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Islamic World News ( 8 Jun 2019, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Hindi Words on Name Boards of Central Govt Offices Blackened In Tamil Nadu

New Age Islam News Bureau

8 Jun 2019

in Hindi language on signage outside Trichy Airport was found painted black, Saturday. (Photo: ANI)

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India

• Hindi Words on Name Boards of Central Govt Offices Blackened In Tamil Nadu

• Eid Milap: Hyderabad Mosque Opens Doors for All Communities

• Islamic State Man from Kerala Tells Family He Wants To Return

• Imran Khan Writes to PM Modi, seeks to resolve all disputes for stability

• 2 ex-SPOs among 4 JeM men killed in Pulwama encounter

• Formalities in process to repatriate bodies of 12 Indians killed in bus accident in Dubai

• PM Modi arrives in Maldives on his first foreign visit of second term

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Africa

• In Northern Nigeria, Muslims and Christians Take Small Steps toward Reconciliation

• Ghana: Barclays Hosts Muslim Clients

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Australia

• NSW Electrician Jailed For Providing Missile Advice To Islamic State

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North America

• Onus on Islamabad For India-Pakistan Peace: White House

• US hits Iran petrochemical group with sanctions

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Pakistan

• 2 Hazara Tourists from Quetta Killed In Blast In Balochistan's Ziarat

• 3 Pakistan Army officers, one soldier martyred in IED blast in North Waziristan: ISPR

• Six Iranian fishermen released by Pakistan

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Mideast

• Iran Warning: ‘Threat Is Very Real’ As Tehran Still A Danger Says Us Military Chief

• Israel Prevents Hamas-Affiliated Group from Receiving UN Status

• Qatar emir to visit White House next month amid Gulf tensions

• Minister: No Country Can Make up for Loss of Iran's Crude Supplies in Market

• Army Assaults and Abducts A Guard Of The Al-Aqsa Mosque

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South Asia

• Myanmar’s Suu Kyi, Hungary’s Far-Right PM, Lament 'Growing Muslim Populations'

• Kidnap kingpin shot dead; 4 female hostages freed in Faryab province

• Afghan Special Forces destroy large amounts of explosives, narcotics in Helmand

• Famous Taliban commander Shah Maqsood, alias Dentist killed by own bomb in Farah

• 3 suspects held, large amount of explosives destroyed in Ghazni operations

• Afghan forces conducted 78 special operations in past 24 hours: MoD

• Sri Lanka president vows to block Easter attacks probe

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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hindi-words-name-boards-central/d/118829

Arab World

Tahrir Al-Sham Launches Chemical Attack on Syrian Army in Hama

Hama: Hundreds of Terrorists Killed in Foiled Attacks to Regain Lost Regions

Moscow Warns Ankara to Stop Military Support for Tahrir Al-Sham Terrorists in Idlib

Yemeni Popular Forces Repel Saudi-Led Attacks in Najran, Aseer

Army Aims to Capture Tahrir Al-Sham's Largest Bastion in Southern Idlib

Homs: ISIL Backed by US Army Heightens Movements against Syrian Army in Badiyeh Region

Aleppo: 14 Turkish Army Officers, Ankara-Backed Elite Militants Killed in Kurdish Offensive

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Europe

Drunk Law Student Who Yelled 'Muslims Go Home' The Day After Christchurch Mosque Massacre Is Ordered To Do Community Service

European study: Muslims, refugees bear brunt of journalistic bias

Govt Report: Muslim Prison Gangs Forcing Inmates to Convert to Islam

Non-Muslims take part in charity fast

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Hindi Words On Name Boards Of Central Govt Offices Blackened In Tamil Nadu

By PTI |

Tiruchirappalli (tn) |

Updated: June 8, 2019

The Hindi text on the name boards of central government offices here including the BSNL and Airport, was blackened, police said Saturday.

The matter came to light this morning, they said adding the text in English was left untouched.

The incident comes in the backdrop of the raging controversy over the three-language formula initially proposed by the Centre, which the opposition parties in the state termed as an attempt of “imposing” Hindi.

Principal opposition party DMK and others had stoutly opposed the move and insisted that only two-language formula should continue.

The cantonment and airport police have been informed about the incident.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindi-words-on-name-boards-of-central-govt-offices-blackened-in-tamil-nadu-5771139/

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Eid Milap: Hyderabad Mosque Opens Doors For All Communities

June 8, 2019

In an example of communal harmony, a mosque in Hyderabad opened its doors for members of all communities to visit and understand the principles of Islam.

As part of its 'Visit My Mosque' program, the mosque opens its doors on one day in the year for members of all religious communities to visit the shrine and understand the various religious practices under Islam.

This year, 'Eid Milap' was held on June 6, and on the occasion, locals were given a chance to visit Masjid-e-Quba.

Speaking to ANI, Mahita, a visitor, said, "This is my first visit to a mosque. We thought that normally they don't allow us into a mosque. But the mosque management has allowed and for the first time, we witnessed how prayers are held. We also got to know many things after coming here about Islam."

Syed Mohsin Ali, the organiser of this event, said the main objective is to spread awareness on Islam as well as to bridge the existing gap between religious communities.

"We have conducted Visit My Mosque program mainly to promote social harmony and brotherhood and reduce the gap between communities. The objective of this initiative is to invite other communities to our mosque and make them understand how our religious activities take place," he said.

"Muslims who come here will also get a chance to interact with people from other communities," Ali added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/eid-milap-hyderabad-mosque-opens-doors-for-all-communities-119060800084_1.html

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In northern Nigeria, Muslims and Christians take small steps toward reconciliation

June 7, 2019

Nigerian women attend an inter-faith prayer rally organized by the Freedom and Justice Party in Abuja, Nigeria, on Feb. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

(RNS) KAMPALA, Uganda — Recently, a group of Muslims visited Christian widows and orphans in northwestern Nigeria and donated food, clothing and school items as part of efforts to enhance peaceful coexistence among different faiths.

“I can’t believe they came and visited me,” said Judy Ugwu, a mother of four who lives in Kaduna state in northwestern Nigeria. “They have given me enough food and clothes. I want to forgive every Muslim who has wronged me in any way.”

Ugwu, 38, who is a Christian, lost her husband early this year when gunmen dressed in military uniforms and armed with AK47 rifles, machetes and sticks attacked her village of Kajuru and killed more than 60 people. She accused the majority Hausa-Fulani tribe, who are predominantly Muslim and herders of cattle, for brutally murdering her husband.

“I had vowed never to forgive them,” she said. “They wanted to finish us (non-Muslim) during elections so that their people can ascend to power, but God protected his people.”

There has been constant conflict in northern Nigeria for decades, pitting the majority Muslim population against the minority Christian population.

Young Muslim boys wait for traditional Friday prayers to begin at a mosque near the Emir’s palace a day prior to the start of the elections, in Kano, northern Nigeria, on Feb. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In Kaduna state, the Hausa-Fulani tribe makes up 60% of the population, and the non-Muslim minorities who are mainly farmers make up the remaining 40%.

The minority Christian populations have for decades accused Muslims of using elections to control political and economic power in the state by only electing Muslim leaders. They have also felt marginalized in terms of development and job opportunities. The difference between them became more pronounced early this year during national Nigerian presidential elections when the Hausa-Fulani faction of Kaduna state’s residents (who are majority Muslims) voted for the president, who is a Muslim. All other elective seats in the state (like governorship, House of Representatives and the Senate) went to Muslim candidates. No Christian candidate was elected in the election in Kaduna state or in the majority of the northern region states

As a result, there have been nonstop attacks on communities, leading to the loss of thousands of lives, with several others injured. In recent weeks some churches, Mosques and Islamic schools have been burned in retaliation.

However, the tide is slowly turning — at least on a small scale. Lately, Muslims have been reaching out to Christians in northern Nigeria to seek reunion and deliver a message of peace, hope and solidarity that all Muslims are peace-loving people.

“I urge Muslims and Christians to live in peace and harmony,” Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II said by phone from northern Nigeria. “Jihad is not about killing people in the name of Jihad. That’s not Islam. People who are killing others and looting their properties are criminals. Islam promotes peace, and I urge Muslims to show their Christian brothers that Islam is a peaceful religion.”

Nigeria, in red, in western Africa. Image courtesy Creative Commons

MahamadouAliyu, a Muslim from Kaduna state in northwest Nigeria, said he recently reconciled with his Christian neighbor after he realized that Islam was a peaceful religion and that both the Bible and Qur’an are Holy Books.

“We reconciled and shared a meal together,” said Aliyu, 35, a father of five. “We all worship one God who loves peace, and we should respect and tolerate each other as brothers and sisters. We should never kill each other and hide behind religion.”

Pastor Yohanna Buru of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry welcomed this act of kindness by Muslims and reminded Christians to be peace-loving people. He urged Christians to also reach out to Muslims and help promote peace and unity among people despite their religious differences.

“Let us live in peace and tolerate each despite our religion differences,” he urged. “We should preach peace everywhere we go to bring the lost love between us. Christians and Muslims are one people and we should love one another.”

Ugwu, a Christian woman from Kaduna state, agreed.

“If we continue with this act of kindness then we can heal and forgive each other,” she said. “There’s nothing impossible before God. We can forgive each other and forget.”

https://religionnews.com/2019/06/07/in-northern-nigeria-muslims-and-christians-take-small-steps-toward-reconciliation/

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NSW electrician jailed for providing missile advice to Islamic State

Judge dismisses HaisemZahab’s claim that he believed Isis was a force of good rather than evil

Australian Associated Press

Sat 8 Jun 2019

The NSW supreme court has sentenced HaisemZahab to nine years in jail, with a non-parole period of six years and nine months. Photograph: Brendan Esposito/AAP

An electrician from rural New South Wales has been jailed for at least six years and nine months after he designed missiles for Islamic State

HaisemZahab, an Australian-born citizen, had pleaded guilty last year to knowingly providing support or resources to a terrorist organisation after working on a laser warning receiver, rockets and a rocket guidance method for Isis from 2014.

The 44-year-old, from the NSW town of Young, also admitted he failed to comply with an order to help police access encrypted data on his phone and other devices.

On Friday, the NSW supreme court justice Geoffrey Bellew sentenced Zahab to nine years in jail, with a non-parole period of six years and nine months.

The judge dismissed Zahab’s claim that he genuinely believed at the time of his offending that Isis was “a force of good” rather than evil and could, therefore, help civilians in Syria fight the regime of president Bashar al-Assad.

He also rejected Zahab’s testimony that he had been in a cult or bubble of Isis supporters – including on Twitter where he assumed the alias “Stranger” – and had divorced himself from mainstream news.

Bellew was also sceptical of the electrician’s subsequent contrition.

With time already served, Zahab will be eligible for release in December 2023.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/08/nsw-electrician-jailed-for-providing-missile-advice-to-islamic-state

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Onus On Islamabad For India-Pakistan Peace: White House

By PTI |

Washington |June 8, 2019

Amidst new peace overtures from the Imran Khan government after the re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House has made it clear to Pakistan that the onus for sustained peace in South Asia was on it by putting the terror groups out of business.

Khan has written a second letter to Prime Minister Modi after his re-election, saying that Pakistan wants talks with India to resolve all differences, including on the Kashmir issue.

The Pakistani premier said talks between the two nations were the only solution to help both countries’ people overcome poverty and that it was important to work together for regional development.

However, India has rejected Pakistan’s offer of talks, maintaining that terror and talks cannot go together and said that no bilateral meeting has been planned between the two premiers on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek on June 13-14.

“What the United States is really looking for in Pakistan are arrests and prosecutions and not allowing these groups to operate and move around freely, acquire weapons, cross into India, carry out attacks,” a senior White House official told PTI this week.

The United States is looking for sustained and irreversible steps that shut down their operations, asserted the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Until these groups are put out of business, it’s going to be very difficult for India and Pakistan to achieve a sustained peace. So the onus is on Pakistan to ensure that they crack down on these groups,” said the White House official responding to a question on the US assessment of the Indo-Pak tension.

A senior State Department official said that in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack, the US has seen Pakistan taking some initial actions against designated terrorist organisations and more steps to enhance counter terrorism financing measures.

“We welcome those steps,” the official said.

“We have always agreed that the underlying causes of the tensions between India and Pakistan needed to be addressed … and the underlying tension has been the role of terrorist forces that have sanctuary on Pakistani soil. So we certainly encourage the creation of an environment that will lead to a dialogue,” the official said.

Pakistan needs to take practical steps to demonstrate that it is countering terrorist financing and extremists that are located on their territory, a senior State Department Official told reporters last week.

Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups.

In February, the FATF decided to continue the ‘Grey’ listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/onus-for-indo-pak-peace-on-pakistan-white-house-5771187/

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2 Hazara tourists from Quetta killed in blast in Balochistan's Ziarat

Syed Ali Shah

June 08, 2019

Two people belonging to the Shia Hazara community were killed in an explosion in Balochistan's Ziarat district on Friday, Levies sources said.

At least seven other Hazaras were also injured when the blast targeting their vehicle took place in Kawas area of Ziarat.

The deceased belonged to the Hazara community of Quetta and were part of a group that was visiting Ziarat for sightseeing, Levies sources told DawnNewsTV.

The injured were rushed to a hospital in Quetta immediately after the incident.

Quoting initial investigation, sources said the nature of the blast could not be immediately confirmed. It was also not clear whether the bomb was planted inside the vehicle or on the roadside.

Also on Friday, a second explosion in a vehicle earlier in the day left three tourists from Karachi dead in Ziarat. Two others sustained injuries in the incident.

The deceased were tourists from Karachi who were in Ziarat to spend their Eid holidays, Ziarat Assistant Commissioner Maj Kabeer Zarqoon said.

Levies sources said the blast occurred when a gas cylinder in the car exploded at a picnic point in Kharwari Baba area. However, an official of the counter-terrorism department who declined to be named told DawnNewsTV that security officials were investigating the incident to determine the exact nature of the blast.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1486746/2-hazara-tourists-from-quetta-killed-in-blast-in-balochistans-ziarat

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Iran WARNING: ‘Threat is VERY real’ as Tehran still a DANGER says US military chief

IRAN still poses a ‘very real’ threat, a US military commander who did not rule out sending more troops to the beleaguered region, has warned.

By SAM STEVENSON

Jun 8, 2019

General Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, issued the chilling warning to several reporters on Friday. Newsweek reports the US military chief said: “I don't actually believe the threat has diminished.” General McKenzie insisted despite Iran’s attempts to “step back and recalculate” the Islamic Republic could still harbour plans to attack US troops stationed in the Middle East.

His words come after US National Security Adviser John Bolton said in May the US would send an aircraft carrier and bomber planes to the Middle East “to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force”.

US-Iran tensions have been on a knife edge since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or so-called Iran Nuclear Deal.

The accord was struck in July 2015 between the Islamic Republic of Iran and a group of world powers: the P5+1 (the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China - plus Germany) and the European Union.

The agreement was intended to thwart Iran’s nuclear energy programme, which the West maintained was a front to produce a nuclear bomb, in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

But Trump later withdrew from the deal calling it “decaying and rotten”.

Following his executive action, Trump began to reinstate the sanctions which had been lifted as part of the terms of the JCPOA.

In 2017, the President also implemented a travel ban on citizens from seven countries, one of which was Iran.

The move ignited fury in Tehran and, alongside the reimposing of economic sanctions, has led to an almost constant war of words between the two nations.

The fiery rhetoric has escalated in recent weeks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif hitting out at Trump in response to his Twitter tirades.

Four oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf last month pouring fuel on an already volatile situation.

Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all of which are US allies, owned the oil tankers.

The UAE recently lashed out at Tehran and blamed the Islamic Republic for the attack.

The Arab nation released a report noted claiming the attack was a “sophisticated and coordinated operation carried out by an actor with significant operational capacity”.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1137867/Iran-news-world-war-3-Trump-US-tension-tehran-hassan-rouhani-nuclear-weapon

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Myanmar’s Suu Kyi, Hungary’s far-right PM, lament 'growing Muslim populations'

Sat Jun 8, 2019 08:17AM [Updated: Sat Jun 8, 2019 08:47AM ]

Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Hungary's far-right nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban have lamented the “continuously growing Muslim populations” in their countries.

Suu Kyi, who has been internationally condemned for the persecution of Rohingya Muslim refugees in Myanmar’s northwestern state of Rakhine, held talks with the Hungarian leader in Budapest this week as part of a rare trip to Europe.

Reports suggested that the two leaders had found common ground on the subject of immigration and Islam.

“The two leaders highlighted that one of the greatest challenges at present for both countries and their respective regions – south-east Asia and Europe – is migration,” read a statement released after their meeting.

“They noted that both regions have seen the emergence of the issue of co-existence with continuously growing Muslim populations,” the statement added.

The meeting comes as Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who was once hailed as a champion in the fight for democracy, has been stripped of a series of international honors over the Rohingya exodus that began in August 2017.

Amnesty International has withdrawn its most prestigious human rights prize from Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi over her human rights abuses.

Thousands of Rohingya Muslims were killed, injured, arbitrarily arrested, or raped by Myanmar soldiers and Buddhist mobs mainly between November 2016 and August 2017, when many of the surviving members of the community started fleeing to Bangladesh en masse.

More than 700,000 members of the mostly stateless group fled across Myanmar's western border into Bangladesh after the Myanmar military’s crackdown.

The United Nations has blamed Suu Kyi for failing to prevent the brutal violence and atrocities, which the international organization says constitute genocide.

The United Nations (UN)’s top human rights official says Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi should have resigned last year over a state-sponsored campaign of terror against Rohingya Muslims in the country.

Meanwhile, Orban has branded refugees from the Middle East and central Asia who are fleeing violence and economic hardship as “Muslim invaders” and has taken dramatic measures to curtail the their numbers entering Hungary.

The government in Budapest has ordered the construction of a massive barbed-wire fence along its border with Serbia.

The far-right leader has repeatedly clashed with the European Union over the issue of immigration after his government declared "a crisis situation due to mass immigration" in 2015.

The Orban administration was accused of using anti-refugee rhetoric that fuels "xenophobic attitudes, fear and hatred" in a report by the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights.

Hungary's prime minister urges anti-migration politicians to take over EU.

After his meeting with Myanmar's leader, Orban said he had "great respect for Aung San Suu Kyi and all she has done for her country's freedom and democratic transformation.”

Myanmar leader fallen from EU's grace

The meeting between the two far-right leaders drew instant criticism from the Human Rights Watch (HRW).

“Aung San Suu Kyi has fallen so astonishingly far from being the darling of the EU that she now counts a meeting with Orban, the pariah of Europe, as an important accomplishment,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at the HRW.

“After shamefully helping the Myanmar military cover up their genocide against Rohingya Muslims, now she’s glad-handing and making friends with Europe’s most xenophobic, anti-democratic leader,” Robertson added.

Robertson also noted that, “The message of this meeting to Brussels should be clear: Myanmar is not listening to your quiet diplomatic niceties.”

Suu Kyi’s trip to central Europe was with the aim to strengthen economic ties in the region. Prior to Hungary, she had visited the Czech Republic and met with Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/06/08/597985/Myanmar-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-Hungary-Viktor-Orban-Budapest-Rohingya-Islamophobia

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India

Hindi Words On Name Boards Of Central Govt Offices Blackened In Tamil Nadu

By PTI |

Tiruchirappalli (tn) |

Updated: June 8, 2019

The Hindi text on the name boards of central government offices here including the BSNL and Airport, was blackened, police said Saturday.

The matter came to light this morning, they said adding the text in English was left untouched.

Principal opposition party DMK and others had stoutly opposed the move and insisted that only two-language formula should continue.

The cantonment and airport police have been informed about the incident.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindi-words-on-name-boards-of-central-govt-offices-blackened-in-tamil-nadu-5771139/

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Eid Milap: Hyderabad Mosque Opens Doors For All Communities

June 8, 2019

In an example of communal harmony, a mosque in Hyderabad opened its doors for members of all communities to visit and understand the principles of Islam.

This year, 'Eid Milap' was held on June 6, and on the occasion, locals were given a chance to visit Masjid-e-Quba.

Syed Mohsin Ali, the organiser of this event, said the main objective is to spread awareness on Islam as well as to bridge the existing gap between religious communities.

"Muslims who come here will also get a chance to interact with people from other communities," Ali added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/eid-milap-hyderabad-mosque-opens-doors-for-all-communities-119060800084_1.html

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Islamic State Man from Kerala Tells Family He Wants To Return

byShaju Philip

June 8, 2019

A 25-year-old man from Kerala, who is believed to be fighting for the Islamic State in Syria, has expressed his desire to return home after the fall of the terror outfit’s so-called caliphate in that country, security sources told The Indian Express. He also told his family in a phone call that the IS members in Syria were in “utter poverty, fighting for food”.

Sources said that Firoz alias Firoz khan, who hails from Elambachi village in Kasaragod, was among the over dozen youths who left the district in June 2016 to join the IS. While most of the others in that group moved to Afghanistan, Firoz illegally entered Syria.

“We got a call from Firoz last month. He spoke to his mother Habeeba and expressed his desire to return and surrender. The call came after their caliphate fell to US-backed forces in Syria. He told his mother that they were in great trouble and in utter poverty, fighting for food,’’ a close relative told The Indian Express.

According to the relative, Firoz told his family that the IS had conducted his marriage with a woman from Malaysia, who later left him. “Firoz wanted to know whether he would face any case if he returned home. He wanted to surrender, but did not mention where he planned to do so. We have not heard anything from him since then,’’ the relative said.

Security sources said they were aware of the phone call. “Firoz had been in touch with his family. We had information that he had exhorted his relatives and friends to join the IS and indulge in terror activities. He is one of the accused in the Kasaragod IS module case,’’ sources said.

Intelligence agencies had also found that scores of youths from Kannur district had migrated to Syria to fight for Islamic state. Last year, a youth named ShajahanValluvakandy, 32, of Koodali in Kannur, was deported from Turkey while trying to enter Syria. “From Kannur district, around 35 persons, including women, had left for Syria. Most of them got killed fighting for the IS,’’ said an officer.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/islamic-state-man-kerala-family-want-to-return-5770387/

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Imran Khan writes to PM Modi, seeks to resolve all disputes for stability

byShubhajit Roy

June 8, 2019

Reaching out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second time since May 23, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has written a congratulatory letter in which he is learnt to have advocated working for durable peace and stability in South Asia and the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The letter, The Indian Express has learnt, arrived through diplomatic channels about two days ago.

Sources confirmed that Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has also written to new External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, where he congratulated him and maintained similar views as Khan. Qureshi’s letter also arrived earlier this week, said sources.

It is learnt, however, that there has been no proposal for a meeting in Bishkek in Khan’s letter to Modi. The letter follows an exchange of tweets between the two leaders after May 23 and a phone call between them on May 26.

This comes days before the two Prime Ministers are scheduled to be in the Kyrgyz Republic’s capital, Bishkek, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on June 13 and 14. While the MEA spokesperson maintained that no meeting is being planned or organised to the best of his knowledge, sources did not rule out the possibility of a “pull-aside” meeting between the leaders.

Khan, in his letter, is also learnt to have said that Pakistan follows a policy of peaceful neighbourhood. Sources also said that the Pakistan PM is understood to have stressed on the need to work together on the basis of “mutual respect and trust” to address challenges faced by people of both the countries, including poverty and underdevelopment.

In the letter to both Modi and Jaishankar, sources indicated that the need to advance the goals of regional peace, progress and prosperity through collective endeavours has also been underscored.

This is similar to the readouts of the phone conversation on May 26, which were made public.

In their first conversation since the NDA government was re-elected for a second term, Khan had dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 26 and said that he looked forward to advancing his vision for “peace, progress and prosperity”.

In response, Modi had said that “creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism were essential” for cooperation in fostering “peace, progress and prosperity” in the region. The indication was that India would stick to its red lines on dialogue with Pakistan, where it has maintained that talks and terror cannot go together.

This was also the first conversation between the two leaders after the Pulwama terror attack in February this year, which was followed by the Balakot airstrikes and Pakistan’s retaliation.

Khan had also congratulated Modi on his electoral triumph. “I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia,” Khan had tweeted in both English and Urdu.

In fact, a day before the election results were announced, Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj exchanged pleasantries on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Qureshi had then conveyed Pakistan’s desire to resolve all issues through dialogue.

Earlier this week, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood arrived in Delhi for what officials said was a three-day “private visit”. On Wednesday, Mahmood, who was the envoy to India until mid-April and whose family is still in Delhi, offered prayers at the Jama Masjid to mark Eid. He was accompanied by Acting High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and other Pakistan diplomats. Sources said Mahmood’s family is likely to return with him to Pakistan.

In Islamabad, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria met Pakistan President Dr ArifAlvi on the occasion of Eid, where they exchanged greetings. “Exchanged #Eid greetings with President @ArifAlvi in #Islamabad this morning. The President expressed hope for #peace in our region.@IndiainPakistan,” Bisaria tweeted.

However, not everything is going as per script. Last Saturday, guests at the Indian High Commissioner’s Iftaar party in Islamabad were harassed and intimidated by Pakistan’s security agencies, prompting Delhi to lodge a strong protest through a note verbale.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/imran-khan-writes-to-pm-modi-seeks-to-resolve-all-disputes-for-stability-5770398/

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2 ex-SPOs among 4 JeM men killed in Pulwama encounter

byAdilAkhzer

June 8, 2019

Two Special Police Officers (SPOs) who joined militant ranks were among four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) men killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday.

Shabir Ahmad Dar and Mohammad Salman Khan, residents of Pulwama and Shopian districts respectively, were killed less than 24 hours after they abandoned their posts. J&K police said after deserting, the SPOs had become the members of JeM and were killed in an encounter.

A police spokesperson said that a cordon and search operation was launched by joint forces at Panjran village in Litter area of Pulwama district on Thursday evening following the presence of militants in the area.

“During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the spokesperson said.

The gunbattle, which continued for more than 12 hours, led to the death of four militants.

“In the ensuing encounter, two listed terrorists and two SPOs who had recently deserted (the force) and become members of the proscribed terrorist organisation JeM were killed,” the police spokesperson said.

The slain militants have been identified as Ashiq Hussain Ganaie of Panjran in Pulwama, and Imran Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Arihal, Pulwama.

A senior police officer in South Kashmir termed the desertion of the SPOs and their subsequent joining of militant ranks a “serious” matter, but added that counter measures are already in place to deal with the “challenge”, and now measures are being further “strengthened”.

“We are further investigating the matter very thoroughly and checking if any of their (the SPOs’) colleagues were aware about the plans to joining the militant ranks,” said the officer.

Militants lob grenade, 2 cops injured

Srinagar: Two policemen were injured after militants lobbed a grenade at a police station in North Kashmir’s Sopore on Friday afternoon.

“Terrorists lobbed a #grenade at Police Station @SoporePolice. Area under cordon,” Kashmir police zone tweeted.

A senior police officer in North Kashmir told The Indian Express that both of the injured policemen are stable. ENS

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-kashmir-ex-spos-among-4-jem-men-killed-in-pulwama-encounter-5770399/

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Formalities in process to repatriate bodies of 12 Indians killed in bus accident in Dubai

June 8, 2019

The Indian Consulate in Dubai is in the process of completing formalities related to forensics and other documentation required to repatriate the bodies of the 12 Indians who were among the 17 killed in a horrific road accident here when a bus coming from Oman entered a restricted lane and rammed into a low-clearance sign.

Nine persons were also seriously injured when the driver of the bus, carrying mostly Eid vacationers and coming from Oman’s capital Muscat to Dubai, wrongly entered a road not designated for buses towards Al Rashidiya metro station here on Thursday evening.

Eleven clearance certificates have been issued by forensics, while one forensic report is pending from the authorities, Vipul, India’s Consul General in Dubai, tweeted late Friday.

“After this, with full documentation mortal remains will be sent for embalming and then to India,” he said.

“We hope that all mortal remains will be repatriated to India tomorrow (Saturday) and day after. Air India is providing all help. We would like to sincerely thank Dubai Police and all hospital authorities for their assistance,” he said in another tweet.

He said that the Consulate formalities for the deceased Indians were done on the spot and the their team worked with local authorities and community volunteers whole day.

The bus, belonging to the Omani bus transport company Mwasalat, carrying 31 passengers, crashed into a height barrier that cut the left side of the bus and killed passengers sitting on that side.

Dubai Police blamed the Omani driver, who was moderately injured, for the accident, saying “at times a small mistake or negligence can lead to adverse consequences”.

The names of the Indians who passed away are: VikramJawahar Thakur, Vimal Kumar KarthikeyanKesavapilaikar, Kiran JohnyJohnyVallithottathilPaily, Firoz Khan Aziz Pathan, ReshmaFeroz Khan Pathan, JamaludeenArakkaveettil, VasudevVishandas, RajanPuthiyapurayilGopalan, PrabulaMadhavan Deepa Kumar, RoshniMoolchandani, UmmerChonokatavathMammadPuthen, NabilUmmerChonokatavath.

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/formalities-in-process-to-repatriate-bodies-of-12-indians-killed-in-bus-accident-in-dubai-5770736/

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PM Modi arrives in Maldives on his first foreign visit of second term

The visit is reflective of the new momentum in high-level exchanges between India and the Maldives, the External Affairs Ministry said. The PM will address the People’s Majlis, the Maldives’ parliament.

INDIA Updated: Jun 08, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Maldives on Saturday afternoon to strengthen New Delhi’s ties with Male in his first foreign visit after retaining power.

He will hold talks with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

“We regard the Maldives as a valued partner with whom we share deep bonds of history and culture. Our bilateral relations with the Maldives have been greatly strengthened in the recent past. I am confident that my visit will further deepen our multifaceted partnership,” Modi said in a statement before his departure.

He will also visit Sri Lanka as Indian underlines its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

Modi had visited the Maldives last November to attend President Solih’s swearing-in but it wasn’t a full-fledged state visit.

“We had the pleasure of receiving President Solih in December last year. I also had the opportunity to attend the inauguration of President Solih in November 2018. My visit to the Maldives is reflective of the importance we both attach to our relationship as maritime neighbours and long-standing friends,” Modi said.

According to ANI, President Solih will confer on Modi,Maldives’ highest honour accorded to foreign dignitaries, ‘The Most Honourable Order of the Distinguished Rule of NishanIzzuddeen’.

Bilateral ties with the Maldives had soured after then President Abdulla Yameen declared emergency last February. The frayed relationship has been repaired under Solih’s leadership.

India is also helping Maldives to develop cricket in the country. Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said on Thursday that New Delhi will help Male groom its national cricket team to international standards, build a stadium there and also train umpires and scorekeepers.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-arrives-in-maldives-on-his-first-foreign-visit-of-second-term/story-TAKWpvdtI1MfU3wTQJEsBK.html

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Africa

Egypt says 4 suspected Islamists killed in Sinai

8 June 2019

Egyptian security forces killed four suspected jihadists in restive North Sinai allegedly involved in a deadly attack this week on a police checkpoint, the interior ministry said Saturday.

It said the suspects were killed in a shootout as security forces raided a building used as a hideout in the town of El-Arish, and three assault rifles and a explosive vest were seized.

Since Wednesday's attack claimed by the Islamic State group on a checkpoint, southwest of El-Arish, the capital of North Sinai, in which eight policemen died, operations by security forces have killed a total of 26 "terrorists", according to the ministry.

The hotspot of North Sinai in eastern Egypt has long been a centre of insurgents affiliated with IS.

In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide offensive against the militants.

According to official figures, around 650 militants have been killed since the start of the operation, while the army has lost some 50 soldiers.

No independent statistics are available and the region is largely cut off to journalists, making verification of casualty figures extremely difficult.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-7118933/Egypt-says-4-suspected-Islamists-killed-Sinai.html+

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Ghana: Barclays Hosts Muslim Clients

Barclays Bank Ghana has held IFTAR, an evening meal to end the daily Ramadan fast, for some of its Muslim clients at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, Accra.

The evening meal which was taken after short Islamic prayers were recited was attended by high-profile Muslim clerics and persons who are clients of Barclays Bank.

Ramadan, which takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a period for fasting and piety by Muslims.

In a speech, Corporate Banking Director at Barclays Bank, Mrs Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, commended the invited clients for their support and loyalty to the bank over the years.

She assured them, of the bank's continuous support towards the growth of their businesses.

'I am especially proud, to note that for some of you, we have worked together and supported your companies to grow into the budding businesses, serving millions of Ghanaians. Now that's what true partnership is all about, and we are committed to go the extra mile with you," she affirmed.

Touching on the transitioning from Barclays to Absa, Mrs Ohene-Afoakwa indicated that the bank remains committed to providing clients with the best service, best products, digital innovations and increased flexibility among others.

"Our new brand and new identity reflects our larger, shared purpose of 'bringing your possibilities to life'. We are excited about the opportunity that this change brings as part of our journey towards becoming a truly transformative bank that is modern, fast-thinking and relevant for the future," she added.

https://allafrica.com/stories/201906070388.html

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Australia

NSW electrician jailed for providing missile advice to Islamic State

Judge dismisses HaisemZahab’s claim that he believed Isis was a force of good rather than evil

Australian Associated Press

Sat 8 Jun 2019

The NSW supreme court has sentenced HaisemZahab to nine years in jail, with a non-parole period of six years and nine months. Photograph: Brendan Esposito/AAP

An electrician from rural New South Wales has been jailed for at least six years and nine months after he designed missiles for Islamic State

The 44-year-old, from the NSW town of Young, also admitted he failed to comply with an order to help police access encrypted data on his phone and other devices.

On Friday, the NSW supreme court justice Geoffrey Bellew sentenced Zahab to nine years in jail, with a non-parole period of six years and nine months.

Bellew was also sceptical of the electrician’s subsequent contrition.

With time already served, Zahab will be eligible for release in December 2023.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/08/nsw-electrician-jailed-for-providing-missile-advice-to-islamic-state

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North America

88Onus On Islamabad For India-Pakistan Peace: White House

By PTI |

Washington |June 8, 2019

Khan has written a second letter to Prime Minister Modi after his re-election, saying that Pakistan wants talks with India to resolve all differences, including on the Kashmir issue.

The Pakistani premier said talks between the two nations were the only solution to help both countries’ people overcome poverty and that it was important to work together for regional development.

The United States is looking for sustained and irreversible steps that shut down their operations, asserted the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We welcome those steps,” the official said.

Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/onus-for-indo-pak-peace-on-pakistan-white-house-5771187/

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US hits Iran petrochemical group with sanctions

AFPUpdated June 08, 2019

WASHINGTON: The United States has hit Iran’s petrochemical group PGPIC with economic sanctions due to its ties with the country’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), the Treasury Department announced on Friday.

The move aims to choke off financing to the country’s largest and most profitable petrochemical group and extends to its 39 subsidiaries and “foreign-based sales agents,” Treasury said in a statement.

Those include UK-based NPC International and Philippines-based and NPC Alliance Corporation that are controlled by PGPIC.

“This action is a warning that we will continue to target holding groups and companies in the petrochemical sector and elsewhere that provide financial lifelines to the IRGC,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

Treasury warned that international companies continuing to partner with PGPIC or subsidiaries and sales agents “will themselves be exposed to US sanctions.” Following President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, US efforts over the past year to choke off Iran’s economy have angered allies as foreign companies get caught up in the dispute. Several countries have halted oil imports from Iran, while Europe has tried to design a mechanism to continue trading with the country without violating US sanctions.

Treasury said it is penalising PGPIC due to its links to the economic arm of the IRGC, known as Khatam al-Anbiya. The holding company has awarded contracts to Khatam al-Anbiya “generating hundreds of millions of dollars for an IRGC economic conglomerate that stretches across Iran’s major industries.” Washington in April branded the IRGC a terrorist organisation, the first time it has taken the step against part of a foreign government. The move meant anyone who deals with the Revolutionary Guards could face prison in the United States.

The new sanctions prohibit the firm and its subsidiaries from accessing the US market or financial system, including through other foreign companies, and blocks all funds or property that is in the United States or held by a US firm.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1486786/us-hits-iran-petrochemical-group-with-sanctions

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Pakistan