Delhi Police To Hand Over Nizamuddin Markaz Keys To Tablighi Jamaat Leader Maulana Saad
New Age Islam News Bureau
30 November 2022
Police claimed before the court that Maulana Saad was
missing. (File)
-----------
• Number of Christians Falls Below Half The Population
as Muslims, Hindus Rise in Englandand Wales
• At Least 448 Killed In Crackdown On AminiProtests In
Iran, Over Half In Ethnic Minority Regions: Rights Group
• Umar Lee, A Former Salafist Muslim Explains The
Appeal Of Antisemitism Among US Muslims
• Top Pakistan, Afghanistan Diplomats Discuss Security
As Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Ends Truce
India
• 'Not A Big Issue...': Karnataka Minister Remarks
After Muslim Student Called 'Kasab'
• Centre for Policy Analysis’ Global Minority Report
Puts India At Top, Says CAA Protest ‘Notable Sign Of Status Of Muslims’
• Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind In Supreme Court To Seek
Scheduled Caste Status For Dalit Muslims
• Cross-border, ISIS-inspired terrorism continue to
pose threat: NSA Ajit Doval
• Jammu & Kashmir BJP and Centre at odds on
Pandits
• Pro-Hindu groups demand separate law against Love
Jihad in Karnataka
• Terrorism In Form Of Love Jihad Ploy To Finish
'Sanatan dharma': Union Minister Giriraj Singh
• Gyanvapi Row: HC Adjourns Hearing On Mosque
Committee's Plea Challenging Varanasi Court Verdict
• BJP Muslim outreach raises rivals’ hackles as
Pasmanda politics hots up in Bihar
• Bengaluru: BJP MLA warns action against call to
boycott Muslim traders
• Karnataka: Muslims protest against renaming Tipu
Circle after Savarkar
--------
Europe
• Swedish premier says new terror law to be
implemented before next summer
• Spain shouldn't contribute to human rights
violations committed by Morocco: Council of Europe
• Russia, China slam Israel's 'disproportionate use of
force' against Palestinians
--------
Mideast
• Conflict in occupied Palestinian territories
reaching boiling point: UN special envoy
• Iran underlines Syria's right to self-defence
against Israeli aggression
• Two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces,
Palestinians say
• Muslim bloc eyes devising strategies against future
economic shocks
• Iran's supreme leader takes Iraqi PM to task over
security
• UN Iran expert concerned about death sentences for
protesters
• Israel’s PM urges world leaders to prevent ICJ
opinion on Israel’s occupation
• Israel's Lapid calls for halting UN vote for ICJ
opinion on occupation
• Rights groups urge global action against Israeli
occupation, atrocities
• Tel Aviv regime facing another Palestinian Intifada:
Israeli media
--------
North America
• Washington pledges support for Islamabad’s anti-TTP
efforts
• US approves sale of anti-drone systems to Qatar in
$1 bln deal
• US says it reduced patrols with PKK/YPG in Syria
after Türkiye's anti-terror strikes
• Turkish ground op in Syria would ‘jeopardize’
anti-ISIS gains: Pentagon
--------
Pakistan
• Man Challenges Step Sister's Visitation Rights On
'Islamic' Grounds
• UK charity to help Pakistan flood victims with
cryptocurrency fundraising
• Policeman among three dead in suicide blast in
Quetta’s Baleli area: police
• 10 terrorists killed during operation in
Balochistan'sHoshab: ISPR
• JIT to record statement of man alleging Nawaz
involved in Arshad Sharif’s killing
• Pakistanis see 3 challenges for Gen Asim Munir —
Economy, Army’s image, Indian ‘threats’
--------
South Asia
• Afghan Defence Minister Refuses To Meet Hina Rabbani
Khar, Deputy Foreign Minister Of Pakistan
• Pakistan Releases and Deports over 30 Undocumented
Afghan Refugees
• India’s International Trade Fair Awards Afghanistan
Gold Medal
• Herat Security Dialogue in Tajik Capital; Concerns
over Resurgence of Terrorism
• Pakistan’s support for Afghan Taliban dwindles amid
increasing Durand Line tensions
• Taliban in talks with China to rekindle ancient Silk
Road trade routes
--------
Africa
• Arabic institute MAJMA’ LAGOS Holds Confab On
Economic Development, Islamic JurisprudenceFor Muslims And Non-Muslims As
Participants
• UN experts urge South Sudan to probe senior officials
for abetting sexual violence
--------
Arab World
• UAE Minister, Al-Qasabi, Stresses At COMCEC Need To
Double Efforts Among Islamic Nations
• US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces wants ‘stronger’
US warning for Turkey
• Saudi Arabia extends term for deposit to Egypt’s
central bank
• Turkish intelligence 'neutralizes' senior PKK
terrorist in northern Iraq
• UAE's Rashid rover integrated onto Falcon 9 SpaceX
rocket for launch
• Iraqi prime minister and Iranian president vow to
fight ‘terror’
• Lebanese security forces capture man suspected of
spying for Israel’s Mossad, report says
--------
Southeast Asia
• Can Malaysia’s New Prime Minister Tighten Ties With
EU?
• Türkiye, Indonesia, Malaysia among top 20 halal
economy exporters
• Zahid’s presence critical in Anwar’s unity Cabinet
• PH lodges 4 police reports over ‘slander’ against
govt, PM
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
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Delhi Police To Hand Over Nizamuddin Markaz Keys To
Tablighi Jamaat Leader Maulana Saad
November 29, 2022
Police claimed before the court that Maulana Saad was
missing. (File)
-------
New Delhi: The city police on Monday told the Delhi
High Court that it has no objection in handing over the keys of the Nizamuddin
Markaz, which was closed in March 2020 for holding a Tablighi Jamaat
congregation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to Jamaat leader Maulana Saad.
The Delhi Police's counsel contended that it has not
been provided with the documents as to who is the actual owner of the
Nizamuddin Banglewali Masjid and it can hand over the keys only to the person
from whom they had taken possession, who is Maulana Muhammad Saad.
While police claimed before the court that Mr Saad is
missing, a member of the managing committee of the Markaz claimed that he was very
much there on its premises and can appear before the agency to get the keys.
During the hearing, Justice Jasmeet Singh said,
"You (police) have taken the possession from some person. You return the
possession to that person. I am not adjudicating an FIR for title of property
here that is not the issue before me. You find out what you have to do but give
the keys. You cannot keep it with you."
The high court was hearing a petition by the Delhi
Waqf Board seeking a direction to reopen the Nizamuddin Markaz, comprising the
masjid, the Madarsa Kashif-ul-Uloom, and a hostel, following its closure after
the onset of the pandemic.
In May, the high court passed an interim order
allowing the reopening of certain areas of the Markaz that were closed
following the Tablighi Jamaat congregation.
The central government, in its affidavit, had opposed
the reopening of the premises completely.
Earlier this month, police filed an application for a
direction to the Delhi Waqf Board to produce documents related to the ownership
of Nizamuddin Banglewali Masjid.
Lawyer Rajat Nair, representing the Delhi Police and
the Centre, argued that the original possessor has not come forward to take
control of the property and under the Delhi Waqf Act, the 'Mutawalli' has to
come forward and not the Delhi Waqf Board, which is the petitioner here.
He said if the original person is before the high
court, the keys can be returned to him but he is not here.
Senior advocate Sanjoy Ghose, appearing for the
petitioner board, said the waqf property belongs to the almighty and they are
only the custodians of it. He said they can give the keys to the managing
committee.
The high court, which said it was not going into the
issue of the title of the property, asked the police, "Are you in
possession? In what capacity have you taken possession? The FIR was registered
under the Epidemic Diseases Act…that is over now."
"If you take a property under the Epidemic
Diseases Act and register an FIR, then whosoever was in possession at that
point of time, would have to file a suit for possession?" the judge asked.
When the police's counsel said the possession was
taken from Mr Saad, the high court asked where he was and why cannot he go and
take the keys.
To this, the counsel for the managing committee said
Mr Saad was in the markaz and that he can go and take the keys from the police.
The court, in its order, noted, "The counsel for
the respondent (police) states that the respondent will have no objection in
handing over keys to Maulana Saad on furnishing an indemnity bond in the form
as required by them."
It also said no documents would be required to be
submitted for this purpose. "In view of the above, the petitioner does not
wish to prosecute the petition further. The writ petition is disposed of,"
the court said.
The police, in its application, said the petition was
filed by the waqf board claiming possession of the property in its capacity as
the custodian but "no supporting document has been filed by the petitioner
to claim locus or that the property is a waqf property".
It said before the petition is disposed of, it is just
and necessary that the rightful owner or possessor of the "alleged waqf
property" is brought on record so that suitable orders may be passed with
respect to its maintainability.
Several FIRs were registered under the Epidemic
Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, the Foreigners Act and various
provisions of the penal code in connection with the Tablighi Jamaat event held
at the Markaz and the subsequent stay of foreigners there during the
pandemic-induced lockdown in 2020.
The Delhi Waqf Board had moved the court last year
seeking directions to reopen the premises on the ground that even after
'Unlock-1' pandemic guidelines permitted religious places outside containment
zones to be opened, the Markaz continues to be locked.
In its affidavit affirmed by the Deputy Commissioner
of Police, Crime, the Centre had told the court it was "necessary and
incumbent" to preserve the markaz property as the investigation in the
case registered for violation of the COVID-19 protocols has "cross borders
implications and involves nation's diplomatic relationship with other countries".
The waqf board, represented by lawyer Wajeeh Shafiq,
had earlier argued that the mosque, which was under the lock of the Delhi
Police, should be opened as the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has
now lifted all restrictions that were imposed on account of the pandemic.
The Delhi Police's crime branch had in March 2020
lodged an FIR against seven persons, including the cleric, on a complaint by
Nizamuddin station house officer here for holding a congregation of Tablighi
Jamaat followers in alleged violation of the orders against large gatherings to
contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The Enforcement Directorate has also filed a money
laundering case against Saad, trusts linked to the Jamaat, and others.
Source:NDTV
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original story:
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Number of Christians Falls Below Half The Population
as Muslims, Hindus Rise in England and Wales
NOVEMBER 29, 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its
analysis of the 2021 census data to show that just over 46 per cent said they
were Christian. (Representative image: Shutterstock)
-----------
The number of people living in England and Wales
identifying as Christian has fallen below half the population for the first
time, while those identifying as Muslim or Hindu have registered a small rise,
according to the latest census figures released on Tuesday.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its
analysis of the 2021 census data to show that just over 46 per cent said they
were Christian, down from 59.3 per cent in the last census conducted in 2011.
Those identifying as having “no religion” was the
second most common response to the census survey, increasing to 37.2 per cent
from 25.2 per cent in 2011, while those identifying as Muslim or Hindu
registered an increase.
“For the first time in a census of England and Wales,
less than half of the population (46.2 per cent, 27.5 million people) described
themselves as ‘Christian’, a 13.1 percentage point decrease from 59.3 per cent
(33.3 million) in 2011; despite this decrease, ‘Christian’ remained the most
common response to the religion question,” the Office for National Statistics
release said.
“There were increases in the number of people who
described themselves as ‘Muslim’ (3.9 million, 6.5 per cent in 2021, up from
2.7 million, 4.9 per cent in 2011) and ‘Hindu’ (1.0 million, 1.7 per cent in
2021, up from 818,000, 1.5 per cent in 2011),” the ONS said.
Those identifying as Sikh also registered a small
increase, up from 0.8 per cent (423,000) in 2011 to 0.9 per cent (524,000) in
2021, and Buddhists a similar hike from 0.4 per cent (249,000) to 0.5 per cent
(273,000).
People identifying as Jewish remained about the same
at 0.5 per cent of the population.
The religion question in the census is voluntary,
which the ONS said was answered by 94 per cent of residents, an increase from
92.9 per cent in 2011.
The data also shows that London remains the most
religiously diverse region of England, with Harrow in the north of the UK
capital with the highest percentage of the Hindu population at 25.8 per cent,
up from 25.3 per cent in 2011.
The city of Leicester, known for its grand Diwali
celebrations, was next with a greater increase of practicing Hindus at 2.7
percentage points – 17.9 per cent up from 15.2 per cent in 2011.
The city has also become one of the first cities in
the country where people identifying as white are no longer the majority – with
41 per cent in 2021 compared to 51 per cent in 2011.
The areas with both the highest percentage overall and
the largest percentage increase of people describing their religion as Sikh
remained Wolverhampton and Sandwell in the West Midlands region of England.
As in 2011, the area with the highest percentage of
the Muslim population was in Tower Hamlets and Newham areas of east London,
followed by the borough Blackburn with Darwen in north-west England.
In its analysis of national identity, Indians remain
the third most common non-UK identity among residents in England and Wales
after Polish and Romanian.
The trend is reflected among the top foreign languages
spoken in the country after English, with Polish holding the top spot followed
by Romanian.
Punjabi, which was the second most common language in
2011 has dropped to third place, followed by Urdu at fourth. Among the South
Asian languages, Bengali and Gujarati have dropped several spots from fourth
and fifth in 2011 to eighth and ninth respectively.
The next most common ethnic group ticked in the census
was Asian, Asian British, or Asian Welsh accounting for 9.3 per cent of the
overall population – 5.5 million people, up from 4.2 million.
The 2021 census survey, carried out in March last
year, was filled out by more than 24 million households across England and
Wales and more data from the survey is set to be published in stages by the ONS
over the next two years.
Scotland’s census was due to take place in 2021 but
was delayed by a year due to the COVID pandemic.
Source:News18
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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At Least 448 Killed In Crackdown On Amini Protests In
Iran, Over Half In Ethnic Minority Regions: Rights Group
29 November ,2022
A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran, shows people
gathering next to a burning motorcycle in the capital Tehran on October 8,
2022. (AFP)
----------
Iranian security forces have killed at least 448
people in a crackdown on protests that began in mid-September, over half in
ethnic minority regions, a rights group said on Tuesday.
Of the 448 people confirmed to have been killed, 60
were children aged under 18, including nine girls, and 29 women, the
Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group said.
It said 16 people were killed by security forces in
the past week alone, of whom 12 were slain in Kurdish-populated areas where
protests have been particularly intense.
The toll has also risen after the deaths of people
killed in previous weeks were verified and included, it added. The toll only
includes citizens killed in the crackdown and not members of the security
forces.
Brigadier General AmiraliHajizadeh of the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier Tuesday said more than 300 people had been
killed, the first time the authorities have acknowledged such a figure.
The UN Rights Council last week voted to establish a
high-level fact-finding mission to probe the crackdown in a move angrily
rejected by Iran.
“[The] Islamic Republic authorities know full well
that if they cooperate with the UN fact-finding mission, an even wider scale of
their crimes will be revealed,” said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.
“That’s why their non-cooperation is predictable,” he
added.
The protests erupted after the September 16 death of
Kurdish Iranian MahsaAmini who had been arrested by the Tehran morality police
and have become the biggest challenge to the regime since the 1979 revolution.
Amiry-Moghaddam said more than half the deaths were recorded
in regions populated by the Sunni Baluch or Kurdish ethnic minorities.
The most deaths were in the south-eastern region
Sistan-Baluchistan where 128 people were killed after protests which had a
separate spark but have fed into the nationwide anger, IHR said.
After that the most deaths were recorded in the
western Kurdish-populated Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan provinces where 53 and
51 people were killed respectively, it said.
Source: Al Arabiya
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original story:
Umar Lee, A Former Salafist Muslim Explains The Appeal
Of Antisemitism Among US Muslims
November 29, 2022
Umar Lee, a former Salafist Muslim who has become a
prominent and vocal critic of Islamism in the U.S., warns that America could
witness a repeat of Tree of Life Massacre in Pittsburgh that cost 11 Jews their
lives in 2018. A repeat of the attack could take place if the antisemitism
promoted by entertainer Ye (formerly Kanye West) and basketball star Kyrie
Irving is left unchecked, Lee warned.
“These guys have millions of followers and are very
relevant to the culture so we could see violence against Jews,” Lee warned. We
can see another synagogue massacre like what we saw in Squirrel Hill [the
Pittsburgh neighbourhood where the Tree of Life Massacre took place] in 2018.”
Such an attack could be perpetrated by someone in the
Muslim community who buys into the hate promoted by West and Irving, declared.
“There’s a lot of support for Kanye West and Kyrie
Irving in the Muslim community, particularly among the black Muslims — and from
non-black Muslims,” he warned in a recently published interview with Focus on
Western Islamism. Lee, who affiliated with Salafist extremism after converting
to Islam in St. Louis in the early 1990s at the age of 17, became a vocal
critic of Islamism in his 30s.
In the interview, in which he argued that Middle East
Islamism is suffering a decline in influence and popularity, Lee was
particularly critical of NihadAwad and the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR), where Awad serves as executive director. Any thinking person
knows that Awad “is a Hamas guy” and can figure out his opinion toward Jews by
reading the Hamas Charter, Lee said.
“If NihadAwad had his way, every Jew in Israel would
be dead,” Lee said. “I remember being in a room with him in the nineties, and
he mentioned that he met Clinton, and he walked up to him and said, “My name’s
NihadAwad, and I’m against the peace process.” And he said, “Clinton’s kind of
stunned and said, ‘Why?’ He just gave him a card.”
Given Awad’s hostility toward Israel, Lee doesn’t put
much stock in CAIR’s regular condemnations of antisemitic attacks in the U.S.
But Awad’s influence is not nearly as powerful as Irving and West, Lee
emphasized.
“Kyrie and Kanye are a lot more relevant than
NihadAwad,” he said.
Lee also warned against an insurgency led by young,
disaffected Muslim males against “woke-Islam” which dominates appeals to young
Muslim women and is supported organizations such as the Muslim American Society
and the Islamic Circle of North America.
While Lee agrees that Islam is not the “woke” religion
that some Muslim leaders portray it as being, he is bothered by the growth of
the “Akh-Right” comprised of disaffected young Muslim men who admire
commentators such as Daniel Haqiqatjou, a recent convert to Islam with
retrograde attitudes toward women.
While “progressives have the institutional support
within the organized Muslim community,” there’s “an insurgency led by men,
particularly younger men, that are rejecting this progressive shift. They’re
rejecting it in very harsh terms and going very far to the right.”
Lee offered his warning against antisemitism and
polarization in the American Muslim community after a recent trip to Israel
which elicited significant blow back from many Muslims in the U.S. For some
Muslims, Lee said, visiting Israel and acknowledging the legitimacy of the
Jewish state was simply unforgivable.
“I could get on video and drink liquor, smoked weed
and people would say, ‘Hey everybody, no one’s perfect. Everyone makes
mistakes,’” Lee said. “I could be in a porno and people would say, ‘Hey, well…’
But support Israel? That is the worst thing that you can do.”
While there are some American Muslims who acknowledge
that Israel isn’t going away, they are not willing to say so publicly. This
silence, coupled with extremist anti-Israel activism, is contributing to a
decline in Jewish safety in the U.S., Lee warned.
“[W]hen somebody is rabidly anti-Israel, they’re also
antisemitic, they’re also not good neighbors to Jewish neighbors,” he said.
“Look at the Boston Mapping project — a blatant and complete antisemitic
project. It’s a ‘Digital Kristallnacht’ because it is a plan to mark every
Jewish organization in Boston. It might begin in Boston, it won’t finish there.
Next thing we’ll know it’ll be the ‘Chicago Mapping Project’ and then it’ll be
in Cleveland, St. Louis, and so on.”
Countering such hate in the Muslim community will
require the establishment of alternative venues for moderate Muslims to meet
and make themselves heard, Lee said.
“We need a format to make our voices heard so that
other people can come out and voice these opinions and not be ostracized,” he
said.
Dexter Van Zile is managing editor of Focus on Western
Islamism.
Source: JNS
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.jns.org/opinion/ex-islamist-explains-the-appeal-of-antisemitism-among-us-muslims/
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Top Pakistan, Afghanistan Diplomats Discuss Security
As Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Ends Truce
November 29, 2022
ISLAMABAD/KABUL: The deputy foreign minister was in
Kabul on Tuesday for talks with the Taliban leadership, a day after
Afghanistan-based Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group ended a
cease-fire with Islamabad and announced a resumption of attacks across the
country.
This is the first visit by any woman minister to
Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the war-ravaged nation.
Hina Rabbani Khar and Amir Khan Muttaqi, the host
foreign minister, discussed security, among other matters, just as their
respective delegations discussed “matters of mutual importance”, according to
the Foreign Office.
The meeting also focused on consultations between the
two governments. “A range of bilateral issues of common interest including
cooperation in education, health, trade and investment, regional connectivity,
people-to-people contacts, and socioeconomic projects,” the Foreign Office
said.
Mohammad Sadiq, the special assistant to the prime
minister on Afghanistan, was also present.
The visit follows an announcement by the TTP ending a
five-month old agreement to pause violence after Pakistan Army stepped up
operations against them in former tribal regions and elsewhere in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan.
On her arrival in the capital, Khar was received at
the airport by Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy minister of economy, and Ubaid
ur-Rehman Nizamani, head of mission at Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul.
Since the Taliban seized power in August last year,
its ties with Islamabad have deteriorated amid border clashes and a spike in
cross-border attacks by TTP militants. Islamabad has repeatedly asked the
Taliban to withdraw support to such elements widely reported to be operating
freely inside the war-torn country.
Experts believe the group, instead of providing any
strategic advantage or contributing to Pakistan’s security, has become a
worrisome thorn in Islamabad’s side.
And, because of this, the longstanding alliance
between the group and Islamabad, which dates back to the emergence of the
Taliban in southern Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, is coming under unprecedented
strain as their interests diverge.
Source: Pakistan Today
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original story:
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India
'Not A Big Issue...': Karnataka Minister Remarks After
Muslim Student Called 'Kasab'
29 NOV 2022
A day after a college professor was suspended for
making derogatory remarks about a Muslim student, Karnataka Education Minister
BC Nagesh said that it's "not a big issue".
The minister of the BJP-ruled state further said,
"Almost everyone uses words like 'Ravan' or 'Shakuni' every day. Even in
the assembly, many times we've spoken like this. It doesn't become an
issue."
The minister further asked why there is an issue if
someone spoke about Kasab.
Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistan-based terrorist, who was
captured following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and was executed in 2012.
In a video that went viral last week, a professor at
the Manipal Institute of Technology, Udupi had asked a Muslim student his name.
And upon hearing the same, he said "Oh you're like Kasab."
The video shows the student and the professor breaking
out in a war of words and later the professor had apologised for the
unthoughtful remark.
Source:OutlookIndia
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Centre for Policy Analysis’ Global Minority Report
Puts India At Top, Says CAA Protest ‘Notable Sign Of Status Of Muslims’
UNNATI SHARMA
30 November, 2022
New Delhi: A week after a U. S. Commission for
International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report claimed that religious freedom
and related human rights in India are under ongoing threat, a report released
by the Patna-based Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA) awarded India top rank in
terms of neutrality of state towards religion, inclusivity and global minority
index.
Released Tuesday by former Indian Vice President
Venkaiah Naidu, the CPA’s Global Minority Report placed USA in fourth place in
the global minority index.
Claiming that this was the first time an Afro-Asian or
‘non-Western’ country had prepared such a report, the report’s author and CPA
Patna chairman, Durganand Jha joked, “now they will complain about their
rankings, not us”.
The Indian government had earlier rejected the USCIRF
report, terming it “inaccurate and biased”. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, had alleged that USCIRF has a tendency to
consistently misrepresent the facts which shows the lack of their understanding
about India, its constitutional framework, plurality and robust democratic
system.
The CPA report places India at the top in the state
religion neutrality index and state inclusive index and ranks among the bottom
five in the state discrimination index — an indicator of how discriminatory a
country’s constitution and laws are towards minority communities.
Released at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi National Centre for
Arts, the CPA report praised India for its inclusivity and treatment of
minorities, stating, “The enactment of CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019)
and the following demonstrations by the Muslim community to include Muslims too
in the list of minorities eligible to get the citizenship of India through an
expedited process, are the most notable signs of the status of the Muslims in
India. The fact that the persons belonging to religious minorities have been
elevated to almost all importantpositions from time to time in India is an
important indicator of the status of the religious minorities.”
It added, however, that “India needs to rationalise
its minority policy if it wants to avoid conflictual situations in the
country”.
While releasing the report, Naidu said, “Till now,
these so-called developed countries were giving sermons to others, but never
introspective of what is happening within them. This report is an effort to
show reality to the world.”
He added: “Any report should be fact-based,
analytical, but what we have been seeing all these years is ‘India bashing’.
This has been going on for years, and unfortunately, some Indians have also
joined in.”
Referring to the CPA report, the former VP said, “This
is an attempt to place an actual situation so that people can study. Let there
be a meaningful open discussion without any bias”.
Naidu added that the Indian government’s pro-minority
policies show the inclusive nature of the government.
Afghanistan tops state discrimination index
According to the CPA report, the aim was to understand
the approach of various countries toward their respective minorities and
countries with more than one million population were included in the study.
The report stated that owing to resource constraints,
countries were assessed on broader parameters such as constitutional
provisions, laws of the land, the approach of the state towards minority
religionists, public policy, and openness of opportunity towards religious
minorities for the highest office.
While the report awarded India 100 out of 100 points
on state religious neutrality, state inclusivity index and global minority
index, Somalia was placed at the bottom on all three parameters. Afghanistan
was placed at the top in the state discrimination index.
South Korea, Japan, Panama and the USA joined India in
the top five rankings on the global minority index.
The release of the report at IGNCA was also attended
by India’s central information commissioner Uday Mahurkar, IGNCA president Ram
Bahadur Rai and the head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swami Chidanand Sarasvati.
Speaking at the event, Mahurkar said the current phase
in India was a phase of national reawakening, which should’ve ideally begun
after independence. “But after Gandhi ji’s death, certain people came to power
who had no faith in Indian culture,” he said, hinting at the Nehru-Gandhi family.
He added: “As a result, roots of Leftist ideology in
India were strengthened. The work that should have been done after independence
started after BJP came into power in 2014 — whether it was abrogation of
Article 370 in Kashmir or Ram Mandir’s construction (in Ayodhya).”
While ChidanandSaraswati said the report would give
birth to new debate and dialogue, Rai said the report was unique because it was
not sponsored by the government, but by citizens.
Saraswati also spoke on the issue of religious conversion,
claiming gharchaukasi (being alert) is more important than gharwapasi
(returning to the original faith). The subject of religious conversion was also
touched upon by Jha, who said conversion should be discouraged, especially from
majority to minority religions.
Source:ThePrint
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Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind In Supreme Court To Seek Scheduled
Caste Status For Dalit Muslims
Nov 30, 2022
NEW DELHI: Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind on Tuesday moved the
Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre to grant Scheduled Caste status
to Dalit Muslims for availing reservations in government jobs and admission to
educational institutions while admitting to prevalence of casteism in the
community despite strict prohibition by Islam.
In an application seeking to be a party in a petition
seeking grant of SC status to Dalit Christians, Jamiat said, "Islam, as a
religion, is based on the principles of equality among all people as the non-negotiable
principle and core doctrine of the faith."
It clarified that in Islamic core philosophy, the
caste system is not acknowledged as the society in which the philosophy
developed had no concept of caste. However, it was quick to add that "in
our society, the truth of the caste system cannot be denied".
It said Dalit Muslims were not included in SC category
under the 1950 Presidential Order on the assumption that Islam is a caste-less
religion. "This argument falls flat as some backward members of the Muslim
community are rightly regarded as Other Backward Classes (OBCs) solely on the
basis of their caste," Jamiat said.
It is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution and
discriminatory to regard Dalits from Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities as SC
but deny the same on religious grounds to Muslims, Jamiat said.
It said, "Denial of the SC status to Dalit
Muslims deprives them of political, educational and other benefits given to
non-Muslim and non-Christian SC persons and this is a calculated historical
wrong to restrain the free profession, practice and propagation of
religion."
Quoting the Sachar Committee report, Jamiat said the
gap between Muslims and other socio-religious categories has increased and
unemployment among Muslim graduates is highest among socio-religious groups.
Source: Times Of India
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Cross-border, ISIS-inspired terrorism continue to pose threat: NSA Ajit Doval
Nov 29, 2022
NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval
on Tuesday highlighted that cross-border terrorism and ISIS-inspired terrorism
continue to pose a threat to humanity.
Addressing a conference in the national capital on the
role of Ulema in fostering a culture of Interfaith Peace and Social harmony in
India and Indonesia, Doval said "As you all are aware, both our countries
have been victims of terrorism and separatism. While we have overcome the
challenges to a considerable extent, the phenomenon of cross-border and
ISIS-inspired terrorism continues to pose a threat. Cooperation of the civil
society is essential in countering the threat from ISIS-inspired individual
terror cells and returnees from theatres like Syria and Afghanistan."
The national security advisor said that the aim of
today's discussion is to bring together Indian and Indonesian Ulema and
scholars who can take forward the cooperation in promoting tolerance, harmony
and peaceful co-existence.
"This will bolster the fight against violent extremism,
terrorism and radicalisation," Doval said.
"None of the ends for which extremism,
radicalisation and the misuse of religion are employed are justifiable on any
ground. This is a distortion of religion against which all of us need to raise
our voices. Extremism and terrorism is against the very meaning of Islam
because Islam means peace and well-being (Salamati/Asalaam). Opposition to such
forces should not be painted as a confrontation with any religion. That is a
ruse", he said.
"Instead, we should focus on the real message of
our religions, which stands for the values of humanism, peace and
understanding. Indeed, as the Holy Quran itself teaches, killing one person is
like killing all humanity and saving one is akin to saving humanity. Islam ordains
that the most excellent form of Jihad is 'Jihad Afzal' - that is, Jihad against
one's senses or ego- and not against innocent civilians," Doval further
said.
Top Indonesian minister Mohammed Mahfud MD is in Delhi
on the invitation of National Security Advisor Doval.
Mahfud, the coordinating minister for the Political,
Legal, and Security Affairs of Indonesia is accompanied by a high-level
delegation of Ulema.
Visiting Ulema from Indonesia will also be interacting
with their Indian counterparts. The discussion will be on the 'Role of Ulema in
fostering a culture of interfaith peace and social harmony in India and
Indonesia'.
"Ulema play a very important role in Islamic
society and the objective of such discussion is to bring together Indian and
Indonesian Ulema and scholars who can take forward the cooperation to promote
tolerance, harmony and peaceful co-existence and counter violent extremism and
radicalization," a source told ANI.
There will be three sessions, first on Islam:
Continuity and Change, second on Harmonizing inter-faith society: Practice and
Experience and last session will be on Countering Radicalization and Extremism
in India and Indonesia.
During the visit, Ulema from Indonesia will also be
interacting with leaders from other faiths. Indonesia has the world's largest
Muslim population.
Source: Times Of India
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Jammu & Kashmir BJP and Centre at odds on Pandits
Muzaffar Raina
| Srinagar
30.11.22
The Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief has conceded that “an
environment of fear” prevails among Kashmiri Pandit government employees who
have been brought to the Valley under the Prime Minister’s rehabilitation
package, striking a note of caution that contrasts with the upbeat portrayals
by the Centre.
“When a man lives, only then will he work,” BJP Union
Territory chief Ravinder Raina said on Tuesday.
He underscored that the return of the Kashmiri Pandit
employees who fled the Valley after a spate of targeted killings this year was
not possible unless they were ensured “security of life”.
Raina’s comments come against the backdrop of a
protest by Pandits seeking relocation to Jammu that has crossed 200 days.
The Centre is said to be firmly against their
relocation, which it feels will puncture its claim of restoration of normality
after the revocation of the special status for Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Raina told reporters in Jammu that Pandits were not
against working in the Valley but that an “environment of fear” prevailing in
Kashmir had forced them out.
“After these targeted killings where you had Rahul
Bhat-ji killed in his office, Makhan Lal Bindroo was killed or principal
Satinder Kour and teachers Deepak Mehra and Rajni Bala were targeted, there is
an environment of fear. It is natural that an educated youth wants jobs but
security of life is more important than jobs,” he said.
“We will have to take the responsibility of their
security. Without security and (safe) rented accommodation, it is not possible
for Kashmiri Pandits or Dogra employees from Jammu posted in Kashmir to
return,” Raina added.
A public interaction between BJP leaders led by Raina
and Kashmiri Pandit and Dalit employees at the party’s Jammu office last week
had turned into an embarrassment for the BJP, with the participants’ accounts
shredding its all-is-well line in Kashmir.
Speaker after speaker at Thursday’s live-streamed
meeting in Jammu described how the situation had worsened in recent years,
belying the government’s claims of a reign of peace and development following
the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Raina said on Tuesday that the BJP was aware of their
problems and that they were fighting for their “rights and justice”.
“That is why we want the lieutenant governor to take
some decisions. Our first appeal to the lieutenant governor is that they should
be invited for talks. Certainly, there will be a solution. Life is much more
important than jobs. When a man lives, only then will he work,” he said.
“The other issue is that a lot of employees are ready
to go back but the question is where they will live. They were living with
Muslim landlords. Our Muslim brothers and sisters there (in Kashmir) treated
them well but the problem is they are themselves being threatened by militants
(against providing accommodation),” Raina added.
Source: TelegraphIndia
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Pro-Hindu groups demand separate law against Love
Jihad in Karnataka
Sagay Raj
Nov 30, 2022
Pro-Hindu organisations have demanded a separate law
against Love Jihad in the state of Karnataka. They will be conducting a
campaign across the state from December 11 to 17 in connection with this.
They have also demanded that a bill regarding this be
introduced in the forthcoming assembly session in Belagavi. Meanwhile, posters
by pro-Hindu organisations have emerged in Puttur city stating the need for a
law against Love Jihad in the state.
The poster also says that Love Jihad was the reason
behind Aftab murdering Shraddha and chopping her into 35 pieces.
According to Mohan Gowda, State Spokesperson, Hindu
Janajagruti Samiti, “Instances like the killing of Shraddha by Aftab are on the
rise. Asha, a Mangaluru girl, changed her name to Ayesha and became a
terrorist. There is a huge conspiracy of Love Jihad going on in the country.
Girls are getting caught in this.
Source:IndiaToday
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Terrorism In Form Of Love Jihad Ploy To Finish
'Sanatan dharma': Union Minister Giriraj Singh
30 NOV 2022
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday alleged that
"terrorism in the form of love jihad" was a ploy "to finish
Sanatan dharma" and urged people to unite against it.
The rural development minister was speaking at a
programme held in Mohammadabad here to commemorate the death anniversary of
former MLA Krishnanand Rai.
"Terrorism has taken a new shape in the form of
love jihad...it is a ploy to finish 'Sanatan dharma' in India. The followers
have to unite and foil this conspiracy," he said.
Advocating the need to frame population control laws,
Singh said such policies will ensure the holistic development of the country.
"In China, 10 children are born every minute,
while in India, 31 babies are born per minute. Due to this, development could
not take place at a rapid speed so far," he claimed.
Source:OutlookIndia
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Gyanvapi Row: HC Adjourns Hearing On Mosque
Committee's Plea Challenging Varanasi Court Verdict
29 NOV 2022
The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday adjourned the
hearing on the Gyanvapi masjid management's revision petition challenging a
Varanasi court order on the maintainability of a plea seeking permission to
offer regular prayers to idols of deities in the mosque complex.
Justice J J Munir, after a brief hearing, adjourned
the matter till Wednesday (November 30).
The AnjumanIntezamia Masjid, the Gyanvapi mosque
management committee, had challenged the Varanasi court order rejecting its
objection to the maintainability of the suit filed by five Hindu women who
sought permission to worship Shringar Gauri and other deities whose idols are
located on an outer wall of the mosque.
The district judge of Varanasi had on September 12
dismissed the plea.
On Wednesday, the high court will also hear another
revision petition filed by Laxmi Devi and others challenging the Varanasi
district judge's order by which the lower court had refused the demand of
carbon dating of a 'Shivling' claimed to have been found in the Gyanvapi mosque
complex.
On October 14, Varanasi District Judge A K Vishvesh
turned down the plea seeking scientific investigation and carbon dating of the 'Shivling',
citing Supreme Court directives for its safekeeping so that no tampering can be
done.
Four of the five Hindu parties had sought carbon
dating of the 'Shivling' found during a court-mandated videography survey of
the mosque premises close to the "wazookhana", a small reservoir used
by Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions before offering Namaz.
The revision petition has sought an appropriate survey
or excavation to find out the nature of construction beneath the 'Shivling'
discovered on May 16, 2022.
Source:OutlookIndia
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BJP Muslim outreach raises rivals’ hackles as Pasmanda
politics hots up in Bihar
by Santosh Singh
November 29, 2022
The BJP’s bid to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims seems
to be heating up politics in Bihar, with the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)
founder and ex-Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi asking the BJP if the
party would project a Muslim face as its CM candidate for the 2025 state
Assembly elections.
Pasmanda (literally meaning those left behind) Muslims
are a backward and marginalised section of the minority community that the BJP
has been trying to mobilise in the Hindi heartland, especially in states like
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP’s Pasmanda push intensified following its
national executive conclave, held in Hyderabad in July this year, where Prime
Minister Narendra Modi urged the party to make an outreach to “deprived and
downtrodden” sections in all communities. PM Modi also called upon the BJP to
take out “sneh yatra” (affection rally) to reach out to all sections.
Following the PM’s pitch, Pasmanda politics has become
a subject of intense deliberations in Bihar. The All India Pasmanda Muslim
Mahaz (AIPMM) president and ex-Rajya Sabha MP, Ali Anwar Ansari, has now
charged that all parties have been playing politics over the Pasmanda Muslim
issue, reiterating that Muslims need “samman (respect)” and not “sneh
(affection)”.
BJP MLC and ex-Union minister Sanjay Paswan organised
a discussion on the Pasmanda issue in Patna on 25 November, in which RSS leader
Ram Madhav and several Muslim leaders including Ghulam Gous, Sabir Ali and
Akhtari Begum participated.
In his speech at the function, Madhav said: “In the
political history of the country, a tribal has become President of India and an
OBC has become the PM. The Centre has constituted Commissions for tribals and
minorities for the protection of their rights as per the constitutional norms”.
Madhav, however, regretted that only 15-20 per cent of
the Pasmanda and deprived communities have been getting the benefits of the
government’s welfare schemes. “About 75 per cent of Muslims are Pasmanda but
they are not getting adequate representation. This section needs to raise their
voice. Central government has been trying to transfer benefits of sundry
welfare schemes to them through DBT,” he said.
Sanjay Paswan told the event: “There has been a
Pasmanda section in every community. It is our duty to bring them all into the
mainstream. We need to bring them together. In this respect, former CM Karpoori
Thakur had done an excellent classification by identifying Pasmanda among
Muslims, extremely backward among Hindus, economically backward among general
category and also identifying women as backwards, who need assistance from the
government.”
HAM (Secular) chief Manjhi, however, hit out at the
BJP over its Pasmanda Muslims outreach. “What BJP has been doing in name of
Pasmanda politics is a complete charade,” he alleged. “If BJP is really serious
about winning over Muslims and work for backwards among them, they should
project a Muslim as its CM face in 2025 polls,” he said.
The HAM (Secular) is a constituent of the ruling
seven-party Grand Alliance, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Source: Indian Express
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Bengaluru: BJP MLA warns action against call to
boycott Muslim traders
29th November 2022
Bengaluru: A BJP MLA in Karnataka has warned of action
against a call by Hindu activists to boycott Muslim traders from carrying out
their businesses during the Subramaneshwara fair in Bengaluru.
The activists and the Bajrang Dal have demanded that
only Hindu traders should be allowed to carry out business during the fair
which sees the participation of thousands of devotees.
Uday B Garudachar, the MLA from Chickpet constituency,
has clarified that there would not be any new rules because Hindu activists demand
that people of all religions are permitted to carry out their businesses.
“Only allowing Hindu traders is not tenable. If anyone
tries to create a problem in the fair, legal action will be initiated against
them,” he added.
“We are elected representatives and got elected after
getting votes of people belonging to all religions. There is no room for
discrimination. The tradition which has been followed for years will be carried
forward.”
Expressing their outrage against the decision, the
Hindu activists argue that Hindu traders are not allowed to carry out business
in the surrounding areas of mosques.
They have also challenged the MLA to allow Hindu
traders to carry out business near mosques in his Assembly constituency.
Garudachar also said that action will be initiated if
Hindu traders are not allowed to carry out business surrounding mosques in his
constituency.
However, other parts of Bengaluru
Meanwhile, quite in contrast to Chikpet, Koppal
district and parts of Dakishina Kannada and Kodugu districts are facing
opposite situations.
The right-wing organisation, Hindu Jagran Vedike, has
put up posters in and around Koppal district asking temple authorities of
Anjanadri Betta not to allow non-Hindu stalls for the upcoming festival.
This is not the first time the Hindu extremist
organisation is calling out such bans. Not a week ago, the organisation erected
a poster in front of the Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Swami temple in Dakshina Kannada
district asking non-Hindu shopkeepers to refrain from setting up stalls for the
upcoming temple festival ChampaShashthi that falls on November 29.
Siasat.com got in touch with the temple’s executive
officer in charge who said that they are not responsible for the poster. When
asked if they plan to allow non-Hindu traders to set up their shops/stalls
during the festival time, the officer said they were following the Karnataka
Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Rules, 2002.
Source:Siasat Daily
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Karnataka: Muslims protest against renaming Tipu
Circle after Savarkar
29th November 2022
The Tipu Sultan Samyukta Ranga, and other Muslim
organisations protested in Yadgiri district, Karnataka, on Tuesday against the
municipal council’s decision to rename Tipu Circle as Savarkar Circle.
The protest was held in front of the council’s office.
The protestors tied black bands on their hands and shouted slogans to express
their disappointment and anguish over the decision.
However, the Yadgiri municipal council chairman Suresh
Ambigar maintained that the circle was never named Tipu Circle, adding the
decision was made after right-wing organisations increased their demands to
rename it as Savarkar Circle.
“A few months ago, Hindu organisations requested the
circle to be named Veer Savarkar Circle. The order for it to be named Tipu
Circle was not passed officially by the government in 2010. They had not
received any government order. Now, after renaming it as Veer Savarkar, we have
sent an official request to the state government,” Ambigar told reporters.
Meanwhile, claiming there are proper documents to
prove the place is officially named Tipu Circle, one of the protestors Wahid
Miya told reporters the council is trying to play regional communal politics.
“The circle was named Tipu circle but now under the
BJP government, they are going to rename this as Veer Savarkar. This is against
the law,” Wahid Miya said.
Source:Siasat Daily
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Europe
Swedish premier says new terror law to be implemented
before next summer
AtilaAltuntaş
30.11.2022
STOCKHOLM, Sweden
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Tuesday
that his country will start implementing a new terror law that will take effect
before next summer.
Referring to a recent meeting of the joint mechanism
held in Stockholm within the scope of the Tripartite Memorandum signed by
Türkiye, Finland and Sweden at a NATO Madrid Summit on June 28, he said: “The
Turkish side has openly expressed their satisfaction for the first time,” when
interviewed by state-run news agency, TT.
Also touching on the new terror law, Kristersson said,
"The implementation of the terror law, which will be introduced at the
beginning of this year and prevents participation in terrorist organizations,
will begin before summer. Sweden continues to comply with the agreement with
Türkiye." he said.
Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO in
May, abandoning decades of military non-alignment, a decision spurred by
Russia's war against Ukraine.
But Türkiye -- a NATO member for more than 70 years --
voiced objections to their membership bids, accusing the two countries of
tolerating and even supporting terror groups.
Türkiye and the two Nordic countries signed a
memorandum in June at the NATO summit to address Ankara's legitimate security
concerns, paving the way for their eventual membership in the alliance.
Under the memorandum, Finland and Sweden extend their
full support to Türkiye countering threats to its national security. To that
effect, Helsinki and Stockholm are not to provide support to the YPG/PYD terror
group or the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- the group behind the
defeated 2016 coup in Türkiye.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against
Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and
EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including
women, children and infants. The YPG is its Syrian offshoot.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Spain shouldn't contribute to human rights violations
committed by Morocco: Council of Europe
BeyzaBinnurDonmez
29.11.2022
The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner on
Tuesday urged Spain to not contribute to human rights violations committed by
Morocco over the Melilla migrant tragedy.
"Spain, like other Council of Europe member
states, should not directly or indirectly contribute to human rights violations
through measures taken to implement their migration cooperation with third
countries," DunjaMijatovic said in a statement.
The situation on the borders between Morocco and Spain
"proves once again the urgent need to improve responsibility-sharing and
solidarity measures between the Council of Europe member states," she
said, recalling the June 24 incident where at least 23 people died while
jumping the Melilla fence.
There is "no genuine and effective access"
to asylum on the border between the Moroccan city of Nador and Melilla,
Mijatovic added.
"In practice, there seems to be no other way to
enter Melilla and seek protection with the relevant authorities other than by swimming
or jumping the fence, risking one’s life," she said. "This situation
must be addressed comprehensively to make sure that those in need of protection
can access the territory through legal and safe ways."
The commissioner welcomed the opening of investigations
by the prosecutor general and the Spanish ombudsman on the Melilla tragedy,
however she voiced concern over first findings which stated that "on that
date 470 people were returned to Morocco without any legal procedure being
observed."
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Russia, China slam Israel's 'disproportionate use of
force' against Palestinians
29 November 2022
Russia and China have strongly denounced Israeli
regime's excessive use of force against Palestinians amid heightened tensions
in the occupied territories.
Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on the
situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, Russia's deputy
UN ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy slammed Israel'i regime's
"disproportionate use of force" in the occupied Palestinian
territories.
He also warned that the regime's "unilateral
steps", including expansion of settlements, seizure of Palestinian
property, demolition of Palestinian-owned housings, arbitrary arrests,
violation of the status quo of al-Quds' holy sites continue to create
"irreversible facts on the ground".
Polyanskiy further noted that Israeli regime's
"arbitrary illegitimate actions reach beyond the limits of West Bank and
Gaza and affect the neighboring Arab states, whose sovereignty was violated on
numerous occasions", referring to Israeli strikes against Syria and
Lebanon.
The envoy also slammed Washington, Tel Aviv's staunch
ally, for repeatedly blocking UN Security Council resolutions on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"The Palestinian problem is ... being driven out
of the international agenda by the United States, who blocked the efforts of
the Quartet of international intermediaries for the Middle East and precluded
adoption of any meaningful decisions by the Security Council," he
asserted.
Speaking at the same meeting, China's Ambassador to
the UN envoy, Zhang Jun, also expressed his country "deep concern"
about the deteriorating security situation in the occupied Palestinian
territories.
Referring to 2022 being the deadliest year for
Palestinians in the West Bank since 2005, Zhang said Beijing condemns "all
indiscriminate attacks on civilians, deplores the grave violations against
children, opposes the excessive use of force by security forces", and
called for holding the perpetrators accountable.
The ambassador also referred to dire humanitarian and
economic situation in the Gaza Strip, urging Israel to lift its 15-year
blockade on the coastal enclave.
"We call on Israel to ease restrictions on the
movement of people and humanitarian, reconstruction materials into and out of
the Gaza Strip, to lift the blockade on Gaza as soon as possible, and to
effectively create conditions for the development of Palestinian communities in
the West Bank," said Zhang.
He also called for an end to Israeli settlement
activities that he said is a roadblock in so-called two-state solution to the
conflict.
"The continued expansion of settlement activities
that encroach on the Palestinian land, swallow up Palestinian resources and
violate Palestine's right to self-determination have made a contiguous,
independent and sovereign state of Palestine even more elusive," he said.
"China urges Israel to cease all settlement
activities and return to the right track of the two-state solution."
Zhang urged the UNSC to "support the Palestinian
people in restoring and exercising their inalienable rights", saying
"On issues concerning the future and fate of the Palestinian people, no
one has the right to veto."
Source: Press TV
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Mideast
Conflict in occupied Palestinian territories reaching
boiling point: UN special envoy
29 November 2022
The United Nations special coordinator for the Middle
East has raised the alarm about escalating violence against Palestinians by the
Israeli regime’s forces in the occupied territories, warning that tensions are
"again reaching a boiling point" between the two sides.
Tor Wennesland made the remark in a statement on
Monday as he addressed the UN Security Council on the ongoing situation in the
West Asia region, including the dangerous escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
“After decades of persistent violence, illegal
settlement expansion, dormant negotiation and deepening occupation, the
conflict is again reaching a boiling point,” Wennesland said, adding that the
high levels of violence, which include "attacks against … Palestinian
civilians, increased use of arms, and settler-related violence," have
"caused grave human suffering."
Warning that current trends could worsen the tensions
in the occupied Palestinian territories and destabilize the whole region,
Wennesland called on the two sides to stop violence and, together with the
international community, take urgent steps towards achieving the so-called
two-state solution.
“The international community must continue to engage
with the parties to reduce tensions and counter negative trends. Violence and
incitement must be reined in and perpetrators held to account. That also means
stopping unilateral steps that undermine peace, including settlement expansion
and demolitions, and upholding the status quo at the holy sites,” the UN
official said.
“Through incremental but tangible steps, we can build
a bridge between where we are now and the conditions necessary for a peaceful
resolution of the conflict based on United Nations resolutions, international
law and previous agreements,” he added.
Calling on the international community to continue to
improve access, movement and trade to create room for the Palestinian economy
to grow, Wennesland said steps should be taken to increase access for
Palestinians to land and resources in the entire occupied West Bank, and ease
restrictions on the movement of people and goods in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Earlier on Monday, some 200 Palestinian and
international organizations urged the International Criminal Court to
investigate Israeli crimes and for public condemnation, amid an increase in
Israeli regime's killings and continuous aggression against Palestinians.
The organizations stressed the need to speed up the
investigations, which should include crimes against humanity such as apartheid
and persecution pursuant to Article 9 of the Rome Statute, as well as to issue
proactive statements to prevent Israeli practices that may contribute to the
continuation of war crimes.
They also demanded that the crimes committed by Israel
during its unjustified military attack on the Gaza Strip in August 2022 be
included in the ongoing investigation into the situation in Palestine.
Israeli forces have recently been conducting overnight
raids and killings in the northern occupied West Bank, mainly in the cities of
Jenin and Nablus, where new groups of Palestinian resistance fighters have been
formed.
Since the start of 2022, Israeli troops have killed
more than 200 Palestinians, including more than 50 children, in the occupied
West Bank and East al-Quds as well as the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to the United Nations, the number of
Palestinians killed by Israel in the occupied West Bank this year is the
highest in 16 years.
Source: Press TV
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Iran underlines Syria's right to self-defence against
Israeli aggression
30 November 2022
Iran lays emphasis on Syria's "legitimate
right" to self-defense in the face of the Israeli regime's ongoing
intermittent attacks against the Arab country's soil.
Amir-Saeed Iravani, the Islamic Republic's permanent
ambassador to the United Nations, made the remarks on Tuesday, addressing a
meeting of the world body's Security Council.
"Security and stability in northern Syria will
only come about through complete preservation of and respect for the country's
sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
"Whatever military operation against northern
Syria could [either] pose a challenge to or even worsen the humanitarian
situation [there]," noted the envoy.
Syria and the Israeli regime are technically at war
due to the latter’s 1967-to-present occupation of the Arab country’s Golan
Heights. Israel maintains a significant military presence in the territory,
which it uses as one of its launching pads for attacks against the Syrian
territory.
The regime's attacks on Syria started to grow
significantly in scale and frequency after 2011 when the Arab country found
itself in the grips of rampant foreign-backed militancy and terrorism.
According to Iravani, the Zionist regime's recurrent
violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its deliberate
targeting of the Arab country's civilians and civilian infrastructures,
amounted to contravention of the international and humanitarian laws as well as
the UN Charter.
The official, therefore, insisted that the Security
Council had to condemn the Zionist regime's incursions and "terrorist
attacks" against Syria.
Source: Press TV
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/11/30/693630/Iran-Syria-Israel-United-Nations
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Two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces,
Palestinians say
Nov 29, 2022
JERUSALEM: Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli
forces early Tuesday morning in two separate incidents in the Israeli occuppied
West Bank, Palestinian officials said.
Th Israeli military did not confirm the death but said
its troops came under attack overnight when two military vehicles stalled just
outside the town of Beit Ummar, near the city of Hebron. Rioters hurled bombs
and fired shots at soldiers who responded with live fire, the military said in
a statement.
In a separate incident, Palestinian officials said
another man was killed by Israeli fire near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Source: Times Of India
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Muslim bloc eyes devising strategies against future
economic shocks
Riyaz ul Khaliq
29.11.2022
As the COVID-19 pandemic battered national and global
economies, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) mull devising
strategies to strengthen their economies for any possible financial shocks.
The resolution adopted at the end of the three-day
meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation
(COMCEC) on Tuesday encouraged the OIC member states to “devise appropriate
policies and strategies to strengthen their economic resilience to future
shocks.”
FuatOktay, Türkiye’s vice president, chaired the
concluding session.
The recommendation to 57-member Muslim bloc was made
on the basis of a report “OIC Economic Outlook 2022: Achieving Sustainable and
Resilient Recovery Post COVID-19 Pandemic.”
After Pakistani diplomat Husham Ahmed, rapporteur for
the meeting, read the resolution, Türkiye proposed a brief intervention in the
resolution text, urging the Muslim bloc to “increase intra-OIC trade” through
Trade Preferential System which came into effect in July.
The proposition was unanimously adopted.
According to the resolution, Palestine has urged the
OIC member states to “assist and strengthen the resilience of Al-Quds and
mobilize the necessary funding by adding the smallest unit of national currency
for member states to the monthly bill for fixed and mobile phone service
subscribers.”
Commending the OIC institutions’ efforts in helping
the member nations in their efforts towards mitigating the adverse effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the resolution informed that Borsa Istanbul, as the
secretariat of the OIC Exchanges Forum, will host the 17th meeting of the forum
in 2023.
It added that the Turkish Central Bank, as the
secretariat of the OIC-COMCEC Central Banks Forum, has offered to host the
fifth meeting of the forum in 2023.
Türkiye’s Digital Transformation Office has also
offered to host the first high-level forum meeting next year, the resolution
added.
As the COVID-19 pandemic battered national and global economies,
the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) mull devising strategies to
strengthen their economies for any possible financial shocks.
The resolution adopted at the end of the three-day
meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation
(COMCEC) on Tuesday encouraged the OIC member states to “devise appropriate
policies and strategies to strengthen their economic resilience to future
shocks.”
FuatOktay, Türkiye’s vice president, chaired the
concluding session.
The recommendation to 57-member Muslim bloc was made
on the basis of a report “OIC Economic Outlook 2022: Achieving Sustainable and
Resilient Recovery Post COVID-19 Pandemic.”
After Pakistani diplomat Husham Ahmed, rapporteur for
the meeting, read the resolution, Türkiye proposed a brief intervention in the
resolution text, urging the Muslim bloc to “increase intra-OIC trade” through
Trade Preferential System which came into effect in July.
The proposition was unanimously adopted.
According to the resolution, Palestine has urged the
OIC member states to “assist and strengthen the resilience of Al-Quds and
mobilize the necessary funding by adding the smallest unit of national currency
for member states to the monthly bill for fixed and mobile phone service
subscribers.”
Commending the OIC institutions’ efforts in helping
the member nations in their efforts towards mitigating the adverse effects of
the COVID-19 pandemic, the resolution informed that Borsa Istanbul, as the
secretariat of the OIC Exchanges Forum, will host the 17th meeting of the forum
in 2023.
It added that the Turkish Central Bank, as the
secretariat of the OIC-COMCEC Central Banks Forum, has offered to host the
fifth meeting of the forum in 2023.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Iran's supreme leader takes Iraqi PM to task over
security
29 November ,2022
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei cast doubt on
Baghdad's commitment to secure their common border during talks Tuesday in
Tehran with new Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Ties between the two neighbors have lately been
strained by tensions over Iran carrying out cross-border strikes against exiled
Kurdish opposition groups it accuses of fomenting unrest at home.
Responding to a pledge by al-Sudani that he would not
allow Iraqi territory to be used to undermine Iran's security, Khamenei said:
“unfortunately, this is currently occurring in some parts of Iraq.”
Al-Sudani's meeting with the supreme leader followed
talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during which they identified
fighting “terrorism,” mutual security and economic cooperation as key
priorities.
Al-Sudani was on his first official visit to Tehran
after becoming prime minister last month, following a year-long tussle between
political factions over forming a government following an October 2021 general
election.
“From our perspective and that of the Iraqi
government, security, peace, cooperation and regional stability are very
important,” Raisi told a joint news conference.
Al-Sudani said that “our government is determined not
to allow any group or party to use Iraqi territory to undermine and disrupt
Iran's security.”
Since nationwide protests erupted in Iran more than
two months ago, officials have accused Kurdish opposition groups exiled in
northern Iraq of stoking the unrest and the Islamic republic has repeatedly
launched deadly cross-border strikes.
Strikes targeting Iranian-Kurdish groups in Iraq's
autonomous Kurdistan region resumed this month, even after Iraq's federal
government summoned Iran's ambassador in late September to complain about
cross-border missile and drone hits that killed at least seven people.
On Tuesday, Khamenei urged al-Sudani to take a tougher
line.
“The only solution is for the Iraqi government to
extend its authority” to regions that are undermining Iran's security, he said,
referring to Iraqi Kurdistan.
Iraq has announced in the past week that it will
redeploy federal guards on the border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, rather
than leaving the responsibility to Kurdish peshmerga forces -- a move welcomed
by Tehran.
On Tuesday, al-Sudani said that Iraqi and Iranian
national security advisers would hold consultations to “establish a working
mechanism for on-the-ground coordination to avoid any escalation.”
He also thanked Iran for its continued deliveries of
gas and electricity, which have been in short supply in Iraq.
Source: Al Arabiya
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UN Iran expert concerned about death sentences for
protesters
29 November ,2022
A UN-appointed independent expert on Iran voiced
concern on Tuesday that the repression of protesters was intensifying, with
authorities launching a “campaign” of sentencing them to death.
The UN says more than 300 people have been killed so
far and 14,000 arrested in protests which began after the Sept. 16 death in
custody of 22-year-old Kurdish woman MahsaAmini.
“I'm afraid that the Iranian regime will react
violently to the Human Rights Council resolution and this may trigger more
violence and repression on their part,” Javaid Rehman told Reuters, referring
to a UN Human Rights Council vote to establish a probe into the crackdown last
week.
Tehran has rejected the investigation and says it will
not cooperate.
“Now (authorities) have started a campaign of
sentencing (protesters) to death,” he added, saying he expected more to be
sentenced.
Already, 21 people arrested in the context of the
protests face the death penalty, including a woman indicted on “vague and
broadly formulated criminal offences”, and six have been sentenced this month,
Rehman said.
Iran has blamed foreign foes and their agents for the
unrest. Its judiciary chief last month ordered judges to issue tough sentences
for the “main elements of riots”.
Even before the unrest, executions were rising and the
UN human rights boss Volker Turk has said the number this year had reportedly
surpassed 400 by September for the first time in five years.
The UN resolution is seen as being among the more
strongly-worded in the body's 16-year history and urges the mission to
“collect, consolidate and analyse evidence”.
Past investigations launched by the council have led
to war crimes cases, including the jailing of a Syrian ex-officer for
state-backed torture in Germany this year.
Rehman said he expects the new Fact-Finding Mission to
provide a list of perpetrators and share that with national and regional legal
authorities.
Source: Al Arabiya
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Israel’s PM urges world leaders to prevent ICJ opinion
on Israel’s occupation
29 November ,2022
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday urged
world leaders to block a Palestinian bid at the United Nations for an advisory
opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s occupation, the
prime minister’s office said.
In a letter, Lapid asked more than 50 heads of state,
including those of the UK and France, to pressure the Palestinian Authority,
which exercises limited rule in the occupied West Bank, and prevent it from
promoting the resolution at the General Assembly.
The resolution, approved by a UN committee in early
November, asks that the ICJ to “urgently” weigh in on Israel’s “prolonged
occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory,” which it
said were violating the Palestinians’ right to self- determination.
Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem
- areas that Palestinians want for a state - in a 1967 Middle East war.
The status of disputed territory should be subject to
direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, Lapid said, adding
that bringing the matter before the ICJ “will only play into the hands of
extremists.”
Source: Al Arabiya
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Israel's Lapid calls for halting UN vote for ICJ
opinion on occupation
Abdelraouf Arnaout
29.11.2022
JERUSALEM
Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday
urged world leaders to prevent a vote at the UN General Assembly to request an
advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Israeli
occupation of the Palestinian territories.
In a statement, Lapid’s office said he sent letters to
leaders of more than 50 countries to urge them to dissuade the Palestinian
Authority from moving ahead with the vote.
The Israeli premier said in the letter that if the
vote takes place, then, he expects from "Israel's friends" to vote
against the decision.
On Nov. 11, the Fourth Committee of the UN General
Assembly adopted a draft Palestinian resolution requesting an ICJ advisory
opinion on Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands since 1967.
The draft resolution was approved by 98 countries,
while 17 countries rejected it.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Rights groups urge global action against Israeli
occupation, atrocities
30 November 2022
On the International Day of Solidarity with the
Palestinian People, local and international organizations have called on the
world community to step up its efforts to end Israeli apartheid and allow
Palestinians to return back to their ancient homes.
In a statement marking the occasion, the Palestinian
Return Center (PRC) said that the annual commemoration comes amid alarming
heightened Israeli aggression against Palestinians.
The center said, “Escalating Israeli crimes include
mass collective punishment, mass demolitions, ethnic cleansing, settler
attacks, and ongoing campaigns to criminalize any form of solidarity with
Palestine must come to an end.”
It added that this year’s observance is a reminder of
the fact that Palestinians are treated as second-class citizens and are
deprived of their basic rights, highlighting the right to return of all
Palestinian refugees in exile across the world.
Meanwhile, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights
Association said 96 local, regional and international organizations supporting
Palestinian political prisoners are calling for an end to the Israeli
apartheid’s arbitrary policies and rapid use of the policy of detention without
charge or trial.
In turn, Hamas, the Palestinian resistance movement,
said Palestinians are standing steadfast in face of Israeli occupation and
violence, and the free people of the world’s support for and solidarity with
Palestine is on the rise.
“There is no legitimacy or sovereignty for the Israeli
occupation over occupied Palestine, and liberating it is a responsibility that
falls not only on the Palestinian people, but also on the Arab and Islamic
Ummah and the free people of the world,” the statement read.
Hamas said, “The world has demonstrated solidarity
with Palestinians this year at Qatar 2022 World Cup and emphasized their
rejection to any form of normalization with the Israeli regime.”
Intl. NGOs: End Israeli apartheid
Meanwhile, several non-Palestinian organizations also
expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people on the occasion, which they
described as an opportunity to reiterate support for the people of Palestine in
their struggle for freedom and dignity.
For its part, the BDS movement said on the 44th
anniversary of this day that “Israel controls every facet of Palestinian life
through a brutally oppressive regime of settler-colonialism and apartheid which
exercises a single system of domination over all Indigenous Palestinians.”
The movement called on the UN to take action against
apartheid Israel.
At a Palestinian solidarity event on Tuesday, UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the “occupation must end,” amid
growing international alarm over a spike in violence in the West Bank.
Guterres, while reassuring his commitment to a
“two-state solution,” said the “drivers of the conflict” were occupation,
settlements, home demolitions, evictions and closures of Gaza crossings” by
Israel.
The European Union also called for a comprehensive
resolution of the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict on the same grounds, reiterating that settlements
are illegal under international law.
Also from Europe, the Democracy in Europe Movement
2025 said, “Showing solidarity with Palestinians means acting to pressure our
governments into withdrawing their shameful support for Israel’s vicious
occupation and apartheid policies.”
According to recent reports, 2022 has been the
deadliest for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since 2016.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said the Israeli
occupying forces have killed over 200 Palestinians so far, including children
and women.
The majority of Palestinians were shot by Israeli
forces or armed settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Also, in August 2022, Israel launched yet another
aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, during which 49
Palestinians, including 17 children, were killed, and another 335 were injured.
In 1977, the UN General Assembly called for the annual
observance of November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the
Palestinian People.
Source: Press TV
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Tel Aviv regime facing another Palestinian Intifada:
Israeli media
30 November 2022
Israeli media has described the security situation in
the Occupied West Bank as ‘dangerous,’ suggesting that the apartheid regime
stands before what seems to be another Palestinian Intifada.
According to an Israeli Channel 12 correspondent,
since the latest operations in the Gaza Strip, “Israeli occupation forces have
been stationed in the area,” and the military surveillance apparatuses
“prevents revealing the numbers of Israeli army forces and details related to
it to media outlets.”
“We are prohibited from talking about the size of the
deployed forces, but we confirm that they are heavily deployed, and the
military is starting to complain about how difficult the situation has become,”
he said.
The news was also confirmed by military affairs
commentator Amir Bar Shalom. He said the “situation reminds us of the
reminiscence of a dangerous phenomenon, which is the Second Intifada.”
According to the political commentator, Israeli
officials warned before the Knesset on Tuesday that an increase was expected in
terms of Palestinian operations and an escalation in terms of the operations’
quality.
The officials voiced a “pessimistic” forecast
regarding the current wave of Palestinian attacks that began this past March.
“The expectation is for an increase in the scope of
the attacks and an escalation in the quality of the attacks that will come from
the West Bank,” the officials said.
The first sign of such escalation was the twin
operations that took place in occupied al-Quds last week, Amir Bar Shalom
added.
He explained that practically speaking, the Israeli
army has raised the ‘red flag’ (a military warning to the serious danger it
faces currently), and said “an intifada is months away rather than years away.”
On November 23, two separate explosions rocked two bus
stations at the entrance of occupied al-Quds, in response to a long period of
ongoing Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people.
Following the attacks, the head of the Israeli
military intelligence directorate Tamir Hayman said the twin explosions were a
clear sign of the outbreak of a third Palestinian Intifada with “unprecedented
characteristics.”
Commenting on the attacks, the Palestinian Hamas
resistance movement said these come in reaction to a new round of Israeli
airstrikes against Gaza, as well as the stepping up of Israeli army and settler
raids of al-Aqsa mosque and assaulting Palestinians inside its vicinity.
Israeli occupation forces have ramped up military
activity in the West Bank, killing more Palestinians during the past months.
On Tuesday morning, Israeli forces killed four
Palestinians, including two young siblings who were shot after Israeli soldiers
stormed the city of Kafr Ein southwest of Ramallah and injured nine others with
live bullets.
Fifth Palestinian succumbs to wounds
In a related development within less than 24 hours,
Israeli forces killed a young Palestinian man in the village of Al-Mughayyir,
east of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Raed
Ghazi Na’ssan succumbed to his wounds after being shot in the chest by Israeli
soldiers during a military raid.
Local sources said that Israeli forces barged their
way into the village and opened fire towards local young men attempting to
block their entry, hitting one by a live round and several others by
rubber-coated steel bullets.
Since the start of 2022, Israeli troops have killed
more than 200 Palestinians, including more than 50 children, in the occupied
West Bank and East al-Quds as well as the besieged Gaza Strip, the highest
record of killing since 2006.
Source: Press TV
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North America
Washington
pledges support for Islamabad’s anti-TTP efforts
Anwar
Iqbal
November
30, 2022
WASHINGTON:
The United States and Pakistan have a shared interest in combating threats to
regional security, such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Washington
will support the Pakistan government’s efforts to combat terrorism in all its
forms, a State Department spokesperson told Dawn on Tuesday.
On
Monday, the outlawed TTP had asked its combatants to carry out attacks across
the country because of alleged “unabated” operations by security forces against
militants in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Deploring
the outlawed TTP’s decision to end its ceasefire with the government of
Pakistan, the United Nations also expressed grave concern over the move that,
they fear, could lead to increased suffering for civilians in the country.
“We
seek a strong partnership with Pakistan on counterterrorism and expect
sustained action against all militant and terrorist groups. We look forward to
cooperative efforts to eliminate all regional and global terrorist threats,” a
State Department spokesperson told Dawn in response to a query.
The
spokesperson recalled that the Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from
terrorist attacks in the past two decades, adding: “We support the Pakistan
government’s efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms”.
Separately,
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary General called the TTP’s
decision “most unfortunate”, saying that this could lead to an increase in acts
of terrorism.
“That
would be most unfortunate if that is, in fact, true,” he said when informed at
a briefing that TTP had announced ending its ceasefire with the Pakistani
government, and that its leaders have already ordered their cadres to re-launch
attacks on Pakistani targets.
When
asked to elaborate this response, Mr Dujarric said: “I personally haven’t seen
those reports, but obviously, any action that leads to increased violence that
could lead to increased acts of terrorism and increase suffering for civilians
is something that is of grave concern to us.”
The
issue of Pakistan’s renewed problems with TTP and Afghanistan’s de facto
Taliban rulers also came up at a recent talk at the Council on Foreign
Relations in New York, when the council’s president Richard Haas asked National
Security Adviser Jake Sullivan if Pakistan was “playing a more responsible
role” in Afghanistan now.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1723899/washington-pledges-support-for-islamabads-anti-ttp-efforts
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US
approves sale of anti-drone systems to Qatar in $1 bln deal
30
November ,2022
The
State Department approved Tuesday the sale of sophisticated anti-drone systems
to Qatar in a deal worth $1 billion.
Qatar
requested to buy 10 Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System
Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), according to a statement from the Pentagon.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The
State Department said the sale would support the foreign policy and national
security objectives of the US “by helping to improve the security of a friendly
country that continues to be an important force for political stability and
economic progress in the Middle East.”
The
proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region,
according to the State Department.
The
deal is also expected to include 200 Coyote Block 2 interceptors, Counter Unmanned
Electronic Warfare System (CUAEWS); Coyote launchers and equipment.
The
principal contractors will be Raytheon Technologies, SRC and Northrop Grumman,
the Pentagon said in a statement.
Five
additional US government and 15 US contractor representatives will be sent to
Qatar for five years to support fielding, training, and sustainment activities.
Under
the Trump administration, the US approved a $21 billion arms deal for US
weapons, including 36 F-15QA fighter jets.
Qatar
requested to buy US-made MQ-9 Reaper drones in the aftermath of a US-UAE deal
that saw Washington approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab
Emirates.
President
Joe Biden then designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally in March, which allows
Doha to be in a group of countries that are provided with certain defense,
trade and security benefits with the US.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
US
says it reduced patrols with PKK/YPG in Syria after Türkiye's anti-terror
strikes
ServetGünerigök
29.11.2022
WASHINGTON
The
US Department of Defense said Tuesday it has reduced its patrols with PKK/YPG
in the wake of Türkiye's airstrikes against the terror group.
Speaking
at a press conference, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier Gen. Patrick Ryder said the
US recognizes Türkiye's security concerns but remains "deeply
concerned" about the airstrikes in northern Syria.
Ryder
said the Daesh/ISIS mission "right now" continues, adding: "We
have reduced the number of partner patrols" with the terror group.
The
spokesman also voiced concern about a potential ground operation by Türkiye and
said it "would severely jeopardize the hard-fought gains" against
Daesh terror group.
He
called for restraint and said the US maintains regular communication with
Ankara.
Recently,
Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword in northern Iraq and Syria, a
cross-border aerial campaign against the terror group PKK/YPG, which has
illegal hideouts across the Iraqi and Syrian borders where they plan and
sometimes execute attacks on Turkish soil.
After
the air operation was launched on Nov. 20, Erdogan had also signaled a ground
operation in northern Iraq and northern Syria to eliminate the terror threat.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Turkish
ground op in Syria would ‘jeopardize’ anti-ISIS gains: Pentagon
30
November ,2022
A
Turkish ground operation in Syria would “severely jeopardize” gains made in the
war against the ISIS extremist group, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, urging
restraint.
Turkey
has carried out air strikes against semi-autonomous Kurdish zones in Syria and
Iraq since a deadly Istanbul bombing it blames on Kurdish groups, and has
threatened to launch an operation on the ground in Syria.
The
US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), now the Kurds' de facto army in
northeast Syria, have played a key role in dislodging ISIS fighters from the
territory they seized in the country.
“The
continued conflict, especially a ground invasion, would severely jeopardize the
hard-fought gains that the world has achieved against ISIS and would
destabilize the region,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder
told journalists.
“We...
remain concerned about a potential Turkish ground operation in Syria, and again
would urge restraint,” he said, while also acknowledging Ankara's security
concerns.
Ryder
said US forces have reduced the number of joint patrols with the SDF, but have
not redeployed.
“We
have reduced the number of patrols because... we do these partnering with the
SDF, and so they have reduced the number of patrols that they're doing,” he
said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
Pakistan
Man
Challenges Step Sister's Visitation Rights On 'Islamic' Grounds
Rana
Yasif
November
29, 2022
The
Lahore High Court (LHC) is to decide on the visitation rights of a step-sister
after the petitioner challenged earlier lower court orders in the matter citing
provisions in Islamic law among other grounds.
As
the proceedings commenced on Monday, the petitioner’s counsel Waseem Ahmad
Mokal implored the court that “justice is dispensed as per the law not as per
the whims and wishes of judges”.
"What
is the objection if step-sister wants to meet with the minor?" Justice
Tariq Saleem Sheikh questioned. To this, the counsel replied that under the
Islamic law a step sister has no such right.
According
to details, the respondent, Sehrish is the step-sister of four-year-old Hussain
Ali and was born to parents Muhammad Anwar and Rehana Kausar. However, upon the
passing of her father, Hussain's mother married the petitioner, Abid Hameed.
The
petitioner's counsel told the court today that Rehana Kausar later passed away
and the four-year-old has since been living with him and his two sisters.
Sehrish
had earlier filed a petition in the lower court seeking visitation rights,
which were granted by an additional district and sessions judge in September.
The court had directed the petitioner to arrange a meeting between the minor
and his step-sister twice to thrice a week.
Sehrish
had then gone on to file a contempt petition against Abid Hameed, arguing that
he had not complied with the court's order. The court had in response issued a
schedule of meeting for the step-siblings in October.
Challenging
the above orders in the LHC, Hameed argued that Sehrish was a married woman
with no visitation rights in the purview of Islamic law. He also contended that
she has "no bond" with the minor in question because she never lived
with him.
Source:
Tribune Pakistan
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UK
charity to help Pakistan flood victims with cryptocurrency fundraising
November
29, 2022
LONDON:
UK-based humanitarian charity Penny Appeal has announced that it would take
part in Crypto Giving Tuesday, the biggest day for cryptocurrency generosity,
to raise digital donations for its efforts to support the victims of Pakistan’s
floods.
Devastating
floods since June have killed more than 1,700 people, displaced 7.9 million,
and inflicted billions of dollars of damage. Pakistan’s authorities estimate
property damage could be as high as $40 billion.
“Bitcoin
is more than just an investment; it can also be used to make charitable donations,
that’s why on Nov. 29, crypto enthusiasts around the world will be taking part
in Crypto Giving Tuesday,” the international charity said in a statement.
“Just
as Black Friday and Cyber Monday kicked off the holiday shopping season, Crypto
Giving Tuesday is a day for people to show their support for charities and
nonprofit organizations that accept cryptocurrency donations,” it added.
Penny
Appeal said it has been utilizing platforms like The Giving Block, which helps
facilitate cryptocurrency fundraising for nonprofit organizations, to make it
easy for people to donate using their digital assets.
The
charity’s projects include humanitarian response work, solar-powered water
wells, climate-smart villages and education sponsorships for orphans. They are
currently working on building permanent homes for those who have lost
everything in the floods in Pakistan.
“We’re
extremely excited to be able to receive cryptocurrency donations,” said Adeem
Younis, founder of Penny Appeal. “Cryptocurrency is playing an increasingly
important role in philanthropy, and we hope that Crypto Giving Tuesday will
encourage more people to donate cryptocurrencies to support life-saving aid for
millions of victims of the Pakistan floods.”
Last
year, the day raised over $2.4 million and saw nonprofit participation rise by
839 percent, according to data provided by The Giving Block.
Source:
Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2208241/world
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Policeman
among three dead in suicide blast in Quetta’s Baleli area: police
Ghalib
Nihad | Dawn.com | Tahir Khan
November
30, 2022
Three
individuals, including a police officer and two civilians, died in a suicide
attack near a Balochistan Constabulary truck in Quetta’s Baleli area on
Wednesday, police said.
At
least 23 other people sustained injuries in the attack, including 20 policemen
and three civilians, according to Quetta Deputy Inspector General of Police
(DIGP) Ghulam AzfarMahesar.
“The
explosion took place near the police truck […] due to the impact [of the
blast], the vehicle — which was on its way to provide security to police
workers — toppled and fell into a ditch,” the official said while speaking to
media at the blast site.
He
said that a total of three vehicles were hit in the blast — the police truck, a
Suzuki Mehran and a Toyota Corolla. “Looking at the crime scene and given that
the truck toppled, it is estimated that 25 kilograms of explosives were used
[in the blast].”
Mahesar
added that the wounded have been moved to the Civil Hospital Quetta.
The
official later told AFP that the deceased civilians included a child and a
woman. This was corroborated Dawn.com’s reporter at the scene.
The
banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the
attack.
Today’s
blast comes a day after the militant group called off its ceasefire with the
government and asked its combatants to carry out attacks across the country.
Earlier,
Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Abdul HaqUmrani told
Dawn.com that the blast site had been cordoned off and an investigation had
begun.
Condemnations
Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and directed
authorities to initiate an investigation into the attack.
According
to Radio Pakistan, the premier expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of life
and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded.
He
also said that polio workers across the country were fulfilling their
responsibilities without caring about their lives. For this, he said, Pakistan
pays tribute to their services.
“Eliminating
polio virus from the country is amongst the top priorities of the government
and we will not rest until polio is completely eradicated,” PM Shehbaz vowed,
asserting that “evil elements” would always fail to harm the anti-polio
campaign in the country.
Balochistan
Chief Minister Abdul QuddusBizenjo, in a statement, also condemned the attack
and instructed authorities to provide the injured persons best treatment
facilities.
He
also promised that such “cowardly acts” would not dampen Balochistan’s
determination to establish peace. “All the elements involved in the incident
will be brought under the grip of the law,” Bizenjo added.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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10
terrorists killed during operation in Balochistan'sHoshab: ISPR
Naveed
Siddiqui
November
29, 2022
Security
forces killed 10 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the
general area of Balochistan'sHoshab, according to a statement from the
military's media wing on Tuesday.
The
IBO was conducted to clear a hideout of terrorists linked to firing incidents
targeting security forces and civilians, along with planting improvised
explosive devices on the Gwadar-Hoshab (M-8) road, the Inter-Services Public
Relations (ISPR) statement said.
"As
security forces were in the process of establishing blocking positions after
identification of 12-14 terrorists' location, terrorists opened fire onto the
security forces.
"During
the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, 10 terrorists have been killed while one
terrorist has been apprehended in injured condition. Two terrorists managed to
escape," the ISPR said.
The
military's media wing added that an operation to trace them continues in the
area and a heavy cache of arms and ammunition, including IEDs, was also
recovered.
"Security
forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at
sabotaging peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan," the press
release added.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1723834/10-terrorists-killed-during-operation-in-balochistans-hoshab-ispr
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JIT
to record statement of man alleging Nawaz involved in Arshad Sharif’s killing
Malik
Asad
November
30, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The joint investigation team (JIT) constituted to probe into Arshad Sharif’s
killing in Kenya is scheduled to record on Wednesday (today) the statement of
the man who accused former prime minister Nawaz Sharif of being part of the
plot to murder the journalist and the assassination attempt on former prime
minister Imran Khan.
Over
a week ago, UK-based Syed Tasneem Haider Shah had in a press conference claimed
to be a spokesman for the PML-N’s London chapter and made these allegations. He
had claimed he was part of the meetings, which were also attended by the PML-N
supremo, where plans for the two ‘murders’ were discussed.
Sharif
was shot dead in Kenya on Oct 24. Initially, the Kenyan media quoted the local
police as saying he had been shot dead in a case of “mistaken identity”. But
later, conflicting reports around the events that led to the murder started
trickling in from both the local and Kenyan media. The government subsequently
formed a team that travelled to Nairobi to investigate the incident.
The
JIT also informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the preliminary report on
Sharif’s killing would be filed by next week.
Sources
privy to the development told Dawn that in response to the summons issued to
Shah for recording his statement, his counsel informed the JIT that owing to
the threats to his client’s life, Shah was unable to appear in person. The
lawyer however informed the team through an email that Shah was willing to
testify through a video link. Subsequently, the JIT is scheduled to record the
statement on Wednesday (today).
The
two-member team — comprising Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Athar
Wahid and Intelligence Bureau Deputy Director General Omar Shahid Hamid — had a
week ago summoned Shah to appear before the agency on Tuesday to provide
evidence that he claimed to have linking Nawaz to the attacks on Arshad Sharif
and Imran Khan.
Shah
was contacted after he had claimed in a press conference that Arshad Sharif’s
mobile phone and laptop had reached London and were in the possession of PML-N
UK Senior Vice President Nasir Butt. He further claimed Mr Butt had links with
Waqar Ahmad and Khurram Ahmad — the brothers who reportedly hosted Sharif in
Nairobi and sponsored his visa to Kenya on the request of Mr Tariq Wasi, the
chief of Karachi Kings cricket team and the head of operations of ARY News. He
claimed Mr Butt had told him about these links.
Meanwhile,
the sources said the JIT, in response to a query of the Human Rights Cell (HRC)
of the Supreme Court, stated that the preliminary fact-finding report would be
ready and submitted to the court by next week.
The
sources said the report would also highlight the issues and lack of cooperation
from relevant quarters.
The
investigators are seeking from the Pakistani consulate a copy of the visa and
other travel documents issued to Arshad Sharif; identification of the place
where he stayed in Dubai from Aug 10 to 20; any CCTV footage of the premises; mapping
of his movement in Dubai; information regarding the people he might have met
during his stay; clarification over whether Sharif’s visa was canceled and if
so, any reasons why; call data record (CDR) of his phone, which as per
information, was in use during his stay; data on the arrivals and departures of
Pakistani passport-holders from Aug 10 to 20; CDR of the phone numbers of ARY
News CEO Salman Iqbal and MrWasi.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Pakistanis
see 3 challenges for Gen Asim Munir — Economy, Army’s image, Indian ‘threats’
DEBDUTTA
CHAKRABORTY
30
November, 2022
New
Delhi: All eyes in Pakistan are now on Lt General Syed Asim Munir. On Tuesday,
General Qamar JavedBajwa formally handed over the command of the Pakistan Army
to Lt Gen Munir, Pakistan’s 17th Chief of Army Staff. General Sahir Shamshad
Mirza has been promoted to the position of Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff
Committee. In appointing Munir, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)
government broke precedent and went with seniority.
Munir
is the first Army chief to have headed both the Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI) and the Military Intelligence.
The
appointment, which comes in the backdrop of former prime minister Imran Khan’s
long march following his ouster, saw Pakistani columnists noting the challenges
that lie ahead for Lt Gen Munir and his critical role in keeping his
predecessor General Bajwa’s parting word about Pakistani Army’s stance of
remaining “apolitical”.
In
an opinion article for Dawn, journalist Arifa Noor questioned whether the new
‘establishment’ would look into the political unrest gripping Balochistan and
Pakistan’s declining economy.
According
to journalist Syed Talat Hussain, the new Army chief’s single-most important
challenge is to “address the toxic legacy of retd Gen Bajwa”.
Abbas
Nasir, former editor of Dawn.com notes that now that the era of Bajwa is done
with amid political turmoil, the new chief needs to live up to his
predecessor’s claims of the military being apolitical or he might ‘face
repercussions for a hands-on approach in political engineering’.
On
social media, the appointment received a lot of mirth and jibes from
Pakistanis, who wondered if things could ever change. Lawyer NaghmaSherin
Afridi congratulated Lt Gen Munir with a sarcastic tweet.
The
desire among Imran Khan supporters for an early election got a new lease of
life with one user commenting that “stability in Pakistan” is possible through
the former PM’s “formula”—“clean and transparent elections”, something that the
user said is a “responsibility” of the new COAS.
A
retired Pakistan Army officer, Maj Gen Javed Aslam Tahir, responded to a
Twitter user on the “very expensive and elaborate retirement ceremony” by
noting Lt Gen Munir’s first order after taking charge: “no ceremony of change
of command shall be held” in future.
New
chief and India
India
was bound to figure in some analysts’ commentary on Munir’s appointment.
Kamran
Yousuf noted in The Express Tribune that Lt Gen Asim Munir’s “task is already
cut out” amid a reeling economy, resurgence of militancy and Indian generals
“giving provocative statements threatening to cross the Line of Control.”
Najam
Sethi, the editor of The Friday Times, noted that the foreign policy decisions
that were taken during General Bajwa’s rule such as the 2003 ceasefire
agreement with India will be held in continuity. He added that the new chief’s
appointment may see a “slight thaw in the India-Pakistan relations if Imran
Khan doesn’t meddle in it.”
Daily
Times Pakistan, in its editorial, noted that while Gen created a stir with his statement asserting
that the military would remain apolitical, it is left to be seen what road the
new chief takes with regards to India and the economic situation in Pakistan
after an appointment amid “heated power plays that would even make
Machiavellian tactics go red as a beetroot”.
Although
Lt Gen Munir hasn’t given any indication so far what the way forward would be,
it’s clear his path is strewn with many challenges and a resurgent Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won’t make it easy for him.
Source:
ThePrint
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
South Asia
Afghan
Defence Minister Refuses To Meet Hina Rabbani Khar, Deputy Foreign Minister Of
Pakistan
NOVEMBER
30, 2022
Afghan
media claimed on Tuesday that Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban’s defence minister,
has rejected Pakistan’s request to meet with the country’s deputy foreign
minister Hina Rabbani Khar during the latter’s one-day trip to Afghanistan.
Afghanistan
International quoting sources reported that the Pakistani embassy in Kabul
tried to arrange a meeting between Mullah Yaqoob and Hina Rabbani Khar to
discuss security issues and bilateral relations.
A
source close to the Taliban told Afghanistan International that Mullah Yaqoob
is worried about Pakistan’s policies towards Afghanistan and thus he has asked
to express his concern to the Pakistani authorities.
Mullah
Yaqoob’s main dispute with Pakistan is not clear, but since the Taliban came to
power, there have been several border clashes between Pakistani forces and
Taliban individuals.
Another
source had previously told Afghanistan International that Mullah Yaqoob is not
satisfied with Pakistan’s behaviour towards his father Mullah Muhammad Omar,
the founder of the Taliban group.
Source:DailyTimes
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/1033565/afghan-defence-minister-mullah-yaqoob-refuses-to-meet-khar/
--------
Pakistan
Releases and Deports over 30 Undocumented Afghan Refugees
By
SaqalainEqbal
November
29, 2022
Pakistan
released over 30 undocumented Afghan refugees, who were held in Pakistani jails
for lacking proper documentation, and sent them back to Afghanistan.
According
to a report by Afghanistan National Television, the state-run media in
Afghanistan, on Tuesday, November 29, 32 undocumented Afghan refugees were
released from Pakistani prisons and were deported to Afghanistan.
Authorities
for refugees and repatriation in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar,
which is bordered by Pakistan, confirmed the release and deportation of Afghan
refugees who lacked the necessary registration and papers.
Albeit,
the precise number of irregular Afghan refugees detained in the prisons of
Pakistan is still unknown, authorities previously confirmed the release and
deportation of another batch of 35 refugees.
With
the political unrest in Afghanistan, a large number of refugees sought asylum
in the Afghan bordering countries of Iran, Tajikistan, and Pakistan.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/pakistan-releases-and-deports-over-30-undocumented-afghan-refugees-46434/
--------
India’s
International Trade Fair Awards Afghanistan Gold Medal
By
SaqalainEqbal
November
29, 2022
The
embassy of Afghanistan in India stated that Afghanistan was awarded a gold
medal in the foreign sector by the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2022
participated by 17 foreign countries.
The
15-day IITF 2022 came to an end on November 27 on a Sunday. After the Covid-19
pandemic, the annual trade show was held for the first time by the India Trade
Promotion Organization (ITPO), a division of the Indian Commerce Ministry.
According
to a statement released by the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, the Indian capital,
products from 17 different countries and Indian states were on display at the
exhibition, with over 2,500 domestic and foreign exhibitors.
The
Afghan Embassy in Delhi announced that this year’s grand exhibition was termed
“Little India” because it was the first time that millions of Indians during
the exhibition’s 15-day run following Covid-19 restrictions.
According
to embassy authorities, this year’s expo included a field for Afghan goods and
products, including carpets, handicrafts, fresh and dried fruits, semi-precious
stones, Afghan sweets, and other merchandise by Afghan traders.
According
to the announcement from the Afghan embassy, the evaluation committee, which
included professors from Indian universities, industrialists, and media
representatives, released the results of its 15-day review of this show on
Sunday.
Afghanistan
received the Gold Medal in the Foreign Sector, Thailand received the Silver,
Turkiye received the Bronze, and Bahrain was given a Special Appreciation
Certificate.
The
Afghan ambassador to India, Farid Mamundzay, who was appointed to this position
by the overthrown government, believes that the Afghan high-quality products
have drawn visitors’ attention to the goods in this exhibition.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/indias-international-trade-fair-awards-afghanistan-gold-medal-57865/
--------
Herat
Security Dialogue in Tajik Capital; Concerns over Resurgence of Terrorism
By
SaqalainEqbal
November
29, 2022
With
over 200 participants from various countries, the 10th Herat Security Dialogue,
with the theme “Inclusive political system: The Way Forward,” opened on
Tuesday, in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.
Several
foreign figures with an interest in Afghanistan’s affairs say that this
conference is a unique opportunity to exchange views on the situation in
Afghanistan. However, the host country has voiced alarm over the resurgence and
expansion of terrorism in Afghanistan.
The
10th Herat Security Dialogue, organized by Afghan Institute for Strategic
Studies (AISS) kicked off on Tuesday, November 29, in Dushanbe.
During
the two-day meeting’s opening statements, speakers from the host country
expressed alarm over the growth of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan.
In
his speech to begin the conference, Muzaffar Hussainzada, the Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, expressed his concern for the upswing of
terrorist organizations, particularly ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
The
Tajik official also added that drug production and trafficking have also
increased significantly over the past year in Afghanistan.
The
Tajik official continued to condemn the Afghan government in its current form, saying
that Tajikistan prioritizes and supports the creation of an inclusive and
responsible Afghan government.
The
conference, titled “Inclusive Political System; The Way Forward,” which is
being held by the Institute of Strategic Studies of Afghanistan in the city of
Dushanbe, commenced on Tuesday and will last for two more days.
The
US Charge d’Affaires, Karen Decker, reacted to the annual Herat security talks
by calling it a great opportunity to discuss and address the situation in
Afghanistan.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Pakistan’s
support for Afghan Taliban dwindles amid increasing Durand Line tensions
29
November, 2022
Islamabad
[Pakistan], November 29 (ANI): The honeymoon period between Pakistan and the
Afghan Taliban is over as Islamabad is facing an emerging security situation in
border provinces and an assertive Taliban, which is unwilling to accept any
‘one-sided’ change in the status quo ante on the Durand Line issue.
Pakistan
has been an ardent advocate of engagement with the Afghan Taliban government.
In fact, Islamabad celebrated the arrival of Taliban 2.0 on the Kabul scene as
a step closer to its goal of ‘strategic depth’ beyond the Durand Line that
divides the two countries, reported policy research group, Poreg.
Pakistan’s
support for the Afghan Taliban was most evident in the immediate aftermath of
the exit of US-led NATO forces from Kabul last year.
But
now, Pakistan is no longer willing to support the Afghan Taliban.
A
year down the line, Pakistan has changed its stance. ‘Taliban 2.0 is a
disappointment’, Ambassador Mohammed Sadiq told the latest Moscow Format
meeting on Afghanistan while presenting, a damning assessment of its sixteen
months in the Kabul saddle, reported Poreg.
According
to a dispatch in the Express Tribune, Pakistan daily published from Karachi in
collaboration with The New York Times, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq highlighted
frustration over the lack of progress on issues ranging from inclusivity to
fundamental human rights, and rights of women and counter-terrorism.
These
are the issues the Moscow format meeting is concerned about. Repeated border
clashes are no less responsible to Pakistan’s dismay.
On
November 13, an armed man allegedly from the Afghan side opened fire on
Pakistani security personnel at the Chaman/Spin Boldak border crossing – known
as ‘Friendship Gate’ – resulting in the death of one Frontier Corps soldier and
injuring two others.
Consequently,
Pakistan closed all business and trade activities at the Chaman border for over
a week causing a humanitarian crisis for the Pashtun population living on both
sides of the border, reported Voice of Vienna.
After
multiple flag meetings between the Taliban and Pakistani officials, the
authorities reopened the border crossing on November 21.
One
year after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, border clashes between Afghanistan
and Pakistan have increased manifold with no thaw in sight anytime soon,
reported Voice of Vienna.
In
another border incident, seven people, including two children, were injured
following alleged “firing from across the Afghan border” in Kharlachi and Borki
near the Kurram border.
Ambassador
Muhammad Sadiq said that both Islamabad (where the foreign office is located)
and Rawalpindi (home to the GHQ) are not happy with Kabul, reported Poreg.
Clearly,
the reality is biting for the deep state in Pakistan with the Army’s eyes and
ears – the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) finding that the sinews of control
over the Taliban are reducing gradually.
Pakistan
may have its reasons for the expression of angst at the Taliban rule but
Kabul’s actions have reinforced the narrative that Taliban 2.0 is a
reincarnation of the first edition that hit the streets in the late 1990s.
Whatever
lingering doubts have been set at rest by the latest decree of Taliban supremo
HibatullahAhkundzada. On 14 Nov, he ordered the strict enforcement of Shariah
law across blood-soaked Afghanistan.
This
is an open call to public executions, stoning, floggings, and amputation, which
will lead to a further deterioration of human rights in the impoverished
country, reported Poreg.
The
Taliban regime has been making a frontal attack on human rights, says the
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Its
forces have arrested women journalists and human rights activists. One such
recent arrest was made by barging into a press conference held in
Dasht-e-Barchi in Kabul, reported Poreg.
Pakistan
has come to the conclusion grudgingly that it is finding being distanced by the
Taliban. Also, the Taliban is no longer amenable to total control by the ISI.
That
is why Special Envoy Sadiq has voiced his country’s displeasure at the Taliban
– using the platform of the Moscow Format and using the language of the
international community, reported Poreg.
Source:
ThePrint
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Taliban
in talks with China to rekindle ancient Silk Road trade routes
29
November, 2022
Kabul
[Afghanistan], November 29 (ANI): Land-locked Afghanistan is in talks with
China to rekindle ancient Silk Road trade routes in order to help its dwindling
economy.
Taliban’s
Industry and commerce minister, Nooruddin Azizi on Monday urged China to speed
up efforts for the opening of the Silk Route, reported Ariana News.
Azizi
said that the Wakhan Corridor or the Silk Road can increase the level of trade
between the two countries and become a reliable route for the transit of goods.
“The
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has announced its preparations for the
opening of this corridor and asks the respected authorities of the People’s
Republic of China to speed up the process of opening this route,” Azizi said.
The
Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development strategy
adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in nearly 150 countries and
international organizations. It seeks to rekindle ancient Silk Road trade
routes linking China with Europe and Africa, reported Ariana News
In
September, the Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce said that Afghanistan
should be included in the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) infrastructure project, which is a central part of the Belt and Road
Initiative.
“In
talks, we had with China, it was mentioned that we should partner with China in
the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Pakistan-Economic Corridor and other
programs that China has at the international level,” Nooruddin Azizi said in an
interview with China’s CGTN.
China’s
policy shift towards Afghanistan is a “New Great Game” in the region to use the
country as a stepping-stone for broader regional strategic, economic and
political endeavors and moving towards the realignment of the region’s balance
of power and hegemony, experts say.
Since
the departure of US forces a year ago, said London-based NGO The Democracy
Forum (TDF) President Lord Bruce, China appears to be developing a five-pronged
engagement policy towards Afghanistan: a cautious but pragmatic acceptance of
the Taliban’s dominance; preventing the re-emergence of Afghanistan as a safe
haven for terrorism; facilitating an inclusive political process; pursuing
humanitarian goals; all while pointedly shaming the US and its allies for their
abdication of responsibility.
From
the Chinese perspective, there are two fundamental objectives that are
important vis-a-vis Afghanistan: domestic stability, which includes maintaining
control over Xinjiang and ensuring that Afghanistan does not act as a staging
ground for Uyghur militants; and trying to protect the substantial Chinese
foreign direct investments in regional countries, especially the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor.
But
violence against Chinese interests from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
has increased as China’s footprint in the region has expanded, and while it is
risk-acceptant, it has reacted, in order to convey a message.
The
main focus for this is the idea of a ‘CPEC-plus’, to which Afghanistan is
central, having links to landlocked Central Asian countries, which can use
Afghanistan as a route to Pakistan.
However,
despite China’s hope for ‘CPEC-plus’, there are substantial emerging tensions
between the Afghan and Pakistan Taliban, with reports of Taliban attacks in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and on politicians and civilians in the SWAT region.
Source:
ThePrint
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Africa
Arabic
institute MAJMA’ LAGOS Holds Confab On Economic Development, Islamic
Jurisprudence For Muslims And Non-Muslims As Participants
By
Opeyemi Babalola
30
November 2022
The
first international symposium of the Arabic institute, MAJMA’ LAGOS, is
scheduled to hold on December 3, 2022, for Muslims and non-Muslims as
participants.
The
programme, with the theme, ‘Emerging Concerns over Arabic Language, Economic
Development and Islamic Jurisprudence,’ will take place at the Islamic Centre,
University of Lagos, Akoka.
The
Convener of the event, Saheed Rufai, while addressing journalists ahead of the
programme, said the symposium lecture, which will be delivered by former
Minister of Higher Education, Egypt and Secretary-General, Association of Arab
Universities, Prof. Izzat Salama, aimed to provide empowerment-oriented
world-class training and scientific research in modern areas of long-felt need,
in both the Islamic and Western tradition, with an eye on economic development
and social integration.
He
said that the event, which is in three series, would witness the unveiling of
the institute as a training body for Arabic-English-Arabic translation and
interpretation, including the graduation ceremony of the students with public
defence of their thesis on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Radisson Blu Hotel in
Ikeja.
“On
the third day, we would be having meeting with the key stakeholders in the
education sector and academic leaders, where we would be expecting our partner,
the Association of Arabic Universities to dialogue on areas of concern and way
forward in the sector,” he added.
MAJMA’
Lagos is a leading world-class development-focused training and research
institute distinguished for exceptional outcome-based performance and
professional result-oriented excellence in a manner capable of equipping its
products or participants with knowledge, skills and values that can earn them a
central place in the race-course of professionals in the Islamic tradition and
Western heritage.
Dignitaries
expected at the occasion include Lagos State Governor, BabajideSanwo-Olu; his
Deputy, Dr. KadiriHamzat; former Inspector-General of Police, Musiliu Smith;
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), MuizBanire and Vice Chancellor, Fountain
University, AmiduSanni.
Source:Guardian
Nigeria
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://guardian.ng/news/majma-lagos-holds-confab-on-economic-development-islamic-jurisprudence/
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UN
experts urge South Sudan to probe senior officials for abetting sexual violence
Benjamin
Takpiny
29.11.2022
JUBA,
South Sudan
The
United Nations Commission on Human Rights urged South Sudan on Monday to
investigate senior officials suspected of abetting sexual violence.
“If
the government of South Sudan is serious about tackling sexual violence, it
should immediately remove from office and investigate governors and county
commissioners credibly alleged to be complicit in systematic rape,” said a
statement issued by UN experts.
Yasmin
Sooka, the chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan,
said many women in South Sudan have been repeatedly gang raped year after year
since 2013.
Sooka
disclosed that the rape victims have been shunned and stigmatized, leaving them
to suffer in silence while the men responsible are promoted and rewarded.
She
faulted the government for only paying lip service against sexual violence by
making an array of declarations, national commitments and pledges.
“It
is not enough, now and again, to try a handful of junior officers without
holding those in command responsible,” she said.
The
commission noted that survivors it interviewed repeatedly expressed extreme
fatigue with having to tell their stories again and again and nothing changing
as a result.
“Victims
are tired of talking,” said one man in Unity state, adding “arrest people who
are killing other people first before you talk about healing.”
A
report by the commission titled "Conflict-related sexual violence against
women and girls in South Sudan" was published on March 21 this year.
South
Sudan's Information Minister Michael MakueiLueth dismissed the commission's
statement, however, saying such reports are released to tarnish the
government’s image.
“I
am saying these are false reports fabricated against the government. They are
done to tarnish the image of South Sudan. There is nothing new on it,"
Lueth told Anadolu Agency by phone from the capital, Juba.
Commissioner
Andrew Clapham said that this year, they have seen the most dehumanizing sexual
violence in South Sudan, for which the government bears responsibility because
of its failure over many years to hold individuals accountable, especially in
Unity state, “where we are dealing with gross and systematic human rights
violations amounting to international crimes.”
“South
Sudanese are begging the international community to help them in pressuring
their leaders to sanction these individuals and remove the people responsible
from office. Tragically, victims ask us to speak out and say what they are
afraid to say,” said Clapham.
South
Sudan’s Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare said last week that it had
recorded more than 6,000 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) between January
and November 2021.
Minister
of Gender, Child and Social Welfare Aya Benjamin Warille said the police
recorded cases of rape and physical violence across the country.
While
GBV-related crimes are a persistent issue in South Sudan, delays in reporting
or underreporting owing to fear and stigma exacerbate the crisis and may
escalate sexual assault, particularly in remote areas.
Warille
disclosed that many cases have not been reported due to stigma and cultural
norms.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Arab World
UAE
Minister, Al-Qasabi, Stresses At COMCEC Need To Double Efforts Among Islamic
Nations
November
29, 2022
RIYADH
— Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the General Authority for Foreign Trade
Dr. Majid Abdullah Al-Qasabi stressed the importance of doubling efforts among
Islamic nations and members of the Standing Committee for Economic and
Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) to expand cooperation aspects in all economic
fields.
In
his speech, while heading Saudi Arabia's delegation to the 38th session of
COMCEC held in Istanbul, Al-Qasabi said that realizing economic and development
integration among Islamic countries requires maximizing benefits from the
potential and capabilities of Islamic countries that are connected with
religions, brotherhood and joint fate to face challenges threatening the whole
world.
On
the sidelines of the visit to Turkiye, Al-Qasabi held several bilateral
meetings with officials from Turkiye, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Nigeria, Sudan and
Tunisia.
He,
in addition, met with Islamic Development Bank Group President Dr. Mohammed
Al-Jasser, Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture President
Abdullah Kamel, Federation of Turkish Chambers of Commerce President Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu and other representatives of major Turkish companies.
Earlier,
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the work of the 38th session
of the OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC),
in the presence of Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) HisseinBrahim Taha, the relevant ministers of the member states,
ambassadors and heads of delegations.
In
his speech, the Turkish president stressed the importance of supporting the
OIC's activities, while the OIC Secretary General called on all member states
to consolidate the spirit of solidarity between them, and the importance of
establishing a fund to finance emerging projects to support and encourage
innovative youth projects in various economic fields.
The
IDB chief Dr. Mohammed too delivered a speech in which he touched on the current
programs of the bank, and the allocation of $10.54 billion for the
Comprehensive Response to Food Security Program, which aims to support the
efforts of the member states of the organization to face security challenges.
Source:
Saudi Gazette
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US-backed
Syrian Democratic Forces wants ‘stronger’ US warning for Turkey
29
November ,2022
The
head of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces said on Tuesday he still feared
a Turkish ground invasion despite US assurances and has demanded a “stronger”
message from Washington after seeing unprecedented Turkish deployments along
the border.
“There
are reinforcements on the border and within Syria in areas controlled by
factions allied to Turkey. We noticed this and, yes, this is new,” SDF chief
Mazloum Abdi told Reuters by phone from Syria.
Turkish
officials said the army needed just a few days to be ready for a ground
incursion into northern Syria, which has been attacked with howitzer long-range
weapons and warplanes by the Turks for days.
The
bombardments come after months of threats by Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan of a new ground invasion against Kurdish forces, which he considers to
be terrorists.
Syrian
Kurdish forces have received backing from Washington for years, but have also
coordinated with Syria’s government and its ally Russia, both seen as foes by
the United States.
Abdi
said he had received “clear” assurances from both Washington and Moscow that
they opposed a Turkish ground invasion but wanted something more tangible to
hold back Ankara.
“We
are still nervous. We need stronger, more solid statements to stop Turkey,” he
said. “Turkey has announced its intent and is now feeling things out. The
beginning of an invasion will depend on how it analyzes the positions of other
countries.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Saudi
Arabia extends term for deposit to Egypt’s central bank
29
November ,2022
Saudi
Arabia has extended the term for a $5 billion deposit it had made to Egypt’s
central bank, the Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday.
Saudi
Arabia deposited $5 billion in Egypt’s central bank in March as the Egyptian
economy faces new economic pressures as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Turkish
intelligence 'neutralizes' senior PKK terrorist in northern Iraq
Mehmet
Tosun
30.11.2022
Turkish
intelligence forces "neutralized" a senior PKK terrorist in northern
Iraq, security sources said on Wednesday.
Fatma
Onur, code-named Kinda Maras, was targeted in an operation by Türkiye's
National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in the Sinjar region, said the
sources, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Turkish
authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in
question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Onur
was a so-called senior member in the intelligence wing of the terror group,
which she joined in the 1990s from the UK, according to the sources.
Active
in both Iraq and Syria, she played a role in many terrorist acts against
security forces, especially in the Sulaymaniyah region and rural areas of Iraq.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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UAE's
Rashid rover integrated onto Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket for launch
BeyzaBinnurDonmez
29.11.2022
An
Emirati-built moon rover attached to a Japanese lander has been integrated onto
a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for launch on Wednesday, according to a recent report.
The
launch will be from Launch Complex 40 pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force
Station in Florida and will be covered live at 2039 GMT, United Arab Emirates
daily The National reported on Monday.
The
launch of the 10 kilogram (22 pounds) Rashid rover will mark the 55th launch
for SpaceX in 2022.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Iraqi
prime minister and Iranian president vow to fight ‘terror’
November
29, 2022
TEHRAN:
Tehran and Baghdad Tuesday identified fighting “terrorism,” maintaining mutual
security and extending economic cooperation as key priorities during the new
Iraqi prime minister’s first official visit to Iran.
Mohammed
Shia Al-Sudani was received by President Ebrahim Raisi, who expressed hopes of
bolstering ties that have lately been hit by tensions over Iran carrying out
cross-border strikes against exiled opposition groups.
Al-Sudani
came to power last month, after a year-long tussle between political factions
over forming a government following an October 2021 general election.
“From
our perspective and that of the Iraqi government, security, peace, cooperation
and regional stability are very important,” Raisi told a joint press
conference.
“As
a result, the fight against terrorist groups, organized crime, drugs and other
insecurity that threaten the region depends on the common will of our two
nations,” he said.
Al-Sudani
said that “our government is determined not to allow any group or party to use
Iraqi territory to undermine and disrupt Iran’s security.”
Since
nationwide protests erupted in Iran more than two months ago, Iranian officials
have accused Kurdish opposition groups exiled in northern Iraq of stoking the
unrest and the Islamic republic has repeatedly launched deadly cross-border
strikes.
Such
strikes — targeting Iranian-Kurdish groups in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan
region — resumed this month, even after Iraq’s federal government summoned
Iran’s ambassador in late September to complain about cross-border missile and
drone hits that killed at least seven people.
Iraq
has announced in the past week that it will redeploy federal guards on the
border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, rather than leaving the responsibility
to Kurdish peshmerga forces — a move welcomed by Tehran.
Al-Sudani
added that the two countries’ national security advisers would hold
consultations to “establish a working mechanism for on-the-ground coordination
to avoid any escalation.”
Source:
Arab News
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2208391/middle-east
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Lebanese
security forces capture man suspected of spying for Israel’s Mossad, report
says
29
November 2022
Lebanon's
security forces have arrested a Lebanese man suspected of spying for Israel’s
Mossad spy agency and collaboration with the regime’s authorities through
taking pictures of commercial centers and gathering intelligence about a
Palestinian citizen living in the Arab country.
According
to a report published by the Arabic-language al-Akhbar daily newspaper on
Tuesday, the 46-year-old man, identified only as Farid H., was detained by
members of the General Security Directorate.
The
report added that the suspected Mossad spy, like several Lebanese nationals who
have lately been lured into espionage networks that Israeli agents have set up
in the cyberspace, had been in contact with Israel’s intelligence agency for
approximately two years.
Al-Akhbar
noted that the information collected by the General Security Directorate shows
that Farid is apparently a member of the Lebanese political party Progressive
Socialist Party, and has only received 1,000 US dollars for his espionage
activities.
The
suspect, who has a degree in business administration, said he posted dozens of
job applications on various websites and social media platforms, including
Facebook, to organizations that needed employees with a degree in the related
field.
A
week later, he received a message in English via WhatsApp messaging
application, asking him whether he was looking for a job.
The
caller asked Farid to acquire a separate laptop and mobile phone for work, but
he said he could not afford a new phone.
The
man then sent Farid an amount of money to buy a phone. Farid was initially
ordered to find out about the flight numbers of certain passengers, which he
declined.
After
a while, the Israeli agent contacted Farid again and asked him to get a new SIM
card and provide him with the number. Shortly afterwards, 1,000 US dollars was
deposited to Farid’s account.
Farid
was then asked to take pictures of a commercial center in the southern Lebanese
city of Sidon, and send them via Telegram messaging application to the Israeli
agent. He was also ordered to gather information about a Palestinian citizen
living in Lebanon and his place of residence.
The
Lebanese national said the agent did not provide him with any information about
his name, place of residence, and the nature of the job. He promised him a
permanent job outside of Lebanon.
The
development comes more a week after another Lebanese man, identified as Hussein
H., was arrested in Lebanon on suspicion of being a Mossad spy. Hussein is
believed to have spied for the Mossad from 2011 to 2020.
Source:
Press TV
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Southeast Asia
Can
Malaysia’s new prime minister tighten ties with EU?
November
29, 2022
by
David Hutt
Anwar
Ibrahim was appointed by Malaysia’s king as new prime minister last week,
ending days of tense uncertainty after no candidate was able to win a majority
in the country’s closely contested general election.
Anwar,
a pro-democracy figurehead for decades, as well as being the leader of a
multi-racial and reform-minded political alliance, is also expected to help
improve relations with the European Union that have faltered in recent years
over energy disputes.
The
new prime minister is “no stranger in Europe,” said Shada Islam, an independent
analyst on EU affairs.
“He
is widely known and respected among politicians and policymakers in Brussels, a
city which he has visited in the past and where he has participated in think
tank discussions on democracy and human rights,” she told DW.
Anwar’s
wife, prominent politician Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, also has good contacts across
Brussels and Europe, Islam added.
Malaysia’s
deadlocked election
Last
weekend’s general election led to Malaysia’s first-ever hung parliament. None
of the three main political alliances could command a majority of parliament’s
222 seats and initial coalition talks broke down.
Instead,
the stalemate was resolved after an atypical intervention from the Malaysian
monarch, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. He appointed Anwar as prime
minister last Thursday and compelled Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan alliance to form a
unity government with its historic arch-rival, Barisan Nasional (BN).
The
BN coalition remains dominated by the United Malays National Organization
(UMNO), and has ruled Malaysia uninterrupted between independence in 1957 until
2018.
UMNO
suffered one of its worst election results last weekend, in part because of its
association with vast corruption scandals. Two smaller parties representing
Borneo have also pledged their allegiance to the new government.
“I
congratulate the people of Malaysia for a peaceful general election that
attracted a higher number of voters than ever before in Malaysian history. In
times in which democracy is under stress in many parts of the world, this is an
encouraging message,” Michalis Rokas, the EU ambassador to Malaysia, told DW.
“The
European Union looks forward to continuing to strengthen its excellent
relationship with Malaysia, which is based on strong common interests, both
bilaterally and regionally,” he added.
EU-Malaysia
palm oil dispute
Anwar’s
government is widely expected to pursue a more Western-orientated and liberal
foreign policy. However, sore spots remain.
Bridget
Welsh, an analyst at the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Asia Research
Institute, noted that Anwar’s new government will inherit Malaysia’s dispute
with the EU over palm oil.
Brussels
plans to phase out the import of unsustainable palm oil by 2030, but Indonesia
and Malaysia, the world’s two largest palm oil producers, have filed complaints
to the World Trade Organization (WTO) accusing the EU’s renewable energy
directive of being unfair and “discriminatory.”
Malaysia’s
outgoing Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister ZuraidaKamaruddin has
called it “crop apartheid.”
A
WTO ruling is expected by the end of this year or early 2023. Although the case
filed by Indonesia is likely to be resolved first, the results for Malaysia are
expected to be similar, as the WTO panel is comprised of the same personnel.
If
Malaysia were to lose the complaint, that could put Anwar’s new government in a
tough situation — although there is now “greater space for dialogue on this
issue than before,” analyst Welsh said.
Anwar,
whose government is considered too liberal and multicultural by parts of the
country’s Malay-Muslim majority, may feel pressured toward a nationalist policy
of rebuking the EU, analysts say.
On
the other hand, he’s unlikely to want to jeopardize wider trade with the EU,
which has been growing in recent years. EU-Malaysia trade in goods was worth
around €41 billion in 2021, up by 26% year on year, according to European
Commission data.
Rokas,
the EU ambassador to Malaysia, says both sides will sign a partnership and
cooperation agreement on the margins of the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit that
takes place in Brussels next month.
“It
is my hope that this landmark agreement will not be an end in itself, but a
springboard for new areas of cooperation with Malaysia,” Rokas said. “I look
forward to discussing this with the new Malaysian government.”
An
EU free trade deal for Malaysia?
If
Anwar plays his cards right, the EU may also announce at the summit its desire
to reopen free trade talks with Malaysia, said analyst Islam.
Talks
over a free trade agreement began in 2010 but stalled two years later at the
request of Malaysia. A “stocktaking exercise” was carried out by both sides in
2016, but Kuala Lumpur decided against restarting trade talks. However, both
sides expressed a new commitment to talks at the end of last year.
Progress
has been made in recent months on similar trade deals with Thailand and the
Philippines. But given Malaysia’s dominant voice within Southeast Asian
debates, a free trade deal with Malaysia — after ratifying ones with Vietnam
and Singapore — would provide the EU with much-needed momentum as it attempts
to improve political relations in the region.
Source:
Indian Express
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https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/malaysia-new-prime-minister-tighten-eu-ties-8296620/
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Türkiye,
Indonesia, Malaysia among top 20 halal economy exporters
Riyaz
ul Khaliq
29.11.2022
Türkiye
is one of only three member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) that are among the world's top 20 halal economy exporters, according to a
report released Tuesday by the intergovernmental organization.
Indonesia
and Malaysia are the other two nations in the 57-member Muslim bloc that are in
this category, said the 2022 Annual OIC Halal Economy Report.
The
report was launched in Istanbul on the sidelines of the four-day 38th meeting
of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC).
However,
the report, commissioned by the Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT),
said the OIC members recorded a trade deficit of $63 billion for halal products
last year.
It
said the exports covered food, fashion, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, with
exports equaling $275 billion and imports totaling $338 billion.
“Only
18% of these imports were sourced intra-OIC, while only three OIC countries
(Türkiye, Indonesia and Malaysia) made it to the top 20 exporters of halal
economy products,” said the report, prepared by US-based market research and
advisory firm DinarStandard.
Türkiye
among top 3 markets in Islamic higher education
ICDT
Director General Latifa elBouabdellaoui said the report aims to “inspire and
empower OIC countries to act cohesively, promote inclusive growth and increase
the OIC’s share in the halal trade and investments ecosystem with integrity and
purpose.”
The
report showed that OIC members exported apparel and footwear products amounting
to $101.94 billion last year, while the Muslim bloc imported the bulk of food,
pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Türkiye,
along with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, is among the top three markets in
Islamic higher education, which the report said “is essential to educate
industry and halal supply chain players.”
“Muslim
consumers from the OIC countries spent $15 billion on tertiary education last
year,” the report said.
“Driving
OIC member countries’ opportunity in halal trade and investments is its halal
lifestyle consumer demand ($1.7 trillion in 2021) representing 79% of the
global spending ($2.1 trillion).”
It
added that the Muslim bloc is expected to spend $1.5 trillion on food
consumption by 2026.
“This
presents a strong window of opportunity for (the) OIC countries to ramp up
production, leverage growing consumer demand for healthy and organic food
products and adopt digitalization across the industry,” the report suggested.
Muslim
bloc spent $141 billion on media and recreation
While
the Islamic finance assets amounted to $3.32 trillion in 2020, the report said
the OIC members made up six of the top 10 global markets for Muslim consumers
spending on media and recreation last year.
Muslim
consumers from the OIC countries spent an estimated $141 billion on media and
recreation, which is expected to reach $211 billion by 2026, it said.
Despite
the COVID-19 pandemic having a big impact on travel, the report said Muslim
travelers from the OIC nations spent a total of $86 billion last year.
Türkiye
has also made it to the top five Muslim nations in the OIC Halal Economy Trade
and Investment Index, which ranks member nations’ global and intra-OIC trading
activity in halal-related sectors.
The
index comprises 61 metrics organized into five components for each of the eight
sectors of the Islamic economy, including Islamic finance, halal food,
Muslim-friendly travel, modest fashion, media/recreation, halal
pharmaceuticals, halal cosmetics and tertiary education.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Zahid’s
presence critical in Anwar’s unity Cabinet
November
30, 2022
It
took five days before the nation learnt who would be entrusted to form the next
federal government, and it seems like a wait of five days or longer may be
necessary before the composition of Malaysia’s first-ever unity Cabinet is made
public.
Having
won 82 seats, Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition boasts the biggest
representation in the 15th Dewan Rakyat. Unfortunately, it is not enough to
form a majority on the floor of the house.
He
is only assured of a majority because of pledges of support from Barisan
Nasional (BN), which contributes 30 seats, Sarawak’s GPS (23 seats), Sabah’s
GRS (6), Warisan (3) and PKDM (1), Muda (1) and PBM (1), as well as two
independents.
To
lock in that support, his unity Cabinet must draw adequate representation from
these coalitions and parties.
Within
his own coalition, the tenth prime minister must also appease each of its
component parties – DAP (40 seats), PKR (31), Amanah (8), Upko (2) and Muda (1)
– by giving some of their members of parliament (MPs) seats in Cabinet.
On
top of that, Anwar must strike a balance, not just in terms of numbers, but
also in the allocation of portfolios.
That
dynamic means that Anwar’s government will be brittle unless he can be assured
of stability within those numbers.
Ultimately,
that stability can only come from BN. Together, PH and BN give him 112 seats in
the lower house, just enough to secure a simple majority.
However,
Anwar cannot manage BN’s parliamentarians from the outside. He needs a solid
ally within BN to perform that task.
Like
it or not, that person is Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid
has been Anwar’s ally for the best part of the last thirty years.
In
1998, just prior to Anwar’s sacking as Umno deputy president and deputy prime
minister, it was Zahid who stood up for him.
Zahid
had no choice but to recant his support after then prime minister Dr Mahathir
Mohamed arrested and detained him for 11 days under the Internal Security Act
1960 and warned that his own political future was in jeopardy.
Despite
that setback, both Anwar and Zahid have maintained a close friendship.
Their
collaboration almost led to Anwar overthrowing Muhyiddin Yassin’s backdoor
government in August 2020, only for Zahid to withdraw his support at the
eleventh hour after bowing to internal pressure from within Umno.
Zahid
came under more intense pressure recently after it was revealed that Anwar and
he were keen for their respective coalitions to team up to form government.
With exactly 112 seats between them, PH and BN would have formed the slimmest
majority possible on the floor of the Dewan Rakyat.
While
the support of the remaining partners in the unity government offer Anwar some
breathing space, an underlying deal between PH and BN remains necessary as it
will ensure that the government will always retain its majority.
That
deal, however, is not something that can be taken for granted.
With
so much resistance to Anwar coming from within Umno and BN, Zahid had to muster
all of his powers as coalition chairman, party president and party whip to
secure the full support of BN MPs for the formation of the unity government.
Not
being their party or coalition leader, Anwar will likely still need to rely on
Zahid to ensure that BN ministers abide by party discipline when voting, both
in Cabinet and on the floor of the Dewan Rakyat.
At
the end of the day, party discipline within BN can only be achieved if Zahid
himself sits as a Cabinet minister.
That
thought may be repulsive to many who assume that Zahid is tainted by
corruption.
True,
Zahid has two massive corruption cases before the courts. However, he has
already been acquitted of the first by the Shah Alam High Court without his
defence being called (although an appeal is pending).
The
second case is on-going in the Kuala Lumpur High Court and is expected to run
for the better part of next year. It goes without saying that Zahid is innocent
until proven guilty.
Both
cases have been given wide media coverage.
In
the first, Zahid faced 40 corruption charges involving the award of a contract
to run a foreign visa system and a one-stop service centre in China.
The
nature of the media coverage led many in the public to conclude that he was
guilty as charged. As it turned out,
that conclusion was premature.
Justice
Yazid Mustafa’s 64-page judgment painted an entirely different picture from
news reports published in the media. Zahid was acquitted of each and every
charge without his defence being called after the prosecution failed to
establish a prima facie case against him.
With
that in mind, it would be premature for anyone to draw conclusions about the
likely outcome of Zahid’s second case, which is still in progress. On that
score, Anwar was correct to remind us of the time-honoured principle that Zahid
is innocent until proven guilty.
Even
if appointed, Zahid should not expect any reprieve from prosecution. The trial must continue, and he must still
clear his name. However, unless and until convicted, Zahid ought to remain
available for selection as a member of Anwar’s Cabinet.
In
reality, Malaysia must thank Zahid for the significant role he played in paving
the way for PH and BN to form the backbone of Anwar Ibrahim’s government.
Without
his efforts, Malaysia may well have been staring at the prospect of a Perikatan
Nasional (PN) government dominated by PAS, which won 49 of that coalition’s 73
seats in Parliament.
In
fact, it is an open secret that, left to their own devices, 10 BN MPs – which
number incredulously includes representatives from MCA and MIC – were willing
to pledge their support for PN’s Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.
The
Anwar and Zahid alliance has prevented that, ensuring that Malaysia remains
moderate at least for the immediate future.
Source: FreeMalaysiaToday
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PH
lodges 4 police reports over ‘slander’ against govt, PM
Faisal
Asyraf
November
30, 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan has filed four police reports over several remarks it
claims are slanderous against the government and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Lodged
by PH’s mobilisation bureau, the first report involved PAS president Abdul Hadi
Awang’s cryptic comment of a football referee providing “extra time for the
losing side” after the match was over.
His
comment, a quotation from a column he wrote for the party organ Harakah, was
interpreted as a reference to the formation of a unity federal government. It
drew angry responses on Twitter.
PH
claimed the statement was in reference to the Yang di-PertuanAgong and that
Hadi’s remark was tantamount to treason.
The
second report involved several statements alleging that Anwar was backed by
Israel to become prime minister, including a social media posting that was
shared by a page called “Perikatan Nasional for Malaysia”.
The
third report involved an audio recording which had been circulating,
purportedly of PAS leader Nik Zawawi Salleh claiming that the new government
led by Anwar would not last long.
The
man in the recording claimed that there would be “a certain strategy” to ensure
that Perikatan Nasional will be in the federal government again.
The
fourth report urged the police to probe possible leakages in the government’s
apparent expenditure of over RM600 billion during the Muhyiddin Yassin
administration.
Meanwhile,
Hulu Langat MP SanyHamzan urged the government to form a royal commission of
inquiry (RCI) into how Muhyiddin’s government had spent its funds.
“If
there is an RCI to investigate the spending, we will know where the money
went,” he told reporters outside the Dang Wangi police headquarters here.
During
the recent election campaign, Muhyiddin had reiterated that not one sen of the
more than RM500 billion in stimulus and aid measures his government spent
during the Covid-19 pandemic was misused.
Source: FreeMalaysiaToday
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