
Several foreign militants affiliated with the Islamic State terror group including French and Algerian nationals have moved to Afghanistan after they were suppress during the operations in Syria and Iraq, it has been reported.
Sources privy of the development have told AFP that several French and Algerian IS fighters were seen in nothernJawzjan province of Afghanistan.
Darzab district administrative chief Mohammad Dawar has told the paper that “A number” of Algerian and French nationals entered the largely IS-controlled district of Darzab in northern Jowzjan province in November.
He said at least two women were among the arrivals, who were travelling with a translator from Tajikistan as well as Chechens and Uzbeks, Dawar added.
European and Afghan security sources in Kabul confirmed Dawar’s claim that French citizens were among the fighters — though, one cautioned, “we do not know how many there are”, according to AFP.
In the meantime, the provincial governor’s spokesman Mohammad Reza Ghafoori has said the terror group has so far recruited around 50 children in their ranks in this province, including some children who are as young as 10-year-old.
This comes as earlier reports emerged from Jawzjan province suggesting that the terror group is training almost 300 children to be recruited in their ranks in Jawzjan province.
khaama.com/french-isis-fighters-move-to-afghanistan-after-facing-defeat-in-syria-04015
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India
BHU MA Paper: Discuss Triple Talaq as a Social Evil in Islam
Rohan Dua | TNN | Updated: Dec 10, 2017
VARANASI: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is at the centre of a controversy for questions in its history and political science examination papers.
The MA history paper asked students to discuss triple talaq and halala as "social evils in Islam". The question read: Discuss about teen talaq and halala as a social evil in Islam
(Islam mein teen Talaq evam Halala ek samajik burai hai.Iski vyakhya kijiye).
Halala is a practice which involves a female divorcee marrying someone else, consummating the marriage and then getting a divorce in order to remarry her previous husband.
Also, the political science question paper stated that the recently-implemented goods and services tax (GST) was part of Kautilya'sArthashastra.
Varanasi: Questions on Triple Talaq, Halala and Alauddin Khilji asked in BHU's History paper for MA, students allege University administration is trying to impose ideology on students in the pretext of such questions, says such things must first be taught.
23:33 - 9 Dec 2017
27 27 Replies 169 169 Retweets 177 177 likes
Twitter Ads information and privacy
The history question paper also sought views on Rani Padmavati - the character is in the midst of a controversy for the last few weeks over stopping the release of the film by director Sanjay LeelaBhansali.
The question read: What do you mean by johar tradition? Describe Rani Padmavati'sjohar in the period of AllauddinKhalji. The alternate choice was: Describe the position of Muslim women in the Sultanage age.
The paper also had a question asking students to "examine the role by saints for the unity of Hindus and Muslims in medieval India".
Though a section of history students protested, saying the questions were a veiled attempt to polarise the students, the university found nothing wrong. "I felt that the question was offensive," said a student, who did not wish to be named.
"I am a PhD from Cambridge. I don't think I need to explain the quality of questions we have set," Head of BHU's history department, Dr Ajay Pratap Singh, said.
Varanasi: Questions on Triple Talaq, Halala and AlauddinKhilji asked in BHU's History paper for MA, students allege University administration is trying to impose ideology on students in the pretext of such questions, says such things must first be taught. pic.twitter.com/d4jTTJbPX1
If students aren't taught & asked such things how will they know about it? When they're taught medieval history these things automatically become a part of it. History has been distorted, we need to teach things to them to know real history: Rajiv Srivastava, Asst Professor, BHU pic.twitter.com/wvwa0sIciq
11:34 PM - Dec 9, 2017
View image on Twitter
9 9 Replies 97 97 Retweets 163 163 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Rajeev Srivastava, a professor in the history department, said, "The medieval India period is a long one and if Padmavati or triple talaq were issues then, there should not be a problem in asking those questions." said Srivastava.He also said that he personally disagreed with Bhansali'spotrayal of Padmavati. "What he wants to show is clear attempt to malign both Padmavati as well Khilji," he said.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/bhu-ma-paper-discuss-triple-talaq-as-a-social-evil-in-islam/articleshow/62004050.cms
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Rajasthan hacking: Over 300 activists protest in Delhi against the killing of Muslim labourer
Dec, 10 2017
New Delhi: Academics and social activists formed a silent human chain on Saturday protesting the brutal murder of Muslim labourer Mohammed Afrazul, who was brutally murdered and burned by accused ShambhulalRaigar in Rajsamand in Rajasthan earlier in the week.
Protesters stood holding hands outside the Central Park in Connaught Place during their demonstration, which was attended by politicians, academics, social activists and students. Although peaceful throughout, the demonstration was faced with a considerable deployment of police forces at the site.
"The protest was against the brutal killing of Afrazul, which was captured on the video, in which we got to see the height of dehumanisation. That, and also number of previous such murders which give the feeling that Muslims are second or third rate citizens. No one is daring to do anything against it,"
Owais Sultan, one of the organisers of the protest and a member of Anhad, a "socio-cultural" organisation, told IANS over phone.
Over 300 people took part in the demonstration, he said, and was attended by, among many others, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) leaders Mohammed Salim and HannanMollah, women rights activist KamlaBhasin, and academic and social activist Zoya Hasan.
In a terrifying video which appeared on social media on 7 December, Afrazul, hailing from Malda district of West Bengal, was shown being hacked to death and then set ablaze by one ShambunathRaigar.
The accused who termed the cold-blooded murder an act of revenge against "Love Jihad" has since been arrested by Rajasthan Police.
firstpost.com/india/rajasthan-hacking-over-300-activists-protest-in-delhi-against-the-killing-of-muslim-labourer-4251167.html
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Trapped in Pakistan, Hyderabad woman sends SOS
SUSHIL RAO | TNN | Updated: Dec 10, 2017
HYDERABAD: City woman Mohammedi Begum's woes are far from over. Her Pakistani husband, Mohammad Younis, is not only making her life miserable in Lahore, but also refusing to allow her to return home.
With the intervention of Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Pakistan authorities had granted visa to the 45-year-old woman to travel to India. The Indian government had also provided her a fresh Indian passport.
The visa was issued on November 9 and lapses on December 16. With just seven days for the visa to expire, Mohammedi Begum's parents are worried. "Her husband is torturing her and is refusing to send her back to India. She is being subjected to insults," her mother Hajra Begum said in a Youtube message to Sushma Swaraj.
Mohammedi Begum had married Mohammad Younis in 1996. The family was given to understand that he was from Oman. The nikah (marriage) was performed over the phone and Mohammedi Begum travelled to Oman. Later, Younis disclosed to her that he was from Pakistan and shifted her to his home country.
Mohammedi Begum, who has five children with Younis, went public with her woes posting a YouTube video about harassment by her husband. MBT leader Amjedullah Khan wrote to Sushma Swaraj about her problem earlier this year. In response, the external affairs minister took up her case.
Even as Mohammedi Begum's family was relieved that she would finally be returning to India, her husband Younis had reportedly told her she would not be allowed to travel to India. "He is physically and mentally torturing my daughter," Hajra Begum said urging Sushma Swaraj to help her daughter by providing an air ticket and ensure that she boarded a flight to India without hassles. The parents have urged the minister to see that her daughter reaches India.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/trapped-in-pakistan-hyderabad-woman-sends-sos/articleshow/62005549.cms
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Aligarh Muslim university observes 'Unity Week' / Graphics
December 10, 2017
(AhlulBayt News Agency) - The Aligarh Muslim University organized a function on Unity week. The function was organized in the prestigious common room of Sir Syed Hall South in which a number of Shia - Sunni Students participated.
Reader of Sunni theology, Dr. Mufti Zahid Ali Khan and Dr. Raza Abbas of Shia theology delivered speeches on the topic of Birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad and Shia - Sunni Unity by highlighting the various key points of unity under the importance of unity week and it's ethics. The function was presided by Maulana Zahid Hussain; Imam Juma of University Jama Masjid. The function was started with beautiful Qur'an recitation by Student Gani.
Dr. Zahid Ali Khan ,who is acting reader in the Deptt. of Sunni theology said," Ruhullah Khomeini's concept of unity under the theme of Prophet birth anniversary week is very influential worldwide, I am repeating his goal in his own words, world peace is such that all countries are under the political influence of the superpowers; they observe a control everywhere and have schemes for defeating every group. The most important of it is sowing discord among brothers.
Muslims should be awake, Muslims should be alert that if a dispute takes place among Sunni and Shi'ite brothers, it is harmful to all of us, it is harmful to all Muslims. Those who want to sow discord are neither Sunni nor Shi'ite, they are agents of the superpowers and work for them.
Meanwhile, Dr. Raza Abbas highlighted the motive of unity under the umbrella of Prophethood and various other points, he pointed that ,"Unity among different sects of Islam is possible and need of hour but in the same time we have to join against takfiri extremist ideologies and various groups which are working against the true spirit of Islam and tried to create discord among the masses".
The function was anchored by Mr. MehboobHallauri, Naat and was presented by Yawar Abbas (Phd scholar), Raunaq Abbas (MSc student).
The residents thanked the hostel provost Dr.Badrudujja Khan for making the function successful.
en.abna24.com/news/central-asia-subcontinent/aligarh-muslim-university-observes-unity-week-graphics_871805.html
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Pakistan
Pro-peace Pak activist Raza Mahmood Khan 'disappeared' from Lahore
Omer Farooq Khan | TNN | Updated: Dec 9, 2017
ISLAMABAD: A week after rights activist Raza Mahmood Khan, a vocal supporter of India-Pak friendship, went missing, voices from several quarters called his "enforced disappearance" an attempt to silence and harass those working for peace and human rights on Saturday.
Khan went missing on December 2 from Lahore. He was last seen leaving his office around 8pm.
According to a report in Dawn, Khan's friends called him the next day but his phone was switched off. "Panicked, when they visited his single-room apartment, they found it locked from outside, but the lights inside were switched on," Dawn reported on Saturday.
RaheemulHaq, Raza's friend and fellow activist, said that they approached the police then. "When we entered his apartment, we found all of Raza's belongings scattered on the floor. The police pointed out that his computer's CPU was missing," Raheem told media.
A day earlier, his friends and activists had announced at a press conference in Lahore that they would file a habeas corpus petition for his recovery in the Lahore High Court on Monday and also approach the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
They also announced to hold nationwide protests and separate agitations in front of the Pakistani embassies in Washington DC and London.
Khan was a convener of Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an initiative aimed at promoting friendly relations between the people of India and Pakistan and help students from both countries send each other messages and paintings depicting peace. "The initiative - which did not receive any NGO funding - would publish calendars carrying paintings of students from India and Pakistan," activist Saeeda Diep said, adding that Raza had been a staunch advocate of peace in the region.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pro-peace-pakistan-activist-raza-mahmood-khan-dissappeared-from-lahore/articleshow/62000286.cms
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CPEC funds halted: China wants Pakistan army to take over projects?
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Dec 9, 2017
Citing corruption, China has temporarily halted funds to Pakistan for completion of three projects under CPEC
China wants greater involvement of the Pakistani Army in the CPEC projects, a think-tank report claims
The involvement of the Pakistani Army would also mitigate some of China's security concerns, the report said
Image used for representationImage used for representation
NEW DELHI: Beijing's "new guidelines" overseeing the release of funds to Pakistan as part of its ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor may stipulate greater involvement of the Pakistan army in the multi-billion dollar project, a report by global think-tank European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) suggests.
The funding of three major road projects in Pakistan was expected to be finalised during the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held on November 20, but Islamabad was informed that the existing procedure for release of funds had been abolished and "new guidelines" would be issued from Beijing under which new modus operandi for release of the funds would be described.
While the Chinese government had cited rampant graft+ as the reason behind halting funds to the three road projects, the EFSAS report argues that Beijing is "keen to give the Pakistani Army the lead role" in CPEC projects as it sees the armed forces as "the epicentre of power in Pakistan", whose involvement would guarantee the success of the flagship venture.
Further bolstering China's intent for a greater role for Pakistani military is the volatility of the country's civilian government, which witnessed the dismissal of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on graft charges in recent months. But corruption is not the Chinese government's only concern.
Read also: China invites more countries to take part in CPEC projects
"Had corruption been the reason behind the Chinese step (to block funds), it would, or perhaps should, have happened in July, when in the context of the Panama Papers, the former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his relatives were charged with financial irregularities and corruption, which prompted the Pakistani Supreme Court to declare Nawaz Sharif 'unfit' for political office, resulting in his dismissal from the Office of the Prime Minister of the country," the report postulated.
The EFSAS analysis puts forth that Beijing has been alarmed by the opposition of Pakistani legislators, who have questioned the benefits of several projects under CPEC. Evidently, this has resulted in setbacks and delays which has not made Chinese investors happy.
"The Chinese are not used to such harsh disagreements which evidently would have made people in Beijing nervous over the future of its vital projects. Pakistan is a political volatile country where power is unevenly divided between the Government and the Military and a closer involvement of the Military on political issues would have desirable impacts for China...," the report said.
The involvement of the Pakistani Army would also mitigate some of China's security concerns, given that the nearly $50-billion flagship project passes through the region of Gilgit Baltistan, which links China's restive Xinjiang region with Pakistan's insurgency-torn Balochistan province, where in October, a Chinese workers' shelter at the Pakistani port of Gwadar was attacked.
So on one hand, the decision to halt funding may seem like a punitive measure by China to reassert control over the situation. At the same time, its favourable view of Pakistani military could play a significant role in deciding who will take ownership of the CPEC projects and by extension, the security situation - the civilian government or the army.
"The current deferral to release funds is temporary and China's way of conveying a diplomatic, yet strong, message to the Pakistanis; 'We will pay, but only on our terms'," the EFSAS report concludes.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/cpec-funds-halted-china-wants-pakistan-army-to-take-over-projects/articleshow/61998098.cms
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Pak blocks 937 web addresses to curb terrorist activities
PTI | Dec 9, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has blocked 937 web addresses and 10 websites run by banned organisations as part of measures to prevent the use of internet and social media for terrorist activities.
The ministry of information technology took action under the National Action Plan (NAP) adopted in early 2015 to eliminate militancy from the country after the 2014 Peshawar school attack in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.
Dawn newspaper reported that it carried out research across the country in the month of April 2017 which revealed that 41 of Pakistan's 64 banned outfits were present on Facebook in the form of hundreds of pages, groups and individual user profiles.
Their network, both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian or terror outfits, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Balochistan and Sindh.
However, there appears to have been very little overall progress in the NAP in the last three months, as figures of the implementation report released in September are only slightly different than the latest report, the paper said.
The interior ministry's report showed that apart from blocking of Uniform Resource Identifiers (URLs), the government registered 1,351 cases, arrested 2,525 people and sealed 70 shops in an effort to counter hate speech and extremist material.
The government also blocked a total of 98.3 million SIMs to curb use of mobile phones in militant activities. It also introduced biometric verification system to issue SIMS cards.
It dismantled communication networks of terrorists.
To curb the misuse of loudspeakers by clerics, the government registered 17,616 cases, arrested 18,308 suspects and seized 7,942 pieces of equipment.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pak-blocks-937-web-addresses-to-curb-terrorist-activities/articleshow/61999497.cms
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Sheikh Rashid joins list of leaders supporting Dr Qadri's demands on Model Town incident
December 10, 2017
Awami League chief Sheikh Rashid on Sunday joined a growing list of political leaders who are backing Pakistan AwamiTehreek (PAT) chief Dr TahirulQadri's demands following the release of Justice BaqarNajafi report on the Model Town incident.
"Dr TahirulQadri has finally won a war against oppression and brutality. But it is only half a victory," Sheikh Rashid said after meeting Dr Qadri in Lahore.
He predicted that the PML-N government would fall before March 30 and the politics of the Sharif family would come to an end.
"On the Model Town incident, all parties minus Nawaz Sharif are united," he said while answering a question on whether an alliance was on the cards, clarifying that this was different from an electoral or political alliance.
Dr Qadri repeated his demand for the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and formation of a Panama-like joint investigation team (JIT) over the Model Town incident.
"Despite PAT not presenting evidence and witnesses, Justice BaqarNajafi held Shahbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah responsible for the Model Town tragedy," Dr Qadri said while speaking to the media, claiming that the Sharif brothers planned the attack together.
He demanded Rana Sanaullah, Shahbaz Sharif and the bureaucrats and officer involved in the incident resign and a Panama-like JIT be formed where PAT can present its witnesses and evidence.
The leader warned that if they did not resign, it was the right of the party to kick them out of power democratically and peacefully.
PAT headquarters have been buzzing with political activity with the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari being the first high profile leader to visit Dr Qadri to extend support in the party's struggle for justice for the victims of Model Town incident.
On Saturday, Pak Sarzameen Party Chairman Mustufa Kamal and a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf delegation comprising Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Jehangir Tareen visited Dr Qadri, lending their support.
Prime Minister ShahidKhaqanAbbasi, however, dismissed the ongoing activities at the Model Town residence of PAT chief, saying on Saturday “When you add zero to zero, you get zero as the answer.”
dawn.com/news/1375737/sheikh-rashid-joins-list-of-leaders-supporting-dr-qadris-demands-on-model-town-incident
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Babar Ghauri, Shamim Siddiqui quit Altaf-led MQM
December 10, 2017
Former federal ministers and members of the London faction of the MuttahidaQaumi Movement (MQM), Babar Ghauri and Shamim Siddiqui, announced on Sunday their resignation from the Altaf Hussain-led party.
Ghauri, while speaking to DawnNews, confirmed that he was resigning from the MQM-L for personal reasons. He explained that he was not doing so as part of any deal or under any duress, adding that he had decided not to join any other political party, and would stay away from politics for the time being.
He said that the mohajir community is facing difficult times and would need to unite face the challenges.
Shamim Siddiqui said his resignation came as a result of disagreements over the MQM-L policy following an incendiary speech by Altaf Hussain on August 22, 2016
The MQM founder has been in trouble since his diatribe against the armed forces in last year, after which his party members distanced themselves from him and gathered under the leadership of Farooq Sattar to form a separate faction, the MQM-Pakistan.
Hussain has already been deserted by Nadeem Nusrat, WasayJalil, Inbisat Malik and Zulfiqar Haider.
Earlier, workers and supporters of MQM-L were baton-charged and arrested on Saturday when they attempted to pay respects at Yadgar-i-Shuhada — a monument built in memory of MQM activists killed over the years.
The coordination committee of the party criticised the police action and deplored that the government, army, Rangers and police allowed “religious extremists to hold Islamabad hostage, but they were stopping us from even offering Fateha at the graves of our martyrs”.
dawn.com/news/1375734/babar-ghauri-shamim-siddiqui-quit-altaf-led-mqm
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Arab World
Arab ministers demand reversal of Trump Jerusalem decision
AP | Dec 10, 2017
CAIRO: Arab foreign ministers on Sunday demanded that the United States rescind President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, calling it a "grave" development that puts Washington on the same side as "occupation" and the violation of international law.
In a resolution long on rhetoric but short on concrete actions, the ministers also called for the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning Trump's decision, but acknowledged that Washington would most likely veto it.
If the US vetoes the resolution, the Arabs would seek a similar resolution in the UN General Assembly, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki told a pre-dawn news conference in Cairo.
A two-page resolution adopted by the emergency meeting, which began last night, did not include any punitive actions against the United States, like a call for a boycott of American products or suspending or downgrading ties with Washington.
It also appeared to fall short of matching the anger felt by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, which have seen three days of violent protests against Trump's decision.
"We have taken a political decision not meant to reflect (what is going on in) the streets. Political work is responsible work," said Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.
"Jerusalem has been occupied for 50 years. This is an extended battle, a battle that will be escalated," he told the news conference.
The resolution said the ministers would meet again within a month and held out the possibility that an emergency Arab summit would be held in Jordan to discuss Jerusalem.
Trump's December 6 announcement on Jerusalem, and his intention to move the US Embassy there, triggered denunciations from around the world, with even close allies suggesting he had needlessly stirred more conflict in an already volatile region.
Jerusalem's status lies at the core of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, and Trump's move was widely perceived as siding with Israel.
Even small crises over Jerusalem's status and that of the holy sites in its ancient Old City have sparked deadly bloodshed in the past.
Arab diplomats said some Arab League members had wanted a more hard-line resolution, including punitive measures against countries that follow the U.S. example and recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
That was considered too radical by moderate Arab nations and eventually dropped, according to the diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.
But Al-Maliki, the Palestinian Foreign Minister, sought to play down differences, saying the meeting produced "complete" unity among Arab nations.
"There were differences in assessment when we moved to specifying measures," he said. "But in the end we agreed on gradually escalating measures."
Both Aboul-Gheit and Al-Maliki said Arab nations remained committed to a 2002 Arab peace plan that provides for recognition of Israel in exchange for lands occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.
"That plan is a key reference in the Middle East peace process," Al-Maliki told the news conference.
Trump's decision, according to the Arab resolution, was "illegal" and a "dangerous violation" of international law.
"It's a dangerous development that places the United States at a position of bias in favor of the occupation and the violation of international law and resolutions."
Israel occupied and later annexed the eastern part of Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war, declaring the holy city its eternal capital. Palestinians want that part to be the capital of their future state.
Trump's decision, said the resolution, also stripped the US of its role as a "sponsor and broker" in the Mideast peace process, and "undermines efforts to bring about peace, deepens tension and will spark anger that will threaten to push the region to the edge of the abyss of violence, chaos and bloodshed."
The resolution adopted by the ministers reiterated that only the creation of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital would end the Arab-Israeli conflict. It also mandated the Arab League to launch an "international media campaign" explaining the "gravity" of the American decision.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/arab-ministers-demand-reversal-of-trump-jerusalem-decision/articleshow/62005741.cms
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Syria: ISIL Terrorists Capture Al-Nusra Positions in Idlib for First Time
TEHRAN (FNA)- The ISIL terrorists prevailed over the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) in Southern Idlib for the first time and captured a village near the border with Hama.
Dissident-affiliated websites reported on Sunday that the ISIL stormed the positions of their Al-Nusra rivals in Northeastern Hama and later managed to drive them out of the village of Bashkoun in Southern Idlib.
The ISIL has pushed the Al-Nusra back from tens of towns and villages in Northeastern Hama.
The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday that the intensified infighting taking place along the Idlib-Hama provinces racked up a whopping 440 dead terrorists in the last 60 days.
The SOHR said that heavy infighting among terrorist groups began in October, when the ISIL launched an attack against the Al-Nusra Front in Northeastern Hama.
As a result of the ISIL offensive, the terrorist group entered the Idlib province and captured several towns in the province in Northwestern Syria, it added.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000734
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Iran Wants S. Arabia to Halt Yemen Attacks, Israel Ties before Resuming Relations
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran would resume ties with Saudi Arabia only after the Arab country halts military strikes against Yemen and cut off relations and obedience to Israel.
"We don’t have any problem with the country that is our neighbor and unfortunately speaks a lot and speaks irrationally. Saudi Arabia, as our neighbor, should stop bombing Yemen from tomorrow, stop bowing to Israel, stand straight and rely on its nation," President Rouhani said in Tehran on Sunday, addressing the parliament after submitting the new year budget bill.
"Generally, we want two types of cuts from Saudi Arabia; cut of ties with the Zionists and cut of bombings against Yemen and then we won't have any problem with Saudi Arabia and can have good ties but they should be the starter," he added.
Saudi Arabia has been striking Yemen since March 2015 to restore power to fugitive president Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. The Saudi-led aggression has so far killed at least 15,000 Yemenis, including hundreds of women and children.
Despite Riyadh's claims that it is bombing the positions of the Ansarullah fighters, Saudi bombers are flattening residential areas and civilian infrastructures.
According to several reports, the Saudi-led air campaign against Yemen has driven the impoverished country towards humanitarian disaster, as Saudi Arabia's deadly campaign prevented the patients from travelling abroad for treatment and blocked the entry of medicine into the war-torn country.
The cholera outbreak in Yemen which began in April, has also claimed over 2,200 lives and has infected over 900,000 people, as the nation has been suffering from what the World Health Organization (WHO) describes as the “largest epidemic in the world” amid a non-stop bombing campaign led by Saudi Arabia. Also Riyadh's deadly campaign prevented the patients from traveling abroad for treatment and blocked the entry of medicine into the war-torn country.
According to reports, the cholera epidemic in Yemen, which is the subject of a Saudi Arabian war and total embargo, is the largest recorded in modern history.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has described the current level of hunger in Yemen as “unprecedented,” emphasizing that 17 million people are now food insecure in the country.
It added that 6.8 million, meaning almost one in four people, do not have enough food and rely entirely on external assistance.
A recent survey showed that almost one third of families have gaps in their diets, and hardly ever consume foods like pulses, vegetables, fruit, dairy products or meat.
More than 3 million pregnant and nursing women and children under 5 need support to prevent or cure malnutrition.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000654
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Iranian Official Accuses S. Arabia of Involvement in US Decision on Jerusalem
TEHRAN (FNA)- Secretary of Iran's Expediency Council Mohsen Rezayee said documents show Saudi Arabia's partnership in the US decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.
"The Saudis have played a highly serious role in Trump's move as revealed by documents and the Iranian nation and Muslims will soon become aware of this unprecedented betrayal of Saudi Arabia," Rezayee said in an interview with the state TV on Saturday night.
"We are in hold of abundant documents and intelligence showing that Saudi Arabia enjoys highly close ties with the US and the Zionists. For instance, Trump's son-in-law has several times been to Saudi Arabia in the past few months and held private talks with the Saudi officials," he added.
Rezayee foresaw deteriorated conditions and a stronger uprising in the West Bank along with some strong moves in the other parts of the world too against the Americans and Israelis unless Trump will backtrack from his position to soothe the Intifada.
His remarks came after IRGC Top Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said the United States' recent decision to recognize al-Quds as Israel's capital will fail to materialize its planned objectives, promising that the city would become the graveyard of the Zionists.
"The main goal of the Untied States and the Zionist regime is destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, but God willing, Quds will be the place where the Zionist regime will be buried," General Jafari said at a meeting with the IRGC General Staff personnel here in Tehran on Saturday.
He further warned that the Muslim world is needed to take rapid action against "this devilish plot" as it could be late tomorrow, but meantime stressed that Washington and Tel Aviv "have embarked on historic foolishness".
"This decision of the Untied States is a prelude to the full denial of a Palestinian state and Palestinians' right to live in their own country," the General said, and added, "To achieve this goal they have even ignored and humiliated their own ex-friends in the Fatah Movement."
The IRGC commander further blamed Riyadh for its complicity in the US-Israeli move against the Palestinians. "We have been informed that this decision has been the product of behind-the-stage consultations, agreements and coordination with certain Arab states, specially Saudi Arabia, and they had been informed of the move since several months earlier."
He also pointed out that the verbal opposition shown by Riyadh is only meant to lead the antagonistic efforts against the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in order to contain opposition to words and avoid action.
"They have struck an agreement with Israel and the US in a bid to block any practical move to protect Quds and exclude the Palestinian issue from the domain of the Muslim world's interests and sensitivities."
Jafari, yet, reminded the failure of the US and Saudi schemes in Kurdistan, Lebanon and Yemen, and said, "Frequent failures in the region have disturbed the enemies' calculation and decision-making systems; under such circumstances, the best thing the Muslim world can do is to make the best and prompt use of these opportunities."
The US president last Wednesday defied global warnings, and said Washington formally recognizes Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel, and will begin the process of moving its embassy to the occupied city, breaking with decades of American policy despite widespread international opposition.
In anticipation of Trump's move, 151 members of the UN General Assembly voted last week to adopt a rare resolution that denounced Israel as the “occupying power” of Jerusalem al-Quds, a city that is holy to Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike.
The city has seen heightened tensions since 2015, when the Israeli military introduced restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque — Islam’s third holiest site.
Over 300 Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli soldiers ever since.
Israel lays claim to the entirety of al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital while Palestinians want its Eastern part as the capital of a future state for themselves.
Palestinian leaders have warned that the potential relocation would fuel strong reaction in the region and deliver a death blow to any prospect of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump’s move which overturns decades of US foreign policy has triggered a fresh wave of unrest in the Middle East.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919001042
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SDF Likely to Join Syrian Army
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are mulling to join the Syrian Army troops after Russia declared support for the SDF and the US refused to continue providing arms supplies to the Kurds in Syria, an Arab media outlet reported on Sunday.
The Arabic-language al-Hadath news quoted well-informed sources as saying that secret talks are underway between the Syrian Army and the SDF over the SDF's merger into the state army.
Al-Hadath further said that both sides are studying the terms and conditions of such a meger, adding that affiliation of the SDF to the Syrian army seems very likely now.
The SDF decided to join the Syrian army after a halt in arms supplies by the US forces and the possibility of Turkish Army's imminent operation against the SDF in Northern Syria.
Militant-affiliated websites confirmed on Saturday that senior Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Yaser al-Dahla and his fighters surrendered to the Syrian Army troops in the Eastern province of DeirEzzur.
The websites reported that Commander of the SDF-affiliated TajamoShebab al-BakaraYaser al-Dahladefected the SDF in DeirEzzur, adding that al-Dahla and all of his fighters handed over their weapons to the army men in the village of TayebehShamiyeh in Eastern DeirEzzur and surrendered.
The websites also reported on Saturday that Abu al-Majd al-Rafi'ei, one of the senior field commanders of the SDF, along with his fighters surrendered to the Syrian Army troops in Western DeirEzzur.
The websites said that Abu al-Majd al-Rafi'ei and his forces laid down arms and turned in to the army men in the Western countryside of DeirEzzur.
The websites added that al-Rafi'ei was previously one of the field commanders of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Northern Syria.
Al-Rafi'eidefected the FSA a year ago and joined the SDF, the websites added.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919001024
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Syrian Army Advances against Terrorists at Hama-Idlib Border
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army troops are marching on the positions of the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) in Northeastern Hama and have managed to seize control over several regions at border with Idlib.
The army soldiers, backed up by the country's Air Force and artillery fire, stormed the strongholds of the Al-Nusra in Northeastern Hama, and captured the small town of Baleel and Baleel hill in al-Zaqbah region.
The army men continued their advances and took control over the village of Um Khazim and Um Khazim hill in SoutheasternIdlib at border with Hama.
The army aircraft, meantime, pounded terrorists' movements and gathering centers in the towns and villages of al-Rahjan, Um Mayal and al-Shakousiyeh in Northeastern Hama, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists.
The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday that the intensified infighting taking place along the Idlib-Hama provinces racked up a whopping 440 dead terrorists in the last 60 days.
The SOHR said that heavy infighting among terrorist groups began in October, when the ISIL launched an attack against the Al-Nusra Front in Northeastern Hama.
As a result of the ISIL offensive, the terrorist group entered the Idlib province and captured several towns in the province in Northwestern Syria, it added.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000642
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Syrian Army Imposes Full Control over Strategic Mountains in Southwestern Damascus
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army troops continued the offensive on Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) positions in Southwestern Damascus and managed to seize control over Bardaya Chain of Mountains, military sources confirmed on Sunday.
The sources said that the army men engaged in tough battle against the Al-Nusra and captured the Southern hills in Bardaya region, imposing full control over the key Bardaya Chain of Mountains in Southwestern Damascus.
The sources went on to say that the army has also seized military control over Hineh plains, al-Mughur al-Mir region and the small town of al-Mughur al-Mir following its advances in Bardaya region.
The army has cut off the entire supply lines of the Al-Nusra from Bardaya region to Beit Jinn Farm.
In the meantime, the army's missile units deployed in the village of al-Maqrouseh launched a heavy shelling on the only supply line of the terrorists Southwest of the town of al-Mughur al-Mir parallel to al-A'awaj River.
The Syrian Army troops on Saturday stormed again the strongholds of the Al-Nusra Front in Western Ghouta, targeting Tal (hill) al-Maqtoul near the Golan Heights.
The army men attacked the Northern part of Tal al-Maqtoul near the town of al-Mughur al-Mir, where they reportedly broke-through the Al-Nusra's first line of defense.
However, despite some reports on capturing the hilltop, the Syrian Army still does not have control over Tal Maqtoul, as clashes are still raging at this important site located near the occupied Golan Heights.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000455
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More Terrorist Commanders Killed in Southern Syria
TEHRAN (FNA)- A commander of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was killed in a roadside bomb explosion, dissident-affiliated news websites reported, adding that the body of a commander of the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) was also found in NortheasternDara'a.
The websites reported that Monir Hassan al-Musalmani nom de guerre Abu Namer, a commander of Al-Nusra, was found dead between the small town of al-Maliheh al-Qarbi and Rakham in NortheasternDara'a.
The websites further said that Badi'a Ahmad Awaz al-Hariri, a field commander of the FSA, was killed in a land min blast as he was moving on the road connecting the small towns of Basr al-Harir and Maliheh al-Atach to each other in NortheasternDara'a.
Another militant accompanying al-Hariri was also injured in the blast.
News websites affiliated to the dissidents reported in mid-October that FarouqQazal, the commander of Brigade 15 of Special Forces affiliated to Ferqat al-Qadesiyeh of the FSA, was killed when a bomb detonated in Dara'a al-Balad region in Dara'a city, adding that another militant was also wounded.
According to the websites, Qazal was defusing a bomb which was planted in front of the house of one of Ahrar al-Sham commanders named Abu Jamal Abu Nabovat when it was detonated.
Also, based on reports, infighting between the ISIL and FSA militants in Western Dara'a killed 10 ISIL militants, including two of its commanders namely Abu Mohammad Abedin and Abdollah al-Safouri.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000581
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ISIL Drives Rival Terrorists out of More Positions in Northwestern Syria
TEHRAN (FNA)- The ISIL terrorists stormed the positions of the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) and captured more positions in Northeastern Hama, militant-affiliated websites reported on Sunday.
The websites reported that the ISIL pushed Al-Nusra back from the villages of Abu Helal, al-Khalediyeh, HawasysAbinHadid, Hawasys Ibn Um Jaran and al-Hawasys citadel in Northeastern Hama.
In the meantime, Abu al-Leith al-San'ani, one of the field commanders of Al-Nusra was killed in clashes with ISIL in Northeastern Hama.
The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday that the intensified infighting taking place along the Idlib-Hama provinces racked up a whopping 440 dead terrorists in the last 60 days.
The SOHR said that heavy infighting among terrorist groups began in October, when the ISIL launched an attack against the Al-Nusra Front in Northeastern Hama.
As a result of the ISIL offensive, the terrorist group entered the Idlib province and captured several towns in the province in Northwestern Syria, it added.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000401
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DeirEzzur: Syrian Army Finds More Ammunition, Modern Telecommunication Equipment in ISIL's Positions
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army troops have found a large volume of advanced arms, ammunition and telecommunication equipment in the regions that were previously under ISIL's control in SoutheasternDeirEzzur, field sources reported on Sunday.
The sources said that the army's engineering units discovered a large volume of weapons, munitions, bombs, landmines and advanced telecommunication equipment and radars as well as bomb-laden or armored vehicles while combing regions between the towns of al-Mayadeen and Albu Kamal in the mop-up operation in SoutheasternDeirEzzur.
The sources further added that the army men found a large number of bomb-laden boxes and toys in ISIL's hideouts in the region.
Military sources conformed on Friday that the army men, operating from South of the town of al-Mayadeen towards the town of Albu Kamal and from North of Albu Kamal towards al-Mayadeen, managed to join the town flanks and captured the entire villages and towns on the Western bank of the Euphrates River that were previously under ISIL's control, the sources said, adding that with the recent advances the army soldiers managed to lay siege on ISIL trapped in a large desert region as large as 7,000 sq/km.
The sources further said that the army is now in control of the entire regions on the Southern bank of the Euphrates River from Eastern Raqqa to DeirEzzur city and Albu Kamal.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000301
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South Asia
French ISIS fighters move to Afghanistan after facing defeat in Syria
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
Several foreign militants affiliated with the Islamic State terror group including French and Algerian nationals have moved to Afghanistan after they were suppress during the operations in Syria and Iraq, it has been reported.
Sources privy of the development have told AFP that several French and Algerian IS fighters were seen in nothernJawzjan province of Afghanistan.
Darzab district administrative chief Mohammad Dawar has told the paper that “A number” of Algerian and French nationals entered the largely IS-controlled district of Darzab in northern Jowzjan province in November.
He said at least two women were among the arrivals, who were travelling with a translator from Tajikistan as well as Chechens and Uzbeks, Dawar added.
European and Afghan security sources in Kabul confirmed Dawar’s claim that French citizens were among the fighters — though, one cautioned, “we do not know how many there are”, according to AFP.
In the meantime, the provincial governor’s spokesman Mohammad Reza Ghafoori has said the terror group has so far recruited around 50 children in their ranks in this province, including some children who are as young as 10-year-old.
This comes as earlier reports emerged from Jawzjan province suggesting that the terror group is training almost 300 children to be recruited in their ranks in Jawzjan province.
khaama.com/french-isis-fighters-move-to-afghanistan-after-facing-defeat-in-syria-04015
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Taliban militants blown up by own explosives in Laghman
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
At least two Taliban insurgents were killed while planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in eastern Laghman province of Afghanistan.
According to the 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan army in the East, the incident took place on Friday in the vicinity of Alingar district.
The officials further added that the militants were busy planting IEDs when the incident took place, leaving two militants dead.
The Silab Corps officials are saying that no one else was killed or wounded in the incident apart from the two insurgents.
The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the report so far.
The anti-government armed militant groups frequently use explosives materials for the roadside bombings and car bombings to target the government staff and security personnel.
However, in majority of such incidents the ordinary civilians are targeted besides such bombings incur casualties to the security personnel and in some cases the Taliban militants themselves are killed or wounded.
At least two Taliban insurgents were killed while planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on a roadside in northeasternKapisa province.
The incident took place nearly three months ago in the vicinity of Tagab district as the militants were planting IEDs on a roadside.
khaama.com/taliban-militants-blown-up-by-own-explosives-in-laghman-04013
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Zadran’s deprived of power only because of Haqqani network leader: Hekmatyar
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
The leader of Hezb-e-IslamiGulbuddin has said the Zadran tribe has been deprived of power only because the leader of the notorious Haqqani terrorist network hails from the same tribe.
Speaking during a gathering in southeasternKhost province among his supporters, Hekmatyar said the people of Zadran tribe are paying the ultimate price because the leader of Haqqani network JalaluddinHaqqani has fought against the US forces.
However, he harshly criticized the monopolist approach by certain individuals and circles, saying different islands of power exist across the country which must be eliminated immediately.
According to Hekmatyar, the only legitimate way to reach to power is through elections as he called on other political parties to ascertain their role in the governance through elections.
In the meantime, Hekmatyar said he is doubtful regarding the willingness of the other political parties to participate in the elections, claiming that they fear from process.
He also went on to claim that certain circles are attempting to prevent the elections but did not elaborate further in this regard.
The leader of Hezb-e-Islami also demanded no further changes should into the electoral bodies and the government must ensure a fair and transparent election.
This comes as controversies still surround the main electoral bodies after the removal of the head of the elections commission of Afghanistan last month.
Afghanistan is expecting to hold the parliamentary elections in 2018 while the presidential elections are scheduled to be held in 2019.
khaama.com/zadrans-deprived-of-power-only-because-of-haqqani-network-leader-hekmatyar-04020
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Ghani says defense approach not enough for next fighting season
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has instructed the security forces to change their approach from defensive to offensive in a bid to create a momentum in defeating the terror groups and pave the way for the implementation of the development strategies.
Speaking during a gathering for the inauguration of the Qaisar-Laman ring road in Badghis province, President Ghani said the instructions to the security institutions are clear, a defense approach would not enough.
He said the upcoming year should be turned into a year of development, apparently gesturing towards the offensive approach needed against the militants to suppress their insurgency and increase development efforts.
In regards to the importance of Qaisar-Laman ring road, President Ghani said connecting Afghanistan to the economic hubs would not be possible without the ring roads, insisting that economy plays a key role for the unity of the nation.
President Ghani further added that Badghis plays a key role as the Silk Route passes through province and the construction of railway network has also been considered for Badghis apart from the construction of the ring road.
The contract for the Phases 1 and 2 of Qaisar-Laman ring road project was approved during a meeting of the national procurement commission chaired by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani nearly three months ago.
The project is considered as a vital mean for paving the way for regional connectivity with the Asian Development Bank funding the construction of the road which will be implemented by the ministry of public works of Afghanistan.
An Indian firm has been appointed as the subcontractor for the Phase-I while a Chinese firm will perform the work for the Phase-II of the project.
The project is estimated to be completed over a period of two and half years.
khaama.com/ghani-says-defense-approach-not-enough-for-next-fighting-season-04019
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US military pound Taliban narcotics labs with M142 artillery system
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
The US military in Afghanistan has released fresh videos which purportedly shows the deadly strikes on Taliban narcotics labs in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan using the M142 artillery system.
“A M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) conducts a strike on a Taliban narcotics production facility in Helmand province on December 8, 2017,” the US Force in Afghanistan said.
According to a statement by USFOR-a “The artillery strike, part of an ongoing campaign by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), resulted in the destruction of nearly $1 million in direct Taliban revenues.”
The US military says HIMARS is yet another U.S. capability being utilized to apply pressure on the Taliban, cutting off their economic lifelines and degrading their ability to continue operations.
The US military had earlier said “Carrier-based U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets conduct a strike on multiple Taliban narcotics production facilities in Helmand province on December 7, 2017, as part of an ongoing campaign by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) to cut off the Taliban’s economic lifelines and degrade their ability to continue operations.”
This comes as the commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission and the US forces in Afghanistan Gen. John Nicholson said last month that the attacks on Taliban financial engine will continue as heavy losses have been inflicted on the group and its associated in recent raids.
“In just over three days’ worth of operations, the Afghan 215th Corps, their special forces commandos, their air force, in close cooperation with U.S. forces, removed between $7 million and $10 million of revenue from the Taliban’s pocketbook,” Gen. Nicholson said.
He also added “And the overall cost to the drug trafficking organizations approached $48 million. So these strikes were just the first step in attacking the Taliban’s financial engine, and they will continue.”
khaama.com/us-military-pound-taliban-narcotics-labs-with-m142-artillery-system-04018
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Afghanistan, Pakistan have common enemies: envoy
December 10, 2017
TAXILA: Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Omer Zakhilwal has said he foresees better days for Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and that the current misgivings and grievances are short-lived and will soon end.
Talking to newsmen after visiting the Taxila Museum, the Afghan diplomat said that ups and downs in relations did not reflect wishes of the people of the two countries, adding that ties were sure to improve in the coming days.
He was of the view that Pakistan and Afghanistan were facing the same challenges and enemies and both were victims of terrorism and they needed to work together for peace in the region.
He said things were moving in the right direction on the diplomatic front, adding that he was hopeful of better relations between the two countries in the coming days.
He said that people-to-people contacts and relations between the two nations could not be destroyed by anybody and stressed that tribal, linguistic, religious and historic relations would re-emerge and create a strong bond.
He was of the view that better relations were crucial for both countries and students studying on Pakistani scholarships would serve as agents of change.
dawn.com/news/1375714/afghanistan-pakistan-have-common-enemies-envoy
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Taliban execute two civilians over unknown charges in Nangarhar
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
The Taliban insurgents have executed two civilians over unknown charges in eastern Nangarharprovice of Afghanistan, the local officials said Sunday.
The incident took place late on Saturday night in the vicinity of Shirzad district of Nangarhar.
The provincial government media office in a statement confirmed the incident and said the two civilians were martyred by the Taliban insurgents.
The statement further added that the deceased individuals had no links with the government institutions.
The Taliban militants group has not commented regarding the report so far and it is yet not clear on what charges the two civilians have been killed.
Nangrhar has witnessed relative calmness since the Taliban group regime was toppled down but certain districts of the province have started to witness growing insurgency activities during the recent years.
Both the Taliban insurgents and militants affiliated with the Islamic State terror group are attempting to expand their foothold in this province although operations are underway to suppress their activities.
Execution cases of ordinary civilians by the militants have not been rare as such incidents are often reported from the restive parts of the country with the militants mainly accusing the victims of working or supporting the government and security institutions.
khaama.com/taliban-execute-two-civilians-over-unknown-charges-in-nangarhar-04017
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President Ghani in Badghis to review security, inaugurate key ring road project
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani arrived to northwesternBadghis province in an unannounced visit to review the security and inaugurate a key ring road project in this province.
The Office of the President, ARG Palace, said President Ghani arrived to Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital of Badghis province this morning.
A statement by ARG Palace said President Ghani is expected to meet the local security officials to review the security situation..
The statement further added that President Ghani will also have separate meetings with the heads of the civilian government institutions as well as the local tribal elders.
According to ARG Palace, President Ghani will also inauguate the Qaisar-Laman ring road project which includes the construction of the Phase 1 and 2.
The contract for the Phases 1 and 2 of Qaisar-Laman ring road project was approved during a meeting of the national procurement commission chaired by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani nearly three months ago.
The project is considered as a vital mean for paving the way for regional connectivity with the Asian Development Bank funding the construction of the road which will be implemented by the ministry of public works of Afghanistan.
An Indian firm has been appointed as the subcontractor for the Phase-I while a Chinese firm will perform the work for the Phase-II of the project.
The project is estimated to be completed over a period of two and half years.
khaama.com/president-ghani-in-badghis-to-review-security-inaugurate-key-ring-road-project-04016
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Taliban reacts as Afghan forces bust major treatment facility of the group
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sun Dec 10 2017
The Taliban group reacted as the Afghan officials in Wardak province claims that a major treatment facility of the group was busted by the Afghan security forces in this province.
The Taliban group spokesman ZabiullahMujahid issued a statement and called the claims by Wardak officials a propaganda.
Mujahid further added that the clinic was approved by the International Committee of the Red Cross and was providing healthcare services to the local residents.
He also added that no Taliban insurgent has been killed or wounded or detained by the security forces during the operation and the government has no evidence to confirm Taliban’s links with the clinic.
The local government and security officials in central MaidanWardak province on Friday put on display the equipments seized from a medical facility belonging to the Taliban insurgents.
According to the local officials, the treatment facility was discovered an operation in Syedabad district on Thursday.
The officials further added that the facility was used for the treatment of the Taliban insurgents from different provinces including Paktia, Ghazni, and other restive parts of the country.
The facility, which was well-equipped, was used for the treatment of the wounded Taliban insurgents besides sophisticated surgeries were performed, the officials added.
According to the officials, several Taliban insurgents including some of their commanders were killed during the operation and some weapons and ammunition were also seized.
khaama.com/taliban-reacts-as-afghan-forces-bust-major-treatment-facility-of-the-group-04014
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North America
Murder of Muslim laborer in Rajasthan sparks outrage among Indian Americans
Dec 10, 2017
Illinois (December 8 2017): The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos today noted the sense of outrage among millions of Indians, both within India and across the diaspora over the heinous murder of Mohammed Afrazul, a Muslim migrant worker from West Bengal, who was hacked with a cleaver and his body set on fire in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district. The accused in the case, ShambulalRegar, is captured on video committing the crime and claiming that he committed the murder to "stop Muslims from love-jihad" - a term publicized by Hindu supremacist groups to refer to Muslim men supposedly marrying Hindu women and converting them to Islam as part of some grand conspiracy.
"We are appalled at the horrifying level of hate and violence that not only exists but is worsening by the day, particularly in the state of Rajasthan," said Mr. Ahsan Khan, the National President of IAMC. "We call upon the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ms. VasundharaRaje to uphold her constitutional duty to protect the lives of all citizens, regardless of caste and creed. This would include reining in organizations like RSS, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad who have been on the frontlines of spreading hate and discord against the state's Muslim minorities," Mr. Khan further added.
Mohammed Afrazul's killing is the fourth hate crime against Muslims in Rajasthan in the last nine months. Earlier in April, Pehlu Khan was brutally assaulted by self-styled cow vigilantes that led to his death two days later. Later in June, Zafar Hussein was killed after he objected to city officials photographing women defecating in the open. In November, cow vigilantes attacked Mohammed Umar and his colleagues who were transporting cattle, and Umar was later found dead. The perpetrators of these hate crimes are emboldened by the failure of state administration to effectively prosecute these cases of hate crimes. In September, the Rajasthan police closed its investigation into murder of Pehlu Khan and exonerated all six individuals named by Mr. Khan in his dying declaration.
Commenting on this issue, Ms. Seema Salim, National Vice President of IAMC, expressed grave concern at the rising tide of hate crimes in Rajasthan. "The Chief Minister, Ms. Raje must demonstrate the political will to ensure security of the state's Muslim minorities and dismantle the culture of absolute impunity and protection accorded to the perpetrators of these hate crimes," said Ms. Seema.
Indian American Muslim Council is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with chapters across the nation. For more information, please visit our website at: iamc.com/
milligazette.com/news/16025-murder-of-muslim-laborer-in-rajasthan-sparks-outrage-among-indian-americans
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US after hatching new plots against Muslims
Sun 10 December 2017
TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (MNA) – Muhammad Rasulullah Division of IRGC issued a statement in reaction to Trump’s remarks over al-Quds, saying “the unwise decision of US president showed the whole world that the Great Satan uses any means to accomplish its objectives.”
In protest at the recent remarks made by the US President Donald Trump concerning the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and transferring the US embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds, 27TH uhammadRasulullah Division of IRGC issued a statement thereby condemning the US.
Highlighting Imam Khomeini’s critical stance toward the US, the statement says “today, the world realizes why Imam Khomeini called the US the Great Satan. History always lays bare the true nature of the sworn enemies of Muslims.”
The statement issued by Muhammad Rasulullah Division calls the remarks made by the US president unwise and disgraceful, deems them to be flagrant violations of UN regulations and reads “the Great Satan uses every means to accomplish its objectives and through granting recognition to al-Quds as the capital of the infanticidal, fake regime of Israel, is after hatching new plots in the region and through the world.”
Calling al-Quds the first Qibla of Muslims that has long been occupied by Zionists, the statement goes on “the Great Satan has better be aware that the Muslims have always given devastating responses to the desecrating measures of the Americans and the Zionists.”
The statement vows that Muhammad Rasulullah Division is ever ready to provide support for the Iranian nation in its fight against the world arrogance and says “such animosities, far from undermining Muslims’ confidence in their beliefs, strengthens the spirit of solidarity and unity among them.”
The statement concludes by expressing hope that Muslims can foil the plots masterminded by the US and the Zionist regime.
en.mehrnews.com/news/130104/US-after-hatching-new-plots-against-Muslims
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Mideast
President Rouhani: Iran Not to Keep Silent on US, Israeli Plots against Al-Quds
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned the US decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital, stressing that his country will not keep mum about the hostile move.
"Today, the US has started a new plot with the help of the Zionism which is aggression against the holy Quds but we have not and will not remain silent about the US, the world arrogance and the Zionism's plot," President Rouhani said, addressing the parliament in Tehran on Sunday, after submitting the budget bill of the next year to the MPs.
He also underlined that Iran spares no efforts to support the Palestinian nation and the holy Beit al-Moqaddas.
Rouhani described support for Palestine as one of Iran's causes, and said, "The US and the Zionist regime will not succeed in this plot and God willing, the Muslim nations will one day liberate al-Quds."
His remarks came after Top Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said the United States' recent decision to recognize al-Quds as Israel's capital will fail to materialize its planned objectives, promising that the city would become the graveyard of the Zionists.
"The main goal of the Untied States and the Zionist regime is destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, but God willing, Quds will be the place where the Zionist regime will be buried," General Jafari said at a meeting with the IRGC General Staff personnel here in Tehran on Saturday.
He further warned that the Muslim world is needed to take rapid action against "this devilish plot" as it could be late tomorrow, but meantime stressed that Washington and Tel Aviv "have embarked on historic foolishness".
"This decision of the Untied States is a prelude to the full denial of a Palestinian state and Palestinians' right to live in their own country," the General said, and added, "To achieve this goal they have even ignored and humiliated their own ex-friends in the Fatah Movement."
The IRGC commander further blamed Riyadh for its complicity in the US-Israeli move against the Palestinians. "We have been informed that this decision has been the product of behind-the-stage consultations, agreements and coordination with certain Arab states, specially Saudi Arabia, and they had been informed of the move since several months earlier."
He also pointed out that the verbal opposition shown by Riyadh is only meant to lead the antagonistic efforts against the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in order to contain opposition to words and avoid action.
"They have struck an agreement with Israel and the US in a bid to block any practical move to protect Quds and exclude the Palestinian issue from the domain of the Muslim world's interests and sensitivities."
Jafari, yet, reminded the failure of the US and Saudi schemes in Kurdistan, Lebanon and Yemen, and said, "Frequent failures in the region have disturbed the enemies' calculation and decision-making systems; under such circumstances, the best thing the Muslim world can do is to make the best and prompt use of these opportunities."
The US president last Wednesday defied global warnings, and said Washington formally recognizes Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel, and will begin the process of moving its embassy to the occupied city, breaking with decades of American policy despite widespread international opposition.
In anticipation of Trump's move, 151 members of the UN General Assembly voted last week to adopt a rare resolution that denounced Israel as the “occupying power” of Jerusalem al-Quds, a city that is holy to Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike.
The city has seen heightened tensions since 2015, when the Israeli military introduced restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque — Islam’s third holiest site.
Over 300 Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli soldiers ever since.
Israel lays claim to the entirety of al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital while Palestinians want its Eastern part as the capital of a future state for themselves.
Palestinian leaders have warned that the potential relocation would fuel strong reaction in the region and deliver a death blow to any prospect of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump’s move which overturns decades of US foreign policy has triggered a fresh wave of unrest in the Middle East.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000578
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Iran says 'good relations' possible if Saudi Arabia ends 'friendship' with Israel
December 10, 2017
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Iran is ready to restore ties with Saudi Arabia if it stops bombing Yemen and cuts its alleged ties with Israel.
In a speech broadcast on Sunday, Rouhani said the regional rivals could have “good relations” if the Saudis end their “false friendship” with Israel and halt the “inhuman bombardment” of Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is battling Houthis.
Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian demonstrators attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in response to the Saudi execution of a prominent Shia cleric.
Tensions spiked again last month after the Houthis fired a ballistic missile that was intercepted near Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia does not recognise Israel, but the two countries have a shared interest in countering Iran.
dawn.com/news/1375732/iran-says-good-relations-possible-if-saudi-arabia-ends-friendship-with-israel
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'Fear of Islam' to be addressed at Abu Dhabi peace forum
December 10, 2017
Muslim scholars and religious dignitaries from around the world to discuss mutual concerns and encourage tolerance at Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies forum
The Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies forum, which opens later this week, will promote a modern vision of Islam and highlight the religion's contributions to global peace, Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, the forum’s secretary general, has said.
The fourth edition of the three-day event, which will run from December 11-13 at the St. Regis Hotel Abu Dhabi, will this year tackle the topics of global peace and the fear of Islam, Wam reported.
Dr Al Kaabi, who is also and the chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, said at a press conference: "Since its inception in 2014, the forum has been a call for peace. In its first edition, it endeavoured to promote the culture of peace and prevent extremist ideologies. In its second edition, the forum called for an update to Islamic discourse to eschew and counter extremism, while the third edition discussed the legitimacy of the nation state in Muslim societies.”
The event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It will see the participation of more than 700 Arab and Muslim scholars, as well as high-level intellectual and religious dignitaries from around the world to discuss mutual concerns and promote global peace and tolerance.
thenational.ae/uae/fear-of-islam-to-be-addressed-at-abu-dhabi-peace-forum-1.683179
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Clashes Continue for Forth Day Between Israeli Soldiers, Palestinians in West Bank
TEHRAN (FNA)- Scores of Palestinians sustained injuries during heavy clashes between Israeli forces and protesters rallying in the occupied West Bank on Sunday against the US President’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.
On Sunday, violence erupted for a fourth day in the occupied Palestinian territories in response to US President's announcement, World News reported.
Witnesses said Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at groups of rallying youth in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem.
Dozens of people, including school students, suffocated as Israeli forces attacked them with teargas during clashes that erupted in al-Arroub refugee camp, near Hebron.
US President Donald Trump announced that the US would be recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital on Wednesday and ordered that work on the relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds begin.
The move was hailed by Israel but condemned by the rest of the international community as one which undermines the peace talks.
Washington’s al-Quds move has raised a chorus of outcry across the international community. The Muslim world, the UN and even US allies in the West have criticized the bid, saying it would plunge the already tumultuous region into new upheaval.
Heavy clashes also broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters after Friday prayers in Jerusalem al-Qud's Old City, Hebron (al-Khalil), Bethlehem and Nablus in the West Bank as well as the besieged Gaza Strip.
About 1,250 people have been injured by Israeli forces since the beginning of the unrest last week across the occupied Palestinian territories, in the aftermath of the US’ decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the Eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919001271
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Palestinians to snub Pence during visit over Jerusalem move
Reuters | Dec 10, 2017
CAIRO/GAZA: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during Pence's visit to the region this month in a snub over the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the Palestinian foreign minister said on Saturday.
Violence erupted for a third day in Gaza in response to President Donald Trump's announcement on Wednesday, which overturned decades of U.S. policy towards the Middle East.
Israeli air strikes killed two Palestinian gunmen on Saturday after militants fired rockets from the enclave into Israel on Friday, which had been declared a "day of rage" by Palestinian factions.
Trump's recognition of Jerusalem has infuriated the Arab world and upset Western allies, who say it is a blow to peace efforts and risks sparking more violence in the region.
Late on Saturday, Arab foreign ministers urged the United States to abandon its decision and said the move would spur violence throughout the region. The Arab League, in a statement issued after an emergency session in Cairo, called Trump's announcement a "dangerous violation of international law" which had no legal impact and was void.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to critics in a statement before meetings in Paris on Sunday with French President Emmanuel Macron to be followed by a meeting with European foreign ministers in Brussels.
"I hear (from Europe) voices of condemnation over President Trump's historic announcement but I have not heard any condemnation for the rocket firing against Israel that has come (after the announcement) and the awful incitement against us," Netanyahu said.
Israel maintains that all of Jerusalem is its capital. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state.
Most countries consider East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed after capturing it in a 1967 war, to be occupied territory, and say the status of the city should be left to be decided at future Israeli-Palestinian talks.
The Trump administration says it is still committed to Palestinian-Israeli talks, that Israel's capital would be in Jerusalem under any serious peace plan, and that it has not taken a position on the city's borders. It says the moribund negotiations can be revived only by ditching outdated policies.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Palestinians will be looking for a new peace talks broker instead of the United States and would seek a United Nations Security Council resolution over Trump's decision.
"We will seek a new mediator from our Arab brothers and the international community," Maliki told reporters in Cairo before the Arab League meeting on Trump's Jerusalem decision.
A Turkish presidential source said Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron will work together to try to persuade the United States to reconsider the move.
A possible meeting with Pence has also been turned down by Egypt's Coptic Church, MENA state news agency reported.
White House and U.S. State Department officials did not respond to requests for comment. Palestinian officials said Pence had been due to meet Abbas on Dec. 19.
Trump's adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is leading efforts to restart negotiations, though his bid has shown little public progress so far.
ROCKETS, AIR STRIKES
Palestinian militants launched at least three rockets towards Israeli towns from Gaza after dark on Friday and Israel said it responded with air strikes that targeted a weapons depot, a military compound and two weapons manufacturing facilities.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, confirmed the two men killed in the pre-dawn strikes belonged to the group, which has urged Palestinians to keep up the confrontation with Israeli forces.
However, Palestinian protests on Saturday were less intense than on the previous two days. About 60 Palestinian youths threw stones at Israeli soldiers across the Gaza-Israel border and the health ministry said at least 10 were wounded by Israeli fire.
In the occupied West Bank, Palestinians set fire to tires and threw stones and firebombs at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and, in a few instances, live fire. The Israeli military said one protester was arrested.
In East Jerusalem about 60 people demonstrated near the walled Old City, where paramilitary border police and officers on horseback tried to disperse the crowd with tear gas. Thirteen demonstrators were arrested and four officers were lightly injured by stones, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
On Friday, thousands of Palestinians took to the streets in protest and two Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli troops on the Gaza border. Scores more were wounded there and in the West Bank. Across the Arab and Muslim worlds, thousands more protesters had gathered to express solidarity.
The Turkish presidential source said Erdogan and Macron agreed during a phone call that Trump's move was worrying for the region and that Turkey and France would make a joint effort to try to reverse the U.S. decision.
Erdogan also spoke to the presidents of Kazakhstan, Lebanon and Azerbaijan on Saturday, the source said. On Wednesday, he called an urgent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Turkey next week.
A senior United Arab Emirates (UAE) official said on Saturday that Trump's move was a "gift to radicalism".
"Radicals and extremists will use that to fan the language of hate," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said at the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/palestinians-to-snub-pence-during-visit-over-jerusalem-move/articleshow/62004640.cms
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Israel air strikes kill two in Gaza as Trump rage simmers
AFP | Dec 9, 2017
GAZA: Retaliatory Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip killed two Hamas militants today, as unrest simmered across the Palestinian territories over US President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
A total of four people have now been killed and dozens wounded since Trump announced his deeply controversial decision which drew criticism from every other member of the UN Security Council at an emergency meeting on Friday.
There were fresh clashes on Saturday as Palestinian protesters in the occupied West Bank hurled stones at Israeli troops who responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds.
In Gaza, mourners vented their anger at the funeral of one of two people killed by Israeli troops during clashes at the border fence yesterday.
There have been fears of a much larger escalation of violence after Hamas leader Ismail Haniya called for a new Palestinian intifada or uprising and analysts have been anxiously watching what happens next.
Dozens of protesters were wounded by rubber bullets or live fire in clashes in the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem that followed the main weekly Muslim prayers on Friday.
Tens of thousands also protested in Muslim and Arab countries, including Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia.
Today's pre-dawn air strike on a base of Hamas's military wing in Nusseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, was one of several, the Israeli military said.
It followed three rocket attacks on Friday night from Gaza into southern Israel.
"Today in response to the rockets fired at southern Israeli communities throughout yesterday, Israel air force aircraft targeted four facilities belonging to the Hamas terror organisation in the Gaza Strip," the army said.
It said the targets were "two weapons manufacturing sites, a weapons warehouse and a military compound, in each target, several components were hit," it added.
The Hamas health ministry in Gaza said the two dead men were members of its armed wing, which has fought three wars with Israel since 2008.
Last night, a rocket hit the southern Israeli city of Sderot although Israeli public radio said it did not explode and did not cause any casualties.
The Israeli military said that its Iron Dome air defence system intercepted an earlier rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave.
It said it later detected a second missile launch, but had not found evidence that it had reached Israeli territory.
The military retaliated last night with air strikes on what it said were two targets and the Gaza health ministry said 14 people were wounded, among them women and children.
A previously unknown Salafist group calling itself the Salahedin Brigades claimed responsibility for one of the attacks.
But the Israeli army said it held Hamas responsible for all "hostile activity" originating from the territory under its control.
Trump's decision drew lavish praise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but has sparked a worldwide diplomatic backlash.
Five European countries on the UN Security Council insisted the new US policy was not consistent with past resolutions, including one that declares east Jerusalem to be Israeli-occupied.
The meeting was requested by eight of the 15 members of the council but was largely symbolic as no vote on a resolution was planned because the US wields veto power.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas hailed the international concern.
The Israeli army said around 4,500 Palestinians "participated in violent riots" along the Gaza-Israel border.
It said that troops shot at "dozens" of what it said were ringleaders of the disturbances.
In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians took part in "violent riots" throughout the territory, with 28 arrested and about 65 wounded, the army said.
Trump said his defiant move- making good on a 2016 presidential campaign pledge, marked the start of a "new approach" to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
But many analysts question how a balanced agreement can be reached by granting such a major Israeli demand before negotiations have even started.
Israel has long claimed all of Jerusalem as its indivisible capital, while the Palestinians see the annexed eastern sector of the city as the capital of their future state.
Its status is the most sensitive issue in the decades- long conflict.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-air-strikes-kill-two-in-gaza-as-trump-rage-simmers/articleshow/61998673.cms
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Israel says demolished tunnel from Gaza into its territory
AP | Dec 10, 2017
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military says it has destroyed a tunnel built by the Hamas militant group that stretched from the Gaza Strip several hundred meters (yards) into Israel.
Lt Col Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, told reporters on Sunday that Israel used a new set of "tools" to destroy the tunnel. He said forces had detected the tunnel months ago and continued to monitor construction efforts by Hamas militants before demolishing it.
He said the tunnel was not complete, but was "very substantial," equipped with electricity, communications equipment and a ventilation system. It was located about 1 kilometer (half a mile) from an Israeli community.
Israel has placed a high priority on halting the tunnel threat since Hamas infiltrated Israel during the 2014 war.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-demolished-tunnel-from-gaza-into-its-territory/articleshow/62008562.cms
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Southeast Asia
Thousands of Indonesians rally at US Embassy over Jerusalem
AP | Dec 10, 2017
JAKARTA (INDONESIA):About 10,000 Indonesians have rallied outside the US Embassy in Jakarta in support of Palestinians and denouncing President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The protesters are carrying banners reading "US Embassy, Gets Out from Al-Quds", "Free Jerusalem and Palestinians" and "We are with the Palestinians." Al-Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem.
Sunday's protest, organized by the Islamist Prosperous Justice Party, was the second since Trump's decision on Thursday.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has strongly condemned Trump's move, which he described as a violation of UN resolutions.
Indonesia, as the world's most populous Muslim nation, has long been a strong supporter of Palestinians and has no diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/thousands-of-indonesians-rally-at-us-embassy-over-jerusalem/articleshow/62007655.cms
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Europe
Britain’s foreign minister Johnson in Iran to push for Briton’s release
December 10, 2017
TEHRAN: Britain’s foreign minister visited Iran on Saturday to press for the release of British-Iranian woman NazaninZaghari-Ratcliffe amid accusations at home that one of his gaffes has seriously harmed her case.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson held talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad JavadZarif which also touched on a landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, the future of which has been thrown into doubt by US President Donald Trump.
Johnson also met Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who said Britain needed to do more to open trade and banking ties with Iran.
“Since the JCPOA (nuclear deal), trade and economic cooperation between the two countries have been unsatisfactory and the facilitation of banking relations can be a start for expanding cooperation in other sectors,” Shamkhani said after the meeting, according to official news agency IRNA.
Johnson, who is due to meet President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday, did not speak to reporters.
He released a statement prior to his arrival, saying: “I will stress my grave concerns about our dual national consular cases and press for their release where there are humanitarian grounds to do so.”
Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian citizen, was arrested at Tehran airport in April 2016 after visiting relatives.
She was given five years in prison over her alleged role in mass protests in 2009, which she denies, and will face additional charges in court on Sunday of “spreading propaganda”.
Husband Richard Ratcliffe, who had lobbied to join Johnson on the visit, says his wife has been used as a pawn in Iran’s efforts to extract some 450 million pounds ($600 million) owed to Iran since before the 1979 Islamic revolution. He has raised concerns about his wife’s mental health, citing the mounting toll of her prolonged incarceration in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.
The case has become highly politicised, especially after a “slip of the tongue” by Johnson last month when he stated that Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists in Iran, which has been used by the Iranian authorities to help justify the new charges.
‘Harassment and prosecution’
Meanwhile, the BBC urged Johnson to raise their complaints about the “harassment and prosecution” of their Persian-language staff living abroad.
“While he is in Iran, we urge Boris Johnson to raise the case of BBC Persian staff, who have had a criminal investigation launched against them simply because they work for the BBC,” the broadcaster said on Twitter.
BBC Persian staff have had their Iranian bank accounts frozen, and complain of threatening phone calls and interrogations of family members in Iran. Johnson is on a three-day trip to the region, stopping in Oman on Friday and moving on to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
dawn.com/news/1375628/johnson-in-iran-to-push-for-britons-release
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German intel chief: Islamic radical numbers are growing
By Associated Press December 10 at 6:05 AM
BERLIN — The head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency says the number of Islamic radicals is growing and becoming increasingly difficult to keep under surveillance as recruiting efforts move underground.
Hans-Georg Maassen said in comments released Sunday that the number of adherents of Salafist ideology rose to 10,800 from 9,700 a year ago. Salafists believe in a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam, though are not necessarily violent.
He says they’ve reduced street recruiting and radicalization in mosques and larger groups in favor of “small conspiratorial circles, primarily on the internet.” Maassen says “this is a particular challenge” for his office.
He says Islamic radicals from Chechnya and the North Caucasus region, of whom there are several hundred, are another concern, because they’re well networked, prone to violence and often have combat experience.
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bhu-ma-paper-discuss-triple/d/113514