'UPSC Jihad': Constitutional Conduct Group Move SC Over Sudarshan News Show, Urge Order on Scope of Hate Speech
New Age
Islam News Bureau
15
September 2020
• Iranian Academics Ask European Counterparts to
Reveal Institutionalized Distortion of Realities in West
• US Blocks Chinese Products from Uighur ‘Forced
Labour’
• Christian Council of Sweden Condemns Quran Burning,
Calling It ‘Barbaric’
• UAE, Bahrain Eye Manifold Benefits from Israel Ties
Normalization
• Acting Minister of Interior Denies Forming Militia
under ‘Security Charter’ in Afghanistan
• Moroccan Police: IS Cell Dismantled, Was Plotting
Attacks
• Defense Secretary Esper: Since Sept. 11 Attacks, Our
Heroic Military Has Successfully Fought Terrorism
India
•
• Assam Govt Replaces 7 Muslim Foreigners' Tribunal
Pleaders with Hindus in Border District
• Uttar Pradesh: Kanpur Police Form SIT to Probe 'Love
Jihad' Cases
• Amid Taliban Talks, US Special Representative for
Afghanistan Reaches Delhi
• Pakistan truce violations in 9 months highest in 17
years
• Kanpur police forms SIT to probe 'love jihad' cases
• Bengal BJP Sets Target of Inducting 20-Lakh Muslims
By December 2020
• Encounter underway between security forces,
terrorists in J-K’s Pulwama
--------
Mideast
• Iranian Academics Ask European Counterparts to
Reveal Institutionalized Distortion of Realities in West
• Armed Resistance Sole Way to Liberate Palestine:
Hezbollah Official
• Judiciary Strongly Blasts European Embassies’
Interference in Iran’s Internal Affairs
• 17 Bahraini Political Streams, Associations Oppose
Normalization of Ties with Israel
• Israeli handed three life sentences for killing
Palestinian family
• Turkish Red Crescent aid member killed in an attack
in northern Syria
--------
Southeast Asia
• US Blocks Chinese Products from Uighur ‘Forced
Labour’
• Teachers’ Union Rejects Claims Public Schools ‘Too
Islamic’ In Malaysia
• I’m not a terrorist, says Warisan candidate
• Muslims In the South in Peace Talks Urge Fridays Be
Made Holidays
--------
Europe
• Christian Council of Sweden Condemns Quran Burning,
Calling It ‘Barbaric’
• Muftiyat Of Kyrgyzstan To Open Hotline for
Consultations on Sharia Rules
• UN begins annual meetings with Kashmir on agenda
• Turkish protesters slam French magazine’s reprinting
of offensive Prophet Muhammad cartoons
--------
Arab world
• UAE, Bahrain Eye Manifold Benefits from Israel Ties
Normalization
• UAE-Israel accord creates ‘new environment’ for
Mideast peace: Official
• Hezbollah’s links with Irish terror group exposed
• Coalition strikes ISIS hideout in rural Kirkuk amid
fresh attacks
• Suspected Israeli strikes kill 10 Iran-backed
fighters in Syria: Monitor
• Four soldiers, one militant killed in Lebanon army
raid: Military source
• Two more US convoys targeted by roadside bombs in
Iraq
• Lebanese army kills terror cell ‘ringleader’ in raid
that left 4 soldiers dead
--------
South Asia
• Acting Minister of Interior Denies Forming Militia
under ‘Security Charter’ in Afghanistan
• China Military: Years of Evidence Proves US Biggest
Threat to World Order, Peace
• Afghan refugees hope peace talks will finally take
them ‘home’
• Kabul presses ceasefire demand in Taliban talks
• Turkey hails Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya
refugees
• Rohingya resettlement on ‘floating island’ risks
repatriation: Experts
• Dispute on Terms Delay Intra-Afghan Talks
--------
Africa
• Moroccan Police: IS Cell Dismantled, Was Plotting
Attacks
• Somali army says kills 12 Al-Shabaab members in
Lower Shabelle region
• Boat capsizes near Libya, 2 dozen migrants presumed
dead
• Tunisia renews engagement with Libya, appointing
envoy
• Armed men attack Nigerian village, kidnap 21
--------
North America
• Defense Secretary Esper: Since Sept. 11 Attacks, Our
Heroic Military Has Successfully Fought Terrorism
• US spy detained in Venezuela charged with terrorism,
arms trafficking
• Trump vows ‘1,000 times greater’ response to any
Iran attack
• US eager to see Gulf dispute end, Qatar blockade
lifted
• Wolf says 'lone, homegrown' terror threat is top DHS
focus 19 years after 9/11
--------
Pakistan
• Zalmay Khalilzad In Islamabad To Discuss Irritants
in Afghan Peace Talks
• Islamic finance important to end economic
exploitation: president
• Pakistan’s efforts made Afghan talks possible, says
Bajwa
• NA extends Jadhav-related ordinance for four months
• No compromise on independence of judiciary: CJP
• FO summons Indian envoy over 'mysterious' deaths of
11 Pakistani Hindus in Jodhpur
• New entrants cause rifts in Karak JUI-F
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/upsc-jihad-constitutional-conduct-group/d/122860
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'UPSC Jihad': Constitutional Conduct Group Move SC Over Sudarshan News Show, Urge Order on Scope of Hate Speech
September 15, 2020
Supreme Court of India. PTI
-----
New Delhi: Seven former civil servants have moved the
Supreme Court to become parties to a pending plea seeking stay of telecast of
Sudarshan TV's 'Bindas Bol' programme on the alleged “infiltration" of
Muslims into the bureaucracy.
The Delhi High Court, on 11 September, had declined to
stay the telecast of the series of programmes, whose promo had claimed that the
channel would show the "big expose on conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in
government service".
The former civil servants including Amitabha Pande and
Navrekha Sharma have made an informal collective "Constitutional Conduct
Group" and have filed the plea seeking to intervene in the pending
petition of lawyer Firoz Iqbal Khan.
They said that the apex court should lay down an
authoritative pronouncement on "hate speech" in view of the fact that
it had expressed an intention to consider the balance between free speech and other
constitutional values in the instant case.
The scope and meaning of hate speech should be decided
so that the citizens, law enforcement authorities, and the courts have clarity
on speech which is protected and the speech which falls outside such protection.
"There is no bright line between hate speech and
offensive speech. Each case requires the application of judicial mind," it
said.
Earlier, the bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud
and KM Joseph had said it has to first circumspect in imposing a prior
restraint on publication or the airing of views.
"At this stage, we have desisted from imposing a
pre-broadcast interlocutory injunction on the basis of an unverified transcript
of a forty-nine seconds clip. The Court has to be circumspect in imposing a
prior restraint on publication or the airing of views. We note that under
statutory provisions, competent authorities are vested with powers to ensure
compliance with law, including provisions of the criminal law intended to
ensure social harmony and the peaceful coexistence of all communities,"
the bench had said.
The apex court had issued notices to the Centre, Press
Council of India, News Broadcasters Association and Sudarshan News on a plea
filed by advocate Firoz Iqbal Khan against the programme.
The top court, which has posted hearing on 15
September, had said that it will consider appointing amicus curiae to assist it
towards a resolution which advances the protection of constitutional rights.
The Delhi High Court is hearing a separate plea filed
by former and present students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University
challenging the nod given by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to
Sudarshan News and its Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke to air the show.
The High Court has also issued notices to the Centre
and others on the petition.
The High Court on 28 August had stayed the telecast of
the programme which was scheduled the same evening.
On 29 August, it had disposed of the plea with a direction
to the ministry to take a decision on the prohibition of the proposed Show
pursuant to its August 28 show-cause notice.
Later, the government and the High Court allowed the
telecast.
https://www.firstpost.com/india/seven-ex-bureaucrats-move-sc-over-sudarshan-news-upsc-jihad-show-urge-order-on-scope-of-hate-speech-8816011.html
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Iranian Academics Ask European Counterparts to Reveal
Institutionalized Distortion of Realities in West
Sep 14, 2020
Hundreds of Iranian
university professors in a letter to their European counterparts condemned the
sacrilege of Islamic sanctities in the West as cultural terrorism
-----
Your colleagues in Iran expect you not to leave reality
alone and defenseless on the battlefield of fight against cultural terrorism
and institutionalized distortion by the western governments, specially the
Americans and the Zionists, said the letter signed by over 700 Iranian
university professors and academics on Monday.
“We regret that we are again witnessing the repetition
of cultural terrorism of a French magazine against the character of popular
Islam's Prophet (PBUH) after 5 years,” it added.
The Iranian university professors called on their European
counterparts to inform the western societies of their governments’ policies to
implement the plots of capitalists in the world.
Supporters of right-wing Danish politician Rasmus
Paludan, who leads the anti-Islamic group, Tight Direction (Stram Kurs), burned
a copy of Holy Qur’an in the Southern Swedish city of Malmo during an illegal
gathering on August 28.
Also, on September 1, the ill-reputed French Magazine
Charlie Hebdo also republished blasphemous cartoons of the Prophet of Islam on
the eve of the trial of suspects in a deadly attack on the paper’s office five
years ago.
People across the world and different cities of Iran
have held rallies to protest at the recent insulting moves against Islam
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the holy Quran in the European states, condemning
French President Emanuel Macron for his support for the blasphemous acts.
A host of Iranian officials have also condemned the
sacrilegious move.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qaibaf
condemned Charlie Hebdo’s blasphemous act, and said that the Muslims of the
world would unanimously deplore this "unforgivable and vile sin".
Qalibaf referred to the blasphemous move taken by
Charlie Hebdo in insulting Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and wrote on his Instagram
account that "the insult to the Prophet of Goodness once again showed the
deep-rooted enmity of the arrogant criminals against the message of love and
affection of the Messenger of God all over the world."
He reiterated that the Muslims of the world will
unanimously condemn this unforgivable and vile sin.
https://en.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13990624000595
--------
US Blocks Chinese Products from Uighur ‘Forced Labour’
September 15, 2020
WASHINGTON: The US announced Monday it would block a range of Chinese products made by “forced labour” in the Xinjiang region, including from a “vocational” centre that it branded a “concentration camp” for Uighur minorities.
“The Chinese government is engaged in systematic
abuses against the Uighur people” and other minorities, said Mark Morgan,
acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency.
“Forced labour is an atrocious human rights abuse,” he
said.
The items include cotton, garments, hair products and
electronics from five specific manufacturers in Xinjiang as well as adjacent
Anhui.
It also included all products tied to the Lop County
No 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Centre in Xinjiang, which
Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said was a centre of
forced labour.
“This is not a vocational centre, it is a
concentration camp, a place where religious and ethnic minorities are subject
to abuse and forced to work in heinous conditions with no recourse and no
freedom,” Cuccinelli told reporters.
“This is modern day slavery.”
The actions announced consisted of “withhold release
orders” or WROs, which empower the CBP to seize products from the blacklisted
companies and organisations.
The US government is increasingly using such orders to
pressure Beijing over its detention of more than one million members of the
mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang for ostensible reeducation.
Calling attention to abuses
In July, the customs agency placed WRO blocks on hair
products, used for wigs and extensions, from several companies operating in
Xinjiang, and in August did the same for garments made and sold by the Hero
Vast Group.
“The Chinese government needs to close its
concentration camps,” said Cuccinelli.
The move came as rights groups and members of US
Congress press the administration of President Donald Trump to take more
resolute action over alleged Chinese repression of Muslims in the country’s
vast west.
In July the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a major
paramilitary group, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, accusing it of
abuses against Uighurs and other mostly Muslim groups.
It also hit several officials with sanctions,
including Chen Quanguo, the Chinese Communist Party chief for the Xinjiang
region and architect of Beijing’s hardline policies against restive minorities.
“The Trump Administration has led the world in calling
attention to the Chinese Communist Party’s egregious human rights abuses in
Xinjiang, and we’ve taken action to back up our rhetoric,” said Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo in a statement.
CBP officials said they are currently studying a
measure to place a block on all cotton and tomatoes from Xinjiang.
In August the Investor Alliance for Human Rights
called for a ban on all cotton-made goods linked to Xinjiang, which supplies
the lion’s share of China’s cotton.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2020/09/15/us-blocks-chinese-products-from-uighur-forced-labour/
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Christian Council of Sweden Condemns Quran Burning,
Calling It ‘Barbaric’
Atila Altuntas
13.09.2020
The Christian Council of Sweden on Sunday condemned
the burning of the holy Quran in Sweden in recent weeks.
Ten prominent Christian reverends of the Scandinavian
country, including the Archbishop of the Swedish Protestant Church Antje
Jackele, released a statement against the anti-Muslim acts.
The archbishop, together with other church leaders,
strongly dissociated herself from "conscious violations of people's
faith."
The group said that the actions by a Danish far-right
racist group, were "barbaric."
Such attacks increase polarization between people
"at a time when our country needs to gather around everyone's dignity and
rights," it added.
The anti-immigration Hard Line (Stram Kurs) party on
Thursday burned a copy of the Muslim holy book in Rinkeby, a pre-dominantly Muslim
neighborhood of Stockholm.
It came days after a similar act in the southern
Sweden city of Malmo.
The ensuing violence left several police officers
injured, and at least 10 people were arrested.
Police also banned group leader Rasmus Paludan from
entering Sweden for two years.
Even the International Union for Muslim Scholars, a
Doha-based group, has condemned the violent acts.
Turkey and Pakistan also slammed the right-wing
extremists in Sweden for their Islamophobic actions.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/christian-council-of-sweden-condemns-quran-burning/1972325
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Acting Minister of Interior Denies Forming Militia
under ‘Security Charter’ in Afghanistan
By Mohammad Arif Sheva
15 Sep 2020
KABUL, Afghanistan – The Acting Minister of Interior Masoud
Andarabi denied forming militia under “Security Charter”, after being summoned
by the Parliament on Monday to respond to the allegation.
Early July, Afghan government introduced the “Security
Charter” in a bid to further strengthen its security measures throughout the
country, while sources suggested the authorities are mobilizing “people in the
fight against crime” by arming thousands of people in rural areas under the
charter.
During the Parliament session, a number of MPs claimed
the government has distributed weapons under the security charter plan to
individuals who are suspected of crimes.
“All those who receive the guns are those who are
suspected,” said the Second Deputy Speaker of the House Abbas Ibrahimzada, as
quoted by TOLOnews.
“Those who hide their guns… are now being supported by
the government,” said another MP Khan Mohammad Wardak.
Defending the allegation, the Acting Head of the
National Directorate of Security (NDS) Ahmad Zia Saraj said people as part of
the Uprising Forces are helping the government in their fight with insurgents;
there is no “plot” in shaping them into militias.
“We have ‘irregular’ armed men in all provinces;
therefore, we are trying to drive some of them to the right direction in order
to keep them from going in the wrong direction,” he said as reported.
Meanwhile, Andarabi denied the allegation, saying “no
one has been given weapons under the security charter plan.”
The speaker of the House of Representatives Mir Rahman
Rahmani, in response to the government’s draft on security charter, said Monday
it promotes and reinforces “militarization”, disregarding security bodies in
the country.
In a plenary session of the parliament, Rahmani said
the government should stop making unilateral decisions, which potentially
affects relations between the executive and the legislature bodies of the
government.
“The recent proposed security charter by the
government has raised a number of serious concerns amongst the people and
politicians, as it casts and reinforces militarization,” he said. “This is
while the people of Afghanistan do not have happy memories of militarization.”
“Those who voluntarily work to apply security charter
have discredited security institutions; and the government needs to strengthen
these institutions, not those volunteers whose identities are still unknown and
has worried our honorable people,” he added.
Rahmani’s remarks came months after the government
introduced a new security plan called the “Security Charter” to eradicate
criminal offenses, prevent terrorist attacks and mobilize people to provide
security in their areas.
Although security officials assess the plan
functional, it caused a mixed of reaction among some, considering the “Security
Charter Plan” not as effective as it should be to address crimes in the country
– mainly the Afghan capital Kabul.
https://www.khaama.com/acting-minister-denies-forming-militia-under-security-charter-in-afghanistan-3434/
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Moroccan police: IS cell dismantled, was plotting
attacks
11 September 2020
RABAT, Morocco -- Moroccan authorities say police
arrested five people suspected of plotting suicide bombings and being part of
an extremist network linked to the Islamic State group.
One suspect set off an explosive as police moved in
during coordinated raids in four cities, and one officer was injured when
another suspect attacked him, according to a statement Thursday from the
Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations cited by the state news agency MAP.
Authorities seized explosive belts, detonators, pressure-cookers
loaded with nails, ammonium nitrate and other chemicals suspected of being used
for explosives, and IS paraphernalia, the statement said. The police operations
were carried out in Tangiers, Tiflet, Temara and Skhirat.
The statement said the suspects were in the “advanced
stages” of plotting suicide bombings against unidentified sensitive targets.
More than 1,000 Moroccans are believed to have joined
IS between 2013 and 2017 as it seized territory across Syria and Iraq. Moroccan
authorities carry out periodic sweeps of terrorism suspects.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/moroccan-police-cell-dismantled-plotting-attacks-72946868?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1521102_
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Defense Secretary Esper: Since Sept. 11 attacks, our
heroic military has successfully fought terrorism
September 13, 2020
Exactly 19 years ago, Al Qaeda launched a vicious
attack on our homeland by using four hijacked airlines as tools to murder
nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children at New York City’s World Trade
Center, at the Pentagon, and on a quiet field near Shanksville, Pa.
No one could have fathomed on that bright and clear
September morning just how much the world would change in the wake of the
darkest and most vicious terrorist attack in our nation’s history. It was an evil
assault on our citizens, our institutions, and on our fundamental ideals
themselves — freedom, human rights and respect for the American way of life.
In their attempt to break the spirit of our people and
fracture the foundation of our republic, the terrorists underestimated
Americans’ resilience, resolve and determination to fight for our values.
Almost two decades after that fateful day, we have dealt devastating blows to
Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups around the world by eliminating key leaders,
cutting off resources, and crippling their attempts to orchestrate future
attacks.
In doing these things, we not only protect our
nation’s people and everything they represent, but also continue to honor the
rarified valor that emerged out of the devastation on Sept. 11, 2001. That day,
the very best of America triumphed over the worst of atrocities, as Americans
from every class, race, and creed united against evil with an outpouring of
courage, compassion and sacrifice.
We will never forget the first responders, volunteers,
colleagues and neighbors who ran directly into the fire and chaos without
hesitation, risking their own lives to save complete strangers.
At the Pentagon, we commemorate the countless acts of
heroism that prevented the human toll from becoming much worse, including the
brave personnel who rolled in pools of standing water to protect themselves
from intense fire and heat as they rushed back into the burning rubble and
smoldering wreckage to help their colleagues.
Behind the scenes, engineers, mechanics and hundreds
of others jumped into action, making sure the Department of Defense continued
to operate and conduct vital national security missions at home and abroad.
These efforts, among so many others, demonstrated to the world — especially our
enemies — the unbreakable spirit of the American people.
In the months and years that followed, millions of
Americans from all 50 states, territories and every walk of life stepped up,
joining the U.S. military to hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent such
an attack from ever happening again.
The men and women of our armed forces have been
extraordinarily effective in the defense of the homeland. They’ve denied safe
haven to terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq, brought terrorist leaders to
justice wherever they hide, destroyed ISIS’ physical caliphate in Iraq and
Syria, and prevented violent extremists from gaining a foothold in Africa that
they could use to attack our nation.
Now the U.S. and our growing coalition of allies and
partners strike fear into those who would do us harm through a powerful network
capable of targeting and defeating violent extremists anywhere, anytime.
We cannot forget that America’s safety over the past
two decades has come at a great cost. Thousands of brave military service
members — all committed to their solemn oath to support and defend the
Constitution — have been killed in action, with many more bearing the scars of
war, both visible and invisible.
President Trump understands the tremendous cost of
overseas conflicts, and is committed to supporting those who put on the uniform
every day and answer the call to serve.
We recognize all those who answered that call in the
wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and honor the legacy of the men and
women who laid down their lives to defeat the enemies of justice and freedom
and secure the blessings of liberty.
Those who lived through Sept. 11, 2001, will always
remember exactly where we were, who we were with, and what we were doing the
moment the airliners struck the World Trade Center.
Every Sept. 11 we reaffirm a solemn vow to the victims
and their loved ones that we will never forget their loss, and to do everything
in our power to deter and defeat our every enemy.
And as we step closer to peace in Afghanistan and
throughout the Middle East, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, space
professionals, and Coast Guardsmen continue to stand ready to confront
terrorists anywhere in the world, while America shines brighter than ever
before as a beacon of hope, opportunity and liberty across the globe.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sept-11-defense-department-mark-esper?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1521102_
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India
Assam Govt Replaces 7 Muslim Foreigners' Tribunal
Pleaders With Hindus in Border District
Gaurav Das
September 15, 2020
Guwahati: Exactly a year ago, Assam finance minister
and influential state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma,
while addressing local media, had expressed concern about the exclusion rate of
people from the districts bordering Bangladesh in the updated National Register
of Citizens (NRC).
The rate was 6-7% for the districts. For those
dwelling in the autonomous districts, it was 16%.
The minister essentially revealed that the ruling BJP
and its government suspected possible irregularities in the NRC exercise, in
the border districts.
Both the state government and the BJP had last year
also wanted re-verification of 20% of the updated NRC figures in the border
districts of Dhubri, Karimganj, South Salmara and Hailakandi. They had also
asked for 10% re-verification in the other parts of Assam.
An affidavit was placed before the Supreme Court bench
hearing the NRC case. The apex court had rejected the plea after then NRC
coordinator Prateek Hajela said that 27% re-verification had already been done.
Cut to September 2020, seven assistant government
pleaders (AGPs) – all with Muslim names and working at Dhubri, a border
district – and associated with the local Foreigners’ Tribunals (FTs), had their
services terminated on September 8.
Also read: Explainer: What Do the MHA’s Changes to
1964 Foreigners Tribunals Order Mean?
Assistant government pleaders conduct cases on behalf
of the government in the Foreigners’ Tribunals.
Most of these government pleaders belonging to the
Muslim community have been replaced by people from the Bengali Hindu community.
As per media reports, a large number of Bengali Hindus, considered a distinct
vote bank of the BJP, have found themselves in the excluded list of over 19
lakh people after the final NRC was updated last year.
Some examples of the notice issued by the state
government read:
“The Orders by the Governor Notification dated
September 8 in the interest of public services, the services of Aminul Islam
AGP, FT 1st Dhubri are hereby terminated with immediate effect. Rituparna Guha
is appointed as Assistant General Pleader, FT 1st Dhubri vice Aminul Islam
terminated.”
The format continued:
“Kamal Hussain, AGP, Dhubri FT 2nd terminated and
Gokul Chandra Karmakar appointed. Nasir Ali Mondol, AGP, FT 4th
Dhubri and Adhir Chandra Roy appointed. Rabial Hoque Mondol, AGP, FT
5th Dhubri terminated and Aninda Paul
appointed. Aftab Uddin, AGP, FT 8th, Dhubri terminated and Aninda Paul
appointed. Aftab Uddin, AGP, FT 8th, Dhubri terminated and Shankar Prasad
Chakraborty appointed.”
Only two newly appointed AGP in the FTs of that
district are from other Hindu communities. As per the 2011 Census, Muslims are
the largest religious group in the district and comprise 79.67% of the
population, followed by Hindus at 19.92%.
According to a source in Dhubri, some of the
terminated FT pleaders are now in consultation with respective legal counsel
and may contemplate challenging the state government’s order in court.
Dhubri district had 10 FTs. Aside from the
replacements, one such quasi-judicial body (FT 6th Dhubri) had a vacancy of a
pleader and as per the September 8 notification, Sujit Kumar Saha had been
appointed as an AGP.
The Wire reached out to one AGP whose services were
terminated. He preferred to be anonymous and said, “The government did it
without prior information to us, no prior notice was served to us about it. The
termination of our services should have gone through a proper channel adhering
to the law and bureaucratic mechanisms. I feel incredibly sad and disappointed
and I still fail to comprehend the reason behind it. I have been providing my
services since March of 2016 and we were even given advance training by the
government in 2017. In 2019, we were given training again on how to conduct
cases in an FT court.”
He said, “Some of us have begun consulting advocates
on the termination order and whatever action we may take will be based on legal
counsel’s suggestions. If our case is valid and strong, we may even move court.
We have not decided yet.”
On being contacted by The Wire, Guwahati-based lawyer
Aman Wadud who had posted the state government’s notification on his Twitter
handle, said, “Foreigners’ Tribunals decide the most important right in the
constitution – the right to one’s citizenship, which is often called the right
to have other rights. FTs often fail to meet the fair trial standard; this
attitude of the government (to segregate lawyers as per religion) makes it very
apparent that they don’t care about a fair trial.”
Masood Zaman, a lawyer from Dhubri district, called
the move a “Sanghi-isation of the FT courts”.
“It is very disappointing that most of the AGPs have
been replaced so abruptly and that too without any prior information dispensed
to them. This is an attempt to paint the FT’s in a different colour. I feel
quite sad as these seven AGPs have been serving for a few years,” he said.
Congress MLA and Opposition leader in the state
assembly, Debabrata Saikia, told this correspondent, “This is quite
unfortunate. The pleaders whose services were terminated should approach the
Minority Commission. Rules must be followed according to our Constitutional
values and everything should be based on these principles. The termination of
services shouldn’t have happened.”
https://thewire.in/communalism/nrc-foreigners-tribunal-government-pleader-muslim-hindu-dhubri
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Uttar Pradesh: Kanpur police form SIT to probe 'love
jihad' cases
Sep 14, 2020
KANPUR: An eight-member SIT formed by the Kanpur
police is looking into allegations of forced conversion on the pretext of
marriage and has come across over a dozen such cases, an official said.
The SIT was formed about a fortnight ago after some
members of Hindu organisations met Kanpur IG Mohit Agarwal, alleging "love
jihad" incidents.
The issue had surfaced after a Kanpur woman, Shalini
Yadav, married a Muslim man recently. The couple, however, approached a Delhi
court, denying allegations of forced conversion.
According to the official, the special investigation
team (SIT) will investigate the alleged role of Islamic organisations in it.
The SIT led by Deepak Bhuker, superintendent of
police, Kanpur (South), has been told to look into any fixed pattern or modus
operandi behind the alleged incidents, the official said.
The SIT, which has till now come across at least a
dozen such cases, mostly from the Juhi area in Kanpur, has decided to
investigate if any Islamic organisation has a role in funding the "love
jihad' racket in Kanpur, the official said.
There is a strong possibility that some Islamic
outfits may be providing financial assistance to a handful of organisations
involved in such anti-national acts, the official claimed.
Meanwhile, SP Deepak Bhuker said the help of a special
SWAT team has been sought for surveillance, he added.
The SIT has contacted local police stations and sought
details of all alleged "love jihad" cases reported in the past two
years, he said.
Bhuker said the probe team has been extracting records
related to a dozen phone numbers to establish links.
They have been gathering information about such
couples, their bank accounts and recording statements of their family members,
Bhuker said, adding that phone numbers of their aides have also been extracted.
Bhuker, however, said in the case involving Shalini
Yadav, the couple had approached the Delhi high court and later appeared before
a magistrate at the Tees Hazari court there, denying the allegations.
He said the woman had said that she was a major and
married a man of her choice.
Since the woman is a major and there is nothing for
police to do, a closure report will be sent to the court soon, the SP said.
Police are looking into the conspiracy angle to
ascertain if youths involved in this are being funded from abroad, the SP said.
Police are also trying to find out if the youth in any
case hid their identity, the SP said.
Recently, the Kanpur police had arrested two people--
Mohsin Khan and Aamir--in an alleged 'love jihad' case, said another senior
official.
Mohsin Khan allegedly befriended a girl, posing as
Sameer and then married her, the senior official added.
His friend Aamir became befriended a younger sister of
Mohsin's wife but the girl realised their plan and stopped meeting him. She was
then allegedly threatened with dire consequences if she did not marry Aamir.
Another case was reported from the Naubasta area where
Fateh Khan possessed two Aadhaar cards, one of these in the name of Aryan
Malhotra, said Kanpur's Govind Nagar circle officer Vikas Pandey.
The Hindu family in whose house he had rented a room
for two years had later accused him of abusing their minor daughter.
Upon investigation, it was found that he had two
identity cards, one of which was fake.
His real name was Fateh Khan and he is a resident of
Bijnor. He was sent to jail on charges of rape, Pandey added.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/uttar-pradesh-kanpur-police-form-sit-to-probe-love-jihad-cases/articleshow/78108097.cms
--------
Amid Taliban talks, US special representative for
Afghanistan reaches Delhi
Sep 15, 202
NEW DELHI: As the formal intra-Afghan negotiations,
Taliban's first ever direct talks with the Kabul government, commenced in Doha
Monday, US special representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in
India to hold discussions on the peace process which is crucial for the US
plans for withdrawal from the war-ravaged country by 2021.
India had on Saturday participated in the inauguration
of the dialogue with foreign ministers S Jaishankar addressing the gathering
virtually and MEA joint secretary J P Singh, who handles Afghanistan,
travelling to Doha to physically attend the event. Despite its reservations
about the US' direct engagement of the Taliban, bypassing the elected
government in Kabul, India had attended the US-Taliban peace deal in February
this year too.
Khalilzad will call on Jaishankar Tuesday and also
hold discussions with foreign secretary Harsh Shringla on recent developments
in Afghanistan.
The US envoy arrived in India from Pakistan where he had
a meeting with Pakistan army chief Qamar Bajwa. According to Pakistan,
Khalilzad "greatly" appreciated Pakistan’s role in the ongoing peace
process and said that it could not have succeeded without Pakistan’s
"sincere and unconditional support".
While India, with its $ 3 billion development
assistance commitment to Afghanistan, has been supportive of the peace talks in
Doha, it remains concerned about Pakistan's links with the Taliban. Some of
these concerns will be outlined before Khalilzad in the meetings Tuesday. In
his address Saturday, Jaishankar had said India's expectation was that the
Afghan soil will not be used for any anti-India activity.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was quoted as saying
in an interview on Monday that the US had two main objectives from the peace
talks. "One is to get our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines — get
everybody home. Stop getting people killed there...and the other is to protect
the homeland. I think we’re, today, on our way to putting America in a place
where we can do both of those things,” Pompeo told Breitbart News.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amid-taliban-talks-us-special-representative-for-afghanistan-reaches-delhi/articleshow/78116679.cms
--------
Pakistan truce violations in 9 months highest in 17
years
Sep 15, 2020
NEW DELHI: In yet another indicator of the collusive
military threat along Indian borders, Pakistan has hugely cranked up
cross-border artillery and mortar barrages as well as small arms firings in
Jammu and Kashmir this year, amid the ongoing troop confrontation with China in
eastern Ladakh.
Ceasefire violations (CFVs) by Pakistan across the
778-km-long Line of Control (LoC) in just the first nine months of this year
have already beaten all annual records for the last 17 years.
LOC
Latest figures tabled in Parliament on Monday showed
India recorded 3,186 CFVs along the LoC from January 1 to September 7. Another
242 incidents of ‘cross-border firing’ took place along the 198-km
international border in J&K, which is largely manned by the BSF, in the
January-August timeframe. As per Army records, the total CFVs along the LoC
stood at 971 in 2017 and 1,629 in 2018. The number jumped to 3,168 in 2019,
with major spikes being registered first after the Balakot air strikes and then
the nullification of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K.
This year, the CFVs have averaged around 350-400 every
month, with Pakistan keeping up the momentum ever since India’s military
confrontation with China erupted after People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers
intruded deep into eastern Ladakh at multiple locations in early May.
“Pakistan is obviously supporting its ‘iron brother’
China. It also wants to push as many terrorists and arms as possible into
J&K before the mountain passes get blocked with snow. Our troops respond
effectively to each and every CFV by Pakistan with targeted strikes,” a senior
Army officer said.
The two-front challenge, with nuclear-armed
neighbours, has become a grim reality for India. But though the Army’s
attention is currently focused on the military confrontation with China, with
as many as 50,000 soldiers each as well as tanks, howitzers and other weapon
systems amassed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, it
has not diluted its operational readiness along the LoC with Pakistan.
The clearly-demarcated LoC has been volatile for
decades, with Indian troops permanently deployed in posts, bunkers and camps
all along its length as well as in the hinterland for counter-terrorist
operations.
But now, India will also have to cater for an ‘active’
LAC, which stretches 3,488-km from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. “If China wants
to turn the LAC into something like the LoC, with stepped-up permanent troop
deployments and posts, we are ready. Yes, it will be tough and expensive. But
our troops are used to the harsh climate and terrain, unlike the PLA,” another
officer said.
Apart from the LoC, Indian soldiers have also been
deployed on virtually all the dominating heights in the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro
Ridge region since April 1984, when they pre-empted a similar move by Pakistani
troops by launching ‘Operation Meghdoot’ in what is the world’s highest and
coldest battlefield.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pakistan-truce-violations-in-9-months-highest-in-17-years/articleshow/78115994.cms
--------
Kanpur police forms SIT to probe 'love jihad' cases
14th September 2020
KANPUR: An eight-member SIT formed by the Kanpur
police is looking into allegations of forced conversion on the pretext of
marriage and has come across over a dozen such cases, an official said.
The SIT was formed about a fortnight ago after some
members of Hindu organisations met Kanpur IG Mohit Agarwal, alleging "love
jihad" incidents.
The issue had surfaced after a Kanpur woman, Shalini
Yadav, married a Muslim man recently.
The couple, however, approached a Delhi court, denying
allegations of forced conversion.
According to the official, the special investigation
team (SIT) will investigate the alleged role of Islamic organisations in it.
The SIT led by Deepak Bhuker, Superintendent of
Police, Kanpur (South), has been told to look into any fixed pattern or modus
operandi behind the alleged incidents, the official said.
The SIT, which has till now come across at least a
dozen such cases, mostly from the Juhi area in Kanpur, has decided to
investigate if any Islamic organisation has a role in funding the "love
jihad' racket in Kanpur, the official said.
There is a strong possibility that some Islamic
outfits may be providing financial assistance to a handful of organisations
involved in such anti-national acts, the official claimed.
Meanwhile, SP Deepak Bhuker said the help of a special
SWAT team has been sought for surveillance, he added.
The SIT has contacted local police stations and sought
details of all alleged "love jihad" cases reported in the past two
years, he said.
Bhuker said the probe team has been extracting records
related to a dozen phone numbers to establish links.
They have been gathering information about such
couples, their bank accounts and recording statements of their family members,
Bhuker said, adding that phone numbers of their aides have also been extracted.
Bhuker, however, said in the case involving Shalini
Yadav, the couple had approached the Delhi High Court and later appeared before
a magistrate at the Tees Hazari court there, denying the allegations.
He said the woman had said that she was a major and
married a man of her choice.
Since the woman is a major and there is nothing for
police to do, a closure report will be sent to the court soon, the SP said.
Police are looking into the conspiracy angle to
ascertain if youths involved in this are being funded from abroad, the SP said.
Police are also trying to find out if the youth in any
case hid their identity, the SP said.
Recently, the Kanpur police had arrested two people--
Mohsin Khan and Aamir--in an alleged 'love jihad' case, said another senior
official.
Mohsin Khan allegedly befriended a girl, posing as
Sameer and then married her, the senior official added.
His friend Aamir became befriended a younger sister of
Mohsin's wife but the girl realised their plan and stopped meeting him.
She was then allegedly threatened with dire
consequences if she did not marry Aamir.
Another case was reported from the Naubasta area where
Fateh Khan possessed two Aadhaar cards, one of these in the name of Aryan
Malhotra, said Kanpur's Govind Nagar Circle Officer Vikas Pandey.
The Hindu family in whose house he had rented a room
for two years had later accused him of abusing their minor daughter.
Upon investigation, it was found that he had two
identity cards, one of which was fake.
His real name was Fateh Khan and he is a resident of
Bijnor.
He was sent to jail on charges of rape, Pandey added.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/sep/14/kanpur-police-forms-sit-to-probe-love-jihad-cases-2196732.html
--------
Bengal BJP sets target of inducting 20-lakh Muslims by
December 2020
14th September 2020
KOLKATA: The Minority Morcha of the West Bengal BJP
has set an ambitious target of inducting 20 lakh Muslims by the end of the
year, as part of its efforts to dent the vote share of the ruling TMC in the
state, ahead of 2021 Assembly elections.
According to the Minority Morcha's state president,
Ali Hossain, around 4.5 lakh people from the community have already joined the
saffron party.
"We have set a target of inducting 20 lakh
minorities by December. Of that, four lakh have already been inducted. In the
next four months, the target will be achieved," he said.
Muslims constitute 28-30 per cent of the state's total
vote share, and play a deciding factor in more than 120 of the 294 assembly
segments in the state.
According to Hossain, opposition parties, for several
years, have "misguided" the community members about BJP's intentions
and generated a "fear psychosis".
"Many intellectuals and educated youths from the
minority community have now joined the BJP as they have realized that the party
believes in 'development for all'.
"Opposition camps have been misleading the
Muslims about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Now people have come to
realise that it has nothing to do with their citizenship," he said.
According to sources in the morcha, the saffron party
plans to woo around 10 lakh Muslims from 120 minority- dominated Assembly
constituencies in the state, and the rest from the remaining 174 segments.
"During this membership drive, we shall focus on
the minority-dominated districts of North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Cooch
Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda and Murshidabad," Ansari explained.
State BJP sources said the party had been trying to
woo the minorities for quite some time, but its efforts received a setback
following last year's vehement protests over the CAA and the proposed exercise
to prepare the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Bengal.
"To win elections in West Bengal, it is necessary
to secure a section of the minority votes or ensure that the minority votes of
the TMC get divided. En bloc minority votes for a particular party can swing
the elections.
"Over the last few years, the minorities have got
disillusioned with the TMC government and restored their faith on the
development agenda of the BJP," a senior saffron party leader here said.
The TMC, however, mocked the BJP's "game
plan", and said minorities stand firmly behind the Mamata Banerjee-led
party, as it is the most "credible secular force" in Bengal.
"The minorities would never trust a communal
force like the BJP. The TMC is the most secular force in the state, which has
worked relentlessly for the development of all communities," the ruling
party's secretary-general, Partha Chatterjee, said.
The BJP, over the last few years, has made deep
inroads and emerged as a prime challenger of the ruling TMC in Bengal, by
pushing the traditional opposition parties the CPI (M) and the Congress to
distant third and fourth positions.
The saffron camp reached its all-time high in Bengal
politics last year, when it stunned political pundits by bagging 18 of the 42
Lok Sabha seats in the state, four less than the ruling TMC, and with a
staggering vote share of 41 per cent votes.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/sep/14/bengal-bjp-sets-target-of-inducting-20-lakhmuslims-by-december-2020-2196724.html
--------
Encounter underway between security forces, terrorists
in J-K’s Pulwama
Mir Ehsan | Edited by Susmita Pakrasi
An encounter broke out between security forces and
terrorists in Marwal area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district early on
Tuesday, the police said.
An operation was launched jointly by police, Army and
the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) late last night on a specific
information.
The security forces launched a cordon and search
operation there, a police official said.
He said during the search, militants fired on the
forces, who retaliated, leading to an encounter. The exchange of firing was
going on and details were awaited, the official said.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/encounter-underway-between-security-forces-terrorists-in-j-k-s-pulwama/story-JbG9NE3jdO3XgIAwhzzEaI.html
--------
Mideast
Armed resistance sole way to liberate Palestine:
Hezbollah official
15 September 2020
The deputy head of Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance says
normalization with Israel has no benefit for the Palestinians and only serves
the regime’s interests, describing armed resistance as the sole way to liberate
Palestine from Israeli occupation.
Sheikh Naim Qassem made the remarks in a virtual
address to a summit held in the holy Iranian city of Qom on the strategies for
ending Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
He said that the occupying entity enjoys military and
political support from superpowers and thus cannot be eliminated through
reliance on the laws they themselves have come up with.
The big powers, he added, see their interest in
protecting and legitimizing the occupation; therefore, the situation would
change in favor of Palestine and other regional states by begging those powers.
“We should make efforts for the liberation of
Palestine and Jerusalem al-Quds, and this will not be possible except through
military resistance along with other forms of resistance, namely cultural,
political, social resistance and etc, but the main focus of our work must be
armed resistance,” Sheikh Qassem said.
“How could we take back the land of Palestine? We will
take it back with our own hands, through fighting, jihad (endeavor for the sake
of God) and resistance. This is the only way forward for us,” he stressed.
Sheikh Qassem also denounced as “a betrayal of Palestine
and Jerusalem al-Quds” the latest moves by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
Bahrain to normalize with Israel.
“Normalizing ties only serves the interests of Israel
and has no benefit for Palestine and the Palestinian cause,” he said, adding
that the measure is “a trump card in the hands of the Zionist regime to exert
more pressure on the Palestinians in order to deprive them of their rights.”
The Hezbollah official also stressed that neither
Persian Gulf Arab countries longing for normalization with Israel nor those
conspiring against Palestine can decide for the oppressed Palestinian nation.
“The normalization challenge is an opportunity for us
to separate the supporters of Palestine from the servants of Israel. The axis
of resistance is the only axis that works in line with the interests of
Palestine and will build the future. That is why the UAE and anyone who
normalizes with Israel will get nothing but shame,” he underlined.
He further noted that the victories achieved by the
resistance front in the region, including those of Yemeni, Syrian and Iraqi
fighters, serve the Palestinian cause.
The Hezbollah official further emphasized the need for
the axis of resistance to “maintain its cohesion and cooperation.”
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/15/634126/Hezbollah-Naim-Qassem-Palestine-armed-resistance
--------
Judiciary Strongly Blasts European Embassies’
Interference in Iran’s Internal Affairs
Sep 14, 2020
“If you (the European embassies) do not know anything
about righteousness, justice and objectivity, at least respect the diplomatic
norms and avoid shouting in a loudspeaker to spread lies like an opposition
group,” Baqeri said, addressing a meeting of the Judiciary’s high council on
Monday.
He underlined that foreign pressures on Iran’s Judiciary
will neither prevent practice of justice nor decrease grant of Islamic mercy to
the prisoners who deserve it.
His remarks came after some European missions and
envoys to Iran, including the German ambassador, made comments in reaction to
the execution of 27‑year‑old Iranian Navid Afkari who had received a death
sentence for murdering a citizens in 2018.
Based on Islamic Sharia Laws, the family of the victim
decide the fate of the murderer after the convict is found guilty at the court
under a judicial decree called Qisas, i.e. "retaliation in kind",
"eye for an eye", or retributive justice; they could either receive
ransom money or ask for hanging in retribution.
The family of the victim, Hassan Torkmani, a Water and
Sewage Organization employee, had urged to practice their right of hanging in
retribution.
But since Navid Afkari had also taken part in 2018
protests in some Iranian cities, opposition groups based in Europe and the US
have been seeking to politicize the case.
https://en.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13990624000639
--------
17 Bahraini Political Streams, Associations Oppose
Normalization of Ties with Israel
Sep 14, 2020
“No type of normalization of relations between certain
countries and the Zionist regime has ever led to peace and restoration of the
Palestinian nation’s rights and instead has encouraged the enemy to commit more
crimes against Palestine and sanctities of Arabs and Muslims, including the
holy Quds,” the statement said, the Arabic-language Arabi 24 news website
reported on Monday.
It added that the peace agreement between Bahrain and
Israel, brokered by the US, was a big shock to the Bahraini nation, political
associations, civil society and all national figures.
US President Donald Trump tweeted the news of the
Israel-Bahrain normalization deal on Friday after he spoke by phone to
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu.
Following the announcement at the White House,
Palestinian officials condemned the Israel-Bahrain normalization deal announced
by US President Donald Trump as another "stab in the back" by an Arab
state.
Friday's accord normalizing diplomatic ties between
Israel and Bahrain comes one month after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed
to normalize ties with Israel under a US-brokered deal.
On August 13, President Trump announced a deal
brokered by his government between Israel and the UAE which he said would lead
to full normalization of ties between the two.
Critics see the deal as the latest attempt by Trump to
save his presidential campaign against the Democrat Joe Biden
https://en.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13990624000795
--------
Israeli handed three life sentences for killing
Palestinian family
14 September 2020
An Israeli court handed a Jewish settler three life
sentences Monday for murdering a Palestinian toddler and his parents in an
arson attack on their home in the occupied West Bank.
For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News
channel online or via the app
Amiram Ben-Uliel was sentenced by the court in the
town of Lod following his conviction in May for the 2015 killings.
He was also found guilty of two counts each of
attempted murder and arson, along with conspiracy to commit a hate crime.
Ben-Uliel threw a firebomb through a window of the
Dawabsha family home while they slept in the village of Duma.
Ahmed Dawabsha, who was four at the time, was severely
burned in the attack which killed his 18-month-old brother Ali, his mother
Riham and father Saed.
The murders shone a spotlight on Jewish extremism and
sparked accusations that Israel had not done enough to prevent such violence.
In May 2019, another Israeli accepted a plea bargain
over his role in the attack, confessing to a racially motivated conspiracy to
commit a crime and vandalism.
The youth had admitted to staking out Duma ahead of
the attack with Ben-Uliel, but was said not to have participated in it.
He has not been named, as he was 17 at the time of the
killings and tried as a minor.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/09/14/Israeli-handed-three-life-sentences-for-killing-Palestinian-family-
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Turkish Red Crescent aid member killed in an attack in
northern Syria
14 September 2020
An attack in northern Syria on a Turkish Red Crescent
vehicle killed a member of the aid agency and wounded another, the group said
Monday.
Armed masked men wearing camouflage clothing traveling
in two cars without license plates attacked the Red Crescent vehicle as it
traveled through al-Bab, a Turkish-controlled zone in northern Syria, the aid
group said in a statement.
The Red Crescent said their vehicle was clearly marked
with their logos. A third employee in the vehicle survived without injuries.
Turkey has held al-Bab since 2017 amid Syria’s years
long conflict, which initially began as a civil war that later became a
regional proxy fight. Turkey has backed opposition fighters against Syrian
President Bashar Assad, Syrian Kurdish fighters and ISIS.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/09/14/Turkish-Red-Crescent-aid-member-killed-in-an-attack-in-northern-Syria
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Southeast Asia
Teachers’ Union Rejects Claims Public Schools ‘Too
Islamic’ In Malaysia
15 Sep 2020
BY R. LOHESWAR
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — National Union of Teaching
Profession (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang has rejected claims that national
public schools are “too Islamic”, even as he admitted that Islamic rituals and
recitals are an integral part of the schooling experience.
Aminuddin told Malay daily Utusan Malaysia that
prayers for examinations, celebrating Muslim holidays such as Awal Muharram,
Maulidur Rasul and Aidilfitri, nasyid competitions, and reciting the Quran are
all part of the Ministry of Education’s system to provide holistic education
for students.
“For me, the claim that public schools are too Islamic
is inaccurate. The ministry strives to stay relevant to the times, especially
to strengthen the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics
in line with our Industrial Revolution 4.0 goals.
“Most of our programs are planned towards achieving an
education philosophy that is balanced in all aspects be it physical, spiritual
and intellectual,” he was quoted saying.
He also said that events involving Muslim celebrations
are organised by schools to foster the unity and well-being of students.
Utusan sought his remarks in response to a forum on
vernacular schools which involved social activist Arun Doraisamy, Phun Teck Seng the vice-president of
Malaysian Chinese Language Council, and panelist Sam Saad, a chemical engineer
by trade.
In the forum, the panelists suggested that parents,
including Malay-Muslim ones, are turning to vernacular schools because they
have better syllabus and teachers, in addition to national schools being
Islam-centric.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/09/15/teachers-union-rejects-claims-public-schools-too-islamic/1903327
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I’m not a terrorist, says Warisan candidate
September 13, 2020
SANDAKAN: Warisan’s Sekong candidate Alias Sani has
denied allegations that he is a terrorist.
A social media post, which has gone viral in the
state, claims that Alias is a former militant who has settled in Sandakan.
Speaking at an event here today, Alias said while he
had been detained between 2003 and 2007, it was only a “preventive” measure and
he was never tried or convicted.
“My arrest was only a preventive (measure), I have
never supported any terrorist activities.”
The social media post also claimed that Alias was a
Jemaah Islamiah member who was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Alias explained that in the 1990s, he had sought
religious knowledge from certain people who were deemed a security threat
though the lessons had no links to any crime.
He added he is a peace-loving Muslim.
Alias said while he was detained at the Kamunting
Detention Centre, he improved his religious knowledge.
On his decision to enter politics, Alias said he
wanted to offer voters leadership and that his participation in the election
was not against the law.
He said many famous leaders had also been detained
under the ISA before this.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/09/13/im-not-a-terrorist-says-warisan-candidate/
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Muslims
In the South in Peace Talks Urge Fridays Be Made Holidays
14
SEP 2020
The
head of a government team negotiating peace in the South will consider a
proposal by local Muslim representatives to make every Friday a state holiday
across the kingdom.
Gen
Wallop Raksanoh, chief of the team, said on Sunday the representative asked for
the government to declare Friday, already a holy day for Muslims, as a public
holiday and rewrite village signs in Thai, Malay and English to open doors to
Asean.
He
said the representative also asked for the Malay language to be declared as the
official language of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces. The four
provinces border with Malaysia, Thailand's southern neighbour.
Gen
Wallop revealed the request after attending a meeting in Pattani's Nong Chik
district with local Muslim representatives from the four provinces. He said the
meeting was held to receive the proposal and listen to residents.
At
the meeting, the representatives proposed people familiar with Islamic
practices be put in charge of pilgrimage affairs, the drafting of Islamic laws
for the four provinces and the development of a Halal industry.
Lt
Gen Pornsak Poolsawat, the 4th Army Commander, said the meeting was a
breakthrough, adding a committee will be formed to study the proposal in
detail.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1984671/muslims-in-peace-talks-urge-fridays-be-made-holidays
--------
Europe
Muftiyat
of Kyrgyzstan to open hotline for consultations on Sharia rules
15
September 2020
Religious
leaders of Kyrgyzstan will take training courses at the Diplomatic Academy of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in international relations, conflict
resolution, modern information wars. Deputy Mufti Kadyr Malikov announced.
According
to him, the agreement between the Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of
Kyrgyzstan (SDMK) and the university is planned to be signed in October.
«We
are launching a special course for employees of the muftiyat and its
subdivisions. It includes lessons on geopolitics, foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan,
conflict management, modern information wars. The purpose of the course is to
expand the worldview and familiarize with the current political processes in
the world and the region with the participation of external factors. Upon
completion, a state certificate of the diplomatic academy of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs will be issued,» Kadyr Malikov told.
He
said that technical preparations were also underway to launch an anonymous
hotline, where citizens could receive advice on Sharia rules or spiritual
support at any time of the day. «A commission on ethics and discipline of the
SDMK is being formed, issues of ethics, violations of the internal charter,
family reconciliation are being considered,» the Deputy Mufti said.
A
member of the Ulemas Council Kadyr Malikov was appointed Deputy Mufti in
August.
https://24.kg/english/165133_Muftiyat_of_Kyrgyzstan_to_open_hotline_for_consultations_on_Sharia_rules/
--------
UN
begins annual meetings with Kashmir on agenda
Anwar
Iqbal
15
Sep 2020
UNITED
NATIONS: The annual meetings of the United Nations began in New York on Monday
with Kashmir on the agenda as an unresolved dispute.
In
doing so, the world body ignored India’s efforts to remove the 72-year old
issue from the UN Security Council’s agenda for this year. The council’s
Resolution 47, which calls for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute,
was adopted on April 21, 1948.
In
his speech to the 75th UN General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Imran Khan
“will once again project the cause of the Kashmiri people and call for
international action to end India’s massive human rights violations,” said
Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN.
The
prime minister will also seek the undoing of illegal measures that India has
imposed in Kashmir since Aug 5, 2019, when it forcibly merged the occupied
territory with the union, he added.
Mr
Khan will address the UNGA on Sept 25 and will also participate in a high-level
meeting on Illicit Financing and the Summit on Biodiversity. All these are
virtual events as the Covid-19 pandemic has prevented world leaders from
physically attending the 75th UNGA.
Since
the illegal merger, India has been continuously trying to get the Kashmir issue
removed from the council’s agenda, but Pakistan has successfully thwarted its
moves.
The
Security Council’s agenda is set in accordance with the established rules and
procedures and can only be changed by a consensus. A member state cannot change
the agenda unilaterally.
“We
hope the General Assembly will uphold the right of self-determination and that
human rights bodies will demand access to investigate India’s violations,”
Ambassador Akram said.
Besides
Kashmir, Pakistan will also work with other Muslim countries to get decisions
that denounce Islamophobia and protect Islamic religious sites.
Pakistan
will also join other developing nations to promote their objectives in finance,
debt relief, infrastructure investment and science and technology, Ambassador
Akram said. Pakistan presently holds the Presidency of the UN Economic and
Social Council.
“The
future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective
commitment to multilateralism,” is the theme for the 75th session of the UN.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1579785/un-begins-annual-meetings-with-kashmir-on-agenda
--------
Turkish
protesters slam French magazine’s reprinting of offensive Prophet Muhammad
cartoons
13
September 2020
Turkish
protesters have rallied in the city of Istanbul to vent their anger against the
French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo for republishing offensive cartoons of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The
protest took place at Istanbul’s Beyazit Square on Sunday, with protesters
holding placards warning Charlie Hebdo and French President Emmanuel Macron
"will pay a heavy price".
The
French weekly reprinted the blasphemous caricatures on the eve of the trial of
suspects in a deadly gun rampage on its office five years ago.
In
January 2015, two men barged into the newspaper’s Paris offices, killing 12
people, many of whom worked for the publication.
The
attack, condemned by Muslims across the world, was allegedly a response to the
magazine’s offensive cartoon of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) a few years
earlier.
The
terrorists who attacked Charlie Hebdo were French-born brothers Cherif and Said
Kouachi. They claimed the attacks in the name of al-Qaeda. Both were killed in
police raids at the time.
But
14 suspected accomplices are set to stand trial, for their alleged part in
helping the attackers.
The
blasphemous cartoons have drawn strong criticism from Muslim countries who call
it an Islamophobic act.
However,
in a move that was criticized by Muslims, including those in the European
country, French President Emmanuel Macron refused to censure the move and
claimed it was not his place to pass judgment about what he called a matter of
free speech.
Turkish
Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the magazine’s republication of the
cartoons that “disrespect” Islam, adding that the approach of the French
authorities, especially Macron, regarding the incident is also
"unacceptable."
The
French magazine’s offensive cartoons were originally published by the Danish
newspaper Jyllands-Posten in 2005.
The
republishing of the blasphemous cartoons has prompted condemnations and
protests across the Muslim world.
The
Muslims around the world have slammed both the weekly and the French president
for their double standards when it comes to issues related to Islam and
Muslims.
While
France justifies the offensive anti-Islamic sketches as freedom of expression,
protesters say France has mixed up the definition of press freedom with
xenophobia, when it allows itself to harm the sentiments of millions of Muslims
for what they are not responsible for.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/13/634026/Turkey-Istanbul-protest-Charlie-Hebdo-cartoons
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Arab world
UAE-Israel
accord creates ‘new environment’ for Mideast peace: Official
RAY
HANANIA
September
15, 2020
CHICAGO:
The historic accord between the UAE and Israel, which will be signed this week
at the White House, will create a “new environment” to achieve peace, the director
of policy planning at the Emirati Foreign Ministry told Arab News on Monday.
The
UAE remains committed to the interests of the Palestinians and to the two-state
solution, said Jamal Al-Musharakh, adding that peace between Israelis and
Palestinians is achievable.
“We
haven’t abandoned the Palestinians,” he said. “With the involvement of the US
in this peace process, conversations can be more honest. Opportunities and
differences can be discussed. This is the point of dialogue — that we can
really get past previous lack of clarity.”
The
entire region will benefit from the UAE-Israel accord.
“There’s
much optimism and hope in this agreement,” Al-Musharakh said. “It’s a strategic
shift. The deal provides a more optimistic view of the future, and will result
in benefits for all in the region, including the Palestinians. But the
Palestinians need to engage in the peace process themselves.”
The
foundation of the accord is based on “optimism and hope,” he added. “The region
needs hope. It has been through much turmoil and despair.”
The
accord “offers an opportunity for the Palestinians and the people of the Middle
East to be able to look past previous pessimism and to have a more optimistic
future,” he said.
The
accord “will stand all challenges,” he said, adding that the UAE pursued it at
the urging of leaders from the Middle East and the international community.
“The
international community was concerned about Israel annexing Palestinian lands,”
he said. “There was a lot of outreach to us to use our diplomatic efforts to
reach a point that would preserve the two-state solution and thus halt
annexation.”
The
UAE-Israel deal comes 27 years almost to the day after Israeli Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat shook
hands on Sept. 13, 1993, at the White House.
US
President Donald Trump said he will host a similar peace-signing ceremony this
week at the White House between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, which also
announced an agreement with Israel.
Al-Musharakh
said he could not provide details of the signing, but emphasized that the
UAE-Israel accord “creates an environment in the Middle East in which a genuine
peace can be achieved.”
He
added: “The UAE is home to over 200 nationalities. We expect to advance areas
of education, health, business and the needs of the people, not just in the UAE
but also in the region. This agreement is about the region.”
The
UAE celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and will host the global
mega-event Expo 2020 Dubai, the opening of which has been delayed until next
year due to the coronavirus pandemic, he said.
Expo
officials said the new opening date is Oct. 1, 2021, and it will continue
through March 2022. “Israel will be a part of Expo 2020, and we look forward to
it,” Al-Musharakh said.
In
announcing the Expo, the UAE has promised to focus on a collective desire for
new thinking to identify solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our
time. The peace accord comes as a result of that spirited thinking, he added.
“The
accord has been met with broad international support. There’s clear recognition
of our aim to safeguard the two-state solution and advance general prosperity,”
he said.
“The
message remains a hopeful one. The end solution lies in the hands of the
Palestinians and Israelis themselves,” Al-Musharakh added.
“The
UAE is committed, and always will be committed, to our longstanding commitment
to the Palestinian people in advancing peace-making efforts to the region’s
benefit,” he said.
“We’ll
never abandon the Palestinians. They’re important and we support their rights.
We stand by the two-state solution. We’re committed to Arab decisions about the
Palestinians.”
The
normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel is a historic step for
progress in the region, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed
meanwhile said, in a report from news channel Al-Arabiya on Tuesday.
The
progress in establishing the Palestinian state is vital at this stage inasmuch
as the agreement, which is about to be signed at the White House, stopped
Israeli annexation activities in the West Bank, he added.
The
White House said in a statement: “The Arab world is experiencing the most rapid
geopolitical transformation in more than a generation.”
It
added: “As more countries normalize relations with Israel, the region is
becoming more stable, secure, and prosperous. Expanded business and financial
ties between economies will accelerate growth and economic opportunity across
the region. The United States will continue to stand with the people of the
region as they work to build a brighter, more hopeful future.”
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1734726/middle-east
--------
Hezbollah’s
links with Irish terror group exposed
September
13, 2020
LONDON:
Hezbollah provided the New IRA with finances and shipments of weapons,
according to an undercover agent who infiltrated the Irish terror group.
Former
British secret service operative Denis McFadden made the assessment after
spying on the New IRA from within for more than 20 years.
Irish
and British security services suspect that the New IRA’s links with Iran-backed
Hezbollah may have led to the import of arms including mortars and assault
rifles.
MI5
agent McFadden is now in witness protection after his work led to the arrest of
10 people in Northern Ireland on terrorism-related charges.
His
operation found that Hezbollah and the New IRA opened communications around
2017. Members of the New IRA then traveled to Lebanon in 2018 to meet with
Hezbollah representatives, where British security services suspect they
procured the weapons.
Saoradh,
the political wing of the New IRA, has been a long-time supporter of Iran,
Hezbollah’s key international ally and patron.
In
the aftermath of the US killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in
January this year, Saoradh representatives signed a book of condolences at the
Iranian Embassy in Dublin.
Hezbollah
is known to have fostered relationships with terrorist organizations and
criminal groups across the Middle East and further afield.
The
Counter Extremism Project notes Hezbollah’s extensive cooperation over the
smuggling of “people and contraband” into the US with Mexican drug cartels, and
their profiting off the Colombian cocaine trade.
Hezbollah
also maintained a relationship with Spanish terror group Eta until it was
disbanded.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1733896/middle-east
--------
Coalition
strikes ISIS hideout in rural Kirkuk amid fresh attacks
September
14-2020
ERBIL
(Kurdistan 24) – The International Coalition against the so-called Islamic
State on Sunday conducted an airstrike against a hideout of the terror group in
rural parts of the disputed Kirkuk province, killing at least two suspected
terrorists.
“On
the order of the Joint Operations Command, the International Coalition Air
Force carried out an airstrike on ISIS terrorist targets” in the Wadi al-Shai
area, killing two suspected members of the terror group and destroying the
hideout and a motorcycle, said a statement from the Iraqi military
communication center.
Wadi
al-Shai, a known hiding place for members of the Islamic State—as the Coalition
has described it in the past—is located in the southeast of Daquq district of
Kirkuk, a province disputed between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and
the federal Iraqi government.
The
valley area also has characteristically rugged, difficult to navigate terrain,
which other militants in the past have used as their base of operations.
In
recent days, Iraqi forces have conducted several operations, chiefly led by the
elite Counter-Terrorism Service, against Islamic State members, with the
military recently announcing the arrests and killings of multiple alleged
leaders in the terrorist organization.
Attacks
in Kirkuk
The
campaign came amid renewed violence led by remnants of the Islamic State,
especially in territories disputed between Erbil and Baghdad. Kurdish officials
have long warned a “security vacuum” in these vulnerable areas has allowed the
terror group to plan future attacks and hampered the anti-terror fight.
Related
Article: Coalition statistics show fight against ISIS continues
Last
week, security sources reported that a civilian was killed in a mortar attack
that targeted a funeral procession in the town of Bashir, about 27 kilometers
southwest of Kirkuk city.
Bashir,
inhabited by Shia Turkmen, fell to the Islamic State’s onslaught in June 2014,
before the Peshmerga forces liberated it in 2016. The Kurdish forces withdrew
from the area after Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia militias attacked
Kirkuk in response to the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum.
Even
after the Islamic State’s territorial collapse in late 2017, Bashir has
remained a constant site of terrorist attacks.
ISIS
Officials Arrested, Killed
The
federal interior ministry on Sunday announced the arrest of an individual it
claimed had “admitted” that he is a member of the Islamic State, “producing
videos of terrorist operations against security forces and citizens and broadcasting
them through the ISIS Amaq Agency.”
The
official statement did not reveal the identity of the suspect but noted that he
was from an “ISIS family” whose father and brother were killed by the terrorist
organization due to “financial disputes.”
Two days
earlier, a Counter-Terrorism Service team arrested an Islamic State “leader” in
Salahuddin province, the top military spokesman, Major General Yahya Rasool
said then, without clarifying further.
The
interior ministry on Tuesday also announced the detention of another member of
the terrorist organization in Kirkuk who “worked in several positions” in the
terror group, the last of which was creating explosive devices.
The
detainee “explicitly confessed” to being a member of the Islamic State, the
ministry claimed.
In a
separate operation in Salahuddin province on Friday, the Iraqi military said in
a statement that a security forces team killed four “of the most important
leaders of the ISIS terrorist gangs” in Samarra district, close to the disputed
territories.
The
statement did not elaborate further but indicated that two of the alleged
terrorists were wearing “explosive vests.”
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/aff6df66-d385-43af-9259-f28ca11daa3e?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1521102_
--------
Suspected
Israeli strikes kill 10 Iran-backed fighters in Syria: Monitor
14
September 2020
Suspected
Israeli air strikes in eastern Syria on Monday killed 10 pro-Iran fighters,
most of them Iraqis, a war monitor said.
For
all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app
The
raids against militant positions south of the town of Albu Kamal in Deir Ezzor
province took the lives of eight Iraqi and two Syrian combatants, the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights said.
Observatory
chief Rami Abdel Rahman said the strikes, which also destroyed munition depots
and vehicles, were “likely” carried out by Israel.
The
Observatory has previously reported suspected Israeli air strikes on Deir
Ezzor, but these reports are rarely corroborated by Syrian state media or the
Jewish state.
A
US-led coalition is also present in the area after years of backing Kurdish
forces in their fight against the Islamic State group.
On
September 3, presumed Israeli air strikes on eastern Syria killed 16
Iran-backed fighters, the Observatory said at the time.
The
monitor says it relies on flight patterns, as well as type of aircraft and
ammunition involved, to determine who was behind an aerial bombing.
Along
with Russia, Israel's nemesis Iran has been a key backer of the Damascus regime
in its nine-year-long civil war.
Israel
has carried out hundreds of air and missile strikes on Syria since the civil
war broke out in 2011, targeting Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces as well
as government troops.
The
Israeli army rarely acknowledges individual strikes but did confirm on August 3
that it had used fighter jets, attack helicopters and other aircraft to hit
military targets in southern Syria.
Syria's
war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions more since
starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/09/14/Suspected-Israeli-strikes-kill-10-Iran-backed-fighters-in-Syria-Monitor
--------
Four
soldiers, one militant killed in Lebanon army raid: Military source
14
September 2020
Four
Lebanese soldiers were killed overnight when they raided a house in north
Lebanon in pursuit of a militant wanted in connection with a fatal shooting
last month, a military source said on Monday.
For
all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The
militant was killed in the hours after the raid as he tried to flee, the source
said.
The
source identified the militant as Khaled al-Talawi, describing him as a former
member of the ISIS group and leader of a cell behind the killing last month of
three people in the north Lebanese village of Kaftoun.
The
military said in a statement that an army intelligence patrol had been attacked
with gunfire and a hand grenade in the Minyeh Jabal al-Bedawi area, near the
city of Tripoli.
The
statement said three soldiers had been killed and one wounded. The source said
the fourth soldier later died of his wounds.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/09/14/Three-soldiers-killed-in-Lebanon-during-raid-on-militant-s-house-Army
--------
Two
more US convoys targeted by roadside bombs in Iraq
14
September 2020
Two
more military and logistics convoys of the US-led coalition have been targeted
by roadside bombs in Iraq, the Iraqi government says.
A
Monday night statement by the Security Media Cell, affiliated with the Iraqi
prime minister's office, says the first roadside bomb exploded in a highway in
the southern Iraqi province of Qadisiyah.
The
second explosion also took place in Babil province in central Iraq.
“The
two roadside bombs targeted the convoys of trucks carrying the international
(US-led) coalition’s equipment,” the statement said, adding that the trucks
were operated by Iraqi drivers and transportation companies.
The
explosions have caused no damages, and the convoys have not been harmed, it
added.
Rocket
attack hits area near US embassy
Also
on early Tuesday, a Katyusha rocket landed inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified
Green Zone, where the US embassy and many other diplomatic missions and
government offices are located.
According
to security sources, the rocket fell near the American embassy and sirens were
heard from the building.
Meanwhile,
a correspondent with the Amman-based Al-Hadath news agency claims at least
three of the missiles fired at the Green Zone have been shot down by air
defenses over the US embassy.
"Video
captured nearby shows air raid sirens roaring as the embassy's counter rocket,
artillery and mortar (C-RAM) system engages the incoming targets."
No
group has claimed responsibility for the fresh attacks yet, but they are the
latest in a series of explosions that hit US occupation forces amid
anti-American sentiment in the country. Unidentified militant groups have frequently
targeted convoys belonging to the US-led coalition forces in Iraq especially in
the past few months.
On
Friday, commander of US military forces in the Middle East raised concerns
about surging attacks against American installations in Iraq, linking it to
Iran’s vow to drive out US forces from the region but rejecting it as the
reason for a major US troop reduction in the region.
"We
have had more indirect fire attacks around and against our bases the first half
of this year than we did the first half of last year," said commander of
US Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. Frank McKenzie in an interview with the
US-based NBC News. "Those attacks have been higher."
"They
have not been particularly lethal and that's a good thing, but they are
continuing," McKenzie stated during the interview conducted while he
toured the Middle East, and when asked why the attacks have not been lethal, he
claimed: "They're not hitting us."
"For
whatever reason, it may be by design, we don't know, they're just not that
successful at hitting anyone. And that's a blessing," claimed the American
commander "I don't know how long we can count on that continuing."
The
allegations were made just hours after he declared the reduction of nearly half
of US forces in Iraq by the end of this month, with almost 2,200 of them
leaving the war-ravaged country.
The
Iraqi-US relations have witnessed rising tension since January 3 when a US
drone struck a convoy at Baghdad airport, assassinating the former commander of
the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Lieutenant General
Qassem Soleimani and Deputy Chief of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi forces Abu Mahdi
al-Muhandis.
Just
two days later, Iraqi lawmakers unanimously passed a bill mandating the
withdrawal of all foreign troops from Iraq.
Iraqi
resistance groups have pledged to take up arms against US forces if Washington
fails to comply with the parliamentary order.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/14/634107/US-coalition-military-convoy-roadside-iraq
--------
Lebanese
army kills terror cell ‘ringleader’ in raid that left 4 soldiers dead
September
15, 2020
BEIRUT:
The Lebanese army on Monday killed what it described as the “ringleader of a
terrorist cell” during a raid on a house in a town near Tripoli which also left
four soldiers dead.
Khaled
Al-Talawi died after a force from the Military Intelligence Directorate closed
in on an apartment where he had been hiding in Beddawi, northern Lebanon.
Sgt.
Louay Melhem, and soldiers Charbel Jebili, Anthony Takla, and Nihad Mustafa
were killed when the militant threw a hand grenade and fired at their patrol
before fleeing the scene with three other people. Al-Talawi was later killed in
the Zgharta district after he shot at soldiers. Units stopped another fugitive
and chased two others.
Al-Talawi
had been on the run from authorities after his car was used by armed men during
the killing of three young guards in the town of Kaftoun on Aug. 21. The
militants were part of a terrorist cell, led by Al-Talawi, linked to Daesh.
Since
the attack, security services have carried out a series of raids, including one
on the Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp, and Syrian refugee camps in the north.
Lebanese
Army Command revealed that the cell’s members “had received military training,
collected weapons and ammunition, which were seized, and carried out several
thefts to finance their activities.”
Commander
of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Joseph Aoun, briefed President Michel Aoun on the
military operation in a phone call.
Meanwhile,
French President Emmanuel Macron’s deadline for Lebanese parties to form a new
government of specialists and nonpolitical ministers has expired with as yet,
no solution.
Lebanon’s
Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib was unable to prepare a list of names
following claims from the Amal Movement, Hezbollah, and the Free Patriotic
Movement that he had not consulted with them.
After
meeting President Aoun on Monday, Adib said he had visited the Presidential
Palace “for further consultations,” and that over the next two days “we hope for
the best.”
The
French initiative, launched by Macron in Beirut two weeks ago, provided for the
speedy formation of a government of specialists to implement the necessary
reforms required to lift the country out of its severe economic crisis.
Macron
intervened on Sunday night in an attempt to resolve a dispute over the finance
portfolio that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had insisted be allocated to a
Shiite proposed by him.
“The
(French) president is pressuring Lebanese politicians to fulfill their promises
to form a new government this week and to pull the country out of its worst
crisis since the civil war that took place between 1975 and 1990,” the French
president’s office said on Sunday. “President Macron continues his contacts
with various political actors in Lebanon.”
When
Macron visited Beirut on Sept. 1, the Lebanese leadership promised to form a
government of specialists without party loyalties within two weeks to tackle an
economic meltdown made worse by the devastating explosion at Beirut port on
Aug. 4.
On
Monday, it was announced that Aoun had started meetings with “heads or
representatives of the parliamentary blocs to promote a convergence of views on
government developments.”
Mohanad
Hage Ali, resident researcher at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut,
told Arab News: “It’s a new French 48-hour deadline that was given to the
Lebanese parties after the expiration of the two-week deadline to come up with
a formula agreed upon by all.”
Ali
said: “The Amal Movement, Hezbollah, and the Free Patriotic Movement feel that
the government rug has been pulled from under their feet. They are trying to
position themselves in the middle. They refuse to participate in the
government, but they cooperate with it.
“This
is because they know that stopping state subsidies on fuel will soon come in
light of the sharp drop in hard currency reserves, and therefore they do not
want the street to explode in their face,” he added.
Leader
of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, received a phone call from
Macron and another from Adib. He said on Sunday that the movement’s
participation in the government was “not a condition for its support,” adding
that “the constitution is clear that a ministry is not devoted to a sect.”
After
receiving a similar call from Macron, Berri’s office said: “The problem is not
with the French, the problem is internal. We informed the prime
minister-designate of our unwillingness to participate in the government on the
basis that he had laid, and we informed him of our readiness to cooperate to
the fullest extent in all that is necessary to stabilize Lebanon and its
finances, undertake reforms, and save its economy.”
Ali
said: “The three opposing parties know that the age of this new government will
not be later than the coming new year, awaiting the results of the American
presidential elections, and that this government will not be able to propose
solutions to the big problems despite the competencies of those who will be
chosen for ministerial portfolios.
“On
the other hand, these parties fear that this government will obtain external
support to implement reforms that they will not play a role in formulating if
they remain outside it.
“What
the three parties will do within 48 hours is to negotiate half the nomination,
meaning that the parties express their opinion on the names proposed by Adib
only without undermining the formation,” Ali added.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1734696/middle-east
--------
South Asia
China
military: Years of evidence proves US biggest threat to world order, peace
September
15, 2020
China’s
Defense Ministry says many years of evidence shows that the United States is
the biggest threat to global order and peace.
Chinese
Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Wu Qian made the remark in a statement on
Sunday in reaction to an annual report by the Pentagon released on September 2
that said Chinese military developments and goals presented “serious
implications for US national interests and the security of the international
rules-based order.”
Wu
called the report a “wanton distortion” of China’s aims and the relationship
between the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and China’s 1.4 billion population.
He
said that US actions in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and other countries over the past two
decades had led to the killing of over 800,000 people and the displacement of
millions more.
“Rather
than reflecting on itself, the US issued a so-called report that made false
comments about China’s normal defense and military construction,” Wu said.
“Many
years of evidence shows that it is the US that is the fomenter of regional
unrest, the violator of the international order, and the destroyer of world
peace,” the Chinese official said.
The
US Defense Department’s nearly-150-page “China Military Power Report” surveyed
the PLA’s technical capabilities, doctrines, and objectives, claiming that they
included becoming a “practical instrument” of the country’s statecraft with an
active role in advancing Beijing’s foreign policy and aimed “to revise aspects of
the international order.”
It
said that if the Chinese military achieved is objectives, there would be
“serious implications for US national interests and the security of the
international rules-based order.”
The
United States has long held an anti-China posture, but it has been
significantly ramping up tensions with the country in recent months.
Relations
between China and the United States have hit their lowest point in decades amid
aggressive US posturing over trade, technology, Taiwan, Hong Kong, human
rights, and the South China Sea.
Much
of the Pentagon’s annual report was devoted to analyzing China’s strategy
toward Taiwan, a self-ruled, breakaway island that almost the entire world
recognizes as subject to Chinese sovereignty. While the US, too, recognizes
Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, it has been increasingly supportive of the
island’s current secessionist government.
The
report also pointed to areas in which the 2-million-strong PLA — the world’s
largest standing military — had overtaken the US, including in the size of its
navy, now the world’s largest with approximately 350 ships and submarines
versus the US’s nearly 293 warships.
US
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month acknowledged the military
aspect of Washington’s rivalry with Beijing but said the main challenges posed
by China — with a population of 1.4 billion people — were economic.
FBI
Director Christopher Wray also alleged in July that the “greatest long-term
threat to our nation’s information and intellectual property, and to our
economic vitality, is the counterintelligence and economic espionage threat
from China.”
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/15/634120/China-Years-of-evidence-proves-US-biggest-threat-to-world-order,-peace
--------
Afghan
refugees hope peace talks will finally take them ‘home’
NAIMAT
KHAN
September
15, 2020
KARACHI:
With talks to end decades of armed conflict in Afghanistan currently underway
in Doha, refugees at the New Saranan camp in Pakistan’s Balochistan province
gathered on Sunday to discuss the repatriation process for nearly 5,000
displaced Afghan families.
Intra-Afghan
talks between President Ashraf Ghani’s government and the Taliban began on
Saturday and are expected to yield a permanent cease-fire and a power-sharing
arrangement.
“If
the talks are successful, we will not care if it’s day or night, we will just
embark on our journey,” Muhammad Agha Ishaqzai, an Afghan elder who left his
home in Sar Pul province more than 30 years ago, told Arab News. “We are
thirsty for our homeland like a person who has fasted during all hot summer
days, waiting for a glass of water.”
The
talks have raised hopes among Afghans scattered around the world including the
1.4 million who are registered as refugees in Pakistan, most of whom live in
camps and urban centers of provinces bordering Afghanistan.
“We
are watching the news and hope that Afghans will see peace after 40 years,”
Zahir Pashtun, a youth activist who attended the Sunday meeting, told Arab
News. “We Afghans have seen UN-brokered talks between the mujahideen and
Najibullah,” he said, referring to the president of Afghanistan who held office
from 1987 to 1992, shortly after which the mujahideen took over Kabul following
the Afghan-Soviet war from 1979 to 1989.
He
added that while all the talks so far, including those between the mujahideen
and Taliban, had failed, Afghans were still hopeful.
At
least three things should happen in order for Afghans to be repatriated,
Pahstun said. “There should be an inclusive Afghan government, having representation
of all ethnicities and sects. Ethnic divides should be removed, and lands and
properties that refugees had left behind should be recovered so that they may
start a new life.”
For
many, however, returning home will not be easy.
“This
has been the main agenda of our discussions now, and when I ask people if they
will return, the majority say they have no reason to go back, even if the talks
succeed,” Syed Mustafa, a teacher and a community elder in the
refugee-dominated Al-Asif area of Karachi, told Arab News.
“A
majority of over 60,000 refugees living in Sindh province were born and raised
here. When they go back to the land of their parents, they would feel like in a
strangers’ land. Those who had gone there in the recent past have come back.”
“I’m
Afghan, but my wife and children all were born here, and for them, Pakistan is
home,” Naemullah Rahimi, a vendor in Al-Asif, told Arab News.
Muneeba
Hayatullah, an Afghan widow living in Karachi’s Metroville area whose daughter
recently married, said the peace talks made her happy regardless of what the
future brought for her.
“I
want to see a peaceful Afghanistan, not one which is a graveyard,” she said.
“But I don’t know if I will go back.”
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1734681/world
--------
Kabul
presses ceasefire demand in Taliban talks
15
Sep 2020
DOHA:
The Afghan government on Monday pressed its calls for a truce with the Taliban,
reiterating its desire for a long-term ceasefire at historic talks in Qatar.
The
two sides are in the early stages of meetings in Doha as they try to hammer out
a deal that would bring 19 years of bloodshed.
The
head of the peace process for the Afghan government, Abdullah Abdullah,
suggested that the Taliban could offer a ceasefire in exchange for the release
of jailed fighters.
Afghan
presidential spokesman Sediq Seddiqi tweeted on Monday that the presence of
government negotiators at the talks “is aimed at achieving a ceasefire, ending
the violence and ensuring lasting peace and stability in the country”. The
United States struck an agreement with the Taliban in February that will see it
withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
The
deal, which paved the way for the Doha negotiations, did not commit the
insurgents to any reduction of violence, only requiring that it be “an item on
the agenda” in negotiations.
Schedules
and a code of conduct for the talks were discussed in meetings on Sunday and
were due to continue on Monday, according to the government side, but talks on
substantive issues are yet to get under way.
Afghan
government delegates warned that negotiations, which take place even as
fighting continues in Afghanistan, would be arduous and messy.
Nearly
two decades since the US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, fighting still
kills dozens of people daily and the country’s economy has been shattered,
pushing millions into poverty.
Officials
said six police were killed in a Taliban attack in Kunduz at the weekend, while
five officers were slain in Kapisa province.
A
roadside mine blast in the capital also wounded two civilians, while another
blast hit Kabul district, .
During
a speech at the opening event, Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar
repeated the insurgents’ message that Afghanistan should be run according to
Islamic law.
Kabul
graveyard
As
Taliban and Afghan government negotiators met in Qatar, around 50 families
gathered at a graveyard in Kabul on Monday imploring them not to forget the
rights of victims of violence.
Demonstrating
families gathered at a cemetery where many of the victims of a 2018 bomb attack
at a school in west Kabul were buried.
One
boy cried next to the grave of a classmate, another waved a banner reading in
Dari: “Who represents the victims in peace negotiations?”
Many
of those gathered at the graveyard, some by the graves of their loved ones,
called for lasting peace.
Raihana
Hashemi, 28, whose sister was killed in a separate 2018 incident in which
protesters were shot near a school, said that around two months ago she and
other families had created a “National War Victims Network” to elevate concerns
they were being forgotten during the peace process.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1579784/kabul-presses-ceasefire-demand-in-taliban-talks
--------
Turkey
hails Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees
Burak
Dağ,Seda Sevencan
14.09.2020
Turkey's
top diplomat praised Bangladesh on Monday for its efforts to host Rohingya
refugees.
In a
joint news conference following a meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK
Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu thanked Dhaka for their hosting
of millions of Rohingya refugees.
"We
know that this is a huge burden and huge responsibility for Bangladesh. More
than 4 million refugees are actually hosted by Bangladesh in total, so this is
a huge responsibility on their shoulders. We appreciate their efforts," he
told reporters in Ankara, Turkey's capital.
Cavusoglu
said that Turkey, with its all organizations, stood by the Rohingya people and
was helping Bangladesh.
He
stressed that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) also
provides significant support to development projects in Bangladesh, besides its
efforts for the Rohingya.
Underlining
that Ankara also extended a helping hand to Dhaka during the COVID-19 outbreak,
he said: "We will send additional medical supplies, including respirators,
to Bangladesh at the directives of our president. We will continue to stand by
our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters in the upcoming period."
Momen
said Bangladesh and Turkey were two brotherly countries and that their
relationship was based on historical connections, religious and cultural
affinity and common aspirations for a peaceful world and prosperous Muslim
world.
He
underlined that Turkey stood by Bangladesh in the Rohingya crisis since 2017
and built the first hospital in the Rohingya camps.
Cavusoglu
also said the two countries, also member states of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC), would continue to work in solidarity in the OIC.
Hosting
the Bangladeshi counterpart, Cavusoglu said they also exchanged views on the
D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation and added that they will continue
their efforts to strengthen the D-8 and expand the group and even turn it into
D-20.
Also
pointing out the historical ties, Cavusoglu said: “We cannot forget the support
our Bengali brothers gave during the War of Independence. Once again, I express
our gratitude.”
He
also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh's founding
leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On
the trade ties, Cavusoglu said that the trade volume between Turkey and
Bangladesh was around $1 billion, adding that this should be raised to $2
billion.
In
their meeting earlier on Monday, the two officials discussed bilateral
relations, trade and investment.
The
D-8 organization was launched on June 15, 1997, after Turkey's then-prime
minister, Necmettin Erbakan, proposed the creation of an economic group
consisting of eight emerging economies from the Muslim world, including
Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/turkey-hails-bangladesh-for-hosting-rohingya-refugees/1972986
--------
Rohingya
resettlement on ‘floating island’ risks repatriation: Experts
Md.
Kamruzzaman
14.09.2020
DHAKA,
Bangladesh
The
Bangladesh government’s plan to resettle Rohingya refugees on a remote island
might delay or even harm the repatriation of Rohingya to their homeland west of
Myanmar, according to experts.
But
the plan has met with resistance from members of the ethnic minority who fled
persecution in Myanmar. They say the relocation will prolong talks aimed at
their long-sought return to ancestral homeland with rights and in safety and
dignity.
The
Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced
brutal military crackdown in the western Rakhine state in Myanmar, as more than
1.2 million people from the Muslim minority community took shelter in
southeastern Bangladeshi district of Cox's Bazar.
“We
appreciate Bangladesh’s hospitality toward us for years, and we are grateful to
the country’s government for constructing nice settlements on an island for us,
but we want to go back to our home country Myanmar, not to any other place,”
Abdul Hamid, a community leader in Rohingya refugee camp, told Anadolu Agency.
Spending
around 23 billion Bangladeshi taka (about $272 million) from its own resources,
the host country has developed 120 cluster villages at Bhasan Char, which
translates to “floating island”, to accommodate 100,000 Rohingya there in the
first phase.
The
remote Bangladeshi islet is located in the Bay of Bengal around 50 kilometers
(31 miles) off its southwestern coast.
Citing
the coronavirus pandemic, Bangladesh relocated 306 Rohingya to the island in
May as they had been stranded at sea for months after failing to migrate to a
third country.
The
island is only accessible by boat, and it remains totally isolated during rough
weather.
Among
a group of 40 Rohingyas who visited the island last week during a three-day
tour arranged by the Bangladeshi government, Hamid said that few people have
been living there and “it would be difficult for us to return from the island
if we settled there.”
“The
Myanmar government will also misinterpret this resettlement as prolonging the
ongoing negotiation process for our return to homeland Arakan [now Rakhine] as
they still label us as illegal Bengalis,” Hamid said.
Bangladesh
is also blaming Myanmar for not creating a favourable environment to take back
its citizens.
“Unfortunately
until today, none have gone back, and instead of creating a conducive
environment, fighting and shelling is continuing in Rakhine state,”
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told the 27th meeting of
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum on Saturday.
‘Resettlement
weakens minimum possibility of repatriation’
A
high-profile delegation of the Myanmar government with its de facto leader Aung
San Suu Kyi held several meetings with the Rohingya delegation in Bangladesh
last year on the repatriation.
But
the initiatives were futile as the delegation failed to assure the
preconditions of repatriation including citizenship rights and a safety
guarantee under the UN observers. Bangladesh has also signed three agreements
with Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation.
But
since the mass exodus of Rohingya in August 2017 following a brutal military
crackdown in the Rakhine state, no Rohingya have returned home as they are
unable to do so in a safe and dignified environment.
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency, Khin Maung, executive director of the Rohingya Youth
Association, said there is no positive signal from the Myanmar government to
take back its citizens.
“They
are prolonging the repatriation process whimsically,” said Maung of the Cox’s
Bazar-based Rohingya rights body.
“In
this situation, resettlement of us on any remote Bangladeshi island means the
minimum possibility of repatriation under international supervision will be
weakened.”
On
the last week’s tour to Bhasan Char, Maung said: “Only less educated camp-based
Rohingya leaders were selected for the visit and comparatively higher educated
community leaders were excluded.”
“It’s
a good initiative on behalf of Bangladesh, but our position is very clear, and
we want to return to our own country with citizenship rights and safety,” he
said.
In
the ASEAN meeting, Bangladesh’s top diplomat said: “Rohingyas are not returning
to their homeland primarily because they do not trust their government
regarding their safety and security”.
In
order to reduce trust deficit and build confidence, Momen suggested Myanmar
engage non-military civilian observers from their friendly countries like
China, Russia, India, of ASEAN, or other friends of their choice.
No
interest in prolonging statelessness
Jumalida
Begum, who was also part of the Rohingya group visiting island, told Anadolu
Agency that “the settlements on Bhasan Char are obviously better than the
crammed camps in Cox’s Bazar, but we are not interested in being settled here
for long as stateless people.”
According
to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly women and
children, fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces
launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017, pushing the
number of persecuted people in Bangladesh above 1.2 million.
“I
worry whether the supply of food and other basic needs will continue to be
supplied to the island where we still do not see any activities of the UN or
other aid agencies,” Begum added.
The
UN Refugee Agency spokesman in Bangladesh, Mostafa Mohammad Sazzad Hossain,
told Anadolu Agency that “comprehensive technical and protection assessments to
evaluate the safety and sustainability of life on Bhasan Char are essential
before any relocations to the island take place and any relocations should be
voluntary.”
“UNHCR
is aware of a go-and-see visit organized by the government of Bangladesh to
Bhasan Char in the beginning of September. We have neither been involved in
this visit nor requested to support it,” he added.
A
prize-winning Rohingya female rights activist preferring not to be named told
Anadolu Agency: “We Rohingya never ever will go to the Bashan Char island. That
is not our land. We want to go back to our own land, which is Myanmar.”
Recalling
Bangladesh’s humanitarian role toward the Rohingya, she added that “Bangladesh
should not try to send our people to the island. This is not a solution. It is
providing more room to the government of Myanmar to delay repatriation.”
“We
don’t want to live inside a golden cage. Our dream goal is to go back to our
land. If [we] don’t have a roof or wall, we will manage. Just give us our land
back.”
Resettlement
on voluntary basis
Bangladesh’s
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md Mahbub Alam Talukder, however,
told Anadolu Agency that the repatriation process will be held on a voluntary
basis.
“It’s
very natural that some may have different views, but we want to resettle
Rohingya at the island for their better living conditions,” he said.
“We are
always ready to start the resettlement process. Now we are waiting for the
green light from the government. No Rohingya will be forced to shift to the
Bhasan Char island.”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/rohingya-resettlement-on-floating-island-risks-repatriation-experts/1972867
--------
Dispute
on Terms Delay Intra-Afghan Talks
By
Mohammad Arif Sheva
15
Sep 2020
DOHA,
Qatar – Members of the Afghan “contact group” said the scheduled first round of
intra-Afghan negotiations on Monday were delayed due to controversies on talks’
agenda and terms, according to sources, pushing the country’s expectations
further away.
Both
the Afghan and the Taliban “contact group” have to decide on an agenda, the
code of conduct and a due date for the first round of the intra-Afghan talks.
While
sources suggested the groups have held two meeting by far: one Sunday evening
and other on Monday morning, Afghan negotiator Habiba Sarabi said only one
meeting held, adding “we should not expect decisions on everything in a short
time.”
The
second meeting of the “contact group” is scheduled Monday evening, she
clarified.
“The
agenda comes later (in discussions). First, we should decide on the principles
of the negotiations,” said Matin Bek, a negotiator from the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan as quoted by TOLOnews. “Other topics might take time, but we have
made good progress jointly.”
The
delay came a day after sources said both side of the negotiations formed the
“contact group” at a meeting held behind closed door on Saturday, after the
opening of Intra-Afghan talks.
Mohammad
Masoom Stanekzai, Nader Nadery, Zarar Ahmad Muqbil, Fawzia Koofi, Enayatullah
Baligh, Mohammad Natiqi and Khalid Noor are the seven members of the contact
group, representing Afghanistan.
While,
the Taliban’s contact group members are Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Abbas Stanekzai,
Noorullah Noori, Shaikh Delawar and Shaikh Qasim.
On
Saturday, the opening session of Intra-Afghan talks were held in Qatari capital
Doha, where the Afghan and the Taliban delegation team, including international
allies, came together to start the long-waited peace negations that will end
the roughly two decades of war in Afghanistan.
https://www.khaama.com/dispute-on-terms-delay-intra-afghan-talks-3432/
--------
Africa
Somali
army says kills 12 Al-Shabaab members in Lower Shabelle region
September
14, 2020
The
Somali National Army has announced killing 12 Al-Sbabaab members in a military
operation near Barire area, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia.
The
commander of SNA’s 143rd unit, Major Ahmed Hassan Siyad, has said that the
troops killed the militants in a planned operation after they received
information that the Al-Shabaab operatives were demanding money from residents
living in villages near Barire.
Meanwhile,
South West state’s security forces said they killed a senior Al-Shabaab
commander in clashes in Bay region, southwest of the country.
The
security agencies in the region announced that the notorious commander of the
Al-Qaeda-linked group, Ibrahim Maalim Abdi aka Ibrahim Ganey, was shot dead in
an operation the security forces carried out between Bardale and Awdinle areas
in Bay region.
https://www.somaliaffairs.com/news/somali-army-says-kills-12-al-shabaab-members-in-lower-shabelle-region/
--------
Boat
capsizes near Libya, 2 dozen migrants presumed dead
September
15, 2020
CAIRO:
The UN migration agency said Tuesday that a boat carrying migrants bound for
Europe capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya, leaving at least two dozen
people drowned or missing and presumed dead, the latest shipwreck off the North
African country.
Safa
Msehli, a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration, told
The Associated Press that Libya’s coast guard intercepted three boats on
Monday, and one of them had capsized.
She
said the coast guard retrieved two bodies, and survivors reported 22 others
were missing and presumed dead.
At
least 45 survivors on the three boats were returned to the shore. All migrants
were men, with a majority from Egypt and Morocco, she said.
“This
new tragedy signals yet again the need for increased search and rescue capacity
in the Mediterranean. Instead, we are seeing restrictions on NGOs and long,
unnecessary stand-offs,” Msehli said.
The
shipwreck was the latest maritime disaster involving migrants seeking a better
life in Europe.
In
August, a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized leaving at least 45 people
drowned or missing and presumed dead, marking the largest number of fatalities
in a single shipwreck off the coast of the North African country.
Libya,
which descended into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed
longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi, has emerged as a major transit point for
African and Arab migrants fleeing war and poverty to Europe.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1734816/middle-east
--------
Tunisia
renews engagement with Libya, appointing envoy
Yumna
Salmi
15.09.2020
TUNIS
Tunisia
is stepping up its engagements with Libya after nearly six years of diplomatic
absence, with the country announcing the appointment of Assaad Ajili as its new
ambassador to Tripoli.
The
recent move is an indication of "new changes in Tunisia’s diplomacy in the
official handling of the Libyan crisis," according to analysts and former
diplomats who spoke to Anadolu Agency.
Similarly,
some analysts believe that improvement in the internal Libyan security
situation and the cease-fire have encouraged Tunisia’s renewed diplomatic
relations with Libya.
Since
Aug. 21, a cease-fire has been agreed in Libya, despite frequent violations by
forces loyal to the warlord Khalifa Haftar.
Familiarity
with Libyan crisis
In an
interview with Anadolu Agency, former Tunisian diplomat Bashir Jouini said the
appointment of the Tunisian ambassador to Libya is the first since 2014.
According
to Jouini, Ajili is familiar with the Libyan crisis and was commissioned by the
Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January 2019 to conduct studies and
research on relations between the two countries.
The
Tunisian embassy in Libya as well as the consulate general were closed in
October 2014 and July 2015 respectively due to the deteriorating security
situation and the kidnapping of Tunisian diplomats.
Prior
to the recent appointment of Ajili, Ridha Boukadi was the last Tunisian
ambassador to Libya, who submitted his resignation to late President Beji Caid
Essebsi in February 2015.
The
embassy and consulate were reopened in April 2016, and then Tawfiq Al-Qasimi
was appointed consul general of Tunisia in Libya in 2018.
Indicators
for resolving Libyan crisis
Tunisian
former Foreign Minister Ahmed Wanis told Anadolu Agency that although Tunisia’s
diplomatic representation in Libya has been absent, its efforts in resolving
the political crisis have been persistent, especially considering the presence
of a large Tunisian diaspora there.
Wanis
pointed out that a number of Tunisia’s diplomats have been kidnapped or
harassed in Libya while journalists have also been kidnapped.
In
September 2014, two Tunisian journalists -- Sofiene Chourabi and Nadhir Al
Qatari -- disappeared in Libya while they were conducting an investigation for
the private television channel Frist TV about the Petroleum Facilities Guard in
the region of Ajdabiya. Their whereabouts have been unknown since Sept. 8 of
the same year.
A
number of conflicting news reports have been circulating about their killing or
detainment in prisons run by Haftar’s militia.
"Security
was absent in Libya. Tunisia did not want to fall into the trap of terrorism
and kidnappings, so it withdrew its diplomatic representation," Wanis
added.
Progress
towards ending the political crisis in Libya has encouraged Tunisia’s recent
diplomatic move in the oil-rich country, said Wanis, adding Tunisia is keen to
“influence the choices of the Libyan brothers by offering advice and expressing
solidarity."
Recent
talks between Libya’s warring rivals hosted by Morocco have raised hopes of
ending the country’s 10-year conflict.
Return
after Libyan settlement
For
his part, Abdallah Al-Obeidi, a former Tunisian diplomat and expert on foreign
relations, told Anadolu Agency that it is too early to comment on the impact of
Tunisia’s diplomatic return to Libya.
“The
assessment of the Tunisian government may be that the situation in Libya is
heading towards a settlement and calm which allows the presence of an
ambassador in Libya. We also have a community and Tunisian families in Libya
that deserve some consular services," he said.
According
to Al-Obeidi, Libya has been an important economic partner for Tunisia and the
two countries share a border, which are factors that give Tunisia incentives to
play a role in the Libyan political scene.
Presidential
endeavors
On
the other hand, the former ambassador Tawfiq Wannas believes that the
diplomatic return has been steered by current President Kais Saied and has been
facilitated by an improvement in Libya’s security situation and the ongoing
cease-fire between the warring parties.
"Saied
made efforts to bridge the gap between the Libyan factions and has met with
Libyan representatives, UN officials -- including recently the head of the
United Nations Mission in Libya Stephanie Williams -- and the commander of the
American military command in Africa [AFRICOM]," said Wannas.
Libya
has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in
2011. The Government of National Accord (GNA) was founded in 2015 under a
UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due
to a military offensive by forces loyal to Haftar.
The
UN recognizes the government headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj as the
country's legitimate authority as Tripoli has battled Haftar's militias since
April 2019 in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.
Diplomatic
efforts have been underway in recent weeks to reach a solution to the Libyan
conflict following victories made by the Libyan Army against Haftar’s militias.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/tunisia-renews-engagement-with-libya-appointing-envoy/1973658
--------
Armed
men attack Nigerian village, kidnap 21
Zahir
Sofuoglu
14.09.2020
Armed
men abducted 21 people in a raid on a village in northwestern Nigeria’s Kaduna
city, local media reported Monday.
The
unknown assailants attacked the Udawa village late on Sunday, kidnapping 21
residents, including children, and leaving several injured.
Kaduna
State Police spokesman Muhammad Jalige confirmed the incident and said the
Nigerian authorities had sent reinforcements to the village after the attack.
He
added that the authorities moved the injured to hospitals and were searching
for the kidnapped villagers.
The
country's northwestern region sees occasional clashes between the herder Fulani
people -- one of the largest ethnic groups widely dispersed across West Africa
-- and neighboring sedentary tribes.
The
Fulani, who migrated to the south of the country to graze their animals, claim
that farmers try to steal their animals and attack their people.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/armed-men-attack-nigerian-village-kidnap-21/1973019
--------
North America
US
spy detained in Venezuela charged with terrorism, arms trafficking
15
September 2020
Caracas
says the American spy it recently arrested near a Venezuelan oil refinery has
been charged with terrorism and weapons trafficking.
In
comments on Monday, Venezuela’s chief prosecutor Tarek Saab said the US
citizen, Matthew John Heath, was plotting attacks against Venezuela’s oil
industry and electricity system.
Saab
said Heath was not carrying a passport and had entered illegally via the
Colombian border, but that authorities found a passport photocopy hidden in one
of his shoes.
He
also noted that Heath was carrying a “coin” linking him to the Central
Intelligence Agency, without providing details, and said he had previously
worked for a private military contractor.
Saab
said three Venezuelan citizens, including one member of the military, were
arrested and charged with treason as part of the alleged plot.
“They
tried to fill the country with blood,” Saab said. “The Venezuelan state has
managed to neutralize the plans to attack the oil industry and national
electric system.”
Last
week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the capture of the
“American spy” with heavy weapons and money near two refineries in the country,
which is gripped by an acute fuel shortage crisis as a result of illegal
US-imposed sanctions.
"Yesterday
we captured... an American spy who was spying in Falcon state on the Amuay and
Cardon refineries,” Maduro said in a televised address in capital Caracas on
Friday.
The
individual, Maduro said, was a member of the US Marine Corps who worked with
the CIA in Iraq, and was captured with “heavy, specialized weapons and a large
amount of cash” in the northwestern state.
Venezuelan
authorities have stepped up security at all refineries in the Latin American
country after the incidents.
Two
former members of the US military were detained in Venezuela earlier this year
after a group of mercenaries attempted to intrude into the northern state of La
Guaira on speedboats. The Venezuelan military foiled the attack, killing eight
of the armed men and arresting several others.
Caracas
last month sentenced the two former US soldiers to 20 years in prison for their
role in a May incursion aimed at ousting Maduro.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/15/634114/Venezuela-us-spy-terrorism-arms-smuggling
--------
Trump
vows ‘1,000 times greater’ response to any Iran attack
September
15, 2020
WASHINGTON:
US President Donald Trump on Monday vowed that any attack by Iran would be met
with a response “1,000 times greater in magnitude,” after reports that Iran
planned to avenge the killing of top general Qasem Soleimani in January.
“Any
attack by Iran, in any form, against the United States will be met with an
attack on Iran that will be 1,000 times greater in magnitude!” Trump tweeted
after reports of an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the US ambassador to
South Africa.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1734731/middle-east
--------
US
eager to see Gulf dispute end, Qatar blockade lifted
Michael
Hernandez
14.09.2020
WASHINGTON
The
US is eager to see Qatar and its Gulf Arab neighbors end a three-year
diplomatic crisis that has led to the blockade of the emirate, Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo said Monday.
Speaking
at the opening of a third annual strategic dialogue session, the top US
diplomat said an end to the row would facilitate greater regional cooperation
between Washington and Doha, adding it is "past time to find a solution to
the Gulf rift."
"The
Trump administration is eager to see this dispute resolved, and to reopen
Qatar’s air and land borders currently blocked by other Gulf states. I look
forward to progress on this issue," he said at the State Department.
The
comments come less than one week after David Schenker, the State Department's
top official for the Middle East, said the blockade could be ended within
"weeks" amid ongoing mediation between the parties hosted by the
Kuwait with the US's backing.
Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have cut ties with Doha and
imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the country over allegations of
supporting terrorism and meddling in their internal affairs. Qatar denies the
charges, and has voiced openness to a dialogue to end the impasse.
US
President Donald Trump initially sided in 2017 with the Saudi-led coalition
before backtracking the following year by praising Qatar's efforts to combat
terrorism and calling Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani a "friend of
mine."
Qatari
Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani said
"despite regional challenges," including the blockade, bilateral
cooperation between the US and Qatar has "continually strengthened,"
and suggested the row with Qatar's regional neighbors has led Doha to
strengthen its relations with the international community to
"unprecedented levels."
Al-Thani,
who also serves as Qatar's deputy prime minister, thanked Washington for
supporting Kuwait's efforts "to resolve the blockade on the basis of
respect for the sovereignty and independence of the state of Qatar."
The
parties announced at the start of the two-day strategic dialogue session
agreement on a cultural exchange, and their intent to support an investment
forum in 2021.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-eager-to-see-gulf-dispute-end-qatar-blockade-lifted/1973305
--------
Wolf
says 'lone, homegrown' terror threat is top DHS focus 19 years after 9/11
September
14, 2020
Nineteen
years after Al Qaeda attacked America, the terror threat to the United States
has "changed and it's morphed over the years," Acting Homeland
Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf told "Special Report" Friday.
"From
a threat perspective, we still see a number of the traditional threats that we
battled on 9/11," Wolf told host Bret Baier. "[We see in] counterterrorism
some of the foreign terrorist organizations that are still certainly a threat
to the homeland, but we see more of a domestic threat here in the country as
well over the last several years.
"The
threat has changed and it's morphed over the years," Wolf added, "but
we continue to do the work at the department to confront all threats."
Baier
noted that in February, FBI Director Chris Wray had confirmed that the FBI is
engaged in active domestic terrorism investigations in all 50 states.
"The
lone, homegrown offender that is going to do some kind of incident here in the
homeland is certainly a concern for the department," Wolf agreed.
"That's the threat we are focused on today.
"As
you've seen in the last several years, most of the attacks on the homeland have
come from lone offenders or small cells of individuals," he added.
"And that's where the focus is and again, we do all threats at the
department, so while we are focused on one, we certainly do focus on the wide
range of threats based on the homeland."
Wolf
also responded to a whistleblower complaint filed earlier this week that
alleged the department suppressed reports concerning Russian election
interference, calling it "completely false" and "a
fabrication."
"We
have been very clear regarding Russia interference in our elections ..."
Wolf said. "We have produced over 227 different reports over the last 12
months, I believe three alone in the month of August. We provided over 40
different briefings, in-person briefings, to members of Congress ... about
Russian interference in our elections. I have talked about it in media
appearances such as this, I have talked about it in congressional testimony and
I have talked about it even this week in my state of the homeland security
address.
"We
have been very clear about making sure that we call out Russia," he
concluded. "The administration has been very clear on this."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chad-wolf-dhs-lone-homegrown-terror-threat?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1521102_
--------
Pakistan
Zalmay
Khalilzad in Islamabad to discuss irritants in Afghan peace talks
Sep
14, 2020
Omer
Farooq Khan
ISLAMABAD:
The US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad
arrived in Islamabad on Monday to discuss with the Pakistan leadership
irritants related to the Afghan peace talks.
Khalilzad,
who had attended the inaugural sessions of the Doha dialogue between the Afghan
government and Taliban, is accompanied by a three-member delegation of senior
US officials. He and his team will hold consultations with Pakistan’s top
political and military leaders on the reconciliation process.
Observers
believe Khalilzad and US officials will ask Pakistan, specifically its military
leadership, to influence the insurgents to give up violence, show flexibility
in their stance and agree to a truce.
The
US envoy, according to sources, will also discuss with Pakistani leaders the
next phase of the peace process.
During
the Doha talks, known as intra-Afghan negotiations, representatives of the two
sides accused each other of staging fresh battlefield attacks. Officials in
Afghanistan said that contrary to their expectations, the start of the peace
dialogue in Doha had not reduced the insurgent violence. Scores of people were
reportedly killed in clashes between the Afghan security forces and Taliban
insurgents, including combatants from both sides and civilians, on Saturday and
Sunday. “Unfortunately, the level of Taliban violence and offensive attacks on
ANDSF (Afghan National Defence and Security Forces) and Afghan civilians have
not decreased,” said Fawad Aman, the Afghan defence ministry’s spokesperson.
Ending
the violence in Afghanistan remains a major challenge for the negotiating teams
of the Taliban and the Kabul government.
The
Afghan government, the US and allies have stressed on a truce with the Taliban
but the start of the peace dialogue in Doha had not reduced the insurgent
violence.
The
Taliban, however, did not mention a truce as they came to the negotiating
table. Taliban officials insisted that establishment of “an Islamic government”
in Afghanistan and the release of thousands of insurgent prisoners from
government custody are the priority issues for them.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/zalmay-khalilzad-in-islamabad-to-discuss-irritants-in-afghan-peace-talks/articleshow/78113275.cms
--------
Islamic
finance important to end economic exploitation: president
September
15, 2020
President
Dr Arif Alvi on Monday said Islamic banking and finance offered a broad-based
platform to end economic exploitation and stressed its implementation to uplift
underprivileged segments of society.
Addressing
at the 10th ceremony of Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) here, the
president said fairness, equality, transparency and pursuit of social harmony
constituted the principles of Islamic financing.
The
President called for focusing on Islamic principles to prevent concentration of
wealth in the society and eliminate exploitation by discouraging elitism.
Dr
Alvi said Islamic finance contributed $2.7 trillion globally, however pointed
that it was comparatively much less as compared to conventional banking.
He
appreciated that 17 percent of Pakistan’s banks had turned to Shariah compliant
instruments and commended the role of State Bank of Pakistan and also Security
Exchange Commission of Pakistan in this regard.
He
stressed the need for raising public awareness about Islamic finance,
particularly the spirit leading towards its positive impact on society due to
far bigger scope than just being limited to money lending. He said a justified
profit-making and setting a suitable limit to avoid exploitation was a real
challenge for banks.
He
said the coronavirus pandemic posed financial problems worldwide that required
adaptations in systems accordingly.
He
mentioned that Ehsaas programme launched by the government provided financial
assistance to the people during difficult economic situation.
He
regretted that the world over, morality suffered at the hands of economic
interests and mentioned the response of United Nations on several important
issues based on same approach.
He
urged upon the multi-national companies to think about the notion that
profit-making should not be a lone factor in dealings, but welfare of consumers
and employees as well.
He
termed that exploitative financial mechanism prevailing in the country against
the spirit of Islam and called for an in-depth deliberation to address the
grievances of people.
President
Alvi called for keeping in view the factors such as inflation while lending
money to consumers, and mentioned the example of China which promoted white
money through simplified system based on transparent scientific modules.
He
said unless a country cared for its underprivileged and vulnerable, the goals
of economic prosperity could not be achieved.
He
said digital economy had prospects of benefitting many segments of society,
particularly women and differently-abled persons.
Dr
Alvi emphasized on diverting financial instruments towards welfare of society
to realize the concept of State of Medina through uplifting the poor.
Governor
State Bank of Pakistan Dr Reza Baqir briefed about the government’s framework
on Shariah compliance and the related challenges and opportunities available
with Islamic financing system.
He
mentioned measures adopted by the government in the domain of Islamic finance
including representation of three Islamic schools of thought in Shariah
Advisory Committee for an inclusive approach, setting up of Shariah boards at
banks and mandatory Shariah audit.
He
said Islamic banking in the country covered 13 percent of Small and Medium
Enterprises and six percent of agriculture sector, which offered immense
opportunity to further explore these areas.
Founding
Chairman GIFA Dr Hamayun Dar highlighted the salient features of the awards
with its role to promote, regulate and supervise the Islamic banking and
finance the world over.
Later,
President Alvi gave away awards to banks working in Islamic finance for their
significant performance in related fields.
Former
Governor SBP Dr Shamshad Akhtar, foreign delegations including financial
experts and representatives from banks attended the ceremony.
Meanwhile,
President Alvi asked Ambassador-designate to Ethiopia Shozab Abbas to work for
further improving bilateral relations between the two countries in fields
particularly trade, economy and culture.
In a
meeting with the envoy-designate here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said
Pakistan attached great significance to its ties with Ethiopia and wanted to
expand trade and commercial relations for mutual benefit. The President urged
upon the ambassador-designate to encourage Ethiopian investors to invest in
Pakistan, being an attractive place for foreign investment in view of its
investment-friendly trade policy.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/666626/islamic-finance-important-to-end-economic-exploitation-president/
--------
NA
extends Jadhav-related ordinance for four months
Iftikhar
A. Khan
15
Sep 2020
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Monday extended the International Court of Justice
(Review and Re-consideration) Ordinance meant to facilitate convicted Indian
spy Kulbhushan Jadhav through a voice vote for four months.
The
ordinance that was set to expire on Sept 17 allows the Indian Research and
Analysis Wing (RAW) operative, who was sentenced to death by a military court
for fomenting terrorism in Pakistan, to file an appeal against his conviction
in a high court.
The
NA also adopted motions seeking to refer two Financial Action Task
Force-related bills, which were passed by the lower house and rejected by the
upper house of parliament last month, to the joint sitting of parliament for consideration
and passage. The bills included Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill
and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Waqf Properties Bill.
The
House also passed another FATF-related bill, the Cooperative Societies
(Amendment) Bill, 2020 without sending it to the relevant standing committee
after the rules were suspended.
Opposition
slams govt for protecting CCPO over motorway gang-rape
The
bill is aimed at bringing more control and transparency in
registration/regulations of Cooperative Societies in Islamabad and control
terror financing through this channel.
On
behalf of Interior Minister Brig (retired) Ijaz Shah, Adviser to the Prime
Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan moved the bill to further amend
the Cooperative Societies Act, 1925 [The Cooperative Societies (Amendment)
Bill, 2020 in the House.
The
Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill says that the FATF requires to
amend the Cooperative Societies Act, 1925 in order to bring more control and
transparency in Registration/ Regulations of Cooperative Societies in
Islamabad.
Motorway
gang-rape
Meanwhile,
barbs flew in the National Assembly as the House held a debate on the recent
motorway incident, with leader of the opposition Shahbaz Sharif demanding formation
of a parliamentary committee to investigate delayed response by the relevant
departments to the incident on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway, the controversial
appointment to the office of Lahore CCPO and his egregious rape victim-blaming.
The
PML-N president said Mr Khan’s criminal silence and his government’s gross
mishandling of the heart-wrenching incident had brought shame to Pakistan in
the entire world.
He
said the prime minister had been missing in action for days and could not utter
a single word to condemn this horrific incident. He said this was not the first
time that Mr Khan had disappeared when the nation needed the leadership the
most.
He
also expressed outrage over the extensive delay in response to the incident as
different departments tried to pass on the responsibility over the jurisdiction
issue. He said priority should have been rapid response instead of
procrastination by officials.
The
opposition leader slammed CCPO Umar Sheikh’s remarks blaming the victim and
said it was utterly shameful that the government tried to defend the CCPO
instead of the victim.
He
alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government appointed an
official of questionable character to the important position of Punjab’s
provincial capital police chief only to use him for political victimisation.
However, he said the CCPO’s character was exposed within no time.
The
PML-N president said he did not seek self-promotion but it was a fact that the
state-of-the-art forensic lab that his government had established made it
possible for police to identify and trace the culprits.
He
reminded the House how the PTI and its leaders in the opposition had
politicised the Zainab case during the previous PML-N government, but the
entire opposition this time did not exploit the motorway gang-rape for
political mileage. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the opposition
was with the victim and the entire nation, he said, instead of protecting the
controversial CCPO.
He
also asked as to why the Punjab IGP’s letter written in July suggesting
deployment of police on the motorway had been ignored. “This is criminal
negligence,” he remarked.
He
warned that such incidents would not stop if the federal government did not
stop taking decisions of every provincial department with the only motive to
persecute and victimise opposition parties, ripping meritocracy to shreds and
appointing the most incompetent people to the highest posts. The country and
its people could not be safe under an incompetent government and its
incompetent appointees, he added.
The
PML-N president said the PTI government had failed the country in every domain,
from economy, to foreign policy, to disaster management and worst of all in
maintaining law and order and ensuring the protection and security of the public
life, property and dignity. “When the nation feels insecure the Prime Minister
disappears,” he reiterated. He said the government would have to reset its
direction, if it was serious about preventing reoccurrence of such incidents.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1579764/na-extends-jadhav-related-ordinance-for-four-months
--------
No
compromise on independence of judiciary: CJP
15
Sep 2020
ISLAMABAD:
Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Monday asserted that no one under the
ambit of law would be allowed to undermine the independence of the judiciary
enshrined in the Constitution.
“The
Constitution mandates in its preamble that the independence of the judiciary
shall be fully secured,” observed the CJP while speaking at the opening
ceremony of new judicial year 2020-21.
The
ceremony was also addressed by Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan, Pakistan Bar
Council (PBC) vice chairman Abid Saqi and Supreme Court Bar Association
president Syed Qalb-e-Hassan.
The
Supreme Court chief justice said that neither justice could be delivered nor
the fundamental rights of people protected unless judges were fully independent
and under no external pressure.
The
statement from the top adjudicator at this crucial juncture attains
significance against the backdrop of widely accepted perception about the
shrinking space for dissent and authority of the legal system, commented a
senior counsel on condition of anonymity.
Says
this year has been most challenging due to coronavirus pandemic
The
CJP emphasised that under the Constitution and the law, no one was allowed to
undermine the independence of judiciary, assuring that in the times to come,
the judiciary at all levels would continue striving to uphold the supremacy of
the Constitution to foster justice in all circumstances and ensure the rule of
law in the country.
Referring
to the concept of the judicial year, he said this occasion held great
significance as it provided an opportunity to scrutinise the past performance,
celebrate successes, discover shortcomings and ascertain the reasons to set new
goals and devise new policies to achieve such objectives.
The
chief justice asked why the courts were so very important for the functioning
of the constitutional system and why the courts were tasked with protecting
people’s basic and fundamental rights. He then went on to answer these by
saying that “ours is a government of laws, not of men. Yet, laws, on their own,
are of little use”.
The
chief justice observed that every judge of the superior judiciary was under
solemn oath to discharge duties honestly to the best of his ability and
faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and the law and, in all
circumstances, to do right to all manner of people, according to law, without
fear or favour, affection or ill will.
“I
must say that it is not only a privilege to be a judge but a heavy duty is cast
upon judges, even under the oath, to preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution, and not allow their personal interest to influence the official
conduct or official decisions,” he observed.
The
chief justice said this year had been one of the most challenging ones in the
country’s history due to the coronavirus pandemic. Besides having been faced
with other challenges like delay in disposal of cases, the pandemic posed a
severe, unseen and intricate challenge to the court’s ability to function, he
added.
“In
the circumstances, we had to take wise and considerate decisions,” he said,
adding that one among those was whether the court should remain open. Indeed,
many, if not most, courts around the world chose to shut themselves off from
the public, he said.
Referring
to the overall institution and disposal of cases in the apex court, the chief
justice said a total of 42,138 cases were pending at the beginning of the
judicial year. During the pre-coronavirus period, about 8,817 fresh cases were
instituted and about 6,752 decided. During the post-Covid-19 period, 7,046
cases were filed and 5,792 decided, leaving the closing balance of 45,455
cases.
“With
the zeal to clear the backlog, judges volunteered to forego most of their
vacations and continued to perform their duties. By adopting such measures,
about 12,544 cases were disposed of during the previous judicial year,” the
chief justice said.
Similarly,
during the pre-Covid-19 period, from Sept 1, 2019 to Feb 29, 2020 (153 working
days), 173 model criminal trial courts decided 21,553 murder and narcotic
cases. During that period, 152 model trial magistrate courts decided 61,795
cases, while 119 model civil appellate courts decided 33,502 cases. In this
way, total 444 modal courts, in all, decided a massive number of 116,850 cases
in just 153 days. The pandemic has also hampered the progress of model courts.
During the period between March 1 and Sept 11 this year, 437 modal courts could
decide 16,487 cases in about 154 days.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1579775/no-compromise-on-independence-of-judiciary-cjp
--------
FO
summons Indian envoy over 'mysterious' deaths of 11 Pakistani Hindus in Jodhpur
Naveed
Siddiqui
14
Sep 2020
Pakistan
on Monday summoned the Indian chargé d'affaires to convey its serious concern
over the deaths of 11 Pakistani Hindus, whose bodies were found in
"mysterious" circumstances in a village field in India's Rajasthan
state last month.
On
August 9, the bodies of 11 people including children from a single family, who
had migrated to India from Pakistan, were found in a field in Jodhpur district.
According to reports, only one member of the family, which belonged to the
Bheel community, now remains.
The
Indian envoy was told that "despite repeated requests by the High
Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi for details regarding the tragic incident,
the Indian government continues to evade the issue, has disclosed only scant
information about the case, and has failed to share any substantive details
regarding the cause and circumstances of the deaths", the Foreign Office
spokesperson said in a statement.
The
press release noted that a daughter of the deceased head of the family,
Shrimati Mukhi, had made "highly concerning statements, implicating the
Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the murder of her father, mother and other
family members, allegedly after [RAW] failed to convince them to spy on
Pakistan and issue anti-Pakistan statements".
The
envoy was told that it was of "utmost importance" for the Indian
government to be fully transparent about the incident in the interest of
justice to the family and also to "ensure the safety and security of other
Pakistani nationals in India".
"It
was emphasised that since the victims of 'Jodhpur incident' were Pakistani
nationals, it was incumbent upon the Government of Pakistan to be fully aware
of the circumstances under which its nationals died in India," the FO
said.
It
urged India to carry out a "comprehensive investigation" into the matter
and provide access to the Pakistan High Commission to the surviving member of
the family. New Delhi was also requested to share copies of the first
information report and the initial investigation report and facilitate the
presence of the Pakistani high commission's representatives during the
post-mortem of the deceased family members "without further delay".
Initial
reports had said traces of insecticide were found at the scene where the bodies
were discovered.
A
preliminary police investigation suggested that the incident may have been the
result of a family dispute, a BBC Urdu report said at the time.
Locals
had alerted officials after finding the bodies. The deceased had come to India
some eight years ago.
According
to police, the family had rented a piece of land and used to cultivate it to
earn a living. It said 37-year-old Kewal Ram was the only surviving member of
the family in India and was being questioned by the police.
The
deceased included his parents, brother, three sisters, daughter and two sons,
and 75-year-old Budha Ram, the head of the family.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1579665/fo-summons-indian-envoy-over-mysterious-deaths-of-11-pakistani-hindus-in-jodhpur
--------
New
entrants cause rifts in Karak JUI-F
15
Sep 2020
KARAK:
The joining of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl by two senior leaders of Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has caused divisions in the
party in Karak district, insiders confided to Dawn on Monday.
They
said recently PML-N’s former deputy general secretary Rehmat Salam Khattak
joined the party, but his joining did not go well with Maulana Mirzaqeem, the
party’s senior leader and former candidate for the lone National Assembly seat
here.
The
insiders said Mr Mirzaqeem felt threatened that Rehmat Salam was now the strong
candidate for the NA seat in the district. Similarly, they said PTI’s Mansoor
Khattak, who had joined the JUI-F some time ago, had also caused concerns for
Malik Amad Azam, nephew of incumbent JUI-F MPA Malik Zafar Azam.
The
party insiders said divisions among party leaders at the district level had
also created unrest among the workers, putting at stake the party’s unity.
They
said the matter had also been brought into the notice of the party’s provincial
leadership, which had not yet taken a clear decision. They cautioned if the
situation was not corrected the party would lose its ‘strong’ position in the
upcoming general elections.
POLICE
CHECKPOST SOUGHT: The residents of Kurd Sharif, Showanki and the adjoining
localities have demanded setting up of a police checkpost in the area to ensure
protection to the life and properties of the people.
Talking
to mediapersons on Monday, elders Ikhtiarur Rehman, Khana Gul and others said
proclaimed offenders and other criminals had made the area their safe havens.
They
claimed that criminals sneaked into the hilly belt from Punjab province and
carried out heinous activities. They said their cattle were frequently stolen
by the criminals, adding since the area was remote bordering the Punjab
province the writ of the Karak police was nowhere to be seen.
They
demanded of the district police officer to order establishment of a checkpost
on the Kurd-Mianwali Road to stop criminals from sneaking into the areas.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1579746
--------
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