Hindus From India, US, UAE Pray At 100-Year-Old Maharaja Paramhans Ji Temple, Demolished by Radical Islamists In Pakistan
New
Age Islam News Bureau
03
January 2022
Pakistan
Hindu Council has promoted the initiative under the aegis of "faith
tourism". (Representational)
-----
• Demands
For Action Against Those Calling For Muslim Genocide In Haridwar’s “Dharam
Sansad” Growing
• Allah
Forbids Riba (Usury): It Is A Social Vice And One Of The Greatest Sins –
Nigerian Cleric Warns Muslims
• 'General
Soleimani' Anti-Terror Champion Of 21st Century - Russian Expert
• Dr
Hamid Choi Yong Kil First Korean Muslim To Translate The Quran And Sahih-Al-
Bukhari into Korean
Pakistan
• Indian
Pilgrims Praise Pakistan For Protecting Minorities’ Religious Freedom
• Number
Of Eminent Muslim Scholars to PM, Imran Khan: Muslims Youth Should Be Educated
To Glide Through The Current Age Challenges
• Society
must fight sex crimes, corruption itself: PM
--------
India
• 'Communal
Hatred Will Stop Only When All Stand In One Voice Against It': Rahul Gandhi On
'Auction' Of Muslim Women
• Uttarakhand:
Dasna Priest, 1 More Added To FIR In Hate Speech Case
• Delhi
Police files FIR on journalist’s complaint over doctored photos, webpage ‘aimed
at insulting Muslim women’
• Women’s
doctored photos online: IT minister orders probe, FIR registered
• BAT
action foiled, Pakistani terrorist killed on LoC in Jammu and Kashmir
--------
Africa
• Gov.
Ugwuanyi’s Belief In God Responsible For Cordial Relationship Between
Christians, Muslims – Sani Nnaji
• Shugaley:
Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi Won't Rule In Libya
• Sudan’s
PM announces resignation amid political deadlock
• Sudan
security forces kill two anti-coup protesters: Medics
• Tunisia
launches wide-ranging national consultation on reforms
• Six
killed in suspected Shabab attack in Kenya: official
• Eleven
troops hurt, 29 militants neutralized in Burkina: army
--------
Europe
• Ankara
expresses ‘sorrow' for attack at Muslim cemetery in Germany
• UK
hired firm to dissuade Afghan migrants before country fell to Taliban
• Russia’s
Putin and Turkey’s Erdogan vow to improve ties after tensions
• Russian
airstrike kills 2 civilians in northwestern Syria
--------
North America
• US
Spent $14tr On Wars In 20 Years, $6m On Rearing Nine Goats
• Taliban
should reform policies for international recognition, says Blinken
--------
Southeast Asia
• Abim
to host Islam and Buddhism Eco Dialogue
• Report:
Thai govt and southern separatists to meet in KL for peace talks this month
• Umno
and PAS set to clash in three states
--------
Arab World
• Lebanese
Christian Leader Gebran Bassil Says Alliance With Hezbollah Imperilled
• ISIS
Attack On Syrian Military Vehicle Kills 5 And Injures 20 Soldiers: Report
• Russian
jets bomb rebel-held Idlib in Syria, witnesses say
• Egypt
pushes for calm after flare-up in Gaza hostilities
• Arab
Coalition carries out air strikes on four targets in Sanaa
• UAE
and four other countries take seats on UN Security Council
• Saudi
air defence intercepts 3 Houthi drones
• Iraq
arrests security officers over death of 20 civilians
--------
South Asia
• Iran
Refuses To Recognize Taliban Govt Until It Is Inclusive
• 3
temples desecrated in Bangladesh, police register complaints
• Taliban’s
spies destroy 3,000 litres of alcohol in Kabul
• People
protest in Kabul against US sanctions on Afghanistan
• Taliban
deny release of suicide attacker on Kabul Airport
--------
Mideast
• IRGC
Spokesman: US Should Leave Region with Humiliation in Reprisal for
Assassination of General Soleimani
• 6
Terrorists Killed by IRGC in South-eastern Iran
• Iran
Blasts Certain States’ Political Approach towards Terrorists, Traffickers
• Concerns
grow as condition of Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike turns ‘critical’
• 4
civilians killed in Houthi attack in eastern Yemen
• Ex-Israeli
minister calls for assassinating Hamas leaders over rocket fire
• Israeli
attacks ‘new crime’ against Palestinians: Hamas
• Scores
of Israelis storm Al-Aqsa complex in Jerusalem
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/india-uae-pakistan-radical-islamists-temple/d/126089
--------
Hindus
From India, US, UAE Pray At 100-Year-Old Maharaja Paramhans Ji Temple, Demolished
by Radical Islamists In Pakistan
Pakistan
Hindu Council has promoted the initiative under the aegis of "faith
tourism". (Representational)
-----
January
02, 2022
Peshawar:
Hindu pilgrims from India, the US and the Gulf region prayed at the
100-year-old renovated Maharaja Paramhans Ji temple in northwest Pakistan on
Saturday amidst tight security, one year after the temple was demolished by a
mob belonging to a radical Islamist party.
The
delegation of Hindus consisted of nearly 200 devotees from India, 15 from
Dubai, the rest from the US and other Gulf states.
The
Mandir and 'Samadhi' of Paramhans Ji in Teri village, Karak district of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa underwent extensive repair last year after it was demolished by an
angry mob in 2020, an incident that was condemned globally.
The
Indian pilgrims crossed over through the Wagah Border near Lahore, and were
escorted to the temple by armed personnel, officials said.
The
programme has been organised by the Pakistani Hindu Council in collaboration
with the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines.
On
the day, the funerary monument and Teri village at large was fortified with 600
men from the Rangers, Intelligence and Airport Security Force keeping guard,
led by a Superintendent of Police rank officer.
The
rituals will go on through the night till afternoon of Sunday, Hindu Council
officials said.
'Hujras'
or open air reception rooms were converted into shelters for the pilgrims.
The
markets near the temple were seen buzzing with tourists and the children from
the Hindu contingent were photographed playing cricket with the local kids.
In-charge,
Legal Affairs, Hindu Community Rohit Kumar commended the Pakistan government
for the arrangements and the repair works.
"Today's
prayers at the mandir by yatris from India is a positive message for India, for
promoting peace and religious harmony in the region," he said.
The
Pakistan Hindu Council has promoted the initiative under the aegis of
"faith tourism".
Maharaaj
Paramhans Ji died at Teri village in 1919.
Some
members of the radical Jamiat Ulema-i- Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) had vandalised the
'Samadhi' on December 30, 2020. The temple had also been demolished in 1997.
The
provincial government renovated it after ₹ 3.3 crore was recovered from the JUI-F
mob.
Source: ND TV
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Demands
For Action Against Those Calling For Muslim Genocide In Haridwar’s “Dharam
Sansad” Growing
Representative
Image
----
Mohammed
Hussain Ahmed
2nd
January 2022
New
Delhi: The demands for action against those who issued Muslim genocide call in
Haridwar’s “Dharam Sansad” are growing in the country. A group of Uttarakhand
government retired officers wrote a letter to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister
Pushkar Singh Dhami condemning his government attitude against the call for
Muslim genocide.
In
the letter, they demanded Immediate action against the organizers and speakers
of Dharam Sansad calling upon the government to immediately implement the
Supreme court’s July 2018 directives regarding the “mob violence”.
The
controversial Dharm sansad was held on December 17 18 and 19 where the so
called Sadhus and right wing hindutva activists participated in large numbers.
The BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay also participated. He was Booked earlier for
his incendiary statement against Muslims at a program in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The
letter referred to the videos which gone viral wherein the Sansad speakers are
openly calling for the genocide of 20 lakh Indian Muslims and their ethnic
cleansing from the rural areas. “Granting permission for such a meeting was the
failure of your government’s law and order machinery,” the letter said.
“Due
to the international furore an FIR was lodged under just one section against
only three people. It clearly indicates your government’s complicity is
providing protection to those calling for minorities’ ethnic cleansing,” the latter
added.
Earlier,
a group of former army chief’s and a large number of ex army personnel have
written an open letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of
India condeming the call for Muslim genocide. They demanded strict action against
those who issued this call. More than 200 people signed the open later.
The
letter said that the call for ethnic cleansing is a grave risk for our national
security and poses danger to our social harmony.
“We
call upon the Government, Parliament and Supreme Court to take immediate action
for the safety and security of the country. The Constitution gives freedom to
all the citizens to practice their religion freely. We strongly condemn
polarization in the name of religion. The Indian Prime Minister and the
President of India must take immediate action to stop these highly
reprehensible activities,” the letter said.
About
what transferred in the Dharam Sansad meeting, earlier, the Quint in it’s
report said that the “hate speech conclave” was organized by Hindutva leader
Yati Narsinghanand from December 17 to 19 in Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage city of
Haridwar, where multiple calls to kill Muslims and attack their religious
spaces were made.
“Hindu
groups need to update themselves. Swords look good on stage only. This battle
will be won by those with better weapons,” the report quoted Narsinghanand as
saying.
“Our
police, our politicians, our army and every Hindu must pick up weapons and
conduct a Safayi Abhiyan (ethnic cleansing) like the one that took place in
Myanmar. There is no other option left,” Swami Prabodhanand Giri, President of
the Hindu Raksha Sena, was quoted as saying by NDTV.
The
General Secretary of the political party Hindu Mahasabha Sadhvi Apurna also
gave a call to arms and incitement to genocide.
“If
you want to eliminate their population, then kill them. Nothing is possible
without weapons. Be ready to kill and be ready to go to jail. Even if 100 of us
are ready to kill 20 lakhs of them (Muslims), then we will be victorious, and
go to jail,” The Wire quoted her as saying.
Meanwhile,
Yati Narsinghanand has claimed in a video that only the UP Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath among the political leaders supports him. “He (Yogi Adityanath)
averted an action against me under the goonda act when he came to know about
the police plan to book me. He called the police officers and severely
chastised them after which the action plan against him was dropped.”
“Yogi-Ji
will be the country’s Prime Minister in 2024,” Yati Narsinghanand said in the
video.
Source:
Siasat Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/demands-for-action-against-those-calling-for-muslim-genocide-growing-2251567/
--------
Allah
Forbids Riba (Usury): It Is A Social Vice And One Of The Greatest Sins –
Nigerian Cleric Warns Muslims
Representative
Image
----
January
2, 2022
By
Wale Odunsi
A
Nigerian cleric has warned Muslim faithful in counties across the world to
desist from Riba (Usury).
Imam
AbdulAfeez Musa described it as a social vice and one of the greatest sins
before Almighty Allah.
The
religious leader stated that such a vice may cause Muslims not to enter
paradise on the day of judgement.
He
spoke at the weekend while delivering a lecture at the 14th Annual General
Meeting of Al-Hilal Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited.
The
event was held at the Ogun Governor’s Office Central Mosque in Abeokuta with
the theme: “Islamic Finance; The Perfect Socio-Economic Solace in Islam”.
The
Imam stressed that Allah forbids Riba since he approved lawful transactions
among people in form of Islamic finance.
Musa
said God attested in Qur’an Chapter 3 verse 130 which states; “O you who have
to believe, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that
you may be successful”.
Admitting
that buying and selling agreement must be reached between two or more people,
he advised them to apply Shari’ah law as practised by Prophet Muhammad in his
hadith.
“Receiving
or paying interest is deemed to be a major sin in Islam”, Musa declared and
advised persons who have received such to donate it to charity.
He
explained that Shari’ah law does not mean cutting of hands or legs as widely
believed but controlling one’s self and spending.
Source:
Daily Post Nigeria
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
'General
Soleimani' Anti-Terror Champion Of 21st Century - Russian Expert
General
Soleimani
-----
January
3, 2022
Mais
Gurbanov, a Russian media expert and Middle East analyst while arguing that the
martyred commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani was an
internationally-renowned anti-terror personality, said here on Sunday that
assassinating him in a terrorist attack, was a big shame for the US, which
further defamed that country.
Gurbanov
adding that a country which always claims to be engaged in a campaign against
terrorists by assassinating Soleimani proved that Washington is an accomplice
of the terrorists.
In
response to a question on the US objective behind the state-sponsored US
terrorist attack against the most prominent anti-ISIS commander in the region,
the Russian analyst said that the US shaped up the Daesh (ISIS) terrorist group
itself, and it was actually a US plan, in collaboration with a number of US allies
in the region, some of whom paid the financial expenses for this anti-Islamic
project.
“The
ISIS enmity in the Middle East was initially against Iran, Syria and the
Lebanese Hezbollah and the American nature of that project was Chrystal-clear,”
added Gurbanov.
Major
General Soleimani, anti-terror champion of 21st century
The
Russian analyst said that Martyr Soleimani was the most prominent
anti-terrorist champion of the 21st century, with broadest popularity not only
in Iran, but also in entire region.
“Soleimani
had also convinced the entire anti-American forces in the region to unite in an
anti-US campaign,” added Gurbanov.
He
said that Soleimani revealed the ugly, real face of America once again to the
world nations and unified the anti-global oppression forces, adding that the
global oppression is currently led by Washington.
Gurbanov
said that this great commander managed to convince the Russian President
Vladimir Putin in a meeting in Moscow that lasted a few hours to enter the war
scene in Syria against the terrorists.
The
Middle East is insecure for America now
Gurbanov
said that the Middle East turned unsafe for the Americans after the coward
assassination of Commander Soleimani and the volume of the anti-American
campaign and sentiments have both further aggravated after that terrorist act.
He
said that the martyred Commander Soleimani is popular not only in many Middle
East countries, but also in many parts of the world, and even the non-Muslims
loved and supported him.
In
response to a question on international legal bodies responsibility regarding
the US criminal act in assassinating a military commander, Gurbanov said that
the Hague International Court of Justice and other international human rights
foundations, too, once again showed their real face in this case and proved
that they work as commissioners of world powers.
“Those
bodes never make any move against America, and you cannot hope for any
assistance from their side,” he added.
General
Qasem Soleimani was assassinated in a targeted American drone strike on January
3, 2020 in Baghdad, Iraq on the orders of former US president Donald Trump. The
strike was strongly condemned by the Iranian government, and mass multi-city
funeral ceremonies were held in both Iraq and Iran for General Soleimani and
other martyrs killed in the drone strike.
Hours
after his burial on January 7, 2020, the Iranian military launched missiles
against the US military bases in Iraq; while no lives were lost in the second
attack, the Pentagon reported that 110 American troops were affected in the
strikes.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Dr
Hamid Choi Yong Kil First Korean Muslim To Translate The Quran And Sahih-Al-
Bukhari into Korean
Dr
Hamid Choi Yong Kil
-----
2nd
January 2022
Seoul:
Dr Hamid Choi Yong Kil has become the first Korean Muslim to translate the
Quran and Sahih-Al- Bukhari into Korean.
As
per the media reports, this translation project took approximately 7 years.
Currently, besides being a preacher, he also works as a lecturer in Islamic Studies
and Arabic at a university in South Korea.
He
had received his education at the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
The works that Choi has translated into Korean and Shahih Bukhari are all part
of his scientific work.
Choi
also has written more than 90 other books, either independently or in
translation.
This
comes at a time when the number of Muslims in South Korea is slowly increasing.
Although Islam is still a minority religion, it has experienced significant
growth over the past decade due to tourism and returns.
According
to an estimate by the Korean Muslim Federation, the number of Muslims currently
stands at about 200,000, which is only 0.38 per cent of the overall population.
The majority is made up of students and workers who have come from Turkey,
Pakistan and Uzbekistan and have now claimed Korean citizenship.
Source:
Siasat Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/meet-first-korean-muslim-dr-hamid-choi-to-translate-quran-2250542/
--------
Pakistan
Indian Pilgrims Praise Pakistan For Protecting Minorities’ Religious Freedom
January
2, 2022
A
fifteen-member delegation of Hindu Yatrees (pilgrims) including men, women and
children Saturday visited Samadi of Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj and Teri temple
Karak after completion of rehabilitation work and performed religious rituals
on first day of the new year.
The
delegation that arrived at Peshawar Airport was escorted to the temple amid
strict security arrangements.
On
the occasion, Hindu community members belonging to Sind and representatives of
Pakistan Hindu Council were also present in the temple.
Speaking
on the occasion, In-charge Legal Affairs Hindu Community, Rohit Kumar praised
efforts of Pakistan government to protect and conserve religious places of
Hindus.
“Steps
of Pakistani government to boost religious tourism and to protect worship
places of minorities including Teri Temple would promote positive image of the
country in the comity of nations including neighbouring India”, he said.
“Indian
government should also give religious freedom to Muslims and make efforts to
abridge gap between religion and humanity in their country”.
“Pakistan
is safe for religious tourism and people living in the country had always
welcomed tourists of other faints with respect”, he said.
Another
delegation of 200 Hindu pilgrims that arrived at Wahga border crossing from
India landed at Peshawar airport from Lahore.
Source:
Pakistan Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Number
Of Eminent Muslim Scholars to PM, Imran Khan: Muslims Youth Should Be Educated
To Glide Through The Current Age Challenges
JANUARY
3, 2022
A
number of eminent Muslim scholars Sunday stressed the need for tackling issues
emanating from globalization and a plethora of untamed information on the
internet through proper guidance of the Muslim youth.
Sharing
their thought-provoking views, they highlighted that through creation of
adequate awareness about the Seerah and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be
Upon Him), the Muslims youth should be educated to glide through the current
age challenges.
In
the second part of the dialogue with Prime Minister Imran Khan held by the
National Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority, on the topic of ‘Riyasat-e- Medina,
Islam, society and ethical revival’, they dotted down certain collective
efforts by the Muslim countries to brace the negative impacts of modernity upon
the Muslim youth.
The
scholars included Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Dr Timothy Winter/Abdal Hakim
Murad, Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Dr Recep Senturk, Dr Osman Bakar, Shaykh Hamza
Yusuf and Dr Chandra Muzaffar.
They
responded to various questions raised by the prime minister about the unbridled
availability of social media material, corruption, rising sexual abuses against
women and children and other contemporary challenges posed to the Muslim youth
and society.
Taking
part in the discussion, Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr, University Professor of Islamic
Studies at the George Washington, US, said alluded to the impacts of the
modernistic trends upon the Muslim youth which could be felt much more than
ever.
The
youth should be taught that spirituality was a real phenomenon while the
mundane attractions were temporary.
“Today,
the world is more precarious and dangerous for the youth,” he said, adding that
the Muslim youth should be guided through the teachings which were authentic
and pertaining to the current challenges.
Dr
Nasr also denounced that in the West certain non-serious elements talked about
Islam in negative tone, which was tantamount to attacking the religion.
He
maintained that Islam offered solution to the most urgent issues of today.
He
said the Muslim countries were blessed with tremendous resources and they could
utilize it to revive and preserve their culture on the basis of faith in the
religion.
Dr
Nasr said solution to present day challenges could not be resolved within 24
hours as there was dire a need for gradual awareness.
Shaykh
Hamza Yusuf, an American scholar, responding to the prime minister’s query
about the corruption and increasing trend of offenses against women and
children, agreed that these were the profound problems rising from greed in a
society.
The
prime minister said sexual crimes had increased sharply in the society and the
same case was with the corruption as these issues were not confined to one
country.
He
opined that a society had to take stand against corruption making it
unacceptable.
Dr
Yusuf likened the issue of corruption to a rotten apple which could decay a
society.
He
said the Holy Quran had explained the issue of corruption and its impacts upon
individuals and society.
He
said Islam had tasked the men to take care of the womenfolk and children in a
society, stressing that youth should be inculcated to honour women.
The
Holy Prophet (PBUH) had always stressed upon respect and protection of the
women and children, he added.
Dr
Timothy Winter/Abdal Hakim Murad of the Cambridge, UK, said information on
mobile phones for the young generations was a real challenge for the most of
societies across the globe.
The
youth had become addicted to certain undesirable material which led to
permanent damage, he added.
He
said use of internet had now become a global phenomenon which should be
resolved through global efforts.
He
regretted that thousands of cases of harassment against women had been reported.
Dr
Murad said the modernity had brought manifold issues and the crises was ever
escalating and also referred to ‘Me Too’ movement launched in US which
reflected societal changes.
Dr
Recep Senturk, a Turkish academic, and president USUL Academy, Turkey, shared
that in the face of global problems, the Muslim youth should be advised to
adopt ethics derived from the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
They
should be encouraged to develop their intellectual independence by following
the Sunnah and rid themselves from the global hegemony, he added.
He
said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had been an embodiment of blessing for all the
races and ages.
Dr
Chandra Muzaffar, a Malaysian sociologist and thinker, suggested holding of
conferences of the Muslim youth so that they could participate and speak out
their minds and articulate their position over the contemporary challenges and
solutions.
He
said during the climate change conference in Switzerland, the youth
participants had vented their anger against climate issues and shared their
thoughts.
Dr
Chandra acknowledged that Muslim youth had respect for the dignity of human
beings, adding, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had brought different people together.
“The
people across the world should realize that all burning issues in today’s world
are the shared challenges to which Islam had beautifully provided solution
centuries ago,” he said.
Dr
Osman Bakar, an emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Malaysia,
opined that it was encouraging that students in universities and colleges were
keen to learn about the spiritual traditions.
Source:
Daily Times Pakistan
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Society
must fight sex crimes, corruption itself: PM
Syed
Irfan Raza
January
3, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Terming rising corruption and sex crimes the two main evils confronting the
Muslim world, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday held a discussion with top
scholars on how the youth could be protected from the invasion of social media
on their faith and religious and ethical values.
“There
are two sorts of crime in society, one is corruption and the other is sex
crime. Sex crime has risen sharply in our society, i.e. rape and child abuse
and only one per cent of this is reported,” he said while addressing ‘Riyasat-i-Madina:
Islam, Society and Ethical Revival’, the second part of a dialogue organised by
the National Rehmatul-lil-Aalameen Authority (NRAA).
“The
other 99 per cent, I believe, society has to fight it. The same is the case
with corruption… society has to make corruption unacceptable. Unfortunately,
when you have leadership which is corrupt over time, they make corruption
acceptable,” he said.
While
seeking viewpoints of the international scholars, Mr Khan hinted that he would
be holding similar dialogues with renowned scholars in the future as well. It
was also decided that such thought-provoking sessions would be held once a
month or two months.
Islamic
scholars agree youth must be taught how to deal with challenges thrown up by
modern life
The
prime minister stressed the need to save the Muslim youth from being inundated
with obscenity and pornographic material available on the internet.
The
scholars in attendance suggested certain collective efforts by Muslim countries
to counter the negative effects of modernity. They also stressed that by
creating awareness about the life and sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon
Him) young Muslims could be equipped with qualities needed to navigate the
challenges of the modern age.
Response
by scholars
The
scholars responded to various questions raised by the prime minister about the
unbridled availability of pornographic material via social media, corruption,
the rising number of sex offenses against women and children, and other
challenges faced by the Muslim youth and contemporary society.
Dr
Seyyed Hossein Nasr, University Professor of Islamic Studies at the George
Washington University, said the impact of modern trends upon the Muslim youth
could be felt today more than ever.
“Today,
the world is a more precarious and dangerous place for the youth,” he said,
adding that the Muslim youth should be guided through teachings that were
authentic and pertained to the challenges they faced.
Dr
Nasr denounced western elements that talked about Islam in negative tone, which
was tantamount to attacking the religion.
He
said Muslim countries were blessed with tremendous resources which could be
utilised to revive and preserve their culture on the basis of faith. He added
that the solution to present-day challenges could not be found within 24 hours
as there was a dire need for gradually building awareness.
Shaykh
Hamza Yusuf, an American scholar, likened the issue of corruption to a rotten
apple which could decay a society. He said the Holy Quran had explained the
issue of corruption and its impact upon individuals and society.
He
was of the opinion that Islam had tasked men to take care of women and children
in society. He stressed that young people should be taught to honour women.
Talking
about concepts such as ‘mehram’, Mr Yusuf said women needed to understand why
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had always stressed these things.
“Not
going to places that you shouldn’t be, that onus is first and foremost on the
men and we can’t blame the victims. At the same time women need to understand
there are wolves out there and those wolves are real.”
Dr
Timothy Winter/Abdal Hakim Murad, dean of the Cambridge Muslim College, said
information on mobile phones for the young generations was a real challenge for
most of societies across the globe.
“Everybody
knows the key trigger has been the availability, even to young children, of
high resolution images of things that should be private and not made part of
public entertainment. If the adolescent mind grows up recurrently addicted to
these images, neuroscientists have pointed out that this results in permanent
damage.”
He
regretted that internet was not something that could be regulated by individual
nation states.
Dr
Recep Senturk, a Turkish academic, shared that the Muslim youth should be
advised to adopt ethics derived from the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),
adding that they should be encouraged to develop their intellectual
independence by following sunnah.
Dr
Chandra Muzaffar, a Malaysian sociologist and thinker, suggested the holding of
Muslim youth conferences where young people could participate, speak out their
minds and articulate their position over contemporary challenges and solutions.
He
said during the climate change conference in Switzerland, the youth
participants had vented their anger against climate issues and shared their
thoughts.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1667250/society-must-fight-sex-crimes-corruption-itself-pm
--------
India
'Communal
Hatred Will Stop Only When All Stand In One Voice Against It': Rahul Gandhi On
'Auction' Of Muslim Women
Jan
02, 2022
Congress
leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday raised his voice against the application
'auctioning' Muslim women which has already triggered action and outrage,
saying the humiliation and communal hatred against women will stop only when
all stand in one voice against it. "The year has changed, the situation
has also changed -- now we have to speak," Rahul Gandhi tweeted. After a
Delhi-based journalist filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against a
questionable website for uploading her doctored photos, several politicians
condemned it. The Delhi Police registered an FIR on Saturday night.
What
is ‘Bulli Bai’, the controversial app targeting Muslim women on social media?
IT
minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the app has been blocked and further action was
being coordinated. "GitHub confirmed blocking the user this morning
itself. CERT and Police authorities are coordinating further action," the
minister said.
महिलाओं का अपमान
और सांप्रदायिक
नफ़रत तभी बंद
होंगे जब हम
सब एक आवाज़
में इसके
ख़िलाफ़ खड़े
होंगे।
साल बदला
है, हाल भी
बदलो- अब बोलना
होगा!#NoFear
—
Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2022
"I
was shocked to find out this morning that a website/portal called
bullibai.github.io (since deleted) had a doctored picture of me in an improper,
unacceptable and clearly lewd context. This needs immediate action, as the same
is clearly designed to harass me and other similarly situated independent women
and journalists," the woman journalist said in her complaint.
A
senior Delhi police officer said the case has been registered under sections
509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 354 A
(sexual harassment and punishment for harassment) of the Indian Penal Code on
the complaint of the journalist alleging that she is being targeted by an
unidentified group of people on "Bulli Bai" portal.
The
police said no arrests have been made in the case so far and a probe is
underway.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Uttarakhand:
Dasna priest, 1 more added to FIR in hate speech case
Jan
2, 2022
HARIDWAR:
The police have added the names of Hindu leaders — Dasna temple priest Yati
Narasinghanand and Sagar Sindhuraj — in an FIR in connection with the case of
alleged hate speech delivered during a ‘Dharam Sansad’ held in Uttarakhand’s
Haridwar.
“On
the basis of the viral video clip, two more names — Sagar Sindhu Maharaj and
Yati Narasinghanand — have been added to the FIR...Section 295A has been
included in the FIR,” said Uttarakhand Director-General of Police Ashok Kumar.
Protesters
demand arrest of organisers
Muslims
came out in large numbers in Dehradun and Haridwar on Friday and Saturday,
demanding action against speakers at the Sansad, who had made objectionable
statements against the minority community, report Kautilya Singh and Sheo S
Jaiswal.
The
protesters marched up to police headquarters in Doon. In Haridwar’s Jwalapur,
they took out a march, demanding immediate arrest of Jitendra Narayan Tyagi
alias Waseem Rizvi, former head of Shia Waqf Board, for his remarks against
Prophet Muhammad.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Delhi
Police files FIR on journalist’s complaint over doctored photos, webpage ‘aimed
at insulting Muslim women’
January
2, 2022
The
Delhi Police has registered an FIR on the complaint of a Delhi-based
journalist, who alleged that unidentified persons uploaded doctored photos of
her on a webpage along with objectionable comments “aimed at insulting Muslim
women”.
This
comes six months after the police in Delhi and Noida had registered cases in
connection with photos of Muslim women being uploaded on a Github app. No
arrests have been made in connection with that complaint.
The
new webpage was created on the GitHub app and has now been deleted. Several
women, including the complainant, posted screenshots of their photos with “lewd
context” being used on the webpage.
A day
after the journalist filed a complaint about the webpage, the Delhi Police
registered a case under IPC section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to
insult the modesty of a woman).
“We
have received a complaint of a woman journalist alleging she is being targeted
by an unidentified group of people on an app using GitHub by the name of ‘Bulli
Bai’. An FIR has been registered at the cyber police station of the Southeast
district,” said a senior Delhi Police officer.
Esha
Pandey, DCP (Southeast), said that a legal action has been initiated.
Sources
in the cyber cell said they had identified some accounts in connection with the
objectionable posts, which were deactivated following the police complaint. The
police are trying to get further details.
On
July 7 and 8 last year, police in Noida and Delhi registered separate FIRs
against unknown persons for creating an app where photos of women, including a
pilot and journalists, were uploaded with an intention to defame and harass
them — the text accompanying the photo read ‘deal of the day’.
Delhi
Police cyber cell officials said they had written to GitHub seeking details of
the accused who created the app but haven’t received details yet.
The
complainant states, “I was shocked to find out this morning that a website… had
a doctored picture of me in an improper, unacceptable and clearly lewd context.
I am often the target of online trolls and this seems to be the next step in
such harassment. This needs immediate action as the same is clearly designed to
harass me and other similarly situated independent women and journalists.”
She
further wrote: “The term bulli bai itself seems disrespectful and the content
of this website is clearly aimed at insulting Muslim women as the derogatory
term bulli is used exclusively for Muslim women and the entire website seems to
have been designed with the intent of embarrassing and insulting Muslim women.
The term bulli of the day further objectifies and dehumanises women.”
“As a
law-abiding citizen of this country and as a Muslim woman, I am deeply
disturbed by the alleged tweet, which is headlined as ‘your bulli bai of the
day’ and is accompanied by the doctored photograph. Social media being a form
of public expression cannot be used to demean and derogate women in general and
Muslim women in particular by misogynist sections of society. This is nothing
short of online harassment and the referred tweet for criminal action,” she
states.
Source:
Indian Express
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Women’s
doctored photos online: IT minister orders probe, FIR registered
by
Aashish Aryan , Jignasa Sinha
January
3, 2022
The
government has asked cyber security and law enforcement agencies to investigate
complaints that a website had hosted doctored, “lewd” pictures and
objectionable comments “aimed at insulting Muslim women”.
The
Indian Computer Emergency Response System (Cert-In), the nodal agency for
monitoring cyber security incidents and related threats, has been asked to form
“a high level committee” to probe the incident, and to co-ordinate with the
cyber cells of state police forces, senior government officials said.
Late
on Saturday night, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini
Vaishnaw had tweeted that GitHub, the coding platform on which the said app was
hosted, had blocked the user, and Cert-In and police were “co-coordinating
further action”.
On
Sunday, in a separate tweet, Vaishnaw said that the government was “working
with police organisations in Delhi and Mumbai on this matter”.
On
Sunday, separate FIRs were registered in the case by police in Delhi and
Mumbai. Besides the unknown persons who developed the app, Mumbai Police also
booked certain Twitter handles that disseminated the content on charges of
stalking, defamation, promoting enmity, and posting lewd comments.
The
National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to Delhi Police Commissioner
Rakesh Asthana seeking immediate action in the case.
“@NCWIndia
has taken cognizance of this incident. Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to
@CPDelhi to immediately register FIR in the matter. The process must be
expedited so that such crime is not repeated,” the commission posted on
Twitter.
Twitter
has suspended an account that had been sharing links to the app hosted on
GitHub. The Twitter handle had the same name as the objectionable app. Twitter
did not respond to emails seeking comments on the account and its suspension.
Earlier
in June 2021, another app with a name similar to the one currently under
investigation had appeared on GitHub with pictures of Muslim women captioned
“deal of the day”.
Subsequently,
on July 7 and 8, police in Noida and Delhi had registered separate FIRs against
unknown persons in the case, but there has been no progress in the
investigations.
On
Sunday, NCW, responding to a woman journalist’s post on Twitter that the
current sexual harassment on Muslim women online was a “new version” of the
earlier targeting, tweeted: “The action taken in both the cases must be
apprised to the Commission at the earliest.”
Doctored
photos of at least 100 Muslim women, along with lewd remarks and comments, were
posted online this week. GitHub subsequently removed the content, but many
Twitter users tagged the women and posted screenshots of the webpage.
In
her complaint to police on Saturday, a Delhi-based journalist accused unknown persons
of promoting enmity, sexual harassment, and insulting women.
“I
was shocked to find…that a website/portal…had a doctored picture of me in an
improper unacceptable and clearly lewd context… The…content…is clearly aimed at
insulting Muslim women…and the entire website seems to have been designed with
the intent of embarrassing and insulting Muslim women,” she said.
“This
is nothing short of online harassment and the tweet referred to herein is per
se liable for criminal action. The said ‘GitHub’ is violent, threatening and
intending to create a feeling of fear and shame in my mind as well as in the
minds of women in general, and the Muslim community, whose women are being
targeted in this hateful manner. In fact, this website has been targeting other
Muslim women as well…,” the complaint said.
On
Saturday, Delhi Police had said they were “looking into” the woman journalist’s
complaint and would take “appropriate legal action”.
Based
on the complaint, a case under IPC Sections 153A (promoting enmity between
different groups on the ground of religion and doing acts prejudicial to
maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national
integration), 354A (sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended
to insult the modesty of a woman) has been registered.
Sources
in the cyber cell claimed they had identified some accounts in connection with
the objectionable posts, which were deactivated following the police complaint.
Many
of the women had been targeted in the earlier case as well. A senior Delhi
Police officer said the earlier case had stalled because GitHub had not
cooperated.
“We
wrote to them and sent them a legal notice about the case. The GitHub officials
asked us to follow MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) guidelines and we
should have got a reply by now,” the officer said.
According
to the officer, “When we first sent them notices, they asked us to follow the
guidelines. We again sent a request and they forwarded it to their legal cell.
They said some documents were missing and we had to apply again. We have also
approached the Home Ministry to push for an investigation from their
(company’s) side. Since their office is not in India and it’s a
US-headquartered company, we can’t push much.”
Source:
Indian Express
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
BAT
action foiled, Pakistani terrorist killed on LoC in Jammu and Kashmir
M
Saleem Pandit
Jan
3, 2022
SRINAGAR:
An attempt by the Pakistani military’s Border Action Team (BAT) to push a
terrorist into India was foiled after he was gunned down in the Keran sector of
north Kashmir’s Kupwara district around 3pm on January 1, the Army said on
Sunday. Slain terrorist Mohammed Shabbir Malik was carrying an AK-47, seven
grenades, ammunition, ration suited for a long haul in cold weather,
certificates and a photo that showed him in army uniform with the name tab.
“This
was a BAT action,” an Army officer said, underscoring that it was clearly a
“complete breach of the ceasefire understanding” between the two nations. The
Pakistan Army has been contacted and asked to take the body.
BAT
comprises military regulars and mercenaries from terrorist groups such as
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). They carry out surprise attacks
on Indian positions along the LoC.
On
New Year’s Day, Army stakeout along the LoC spotted the terrorist in a Pathani
suit and black jacket. Armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, he was trying to
break into India through the anti-infiltration obstacle system across the
border. Ambushes were laid along routes the intruder was likely to take and he
eventually fell into one. The route he took was similar to the one taken by
infiltrators “on April 4, 2020, during Operation Rangadori Bhaikh in which five
terrorists were eliminated,” the Army said in a statement.
The
Army could make out that it was a BAT operation as a “search of the belongings
revealed Pakistani identity card and vaccination certificates (issued by
ministry of national health services regulation and coordination of Pakistan)
that identified him as Mohammed Shabir Malik. The belongings also include a
photo of the infiltrator in army uniform wearing the name tab of Shabbir.” This
“establishes that Pakistan continues to sponsor cross-border militancy”, the
Army said.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Africa
Gov.
Ugwuanyi’s belief in God responsible for cordial relationship between
Christians, Muslims – Sani Nnaji
January
3, 2022
By
Emmanuel Uzodinma
A
renowned wealthy Northern-based farmer who recently relocated his farming
business to his community in Mbu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State,
Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for promoting
peace, unity and national integration among Nigerians resident in the state and
beyond irrespective of religious and ethnic differences.
Speaking
when Gov. Ugwuanyi visited him and the Christian and Muslim communities in his
country home in Mbu to celebrate Christmas and New Year, yesterday, Alhaji Sani
Nnaji disclosed that it was because of the governor’s belief in God and his
penchant for peace and unity that “both Christians and Muslims gathered here to
eat together”.
The
wealthy farmer who pointed out that what Gov. Ugwuanyi has done for his
community, Isi-Uzo LGA and Enugu State is immeasurable, stressed: “The good
things we are enjoying today is because of your good heart and quality
leadership”.
Alhaji
Nnaji expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for providing the enabling
atmosphere for businesses to thrive in Enugu State, adding that the governor
has supported his farming business in the state tremendously.
“Thank
you (Ugwuanyi) for the support you have been giving the people in the business
sector especially my humble self.
“Your
Excellency has brought a lot of goodies to Isi-Uzo LGA especially in Mbu. This
is the third time a governor will visit Mbu in one year. We have always
celebrated the Christmas and New Year with you. My people in Ugwualama Mbu are
grateful for the good things you have done for us”, he added.
The
farmer had revealed that it was because of the enduring peace and security
entrenched in Enugu State by Gov. Ugwuanyi as well as the enabling business
environment that he relocated most of his farming businesses from the Northern
part of Nigeria to his community, Mbu in Isi-Uzo LGA of the state.
Source:
Daily Post Nigeria
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Shugaley:
Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi won't rule in Libya
January
02, 2022
Efforts
to win power in Libya by Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, the son of the country’s late
ousted dictator Moammar Qaddafi, won’t succeed, according to Maxim Shugaley,
who acts as a political consultant for Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian tycoon
close to President Vladimir Putin and owner of the notorious Wagner Group,
Bloomberg has reported.
Shugaley
spent 18 months in a Libyan jail accused by the government of plotting to
interfere in Libya’s presidential elections in Gaddafi's favor. His release was
pushed for by the Kremlin.
“He’s
an unacceptable figure for the United States -- there is a political order
against him. This would be a unique event in the world -- 10 years on and the Gaddafi
family stages a comeback. Just from a psychological point of view, it’s a big
blow.” Shugaley said in an interview in Moscow, blaming the US for thwarting
Gaddafi's leadership ambitions, without offering evidence.
Source:
Libya Observer
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/shugaley-saif-al-islam-gaddafi-wont-rule-libya
--------
Sudan’s
PM announces resignation amid political deadlock
02
January ,2022
Sudan’s
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation Sunday amid political
deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests following a military coup that
derailed the country’s fragile transition to democratic rule.
Hamdok
called for a dialogue to agree on a “national charter” and to “draw a roadmap”
to complete the transition. The October coup had upended Sudan's plans to move
to democracy after a popular uprising forced the military’s overthrow of
longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019.
On
Sunday, prior to his resignation, Sudanese security forces violently dispersed
pro-democracy protesters, in the latest demonstrations to denounce the takeover
and a subsequent deal that reinstated the prime minister but sidelined the
pro-democracy movement. A medical group said at least two people were killed.
The
Sudan Doctors Committee, which is part of the pro-democracy movement, said one
of the dead was hit “violently” in his head while taking part in a protest
march in Khartoum. The second was shot in his chest in Khartoum’s twin city of
Omdurman, it added. The group said dozens of protesters were injured.
Activist
Nazim Sirag said security forces used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse
protesters, and chased them in side streets across the capital.
Protests
also took place in other cities including Port Sudan and Nyala in the Darfur
region.
The
protests came despite tightened security and blocked bridges and roads in
Khartoum and Omdurman. Internet connections were also disrupted ahead of the
protests, according to advocacy group NetBlocs. Authorities have used such
tactics repeatedly since the Oct. 25 coup.
Sunday's
fatalities have brought the death toll among protesters since the coup to at
least 56, according to the medical group. Hundreds have also been wounded.
Allegations
surfaced last month of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape by
security forces against female protesters, according to the United Nations.
The
ruling sovereign council has vowed to investigate violence against the
protesters.
On
Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged security forces to
“immediately cease the use of deadly force against protesters" and to hold
those responsible for violence accountable.
He
also called for Sudanese leaders to accelerate their efforts to form a
“credible cabinet,” an interim parliament and judicial electoral bodies that
will prepare for the country’s planned 2023 elections.
The
rotating leadership of the sovereign council now chaired by Gen. Abdel-Fattah
Burhan should be transferred to a civilian as was planned before the coup,
Blinken said.
“We
do not want to return to the past, and are prepared to respond to those who
seek to block the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a civilian-led,
democratic government,” he added.
The
October military takeover upended a fragile planned transition to democratic
rule following a popular uprising that forced the military’s overthrow of longtime
autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Sudan
security forces kill two anti-coup protesters: Medics
02
January ,2022
Sudanese
security forces killed two protesters Sunday in Omdurman, twin city of the
capital Khartoum, medics said, as thousands rallied against the military.
The
pro-democracy Doctors' Committee said one of the protesters was shot in the
chest while the second suffered a “severe head wound”.
Sunday's
deaths bring the total number of protesters killed in a violent crackdown since
a military takeover in October to 56, while hundreds have been wounded.
Sudan
has been plunged into turmoil since General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan -- the
country's de facto leader following the 2019 ouster of longtime strongman Omar
al-Bashir -- launched a coup and detained the prime minister.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Tunisia
launches wide-ranging national consultation on reforms
01
January ,2022
Tunisia
on Saturday launched a wide-ranging national consultation that will feed into
drafting a new constitution, the North African country's technology ministry
said.
Part
of a reform package pushed by President Kais Saied, who is seeking to bolster
his authority, the exercise calls on citizens to send in suggestions and will
last until March 20.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Eligible
topics include electoral, economic, financial, social, developmental, health,
education, and cultural affairs.
The
constitutional referendum is planned for July 25, 2022 -- exactly a year after
Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament, and seized wide-ranging
powers.
His
power grab was initially supported by many Tunisians, amid frustration
surrounding repeated deadlocks within the fractious legislature in recent
years.
The
president later took steps to rule by decree, and in early December vowed to
press on with reforms to the political system.
The
consultation -- dubbed “Your opinion, our decision” -- is initially targeting
youth centers through an electronic platform across the country’s 24 regions,
the technology ministry said.
“The
platform will be open to everyone from January 15,” it added.
Citizens
will alternatively be able to give their views in local committees, since only
45 percent of Tunisian homes are connected to the internet.
Critics
have said the move underlines the “populist” approach of the president, who won
elections in 2019 with a landslide 73 percent of votes.
Saied’s
one-man crusade to rebuild Tunisia’s broken political structures has sparked
accusations that he is establishing a new autocracy in the birthplace of the
Arab Spring uprisings.
Rights
groups have pointed to military trials of opposition figures on charges such as
“insulting the president.”
A
senior official of Ennahdha -- one of the country’s main political parties --
was arrested by plainclothes officers on Friday.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Six
killed in suspected Shabab attack in Kenya: official
January
03, 2022
NAIROBI:
Six people have been killed and homes torched in an attack Monday by suspected
Al-Shabab militants in Kenya’s coastal Lamu region that borders Somalia, a
local government official said.
“I
confirm that we had an attack suspected to be by Al-Shabab at a place known as
Widhu, and we have lost six people. One was shot dead and we also have others
who were burnt,” said Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1997191
--------
Eleven
troops hurt, 29 militants neutralized in Burkina: army
January
02, 2022
OUAGADOUGOU:
Eleven soldiers were wounded and 29 militants neutralized in a weekend attack
on security forces in Burkina Faso’s troubled northwest, the army said on
Sunday.
Military
and police units came under attack on Saturday in the area of Gomboro “by armed
individuals,” the army said.
“The
fighting caused injuries to 11 soldiers who were treated. Their response and
counter-offensive allowed the neutralization of 29 terrorists and the recovery
of a large amount of combat materiel including weapons, vehicles and
communication equipment,” the statement said.
On
December 23, an ambush by suspected extremists targeting civilians and the VDP,
an official self-defense force, in the northern You region left 41 people dead,
including Ladji Yoro, considered a leader of the VDP.
That
attack was the deadliest since the bloodshed in Inata in the country’s north in
mid-November, which claimed 57 lives including 53 police officers.
Since
2015, Burkina Faso has been facing regular and deadly attacks, particularly in
the northern and eastern regions, close to Mali and Niger, countries also
battling armed extremist groups.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1996801/world
--------
Europe
Ankara
expresses ‘sorrow' for attack at Muslim cemetery in Germany
January
02 2022
Turkish
authorities have expressed "sadness" over an attack at a Muslim
cemetery in the northwestern German city of Iserlohn in which 30 headstones
were damaged.
Turkey's
Foreign Ministry said the attack on New Year's Eve is "a new indicator of
sick Islamophobic mentality which has been rising especially in Europe and even
targets Muslim cemeteries."
The
ministry urged German officials to find the "perpetrators of this
disastrous attack" and that they are "brought to justice and given
the punishment they deserve."
It
also asked authorities to "take the necessary measures to prevent such
incidents from happening."
Nearly
30 headstones at a Muslim cemetery in Iserlohn have been damaged, according to
German authorities.
Source:
Hurriyet Daily News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UK
hired firm to dissuade Afghan migrants before country fell to Taliban
January
02, 2022
LONDON:
The British government gave a Hong Kong-based firm over £700,000 ($947,200)
over five years to tell Afghans not to flee the country, according to The
Independent, and is set to hand it another £500,000 in the coming years.
The
company, Seefar, responsible for websites such as On The Move and The Migrant
Project, and which describes itself as “a recognised leader in understanding
migration behaviour change” and claims to offer services including “scripting
lines for politicians to deliver” was hired in 2016 by the Home Office, with
even more money possibly being awarded to it by the Foreign Office in the same period.
In a
press release, Seefar said it conducted a “migration communications campaign in
Afghanistan” throughout 2020, which had “successfully resulted in more than
half of consultees making safer and more informed migration decisions, and
avoiding potentially deadly encounters on the journey to Europe.”
Posing
as a neutral non-profit organization, Seefar’s On The Move website urges
migrants: “Don’t risk your life and waste hard earned money trying to reach the
UK.”
The
Home Office also paid social media platforms Facebook and Instagram over
£23,000 to promote adverts for the company’s sites, which do not list details
on safe ways to claim asylum in the UK.
In
August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, with thousands of people
killed, tens of thousands left stranded or in hiding, and the country facing a
winter of shortages.
Seefar
added that it used “unbranded” methods to dissuade Afghans leaving the country,
and advised European governments not to link themselves to its methods.
The
success of Seefar’s campaigns is set to be rewarded with a further £500,000 for
a “organised immigration crime deterrence and influencing communications
strategy” which “includes proposals to deter migrants and signposting migrants
to credible alternatives … through a multilingual website and telephone
service.”
The
same month Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Seefar was also awarded a
three-year deal to provide training for “strategic capability development
programmes overseas on behalf of the Home Office” in relation to “borders,
migration and asylum.”
Tim
Naor Hilton, CEO of charity Refugee Action, told The Independent: “We have seen
this year the tragic consequences of what happens when ministers waste money on
a hostile policy of trying to keep people out, rather than keep people safe.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1996786/world
--------
Russia’s
Putin and Turkey’s Erdogan vow to improve ties after tensions
02
January ,2022
Russian
President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on
Sunday pledged to improve ties during a call, both sides said, after tensions
mounted over drones and NATO in recent weeks.
Turkey,
a NATO member since 1952, has angered Moscow by supplying combat drones to
Ukraine that Russia fears could be used by Kiev in its conflict with
separatists in two eastern regions.
Putin
and Erdogan “exchanged New Year's greetings and summarized the main results of
bilateral cooperation and confirmed the desire to further intensify the
mutually beneficial partnership between Russia and Turkey,” the Kremlin said in
a statement about the leaders' phone call.
Erdogan's
office said both sides “discussed steps to improve Turkish-Russian relations”
and reiterated their desire to develop cooperation “in all fields”.
Last
month, Putin criticized Kiev for deploying Turkish-made drones in its conflict
with pro-Moscow separatists.
Ankara
says it cannot be blamed for Ukraine's use of Turkish drones, adding if a state
buys Turkish weaponry, it is no longer a Turkish product but belongs to the
country which buys it.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Russian
airstrike kills 2 civilians in northwestern Syria
Ahmet
Karaahmet and Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu
01.01.2022
Two
civilians were killed and 10 others injured in a Russian airstrike early
Saturday in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, an opposition-held area where
a truce is supposed to be in place.
"The
airstrike was carried out by a Russian warplane that took off from Khmeimim
Airbase in rural Latakia in western Syria," said the Syrian opposition
aircraft observatory.
Sources
in the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) told Anadolu Agency that two
civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed in the attack, which hit
a civilian settlement in the village of Nehrulabyad.
Injured
people were taken to nearby hospitals by civil defense teams.
In
May 2017, Turkey, Russia, and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement
to establish a de-escalation zone in Idlib as part of the Astana meetings
related to the Syrian crisis.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/russian-airstrike-kills-2-civilians-in-northwestern-syria/2462851
--------
North America
US
Spent $14tr On Wars In 20 Years, $6m On Rearing Nine Goats
Anwar
Iqbal
January
3, 2022
WASHINGTON:
The US military spent $14 trillion during two decades of war in Afghanistan and
the Middle East, enriching arm manufacturers, dealers and contractors.
A
detailed, full-page report in The Wall Street Journal shows that since Sept 11,
2001, US military outsourcing pushed up Pentagon spending to $14 trillion.
One-third to half of that sum went to contractors.
The
report includes numerous examples of how American tax-payers’ money was wasted
on projects that never came to fruition. On one such project, “the Pentagon
spent $6 million on a project that imported nine Italian goats to boost
Afghanistan’s cashmere market. The project never reached scale.” Five defence
companies — Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co, General Dynamics Corp, Raytheon
Technologies Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp — took the lion’s share, $2.1
trillion, for weapons, supplies and other services. The newspaper collected the
data from Brown University’s Costs of War Project, area scholars, legal experts
and others who are working on the hidden impact of America’s wars.
The
WSJ report also includes some rags-to-riches stories: A young Afghan translator
transformed a deal to provide forces with bed sheets into a business empire
including a TV station and a domestic airline.
A
California businessman running a bar in Kyrgyzstan started a fuel business that
brought in billions in revenue. Two Army National Guardsmen from Ohio started a
small business providing the military with Afghan interpreters. It grew to
become one of the US Army’s top contractors, collecting nearly $4 billion in
federal contracts.
The
Biden administration has now ordered an inquiry to determine how the reliance
on battlefield contractors multiplies the war cost.
The
US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), created to
monitor the almost $150 billion spent on rebuilding the country, collected
hundreds of reports of waste and fraud. A SIGAR survey released in early 2021
found that, of the $7.8 billion earmarked for projects, only $1.2 billion, or
15 percent, was spent on new roads, hospitals, bridges, and factories. At least
$2.4 billion was spent on military planes, police offices, farming programs and
other development projects that were abandoned, destroyed or used for other
purposes.
The
US Agency for International Development gave $270 million to a company to build
1,200 miles of gravel road in Afghanistan. The USAID canceled the project after
the company built 100 miles of road in three years of work that left more than
125 people dead in insurgent attacks.
In
2008, the US had 187,900 troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the peak of the US
deployment, and 203,660 contractor personnel.
When
President Barack Obama ordered most US troops to leave Afghanistan at the end
of his second term, more than 26,000 contractors were in Afghanistan, compared
with 9,800 troops.
By
the time President Donald Trump left office four years later, 18,000
contractors remained in Afghanistan, along with 2,500 troops.
More
than 3,500 US contractors died in Afghanistan and Iraq and more than 7,000
American service members died during two decades of war.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1667297/us-spent-14tr-on-wars-in-20-years-6m-on-rearing-nine-goats
--------
Taliban
should reform policies for international recognition, says Blinken
Jan
2, 2022
WASHINGTON:
US Secretary of State Antonio Blinken on Saturday (local time) advised the
Taliban to bring changes in their approaches and policies if they want
recognition of their Islamic Emirate government.
The
US State Secretary asked Afghanistan's new rulers to uphold human rights, allow
freedom of movement, halt reprisals and combat terrorism, reported Pajhwok
Afghan News.
Speaking
about his priorities for 2022, Blinken said that they are considering a number
of approaches to enable injecting more cash into Afghanistan for the economy of
the country, reported The Khaama Press.
Pakistani
newspaper Dawn quoted him as saying the US was part of the release of about USD
280 million recently in the Afghan Trust Fund, reported Pajhwok Afghan News.
Meanwhile,
the US secretary of state acknowledged that the approaches will not allow the
Taliban access the cash.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Southeast Asia
Abim
to host Islam and Buddhism Eco Dialogue
01-
03- 2022
PETALING
JAYA: Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim), the Tibetan Buddhist Culture
Centre (TBCC), Universiti Malaya (UM) and several collaborators will organise
an international dialogue on Islam & Buddhism Eco Dialogue (IBED 2022).
It
will feature intellectual figures from Islam and Buddhism and will serve to
find solutions to the impacts of climate change as well as to create awareness
among the global community.
Among
the invited figures are His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai
Lama), Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar, Dr Reza Shah Kazemi, Ven Prof Dr K.L
Dhammajoti, Ven Dr Bhikkhuni Dhammananda and Datuk Prof Dr Azizan Baharudin.
The
dialogue will be held on Jan 15 and 16. Registration and further inquiries
about the event can be made through the link - www.ibedconf.com.
“In
related developments, Abim hopes that 2022 will be a better time for all
citizens of the world to jointly handle this issue of climate justice in a
better manner,” its president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said today.
“Abim
takes the issue of climate change with serious concern. ABIM stresses that the
major disasters occurring in recent times including those currently faced by
our country are the impacts of climate change happening around the world.
Source:
The Sun Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Report:
Thai govt and southern separatists to meet in KL for peace talks this month
03
Jan 2022
BY
RADZI RAZAK
KUALA
LUMPUR, Jan 3 — The Thai government and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) — the
southern Thai armed separatist group — are set to resume peace talks here this
month, according to The Star.
The
English daily reported that this will be the first face-to-face meeting between
the parties after two years of virtual negotiations due to Covid-19 pandemic.
BRN
operates in four provinces — Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla — which
make up Thailand’s Deep South near Malaysia’s northern border and is
predominantly Muslim-Malay.
The
Star reported that the facilitator for the talks would be former
inspector-general of police Tan Sri Rahim Noor, representing the Malaysian
government.
He
confirmed to the daily that the latest round of talks would take place soon,
but added that no date had been fixed yet.
“It
is scheduled to be held in the middle of January, but the date has not been
finalised,” he said, as reported by The Star.
Rahim
said the meetings had progressed “very well’’ but declined to elaborate
further.
Negotiations
involved representatives of the Thai government with chief negotiator Gen
Wanlop Rugsanaoh, while the BRN delegation was led by Anas Abdulrahman @ Hipni
Mareh, a high-ranking official said to be foreign educated and a former
schoolteacher.
Source:
Malay Mail
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Umno
and PAS set to clash in three states
Minderjeet
Kaur
January
2, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: With seat talks going sour, the tension between PAS and Umno is building
up in Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.
Although
some Umno leaders at federal level are keen on continuing to work with PAS, a
political analyst claims he has information that the story is different at the
grassroots level.
“At
the state level, there are challenges,” said Mohd Azizuddin Sani of Universiti
Utara Malaysia. “Umno grassroots members in the three states do not want to
share seats with PAS, and PAS wants more seats as it feels these are its
stronghold states.”
He
told FMT discussions in Terengganu had turned hostile. “Neither side is willing
to give in. Both are demanding more seats and the talks are likely to fail.”
In
Kedah and Kelantan as well, there had been no progress in the seat talks, he
said.
Kelantan
PAS is said to be meeting the state Umno leadership on Jan 22 to discuss
cooperation for the next general election.
Azizuddin
said PAS was aware that it would be impossible for it to capture Putrajaya. “So
its main aim is to dominate Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan. It wants as many
seats as possible there.”
He said
the talks were unlikely to make any headway and the two parties would probably
go their separate ways before GE15.
“But
after the general election, they may court each other again as they know no
political party will garner enough votes to form a government.”
In a
recent news report, Johor Umno deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed was quoted as
saying it was impossible to trust PAS as it had been looking at ways to
strengthen itself without Umno.
Another
Umno leader also told FMT that Barisan Nasional was likely to go it alone for
the general election.
“We
have done well in the recent Melaka state elections without PAS and Bersatu,”
he said. “We don’t see any reason to be with them.”
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Lebanese
Christian Leader Gebran Bassil Says Alliance With Hezbollah Imperilled
02
January ,2022
The
head of Lebanon’s largest Christian party said on Sunday that a 15-year-old
alliance with the country’s powerful Shia group Hezbollah was no longer working
and must evolve.
The
televised speech by Gebran Bassil, who heads the Free Patriotic Movement,
signaled an unprecedented level of frustration with Hezbollah and suggested the
2006 alliance credited with helping maintain peace in the small country was in
jeopardy.
Bassil’s
comments come amid a devastating economic crisis and also ahead of critical
parliamentary elections in which his party is expecting tough competition.
Undoing the alliance with Hezbollah would cost him more votes in the May
elections.
But
Bassil, a former foreign minister, said the alliance is costing him credibility
with supporters. Bassil is also the son-in-law of Lebanon’s President Michel
Aoun. He has positioned himself as a reformer and is believed to have ambitions
to run for president himself.
Bassil
pinned his frustration on Hezbollah’s other ally, the powerful Shia Amal
Movement, led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. He said in recent months
Hezbollah has backed Berri’s Amal at the expense of their own alliance.
“We
reached an understanding with Hezbollah (in 2006) not with Amal,” Bassil said
in an hour-long speech. “When we discover that the one making decisions in
(this alliance) is Amal, it is our right to reconsider.”
Hezbollah
and its allies control most seats in parliament and are the main backers of the
government that took office in September. But the government and parliament
have been paralyzed as political disagreements deepened and as Lebanon faces an
unprecedented economic crisis unraveling since 2019.
Berri
is an old-time rival of Bassil, who accused him of using his power in
parliament to block several of his draft bills.
Recently,
Hezbollah and Amal have been widely critical of the investigation into last
year’s Beirut Port investigation, accusing the judge of being biased against
their allies— a position at odds with Bassil's party.
Hezbollah
has asked for the judge to be removed, leading to a paralysis within the
government. Deadly clashes in October that pitted Amal and Hezbollah supporters
against Christian gunmen were triggered by the investigation dispute and
further strained relations with Bassil’s party, which accused Amal of the
violence.
Bassil
criticized Hezbollah for not backing his party on reform laws that he says aim
to weed out corruption and ensure decentralized financial policies, or in
efforts to protect constitutional powers of the president. Such choices have
left Bassil unable to justify to his supporters Hezbollah’s decisions, he
added, openly blaming Berri for the rift.
“It
is understandable why the Americans want to corner Hezbollah, but it is not
understandable why (Hezbollah) wants to corner themselves,” Bassil said of
Hezbollah’s alliance with Berri.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
ISIS
attack on Syrian military vehicle kills 5 and injures 20 soldiers: Report
03
January ,2022
Five
Syrian soldiers were killed and 20 injured in a rocket attack by ISIS militants
on a military transport bus on Sunday in the east of the country at
approximately 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT), Syrian state media said on Monday.
ISIS,
the hardline group that declared a caliphate straddling parts of Syria and Iraq
in 2014, has lost all territory that was under its control in 2019.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Russian
jets bomb rebel-held Idlib in Syria, witnesses say
02
January ,2022
Russian
jets bombed areas near the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on Sunday,
witnesses and rebel sources said, marking a new year flare-up for the last
opposition-held bastion.
War
planes flying at high altitude, which tracking centers said were Russian Sukhoi
jets, dropped bombs on several towns and a water pumping station serving the
overcrowded city of Idlib, whose wider population is more than a million.
No
immediate comment was available from Russia or the Syrian army, which says it
targets the hideouts of militant groups who control the region but deny any
attacks on civilians.
An
official at the city's water utility service said it was out of action as a
result of the strikes.
Witnesses
said the strikes in the last twenty four hours in the rebel-held enclave also
hit livestock and poultry farms close to the Bab al Hawa border crossing with
Turkey.
“The
Russians are focusing on infrastructure and economic assets. This is to add to
the suffering of people,” Abu Hazem Idlibi, an official in the opposition
administration, said.
Other
targets included villages in the Jabal al-Zawiya region in the southern part of
Idlib province, with no immediate reports of casualties, residents and rescuers
said.
A
series of raids after midnight on Saturday hit makeshift camps that house
thousands of displaced families near Jisr al Shuqhur, west of Idlib with two
children and a woman were killed and 10 civilians wounded, the civil defense
service said.
There
has been a relative lull in air strikes since November after a renewed Russian-led
campaign followed by Turkish army reinforcements inside the enclave raised the
prospect of a wider resumption of violence.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Egypt
pushes for calm after flare-up in Gaza hostilities
02
January ,2022
Egyptian
officials Sunday pushed for Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip
to rein in hostilities and adhere to a cease-fire in place since the war in
May.
The
Egyptian efforts came a day after Hamas militants launched rockets into the
Mediterranean Sea off central Israel, prompting Israel to carry out airstrikes
on militant positions in Gaza early Sunday. No casualties were reported.
The
Israeli military said it struck “a rocket manufacturing site and military
posts” belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip overnight in response to Saturday’s
rocket fire.
“Whoever
points missiles at Israel bears responsibility,” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali
Bennett said at the start of the government’s weekly Cabinet meeting.
On
Wednesday, Palestinian militants shot an Israeli contractor working along the
border fence and Israel responded with tank fire at militant positions in what
was the first exchange of fire in months.
Egyptian
officials called on Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza to stop
their actions seen by Israel as “provocative,” and for Israel to accelerate
arrangements agreed upon as part of the cease-fire, an Egyptian diplomat with
knowledge of the ongoing efforts said. The diplomat spoke on condition of
anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the
media.
“Neither
side wants a full-blown war,” the diplomat said. “They just want guarantees and
steps on the ground.”
The
cease-fire, brokered by Egypt and other mediators, has been fragile but largely
held since the 11-day war between Hamas and Israel in May. But the militant
group says Israel has not taken serious steps to ease the blockade it imposed
on Gaza with Egypt after the movement seized control of the coastal enclave in
2007.
At
the same time, the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group has threatened military
action against Israel if a hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner dies. Hisham
Abu Hawash, an Islamic Jihad member held by Israel under administrative
detention, has staged a hunger strike for over 130 days.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab
Coalition carries out air strikes on four targets in Sanaa
02
January ,2022
The
Arab Coalition has carried out air strikes on Yemen’s capital Sanaa, destroying
four sites storing drones and launch pads, according to the official SPA news
agency citing a coalition spokesperson on Sunday.
Air
strikes were carried out in line with international humanitarian law and the
coalition took precautionary measures to spare civilians from collateral
damage, the spokesperson said.
Coalition
attacks on targets in Sanaa have stepped up in recent months.
On
Saturday, December 25, a coalition strike killed three members of the Iran-backed
Houthi militia traveling in a military vehicle northwest of the city.
On
Friday, December 24, the coalition said a Houthi projectile that hit the Saudi
city of Jazan led to the killing of two civilians -- a Saudi national and a
Yemeni resident.
The
Houthis have increased their attacks on Saudi Arabia, and other civilian
targets as their offensive on the strategically-important city of Marib
continues.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UAE
and four other countries take seats on UN Security Council
02
January, 2022
The
United Arab Emirates’ mission to the United Nations has taken its seat on the
UN Security Council for the first time since 1986.
The
UAE was elected in June to serve on the council’s 2022-23 term along with
Albania, Brazil, Gabon, and Ghana, whose representatives also took their seats
Saturday.
“Membership
on the council is a privilege that comes with enormous responsibility, and the
UAE’s term will be based on our firm commitment to peace, stability, and
multilateralism across the globe,” the UAE’s permanent representative to the UN
Lana Nusseibeh said in a statement posted on the UAE Mission to the UN’s
Twitter feed.
Since
it was founded in 1971, the UAE has been a member of the UN.
It
launched a campaign in September of 2020 for a seat on the security council.
The
UN Security Council is one of the UN’s six primary bodies and aims to maintain
international peace and security.
It
can resort to imposing sanctions to put pressure on states to comply with the
council’s objectives, and can also authorize the use of force.
The
council is made up of 15 member states including five with veto powers: The US,
China, Britain, France, and Russia.
Its
five newest members replaced Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Tunisia, and Vietnam.
They
ran for the seats unopposed, and won the support of more than two-thirds of the
UN General Assembly.
The
UAE has signed cooperation agreements with over 28 UN agencies covering some 80
consultancy and technical missions in the country, according to the official
WAM news agency.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Saudi
air defence intercepts 3 Houthi drones
Mahmut
Geldi
03.01.2022
The Saudi-led
coalition in Yemen said Sunday that it destroyed three drones launched by
Houthi rebels towards Saudi territory.
A
coalition statement cited by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA said Saudi
air defenses intercepted drones targeting the southern Najran region.
The
drones were launched from Sanaa Airport, the statement added.
The
Houthi rebel group, backed by Iran, regularly announces rocket and drone
attacks on Saudi territory, saying they are a reaction to the Saudi-led
coalition’s assault on Yemen.
Yemen
has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi rebels
captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/saudi-air-defense-intercepts-3-houthi-drones/2463665
--------
South Asia
Iran
refuses to recognize Taliban govt until it is inclusive
Jan
3, 2022
KABUL:
Iran on Sunday said that Tehran will not recognize the current Taliban
government (Islamic Emirate) unless it's inclusive.
The
Iranian Ambassador Bahadur Aminian made the remarks in a special interview with
Tolo News in Kabul.
Aminian
said that Tehran might persuade other countries to recognize the Afghan
government if the Islamic Emirate brings reforms to its governance structure.
"If
a group comes (to power) and the group is (comprised) of a single ethnic group
and all other ethnic groups are not included in the government, we don't accept
it, and, therefore, we benevolently call on the Taliban rulers to form an
inclusive government," he said.
Further,
he said that the current economic crisis will pave the way for extremism, particularly
for Islamic State - Khorasan (IS-K), reported Tolo News.
"If
the economic problems remain, it will cause more migration. If the economic
problems remain, they will cause extremism, which will not only threaten
Afghanistan but also the region," he said.
Meanwhile,
the Taliban said that Aminian's remarks are an attempt to interfere in Afghan
affairs.
"Is
the government or the cabinet of Iran based on other people's definition of
inclusive?" said Inamullah Samangani, Deputy Spokesman for the Islamic
Emirate.
"Every
country has their own definition of inclusive government based on their
national interests," he added.
"This
government should be inclusive based on the Afghan nation's wishes, not based
on foreign countries' interference," said Sayed Javad Husseini, leader of
Hezb-e-Adalat wa Tawsa, reported Tolo News.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
3
temples desecrated in Bangladesh, police register complaints
Jan
3, 2022
DHAKA:
Police have registered complaints over alleged desecration of three temples in
Bangladesh as members of the minority Hindu community staged protests demanding
the arrest of culprits behind the incident in Lalmonirhat district, bordering
India, a media report said on Sunday.
The
protests began after raw animal meat packed in polythene bags were hung on the
doors of three Hindu temples and a house in a village of Lalmonirhat district
in the early hours of Friday, Daily Star newspaper reported.
Four
complaints were filed at a local police station on Friday night over the
matter, the paper added. The Muslim residents in the area condemned the
incident, attributing it to elements wanting to disrupt interfaith harmony,
said a local journalist. On Saturday, members of the local Hindu community
staged protests at a temple, demanding the arrest of culprits.
"Police
have assured us that the culprits will be arrested," said Dilip Kumar
Singh, president of Hatibandha Upazila Puja Udjapan Parishad, adding that the
incident could be linked to the local union parishad polls held on December 26.
Police
official Ershadul Alamsaid they were investigating the incident. He said that
additional police force had been deployed in the area and a search had been
launched to track down the "miscreants". "All involved will be
brought to book," he said.
Source:
Times of India
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Taliban’s
spies destroy 3,000 litres of alcohol in Kabul
03
Jan 2022
General
Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said
that they have seized up to 3,000 liters of liquor stored in barrels in
Kart-e-Chahar of the Afghan capital Kabul.
The
spy agency of the IEA released a video clip showing the alcohol is being poured
into the Kabul canal.
GDI
has also said that three people have also been arrested.
Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan has banned using alcohol and has been searching for
stores where the intoxicants are being sold.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/talibans-spies-destroy-3000-liters-of-alcohol-in-kabul-76775/
--------
People
protest in Kabul against US sanctions on Afghanistan
02
Jan 2022
Tens
of people took to the streets of Kabul on Sunday, January 2, 2022, and asked
for the US sanctions on Afghanistan to be lifted.
The
protesters said that the US must lift imposed sanctions and ease economic
pressures on Afghanistan and allow the Afghan people to rebuild their country.
It
comes as the US has frozen nearly ten billion dollars of Afghanistan’s assets
and has imposed sanctions on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
In
the meantime, the stoppage of foreign aids to Afghanistan has crippled the
already fragile economic system of Afghanistan and has adversely affected the
lives of millions of people.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/people-protest-in-kabul-against-us-sanctions-on-afghanistan-3463467/
--------
Taliban
deny release of suicide attacker on Kabul Airport
02
Jan 2022
Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan reacted to US claims over releasing the “ISIS-K
affiliate” who carried out a suicide attack on Kabul International Airport that
killed nearly 200 people including US marines.
A
spokesperson of the IEA Bilal Karimi in a series of Twitter posts on Sunday,
January 2, 2022, said that the release of the perpetrator of the August 26
attack is “baseless” and there is no proof of the claim.
Bilal
Karimi said that the timeframe between the release of prisoners from Bagram
prison and the suicide attack was too narrow and that it was not possible to
plan an attack during that short time.
He
added that the ISIS-K prisoners were freed before they (Taliban) gain control
over prisons.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-deny-release-of-suicide-attacker-on-kabul-airport-4575/
--------
Mideast
IRGC
Spokesman: US Should Leave Region with Humiliation in Reprisal for
Assassination of General Soleimani
2022-January-2
The
first compensation the US has to pay for assassinating General Soleimani is its
exit with humiliation from the region, General Sharif said, addressing a
ceremony in Northwestern Iran to commemorate the second anniversary of
martyrdom of General Soleimani.
The US
should leave regional states as it did so with humiliation when it left
Afghanistan months ago after about two decades, he added.
As
the IRGC spokesman noted, General Soleimani did gain victory over terrorists in
Syria and Iraq.
Former
Commander of the IRGC Qods Force Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, his Iraqi
trenchmate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq’s PMU, and ten
of their deputies were martyred by an armed drone strike as their convoy left
Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020. The attack was ordered by
then US President Donald Trump.
To
date, Iran’s chief civilian prosecutor has indicted tens of individuals in
connection with the assassination, among them former president Trump, the head
of US Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie Jr., and former US Secretaries
of State and Defense Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper.
The
file remains open to the further addition of individuals that Tehran determines
to have played a role in the killing.
Both
commanders were highly popular because of their key role in fighting against
the ISIL terrorist group in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria.
Back
in January 2020, two days after the assassination, the Iraqi parliament passed
a law requiring the Iraqi government to end the presence of the US-led foreign
forces in the Arab country.
Last
year, Baghdad and Washington reached an agreement on ending the presence of all
US combat troops in Iraq by the end of 2021.
The
US military declared the end of its combat mission in Iraq this month, but
resistance forces remain bent on expelling all American forces, including those
who have stayed in the country on the pretext of training Iraqi forces or
playing an advisory role.
Since
the assassination, Iraqi resistance forces have ramped up pressure on the US
military to leave their country, targeting American bases and forces on
numerous occasions, at one point pushing the Americans to ask them to “just
leave us alone”.
Iran
and Iraq in a joint statement earlier this month underlined their determination
to identify, prosecute and punish the culprits behind the assassination of
General Soleimani and al-Muhandis.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
6
Terrorists Killed by IRGC in South-eastern Iran
2022-January-2
The
IRGC said in a statement that its forces in the Sistan-and-Balouchestan killed
Shahbakhsh and five other terrorists, as well as injuring five others in
clashes with them Korin region on Saturday afternoon, the IRGC said in a
statement.
Following
the past few weeks’ armed clashes the IRGC, the IRGC forces managed to spot the
hideout of the terrorists after a precise monitoring based on precise
information obtained in Korin region.
Three
IRGC forces were also martyred in the operation, the statement said while
reiterating that the entire terrorist group was dismantled.
In a
relevant development in mid-December, the IRGC Ground Force disbanded and
destroyed a terrorist team in Saravan city of Sistan-and-Balouchestan Province.
"A
terrorist team was plotting sabotage and terrorist acts in Saravan area,"
the IRGC in a statement announced.
Four
terrorists were killed and they left behind large amount of weapons and
equipment, it added.
Saravan
is located 347 km away to Southeast of Zahedan, the capital of
Sistan-Bal0uchestan Province.
In a
relevant development in late November, Iranian Law Enforcement police forces
disbanded a terrorist team in Khuzestan province in the Southwestern parts of
the country, seizing a cache of weapons and ammunition.
The
Law Enforcement police said in a statement said that the members of a terrorist
team had attacked a patrol vehicle at a police station in Shadegan City in
July.
Following
the intelligence activities of the police forces of the Khuzestan province, all
three members of the terrorist team were identified in Shadegan city and were
arrested during a series of operations in their hideouts, it added.
The
statement said that the police forces seized three guns and significant amounts
of explosives and ammunition in the terrorists’ hideouts.
In
the terrorist attack in Shadegan city in July, one of the police forces was
martyred.
Reports
said earlier this month that security and intelligence forces in Iran
dismantled 78 gangs in the first 6 months of the current Iranian year (started
on March 21) which smuggled weapons and ammunition to the country.
During
the operations, 2,170 weapons, including 473 guns, 685 hunting weapons, 782
small arms and 230 other types of weapons were discovered and 201 people were
arrested and handed over to the judicial authority.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14001012000174/6-Terrriss-Killed-by-IRGC-in-Sheasern-Iran
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Iran
Blasts Certain States’ Political Approach towards Terrorists, Traffickers
2022-January-2
Qaribabadi
made the remarks in a letter to UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle
Bachelet Jeria on Saturday.
He
said some countries are pursuing a selective and political approach to
terrorist groups and international smugglers.
"Although
the Islamic Republic of Iran's measures have been acknowledged by international
circles and most of the countries in the world, unfortunately not only the
country has not received cooperation and support from other countries which is
still the case, but also the paltry assistance offered by international
organizations in most cases is faced with politically-motivated and selective
excuses by some countries," Qaribabadi said.
He
added that around 40 Iranian police forces have lost their lives from March 21
to December 3, 2021 in the fight against criminals and armed smugglers equipped
with all kinds of smart weapons and heavy equipment.
"The
Islamic Republic of Iran has a principled policy on the fight against all types
of trafficking (drugs, humans, goods, etc.) and has been one of the most
successful countries in the world in these areas. Reliable reports and
documents published by relevant international organizations verify this clear
and successful record," the Iranian human rights official said.
He
emphasized that Iran's national will in the continuation of such a humanitarian
policy has imposed heavy financial and human costs on the country, including,
among others, the martyrdom of more than 3,800 individuals and the injury of
more than 12,000 personnel of Iranian forces only in the field of the battle
against narcotics.
Pointing
to "numerous" statements issued by the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights against Iran, Qaribabadi slammed lack of even a
single statement condemning the terrorist and armed acts against the police
forces of a country that has "rendered the greatest services to the
international community through the fight against drug trafficking, human
trafficking and organized crime".
In
his letter, the Iranian rights official said he expects Bachelet to condemn
unlawful and unilateral sanctions against the Iranian people, particularly in
providing the necessary equipment for the police forces in their unequal
campaign against terrorist groups and international traffickers and to counter
the instrumental, politicized and selective use of human rights.
Qaribabadi
also called on the UN body to condemn the martyrdom of Iranian police personnel
by terrorist groups and international traffickers and to make countries and
international organizations uphold their responsibilities against the elements
that undermine peace, stability and security of the nation.
The
Iranian anti-narcotics police have always staged periodic operations against
drug traffickers and dealers, but the latest reports - which among others
indicate an improved and systematic dissemination of information - reveal that
the world's most forefront and dedicated anti-narcotic force (as UN
drug-campaign assessments put it) has embarked on a long-term countrywide plan
to crack down on the drug trade since several years ago.
Iran
is in the forefront of the fight against drug trafficking and thousands of
Iranian police forces have been so far martyred to protect the world from the
danger of drugs.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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Concerns
grow as condition of Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike turns ‘critical’
02
January ,2022
A
Palestinian prisoner languishing in hospital after an extensive hunger strike
teetered close to death on Sunday, sparking international concern and
Palestinian demands that Israel release him from detention without charges.
Hisham
Abu Hawash, a 40-year-old member of the Islamic Jihad militant movement, began
refusing food in August to protest Israel holding him without charges or trial.
The
married father of five from Dura in the south of the Israeli-occupied West Bank
was being held under administrative detention, a practice of arresting suspects
for renewable six-month terms without allowing them to view the charges or
evidence against them.
“His
condition is difficult and complex,” Liad Aviel, spokesman of the Shamir
Medical Centre in central Israel where Abu Hawash is being held, told AFP.
The
International Committee of the Red Cross said medical teams that visited Abu
Hawash had found him “in critical condition requiring expert clinical
monitoring.”
According
to the ICRC, Abu Hawash has been refusing food for around 140 days.
It
issued a statement warning of “potentially irreversible health consequences and
possible tragic loss of life.”
His
wife, Aisha Hrebat, told AFP on Sunday he was in a “very dangerous” situation,
adding that “since yesterday he can’t talk at all and doesn’t know what’s going
on around him.”
“Even
after he ends his strike, he will have difficult problems,” she said, adding their
lawyer was submitting an urgent appeal against his detention to Israel’s
supreme court.
An
Israeli security source described Abu Hawash as “an Islamic Jihad operative,
who was arrested due to involvement in terror activity.”
Israel
says the protocol prevents crimes while authorities continue to gather
evidence, though Palestinians say it denies them of their rights.
“The
way Israel has used administrative detention is arbitrary,” said Shawan
Jabarin, head of the Al-Haq rights group based in Ramallah on the West Bank.
He
said Abu Hawash was one of about 550 Palestinians held by Israel in
administrative detention.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
4
civilians killed in Houthi attack in eastern Yemen
Zeynep
Tufekci Gulay
02.01.2022
SHABWA,
Yemen
At
least four people died and six were injured on Sunday in a rocket attack by
Iranian-backed Houthi militias in eastern Yemen.
Houthis
targeted a public market in the Usaylan district of the Shabwa province, the
country's official SABA news agency cited local sources as saying.
A
fire broke out in a gas station near the market following the attack, causing
severe damage to the surrounding area.
The Houthis
have yet to issue a statement.
Yemen
has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi rebels
captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/4-civilians-killed-in-houthi-attack-in-eastern-yemen/2463615
--------
Ex-Israeli
minister calls for assassinating Hamas leaders over rocket fire
Said
Amouri
02.01.2022
JERUSALEM
A
former Israeli minister has called for the assassination of top Hamas leaders
in response to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
"It
is time to send Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar to meet (former Hamas leader
Abdul Aziz) al-Rantisi and (Hamas founder Ahmad) Yasin," former
Communications Minister Ayoub al-Qara told the Israeli Channel 14.
Israel
assassinated al-Rantisi and Yasin in 2004.
Al-Qara,
who is a member of the right-wing Likud Party, said if Israel did not respond
to the rocket fire by Hamas, "it will be a fatal blow to Israel's
deterrence force."
"This
will encourage Hamas and other groups in Gaza to continue firing at Israeli
citizens," al-Qara said.
Israeli
warplanes carried out airstrikes on several Hamas positions in Gaza late
Saturday. Israeli tanks also shelled four observation towers of the Hamas-run
Interior Ministry in northern Gaza.
No
injuries were reported in the attacks, which the Israeli army said were in
response to rocket fire from Gaza.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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--------
Israeli
attacks ‘new crime’ against Palestinians: Hamas
Nour
Abu Eisha
02.01.2022
GAZA
CITY, Palestine
Palestinian
resistance group Hamas on Sunday denounced Israeli airstrikes on the blockaded
Gaza Strip.
Israeli
warplanes carried out airstrikes on several Hamas positions in Gaza late
Saturday. Israeli tanks also shelled four observation towers of the Hamas-run
Interior Ministry in northern Gaza.
No
injuries were reported in the attacks, which the Israeli army said were in
response to rocket fire from Gaza.
In a
statement, Hamas termed the Israeli attacks as a “new aggression to be added to
Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.”
"The
[Palestinian] resistance will continue to fulfill its duty to defend the
[Palestinian] people and liberate the [Palestinian] land and holy sites,” group
spokesman Hazem Qassem said.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-attacks-new-crime-against-palestinians-hamas/2463380
--------
Scores
of Israelis storm Al-Aqsa complex in Jerusalem
Qais
Abu Samra
02.01.2022
JERUSALEM
Scores
of Israeli settlers on Sunday forced their way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa
Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, according to a Palestinian agency.
In a
statement, the Jordan-run Islamic Waqf Department, which oversees holy sites in
Jerusalem, said the settlers entered the complex through the Al-Mugharbah Gate
under Israeli police protection.
Al-Aqsa
Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the
"Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in
ancient times.
Since
2003, Israel has allowed settlers into the compound almost daily.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/scores-of-israelis-storm-al-aqsa-complex-in-jerusalem/2463361
--------
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