Don’t Fall Prey to Communal Agenda, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Appeals Muslims
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 April 2022
Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind. (Photo |
Photo\Twitter,@JamiatUlama_in)
----
• Israel and UAE Conclude Free Trade Agreement
• Taliban Hoist Giant Flag in Kabul, Eight Months
after Return to Power in Afghanistan
• Islamophobic Dutch Group Plans Provocative Barbecues
Featuring the Roasting Of Pork Near Mosques
• US Launches Satellite TV Channel for Afghanistan
after Taliban Bans VOA Broadcast
India
• Telangana Govt Permits Muslim Employees to Leave
Early During Ramzan
• ‘What Happened Is Past’, There Is No Better Feeling
than To See Peaceful Ambience in the Surroundings”: Imam Imdadullah Rashidi Who
Lost Son To Violence
• Karnataka: Belur temple board asks Muslim vendor to
go
• Lashkar terrorist killed, Army duo wounded in
Shopian encounter
• Ambedkar chose Buddhism over Islam, Christianity
since its closest to Constitution: Goa BJP leader
--------
Arab
World
• UN Says 100 Children Missing From Syria Jail
Attacked By ISIS
• Amid tough Ramadan conditions, Lebanese will pray in
mosques by candlelight
• Syrian refugees set to spend yet another Ramadan
away from home
• Saudi-led coalition, Ansarullah welcome UN-brokered
truce: Report
• Northern Syrians to greet 3rd terrorist-free
Ramadan, thanks to Turkiye
• Qur’an recital, call to prayer competitions to air
on first day of Ramadan
--------
South
Asia
• Pakistan, Taliban exchange protest notes amid
tension along Durand Line
• Blasts kill five, wounded 22 in western Herat
province
• Khalilzad, Bajwa discuss Afghanistan, regional
stability
• New Zealand, Australia announces $6M and $40M
respectively for Afghanistan
--------
Europe
• IMF working with Egypt, Tunisia to offset effects of
Russia-Ukraine war
• In call with Putin, Erdogan calls for common sense,
dialogue: Turkish presidency
• Albania charges Iranian man for alleged terror links
--------
North
America
• US ‘Clearly Distanced’ Itself from Pakistan, Says
Former Military Chief Mike Mullen
• US president wishes Muslims 'Ramadan Kareem'
• New York Muslims Voice Concern over Times Square's
First Tarawih Prayers
• US citizen, lawful resident released by Taliban in
Afghanistan: State Department
• Biden sends ‘warmest greetings’ to Arabs in US at
start of Arab American Heritage Month
• Pakistan summons US envoy over Washington’s meddling
in internal affairs
• Zalmay Khalilzad offers to help better Pak-US ties
--------
Pakistan
• Emir Tanzeem-e-Islami Pakistan: ‘Muslim States
Should Recognise Taliban Govt’
• Pakistan journalist asks 'why invite US to OIC moot
if received threat'
• Imran hails India’s independent foreign policy
centred on people
• Pakistan PM’s party takes lead in local govt polls
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• PM Imran says 'establishment' gave him three
options: resignation, no-confidence vote or elections
• Tehreek-i-Insaf stages rallies against US, dissident
lawmakers
--------
Mideast
• IRGC Warns Rigid, Devastating Response to Enemy's
Slightest Mistake
• President Rayeesi: People’s Livelihood Never Tied to
Vienna Talks
• FM Stresses Broadening of Iran-China Economic Ties
• Iran Commemorates Islamic Republic Day
• President Rayeesi: Iran Hosting 4mln Afghans
• Iran Sends over 30 Humanitarian Aid Shipments to
Afghanistan
• Two-month ceasefire agreed in Yemen: UN envoy
• Israeli troops kill 3 Palestinians in West Bank gun
battle
--------
Southeast
Asia
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Iftar Program
Launched In Philippines
• Indonesian agents shouldn’t charge over RM8, 000 to
send maids, says envoy
• Muhyiddin wants my help to become PM again, says Dr
M
--------
Africa
• Ramadan: Buhari Sends Message To Muslims, Nigerians
• Ramadan: Lawan felicitates with Muslim Ummah in
Nigeria
• Tunisia president: ‘There will be no single way to
resolve political crisis’
• Tunisia's anti-terror unit summons ex-speaker for
questioning
• Sudan to use military force to maintain security in
South Darfur
Compiled by New
Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/communal-agenda-jamiat-ulama-hind/d/126712
--------
Don’t Fall Prey to Communal Agenda, Jamiat
Ulama-i-Hind Appeals Muslims
Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind. (Photo
| Photo\Twitter,@JamiatUlama_in)
----
02nd April 2022
BENGALURU: The Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind has appealed to
members of their community not to fall prey to communal agenda following
messages on social media calling Muslims to purchase items during Ramadan only
from Muslim traders amid boycotts of Muslim vendors near temples.
The Karnataka Chapter of the organisation has warned
their community against fake news on WhatsApp and other social media platforms
urging Muslims to purchase only from Muslim traders during Ramadan which begins
on Sunday.
Mufti Iftekhar Ahmed Qasmi, president of Jamiat Ulama,
has said that Muslims should not discriminate based on religion. “As responsible citizens, you should
investigate the authenticity of all messages before forwarding,’’ Qasmi said,
adding, “We need to avoid sharing provocative messages circulating on WhatsApp
and other social media platforms.’’
He said, “We must be alert and understand that these
messages are part of a conspiracy by individuals with a malicious agenda. These
messages are not issued by any Muslim organization or religious leadership and
do not reflect the popular sentiment of the Muslims.”
Source: New Indian Express
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Israel
and UAE Conclude Free Trade Agreement
Economy Minister Orna Barbivai (r) signs the
Israel-UAE free trade agreement in Jerusalem with Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi,
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade (Gideon Sharon/GPO)
-----
01
April, 2022
Israel
and the United Arab Emirates have concluded negotiations for a free trade
agreement, Israel’s Economy Ministry and the UAE foreign trade minister said on
Friday, after formally establishing ties in 2020.
The
trade agreement includes 95 percent of traded products, which will be customs
free, immediately or gradually, including food, agriculture and cosmetic
products, as well as medical equipment and medicine, the Israeli Economy
Ministry said in a statement.
The
agreement included regulation, customs, services, government procurement and
electronic trade and will come into effect when signed by the countries’
economy ministers and ratified, the statement said, though no timetable was
given.
The
UAE and Israel formally established relations in 2020 as part of the
US-brokered Abraham Accords that also included Bahrain and Morocco.
“This
milestone deal will build on the historic Abraham Accords and cement one of the
world’s most important and promising emerging trading relationships,” United
Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani al-Zeyoudi said on
Twitter.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2022/04/01/Israel-says-UAE-free-trade-deal-reached
--------
Taliban
Hoist Giant Flag In Kabul, Eight Months After Return To Power In Afghanistan
Taliban Hoist Giant Flag in Kabul, Eight Months
after Return to Power in Afghanistan
-----
April
1, 2022
The
Taliban raised a giant white flag of their movement on a hill overlooking the
Afghan capital Thursday in a ceremony held nearly eight months after they
returned to power.
Several
hundred Taliban, many armed, attended the ceremony presided over by Abdul Salam
Hanafi, a deputy prime minister, on the hill in Wazir Akbar Khan, near the
mostly deserted diplomatic enclave in Kabul.
Measuring
40 metres (130 feet) wide and 26 metres high, the white flag is decorated with
the Islamic profession of faith in black letters.
Some
of those in attendance showed their joy by touching or grabbing the flag before
it was raised.
"Today,
a flag has been hoisted which is the flag of independence, peace and
brotherhood, and the symbol of the rules of the Islamic system," said
Hanafi.
"It
is not the flag of the Taliban or the mullahs, it is the flag of the whole
nation that has made sacrifices. This flag belongs to the whole of
Afghanistan."
The
Afghan national flag had been a black, red and green vertical tricolour with
the national emblem overlaid in white, but the Taliban have ordered all
government departments to display the white standard instead.
After
returning to power in August, the Taliban promised a softer version of the
harsh rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, but
restrictions have crept back -- often implemented regionally at the whim of
local officials.
The
flag-raising comes a week after the Taliban shut down all girls' secondary
schools just hours after they allowed them to reopen for the first time since
August.
In
recent days, they have also barred women from flying unless accompanied by a
male relative, and decreed men and women cannot visit parks in the capital on
the same days.
Women
are increasingly being shut out of public life -- barred from most government
jobs, and ordered to dress according to the Taliban's strict interpretation of
the Koran.
Source:
India Today
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/afghanistan-taliban-flag-in-kabul-1932143-2022-04-01
--------
Islamophobic
Dutch Group Plans Provocative Barbecues Featuring The Roasting Of Pork Near
Mosques
PEGIDA barbecues near mosques have included the
roasting of pork
-----
Abdullah
Aşıran
01.04.2022
ROTTERDAM
An
Islamophobic Dutch group is planning to hold deliberately provocative barbecues
near mosques over the next several weeks, coinciding with the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan, in which most believers fast from sunrise to sunset.
According
to PEGIDA, standing for “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of West,”
the barbecues will be held in front of mosques at the sunset fast-breaking time
in 12 cities across the country, and they have applied for permits.
In
years past, similar PEGIDA barbecues have featured the roasting of pork, a food
prohibited under Islam.
The
group argued that these events have not been allowed for two years due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, but that now there is no obstacle to what they call the
"Ramadan Barbecue Tour."
PEGIDA
intolerance
Starting
in 2014, the far-right Islamist PEGIDA held its first protest in Dresden,
Germany with some 350 people, including 12 organizers.
Through
early 2015 the number of protesters is said to have reached some 25,000 but
later fell.
PEGIDA
has inspired xenophobic groups both inside and outside Germany.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
US
Launches Satellite TV Channel For Afghanistan After Taliban Bans VOA Broadcast
US Launches Satellite TV Channel for Afghanistan
after Taliban Bans VOA Broadcast
-----
Apr
01, 2022
After
the Taliban banned Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts from terrestrial
television, the US government-funded news agency has launched a 24/7
direct-to-home satellite-delivered television channel for Afghanistan, local
media reported.
The
channel carries uncensored news and information in both the Pashto and Dari
languages of the country, according to Voice of America (VOA).
VOA's
programs were ordered off affiliated television stations in Afghanistan
effective on March 27, as part of a broad ban on content regarded as
undermining Taliban policies, including prohibiting women from anchoring
newscasts with men.
VOA's
new TV stream, identified as "VOA Afghanistan," is on the Yahsat Y-1A
satellite (52.2 degrees East), Transponder 12 (downlink frequency 11.938 GHz),
Channel 469. The Yahsat satellite is Afghanistan's most popular platform,
ensuring the Afghan audience will have access to VOA's programming despite the
Taliban censorship, reported VOA.
"Afghanistan
is now one of the most repressive media markets in the world," said Acting
VOA Director Yolanda Lopez.
"Despite
the Taliban's attempt to end press freedom, VOA News stands by its Afghan
audience with credible and authoritative news and information," Lopez
added.
The
new VOA Afghanistan satellite stream includes its popular "TV Ashna"
newscasts, its women's show "Etesal," viewer call-in programming, and
programming from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Azadi radio. Additional
programming is planned, including entertainment shows to fill a void in
Afghanistan, where local channels cannot air music programs, reported VOA.
It
further reported that the VOA satellite channel has been in development since
August, before the fall of Afghanistan's elected government. The channel is
also accessible on YouTube and on VOA's Pashto and Dari language websites.
Domestic
and international critics say media and freedom of speech have worsened under
Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Afghan
journalists have been repeatedly detained and subjected to violence by security
forces. In December, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released a survey, showing
that at least 40 per cent of Afghan media outlets have disappeared and more
than 80 per cent of women journalists lost their jobs since the Taliban
takeover of the country.
Hundreds
of journalists have also left Afghanistan since August for fear of Taliban
reprisals or because of problems associated with practising their profession
under the new rulers.
More
than 6,400 journalists and media employees have lost their jobs since August 15
when the Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital, Kabul, according to the
RSF survey.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
India
Telangana govt permits Muslim employees to leave early during Ramzan
Apr
1, 2022
HYDERABAD:
The Telangana government on Friday permitted the Muslim government employees to
leave early during Ramzaan.
Chief
secretary Somesh Kumar issued a notification to permit Muslim employees to
leave offices early by an hour during the month of Ramzan.
"Government
hereby permits all the Muslim government
service/contract/out-sourcing/Boards/Public Sector employees/schools working in
the state to leave offices/school at 4pm during the holy month of Ramzan - from
April 2, 2022, to May 2, 2022, to perform necessary rituals, except when their
presence is required due to exigencies of services for the above period,"
reads the notification.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
‘What
Happened Is Past’, There Is No Better Feeling than To See Peaceful Ambience in
the Surroundings”: Imam Imdadullah Rashidi Who Lost Son To Violence
Written
by Santanu Chowdhury | Asansol |
April
2, 2022
Sitting
on a bed inside his room at Noorani Mosque in Asansol, Imam Imdadullah Rashidi
was busy teaching verses from the Quran to two little children. Once done with
his class, Imam Rashidi, who lost his son to violence during Ram Navami
processions in Asansol in 2018, said he is now seeking an end to the inner
turmoil that he has been enduring for the last four years.
“What
happened is in the past now. There is no trouble at present. People are living
peacefully. And I would say the same things that I had said at the time. There
should not be any animosity between communities. There is no better feeling
than to see peaceful ambience in a state,” the Imam said.
In
2018, hours after his 16-year-old son was found dead, Maulana Imdadul Rashidi
had presided over a congregation where he appealed for peace. He told the crowd
that he would leave the mosque and the town if there was any retaliation for
his son’s death.
Last
month, he refused to testify against two persons arrested in connection to his
son’s death, even taking his lawyers by surprise. Due to his refusal to
testify, the two persons were acquitted in the case which according to him now
stands closed.
“I
did not go to the court as a witness to testify against them as I had not seen
who killed my son. Since I had not seen them with my own eyes, there was no
point going to the court and giving a false statement. I do not believe in such
actions,” Imam Rashidi said.
Source:
Indian Express
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Karnataka:
Belur temple board asks Muslim vendor to go
Apr
2, 2022
HASSAN:
The committee governing 12th-century Chennakeshava temple in Belur, Hassan
district, has courted controversy, issuing an eviction notice to a lone
non-Hindu vendor who has been running a shop on the shrine premises for
decades.
The
temple complex has 17 commercial shops housing a hotel, milk booth and godowns.
The notice has been served on a Muslim vendor selling children's toys for more
than 50 years. The temple comes under the Karnataka muzrai department and is
set to be recognised by as a world-heritage site by Unesco.
This
is the first temple in Old Mysuru region to ask non-Hindus to shift out of the
shrine complex, taking cue from the Shivamogga Marikamba temple which banned Muslim
vendors at the annual fair two weeks ago.
The
temple's executive officer served the notice on March 28 asking the Muslim
vendor to "immediately stop" business activities. The vendor replied
to the notice the same day, seeking permission to continue his business till
next year when the agreement with temple authorities ends.
Temple
executive officer Vidyalatha said she issued the notice under the Hindu
Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 2002, that disallows
leasing or renting premises in a temple complex to non-Hindus. "I have
sent the vendor's reply to our commissioner," she said.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Lashkar
terrorist killed, Army duo wounded in Shopian encounter
Apr
2, 2022
SRINAGAR:
A local Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed while two soldiers were wounded in
an overnight anti-terror operation in Turkwagam area of south Kashmir’s Shopian
district on Friday, police said. Hours later, a joint team of security forces
busted a Jaish-e-Mohammad module in Pulwama district, also in south Kashmir,
and arrested three affiliates with arms and ammunition.
Police
identified the slain terrorist as Muneeb Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shopian’s Tak
Mohalla. He had been missing since January this year, said a senior police
officer.
A
joint team of Army’s 44RR, CRPF and J&K Police had launched a
cordon-and-search operation in Turkwagam area late Thursday. While the cordon
was being tightened around 10.30pm to close in on the suspected hideout, the
holed-up terrorist lobbed a grenade at the security forces, resulting in
injuries to two soldiers — Sepoys Anil Kumar and Bikas Singh — who were
evacuated to Srinagar’s 92 Base Hospital, the Army said in a statement.
“Fire
continued to be exchanged throughout the night into the intervening morning of
April 1,” said a defence spokesperson, adding: “The terrorist was subsequently
neutralised. A thorough search of the house was conducted in the morning and on
finding no other terrorists, the operation was called off. War-like stores have
been recovered from the encounter area.”
Hours
later, a joint team of the Army, CRPF and Pulwama Police arrested three Jaish
affiliates and seized an AK rifle, three magazines, 69 AK rounds and a grenade
based on their disclosure. The trio — Owais Altaf of Jandwal, Aqib Manzoor of
Gudoora and Waseem Ahmad Pandit of Karimabad — had been assisting active
terrorists with transport and logistics, said a police spokesperson.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Ambedkar
chose Buddhism over Islam, Christianity since its closest to Constitution: Goa
BJP leader
April
2, 2022
A
senior Goa BJP leader Friday said Dr B R Ambedkar had chosen to convert to
Buddhism rather than Islam or Christianity, and that if five lakh of his Dalit
followers had become Muslim, “there would be another Pakistan in this country”.
State
BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Satish Dhond was speaking at a programme
in Panaji to mark the BJP’s poll win; Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was also
present.
“He
(Ambedkar) suffered a lot as a Dalit but despite that he did not become a
Christian, he did not become a Muslim. When he said that he wanted to change
his religion, the Nizam of Hyderabad wrote to him and offered him a huge sum of
money and asked him to become a Muslim. But he did not become a Muslim.
Christians tried very hard to convert him but he said no,” said Dhond.
He
went on: “Ambedkar said he will be a Buddhist. Why? Buddhism was founded in
this country…. All the things he wrote in the Constitution (equality,
brotherhood) were all there in Buddhism and that is why he accepted Buddhism.
Now you think about it. If he had become a Muslim, if five lakh Dalits (his
followers) in this country would have become Muslims. What would have happened?
There would be another Pakistan in this country.”
Dhond
asked BJP workers to hold programmes to mark Ambedkar’s birth anniversary in
their respective constituencies on the April 14,
Dhond
also said that despite several years of Congress rule in the country, Ambedkar
was conferred with the Bharat Ratna by the V P Singh government and the late
Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a major hand in that.
Besides
Chief Minister Sawant, the meeting was attended by BJP state chief Sadanand
Tanavade, and newly elected ministers and MLAs.
Sawant
said, “If anyone says you won because of the split in votes, tell them no. We
won because of our hard work and because of the work of our government.”
Leaders of the party told BJP workers that they had now brace themselves for
upcoming village Panchayat elections in May-June and the Lok Sabha election of
2024 right after that.
Earlier
on Friday, Sawant said that ministers will be allocated portfolios before
Monday and the cabinet expansion would also take place by then.
Source:
Indian Express
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
UN
says 100 children missing from Syria jail attacked by ISIS
01
April ,2022
The
fate of 100 children who had been detained in a Syrian prison is unknown more
than two months after extremists attacked the facility, United Nations experts
said on Friday.
International
rights groups, including Save the Children and Human Rights Watch, have
previously said 700 boys had been in the Kurdish-run jail in northeastern
Hasaka province before it was attacked by ISIS.
“We
are extremely concerned that since the January 2022 attack, the fate and
whereabouts of at least 100 of those boys remain unaccounted for, which raises
serious concerns,” the UN human rights experts said in a statement.
“Some
of these cases might amount to enforced disappearance,” they added.
Aged
12-18, the detainees included many who had adult relatives inside Ghwayran
prison and were transferred from nearby displacement camps housing thousands of
children of extremist fighters.
The
independent experts called on the de facto authorities to allow all
humanitarian actors to have full and unimpeded access to children still held at
Ghwayran.
“Harm
to these children must be identified, and those responsible must be held
accountable to prevent impunity,” the UN experts said.
The
ISIS prison break attempt from Ghwayran triggered a week of clashes inside and
around the Kurdish-run facility, leaving hundreds dead, before Kurdish-led
forces recaptured the jail.
“Many
of the boys detained in the prisons were seriously injured during the jailbreak
and their wounds are not receiving critical medical treatment,” the UN experts
said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Amid
tough Ramadan conditions, Lebanese will pray in mosques by candlelight
April
01, 2022
BEIRUT:
As Ramadan approaches, Beirut and other cities are missing the decorations that
used to fill the streets for this occasion. Instead, pictures of candidates
running for parliamentary elections are plastered everywhere.
Only
a few modest banners are raised, reminding people to donate to charities during
the holy month.
Lebanon
is struggling for the third year in a row with a crippling financial crisis,
which has pushed many below the poverty line, resulting in an increasing number
of beggars on the streets. The crisis has also greatly affected the middle
class, whose incomes have declined with the depreciation of the local currency
against the dollar, while others have been laid off as hundreds of
institutions, factories and shops shut down.
With
the rise in unemployment on one hand, and the dollarization of the most basic
needs — including the monthly subscription to the electricity generator and
fuel — on the other, most Lebanese are barely surviving.
BEIRUT:
As Ramadan approaches, Beirut and other cities are missing the decorations that
used to fill the streets for this occasion. Instead, pictures of candidates
running for parliamentary elections are plastered everywhere.
Only
a few modest banners are raised, reminding people to donate to charities during
the holy month.
Lebanon
is struggling for the third year in a row with a crippling financial crisis,
which has pushed many below the poverty line, resulting in an increasing number
of beggars on the streets. The crisis has also greatly affected the middle
class, whose incomes have declined with the depreciation of the local currency
against the dollar, while others have been laid off as hundreds of
institutions, factories and shops shut down.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2055266/middle-east
--------
Syrian
refugees set to spend yet another Ramadan away from home
Ahmet
Karaahmet and Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu
01.04.2022
IDLIB,
Syria
Syrian
refugees displaced by the Assad regime's attacks and forced to take shelter in
camps in the northwestern Idlib province are set to observe the Muslim holy
month of Ramadan away from their homes yet for another time.
People,
who are in a state of partial trust with the cease-fire agreement signed
between Turkiye and Russia in March 2020, are entering Ramadan, the fasting
month based on the Islamic lunar calendar, with financial difficulties as a result
of the Syrian civil war.
Victims
of the civil war, now in its 11th year, are preparing for the fasting month
under difficult conditions due to rising food prices and unemployment, yearning
for the homes they left behind due to the Assad regime's relentless attacks.
Civilians
who have taken refuge in Idlib camps are awaiting assistance so that they can
fast in relative comfort throughout the month of Ramadan.
Cemile
al Ala, who was displaced by the regime's intense airstrikes three years ago
and took refuge in the Azraq camp north of Idlib, told Anadolu Agency that
there are no job opportunities and that families in the region are suffering
from a lack of resources.
Um
Ala, a 64-year-old mother of six, lamented: "I owned a lot of property in
the village. I had money and was free to eat whatever I wanted. Now we have
nothing."
Mentioning
that they had to leave their village due to constant attacks by the regime
forces, she said: "Ramadan here is not like Ramadan in the village. It's
hard to make a living here."
"Families
don't have enough money to buy bread. We don't have any money to spend,"
she stated emphatically.
Fatima
Omar, another of the displaced civilians, stated: "In our village, Ramadan
was pleasant. My siblings were quite close to me. We were all living in the
same house."
She
emphasized how "tough" it is to get along in the camp, saying:
"The men and women in the camp are unable to find work.
"It
has started to get hot before summer comes... (and) we can't sit in a
tent," she expressed her displeasure, asking international donors to
provide them with briquette housing support.
Referring
to the difficult living conditions, she said: "Ramadan has arrived.
Everything is very expensive. People can hardly buy one loaf of bread.”
Lack
of basic needs
Khalid
Hamud, another refugee camp resident, also said that they lack basic services
and living supplies in the camp.
He
described the life in the tent as challenging, adding, "In the village, we
had a house, water, and electricity."
Everyone
in the family was able to make ends meet thanks to the money they earned from
their fields, he explained, adding that "we're looking at someone else's
hand at the camp.
"Different
people bring the water, and different people bring the bread, and so on,"
he said.
Ahmed
al-Ahmed, who stressed that Ramadan was more beautiful in the village, also
said that his tents were flooded in the winter and that the weather is
extremely hot in the summer.
He
stated: "We had property, but we had to emigrate. Life is very difficult
here.
"The
bazaar is far away, (and) we don't have the means to travel there. We can't be
sheltered from the rain or the heat in the tent," he complained.
Syria
has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the regime cracked
down on pro-democracy protests.
According
to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 6.7 million
people have been internally displaced, while at least 14 million civilians in
Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance.
A
UN statement in September 2021 said the number of confirmed deaths in the
Syrian civil war is around 350,000, while the actual figure is estimated to be
much higher.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Saudi-led
coalition, Ansarullah welcome UN-brokered truce: Report
01
April 2022
The
United Nations says the Saudi-led coalition, which has been waging a seven-year
war on Yemen, and Yemen’s popular resistance Ansarullah movement have welcomed
a truce that has been brokered by the world body.
UN
special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg announced the information on Friday,
saying the two-month truce would come into effect on Saturday at 07:00 p.m.
local time (1600 GMT) and could be renewed with consent of the parties, Reuters
reported.
"The
aim of this truce is to give Yemenis a necessary break from violence, relief
from the humanitarian suffering, and most importantly hope that an end to this
conflict is possible," Grundberg said in a statement.
UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the truce "must be a first step to
ending Yemen’s devastating war," urging the concerned parties to build on
the opportunity to "resume an inclusive and comprehensive Yemeni political
process."
The
deal stipulates halting offensive military operations, including cross-border
attacks, and allowing fuel-laden ships to enter Yemen’s lifeline al-Hudaydah
port and commercial flights in and out of the airport in the capital Sana’a
"to predetermined destinations in the region."
The
military campaign, which has enjoyed unstinting arms, logistical, and political
support on the part of the United States, has been seeking to reinstate Yemen’s
former Riyadh- and Washington-friendly officials.
The
offensive has stopped short of its goals while killing hundreds of thousands of
Yemenis in the process and turning the entire Yemen into the scene of the
world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/04/01/679546/Yemen-truce-United-Nations-Saudi-Arabia-Ansarullah
--------
Northern
Syrians to greet 3rd terrorist-free Ramadan, thanks to Turkiye
Esref
Musa
01.04.2022
TEL
ABYAD, Syria
Civilians
in Syria's northern districts of Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ayn will again be able to
observe Ramadan in peace and security thanks to Turkiye's anti-terror efforts.
Turkiye,
with the support of the Syrian National Army (SNA), established regional
security by keeping the terrorist organization YPG/PKK out of Tel Abyad and Ras
al-Ayn.
Raed
Dehish, who took refuge in Turkiye when the YPG/PKK occupied Tel Abyad, told
Anadolu Agency that the country's 2019 anti-terror Operation Peace Spring
allowed him to return to his district.
Tal
Abyad is preparing for another Ramadan without fear of YPG/PKK terrorists, he
said. "The atmosphere of security has been fully ensured. People live
comfortably day and night in the district."
Another
resident, Latif Bathavi, hopes the Tel Abyad Local Council acts on rising food
prices before the holy Muslim month of fasting begins.
Heysem
Shelesh, from Ras al-Ayn, echoed these concerns, stating that the high prices
were hurting both merchants and consumers in the district.
"The
people's purchasing power is poor. Their financial resources are insufficient
for spending," he said, adding that the month's beauty would be
overshadowed by high food prices.
During
Ramadan, charities usually offer hot meals on mobile kitchens, a practice that
Shelesh says he hopes will continue even after Ramadan.
Locals'
purchasing power has suffered due to drought over the past two years, even as
energy prices rose and inflation made it harder to get hold of essential
commodities.
Since
2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across
its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and
enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive
Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Qur’an
recital, call to prayer competitions to air on first day of Ramadan
HEBSHI
ALSHAMMARI
April
01, 2022
RIYADH:
The countdown to the final stage of competition has begun in the Etr El-Kalam
(Perfume of Kalam) program, focusing on Qur’an recitation and the call to
prayer, which will be broadcast on the Saudia TV channel.
Organized
by the General Entertainment Authority, the competition is scheduled to start
on the first day of Ramadan.
“More
than 40,000 people applied from different countries of the world, and 36
participants qualified. It will be launched in the blessed month of Ramadan and
broadcast on the Saudia TV channel,” tweeted Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the
board of directors of the GEA.
The
competition, which began its early stages in 2019, aims to showcase beauty in
recitations of the Qur’an and the call to prayer.
About
SR12 million ($3.2 million) in prize money is on offer — one of the largest
financial awards in talent competitions around the world.
The
prizes for the most beautiful Qur’an recitation are divided as follows: First
place will receive SR5 million, second SR2 million, third SR1 million and
fourth SR500,000.
In
the call to prayer contest, the winner will receive SR2 million, followed by
SR1 million for second place, SR500,000 for third and SR250,000 for fourth.
Famous
Qur’an reciter Fawaz Al-Kaabi said that competitors will face several important
challenges, including observing the provisions of intonation, letter exits,
endowment and beginnings, which must be reviewed by experts before competitors
take part in the event.
Al-Kaabi,
who is also a teacher at the Holy Qur’an Memorization Society in Al-Ahsa, told
Arab News: “One of the benefits of the competition is to break the barrier of
fear and dread in a person from the audience, which contributes to enabling him
to speak, read and express with better and better fluency day after day.”
The
competition is distinguished by its precise criteria and a jury that enhances
competitiveness, with qualification stages through which top talents reach the
final stages.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2055286/saudi-arabia
--------
South
Asia
Pakistan,
Taliban exchange protest notes amid tension along Durand Line
1
April, 2022
Islamabad
[Pakistan], April 1 (ANI): Amid the continuing tension along the Durand Line
between the Pakistani troops and the Talibani forces, the Foreign Ministries of
both sides have exchanged protest notes accusing each other of displaying
aggressive attitudes on the border, local media reported.
Pakistan’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a note verbale to Afghan Embassy in Islamabad
on February 25, condemned the rising incidents of “aggressive attitude, cross
border violations and disregard to mutually agreed and established procedures
by Afghan border security personnel” and lamented that such incidents were
occurring despite the presence of ‘Pakistan’s Military Liaison Officers’ in
Kabul and Border Coordination Centers’ at Torkham and Chaman, vernacular media
said.
Pakistan
further urged the Taliban to take strong action against their border security
personnel involved in such incidents and resolve the disputes through border
flag meetings. It has also underscored the need to set up a Joint Coordination
Committee (JCC) for resolving border alignment issues and construction in
contentious areas.
Islamabad
has already nominated representatives for the proposed JCC, reports further
said.
Meanwhile,
the Taliban regime on March 6, lodged its own strong protest with the Pakistan
Embassy in Kabul over-firing of artillery shells, heavy and light weapons
firing and violation of Afghan airspace by a Pakistani reconnaissance
aircraft/drone at various locations along the Durand Line.
Notably,
the Taliban regime in Afghanistan does not recognise the British-era Durand
Line as the boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Violations along the
Durand Line continue to remain a bone of contention between the two countries.
Taliban
again lodged a protest with the Pakistan embassy in Kabul on March 27 alleging
that Pakistani Army officials were issuing a warning to residents of Jaji
Maidan District in Khost Province to leave the area or face serious
consequences, local media reported.
Source:
The Print
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Blasts
kill five, wounded 22 in western Herat province
02
Apr 2022
Provincial
officials of western Herat province said that the explosions that took place in
Police District 12th of the Herat city killed at least five civilians and
wounded 22 more.
Health
officials believe that the number of casualties might rise as those wounded are
in a critical situation.
Bakhtar
News Agency-Afghan state-run Agency- reported that the incident was caused by
explosions of two bombs that were planted on playground in the city.
The
report further says that four bombs were planted at all among them two defused.
The
twin bombs detonated in an all-Shi’te Muslim residence where people were busy
playing in a playground called Sang Girak on Friday afternoon.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/blasts-kill-five-wounded-22-in-western-herat-province-45757656/
--------
Khalilzad,
Bajwa discuss Afghanistan, regional stability
02
Apr 2022
Pakistan’s
local media have reported that Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan
Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General
Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday, April
1, 2022.
Inter-Services
Public Relations (ISPR) in a press release said that the two discussed issues
related to mutual interest and regional security situations including
Afghanistan and Pakistan-US bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Pakistan’s
Army Chief of Staff said Afghanistan’s looming humanitarian catastrophe needs
global convergence and sincere efforts while thanking Zalmay Khalilzad for
attending Islamabad Security Dialogue.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/khalilzad-bajwa-discuss-afghanistan-regional-stability-656587/
--------
New
Zealand, Australia announces $6M and $40M respectively for Afghanistan
02
Apr 2022
New
Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta expressed grave concern over the ongoing
humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and announced an additional $6 million to
support global efforts to prevent famine and support food security in the
country.
The
country’s Foreign Minister said $3 million will be given to World Food Program
while $3 million more will be given to Food and Agriculture Organization to be
used in Afghanistan.
“We
will continue to stand with international partners in expressing our concern
about Afghanistan’s humanitarian and human rights situation, particularly for
women and girls,” Nanaia Mahuta said.
Prior
to that, Australia announced an additional $40 million in the Pledging
conference of the UN over Afghanistan.
Australia’s
Foreign Ministry in a statement said the funding will provide life-saving food
supplies to vulnerable Afghans including women and children and address other
urgent needs such as health, gender-based violence, and shelter.
The
press release expressed concern over women’s situation in Afghanistan in
particular restricting them from going to secondary schools. The country has
condemned the Taliban’s decision to ban teenage girls’ schooling and asked for
the immediate reversal of that.
UN’s
pledging conference that was co-hosted by UK, Germany, and Qatar raised $2.44
billion for addressing Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Europe
IMF
working with Egypt, Tunisia to offset effects of Russia-Ukraine war
01
April ,2022
The
International Monetary Fund (IMF) is working with Egypt and Tunisia to
establish a new program in both countries to offset the negative growth brought
about by the Russia-Ukraine war, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva
told Al Arabiya.
Egypt
has historically depended on food imports from Ukraine and Russia, two
countries which are in jeopardy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“It
is really very unfortunate to see Egypt that has done quite well in terms of
reforming the economy to be hit both by the food prices and their dependence on
imports from Ukraine and from Russia,” said the director.
Previously,
the IMF is said to have supported “better safety nets” and “more targeted
social assistance,” while the newer form of assistance will be “data driven”
from reports formulated by the country’s Ministry of Finance and Central Bank,
Georgieva said during the interview which was held on the sidelines of the
World Government Summit in the UAE.
Georgieva
also credited the Egyptian authorities for quickly identifying the problem of
outflow pressures on the system and letting “the exchange rate guide the
market,” but declined to elaborate on the specifics of the program.
Concerns
about an imminent hike in US interest rates, and the Russian invasion of
Ukraine, caused investors to pull billions of dollars out of Egyptian
treasuries, bankers and economists recently told Reuters.
The
central bank began reducing the size of the open market operations in recent weeks,
a move that has poured around 250 billion pounds into the economy since March
1, according to central bank data.
But
this has come at a steep price, Reuters reported. The 18 percent yield on the
CDs compares to an average yield of 13.395 percent on one-year T-bills sold to
banks at an auction on Thursday, according to central bank data.
Saudi
Arabia, on March 30, deposited $5 billion in Egypt’s central bank as the
Egyptian economy faces new economic pressures as a result of the war in
Ukraine.
On
March 21, Egypt devalued its currency by around 14 percent after investors had
pulled billions of dollars out of Egyptian treasury markets.
IMF
Tunisia outlook
An
IMF program similar to the one pursued for Egypt is in the works in Tunisia,
Georgieva said.
“We
got the A-Team in Tunisia. Tunisia came up with a homegrown program. They have
defined where they want to take the country too,” she said.
The
team is reportedly working on “understanding” the initiative and aligning it
with IMF’s guidelines for offering support.
“Very
constructive engagement, no final outcome yet” is how the official described
the latest progress.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
In
call with Putin, Erdogan calls for common sense, dialogue: Turkish presidency
01
April ,2022
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for Russia and Ukraine to act with common
sense and maintain dialogue in a call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir
Putin, his office said on Friday.
Erdogan
and Putin also discussed peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in
Istanbul this week. Erdogan said the “positive and constructive” talks had
raised hopes for peace, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Albania
charges Iranian man for alleged terror links
April
01, 2022
TIRANA,
Albania: Albanian prosecutor’s office said Friday it has charged an Iranian man
of supporting terror organizations and abusing computer data.
The
Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime, a prosecutor’s office
in charge of special crimes and those committed by senior officials, said the
case against Bijan Pooladrag has been sent to the court. The statement did not
give more details on the defendant or when he was arrested.
More
than two years ago, Albania expelled two Iranian diplomats for allegedly
engaging in illegal activities while violating their diplomatic status and
threatening the country’s security.
The
Iranians were suspected of illegal activities related to a World Cup qualifying
match between Albania and Israel in 2018. About 20 people were arrested in
Albania and Kosovo following that match, which officials say was threatened by
an alleged terrorist plot.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2055171/world
--------
North
America
US
‘clearly distanced’ itself from Pakistan, says former military chief Mike
Mullen
Anwar
Iqbal
April
2, 2022
WASHINGTON:
The United States has ‘clearly distanced’ itself from Pakistan, former US
military chief Mike Mullen said as the White House and the State Department
publicly reject claims of their involvement in Pakistan’s domestic politics.
“It
is difficult, difficult to say,” said Admiral Mullen when asked to describe
Washington’s relations with Pakistan, which was once a close US ally in the war
against terror and during the cold war.
“I
think we have clearly distanced ourselves from Pakistan over the last decade
and Pakistan has more and more fallen under the umbrella of China,” he told VOA
Urdu Service in Washington this week.
Admiral
Mullen, who was chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 2007 to
September 2011, was also named in the so-called Memogate controversy, which
revolved around a memorandum, ostensibly seeking US support for preventing a
feared military takeover in Pakistan that never happened.
He
noted that China was not only Pakistan’s neighbour but it “has been supportive
of Pakistan” as well.
This
closeness, he said, “suits China’s global ambition” because Beijing would
prefer to have a neighbor “closer to them and not close to the US”.
For
these reasons, the US-Pakistan relationship “is going to… be tense for quite
some time,” he added.
Asked
if he believed Pakistan helped the Taliban take over Kabul in August last year,
Admiral Mullen said: “They did not do much to stop it for sure.”
He
recalled that as the US army chief he had told a congressional hearing that
Pakistani intelligence agencies were active in Afghanistan “and I still believe
… that connectivity is there. It sort of cuts both ways.”
The
former US military chief reiterated a complaint that’s often heard in
Washington that Pakistan “played on both sides (the US and the Taliban)” in
Afghanistan.
On
Thursday afternoon, the White House and the US State Department publicly
addressed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s claim that foreign powers were supporting
the attempt to unseat him.
During
a regular press briefing, White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield,
however, rejected this claim as incorrect.
“Absolutely
no truth to that allegation,” she said, responding to a question.
At
the State Department, spokesperson Ned Price also responded to a question about
the alleged US involvement in Pakistan’s domestic politics.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US
president wishes Muslims 'Ramadan Kareem'
Servet
Günerigök
02.04.2022
WASHINGTON
US
President Joe Biden marked the beginning of Ramadan on Friday in a statement in
which he said "this sacred month is a time for reflection and spiritual
growth."
"(First
lady) Jill and I extend our best wishes to Muslim communities here in the
United States and around the world on the beginning of the blessed month of
Ramadan," he said. "Communities come together to practice forgiveness
and resilience, to show compassion and generosity of spirit to those in need,
of giving, and to celebrate the many blessings of life with loved ones,"
he said.
The
US president said "we must also continue" efforts to stand with those
who are suffering and vulnerable around the world, and those facing persecution
or hardship.
"As
the Holy Qur’an teaches, ‘whoever does even an atom’s weight of good will see
its results,'" said Biden.
The
US will also speak out for human rights, including for Uyghurs in China,
Rohingya in Burma and other Muslim communities all over the world, he said.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/us-president-wishes-muslims-ramadan-kareem-/2553112
--------
New
York Muslims Voice Concern over Times Square's First Tarawih Prayers
By
Zainab Iqbal
1
April 2022
New
York City's Times Square is set to host its first ever Tarawih prayers on
Saturday, but several members of the Muslim community have voiced concern over
the event being held at the bustling location.
According
to social media advertisements circulating on Instagram and Facebook, Tarawih,
a night prayer performed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and iftar,
the breaking of the fast at sunset, will take place at the busy throughfare on
2 April.
The
organiser of the event - who requested to be addressed as SQ - told Middle East
Eye that he hoped the spectacle of congregational prayers would help
non-Muslims learn about Islam.
New
Yorkers' attitudes towards Islam and Muslims have been shaped heavily by the
9/11 attacks, with proposed constructions deemed "Islamic" - most
notable being the Park51 project - facing resistance from community groups.
Still,
several Muslim New Yorkers voiced concern over the desire to hold religious
events at the location, claiming that prayers performed in the presence of
giant billboards that often display images of scantily clad models would not
bridge the divide between Muslims and the wider community.
"Tarawih
is supposed to be an intimate form of worship. I don't understand why this has
to be done in Times Square. Have you seen the billboards?" Sabrina Jamil,
a resident of Queens, told MEE.
"I
was down there yesterday with my in-laws. People are practically naked on the
screens. Exactly what message are we sending to non-Muslims by praying under
that?"
SQ,
who boasts more than 152,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 400,000
subscribers on Youtube, said around 1,200 people had signed up to attend the
prayers - and he expected more to take part.
"Times
Square brings people from all across NYC and the world and it's just a
vibe," he told MEE.
"Allah
inspired me to hold a dawah event, which will not only unite the Muslims
together but teach the non-Muslims what Ramadan is all about, why we fast and
to essentially educate them about Islam while creating the most entertaining
and historic dawah event ever."
London's
Trafalgar Square held iftar gatherings before the onset of the coronavirus
pandemic, but has yet to host Tarawih prayers.
Farah
Zaidi, a resident of Brooklyn, said despite the organisers claims, it was
unclear what the public event would accomplish other than serving as a
spectacle:
"Are
they going to completely silence Times Square, which is literally the loudest
place to be with loud music everywhere, while they recite the most beautiful
words of Allah? Good luck with that."
Source:
Middle East Eye
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-new-york-city-ramadan-tarawih-prayer-times-square
--------
US
citizen, lawful resident released by Taliban in Afghanistan: State Department
02
April ,2022
An
American and a US resident have been freed from Taliban detention in
Afghanistan, the State Department said on Friday, and one of the pair
identified themselves as brothers who were engaged in humanitarian work when
they were detained.
Saifullah
Rauf, the US citizen and US Navy reservist, and Anees Khalil, a US green
card-holder, were “unjustly detained” and are in Qatar awaiting travel to the
United States, State Department Spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
Their
release came against a backdrop of icy US-Taliban relations, fueled by a ban on
Afghan girls returning to public secondary schools, nearly eight months after
the Islamists seized Kabul as the last US troops departed following 20 years of
war.
“We
are grateful for the efforts of all those who worked to secure” the release of
Rauf and Khalil “but more work remains.
Unjustly
holding Americans captive is always unacceptable,” Price said. “We will not
stop until every American who is being unjustly held against their will is able
to hug their families once again.”
The
pair’s detention was kept extremely quiet. The most prominent American known to
be in Taliban custody is Mark Frerichs who was abducted in January 2020.
A
statement posted on Twitter by Human First Coalition, a US private group
involved in evacuating at-risk Afghans, identified Rauf as its president.
In
the statement, Rauf said he and his brother “were engaged in humanitarian work
in Afghanistan when we were taken into Taliban custody” on Dec. 18.
They
were held for 105 days, he said.
“Our
understanding is that this exceptionally unfortunate situation arose due to a
misunderstanding; we did nothing wrong,” he continued without elaborating.
Rauf
thanked those involved in helping to free the pair, including US officials,
their family, Qatar, the British government and his organization.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Biden
sends ‘warmest greetings’ to Arabs in US at start of Arab American Heritage
Month
RAY
HANANIA
April
01, 2022
CHICAGO:
President Joe Biden sent his “warmest greetings” to the Arab community in the
US on Friday to mark the start of Arab American Heritage Month. The annual
celebration shines a spotlight on Arab culture, heritage and experiences, and
the contributions the community has made to the development of the nation.
It
offers an opportunity to present a positive image of Arab culture and society
among the wider American public, who are more used to negative portrayals of
Arabs in the entertainment industry and the mainstream news media.
“I
send my warmest greetings to all those around the United States celebrating
National Arab American Heritage Month,” Biden wrote in a letter from the White
House dated April 1.
“The
history of the Arab American community goes back to the early days of our
country’s inception, and their story is deeply woven into the diverse tapestry
of America. For centuries. Arab Americans have embraced working hard, giving
back, and cultivating friendship and community — helping shape our nation’s
history and build our future.
“Today,
we see the contributions of Arab Americans reflected in every aspect of
American life. By advancing innovation, leading businesses, serving in our
military, teaching in our schools, and representing communities in elected
office, Arab Americans make us stronger and help us form a more diverse and
vibrant America.”
Biden
also acknowledged the challenges and discrimination that Arabs continue to face
in the US.
“We
also recognize that too many Arab Americans continue to be harmed by discrimination,
bias and violence,” he wrote. “As president, I have made it a top priority to
strengthen the federal government’s response to hate crimes and to advance a
whole-of-government approach to racial justice and equity so that all
Americans, including Arab Americans, can meet their full potential.
“I
am grateful for the tireless work of organizations that promote Arab American
heritage and empower Arab Americans across our country. Today and every day, we
must continue to celebrate our nation’s diversity and ensure that the
foundational promises of freedom, equality and opportunity are within reach for
all of us — no matter who we are or where we are from.
“This
National Arab American Heritage Month, I thank the Arab American community for
all that you have done to help move us forward and for representing the best of
who we are.”
Samer
Khalaf, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, applauded
Biden for publicly acknowledging the annual celebration of Arabs and their
culture. Similar celebration take place each year in honor of the nation’s
other ethnic and national groups, including African Americans, Hispanics,
Asians and Native Americans.
“We
welcome the message from President Biden and the administration’s continued
work with the ADC and the community to advance the interests of the community,”
said Khalaf. “We look forward to celebrating our rich culture and heritage, and
highlighting the rich history and achievements of Arab Americans.
“We
invite you to attend our events and to be on the lookout for all the different
productions happening in celebration of Arab American heritage around our
community. This is a time to learn more about our history, celebrate our
heritage, highlight our contributions and brainstorm ways to keep our community
always moving forward. Happy Arab American Heritage Month.”
US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also issued a statement to “honor the
contributions of this diverse community” to America.
“Immigrants
with origins from the Arab world have been arriving to the United States since
before our country’s independence and have contributed to our nation’s
advancements in science, business, technology, foreign policy and national
security,” he said. “The litany is long and includes Private Nathan Badeen, a
Syrian immigrant who fought and gave his life during the American Revolution.
“At
the State Department, we recognize tremendous diplomats such as Ambassador
Philip Habib, former under secretary for political affairs, who played a
prominent role in the Vietnam peace talks, resulting in the 1973 Paris Peace
Accords, and later successfully pursued a ceasefire in Lebanon.
“We
also recognize Ambassador Selwa ‘Lucky’ Roosevelt, who served the president and
secretary of state as the chief of protocol of the United States from
1982-1989; nearly seven years and longer than anyone else prior.
“The
department is fortunate to have had these and so many other talented Arab
American colleagues, who strive every day to protect and promote the interests
and values of the American people, while representing the United States to the
world,” Blinken added.
Until
2018, Arab American Heritage Month was celebrated in the US in a number of
states at different times of the year; Arizona celebrated in April, for
example, and Illinois in November. Four years ago the recognition of the ethnic
heritage of Arab Americans, who began to arrive in America in the early 18th
century, was consolidated nationally and April was set as the month for the
celebration.
Cities
around the country are organizing special events this month to showcase the
contributions made by Arab Americans to small and large businesses, medicine
and healthcare, the law, engineering, journalism, education and civil rights.
Chicago
already hosted a celebration, on March 30, that was attended by more than 250
leaders of the state’s Arab American community and more than 40 elected
officials, who feasted on Middle Eastern cuisine, enjoyed Arab entertainment
and engaged in cultural discussions on a number of topics, including the
significance of dates in the observance of many Islamic holidays and religious
festivals.
“Each
year we see more and more of our elected government officials and community
leaders join us to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month,” said Hassan Nijem,
president of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce.
“Arab
American Heritage Month reinforces in the minds of everyone in the country the
strong and positive role our community of Christians and Muslims have, and it
is effective in countering the many false, negative stereotypes often conveyed
by the media and movie industries.”
Authorities
in Chicago organized the celebratory dinner for heritage month at the end of
March rather than in April as a sign of respect for Arab American Muslims who
will be fasting during Ramadan, which this year coincides with heritage month.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2055191/world
--------
Pakistan
summons US envoy over Washington’s meddling in internal affairs
01
April 2022
Pakistan’s
foreign office has summoned the acting US charge d'affaires to lodge a strong
protest over Washington’s meddling in the internal affairs of the country.
Pakistani
media, citing diplomatic sources, said on Thursday that the senior US diplomat
was handed over the protest note for the language used by an American official
during a formal communication regarding a no-confidence motion in Pakistan’s
parliament aimed at ousting Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The
English-language Dawn newspaper said the US Assistant Secretary of State for
South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, had in a meeting with Pakistan’s
envoy Asad Majeed warned that there could be implications if Khan survived the
opposition’s no-confidence motion on April 3.
A
Pakistani foreign office official confirmed that a "demarche" was
handed over to the acting US envoy in Islamabad, adding that Washington was
told that the use of such undiplomatic language was unacceptable.
A
senior Pakistani journalist, Nasim Zehra, in a Twitter post on Thursday also
confirmed that the US Department of State official, referring to Donald Lu, had
told the Pakistani ambassador that as long as PM Khan was in power, “relations
with Pakistan cannot improve”.
In
a threatening tone, he further said that if Khan was removed from the office,
Pakistan “will be forgiven for its mistakes”, which Zahra described as
“outrageous official communication”.
US
under Secretary of State did call outgoing Amb DrAsad to deliver a demarche for
Pak govt: he told amb as long as PM @ImranKhanPTI is PM relations with Pakistan
can’t improve & if he goes Pak canbe forgiven for its mistakes. Outrageous
official communication! All must condemn.
—
Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) March 31, 2022
Prime
Minister Khan, who has turned down opposition calls to resign, in a televised
address on Thursday claimed that a foreign country was cheering a no-confidence
vote because of his recent visit to Russia.
Khan
even named the United States as the origin of a "message" that he
said proved a foreign country was meddling in his country’s internal affairs.
He
called the opposition’s move to oust him a "foreign conspiracy",
linking it to his last month’s visit to Moscow, which came hours before Russian
President Vladimir Putin declared a military operation in Ukraine.
The
timing of Khan’s visit to Moscow and his refusal to join the United Nations
vote to condemn Russia’s operation in Ukraine drew widespread condemnation from
Western countries.
Last
week, addressing a rally attended by thousands of his supporters, Khan claimed
that a "foreign-backed conspiracy" was behind the no-trust motion
against him in the country’s parliament.
He
said the funding "being channeled into Pakistan from abroad" was the
reason behind efforts to dislodge his government.
"Attempts
are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan. Our
people are being used. Mostly inadvertently, but some people are using money
against us,” he claimed.
Before
his televised speech on Thursday, Khan chaired a national security committee
(NSC) meeting to discuss what was described as "the formal communication
of a senior official of a foreign country to Pakistan’s ambassador in the said
country in a formal meeting.”
An
official statement after the NSC meeting said the gathering expressed grave
concern at the communication.
The
committee concluded the communication amounted to "blatant
interference" in Pakistan's internal affairs, the statement said, adding
that Islamabad had decided to issue a strong demarche to the country.
The
no-confidence motion against Khan was tabled in the National Assembly on
Monday. The opposition needs a simple majority of 50 percent plus one to topple
the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government.
Khan
needs 172 votes in the 342-seat house to foil the bid. Some defections in the
PTI and cracks in his coalition partners have dented his chances to accumulate
the 172 votes, needed to hold on to power.
The
cricketer-turned-politician has been accused by the opposition of mishandling
the economy and foreign policy since coming to office in 2018.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Zalmay
Khalilzad offers to help better Pak-US ties
Baqir
Sajjad Syed
April
2, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Former US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday offered
help to Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa in improving bilateral relations.
A
statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations after a meeting
between Gen Bajwa and Amb Khalilzad said the former US official promised to
“play his role” for bettering the ties between the two countries.
The
ISPR said that besides Afghanistan various facets of bilateral cooperation were
discussed during the meeting.
Mr
Khalilzad is visiting Pakistan for participating in the National Security
Dialogue. He had closely worked with Gen Bajwa on Afghan peace and
reconciliation as the special envoy.
Relations
between the two countries touched a new low after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s
claim that Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Asad Majeed was warned by Assistant
Secretary of State Donald Lu that Mr Khan’s continuation in office would have
repercussions for bilateral ties. PM Khan is facing a no-confidence motion
tabled in the National Assembly by the joint opposition.
The
National Security Committee that met a day earlier expressed ‘grave concern’ over
the United States meddling in Pakistan’s internal affairs and decided to lodge
a strong protest with it. Demarches were later in the night delivered by the
Foreign Office to US Charge d’ Affaires in Islamabad and State Department.
White
House and State Department have denied the allegation.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1683014/zalmay-khalilzad-offers-to-help-better-pak-us-ties
--------
Pakistan
Emir
Tanzeem-e-Islami Pakistan: ‘Muslim states should recognise Taliban govt’
April
02, 2022
LAHORE:
Muslim states are primarily responsible for recognising the Afghan Taliban government
without any delay and assist Kabul in rehabilitation of the war torn country.
It was stated by the Emir Tanzeem-e-Islami (TI) Shujauddin Shaikh in a
statement released on Friday.
He
lamented that two meetings of Organisation of Islamic cooperation held in
Pakistan on Afghanistan and the recent Troika Plus meeting in Beijing -
participated by six neighbouring countries of Afghanistan- failed to recognise
Afghan Taliban government which liberated the country by repulsing the foreign
invaders after two decades of war.
Source:
The News Pakistan
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/946630-muslim-states-should-recognise-taliban-govt
--------
Pakistan
journalist asks 'why invite US to OIC moot if received threat'
Apr
1, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Taking a dig at the statement of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding
Washington's role in an alleged "foreign conspiracy" to oust him from
power, a local journalist questioned why the United States was invited at the
OIC meeting if the PM received a threat from the country.
Senior
anchor Hamid Mir, in Geo News programme "Capital Talk", asked if the
US had threatened Pakistan then why Khan invited US under secretary of state
Uzra Zeya to the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers conference held in Islamabad
on March 21.
After
the conference, Shah Mahmood Qureshi had tweeted, "Constructive meeting
with @UnderSecStateJ, visiting to attend #OIC48CFM, promoting more engagement
between US & OIC States..."
"Bilaterally,
Pakistan has a longstanding relationship with the US & we believe a regular
& structured dialogue process imp to promoting our bilat & shared
regional objectives. We look forward to commemorating the 75th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic ties this year," he said in his second
tweet.
Earlier,
in another similar incident, Pakistani journalist, Syed Talat Hussain
questioned Khan why he was crying "global conspiracy" and yet
inviting the US delegation.
Taking
to Twitter, Hussain wrote, "So you cry global conspiracy (by Washington)
and also warmly invite and welcome their delegation to the OIC conference? Not
to mention holding joint air exercises Falcon Talon?"
This
comes at a time when PM, earlier in the day, said that he will share the
"foreign-funded conspiracy" letter with senior journalists and ally
party members with evidence that outside elements are trying to topple the
government.
Ahead
of the no-trust vote against PM Imran Khan, the journalist alerted that some
desperate political, legal, procedural, and constitutional options are being
contemplated.
"Madness
Alert- Some desperate political, legal, procedural and constitutional options
are being contemplated, which, if exercised, might create an even more
desperate situation," wrote Hussain.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Imran
hails India’s independent foreign policy centred on people
Apr
2, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Embattled Pakistan PM Imran Khan said on Friday that a powerful nation has been
angered by his visit to Russia this February and he praised India again ahead
of the no-confidence vote against him on April 3 for Delhi’s independent
foreign policy, saying it was centred on its people.
His
remarks came on a day Pakistan summoned a senior US diplomat in Islamabad and lodged
a strong protest over America's alleged “interference” in its internal affairs,
according to PTI news agency.
The
US State Department rejected on Thursday Khan’s remarks in a live address to
the nation in which he blamed Washington for allegedly conspiring to topple his
government of nearly four years. The 69-year-old Khan discussed a “threat
letter” and called it a “foreign conspiracy” to remove him because of following
an independent foreign policy.
Khan
did not name the “powerful country” during his speech at Friday’s event—the
Islamabad Security Dialogue. But he noted that the unnamed country’s ally,
India, was importing oil from Russia as the West was trying to impose sanctions
on Moscow after it invaded Ukraine.
“Today,
I read the British foreign secretary’s statement that they can’t say anything
to India as it has an independent foreign policy. I don’t blame them (West) for
this support, but what are we then?" he asked, adding that the blame lay
with Pakistan. “This is our mistake. No country is respected unless it stands
on its own two feet,” Khan said.
He
then praised India, saying: “They protect their independent foreign policy
which is centred on its people.” This was the second time in recent days that
Khan has publicly lauded India for its foreign policy. On March 21, he praised
India for buying oil from sanctions-hit Russia to safeguard its people’s
interests.
Khan’s
rivals were quick to respond. Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the opposition in the
National Assembly, said he was shocked at the way Khan has endangered global
interests of the country.
“His
recurring praise for Narendra Modi’s foreign policy is an insult to the
sacrifices of valiant Kashmiris braving Hindutva. Among other things, the
damage done to our foreign policy is incalculable,” Sharif posted on Twitter.
A
defiant Khan hit back quickly too: “Those (Shehbaz) who are preparing to get to
the PM’s office are giving interviews that my statements will anger America,
and Pakistan cannot survive without its support.”
The
decisions of past politicians have led to a situation wherein no foreign
country respects Pakistan, he said. “They order us. They (the US) say that if
the no-confidence motion does not become successful, there will be consequences
for Pakistan.”
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
PM’s party takes lead in local govt polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
April
2, 2022
Ahead
of Sunday's no-trust motion against him, embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on
Friday got a shot in the arm following his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party's
"overwhelming success" in the local government election in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province.
The
ruling PTI was leading in the second phase of the local government polls in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as counting of votes was still underway, the Geo News
reported.
The
polling was held for the slots of chairmen and mayors of 65 tehsil councils.
The
results show that the count for 48 out of 64 tehsil councils is complete.
According to the unconfirmed results, PTI succeeded in 24 tehsil councils and
is in a leading position in seven tehsil councils.
Jamiat
Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) won seven seats and is leading in four other tehsil
councils. Independent candidates succeeded in seven tehsil councils and are in
the lead in one council.
Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) managed to clinch two tehsil councils and is
leading in three others, while Jamaat-e-Islami succeeded in three councils and
is in the leading position in one council.
Meanwhile,
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won one seat and is leading in another, while
Awami National Party (ANP) bagged two tehsil councils.
Congratulating
the PTI team for its "overwhelming success" in the local elections,
Prime Minister Khan said the people of the province have rejected the
"traitors".
Taking
to Twitter over success in the majority of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tehsils, Khan
said, "Congratulations to CM @IMMahmoodKhan & our PTI team for their
overwhelming success in Phase 2 of KP LG polls. Ppl of KP have emphatically
rejected the traitors who sold out to foreign masters. This is an early warning
to all traitors of what awaits them in their constituencies."
Source:
India Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
PM
Imran says 'establishment' gave him three options: resignation, no-confidence
vote or elections
April
1, 2022
Prime
Minister Imran Khan revealed on Friday that the "establishment" had
given him three options: "resignation, no-confidence [vote] or
elections", following the filing of a no-confidence motion against him in
the National Assembly.
He
shared this during an interview to ARY News, which was aired on Friday, while
responding to questions about whether the opposition, government or
"another party" had proposed early elections and his resignation as
options.
The
premier said when he was presented with the three options, "We said
elections is the best option, I cannot even think about resigning and as far as
the no-confidence vote is concerned, I believe in fighting till the end."
Pointing
out that several members of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had defected to the
opposition ahead of the no-trust vote, the premier explained that even if the
opposition's no-trust move failed, "We cannot run the government with such
people (defectors)."
So,
he said, "it will be better for Pakistan if we hold elections again."
Asked
whether he was prepared to go for early elections, he replied, "If we win
[in] this [no-confidence] vote, it is a very good idea to go for early
elections."
To
a question about what would the government's strategy be in case the
opposition's no-trust motion fails, he answered, "We will make a strategy
[in the coming days]."
'There's
threat to my life'
Earlier
in the interview, the premier said there was a threat to his life, claiming
that those conspiring to topple his government were "scared knowing that
even if he is ousted, the public will continue to support him".
"I
am saying this openly that there is a threat to my life," he said.
"They,
all those who have colluded [against me], know that I will not sit
silently," the prime minister went on, adding, "What do they think?
They will spend Rs20 billion, Rs25 billion and topple my government and I will
watch silently?"
"This
is why I am saying openly, there is a threat to my life."
The
prime minister's statement comes hours after Information Minister Fawad
Chaudhry said a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Imran Khan had been reported
by security agencies.
Earlier
this week, PTI leader Faisal Vawda had made similar claims, stating that a
conspiracy was being hatched to assassinate the prime minister over his refusal
to "sell the country".
Vawda
had made the remarks on ARY News show "Off the Record" in response to
a question about a letter PM Imran brandished at the PTI's March 27 power show
in Islamabad, claiming it contained "evidence of a "foreign
conspiracy" to topple his government.
He
said there was a threat to the prime minister's life but remained evasive when
asked whether the purported conspiracy to assassinate the premier was mentioned
in the letter.
When
PM Imran Khan confirmed this in his interview, he said his life was under
threat because he did not suit those involved in the conspiracy as well as
"people like Shehbaz Sharif, who polishes boots" and "are slaves
to money".
The
premier added that people like PML-N President Shehbaz had no public support.
Without
naming anyone, he continued, "They are afraid of people who have public support.
They are talking about assassination because they know that if he (PM Imran) is
ousted from the government, he will still be relevant because the public is
with him."
"Then
they go for the other option. Look at the history," PM Imran said, adding that
"they will try their best through local collaborators, the three
stooges" — a term he uses to refer to Shehbaz, PPP co-chair Asif Ali
Zardari and Pakistan Democratic Movement chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
The
prime minister further claimed that a campaign would also be initiated for his
"character assassination", adding that his wife, Bushra Bibi, and one
of her associates named Farah would also be targeted.
'Knew
about the conspiracy since Aug'
Earlier
in the interview, the prime minister revealed that he was aware of the
"conspiracy" being hatched to oust his government since August last
year.
"I
had an idea since August and I also knew that planning was ongoing in
London," he said, adding that he had also informed his cabinet back then
that the coming "winter would be a very difficult time for us".
He
said he also had reports from agencies in this regard, as he went to name PML-N
supremo as one of the persons involved in the conspiracy.
"He
(Nawaz Sharif) was meeting people, people like Hussain Haqqani [...] who was
involved in memogate. They were in constant touch," he alleged, claiming
that Nawaz had held the last meeting in this regard on March 3. "And we
received this document (a letter he claims has evidence of a foreign conspiracy
to topple his government) on March 7."
The
prime minister went on to say that people who had colluded in this purported
conspiracy were also against the Pakistan Army, adding that "Pakistan has
been surviving because of its army."
"And
Nawaz Sharif and his daughter have openly railed against the army," he
remarked.
The
prime minister further alleged that the joint opposition was making efforts to
oust his government in order to get an NRO (amnesty).
"But
I will never give them an NRO," he expressed his resolve.
Moreover,
he said "external powers" needed "robbers and thugs ... and the
corrupt who become their slaves to save their corruption".
He
further claimed that the "threat letter" said if Imran Khan was
ousted through the no-confidence vote, the foreign powers involved in the
conspiracy would "forgive Pakistan".
"But
if he survives the no-confidence vote, there will be dire consequences for
Pakistan and we will isolate Imran Khan," he added. "How do they know
that the new government will work [well] with them? ... This means that they
had a connection with them (opposition). This means that this conspiracy is
being hatched for the past six months."
He
went on to say that some PTI members who had defected, people from the
opposition and media persons had been meeting with officials at
"embassies".
"I
had all the reports," he said.
To
a question about whether his recent visits to China and Russia had
"fast-paced the process of regime change against him", he compared
Pakistan's foreign policy to that of India.
"During
the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union, they (India) remained
non-aligned. They were close to the Soviet Union" but they still
maintained ties with the US.
"And
because of their (India's) foreign policy, see how is the Indian passport
respected in comparison to Pakistan's," he added. "When you are a
self-respecting nation, others respect you as well. But we continued to change
blocs," he lamented.
He
further lambasted the previous governments for allowing drone attacks in the
country during America's war on terror.
'No
differences on ISI chief's appointment'
In
response to a question about civil-military relations with respect to "an
appointment in October" — which was an apparent reference to the
appointment of a new Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general — the
prime minister said, "We were all on one page. We had no differences"
He
said he had no issues with the military leadership unlike past leaders, who
were "scared of the army because of their corruption".
When
the anchorperson specifically named the former ISI chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed,
asking whether the premier wanted him to continue as the spymaster because he
was his favourite, PM Imran said he had worked with Lt Gen Faiz for three years
and he knew that the winter of 2021 winter "will the most difficult time
for us".
Citing
economic difficulties and the situation in Afghanistan after the US exit, he
said "I was insisting on him (Lt Gen Faiz) continuing till winter as he
was experienced".
"They
had their own view, which was that there was a system in the army. They had
their own perspective and I had mine. But I wasn’t thinking about who will be
the new army chief," he clarified.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Tehreek-i-Insaf
stages rallies against US, dissident lawmakers
April
2, 2022
PESHAWAR:
Leaders and workers of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) took to the
streets in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday against the US over
‘threat’ to Prime Minister Imran Khan as well as against dissident MNAs.
They
burnt the US flag and effigy of US President Joe Biden.
The
Peshawar protest was led by provincial ministers.
The
charged protesters from different parts of the capital city gathered outside
the press club building and shouted slogans against the US, dissident PTI MNAs
and opposition for what they insisted working to oust the Imran Khan
government.
Besides
banners and placards, they also carried lotas (ewers) calling the disgruntled
party lawmakers turncoats. They also tossed lotas in the air.
The
protesters also shouted slogans against leader of the opposition Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl Maulana Fazlur Rehman as well as dissident PTI MNAs,
including Noor Alam Khan of Peshawar, and declared them traitors.
Leaders
say ruling party’s workers will ‘stop traitors’ from voting against PM
The
rallies were taken out on the ‘orders’ of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister
Mahmood Khan.
In
a leaked audio clip, the chief minister could be heard directing his ministers
to take to the streets after Friday prayers to protest against 18 dissident PTI
MNAs and the US, and celebrate the ruling party’s victory in the second phase
of local body elections in the province.
He
insisted that Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered him to take out rallies.
“PM
has talked to me over the phone,” he was heard in the audio clip as saying.
PTI
MPA from Peshawar Haji Fazal Elahi showed up in the rally donning a shroud.
Ministers
Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Shah Mohammad Wazir, Ishtiaq Urmur and Kamran Khan
Bangash and MPAs also attended the rally.
The
speakers said that they believed in the Almighty Allah and not US president Joe
Biden. They called for the registration of cases against ‘traitors’ accusing
them of acting on the directions of the US.
The
speakers said the street protests were staged against the ‘corrupt mafia’.
They
announced that the PTI workers would go to Islamabad to ‘stop traitors’ from
voting against the prime minister in the National Assembly.
In
Bannu, the PTI activists staged a rally outside the press club building against
opposition parties.
Led
by MPA Pakhtoonyar Khan, former MPA Malik Adnan Khan and tehsil council
chairman Kakki Junaid Rashid Khan, the protesters also set fire to a banner carrying
pictures of opposition leaders.
The
speakers said the PTI’s victory in the second phase of local body elections in
the province had proved its popularity.
They
said the country was fortunate to have a brave leader like Imran Khan.
The
speakers said the PTI government introduced reforms in all fields and launched
the Sehat Insaf Card, Ehsaas Kifalat and other schemes to the relief of the
common man.
They
declared the PTI dissident MNAs traitors and said those lawmakers had won the
2018 elections as the PTI nominees but switched loyalty to the opposition for
money.
The
speakers alleged that the opposition leaders used the money they looted during
their governments, for horse-trading.
They
asked dissidents to review their decision to vote against Prime Minister Imran
Khan during the opposition’s no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.
In
Mardan, too, the PTI activists staged a protest rally against the party’s
dissident MNAs.
Food,
science and information technology minister Mohammad Atif Khan led protesters.
The
ruling party’s lawmakers from the district, including Zahir Shah Toru, Tufail
Anjum and others, also attended the rally.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1682989/tehreek-i-insaf-stages-rallies-against-us-dissident-lawmakers
--------
Mideast
IRGC
Warns Rigid, Devastating Response to Enemy's Slightest Mistake
2022-April-1
The
IRGC's statement came on the occasion of the Islamic Republic Day.
"The
IRGC will join hands with other sections of the Armed Forces and security
forces to safeguard independence, security, and national interests of
Iran," the statement said.
It
added that the IRGC will continue to fulfill its duties without any attention
to "recent delusional remarks made by the terrorist regime of the United
States against the elite force, as such remarks indicate how the rulers of this
regime lag behind the global developments".
The
statement said the US allegations against the IRGC reflect the fact that the
rulers at the White House "lack a correct understanding of the shift in
the power equations in the strategic region of West Asia and even beyond
it".
It
pointed out that undermining and impeding the growth of Iran’s defense power
and deterrence capacity is the main goal of the enemy, which is seeking to
destroy the Islamic Republic or make it and the Iranian nation submit to the
policies of the hegemonic system and Zionism.
"The
missile power and the popularity and regional influence of Iran ... [both of]
which have been associated with the name of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps,
are red lines for the Iranian nation,” the IRGC’s statement said.
“We
vociferously announce that the strong Iran has never defined the path to
increasing its deterrence power, which guarantees its progress and security,
according to aspirations, desires and wishes of the rules of the White House
and their evil allies, and will not change it under their pressure, threat or
evil media propaganda.”
The
IRGC's statement came as Chief Commander of the IRGC Major General Hossein
Salami hailed the current status of the combat power of the IRGC units and
forces, specially those deployed to the country’s key islands in the south, and
their readiness to firmly defend the Islamic Republic’s territories in the face
of possible threats.
In
recent years, the Iranian military experts and technicians have made
substantial headway in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment,
making the Armed Forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.
Iranian
officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to
strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are
entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will never be
subject to negotiations.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
President
Rayeesi: People’s Livelihood Never Tied to Vienna Talks
2022-April-1
President
Rayeesi made the remarks in a meeting with a group of Iranian scholars and
clerics in the holy city of Mashhad in the Eastern province of Khorasan Razavi.
"We
have not left the negotiating table and today the principled positions of the
Islamic Republic are expressed with dignity, but in no way have we tied the
lives of the people and the economy to JCPOA and [Vienna] talks," the
Iranian president said during the meeting.
"JCPOA-related
negotiations are pursued with strength and dignity," President Rayeesi
added.
He
reiterated that regardless of whether the negotiations in Vienna succeed or
not, the Iranian government has its own plans for the management of national
economy.
“We
favor relations with all countries, but we never wait for others to come and
solve our problems. Experience has shown and we have learned from our
predecessors never to trust foreigners. They have not helped solve anyone's
problems and will not do it for us either. Our trust is put in the resources
and potentialities of the country,” the Iranian president further said.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
FM
Stresses Broadening of Iran-China Economic Ties
2022-April-1
During
the meeting on the sidelines of the conference of the foreign ministers of
Afghanistan’s neighbors, the two sides discussed bilateral, regional and
international issues.
The
two foreign ministers underlined the need to speed up finalizing introduced
projects and to continue consultations over the expansion of economic
cooperation between Tehran and Beijing.
During
the meeting, Amir Abdollahian underlined the need for realizing the huge
potentials of the two nations, specially in economic spheres.
The
Iranian foreign minister also called for facilitating the return of Iranian
students to China.
He
said although Covid-related restrictions prevented the Iranian students from
returning to China, it is appropriate that things would return to the
pre-pandemic era with the cooperation of the relevant Chinese sectors.
Wang
YI, for his part, extended the Chinese president’s warm greetings to President
Rayeesi and appreciated the Iranian side’s participation in the third
conference of Afghanistan’s neighbors.
The
Chinese Foreign Minister then underscored the need for cooperation and close
consultations between Tehran and Beijing to make their strategic 25-year pact
operational and also the need for cooperation in international bodies.
The
two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the latest developments in the
Vienna talks and underlined the need to fight against unilateral and
illegitimate sanctions imposed by some Western countries.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
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https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010112000287/FM-Sresses-Bradening-f-Iran-China-Ecnmic-Ties
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Iran
Commemorates Islamic Republic Day
2022-April-1
In
a landmark two-day referendum held on March 30-31, 1979, less than two months
after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, over 98.2 percent of eligible
Iranians voted for the establishment of an Islamic Republic in the country.
As
a result of the referendum, Iran was declared an Islamic Republic, and was
given a new official name - the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In
a special statement at the time, the Supervisory Board of the country said the
event was "crucial for Iran and the entire world as it opened a new
chapter in the history of our country and in the history of Islam".
The
Islamic Republic was established in line with the popular motto of the 1979
Islamic Revolution that called for “Independence, Freedom and the Islamic Republic”
for the country.
Since
then, the Iranian nation annually celebrates Farvardin 12 on the solar calendar
year, which falls on April 1 in normal years and March 31 in leap years, as the
anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The day is
referred to as the Islamic Republic Day.
The
Islamic Revolution, led by late Imam Khomeini, established a new political
system based on Islamic values and democracy.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010112000148/Iran-Cmmemraes-Islamic-Repblic-Day
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President
Rayeesi: Iran Hosting 4mln Afghans
2022-April-1
"Europeans
have provided no help in this issue," President Rayeesi said.
He
reiterated that the Islamic Republic feels responsibility for the dear Afghan
people unlike the Europeans which follow the issue of Afghanistan solely for
their political demands.
Formation
of an inclusive government with participation of all groups is important for
Afghanistan today, President Rayeesi said.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010112000267/Presiden-Rayeesi-Iran-Hsing-4mln-Afghans
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Iran
Sends over 30 Humanitarian Aid Shipments to Afghanistan
2022-April-1
Takht
Ravanchi made the remarks at a virtual UN donor conference co-hosted by
Britain, Germany, and Qatar.
“The
humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, and the country
is currently facing great challenges, opportunities, fears and hopes. The
international community is expected in the current difficult situation to
contribute to helping Afghan people overcome challenges, seize opportunities,
dispel fears and boost hopes for a brighter future,” the Iranian ambassador
said.
Takht-Ravanchi
added that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a neighboring country, stands by
the people of Afghanistan and has used its capacities and facilities to
overcome the challenges it has faced over the last four decades.
“Iran
has hosted millions of refugees, who have unfortunately received the least
international aid in the last 40 years. Iran has dispatched more than 30
shipments of humanitarian aid to Afghan people in recent months. This is just
one example of the assistance that Iran has provided to the people of
Afghanistan,” the senior Iranian diplomat pointed out.
“The
financial support of the international community is vital to help Afghanistan
surmount the current difficult situation,” he added.
Takht
Ravanchi also denounced as illegal the seizure of Afghanistan's frozen assets,
demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
"Hopes
for future must be guaranteed among the people of Afghanistan, especially among
the younger generation who will lead the country in the future. This will not
be possible unless an inclusive government is formed and sufficient attention
is paid to the political and social fabrics of Afghanistan, which can involve
people from all walks of life, including various ethnicities, men, women and
youth,” he further said.
The
administration of US President Joe Biden has frozen nearly $9.5 billion in
assets belonging to the Afghan central bank since the withdrawal of its
occupation forces.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010112000259/Iran-Sends-ver-30-Hmaniarian-Aid-Shipmens-Afghanisan
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Two-month
ceasefire agreed in Yemen: UN envoy
01
April ,2022
Warring
parties in Yemen have agreed to a two-month ceasefire starting this weekend,
the UN special envoy for Yemen announced on Friday.
“The
parties accepted to halt all offensive military air, ground and maritime
operations inside Yemen and across its borders; they also agreed for fuel ships
to enter into Hodeidah ports and commercial flights to operate in and out of
Sanaa airport to predetermined destinations in the region,” UN envoy Hans
Grundberg said in a statement.
Grundberg
added that the sides agreed to meet open roads in Taiz and other governorates
in Yemen.
“The
Truce can be renewed beyond the two-month period with the consent of the
parties,” Grundberg added. “The aim of this Truce is to give Yemenis a
necessary break from violence, relief from the humanitarian suffering and most
importantly, hope that an end to this conflict is possible.”
Grundberg
thanked regional and international stakeholders for their support in helping
reach the ceasefire.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Israeli
troops kill 3 Palestinians in West Bank gun battle
April
02, 2022
JERUSALEM:
Israeli forces killed three Palestinian militants in a firefight in the occupied
West Bank early Saturday, police said, raising fears of further escalation of
violence during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Israeli
media said four members of a police counter-terrorism unit of the Israeli
police were wounded, one of them seriously. The troops came under fire as they
attempted to arrest suspected militants in the northern West Bank.
Tensions
have soared in recent days after Palestinian assailants killed 11 Israelis in
separate attacks across the country. Saturday marks the start of Ramadan, a
month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, prayer and religious devotion for hundreds of
millions of Muslims around the world. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
Ramadan has often been a period of increased friction and confrontation.
The
Israeli police said the three militants were members of a cell that was
involved in recent attacks against Israeli forces and were planning another
attack that was thwarted during early Saturday’s joint operation with the
military and intelligence.
Live
videos by witnesses on social media showed a crowed of Palestinians inspecting
the scene of the clashes near the city of Jenin after the Israeli troops
withdrew. The street was covered with blood stains and the men chanted slogans
calling for revenge.
Palestine
TV reported that Israeli forces seized the bodies of the militants.
In
response to the recent Palestinian attacks, more Israeli forces were sent to
the West Bank in recent days for increased searches, patrols and arrest raids.
With
Saturdays deaths, seven Palestinians were killed over three days, including two
in a gunbattle Thursday and one after he stabbed and wounded an Israeli on a
bus in the West Bank.
On
Friday, a Palestinian man was killed by troops in the West Bank city of Hebron,
during clashes that erupted after mosque prayers. The Israeli military said its
forces shot a Palestinian who threw a firebomb at them.
Several
hundred Jewish settlers live under heavy military protection in the heart of
Hebron, a city of more than 200,000 Palestinians and home to a major holy site
sacred to Jews and Muslims.
Also
Friday, the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said 36 Palestinians
were hurt in weekly confrontations with Israeli forces elsewhere in the West
Bank. Protesters often throw rocks and firebombs at Israeli troops who use tear
gas, rubber-bullets and live fire. Thirty-three of the injured were struck by
rubber bullets and three by live rounds Friday, the Red Crescent said.
At
the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam,
authorities said more than 30,000 people attended Friday prayers on the eve of
Ramadan. There were no reports of protests or violence.
The
hilltop on which the mosque is located is the holiest site for Jews, who refer
to it as the Temple Mount, and it has been a frequent flashpoint in the
century-old conflict.
Israeli,
Palestinian and Jordanian leaders have held a flurry of talks in recent weeks,
and Israel has made a series of goodwill gestures, all aimed at calming
tensions ahead of Ramadan.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2055381/middle-east
--------
Southeast
Asia
Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques Iftar program launched in Philippines
April
02, 2022
MANILA
— The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance inaugurated on
Friday the two programs of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin
Abdulaziz to break the fast of fasting people and distribute luxury dates for
2022 in Philippines.
The
two programs aim to distribute 3,500 food baskets to Muslim families, and 5
tons of luxury dates, to be distributed by Islamic Affairs throughout the
blessed month of Ramadan in coordination with official charities and in
accordance with established health protocols. — SPA
Source:
Saudi Gazette
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Indonesian
agents shouldn’t charge over RM8,000 to send maids, says envoy
K.
Parkaran
April
2, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: Indonesian maid recruitment agencies should only charge about RM8,000 at
the most to send domestic helpers to Malaysia, said its ambassador Hermono.
Referring
to a report in FMT today which said the agents in Jakarta used to ask between
RM10,000 to RM12,000 in the past, he said this was too high based on his
calculation.
“This
is a business deal. I have calculated and found that it should be much less
than that. It should be between RM7,000 to RM8,000 only,” he told FMT when
contacted today.
Hermono
gave an assurance that he will speak with the National Board for the Placement
and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers in Jakarta (BP2MI) about the
cost, as they are the official body that deals with the agents who send workers
abroad.
“They
are aware that Malaysian employers urgently need domestic workers. At the same
time, the Indonesian agents have not had any business over the last two years
because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I
will speak to the BP2MI on this matter. Let’s work together to make it as
reasonable and smooth as possible for the benefit of all,” he said.
Both
countries signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the recruitment of
domestic helpers yesterday with emphasis on better protection for the
Indonesian maids who are sent to work in Malaysian homes.
According
to local maid recruitment agencies, anyone wanting to hire an Indonesian maid
had to pay between RM15,000 and RM16,000.
President
of the Malaysian Association of Employment Agencies Foo Yong Hooi said about
RM10,000 to RM12,000 of that figure went to Indonesian employment agencies.
“Malaysian
agents used the balance for levy payments to the government, processing fees at
the embassy, the transport of maids from airports, medical examinations,
insurance, employment contracts and other costs,” he told FMT.
He
said Malaysian agencies earn less than the Indonesian agencies, but they have
to do a lot of work to bring in Indonesian maids.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Muhyiddin
wants my help to become PM again, says Dr M
Nicholas
Chung
April
1, 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR: Pejuang chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Bersatu president Muhyiddin
Yassin met him recently to ask for his help to regain the prime minister’s
post.
“Tan
Sri Muhyiddin saw me, he wanted me to support him for his attempt to become the
prime minister once again,” Mahathir said at a press conference here today.
Asked
whether he would support Muhyiddin, he said Pejuang “is not going to support
somebody who as the prime minister was as much a failure as Najib (Razak) was”.
This
comes amid reports that Muhyiddin met with Mahathir to propose Bersatu and
Pejuang work together ahead of the next general election (GE15).
“When
(Muhyiddin) was prime minister, most people were not happy with his
leadership,” Mahathir said.
“He
was not a good prime minister. If he had achieved great things for Malaysia, he
would be able to become prime minister again without our support.”
The
Langkawi MP said he was equally bemused by Muhyiddin approaching him for
Pejuang’s support since he knew Pejuang had performed badly in the recent Johor
elections.
“We
are not strong, and we know we don’t have much money, but he asked us to
support him,” he said.
He
reiterated that Pejuang will only work with parties who were committed to
combating corruption.
“These
parties must make a clear declaration that they do not approve of corruption
and that they don’t contest in elections by giving money to people,” he said.
Asked
to comment on DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s retirement from politics, Mahathir
maintained that he (Mahathir) might not be contesting in GE15 but was not
leaving Pejuang just yet.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Africa
Ramadan:
Buhari sends message to Muslims, Nigerians
April
2, 2022
President
Muhammadu Buhari on Friday joined world leaders in welcoming the month of
Ramadan, fasting and strong devotion for the Muslim faithful.
In
a message to Nigerians and Muslims around the world, Buhari said the period
offers a special opportunity to “feel the hunger experienced by the poor so as
to feel what it is like to be deprived and marginalized.”
“Muslims,”
Buhari emphasized, “should seek greater personal discipline, which is necessary
for the realization of a great nation.”
The
President disclosed this in a statement by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special
Assistant on Media and Publicity.
Buhari
advised the Muslim elite against food waste and extravagant spending while
others face hunger and destitution, urging that they should care for their
neighbours, the poor and the marginalized.
Buhari
also called for prayers for peace in the country and beyond and for healing and
harmony throughout the world.
Source:
Daily Post Nigeria
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://dailypost.ng/2022/04/02/ramadan-buhari-sends-message-to-muslims-nigerians/
--------
Ramadan:
Lawan felicitates with Muslim Ummah in Nigeria
April
2, 2022
By
Shehu Usman
President
of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has felicitated all Nigerians, particularly the
Muslim Ummah as they enter the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Via
his personal Facebook page, the Nation’s Chief Lawmaker said, “Ramadan is the
month when Muslims across the world observe one of the five pillars of their
faith, share with their neighbours and show love to all people around them.
“It
is a period of spiritual reflection, abstinence, sacrifice and supplications to
the Almighty Allah.
“The
holy month of Ramadan thus provides the faithful, the opportunity to commune
with Allah and live as His Prophets enjoin us to do as we seek His blessings
and mercies.
“The
essence of the period is even more significant for us as we seek solutions and
divine guidance out of the challenges that we currently face in our dear
nation”.
He
added that the Nigerian government is doing everything possible to ameliorate
the situation and also realizes that much more has to be done.
“The
National Assembly will not relent in its efforts at promoting good governance
for the security, peace and progress of Nigeria.
Source:
Daily Post Nigeria
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://dailypost.ng/2022/04/02/ramadan-lawan-felicitates-with-muslim-ummah-in-nigeria/
--------
Tunisia
president: ‘There will be no single way to resolve political crisis’
April
02, 2022
TUNIS:
Tunisian President Kais Saied said on Friday after a meeting with the head of
Tunisia’s powerful labor union that there would be no single way to resolve
Tunisia’s political crisis.
Saied
added that he refused to hold talks with those who tried to overthrow the state
and “those who plundered the people’s resources.”
The
leader of the Tunisian General Labor Union Noureddine Taboubi said that the
union had agreed with Saied that there would be a partnership in outlining the
future of Tunisia.
The
talks took place as Tunisia summoned for questioning the speaker of the
dissolved parliament for “conspiracy against state security” after MPs met
online.
Rached
Ghannouchi, who also heads the Ennahdha party, received a summons on Thursday
“to question him about the holding of a plenary meeting,” party spokesman Imed
Khemiri said.
Ghannouchi,
81, was accused of “having plotted against state security, which is a dangerous
precedent,” said Khemiri, who was also summoned for the same reasons.
On
Thursday, Ghannouchi said at least 30 parliamentarians had been summoned for questioning
by anti-terrorism police.
President
Kais Saied dissolved parliament on Wednesday.
It
came eight months after he sacked the government, froze parliament and seized
sweeping powers, later moving to rule by decree.
The
president’s announcement on Wednesday evening came hours after parliamentarians
held a plenary session online — their first since Saied’s power grab — and
voted through a bill against his “exceptional measures.”
Ghannouchi
subsequently rejected Saied’s dissolution of parliament.
Saied,
a former law professor elected in 2019 amid public anger against the political
class, has given himself powers to rule and legislate by decree, as well as
seizing control over the judiciary.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2055326/middle-east
--------
Tunisia's
anti-terror unit summons ex-speaker for questioning
Alaa
Hammoudi
01.04.2022
TUNIS,
Tunisia
Rachid
Ghannouchi, the former speaker of Tunisia's dissolved parliament, has been
summoned for questioning by the country's anti-terrorism unit, an official
confirmed on Friday.
The
official from the defunct Speaker Office told Anadolu Agency on the condition
of anonymity because he is not permitted to speak to the media that Ghannouchi
has been summoned on Friday evening for questioning by the anti-terrorism unit.
The
Tunisian authorities made no comment on the move.
In
an interview on Tuesday, Ghannouchi revealed that Tunisia's anti-terrorism unit
had summoned more than 30 lawmakers.
Tunisian
President Kais Saied dissolved the suspended parliament on Wednesday, just
hours after parliamentarians held a plenary session to reverse his actions
since July 25, 2021.
Tunisia
has been in the throes of a deep political crisis since July 25 when Saied
dismissed the government, suspended parliament, and assumed executive
authority, in a move decried by opponents as a “coup.”
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/tunisias-anti-terror-unit-summons-ex-speaker-for-questioning/2552650
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Sudan
to use military force to maintain security in South Darfur
Bahram
Abdel Moneim
01.04.2022
KHARTOUM,
Sudan
The
Sovereignty Council of Sudan on Friday ordered the use of military force to
maintain order in the South Darfur state.
In
a statement, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the deputy leader of the council, said the
decision was made after an escalation in violence and fighting in the Sudanese
state.
The
council issued “strict directives to the government of South Darfur state and
the state security committee to resolve tribal attacks militarily,” according
to the statement.
It
also banned tribal gatherings under emergency law immediately to end tribal
conflicts in South Darfur.
On
Tuesday and Wednesday, local media reported that at least 30 people were killed
as a result of tribal clashes.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/communal-agenda-jamiat-ulama-hind/d/126712