Bombay HC Permits Animal Slaughter for Baqrid and Urs at Dargah At Vishalgad Fort
New Age Islam News Bureau
03 June 2025
Hearing the student's plea on Tuesday, a vacation bench of Justices Gauri V Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan said that she should be released from jail to appear for exams. (File Photo)
----------
· Bombay HC Permits Animal Slaughter for Bakri Eid and Urs at Dargah At Vishalgad Fort
· No Sectarianism in Islamic Emirateof Afghanistan: Islamic System Belongs To People Of All Starta, Including Shia Muslims
· CAIR Repeats Call to Designate India a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ After 8,500+ Muslim Homes Destroyed
· Drama Therapy Workshop in Jeddah Explores Healing Power Of Expression
· Tehran Strongly Reacts to PGCC Claims On Iran Trio Islands
-----
India
· Sambhal Administration Prohibits Animal Sacrifice in 'Public, Open' Spaces During Bakrid
· Maharashtra Withdraws Ban On Livestock Markets During Bakri Eid Week
· Centre to Launch ‘UMEED’ Portal On June 6 To Streamline Registration Of Waqf Properties
· Rajasthan Government Employee Shakur Khan, Arrested for Suspicion of Espionage for Pakistan
· Police Sub-Inspector Removed from Field Duty After Asking Bhopal Gym to Bar Entry Of Muslims
-----
South Asia
· Budget Does Not Reflect Determination To Build New Bangladesh: Jamaat's ATM Masum
· Yunus opens second round of talks to strengthen national unity
· Baitul MukarramNational Mosque, Afghanistan, To Host 5 Eid Congregations, First at 7am
· 15 schools inaugurated in Paktika, ministry
· Over 360 suspects arrested in two months in Nangarhar
· WHO Security Officer from Badakhshan killed in Nangarhar
· Bangladeshi citizens commend Saudi Arabia’s meticulous services for Hajj pilgrims
-------
North America
· CAIR Repeats Call for French Leaders to Stop Fanning Islamophobia After Killing of Tunisian Muslim, Wounding of Turkish Man
· Colorado attack sparks MAGA calls for Muslim travel ban, mass deportations
· Tulsa plans $105m in reparations for America's 'hidden' massacre
-----
Arab World
· Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with US counterpart
· Saudi Arabia hosts relatives of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs for Hajj pilgrimage
· First phase of historic Sheikh’s Fortress renovation completed in Rijal Almaa
· Saudi Arabia reduces rate of diseases including hepatitis C by more than 87%, report says
· Students from Islamic University of Madinah to guide pilgrims in Hajj animal sacrifice
· Saudi Red Crescent deploys 11 air ambulances, 120 ground units for Hajj
-----
Mideast
· Resistance movements owe everlasting gratitude to Imam Khomeini
· Israel intercepts Yemen missile, Houthi rebels claim attack
· Can sanctions relief deliver quick wins for Syria’s economy?
· Syrian government and Kurdish force exchange prisoners
----
Europe
· Fined After Burning Qur’an Outside Turkish Consulate In London
· Welcome to the Islamic theocracy of Great Britain
· Poland's conservative president-elect to be tough opponent for PM
· Russia and Ukraine fail again to agree ceasefire but commit to prisoner swap
· Erdogan outlines vision for Russia-Ukraine talks
------
Africa
· Nigerian Police Intercept Illicit Arms, Rescues 12 Trafficked Children
· Sudan's new PM dissolves government one day after taking office
· Sudan’s new PM Kamil Idris demands foreign backers halt RSF’s 'criminal operations'
· Cold Reception In Lagos Exposes Tension Between Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu As Political Rift Deepens
· ‘We Can’t Continue Like This’ – Buratai Knocks Tinubu Govt Over Hardship
· Natasha Speaks On Her Relationship With Tinubu’s Govt
· Nigerian Army Kills Over 20 Bandits In Air Strike; Five Vigilantes Dead
· Nigeria flood victims mourn missing bodies as death toll stagnates
-----
Southeast Asia
· No Malaysian Pilgrim Will Miss Arafah Wukuf, Tabung Haji Assures Amid Saudi Movement Curbs
· Prabowo Alleges Foreign-Funded NGOs Aim to Divide Indonesia
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bombay-hc-bakri-eid-dargah-slaughter/d/135765
------
Bombay HC permits animal slaughter for Bakri Eid and Urs at dargah at Vishalgad fort
June 3, 2025
Hearing the student's plea on Tuesday, a vacation bench of Justices Gauri V Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan said that she should be released from jail to appear for exams. (File Photo)
----------
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed animal slaughter for Eid al-Adha (commonly known as Bakri Eid) and Urs at the dargah at Vishalgad Fort in Kolhapur, saying certain conditions should be strictly complied with.
The court permitted animal slaughter for Bakri Eid on June 7 and the four-day Urs from June 8 to 12 at the dargah at Vishalgad fort and clarified that the order shall apply to the petitioners as well as the dargah devotees who come there to sacrifice animals on the said days.
A vacation bench of Justices Neela K Gokhale and Firdosh P Pooniwalla was hearing an interim application by Hazrat Peer Malik Rehan Dargah Trust, seeking permission for slaughtering animals on the said dates.
The trust had filed an interim application in its writ plea challenging various communications issued by the director of archaeology and museums, the superintendent of police, Kolhapur, and the chief executive officer of the Kolhapur Zilla Parishad seeking a ban on slaughtering of animals and birds at Vishalgad in Shahuwadi Taluka.
The authorities had claimed that the slaughtering of animals was taking place at a protected monument, and as per Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1962, there was a prohibition to cook and consume food in the fort premises.
However, the petitioner trust, through advocates Satish B Talekar and Madhavi Ayyapan, had argued that the dargah within the fort precincts was a historical monument constructed in the 11th century and is visited and revered by both Hindus and Muslims. The trust claimed that while the animal sacrifice at the dargah was an “integral custom”, the actual sacrifice does not take place in a public place but behind closed doors on private land nearly 1.4 km away from the fort. The lawyers argued that the offerings are served to pilgrims and others at the dargah and have been a source of food to many poor people residing in the surrounding villages of the fort.
The Justice Gokhale-led vacation bench referred to the June 14, 2024, order of a bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Pooniwalla that allowed animal slaughter during Bakri Eid and Urs at the said dargah.
“Considering the fact that the coordinate bench of this court in order dated June 14, 2024 has already dealt with the issue and had permitted the prayer, the same shall continue for the festival of Bakri Eid, which is on June 7 and the Urs for four days from June 8 to 12. Needless to state, the same conditions, which have been imposed in the June 14, 2024 order, shall apply to the petitioners in the present interim application and also to devotees of Dargah who come to sacrifice animals during Bakri Eid and Urs. The conditions imposed in June 14, 2024 order shall be strictly complied with,” the vacation bench noted in the order and disposed of the trust’s application.
The conditions include that the killing of animals or birds shall only take place in the closed premises, a private land owned by one Mubarak Usman Mujawar, and the killing of animals should not be done in an open place or a public place.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-permits-animal-slaughter-bakri-eid-urs-dargah-vishalgad-fort-10045434/
-------
No Sectarianism In Islamic Emirateof Afghanistan: Islamic System Belongs To People Of All Starta, Including Shia Muslims
June 3, 2025
Since its re-establishment nearly four years ago, the Islamic Emirate has announced that the Islamic system belongs to the people of different starta, including all sects, notably Shia Muslims all over the country.
It said the Islamic Emirate covers, supports, and provides services for the entire Afghan nation indiscriminately, in line with the Islamic teachings and sharia laws.
A report from the country’s Ghazni province said that Shia Scholars have pledged support for Islamic Emirate as a good omen of national unity.
The high commission of Shia scholars expressed their support for the Islamic Emirate in a gathering held in the province.
Several Shia scholars and tribal elders stated that since the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, there has been increased national unity.
Mohammad Ali Akhlaqi, the head of the high commission of Shia scholars of Afghanistan, said:
“We see our society and future under the umbrella of the unity of the Islamic Emirate, and we do not want our future generations to experience the bitter experiences of wars and conflicts.”
As the private TOLOnews reported, Mullah Nawari, a member of the high commission of Shia scholars of Afghanistan, said:
“In the system of the Islamic Emirate, national unity among ethnic groups has been truly consolidated, and we will not allow anyone to harm the existing stability.” Jafar Siddiqi, another member of the high commission, stated: “The Shia community has no problems with the Islamic Emirate. We support the achievements of the Islamic Emirate and are striving for the reconstruction of the country and the consolidation of national unity.”
Participants in the meeting also called on the international community to recognize the Islamic Emirate and release Afghanistan’s frozen assets.
Ghulam Ali Wahdat, a tribal elder from Ghazni, said: “We call on the international community to grant the rights of Afghans. The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan have the right to gain membership in the international community and have good relations with the world.”
Mohammad Hussain Mullah, a Shia religious scholar in Ghazni, said: “We request the international community to release Afghanistan’s frozen assets because it is the right of Afghans.
Let the Afghans use these funds for the welfare and comfort of the people of Afghanistan.”
During this meeting, the high commission of the Shia people of Afghanistan also invited officials of the previous government to return to the country.
Previously, Shia religious scholars and tribal elders had also called for such gatherings to be held in the provinces of Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, Bamyan, and several other provinces.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/no-sectarianism-in-islamic-emirate/
---------
CAIR Repeats Call to Designate India a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ After 8,500+ Muslim Homes Destroyed
June 2, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today renewed its call on the State Department to designate India a ‘country of particular concern’ after more than 8,500 Muslim homes were bulldozed in the city of Ahmedabad.
Thousands of Muslim families in Ahmedabad have been rendered homeless after authorities demolished more than 8,500 homes. While officials claim the action targeted “illegal Bangladeshi immigrants,” many of the evicted say they have been living there for decades, some since before the country’s independence.
SEE: Over 8,500 Muslim Homes Bulldozed in Ahmedabad; Hindu Properties Spared – Clarion India
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“India’s far-right Hindutva government has been escalating its targeting of Indian Muslims. Violence and ethnic cleansing are becoming more common. It is time for the State Department to recognize India as a country of particular concern and take action to stop the Modi government from continuing its violence against Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and other minorities.”
Last week, Rutgers University’s Center for Security, Race, and Rights released the report Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism, which examines how Hindutva nationalists have capitalized on the anti-Muslim public discourse to gain greater acceptance for their ethnonationalist agenda.
CAIR has previously called on the State Department to designate India a country of particular concern.
SEE: CAIR Sends Letter Urging Sec. Rubio to Designate India a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Over Anti-Muslim Waqf Act
CAIR Reiterates Call to Designate India a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Due to Religious Persecution After USCIRF Recommendation
CAIR Condemns Indian PM Modi’s Anti-Muslim Hate Speech, Repeats Call for Biden to Declare India ‘Country of Particular Concern’
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-repeats-call-to-designate-india-a-country-of-particular-concern-after-8500-muslim-homes-destroyed/
----------
Drama therapy workshop in Jeddah explores healing power of expression
AFSHAN AZIZ
June 02, 2025
Psychologist Lujain Faqerah and actor Abdul Al-Shareef, center, with attendees at the drama therapy workshop in Jeddah. (Supplied)
------------
JEDDAH: A drama therapy workshop was recently organized under the theme: “In drama we find the power to express, and in expression we find the power to heal,” at Cinema Al-Balad in Jeddah.
Led by Lujain Faqerah, senior psychologist and creative arts supervisor, in collaboration with actor and screenwriter Abdul Al-Shareef, the workshop explored the use of drama therapy in daily life and creative work.
Participants, including therapists, creatives, and others, learned how drama can support emotional awareness, healing, and connection.
The workshop showed how drama-based therapeutic techniques can help people access unconscious behaviors, foster self-expression, and improve creative practices such as screenwriting and acting.
Faqerah told Arab News: “Drama is integrated naturally in our daily responses and situations. In a therapeutic setting, it helps us observe these interactions and reflect on a deeper level of our unconscious body gestures and movements that might reveal a lot about our personalities.”
She made it clear that drama therapy is not about performing but about expressing what lies beneath — emotions, memories, or internal conflicts.
Faqerah said: “The word drama has a negative connotation to the extent that people reject it before trying. Drama therapy does not depend on acting skills or previous experience, but more on your self-expression and the challenges you experience.”
Her discovery of drama therapy was transformative. “It surprised me with the appearance of a hidden part of me that is more bold and confident. When this part emerged and I saw the benefits myself, I started incorporating it in my profession.”
Al-Shareef brought a creative perspective as an actor and screenwriter new to drama therapy but interested in its techniques.
“As an actor and a writer, I found this experiment with drama supervision and therapy fascinating. It’s a tool that I am willing to explore and learn more about to enhance my life and practice,” he said.
“Some people may think drama therapy is exclusively for artists, but it’s not. The techniques can be integrated into everyday routines, varying from person to person depending on their challenges.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603122/saudi-arabia
--------
Tehran Strongly Reacts to PGCC Claims On Iran Trio Islands
Jun 3, 2025
TEHRAN, Jun. 03 (MNA) – Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei strongly reacted to the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council's repeated claims about three Iranian Islands at the 64th meeting of the Council's foreign ministers.
------------
In line with exercising its sovereign rights, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take any necessary action to ensure the security and interests of the country within the three islands, including their land, water, and airspace, Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the comments made in the PGCC's statement regarding residential construction, the visit of Iranian civil and military officials to islands belonging to Iran, and the holding of military exercises within its territorial borders as interference in Iran's sovereign affairs and rejects them, the Iranian diplomat stressed.
Although such measures do not conflict with the absolute and effective sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, they are contrary to the principles of international law regarding respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, he underlined.
The three islands of Lesser Tunb, Greater Tunb, and Abu Musa are an integral part of Iranian territory, and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council is expected to adopt a more constructive approach, relying on the commonalities of the nations of the region, instead of making baseless claims against Iran's territorial integrity, he concluded.
Source: mehrnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/232625/Tehran-strongly-reacts-to-PGCC-claims-on-Iran-trio-islands
--------
India
Sambhal Administration Prohibits Animal Sacrifice in 'Public, Open' Spaces During Bakrid
03 Jun 2025
SAMBHAL: District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya on Tuesday announced that sacrificial slaughter in public places will not be permitted here during Bakrid and assured strict action against anyone attempting to "disturb public order."
A peace committee meeting, which included representatives from areas where Eid prayers will be conducted, was held to discuss the arrangements.
"All stakeholders were consulted. Sacrifices will be allowed only at 19 pre-identified sites. No public or open space will be used for animal sacrifice," Pensiya said addressing a press conference.
He further stated that the slaughter of prohibited animals has been banned for years, and no such incidents have occurred in the past five years.
"Eid prayers are expected to be held peacefully. The administration will ensure proper arrangements for water, electricity, and sanitation," the DM said.
Religious leaders have been advised to complete the sacrificial rituals by 3 pm between June 7 and June 9.
As an additional precaution, Pensiya noted that preventive measures are in place against approximately 900 to 950 individuals.
"Any attempt to breach the peace will be met with strict legal action," he warned.
The District Magistrate also issued a warning against uploading videos of animals being sacrificed on social media.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jun/03/sambhal-administration-prohibits-animal-sacrifice-in-public-open-spaces-during-bakrid\
---------
Maharashtra withdraws ban on livestock markets during Bakri Eid week
Jun 03, 2025
Mumbai: Ahead of Bakri Eid on June 7, the Maharashtra government has withdrawn a controversial order by the state cattle welfare commission to close all livestock markets between June 3 and June 8.
The state government has also approved a proposal to modernise the 54-year-old Deonar abattoir in Mumbai, according to leaders from the Muslim community who were present for a meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. The meeting, which included government officials, was held to take stock of preparations for the Muslim festival, during which goats are slaughtered to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice.
The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, which is part of the state department of animal husbandry, issued a circular last week to all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) ordering them to close livestock markets from June 3 to June 8. The decision sparked a row, with members of the Muslim community opposing it.
During Monday’s meeting, Fadnavis informed the Muslim MLAs that the circular had been withdrawn. According to leaders present at the meeting, Fadnavis told them that his government has taken every step to ensure law and order is maintained during Bakri Eid, also known as Eid al-Adha. He also assured them that there would be no hurdles in the traditional rituals.
The MLAs also demanded more abattoirs in Mumbai and the streamlining of the process to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for slaughtering goats in housing societies.
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh confirmed that the state government responded positively to the issues raised during the meeting. “We demanded more abattoirs [in Mumbai] as the only abattoir in Deonar has not been able to meet the demand during Eid. The issue of NOCs given by the BMC for slaughtering goats in housing societies was also discussed,” he said.
Shaikh also said that he requested the chief minister to take strict action against certain organisations that, in the name of cow protection, obstruct the transport of non-bovine animals, assault vehicle drivers, and indulge in unlawful activities.
Congress MLA Amin Patel said that the demand to modernise the 54-year-old Deonar abattoir was accepted. “We were told that the plan has been approved and the tendering process for the makeover will soon begin,” he said.
The state government has also asked the BMC to ensure cleanliness and the smooth movement of vehicles at the abattoir during the Bakri Eid week, said another Muslim MLA, who requested anonymity. “Around 175,000 goats are sold at the Deonar abattoir in eight days, with transactions of over ?700 crore. The modernisation and the decentralisation of the abattoir needs to be done urgently,” the leader said.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/big-delhi-water-bill-waiver-on-anvil-says-minister-101748890459827.html
-------
Centre to launch ‘UMEED’ portal on June 6 to streamline registration of Waqf properties
Rajesh Kumar Thakur
02 Jun 2025
The Central Government is set to officially launch the Waqf UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development) portal on 6 June, aimed at streamlining and digitising the registration and management of Waqf properties across India. This follows the enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which received the Presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu on 5 April.
According to sources, the UMEED portal has been designed to provide transparent and efficient online registration of Waqf properties. It also offers support services for individuals seeking information on the amended law and their rights or obligations under it.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in both Houses of Parliament following intense debate and heated exchanges between the ruling coalition and the Opposition. The legislation introduces stricter guidelines and procedural clarity around Waqf property registration and dispute resolution.
Despite continued protests against the new law in several parts of the country, the Centre has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure its effective and equitable implementation nationwide.
A government source said, "The portal has been designed in a way to facilitate the registration of Waqf properties with full transparency with mandatory of completion of formalities within a six-month time frame".
Under the new law, the State Waqf Boards will be responsible for monitoring and overseeing the entire property registration process following the amended provisions.Notably, the properties not registered within the fixed time frame would be declared disputed and automatically referred to a tribunal for further actions deemed fit as per new law", said a source.
The government believes the UMEED portal will bring about greater transparency, reduce legal ambiguities, and help resolve long-standing disputes surrounding Waqf land and assets. However, critics argue that the law could marginalise certain communities and are calling for more dialogue and safeguards.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jun/02/centre-to-launch-umeed-portal-on-june-6-to-streamline-registration-of-waqf-properties
---------
Rajasthan Government Employee Shakur Khan, Arrested For Suspicion Of Espionage For Pakistan
03.06.25
A Rajasthan government employee who was earlier detained on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan has now been arrested, the police said on Tuesday.
Shakur Khan, an Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) posted at the Jaisalmer employment office had allegedly been passing sensitive, strategic information to Pakistan, they said.
The government employee had been under surveillance for suspicious activities over an extended period.
During monitoring, agencies discovered that he was in regular contact with individuals linked to the Pakistan High Commission, particularly Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and Sohail Qamar, Inspector General (CID-Security) Vishnu Kant Gupta said.
"Khan was taken into custody for questioning a few days ago and was interrogated extensively at the central interrogation facility in Jaipur by multiple intelligence agencies," Gupta said in a statement.
He further shared that Khan had obtained Pakistani visas on several occasions and travelled to Pakistan, allegedly with the assistance of Danish.
Investigations revealed that during his visits, Khan came in contact with agents of Pakistan's spy agency ISI.
He has also been accused of collecting sensitive information upon return to India and transmitting it to Pakistani handlers through platforms such as WhatsApp.
Gupta noted that the case constitutes a serious security breach under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. "A case has been registered, and Khan has been arrested under relevant sections of the Act," he said.
While the police declined to comment on Khan's alleged political links, sources said he had previously worked as a personal assistant (PA) to former Congress minister Shale Mohammad, a detail that recently sparked political controversy.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rajasthan-government-employee-arrested-for-suspicion-of-espionage-for-pakistan/cid/2105919
--------
Police sub-inspector removed from field duty after asking Bhopal gym to bar entry of Muslims
03.06.25
A police sub-inspector has been removed from field duty after he allegedly asked a gym owner not to allow entry to Muslims at the facility in Bhopal, officials said on Tuesday.
The action against sub-inspector Dinesh Sharma was taken after a video surfaced on social media showing him purportedly making the controversial comments.
"No Muslim will come here to train or take training. I am telling you this clearly," the cop was seen instructing the gym owner in the clip.
According to the police, some Bajrang Dal members had visited the gym, located in the Ayodhya Nagar area of Bhopal, and raised questions over the presence of Muslim trainers at the facility.
After this, the police were called to defuse the tension there. Sharma allegedly made the comments at that time, an official said.
After a video of his comments went viral on social media, the police started an investigation into the matter.
Following the investigation, Sharma was on Monday attached to the Police Lines here, an official said.
The police have made it very clear that no such act will be allowed which creates tension between communities, the official added.
Following the incident, Bhopal BJP MP Alok Sharma said a list of such gyms where Muslims impart training was being prepared.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/police-sub-inspector-removed-from-field-duty-after-asking-bhopal-gym-to-bar-entry-of-muslims/cid/2105910
-------
South Asia
Budget does not reflect determination to build new Bangladesh: Jamaat's ATM Masum
Jun 2, 2025
In an immediate reaction to the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Acting Secretary General ATM Masum said in a statement that the determination to rebuild a new Bangladesh following the mass uprising has not been adequately reflected in the proposed budget.
Like the previous budgets, this one is also conventional, he said in a statement, adding that there is not much notable difference between the proposed budget and the original budget for the fiscal year 2024–25.
Although spending has not increased this time, it has not decreased significantly either, and the budget lacks any touch of novelty, the Jamaat leader said.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/budget-does-not-reflect-determination-build-new-bangladesh-jamaats-atm-masum-3909706
---------
Yunus opens second round of talks to strengthen national unity
Jun 2, 2025
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said the second round of discussions with political parties aims to minimise existing differences over reform proposals and build on the consensus reached during the initial phase.
Speaking at the inauguration of the talks at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Yunus announced that a "beautiful July Charter" would be unveiled following the discussions.
"We have already reached consensus on many issues," he said.
"The remaining differences from the first phase can be narrowed so that we may include more points of agreement in our July Charter. The charter will be well-organised and appealing—truly a national document."
Emphasising national unity, Yunus added, "We have not built politics on division, but have fostered unity for the welfare and progress of the country."
The second phase of talks comes as part of the Consensus Commission's broader effort to bring political parties together on key electoral and governance reforms ahead of the next general election.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-opens-second-round-talks-strengthen-national-unity-3909601
----------
Baitul MukarramNational Mosque, Afghanistan, To Host 5 Eid Congregations, First at 7am
03 Jun 2025
As ever, five Eid-ul-Azha congregations are set to be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this year.
The congregational prayers will be held at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, and 10:45am, the Islamic Foundation announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Khalilur Rahman Madani, principal of Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasah, will lead the first prayer service, with Maulana Abu Saleh Patoari, a Mufassir (Quran commentator) from the Islamic Foundation, conducting the second congregation.
The third congregation will be helmed by Mustak Ahmad, deputy director of the Islamic Foundation's Translation Department, and the fourth by Mufti Mohammad Abdullah from the foundation's Research Division.
The fifth and final congregational prayer will be led by Maulana Mohammad Nur Uddin, a language instructor from the foundation’s Religious Message & Cultural Department.
This year, Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in Bangladesh on Jun 7.
It is one of the most significant religious festivals for Muslims, marked by ritual animal sacrifice.
Since the new moon of Zilhajj was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Eid-ul-Azha will be observed there on Jun 6, with Hajj taking place on Jun 5.
Eid in Bangladesh is typically celebrated a day after it is observed in Saudi Arabia.
Source: bdnews24.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/5c439dbac797
---------
15 schools inaugurated in Paktika, ministry
June 3, 2025
KABUL: Mawlavi Habibullah Agha, the acting Minister of Education, inaugurated 15 schools worth 192 million Afghanis (some $2.75 million) in the country’s eastern province of Paktika, the ministry said in a statement Monday.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Mawlavi Habibullah Agha highlighted the ministry’s commitment to expanding access to education and improving the quality of teaching across the country, stressing the importance of creating a conducive learning environment and providing necessary facilities to support both students and teachers, according to the statement.
“These schools are not just buildings, they represent hope and opportunity for thousands of children in Paktika,” the minister said, adding that by investing in education, the government is investing for the future of Afghanistan.
He reaffirmed his focus on building more schools, hiring qualified teachers, and equipping classrooms with basic learning materials as part of the ministry’s education development plan.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/15-schools-inaugurated-in-paktika-ministry/
---------
Over 360 suspects arrested in two months in Nangarhar
June 3, 2025
JALALABAD: As many as 364 individuals have been arrested over various crimes in the country’s eastern province of Nangarhar during the past two months, the provincial police office said in a statement the other day.
“The individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft, kidnapping, murder and other crimes in the province within the past two months,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the cases of the detainees are currently under investigation and will be handed over to the justice and judiciary organs for further legal proceedings. The provincial police officials assured that necessary efforts are being made to crack down on the activities of criminal groups in the province. The Kabul Times
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/over-360-suspects-arrested-in-two-months-in-nangarhar/
------
WHO Security Officer from Badakhshan killed in Nangarhar
By Fidel Rahmati
June 3, 2025
A WHO security officer from the Badakhshan Ismaili community was brutally killed in Nangarhar, raising concerns over the safety of Ismailis in Afghanistan. About eight months ago, his brother, Sayed Shamir Yamgani, was also killed at the same WHO office.
Local sources reported on Tuesday, June 3, that a resident of Badakhshan province working at the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Nangarhar was brutally murdered.
Sayed Qiyamuddin, originally from the Yamgan district of Badakhshan, was tortured and killed two nights ago inside his bedroom, according to eyewitness accounts.
Qiyamuddin was employed in the security department of the WHO office in Nangarhar. He belonged to the Ismaili community, a minority Shi’a sect concentrated in Badakhshan.
These sources also revealed that about eight months ago, Qiyamuddin’s brother, Sayed Shamir Yamgani, was similarly killed in the same WHO office. The motive behind these killings remains unknown.
Neither the Taliban authorities nor the WHO office have issued any statements regarding this incident. This marks the second murder inside the WHO office in Nangarhar within the past year.
The killing highlights ongoing security challenges faced by humanitarian workers in Afghanistan, especially those from minority communities such as the Ismailis. According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), attacks on aid workers have increased, undermining critical humanitarian operations in conflict zones.
Additionally, reports indicate that Taliban authorities in Badakhshan have previously imposed conditions on providing humanitarian aid to Ismaili Shi’a populations, requiring conversion to Sunni Islam. Such policies exacerbate sectarian tensions and jeopardize the safety of vulnerable groups in the region.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/who-security-officer-from-badakhshan-killed-in-nangarhar/
---------
Bangladeshi citizens commend Saudi Arabia’s meticulous services for Hajj pilgrims
June 02, 2025
MAKKAH: Bangladeshi pilgrims performing Hajj have expressed satisfaction with the services Saudi Arabia provides to ensure visitors’ comfort during the Muslim pilgrimage.
Pilgrims praised the organization and high-quality services they enjoyed by participating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program.
They commended the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance for managing the program, which they said demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Islamic nation and the two holy mosques.
The visitors from Bangladesh represented the University of Dhaka, Jamia Darul Arqam Al-Islamia, and the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
About 87,000 Bangladeshis are expected to perform Hajj this year, having started to arrive in Saudi Arabia in late April, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage every Muslim is obliged to undertake at least once in their life if they are physically and financially able to do so, starts in Makkah on June 4 and will end on June 9.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603111/saudi-arabia
-------
North America
CAIR Repeats Call for French Leaders to Stop Fanning Islamophobia After Killing of Tunisian Muslim, Wounding of Turkish Man
June 2, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today repeated its call for French officials to stop fanning the flames of Islamophobia after a suspect reportedly killed a Tunisian neighbor in southeastern France and badly wounded a Turkish man.
The suspect reportedly “shared two videos on his social media account containing racist and hateful content before and after his attack.”
Earlier this year, CAIR condemned the stabbing death of a Muslim worshiper at a mosque in France by an attacker reportedly shouting Islamophobic slurs and called on French political leaders to stop fanning the flames of Islamophobia.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We condemn this apparent hate attack and again call on all elected officials and leaders in France to stop fanning the flames of Islamophobia. By repeatedly targeting the French Muslim community with discriminatory policies and actions, Islamophobic bigots get the false message that Muslims are fair game for bias and even acts of violence.”
On March 15 of this year, CAIR joined an international coalition of Muslim organizations and human rights civil society organizations in marking the UN’s 2025 International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-repeats-call-for-french-leaders-to-stop-fanning-islamophobia-after-killing-of-tunisian-muslim-wounding-of-turkish-man/
---------
Colorado attack sparks MAGA calls for Muslim travel ban, mass deportations
02 June, 2025
In the aftermath of a firebombing at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, prominent MAGA-aligned figures have responded with sweeping calls for anti-Muslim immigration policies, including mass deportation and travel bans.
On Sunday, several people sustained burns after an assailant hurled Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower into a crowd of pro-Israel protesters. Police arrested a suspect later identified by Fox News as Mohamed Sabry Suleiman, an Egyptian national allegedly residing illegally in the United States since March 2024.
Far-right activist and self-defined "proud Islamophobe" Laura Loomer seized upon the attack to issue a series of inflammatory posts on X, declaring:
"It appears Mohamed Suleiman, the Muslim man who carried out the Islamic terrorist attack, is an immigrant from Kuwait who arrived in the US two years ago under Joe Biden's open-border policy."
Loomer went further, calling for the deportation of all Muslims residing in the US, as well as a total travel ban on Muslim entry into the country.
"Islam is the greatest threat to humanity," she wrote, urging Republican lawmakers to act decisively.
She demanded that Congress implement a ban on forcibly expelling non-American Muslims, and that current Muslim residents be monitored and deported "en masse".
"It’s not enough for Republican candidates to simply say 'deport illegals'," Loomer wrote.
"They need to explicitly speak out about Islam ... We are being killed and maimed by Muslim immigrants because Republicans were too afraid of being called 'Islamophobes'."
Loomer, 31, has long been associated with Trump personally and the wider MAGA movement and is known for her incendiary racist rhetoric. Media reports have linked her to Trump, including an April 2024 visit after which several top National Security Council (NSC) officials were dismissed.
CNN and Axios both reported that Loomer had presented Trump with claims of disloyalty among NSC staff, prompting a purge, while Loomer has been known to travel personally with Trump as an unofficial adviser.
Stephen Miller, a senior Trump advisor, White House deputy chief of staff and the architect of the administration's unprecedented anti-immigration policies, blamed the Boulder incident on illegal immigration and former president Joe Biden.
"Immigration security is national security. The Biden administration gave this man a visa and then a work permit. He overstayed them both. This is why we must keep them out and send them back," Miller said.
Representative Brandon Gill, another MAGA diehard, echoed these sentiments, blaming Democratic immigration policy directly for the attack: "Suleiman had overstayed both a visa and a work permit. This is the cost of lax enforcement under Democratic leadership."
Republican State Representative Randy Fine also weighed in, using the attack as an opportunity to criticise progressive Muslim members of Congress.
"For those who wonder why I say Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib support Muslim terror, I’ll quote their comments from their personal and official X accounts about today’s firebombing of Americans by an illegal immigrant from Egypt," he wrote, without citing specific posts.
Federal and state authorities issued more measured responses. FBI Director Kash Patel labelled the incident a "terrorist attack".
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X: "We are united in prayer for the victims of the terrorist attack in Boulder. Terrorism has no place in our great country."
The political fallout from the Boulder attack has become yet another flashpoint in US culture war rhetoric fuelled by MAGA activists and the Trump administration.
With MAGA-aligned figures framing it as evidence for sweeping anti-Muslim measures, critics warn that such rhetoric risks fuelling or even giving a pretext to Islamophobic policies and collective punishment against migrants.
Source: newarab.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newarab.com/news/maga-figures-call-muslim-deportation-after-colorado-attack
---------
Tulsa plans $105m in reparations for America's 'hidden' massacre
03 June, 2025
The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma is preparing to award its black community a $105m (£73.8m) reparations package to address the harms caused by the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, one of the largest and most violent racial attacks in US history.
The plan, by Monroe Nichols, Tulsa's first black mayor, focuses on community redevelopment and does not involve direct payments to descendants or the two remaining survivors of the attack.
Nichols made the announcement on Sunday during Tulsa's first ever official Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day.
The funds, raised by a private trust, includes $24m for a housing fund and $60m for a cultural preservation fund focused on "reducing blight".
"The Tulsa Race Massacre has been a stain on our city's history... hidden from history books," Nichols said.
That tragedy, he said, was compounded by economic harms that followed, namely the building of a highway "to choke off economic vitality", "perpetual underinvestment" and "intentional acts of redlining", where black people were denied home and property loans.
"Now it's time to take the next big steps to restore," Nichols said.
The plan is called Road to Repair and its funds will be managed by the Greenwood Trust. It seeks to have $105m in assets either secured or committed by 1 June, some of which would also go into a legacy fund for the trust to acquire and develop land.
Nichols said the proposal would not require city council approval. The council would, however, authorise the transfer of any city property to the trust, which he said was very likely.
The Greenwood Trust borrows its name from Tulsa's Greenwood District, a once-prosperous black neighbourhood with an economy so thriving that it was dubbed Black Wall Street.
That all changed in May 1921, when a white mob burned it to the ground, destroying more than 1,000 homes and structures in less than 24 hours. An estimated 300 black residents were killed and many more injured.
The event "robbed Tulsa of an economic future that would have rivalled anywhere else in the world", Nichols said in a phone interview.
For decades the story of the massacre was largely erased from history, but it was thrust into the spotlight in 2020 when then-President Donald Trump announced he would hold an election rally in Tulsa on 19 June, or Juneteenth, the day commemorating the end of slavery. He rescheduled the rally and his successor, Joe Biden, declared Juneteenth a national holiday.
The Tulsa reparations will be made as Trump, now back in the White House, is ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in the US government and many major companies are abandoning or reducing their diversity initiatives.
Tulsa's package is also the first large-scale plan that commits funds to addressing the impact of a specific racially motivated attack.
Evanston, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, became the first city to make reparations available to its black residents in 2021, by offering qualified households money for expenses such as home repairs and down payments.
Americans have long been divided over directly addressing past acts of racism, such as slavery, through paying reparations.
In May, Maryland Governor Wes Moore - the state's first black governor - said he would veto a measure to create a commission for studying reparations in his state.
Meanwhile, California last year apologised for past discrimination against black Americans and approved some reparations initiatives, but did not offer direct financial payments.
The last two known survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Ford Fletcher, lost a long court battle seeking reparations last summer.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dqnz37v1wo
--------
Arab World
Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with US counterpart
June 02, 2025
RIYADH: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Kingdom’s foreign minister, discussed the latest regional developments in a phone call on Monday with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The minister focused on Saudi-American ties, the strategic partnership, and international issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603136/saudi-arabia
--------
Saudi Arabia hosts relatives of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs for Hajj pilgrimage
June 02, 2025
MAKKAH: Hundreds of relatives of Palestinian political prisoners and martyrs who have died in the conflict with Israel have arrived to perform Hajj as part of Saudi Arabia’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance received 500 pilgrims from Gaza on Monday, bringing the number of those performing Hajj and arriving from Palestine to 1,000.
Palestinian pilgrims arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and were later hosted in the program’s special accommodation in the holy city of Makkah. They praised Saudi Arabia and its leadership for serving Muslims and the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program has hosted thousands of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims since its establishment in 1996.
The program this year is set to host 2,443 Hajj pilgrims from 100 countries. They started arriving in the Kingdom in May.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603121/saudi-arabia
--------
First phase of historic Sheikh’s Fortress renovation completed in Rijal Almaa
June 02, 2025
RIYADH: The first phase of renovating the historic Sheikh’s Fortress site in Rijal Almaa was recently completed by Soudah Development, a Public Investment Fund company.
It is one of the heritage sites in Jareen, one of six development zones within the Soudah Peaks project, according to a report.
Sheikh’s Fortress is one of three heritage sites receiving emergency repairs through a collaboration between Soudah Development and the Tourist Villages Cooperative Society of Rijal Almaa, under a deal signed last year.
The collaboration includes emergency repairs of Sheikh’s Fortress, Bee House and Hamidiyah Fortress, the report said.
It is part of broader efforts by Soudah Development to preserve and protect architectural and cultural heritage within the Soudah Peaks project area, which includes about 300 historical and cultural sites.
The goal is to provide exceptional experiences for tourists and residents, create job opportunities, and boost the regional and national economy.
With the first phase of repairs complete, Sheikh’s Fortress will symbolize the region’s rich architectural, cultural and historical identity, and help promote local heritage.
Soudah Peaks will be a luxury mountain destination inspired by local architectural identity. The project includes six distinctive zones: Tahlal, Sahab, Sabrah, Jareen, Rijal and Red Rock.
It will offer luxury tourism, hospitality and residential experiences, and is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while generating long-term economic impact for the region and the Kingdom.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603123/saudi-arabia
---------
Saudi Arabia reduces rate of diseases including hepatitis C by more than 87%, report says
June 02, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has reduced rates of diseases, including hepatitis C, tuberculosis and malaria, by more than 87.5 percent, according to a new report.
The rate of dengue fever, measles, rubella, neonatal tetanus and HIV was also reduced, according to the annual Health Sector Transformation Report 2024.
Improvements in early detection, immunization and awareness campaigns led to the lower rates of disease, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The report also highlighted several newborn screening initiatives aimed at the early detection of genetic disorders, metabolic conditions, and hereditary blood diseases.
Localization efforts in health also achieved significant milestones in 2024, advancing health security and self-sufficiency in the Kingdom by domestically producing critical medical supplies.
Key accomplishments include localizing the manufacturing of 31 healthcare products.
In mental health, the report highlighted the efforts of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion, including initiatives aimed at training community members, teachers, and healthcare workers in basic psychological support skills and rapid crisis intervention.
The center has developed specialized training programs and accredited certifications to expand mental health awareness and reduce associated stigma.
Additionally, the report noted the introduction of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy, a targeted intervention against a major cause of child and adolescent mortality.
These efforts are part of objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at improving public health.
The average life expectancy in the Kingdom now stands at 78.8 years, with a target of 80 years by 2030.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603124/saudi-arabia
---------
Students from Islamic University of Madinah to guide pilgrims in Hajj animal sacrifice
June 02, 2025
MADINAH: Muslim students from the Islamic University of Madinah in the Hejaz Region are participating in the Hajj rituals of Hady by offering guidance on animal sacrifice this weekend.
Some 300 students representing 40 nationalities will take part in the annual sacrifice of animals through Saudi Arabia’s Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi.
Students will educate and guide pilgrims, ensuring adherence to the Prophet’s Sunnah during the performance of the rituals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The project was established in 1983 to support the Hady rituals and supervise the use of Hajj meat and its distribution to the destitute.
During pilgrimage, which concludes this year on Monday, June 9, pilgrims are required to sacrifice an animal in a ritual called Hady.
Udhiya is a sacrifice carried out by or on behalf of non-pilgrim Muslims on the day of Eid Al-Adha.
In collaboration with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the student initiative aims to supervise the Hady rituals according to Islamic law, the SPA added.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603106/saudi-arabia
---------
Saudi Red Crescent deploys 11 air ambulances, 120 ground units for Hajj
June 02, 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has activated its air ambulance service for the 2025 Hajj season, deploying 11 aircraft from 13 strategically located helipads to transport critical medical cases from the Grand Mosque and holy sites.
This is to ensure rapid emergency response throughout pilgrimage areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Air ambulances play a vital role in supporting the seasonal emergency network by ensuring the rapid transportation of patients and injured individuals; facilitating medical evacuations between healthcare facilities; and deploying specialized medical teams to high-density areas or critical emergencies.
Simultaneously, SRCA has enhanced its operational capacity with over 120 ambulance units operating continuously, supported by more than 100 vehicles across Makkah. Strategic distribution includes 45 units in the northeast and western sectors, 15 units covering southern zones, and 20 units in central areas.
Advanced mobile resources include more than 160 emergency medical technicians; 12 motorized emergency vehicles; and three golf carts fitted as portable ambulances for restricted-access zones. These assets ensure comprehensive preparedness for potential emergencies.
More than 30 emergency units have been strategically stationed at the Grand Mosque. These include seven teams in the Masa’a and Saudi Corridor, eight teams across the Masa’a and eastern courtyards, 10 teams covering western and southern courtyards, and two in the third Saudi expansion zone.
These units are staffed by more than 60 paramedics and reinforced by 16 medical golf carts for rapid response in high-density areas.
The service is supported by more than 120 highly qualified physicians and emergency technicians who work around the clock to provide urgent medical care to pilgrims.
Supporting these operations are over 550 volunteers from the authority’s teams, distributed across more than 200 units operating continuously. These specialized teams provide emergency medical coverage across all high-traffic pilgrimage routes.
This integrated system forms a fundamental pillar of the Hajj emergency plan, significantly contributing to reduced response times.
It reflects the Kingdom’s high level of preparedness and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare to pilgrims. This initiative aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services for all pilgrims.
These measures form part of a coordinated government-wide system involving multiple entities focused on improving medical transport, safety and service quality for pilgrims.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603092/saudi-arabia
--------
Mideast
Resistance movements owe everlasting gratitude to Imam Khomeini
June 2, 2025
By Sondoss Al Asaad
The Hezbollah chief emphasized that the Islamic Ummah “is today illuminated by the rays of the pure light of Muhammadan Islam, which Imam Khomeini established through his revolutionary project.”
Sheikh Qassem said, “The late Imam embodied the values ??of faith and rejected injustice, occupation, and subordination,” noting that these principles continue to be a beacon for resistance and liberation movements in West Asia.
The Secretary-General of Hezbollah added: “With the victory of truth over falsehood, we experience hope after this divine leader accomplished a historic shift, transforming Iran from the rule of the U.S.-backed Shah into an independent and dignified Islamic Republic that stood with the oppressed around the world.”
Iran, under the reign of Shah (King) Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, before the victory of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979, was aligned with the American-Israeli project and had the closest relations with the Zionist entity.
However, Imam Khomeini, from the beginning of his movement in 1963, stood against the Shah, repeatedly affirmed his absolute support for the Palestinian resistance to liberate all of Palestine, from the river to the sea.
In 1968, Imam Khomeini announced his famous fatwa ordering the donation of khums and zakat to support the Palestinian cause.
Before the victory of Imam Khomeini’s revolution, the Amal Movement, led by Martyr Sayyed Musa al-Sadr (ra), sheltered dozens of Iranian revolutionaries who played an important role in strengthening cooperation with Palestinian resistance leaders.
Shortly after the victory of Imam Khomeini’s revolution, the slogan “Today Iran, Tomorrow Palestine” was raised.
Imam Khomeini made a historic decision to close the embassy of the Zionist entity and transform it into the embassy of Palestine, and declared the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan as “International Quds Day.”
The first to visit Iran was the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat; this caused a huge strategic shift in the conflict with the Zionist enemy, especially after Egypt signed the Camp David Accords in 1978.
Because of Imam Khomeini’s overwhelming support for the Palestinian cause, Iran was subjected to numerous conspiracies to overthrow the Islamic establishment, including the ill-fated Operation Eagle Claw by the United States; the ignition of internal conflicts; and the Iraqi Baathist regime’s invasion of Iran, which coincided with an ethno-sectarian propaganda against the Islamic Republic in the Arab media.
Despite these challenges, Imam Khomeini sent, after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces to support Lebanese resistance movements against the occupation. This later paved the way for the birth of Hezbollah.
Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah Secretary General, recounts: “Nine individuals were delegated to the Islamic Republic to meet with Imam Khomeini. They asked him, ‘What is our mission?’ His Eminence answered that their duty is to resist despite your humble capabilities and small numbers. Imam Khomeini stated: ‘Start from scratch... Rely on God Almighty. Do not wait for anyone in the world to help you. Rely on yourselves and know that God Almighty is your supporter. I see that victory is engraved on your foreheads’.”
Martyr Sayyed Fouad Shukr (ra) also recounts: “On June 6, 1982, the Israeli ground invasion began. We were anticipating its objectives and scope, especially since we realized at the time that the event was unlike anything that had preceded it. A long debate took place in Lebanon about the feasibility and cost of fighting. Our choice was to adhere to Imam Khomeini’s instructions, fully convinced that fighting was the only option to confront the enemy.”
He adds: “We gathered the youth in the mosque and told them that the enemy had reached Khaldeh [on the outskirts of Beirut]. Whoever was ready for martyrdom should prepare to go and fight now. After the clash ended, and while the Israeli bodies were being collected and placed in the garbage, the place began to fill with journalists. They asked us: ‘Who are you?’ I replied: ‘We are the Khomeinists!’ One of them was surprised: ‘We’ve never heard of this before.’ I replied: ‘From now on, you will hear a lot.’”
Despite the unfortunate pro-Israel positions made by the Fatah movement, Imam Khomeini continued his support for the Palestinian people, which later paved the way for the formation of the Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada.
Imam Khomeini also established an office for resistance movements—Palestinian, Lebanese, and Arab—which became the nucleus for the establishment of the Quds Force within the IRGC.
This support was not tied to achieving personal interests and was not conditioned on any political, sectarian, doctrinal, or ideological considerations.
Furthermore, Imam Khomeini played a prominent role in providing relief assistance, sponsoring orphans and the families of martyrs, and caring for wounded Palestinians.
Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah says: “Roughly two months before his demise, Imam Khomeini was very ill and rarely met anyone. With a big smile, he said to me: ‘Tell all the brothers in Hezbollah not to worry. I am with you, and the brothers in the Islamic Republic are all with you. We will always stand by your side’.”
Following Imam Khomeini’s demise, Iran consolidated his approach through a solid foreign policy. Iranian support for Palestine and the resistance stems from a deeply rooted belief, approach, and ideology.
As Imam Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution continues to protect all Palestinian rights and fundamentals, various regimes rush to normalize ties with the Israeli enemy.
Source: tehrantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/513872/Resistance-movements-owe-everlasting-gratitude-to-Imam-Khomeini
---------
Israel intercepts Yemen missile, Houthi rebels claim attack
June 03, 2025
JERUSALEM: The Israeli army said it intercepted a missile launched Monday from Yemen, whose Houthi rebels claimed an attack targeting Israel’s main airport.
“Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted,” the army said in a statement, as loud booms were heard in the skies over Jerusalem.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023 with Palestinian militant group Hamas’s attack on Israel.
In a video statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group’s “missile force... carried out a military operation” targeting Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
Monday’s interception followed another the day before that was claimed by the Iran-backed rebels.
The Houthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, paused their attacks during a two-month Gaza ceasefire that ended in March, but began again after Israel resumed its military campaign in the territory.
While most of the projectiles have been intercepted, one missile fired in early May hit inside the perimeter of Ben Gurion airport for the first time.
Israel has carried out several strikes in Yemen in retaliation for the attacks, including on ports and the airport in the capital Sanaa.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603144/middle-east
--------
Can sanctions relief deliver quick wins for Syria’s economy?
ANAN TELLO
June 02, 2025
LONDON: Like a relic from another era, its promise long faded, the Syrian pound still lingers in the wallets of shopkeepers and shoppers in Damascus. Yet, green shoots of hope are sprouting across the war-weary nation.
That rekindled sense of optimism owes much to US President Donald Trump’s pledge to ease sanctions and signs of regional support for Syria’s economic recovery.
A major boost came on May 31, when Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced they would jointly fund salary support for Syrian state employees, many of whom have struggled for years on paltry and irregular wages.
The pledge builds on earlier Gulf efforts to stabilize Syria’s economy and signals a deeper commitment to reconstruction. On May 12, Saudi Arabia and Qatar settled Syria’s $15.5 million in arrears to the World Bank’s International Development Association — a key step that reopened access to loans and grants.
The international backing comes at a crucial moment. After 14 years of war and isolation, Syria’s economy has nearly collapsed. Exports have dried up, foreign reserves have fallen to just $200 million, the currency has lost 99 percent of its value, and more than 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line.
Trump’s March 13 announcement in Riyadh sparked spontaneous celebrations in the capital’s streets. But even amid the jubilation, many Syrians recognized that true recovery would take more than a policy shift — and much longer to materialize.
“Partial sanctions relief sends a political signal, not a legal guarantee,” Harout Ekmanian, public international lawyer at Foley Hoag LLP in New York, told Arab News.
“Investors remain cautious, and there is a risk of overcompliance with any remaining sanctions that are in place, particularly in sensitive sectors like banking,” he said.
He added that the need for “a complete lifting of the tangled web of sanctions to facilitate investment from compliance sensitive investors from the US and Europe” cannot be overstated.
Delaney Simon, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group’s US program, concurred. “If Trump is actually planning to lift all or even most sanctions on Syria, he is doing something virtually unprecedented in the recent history of sanctions relief,” he told Arab News.
He cautions, though, that “lifting sanctions is not straightforward.”
“It will require a massive bureaucratic and possibly political lift in Washington, including mobilization of different arms of the US government including the Treasury, State and Commerce departments and Congress,” Simon said.
Even with formal relief, private firms may be slow to re-engage. “Relief on paper might not translate to relief in practice,” he said. “The private sector may be wary of engaging with Syria once the restrictions are lifted.”
Despite those concerns, Simon urges patience. “President Trump has a tough road ahead to make good on this commitment, but he should persevere,” he said. “He is right that lifting sanctions gives Syria a chance at greatness.”
For now, such an outcome remains uncertain. The most severe Western sanctions were imposed in 2011 by the US, EU, UK, and others in response to the Assad regime’s crackdown on protesters.
Following the ousting of Bashar Assad in December, the new interim government, led by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, inherited a damaged economy and the sanctions that helped undermine it.
Washington’s measures were among the most sweeping: a near-total trade embargo, asset freezes, and secondary sanctions targeting foreign firms doing business with Syria. The Caesar Act of 2020 imposed additional restrictions, further isolating Assad’s regime.
Signs of change came on May 23, when the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 25, lifting most of those restrictions. The relief, however, comes with conditions: political reform, respect for human rights, and counterterrorism commitments from Damascus.
Soon after, the EU and UK followed suit, underscoring a broader Western alignment with the Al-Sharaa government. Still, experts say sanctions relief alone will not revive an economy ravaged by years of conflict.
A key next step is rejoining the SWIFT financial network. Bankers in Damascus expect the connection to be restored within weeks, enabling smoother international transactions and potentially unlocking billions in remittances from Syrians abroad.
Nevertheless, global banks remain cautious, awaiting clearer legal guidance from Western governments. “Syria’s financial system is a black box that nobody understands,” Stephen Fallon, a banking and sanctions expert, told The Economist newsmagazine. “If I run a Western bank and I accidentally receive funds from terrorists, it’s me the American regulators will come after.”
Foley Hoag’s Ekmanian sees potential short-term gains but says they depend on legal clarity. “Sanctions relief can act as a pressure valve by easing immediate economic distress, but without legal clarity on asset recovery and investor protections, quick wins may remain elusive,” he said.
Access to frozen reserves could help stabilize liquidity. But long-term recovery, he added, depends on structural reform and investor confidence — both difficult to achieve.
Syria’s central bank holds just $200 million in foreign exchange reserves, Reuters news agency reported — a steep decline from the $18.5 billion the International Monetary Fund estimated before the war. It also retains nearly 26 tonnes of gold, currently valued at over $2.6 billion.
The interim government hopes to unlock up to $400 million in frozen overseas assets to fund reforms, including recent salary hikes for public workers. But the actual value, location, and timeline for repatriation remain unclear.
Switzerland has identified $118 million in local banks, according to Reuters, while The Syria Report estimates another $217 million is in the UK.
Ekmanian emphasized that even modest gains “hinge on the credibility of the sanctions relief architecture.” He noted that “if businesses fear snapback sanctions or regulatory ambiguity, even the thawing of restrictions won’t translate into meaningful economic movement.”
Predictability, he said, underpins international investment. “International investment law tells us that predictability is key,” he said.
“While sanctions relief can unlock trade routes and aid, without legal assurances and investment protection commitments, Syria risks a piecemeal recovery vulnerable to geopolitical shifts.”
Beyond legal guarantees, Syria must overhaul its domestic institutions. “Legal frameworks must catch up with policy signals,” Ekmanian said.
“Re-engagement with Syria under international economic law requires more than opening bank accounts,” he explained. “It demands credible reforms to the domestic legal framework, judiciary, arbitration frameworks, debt transparency, and governance of sovereign assets.”
He also warned of legal risks that could deter investors: a growing docket of war-related tort and atrocity litigation in European and US courts under universal jurisdiction and terrorism exceptions to sovereign immunity.
“Even with various US sanctions and EU Council Regulation 36/2012 partially relaxed, this needs to be accompanied by steps to ensure that the new government and Syrian people are not unduly burdened by the prior regime’s liabilities,” he said.
Ultimately, he said, “modest sanctions relief can ease humanitarian transactions and marginally bolster foreign-exchange buffers, but it cannot deliver a durable uplift in trade, investment or debt restructuring without parallel movement on governance, transparency, and human-rights benchmarks that anchor international economic law.”
Syria’s external debt is another major obstacle, estimated by the new government to be between $20 billion and $23 billion — high relative to its 2023 GDP of about $17.5 billion. Much of it was accrued under Assad through military and oil-related loans from allies such as Iran and Russia, complicating restructuring efforts.
Despite these hurdles, some see progress. “US sanctions relief will be a major step not only towards economic recovery, but also towards ending the cycles of violence that have trapped Syria for over a decade,” said Nanar Hawach, a senior Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group.
He argued that economic collapse has contributed to insecurity by weakening services, deepening grievances and driving recruitment into armed groups. “Lifting sanctions could help reverse that dynamic,” he told Arab News.
Syria’s post-Assad transition remains unsettled. Renewed violence has erupted in several areas, including rural Damascus, Homs, and the Alawite-dominated coast, now largely controlled by HTS, the group that led the offensive to oust Assad.
The group has since absorbed rival factions, some still having Daesh-aligned extremists in their ranks. Elsewhere, sectarian clashes have hit Homs and rural Damascus, while the interim government struggles to contain unrest among Druze in the south and Kurds in the northeast.
Still, the psychological effect of sanctions relief may prove powerful. “The most immediate benefit is psychological: a clear boost in investor confidence,” Hawach said.
“Even when sanctions were partially eased in the past, most banks and companies, especially international ones, avoided Syria out of fear of getting blacklisted,” he said. “Simply put, the word ‘Syria’ was enough to trigger overcompliance,” but a shift is noticeable now.
He noted that some regional investors are already engaging with Syria. “Some have already taken the decision to invest and are now looking into the technical aspects of it,” he said. “There’s a lot of momentum. It’s looking very promising.”
Since May 13, several regional investors have announced major projects. On May 29, Syria signed a strategic agreement with a consortium led by Qatar’s UCC Holding to build four gas power plants and a 1,000-megawatt solar facility — a $7 billion investment expected to meet over half the country’s electricity needs.
In another sign of momentum, DP World, the Dubai-based ports operator, signed an $800 million agreement to develop and expand the port of Tartus — the largest foreign investment in Syria since sanctions relief began.
Diaspora entrepreneurs are also stepping in. Mohamed Ghazal, managing director of Startup Syria, a community-led initiative supporting Syrian entrepreneurs, says Syrian startup founders are targeting key sectors for recovery: infrastructure, public services, agriculture, digital services, and food security.
“These sectors can generate jobs quickly, particularly in construction, agriculture, and tech,” Ghazal told Arab News. He also cited healthcare, education, and fintech as areas for investment, especially given Syria’s push to reconnect with global financial systems.
“Vocational training, online learning, digital health services — these are where youth and diaspora professionals can really contribute,” he said.
As Syria begins its journey back into the international community, the road ahead is still rocky and the challenges daunting. Yet, for the first time in years, the nation appears to be moving toward a new era — one shaped not by conflict and sanctions, but by constructive diplomacy, reform and cautious optimism.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603140/middle-east
---------
Syrian government and Kurdish force exchange prisoners
June 02, 2025
ALEPPO, Syria: Syrian authorities and a Kurdish-led force exchanged Monday more than 400 prisoners as part of a deal reached earlier this year between the two sides.
The exchange in the northern city of Aleppo is a step in the process of confidence- building measures between the government in Damascus and the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. A similar exchange took place in April.
Mulham Al-Akidi, the deputy governor of Aleppo province, said 470 prisoners were released by both sides adding that the exchange “aims to reduce tensions on the ground.” He added that if there are more prisoners they will be released in the near future.
Yasser Mohammed Hakim said he was detained six months ago after he drove into an SDF-controlled area by mistake. The man added that he was held in a jail where members of the Daesh group are held in Syria.
“They put us with the biggest terrorists,” Hakim told The Associated Press after his release by the SDF. “I am a civilian who took the wrong road. I lost six months of my life.”
In March, Syria’s interim government signed a deal with the Kurdish-led authority that controls the country’s northeast, including a ceasefire and the merging of the main US-backed force there into the Syrian army.
Since the deal was signed, the clashes between the SDF and the Syrian National Army, a coalition of Turkiye-backed groups, almost stopped in northern Syria after months of fighting that left dozens killed or wounded on both sides.
Syria’s new rulers are struggling to exert their authority across the country and reach political settlements with different ethnic and religious groups in the war-torn nation.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603134/middle-east
-------
Europe
Man fined after burning Qur’an outside Turkish consulate in London
Sammy Gecsoyler and PA Media
3 June 2025
A man has been fined after he set fire to a Qur’an outside the Turkish consulate in London, in an act that was deemed “motivated at least in part by a hatred of Muslims” by a judge.
Hamit Coskun, 50, who was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence on Monday, called his prosecution “an assault on free speech”.
In February, Coskun travelled from his home in the Midlands to Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, where he set fire to a copy of the Islamic holy book and shouted “fuck Islam”, “Islam is religion of terrorism” and “Qur’an is burning”.
Coskun, who was born in Turkey and is half Kurdish and half Armenian, argued in court that he had protested peacefully and burning the Qur’an amounted to freedom of expression.
Judge McGarva found that Coskun’s actions were “highly provocative” and said he was “motivated at least in part by a hatred of Muslims”. Coskun had argued his criticism was of Islam in general rather than its followers but McGarva said he could not accept this.
Coskun’s legal fees are being paid by the National Secular Society and the Free Speech Union, both of which criticised the ruling and said they intended to appeal “and keep on appealing it until it’s overturned”.
The advocacy group Muslim Engagement and Development quoted the judge’s sentencing remarks on X, commenting on the ruling with the hashtag #hatespeechisnotfreespeech.
The ruling has prompted comment from figures in Westminster. The prime minister’s official spokesperson declined to comment on the case but said there were no blasphemy laws in England nor were there plans to introduce any.
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative party, said on X that the case “should go to appeal”. “Freedom of belief, and freedom not to believe, are inalienable rights in Britain,” she said. “I’ll defend those rights to my dying day.”
McGarva, who issued a fine of £240, rejected the idea that the prosecution was “an attempt to bring back and expand blasphemy law”.
In his ruling, he said burning a religious book and making criticism of Islam or the Qur’an are “not necessarily disorderly”, but added: “What made his conduct disorderly was the timing and location of the conduct and that all this was accompanied by abusive language.”
The judge said Coskun, who is an atheist, had a “deep-seated hatred of Islam and its followers” based on his experiences in Turkey and the experiences of his family, and that it was “not possible to separate his views about the religion from his views about its followers”.
The judge said: “A criminal conviction is a proportionate response to the defendant’s conduct.
“I am sure that the defendant acted in a disorderly way by burning the Qur’an very obviously in front of the Turkish consulate, where there were people who were likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress and accompanying his provocative act with bad language.
“I am sure that he was motivated at least in part by a hatred of Muslims. I therefore find the defendant guilty.”
Source: yahoo.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/man-fined-burning-qur-outside-222740578.html
--------
Welcome to the Islamic theocracy of Great Britain
2 June 2025
It’s a verdict that would make the Ayatollah smile. Today, in nominally liberal Britain, a man has been found guilty of a crime after he dared to burn a Koran in public. Hamit Coskun, a Turkish-born asylum seeker, has been convicted of a ‘religiously aggravated public-order offence’ over his – quite literally – incendiary protest outside of the Turkish consulate in London in February, against what he sees as the Islamist turn of Erdogan’s Turkey. If nothing else, Coskun’s stunt has exposed the Islamist-apologist turn of our own United Kingdom.
On paper, Coskun has been convicted of ‘disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress’, motivated by ‘hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam’, contrary to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986. But we all know what that word salad really means in practice, regardless of the judge’s many assurances to the contrary. Coskun has been convicted, and fined £240, for blasphemy. All by a supposedly secular court.
The judgement, handed down by district judge John McGarva, is an elaborate exercise in victim-blaming. Coskun was assaulted at the scene by two men – first by a passerby armed with a knife, then by a delivery rider who kicked Coskun while he was on the floor. Remarkably, this is used as proof of his guilt. ‘That the conduct was disorderly is no better illustrated than by the fact that it led to serious public disorder involving him being assaulted by two different people’, says McGarva. Thank God he wasn’t also wearing a short skirt, eh?
Similar intellectual acrobatics were required to prove that Coskun was motivated by a hatred of Muslims. He claims his beef is with the religion, not its followers. But McGarva was having none of it, citing Coskun’s belief that ‘Islam is an ideology which encourages its followers to violence, paedophilia, and a disregard for the rights of non-believers’. Whether or not this is an accurate or fair reflection of the faith, as practised by Muslims around the world, is totally irrelevant. The judge decided there was no difference between Coskun’s dislike of what he means by Islam and hatred of Muslims. So he hates Muslims because he hates Islam. I’m no legal scholar, but that strikes me as a rather circular argument.
In a free society, you should be free to hate whoever and whatever you like, of course. Indeed, this ruling is another grim reminder of the subjective, authoritarian mess you find yourself in when you invite the state to police what is and isn’t hateful – whether that’s racial, religious or whatever. Someone has to decide. And in this case it has been decided by a legalistic cretin who is totally blasé about ushering in medieval blasphemy prohibitions, albeit dressed up in hate-speech lingo.
Britain may have abolished its blasphemy law in 2008, more than three decades after the last blasphemy trial went to court. But it has returned, zombie-like, through public-order and communications offences. Coskun’s isn’t even the first trial of this kind. An English Defence League member was similarly convicted for religiously aggravated harassment in 2011, after he burned a Koran at a demonstration. Belfast preacher Pastor James McConnell was put on trial in 2015 for calling Islam ‘Satanic’ in his own pulpit. Given his sermon was also streamed online they tried (and, mercifully, failed) to stick him on making ‘grossly offensive’ comments under the Communications Act.
Brace yourselves for more. Not least as Coskun – who either has balls of steel or is nursing a death wish – has said he intends to go on a Koran-burning tour of some of the UK’s other great cities. So it might not be long before he ends up back in handcuffs again, unless ‘alarmed or distressed’ members of the community get to him first. We’re also still awaiting the sentencing of a man who burned his own copy of the Koran in Manchester just two weeks before Coskun’s stunt. (He immediately pleaded guilty.) For their part, Greater Manchester Police released not only his name, but also his address, to make it that bit easier for Islamist thugs to find him.
It won’t have escaped your attention that our new backdoor blasphemy laws only seem to cover one religion in particular. Those who seek to ringfence Islam – and Islam alone – from ridicule or criticism no doubt believe they are protecting an embattled little guy. But Coskun’s case rather complicates that narrative. The – incidentally – diminutive Coskun, an atheist, is seeking asylum in the UK, claiming he faced political persecution in his native Turkey. Now, he has been made a criminal before his asylum claim has even been processed. What’s more, the evidence from across the Islamic world is that it is liberal Muslims, dissenting Muslims and ex-Muslims who bear much of the brunt of blasphemy laws and anti-blasphemy violence. Acquiescing to this religious intolerance means throwing apostates and the minorities within Islam under the proverbial bus.
If we’re honest, this is as much about cowardice as it is idiocy. The reason laws are being mangled to punish anti-Islamic blasphemy is because there are hardline factions within Islam willing to take matters into their own hands otherwise. But that is no reason to give in. As the horrors in Pakistan show us – where blasphemers are punished via the law and the lynchmob – official intolerance only fuels and justifies violent intolerance. Plus, this double standard where Islam is concerned relies on a despicable caricature of British Muslims, as if they are strange, volatile characters who must forever be tiptoed around; exotic brutes who cannot possibly be expected to live in a truly free and secular society. As is so often the case under state multiculturalism, we are anointing the loudest, most intolerant, even Islamist, voices as the authentic voice of British Muslims.
One of the enduring arguments for blasphemy laws is that they are essential to maintaining order and harmony in society. As Lord Scarman put it in 1979 – when the House of Lords was reviewing England’s last successful blasphemy trial – blasphemy laws ‘safeguard the internal tranquility of the kingdom’. He even wanted our then Christian blasphemy laws extended to other religions, for the good of our increasingly ‘plural society’. How wrong he was. Free speech isn’t a recipe for conflict. It’s how we have out our differences without resorting to the sword or the law. Censorship, on the other hand? That way division – and violence – lies.
Source: spiked-online.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/06/02/welcome-to-the-islamic-theocracy-of-great-britain/
--------
Poland's conservative president-elect to be tough opponent for PM
2 June 2025
Poland's president-elect Karol Nawrocki is taking up a largely ceremonial role, but his impact on the country's politics in the next five years may be profound.
Nawrocki's supporters, the national conservative Law and Justice (PiS) opposition, feel re-energised after losing power 18 months ago to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-EU coalition.
They view his success in Sunday's vote - by a margin of 50.9% - 49.1% over liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski - as the first step to a return to power.
Poland's president has limited influence on foreign and defence policy, but can propose and veto bills. Tusk's government lacks a big enough parliamentary majority to overturn a presidential veto.
The outgoing conservative president, Andrzej Duda, has used his blocking powers and the threat of using them to prevent the prime minister from delivering on many of his key campaign promises.
They include giving Polish women the right to a legal abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, legalising civil partnerships including same-sex relationships, accelerating onshore wind farm developments and removing political influence from the judiciary.
Nawrocki, a socially conservative 42-year-old historian, is widely expected to be an even tougher opponent for Tusk than Duda. Some believe the resulting paralysis could tempt the government to hold early elections before the scheduled autumn 2027 deadline.
"In all probability it will mean early elections, because he will veto any law the government passes," Konstanty Gebert, a journalist for weekly magazine Kultura Liberalna told the BBC.
"Constitutionally, early elections are difficult to do if the government doesn't want them, but if it is going from defeat to defeat and cannot govern, they might decide that they are the lesser evil," he explained.
Tusk's government has a parliamentary majority, so it can stay in office until autumn 2027 unless the coalition breaks up.
That union includes the conservative People's party, centrists and leftists, which is a key reason why Tusk has failed to reach an agreement on issues like abortion and civil partnerships.
Alternatively, the government could decide early elections are in its best interests.
Nawrocki is a proud Polish patriot, a conservative Catholic who opposes illegal migration, extending legal rights to people in same-sex relationships, and liberalising the country's strict abortion law.
He believes Tusk's vision of cementing Poland in the EU mainstream by relying on good relations with Brussels, Berlin and Paris runs counter to Polish national interests. Those interests are best served, he says, by standing up to Germany when their opinions diverge and not ceding more powers to Brussels. Nawrocki opposes the EU's climate proposals, such as the Green Deal, because he says limiting greenhouse gas emissions will harm small Polish farmers.
Nawrocki supports continued military and humanitarian assistance to neighbouring Ukraine. Poland is home to the international hub for supplies to Kyiv. But he does not believe that Ukraine joining Nato or the EU whilst Russian aggression is ongoing enhances Poland's security.
He's a supporter of US President Donald Trump and criticised the approach Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky took during the infamous Oval Office dressing down. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem flew to Poland a few days before the election to endorse Nawrocki, a keen amateur boxer, calling him a "strong" leader like Trump.
The election result was close, similar to that won by Duda against Trzaskowski five years ago, a sign that the country's political polarisation has not eased.
In a premature victory speech, delivered after an exit poll gave him a razor-thin win immediately after voting ended on Sunday night, Trzaskowski vowed to be a president for all Poles.
Speaking at the same time, Nawrocki made no such promises. Instead, he told his supporters that his campaign managed to unite the "patriotic camp" in Poland. Neither candidate inspired confidence that they would make constructive efforts to reach out to the other side.
Prolonged conflict between the two political groups that have dominated Polish politics for two decades, may feed into increased support for anti-establishment parties, such as the far-right Confederation or the hard left.
Confederation's young libertarian candidate Slawomir Mentzen continued the group's recent gains, coming third in the first round of the presidential election. Could it increase its support, and might it be persuaded to join a future PiS-led government?
Another Confederation leader Krzysztof Bosak denied the latter possibility on Monday, saying the two parties would not get closer because they're fighting for the same voters.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crk28vm77d6o
---------
Russia and Ukraine fail again to agree ceasefire but commit to prisoner swap
3 June 2025
A second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have ended without a major breakthrough, and only a deal to swap more prisoners of war.
Ukrainian negotiators said Russia had again rejected an "unconditional ceasefire" - a key demand by Kyiv and its allies in Europe and the US - but the two committed to return the bodies of 12,000 soldiers.
The Russian team said it had proposed a two- or three-day truce "in certain areas" of the vast front line, but gave no further details.
At Monday's talks, which were held in the Turkish city of Istanbul and lasted just over an hour, the two sides did agree to exchange all sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war, as well those aged under 25.
Expectations were low even before the talks started, with both sides remaining deeply divided on how to end a war that has been raging since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the southern Crimea peninsula it annexed in 2014.
Speaking at a briefing after the meeting, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv's negotiating team, said Ukraine was insisting on a "full and and unconditional ceasefire" for at least 30 days on land, at sea and in the air to "end the killings now".
He said Ukraine had handed over its truce proposals to Russia "a few days ago" - but Moscow failed to do the same, presenting its plan only at the talks in Istanbul.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hit back at Russia's proposal of a temporary ceasefire to collect their dead.
"I think 'idiots', because the whole point of a ceasefire is to stop people from becoming dead," he wrote on the social media site, X.
The texts of both the Russian and Ukrainian ceasefire proposals have not officially been made public.
However, Russian state-run media published what they say are key points of Moscow's position after the talks concluded. These include unchanged demands of a Ukrainian military withdrawal from its four partly occupied regions in the south-east, and the demobilisation of its soldiers.
Russia also demands international recognition of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as the annexed Crimea.
Other conditions include a ban on Ukraine's membership in any military alliances, a limit on the size of the Ukrainian army, Russian as an official language, and the lifting of international sanctions on Russia.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia said that Russia had rejected the unconditional ceasefire.
Ukraine also handed over a list of hundreds of children Kyiv says have been forcefully taken to Russia.
Ukraine's negotiators said they were expecting Russia's response to their proposals by the end of June, stressing the need to prepare for direct talks between Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin.
But so far there is no sign of any progress towards a meeting between the two presidents.
Speaking at a separate news briefing, Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky confirmed all sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war, as well as those younger than 25, would be exchanged. No timeframe was given as to when this would happen.
Medinsky also said that Russia would hand over the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv next week. Zelensky also said later on Monday that Ukraine would return the bodies of 6,000 Russian soldiers, but did not specify when this would occur.
Rejecting an unconditional ceasefire, Russia prefers to talk about "lasting peace", repeating its previous tough demands which Ukraine and its allies say are tantamount to Kyiv's de facto capitulation.
Zelensky, who was attending a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Monday, said that "while there are no meaningful signals from Russia to end the war, it is important to strengthen our defence".
He also called for more pressure through sanctions on Russia.
In the first round of direct peace talks, held on 16 May, Ukraine and Russia failed to bridge their differences on how to end the war, agreeing only to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each.
Zelensky and his European allies have repeatedly accused Russia of deliberately delaying any meaningful negotiations to seize more Ukrainian territory.
US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a quick settlement, has so far delayed hitting Russia with tougher sanctions.
However, Trump has indicated that he is "open" to a three-way summit with Zelensky and Putin "if it comes to that", according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
"He wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together," she said.
In a rare rebuke last month, Trump called Putin "absolutely crazy" following a massive drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. In response, the Kremlin said Trump was showing signs of "emotional overload".
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyng4dknwwo\
---------
Erdogan outlines vision for Russia-Ukraine talks
2 Jun, 2025
Türkiye is ready to continue mediating between Russia and Ukraine to help end the conflict and plans to propose hosting a summit bringing together the two countries’ leaders, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.
Speaking in a televised address posted on X, Erdogan described the second meeting between delegations from Moscow and Kiev in a month as “very magnificent.”
“My biggest wish is to bring together both (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and (Ukraine’s Vladimir) Zelensky, perhaps in Istanbul or Ankara,” he said, suggesting that US President Donald Trump could also take part in the gathering.
“If they agree, I would join the meeting personally,” Erdogan stated, calling for Istanbul to become “a true center of peace.”
During Monday’s meeting in Istanbul, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed on a “largest ever” prisoner exchange, according to the head of the Russia negotiation team, Vladimir Medinsky. The swap will include all severely injured and seriously ill POWs, as well as a separate mechanism involving all captive soldiers who are under 25 years old, he told reporters.
Medinsky also said Russia would unilaterally return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian servicemen next week. Moscow also presented Kiev with a detailed memorandum outlining a proposal for a lasting peace and steps toward a “full-fledged ceasefire,” he said.
Türkiye has played a key mediating role between Russia and Ukraine since 2022, when it hosted early peace talks between the two. Those talks failed to bring about a breakthrough after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised Kiev not to accept a deal, and to seek victory on the battlefield.
Ukraine returned to talks under pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has insisted that a truce be brokered. The previous round of talks, held in Istanbul on May 16, led to the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side.
On Monday, the Ukrainian delegation suggested holding the next meeting before the end of June, the head of Kiev’s delegation Rustem Umerov told reporters after the talks. Moscow has not commented on the proposal.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/618559-erdogan-russia-ukraine-summit/
--------
Africa
Nigerian PoliceIntercept Illicit Arms, Rescues 12 Trafficked Children
June 2, 2025
By Justina Otio
The Nigerian Police Force in Abia and Kogi States have recorded significant success in the fight against crime, with the rescue of trafficked children and the interception of illegal arms.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, twelve trafficked children were rescued while two suspected traffickers were arrested.
Officers in Kogi State intercepted a vehicle that ran through a security checkpoint at high speed. When the driver noticed the police vehicle was in hot pursuit, he abandoned the vehicle and ran into the bush.
Arms and ammunition, including 5 AK-47 rifles, 8 AK-47 magazines, 283 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and 2 rounds of 7.62x59mm ammunition, were discovered in the vehicle.
The statement reads, “The Nigeria Police Force, through multiple coordinated efforts in Abia and Kogi State Commands, has recorded significant success in the fight against crime with the rescue of trafficked children and the interception of illegal arms. These developments underscore the Force’s renewed dedication to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the country.
“Recently, Officers of the Kogi State Police Command intercepted a green-colored Sharon vehicle that ran through a security checkpoint at high speed. The team engaged the bus in a hot pursuit, and the driver, upon realising he was being trailed, abandoned the bus and fled into a nearby bush. A swift cordon and search was conducted on the spot, leading to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, which included 5 AK-47 rifles, 8 AK-47 magazines, 283 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and 2 rounds of 7.62x59mm ammunition. Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect are in progress, while initial intelligence suggests a possible connection to a recent armed robbery at a fuel station in Kabba, which is currently under investigation.”
Also, in Abia State, two individuals were arrested for operating an unregistered and illegal motherless babies’ home. Twelve children, ranging in age from six months to fourteen years were rescued.
“In a recent development, operatives of the Abia State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two individuals one Blessing Emebo ‘f’, 49 years and Sunday Emebo ‘m’ 42 years, for operating an unregistered and illegal motherless babies’ home within their residential apartment located at Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba.
“Upon intervention, the operatives discovered twelve (12) children, ranging in age from six months to fourteen years, housed in the premises. Preliminary investigations revealed that the children originated from various villages in the Arochukwu area. The rescued minors have s been safely handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for proper care. The suspects are currently under interrogation and would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commends the efforts of these gallant operatives and the cooperation of members of the public in these operations. These successes reaffirm the commitment of the Force to rid communities of crime, illegal arms, and exploitative practices against vulnerable populations. Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant, avoid entrusting children to unfamiliar persons, and promptly report any suspicious activity or individuals to the nearest police station,” the statement concluded.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/06/02/police-intercept-illicit-arms-rescues-12-trafficked-children/
---------
Sudan's new PM dissolves government one day after taking office
June 2, 2025
Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris has dissolved the country's caretaker government, according to reports from state news agency SUNA.
The news came late on Sunday, just one day after Idris took the oath of office as the country’s first prime minister since a military coup four years ago.
In April 2023, Sudan plunged into civil war when tensions between the military and the breakaway group the Rapid Support Forces exploded into open warfare in the capital Khartoum and other parts of the country.
In a speech on Sunday, Idris urged countries supporting the RSF to cease “criminal operations”.
He also vowed to "serve the nation and the Sudanese people with the utmost sincerity and dedication".
Idris did not say when a new government would be appointed.
Devastation of war
At least 24,000 people have been reported killed, though the number is likely far higher.
More than 14 million have been displaced and forced from their homes, including over 4 million who streamed into neighboring countries.
The war has been marked by atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in the western region of Darfur, according to the United Nations and international rights groups. Famine was announced in at least five locations with the epicenter in the wrecked Darfur region.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2025/06/02/sudans-new-pm-dissolves-government-one-day-after-taking-office/
-------
Sudan’s new PM Kamil Idris demands foreign backers halt RSF’s 'criminal operations'
June 2, 2025
Newly appointed Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris has urged countries supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to cease “criminal operations”.
“Sudanese national security and state authority are completely upheld by eliminating the rebellion and all forms of insurgent militias, urging countries that support these militias to completely cease these criminal operations, and targeting countries that plan, finance, and cooperate in their execution,” he said in an address in Port Sudan on Sunday.
Separately, Idris said he hopes to "serve the nation and the Sudanese people with the utmost sincerity and dedication".
Sudan’s government has accused the UAE and neighbouring African states including Chad, Libya and South Sudan of supporting the RSF throughout the conflict.
Sudan plunged into civil war on April 15, 2023, when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open warfare in the capital Khartoum and other parts of the country.
At least 24,000 people have been reported killed, though the number is likely far higher.
More than 14 million have been displaced and forced from their homes, including over 4 million who streamed into neighboring countries.
The war has been marked by atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in the western region of Darfur, according to the United Nations and international rights groups. Famine was announced in at least five locations with the epicenter in the wrecked Darfur region.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2025/06/02/sudans-new-pm-kamil-idris-demands-foreign-backers-halt-rsfs-criminal-operations/
--------
Cold Reception In Lagos Exposes Tension Between Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu As Political Rift Deepens
June 3, 2025
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
The once-tight relationship between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is reportedly under severe strain, as mounting evidence suggests a widening political rift with far-reaching implications for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2027.
Although both men have refrained from making public statements on the matter, top APC insiders at the state, zonal, and national levels confirm that a subtle but significant breakdown has occurred in the once-formidable alliance.
President Tinubu’s recent visit to Lagos further exposed the fractured ties. On arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, eyewitnesses told The Guardian that the president bypassed a handshake with Governor Sanwo-Olu, greeting Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat instead—a move many described as deliberate.
Sources say the president’s media aides were instructed to edit footage of the arrival, particularly scenes that could stoke speculation about the fallout.
In a further departure from protocol, Sanwo-Olu was allegedly excluded from escorting the president to his Ikoyi residence, a role traditionally reserved for the state governor. That responsibility reportedly fell to Hamzat.
Missing in Action: Sanwo-Olu’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
The Lagos governor’s absence from several key events during the president’s stay—especially the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs—has deepened concerns.
Traditionally, the state governor is expected to deliver a goodwill message at such events, especially when held in Victoria Island, where ECOWAS was founded. When contacted, a member of the governor’s media team said he had “an important engagement elsewhere,” a response many observers dismissed as evasive.
Fallout Traced to Attempted Ouster of Lagos Assembly Speaker
According to multiple sources, the fallout may have been triggered by an alleged attempt by Sanwo-Olu to unseat the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Reports indicate that 32 of the 40 lawmakers had signed a resolution for Obasa’s removal, allegedly backed by Sanwo-Olu, with plans to replace him with Mojisola Meranda. However, President Tinubu reportedly intervened, halting the plot and reinstating Obasa—an action interpreted as a stern warning to Sanwo-Olu.
A senior Lagos politician said, “That attempt was seen as a betrayal of Tinubu’s political structure. In Lagos politics, that’s not something you recover from easily.”
Sanwo-Olu Sidelined in APC Primaries
The ripple effects were evident during the APC local government primaries ahead of the July 12, 2025 council elections. Unlike in previous years, Sanwo-Olu had little say in selecting chairmanship candidates across Lagos’ 57 LGAs and LCDAs.
In a break from tradition, none of the shortlisted candidates was directly affiliated with the governor’s camp. The once-powerful Governance Advisory Council (GAC), often aligned with the governor’s agenda, was also stripped of its influence, following what insiders describe as a directive from the presidency to reduce patronage and reclaim control of the grassroots base.
Absence from APC National Events Deepens Isolation
Sanwo-Olu’s absence from the APC National Policy and Performance Review Summit in Abuja—where Tinubu was formally endorsed for a second term—was seen by many as the clearest indication of his isolation.
Speculation is rife that the governor may have been barred from the Presidential Villa, following the assembly rebellion and other perceived acts of disloyalty.
Achimugu Controversy Adds Fuel
Adding to the tension is the controversy surrounding Ms. Aisha Achimugu, a businesswoman facing EFCC investigations over alleged financial misconduct.
Though the anti-graft agency has denied any political link between her probe and the governor, insiders suggest rivals within Lagos APC used the scandal to further erode Sanwo-Olu’s credibility.
Echoes of Tinubu’s Past Fallouts with Protégés
Political observers note a pattern in Tinubu’s political career: protégés who rise through his influence eventually fall out of favour when they begin asserting independence.
Former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode faced similar treatment. Fashola was nearly denied a second term in 2011, while Ambode was ousted after one term in 2019—paving the way for Sanwo-Olu, who was perceived then as more loyal.
Now, it appears Sanwo-Olu is walking the same path, with diminishing influence and increasing marginalisation.
Critics say this cycle of loyalty-based politics has disrupted governance in Lagos. Fashola’s urban renewal projects were shelved by Ambode, who in turn saw his major transport initiatives abandoned by Sanwo-Olu.
“Each time a fallout happens, critical projects are discarded to make room for new political interests,” a political analyst told The Guardian.
“The biggest losers are Lagosians who are caught in this revolving door of unfinished development.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/06/03/cold-reception-in-lagos-exposes-tension-between-tinubu-sanwo-olu-as-political-rift-deepens/
---------
‘We Can’t Continue Like This’ – Buratai Knocks Tinubu Govt Over Hardship
June 2, 2025
By Rachel Okporu Fadoju
Former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the current hardship in the country.
Naija News reports that Buratai, during the 60th birthday celebration of the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, described the economic hardship under Tinubu’s administration as radical, massive, and sudden.
Buratai noted that while poverty in Nigeria has been on a gradual rise over the years, the situation has worsened sharply under the present leadership.
He said Nigerians had been suffering and smiling in the past, but the current situation has made it clear that things must change, and the nation can not continue in such a direction.
Buratia stated that the main challenge and the source of disappointment for many Nigerians is the apparent insensitivity to the impact of government policies.
He said, “These are my personal views. I’m not a member of Tinubu’s government, as you all know. But we played a prominent role in ensuring that he won the election. Now, on the topic of Democracy and the Republic of Poverty, I want to take a historical perspective within the context of our country. This systemic issue has been largely influenced by international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. We saw this clearly during the era of Ibrahim Babangida, with the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme and belt-tightening policies. Foreign exchange deregulation also started during IBB’s regime.
“It continued through the administration of Shagari, through Obasanjo’s presidency, Jonathan’s presidency, and, of course, Buhari’s presidency. Over time, we witnessed the gradual pauperisation of Nigerians. Poverty levels steadily increased.
“The difference with the current administration is that the impact came suddenly and massively — it was not gradual. Listen to me: it was not gradual like in previous administrations. But this radical shift has its own merits. It shows a deliberate change from the past.
“For too long, we’ve been suffering gradually—suffering and smiling. But this time, the hardship is more visible, more direct. It tells us that we must fix things because we cannot continue like this. Again, this is my personal opinion.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/06/02/we-cant-continue-like-this-buratai-knocks-tinubu-govt-over-hardship/
--------
Natasha Speaks On Her Relationship With Tinubu’s Govt
June 2, 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has refuted claims that she attempted to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as alleged by UK-based businesswoman Sandra Duru.
According to reports, Duru had accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of planning to campaign against the President by targeting Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, with the goal of destabilising the administration in the National Assembly. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly denied these allegations.
In an interview with US-based Nigerian journalist Adeola Fayehun, Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that she had never made such statements and described herself as someone who values unity and diversity.
She said, “People who know me know that I am not a tribalist. I respect and appreciate every tribe in Nigeria, every ethnicity. I am half Nigerian and half Ukrainian—who am I to talk about tribe when I am one part of the other world? That is not my nature; that is not my language.”
The Senator further suggested that the accusations against her may have been influenced by external forces.
“If anybody said that, it’s probably her team, the people who have sponsored her. Her sponsors are the ones who have probably put those words to her because they knew that I had enjoyed a lot of support from Nigerians, not just in Kogi State, but across the country and even in the diaspora,” she added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also addressed her relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, refuting the notion of any conflict between them. She stated that Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, was likely uncomfortable with her positive rapport with the President.
“The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, also knows that I enjoyed a good relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have not said it in the open before, but I am saying it now, and that annoyed him because there was a time when the Senate President told my husband, ‘Are you aware that your wife goes to see the President?’ and my husband told him he was aware,” Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed.
She explained that she had regularly met with President Tinubu, particularly when raising critical issues like the probe of Ajaokuta.
“Whenever I have critical issues to raise, like before I brought up the issue of probing Ajaokuta, I did meet with Mr. President to make sure he knew the nature of it, and he was okay with it. For other matters, too, I have met him in person,” she stated.
Despite her position in the opposition, Akpoti-Uduaghan reiterated that her primary responsibility is to the people of Kogi Central.
The lawmaker said, “I do not have a hostile relationship with the President, even though I am in the opposition. I keep saying, the good people of Kogi Central voted me as a Senator to work, not to antagonize or create enmity.”
She emphasised that her disagreements are directed at Senate President Akpabio and not at the entire Senate, the Nigerian people, or the Presidency.
“I want the people to know my issue is with the Senate President—not the entire Senate, the Nigerian people, the institutions, or the Presidency,” she concluded.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/06/02/natasha-speaks-on-her-relationship-with-tinubus-govt/
--------
Nigerian Army Kills Over 20 Bandits In Air Strike; Five Vigilantes Dead
June 2, 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Nigerian Army has reportedly killed over 20 bandits in a well coordinated airstrike in Maraya and Wabi villages, Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
Naija News reports that the airstrike, which took place on Saturday, was part of a larger counterinsurgency operation aimed at curbing banditry in the region.
However, the operation also led to the deaths of five vigilante members who failed to comply with the military’s withdrawal orders.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the airstrike was followed by a ground exploitation mission conducted by troops of Operation Fansan Yanma on June 1.
The mission confirmed the neutralisation of more than 20 bandits, as well as the destruction of several motorcycles and other equipment used by the bandits.
“Unfortunately, five vigilante members were killed, while two others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. A few others sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalisation,” Zagazola Makama reported.
The leader of the vigilante group has taken full responsibility for the casualties, acknowledging that some members ignored orders to withdraw from the outskirts of the village before the airstrike took place.
“He admitted that despite being informed of the imminent air operation, some of the vigilante youths insisted on pursuing the fleeing bandits and were still within the target area when the aircraft struck,” the publication added.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/06/02/nigerian-army-kills-over-20-bandits-in-air-strike-five-vigilantes-dead/
--------
Nigeria flood victims mourn missing bodies as death toll stagnates
03-06- 2025
MOKWA: On a hot and humid afternoon in Mokwa, Nigeria, Fatima and Habiba Jibrin sat under a mango tree, waiting for the recovery of corpses they fear may never come.
Both women, married to the same man, had been spending their nights there since last week when the worst flood in living memory wiped out swathes of the town -- sweeping away their home, two other wives of their husband, and 16 children.
Fatima, 26, lost four children, while Habiba, 27, lost six.
But of the 18 people believed to have died in the family, only four bodies have been recovered.
Their story -- of nearly an entire family wiped out in a single morning -- is common across Mokwa, in north-central Niger state, where the official death toll stubbornly sits around 150 but hundreds more are feared dead -- possibly more than the nationwide toll for all of 2024.
“We’ve been sleeping outside under the mango tree with mat and mosquito net,“ Fatima told AFP. “Even food to eat, we don’t have any.”
The government’s presence being sparse, they depend “solely” on fortunate residents whose properties were spared.
Their husband, an Islamic school teacher, has been going out daily since the muddy waters flattened more than 250 houses in the community Thursday, searching for the remaining 14 bodies. Prospects grow bleaker by the hour.
Hoping for more bodies
No fewer than 15 electricity poles were destroyed, plunging the town into darkness. The sweltering weather offers no respite.
Water is in short supply, and there are fears that cholera -- a major risk after floods -- may worsen the already dire situation in the weeks to come.
Volunteers and disaster response teams have recovered bodies nearly 10 kilometres away after they were swept into the Niger River. Residents told AFP on Monday some bodies were recovered in a village in neighbouring Kwara State, on the opposite side of the powerful waterway’s banks.
Still, Fatima and Habiba are holding out hope for their husband’s daily return, even if it’s with bad news.
“We will be glad if he could recover their dead bodies so we can bury them,“ Fatima Jibrin said.
Like the two women, Fatima Muhammed is also hoping the body of her grandson will be found, dead or alive.
She was preparing breakfast Thursday morning when she saw water flowing through a narrow channel in front of her house.
She was unaware that water, which had been building up for days behind an abandoned railway track along the edge of the community, had just ruptured the clay walls.
In less than a minute, the gentle flow turned into a powerful torrent.
She escaped through the back door, she told AFP, but “my grandson was swept away while trying to follow me.”
She has been living with her daughter and considers herself an inconvenience.
But as of Monday, there was still no help in sight.
Government aid lacking, residents say
Many residents in the Muslim-majority community are angry that the government has not been more helpful, with only days left before the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.
The state deputy governor visited Friday and made promises, and the government says it has delivered aid. But many residents said they have seen nothing.
Amid simmering tensions, a couple of young men threatened to beat an AFP journalist, mistaking him for a government official.
An attempt to distribute some relief materials ended abruptly earlier in the day after residents -- skeptical the event might be a staged photo op -- insisted the items be distributed openly.
The wife of the governor, Fatima Mohammed Bago, made a short visit to the affected area on Monday afternoon. No emergency officials were present at the site until just minutes before her visit. They left immediately after.
Fatima and Habiba Jibrin, along with Fatima Muhammed, said she never came to them, and they have not received any help from the government.
“There is nothing I can do,“ said 36-year-old commercial driver Mohammed Aliu, whose children, wife and home were washed away by the floods.
“But I will be happy if I can see their corpses.”
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/world-news/nigeria-flood-victims-mourn-missing-bodies-as-death-toll-stagnates-IM14180679
-------
Southeast Asia
No Malaysian pilgrim will miss Arafah wukuf, Tabung Haji assures amid Saudi movement curbs
02 Jun 2025
MAKKAH, June 2 — Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has assured that no Malaysian pilgrim will miss performing wukuf in Arafah this Thursday, despite the Saudi Arabian government enforcing movement restrictions during this year’s haj season.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said TH has made detailed preparations, including sufficient transport arrangements to ensure all pilgrims can travel to Arafah safely.
“Yes, from Tabung Haji’s side, transportation for the pilgrims has been arranged and there is no issue. TH will ensure that no pilgrim is left behind; they will be in Arafah on time for wukuf,” he said after attending a meet-and-greet session with pilgrims at the Abraj Al Tayseer accommodation building and launching the 1446H/2025M Masyair Cleanliness Programme here today.
In a related development, Mohd Na’im also confirmed that the Saudi Arabian government had given assurances that adequate transportation would be provided to ensure no pilgrim would have to walk to Arafah, following the restrictions announced earlier.
“Although the exact number of vehicles has not been specified, the Saudi government has shown strong commitment to safeguarding the safety of pilgrims by providing alternative transport, including buses and trains,” he explained.
Commenting further, Mohd Na’im said that the new Saudi policy known as ‘No Visa, No Haj’ had helped reduce the number of unregistered pilgrims attempting to enter the holy land.
“This means that the pilgrims present in the holy land this year are those who possess valid permits. The situation is more controlled, and we hope the number of pilgrims set by the Saudi Ministry of Haj will match the transportation facilities provided,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im said TH is fully prepared to handle the movement of pilgrims to the Masya’ir area beginning Wednesday.
“Alhamdulillah, as in previous years, TH is always ready. God willing, when the first group of pilgrims moves on Wednesday, our haj personnel will already be stationed in the Masya’ir area, particularly in Arafah, to receive and guide the pilgrims to their respective tents.
“Overall, the level of readiness is high. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but the commitment shown by TH and its personnel is truly commendable,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/06/02/no-malaysian-pilgrim-will-miss-arafah-wukuf-tabung-haji-assures-amid-saudi-movement-curbs/179055
----------
Prabowo Alleges Foreign-Funded NGOs Aim to Divide Indonesia
Ricki Putra Harahap
June 2, 2025
Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto alleged that foreign interests are attempting to sow division within Indonesia by funding local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to pit citizens against each other.
Speaking during a ceremony marking Pancasila Day at the Pancasila Building in Central Jakarta on Monday, Prabowo claimed that such external interference has persisted for centuries and continues today under the guise of promoting democracy, human rights, and press freedom.
“For hundreds of years, they’ve tried to divide us. Even now, they fund NGOs to pit us against each other, all while claiming to uphold democracy, human rights, and freedom of the press,” Prabowo said, without naming any specific organizations or countries involved.
While acknowledging the presence of foreign influence, the president clarified that he is not opposed to international cooperation. Rather, he urged Indonesians to remain vigilant and self-reliant.
“I’m not calling on Indonesians to be suspicious of foreign nations. But we must not be manipulated by any country. Indonesia must stand on its own feet,” he asserted.
Prabowo also called for unity among Indonesians despite differing backgrounds and opinions, warning that internal divisions only benefit those who wish to see Indonesia weakened.
“I urge all Indonesians to unite. Let us not allow our differences to be a source of conflict. That’s exactly what foreign powers who dislike a strong and prosperous Indonesia want,” he said.
Concluding his address, Prabowo expressed confidence in the country's future, citing Indonesia’s vast natural wealth as a key asset.
“Our resources are enormous. I firmly believe that in the coming years, Indonesia will rise as a great nation. That is my conviction,” he said.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowo-alleges-foreignfunded-ngos-aim-to-divide-indonesia
---------
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bombay-hc-bakri-eid-dargah-slaughter/d/135765