Book Fair In MP: Ahmadiyya Muslim Missionary, Virak Saleem, assaulted by Durga Vahini Women for Seeking Contact Details, Booked
New Age Islam News Bureau
05 September 2023
Virak
Saleem, a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab, set up a book stall at the Ujjain
book fair that began on September 1. (Twitter/@nbt_india)
-----
India
·
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Slams Bhagwat’s
‘All Indians Are Hindus’ Remark
·
Hideout of longest surviving
Hizbul terrorist unearthed in J-K’s Kishtwar
·
Muslim Businessman alleges
extortion, says police threatened to kill him, slap ‘jihadi link’; IPS officer
among 5 cops held in Assam
·
Article 370 hearing | You
cannot form a nation by force, win the hearts of the people: Senior advocate
Zaffar Shah
·
Holiday declared for Milad un-Nabi
in Telangana
------
Arab World
·
‘X’ Accused of Helping Saudi
Arabia Commit Rights Abuses
·
KSrelief, Ensan delegations to
provide aid to orphans in Yemen’s Hadhramaut
·
Saudi guards save a Turkish
seafarer aboard a ship in the Red Sea
·
Saudi Police carry out several
drug-busting operations across the Kingdom
·
Saudi, Tunisian FMs chair
meeting of political consultation committee
-------
Pakistan
·
Wazir Gul, Muhammad Amin,
Faizan Razak and Muhammad Rizwan to Hang for Blasphemy
·
Qaiser Shirazi
·
IHC suspends Parvez Elahi’s
detention under MPO, orders his release
·
FIA directed to arrest
policemen involved in illegal detentions
·
GB Home Minister warns
troublemakers against creating law, order situation
·
Jealous husband plotted
Jaranwala desecration: police
------
South Asia
·
Terrorism threat persists in
Afghanistan after US withdrawal: Pakistani US ambassador warns
·
Macron to pay homage to
Bangabandhu during Bangladesh visit
·
Dhaka-Washington bilateral
security dialogue begins
·
Bangladesh President
Shahabuddin joins ASEAN Summit in Indonesia
·
SC grants bail in a corruption
case to Sabera, wife of BNP leader, no bar to her release
·
G20 Summit: Hasina-Modi meet on
Sept 8
-----
Mideast
·
UN Experts Urge Forces Of
Powerful Libyan Commander, Khalifa Haftar, To Stop Evicting Residents,
Demolishing Homes
·
Libya’s chief prosecutor, Najla
Mangoush, is seeks more details on minister’s meeting with Israel’s chief
diplomat
·
Turkey’s president meets
Russia’s Putin and aims to revive the wartime Ukraine grain export deal
·
UN ‘alarmed ‘by Eritrean
protesters clash with Israeli riot police in Tel Aviv, Israel
·
Israel opens new embassy in
Bahrain, agrees to boost trade relations
·
Palestinian killed by Israel
forces in West Bank
-------
North America
·
US Weapons, Abandoned During
Washington’s Chaotic 2021 Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Falling into Hands of
Militants – Pakistan
·
US betrays its own principles
to preserve chaos in Syria
·
Jill Biden positive for COVID,
President Biden tests negative
-------
Europe
·
'Violent Riot' Lasts Through
the Night in Sweden After Quran Burning
·
France Vigilant as Abaya Ban in
Schools Begins
·
Organization of Islamic
Cooperation delegation arrives in Azerbaijan's Ganja (PHOTO)
·
Russian Embassy warns citizens
about Germans ‘seizing’ cars
·
Ukrainian armed infiltration
attempt ends in failure – governor
-------
Africa
·
Many Persons Injured as
Nigerian Policemen Open Fire on Shiite Members in Kaduna
·
Labour strike: Reps adjourn
probe on job racketeering
·
Uganda detains man suspected of
planning bomb attack on church
·
Niger's post-coup PM hopes for
'agreement' with ECOWAS
·
Nigeria to attend G20 summit,
plans to apply for membership
------
Southeast Asia
·
Pulai By-Election: Islamic
Affairs Minister Calls for Stop to Campaigns That Exploit Religious, Racial
Sentiments
·
Explain discontinuation of all
47 Yayasan Akalbudi charges against Zahid, DAP sec-gen tells AG
·
Zahid’s discharge from Yayasan
Akalbudi trial a fillip for Perikatan, says its Pulai hopeful
·
Kelantan’s 45 state assemblymen
sworn in today
·
Fadillah denies govt
interference in Zahid’s case
·
Cops warn politicians against
using ‘3R’ cards as Muhyiddin under probe over ‘fatwa’ remark
·
PM Anwar: Stop racial polemics,
hadith module only for Muslim students
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/book-fair-mp-muslim-missionary-durga/d/130607
------
Book Fair In MP: Ahmadiyya Muslim Missionary, Virak Saleem, Assaulted by Durga Vahini Women for Seeking Contact Details, Booked
Virak
Saleem, a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab, set up a book stall at the Ujjain
book fair that began on September 1. (Twitter/@nbt_india)
-----
by Anand Mohan
Bhopal | September 5, 2023
A missionary from the Ahmadiyya Muslim
community was assaulted by members of the Hindu right-wing group Durga Vahini
for allegedly taking down the contacts of women during the Ujjain book fair in
Madhya Pradesh and later booked by the police.
Virak Saleem, a resident of Gurdaspur in
Punjab, set up a book stall at the Ujjain book fair that began on September 1.
A few women associated with Durga Vahini accused him of seeking their mobile
phone numbers and beat him up Monday.
A 29-second purported video of the
assault shows Saleem being surrounded by a group of men and women. The women
slap Saleem multiple times, accusing him of taking down their numbers. As he
sits down on the ground, he is kicked by a man, the video shows.
The police said a case was registered at
the Madhav Nagar police station against Saleem under sections 354 (assault or
criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 506 (punishment
for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The VHP in Ujjain said a group of women
from the Durga Vahini wing had turned up at the book fair on September 3 around
7.30 pm and spotted Saleem “selling some suspicious books”.
VHP district president (Ujjain) Ankit
Chaubey said, “One Durga Vahini member spotted this man selling objectionable
books. This was communicated to the VHP, and a delegation led by vice-president
Ritu Kapoor visited the stall and intervened after confirming the allegations.”
The complainant, a 23-year-old woman,
alleged that Saleem had asked her to become friends with him and “held her hand
with a bad intention” when she met him at the book fair in her locality, the
FIR stated.
“The complainant alleged that when she
asked him to show some books, he asked her name and then asked her to be his
friend, promising to give her some good books. He then caught hold of her hand,
following which the complainant hit him and began shouting,” said a police
officer.
“Hearing the commotion, some people
gathered at the book stall. The accused allegedly threatened to kill the woman
if she divulged what transpired before he fled,” FIR stated.
Saleem, however, has claimed that he was
framed in this case. “I was at my stall. They came, I don’t know with what
planning. They sought information on some books. Then, they asked me for a copy
of the Hindi version of the Quran. I said I did not have a copy and told them
they could order it online. They gave me their contacts, saying they were
school teachers,” he said.
Saleem said his “aim is not to harass
anyone”; instead, it is “love for all, hatred for none”.
“If you think otherwise, take me to the
police station and do an investigation. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community does not
think badly of anyone. We respect everyone. If my sisters may have thought
otherwise, I apologise with folded hands,” Saleem said.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/book-fair-madhya-pradesh-muslim-missionary-durga-vahini-women-8925563/
------
Saudi Arabia Announces Establishment Of
Global Water Organisation
Prince
Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
------
BERNAMA-ANADOLU
September 5, 2023
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman has announced the establishment of a Global Water
Organisation, Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on
Sept 4, 2023.
The newly formed organisation will have
its headquarters in Riyadh and is set to play a pivotal role in consolidating
and enhancing global efforts to secure sustainable water resources.
The objectives of the organisation
encompass the exchange of knowledge and expertise, the advancement of water
technology, the stimulation of innovation, and the sharing of research and
development experiences, SPA said.
Furthermore, the organisation will
actively advocate for the initiation and funding of high-priority projects
aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources while
ensuring access to water for all, it added.
The initiative underscores Saudi
Arabia's commitment to addressing the challenges associated with global water
supply, SPA noted.
The initiative also aligns with Saudi
Arabia's broader dedication to environmental sustainability.
The Kingdom, in collaboration with all
member countries of the organisation, aspires to contribute to the realisation
of sustainable development goals related to water security. --BERNAMA-ANADOLU
Source: nst.com.my
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2023/09/951213/saudi-arabia-announces-establishment-global-water-organisation
-----
Ulema Delegation in Gilgit-Baltistan to
Promote Harmony Among the People Belonging to Various Schools of Thought
A file
photo/ Gilgit-Baluchistan
------
September 05, 2023
QUETTA: A delegation of leading Ulema
from across the country arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region on Monday to
strengthen the concept of Islamic brotherhood and promote dialogue and
understanding among the people belonging to various schools of thought.
G-B Home Minister Shams Lone said they
had invited the leading scholars from other parts of the country to sit with
the local Ulema, and stressed that peace in the region could only be maintained
if the people respected each other’s beliefs.
The delegation comprised Maulana Tayyab
Panjpiri, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Allama Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Allama
Shabbir Mesmi, Nasir Abbas Shirazi, Allama Hussain Akbar and Allama Iqbal
Beheshti. The visit aimed at strengthening the Islamic brotherhood.
“Peace can only be maintained if we
respect each other’s beliefs and faiths, which will ultimately help realise the
dream of development in the region,” he added. “The state wants all the issues
to be resolved through understanding and efforts in this regard are being made
at all levels,” he added.
Flanked by Adviser to Chief Minister on
Information Iman Shan, Lone told a press conference the peaceful atmosphere of
the region had been disturbed to some extent due to the speeches of religious
scholars of different sects.
The minister appealed to the people to
play their positive role in the current situation and not to fall prey to the
enemy’s propaganda.
He warned that the Indian media had made
a sinister attempt to misrepresent the current situation in G-B. “We strongly
condemn the India propaganda,” he added.
Meanwhile, more than ,4,000 students
organised rallies in different districts to express their unwavering commitment
to a peaceful G-B, refute misunderstandings about the situation in G-B and to
emphasise the peaceful and free status of the region from sectarian tensions.
The students, representing Gilgit,
Ghazar, Hunza and Nagar districts, started the rally with a peaceful walk from
the Boys High School No 1 Gilgit to the Civil Secretariat. The rally culminated
ended in presenting a resolution to the chief secretary's office.
In the resolution, the students
emphasised that education was paramount, and they needed a peaceful environment
to achieve it. The rally was also a clear message that the people of G-B were
determined to achieve education, development and harmony.
Meanwhile, the situation in G-B remained
peaceful on Monday, with commercial centres and bazaars operating normally. The
information department also issued a statement highlighting the the influx of
thousands of tourists, both domestic and international.
Regrettably, certain elements with
divisive agendas are using social media to cast a negative light on the
peaceful protests held by some religious groups.
They were employing fake news and
propaganda to manipulate public opinion. During these peaceful demonstrations,
there had been no incidents of gunfire or damage to either private or
government property.
The region’s government has engaged the
army and other security forces to ensure comprehensive safety measures along
the routes of Majlis and processions during the observances of the Chehlum
Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).
Source: tribune.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2434217/ulema-delegation-in-g-b-to-promote-harmony
------
Suggestions Of OIC Delegation Will Be
Used In Govt Affairs: Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman
Photo: TOLO
----
By Naveed Samadi
4 September 2023
The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman,
Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the suggestion and views of the delegation of the
Organizations of Islamic Cooperation will be used in running an Islamic system
in Afghanistan.
Mujahid said that efforts are underway
to address the concerns of the international community.
“They have been assured that we will
continue all affairs of the country based on Islamic rules and that the
consultation and views of the people will be used,” he said.
An OIC delegation is visiting
Afghanistan to share the views of member nations with Islamic Emirate.
“The visit of the OIC’s delegation
reflects that there are serious concerns in the Islamic world about some of the
policies of the Taliban,” said Wahid Faqiri, an international relations
analyst.
Qatar Minister of State at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, on Sunday
met with the Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, the Qatari
Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The two sides discussed cooperation
relations between the two countries and developments in the situation in
Afghanistan,” the statement said. “Chinese Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs
expressed his country’s appreciation for the State of Qatar’s constructive role
in the Afghan file,” the statement said.
“The ruling environment across the
region is so chaotic and that efforts of one or two countries cannot benefit
Afghanistan neither internally nor abroad,” said Shakir Hayat, a political
analyst.
According to Mujahid, the delegation of
the OIC also met with the governor of Kandahar, in which the two sides
discussed the enhancement of cooperation in the health and education sector.
Source: tolonews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184953
------
Israel Halts Gaza Imports Over ‘Attempt
To Smuggle Explosives’
Palestinian
trucks leaving the main commercial crossing between Gaza and Israel, Kerem
Shalom, in the southern Gaza Strip in 2020 [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]
------
05 September 2023
AFP
JERUSALEM: Israel’s army chief on Monday
ordered the suspension of all imports from Gaza after an alleged attempt to
smuggle explosives, the army and defense ministry said in a statement.
Officers from the defense ministry,
which controls crossings between Israel and the Palestinian enclave, “detected
several kilograms of high quality explosives, hidden within a clothing delivery
carried by three trucks” at the Kerem Shalom crossing, the statement said.
Army chief of staff Herzi Halevi, with
approval from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, ordered the halting of “commercial
deliveries from Gaza to Israel, allowing security adjustments to be made at the
crossing.”
“Deliveries will resume in accordance
with subsequent situation assessments,” it added.
The statement said Israel “will not
allow terror organizations to take advantage of civilian and humanitarian
facilities for terror purposes.”
The Gaza Strip has been under a
crippling Israeli blockade since the Islamist group Hamas seized power there in
2007.
The Kerem Shalom crossing is the only
point of entry for goods between the enclave and Israel.
Monday’s development comes amid raging
tensions in the occupied West Bank.
Violence from the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict has surged and claimed the lives of at least 225 Palestinians so far
this year.
At least 32 Israelis, a Ukrainian and an
Italian have also been killed, according to an AFP tally based on official
sources on both sides.
They include, on the Palestinian side,
combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the
Arab minority.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367426/middle-east
------
India
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind slams Bhagwat’s ‘all
Indians are Hindus’ remark
September 4, 2023
New Delhi : Prominent Muslim
organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Monday hit out at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
for his “all Indians are Hindus” remark, alleging that it was clear from such
statements that Sangh leaders do not want communal harmony and were going back
on their word on promoting mutual understanding.
He expressed his anger at the prevalent
atmosphere of hatred in the country. He said Muslims are being targeted as has
happened recently in Haryana’s Nuh and in other places.
The RSS, Arshad Madani said, has
backtracked from its commitment to promote peace, harmony and love between
Hindus and Muslims in India.
He said in his talks with Mohan Bhagwat
it was given to understand that the RSS would promote mutual understanding and
resolve misunderstandings in the country. “The RSS does not stick to any of the
promises,” he said.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also fully supports
the INDIA alliance, Arshad Madani said adding that political change is
necessary to end the atmosphere of hatred in the country. If opposition parties
are not united, their very existence will be in danger, he said.
“The way communal forces were defeated
in Karnataka, it is necessary to do it at the national level as well,” he said.
The Jamiat chief also issued relief
checks of Rs 40 lakh for the 200 hawkers and street vendors affected by Nuh
violence.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, he said, has been
taking the lead in relief and welfare work from day one. “It has never done
this work on the basis of religion but on the basis of humanity, and this
process is still ongoing. Be it social issues, community issues, or national
issues, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has offered its services on the basis of humanity
at every step. Whether it is a case of natural calamities like earthquakes and
floods, victims of communal riots, the legal battle of innocent people, or the
issue of Assamese citizenship, we feel it our social responsibility to extend
our hands and provide timely help to all, rehabilitate them, heal their wounds.
This same tradition is also being maintained in Nuh, and the victims are being
helped regardless of religion, caste, and creed.
Citing the example of peace during the
Hindu yatra in Nuh on August 28, he said it proves once again that if the
administration and the police perform their duty honestly, there can never be a
riot.
Maulana Madani also condemned targeting
of places of worship by miscreants during the riots, saying that this is not
the teaching of any religion. “Those who use religion to incite hatred and
violence cannot be true followers of their religion,” he said. ( With PTI
inputs )
Source: muslimmirror.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://muslimmirror.com/eng/jamiat-ulema-e-hind-slams-bhagwats-all-indians-are-hindus-remark/
------
Hideout of longest surviving Hizbul
terrorist unearthed in J-K’s Kishtwar
September 05, 2023
PTI
Security forces on Tuesday unearthed a
hideout being used by the longest surviving terrorist of banned Hizbul
Mujahideen, Jehangir Saroori, in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s
Kishtwar district, a police officer said.
The hideout was dismantled by police in
collaboration with the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police
Force (CRPF) in a meticulously planned operation in Paribag area of Bhadat
Saroor, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Khalil Poswal said.
Saroori joined militancy in the early
1990s and is believed to be hiding in the higher reaches of Kishtwar district.
Saroori’s brother Abdul Karim Butt was detained under the stringent Public
Safety Act for being a terrorist associate on August 3.
Terming the unearthing of the hideout as
a “significant breakthrough” in anti-terrorist operations, he said Saroori was
suspected to have been using the hideout and planning subversive activities.
During the search operation, the police
recovered two blankets, some edibles and personal use items from the hideout,
indicating the presence of the terrorist, the officer said, adding the recovery
of these items underscores the importance of this operation in disrupting
unlawful activities in the region.
The SSP said the entire area has been
cordoned and searches are being conducted.
"Our mission is to ensure the
safety and security of our citizens, and today's operation is a resounding
success in our ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism from the region,"
Poswal said.
The officer urged the citizens to remain
vigilant and report any suspicious activities or come forward with information
that could aid in maintaining peace and thwarting the designs of anti-social
elements.
Source: thehindu.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hideout-of-longest-surviving-hizbul-terrorist-unearthed-in-j-ks-kishtwar/article67272695.ece
------
Muslim Businessman alleges extortion,
says police threatened to kill him, slap ‘jihadi link’; IPS officer among 5
cops held in Assam
By Sukrita Baruah
Guwahati: September 5, 2023
Nine people, including senior police
officers in Assam’s Bajali district, were arrested by the state crime
investigation department (CID) after a local businessman alleged that he was
being extorted by police.
Rabiul Islam, the businessman, alleged,
among other things, that he was wrongfully detained by police and told to pay
Rs 2.5 crore, failing which he would be killed in an encounter and his killing
would be justified by concocting “links with Pakistani and Bangladeshi jihadi
elements”. In his complaint, Islam said the threats were made by a man who
claimed to be an “encounter specialist”.
On Monday, the Assam Police arrested
Siddhartha Buragohan, a 2014 batch IPS officer who had been Bajali
Superintendent of Police before being transferred two days ago to Assam Police
Headquarters. Deputy Superintendent of Police (HQ) Pushkal Gogoi, Additional
Superintendent of Police Gayatri Sonowal, her husband Subhas Chander,
Sub-Inspector Debajit Giri, and constable Injamamul Hassan were also arrested.
The three others arrested were one Kishore Baruah, and police drivers Nabir
Ahmed and Dipjoy Kalita.
Assam DGP G P Singh said on Friday that
after police received the complaint of money being demanded by Bajali police
officers, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption “was directed to lay
a trap but didn’t succeed since the police officers (accused) were careful”.
However, he said that the FIR was registered because the complaint was found to
be “prima facie true”.
“Lawful action is being taken. As
always, we remain committed to relentless, ruthless action against corrupt
practices,” he said.
On August 31, based on a complaint by
Islam, the Assam CID registered an FIR under multiple IPC sections, including
those pertaining to attempt to murder, causing fear of death for extortion,
criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement and criminal conspiracy. The six
accused named in the FIR were Buragohain, Sonowal, Gogoi, Giri, and two other
police personnel – Arnab Jyoti Patir, officer in charge of Patacharkuchi police
station, and Sasanka Das, an ASI from Bhabanipur outpost.
In his complaint, Islam alleged that the
intimidation began on July 16 when police personnel stormed into his family
home at around 1.30 am, dragged him out and began asking him about “drugs and
cash”, which he said he knew nothing about.
He said in the complaint that police
officers then punched and kicked him “for at least two to three hours”,
searched his house without a warrant, and took a number of belongings. Then,
they took him and two of his relatives to the Bhabanipur police station where
they were detained, he said.
Around noon the next day, he alleged, he
was taken to the SP’s residence where the SP interrogated him on where he had
kept the “illegal articles”. In the course of the interrogation, he was
allegedly assaulted multiple times by the police officer. After that, he was
taken back to the police station where he was assaulted multiple times again
and told to “cooperate”, he alleged. Police also allegedly searched both his
office and his father-in-law’s home that day.
Late that night, the officer in charge
of Bhabanipur police station put him inside a vehicle in which there also were
two persons in civilian clothes and one in police uniform, he said in the
complaint, adding that he was then taken to a detergent factory.
“They asked me to run, and they told me
that they are going to shoot me with their handguns as per directions of the
Director General of Police, Assam,” he alleged in the complaint.
“At that time, another person who came
down from another car, which was following us, came near me and told me in
Hindi to accept that I have links with jihadi elements and I have illegally
acquired all my properties,” he said.
When Dulquer Salmaan had to bring out
his Porsche to get respect on a film’s set: ‘Suddenly they brought a chair for
me’
When he refused to do that, he alleged,
the person “took out one hand gun and tried to shoot me and demanded an amount
of Rs 2.5 crore from me. He told me that he is an encounter specialist and if I
do not pay the said amount, he will kill me and the police will show it is an
encounter by showing that I have links with Pakistani and Bangladeshi jihadi
elements,” he alleged in the complaint.
He alleged that he was taken to the
police station when he agreed to the monetary demands. He claimed that he paid
Rs 10 lakh in cash and that his mother issued 21 cheques for Rs 10 lakh each
from her bank account. However, he alleged that he was still not released and
that ASP Gayatri Sonowal demanded another Rs 2.5 crore from him. This demand,
he said, was “made in the chamber of officer-in-charge of Bhabanipur outpost”.
The inspector in charge of Bhabanipur outpost is Debojit Giri.
Assam's 'elephant doctor' awarded Padma
Shri: 'This land belongs to the e...
He was then let go, but the threat of
“encounter” if he did not pay the amount continued to loom over him, he said.
From July 31 onwards, two people claiming to be close associates of the SP
began calling his family members and demanding that the amount be sent to the
SP directly, he alleged.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/extortion-charge-assam-businessman-says-police-threatened-to-kill-him-slap-jihadi-link-ips-officer-among-5-cops-held-8924673/
-----
Article 370 hearing | You cannot form a
nation by force, win the hearts of the people: Senior advocate Zaffar Shah
September 05, 2023
THE HINDU BUREAU
The Supreme Court on Monday asked
National Conference leader Mohammad Akbar Lone, the lead petitioner in the
Article 370 abrogation challenge case, to file an affidavit affirming that he
unconditionally accepts that J&K is an integral part of India and that he
owes allegiance to the Constitution of India.
The Centre, J&K administration and
other respondents accused Mr. Lone of raising slogans, including ‘Pakistan
Zindabad’, in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2018.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta demanded
that Lone file an affidavit pledging his allegiance to the Constitution so as
to not encourage others as it might affect the ‘efforts of the nation to bring
normalcy which has been substantially successful’.
He further apprised the Constitution
Bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y Chandrachud that Lone would have been the
lead petitioner, after the withdrawal of Shah Faesal, had the court not given
the generic title ‘In Re Article 370 of the Constitution’ to the case.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre decided to
strip the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir of special status and bifurcate
it into two Union Territories. By abrogating Article 370, the Central
Government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Several petitions
challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and the Jammu and
Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, were referred to a Constitution Bench in
2019.
Source: thehindu.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-hearing-on-article-370-abrogation-live-updates-day-16/article67272426.ece
------
Holiday declared for Milad un Nabi in
Telangana
Sameer Khan: 4th September 2023
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has
declared a holiday for Milad un Nabi, which is observed on the birth
anniversary of Prophet Muhammed.
According to the Telangana State Portal
Calendar for 2023, the Milad un Nabi holiday in the state will be observed on
Thursday, September 28. The day has been listed under ‘General Holidays.’
However, it is important to note that
the holiday date in Telangana is subject to change based on the sighting of the
Moon. Since the Islamic calendar relies on the sighting of the crescent to
determine the beginning of each month, the start of Rabi’ al-awwal, the third
month in the Islamic calendar, depends on the sighting of the Moon.
In addition, this month, government
holidays have been declared for Arbayeen, Sri Krishna Astami, and Vinayaka
Chavithi in Telangana.
This year, Arbayeen falls on September
6, whereas Sri Krishna Astami and Vinayaka Chaturthi will be celebrated on
September 7 and 18, respectively.
Milad un Nabi holiday in Telangana may
change
Since the beginning of the month of
Rabi’ al-awwal is subject to the sighting of the moon, the holiday for Milad un
Nabi, which is celebrated on the 12th of the Islamic calendar, is also subject
to change.
As the holiday calendar was declared
earlier, as of now, the government holiday for Milad un Nabi is set for
September 28, 2023.
Source: siasat.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.siasat.com/holiday-declared-for-milad-un-nabi-in-telangana-2683832/?utm_source=spotim&utm_medium=spotim_recirculation&spot_im_redirect_source=pitc
------
Arab World
‘X’ accused of helping Saudi Arabia
commit rights abuses
September 5, 2023
THE social media company X, formerly
known as Twitter, has been accused in a civil US lawsuit of helping Saudi
Arabia commit grave human rights abuses against its users, The Guardian
reported.
The report accuses the social media firm
of, among other things, disclosing confidential user data at the request of
Saudi authorities in July and December 2015 at a much higher rate than it has
for the US, UK, or Canada.
The lawsuit was brought last May, by
Areej al-Sadhan, the sister of a Saudi aid worker who was forcibly disappeared
and then later sentenced to 20 years in jail.
It centres on the events surrounding the
infiltration of the California company by three Saudi agents, two who were
posing as Twitter employees in 2014 and 2015, which ultimately led to the
arrest of al-Sadhan’s brother, Abdulrahman, and the exposure of the identity of
thousands of anonymous Twitter users, some of whom were later reportedly
detained and tortured as part of the government’s crackdown on dissent, the
report said.
Lawyers for Al-Sadhan updated their
claim last week to include new allegations about how Twitter, under the
leadership of then-chief executive Jack Dorsey, willfully ignored or had
knowledge of the Saudi government’s campaign to ferret out critics but — because
of financial considerations and efforts to keep close ties to the Saudi
government, a top investor in the company — provided assistance to the kingdom,
The Guardian reported.
The convicted man, Muhammad al-Ghamdi,
54, is the brother of a Saudi scholar and government critic living in exile in
the UK. Saudi court records examined by HRW showed that al-Ghamdi was accused
of having two accounts, which had a total of 10 followers combined.
The Saudi crackdown can be traced back
to December 2014, as Ahmad Abouammo — who was later convicted in the US for
secretly acting as a Saudi agent and lying to the FBI — began accessing and
sending confidential user data to Saudi Arabian officials.
In the new lawsuit, it is claimed that
he sent a message to Saud al-Qahtani, a close aide to Mohammed bin Salman, via
the social media company’s messaging system, saying “proactively and reactively
we will delete evil, my brother”.
It was a reference, the lawsuit claims,
to the identification and harming of perceived Saudi dissidents who were using
the platform. Al-Qahtani was later accused by the US of being a mastermind
behind the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
“Twitter was either aware of this
message — brazenly sent on its own platform — or was deliberately ignorant to
it,” the revised lawsuit states.
After Abouammo resigned in May 2015, he
continued to contact Twitter to field requests he was receiving for the
identity of confidential users. He made clear to the company, the lawsuit
alleges, that the requests were on behalf of his “old partners in the Saudi
government”.
The lawsuit also alleges that Twitter
had “ample notice” of security risks to internal personal data, and that there
was a threat of insiders illegally accessing it, based on public reporting at
the time.
Twitter “did not simply ignore all these
red flags … it was aware of the malign campaign”, the lawsuit claims.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1774026/x-accused-of-helping-saudi-arabia-commit-rights-abuses
-----
KSrelief, Ensan delegations to provide
aid to orphans in Yemen’s Hadhramaut
September 05, 2023
RIYADH: Yemen’s governor of Hadhramaut
governorate Mabkhout Mubarak bin Madi received Monday delegations representing
the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and Charity
Society for Orphan Care in Riyadh (Ensan).
During the meeting, they discussed the
implementation of joint projects to support and empower orphans in the
governorate, based on a strategy and under the supervision of and follow-up by
KSrelief.
KSrelief licensed Ensan last January to
work in humanitarian and relief activities outside Saudi Arabia as part of its
endeavor to support volunteer work abroad.
Governor Mabkhout Mubarak bin Madi
received in Hadhramaut on Monday delegations representing the King Salman
Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and Charity Society for Orphan
Care in Riyadh (Ensan). (SPA)
Moreover, the Secretary-General of the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi visited Saturday Aden
General Hospital to oversee the humanitarian and relief operations, and the
development projects operated by KSrelief in Yemen.
KSrelief team made a presentation
displayed at the hospital's exhibition about the nature of relief and
development projects implemented in Yemen, which amounted to a total of 828
projects.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed
Albudaiwi visited Saturday Aden General Hospital to oversee the humanitarian
and relief operations, and the development projects operated by KSrelief in
Yemen. (SPA)
This week, KSrelief on Saturday
distributed 120,800 tons of food parcels in Al-Mahrah Governorate in Yemen,
benefitting 7,903 individuals.
The food aid is part of the efforts made
by Saudi Arabia to reach the most vulnerable groups.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367541/saudi-arabia
------
Saudi guards save a Turkish seafarer
aboard a ship in the Red Sea
September 05, 2023
JEDDAH: Saudi border guards on Monday
rescued a Turkish sailor on board a ship in the Red Sea and transferred her to
Yanbu General Hospital, reported SPA.
The woman had sustained a head injury
and needed medical attention, said Colonel Misfer Al-Quraini, the official
spokesman of Saudi Border Guards.
The report was received on Monday by the
Jeddah Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (JMRCC).
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367531/saudi-arabia
------
Saudi Police carry out several
drug-busting operations across the Kingdom
September 05, 2023
RIYADH: Saudi border guards in the Jazan
Region arrested a Yemeni national while trying to smuggle 20 kg of the narcotic
qat.
The offender was handed over to the
relevant authorities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Meanwhile in Riyadh police arrested
several Ethiopian men who were found in possession of 17kg of hashish.
And in Taif, police arrested a Saudi for
attempting to sell amphetamine pills.
The Saudi government has urged anyone
with information related to suspected smuggling operations or customs
violations to call the confidential hotline 1910, the international number 00
966 114208417, or email 1910@zatca.gov.sa.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367506/saudi-arabia
------
Saudi, Tunisian FMs chair meeting of
political consultation committee
September 04, 2023
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister
Prince Faisal bin Farhan met on Sunday in Riyadh with Tunisia's Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad,Nabil Ammar.
During the meeting, the two sides
reviewed the solid relations between the two countries, and ways to develop and
enhance them in all fields, in addition to discussing the most important developments
in the regional and international arenas, and efforts made to tackle them.
The two ministers then chaired the 3rd
meeting of the Follow-up and Political Consultation Committee between Saudi
Arabia and Tunisia, where they stressed the importance of intensifying
bilateral and multilateral coordination on many issues of common concern.
The two foreign ministers have also
discussed the most prominent topics on the meeting's agenda aimed at
consolidating relations between the Kingdom and Tunisia.
The meeting was attended by Assistant
Minister of State for African Countries Affairs,Ambassador Dr. Sami bin
Abdullah Al-Saleh, and Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Tunisia, Dr. Abdulaziz bin
Ali Al-Saqr.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/635487/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Tunisian-FMs-chair-meeting-of-political-consultation-committee
-----
Pakistan
Wazir Gul, Muhammad Amin, Faizan Razak
and Muhammad Rizwanto Hang for Blasphemy
Qaiser Shirazi
September 05, 2023
RAWALPINDI:An additional district and
sessions court of Rawalpindi awarded death penalty to four accused in a
blasphemy case filed by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime
Wing (CCW). A fifth accused was sentenced to seven years in jail by the court.
Additional District and Sessions Judge
(ADSJ) Ahsan Mahmood Malik passed the judgment in two separate cases.
He said in his ruling that blasphemy
against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and desecration of the Holy Quran were heinous
and unforgivable crimes. The perpetrators of these crimes do not deserve any
concession or leniency.
The judge convicted Wazir Gul, Muhammad
Amin, Faizan Razak and Muhammad Rizwan, and sentenced them to death and a fine
of Rs100,000 for the crime under the Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code
(PPC) and life imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000 under the Section 295-B of
the PPC.
Besides, the judge also awarded
seven-year jail term and a fine of Rs20,000 to the fifth accused, Usman
Liaquat.
The CCW registered the case against the
five convicts on September 12, 2022, based on a complaint filed by civilian
Umair.
The CCW presented blasphemous videos and
social media posts retrieved from the phones seized from the possession of the
criminals to the court.
Source: tribune.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2434216/four-to-hang-for-blasphemy
------
IHC suspends Parvez Elahi’s detention
under MPO, orders his release
Umer Burney
September 5, 2023
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on
Tuesday suspended the detention of PTI President Parvez Elahi under the Section
3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and ordered his release.
On Friday, the Lahore High Court (LHC)
had ordered that the former Punjab chief minister be released along with a
restraining order against his possible arrest by any agency or preventive
detention.
However, hours after he was released
from Adiala Jail, an Islamabad police team, assisted by the Punjab police, had
intercepted a white SUV near the FCC underpass in which Elahi was travelling to
his house along with lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa.
The police personnel had shifted Elahi
into a white car with no licence plate. The car drove him to Islamabad. Visuals
of the arrest drama had gone viral on social media.
According to the capital police, Elahi
was taken into custody on orders of the district magistrate under Section 3 of
the MPO.
Section 3 of MPO empowers the government
to arrest and detain suspected persons. It states: “The government, if
satisfied that with a view to preventing any person from acting in any manner
prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order, it is
necessary to do, may, by an order in writing, direct the arrest and detention
in such custody […] and [the] government, if satisfied that for the aforesaid
reasons, it is necessary so to do, may extend from time to time the period of
such detention, for a period not exceeding six months at a time.”
Subsequently, Elahi — who was moved to
Attock jail — had approached the IHC against his detention, urging the court to
declare it as “patently illegal, unlawful and without lawful authority”.
In the petition, Elahi had requested the
IHC to set aside the detention order and issue directives for his release. He
had cited the interior secretary, district magistrate, the Islamabad police
chief and the Adiala Jail’s superintendent as respondents in the case.
On Tuesday, Justice Tariq Mehmood
Jahangiri took up Elahi’s plea. The court suspended the PTI leader’s detention
order and also ordered his release. The court also issued a notice to the duty
magistrate who ordered Elahi’s detention.
Further, the court also directed for
Elahi to be presented at the next hearing and also ordered him to not issue any
kind of statement until the next hearing. The hearing was subsequently
adjourned till Tuesday (September 12).
During the hearing, Elahi’s lawyer,
Sardar Abdul Raziq Khan, contended that his client had been in jail for the
past three months and questioned how he could have caused harm to public order.
He also read out the PTI leader’s detention order out loud in court.
“Parvez Elahi has not even issued any
statement in four months,” the lawyer said. Khan pointed out that there was no
case registered against Elahi in Islamabad and he had been discharged from a
corruption case.
He said that Elahi was detained by
Islamabad police hours after he was released by the LHC. At this point, Justice
Jahangiri asked if Elahi had taken out any rallies or committed any violence,
to which the lawyer responded in the negative.
The lawyer then pointed out that
contempt of court proceedings were under way against the Islamabad deputy
commissioner for issuing such an order against PTI’s Shehryar Afridi.
Justice Jahangiri then asked the lawyer
when Elahi was first arrested, to which Khan said the PTI leader was first
arrested on June 1. The judge observed that Elahi had been detained for more
than three months.
Elahi rushed to PIMS after his condition
deteriorates
A day earlier, Elahi underwent different
tests at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) after his health
deteriorated in Attock Jail.
Dr Mubashir Daha, a spokesperson for
Pims, told Dawn that the former Punjab chief minister was examined by doctors
of the hospital’s emergency ward and he was in good health.
“He was brought to the hospital for a
routine check-up due to which blood pressure was checked and some lab tests
were also conducted. He was in good health so no medical board was
established,” he added.
After examination, the former chief
minister was shifted back to the jail under strict security.
According to jail sources, Elahi had
complained about his health condition to the jail authorities on Monday
morning.
Subsequently, a three-member medical
team, headed by medical superintendent of Attock District Hospital Dr Jawad
Ellahi, examined the PTI leader and referred him to Pims for further
examination and tests.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1774173/ihc-suspends-parvez-elahis-detention-under-mpo-orders-his-release
-------
FIA directed to arrest policemen
involved in illegal detentions
Malik Asad
September 5, 2023
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on
Monday while hearing a petition on recovery of a “missing” politician directed
the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to issue arrest warrants for police
officials allegedly involved in illegal detention of citizens.
The IHC had summoned the senior
superintendent of police (SSP) on the petition seeking recovery of former
member of the National Assembly (MNA) Sadaqat Abbasi, who belongs to the
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri also
issued a notice to the inspector general of police (IGP) Islamabad and sought a
report from him on the matter. The court directed the IGP to take up the matter
with the interior and defence ministries and submit their responses in the
report.
The habeas corpus petition had been
filed by Usman Ghani Sadaqat, the brother of the ex-MNA. The petitioner stated
before the court that unknown persons had “kidnapped” his brother from outside
the Parliament Lodges and requested the court to direct the authorities to
produce him. The court adjourned further hearing for this matter till Tuesday
(today).
Meanwhile, IHC Justice Babar Sattar also
directed the FIA to proceed against officials of Islamabad Police for illegally
detaining the citizens.
He was hearing the case related to
allegations against the police officials for detaining the citizens and seeking
ransom for their release. The FIA informed the court that the accused police
officials were not cooperating with the investigation team after which Justice
Sattar directed the FIA to issue arrest warrants, if the suspects were not
joining the investigation.
The legal adviser of the Islamabad
Police Tahir Kazim informed the court that the IGP had already suspended four
police personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, who were involved in
the crime, and proceedings against them were underway at three forums. He
further told the court that the deputy inspector general (operations) is
conducting an inquiry in this matter.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1774038
------
GB Home Minister warns troublemakers
against creating law, order situation
September 05, 2023
Gilgit Baltistan Home Minister Shams
Lone has appealed all residents of Gilgit-Baltistan to play their positive role
in the current situation and not to fall prey to the enemy's propaganda.
Addressing a news conference in Gilgit,
he said the government wants all issues to be resolved through understanding
and efforts are being made in this regard at all levels.
The Minister said there is peace all
over Gilgit-Baltistan region now but warned the elements to desist from
creating any law and order situation.
He also requested the religious scholars
to preach the Holy Prophet's (SAWW) teachings of peace, brotherhood and unity
from the pulpit.
He said peace can only be maintained if
we respect each other's beliefs and faiths, which will ultimately help realize
the dream of development in the region.
Shams Lone condemned the Indian media's
propaganda and sinister attempt to misrepresent the current situation in
Gilgit-Baltistan.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.radio.gov.pk/05-09-2023/gb-home-minister-warns-troublemakers-against-creating-law-order-situation
------
Jealous husband plotted Jaranwala
desecration: police
September 05, 2023
FAISALABAD:The desecration of the Holy
Quran that sparked communal riots, burning of churches and Christians’
properties at Jaranwala tehsil of Punjab’s Faisalabad district on August 16 was
part of a conspiracy hatched by a jealous husband to bring harm to his wife’s alleged
lover.
Sharing details of the police
investigation into the incident, Jaranwala Superintendent Police (SP) Bilal
Silhari said P*, a Christian man, had discovered that his wife was cheating on
him with one of his co-religionist Raja U*.
The SP said P first hired a contract
killer, Allah Ditta, to eliminate his rival and gave him both money and a
motorcycle.
However, when Ditta failed to kill U, he
conceived a heinous plot together with his friends Dawood and Bobby to frame U
in a blasphemy case, which carries a death sentence in the country.
As part of the plan, P first wrote a
blasphemous letter and later desecrated pages from the Holy Quran that was left
hanging from a rope in the middle of a lane. The official said the police have
discovered the piece of rope on P’s indication and sent it for forensic
examination.
Source: tribune.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2434210/jealous-husband-plotted-jaranwala-desecration-police
------
South Asia
Terrorism threat persists in Afghanistan
after US withdrawal: Pakistani US ambassador warns
By Fidel Rahmati
September 4, 2023
Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to
the United States, emphasized that despite the withdrawal of American forces
from Afghanistan, the threat of terrorism still exists in the country.
According to a report by Radio Pakistan
on Monday, Khan said that both the
United States and Pakistan are responsible for directing Afghanistan towards
stability.
He highlighted the collaboration between
the United States and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, though further
details of this cooperation remain unspecified.
The Pakistani Ambassador said that
regional security depends on Afghanistan’s stability. In the past two years,
the United States and Pakistan have successfully maintained bilateral
cooperation in the security domain.
Referring to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) attacks in Pakistan, Masood Khan added that over 1,500 citizens of his
country have been killed with the withdrawal of American forces from
Afghanistan.
Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the interim Prime
Minister of Pakistan, said in his recent interview with a local media outlet
that the situation has worsened with the rise of the Taliban caretaker
government in Afghanistan.
Kakar added that Pakistan had hoped to
see a “peaceful and improved” Afghanistan after establishing the Taliban
government, but the situation has deteriorated.
According to the interim Prime Minister
of Pakistan, the remaining NATO weapons in Afghanistan are now being used in
attacks against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, despite efforts by the
interim administration of Afghanistan over the past two years to broker a
ceasefire between Pakistani government officials and Pakistani Taliban
insurgents, these efforts have not yielded the desired outcome.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/terrorism-threat-persists-in-afghanistan-after-us-withdrawal-pakistani-ambassador-warns/
------
Macron to pay homage to Bangabandhu
during Bangladesh visit
UNB, Dhaka
Tue Sep 5, 2023
President of the Republic of France
Emmanuel Macron will pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 during his
visit to Bangladesh, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He will arrive here on September 10 at
the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
This is going to be the first visit to
Bangladesh by any French president in the last three decades.
President Macron will hold a summit
meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Prime Minister's Office and join a
banquet to be hosted by her in honour of the French president.
The two leaders are expected to witness
signing couple of bilateral instruments and hold a joint press briefing, the
foreign ministry said.
The governments of Bangladesh and France
sincerely hope that the visit of the French president to Bangladesh will
further elevate the friendly relations between the two countries to a new
height.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected
to receive the French president at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will see him off.
The French president will be accompanied
by, among others, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna.
Sheikh Hasina visited France in November
2021 at the invitation of the French President Emmanuel Macron.
France is seeing the visit as an
"opportunity to deepen" the bilateral relations between the two
countries.
The French government confirmed the
visit yesterday describing Bangladesh as a country that is experiencing
"rapid economic growth and seeking to diversify" its partnerships.
"Bangladesh and France also show
great convergence in the face of global challenges, particularly within the
framework of the Paris Agenda for Peoples and the Planet, which Bangladesh
actively supports," reads the announcement.
Since the country is particularly
vulnerable to climate change, the President will recall France's determination
to stand by Bangladesh on its humanitarian front, in particular in the face of
regular floods.
Bangladesh is also an important
contributor to international solidarity actions, whether through its
contingents in peacekeeping operations or in hosting Rohingya refugees.
In Bangladesh, Macron will continue the
concrete declination of the French strategy in the Indo-Pacific, after
welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Paris this summer and visiting Papua
New Guinea, Vanuatu and Sri Lanka.
The president of the French Republic
will go to New Delhi to take part in the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10.
He will then come to Dhaka on September
10 for the bilateral visit.
Momen recently said Bangladesh and
France would discuss ways to enhance trade and investment between the two
countries apart from discussing issues like climate change and regulated
migration.
"Women empowerment, enhancing trade
and commerce and regulated migration – these are normal issues. Climate change
is a big issue. The President of France has taken a leadership role,"
Momen said, adding that Bangladesh will raise the loss and damage issue and its
making functional of its relevant fund in a big way.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/macron-pay-homage-bangabandhu-during-bangladesh-visit-3411536
-----
Dhaka-Washington bilateral security
dialogue begins
UNB, Dhaka
Tue Sep 5, 2023
Bangladesh and the United States are
holding the ninth annual bilateral security dialogue in Dhaka as part of the
"comprehensive security relationship" between the two governments.
KhandkerMasudul Alam, director general
(North America) is leading the Bangladesh delegation while the US Side is led
by Mira Resnick, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security in
the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
The dialogue began at 9:00am today at
the Foreign Service Academy.
The security dialogue is an annual,
civilian-led discussion that touches on all elements of the security
relationship between the two countries.
Representatives from both sides will
discuss Indo-Pacific regional issues, security and human rights, military
cooperation, peacekeeping, security assistance, and counterterrorism, among
other topics, said the US embassy in Dhaka in a media note.
The United States and Bangladesh have a
strong security partnership and share many interests in the Indo-Pacific
region, said the embassy.
Both countries share a vision to ensure
the Indo-Pacific region is free, open, peaceful, and secure.
This year, the security dialogue closely
follows the bilateral defence dialogue, which took place August 23 and 24 in
Dhaka.
The bilateral defence dialogue featured
senior officers and civilians from the US and Bangladeshi militaries.
They discussed a range of issues
specific to the military-to-military relationship, including military
education, peacekeeping and upcoming military exercises, including next year's
Disaster Response Exercise & Exchange.
The security dialogue covers a wide
range of issues related to partnership between the two countries including
strategic priorities and regional security issues, defence cooperation,
civilian security cooperation, UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and countering
violent extremism.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/macron-pay-homage-bangabandhu-during-bangladesh-visit-3411536
-----
Bangladesh President Shahabuddin joins
ASEAN Summit in Indonesia
BSS, Indonesia
Tue Sep 5, 2023
President Mohammed Shahabuddin today
joined the opening session of the 43rd Summit of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the Plenary Hall of Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).
With the theme of "ASEAN Matters:
Epicentrum of Growth", the three-day summit is being held on September 5-7
with Indonesian President Joko Widodo chairing it.
Shahabuddin along with his wife Rebecca
Sultana reached the summit venue at about 9:50am (local time).
On arrival, they were welcomed by the
Indonesian president after a formal state reception.
The Indonesian president along with his
wife Iriana Joko Widodo also took part in a photo session with the Bangladesh
president and his spouse.
Chairperson of Bangladesh National
Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed and
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen are also accompanying the president at the
opening ceremony.
Along with 10 organisational leaders
from ASEAN countries, several heads of the state and the government and leaders
of partner countries are participating in the opening session of the summit.
Host country Indonesia invited as many
as 27 world leaders and concerned personalities of international bodies like
executive directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for
the summit, said ASEAN secretary general.
The ASEAN summit will feature the issue
of development and strengthening of the organisation's cooperation with
external partners, several important themes such as the Code of Conduct
regarding the South China Sea, the South East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
(SEANWFZ), the ASEAN Maritime Outlook, the ASEAN Outlook in Indo Pacific
(AOIP), and issues related to Myanmar.
It is also expected that the summit will
also witness several important agreements related to ASEAN infrastructure
strengthening, food security, blue economy, green economy, digital economy and
payment ecosystem, according to ASEAN secretariat.
On the sidelines of the summit, the
Bangladesh president will join the 18th "East Asia Summit (EAS)",
where he will deliver his speech in its concluding session.
Ten ASEAN countries and the United
States, the Russian Federation, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan, South
Korea, and India will join the East Asia Summit.
According to programme schedule, the
Head of the State will have separate bilateral meetings with his Indonesian
counterpart Joko Widodo, Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association
(IORA) Salman Al Farisi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on
September 7.
The ASEAN summit is a biannual meeting
as it serves as a prominent regional and international conference, with world
leaders attending its related summits and meetings to discuss various problems
and global issues.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/president-shahabuddin-joins-asean-summit-indonesia-3411556
----
SC grants bail in a corruption case to
Sabera, wife of BNP leader, no bar to her release
Star Digital Report
Tue Sep 5, 2023
The Supreme Court today granted bail to
Sabera Aman, wife of BNP leader Aman Ullah Aman, in a corruption case, clearing
her way to walk out of jail.
Sabera was jailed for three years in
2007 in the case.
On September 3 this year, a Dhaka court
sent Sabera to jail after rejecting her bail petition in the case.
Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division
of the SC Justice M Enayetur Rahim today granted the bail following another
bail petition filed by Sabera.
Following the apex court chamber judge's
order, there is no legal bar to Sabera to get released from jail, court sources
said.
Senior lawyer AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon,
lawyers Kayser Kamal and Md Nazmul Huda appeared for Sabera while senior lawyer
Khurshid Alam Khan represented the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) during the
hearing.
On September 3, Judge Abul Kashem of
Dhaka's Special Judge Court-1 passed the order after she surrendered before it
and submitted a bail petition through her lawyer in the case.
On August 7, the High Court released a
full text verdict against Aman and his wife dismissing their jail sentences.
In the full text of the verdict, the HC
asked the couple to surrender before the trial court within 15 days after
receiving the judgment copy.
After receiving the copy, the trial
court on August 27 asked the couple to surrender before it within 15 days.
The same HC bench on May 30 this year
upheld the trial court verdict that jailed Aman and Sabera in the corruption
case filed during the caretaker government rule from 2007-08.
On June 21, 2007, the trial court
sentenced Aman to 13 years' imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and
concealing information in his wealth statement.
His wife Sabera was also sentenced to
three years' imprisonment by the same court as she was found guilty of abetting
the offence.
Following an appeal filed by the couple,
the HC on August 16, 2010 acquitted them of the graft charges.
The Appellate Division on May 26, 2014
cancelled the HC verdict and asked it to hold a fresh hearing on their appeals.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/sc-grants-bail-amans-wife-sabera-no-bar-her-release-3411566
-----
G20 Summit: Hasina-Modi meet on Sept 8
Star Digital Report
Tue Sep 5, 2023
The much-anticipated bilateral meeting
between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart
Narendra Modi will take place in New Delhi on September 8, on the eve of the
two-day G20 Summit.
The meeting will take place at the
official residence of the Indian PM, hours after Hasina's arrival in New Delhi
to attend the summit as a special invitee of host India, reports our New Delhi
correspondent citing diplomatic sources in both countries yesterday.
Bangladesh is expected to raise the
Teesta and Ganges water-sharing issues along with other issues of mutual
interest during the meeting, said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Sunday.
Hasina is expected to land in New Delhi
at around 1:30pm (local time) and her meeting with Modi is scheduled for around
4:00pm (local time).
Hasina will return to Dhaka on the
morning of September 10, the day the summit of the leaders of the world's most
powerful economies ends.
Hasina and Modi held a brief informal
conversation in Johannesburg, South Africa where they attended the BRICS summit
recently.
The meeting between Hasina and Modi in
New Delhi is viewed with considerable significance as it comes ahead of the
general election in Bangladesh.
Hasina, during her stay in Delhi, will
also have some other bilateral meetings including with the Saudi crown prince.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/g20-summit-hasina-modi-meet-sept-8-3411266
-----
Mideast
UN experts urge forces of powerful
Libyan commander, Khalifa Haftar, to
stop evicting residents, demolishing homes
AP
September 05, 2023
CAIRO: United Nations-commissioned
experts on Monday called for forces of a powerful Libyan military commander to
stop evicting residents and demolishing their homes in the eastern Libyan city
of Benghazi.
The experts said in a statement that the
Libyan National Army, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, has since March removed more
than 20,000 residents from their homes “at a very short notice.”
They also said the destruction in the
city center “is spreading in an alarmed manner,” with residents expelled and
forced to give up their property or their ownership documents.
The demolition is part of a development
project in the city, according to local reports.
“The intentional demolitions, including
of historic neighborhoods, protected heritage sites and many residential units,
have already caused irreparable harm to the urban architecture and living
heritage of the city,” the experts said.
A spokesman for Haftar’s forces didn’t
respond to requests for comment.
The experts said authorities in eastern
Libya didn’t provide “any assistance” including compensations for affected
residents, and that those who protested their removal were pressured or
silenced through power cuts, harassment, and violence.
The impacted areas remained closed to
the public, they said. Al-Wasat, a Libyan news website, reported earlier this
year that the demolished buildings included Italian-style houses built during
the Italian occupation of Libya in the first half of the 20th century.
Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city,
was the epicenter of the 2011 NATO-backed uprising which toppled longtime
dictator Muammar Qaddafi who was later killed.
The city has become the stronghold for
Haftar’s forces in 2014, when the powerful commander launched a major military
operation against militant groups and other armed factions. Much of the city
had been destroyed in the fighting.
Oil-rich Libya has plunged into chaos
following the 2011 uprising and is now ruled by rival administrations in the
east and the west. Each is backed by armed groups and foreign governments.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367411/middle-east
------
Libya’s chief prosecutor, Najla
Mangoush, is seeks more details on minister’s meeting with Israel’s chief
diplomat
AP
September 03, 2023
CAIRO: Libya’s chief prosecutor said
Saturday he would establish a fact-finding mission to investigate a meeting
last month between the foreign minister of one of the country’s rival
governments and Israel’s chief diplomat.
The Aug. 22 meeting caused an uproar
across the North African nation. Najla Mangoush, the foreign minister of the
Tripoli-based government, and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met in Rome in
the first-ever between top diplomats of Libya and Israel.
Libya criminalizes establishing ties
with Israel under a 1957 law. The oil-rich country has long been hostile toward
Israel and supportive of the Palestinians.
In a terse statement Saturday, General
Prosecutor Al-Sediq Al-Sour said the fact-finding mission would probe
violations of Libya’s rules of boycotting Israel and “investigate the extent of
damage to Libya’s interests” because of the Mangoush-Cohen meeting.
Libya slid into chaos after a
NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. For
years, the country has split between the Western-backed government in Tripoli
and a rival administration in the country’s east. Each side has been backed by
armed groups and foreign governments.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2366291/middle-east
----
Turkey’s president meets Russia’s Putin
and aims to revive the wartime Ukraine grain export deal
04th September 2023
By Associated Press
ISTANBUL: Talks between Russian
President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan began on
Monday with the Turkish leader seeking to persuade Russia to revive an
agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain and other commodities from three
Black Sea ports.
Putin in July refused to extend the
agreement, which was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations a year earlier.
Russia complained that a parallel deal
promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadn’t
been honored. It said restrictions on shipping and insurance hampered its
agricultural trade even though it has shipped record amounts of wheat since
last year.
Opening the talks, Putin said he was
open to discussing the grain deal, among other issues.
The two leaders met in Russia’s Black
Sea resort of Sochi, where the Russian president has a residence. A lot is
riding on the talks for the world food supply.
The meeting takes place against a
backdrop of more than 18 months of war and Ukraine's recent counteroffensive.
In the latest development, Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Defense Minister Oleksii
Reznikov would be replaced this week. The job requires “new approaches,”
Zelenskyy said, without elaborating. Reznikov on Monday published a photo of
his resignation letter.
Since Putin withdrew from the grain
initiative, Erdogan has repeatedly pledged to renew arrangements that helped
avoid a food crisis in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Ukraine and
Russia are major suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other goods that
developing nations rely on.
“My gut feeling is that Putin recognizes
the leverage he has by using food as an economic weapon, and thus will fight
for all he can get in terms of concessions on his wish-list,” said Tim Benton,
a food security expert at the Chatham House think tank.
Those may include Russia’s grains, or
fertilizer exports, or wider issues, he said.
Data from the Joint Coordination Center
in Istanbul, which organized the Ukraine shipments, shows that 57% of the grain
from Ukraine went to developing nations, with the top destination being China,
which received nearly a quarter of the food.
Russia has repeatedly attacked the Odesa
region, Ukraine's main Black Sea port area. On Monday, the Ukrainian air force
said it intercepted 23 of 32 drones that targeted the Odea and Dnipropetrovsk
regions, but did not specify damage caused by the drones that got through.
The Turkish president has maintained
close ties to Putin during the 18-month war in Ukraine. Turkey hasn’t joined
Western sanctions against Russia following its invasion, emerging as a main
trading partner and logistical hub for Russia’s overseas trade.
NATO member Turkey, however, has also
supported Ukraine, sending arms, meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy and backing Kyiv’s bid to join NATO.
Erdogan angered Moscow in July when he
allowed five Ukrainian commanders to return home. The soldiers had been
captured by Russia and handed over to Turkey on condition they remain there for
the duration of the war.
Putin and Erdogan — authoritarian
leaders who have both been in power for more than two decades — are said to
have a close rapport, fostered in the wake of a failed coup against Erdogan in
2016 when Putin was the first major leader to offer his support.
The Sochi summit follows talks between
the Russian and Turkish foreign ministers on Thursday, during which Russia
handed over a list of actions that the West would have to take in order for
Ukraine’s Black Sea exports to resume.
Erdogan has indicated sympathy with
Putin’s position. In July, he said Putin had “certain expectations from Western
countries” over the Black Sea deal and that it was “crucial for these countries
to take action in this regard.”
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres
recently sent Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “concrete proposals” aimed
at getting Russian exports to global markets and allowing the resumption of the
Black Sea initiative. But Lavrov said Moscow wasn’t satisfied with the letter.
Describing Turkey’s “intense” efforts to
revive the agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said it was a
“process that tries to better understand Russia’s position and requests, and to
meet them.”
Source: newindianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2023/sep/04/turkeys-president-meets-russias-putin-and-aims-to-revive-the-wartime-ukraine-grain-export-deal-2611584.html
------
UN ‘alarmed’by Eritrean protesters clash
with Israeli riot police in Tel Aviv, Israel
05 September 2023
AFP
September 05, 2023
GENEVA: The United Nations’ rights chief
said Monday he was “alarmed” by the high number of injuries during recent
clashes in Israel involving Eritrean protesters.
Trouble erupted on Saturday when a
demonstration against an Eritrean government event turned violent, injuring
nearly 140 people, including a dozen Eritrean asylum seekers who were hit by
Israeli police gunfire.
“Alarmed at high number of injuries
during protests involving opposing Eritrean protesters, particularly in
Israel,” UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on X, formerly known as
Twitter.
“Crucial that investigations take place,
hate speech is avoided — especially by authorities — and principle of
non-refoulement is fully respected,” he added.
The clashes began outside a south Tel
Aviv venue that was set to host a pro-regime event organized by the Eritrean
embassy in Israel.
Hundreds of anti-government Eritreans
came to prevent the event from taking place. Israeli police declared their
gathering an illegal demonstration and ordered the street to be emptied.
But demonstrators clashed with police
who “used live fire against rioters,” Israeli police said in a statement,
adding that at least 49 of their personnel were wounded.
While police and Eritrean demonstrators
clashed at the event site, there were also confrontations between supporters
and opponents of Eritrea’s government elsewhere in Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
Sunday that Israel was considering deporting 1,000 Eritreans who took part in
“riots” in Tel Aviv over the weekend .
According to June statistics, there are
17,850 Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367436/middle-east
-----
Israel opens new embassy in Bahrain,
agrees to boost trade relations
4 Sep 2023
Israel’s foreign minister has agreed
with his Bahraini counterpart to boost trade relations, during his first visit
to one of the two Gulf Arab states to establish ties with Israel.
“The foreign minister and I agreed that
we should work together to increase the number of direct flights, the tourism,
the trade volume, the investment,” Eli Cohen said during a ceremony to
inaugurate Israel’s new embassy in Bahrain on Monday.
The embassy in the capital Manama will
replace the first embassy Israel opened in 2021, a year after it established
diplomatic relations with Bahrain as part of the United States-brokered Abraham
Accords.
Under the accords, Israel also
established ties with the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.
Monday’s ceremony was attended by
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, who said the “new embassy
assumes a pivotal role” in growing collaboration between the two countries.
Zayani said his talks with Cohen on
Monday resulted in an agreement on advancing “relations across the broadest
range of fields, including, economic, investment, trade and other areas”.
Cohen arrived in Bahrain on Sunday,
accompanied by a business delegation of more than 30 companies working in
high-tech, logistics and real estate.
“We look forward to expanding the circle
of peace and normalisation to other states in the area,” he said.
Despite now having steady ties with
Israel, Bahrain and the UAE have joined other Gulf Arab states in issuing a
series of condemnations against it this year.
Raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied
East Jerusalem and the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank were among
Israeli moves that sparked criticism from the Gulf.
However, Cohen’s trip coincides with
growing speculation about an impending normalisation deal between Israel and
Saudi Arabia, which is not a signatory to the Abraham Accords.
Riyadh and Washington have held talks on
Saudi conditions for progress on normalisation with Israel, according to people
briefed on the meetings.
“There are more Arab and Muslim
countries that have shown interest in taking a step forward in joining the
peace circle,” Cohen told a news conference in Manama, without naming them.
Cohen was at the centre of controversy
at the end of August, after he revealed that he had secretly met his Libyan
counterpart in Rome to discuss normalisation.
The revelation led to protests in Libya,
where pro-Palestinian sentiment is strong, the dismissal of the Libyan foreign
minister Najla al-Mangoush, and censure for Cohen from within Israel, where he
was attacked by the opposition for revealing the details of such a sensitive
meeting.
Source: aljazeera.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/4/israel-opens-new-embassy-in-bahrain-agrees-to-boost-trade-relations
----
Palestinian killed by Israel forces in
West Bank
AFP
September 05, 2023
TULKAREM: Israeli forces shot dead a
Palestinian in night-time clashes at a West Bank refugee camp, the Palestinian
health ministry said Tuesday, as violence in the occupied territory shows no
letup.
“Ayed Samih Khaled was shot by live
occupation (Israeli) bullets fired to the head,” the ministry said.
The Israeli army did not offer any
immediate comment.
Residents of Nur Shams camp near the
town of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank said Israeli forces entered the camp
around midnight (2100 GMT Monday).
“Soon after they entered the camp,
clashes erupted between some militants and soldiers,” a resident told AFP on
condition of anonymity for security reasons.
“The army had come with bulldozers to
destroy some roads inside the camp.”
A sports center in the camp was heavily
damaged in the raid, an AFP journalist reported.
Violence linked to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict has surged in the West Bank since early last year.
At least 226 Palestinians, 32 Israelis,
a Ukrainian and an Italian have been killed so far this year, according to an
AFP tally based on official sources on both sides.
They include, on the Palestinian side,
combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the
Arab minority.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367521/middle-east
----
North America
US Weapons, Abandoned During
Washington’s Chaotic 2021 Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Falling into Hands of
Militants – Pakistan
4 Sep, 2023
Much of the American weaponry abandoned
during Washington’s chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan has fallen into
the hands of Islamist fighters, including the Pakistani Taliban, Pakistan’s
prime minister has warned.
The US weapons have boosted the
firepower of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), “emerging as a new challenge” for
Islamabad, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar told reporters on Monday.
American military equipment has enhanced the capabilities of TTP fighters,
contributing to increasingly fierce attacks on Pakistan’s security forces in
recent months, he said.
The TTP is allied with the Afghan
Taliban, which seized Kabul and returned to power as US forces were evacuating
from the war-torn country in August 2021. Kakar did not provide details on how
the abandoned US weapons had wound up in the hands of Pakistani militants.
More than $7 billion worth of US
military equipment was left behind in Afghanistan, according to a Pentagon
assessment released last year. The gear, which had been given to the US-backed
government in Kabul during Washington’s 20-year occupation of the country,
included aircraft, military vehicles, communications equipment and firearms.
Government forces surrendered or lost their US-supplied weapons as they were
overrun and routed by the Taliban.
Pakistan threatens Afghanistan with
counterterrorism operation
Critics of US President Joe Biden’s
administration have pegged the value of abandoned equipment much higher. For
example, former President Donald Trump claimed that US forces had left $85
billion worth of weaponry and equipment to the Taliban. US troops also
jettisoned some of their own equipment, such as helicopters and Humvees, but
the Pentagon said much of that gear was destroyed or “retrograded.”
Kakar called for a “coordinated
approach” to dealing with the leftover weapons. US equipment, such as guns with
laser sighting systems, have reportedly enabled TTP fighters to target
Pakistani security forces from greater distances. Those government forces are
charged with defending “our home, children, mosques and places of worship,” the
prime minister said.
Kakar was installed as Pakistan’s
caretaker PM last month, bridging the leadership gap until the country’s next
parliamentary elections are held, possibly early next year.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.rt.com/news/582376-pakistan-says-militants-using-abandoned-us-weapons/
-----
US betrays its own principles to
preserve chaos in Syria
4 Sep, 2023
Washington has a history of using
sanctions as a stick to prod its pet terrorists into doing its dirty work.
Back in America’s good old days, when
few of its citizens bothered to care about US-backed proxy wars half a world
away, the scapegoat du jour was Syrian President Bashar Assad. Every few days,
we’d hear from some Western leader about how Assad had to go, as Washington
spent billions of dollars in cash and weapons in an effort to oust him – and
failed, thanks in a large part to the Russian military assistance granted at
Assad’s request.
Having remained in power, Assad fell off
the West’s radar. Until now – just as Syria is on the verge of normalizing
relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors, including a resumption of basic
ties with Saudi Arabia, which used to back US regime-change efforts by funding
and arming the ‘Free Syrian Army’ jihadist opposition groups alongside the CIA
and the Pentagon. So now that peace is on the verge of breaking out in the
Middle East, there’s movement afoot again by Washington on Syria.
The Biden administration has just
sanctioned “Syrian armed opposition groups” operating in northern Syria, where
all of America’s proxy pals hang out, including the Kurds and the militant
groups formerly known as the “Syrian rebels.” On August 17, the US Treasury
Department concern-trolled Damascus in the sanctions announcement, citing the
need to protect the “peace, security, stability, or territorial integrity of
Syria.” Or at least the part where the oil is, and over which the actual
president of Syria has so little control that the government has repeatedly
accused Washington of stealing the oil by hauling it across the border into
Iraq, with the protection of US military vehicles.
When former US President Donald Trump
realized that all that really mattered for the US in Syria was the oil, he
tossed the Syrian conflict into Turkey’s lap, and stopped talking about ISIS
(anyone remember them?) Today, Turkey controls the “Syrian rebel” groups newly
sanctioned by Washington: the Suleiman Shah Brigade and the Hamza Division. It
makes sense, considering that the US used NATO ally Turkey as a staging area
for training those same jihadists, back when they were Western-backed.
Some Washington officials were worried
about the impact of Trump delegating the Syrian conflict to Turkey on the fate
of US-allied Kurds (whom Ankara considers enemies of the state), who had been
holding down the fort for the US in that same strategic oil-rich region. And
now both sets of US proxies are hanging out there and fighting with each other,
with the US Treasury Department citing “human rights abuses.”
It seems that the only time Washington
cares about Syrians – or considers them a single people – is when it’s suitable
for the purposes of economic exploitation. “The United States is committed to
supporting the Syrian people’s ability to live without fear of exploitation
from armed groups and without fear of violent repression,” said the Under
Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E.
Nelson. If that was truly the case, then Washington wouldn’t have exploited
armed groups in an attempt to overthrow the country’s president and impose a
decade-long war on the Syrian people.
Just a few days after the US sanctions
were imposed, a group of Republican congressmen arrived in Syria. Given
Washington’s respect for national sovereignty, surely they had permission from
the Syrian government to enter – which must be why they came in through the
backdoor from Turkey, on the US and ‘rebel’-controlled side of the country, and
only reportedly stayed for 30 minutes. But they did have time to meet with
members of the White Helmets, an NGO founded by former British MI6 officer
James Le Mesurier, which had an uncanny knack for operating freely in
Al-Qaeda-held territory throughout the war, while making an Oscar-winning
documentary. The trio of congressmen, Ben Cline (R-VA), Scott Fitzgerald
(R-WI), and French Hill (R-AR), also met with “opposition figures” – it’s
unclear which ones, but most of the “opposition” groups operating in the region
are at least linked to someone on Washington’s naughty lists – from the
designated terrorists of the Kurdish PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), to
Turkish-controlled and formerly US-backed Syrian militias.
Maybe the Congressmen were just really
confused. After all, when was the last time you heard a Western official refer
to the PKK as a terrorist organization, to which Ankara attributes tens of
thousands of deaths? Despite also being sanctioned by the EU, the group has
nonetheless been operating with impunity inside Sweden since 1986, after some
of its members were suspected to have played a role in the assassination of a
Swedish prime minister who opposed using the Nordic country as a sort of
operating base for the group’s anti-Turkish operations. After that, Swedish
politicians apparently just figured that it would be best to pretend that the
group didn’t exist rather than deal with the headache of it all, and have since
turned a blind eye to the various criminal activities used to fund their
operations.
The sudden appearance of the Republican
officials in Syria is reminiscent of the various neocon Republican bigwigs from
previous administrations, who took significant speaking fees to address the
Iranian opposition rallies of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) near Paris, just
before that group was conveniently delisted from the State Department’s
terrorist list, and subsequently normalized and leveraged by the West to
advocate in favor of regime change in Iran as a sort of opposition-in-waiting.
Who can blame American lawmakers for losing track of who the terrorists are and
who the freedom fighters are these days?
“What I believe Syria needs, and the
same thing the US needs, is American leadership,” Hill said, blaming Biden for
failing to stop illegal drugs coming out of Syria and making Assad rich, while
clearly having no problem with the Syrian oil from terrorist-held territory
making the US rich. As in: “wake up and start doing what America wants you to
do against Assad again.” Because “American leadership” means successfully
buying or bullying others to do your dirty work for you.
Now that the US needs more proxies to
prevent an imminent Syrian rapprochement with its neighbors, how soon can we
expect an announcement about a lifting of terrorist designations – or of these
new sanctions for one or more of these groups – in exchange for them agreeing
to do Washington’s bidding again, against Assad? The fact that Syria is even
back on the radar, to the point of warranting a visit from the first high-level
US delegation since warmonger Senator John McCain visited in 2017, strongly
suggests that Washington is getting worried about the potential for Middle
Eastern unity – particularly among allies of Russia.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.rt.com/news/582154-us-washington-sanctions-syria/
------
Jill Biden positive for COVID, President
Biden tests negative
September 05, 2023
WASHINGTON: US first lady Jill Biden has
tested positive for COVID-19 just days before President Joe Biden, who tested
negative for the virus, is due to travel to a Group of 20 summit in India, the
White House said on Monday.
Biden’s 72-year-old wife, whose symptoms
were described as mild, last had COVID in August of last year. The president,
now 80, last tested positive in July 2022.
“This evening, the First Lady tested
positive for COVID-19,” her communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, said
in a statement. “She will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.”
Biden flew back alone from Delaware on
Monday evening.
“Following the First Lady’s positive
test for COVID-19, President Biden was administered a COVID test this evening,”
the White House said. “The President tested negative. The President will test
at a regular cadence this week and monitor for symptoms.”
The White House did not immediately
respond to a request for comment on whether Biden’s foreign travel could be
affected.
But Biden’s official week-ahead
schedule, released shortly after the announcement of the first lady’s
diagnosis, showed him traveling to New Delhi on Thursday to attend the G20
summit. Biden is scheduled to fly to Hanoi on Sunday.
Biden is running for re-election in 2024
in a campaign in which the question about his age has loomed as a key issue for
voters.
He is the oldest president to seek a
second term, and some Republicans have said he is too old to be given another
four years in the White House.
Biden’s allies say he remains fit to
serve as president.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2367486/world
------
Europe
'Violent riot' lasts through the night
in Sweden after Koran burning
4 September 2023
Clashes described by police as a
"violent riot" erupted in Sweden's third-largest city after an anti-Islam
protester set fire to the Koran.
Police in Malmo said they were pelted
with rocks and dozens of cars were set on fire, including in an underground
garage, in clashes that started on Sunday and lasted overnight.
It started after an angry mob tried to
stop anti-Islam activist Salwan Momika after he burned a copy of the Koran.
A string of Koran burning incidents in
both Sweden and neighbouring Denmark have sparked angry protests in recent
months - and threatened a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and
Muslim nations.
A person runs as cars burn during a riot
in Malmo, Sweden
Early on Monday, an angry crowd set fire
to tyres and debris and some were seen throwing electric scooters, bicycles and
barriers in Malmo's Rosengard neighbourhood - which has seen similar violence
in the past.
At least three people have been
detained, police said.
"I understand that a public
gathering like this arouses strong emotions, but we cannot tolerate
disturbances and violent expressions like those we saw on Sunday
afternoon," senior police officer Petra Stenkula said.
"It is extremely regrettable to
once again see violence and vandalism at Rosengard," she said.
Cars burn during a riot in Malmo
Mr Momika, a refugee from Iraq, has
desecrated the Koran in a number of anti-Islam protests mostly in Stockholm
that have caused anger in many Muslim countries.
Muslim leaders in Sweden have called on
the government to find ways to stop the Koran burnings, but police have allowed
Mr Momika's actions, citing freedom of speech.
As Koran burning protests surge, Denmark
considers clampdown
There is no law in Sweden specifically
prohibiting the burning or desecration of the Koran or other religious texts,
as it dropped blasphemy laws in 1970.
Police have to cite specific grounds to
deny a permit for a demonstration or public gathering, but the government has
announced an inquiry into legal possibilities for enabling police to reject
permits over national security concerns.
Last month, Sweden and Denmark, which
are among the most liberal countries in the world, tightened border controls in
fear of revenge attacks.
The Swedish security service also
increased its terror threat from three to four - with five being the maximum -
meaning there is a "high threat" of an attack.
Source: news.sky.com/
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://news.sky.com/story/violent-riot-lasts-through-the-night-in-sweden-after-koran-burning-12954816
------
France vigilant as abaya ban in schools
begins
September 5, 2023
PARIS: French authorities are watching
over 500 schools for signs pupils could be violating a newly announced ban on
the abaya Muslim dress for women, as children across the country return to
class, the education minister said on Monday.
The government announced last month that
it was banning the abaya in schools, saying it broke the rules on secularism in
education that have already seen Muslim headscarves banned.
The move gladdened the political right
but the left argued it represented an affront to civil liberties.
“There are 513 establishments that we
have identified as potentially concerned by this question at the start of the
school year,” Education Minister Gabriel Attal told RTL radio.
He said work had been done ahead of the
start of the school year to see in which schools this could present a problem,
adding that trained school inspectors would be placed in certain schools.
There are around 45,000 schools in
France, with 12 million pupils going back to school on Monday.
The hard-left has accused the government
of centrist President Emmanuel Macron of trying with the abaya ban to compete
with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally and shifting further to the
right.
Attal however said he was against
imposing a ban on parents wearing clothes that had religious significance when
they accompanied their children on school outings.
“There is a difference between what
happens in school and what happens outside school. What matters to me is what
happens in school,” he said.
A law introduced in March 2004 banned
“the wearing of signs or outfits by which students ostensibly show a religious
affiliation” in schools. This includes large crosses, Jewish kippas, and
Islamic headscarves.
Unlike headscarves, abayas occupied a
grey area and had faced no outright ban until now.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1774126/france-vigilant-as-abaya-ban-in-schools-begins
------
Organization of Islamic Cooperation
delegation arrives in Azerbaijan's Ganja (PHOTO)
Farid Zohrabov
4 September 2023
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. A
delegation of the Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has arrived in Ganja, Trend reports.
The members of the delegation visited
the neighborhoods destroyed by the Armenian armed forces' rocket fire on Ganja
and were informed about the war crimes committed against civilians during the
44-day war.
The Armenian armed forces violated the
norms and principles of international law and the Geneva Convention of 1949 by
deliberately targeting the peaceful population of Azerbaijan by shelling
residential houses with heavy artillery.
Yesterday the guests visited Aghdam and
Fuzuli districts liberated from occupation.
The main purpose of the trip is to
investigate on the spot the destruction of religious-cultural monuments and
cemeteries belonging to Azerbaijanis by Armenia, to collect information on
Azerbaijanis who suffered as a result of occupation and rocket attacks, as well
as to prepare a report and present it to the international community.
Source: en.trend.az
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3792244.html
-----
Russian Embassy warns citizens about
Germans ‘seizing’ cars
5 Sep, 2023
The Russian Embassy in Berlin has warned
its citizens against bringing their cars into Germany, citing the instances of
confiscation of vehicles with Russian license plates.
“We continue to note that German customs
authorities are occasionally seizing private vehicles that were registered as
property of Russian nationals and temporarily imported into Germany for
personal use or transit purposes,” the embassy wrote in a statement on Telegram
on Monday. It added that Moscow had repeatedly lodged protests over the
measure, but to no avail.
“Until the situation is clarified,
Russian nationals are strongly advised against importing vehicles with Russian
license plates into Germany,” the embassy wrote.
The German authorities previously told
local media that the cars were confiscated as part of sanctions imposed on
Russia in 2014 and expanded after Moscow launched its military operation in
Ukraine in February 2022. According to a July report by national broadcaster
Deutsche Welle (DW), more than 10 cars with Russian license plates were
confiscated over the course of just a few weeks.
The broadcaster told the story of Ivan
Koval, a Russian IT manager who relocated with his wife to Hamburg last May and
was “shocked” to discover that his car was seized by German customs agents in
accordance with a law that punishes Moscow’s “destabilization” efforts in
Ukraine. “I told them that I wasn’t destabilizing anything, that I simply came
here with my wife. But, in the end, I still had to give my car away,” the man
told DW.
NATO countries first imposed sanctions
on Moscow in 2014, when Crimea voted to leave Ukraine and become part of Russia
in the wake of the Western-backed in Kiev that year. Moscow has insisted that
trade restrictions and the seizure of assets and other Russian property were
illegal and tantamount to theft.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.rt.com/russia/582380-russian-embassy-germany-cars/
-----
Ukrainian armed infiltration attempt
ends in failure – governor
4 Sep, 2023
Russian military and security personnel
have thwarted a Ukrainian plan to infiltrate the country’s western Bryansk
Region, Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said on Monday.
A Ukrainian “reconnaissance and sabotage
group” attempted to cross into Russia in Sevsky District, Bogomaz wrote on
Telegram. He added that intruders were met by units from the Defense Ministry
and Federal Security Service (FSB).
The governor posted photos of
shoulder-fired missiles, grenades, and ammunition, which he said were left by
the enemy. Some of the equipment was “foreign-made,” he wrote.
The FSB said earlier that a different
Ukrainian group was discovered and neutralized in Bryansk Region last
Wednesday. According to Russian officials, two Ukrainian fighters were killed
and five were captured.
Ukraine has launched several
cross-border raids this year, notably in March, May and June. In early June, an
incursion into Belgorod Region by the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), a
Kiev-aligned unit made up of Russian citizens, was repelled after heavy fighting
near the village of Novaya Tavolzhanka.
Kiev has also stepped up drone and
missile attacks on Russian territory in recent months, as its much-anticipated
ground offensive, launched in early June, had failed to win any significant
ground.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.rt.com/russia/582377-ukrainian-raid-bryansk-failed/
-----
Africa
BREAKING: Many Persons Injured As
Nigerian Policemen Open Fire On Shiite Members In Kaduna
September 4, 2023
Armed Nigeria Police personnel in Kaduna
State have opened fire on protesting members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria
popularly known as Shiites, injuring many of them in the process.
The group members had on Monday embarked
on their annual Arbaeen symbolic trek along the Pambegua- Zaria road.
The policemen, who appeared to have an
ambush on the IMN members, fired live ammunition and teargas canisters to
disperse the crowd.
As at the time of this report, there was
pandemonium in the area as passersby were seen scampering for safety.
This was not the first time that
policemen would be attacking IMN members during peaceful demonstrations.
The law enforcement personnel have
opened fire on them several times in recent months.
Arbaeen Trek is a Shiite annual
religious practice usually conducted on 20th Safar of Islamic calendar to mark
the 40th day of the murder of Imam Hussein Ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet
Muhammed who was killed on 10th Muharram.
Source: saharareporters.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://saharareporters.com/2023/09/04/breaking-many-persons-injured-nigerian-policemen-open-fire-shiite-members-kaduna
------
Labour strike: Reps adjourn probe on job
racketeering
Kehinde Akintola
September 4, 2023
The ad-hoc committee investigating job
racketeering among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Monday
adjourned sitting to Thursday, 7th September, 2023.
This was due to the planned industrial
action by the organised labour scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 5th and
Wednesday, 6th September 2023.
The ad-hoc committee was mandated to
investigate the alleged mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment
racketeering and gross mismanagement of the IPPIS.
Speaking upon resumption of the hearing,
Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC-Plateau)
explained that the hearing was postponed to enable all the MDAs invited to make
their presentations.
Recall that the ad-hoc committee during
last Friday’s hearing, vowed to resist any attempt to distract the ad-hoc
committee from carrying out its mandates.
While frowning at the level of impunity
being perpetuated by some public officials involved in the alleged job
racketeering, Gagdi assured Nigerians of the 10th Assembly’s resolve to end the
practice going forward.
Gagdi who noted that the ad-hoc
committee will make far-reaching recommendations in its report, pledged that
the issue bothering on indiscriminate waiver being granted to MDAs would be
abolished forthwith.
Some of the officials invited by the
ad-hoc committee so far include Chairman, Secretary and Commissioners as well
as officials of Federal Character Commission (FCC); Accountant General of the
Federation (AGF) and the Head of Service of the Federation (HoS).
Others are officials of federal
parastatals, tertiary institutions; Integrated Payroll and Personnel
Information System (IPPIS), and Registrars of Federal Polytechnics, among
others.
Source: tribuneonlineng.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://tribuneonlineng.com/labour-strike-reps-adjourn-probe-on-job-racketeering/
------
Uganda detains man suspected of planning
bomb attack on church
4 Sep, 2023
Police in Uganda said on Sunday they had
foiled a bomb attack on a cathedral in the capital Kampala and arrested the man
suspected of trying to activate the explosive device among worshippers.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from
the Rubaga Miracle Centre cathedral after the man tried to enter with an
explosive device, said police spokesman Patrick Onyango.
"We carried out a controlled
detonation of the improvised explosive device consisting of nails, a motorbike
battery, a charger and a telephone handset that was to be used in the
attack," he told reporters outside the cathedral.
He said police had tracked the
28-year-old after receiving a tip-off about a possible attack on a place of
worship, and found a bomb in his rucksack when he was arrested.
Police are looking for three other men,
the suspect having indicated that he may have had accomplices.
The perimeter of the cathedral was
cordoned off; sniffer dogs and members of bomb squads inspected the area but no
threat was detected.
"The terrorist was a few metres
from the entrance but the security forces intervened and he was arrested before
he could enter the church and detonate the bomb", evangelical pastor
Robert Kayanja told AFP. The pastor is a public supporter of President Yoweri
Museveni.
According to a police note seen by AFP,
the police had been warned of a possible attack in busy places, including
churches and shopping centres.
In June, jihadists from the Allied
Democratic Forces (ADF) militia, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic
State group, killed 42 people, including 37 pupils, in a secondary school in
western Uganda close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It was the deadliest attack in Uganda
since the double bombing in Kampala in 2010, which killed 76 people in a raid
claimed by the Somali-based Islamist group Shebab.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/04/uganda-detains-man-suspected-of-planning-bomb-attack-on-church/
-----
Niger's post-coup PM hopes for
'agreement' with ECOWAS
5 Sep, 2023
Niger's military-appointed prime
minister on Monday said he saw hopes of a deal with the West African bloc
ECOWAS, which has threatened to use force to restore civilian rule after a coup
in July.
"We have not stopped contacts with
ECOWAS, we are continuing contacts. We have good hopes of reaching an agreement
in the coming days," Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine told a press
conference in Niamey.
ECOWAS -- the Economic Community of West
African States -- has imposed hefty sanctions against Niger after rebel
soldiers on July 26 overthrew Mohamed Bazoum, the country's
democratically-elected president.
It has also warned several times of
intervening militarily to reinstate Bazoum, but only if peaceful attempts to
resolve the crisis fail.
"We are bracing to be attacked at
any time. Every preparation has been taken. It would be an unjust war. We are
determined to defend ourselves if there is an attack," Zeine told
reporters.
A key question in the crisis is a
timeline for returning to civilian rule.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu -- who is
also the current chairman of ECOWAS -- last Thursday suggested a nine-month
period such as his country underwent in the late 1990s.
"The president sees no reason why
such cannot be replicated in Niger, if Niger's military authorities are
sincere," the Nigerian presidency said in a statement.
Algeria, Niger's influential northern
neighbour, has proposed a six-month transition.
The military rulers so far have not
responded to the suggestions, having previously spoken of a three-year handback
period.
ECOWAS has taken a hard line with regard
to Niger following a cascade of coups in its region since 2020.
The military have taken power in Mali
and Burkina Faso, where like Niger, losses among the armed forces are surging
in the face of a long-running jihadist insurgency.
A putsch also took place in Guinea in
2021 after the country's octogenarian president, Alpha Conde, ran for a third
term in office, a move that opponents said breached constitutional limits.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/05/nigers-post-coup-pm-hopes-for-agreement-with-ecowas/
-----
Nigeria to attend G20 summit, plans to
apply for membership
4 Sep, 2023
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country,
will attend the G20 summit in New Delhi next weekend and is considering
applying to become a member of this group of countries, the presidency has
announced.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who took
office in May, intends to attend the summit in India, where trade, the global
economy, climate change and the war in Ukraine will be on the agenda.
In a statement on Sunday, Nigerian
presidency spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said the country wanted to join the G20 but
that discussions were underway within the government to assess the benefits to
the country.
"When the consultations are
completed, the government will decide whether or not it is appropriate for the
country to apply," the spokesman said. "The President's participation
in the G20 summit in India is part of this objective".
Bola Tinubu will be attending the 18th
G20 summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will
also take part in a round-table discussion with Indian and Nigerian business
leaders and industrialists.
The Nigerian President and ministers
will also hold bilateral talks to attract more foreign investment to Nigeria,
one of the continent's leading oil-producing countries.
Since taking office, Bola Tinubu has
launched a series of reforms to revive the economy and attract more investment.
The G20 brings together the world's
largest economies - 19 countries and the European Union - which together
account for 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world's population.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/04/nigeria-to-attend-g20-summit-plans-to-apply-for-membership/
------
Southeast Asia
Pulai by-election: Islamic affairs
minister calls for stop to campaigns that exploit religious, racial sentiments
04 Sep 2023
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 4 — Minister in the
Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar
advised those involved in the Pulai parliamentary by-election (PRK) to refrain
from engaging in campaigns that manipulate religious and racial sentiments.
As an institution responsible for
protecting the sanctity of Islam in the country, he said the Prime Minister’s
Department (Religious Affairs) is very concerned about certain groups issuing
statements condemning those with differing beliefs.
“This situation will sow the seeds of
even more serious divisions and threaten the security of the nation,” he said
in a statement today, following a statement by a political leader declaring it
‘haram’ (forbidden) to vote for a candidate contesting in the by-election.
“This matter can lead to
misunderstandings within the community and tarnish the sanctity of Islamic
teachings,” he said, expressing concern about the tendency of those who issue
Syariah-related rulings arbitrarily without the necessary discipline.
According to media reports, Perikatan
Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was reported to have declared
it haram for those who vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Suhaizan Kayat
in the Pulai parliamentary by-election.
Mohd Na’im said the term haram,
according to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka dictionary, can be defined in six
meanings, which are the prohibition law (in Islam); prohibited; cannot be done
with uncertain matters; truly; even a little; and none at all.
“However, the people of this country
associate the use of the term haram with Syariah law, which is the law of
prohibition (in Islam) that promises rewards for those who obey it and
punishment for those who violate it.
“I hereby call upon all parties to be
responsible in respecting the sanctity of Islam, preserving the unity and peace
of the multi-ethnic and multi-religious society in this beloved country,” he
said.
The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang
Jeram state by-elections are being held following the death of their incumbent
Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was also the Minister of Domestic Trade and
Cost of Living, on July 23.
The Election Commission has set
September 9 as polling day for both by-elections, with early voting on
September 5. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/04/pulai-by-election-islamic-affairs-minister-calls-for-stop-to-campaigns-that-exploit-religious-racial-sentiments/88911
------
Explain discontinuation of all 47
Yayasan Akalbudi charges against Zahid, DAP sec-gen tells AG
By John Bunyan
05 Sep 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — DAP secretary
general Anthony Loke today called on Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to
explain the prosecution’s application for a discharge not amounting to an
acquittal (DNAA) of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a
late stage in his Yayasan Akalbudi trial.
Loke said that while the DAP respects
the court’s process and decision, an open explanation is needed for the sake of
justice and accountability.
“This explanation is important to ensure
the confidence of the public and the international community in the country's
legal system is always preserved.
“DAP will also always uphold the
principle of separation of power between judicial, executive and legislative
branches and ensure there is no executive intervention in any court case,” he
said in a statement posted on his Facebook account.
He pointed out that the issue is of
great public interest and that many people had aired their views openly on the
Umno president’s case since yesterday.
Zahid had been accused of dishonestly
misappropriating RM31 million from the charitable organisation he founded,
Yayasan Akalbudi.
He had been hit with 47 charges
comprising 27 counts of money laundering, 12 counts of criminal breach of
trust, and eight counts of bribery charges of over RM21.25 million in alleged
bribes.
The High Court granted the DNAA order
for Zahid after the prosecution applied for it yesterday, saying it would not
continue the Yayasan Akalbudi trial.
A DNAA means an accused person can face
trial for the same charges in the future if the prosecution decides to
reinstate them.
The defence had pushed for a full
acquittal, but was refused by the High Court.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/05/explain-discontinuation-of-all-47-yayasan-akalbudi-charges-against-zahid-dap-sec-gen-tells-ag/89086
------
Zahid’s discharge from Yayasan Akalbudi
trial a fillip for Perikatan, says its Pulai hopeful
By Ben Tan
05 Sep 2023
JOHOR BARU, Sept 5 — With four days to
go, Perikatan Nasional (PN) contestant Zulkifli Jaafar believes he has gained
an unexpected advantage over his Pakatan Harapan (PH) rival Suhaizan Kaiat and
an independent candidate for the Pulai parliamentary by-election this Saturday.
Zulkifli was referring to the much
talked about the High Court discharge of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi from all 47 charges of dishonestly misappropriating RM31 million
belonging to charitable organisation Yayasan Akalbudi, which happened hundreds
of kilometres away in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
“I was smiling when the news broke
yesterday that the Umno president was granted a DNAA on his 47 graft charges.
“The people, particularly voters in
Pulai, will evaluate this decision. I believe this will give me more support
from the people,” he was quoted by The Star as telling reporters while visiting
the early voting centre at the Region II Marine Police Force headquarters in
Tampoi here today.
Zahid had been hit with 47 charges
comprising 27 counts of money laundering, 12 counts of criminal breach of
trust, and eight counts of bribery charges of over RM21.25 million in alleged
bribes.
Trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence
Sequerah granted an order to discharge Zahid without acquitting the latter
after the prosecution applied for it yesterday, saying it would not continue
the Yayasan Akalbudi trial.
The order means Zahid could still be
charged in court for the same charges in the future if the prosecution decides
to reinstate them.
The defence had pushed for a full
acquittal, but was declined by the High Court.
Pulai is one of two ongoing by-elections
in Johor, the other being the Simpang Jeram state seat.
Both were called following the July 23
death of its elected representative Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was also
domestic trade and living cost minister.
Apart from Zulkifli and Suhaizan, the
third Pulai hopeful is independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi.
For Simpang Jeram, the candidates are
Nazri Abdul Rahman (PH), Mohd Mazri Yahya (PN), and independent S. Jegananthan.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/05/zahids-discharge-from-yayasan-akalbudi-trial-a-fillip-for-perikatan-says-its-pulai-hopeful/89118
------
Kelantan’s 45 state assemblymen sworn in
today
05 Sep 2023
KOTA BARU, Sept 5 ? All 45 Kelantan
state assemblymen took their oath of office at the First Meeting of the First
Session of the 15th Kelantan State Assembly at Kota Darulnaim here today.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd
Nassuruddin Daud (PAS-Meranti) was the first to be sworn in before newly
appointed Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, followed by nine state
executive councillors.
Former Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob
(PAS-Pasir Pekan) then took his oath, followed by former state executive
councillor Wan Roslan Wan Hamat (PAS-Pengkalan Kubor).
Earlier, Mohd Nassuruddin proposed Mohd
Amar (PAS-Panchor) as the Speaker and Datuk Mohamed Farid Mohamed Zawawi
(Bersatu-Kok Lanas) as Deputy Speaker, and his nominations were supported by
Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan (PAS-Temangan), who is also deputy menteri
besar.
In the recent state elections in
Kelantan, PAS and its Perikatan Nasional (PN) partner Bersatu won 43 of the 45
seats contested to form the state government. ? Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/05/kelantans-45-state-assemblymen-sworn-in-today/89103
------
Fadillah denies govt interference in
Zahid’s case
04 Sep 2023
SUBANG – The government did not
interfere in the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to grant a discharge not
amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his
Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) case, said Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The deputy prime minister said the
government respects the legal process and the separation of powers between the
judiciary, the executive and the legislative arms.
Fadillah added that he believes the
court had come to the decision based on firm facts.
“So to me, let the legal process take
place and we shall respect it.
“We will never interfere…it is up to the
Attorney-General’s Chambers to evaluate what the next course of action would
be,” Fadillah said when met by reporters at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
here.
Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah
today granted Zahid a DNAA on all 47 of his criminal breach of trust,
corruption and money laundering charges in relation to YAB funds after the
prosecution decided to halt proceedings on the grounds that it intends to
conduct a more in-depth investigation into the case. – Bernama, September 4,
2023
Source: thevibes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/98486/we-respect-legal-process-fadillah-denies-govt-interference-in-zahids-case
-----
Cops warn politicians against using ‘3R’
cards as Muhyiddin under probe over ‘fatwa’ remark
By R. Loheswar
04 Sep 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Deputy
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay announced today
that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is under investigation over his remark declaring
voting Pakatan Harapan (PH) as “haram”, or forbidden for Muslims.
Ayob Khan said a “fatwa”, or a religious
decree as such, can only be declared by a religious scholar or the national and
state Islamic bodies.
“Yes, reports have been made and we are
investigating the matter. A fatwa can only be issued by the national or state
Islamic authorities or if you’re a mufti. So if anyone is abusing the 3R issues
and there are police reports made we will haul them up.
“It doesn’t matter who it is, be it
Muhyiddin Yassin or Tuan Guru Hadi,” he told reporters at Bukit Aman here,
referring to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman and his deputy, PAS president
Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Ayob Khan said the police have
repeatedly advised politicians against playing up issues dubbed “3R” — race,
religion, and royalty — but are still seeing such remarks from them.
“So do not think just because you’re a
politician and have status you can make any statement you like, especially
those related to the 3R issues.
“The police will not compromise,” he added.
In a rally in Taman Kempas, Johor Baru
on Saturday, Muhyiddin claimed it is "haram" to vote for Pakatan
Harapan's (PH) candidate for the Pulai Parliamentary seat Suhaizan Kayat.
Muhyiddin's comments drew condemnation
from all corners including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Suhaizan
who during a campaign speech yesterday said Muhyiddin’s fatwa was dangerous as
the latter was abusing Islamic law for politics.
In Malaysia, a state mufti or the Fatwa
Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs — also known as
the Fatwa Council — would usually produce fatwa on certain matters.
However, the fatwa counts only as a
religious opinion and is not legally binding on Muslims until it is gazetted.
The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang
Jeram state by-elections are being held following the July 23 death of its
incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was also the domestic trade and cost
of living minister.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/04/cops-warn-politicians-against-using-3r-cards-as-muhyiddin-under-probe-over-fatwa-remark/88931
------
PM Anwar: Stop racial polemics, hadith
module only for Muslim students
04 Sep 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants all quarters to stop indulging in racial
polemics as all Malaysians are guaranteed equitable rights and justice.
Referring to the Imam Nawawi’s 40 Hadith
Appreciation Module launched by the Education Ministry last August 19, Anwar
said it was only targeted at Muslim students and there was no compulsion for
non-Muslims to study it.
“This subject is only for Muslim
children as part of Islamic education. Ask first instead of getting angry.
“Today I am in Little India, extremists
would say Anwar is looking after Indians only. When it concerns Malays,
including text (module) for Muslim children to study the hadith, they say Anwar
only cares for Islam. Everything I do seems to be wrong,” said Anwar.
He said this when launching the Lestari
Niaga@Kuala Lumpur D’Medan Selera Madani Programme at Kompleks Tun Sambanthan
today. Also present were Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar and Deputy
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Saraswathy Kandasami.
Anwar said it was his responsibility as
a leader to ensure that Islam was properly learnt and appreciated.
The hadith module is aimed at
inculcating an appreciation of the hadith starting from the school level, among
other things, to instil the spirit of love and promote religious understanding,
especially among Muslim students and teachers.
The pilot programme will be implemented
at 61 Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) and 228 Sekolah Agama Bantuan
Kerajaan (SABK) throughout the country.
Certain quarters including the Malaysian
Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism,
had disputed the implementation of the module, claiming that it was against the
Federal Constitution and violated the right to freedom of religion.
However, the Education Ministry has
explained that the module is only for teaching Muslim students. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/04/pm-anwar-stop-racial-polemics-hadith-module-only-for-muslim-students/88927
-----
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/book-fair-mp-muslim-missionary-durga/d/130607