New Age Islam
Sun Feb 16 2025, 08:59 PM

Islamic World News ( 4 Jul 2015, NewAgeIslam.Com)

Comment | Comment

Chibok Schoolgirls Fighting For Boko Haram, Slitting Throats of Captives


New Age Islam News Bureau

4 Jul 2015



Chibok Schoolgirls Fighting For Boko Haram

------------

Africa

 Chibok Schoolgirls Fighting For Boko Haram, Slitting Throats of Captives

 Boko Haram Kills Nearly 200 In 48 Hours of Nigeria Slaughter

 Top Tunisian militant killed by US strike in Libya

 Boko Haram: Stakeholders brainstorm on rehabilitation plan

 Somalia: Four Somalis Charged in Nairobi Court Over 'Al-Shabaab' Links.

 Kenya: Face of Terror As Police Hunt for Shabaab

 Tunisia PM: Police took too long to react to attack

 Aka Ikenga Slams Relocation of Boko Haram

-------------

 

Mideast

 34 Killed, Dozens Injured In New Saudi Air Raids on Yemen

 Clashes, Strikes Kill 21 in Yemen’s Aden

 Yemen’s Houthis Attack Saudi Border Towns

 Senior MP: Iran Never Accepts Inspection of Military Centers

 U.N. rights body backs Gaza war accountability

 Iran to US: Nuke deal could spark cooperation

 Hamas says claim it supported Sinai attacks ‘propaganda’

 Consensus on Iran nuclear deal within reach: China FM

 Turkey seeks life terms for men halting Syria bound arms cargo

 AEOI Chief Underlines Iran's Long-Term Plans to Develop N. Fusion Projects

 DM Reveals Iran's Plans to Surprise Enemies

-----------

 

Pakistan

 ISIS Spread To Pak-Afghan Region Alerts India

 Prayer Leader Gets 10-Year Jail for Hate Speech

 Police Arrest Second Cleric for Mob Attack on Christian Couple

 Unidentified drone crashes near Working Boundary

 Iftar brings together a league of disgruntled

 Nine MQM men detained for 90 days over ‘forcible’ Fitra collection

 PTI single largest party of country, claims Qureshi

 TTP claims killing peace committee member

 COAS visits forward most locations near Pak-Afghan border

 Ramazan fosters altruism, charity culture

----------

 

India

 Shiv Sena Asks Muslims to Modernise Madrassas

 Muslim Law Board against Govt Control of Madrassas

 Army Fears Islamic State Trying To Get Toe-Hold in PoK

 India Funded Militants in Kashmir to Counter ISI, Says Ex-RAW Chief

 Kashmir Parties, Separatists Dismiss RAW Ex-Chief's Disclosures

 RAW Chief’s Allegation A ‘Himalayan Lie’, Says Hizbul Chief’s Son

 Madarsa Row: Asaduddin Owaisi Slams Maharashtra Government, Says They First Told Us What to Eat, Now Where To Study

 Tension in Baghpat after Muslim man’s ‘murder’

 Muslim League calls CPM a 'B' team of BJP

 India abstains from voting on UN resolution calling for Gaza war crimes trial

 ‘Implement 12 P.C. Quota to Muslims’ Instead Of Iftar Parties, Telengana CM Told

-----------

 

Arab World

 ISIL Terrorists Destroy Ancient Relics of Syria's Palmyra

 Dozens of ISIL Terrorists Killed in Syrian Airstrikes

 ISIL's Suicide Attack Kills Tens of Al-Nusra Terrorists in Idlib Province

 Four ISIL intelligence agents killed in northern Iraq

 Terrorist Blast Kills Grand Mosque Imam in Syria's Damascus

 Deadly car bomb rocks Libya's eastern city of Derna

 ISIS in Egypt claims rocket attack on Israel

 U.S., allies target ISIS in 24 airstrikes in Syria, Iraq

 UK did not stop Saddam regime making chemical weapons, documents show

 Syria in Last 24 Hours: Army, Hezbollah Intensify Attacks to Win Back Zobdani

 Syria: Popular Protests against Terrorists Spread in Eastern Ghouta

 Syrian Army Wins Back Several Areas in Northwest

 Syrian army, Hezbollah launch attack on Zabadani

 Sisi visits troops in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula

 Civilian killed at Cairo protest on anniversary of Mursi ouster

 Saudi policeman killed in raid, ISIS flags found

-----------

 

South Asia

 Bangladeshi Islamists Seek Death Penalty for Ex-Minister

 Banned Hizb Ut-Tahrir Now Prefers Direct Action

 Dozens kilograms of explosive materials seized in Nangarhar

 BSF rescues 30 Bangladeshi enclave residents

 Five terrorists arrested in Ghazni

 Parliament rejects Stanikzai as Afghanistan’s Defense Minister

 Doctors without Borders shut its hospital in Kundoz

-----------

 

Southeast Asia

 Yogyakarta: Islamists Expel Thousands of Christians from a Scout Camp Because It Is Ramadan

 Jambi University Imposes Religious Requirements

 Liberalism Not Incompatible With Religion, Whether Islam or Christianity, Forum in MalaysiaTold

 Indonesia’s human rights law enforcement not optimal: Komnas Ham

 China's dubious relationship with Islam

------------

 

North America

' All 12 of Us Are In the Islamic State': Luton Family Confirm They ARE In Syria and Encourage Other Britons to Join Them

 The CIA’s Creation of “Islamic Terrorism” on American Soil

 Sustained efforts required to improve Indo-Pak ties: US

 U.S. on terror alert for Independence Day holiday

 Lindsey Graham Slams Iowa Voter’s Suggestion To Ban Islam

 A perfect Islamic storm looming large on the horizon

----------

 

Europe

 Britain, Tunisia Honour 38 Victims of Beach Resort Attack

 France: Islamophobic attacks increase by 23.5 %

' I welcomed Cameron into my home, but his talk on British Muslims saddens me'

 London Muslims Buy Vacant School, Plans to Open A New Islamic School

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/chibok-schoolgirls-fighting-boko-haram,/d/103768

-------------

 

Africa

 

Chibok Schoolgirls Fighting For Boko Haram, Slitting Throats of Captives

July 4, 2015

Lagos: Shocking revelations about the abducted Chibok schoolgirls have been made by women held captive by militant group Boko Haram who reportedly claimed that they are now 'brainwashed' by the militants.

In an exclusive interview with BBC's Panorama programme, the women have claimed that the Chibok schoolgirls are carrying out punishments on behalf of Boko Haram.

The Chibok schoolgirls were seen carrying arms, flogging young girls who could not recite Quran and even slitting the throat of captive men, they claimed.

The startling revelations have been made by the women staying in the camps where the kidnapped schoolgirls were kept.

While the claims are yet to be verified, it has been earlier reported that some of the kidnapped schoolgirls were trained as a fighter by the Boko Haram militants.

At least 219 schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok by Boko Haram militants from their boarding school in April last year as they were preparing to appear for their final exams.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/chibok-schoolgirls-fighting-for-boko-haram-slitting-throats-of-captives_1624639.html

-------------

 

Boko Haram kills nearly 200 in 48 hours of Nigeria slaughter

Jul 04, 2015

Kano: Boko Haram carried out a fresh wave of massacres in northeastern Nigeria on Friday, locals said, killing nearly 200 people in 48 hours of violence which President Muhammadu Buhari blasted as "inhuman and barbaric".

The militants have staged multiple attacks across restive Borno state since Wednesday, gunning down worshippers at evening Ramadan prayers, shooting women in their homes, and dragging men from their beds in the dead of night.

A young female suicide bomber also killed 12 worshippers when she blew herself up in a mosque in Borno. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Boko Haram has used both men and young women and girls as human bombs in the past.

"President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest wave of killings... describing them as most inhuman and barbaric," the presidency said in a statement.

The bloodshed is the worst since Buhari came to power in May, vowing to root out the insurgency that has claimed more than 15,000 lives.

Up to 50 armed men on motorbikes stormed the village of Mussa in the latest atrocity on Friday, shooting villagers and burning their homes, said survivor Bitrus Dangana. "They killed six people in the village and they chased the inhabitants into the bush, firing at them... 25 people were killed in the bush," he said. Another survivor, Adamu Bulus, confirmed 31 people had been murdered.

It was the fourth time that Boko Haram had attacked the village in the past year, local youth worker Sunday Wabba said, describing how they "killed everyone on sight".

News of the massacres first emerged on Thursday, when survivors told of raids on three different villages in Borno state the previous evening that left at least 145 people dead and many houses burnt to the ground.

On Friday, fresh details of the killings emerged from a resident of Kukawa, near lake Chad, the worst-affected village. Early in the morning, as people were sleeping, Boko Haram terrorists dragged men out of houses in Miringa village and shot them for escaping forced conscription.

They "picked 13 men from selected homes and took them to the Eid prayer ground outside the village where they opened fire on them," resident Baballe Mohammed said, adding 11 died and two managed to escape. He and another resident said the victims had been targeted because they had fled their home village after Boko Haram tried to force them to join their ranks.

The armed group has intensified its campaign of violence since Buhari came to power on May 29, launching raids, explosions and suicide attacks that have claimed over 450 lives.

The spike in violence has sparked concern that earlier victories claimed by the armies of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon in the region are being eroded.

The four countries -- all of which border Lake Chad, a focal point of Boko Haram unrest -- launched offensives against the terrorists early this year as it became apparent that the armed group was making big gains in Nigeria.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/world/boko-haram-kills-nearly-200-in-48-hours-of-nigeria-slaughter-1015575.html

-------------

 

Top Tunisian militant killed by US strike in Libya

July 04, 2015

WASHINGTON - A top Tunisian militant and associate of late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by a US airstrike in Libya last month, The New York Times reported Friday.

Seifallah Ben Hassine, listed as a “global terrorist” by the US, was killed in mid-June in an airstrike that targeted a top Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist, the paper said. Ben Hassine is believed to have coordinated a string of assassinations, including the killing of famed Afghan anti-Taliban fighter Ahmad Shah Masood in 2001. Tunisian officials also accused the leader of the banned Ansar al-Sharia group of directing the killings of two secular Tunisian politicians in 2013, the paper reported. He was further suspected of leading an attack on the US embassy in Tunis in September 2012, days after an attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens, the paper said.

He had been based in Libya since 2013.

Tunisian station Radio Mosaique first reported Ben Hassine’s death, which The New York Times said it had confirmed with an official in Washington. However, the interior ministry in Tunis, contacted by AFP, said it had “no information on his death”.

The US official said Ben Hassine died in a strike that targeted Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a top Al-Qaeda-linked militant believed to have masterminded a deadly attack on an Algerian gas plant in 2013.

Libya’s government reported at the time that Belmokhtar was killed in the attack but Al-Qaeda’s North Africa branch denied it.

Hassine, also known as Abu Iyadh, had been on a United Nations blacklist since 2002 over his links to Al-Qaeda.

He was imprisoned in Tunisia in 2003 but released under an amnesty after the ouster of secular dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. He allegedly fought alongside Bin Laden in Afghanistan in 2001 before travelling to Pakistan and then Turkey where he was arrested and extradited, the newspaper reported.

http://nation.com.pk/international/04-Jul-2015/top-tunisian-militant-killed-by-us-strike-in-libya

-------------

 

Boko Haram: Stakeholders brainstorm on rehabilitation plan

 04 July 2015

Recently there have been concerted efforts at ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East and rebuilding the region. One of such efforts was a security and governance summit in the region to evolve a radical approach at simultaneously ending the crisis and rebuilding the devastated region.

The CLEEN Foundation, the Nigeria Stabilisation and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) and the Ford Foundation held a two-day high level North-east Summit on Security and Governance Challenges in Gombe State, one of the six states in the region, but the least affected by the devastating Boko Haram insurgency.

CLEEN executive director, Kemi Okenyodo, said the summit was part of efforts to set a new agenda for public safety, security and good governance in the region and to strengthen the governance structures at the local level.

She said the organisation believes there was a connection between bad governance and insecurity: “Since 2009, most parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly the North-east zone, have been enveloped in a climate of fear and insecurity. This is following the escalation of the activities of the religious extremist group Jaa’atu Ahlis Sunnah Ladda’awatih wal-Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram. Violence associated with the Boko Haram conflict has resulted in the death of some 6,347 civilians in 2014 alone. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) for example tracked the rise in conflict events which peaked at over 1000 events with an average of 250 civilian deaths each as at 2012.”

Okenyodo added that: “Analysts, civil society actors and even the government have acknowledged that the strategy deployed so far in response to the security challenges in Northern Nigeria have not produced the desired results and are unlikely to. Some have blamed it on a failure of intelligence gathering, coordination and deployment by security agencies, the weakness of justice institutions through which people can legitimately channel their grievances, loss of confidence in, and further alienation of host communities from the security apparatus of the state.”

The summit attended by a cross section of over 70 stakeholders from the North-east, experts and stakeholders drawn from civil society organisations, security agencies and traditional institutions across Nigeria believed that their recommendations would go a long way to bringing enduring peace and development to the troubled region, especially Borno and Yobe states, which are worst hit, and also Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba states, which are also grappling with violence.

The legal adviser to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Mr. Jibril T. Gunda, said a total of 603 of the CJTF have been killed so far in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State. He added that the membership of the group stood at 2, 500 while some of them are already taken by security agencies including the army and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“Apart from the Borno State government and the GOC of the army that have been assisting us, we do not get other assistance. Also, 200 of our members have been recruited into the army, 120 into the DSS and the air force gave about 40 slots to absorb qualified CJTF members to assist the success of the campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents,” Gunda said.

He said contrary to reports, the CJTF were not acting independently but were under the supervision of the constituted military authorities and were only released with double barrel guns and machetes for operations after which they returned to their bases and surrender the weapons back to the commanders.

The draft of the communiqué which extensively discussed the findings of the 2014 CLEEN Foundation study along thematic lines, also developed strategies for implementing the findings, agree on immediate priority areas and identify key partners to drive the initiatives.

The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, represented by the Durbin Gombe, Alhaji Lamido Abubakar, declared the summit open with participants drawn from the Nigeria Governors Forum, Office of the National Security Adviser, the police, National Boundary Commission, National Human Rights Commission, National Unity and Peace Corps, Nigeria Bar Association, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Victim Support Fund, NSRP, CLEEN, CJTF, tertiary institutions like the University of Maiduguri, Adamawa State University and Taraba State University, civil society groups (CSOs), Nigerians Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the media.

Eight papers were presented and discussed at the summit, with participants noting that the security challenges in the region were the consequences of failure of governance at different levels and that the initial approach to tackling the insurgency had shown that it was under-estimated with the military not deploying sophisticated and heavy weaponry to deal with the terrorists, even as it appeared that the security forces had a poor understanding of the country’s topography/geography.

They also noted that the deployment of the military for internal security operations and the changing dynamics of the insurgency have kept security forces engaged in law enforcement and battles with the insurgents, which has weakened the law enforcement capacity and role of the police.

Participants noted that the border areas, despite the presence of relevant security agencies, have remained porous in many places making it easy for cross border crime to thrive and the unhindered smuggling of small and light arms which continue to fuel the insurgency.

The early warning systems in the country, the summit noted, have not been put to effective use, while civic-military relations have remained problematic with distrust on both sides in addressing the security challenges in the region, thus affecting the building of trust and allowing citizens to freely report early warning signals.

Participants thereafter resolved and recommended that border development should be strengthened by involving border communities in security and to eliminate ungoverned spaces.

The military was urged to replicate and maintain the momentum gained in the six weeks before the last general elections.

Security agencies were asked to forge closer ties, work together and rely on the strength of each agency.

The summit called for the strengthening of the police Mobile unit to reduce reliance on the military in dealing with internal security challenges, stressing however, that there must be an audit to fish out fake soldiers and mercenaries. It also called for improved quality of training for security agencies on human rights and clarity as to the rules of engagement.

The summit was emphatic that there should be concrete plans for demobilisation and disarmament of the CJTF, and that a comprehensive database of CJTF members and plans to provide vocational training, jobs, and assimilation into security agencies be maintained.

They also called for concerted efforts to tackle the emerging security challenges like rural banditry, rural-urban population movements and climate change among others which pose significant threat to public safety in the region and which can be achieved through the strengthening of collaborative policing and security ventures.

While calling for adequate compensation for those who have lost loved ones, participants also called for the strengthening of the operations of the National Emergency Management Agency and states Emergency Management Agencies which they said should be standardised while the National Commission on Refugees and IDPs should be strengthened to provide coordination in the management of the humanitarian efforts in the country.

The Victim Support Fund, according to the summit, should provide reintegration and support to victims, including families of CJTF that died in operations, as well as women and orphans among others who suffered irreversible injuries and loss in the conflict.

While calling for governance and service delivery to be improved, especially at the state and local government levels in the North-east to address youth unemployment and restiveness, the summit also called for the strengthening of governance at the local level in order to close the gap between the government and communities through regular and periodic elections at the local government levels, especially in the North-east.

The summit also stressed the need for closer security cooperation at the sub-regional level between affected countries within the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) due to the escalating dynamism of the insurgency.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/new-news/20993-boko-haram-stakeholders-brainstorm-on-rehabilitation-plan

-------------

 

Somalia: Four Somalis Charged in Nairobi Court Over 'Al-Shabaab' Links.

3 JULY 2015

By Maalik Som

Nairobi — Four young Somalis arrested in Nairobi's Eastliegh residential estate were charged in a Kenyan court Thursday with organised criminal activities and linking to 'al-Shabaab'.

Nairobi's Makadara Magistrate's Court heard that Mohamed Nuno, Mohamed Rufal, Faisal Hussein and Abdikadir Abdullahi were found planning to violently recruit people to Al-Shabaab. They allegedly committed the offence on June 28 in Eastleigh, which is mainly inhabited by Kenyans of Somali origin.

The four were also charged that with assaulting Osman Ahmed, a student, by stabbing him in the abdomen. The prosecution said the complainant, who is in critical condition in hospital, was coming out of the mosque after evening prayers when he was confronted by the accused who are well known to him.

The Prosecution Counsel Daniel Kingori asked the court to remand the accused for 10 days as they were arrested on Wednesday and further investigations are to be done concerning the allegations of being 'al-Shabaab' members.

The accused denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Heston Nyaga, who ordered that due to the security of the country, the suspects be remanded at Shauri moyo police stations pending investigations and amending of the charges.

Kenya blames 'al-Shabaab' for the terror attacks, kidnappings of foreigners, and fears its tourist and business economy will be destroyed if it allows the insurgents to go on unchallenged.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201507031284.html

-------------

 

Kenya: Face of Terror As Police Hunt for Shabaab

4 JULY 2015

By Dominic Wabala

The government yesterday warned of a planned al Shabaab attack on Nairobi before Ramadhan ends on July 17 and urgently issued photos of six suspected plotters.

They are among the terrorists who survived the foiled Baure, Lamu, raid on June 14 when five KDF soldiers were killed and 11 al Shabaab fighters slain by the army. Four other terrorists were slain while on the run.

"There are those who are still on the run. Police call upon the Kenyan people to provide any information leading to the capture of the fugitives," a statement by security and intelligence agencies said.

The statement included profiles of the nine -- six wanted and three slain.

It gave no information about a possible terror target in Nairobi.

The six wanted men are:

Mbarak Abdi Huka, Ibrahim Magag, Abdalla Suleiman Makhtum, Omar (full name not given, younger brother of the late Hassan Omondi Owiti, alias Budalangi), Salim Jamal Mwangi, alias Jamaloo, and Rama Mbwana Mbega.

"Kenyan security agencies continue investigations that will bring to justice criminals who were involved in plans to attack Kenyans. Authorities have identified a number of terrorists who attacked Kenyan soldiers in Baure," the statement said.

Mbarak Abi Huka, a Borana, born and raised in Marsabit where he attended primary school, then joined terrorists in Somalia in 2011. He is reported to have been involved in th4 June 2014 Mpeketoni attacks in Lamu and recruitment of young men and women from Marsabit and Moyale.

Ibrahim Magag, brother of a Briton involved in terror attacks in Kenya and who was killed in Baure alongside Briton Thomas Evans.

Magag was born in Somalia and migrated to the UK. In 2007 he was detained in Kenya while on a mission from the Middle East to bring funds to al Qaeda terrorist Harun Fazul.

He is believed funded by al Shabaab through the Hawala money transfer system and is believed to be an associate of notorious ISIS killer "Jihadi John," identified as Briton Mohammed Emwazi. "Jihadi John" has been filmed beheading several prisoners held by ISIS.

Magag was under the British Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMS) that involved intensive restrictions, surveillance and GPS tracking. But on December 26, 2013, he evaded UK authorities by taking a taxi.

He is known for forging passports and wanted for terrorism by both the UK and Kenya.

Abdalla Suleiman Makhtum has been involved in radicalising young people in Mombasa and South Coast. Prior to joining al Shabaab, he taught at a madrassa at Masjid Tawba in Mtongwe area. He is suspected to have been involved in assassinating moderate sheikhs on the Coast.

His associates include Ramadhan Kufungwa who in 2014 led extremists in Mombasa to kill moderate sheikhs before fleeing to Somalia to join al Shabaab in late 2014. He was a close associate of the late Ali Juma Mwamdigoe, alias Abu Tayba, who assumed tleadership of violent extremists in Mombasa when Ramadhan Kufungwa fled to Somalia

Omar (one name given) is the younger brother of the late Hassan Omondi Owiti, alias Budalangi, an al Shabaab operative who took part in attacks in Nairobi in 2012. He was slain by police in a gunfight in Nairobi in May 2013.

Githurai, Nairobi.The brothers grew up in Nairobi and are believed to have been radicalized at Pumwani Riyadha Mosque.

Salim Jamal Mwangi, a Kikuyu convert to Islam. He is closely associated with Musa Mosque in Mombasa where an al Shabaab flag was hoisted on its roof during indoctrination of young people.

A close associate of Ramadhan Kufungwa, he was arrested in 2013 for inciting youth to violence. Both fled to Somalia in late 2014 to join al Shabaab.

Rama Mbwana Mbega is a Digo from South Coast. He is suspected to have traveled to Somalia to join al Shabaab in 2011. He has associates in South Coast and in Nairobi who have harbored him in the past.

Three other al Shabaab fighters were slain while on the run after the Baure attack. Their profiles are revealing about the links among violent extremists.

Jumaane Salim Ashur lived in Mlaleo area within Kisaunia before joining al Shabaab. He was a close associate of terror convict Swaleh Abdalla Said. He completed secondary school at Aldina Visram around 2011 and is related to the Mafudh family of Malindi whose members have been linked to terrorist activities.

He was a nephew to Hemed Mahfudh Ashur, a Malindi-based resident arrested in 2008 following investigations into his harbouring of Harun Fazul.

Abdikadir Rehan, alias Fiki, was born in Majengo Mombasa. He travelled to Somalia in June 2014 prior to the Mpeketoni attack. He was injured while fighting but hid in Mombasa in late 2014 while he recovered. He returned to Somalia in 2015 and took part in the attack on Baure.

Amar, a Kikuyu convertee was raised in Nairobi and travelled to Somalia to join al Shabaab in June 2014. He was killed in Baure.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201507040099.html

-------------

 

Tunisia PM: Police took too long to react to attack

3 July 2015

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid told the BBC on Friday that police took too long to react to last week's jihadist attack that killed 38 people, mostly Britons.

"The time of the reaction -- this is the problem," Essid told the British broadcaster. Police had been "blocked everywhere", he added.

Essid spoke as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister David Cameron led a minute's silence Friday for the victims, 30 of whom were British tourists.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group claimed last Friday's attack by gunman Seifeddine Rezgui at the beach resort of Port El Kantaoui just north of Sousse.

Three Irish nationals, two Germans, one Belgian, one Portuguese and a Russian were also killed.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/Tunisia-pm-says-police-took-too-long-to-react-to-attack-.html

-------------

 

Aka Ikenga Slams Relocation of Boko Haram

04 Jul 2015

Aka Ikenga, the Igbo intelligentsia has condemned the relocation of Boko Haram detainees to Aguata Prisons, Ekwulobia in Anambra State.

This brazen impunity was perpetrated by the Federal Government on Sunday night in spite of torrents of protests recorded in the commercial city of Onitsha and other major cities of Anambra State last weekend over rumours of Government intention on the matter.

The Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, as the Chief Security Officer of the state expressed his reservations over Federal Government’s intentions, cataloguing the security implications.

Full report at:

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/aka-ikenga-slams-relocation-of-boko-haram/213812/

-------------

 

Mideast

 

34 Killed, Dozens Injured In New Saudi Air Raids on Yemen

Jul 4, 2015

The latest airstrikes conducted by Saudi Arabia against Yemen have claimed the lives of 34 people and left dozens injured in several parts across the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country.

Saudi warplanes targeted several times the military bases of al-Hafa, al-Sawad, Khashm al-Bakrah and Jabal al-Nahdayn in Yemen early Saturday.

Saudi fighter jets bombarded a house in Bayt al-Faqih District in Yemen’s western province of Hudaydah, killing 10 people and wounding several others, according to Yemen's Saba news agency.

Meanwhile, the Saudi bombing of the al-Jiraf area in Yemen’s western Sana’a Province left four people dead and 12 others injured.

The air raids targeting residential areas in two other regions in Sana’a also killed three members of a family and hurt several others.

Elsewhere in Sana’a Province, a Saudi jet attacked homes in the al-Amrani area, leaving five members of a family dead and wounding seven others.

Several aerial assaults conducted by Saudi jets in a district in Yemen’s northwestern province of Sa’ada also claimed the lives of two civilian and injured several more.

Saudi planes also bombarded residential areas in the city of Sa’ada, killing 10 civilians and wounding several others, with two of them in critical condition.

A building affiliated to Yemen’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Hamdan District in Sana’a Province was completely destroyed in the Saudi bombings.

Two children were also killed in a Saudi airstrike in an area in southwestern Yemeni province of Dhamar.

Full report at:

http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/07/04/418703/Yemen-Sanaa-Hudaydah-Saada-Dhamar

-------------

 

Clashes, strikes kill 21 in Yemen’s Aden

3 July 2015

Saudi-led air strikes and clashes in Yemen’s second city of Aden killed 13 Shiite Houthi militia and eight pro-government fighters Friday, military sources said.

War planes struck Houthi positions in the north of the port city, killing six fighters, after fighting killed seven rebels and eight soldiers loyal to exiled President Abedrabbu Mansour Hadi, the sources said.

The clashes followed Houthi advances in west Aden, backed by renegade troops that saw the militia take control of a military base late Thursday.

Fighting continued Friday around the base, according to military sources.

Rebel shelling of several residential neighborhoods overnight killed at least five people, including a child, city health chief Al-Khader Laswar told AFP.

Another 89 civilians were wounded.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/-Clashes-strikes-kill-21-in-Yemen-s-Aden.html

-------------

 

Yemen’s Houthis attack Saudi border townsc

4 July 2015

Yemen’s Houthi militias on Saturday shelled various areas in Saudi Arabia's Jizan and Najran, according to Reuters news agency citing Houthi sources.

Thirteen shells had been launched on Friday, targeting several areas including Jizan's airport, the report stated, adding that military equipment had also been destroyed.

It is yet unknown whether there are casualties.

A Saudi-led alliance has been bombing Yemen's Houthi militia and allied army units loyal to deposed leader Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 26 in an attempt to restore exiled President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi to power.

Saudi forces and the Houthis have been trading fire across the border since the Arab alliance began its military operations.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/04/Yemen-s-Houthis-attack-Saudi-border-towns.html

-------------

 

Senior MP: Iran Never Accepts Inspection of Military Centers

Jul 04, 2015

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will never accept inspection and supervision over its security, military and defensive boundaries and access to their documents," Chairman of the parliament's Nuclear Committee Ebrahim Karkhanayee told FNA on Saturday.

"If the Americans seek a nuclear agreement, they should raise demands in the nuclear field," he added.

Karkhaneyee also underlined that any agreement at the end of the nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) should bear their signatures, warning that an agreement that does not bear the written endorsement of the G5+1 will serve the West's interests because they will then merely implement anything which meets their interests.

In relevant remarks in June, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi underscored Iran's strong opposition to the inspection of its military and sensitive facilities.

"The country's national and security interests necessitate that under no condition strangers and those who have done their best in animosity towards the Islamic Revolution and the sacred systems of the Islamic Republic of Iran be allowed to enter our military centers under any protocol or agreement under the name of inspection or access," Major General Firouzabadi said.

"All of us should be cautious about this red line," he added.

His remarks came after the Iranian Supreme Leader reiterated Iran's opposition to the inspection of sensitive military sites and interview with the country's nuclear scientists.

"As said before, no permission will be given for inspection of any military centers and talks with the nuclear scientists and other sensitive fields of study and intrusion into their privacy," Ayatollah Khamenei said, addressing the Iranian cadets at Imam Hossein University - a renowned military academy of the IRGC - in Tehran in late May.

"I will not allow the aliens to hold talks and interrogate the dear and distinguished scientists and sons of this nation," he stressed.

Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the nuclear talks underway between Iran and the world powers, and said one of the challenges facing the talks is the other side's bullying and excessive demands.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000725

-------------

 

U.N. rights body backs Gaza war accountability

4 July 2015

The U.N.'s top human rights body backed calls Friday for accountability in last year's conflict in Gaza, in which hundreds of Palestinian civilians and six Israeli civilians were killed.

The decision by the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council has no binding effect, but adds to pressure for war crimes prosecutions before the International Criminal Court.

Israel condemned the move, saying it was one-sided and ignored the fact that Israel is conducting its own investigations into possible wrongdoing.

Forty-one of the council's 47 members voted in favor of the resolution, which cited a recent U.N. report concluding that both Israel and Palestinian militant groups may have committed grave crimes during the conflict.

Five countries abstained while the United States voted against the text, saying it was biased against Israel. European countries backed the resolution, but said they were disappointed it didn't explicitly mention rockets fired by Palestinian militant group Hamas - which controls Gaza - toward civilian areas in Israel.

More than 2,200 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians, were killed during the fighting, according to U.N. and Palestinian officials, while 73 people, including six civilians, died on the Israeli side.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/04/U-N-rights-body-backs-Gaza-war-accountability.html

-------------

 

Iran to US: Nuke deal could spark cooperation

4 July 2015

In a message to Washington, Iran's foreign minister on Friday called for an end to "coercion and pressure" at the nuclear talks, suggesting a deal acceptable to his country will open the door to cooperation on fighting the upsurge of Middle East extremism threatening both nations' interests.

Mohammad Javad Zarif did not mention the United States by name in his video message. But with the Iran six-power talks having devolved essentially into bilateral U.S.-Iran negotiations over the past year, his comments were clearly directed at the Americans, who have been the primary drivers of the crippling economic sanctions imposed on his country over its nuclear program.

Any deal would result in an end to the sanctions. But negotiations remain bogged down ahead of the extended July 7 target date for an agreement.

The West fears Iran could develop its nuclear program to make weapons while Iran insists it is only meant to generate power and for other peaceful uses. Suggesting that Islamic extremism is a far greater threat to the world than his country's atomic activities, Zarif called for an end to "unjust economic sanctions" and for the West to join Iran in common cause against "the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism."

"The menace we're facing - and I say we, because no one is spared - is embodied by the hooded men who are ravaging the cradle of civilization," Zarif said. He called for realignment from Iran's nuclear activities, saying it was time to "open new horizons to address important, common challenges."

Zarif and U.S Secretary of State John Kerry have taken the lead in the negotiations. In comments echoed by Zarif ahead of their renewed meeting on Friday evening, Kerry said the talks "are making progress." But he also spoke of "some tough issues," telling reporters, "We have a lot of work to do."

The Obama administration says that at least part of the sanctions relief for Iran under any pact will depend on Iran's full cooperation with the U.N's International Atomic Energy Agency to probe allegations that Tehran worked secretly on atomic weapons. But hopes of progress any time soon on that issue dimmed Friday.

Yukiya Amano, head of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, said his meetings with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani resulted in a "better understanding on some ways forward," but that "more work will be needed." The formulation of his statement was similar to previous ones issued by the IAEA, which has struggled for nearly a decade to resolve its concerns.

Amano's trip Thursday to Tehran was significant because it represented his last chance to secure access and cooperation before the July 7 target date.

Rouhani also provided no hint of substantial progress. Iran has previously acknowledged some activities like experiments with detonators, but says those activities had no connection to exploding a nuclear device and were instead developed for industrial purposes.

Repeating the standard Iranian line, Rouhani said after meeting Amano that the agency now understands the "pointless allegations" are "baseless."

The issue was put on the IAEA front burner four years ago when the agency published an annex of 12 alleged activities it said pointed to nuclear weapons research and development by Iran.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/04/Iran-to-US-Nuke-deal-could-spark-cooperation.html

-------------

 

Hamas says claim it supported Sinai attacks ‘propaganda’

3 July 2015

Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Friday dismissed as "propaganda" an Israeli claim that it provided support related to this week's militant attacks against Egyptian soldiers in Sinai.

"The occupation's (Israel) statements about Hamas helping ISIS are stupid accusations... and propaganda that aims to incite against Hamas," spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group, whose fighters carried out the attacks.

"Hamas has made efforts and taken stated measures to secure the border" between the Gaza Strip, which it controls, and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, he said.

"We are intent on (preserving) Egypt's security."

Israeli Major General Yoav Mordechai said in an interview in Arabic with Al-Jazeera television Thursday that Hamas had provided help to "groups supporting ISIS" for the attacks, claiming also that wounded jihadists had been smuggled into Gaza.

Medical and security officials said at least 70 people, mostly soldiers, were killed in Wednesday's attacks and hours of clashes, along with dozens of jihadists.

There have however been growing tensions between Hamas and extremist splinter groups in Gaza, including those claiming links to ISIS.

Such tensions have deepened since last summer, when Israel and Hamas fought a deadly 50-day war in and around Gaza.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/Israel-accuses-Hamas-of-aiding-ISIS-in-Egypt.html

-------------

 

Consensus on Iran nuclear deal within reach: China FM

ul 4, 2015

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has expressed optimism about a final deal between Iran and the P5+1 countries over Tehran’s nuclear program, saying a consensus is within reach.

"The nuclear talks have been going on for more than 10 years, with intensified talks being held during recent years. I think it's now fair to say that basic elements of the negotiation are in place,” Wang said on Friday.

He added that a mutual understanding reached between Iran and the six global powers in the Swiss city of Lausanne “covers all questions concerned, and the basic framework of a nuclear accord has been formed.”

“I think the time has now come for the Iran nuclear issue to be solved," the Chinese minister said.

He noted that all relevant parties are making concerted efforts in a bid to ensure a possible comprehensive agreement before the July 7 deadline.

The negotiating parties cannot shy away from certain important and sensitive issues which have not been settled yet, he said.

"The Chinese side brought in a couple of solutions to solve the nuclear issue, and I will join my fellow foreign ministers for more detailed discussions. Hopefully a consensus can be reached among the parties concerned," Wang said.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany had set June 30 as the deadline to agree on a final nuclear deal, but the ongoing talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna missed the target date as some issues remain unresolved between the two sides.

Iran and the six countries gave themselves another extra week to continue intensive talks in Vienna to hammer out the final deal by July 7.

Thorny issues remain: Iran FM

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday that Iran and the P5+1 countries managed to make progress in the nuclear talks aimed at finalizing a nuclear deal, but that difficult issues still linger on.

Full report at:

http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/07/04/418690/Iran-China-P51-Foreign-Minister-Wang-Yi-Mohammad-Javad-Zarif--

-------------

 

Turkey seeks life terms for men halting Syria bound arms cargo

Jul 4, 2015

A provincial prosecutor's office in Turkey has sought life imprisonment terms for four local prosecutors and a gendarmerie officer allegedly involved in searching Turkish Intelligence Service (MIT) trucks engaged in transporting weapons to foreign-backed militants in Syria.

The office of the chief public prosecutor in Turkey’s southern province of Tarsus demanded on Friday that the five suspects receive aggravated life sentences in the controversial case in which they were accused of violating the country’s national security laws back in 2014, when they blocked and searched MIT trucks in Adana Province en route to Syria. The trucks were reportedly loaded with arms and ammunition intended for Syria-based Takfiri terrorists.

The indictment for the five was prepared by the provincial prosecutor and forwarded on Friday to the Tarsus Second Criminal Court, calling for an aggravated life imprisonment for Adana’s former chief public prosecutor Suleyman Bagriyanik, prosecutors Ozcan Sisman, Aziz Takci and Ahmet Karaca, and Adana's previous provincial gendarmerie commander Ozkan Cokay, official news outlet Anadolu Agency reported.

The former senior law enforcement authorities were accused last year of "attempting to overthrow the Turkish government by using force and violence or attempts to destroy the government's function totally or partly," and "getting intelligence over the politics and security of the state."

Full report at:

http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/07/04/418693/Middle-East-Turkey-MIT-intelligence-service-Syria-arms-shipment-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan

-------------

 

AEOI Chief Underlines Iran's Long-Term Plans to Develop N. Fusion Projects

Jul 04, 2015

"The nuclear fusion project is one of our most glorious projects which is progressing at a high pace and its most important part is its human resources and creativity," Salehi said in an interview with Khorassan daily on Saturday.

He said that nearly 80 experts in the nuclear fusion field have been trained in Iran, "and this trend will continue".

In nuclear physics, nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come very close and then collide at a very high speed and join to form a new type of atomic nucleus. During this process, matter is not conserved because some of the matter of the fusing nuclei is converted to photons (energy).

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000422

-------------

 

DM Reveals Iran's Plans to Surprise Enemies

Jul 04, 2015

"The defense ministry is an organization that has a permanent, vigilant and prepared rival named the enemy which wants to create conditions to surprise us and make us surrender," Dehqan said, addressing a forum in Tehran on Saturday.

"But on the other hand, we are also powerfully and vigilantly after surprising the enemy," he added.

Dehqan stressed that the defense ministry enjoys such capabilities and mental power which can overcome the enemy by its deep insight and potentials.

In relevant remarks in June, Top Military Aide to the Iranian Supreme Leader Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi underscored enemies' inability to confront the Iranian nation in actual and full-scale war.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000507

-------------

 

Pakistan

 

ISIS Spread To Pak-Afghan Region Alerts India

July 03, 2015

NEW DELHI: The Indian intelligence agencies seem to be alert following reports suggesting that the Islamic State (Isis) has been spreading its territory to the Afghanistan-Pakistan (Khurasan) region as it poses great security threat to India, Hindi media reported today. 

The presence of Islamic State caliphate in Afghanistan's Farah and Nangarhar provinces is reported to be growing recently. And, as the Nangarhar province lies next to Pakistan, Indian intelligence agencies fear that if the ISIS spreads across these regions, India will face a serious security threat.

 "The Indian concern is that Nangarhar province sits on the mouth of the Khyber pass, which has been the route to enter into the Indus Valley and the Gangetic plains. Also, Farah province shares borders with Shia Iran. If IS manages to spread in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, then India faces a serious security threat," Hindustan Times quoted a senior intelligence official as saying.

Full report at:

http://nation.com.pk/national/03-Jul-2015/isis-spread-to-pak-afghan-region-alerts-india

-------------

 

Prayer leader gets 10-year jail for hate speech

July 4, 2015

BAHAWALPUR: Anti-terrorism court judge Khalid Arshad on Friday awarded 10-year and four months jail term to the prayer leader of a mosque at Qaimpur Town near Hasilpur, about 90km from here, for delivering hate speech. He was also awarded Rs0.7m fine.

The convict, Maulana Abdul Ghani, was arrested by the Qaimpur police after he delivered the speech against a sect about two months back.

Meanwhile, the ATC announced judgements in four other cases pertaining to the distribution of hate literature.

Muhammad Waqas was awarded sentence of 3.5 months with a fine of Rs5,000, Rafiq Ahmed three months jail along Rs5,000 fine, Muhammad Zahid, three months and fifteen days while Talib Husain was given sentence of 3.5 months with Rs5,000 fine.

RAINWATER: Several dried-up open ponds, locally called tobas, in Cholistan were filled up with rainwater after the recent heavy rain.

According to Cholistan Development Authority’s director livestock Asghar Ramay, the rainwater in the ponds would meet the needs of both humans and cattle in the vast desert area.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192238/prayer-leader-gets-10-year-jail-for-hate-speech

-------------

 

Police arrest second cleric for mob attack on Christian couple

July 04, 2015

LAHORE - Police on Friday arrested a cleric accused of leading a mob trying to kill a Christian couple for allegedly committing blasphemy, a senior officer said.

Police had saved the couple on Tuesday from a Muslim mob who were attempting to lynch them in the village of Makki in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district.

“One of the clerics who led the mob demanding the arrest of the couple and their death was at large, he was arrested today (Friday) and we are looking for a barber who ignited the whole issue,” Sohail Zafar Chattha, the district police chief, told AFP.

Another cleric was arrested earlier in the week.

Sohail Zaffar Chattha said the cleric leading the mob demanded that police arrest the couple and charge them with blasphemy.

“I told him I would not register a case because no blasphemy has been committed,” Chattha said in a telephone interview.

“But I have registered a case against the cleric and 400 others for inciting violence and endangering the lives of the couple.

About 500 people in Sadar Farooqabad town attacked Owais Masih and his wife after a neighbour complained that they were sleeping on a plastic sheet with verses from the Quran written on it.

Police rescued the couple as the mob began to beat them.

The couple were later taken into protective custody and moved to an undisclosed location.

“The mob meant business.

Full report at:

http://nation.com.pk/national/04-Jul-2015/police-arrest-second-cleric-for-mob-attack-on-christian-couple

-------------

 

Unidentified drone crashes near Working Boundary

July 4, 2015

SIALKOT: Pakistan’s security forces took into custody a drone which had crashed near Sakho Chak village in Shakargarh along the Working Boundary on Friday.

Villagers said they heard a loud sound at 1:30pm, the time of the crash.

Security forces reached the place and took the drone’s wreckage into custody.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192274/unidentified-drone-crashes-near-working-boundary

-------------

 

Iftar brings together a league of disgruntled

July 4, 2015

LAHORE: Former Punjab governor and disgruntled PML-N leader Sardar Zulfikar Khosa, former National Assembly speaker Hamid Nasir Chattha and others met at an iftar dinner on Friday. It is learned they discussed the prospects of forming a new faction of the Muslim League called United Muslim League, reportedly to be led by former army chief Pervez Musahrraf.

One of the participants told Dawn that the iftar dinner had been thrown by PML-Junejo leader Rizwan at his residence where disgruntled PML-N leader from Sindh Ghaus Ali Shah, PML-Functional’s Muhammad Ali Durrani and others were also in attendance.

The source said that Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and PML-Z president Ijazul Haq had also been invited to the huddle but they both declined to attend it, while the PML-Q had not been invited.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192248/iftar-brings-together-a-league-of-disgruntled

-------------

 

Nine MQM men detained for 90 days over ‘forcible’ Fitra collection

ISHAQ TANOLI

July 4, 2015

KARACHI: Rangers on Friday informed an antiterrorism court about 90-day preventive detention of nine workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for questioning.

Rangers personnel along with their legal team produced Zubair Ashraf, Adnan Ashraf, Fayyaz, Hasan Abbas, Imtiaz, Nisar Alam, Hamid, Shakir Raza and Ismail in the chamber of the judge in charge of the ATC-II, Anandram Sairani, amid tight security.

The Rangers law officer informed the court that the suspects were picked up within the jurisdiction of the Rizvia Society police station upon receiving credible information about their alleged involvement in extorting money, targeted killing and other offences that came within the ambit of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

Therefore, he said, they were placed under preventive detention for three months under Section 11EEEE (1) of the ATA for inquiry. In compliance with Section 11 EEEE (3) of the ATA, the detainees were produced along with their detention orders, jail warrants and other documents for the information of the court, he added.

The Rangers claimed to have arrested 16 MQM workers on July 1 in Rizvia Society for allegedly extorting money from residents in the name of Fitra and seized about Rs31,500 in cash and 1,000 chits of Fitra from their custody.

However, the MQM took strong exception to the move and asked which law restrained a welfare organisation from collecting Fitra since it said the donations were collected for the Khidmat-i-Khalq Foundation, the charity wing of the party.

Meanwhile, the paramilitary force also produced two other suspects before another antiterrorism court and informed it about their three-month detention.

The Rangers said that Sanaullah and Fawad-ul-Haq were picked up in Defence for their alleged involvement in extorting money and Fitra from traders and other terrorism-related activities.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192207/nine-mqm-men-detained-for-90-days-over-forcible-fitra-collection

-------------

 

PTI single largest party of country, claims Qureshi

July 4, 2015

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has become the single largest party in the country, which has strong presence and support in all the federating units, Fata, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, said its central leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi while speaking at a press conference here on Friday.

He said that other parties, including PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party, had been relegated to regional parties. He claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had been limited to a few pockets in Punjab.

Mr Qureshi said that same was the position of PPP, which had been squeezed to rural areas of Sindh, while MQM was restricted to urban areas of Sindh and Awami National Party had been limited to only three tehsils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that PTI had emerged victorious in the recent local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Says PML-N, PPP have now become regional parties

Answering a question, he said that Qaumi Watan Party would decide about joining the coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In this connection, QWP parliamentary party would soon meet to decide its future line of action, he added. QWP had quit the coalition government in 2013 after its two ministers were expelled from the cabinet on corruption charges.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192283/pti-single-largest-party-of-country-claims-qureshi

-------------

 

TTP claims killing peace committee member

July 4, 2015

KHAR: The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the killing of Malik Said Agha Jan, a member of the peace committee in Bajaur Agency who was targeted by armed men on Thursday.

Talking to reporters on phone from an unspecified location here on Friday, TTP spokesman Mohammad Khorasani said Malik Said Agha Jan was on their hit list because of his support of the government against Taliban.

He said they would continue to attack the tribal elders who motivated people against the Taliban.

“We have list of all the local committees’ members who are motivating the local people to fight against Taliban and we will target them one by one,” said Khorasani.

MOTORCYCLISTS ARRESTED: The political administration has taken dozens of tribesmen into custody for violating a ban on motorcycle riding in the region, officials and residents told Dawn on Friday.

They said at least 100 motorcyclists had been arrested while a number of bikes impounded during a crackdown in different trade centres and public places.

The residents said most of the arrested motorcyclists belonged to poor families and were low class government employees.

Eyewitness said the motorcyclists were busy in shopping when the Levies officials bundled them away along with their motorbikes. The local administration confirmed the action against the motorcyclists in the agency.

An official told Dawn the action was part of a strategy to ensure peace in the agency during Ramazan.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192287/ttp-claims-killing-peace-committee-member

-------------

 

COAS visits forward most locations near Pak-Afghan border

July 03, 2015

RAWALPINDI: General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited forward most locations close to the Pak - Afghan Border in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) today.

The COAS was briefed in detail by the formation commander about the progress of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and future plans to clear the remaining pockets of terrorists in Shawal Area.

Later, he talked to fighting troops who have just successfully completed the preliminary phase of Shawal operation and cleared all peaks around Shawal, COAS commended their professionalism and sacrifices.

“It's a matter of great privilege and honor to be commanding such an accomplished and battle hardened Army,” the COAS re-emphasized.

Full report at:

http://nation.com.pk/national/03-Jul-2015/coas-visits-forward-most-locations-near-pak-afghan-border

-------------

 

Ramazan fosters altruism, charity culture

July 04, 2015

Islamabad - The holy month of Ramazan with all its blessings is promoting the culture of charity among the people, impelling them to think of the needy and orphans and give them some assistance in term of finance or food.

Giving charity in term of cash, food or kind words is one of the main characteristics of this holy month and majority of philanthropists, civil society organizations and those who have the resources come forward to help the needy by giving alms and charity.

“It is the month of Ramzan when we can earn a lot of blessings through giving charity to the less-fortunate people and doing charitable deeds,” Zahid Shah, a lecturer said.

“We can purify our souls by offering prayers during fasting and also can purify our wealth by sharing it with the deserving ones,” he said.

Giving charity and alms to the poor, orphans and needy widows have become part of traditions for the Muslims as they keep on rendering such deeds on the events of happiness, sadness as well as on normal occasions.

But the month of Ramzan specifically strengthens this culture further and invoke the spirit of helping others among the people in different ways to acquire the blessings of Allah Almighty.

Philanthropists, representatives of civil society organizations and common people, during the Ramazan, are observed busy in arranging iftars outside the hospitals and other places on daily basis.

“The good deeds like feeding hungry, financing education of under-privileged people and helping the orphan children pay great reward especially during this month so we must inculcate such values of sacrifice and charity among children from the very beginning”, Riaz Ali, a philanthropist said.

“Charity is deep-rooted in our religious teachings and compulsory charity (Zakat) is the third pillar of Islam so every Muslim should follow this obligation,” he said.

Amina, a housewife said, “Ramazan is the time for us to seek forgiveness of our wrong deeds from Allah Almighty.

We must take care of poor and needy people in our families and neighbours by sharing eatables during iftars and giving them alms.

” Ramazan is the best time to donate in the way of Allah and Islamic teachings encourage one to sow his farm only to reap the harvest in the Hereafter.

Full report at:

http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/04-Jul-2015/ramazan-fosters-altruism-charity-culture

----------

 

India

 

Shiv Sena asks Muslims to modernise Madrassas

July 4, 2015

In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna, Sena appealed Muslim population to throw away the burden of communalism.

Majority of presently operational madrassas have become factories to create communal Muslims and those who study there are “turning into Talibanis instead of scholars of Islam,” said Shiv Sena on Saturday.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna, Sena appealed Muslim population to throw away the burden of communalism and asked madrassas to accept the modernisation plan.

“The decision of not calling those madrassas who do not teach subjects like Maths and Science, as schools, should not be seen through prejudice mind or an attempt to curtail religious education. This will give an opportunity to common Muslim students to be a part of mainstream education,” said the editorial.

Full report at:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/shiv-sena-asks-muslims-to-modernise-madrassas/article7386316.ece

-------------

 

Muslim law board against govt control of madrassas

Jul 4, 2015

HYDERABAD: A day after the Maharashtra state government made clear its intention to de-recognise madrassas which do not teach subjects from a modern curriculum, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani condemned the move even as he said that the board would not tolerate interference of the state government in local seminaries.

"This de-recognition is unfortunate. Further, there is no doubt that madrassas are schools which impart education. Subjects like the Arabic language and logic are taught along with inculcating humane values," Maulana Rahmani told TOI.

Broaching the subject of "continuous efforts" of various bodies and individuals to allow the government to take madrassas within its ambit by the formation of a State Madrassa Board, the Islamic scholar reiterated that the board is against this. "There have been consistent efforts to set up a madrassa board in the state. This is a secular country and the Constitution allows people of all communities to set up and run their institutions unhindered. We want the madrassas to remain independent from government control," the scholar said. The board has urged other madrassas not to seek the government's aid, he added. "Taking funds and expecting autonomy does not make sense," Maulana Rahmani said.

Explaining the steps taken by various Islamic seminaries to be in sync with the times, the scholar, who also heads the Deeni Madaris Board, an association of around 300 madrassas in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said that the board has designed a modern curriculum and has recommended its implementation in various Islamic seminaries. "To say that madrassas management is against modern education is wrong. There are many such places where impetus is on computer literacy as well as English, Mathematics and Science. We are doing this on our own and also with the help of Maulana Azad National Urdu University," Maulana Rahmani said. Bridge courses are being given so as to mainstream madrassa students, he added.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Muslim-law-board-against-govt-control-of-madrassas/articleshow/47932277.cms

-------------

 

Army fears Islamic State trying to get toe-hold in PoK

TNN | Jul 4, 2015

NEW DELHI: The deadly Islamic State (IS) is attempting to gain a foothold in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), said a senior officer responsible for the army's internal and border security operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Whatever inputs we have ... Islamic State is definitely trying to gain a foothold in the area (PoK)," said Lt Gen K H Singh, general officer commanding of Nagrota-based 16 Corps. Gen Singh's comment comes just days after a masked youth waved flag of the international terror group during a rally organized by separatist group Ummati Islami to commemorate the death anniversary of separatist leader Qazi Nisar Ahmad in Anantnag.

Indian agencies have been looking at the threat posed by IS, and at least 16 Indians are believed to have joined the outfit. Though there is no credible input about IS gaining further popularity in India, there is growing concern about the radical outfit gaining ground in Pakistan.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-fears-Islamic-State-trying-to-get-toe-hold-in-PoK/articleshow/47932128.cms

-----------

 

India funded militants in Kashmir to counter ISI, says ex-RAW chief

July 4, 2015

In a startling admission, former chief of India's premier intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Amarjit Singh Dulat said Indian intelligence agencies over the years often paid militants and separatists along with mainstream politicians and political parties in India-held Kashmir to compete for influence with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

In an interview with NDTV's high-profile TV anchor Barkha Dutt ahead of the launch of his book, 'Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years', Dulat asked: "So what's wrong? What is there to be so shocked or scandalised by. It's done the world over."

He defended the use of money in India-held Kashmir, saying it was done in the hope of engaging militants and separatists.

"Corrupting someone with money is more ethical and smarter than killing him."

Speaking about his controversial memoir, Dulat divulged that the Indian government had on quite a few occasions paid for air fares, medical treatment and general upkeep of pro-Pakistan separatists like Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Take a look: ISI cultivated Taliban to counter Indian action against Pakistan: Musharraf

He said India's spies had been in touch with everyone — separatists and militants alike.

Dulat also revealed that he had been in touch with one of India's most wanted terrorists and the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin, who the ex-RAW chief said was ready to leave Pakistan and return to India.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192307/india-funded-militants-in-kashmir-to-counter-isi-says-ex-raw-chief

-------------

 

Kashmir parties, separatists dismiss RAW ex-chief's disclosures

Toufiq Rashid

Jul 04, 2015

Political parties, separatists and militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir were united on Friday in rejecting former RAW chief AS Dulat’s assertions on them after he spoke on a TV programme about the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government’s approach towards various outfits in the Muslim-majority state.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed Dulat’s statements about its president Mehbooba Mufti’s links with militants, saying she did not need a certificate on nationalism.

“When people retire they can say anything. Besides, Mr Dulat has his own ambitions,” said PDP leader Wahid-ur-Rehman Parra. “The person who is democratically elected with 65% mandate does not need such certificates.”

Dulat’s interview to India Today on Thursday triggered a political storm, with both national and regional parties trading charges over the disclosures made by the retired spy who was a special adviser on Kashmir to the Prime Minister’s Office when Vajpayee occupied it.

“We outrightly reject Dulat’s contention,” the moderate faction of the separatist Hurriyat group said in a statement, reacting to Dulat’s contention that its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq could have been made to join mainstream politics. “The sole aim of Hurriyat is to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of people.”

Full report at:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-parties-separatists-dismiss-raw-ex-chief-dulat-s-disclosures/article1-1365717.aspx

-------------

 

RAW Chief’s Allegation A ‘Himalayan Lie’, Says Hizbul Chief’s Son

by Bashaarat Masood

July 4, 2015

The Hizbul Mujahideen on Friday said former Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief A S Dulat’s claim that Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin had called up a senior Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer to seek a seat for his son in medical college was a “Himalayan lie” aimed at defaming their “freedom struggle”. Salahuddin’s son, Dr Wahid, dismissed Dulat’s allegations as a “distortion” that sought to “malign the image” of his father. Stating that he was selected “on the basis of merit”, he said the only “favour” granted was that he was allowed to shift from Jammu College to Srinagar college because of “security concerns”.

Hizbul spokesman Saleem Hashmi said Salahuddin had never contacted any government official. “The remarks are unfounded and have been made with the motive to create doubts in the minds of the common people vis-à-vis the freedom struggle of Kashmir,” said Hashmi in a statement. “People of Jammu and Kashmir know that Indian intelligence agencies and policy makers can go to any extent to weaken the freedom struggle”. “There is not even an iota of truth in these allegations that my father called up the J&K government for any favour,” said Wahid. “Either Mr Dulat is ill-informed or he has run out of his mind for he has mouthed total rubbish,” he said in a statement. “I was admitted in Jammu college, and being from a family with militant background, I had security apprehensions in Jammu. My fears came true… I was frequented by men from security and IB agencies. On the pretext of security investigations, the threat and harassment continued to the extent that I was forced to abdicate the class and lab work,” he said. “My family was worried and approached BOPEE (board that conducts CET) authorities… who pretended helplessness. The court said migration was against the rules. I decided to abdicate the seat… However, my family approached the then government for help, which, sensing the political delicacy and scoring a point, helped me in migration in exchange of a Jammu student,” he said. Wahid’s batchmates at the Srinagar Medical College also came out in his support. Drawing a parallel with IAS topper Shah Faesal, one of his batchmates said, “In the MD entrance test, he (Wahid) ranked above Shah Faesal.” Wahid said only one of his four siblings has a permanent government job, and he was appointed much before their father took to militancy.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/former-raw-chiefs-book-got-medical-seat-on-merit-says-hizbul-chief-syed-salahuddins-son/

-------------

 

Madarsa row: Asaduddin Owaisi slams Maharashtra government, says they first told us what to eat, now where to study

3 July 2015

Q: What is your reaction to this move?

A: This decision violates article 29 and 30 of the Indian constitution, which talks about protecting the rights of minorities and establishment and administration of educational institutions. They have contradicted their own government in Delhi, the (Narendra) Modi government, which is giving Rs100 crore for madrasas. The HRD ministry treats all madarsa kids as school-going students.

The Maharashtra government too has a madarsa modernisation scheme. If you talk of bringing Muslims into the mainstream and educating them, why is the state not providing reservations for Muslims when this has been upheld by the Bombay High Court?

If the Muslims are to be main-streamed, then who has stopped the Maharashtra government from providing infrastructure in Urdu schools and sanctioning English schools in Muslim clusters? There are many Vedic schools in Pune and others parts. Will they be treated in a similar way? They first told us what to eat and then are telling us where to study.

Q: But, what about the need to modernise madrasas and introduce modern subjects like mathematics, English and science?

A: Many madrasas students have cracked the civil services exam and secured engineering degrees. The objective and purpose (of studying in madrasas) is that a student, a boy or a girl, wants to be an Islamic scholar. Given the empirical data, only 2% of Muslim students attend madrasas. The Sachar committee says this is due to abject poverty. Why don't you focus on the remaining 98%? The highest dropout percentage is among Muslims and Dalits. Why are they (state government) creating a deliberate controversy? Why don't you give reservations to Muslims?

Full report at:

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/interview-it-s-a-deliberate-attempt-to-create-controversy-asaduddin-owaisi-2101242

-------------

 

Tension in Baghpat after Muslim man’s ‘murder’

by Manish Sahu

July 4, 2015

murder, crime, Singhavali Ahir village, Muslim murder, Lucknow news, uttar pradesh news, UP news, india news, nation news, news

The SO said the youth returned home and complained to his father about the altercation.

Written by Manish Sahu | Lucknow | Published on:July 4, 2015 1:06 am

Tension prevailed in Singhavali Ahir village in Baghpat district after a 50-year-old Muslim man, who was allegedly attacked by a group of five men from another community, succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Meerut Friday morning.

The victim, Bindu, had sustained head injuries and was referred to Meerut hospital on Thursday night.

The members of his community gathered on road and started staging protest soon after Bindu’s body was brought to the village. They blocked Meerut-Baghpat highway placing the body on the road. They also refused to bury the body till all the five accused were arrested and compensation to the family of the deceased is promised.

Full report at:

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/tension-in-baghpat-after-muslim-mans-murder/

-------------

 

Muslim League calls CPM a 'B' team of BJP

July 03, 2015

Malappuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has turned the 'B' team of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Muslim League state general secretary KPA Majeed said on Friday.

He was retorting to CPM politburo M.A. Baby's criticism that League is a communal party.

"Even Communist veterans like EMS and PKV who ruled the state with League's support didn't have such a view," Majeed said.

He alleged that the CPM purposefully attacked houses of Muslims during the Nadapuram communal clash.

Full report at:

http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/just-in/cpm-b-team-of-bjp-says-muslim-league.html

-------------

 

India abstains from voting on UN resolution calling for Gaza war crimes trial

July 4, 2015

GENEVA: The United States on Friday opposed a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution calling for those responsible for war crimes during last summer's Gaza conflict to be brought to trial.

India and four others also abstained from voting on the resolution, while 45 countries including France, Germany and Britain supported it.

Israel's representative Eviatar Manor lambasted the decision, accusing the council of being an “agent provocateur”, while his Palestinian opposite number Ibrahim Khraishi was jubilant.

The vote comes in the wake of a scathing UN report detailing “possible war crimes” during the 51 days of fighting.

The head of the UN's inquiry Mary McGowan Davis said investigators had found “serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law by Israel and Palestinian armed groups, in some cases amounting to war crimes."

The resolution did not point the finger at those responsible but said they should face justice in either national or international courts.

Although the council does not have the power to order that suspects be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC), it urged both Israel and Palestinian authorities to “cooperate fully” with any criminal inquiries that may be opened.

Human Rights Watch welcomed the resolution saying it “sends a strong message that the perpetrators of serious violations should be held to account. Israel and Palestine, as well as Hamas, should respect the resolution's call to cooperate with the International Criminal Court."

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192312/india-abstains-from-voting-on-un-resolution-calling-for-gaza-war-crimes-trial

-------------

 

‘Implement 12 P.C. Quota to Muslims’ Instead Of Iftar Parties, Telengana CM Told

July 4, 2015

The TPCC has alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar is trying to deceive Muslims further by announcing hosting ‘Iftar’ parties instead of implementing the 12 per cent reservation to them, promised during the run-up to elections.

President of TPCC N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Md. Ali Shabbir and former MP Mallu Ravi said here on Friday that it is Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao’s conspiracy to divert the attention of Muslims from his promise of 12 per cent reservation by announcing iftar parties, distribution of clothes and honorarium to imams.

Full report at:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/implement-12-pc-quota-to-muslims/article7385291.ece

-------------

 

Arab World

 

ISIL Terrorists Destroy Ancient Relics of Syria's Palmyra

Jul 04, 2015

An ISIL statement, released late Thursday, said the six archaeological pieces were found when the smugglers were stopped at a checkpoint, Rudaw reported.

The issue was referred to a court in the ISIS-held Northern Syrian town of Manbij, which ordered that the pieces must be destroyed and the smugglers must be whipped.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday it was unclear if the busts were authentic or if the militants destroyed fake busts as a cover for their own smuggling.

While there is no firm evidence of the amount of money being made by the ISIL group from looting historical sites, satellite photos and anecdotal evidence confirm widespread plundering of archaeological sites in the areas under the ISIL control.

The ISIL captured the historic Syrian town of Palmyra in May from government forces. Many fear that the group damage the town's archaeological sites as they did in neighboring Iraq earlier this year.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000823

-------------

 

Dozens of ISIL Terrorists Killed in Syrian Airstrikes

Jul 04, 2015

According to local reports, the Syrian fighter jets targeted the militant hideouts in the troubled city late on Friday and claimed the lives of more than 100 terrorists.

The reports added the strikes also left several ISIL compounds and ammunition depots destroyed across the area.

The aerial attacks were carried out after ISIL militants fired hundreds of rockets and shells into at least seven government-held areas of Aleppo late on Thursday.

The ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently control shrinking swathes of Syria and Iraq. They have threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Ezadi Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000337

-------------

 

ISIL's Suicide Attack Kills Tens of Al-Nusra Terrorists in Idlib Province

Jul 04, 2015

Over 60 Al-Nusra Front terrorists were killed in ISIL's suicide attack on Salem mosque in Ariha region.

"Abu Hazifeh al-Tunesi, the commander of the Al-Nusra Front in Ariha region, was among the terrorists killed in Salem mosque," a Syrian military source said.

The clashes between Al-Nusra Front and the ISIL have prompted 60,000 people to flee towns in some regions in Syria.

Reports suggest that thousands of militants on both sides have so far been killed in the internecine clashes.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000357

-------------

 

Four ISIL intelligence agents killed in northern Iraq

Jul 4, 2015

Iraqi special security forces have carried out an operation in the country’s troubled northern province of Salahuddin, and managed to kill four intelligence agents of the Takfiri ISIL militant group.

A security source, requesting not to be named, told Arabic-language al-Sumaria satellite television network on Friday that the ISIL extremists were killed as Iraqi troopers conducted a raid in al-Fatha region of the province, situated approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad.

The source added that Iraqi security personnel later returned to their bases, and there were no reports of casualties or fatalities among them.

Meanwhile, Iraqi soldiers, backed by allied Popular Mobilization units and tribal fighters, have killed more than two dozen ISIL terrorists during a series of clean-up operations across the Arab country.

An Iraqi volunteer fighter from the Popular Mobilization units poses for a picture with a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) in Baiji as they fight alongside Iraqi forces against ISIL militants to try to retake the strategic northern Iraqi city on July 2, 2015. (© AFP)

A total of 17 ISIL militants were killed and two others injured after Iraqi troopers launched operations in al-Karmah town, located 48 kilometers (30 miles) west of Baghdad, and adjacent areas. Fourteen terrorist hideouts were also demolished in the process.

Meanwhile, Commander of Anbar Operations Major General Qassim al-Muhammadi announced on Friday that Iraqi security forces have managed to kill 15 ISIL extremists during an operation east of the provincial capital of Ramadi, located about 110 kilometers (68 miles) west of Baghdad.

Two vehicles belonging to the terrorists were also destroyed and 120 rounds of mortar shells were confiscated afterwards.

Full report at:

http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/07/04/418712/Iraq-forces-ISIL-intelligence-agents-Salahuddin

-------------

 

Terrorist Blast Kills Grand Mosque Imam in Syria's Damascus

Jul 04, 2015

Local sources told SANA that a terrorist group planted the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) under the platform of the mosque and detonated it during the Imam's speech on Friday.

Sheikh Afandi was killed at once, and five other worshippers were wounded.

The explosion caused much destruction inside the mosque.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000508

-------------

 

Deadly car bomb rocks Libya's eastern city of Derna

4 July 2015

At least five people were killed and 15 wounded in a car bomb attack in the eastern Libyan city of Derna, national news agency LANA reported.

The news agency, which has links to the militia-backed government in Tripoli that is not recognized by the international community, added that it was a suicide attack.

"Fifteen people were also wounded (...) among them women and children," it reported, quoting local and medical sources in Derna.

The attack came after clashes between local militiamen controlling the city and Islamic State group fighters.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/04/Five-killed-in-east-Libya-car-bomb-attack.html

-------------

 

ISIS in Egypt claims rocket attack on Israel

3 July 2015

Militants of the Sinai Province group, which is affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), said on Friday the group had launched three Grad rockets towards "occupied Palestine".

"Three Grad rockets were fired at Jewish positions in occupied Palestine," the group said in a statement posted on Twitter by supporters.

Israeli police said earlier they had found rocket remnants in an open area.  No damage or casualties resulted.

"Yes, the rocket was fired from Sinai," an Israeli military source said, confirming an Israeli Army Radio report that the missile was launched from the desert region bordering Israel and Gaza.

It was possible the launch was linked to the fighting in Sinai, the military source said.

Militants of the Sinai Province group launched their biggest assault in years against Egyptian security forces on Wednesday. Dozens of people have been killed in the past few days of clashes.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/Militants-fire-rocket-from-Sinai-into-Israel-.html

-------------

 

U.S., allies target ISIS in 24 airstrikes in Syria, Iraq

 3 July 2015

The United States and its allies have conducted 24 airstrikes against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group in Iraq and Syria on Thursday, the coalition leading the operations said in a statement on Friday.

In Syria, coalition forces targeted ISIS positions with nine strikes near the cities of Hasakah, Ar Raqqah and Tal Abyad, destroying tactical units, fighting positions, vehicles and structures, it said.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/U-S-allies-target-ISIS-in-24-air-strikes-in-Syria-Iraq.html

-------------

 

UK did not stop Saddam regime making chemical weapons, documents show

3 July 2015

Newly-released government documents from the early 1980s show that UK diplomats delayed taking action to prevent Iraq obtaining chemical weapons – partially because of British exporters being involved, The Guardian reported on Thursday.

A trove of documents from the UK government’s Foreign Office show that even before former President Saddam Hussein’s regime began using poison gas against Iranian attacks, British diplomats were aware – and wrestled over the prospect of interventions.

At the height of the Iran-Iraq war - which killed around half-a-million and resulted no change in borders between the two states – the UK’s ambassador in Baghdad, John Moberly, informed London of the “manufacture and use of mustard gas by the Iraqi army,” adding that UK firms had supplied Iraqi chemical plants.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/UK-did-not-stop-Saddam-regime-making-chemical-weapons-documents-show.html

-------------

 

Syria in Last 24 Hours: Army, Hezbollah Intensify Attacks to Win Back Zobdani

 04, 2015

Al-Zobdani is now the scene of fierce clashes between the Syrian and Lebanese forces and militants of Jeish al-Fath terrorist group.

The Syrian air force and artillery units started pounding the terrorists' positions as the country's troops are advancing on the ground.

On Wednesday, the Syrian army and the resistance forces started fresh operations against the Jeish al-Fath terrorists in Al-Qalamoun region by advancing towards the town of al-Zobdani.

Al-Zobdani is located on the Eastern foothills of the Lebanese mountains and is currently under control of Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham terrorists.

On May 20, the Syrian army and the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance fighters started their last round of military operations to purge Al-Qalamoun region in Damascus countryside of Takfiri terrorists.

On June 23, Syrian troops backed by fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement made gains in their military campaign against ISIL in Qalamoun, recapturing new hilltops from the Takfiri group.

The Syrian forces along with Hezbollah fighters clashed with the ISIL terrorists in the mountainous region of Qalamoun, North of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and establishes full control over the areas of Shoabat al-Bakara, Thalaja, Shoabat al-Shakara, Beit Shakour and Taleel Hajj Ali.

Also in the past 24 hours, the Syrian army continued its military operations against the Takfiri terrorist groups in the city of Aleppo in Northern Syria on Friday, and killed tens of militants in heavy clashes.

More than 100 Takfiri terrorists were killed and 14 of their vehicles were destroyed in different parts of Aleppo, including Hleiseh, al-Jabboul, Ein al-Hanash, Deir Hafer, Maskaneh, al-Kastello, Tal Alam and Tal al-Treks, a military source announced.

An ammunition depot of the terrorists was also destroyed in al-Breij area of Aleppo.

The Syrian army is fighting against 13 Takfiri terrorist groups in Aleppo.

On Sunday, the Syrian armed forces made significant advances against the ISIL and al-Nusra terrorists in Aleppo province, near the borders with Turkey, reliable sources in the region said.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000481

-------------

 

Syria: Popular Protests against Terrorists Spread in Eastern Ghouta

Jul 04, 2015

People continued their protests against the Takfiri terrorists in Eastern Ghouta for the 10th consecutive day on Saturday.

People poured to the streets of the town of Hamouriya in Eastern Ghouta and rallied against the presence of terrorist groups in their town.

Several people were arrested by terrorist groups in the town.

Similar protests have also been held in other parts of Syria over past few days.

Also the cities of Idlib, Bensh and Kafroumeh in the province of Idlib were the scenes of popular protests against the foreign-backed terrorists on Friday.

On Monday, the terrorist-held areas in Reqqa province were the scenes of protests against the presence of Takfiri terrorists.

People took to the streets of the city of Reqqa and rallied against the presence of terrorist groups in their city.

Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000592

-------------

 

Syrian Army Wins Back Several Areas in Northwest

Jul 04, 2015

The army units backed by the national defense and tribal forces regained control of al-Zahour and al-Shababi regions in the Southern parts of Hasaka.

The Syrian forces also took back control over the villages of Souda Abd, Qabr al-Abd and Gheirat to the West of Kazvan mountain from the ISIL.

On July 1, the Syrian army and popular forces staged large scale attacks to completely clean up the main regions in Hasaka from the ISIL terrorists.

The army and Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) forces managed to mop up Aziziya district in the Northeastern part of Hasaka from the terrorist groups.

On June 21, the YPG and the army soldiers continued to make more gains in their fight against ISIL around Tal Abyad, recapturing the villages of Umm Barmeel, Khatoun, Abu Husseini, Maheiri, Al-Rawiyah, and five small farms.

On June 15, Syrian Kurds fully retook Tal Abyad from the ISIL Takfiri militants after inflicting heavy casualties on them.

The ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently control shrinking swathes of Syria and Iraq. They have threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Ezadi Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.

Senior Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some Persian Gulf Arab states for the growing terrorism in their country.

The ISIL has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be indirectly supported by the Israeli regime.

 Full report at:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940413000734

-----------

 

Syrian army, Hezbollah launch attack on Zabadani

4 July 2015

The Syrian army and its allied militia have launched a major assault on the rebel-held Syrian city of Zabadani, the Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah group's television station said on Saturday.

It said heavy artillery and aerial bombardment were being deployed to capture the city, located west of the Syrian capital near the frontier with Lebanon. An announcement of the start of a military campaign by the Syrian army and "resistance forces", a term used by the Lebanese group to describe Hezbollah's forces, had been expected in recent days.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/04/Syrian-army-and-Hezbollah-launch-major-assault-on-border-city-.html

-------------

 

Sisi visits troops in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula

4 July 2015

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited his troops in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, scene of deadly fighting earlier this week, Al Arabiya News Channel reported Saturday.

Militants of the Sinai Province group -- a branch of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group (ISIS) -- launched their biggest assault in years against Egyptian security forces on Wednesday. Dozens of people have been killed in the past few days of clashes.

Also on Saturday, a woman and two children were killed after a shell slammed into a house in North Sinai, medical and security sources told Agence France-Presse.

It was not immediately clear which side fired the shell in the North Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/04/Sisi-visits-Egyptian-troops-in-North-Sinai.html

-------------

 

Civilian killed at Cairo protest on anniversary of Mursi ouster

3 July 2015

A civilian was killed on Friday during the clearing of a demonstration in Cairo, the Egyptian health ministry spokesman told Reuters, on the second anniversary of the army's overthrow of president Mohamed Mursi following mass protests.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/Civilian-killed-at-Cairo-protest-on-anniversary-of-Mursi-ouster.html

-------------

 

Saudi policeman killed in raid, ISIS flags found

3 July 2015

A Saudi policeman was shot dead on Friday during a raid in which three people were arrested and flags of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group were found, the interior ministry said.

The killing came with the Gulf region on alert against attacks by ISIS, which has been blamed for killing other Saudi policemen and has claimed three deadly mosque bombings in the kingdom and Kuwait.

The ministry said security officers came under fire as they searched for a suspect at a home in Taif, a mountain city about 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of Jeddah at 4:30 am (0130 GMT).

A sergeant died “as a result of the exchange of fire,” said a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

“They arrested three suspects, confiscated Daesh flags, silencers and personal laptops,” the ministry added.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/Saudi-policeman-killed-in-raid-ISIS-flags-found-Interior-ministry-.html

-------------

 

South Asia

 

Bangladeshi Islamists seek death penalty for ex-minister

Jul 03, 2015

Bangladeshi Islamists on Friday protested in Dhaka demanding death penalty for former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui accused of blasphemy for comments perceived to be against Islam.Anger among Islamists has been rising since former telecommunications minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui was released on bail last week over comments he made in 2014 against the annual hajj pilgrimage.

Supporters of Hefajat-e-Islam and other hardline Islamic groups chanted "Death for infidel Latif" and waved placards during a march through the capital.

"Our protest will continue till the government ensures the highest punishment for the non-believer," Noor Hossain Kafeli, a senior leader of Hefajat, told reporters.

Hundreds of riot and plainclothes police flanked the march in case of violence, while similar protests were held in other parts of the Muslim-majority country.

Hefajat led mass protests in 2013 calling for a new blasphemy law that left scores of people dead, mainly in clashes with police.

"At least three to four thousand people are attending this procession. We are remaining alert to avoid any untoward incidents," a police commander told AFP on condition of anonymity in Dhaka.

Full report at:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/bangladeshi-islamists-seek-death-penalty-for-ex-minister/article1-1365652.aspx

-------------

 

Banned Hizb ut-Tahrir now prefers direct action

Mohammad Jamil Khan

july 4, 2015

Even though their activities were earlier limited to only carrying out brief campaigns publicly in favour of establishing Caliphate, many of the members of banned militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir are now working together with the other outlawed militant groups and platforms to wage destructive activities.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has members and sympathisers in the administration, different security agencies, higher educational institutes, mosques and madrasas. The connections work as a boost for them to take lead in those platforms, sources say.

Having branches in a number of countries, Hizb ut-Tahrir started its operation in Bangladesh in 2000 and was banned in 2009 for its involvement in militant activities.

Since then they were campaigning against democratic governments by issuing media releases after holding brief processions and rallies in front of different mosques in the capital, Rajshahi and elsewhere, and pasting posters on the walls in the capital’s different areas especially Mohammadpur.

Latest, some 50 leaders and members were spotted on the first day of Ramadan in front of Gulshan Central Mosque, also known as Azad Mosque, after Jumma prayers as part of its global campaign.

They invited the common Muslims to join their cause through leaflets and fled the scene in a short time. Police received complaints but failed to arrest anyone from the spot.

However, according to the Anti-Terrorism Act that is applied against outlawed groups, any activity of such organisation – in any form – is considered as anti-state.

Despite facing ban, online and offline activities of the group that accepts male and female students mainly of private and public universities was never stopped until date.

They are operating the websites and Facebook pages in full swing.

They lure the common Muslims to join their movement by shaming the government terming it corrupt and anti-Islam, and claiming that they have a number of influential persons supporting their cause.

Recently they also campaigned against the proposed budget, the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the city corporation elections. Earlier, through posters and leaflets, they had asked the armed forces to capture power and set them in the helm to establish Caliphate.

Full report at:

http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/jul/04/banned-hizb-ut-tahrir-now-prefers-direct-action

-------------

 

Dozens kilograms of explosive materials seized in Nangarhar

By ZABIHULLAH MOOSAKHAIL - Sat Jul 04 2015

Afghan National Army seized 10 bombs and dozens kilograms of other explosive materials in eastern Nangarhar province.

Officials at the 201st Seelab corps say that the terrorist materials were placed in a Rickshaw.

The 201st corps after receiving a tip off acted on time and seized the Rickshaw with its driver Abdullah in Malawi Khalis Family area close to Jalalabad city this morning.

10 bombs, eight explosive capsules, 50 kilograms of other explosive materials and wire used in explosions were recovered from the seized Rickshaw.

Full report at:

http://www.khaama.com/dozens-kilograms-of-explosive-materials-seized-in-nangarhar-3599

------

 

BSF rescues 30 Bangladeshi enclave residents

July 04, 2015

India's Border Security Force (BSF) rescued 30 Bangladeshi agricultural labourers who were about to be washed away in a sudden rush of the Teesta river water at Lalmonirhat's Dahagram-Angarpota enclave Wednesday evening.

They had gone to Quaderer Char under Dahagram, some 500 metres from Indian border, on Wednesday morning to harvest maize, but in the evening there was a sudden rush of water coming from the upstream and they did not have any boat to return to the mainland, said sources at Border Guard Bangladesh's (BGB) Dahagram camp.

When the water was rising, BSF men from the nearby Chandni camp in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal watched the situation through binocular and rushed to the char with speedboats. The char later went under water.

“If BSF didn't rescue us and give us shelter, we must have been washed away,” said Hazrat Ali, 44, a rescued man living in Dahagram.

"We will be grateful to BSF forever...If they didn't come we must have been dead; our families didn't get our bodies," added Noor Hossain, 42, of the same village.

Labourer Zahurul Islam said they went to the char by a boat, which was supposed to come back and take them back home in the evening but the boatman could not sail in the strong currents.

Full report at:

http://www.thedailystar.net/city/bsf-rescues-30-bangladeshi-enclave-residents-107269

-------------

 

Five terrorists arrested in Ghazni

By KHAAMA PRESS - Sat Jul 04 2015

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) – Afghanistan’s intelligence agency has arrested five terrorists in Ghazni province.

A statement issued by the NDS on Saturday states that the five terrorists were detained during special operations in the jurisdiction of Ghazni’s provincial capital Ghazni city.

The arrested terrorists are identified as Sibghatullah S/O Mohammad Zahir accused of killing eight childern, Shamsudding S/O Shir Agha accused of killing two policemen, Shafiullah alias Majid S/O Shuja Mohammad accused of a body guard of the mayor of Ghazni city, Amaduddin alias Saifullah S/O Alawoudin accused of killing two policemen in Ghazni city and Hazrat Omar S/O Janan.

Full report at:

http://www.khaama.com/five-terrorists-arrested-in-ghazni-3597

-------------

 

Parliament rejects Stanikzai as Afghanistan’s Defense Minister

By ZABIHULLAH MOOSAKHAIL - Sat Jul 04 2015

Parliament has rejected Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai as Afghanistan’s Defense Minister.

On the session of Saturday members of the parliament used their votes of confidence where Stanikzai received 84 green ticks and 104 red ticks.

So he could not receive the 107 green ticks to become Afghanistan’s Defense Minister.

Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai is the acting Defense Minister of Afghanistan.

Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai has previously served as the Minister of communications, Secretary of the High Peace Council and adviser to former President Hamid Karzai.

Full report at:

http://www.khaama.com/breaking-news-parliament-rejects-stanikzai-as-afghanistans-defense-minister-3596

-------------

 

Doctors Without Borders shuts its hospital in Kundoz

By ZABIHULLAH MOOSAKHAIL - Sat Jul 04 2015

The medical organization Doctors without Borders has shun its activities in northern Kundoz province following a search at their hospital by security forces.

Officials confirm that the hospital has been closed for undeclared time in re-action to the ransack.

A nurse who did not want to be named is quoted by VOA news as saying that as per the information a U.S. drone strike had targeted an Al-Qaeda commander in Chahardara District of Kundoz province on Thursday.

He says Abu Hazifa the Al-Qaeda commander and four of his men sustained injuries in the air strike.

Full report at:

http://www.khaama.com/doctors-without-borders-shuts-its-hospital-in-kundoz-3596

-------------

 

Southeast Asia

 

Yogyakarta: Islamists Expel Thousands of Christians from a Scout Camp Because It Is Ramadan

07/03/2015

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – A group of Indonesian Islamic extremists attacked and disrupted a scout camp organised by a Protestant group in Yogyakarta, central Java. The gathering had brought together thousands of young people.

According to the extremists, the Protestant group was not authorised to organise any public activity, especially, they claimed, since Ramadan had begun on 18 June, and public activities that violate the sacred nature of the holy month are not allowed.

Titled ‘Pathfinder Club Camporee’, the meeting was set to take place from 1 to 5 July, at a location in Sleman Regency, just north of Yogyakarta.

However yesterday, on the second day of the event, local Muslim extremists stormed the site bringing everything to a halt. As a result of the Islamist raid, thousands of participants from around the country were forced to leave the area.

A camping manager, named Bambang, said that "organisers said they had official permission [to hold the event], but suddenly scores of radical Muslims arrived ordering everyone to clear off.”

Thousands of Protestant kids from various organisations and churches in the country had registered for the event.

Local police claimed that organisers lacked the necessary permit to hold such an event.

Commenting on the expulsion of Christians, Muhammad Fuad, head of the local branch of the Islamic Community Forum (Forum Umat Islam, or FUI) said he was happy that the gathering was shut down.

"It is good because everyone should understand how to behave towards the Muslim community," the Islamic leader said.

We are in the holy month of Ramadan, he noted, and people "must ask permission" before promoting "such great events."

Full report at:

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Yogyakarta:-Islamists-expel-thousands-of-Christians-from-a-scout-camp-because-it-is-Ramadan-34678.html

-------------

 

Jambi University imposes religious requirements

Jon Afrizal and Hasyim Widhiarto

July 04 2015

Hani, a third-year student at the School of Economics at Jambi University (Unja), was shocked to learn that to graduate next year, it was not enough for her to complete all her compulsory subjects and her thesis.

In January this year, Unja issued a regulation requiring all Muslim students graduating with Bachelor’s and diploma degrees to enclose a letter stating that they had reached khatam (recital of the entire Koran).

Christians do not escape the regulation: Protestants are required to achieve edification of the church, while Catholics must submit a sacrament of confirmation. Those professing other faiths must also meet religious requirements.

“I don’t know anything about the rule. The university authorities haven’t provided any information,” said Hani, adding that her fellow students were equally in the dark.

The regulation, formulated in Unja Rector Decree No. 467/UN21/KM/2015, applies to Bachelor’s and diploma graduates in the 2015/2016 academic year.

Unja students and alumni affairs vice rector Amrizal Lukman insisted that the regulation was aimed at improving students’ morality, in view of high crime rates, which he attributed to declining morality in wider society.

“Promiscuity, violence and so on are prevalent now. This is due to a lack of understanding of religion,” Amrizal said on Friday.

As such, he said, a serious measure was needed, hence the regulation.

The university, he claimed, had publicized the rule for some time, and he stated his confidence that students would back the “noble cause”.

 “If their faith is strong, the students will go on to become better leaders,” said Amrizal.

Founded in 1963, Unja is the biggest state university in Jambi province. The university offers dozens of study programs in 10 schools.

Jambi provincial council member Bambang Suseno said his council supported the policy, as it would be able to create spiritually rich graduates.

Full report at:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/04/jambi-university-imposes-religious-requirements.html

-------------

 

Liberalism Not Incompatible With Religion, Whether Islam or Christianity, Forum in MalaysiaTold

BY IDA LIM

July 4, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — Amid fear mongering over liberalism in the country, an international advocate insisted today the ideology is not against any established religious doctrine or law.

Juli Minoves, president of Liberal International, said he was surprised at the antagonism against liberals in Malaysia, saying the values seen as “controversial” here were ones he had cherished since childhood — including the right to elect a government and express one's thoughts.

"Liberalism is not against any religion, be it Islam or Christianity," he told a public forum here.

The diplomat, a former foreign minister of the European principality of Andorra was responding to a remark from an audience member who claimed that liberalism is against Islam and Malaysia’s Federal Constitution.

Earlier on, Minoves pointed out that many of the members from global network of over 115 liberal political parties include those from various faiths such as Islam.

"I don't see incompatibility between one's religious faith and one sharing principles of liberalism. Unless you equate belonging to a religion to living in a country that is not democratic, then of course there is a difference," said Minoves, who professed to be Catholic.

"There's absolutely no problem in sharing or having some religious faith and actually believing in human rights for everybody, 'live and let live', especially in a country like Malaysia that is so diverse.

"If some members of the country were to impose their beliefs or values on others, this country would be unlivable. You thrive on democracy, you thrive on living together, allowing each other some space for the other's own faith and religion and ideas," he added.

PAS's Dzulkefly Ahmad, who maintained that he is an Islamist democrat instead of a liberal, similarly said that liberalism is not necessarily against Islam or any other religion.

He viewed religion as being more of a personal affair and personal convictions, suggesting that those who oppose liberalism are against the extreme end of this ideology, citing same-sex marriage as an example.

Full report at:

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/liberalism-not-incompatible-with-religion-whether-islam-or-christianity-for

-------------

 

Indonesia’s human rights law enforcement not optimal: Komnas Ham

July 03 2015

Local human rights law enforcement is not optimal, with law enforcers acting only in the name of security and public order, a report released by the National Commision on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) states.

The commission’s quarterly report on religious tolerance says that law enforcers are half-hearted in their commitment to protecting human rights as their measures against intolerance are only for public disorder prevention.

"They are relatively responsive in dealing with such violations, but their moves are not aimed specifically at protecting religious minority groups against rights abuses," Komnas HAM commisioner M. Imdadun Rahmat said during a press conference on Friday in Jakarta.

Imdadun was referring to a recent case of religious intolerance against the Ahmadiyah minority group.

The case emerged after dozens of people stopped Ahmadis from praying at their own mosque in South Jakarta. The Ahmadis were forced to instead pray on the street in front of the mosque.

Full report at:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/03/indonesia-s-human-rights-law-enforcement-not-optimal-komnas-ham.html

-------------

 

China's dubious relationship with Islam

Sadık Ünay

July 4, 2015

Sunce the launch of its comprehensive economic liberalization drive in the 1980s, China has been steadily moving toward increased political, economic and social integration with the global system. Politically, the mood of engagement and integration was reflected in its high-profile presence and participation in global governance platforms and the pursuit of proactive diplomacy to form new networks, partnerships and alliances across the globe. Socially, a global charm offensive was launched to reflect a tolerant and positive image of Confucian culture, which arguably facilitated the formation of diplomatic, economic and social cooperation with other countries. This move was especially important to constitute a socio-psychological ground for the outward push of Chinese direct investment into different regions such as the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

In this context, over the course of the last decade there was a systematic and multidimensional attempt to portray a friendly image of China vis-a-vis its relationships with the Muslim world. China was able to use anti-imperialist jargon to criticize the Western world for all its historical crimes in Muslim regions to gain access to the current political regimes. This rhetoric was complemented with economic sweeteners such as generous credit and infrastructure support arrangements, foreign aid schemes, oil contracts and international trade agreements. Moreover, institutionalized links were formed with the institutions representing Muslim countries such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League along with an academic endeavor that underlined the historical roots of cordial relations between China and the Muslim world via numerous meetings. The project to establish the image of China as a global actor with no imperialist agenda and "good intensions" toward the Muslim world proceeded in full force, reminiscent of the similar charm offensive of the Germans toward the caliphate and the Muslim world at the beginning of the 20th century.Crucially, China's return to the global political stage did not happen on the basis of a systematic and widely applicable politico-economic value system, i.e., liberal democracy or Soviet socialism. Therefore, maintaining the principle of "non-interference in domestic affairs" in relations with the Muslim world provided a pragmatic pretext for China to maintain cordial international relations without radically altering its undemocratic practices toward some elements of the Muslim community within its own borders. It is well documented that the Hue Muslim community of ethnic Chinese whose roots reach to early contacts with Muslim merchants maintain a relatively peaceful life across different regions of China. But when it comes to the Turkic Muslim community in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in northwest China, what one observes is a murky and displeasing picture in terms of the lack of fundamental human rights and liberties. Despite the rhetoric of political liberalization and opening, the Chinese government has continued to categorically identify the Uighur community as a source of a fundamental threat to national security and applies harsh measures of so-called counter-terrorism along with unacceptable practices such as placing a ban on fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. In the meantime, various Muslim countries including Turkey expressed their concern and offered humanitarian support for the Uighur community under stress, extending citizenship to hundreds in the process.

Full report at:

http://www.dailysabah.com/columns/sadik_unay/2015/07/04/chinas-dubious-relationship-with-islam

------------

 

North America

 

'All 12 of us are in the Islamic State': Luton family confirm they ARE in Syria and encourage other Britons to join them

4 July 2015

A family of 12 from Luton who were feared to have joined ISIS has released a statement to say they are now in Syria - and urged other Muslims to do the same.

The Mannan family which includes a one-year-old and two grandparents had not been seen since visiting their home country of Bangladesh on May 17.

Muhammed Abdul Mannan, 75, his wife Minera Khatun, 53, their daughter Rajia Khanom, 21, and five sons all went off the radar. Police investigating their disappearance feared they had crossed into Turkey which borders Syria.

A shocking 'press release' has now surfaced 'from the Mannan family in the land of the khilafah' says 'We release this statement to confirm that indeed we are in the Islamic State.'

It comes as a video shot in the terror group's adopted capital of Raqqa in Syria appears to identify two of the three Bethnal Green schoolgirls who quit Britain to join Islamic State in February.

The statement from the Mannan family - which appears to be a propaganda too to lure more families into the war zone - claims they are in a land 'that is free from the corruption and oppression of man made law and is governed by the shariah'.

It adds: 'Yes, all 12 of us and why should this number be shocking, when there are thousands and thousands of Muslims from all corners of the world that are crossing over land and sea everyday to come to the Islamic State?

'That are willingly leaving the so called freedom and democracy that was forced down our throat in the attempt to brainwash Muslims to forget about their powerful and glorious past and now present.'

Among the family are three unnamed children aged between one and 11 but the sons are  Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25, Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19, Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31, Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26, and the fifth is also unnamed.

Abil Kashem Saker's wife Sheida Khanam, 27, and Mohammed Saleh Hussain's wife Roshanara Begum, 24, and two unnamed grandchildren are also missing.

It recently emerged that police raided the family home and one member was stopped from getting on a flight at Heathrow the day they departed for Bangladesh.

Friends of grandfather Mr Mannan fear they have been tricked into crossing the border into Syria.

Full report at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3149190/All-12-Islamic-State-Luton-family-release-statement-confirming-Syria.html

-------------

 

The CIA’s Creation of “Islamic Terrorism” on American Soil

By Dr. Paul L. Williams

July 03, 2015

Islamic paramilitary camps have been set up in the United States and Canada to train African American Muslims in guerilla warfare. After months of training on firing ranges and obstacle courses, the black Muslims are sent to Pakistan where they receive advanced training in explosives. Many never return.

Stories about these camps are not new. They have been reported by the main stream media, including Fox News.

The origin of these compounds for would-be jihadis dates back to 1979, when the Agency sent hundreds of radical Islamic clerics to the United States in an effort to recruit African American Muslims for the holy war against the Soviets in Afghanistan.

The Tablighi Missionaries

By and large, these missionaries hailed from Pakistan and belonged to Tablighi Jamaat, a Muslim movement with 150 members in 213 countries.[1] Upholding a strict interpretation of Islamic law (shariah), the Tablighi were united in their resistance to Western culture; their insistence that Muslims should avoid contact with all those who do not share their beliefs; and their approval of jihad by sword (jihad bin saif).[2] Members of the movement gathered every year for three days in the small Pakistani town ofRaiwind.

In 1979, Sheikh Mubarek Ali Gilani, a Tablighi missionary from Lahore, Pakistan, arrived in Brooklynwhere he called upon members of Dar ul-Islam, a notoriously violent street gang, to take arms in the great jihad. Scores answered his call and were headed off to Pakistan with payments of thousands of dollars in cash and promises of seventy houris in seventh heaven, if they were killed in action.[3]

Welcome To Islamberg

By 1980, the Agency realized that considerable expense could be saved by setting up paramilitary camps under the supervision of Shiekh Gilani in a rural area of the country. An ideal location was located near Hancock New York at the base ofPointMountain, where the east and west branches of the Delaware River converge to form the headwaters that flow throughPennsylvania and New Jersey to theAtlantic Ocean. The rocky terrain was infested with rattlesnakes, and the woods were home to black bears, coyotes, wolves, and a few bobcats. Islamberg, a seventy acre complex, came into existence.

Firing ranges and obstacle courses were set up in Islamberg along with a massive underground bunker and a landing strip. The residents lived in single-wide trailers that lined the hillside. The settlement contained a small shack that served as a laundry facility; a claptrap community center; a tiny grocery store, and a masjid. A sentry post was placed at the entranceway.[4]

The sound of gunfire and explosions emanating from the property alarmed local residents, who filed complaints with local and state law enforcement agencies. But a marked law enforcement vehicle never appeared at the compound.[5] Islamberg was off-limits to police inspection on the spurious grounds of “national security.”

The camp also came to contain an illegal cemetery where bodies were buried in unmarked graves.[6] This alone should have warranted a raid by the New York State Police. But not even dead bodies could prompt a police investigation.

Full report at:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-cias-creation-of-islamic-terrorism-on-american-soil/5460047

-------------

 

Sustained efforts required to improve Indo-Pak ties: US

ANWAR IQBAL

July 4, 2015

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has said that no single effort — even by a superpower — could generate a new trend in India-Pakistan relations.

Only a regular engagement between the two South Asian neighbours, both of whom possess nuclear weapons, could bring this change, said the department’s spokesman John Kirby.

The Indian and Pakistani prime ministers will get a chance to discuss bilateral relations next week in the Russian city of Ufa.

Both leaders will be there to attend a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and their senior aides have indicated that they could also have a separate, bilateral meeting too.

Asked how would the United States view such a meeting, Mr Kirby said: “I don’t want to get ahead of a meeting that hasn’t happened … that would be foolhardy for me to try to do that here publicly.”

But he recalled that last week Secretary of State John Kerry had publicly urged the two countries to improve their ties, telling them that “relations between India and Pakistan are important to us”.

He said that South Asia was an important region, which faced many challenges. And there were “lots of common challenges that both countries can continue to work on” if they stayed engaged.

“But many of them — all of them —need to be worked on between India and Pakistan, and we’d like to see those tensions reduced,” he said.

A journalist reminded him that last month when relations between the two South Asian nations were particularly tense, Secretary Kerry had telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to convey his concerns.

“Has the secretary’s call have an impact on the region? Have the tensions reduced?” the journalist asked.

Full report at:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1192272/sustained-efforts-required-to-improve-indo-pak-ties-us

-------------

 

U.S. on terror alert for Independence Day holiday

 4 July 2015

The United States is ramping up security across the country and urging people to stay alert over the Independence Day holiday weekend over fears of a terrorist threat.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center have all warned of an increased risk of attacks during the long Fourth of July weekend.

New York State is ratcheting up its monitoring of celebrations and events on Saturday, expected to draw large crowds to America's biggest city.

"We are keenly aware that New York State remains a top target for terrorists," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

"As we celebrate with family and friends this Independence Day, I urge all New Yorkers to not only remember the freedoms that we hold dear, but also remain cautious of their surroundings and learn to recognize and report suspicious activity."

Other major cities, including the capital Washington, were also on heightened guard, although there were not thought to be any specific threats.

"Our nation is under threat, our law enforcement, our military are under threat, so we take the threat seriously," ABC News quoted U.S. Park Police Chief Robert MacLean as saying.

In Boston, scene of an attack on the city's marathon in 2013 that killed three and left scores wounded, police said security would be high.

"We're just stepping it up to make sure it can be as safe as possible," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans told The Boston Globe.

A lone-wolf attack would be the "worst nightmare," he said, adding police were not aware of any specific threats.

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2015/07/04/U-S-on-terror-alert-for-Independence-Day-holiday-.html

-------------

 

Lindsey Graham Slams Iowa Voter’s Suggestion To Ban Islam

07/03/2015

When an attendee at one of his Iowa campaign stops suggested that one effective way to deal with ISIS would be to ban Islam in the States, Republican presidential candidate Lindsey Graham’s response couldn’t have been more to the point.

“I don’t want you to vote for me,” Graham said. “I couldn’t disagree with you more.”

Though he has been incredibly critical of President Obama’s plan to degrade and destroy ISIS, Graham’s Friday comments make good on a promise to tell voters “exactly what [he] believes” on all issues, reports Mediaite.

Full report at:

http://dailycaller.com/2015/07/03/lindsey-graham-slams-iowa-voters-suggestion-to-ban-islam/

-------------

 

A perfect Islamic storm looming large on the horizon

By Sonia Bailley

July 3, 2015

The perfect storm of events for an Islamic terror attack is brewing for July 4th this year.  The Obama administration and Western leaders are failing to report the truth about Islam and the significance of this date.  It was on the 17th of Ramadan, which just happens to precisely coincide this year with America’s Independence Day, that the greatest and most significant battle in Islamic history took place: the Battle of Badr in 624 AD.  This battle marked the first significant victory for Islam, as well as the beginning of Mohammed’s reign of terror.

Dates are significant for Islamic terrorists.  The date of September 11 was chosen by Islamic terrorists to inflict a horrible carnage on the West because in Islam, that day is remembered as a day of humiliation and defeat: in 1683, the Islamic armies were defeated at the gates of Vienna, and in 1697, they met their final defeat at Belgrade.

If ever there was a date to be remembered and commemorated in Islam, it’s the 17th of Ramadan.  What makes this battle so special to most Muslims is its spiritual significance.  The Koran discusses how Allah and his angels helped the early Muslims win the battle.  This is most certainly a date that the Islamic State holds close to the heart, especially since Mohammed’s victory solidified his position as ruler of the first Islamic State in Medina.  It is a date to be memorialized, underscored by its anniversary on the U.S.’s Independence Day, in ways jihadists know best.

The 17th of Ramadan was the time when Mohammed mandated the killing of captives in battle, and this action is emulated by the Islamic State, as Mohammed is considered the ideal model in Islam for mankind to follow.  It was the time when a simple preacher morphed into a vengeful warlord, eliminating all Jewish tribes once living in Saudi Arabia and changing the way of life for people living in the Arabian Peninsula (now Saudi Arabia) and afterward Asia.  It is a date that Westerners should be made aware of and become familiar with.

In addition to the upcoming commemoration of the Battle of Badr on July 4 of this year, the Islamic State has two other significant events to laud.  First, this summer marks the Islamic State’s first-year anniversary as a self-proclaimed terrorist state.  Second, this month of Ramadan is a time to wage jihad, as Mohammed did.  “Ramadan will have lots of surprises,” the Islamic State promised before the Tunisia, France, and Kuwait attacks.

“This may be potentially the most complex counterterror overlay for this event, ever,” affirmed NYPD’s deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism, John Miller.  Fox News chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge defines this heightened threat environment as “one of the most severe we have seen in a decade.”

Do U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism agencies or the media have any perception of the groundbreaking victory Muslims had in their first major battle against non-Muslims that coincides with July 4 of this year?  Perhaps the extremely high volume of social media Islamic terrorist chatter from overseas to the U.S. to wage jihad on U.S. soil can be attributed to the anniversary of the Battle of Badr falling on July 4.

The West can be sure that ISIS will make good on its promise to kill and maim even more non-believers in celebration of these three events, not to mention a tenfold reward in Paradise for any jihadist killed in action during Ramadan.

The perfect Islamic storm is brewing on the horizon as the Obama and other Western administrations tiptoe around Islam in refusing to link it with terrorism or to call the Islamic State Islamic.  Western civilization will tilt, tip over, and eventually capsize unless citizens become more politically engaged in policymaking and more aware of the Islamic storms that face them so that these storms can be better assessed and properly tackled.  Citizenry must stop relying on leaders when those leaders will not even admit the nature of the jihadist enemy.

Full report at:

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2015/07/a_perfect_islamic_storm_looming_large_on_the_horizon.html

----------

 

Europe

 

Britain, Tunisia honor 38 victims of beach resort attack

3 July 2015

People around Britain paused in streets and workplaces, in churches and mosques, in railway stations and at the Wimbledon tennis tournament Friday to honor the victims of an Islamic extremist's rampage at a Tunisian beach resort.

Flags were lowered to half-staff at Buckingham Palace and U.K. government buildings to remember those killed in Tunisia's deadliest attack. Thirty of the 38 dead were British tourists, the youngest a 19-year-old university student and the oldest an 80-year-old retired scientist.

Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister David Cameron were among those who observed a minute's silence at noon Friday, a week after the attack.

Mourners paused also outside the stadium of Walsall Football Club in central England, where supporters have left flowers and team flags in honor of three fans - all members of the same family - who died.

Crowds held a moment of silence late Thursday in Tunisia's capital. People from many religions joined as Muslims broke their Ramadan fast.

A ceremony was planned Friday at the Imperial Marhaba hotel in the Mediterranean resort town of Sousse, where the attack happened.

ourists take part in a minute of silence on July 3, 2015, in memory of those killed the previous week by a jihadist gunman on the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port el Kantaoui, on the outskirts of Sousse south of Tunis. (AFP)

Full report at:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/03/Britain-Tunisia-honor-38-victims-of-beach-resort-attack.html

-------------

 

France: Islamophobic attacks increase by 23.5 %

July 4, 2015

PARIS (AA): – Islamophobic acts in France have increased by 23.5 percent in the first six months of 2015 compared with the same period last year, a French nongovernmental organization has said in a new report.

The figure was released Thursday in a report titled “Islamophobia in France six months after the January 2015 terrorist attacks” by the Paris-based Collective against Islamophobia in France organization.

“Attacks against mosques, death threats against veiled women, school kids humiliated by their teachers, female students prohibited from wearing long skirts, religious profiling of Muslim children, propagation of hate speeches and even declarations of war on Muslims whom are portrayed as a fifth column… the consequences have been and still are dire for Muslims,” the report said.

Moreover, physical assaults increased by 500 percent and verbal attacks by 100 percent during the initial months of 2015, the report said, adding that women were among the first victims of Islamophobia.

Full report at:

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/islamophobia/france-islamophobic-attacks-increase-by-23-5/

-------------

 

'I welcomed Cameron into my home, but his talk on British Muslims saddens me'

Homa Khaleeli

Friday 3 July 2015

When Amina, 16, tells her friends that the prime minister once spent the night in her parent’s spare room, they don’t believe her. Few people will remember that David Cameron stayed in the sparsely furnished, modest room in Birmingham from which Amina’s brother Fehzan, 18, has just stumbled out half-asleep.

Back in 2007, when Cameron was 16 months into his role as the Conservative leader and intent on detoxifying his party’s brand, he was the unlikely house guest of Abdullah and Shahida Rehman, a neighbourhood warden and dinner lady. The politician had been keen to see how community action had transformed a former red light district into a now thriving neighbourhood, and was said to be so impressed that Balsall Heath was called the inspiration for the ‘big society’.

Cameron’s thank you note was an article in the Guardian, enthusing about the “British Asian way of life”. He wrote: “I found myself thinking that it is mainstream Britain which needs to integrate more ... not the other way around.”

These days, Cameron talks rather less about how we should follow the example of Muslim communities. After a raft of counter-terrorism policies and legislation focusing on non-violent extremism, in a speech last month he said parts of the Muslim community were “quietly condoning” views that bolstered “Islamist” extremist ideology, to which the Daily Mail gave the headline: UK Muslims helping jihadis, says Cameron.

So how do Cameron’s former hosts feel about his change in tone? Rehman, 45, still works for the Balsall Heath Forum, but now as the chief executive. Friendly and energetic despite the fact he is fasting on one of the hottest days of the year, Rehman tells me he is disappointed with his former guest.

Full report at:

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/03/david-cameron-british-muslims-extremism-alienation

-------------

 

London Muslims Buy Vacant School, Plans to Open A New Islamic School

By Kate Dubinski

July 3, 2015

London’s Muslim community has scooped up a closed public school and plans to open a new Islamic school in its place.

The current school has outgrown its location at the London Muslim Mosque on Oxford Street West, where about 300 kids study every day.

Over 100 pupils are on the private school’s waiting list.

The school offers full-time day and weekend classes for grades 1 to 8.

“We’ve reached (capacity) for every grade up to Grade 4, we have two classes of each of those grades, and in four year’s we’ll have two classes of every grade up to Grade 8,” said Rob Osman, vice-chair of the board of directors at the mosque and the school.

The board has bought what used to be Huron Heights French immersion public school, at 1245 Michael St., in the city’s east end.

“This will be a big departure for us. It’s bittersweet,” said Osman. “The kids right now go to school by the mosque; they see their identity as a Canadian and as Muslims every day. There’s a benefit to seeing your faith being practised every day.”

The London Islamic School hopes to move in to Huron Heights French immersion in September, though it’s possible the move could take longer. The former Thames Valley District school board school was closed in June 2014 and its 400 pupils moved to a new, larger French immersion school called Louise Arbour French immersion, where Ross Secondary School used to be.

Full report at:

http://www.lfpress.com/2015/07/03/london-muslims-buy-vacant-school

-------------

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/chibok-schoolgirls-fighting-boko-haram,/d/103768


Loading..

Loading..