Even Enemy Didn’t Cut Throats of War Prisoners: Pak Minister asks, under What Sharia Taliban Does It
New Age Islam News Bureau
20 Feb 2014
Photo: Israel to build Jewish museum near Al-Aqusa Mosque
Pakistan
• Even Enemy Didn’t Cut Throats of War Prisoners: Pak Minister asks, Under What Sharia Taliban Does It
• 40 militants killed in North Waziristan aerial bombing
• Four killed in Karachi violence
• Suicide bomber detonates explosives in Sibi
• NWA airstrikes must be stopped immediately: Jamaat-e-Islami Chief
• No troops being sent to Saudi Arabia: Pakistan
• Zero tolerance for further Taliban offence: Abid Sher Ali
• Maulana Fazl ur Rehman seeks overhauling of 1947 interim act of AJK
• MQM seeks ban on Taliban’s media coverage
• Faith trial: Blasphemy accused denied bail
• Islamabad under threat from LeJ, Taliban and Qaeda ‘sleeper cells’
Africa
• Boko Haram attack in northeast Nigeria kills 60: Police
• Terrorists better equipped than Nigerian military and police: Radical Muslim organization
• Israel secretly sending refugees to Uganda
• Libyans vote as anger mounts over insecurity
India
• Muslim Personal Law Board to Seek Adoption Order Review
• India, Bahrain ink pacts on sports, diplomat training
• Mushawarat slams govt for extending ban on SIMI
• Khurshid likely to meet Pakistani counterpart today
• Govt to set up Equal Opportunities Commission for minorities
North America
• FBI docs reveal alleged Islamist terror training compound in Texas
• India and Pakistan important allies in Afghanistan: US
• Pakistani merchants use President Obama’s face to sell imitation Viagra
• Americans won't withdraw from Afghanistan before US prisoners of war released - expert
• Afghan exit could hamper US drone war against Al Qaeda
• US State Department rules out ‘boots on the ground’ in Syria
• Obama, Erdoğan discuss Syria, Cyprus in rare phone conversation
Arab World
• Syria Is Facing International Terrorism Led By US and Some Arab and Islamic Countries
• Security forces in firing line as Iraq attacks kill 12
• Egypt troops kill a dozen suspected militants in Sinai
• Former MP 'Met Bahraini Terrorist, More Than Once
• Foreign Jihadists from 50 Countries Fighting in Syria
• UAE orders extradition of woman to Kazakhstan
• Iraq moves to preserve Christian heritage, Syriac language
• Saudi jails 7 up to 20 years over Shia protests
• Zionists-Terrorists Partnership in Syria
Europe
• Complaint Filed at ICC Over NATO Allies’ Complicity in US Drone Strikes
• Muslims in Spain demand same rights as Sephardic Jews
• Lavrov arrives in Iraq for talks on fighting "terrorism"
• UN investigator: ICJ should rule on Israeli ‘occupation’ as ‘ethnic cleansing’
• Russia may back 'balanced' UN resolution on Syria
• More Americans feel Afghanistan war a mistake: Poll
South Asia
• US diplomat meets Hefazat leaders in Chittagong
• Two prosecution Witnesses claim Mir Kashem was a leader of al-Badr
• Untrained doctors, low quality medicines a greater risk for Afghan lives
• China to accord priority to strategic ties with Pakistan: President Xi Jinping
Southeast Asia
• Comango: Claimed siege on Islam not licence to oppress
• Allah issue will not translate to votes for Barisan, survey finds
• Philippine gov't and Muslim rebels set to sign deal
Mideast
• Israel Bill distinguishing between Christian and Muslim Arabs advances
• Israel to build Jewish museum near Al-Aqusa Mosque
• State-controlled news agency explains, Iran is ready to fight U.S. because of Islam
• No Israelis killed in Israel by Palestinians in 2013
• Iran Urges Security Council to Prevent new wave of Radicalism in Region
'• Ramallah on verge of becoming tech hub for Arab world'
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/even-enemy-didn’t-cut-throats/d/35851
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Pakistan
Even Enemy Didn’t Cut Throats of War Prisoners: Pak Minister asks, Under What Sharia Taliban Does It
February 20, 2014
RAWALPINDI: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid has asked the Taliban, who are calling for the imposition of Islamic Sharia in the country, that under which law they killed 23 paramilitary troops.
Talking to the media after attending an event ‘Aik Sham Teen Mahman’, the minister referred to three wars between Pakistan and India and said that 90,000 Pakistani troops were taken prisoners in the 1971 war – but nobody cut off their heads.
He said Indian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody were taken care of according to the Geneva Convention. If violent attacks continue to take place, the whole nation will feel the grief, he added.
Rashid said the PML-N government has the desire to achieve peace without further bloodshed and a four-member negotiating committee was constituted for this purpose. The formation of the peace committee by the prime minister reflected his sincerity and desire to secure peace and end violence in the country.
“When the two committees give their reports, then the government will decide about its future course of action,” he added.
The minister said that if the Taliban had any complaints, then their committee should have conveyed it to the government committee but they did not do so. During the talks between the two committees, attacks did take place in Karachi and news received about the execution of Frontier Corps personnel in Mohmand Agency, he added.
Rashid said national institutions were strong enough to tackle any situation and no one should underestimate country’s defence capabilities. “National institutions are capable enough to tackle any difficult situation and national security agencies are competent to meet any security challenge confronting the country.”
The minister said whenever a contingent is formed in the world for peacekeeping, Pakistani troops are included in it.
Replying to a question, the Minister said Pervez Musharraf’s treason case will be decided by the court as there is rule of law in the country.
To another question, he said nobody in the public sector will lose his job. “We are in contact with all political parties on national issues, on which we stay above politics.”
http://tribune.com.pk/story/674036/mohmand-executions-rashid-questions-decapitation-of-fc-troops-by-ttp/
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40 militants killed in North Waziristan aerial bombing
February 20, 2014
NORTH WAZIRISTAN / ISLAMABAD: Fighter jets bombed hideouts of suspected militants in North Waziristan last night, killing 40 insurgents including foreign nationals, security officials said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif authorised the air strikes, a source in his office said – a possible sign he was finally giving in to pressure from the military for tougher military action against the militants.
“After restraining the army for three days, the prime minister himself authorised the strikes last night,” the government official told Reuters.
An intelligence official said that six different locations were bombed. Another official said among the army’s targets were training camps run by Uzbek and Turkmen fighters.
Express News reported that Mir Ali, Shawal and Datta Khel sub-districts of North Waziristan were targeted in the bombardment.
According to sources, many of the hideouts, weapons and explosives were destroyed in the blitz. A search operation is ongoing.
The morning air attacks came just hours after the army said more than 100 soldiers had been killed by the TTP in the last five months, a rare admission of relatively heavy casualties.
The targeted militants were reportedly involved in plotting terrorist attacks in the country including the attack on February 13 on a police bus in Karachi that killed 13 police officials and injured at least 57 others.
‘Ideological war’
Chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Mohmand Agency chapter Umar Khorasani said that every action has a reaction, referring to the aerial bombings.
He also stated that the use of force cannot stop them and they are not afraid of any power, adding that their war is ideological.
Prof Ibrahim condemns bombings
Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter Professor Mohammad Ibrahim condemned the bombings in North Waziristan. He is one of the members of committee formed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to act as a bridge between the government and the TTP for peace negotiations.
On February 19, the TTP had offered to observe a ceasefire to allow the resumption of stalled peace talks, provided security forces stop killing and arresting its members.
Aerial strike in Khyber Agency
At least seven militants were killed and six others injured in two aerial strikes in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency, Express News reported on Thursday.
In the first strike, around three militants were killed in aerial bombing by security forces. An improvised explosive device (IED) factory was also destroyed in the operation.
Helicopters shelled militant hideouts in the Alam Godar area of Bara tehsil in the second strike, killing at least four and injuring six others.
Response to terrorism
Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said that necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the citizens of Pakistan.
He stated that 175 people had been killed in 40 attacks by militants in the last 17 days and this was the reason why the operation was ordered.
Armed forces and security agencies will respond to acts of terrorism, the minister added.
In an unusually tough statement, a spokesperson of Nawaz Sharif had said in televised remarks late on February 19 that the army was capable of crushing all enemies.
“The prime minister wants to resolve these issues without bloodshed, but if the Taliban continue killing people then we will be left with no choice but to keep our citizens safe from terrorism through any means possible,” Information Minister Pervez Rashid had said.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/674090/fighter-jets-bomb-militant-hideouts-in-north-waziristan-killing-20-militants/
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Four killed in Karachi violence
2014-02-20
KARACHI: At least four people were killed in different incidents of violence in Karachi on Thursday, DawnNews reported.
One person was shot dead near Makkah chowk area
Two bodies were found in Karachi's Bin Qasim Town on Link Road.
The victims, who could not be identified, had been shot dead.
Their bodies were shifted to the hospital by the police.
Meanwhile, six robbers looted a private bank in the North Karachi area and made away with more than three lakh rupees
The police officials have started the investigation using the CCTV footages.
Furthermore, one person was also shot dead by militants in the Baldia Town area of Qaim Khani Colony.
Meanwhile, the Civic Centre building was evacuated by the officials and the bomb disposal squad was called on, upon receiving a tip-off about the presence of a suspicious motorcycle in the premises.
However the BDS declared the site as clear after conducting a thorough search of the building.
Karachi, the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan, is riddled with targeted killings, gang wars, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism.
Targeted operations led by Rangers’ forces with the support of police are ongoing in the city under a directive issued by the federal government against criminals already identified by federal, military and civilian agencies.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1088302/four-killed-in-karachi-violence
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Suicide bomber detonates explosives in Sibi
February 20, 2014
SIBI: A suicide bomber detonated explosive material in Sibi on Thursday, Express News reported.
The explosion took place near the gate of Mela Ground. The bomber reportedly intended to enter the stadium.
Security forces have cordoned off the area. Police said that bomber was around 13 years old and walked towards the gate before blowing up the explosives.
An annual carnival is due to take place inside the stadium in a few days.
Express News reported that this is the first suicide attack in Sibi.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/674183/suicide-bomber-detonates-explosives-in-sibi/
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NWA airstrikes must be stopped immediately: Jamaat-e-Islami Chief
February 20, 2014
LAHORE- Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Syed Munawar Hassan said the airstrikes in North Waziristan should be stopped immediately.
Talking to journalists in Lahore today, Munawar Hassan said the government should formally announce its decision before planning an operation against the Taliban.
Government should not approve military action regardless of the result of peace talks, he added.
He said that India was destabilizing Pakistan by sitting in Balochistan and some other parts of the country, adding that India was providing weapons for militancy. Munawar Hassan regretted the silence of the current government in this regard.
http://www.nation.com.pk/national/20-Feb-2014/nwa-airstrikes-must-be-stopped-immediately-munawar-hassan
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No troops being sent to Saudi Arabia: Pakistan
February 20, 2014
ISLAMABAD- Pakistan’s Foreign Office has denied reports regarding large scale troops being sent to Saudi Arabia.
Addressing weekly news briefing today, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said there is no veracity in reports about sending of one hundred thousand Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan is already facing threats at eastern and western borders, the state can’t afford sending large scale troops to Saudi Arabia, she said.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/national/20-Feb-2014/no-troops-being-sent-to-saudi-arabia-pakistan
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Zero tolerance for further Taliban offence: Abid Sher Ali
Feb 20, 2014
MULTAN- The state minister for water and power, Abid Sher Ali has warned of non-tolerance about any further attacks by Taliban, saying any further attacks would be given a strong response.
Talking to journalists at the residence of martyred Major Jehanzeb, while condoling with the bereaved family, he said that a final and strong message had been conveyed to the Taliban regarding a joint strategy and reaction by all political parties and stake holders.
Paying rich tributes to the martyred Major, the state minister said that Major Jehanzeb was a great martyr. “There shall be no further bloodshed and martyrdoms to be tolerated, anymore” he said.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/national/19-Feb-2014/zero-tolerance-of-any-further-taliban-offence-abid-sher-ali
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Maulana Fazl ur Rehman seeks overhauling of 1947 interim act of AJK
February 20, 2014
ISLAMABAD - JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman on Wednesday asked the PML-N government for major overhauling of 1947 Interim Act of Azad Kashmir.
“There is need of drastic efforts to amend this interim act of 1947 as after nearly 60 years it still has not been brought in line with the new realities of Azad Kashmir,” said Fazl in a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/islamabad/20-Feb-2014/fazl-seeks-overhauling-of-1947-interim-act-of-ajk
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MQM seeks ban on Taliban’s media coverage
2014-02-20
KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) urged the government on Wednesday to promulgate an ordinance to restrict the print and electronic media from publishing or broadcasting any statement of the Taliban.
The MQM coordination committee appealed to the government to provide full protection to all newspaper and electronic media offices so that journalists could continue to perform their professional duties without any pressure or threat.
Full report at:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1088241/mqm-seeks-ban-on-talibans-media-coverage
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Faith trial: Blasphemy accused denied bail
February 20, 2014
LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge on Wednesday dismissed the fourth bail petition of a man accused of blasphemy.
Abdul Shakoor alias Baba Sahib and Liaquat Ali are accused of blasphemy by reading the kalma incorrectly.
The first bail petition Ali filed was dismissed on May 25, 2013, and the second on June 28. The third was dismissed as withdrawn on February 18, 2014.
In the fourth petition Ali said he was innocent. He said that he wasn’t even nominated in the FIR. Furthermore the FIR did not specify a date or time of occurrence, he said. Ali also said that the complainant had said that the incident had taken place during the night, “but then how could he identify the suspects if it was dark?” He said the prosecution did not have enough evidence against him.
Full report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/673997/faith-trial-blasphemy-accused-denied-bail/
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Islamabad under threat from LeJ, Taliban and Qaeda ‘sleeper cells’
Feb 20, 2014
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad is under severe threat of terrorism from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and al Qaeda, a report of the Interior Ministry presented in the Standing Committee of National Assembly on Interior revealed on Wednesday.
The standing committee meeting was mainly convened to discuss the report of the Interior Ministry. It got heated when MQM’s Nabeel Gabol demanded imposition of emergency in the country due to a fragile security situation. This demand received sharp criticism from the PML-N and PPP members of the committee. According to the report, Islamabad is the most dangerous city as the “sleeper cell” of banned TTP, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and al Qaeda are posing a grave threat to the security of the city.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/20-Feb-2014/islamabad-under-threat-from-lej-taliban-and-qaeda-sleeper-cells
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Africa
Boko Haram attack in northeast Nigeria kills 60: Police
Feb 20, 2014
An attack by scores of Boko Haram Islamists in the northeast Nigeria town of Bama has killed 60 people and caused massive destruction to public buildings, police told AFP Thursday.
Residents said gunmen stormed the town at roughly 4:00 am (0300 GMT) on Wednesday, armed with heavy weapons and tossed explosives into various buildings, forcing residents to flee into the surrounding bush.
"We are collating the figures and the death toll has risen to 60 from the Bama attack," said Lawal Tanko, the police commissioner in Borno state, which is the epicentre of Boko Haram's four-and-half-year Islamist uprising.
"The toll is likely to rise," he said. "The attackers caused enormous destruction. They burnt down some of the major landmarks in the town including the local government secretariat," and the palace of the area's top cleric, Tanko added.
He said the airforce dispatched fighter jets to suppress the raid from its base in the state capital Maiduguri some 60 kilometres (40 miles) away and dropped bombs on the fleeing insurgents.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/94779/World/International/Boko-Haram-attack-in-northeast-Nigeria-kills--Poli.aspx
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Terrorists better equipped than Nigerian military and police: Radical Muslim organization
Feb 20, 2014
A radical Muslim organization, affiliated with al-Qaeda, possesses better weapons and equipment than the Nigerian police and soldiers tasked with combating the ruthless terrorists, according to officials in the Nigerian government on Monday.
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan and his military and law enforcement leaders have told the Nigerian people and the leaders of the African Union that, besides being better armed, Boko Haram members are more motivated to achieve their goal of an Islamic state than the poorly paid military and police forces are motivated to preserve the democracy.
Since 2010, Boko Haram Islamists have perpetrated drive-by shootings and suicide bombings that have killed 1,548 people. It wants the current Nigerian government to establish Sharia law throughout the nation, the Examiner reported last year.
Full report at:
http://www.examiner.com/article/muslim-terrorists-better-equipped-than-nigerian-military-and-police
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Israel secretly sending refugees to Uganda
World Bulletin / News Desk
Feb 20, 2014
Israel has started a secret operation to send African asylum seekers to Uganda, an Israeli newspaper reported.
A Sudanese citizen, who left Israel for Uganda last month, said that he was on a plane with six other Sudanese asylum seekers. They had all agreed to be moved to Uganda in return for being released from Saharonim detention center, Negev.
The man also said he had received $3,500 for leaving the country as part of Israel's "voluntary departure" procedure.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/129256/israel-secretly-sending-refugees-to-uganda
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Libyans vote as anger mounts over insecurity
20 Feb 2014
Libyans went to the polls Thursday to elect a panel to draft a new constitution in the latest milestone in the chaotic political transition following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi
There was none of the voter enthusiasm that marked Libya's first free election in July 2012 as public frustration mounts over the weak central government's failure to restore order in the wake of the Arab Spring uprising.
At Fatma al-Zahra school in the capital's Hay al-Andalous, less than 100 of 2,760 registered voters had cast their ballot two hours after the opening.
"It's still early and it's a holiday (for the vote). People are having a lie-in," said Ali Hassan, the official in charge of the polling station.
Houda Bouzid, a woman in her 30s, said: "I've come to vote for a candidate to push for women's rights in the new constitution."
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/94750/World/Region/-Libyans-vote-as-anger-mounts-over-insecurity.aspx
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India
Muslim Personal Law Board to seek adoption order review
Rakhi Chakrabarty,TNN | Feb 20, 2014
NEW DELHI: After the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed people of all religions, including Muslims, to adopt children though it is not allowed under Muslim personal law, there were mixed reactions from the community.
While Syed Zafar Mahmood, former OSD to the Sachar Committee and Zakat Foundation of India president, called it the "best that could have happened", the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said it was considering legal options against the judgment. The AIMPLB had vehemently opposed Shabnam Hashmi's plea for a uniform adoption law in the SC.
Pointing out that Prophet Muhammad encouraged adoption, Zafar Mahmood said, "The judgment dovetails the Islamic law with the law of the land. The Supreme Court, while clearly desisting from declaring it as a fundamental right, has technically enabled Muslims to opt for adoption. This is the best situation that could have happened."
AIMPLB spokesperson Abdur Raheem Qureshi, however, said the judgment interfered with fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. "We are mulling legal options, including seeking a review of the judgment," he said.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-Personal-Law-Board-to-seek-adoption-order-review/articleshow/30692243.cms
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India, Bahrain ink pacts on sports, diplomat training
Express News Service | February 20, 2014
India and Bahrain Wednesday signed three pacts to strengthen ties in the fields of economic engagement, sports and diplomat training. While the MoU for the field of sports aims at strengthening bilateral cooperation through institutional exchanges particularly through exchange of youth and sports teams in various disciplines, the MoU on the Establishment of a “High Joint Commission” for Bilateral Cooperation will replace the existing Joint Committee for Technical and Economic Cooperation established in 1981. Another MoU was signed between the Foreign Service Institute and the Diplomatic Institute of Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote cooperation between the two organisations.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/india-bahrain-ink-pacts-on-sports-diplomat-training/
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Mushawarat slams govt for extending ban on SIMI
Feb 20, 2014
New Delhi: All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM), an apex body of Indian Muslims, has taken strong view on the ban on SIMI for next five years saying it was unnecessary and unjustified. At a meeting of the AIMMM’s Central Committee , it slammed the Congress-led UPA government at the Center for double standard in dealing with terrorism. Mushawarat president Zafarul-Islam Khan has said the Centre is mute on the rightwing groups against whom tangible and irrefutable evidence are available in abundance, but kept on renewing ban on SIMI without any proof against the latter in the last 13 years of ban.
Full report at:
http://muslimmirror.com/eng/mushawarat-slams-govt-for-extending-simi-ban/
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Khurshid likely to meet Pakistani counterpart today
Express News Service | New Delhi | February 20, 2014
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is likely to meet his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz on the sidelines of a SAARC foreign ministers meeting in the Maldives on Thursday.
Khurshid and Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will be present at the summit and therefore, the leaders are likely to meet for a bilateral, sources said.
Full report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/khurshid-likely-to-meet-pakistani-counterpart-today/
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Govt to set up Equal Opportunities Commission for minorities
PTI | Feb 20, 2014
NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the government on Thursday cleared a proposal for setting up the much-awaited Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), a statutory body to check discrimination of minority communities in jobs and education.
The Justice Sachar Committee, which went into the socio-economic backwardness of Muslims, had recommended setting up of such a panel. The proposal got the nod of the Union Cabinet today.
EOC will also deal with grievances like denial of accommodation or buying rights to minorities in housing societies.
The recommendation for setting up of EOC was made during UPA-I itself and the minority affairs ministry had begun the process to establish an omnibus body that could include all sections as soon as the UPA II government came to power.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-to-set-up-Equal-Opportunities-Commission-for-minorities/articleshow/30719112.cms
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North America
FBI docs reveal alleged Islamist terror training compound in Texas
Feb 20, 2014
About three hours away from Austin, Texas, sits what declassified FBI documents say is an alleged Islamist training compound, the Clarion Project reported Tuesday.
According to the Clarion Project, the enclave in Texas is one of 22 such compounds owned by the group, Muslims of the Americas, an organization linked to radical Pakistani Muslim cleric Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani.
According to the documents obtained by Clarion, the network is headquartered in “Islamberg,” a community in rural New York.
The Texas compound, located in Brazoria County near Sweeny, is known as “Mahmoudberg.”
According to Clarion, a spokesman for the group declared the U.S. to be a Muslim-majority country, a claim easily debunked.
Full report at:
http://www.examiner.com/article/fbi-docs-reveal-alleged-islamist-terror-training-compound-texas?cid=PROD-redesign-right-next
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India and Pakistan important allies in Afghanistan: US
PTI | Feb 20, 2014
WASHINGTON: The United States has said that both India and Pakistan are important allies in its endeavour to bring peace and stability in strife-torn Afghanistan.
"We appreciate Pakistan's efforts to further Afghan-led reconciliation. Pakistan is obviously an important partner in supporting a secure and stable Afghanistan, which is vital to the security of the region," State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters.
"But I would say the same thing about India that India is also an important partner in supporting a stable and secure region, including in Afghanistan," Harf said.
She said that the US would continue to work with the two South Asian neighbours on security issues in Afghanistan, particularly going longer into 2014.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/India-and-Pakistan-important-allies-in-Afghanistan-US/articleshow/30707649.cms
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Pakistani merchants use President Obama’s face to sell imitation Viagra
Feb 20, 2014
Washington gridlock isn’t the only dysfunction President Obama has become the face of.
Suppliers of black-market Viagra sold in Pakistan are using the President’s likeness to help sell imitations of the anti-impotence drug, allowing the man with the most difficult job in the world to, unwittingly, help others achieve a similar degree of hardness in their own lives.
Obama’s face can be found on the packages of a contraband version of the erectile dysfunction medication in cities across the volatile Islamic country, according to AFP.
Full report at:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/hard-sell-pakistani-merchants-president-obama-face-sell-imitation-viagra-article-1.1620047#ixzz2tuajQN3j
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Americans won't withdraw from Afghanistan before US prisoners of war released - expert
Feb 20, 2014
The US is planning to come to an agreement with the Taliban to exchange their only prisoner of war for five prisoners of the Guantanamo detention camp. Pro-Taliban group Haqqani has been holding Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl in Pakistan since summer 2009. Still unclear are all the circumstances under which the sergeant left the military base in the province of Paktika in the Southwest of Afghanistan and was taken prisoner.
Initially, the Taliban wanted to exchange him for 21 prisoners, most of which kept in the Guantanamo detention center, and one million USD. Later their demands got dropped to five prisoners. At that stage the negotiations were stopped in 2012. Now the Americans have a more appealing exchange option: to free five Guantanamo prisoners and bring them closer – to Qatar. In order to deliver that proposal the US representatives would have to go to Doha, where the Taliban’s "foreign relations bureau" is located.
Full report at:
http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_02_20/Americans-wont-withdraw-from-Afghanistan-before-US-prisoners-of-war-released-expert-2556/
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Afghan exit could hamper US drone war against Al Qaeda
2014-02-20
WASHINGTON: The possible withdrawal of all US forces from Afghanistan would hamper manhunts for Al Qaeda militants in neighboring Pakistan, forcing Washington to find alternative bases for its drone flights, officials and experts say.
The CIA's drone war against Al Qaeda in Pakistan's northwest tribal belt relies heavily on intelligence gathered by spies based in eastern Afghanistan and on the use of Jalabad and other air bases in the area.
But without US troops to guard CIA outposts and air fields, intelligence officers would not be able to meet sources on the ground in eastern Afghanistan, and Reaper aircraft would have to take off from more distant locations, undermining the tracking and targeting of terror suspects across the border in Pakistan.
Full report at:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1088305/afghan-exit-could-hamper-us-drone-war-against-al-qaeda
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US State Department rules out ‘boots on the ground’ in Syria
Feb 20, 2014
WASHINGTON – The US clarified on Wednesday that military force in Syria is one of many options under review by President Barack Obama and his national security team.
Obama and his advisers are revisiting all policy opportunities in response to the deepening crisis.
The president’s administration still believes, however, that “there is no military solution to the conflict,” State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said on the phone from Vienna, where comprehensive negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program are under way.
“We continue to constantly reevaluate different policy options,” Harf said. “All policy options remain on the table here except for boots on the ground.”
Full report at:
http://www.jpost.com/International/US-State-Department-rules-out-boots-on-the-ground-in-Syria-341968
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Obama, Erdoğan discuss Syria, Cyprus in rare phone conversation
Feb 20, 2014
U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a lengthy phone conversation Feb. 18 to discuss developments in Syria and the launch of talks to reach a solution in Cyprus.
In their first phone conversation in six months, Obama and Erdoğan talked for nearly one-and-a-half hours and exchanged views on strategic issues.
The two sides mutually decided to hold the phone call in the wake of the launch of the new round of unification negotiations in Cyprus, according to diplomatic sources.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, sources said the two leaders’ agenda did not include the ongoing corruption operation or the government’s legal amendments on key issues, such as the bills on the Internet and the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).
Full report at:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/obama-erdogan-discuss-syria-cyprus-in-rare-phone-conversation.aspx?pageID=238&nID=62713&NewsCatID=338
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Arab World
Syria is facing international terrorism led by US and some Arab and Islamic countries
Feb 20, 2014
Speaker of the People's Assembly, Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, stressed that Syria is facing the fiercest international movement and a destructive war led by the US and the West to undermine the structure of Syria and destroy its infrastructure.
Speaking at the opening of the 9th meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), al-Laham said that some members in this organization are working day and night to violate the sovereignty of Syria and practice the ugliest forms of intervention in Syria's internal affairs.
He added that the interference of these countries did not stop at the political interference; it turned into direct and indirect military intervention through supplying the armed terrorist groups and the takfiri terrorist groups with money and weapons and facilitating the infiltration of terrorists into Syria to fight against the Syrian state and people as the number of the terrorists according to western statistics reached tens of thousands of people from 83 Arab and foreign countries.
Full report at:
http://www.syriaonline.sy/?f=Details&catid=12&pageid=9220
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Security forces in firing line as Iraq attacks kill 12
Feb 20, 2014
Attacks mainly targeting members of Iraq's security forces in areas north of Baghdad killed 12 people on Wednesday, officials said.
Security forces, often plagued by shortcomings such as a lack of discipline and training, are frequently targeted by militants, as the country suffers its worst violence in years.
Gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in a village north of Baquba, killing three soldiers and wounding three more, while a bomb targeted a police major general's convoy near Tuz Khurmatu, killing two of his guards and wounding three.
Two more roadside bombs exploded in Tuz Khurmatu, killing two brothers and wounding 18 people, while a soldier was killed by a magnetic "sticky bomb" on his vehicle in Tikrit.
In Mosul, two civilians died in clashes between soldiers and gunmen who attacked their checkpoint, and two more soldiers were killed in another checkpoint attack in the northern city.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/94714/World/Region/Security-forces-in-firing-line-as-Iraq-attacks-kil.aspx
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Egypt troops kill a dozen suspected militants in Sinai
Feb 20, 2014
Almost a dozen suspected militants have been killed in the northern Sinai Peninsula as Egyptian troops continue an extensive campaign against an Islamist insurgency in the volatile region.
An air offensive by Apache helicopters Thursday targeted a militant hideout south of the North Sinai town of Rafah, killing at least five suspected Islamist militants and injured several others, eyewitnesses told Reuters' Aswat Masriya.
Elsewhere in Sinai, six militants were killed late Wednesday in a separate strike in the northern town of Sheikh Zuweid, state news agency MENA reported.
Eight other suspects were arrested in the raid, and some 27 insurgent hideouts of shacks and houses used as bases for terrorist attacks have been destroyed.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/94739/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-troops-kill-a-dozen-suspected-militants-in-S.aspx
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Former MP 'Met Bahraini Terrorist, More Than Once
Feb 20, 2014
A FORMER opposition MP held secret meetings with a member of a Bahraini terrorist organisation, a court heard yesterday.
A police officer told judges that Khalil Al Marzooq, political assistant to Al Wefaq National Islamic Society secretary-general Shaikh Ali Salman, was "active" in inciting terrorism since February 2011.
He said Mr Al Marzooq had been observed more than once meeting a member of the Coalition of February 14, which has been credited with training teenagers in firearms and bomb-making, blowing up ATMs, orchestrating arson attacks on car showrooms, detonating a series of explosive devices in Manama that killed two Asians and other terrorist activities.
"I investigated this case and along with information I received from secret sources I found out that he (Mr Al Marzooq) was active in inciting terrorist acts since February 2011," the Bahraini officer told the High Criminal Court yesterday.
Full report at:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=370947
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Foreign Jihadists from 50 Countries Fighting in Syria
Feb 20, 2014
TEHRAN (FNA)- There is tremendous concern for extremists who are attracted to Syria, engage in combat, get training and now they want back to their countries and conduct more terrorist acts.
http://english.farsnews.com/player.aspx?nn=13921201000565
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UAE orders extradition of woman to Kazakhstan
Feb 20, 2014
ABU DHABI // The Federal Supreme Court has ordered the extradition of a woman to Kazakhstan where she will face charges of fraud.
IYK has denied the charges, claimed she had paid the money in question back and tried to stop her extradition.
She appealed to the court to be allowed to remain in the country and claimed that the legal process in the UAE was not fair.
But appeal judges struck down her application.
Federal Court prosecutors said she was wanted in her own country and must abide by its laws.
They said they were not required to provide evidence to the court regarding the case and the woman must be handed over to authorities in Kazakhstan.
Full report at:
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/courts/uae-orders-extradition-of-woman-to-kazakhstan#ixzz2tuVlvlUO
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Iraq moves to preserve Christian heritage, Syriac language
Feb 20, 2014
Over the past 11 years, the Christian population in Iraq has decreased by more than 75%. It started to decline gradually after 2003, following the overall rise in violence and attacks targeting Christians. Before 2003, there were around 1.5 million Christians in Iraq, and according to recent church figures, only 300,000 remain.
Perhaps this drastic difference pushed administrators in charge of education to find ways to preserve Christianity’s cultural and religious heritage in Iraq. Christianity is a major component of Iraqi society, and it would be incredibly negligent to allow it to disappear, under any circumstances.
Full report at:
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/02/iraq-christian-exodus-language-culture-preservation.html#ixzz2tv6yLOhM
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Saudi jails 7 up to 20 years over Shia protests
20 Feb 2014
A Saudi court has jailed seven protesters for up to 20 years for joining a demonstration and chanting anti-government slogans in a mostly Shia region of the kingdom, local media reported Thursday.
The Eastern Province, where Qatif is located, was the site of frequent Shia-led protests between February 2011 and August 2012.
A specialised court in Riyadh on Wednesday sentenced the young defendants to between six and 20 years in prison and imposed travel bans of the same duration as their jail terms.
They were convicted of "taking part in protests", "chanting slogans against the state", and "possessing and making Molotov cocktails", according to local newspapers.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/94751/World/Region/Saudi-jails--up-to--years-over-Shia-protests.aspx
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Zionists-Terrorists Partnership in Syria
Feb 20, 2014
TEHRAN (FNA)- A large group of the terrorists fighting against the Syrian government are now receiving medical treatment at Israeli hospitals, while Tel Aviv is providing increasing logistical support and military trainings for the anti-Assad militants in the occupied Golan Heights.
http://english.farsnews.com/imgrep.aspx?nn=13921130001451
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Europe
Complaint Filed at ICC Over NATO Allies’ Complicity in US Drone Strikes
Feb 20, 2014
LONDON - Drone victims are today lodging a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing NATO member states of war crimes over their role in facilitating the US’ covert drone programme in Pakistan.
It has been revealed in recent months that the UK, Germany, Australia, and other NATO partners support US drone strikes through intelligence-sharing. Because all these countries are signatories to the Rome Statute, they fall under The ICC’s jurisdiction and can therefore be investigated for war crimes. Kareem Khan - whose civilian brother and son were killed in a 2009 drone strike – is at The Hague with his lawyers from the human rights charity Reprieve and the Foundation for Fundamental Rights who have filed the complaint on his behalf.
The CIA has launched more than 300 missiles at North Waziristan since its covert drone programme began and it is estimated that between 2004 and 2013, thousands of people have been killed, many of them civilians including children.
Full report at:
http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2014/02/19-0
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Muslims in Spain demand same rights as Sephardic Jews
World Bulletin / News Desk
Feb 20, 2014
A week after Spain ruled that Sephardic Jews who are descendents of the Moriscos and were evicted out of southern Spain between 1492 and 1609 can claim citizenship, a Muslim group has demanded that Spain gives Muslims the same rights.
Muslims ruled Andalus in southern Spain from the 8th century till the 15th century, when the Spanish inquisition gave Muslim and Jewish residents three choices: to leave, convert to Catholicism or be killed. While many were slaughtered, those Muslims and Jews who were able to escape fled to North Africa and parts of the Ottoman Empire.
While Spain's Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon said Spain owed the Sephardic Jewish community a debt for spreading the Spanish language and culture around the world, many suspect that Spain's decision is a direct result of their dire economic situation and is a desperate attempt to pull in rich Jewish investors.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/129228/muslims-in-spain-demand-same-rights-as-sephardic-jews
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Lavrov arrives in Iraq for talks on fighting "terrorism"
Feb 20, 2014
Feb 20 (KUNA) -- Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, who concluded a three-day visit to Kuwait on Thursday, arrived in Iraq later in the day on a day-long mission during which he would hold talks with Iraqi officials on regional issues.
A source at the Iraqi Foreign Minister told KUNA Lavrov, who was welcomed upon arrival by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, would hold talks with the minister on bilateral relations and mutual cooperation particularly in the military sector.
Full report at:
http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2362319&Language=en
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UN investigator: ICJ should rule on Israeli ‘occupation’ as ‘ethnic cleansing’
Feb 20, 2014
The International Court of Justice at the Hague should issue an advisory as to whether Israel’s “occupation” of Palestinian territories meets the legal standard of “colonialism, apartheid and ethnic cleansing,” United Nation’s special investigator Richard Falk said in a report published this week.
It was posted on the website of UN’s Human Rights Council in advance of its 25th session in Geneva this March.
The report is Falk’s final one to the council before the end of his six-year term as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories.
The council is expected to replace him at the end of the session.
Falk, professor emeritus at Princeton University, is known for his many past controversial statements.
Full report at:
http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Falk-ICJ-should-rule-on-Israeli-occupation-as-ethnic-cleansing-341962
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Russia may back 'balanced' UN resolution on Syria
Feb 20, 2014
Russia may back a draft humanitarian resolution on Syria if it is not politicized, Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexander Lukashevich said. "If this resolution helps resolve specific humanitarian problems and is not politicized for well-known purposes, we believe that such a text could have the right to exist on the condition that some provisions of the statement issued by the head of the Security Council on October 2, 2013 are specified," Lukashevich told a briefing in Moscow on Thursday.
"Russia is working with its partners on making this text balanced, not politicized and on ensuring that it can really help resolve the acute humanitarian problems in Syria. We are continuing our consultations in the Security Council on the basis of these principles," he said.
The obstruction of attempted humanitarian deliveries to Syrian territories besieged by militants aims to thwart the relief operations and to stop the inter-Syrian peace process, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Full report at:
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_20/Russia-may-back-balanced-UN-resolution-on-Syria-2848/
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More Americans feel Afghanistan war a mistake: Poll
IANS | Feb 20, 2014
WASHINGTON: For the first time since the US military got involved in Afghanistan in 2001, US public opinion about the war is now more negative than positive, showed a poll.
Americans' views are now split down the middle, with 49 percent saying the involvement there was a mistake and 48 percent saying it was not, Xinhua cited from Gallup's Feb 6-9 World Affairs survey.
Gallup first asked Americans about US intervention in Afghanistan in November 2001, just after the US sent its military into the country after the Sep 11 terror attacks on New York and Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/More-Americans-feel-Afghanistan-war-a-mistake-Poll/articleshow/30715968.cms
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South Asia
US diplomat meets Hefazat leaders in Chittagong
Feb 20, 2014
The US official wanted to know about the 13-point demands of the Hefazat
The political officer of the US embassy in Dhaka, Cathleen Gibilisco, met the leaders of the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam at Hathazari Madrasa in Chittagong yesterday.
Munir Ahmed, press secretary to Hefazat chief Shah Ahmed Shafi, said the US official wanted to know about the 13-point demands of the Hefazat, the organisation’s ideology and principals and about the Shapla Chattar incident from the Hefazat leaders.
“The US official also wanted to know about the curriculum of the Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Muinul Islam [Hathazari Madrasa],” he said, adding that their ameer had responded to different queries of the US diplomat.
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2014/feb/20/us-diplomat-meets-hefazat-leaders-chittagong#sthash.Ng8pLUnt.dpuf
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Two prosecution Witnesses claim Mir Kashem was a leader of al-Badr
Feb 20, 2014
Two prosecution witnesses in the trial against Mir Kashem have claimed that the Jamaat leader was the leader of al-Badr, an auxiliary force of Pakistan army during the Liberation War.
Prosecution’s witness number seven, Pradip Talukder, told the International Crime Tribunal 2 that the accused led al-Badr activists to abduct his uncle Tuntu Sen, who was later killed after being tortured at the Dalim Hotel during the war. Although Tuntu managed to escape once, he was never seen again after the al-Badr forces captured him the second time, Pradip said.
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2014/feb/20/witnesses-claim-mir-kashem-was-leader-al-badr#sthash.NxEPcLt1.dpuf
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Untrained doctors, low quality medicines a greater risk for Afghan lives
Feb 20, 2014
Concerns are various regarding identification of the greatest risk for this country. Some consider insecurity others rank other factors among those fatal enough for Afghans but as I think, unprofessional and untrained doctors , low-quality medicines can be supposed as the greatest risk enough for claiming many Afghan lives.
This can be said regretfully that during plenty flow of foreign donations in past decade, the passive Afghans both government and well-off civilian Afghans failed to address the important most issue. Everyone tried to surpass others by building splendid houses, markets and plazas but they left poor Afghans at the mercy of unprofessional commercial-minded doctors.
Unfortunately, we are living in the poorest circumstances when it comes to medical facilities. Of course, there are some private hospitals with well decorated buildings but one will wonder when he sees it’s almost zero performance.
Full report at:
http://www.khaama.com/untrained-doctors-low-quality-medicines-a-greater-risk-for-afghan-lives-2811
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China to accord priority to strategic ties with Pakistan: President Xi Jinping
PTI | Feb 20, 2014
BEIJING: China has said it will accord "priority" to strategic ties with Pakistan, while backing its efforts for reconciliation with India even as the two sides vowed to speed up the planned 2000-km economic corridor linking them through PoK.
"Chinese side will treat China-Pakistan ties, as always, from a strategic and long-term perspective, and the ties will be a priority in China's relations with its neighbours," President Xi Jinping told his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain during their talks here on Wednesday night.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-to-accord-priority-to-strategic-ties-with-Pakistan-Xi/articleshow/30719959.cms
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Southeast Asia
Comango: Claimed siege on Islam not licence to oppress
Feb 20, 2014
Rejecting claims that Islam was under siege, a coalition of human rights groups today urged Muslim authorities to stop using the allegation to impose their views on other religions.
Pointing out that the Federal Constitution indisputably states Islam’s role as the religion of the federation, the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs (Comango) said this position was virtually unassailable.
“I really don’t think Islam is under siege in Malaysia at all. In fact, there are so many provisions that give Islam a special place in our nation,” Comango spokesman Honey Tan told reporters here.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/comango-claimed-siege-on-islam-not-licence-to-oppress#sthash.ZLkBIrE8.dpuf
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Allah issue will not translate to votes for Barisan, survey finds
Feb 20, 2014
More than half of Kajang voters, or 55%, feel that the Allah issue and how it is being played up by Umno, will not translate into more votes for the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming by-election, a survey has found.
The Universiti Malaya Centre for Elections and Democracy (UMCEDEL) survey released today found that 60% of Malay Muslim Kajang voters feel that the Allah issue will not lead to more support for the BN and Umno.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/allah-issue-will-not-translate-to-votes-for-barisan-survey-finds
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Philippine gov't and Muslim rebels set to sign deal
World Bulletin / News Desk
Feb 20, 2014
After 13 years of talks, which nearly broke down at one point, the final agreement of the Malaysia-brokered peace deal for the southern Philippines is ready.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) will be signed between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with Malaysia being the official witness at the ceremony.
“Everything is ready and waiting to be signed either later this month or in March,” a source told the Star online with direct knowledge of the matter.
As the facilitator to the peace process, Malaysia had hosted 43 rounds of talks since 2001 to help both parties end one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies that had claimed more than 100,000 lives over the past four decades.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/129240/philippine-govt-and-muslim-rebels-set-to-sign-deal
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Mideast
Israel Bill distinguishing between Christian and Muslim Arabs advances
Feb 20, 2014
Coalition chairman Yariv Levin’s proposal to legally differentiate between Christian and Muslim Arabs passed its second and third readings in the Knesset Labour, Health, and Welfare Committee on Wednesday.
Levin’s proposals would identify Christians as a minority group separate from Arabs, most of whom are Muslim, and give them their own, unique representation on the Advisory Committee for Equal Opportunity in Employment Commission.
The bill calls for more representatives on the commission for Christians, Druse and Circassians, as well as for haredim, new immigrants, reserve soldiers, senior citizens, and women.
Full report at:
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Bill-legally-distinguishing-between-Christian-and-Muslim-Arabs-advances-341969
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Israel to build Jewish museum near Al-Aqsa Mosque
World Bulletin / News Desk
Feb 20, 2014
Israeli municipality authorities have approved a plan to build a Jewish museum and a major settlement project in the Wadi Helweh neighborhood in Silwan, north of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the city of Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem), according to a Palestinian legal center.
"They will build a settlement tourism center, dubbed Ma'ayan Hyogen, on a 1200-square-meter area in the eastern part of the neighborhood," the Wadi Helweh Information Center said in a statement.
"The tourism center will include a Jewish museum as part of the Israeli national park around the walls of the Old City," it added.
Ma'ayan Hyogen is an Israeli government project that will be implemented and supervised by the Eliad settlement organization, the center noted.
Center director Jawwad Siyam confirmed to Anadolu Agency that earlier this week the Israeli authorities had informed Palestinian families in the areas of Abu Sneneh, Abu Mayaleh Abbasi and Abu Sbieh in Wadi Hilweh that the settlement project would be built on their land.
"The families, who live in 22 apartments, have 60 days to challenge the decision," Siyam said. "Otherwise, the settlement project will be built on private property owned by local Jerusalemite families."
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/129255/israel-to-build-jewish-museum-near-al-aqsa-mosque
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State-controlled news agency explains, Iran is ready to fight U.S. because of Islam
Why Are We Ready to Fight: An Analysis of the Recent Words of IRGC's Top Commander
Feb 20, 2014
TEHRAN (FNA)- 'Why are we ready for a fight' is the question whose answer will make the US and Israeli presidents realize that our preparedness for battle is not a bluff, but is a reality with deep roots in our religious tenets, which has grown into our culture as Iranians.
The Prophet of Islam has said, "Whoever has not fought for his Imam or does not wish for Jihad, he will die a hypocrite."
Now in compliance with the Great Prophet of Islam and to show his obedience to his Imam, the Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, has recently stated that "we are ready for the big fight with the United States". Although the General comes from a generation that has already passed a practical test of Jihad with much honor and glory, his wish for Jihad is actually a statement on behalf of the younger generation who has not tasted the sweet flavor of Jihad and wish for this holy war in order not to die a hypocrite.
Full report at:
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No Israelis killed in Israel by Palestinians in 2013
World Bulletin / News Desk
Feb 20, 2014
A report has revealed that not a single Israeli citizen was killed by Palestinians inside Israel throughout the entire year of 2013.
According to the Strategy Page, only six Israelis were killed by Palestinian resistence fighters in 2013, and all of those incidents happened outside of Israel.
While five Israelis were killed in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, one was killed in Gaza.
Three of those killed were Israeli army officers, whereas the other three were non-combatants.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/129282/no-israelis-killed-in-israel-by-palestinians-in-2013
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Iran Urges Security Council to Prevent new wave of Radicalism in Region
Feb 20, 2014
Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Khazayee condemned the twin bombings that hit the Lebanese capital near Iran’s cultural center on Wednesday, and asked the UN Security Council to act against the new wave of radicalism in the region.
Addressing a meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday, Khazayee underlined that the terrorist act is a threat to stability and security in the region and the world.
He extended condolence to the families of the Lebanese victims of the attack, and said that the chain terrorist acts aim to create dispute between Muslim people of the region.
Khazayee asked the world community, specially the UN Security Council, to act against a new wave of violence and radicalism.
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13921201000745
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'Ramallah on verge of becoming tech hub for Arab world'
Feb 20, 2014
Economic development in the Palestinian territories has eased the political discussions between Israelis and Palestinians, USAID’s mission director for the West Bank and Gaza said on Tuesday.
“Technology and innovation has changed everything despite the fact that nobody believes anything has changed between Israelis and Palestinians,” David Harden said at the Israeli Designed International Development conference in Caesarea. “There are tough political negotiations that have to go along. Economics aren’t enough alone, but economics help.”
Advances in technology have led to a situation where there is now an excess of water between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, meaning that the idea of fighting over it is “an old narrative,” he said.
Full report at:
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Ramallah-on-verge-of-becoming-tech-hub-for-Arab-world-341926
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/even-enemy-didn’t-cut-throats/d/35851