Hire ‘Harmless’ ISIS Defectors to Berate Terrorists, EU Counter-Terrorism Official Suggests
New Age Islam News Bureau
18 Apr 2016
Photo: Most European ISIS fighters come from France, Germany, UK-Study
• Pakistan’s Public School Textbooks Portray Non-Muslim Citizens As “Religiously Inferior,
• Scheming and Intolerant”
• Iraqi Army Informs Mosul Residents of Imminent Victory
• Turkish Police Detain Nearly 100 People over Financial Links to Fethullah Gülen
Europe
• Hire ‘Harmless’ ISIS Defectors to Berate Terrorists, EU Counter-Terrorism Official Suggests
• UK Firm 'Employed Former Child Soldiers' As Mercenaries in Iraq
• ISIS Threatens Attack on Summer Olympics in Rio
• German Muslim leader draws nationalist party Nazi parallel
• Facing Demons: Korean Stand-Off, Islamic State, New Cold War
• French Minister: Iran, Airbus to Finalize Deal Next Week
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Pakistan
• Pakistan’s Public School Textbooks Portray Non-Muslim Citizens As “Religiously Inferior, Scheming and Intolerant”
• Pakistan Has Reportedly Told Taliban to End Violence or Pay a Heavy Price
• Pakistan US Embassy Issues Travel Advisory for Americans
• Aerial surveillance worries Islamabad citizens
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Arab World
• Iraqi Army Informs Mosul Residents of Imminent Victory
• Isis Revenue Drops Nearly A Third After Loss of Territory Shrinks Tax Base
• Syria: Hundreds of Fresh Recruits Joining Army's Imminent Operation in Idlib
• Syria: ISIL Executes Own Commanders in Deir Ezzur
• Israel Will Never Give Golan Heights to Syria, Netanyahu Vows
• Russian, Syrian Warplanes Bomb ISIL Positions Heavily in Hama
• S. Arabia Attempting to Deter Iran's Regional Role but to No Avail
• Deputy Minister: Free Trade Key to Iran's WTO Accession
• Syria: Gov't Forces Pushing Terrorists back from more Lands East of Damascus
• Leader's Top Aide: Delivery of S-300 Defense Shield Shows Iran-Russia Serious Cooperation
• Iranian Warships Repulse Pirates Attack in Int'l Waters
• Iran Blasts Mogherini's Remarks on Continued Human Rights Embargos
• Iran Welcomes Truce, Voices Concern over Continued Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
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Mideast
• Turkish Police Detain Nearly 100 People over Financial Links to Fethullah Gülen
• Israel Will Never Give Golan Heights to Syria, Netanyahu Vows
• PKK figure to be extradited to Germany from Sweden
• Terror groups harm Islam the most, Erdoğan says
• Success in Cyprus will help peace in wider region: Papandreu
• German comedian in Erdoğan ‘insult’ row suspends TV show
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South Asia
• Nearly 200 Militants Killed, Wounded In Latest Raid of Afghan Forces
• 12 Killed As Taliban Attack Repulsed In Northern Balkh Province
• 3 Taliban commanders killed in northern Kunduz province
• Iranian Authorities Promise Immediate Actions to Try Rapist, Killer of Little Afghan Girl
• Ismail Khan says Dr. Najibullah’s posters should not be used in vehicles
• Education and Healthcare at risk for children in Afghanistan, UN report reveals
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North America
• College Student Is Removed From Flight after Speaking Arabic on Plane
• Muslim Brotherhood Day on Capitol Hill
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India
• Unity of Muslims and Muslim Organizations Need of the Hour – Jamat-e-Islami Meeting
• Assam Police Arrests Four for ‘Terror Links’
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Southeast Asia
• Indian National Harinder Pal Singh, 4 Others Convert to Islam at Zakir Naik Lecture In Malaysia
• Indonesian Tamil’s Celebrate Thaipusam Festival in Islamic Aceh Province
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Africa
• Terrorism Is America's Biggest Challenge in Africa
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Hire ‘harmless’ ISIS defectors to berate terrorists, EU counter-terrorism official suggests
18 Apr, 2016
Blanket prosecution of foreign fighters coming back from Iraq and Syria to Europe would be counterproductive, a senior EU security official has said. In his view some of them should be rehabilitated and even used to counter Islamic State propaganda.
EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove criticized his home country Belgium for having no options to deal with its citizens, who joined radical groups such as Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and went to fight in the Middle East, but then returned to Europe.
“If there is no evidence that they are an active jihadi – for instance, they crossed the border and spent a week with the organization but were really just washing dishes, a fourth-rank foot soldier, then saw people beheaded and rushed to leave, saying, ‘I made a big mistake’ – is it really worth putting them on the trail that leads to prison?” he told the Guardian.
Disillusioned IS fighters may be re-radicalized if sent to prison de Kerchove argued, saying that a rehabilitation program could be viable alternative.
“Prisons are major incubators of radicalization. Therefore, if you can avoid prison for those who do not have blood on their hands and are genuinely ready to engage in a rehabilitation program, why don’t we try alternatives?” he said.
The official added that former fighters might be useful for countering the recruiting effort of the terrorists.
“Some returnees who don’t have ‘blood on their hands’ are a strong credible voice for counter-narrative purposes,” he said. “They can explain what they have experienced, that they thought they were joining a nice idea of the caliphate, but encountered people sexually abusing others, or being violent.”
Around 4,000 foreign fighters have gone to Iraq and Syria from EU member states to join militant groups, a study released earlier this month by the International Center for Counter-Terrorism in The Hague estimated. The majority of them came from Belgium, Britain, France and Germany. About one third of them have returned home.
rt.com/news/339949-isis-fighter-rehabilitation-eu/
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Pakistan’s Public School Textbooks Portray Non-Muslim Citizens As “Religiously Inferior, Scheming and Intolerant”
APRIL 18, 2016
Religion should be harboring tolerance and promoting peace but unfortunately, things are often different in real life. A new report that analyzed 78 textbooks from all four provinces of Pakistan found that children in schools are encouraged to disregard non-Muslims.
Pakistan is one of the most populous countries in the world, with some 200 million inhabitants. It’s also one of the biggest Muslim countries, with 95-98% practicing the religion. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) wanted to see how inter-religious relationships are, and commissioned a study for this purpose.
“School textbooks represent the political perspectives and national ideologies of whole educational and government systems,” the study writes. “As such, school textbooks are one of the most important indicators of official and popular perspectives of the cultural and political communities they depict both in words and images.”
They found several types of problems. Some outright errors about other faiths were presented as facts in manuals, and that’s not even the most worrying thing. The most worrying thing is that quite a few textbooks promote distrust and intolerance. For example, this quote found on page 23 of the tenth grade Urdu textbook reads: “Because the Muslim religion, culture
and social system are different from non-Muslims, it is impossible to cooperate with Hindus.” That’s not only completely untrue and misleading, but it’s harboring negative feelings for Hindus. Another quote from the Sindh province seventh grade Urdu textbook mixes facts and conspiracies, portraying Hindus and Christians as partners to destroy Muslims:
“There were two enemies of Muslims, the Englishmen and Hindus. Both of these were against the formation of Pakistan. On one hand, the Englishmen renounced the division plan of Hindustan, while on the other hand, Hindus were planning to occupy the entire Hindustan and enslave Muslims. . . .”
All in all, the conclusions were extremely worrying. Englishmen and minority religions were often portrayed as enemies, people you can’t work with and which should be treated as inferiors. It basically creates a “us versus them” mentality. In a world with growing religious pressure and seemingly more and more friction, that’s exactly what we don’t want. We want the new generation to grow up with a healthy approach towards life.
“These perceptions predispose students early on that the non-Muslim population of Pakistan are outsiders and unpatriotic. These grossly generalized and stereotypical portrayals of religious minority communities signal that they are untrustworthy, religiously inferior, and ideologically scheming and intolerant,” the study concludes.
This should draw an alarm signal, as it seems logical to assume that Pakistan isn’t an isolated case, and many other religious countries promote this type of feelings. This needs to be looked in to, and hopefully fixed.
zmescience.com/science/news-science/pakistan-religion-17042016/
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Iraqi Army Informs Mosul Residents of Imminent Victory
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iraqi Army aircraft dropped leaflets over Mosul to inform city residents that the country's armed forces are preparing to liberate the city soon.
"The Iraqi security forces are very close to you," the leaflets read.
The Mosul residents have also been urged to cooperate with the Iraqi army to help them seize back the city from the ISIL terrorist group.
In a relevant development on Sunday, Arab media outlets reported that the ISIL terrorist commanders had fled Mosul to Syria, taking large amount of money and properties with themselves.
Sheikh Osama, ISIL's operations commander near Mosul dam, has escaped to Syria with a large amount of cash.
ISIL's trade office manager known as Abu Hazem who had access to huge amount of cash has also fled Mosul city.
Two other ISIL commanders named Abu Omar and Abu Hajar have also escaped from Mosul.
Also in early March, a senior lawmaker disclosed that the ISIL terrorists were escaping from the city of Mosul to the Syrian borders after the Iraqi forces' joint operations in Anbar and Salahuddin provinces and as the country's armed forces were preparing to attack Mosul.
"The military operations of Iraq's joint armed forces in Anbar province and Western part of Salahuddin have caused the withdrawal of the ISIL from Mosul in Nineveh province and the terrorists fleeing toward the Syrian borders," Ahmad Al-Jabouri told FNA.
The Iraqi lawmaker reiterated that the ISIL has lost swathes of lands due to the recent military operations of the Iraqi forces in the Western provinces of Iraq.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000706
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Turkish police detain nearly 100 people over financial links to Fethullah Gülen
Monday 18 April 2016
Turkish police detained nearly 100 people in an investigation of their alleged financial links to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen, a foe of President Tayyip Erdoğan, state-run Anadolu Agency said on April 18.
It said the police operation, focused on Istanbul, was launched across nine provinces and 88 people have so far been taken into custody, with prosecutors having issued arrest warrants for 140 people under the probe.
Among those detained were executives and employees of Islamic lender Bank Asya, which was founded by followers of Gülen and seized by the government last year, it said.
The probe is centred on financial support raised for Gülen's group amounting to some 50 million lira ($17 million), Anadolu added.
Dumankaya İnşaat, a leading construction firm, has confiurmed that some of its board members have been called on to testify by the financial police.
Erdoğan accuses Gülen of setting up a "parallel state" and conspiring to unseat the government with a network of supporters in the judiciary, police and media. Gülen, whose adherents run schools and are also active in the media sector, denies the charges.
A Turkish court in December 2014 issued an arrest warrant for Gülen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, accusing him of heading a criminal group.
Gülen and Erdoğan were allies until police and prosecutors seen as close to Gulen opened a corruption probe into Erdogan's inner circle and four cabinet ministers in 2013.
The cases were dropped.
Thousands of police officers, prosecutors and judges were sacked or reassigned for alleged links to Gülen.
Authorities have seized and shut down opposition media outlets associated with the Gülen movement as well as targeting companies run by his followers.
hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-police-detain-nearly-100-people-over-financial-links-to-fethullah-gulen-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97946&NewsCatID=509
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Europe
Hire ‘harmless’ ISIS defectors to berate terrorists, EU counter-terrorism official suggests
18 Apr, 2016
Blanket prosecution of foreign fighters coming back from Iraq and Syria to Europe would be counterproductive, a senior EU security official has said. In his view some of them should be rehabilitated and even used to counter Islamic State propaganda.
EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove criticized his home country Belgium for having no options to deal with its citizens, who joined radical groups such as Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and went to fight in the Middle East, but then returned to Europe.
“If there is no evidence that they are an active jihadi – for instance, they crossed the border and spent a week with the organization but were really just washing dishes, a fourth-rank foot soldier, then saw people beheaded and rushed to leave, saying, ‘I made a big mistake’ – is it really worth putting them on the trail that leads to prison?” he told the Guardian.
Disillusioned IS fighters may be re-radicalized if sent to prison de Kerchove argued, saying that a rehabilitation program could be viable alternative.
“Prisons are major incubators of radicalization. Therefore, if you can avoid prison for those who do not have blood on their hands and are genuinely ready to engage in a rehabilitation program, why don’t we try alternatives?” he said.
The official added that former fighters might be useful for countering the recruiting effort of the terrorists.
Full report at: rt.com/news/339949-isis-fighter-rehabilitation-eu/
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UK firm 'employed former child soldiers' as mercenaries in Iraq
Monday 18 April 2016
A former senior director at a British firm says that it employed mercenaries from Sierra Leone to work in Iraq because they were cheaper than Europeans and did not check if they were former child soldiers.
James Ellery, who was a director of Aegis Defence Services between 2005 and 2015, said that contractors had a “duty” to recruit from countries such as Sierra Leone, “where there’s high unemployment and a decent workforce”, in order to reduce costs for the US presence in Iraq.
“You probably would have a better force if you recruited entirely from the Midlands of England,” Ellery, a former brigadier in the British army, told the Guardian. “But it can’t be afforded. So you go from the Midlands of England to Nepalese etc etc, Asians, and then at some point you say I’m afraid all we can afford now is Africans.” He said the company had not asked recruits if they were former child soldiers.
Full report at: theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/17/uk-firm-employed-former-child-soldiers-as-mercenaries-in-iraq
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ISIS Threatens Attack on Summer Olympics in Rio
BY ELLIOT FRIEDLAND Mon, April 18, 2016
Brazil’s national intelligence agency has warned of the risk of terrorist attacks by Islamist groups at this summer’s Olympic Games, due to be held in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil’s Counterterrorism Director, Luiz Alberto Sallaberry, said the risk has increased due to attacks on other countries. He also said there has been a rise in the number of Brazilians sympathizing with groups like the Islamic State.
“Brazil, you are our next target” was tweeted last year by an Islamic State executioner, Maxime Hauchard, who features in the group’s propaganda videos. That tweet has been confirmed as genuine.
Full report at: clarionproject.org/analysis/islamic-state-threatens-attack-brazil
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German Muslim leader draws nationalist party Nazi parallel
April 18, 2016
BERLIN (AP) — A German Muslim leader drew a parallel between a nationalist party and the Nazis on Monday after a prominent party member said that Islam is incompatible with Germany's constitution.
Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has seen its support swell on opposition to the migrant influx to Europe. It also has talked tough about Islam, which deputy leader Beatrix von Storch described in a weekend newspaper interview as "a political ideology that is incompatible with the constitution." She advocated a ban on minarets, muezzins and full veils.
Von Storch's comments came ahead of a congress April 30 at which the three-year-old AfD plans to debate and approve an official party program. A draft released last month didn't go as far, though it did state that Islam is not a part of Germany.
Full report at: my.xfinity.com/articles/news-world-europe/20160418/EU-Europe-Migrants/
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Facing Demons: Korean Stand-Off, Islamic State, New Cold War
April 17, 2016
Pope Francis must have snoozed through Jesus’ instruction to his apostles to be “Wise as serpents” (Matthew 10:16) when preaching the Good News. Otherwise the pope wouldn’t have invited a dozen Syrian Muslims to reside in the Vatican. The group was composed of three families, including six children — appealing now, but some of them may grow into rapefugees, such is the common devolution of the second generation of Muslim immigrants.
The pope could have rescued some Middle Eastern Christians who are being genocided out of existence in their homeland of two millennia, but he didn’t. Perhaps the Muslims provided more opportunity for virtue display. But it is disturbing that even the Pope doesn’t care about Christian survival in the place where it all began.
It’s doubtful that the Pope ’s ostentatious do-goodery will last long, however. The Vatican isn’t much of a place to raise kiddies, particularly diverse ones needing instruction from imams, and the selection of cruelly slaughtered halal food is slim to none. Of course, the families may never see the actual inside of the Vatican in this stage-managed media performance. Whatever the logistics, the three families will end up with Italy caring for them after the media has lost interest in the story. At that point, the pope could be considered an illegal alien smuggler, not a good descriptor for a man of his social standing.
Full report at: vdare.com/posts/pope-rescues-12-muslims-to-demonstrate-how-europe-should-surrender-to-islam
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French Minister: Iran, Airbus to Finalize Deal Next Week
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- French Transport Minister Alain Vidalies said Iran and Airbus will finalize the agreement on purchasing 118 planes from the French manufacturer by next week.
Vidalies made the announcement in Tehran on Monday after Air France resumed flights to Tehran Sunday night as part of larger French and European efforts to rebuild trade ties long frozen by sanctions.
The direct flight from Paris to Tehran was the first since 2008. Minister Vidalies and a business leaders' delegation were on board flight AF 378 that took off from Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport.
Vidalies said banking issues still remain, yet both the Iranian and French sides are determined to push through the purchase deals and after-sales services.
According to the official, Iran and France will also cooperate in the aviation industry, training courses, infrastructure projects, flying schools, and small businesses.
He said most of the projects will be financed and insured by French companies, adding that 10 percent of the equipment on Airbus are American-made, which requires trade permissions from the US government.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000859
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Pakistan
Pakistan’s Public School Textbooks Portray Non-Muslim Citizens As “Religiously Inferior, Scheming and Intolerant”
APRIL 18, 2016
Religion should be harboring tolerance and promoting peace but unfortunately, things are often different in real life. A new report that analyzed 78 textbooks from all four provinces of Pakistan found that children in schools are encouraged to disregard non-Muslims.
Pakistan is one of the most populous countries in the world, with some 200 million inhabitants. It’s also one of the biggest Muslim countries, with 95-98% practicing the religion. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) wanted to see how inter-religious relationships are, and commissioned a study for this purpose.
“School textbooks represent the political perspectives and national ideologies of whole educational and government systems,” the study writes. “As such, school textbooks are one of the most important indicators of official and popular perspectives of the cultural and political communities they depict both in words and images.”
Full report at: zmescience.com/science/news-science/pakistan-religion-17042016/
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Pakistan has reportedly told Taliban to end violence or pay a heavy price
Mon Apr 18 2016
The authorities in Pakistan have reportedly called on Afghan Taliban group leadership to shun violence or pay a heavy price, a move which the Pakistani authorities are saying has been taken to persuade the group to participate in peace talks and end the violence through reconciliation process.
A Pakistani official quoted in a local media report said the authorities in Pakistan have also called on the Taliban leadership to call off their ‘spring offensive’.
The official speaking on the condition of anonymity further added that the warning by Pakistani authorities have been issued amid concerns that the spring offensive by the group could derail the peace initiative the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) had launched in December last year.
Full report at: khaama.com/pakistan-has-reportedly-told-taliban-to-end-violence-or-pay-a-heavy-price-0694
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Pakistan US Embassy Issues Travel Advisory for Americans
Mon Apr 18 2016
ISLAMABAD: The embassy of the United States (US) has issued a warning to the US citizens not to visit Marriott Hotel Islamabad for the next several days.
One the other hand, security of the hotel has been further tightened with police and Rangers personnel patrolling around the building.
An advisory issued by the US embassy stated that the embassy was aware of a general but uncorroborated threat against the hotel. US citizens were advised to avoid the area for the next several days to allow time to assess the situation.
“US citizens are already urged to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan. The mission reminds those US citizens considering travel to or remaining in Pakistan despite this warning to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), keep a trusted friend informed of your movements in country, maintain vigilant situational awareness, avoid large crowds, keep a low profile and avoid visiting locations frequented by westerners. US citizens in Pakistan are strongly urged to avoid hotels that do not apply stringent security measures.”
Though embassy refers to a general but uncorroborated threat, Marriott Hotel says foolproof security in place.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1252822/us-embassy-issues-travel-advisory-for-americans
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Aerial surveillance worries Islamabad citizens
Mon Apr 18 2016
ISLAMABAD: Aerial surveillance conducted as part of added security measures for the President of Mauritius, Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus’ visit, gave rise to rumours and scared citizens, according to a police official.
A security official, on the other hand, said clearance also had to be issued for a couple of visiting delegations.
“Islamabad is a hilly area and terrorists can easily hide in the wooded stretch between Shakarparian and Aabpara, which is why it was necessary to carry out aerial surveillance to issue clearance,” he said.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1252831/aerial-surveillance-worries-islamabad-citizens
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Arab World
Iraqi Army Informs Mosul Residents of Imminent Victory
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iraqi Army aircraft dropped leaflets over Mosul to inform city residents that the country's armed forces are preparing to liberate the city soon.
"The Iraqi security forces are very close to you," the leaflets read.
The Mosul residents have also been urged to cooperate with the Iraqi army to help them seize back the city from the ISIL terrorist group.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000706
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Isis revenue drops nearly a third after loss of territory shrinks tax base
Monday 18 April 2016
Islamic State’s revenues have dropped about 30% since mid-2015, forcing the group to introduce a range of new taxes, a research group has said.
“In mid-2015, the Islamic State’s overall monthly revenue was around $80m,” said Ludovico Carlino, senior analyst at IHS, which issues regular reports on Isis-controlled territory.
Isis ranks have been pared back to lowest level since 2014
Read more
“As of March 2016, the Islamic State’s monthly revenue dropped to $56m,” Carlino said.
An IHS report also said oil production in areas controlled by Isis jihadists was 21,000 barrels a day, down from 33,000 barrels a day.
This was due largely to airstrikes by the US-led coalition and Russia, although IHS warned the decline was only an “interruption of production” because jihadists were able to repair infrastructure quickly.
Full report at: theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/isis-revenue-drops-nearly-a-third-after-loss-of-territory-shrinks-tax-base
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Syria: Hundreds of Fresh Recruits Joining Army's Imminent Operation in Idlib
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- A large number of reinforcements have been sent to the Northeastern battlefields of the coastal province of Lattakia to join the Syrian Armed Forces' impending operation in Idlib province, military sources said.
"At least 1,000 well-trained soldiers have arrived in Kabani front to join the Syrian government forces' imminent operation against the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front and its allies to retake the strategic city of Jisr al-Shughour in the Southern part of Idlib province near border with Lattakia province," the sources said.
In relevant developments last week, the Syrian air force pounded the Takfiri terrorists' military fortifications in the Southeastern part of Idlib province.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000765
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Syria: ISIL Executes Own Commanders in Deir Ezzur
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The ISIL terrorist group executed several own members, including three senior field commanders, in the Eastern province of Deir Ezzur on charges of lack of courage and ability to win battles against the Syrian government forces, local sources said.
"Fowaz al-Jadi'e and Abu Sakaha al-Akidi (known as Abu Ayhim al-Sharei) with the Syrian nationality and Norous al-Hamdan (known as Abu al-Bara'a al-Tikriti) from Iraq were executed by the ISIL terrorists on charges of fleeing the battlefields," the sources said.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000725
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Russian, Syrian Warplanes Bomb ISIL Positions Heavily in Hama
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Russian and Syrian fighter jets, in separate but coordinated combat flights, targeted the ISIL concentration centers in the Eastern part of Hama province and its border with Raqqa province.
The Syrian Army's aircraft carried out several combat sorties over the ISIL strongholds near the small town of Aqayrabat in the Eastern part of Hama province and targeted their headquarter there, which claimed the lives of several terrorists and destroyed their sites' infrastructures.
The Russian jets, for their part, struck the ISIL position in the region between Aqayrabat and the Western borders of Raqqa province with Hama, which inflicted major damage on the terrorist group's military hardware.
Last week, reports said that terrorists sustained heavy casualties in Syrian airstrikes in Northwestern Hama province.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000671
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S. Arabia Attempting to Deter Iran's Regional Role But to No Avail
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Top Military Aide to the Iranian Supreme Leader Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi blasted Riyadh for implementing US and Israeli plots against Tehran, and said the Saudis will fail in their attempts to undermine Iran's positive efforts in the region.
"Saudi Arabia has itself seriously involved in the regional crises and formed different coalitions in a bid to play a leadering role among the Islamic countries and confront and undermine the regional role of the Islamic Republic of Iran which seeks to invite the Muslim states to unity and strengthen the Islamic resistance pivot in the region," Rahim Safavi said on Monday.
Noting that the Saudis, who are under the influence of the Americans and Zionists' strategic management, have failed in their 5-year-long interference in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Bahrain, he said Riyadh is now just seeking to play the role of a proxy of the Americans and Zionists to oppose and rival with Iran strategically.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000715
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Deputy Minister: Free Trade Key to Iran's WTO Accession
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Valiyollah Afkhami said establishing free trade agreements with international partners could help pave the way for Iran to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Speaking to Islamic republic news agency on the sidelines of the 3rd Meeting of the Turkey-Iran High Level Cooperation Council in Ankara on Mopnday, Afkhami said “we hope through the measures we are taking now, Iran would be able to join the WTO.”
Defending the preferential trade agreements between Iran and Turkey, Afkhami said the agreements benefit Iran as they boost competitiveness in the industry and increase domestic production.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000797
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Syria: Gov't Forces Pushing Terrorists back from more Lands East of Damascus
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces (NDF), in a fresh round of assaults, forced terrorists of Jeish al-Islam group to retreat from more positions in Eastern Ghouta.
The Syrian government forces' heavy attacks pushed the terrorists back from over 75 percent of the hilltop village of Tal Sawwan in the Eastern part of Damascus province.
The terrorist groups left behind at least 17 of its members dead and many more wounded and fled the battlefront.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000911
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Leader's Top Aide: Delivery of S-300 Defense Shield Shows Iran-Russia Serious Cooperation
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Supreme Leader's Top Adviser for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati underlined that Russia's delivery of S-300 missile defense system to Iran indicates the strong ties and serious cooperation between the two neighbors.
"Delivery of this defense system shows that cooperation between Iran and Russia is serious," Velayati told reporters in Tehran on Sunday afternoon.
Noting that Tehran and Moscow are still at the beginning of their cooperation, he said, "Our cooperation with Russia on the developments in Syria and fight against terrorism and Takfiri streams has been highly important."
Velayati foresaw a bright future for Iran-Russia relations, and said, "Mutual cooperation between the two countries is a huge help to the establishment of peace and security in this volatile region."
Iran on Sunday displayed the first S-300 air defense missile system imported from Russia just last week.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000551
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Iranian Warships Repulse Pirates Attack in Int'l Waters
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced that the country's 40th flotilla of warships has repelled pirates' attack on an Iranian ship in free waters after fierce clashes.
"On Saturday, 7 pirate boats attacked an Iranian ship but they received the crushing response of the 40th fleet of warships," Sayyari said on Monday.
The Iranian Navy's 40th fleet of warships left Bandar Abbas port, in Southern Hormuzgan province, for the international waters on April 2 to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirate attacks.
The Navy's 40th fleet, comprising Tonb logistic warship and Alborz destroyer, is tasked with conducting anti-piracy patrols in the high seas and the Gulf of Aden.
The 38th flotilla of warships returned home early this month after its successful 75-day mission that involved training, search and rescue, as well as anti-piracy missions in the international waters.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000494
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Iran Blasts Mogherini's Remarks on Continued Human Rights Embargos
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Secretary of Iran’s Human Rights Council Mohammad Javad Larijani lashed out at EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini for her comments on continued sanctions against Tehran for human rights issues.
"We support our foreign minister's position on Iran's preparedness to hold human rights talks with the EU, but (believe that) raising and imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic's figures and bodies on the pretext of human rights violation is an unjustifiable and shameful act," Larijani said on Sunday in reaction to Mogherini's remarks on continued human rights sanctions during her recent visit to Tehran.
Noting that Iran considers such measures as political biasedness, he said, "Most EU members have extensive economic and military ties with certain countries in our region which don’t respect even the least human rights norms."
Larijani said that the EU has also kept mum on certain regional countries' creation and equipment of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world, including al-Qaeda, the ISIL, al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham, with weapons and financial aid.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000370
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Iran Welcomes Truce, Voices Concern over Continued Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
Mon Apr 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian welcomed ceasefire in Yemen, but meantime, expressed concern about the continued humanitarian crisis in the war-hit country.
"Ceasefire is a good opportunity to start Yemeni-Yemeni talks," Amir Abdollahian said in a meeting with his Czech counterpart Martin Tlapa in Tehran on Sunday.
He also voiced concern about the growing trend of terrorism and the continued humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
During the meeting, Amir Abdollahian and Tlapa also discussed other regional developments, specially in Syria.
Saudi Arabia has been waging a war on Yemen since late March 2015 in a bid to reinstate Mansour Hadi and undermine the Ansarullah movement, which took over state matters after Hadi resigned.
Over 9,400 Yemenis, including 4,000 women and children, have lost their lives in the deadly military campaign.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950130000282
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Mideast
Turkish police detain nearly 100 people over financial links to Fethullah Gülen
Monday 18 April 2016
Turkish police detained nearly 100 people in an investigation of their alleged financial links to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen, a foe of President Tayyip Erdoğan, state-run Anadolu Agency said on April 18.
It said the police operation, focused on Istanbul, was launched across nine provinces and 88 people have so far been taken into custody, with prosecutors having issued arrest warrants for 140 people under the probe.
Among those detained were executives and employees of Islamic lender Bank Asya, which was founded by followers of Gülen and seized by the government last year, it said.
The probe is centred on financial support raised for Gülen's group amounting to some 50 million lira ($17 million), Anadolu added.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-police-detain-nearly-100-people-over-financial-links-to-fethullah-gulen-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97946&NewsCatID=509
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Israel Will Never Give Golan Heights to Syria, Netanyahu Vows
APRIL 17, 2016
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, center, with Israeli ministers before a cabinet meeting in the Golan Heights on Sunday. Credit Pool photo by Sebastian Scheiner
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel led a cabinet meeting in the Israeli-controlled portion of the Golan Heights on Sunday, calling on the world to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the conquered territory and vowing that Israel would never give it back to Syria.
Mr. Netanyahu made his remarks at what his office described as a “festive” meeting of the cabinet in one of the Jewish settlements on the strategic plateau that Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel later effectively annexed the Golan Heights in a move that was never internationally recognized.
Officially, the occasion for holding the first formal cabinet meeting in the territory was to mark a year since the formation of Mr. Netanyahu’s current right-leaning government. Yet the timing, according to experts, was more likely dictated by Israeli concerns arising from the recently resumed talks in Geneva over Syria’s future — or hopes that the talks might present an opportunity for Israel.
Full report at: nytimes.com/2016/04/18/world/middleeast/israel-will-never-give-golan-heights-to-syria-netanyahu-vows.html?emc=edit_tnt_20160417&nlid=71783194&tntemail0=y
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PKK figure to be extradited to Germany from Sweden
Monday 18 April 2016
An alleged senior figure of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), who had been the subject of an international arrest warrant and caught in Stockholm, will be extradited to Germany in 15 days, a Swedish court has ruled.
The suspect, Zeki Eroğlu, had been the subject of a red notice by the German Federal Prosecution Office since 2014 for allegedly being one of the senior figures of the organization in Germany between 2012 and 2014.
Eroğlu requested political asylum in Sweden, Anadolu Agency reported on April 17.
Eroğlu was caught at Stockholm Arlanda Airport during a passport check as he was about to board a plane to Turkey and was later arrested.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-figure-to-be-extradited-to-germany-from-sweden-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97950&NewsCatID=351
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Terror groups harm Islam the most, Erdoğan says
Monday 18 April 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan slammed terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al-Qaeda for abusing Islam, stressing that these groups do Islam greater harm than even “its worst enemies.”
“Unfortunately there are ones who want to turn our spring to winter and dry our hopes before they even flourish. All the oppression by those who blatantly abuse Islam and what Islam has, appear under the names Daesh [ISIL], Boko Haram, and al-Qaeda and are purely and simply against Muslims,” said Erdoğan in an event commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad on April 17 in Istanbul.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/terror-groups-harm-islam-the-most-erdogan-says-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97944&NewsCatID=338
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Success in Cyprus will help peace in wider region: Papandreu
Monday 18 April 2016
Finding a solution in Cyprus is important for a region suffering from ethnic and religious conflicts, sending a strong message that there is another model where peace can replace conflict, former Greek Prime Minister Yorgo Papandreu has told the Hürriyet Daily News.
As the statesman who initiated reconciliation with Turkey as foreign minister in the 1999 with his Turkish counterpart İsmail Cem, Papandreu’s advice to the leaders in Cyprus was to “remain committed.”
“Perseverance is necessary,” said Papandreu, who was in Turkey to present the inaugural Cem-Papandreu Peace Award.
You have initiated, together with İpek Cem Taha, the daughter of Turkey’s late former foreign minister İsmail Cem, the Cem-Papandreu Peace Award. You both were instrumental in starting Turkish–Greek rapprochement. In view of the fact that fundamental problems remain unsolved between the two countries, do you think successive governments and leaders have done enough to continue your legacy?
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/success-in-cyprus-will-help-peace-in-wider-region-papandreu.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97915&NewsCatID=510
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German comedian in Erdoğan ‘insult’ row suspends TV show
17 April 2016
A German comedian, whose satirical poem about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has unleashed a bitter row about freedom of speech after Ankara made a request to prosecute the satirist for “insulting” a foreign leader, has decided to suspend his own TV show, he announced on his Facebook page on April 16.
Chancellor Angela Merkel on April 15 authorized criminal proceedings sought by Turkey against the popular comic Jan Böhmermann, who could be convicted under the rarely-enforced section 103 of the criminal code - insulting organs or representatives of foreign states.
Merkel’s decision has appalled rights bodies such as Human Rights Watch, which on April 16 called on the German authorities to defend freedom of speech “even if the contents of the speech are offensive to some."
“The authorities should not afford heads of state greater privilege against provocative speech,” Human Rights Watch said.
In light of the swirling controversy, Böhmermann said he was taking a “televisual” pause “to allow the public to concentrate again on really important matters such as the refugee crisis, videos of cats or the love life of [German actress and model] Sophia Thomalla.”
German prosecutors have opened a preliminary probe against Böhmermann over his so-called “Defamatory Poem,” recited with a broad grin on public television, after Erdoğan filed a legal complaint for reciting a crude satirical poem about him at his “Neo Magazin Royale” show on German public broadcaster ZDF.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/german-comedian-in-erdogan-insult-row-suspends-tv-show-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97913&NewsCatID=351
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South Asia
Nearly 200 militants killed, wounded in latest raid of Afghan forces: MoD
Mon Apr 18 2016
Nearly 200 anti-government armed militants were killed or wounded in the latest raids of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said Monday.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the raids were jointly conducted by Afghan army, police and intelligence operatives in the past 24 hours.
The statement further added that the ground forces were receiving close-air support by the Afghan Air Force (AAF) as well as the artillery units of the Afghan army.
MoD said at least 96 militants were killed and 93 others were wounded with majority of the militants killed in northern Kunduz province.
Full report at: khaama.com/nearly-200-militants-killed-wounded-in-latest-raid-of-afghan-forces-mod-0697
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12 killed as Taliban attack repulsed in northern Balkh province
Mon Apr 18 2016
At least 12 Taliban insurgents were killed in an attack on a security post in northern Balkh province of Afghanistan, security officials said Monday.
The incident took place in Chaharbolak district after a group of Taliban insurgents launched coordinated attack on a security post with an aim to capture.
The Provincial police chief General Abdul Razaq Qaderi confirmed that the attack was carried out late on Sunday might.
Full report at: khaama.com/12-killed-as-taliban-attack-repulsed-in-northern-balkh-province-0696
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3 Taliban commanders killed in northern Kunduz province
Mon Apr 18 2016
At least 3 Taliban commanders were killed in the latest clash between the Afghan forces and the Taliban insurgents in northern Kunduz province of Afghanistan.
According to the local security officials, the 3 Taliban commanders were killed in the outskirts of Kunduz city and Qala-e-Zal district.
The officials further added that the Taliban commanders were identified as Sadam, Muhibullah Haqyar and Habib Naseri.
Full report at: khaama.com/3-taliban-commanders-killed-in-northern-kunduz-province-0692
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Iranian authorities promise immediate actions to try rapist, killer of little Afghan girl
Mon Apr 18 2016
The Iranian authorities have promised to take immediate actions to try the culprit involved in the brutal murder and rape of a little Afghan girl.
The Iranian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mohammad Reza Bahrami, has said the country’s Vice President has met with the family of the victim.
He said the culprit would be tried for the brutal murder and rape of the child, promising quick actions by the authorities in Iran.
Full report at: khaama.com/iranian-authorities-promise-immediate-actions-to-try-rapist-killer-of-little-afghan-girl-0690
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Ismail Khan says Dr. Najibullah’s posters should not be used in vehicles
Sun Apr 17 2016
The former provincial governor for western Herat province and jihadi leader Mohammad Ismail Khan has urged the people not to use the photographs of the late President Dr. Najibullah in their cars.
Dr. Najibullah is widely regarded as a patriot late leader who was murdered by the Taliban militants following the fall of Kabul city in 1996.
In his address during a gathering in Herat province, Khan said the people of Herat should not allow the photographs of Dr. Najibullah to be displayed in the cars, calling him ‘Killer of the Nation’.
Full report at: khaama.com/ismail-khan-says-dr-najibullahs-posters-should-not-be-used-in-vehicles-0689
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Education and Healthcare at risk for children in Afghanistan, UN report reveals
Mon Apr 18 2016
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have released a joint report warning that the children in Afghanistan increasingly struggle to access healthcare and education.
The report ‘Education and Healthcare at Risk’ has been jointly prepared by UNAMA and UNICEF and was released today, the UN mission in Afghanistan said.
According to UNAMA, the report documents how conflict-related violence, threats and intimidation by all parties to the conflict harmed health and education personnel, reduced the availability of healthcare, and limited children’s access to essential health and education services. The report covers the three-year period, 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015.
“The report’s findings are deeply troubling. It is simply unacceptable for teachers, doctors and nurses to be subjected to violence or threats, and for schools and medical facilities to be misused or attacked,” said Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, “All parties must take measures to protect education and health services in Afghanistan.”
Full report at: khaama.com/education-and-healthcare-at-risk-for-children-in-afghanistan-un-report-reveals-0693
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North America
College Student Is Removed From Flight After Speaking Arabic on Plane
APRIL 17, 2016
A college student who came to the United States as an Iraqi refugee was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight in California earlier this month after another passenger became alarmed when she heard him speaking Arabic.
The student, Khairuldeen Makhzoomi, a senior at the University of California, Berkeley, was taken off a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Oakland on April 6 after he called an uncle in Baghdad to tell him about an event he attended that included a speech by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Full report at: nytimes.com/2016/04/17/us/student-speaking-arabic-removed-southwest-airlines-plane.html?emc=edit_tnt_20160417&nlid=71783194&tntemail0=y
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Muslim Brotherhood Day on Capitol Hill
April 18, 2016
On Monday, April 18, legislators' offices will be visited by individuals associated with a group unknown to most lawmakers: The United States Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO). In the interest of helping members of the U.S. Congress understand precisely who their interlocutors are, permit a brief introduction: The USCMO is the latest in a long series of front organizations associated with, and working to advance, the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States.
Members of Congress should be clear about the true nature of that agenda. It is laid out most authoritatively in a document introduced into evidence by federal prosecutors in the course of the largest terrorism financing trial in the nation's history, U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation et al. Written in 1991 by a top Muslim Brotherhood operative, Mohamed Akram, and entitled "The Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal of the Group in North America," this internal correspondence was meant for the eyes only of the organization's leadership in Egypt. So, the document is direct and to the point: It explicitly states that the mission of the Muslim Brotherhood in North America is "destroying Western civilization from within ... by [the infidels'] hands and the hands of the believers so that Allah's religion is made victorious over all other religions."
Full report at: thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/homeland-security/276636-muslim-brotherhood-day-on-capitol-hill
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India
Unity Of Muslims And Muslim Organizations Need Of The Hour – Jamat-e-Islami Meeting
April 18, 2016
Hyderabad: The need of the hour for the Muslims and Muslim organizations is to get united. Anti-Muslim forces are making an attempt to shatter the unity of Muslims by indulging the Muslims in to sectarian differences. This was told by the former Ameer of Jamat-e-Islami of A.P. and Odisha, Maulana Khaja Arifuddin at a quarterly meeting of Jamat-e-Islami held yesterday. He further told that only by maintaining tolerance, the progress of the country could be ensured but RSS and other Hindu outfits are disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of the country by presenting improper demands.
Full report at: siasat.com/news/unity-muslims-muslim-organizations-need-hour-jamat-e-islami-meeting-947896/
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Assam Police arrests four for ‘terror links’
Apr 18, 2016
The Assam Police on Saturday night arrested four persons from different locations in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, all said to be jihadis who were allegedly part of a module that had set up a training camp in Chirang that was busted by the police in September 2015.
“While a training camp of the jihadi module was busted and four persons were arrested in September 2015 in village Daukhanagar, we managed to apprehend four more on Saturday night in a series of raids that we jointly conducted with Kokrajhar Police,” Chirang superintendent of police Shankar Brata Rai Medhi told The Indian Express on Sunday.
The four persons, identified as Abu Bakkar Siddique, Jahanur Alam Sheikh, Samal Ali Mandal and Azizul Haque, were arrested during multiple raids conducted by the police in Tulsibil, Muwamari, Bhawraguri and Jaypur in Kokajhar and Dawkhanagar in Chirang, the SP said. The police also recovered one HE grenade, one revolver, seven rounds of M20 ammunition, two army camouflage dresses and five mobile phones. The arms and ammunition were found hidden in a pit behind a house in Dawkhanagar.
Full report at: indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/assam-police-arrest-4-jihadis-in-chirang-kokrajhar-2757962/
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Southeast Asia
Indian national Harinder Pal Singh, 4 others convert to Islam at Zakir Naik lecture in Malaysia
April 18, 2016
international Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik on Sunday inspired four more people to embrace
Islam. Four persons, including a Indian Hindu and a woman, converted to Islam after Zakir
Naik’s lecture series in Malaysia. During a question-and-answer session after Zakir’s two-hour
lecture, the four people recited the syahadah (declaration of faith) at the stroke of midnight.
One of the four people, who converted to Islam, was Harinder Pal Singh, from India, who
made the decision after he was satisfied with the explanation by the preacher about a non-
Muslim converting to Islam for marriage. The 23-year-old Punjabi Hindu clarified that he
wasn’t forced by anyone to accept the religion. ”No, no one forcing me. I believed in Allah
and that Prophet Muhammad is God’s messenger and I’m willing to be a Muslim,” Singh said
during the question and answer session.
Full report at: india.com/news/india/indian-national-harinder-pal-singh-4-others-convert-to-
islam-at-zakir-naik-lecture-in-malaysia-1116408/
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Indonesian Tamil’s Celebrate Thaipusam Festival in Islamic Aceh Province
Mon Apr 18 ,2016
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia – The size of the Hindu community in Indonesia’s northwest Aceh province is small, but Sunday devotees made a big impression with their Thaipusam festival, an epa journalist reported.
About 500 people from the Tamil community joined Thaipusam celebrations since Friday for the three-day festival, which culminated Sunday with a procession of singing, dancing and praying through the city of Banda Aceh.
For the previous two days, festival goers went to the local Hindu temple where they prayed, enjoyed fellowship, burned incense and made offerings to Hindu gods.
One of the most recognizable practices of Thaipusam is when devotees pierce their faces with spikes or even walk on knives, both of which happened Sunday.
Full report at: laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2410168&CategoryId=12395
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Philippines Terrorists Threaten to Behead Canadian Hostages
Mon, April 18, 2016
The terrorist group Abu Sayyaf has vowed to kill two Canadian hostages if a ransom is not paid within 10 days.
The group sent out a video message of the two Canadians pleading for their lives.
“This is a final, urgent appeal to governments -- Philippine, Canadian – and families,” one of the hostages says in the video. “If $300 million (Philippine pesos) is not paid for me by 3 p.m. on April 25, they will behead me.”
Full report at: clarionproject.org/news/philippines-terrorist-threaten-behead-canadian-hostages
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Africa
Terrorism is America's biggest challenge in Africa
Sunday, April 17, 2016
There is much good news to report from Africa. Over the past generation, poverty rates went down, literacy rates went up, life expectancy increased, and childhood malnutrition shrank. The battle against HIV/AIDS, particularly acute in Africa, is being won. Many African nations are experiencing rapid growth and are excellent investment prospects. Nevertheless, danger looms on the horizon, as Africa now plays host to the most dynamic battles in the global war between terrorists and civilization.
The numbers are shocking. In the first three months of 2016, terrorists attacked innocent civilians in 262 separate incidents around the world. Thirty percent of those attacks occurred in Africa - in 15 different countries. There should be no doubt that terrorism — in the form of al Qaeda or Boko Haram or the Islamic State — is the number one challenge for U.S. foreign policy on the continent.
Full report at: centralctcommunications.com/bristolpress/article_a4421146-04f8-11e6-9392-8fadf82cc5e5.html
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