“I Urge The Government To Make Muslim-Free Kashmir, It Is The Land Of Hindus,” Says Hindutva Priest Kali Sena Founder
New Age Islam News Bureau
25 April 2025
Hindu priest and Kali Sena founder Anand Swaroop
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· “I Urge The Government To Make Muslim-Free Kashmir, It Is The Land Of Hindus,” Says Hindutva Priest Kali Sena Founder
· ‘Our Humanity Is Stronger Than Terrorists’ Hate’: Kashmiri Families Open Hearts & Homes To Tourists
· Telangana: Hindutva Mob Attacks Madrasa, Sets Dargah On Fire Over Desecration Of Idols; CCTV Reveals Monkeys As The Culprit
· Pak Says Diverting Indus Water 'Act Of War', Suspends Simla Pact
· 370, Waqf: Pak Lists Triggers For 'Cycle Of Violence'
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India
· Only Instant Triple Talaq Barred, Not Talaq-e-Ahsan: Bombay HC
· Two Muslim Labourers Stopped From Working At UP Temple By A Hindutva Group After Pahalgam Terror Attack
· Actor Ishaan Khatter Reveals His Experience Of Shooting In Pahalgam Prior To The Terror Attack
· Kashmiri students attacked, given ultimatum to leave; 8 incidents reported across Punjab, Himachal, and Uttarakhand
· J&K: Houses of two terrorists involved in Pahalgam terror attack brought down in blast
· 'We hope for a strong response': RSS chief on Pahalgam attack
· Assam MLA held after he hints at BJP ‘conspiracy’ behind Pahalgam attack
· ‘Wear black bands during Friday namaz to condemn Pahalgam attack’: Owaisi’s appeal amid rising India-Pakistan tensions
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Pakistan
· India’s hostile actions denounced across political spectrum
· FO summons Indian envoy, scales down diplomatic ties
· ‘Implementation of Constitution vital for social cohesion’, experts say
· Protesters in Islamabad denounce Indian accusations, war-mongering
· Pakistanis protest in different cities against India's threats
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South Asia
· Bangladesh’s Bhabesh To Murshidabad Riots, Muslims Must Ask Why Violence Keeps Repeating
· Yunus Leaves Qatar For The Vatican To Attend Pope Francis's Funeral
· Italy to support Bangladesh in curbing illegal migration: home adviser
· Germany investigating 2,000 refugee cases for returning to their home countries
· Over 200 Afghan Refugees in Iowa ordered to leave US immediately
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Europe
· ‘Reform UK and the Rising Threat to Muslims and Minorities in Britain’
· Nadim Muslim selected as new leader of Bolton Conservatives
· Tens of thousands queue to see Pope Francis's body
· UK edges towards youth visa deal with EU
· Ukraine must compromise – Polish president
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Mideast
· Palestinians Create Role For A Vice President And Possible Successor To PA Leader Abbas
· Revolution Leader?: Islamic Nation Bears Religious, Moral, & Humanitarian Responsibility In Confronting Zionist Project
· UN Yemen envoy meets Houthi officials in Oman
· Israeli strikes put Gaza’s Al-Durrah Children’s Hospital out of service
· While the world watches Gaza, here is what’s happening in the West Bank
· Moving heaven and earth to make bread in Gaza
· Iraqi PM, Jordanian speaker call for unified global action on Gaza
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Arab World
· Blue tea cultivation in Jazan highlighted
· Conversations under the tree: Saudi community space encourages discussions on environment
· Saudi Hajj Minister highlights AI integration, service enhancements for pilgrims
· How Saudi Arabia can balance its AI infrastructure and sustainable water usage
· Al-Hadhan village: discover the natural and cultural jewel of Najran
· Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman appointed chairman of KAUST’s board of trustees
· UAE Digital Bank Ruya Rolls Out In-App Shari’ah-Compliant Crypto Trades
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North America
· Muslim Group Wants Biden ‘War Criminals’ Canceled From Academic Gigs
· Mosque to open inside Okotoks church
· Canadian PM reveals Trump brought up '51st state' during March call
· China tells Trump: If you want trade talks, cancel tariffs
· California passes Japan as fourth largest economy
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Africa
· Insecurity: Lagos Muslims Urge Security Chiefs To Act Decisively
· Tinubu Did Not Break Any Law, He Broke The Constitution When He Declared State Of Emergency In Rivers – Rotimi Amaechi
· Rivers Emergency Rule: Ibas Fixes Fresh Date To Meet Reps Panel
· Why I Didn’t Allow Peter Obi Visit Benue IDP Camp – Gov Alia Opens Up
· Notorious Bandit Leader Killed In Rival Clash In Katsina
· ‘He Was In A Coma’ – Lead Doctor Recounts Pope Francis’ Final Moments
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SoutheastAsia
· Nurul Izzah Denies MCMC Report Against Social Media User, Says Has Never Met Him Or Know What He Actually Does
· Anwar to meet Maldives, Kosovo, Pakistan leaders as Malaysia seeks new allies amid US tariff tensions
· Malaysia sends ministers Azalina and Ewon to Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican, honours his interfaith and climate legacy
· A noble statesman, a moral compass: Remembering Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (1939–2025) — Iqbal Khan
· Why change KTM when colonial names remain? — Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli
· Transforming Kuala Lumpur: Warisan KL a vision for liveable, lovable city
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslim-free-kashmir-land-hindus/d/135310
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“I Urge The Government To Make Muslim-Free Kashmir, It Is The Land Of Hindus,” Says Hindutva Priest Kali Sena Founder
April 24, 2025
Hindu priest and Kali Sena founder Anand Swaroop
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A controversial video posted by Kali Sena founder has sparked outrage for his open threat calls against Kashmiri Muslims following Pahalgam terror attack.
In the video, posted on Facebook, Kali Sena founder, Swami Anand Swaroop can be heard calling for action against Kashmiri Muslims.
“I urge the government to wipe out terrorist sympathizers and the Muslims who are still present in Kashmir,” he says.
The priest then mentions names like Kahyap, Harisingh Shankaracharya and others to elude that the land belongs to Hindus. “This is the land of Hindus. At all costs, Kashmir should be Islam-free,” he adds.
This shocking open call is among several others calling for violence against Muslims in Kashmir and across India in the wake of Pahalgam attack. Kashmiri students across the country are on the receiving end of physical attacks and abuse online.
Several Kashmiris have been asked to vacate homes amidst growing hostility and aggression in Uttar Pradesh and other places. Members of the right wing continue to run hate campaigns targeting Muslims.
Source: muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/i-urge-the-government-to-make-muslim-free-kashmir-it-is-the-land-of-hindus-says-hindutva-priest/
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‘Our Humanity Is Stronger Than Terrorists’ Hate’: Kashmiri Families Open Hearts & Homes To Tourists
Apr 25, 2025
Kashmiri families open hearts & homes to tourists
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Scared tourists found sanctuary in Kashmiri homes that opened their doors to strangers in the aftermath of Tuesday's terror attack in Pahalgam, Over the next three days, many would become friends for life.
Rupali Patil, a Pune resident holidaying in Pahalgam, said she was afraid to step out of her hotel room after hearing of the massacre.
"Amid the chaos and confusion, I and many others found comfort in the homes of Kashmiris who took the responsibility of keeping us safe. Some of them travelled to get members of our group who were elsewhere back safely," she said.
‘Our humanity is stronger than terrorists’ hate’
Ramdas Khopde, also from Maharashtra, was offered shelter by Adill Malik, of Sopore. “We were looking for safe accommodation when we met this Kashmiri family who not only took us in at a difficult time but refused to take money,” he said.
The Maliks said they wanted to send out “a positive message to the world” at a time of crisis in J&K. “What happened in Pahalgam was a cowardly attack, but we want to say that our humanity is stronger than the hate in the hearts of those terrorists,” Adill told TOI over phone from Sopore. “Scores of Kashmiri families have lost their tourism business for the entire season. But at this moment, our priority is safety of all tourists. We won’t let any tourist suffer,” he said.
Taxi driver and tourist guide Adil Shaikh, who has been hosting another group of tourists from Maharashtra in his home near Srinagar, said Kashmir’s famed hospitality had been put to the test by terrorists who had nothing to do with the region’s culture and traditions.
Most tourists in Srinagar have flights scheduled for this weekend. Till then, most would prefer staying with Kashmiri families rather than in hotels.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kashmiri-families-open-hearts-homes-to-tourists/articleshow/120601158.cms
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Telangana: Hindutva mob attacks madrasa, sets dargah on fire over desecration of idols; CCTV reveals monkeys as the culprit
April 25, 2025
Hindutva groups attacked a madrasa and assaulted students in Telangana’s Jinnaram village of Sangareddy district accusing the students of vandalising idols leading to a tense situation on April 23. The miscreants also set parts of a dargah on fire.
The right wing members accused the students of Taleem ul Quran located in Jinnaram village of vandalising two Shiva idols, attacked the institution and assaulted the students and teachers.
Reportedly, during the attack, several students, teachers were hit and threatened to be harmed further. Police reached the spot and dispersed the miscreants. However, the goons marched towards Hazrat Gharib Shah Wali, a shrine nearby, set parts of the shrine on fire and defaced the chadar offered to the shrine.
After the incident, police were deployed across the area. Madrasa management and local Muslims condemned the attack and staged protests demanding action against the perpetrators. Complaints were filed by Madrasa Management and Dargah Committee. A separate complaint was also filed by a mosque located in the area.
AIMIM MLA Kausar Mohiuddin and other members held a meeting with the District Superintendent of Police to demand action.
Mohammad Faheem Qureshi along with other members of the Congress party submitted a formal complaint to the DGP, urging to punish the guilty. Locals and leaders have expressed anger as no arrests have been made so far. The Sangareddy Police have registered cases in connection with the incident and has identified individuals responsible for mobilising the mob.
A similar incident occurred in February. Members of the right wing accused Muslims of throwing a piece of meat in Hanuman temple and staged a protest. Later, the CCTV showed a cat entering the temple.
Source: muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/telangana-hindutva-mob-attacks-madrasa-sets-dargah-on-fire-over-desecration-of-idols-cctv-reveals-monkeys-as-the-culprit/
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Pak Says Diverting Indus Water 'Act Of War', Suspends Simla Pact
Apr 25, 2025
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Pakistan unleashed a barrage of counter-retaliatory measures against India Thursday, declaring any move to disrupt water flows under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) an act of war, suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement, and severing all trade, travel and diplomatic ties - including closure of airspace for Indian flights.
Pakistan said it will respond to any attempt to divert water with "full force across the complete spectrum of national power".
This is serious escalation coming from a country that has long maintained red lines about use of its nuclear arsenal, one of which has been the economic strangling of Pakistan. The chief of the strategic plans division of Pakistan army had in 2002 told a European agency that economic strangling included a naval blockade and "the stopping of the waters of the Indus river". While there was no official response from Indian authorities to Pakistan's threat, government sources said Pakistan should first unleash "full force" against cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan maintains the IWT co-signed by the World Bank doesn't allow either country to unilaterally suspend the agreement. As the lower riparian state, Pakistan has concerns about the flow of water from the river system in India but its threat to use full force is likely to exacerbate the already tense situation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Unilateral, unjust & motivated: Pak on India's moves
The drastic steps, announced after an emergency National Security Committee (NSC) meeting chaired by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, are in response to India's actions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. NSC declared India's IWT suspension "illegal," emphasising the 1960 treaty's inviolability as a World Bank-brokered pact governing six Indus Basin rivers critical for Pakistan's 240 million people. "Any attempt to stop or divert water flows will be an act of war," NSC warned, signalling zero tolerance for disruptions to Pakistan's agricultural lifeline.
India, attributing the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan-based terror group The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, suspended the IWT, closed the Wagah-Attari border, revoked Saarc visa exemptions for Pakistanis, expelled Pakistani military advisers, and slashed Pakistan's High Commission staff in New Delhi to 30. Pakistan, denying involvement and condemning the attack, mirrored and escalated these measures, framing India's moves as "unilateral, unjust and politically motivated."
Pakistan closed the Wagah border to all Indian transit, effective immediately, with an April 30 deadline for valid crossings, mirroring India's Attari-Wagah closure. All trade with India, including via third countries, was suspended, devastating cross-border commerce.
Airspace was barred to Indian-owned or operated airlines. Saarc visa exemptions for Indians were revoked, except for Sikh pilgrims, with Indian nationals given 48 hours to leave. Indian defence advisers were declared persona non grata, ordered out by April 30, and their posts annulled. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad was capped at 30 staff, matching India's restrictions.
The IWT's suspension is the crisis's most alarming flashpoint. Resilient through three wars, the treaty ensures equitable water sharing, with India controlling three eastern rivers and Pakistan the western three. India's move, experts say, risks catastrophic consequences for Pakistan's agriculture-dependent economy. Pakistan's "act of war" rhetoric, while partly posturing, reflects the issue's existential stakes.
The collapse of the Simla Agreement and diplomatic channels heightens LoC tensions, where skirmishes could spiral without communication. Mutual airspace and trade bans exacerbate economic strain, particularly for traders reliant on Wagah. The crisis also undermines regional cooperation, with Saarc's already fragile framework further eroded by visa restrictions.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pak-says-diverting-indus-water-act-of-war-suspends-simla-pact/articleshow/120600607.cms
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370, Waqf: Pak Lists Triggers For 'Cycle Of Violence'
Apr 25, 2025
NEW DELHI: Categorically denying any involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan pointed fingers at what it called "state oppression, abrogation of statehood, and political and demographic gerrymandering" in J&K as well as alleged "systematic persecution of Muslims in India" through measures like the "forced passage of waqf bill".
Persisting with its script of disowning terror attacks by jihadi groups operating from its soil and calling it "homegrown" terrorism, Pakistan claimed abrogation of Art 370 and other steps had triggered a "perpetual cycle of violence".
Pakistan: Prepared to defend our sovereignty
A Pakistani statement claimed India’s “systemic persecution of minorities, particularly Muslims”, had become increasingly pervasive, citing what it called “forced passage of waqf Bill” as the latest effort to marginalise Muslims across the country.
The statement followed a meeting of National Security Committee, chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif. It also said “India must take full responsibility for its failure to provide security to the people”.
The statement said, “In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic”. The NSC said Pakistan and its armed forces were “fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure”.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/370-waqf-pak-lists-triggers-for-cycle-of-violence/articleshow/120601199.cms
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India
Only instant triple talaq barred, not Talaq-e-Ahsan: Bombay HC
April 24, 2025
Only instant triple talaq is prohibited and not the traditional method of divorce called ‘Talaq-e-Ahsan’, the Bombay High Court has said quashing a case lodged against a man and his parents on his wife’s complaint.
The definition of divorce under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act only includes those forms of talaq which have an effect of instantaneous or irrevocable divorce, Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Sanjay Deshmukh of the HC’s Aurangabad bench said on Wednesday.
The court quashed the case lodged in 2024 against the man and his parents on his wife’s complaint in Jalgaon under section 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act.
As per the section, any Muslim man who pronounces triple talaq, which is called Talaq-e-Biddat, to his wife shall be punished with an imprisonment up to three years.
The HC in its order said, “Under the Act, what has been described in the definition of Talaq is instantaneous and irrevocable. Talaq means Talaq-e-Biddat or any other form of Talaq, which has an instantaneous or irrevocable effect. All other forms of Talaq are not prohibited or barred.”
In the present case, the man had given his wife Talaq-e-Ahsan, which is the pronouncement of talaq, the court said.
“The final Talaqnama was given three months after the pronouncement. The legal effect of Talaq-e-Ahsan came into play only 90 days during which the couple had not resumed cohabitation,” it said.
When under provisions of the Act, triple talaq is prohibited and not Talaq-e-Ahsan, it would be an abuse of the process of law if the man and his parents are asked to face trial, the HC said.
The couple got married in 2021. They separated in 2023, and the man pronounced Talaq-e-Ahsan in December 2023 in the presence of witnesses.
The man in his plea claimed that under provisions of the Act, this mode of talaq was not punishable.
The bench in its order said the First Information Report (FIR) is not registered for the offence of harassment under the Indian Penal Code.
Since the FIR pertains to the issue of divorce, it is restricted against the husband only and the in-laws cannot be included, the HC said.
“It would be an abuse of the process of law if the case is continued against them,” the bench said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/triple-talaq-barred-not-talaq-e-ahsan-hc-9963421/
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Two Muslim Labourers Stopped From Working At UP Temple By A Hindutva Group After Pahalgam Terror Attack
Scroll Staff
April 25, 2025
Two Muslim labourers were stopped from working at a temple in Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday by members of a Hindutva group who cited Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam as grounds for their dismissal, reported PTI.
A video has also been circulating online in which a man tells one of the Muslim labourers to stop the construction work he was carrying out on the Shri Balkeshwar Mahadev temple.
“In the terror attack in Pahalgam, Hindus were identified and killed,” a man can be heard telling the labourer. “This is why we are removing you from working on our temple. You people…Islam is targeting Hinduism and picking Hindus out and killing them.”
The labourer insists that terrorists have no religion, to which the man responds: “Religion? Why are all Muslims terrorists then? Has any Hindu ever committed an act of terrorism?”
The workers were reportedly confronted by Praveen Varshney, secretary of the Association of Democratic Human Rights, along with a few others. The group instructed the workers to stop and announced that Muslims would no longer be hired at their properties.
“Anger over the terror attack is spreading across India,” Varshney was quoted as saying by PTI. “The nation is demanding decisive government action against terrorism. Hindu labourers will complete the remaining work at the temple.
When asked about the incident, Girish Chandra Gautam, the station house officer of a local police station, told PTI that he was unaware of the matter.
Source: scroll.in
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Actor Ishaan Khatter Reveals His Experience Of Shooting In Pahalgam Prior To The Terror Attack
April 25, 2025
Actor Ishaan Khatter has requested ‘not to pit Indian Hindus against Indian Muslims’ after the Pahalgam terror attack as he believes this will be the final victory for the terrorists.
Taking to his Instagram stories, the ‘Dhadak’ actor penned a heartfelt note reflecting on the long and painful history of Kashmir.
“This was a targeted attack on Hindus. Denying that is dishonest. There is a long and painful history here: from the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits to attacks on Amarnath yatris. But using this pain to pit Indian Hindus against Indian Muslims is unforgivable. That is the terrorists’ final victory. And we must not let them win.” Ishaan penned.
Ishaan also said that he was in Pahalgam around two months back and during his visit, he met many kind and helpful locals.
Narrating his own experience, the ‘Beyond the Clouds’ actor said, “On a personal note, I’d like to say I was in Pahalgam barely 2 months ago. I have always felt a deep connection and love for Kashmir and have always found the people to be kind and helpful. I’ve met some beautiful souls there. My heart aches to imagine the loss that the victims of these awful attacks are facing. Let’s not forget Kashmir has long been damaged. A place that is often called heaven on earth is deeply wounded by acts like these and the lives of its people are indelibly affected.
Ishaan was in Kashmir recently to shoot for his song “Pyaar Aata Hai”, alongside Tara Sutaria.
Ishaan urged all to not be blinded by hatred and work towards justice. He continued, “We stand to be tested not for our politics, not for our religion but for our HUMANITY. Let’s never forget and let’s direct our collective anger towards accounting for JUSTICE and not blind hatred. Let’s be what these pathetic assailants want us to forget we are – Human beings, with sensitivity, reasoning, and thoughtfulness.”
Ishaan also penned a note remembering the Kashmiri local, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who lost his life in the attack attempting to save the lives of these tourists.
Source: thestatesman.com
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Kashmiri students attacked, given ultimatum to leave; 8 incidents reported across Punjab, Himachal, and Uttarakhand
April 24, 2025
Kashmiri students studying across northern Indian states are facing an alarming wave of hate-driven violence, harassment, and intimidation following the recent militant attack in Pahalgam.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has condemned what it describes as a “deliberate and targeted campaign of hate,” reporting at least eight separate incidents across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
In Himachal Pradesh, disturbing events unfolded at Arni University in Kathghar (Indora), Kangra district. Kashmiri students there were reportedly harassed, verbally abused, and labelled “terrorists” by Hindu right-wing mobs.
According to Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the JKSA, students made frantic distress calls describing how hostel doors were broken down and how they were forced to flee for their safety. “The situation is turning grim and deeply concerning,” said Khuehami. “These students are being physically attacked, intimidated, and coerced to vacate their accommodation under threat of violence.”
In Uttarakhand, the Hindu Raksha Dal, a right-wing Hindutva group, has openly issued threats targeting Muslim Kashmiri students. The group demanded that all such students vacate the state by 10 AM Thursday, threatening to “pick them up one by one” if they failed to comply. Written threats were allegedly sent to multiple educational institutions in Dehradun, escalating the sense of fear among Kashmiri youth.
JKSA reported that around 20 terrified students from BFIT College in Sudhowala, Dehradun, fled toward Jolly Grant Airport in a desperate attempt to escape potential violence. “The streets are being taken over by right-wing mobs chanting inflammatory and Islamophobic slogans like ‘Kashmiri mullo, go back.’ It’s a horrifying atmosphere,” said Khuehami.
In Punjab, another violent episode was reported from the Universal Group of Institutions in Derabassi, near Chandigarh. Kashmiri students were attacked inside their hostel late at night by individuals reportedly armed with sharp weapons.
At least one student sustained serious injuries, and their clothes were torn during the assault. “The college security failed to intervene, and the Punjab Police also did not respond in time. This inaction emboldened the attackers,” Khuehami noted.
He stressed that these incidents are not isolated but reflect a growing pattern of communal targeting and vilification based on region and religion. “This is more than a security lapse—it is a collapse of law and order. The silence and inaction of local authorities are enabling such hate-fueled violence,” he added.
The JKSA has appealed to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to ensure the safety of every Kashmiri student in the state and called for immediate and decisive action. Khuehami also revealed that he has reached out to the office of the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, who has expressed deep concern over the rising incidents and assured that he would raise the issue at the national level.
The situation remains tense and volatile, with students continuing to seek safety amid a growing environment of fear, communal tension, and unchecked aggression by right-wing groups. — With Agencies Inputs
Source: muslimmirror.com
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J&K: Houses of two terrorists involved in Pahalgam terror attack brought down in blast
Apr 25, 2025
NEW DELHI: Houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists Adil Thokar and Asif Shaikh, involved in the Pahalgam attack, were destroyed in a blast on Thursday night in Anantnag and Awantipora, respectively.
According to officials, security forces were conducting searches inside the two LeT terrorists Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh when the explosives already kept inside the houses went off.
The explosives caused destruction of the houses, they added.
Thokar, who legally travelled to Pakistan in 2018 through the Attari-Wagah border, allegedly received terrorist training before covertly returning to Jammu and Kashmir last year. Intelligence sources suggest he served as a guide and logistics coordinator for Pakistani terrorists involved in the recent attack.
The Anantnag Police has announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the arrest of three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists: Adil Hussain Thokar, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa. All three are suspected of orchestrating the devastating attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, on April 22.
Earlier, the security agencies on Wednesday revealed that the three terrorists suspected to have carried out the deadly Pahalgam attack used specific code names, Moosa, Yunus, and Asif, to mask their identities during the operation that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
In what marks the most devastating terrorist incident since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, 26 tourists lost their lives and several others were wounded on April 22. The attack unfolded at Baisaran Meadow, a popular tourist destination situated 7 kilometers from Pahalgam resort town.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that six foreign terrorists, disguised in Army uniforms, targeted victims based on their religious identity. The assailants reportedly forced individuals to reveal their names and recite Islamic verses before executing them at close range.
The assault occurred at around 1.30pm while tourists were enjoying the scenic meadow, known for its snow-capped mountains and pine forests. Despite robust security measures, including multiple checkpoints and armed patrols in the area, the terrorists managed to breach the security cordon and carry out the attack in this otherwise peaceful tourist destination.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/house-of-local-terrorist-adil-thokar-involved-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-demolished/articleshow/120604277.cms
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'We hope for a strong response': RSS chief on Pahalgam attack
Apr 25, 2025
MUMBAI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said terrorists killed people in Pahalgam after asking about their religion, and Hindus would never do such a thing.
"We hope for a strong response," he said at a public event here three days after 26 people, most of them tourists, died in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "People were killed after being asked about their religion. Hindus would never do such a thing," the RSS chief said, adding "the battle is between dharma and adharma."
"There is pain in our hearts. We are angry. But to destroy evil, strength must be shown. Ravana refused to change his mind, and there was no other option. Ram killed him only after giving him a chance to reform," he said. The RSS chief also said that unity within society was essential to prevent such tragedies and deter malicious intent.
"If we are united, no one will dare to look at us with ill intentions. And if someone does, their eye will be smashed. We hope for a strong response," he said. "Hatred and hostility are not in our nature. But neither is silently enduring harm. A truly non-violent person must also be strong. If there is no strength, there is no choice. But when there is strength, it must be visible when needed," he stated.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-hope-for-a-strong-response-rss-chief-on-pahalgam-attack/articleshow/120602850.cms
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Assam MLA held after he hints at BJP ‘conspiracy’ behind Pahalgam attack
April 24, 2025
GUWAHATI
The Assam police arrested MLA Aminul Islam on Thursday (April 24, 2025), a day after he remarked that the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the 2019 Pulwama incident could be the result of a “conspiracy” by the top BJP leadership.
The MLA represents the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) from central Assam’s Dhing constituency.
Speaking at a political rally on April 23, Mr. Islam said he suspected a connection between the Pulwama attack and the Pahalgam incident. “The day 42 Indian soldiers were killed in the Pulwama attack, I said it was a conspiracy. The government conspired to polarise voters and win the 2019 Lok Sabha election. I demanded a probe, but till today, we don’t know how a vehicle carrying 300 kg of RDX could enter a CRPF convoy in a high-security area,” he said. “Because the incident was not probed, the people of the country still do not know who carried out the attack,” Mr Islam said.
“Now, after the Pahalgam attack, the BJP is saying the terrorists fired at the Hindus and spared the Muslims. However, the survivors said nobody’s name was asked. They fired from darkness, secretly. I suspect the Pahalgam attack was carried out by those who had perpetrated the Pulwama attack,” the MLA said.
“If the government does not conduct an impartial probe into this incident and resort to Hindu-Muslim divisive politics, we will suspect this happened due to a conspiracy hatched by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and (Home Minister) Amit Shah,” he said.
Misleading statement, say police
The police said Mr. Islam was arrested for his “misleading and instigating” statement in public, which went viral and had the potential to create an adverse situation. A case was registered against him at the Nagaon police station under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. One section (152) criminalises actions that endanger India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity, another (196) criminalises the promotion of enmity between different groups based on religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community. A third – 113(3) – deals with abetting, attempting, conspiring, or facilitating the commission of a terrorist act.
Personal remarks: AIUDF chief
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal distanced his party from Mr. Islam’s “personal” views. “What he said was unfortunate and does not reflect our party’s stance. We stand with our State government, as terrorists are terrorists without any caste or religion,” he said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam would take the strongest possible action against anyone who dares to defend, directly or indirectly, the horrific Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam. “Let it be known clearly: those who attempt to justify, normalise, or dilute the brutal murder of innocent civilians are not exercising freedom of expression — they are standing against the soul of India,” he said, adding that Mr. Islam’s statement hurt the sentiments of the people of the State.
The Chief Minister also announced a financial assistance of ?5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in Pahalgam. “We are deeply hurt by the incident,” he said.
Source: thehindu.com
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‘Wear black bands during Friday namaz to condemn Pahalgam attack’: Owaisi’s appeal amid rising India-Pakistan tensions
April 25, 2025
Two days after the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 dead and several others injured, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi took to social media to appeal to the Muslims to wear a black band on their arms during the Friday namaz this week.
In his address, he said, “You all know how in Pahalgam, Kashmir, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists killed the people of our nation. Several are injured and are fighting for their lives. Against this act of terrorism and injustice, I request you all that tomorrow (Friday) when you head to the mosques for the jumma namaz, wear a black band on your arm and go.”
He added, “This move will help you and I to give out a strong message to the terrorists that we condemn their action and tell them that we will never allow them to spread terrorism in the name of Islam.”
Owaisi also said, “We can never tolerate the fact that outside forces are entering our land and killing our people.”
Owaisi’s appeal comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are on a rise. On Thursday, a day after India announced a series of diplomatic retaliations against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Islamabad declared that it “reserves the right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including but not limited to the Simla Agreement.”
On Wednesday, India took strong measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, downgrading diplomatic ties, expelling diplomats and senior defense officials from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, cancelling all visas issued to Pakistani nationals and ordering them to leave the country within 48 hours. Additionally, the Attari-Wagah border was closed.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/wear-black-bands-during-friday-namaz-pahalgam-attack-owaisi-india-pakistan-9963798/
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Pakistan
India’s hostile actions denounced across political spectrum
Imran Ayub
April 25, 2025
• Sharjeel says water treaty’s suspension act of open aggression, threat to regional peace
• PTI leader accuses India of ‘water terrorism’; Abbasi stresses need to put house in order for unity
• AJK lawmakers vow unified stance, table several resolutions to condemn aggression
KARACHI: As Pakistan and India teeter on the brink of another clash, political parties from across the spectrum denounced the series of hostile measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, announced by New Delhi in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
According to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally terminated under any circumstances. “The World Bank stands as a guarantor of the Indus Waters Treaty,” he said, emphasising that Pakistan will not allow any unilateral alterations to the agreement.
In a separate statement, PPP leader Sharjeel Memon condemned India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it an act of open aggression and a serious threat to regional peace. “The suspension of the treaty constitutes a serious violation of international law and appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine ongoing peace efforts in the region,” he said.
“India has previously resorted to false flag operations during international visits and on significant occasions to divert global attention from its own atrocities and injustices. Years ago, during US President Bill Clinton’s visit to India, the Indian government orchestrated a false flag operation, resulting in the bloodshed of innocent Sikhs. Now the same tactic is being repeated in Pahalgam,” he said.
Addressing a press conference, the leaders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) said India was “fast becoming a religiously extremist state.” They said that it’s now evident that India poses a serious threat not just to regional stability but to global peace as well.
“While Pakistan has never elected a religious extremist to lead the country, India has been under the rule of Hindu extremists for over a decade, rendering its claim to being a secular state meaningless,” said senior party leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Condemning India’s “water aggression,” Dr Siddiqui pointed to the Indus Waters Treaty, a World Bank-brokered international agreement, and warned that the Modi government had no authority to unilaterally revoke it.
PTI Sindh chapter president Haleem Adil Sheikh alleged that the Modi regime had become a global sponsor of terrorism and accused the neighbouring country of “water terrorism”.
“Canada has already declared the Modi government as terrorists, and similar activities have been traced to Indian agents in the United Kingdom,” he said while talking to the media at the party office called the Insaf House.
Former prime minister and chief of Awam Pakistan Party Shahid Khaqan Abbasi asked the government to come up with a strong response to India’s action and this time it should not repeat the mistakes of 2019 it made on revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by the Modi government. “But at the same time, we will have to put our house in order for a strong and united stand in a situation like this. And for this, we need political stability and consensus on all major issues,” he added.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday termed the important and timely decisions taken in the National Security Committee meeting as a decisive step towards protecting the country’s security and sovereignty.
In a message on social networking site X (formerly Twitter), Sarfraz Bugti said that Pakistan has always prioritised peace, stability and regional cooperation but India’s announcement to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty was a highly provocative and irresponsible act.
Lawmakers united
In a highly-charged session, the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) issued a stern warning to India, declaring that any military misadventure would be met with a strong and unified response from both the Kashmiri nation and Pakistan’s armed forces.
The unified stance emerged during speeches delivered in response to several resolutions tabled in the assembly, which condemned Indian propaganda and affirmed support for national security.
Addressing the house, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said, “Our armed forces are alert and fully prepared. Should India initiate any misadventure along the Line of Control, it will be dealt with a crushing response. We don’t merely chant slogans—we act.”
The AJK premier also warned that India might attempt to destabilise AJK by orchestrating covert operations or using proxies. “If it dares such adventurism, it must remember — history has a tendency to repeat itself. A strong response awaits,” he cautioned.
Highlighting India’s ongoing water aggression, he said, “India is taking steps to seize control of waters from the Poonch and Neelum Rivers. The international community must take note.” Calling for national unity, he stressed the need to rise above political divides.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, opposition leader in GB Assembly Kazim Mesum, political and religious leaders also took exception to India’s move suspend the water-sharing agreement.
In a statement, CM Khan said that India’s stubbornness will prove costly for it; the entire nation is united to give a befitting reply to Indian aggression. He said that from the Himalayan mountains to the coast of Karachi, every entity will give a strong reply to Indian stubbornness.
GB Assembly opposition leader Kazim Mesum said both India’s Modi and Israel’s Netanyahu were expansionist, coercive and anti-Muslim. After the abolition of Kashmir’s special status, Modi’s eyes are fixed on Gilgit-Baltistan, he claimed, adding, “We will never allow the violation of Gilgit-Baltistan’s borders.”
Saleem Shahid in Quetta, Tariq Naqash in Muzaffarabad, and Jamil Nagri in Gilgit also contributed to this report
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1906378/indias-hostile-actions-denounced-across-political-spectrum
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FO summons Indian envoy, scales down diplomatic ties
Iftikhar A. Khan
April 25, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday summoned India’s chargé d’affaires, Geetika Srivastava, to deliver a formal protest over India’s provocative actions following the Pahalgam incident.
According to diplomatic sources, the Indian envoy was handed a written démarche outlining Pakistan’s decisions in response to recent hostile Indian actions, including the Pahalgam attack and the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
A source said India’s defence, air, and naval attachés have been declared persona non grata and informed of Pakistan’s decision to expel them along with supporting staff, as per normal diplomatic practice — a tit-for-tat move following similar actions by New Delhi.
The Foreign Office also informed Ms Srivastava that Pakistan has decided to limit the staff of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to 30.
Pakistan also informed India that, except for Sikh pilgrims, all Indian citizens in the country must leave within 48 hours.
“The decisions were officially communicated to the Indian side in writing,” said diplomatic sources, adding that Pakistan is exercising its sovereign right to respond to India’s provocative and unilateral actions through established diplomatic channels.
Briefing for diplomats
Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch on Thursday cautioned against Indian attempts to escalate tensions and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to counter any misadventure.
In a briefing to a group of Islamabad-based heads of missions and diplomats on the evolving situation following Pahalgam attack in India-held Kashmirs, she rejected the Indian misinformation campaign against Pakistan, saying that such tactics would obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region.
The foreign secretary underscored that Pakistan has always rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. She also shared the outcomes of the National Security Committee meeting.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1906376/fo-summons-indian-envoy-scales-down-diplomatic-ties
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‘Implementation of Constitution vital for social cohesion’, experts say
Saleem Shahid
April 25, 2025
QUETTA: Thorough implementation of the Constitution is essential for achieving social cohesion, experts said on Thursday at a workshop aimed at promoting tolerance and inclusivity among youth.
The workshop, “Building Bridges: Fostering Tolerance and Inclusivity among Youth,” organised by the Islamabad-based think tank Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIIPS).
It brought together academics, religious scholars, journalists, and political activists, along with students from universities, colleges, and seminaries in Quetta, Panjgur, and Noshki.
“Inclusivity means providing equal opportunities in life to all segments of society and respecting everyone, regardless of religion or ethnicity,” said Muhammad Amir Rana, president of PIPS, during the concluding session.
Allama Akbar Hussain Zahidi, a religious scholar, said the Constitution of Pakistan is the key to unity among diverse social groups.
“The Constitution is a binding force among different groups of society,” Mr Zahidi said. “Most of the problems of Balochistan could be resolved by implementing this document in letter and spirit.”
Senior journalist and former president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Shahzada Zulfiqar said Pakistanis are reluctant to accept people from different faiths, ethnicities, and languages, which hinders national harmony.
“It is the Constitution that guarantees peaceful coexistence among people of different backgrounds,” Mr Zulfiqar said. “Everyone should respect others’ ethnicity, faith, and opinion.”
During a panel discussion, Prof. Mir Sadaat Baloch, pro vice chancellor of the University of Makran, urged students to reject violence and negativity.
“The actual problem of Balochistan is not terrorism,” he said. “There is a governance crisis in the province.”
Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi, a leader of Jamaat-i-Islami, spoke about the 2018 Paigham-i-Pakistan decree, which he described as a national consensus aimed at countering extremism and terrorism.
“The decree explicitly tells us that one cannot impose his religious thoughts on others,” Mr Hashmi said.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1906373/implementation-of-constitution-vital-for-social-cohesion-experts-say
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Protesters in Islamabad denounce Indian accusations, war-mongering
Munawer Azeem
April 25, 2025
ISLAMABAD: People on Thursday staged a protest in front of the Indian High Commission in the federal capital, denouncing “false accusations and war-mongering”.
Earlier, people from civil society and various walks of life assembled in front of the Foreign Office, located on Constitution Avenue, around 4pm to protest against India over “water aggression”.
Law enforcers and officials from the capital administration reached the scene to maintain law and order.
The protestors remained there for about an hour. Later, a small group moved towards the Diplomatic Enclave and attempted to enter through Gate No 2, also known as the Foreign Office Gate.
However, law enforcers intercepted them and closed the gate.
They engaged with the protestors, but the group continued trying to reach the high commission.
Later, another group approached the gate, climbed over it, jumped inside the enclave and opened the gate.
As a result, the protestors entered the enclave and moved towards the Indian High Commission. Law enforcers were also deployed outside the high commission to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.
After reaching the Indian High Commission, the gathering staged a protest outside, chanting slogans against India and its prime minister. Later, the protestors dispersed peacefully.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1906436/protesters-in-islamabad-denounce-indian-accusations-war-mongering
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Pakistanis protest in different cities against India's threats
April 24, 2025
People in different cities, including in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), staged protest demonstrations against the New Delhi's threats following a deadly attack on tourists in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOK).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue and punish the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians in the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam on Tuesday, accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism".
The attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was the deadliest for a quarter of a century and marked a dramatic shift with the targeting of civilians instead of Indian security forces.
"If India wants to go to war, then come forward openly," businessman Ajmal Baloch told AFP at a protest called by a religious party and attended by around 700 people Lahore, where the main border crossing with India is located.
India has said it will suspend the Indus Water Treaty, which shares critical water between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, although it has no major means of restricting the river's flow downstream to Pakistan.
However, protesters including Baloch raged against the "unacceptable" threat.
"Water is our right and, God willing, we will reclaim it, even if that means through war. We will not back down," 25-year-old Muhammad Owais said.
Around 300 people brandishing placards carrying anti-India slogans marched through the main city of Muzaffarabad.
"If India makes the mistake of attacking, the Pakistani Kashmiris will fight on the frontline, we're ready to die for Pakistan," said Shoukat Javed Mir, a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the region.
In Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, around 150 people staged a protest.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1304779-pakistanis-protest-in-different-cities-against-indias-threats
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South Asia
Bangladesh’s Bhabesh to Murshidabad riots, Muslims must ask why violence keeps repeating
AMANA BEGAM
25 April, 2025
On 17 April, Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a 58-year-old Hindu community leader, was allegedly abducted from his home in Basudebpur village, Dinajpur. He was later found dead. Just another name now added to a growing list — but it shouldn’t be that easy to say. He was vice-president of the local Puja Udjapan Parishad. He worked with the community. He was known. And yet, like many others, he disappeared quietly, violently.
Since the political change in Bangladesh last August, there’s been a rise in attacks on minorities — temples desecrated, teachers forced to resign, leaders like Roy targeted. It’s not a new story. But that doesn’t make it feel any less heavy.
It’s often said that Bangladesh was born in 1971 with a different kind of dream. An inclusive vision — one rooted in Bengali identity, not just Islam. That was the promise. That the country would belong to all its people, not just to a religious majority. But somewhere along the way, that promise has thinned out. And now, it’s hard not to ask the uncomfortable question: how did it come to this? How did a country that once stood apart from Pakistan in its rejection of religious nationalism start looking more and more like it—at least in how it treats its minorities? What was meant to be different is starting to feel painfully familiar.
A growing space for extremist violence
Some argue that attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh aren’t about religion, that they’re political. That they’re seen as supporters of the Awami League, and so every time that party loses ground, minorities pay the price too. But that line of reasoning feels more like an excuse than an explanation. It’s as if a 90 per cent Muslim-majority country is telling itself it has no responsibility toward those who live differently, pray differently. And that’s the part that stays with me.
Compare this to India, where we face international scrutiny over how minorities are treated. But have you ever heard of someone being attacked in the streets just because they’re seen as voting a certain way? No one in Indian democracy is punished simply because of the imagined political leanings tied to their faith.
But framing it as just a political issue feels like an easy way out. A way to shift the blame, to pretend the violence isn’t rooted in society itself, or in the silence of those in power. It becomes a neat excuse to avoid asking harder questions about accountability—both of the public and of the people leading them.
Bangladesh’s journey toward becoming a more intolerant society hasn’t happened overnight. We’ve been seeing this coming for a while — through attacks on dissenting voices, on secular thinkers, on anyone who spoke outside the line. The first crack in the foundation of a tolerant society came when the military President Hussain Muhammad Ershad imposed Islam as the state religion in 1988. Islamism and communal narratives seeped through that crack, eroding it over the decades.
And since then, both the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—despite their differences—have, at times, compromised with extremist or anti-minority forces just to hold on to votes. Groups like Hefazat-e-Islam didn’t just gain ground on their own— they were given space. They were legitimised. And now, we’re watching the consequences unfold in lives lost, in freedoms shrinking, in the silence that follows violence.
It’s reached a point where Hefazat-e-Islam is now openly demanding Bangladesh be governed by Sharia. What remains of social cohesion feels more like a hollow shell. And the question that lingers is uncomfortable: Are we now witnessing the slow collapse of the very foundation Bangladesh was built on? Only time will tell.
Muslims must look within
In the middle of all this, another question quietly rises — why do so many Muslim-majority societies around us struggle to build truly inclusive spaces? This isn’t to generalise. There are all kinds of Muslim communities, with all kinds of internal debates. But something in the structure keeps repeating itself.
We’ve seen it play out not just in Bangladesh, but even here in India. In Murshidabad, during protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill this month, a few Muslim protesters ended up attacking innocent Hindu families — people who had nothing to do with the bill or the protest.
At some point, we as Muslim societies, including our intellectual voices, need to pause and ask what kind of future are we really trying to build? That kind of question needs honesty. It needs space for self-criticism. But the truth is, we don’t really make space for that. We struggle with introspection. Any attempt to talk about reforms, or the relationship between religion and the state, or even the idea of inclusivity, is too often dismissed as either blasphemy or some kind of foreign attack.
But without a civil awakening, without real societal reform, nothing’s going to change in the long run. What we need isn’t more defensiveness — it’s a shared vision rooted in something bigger. We need to be part of a larger human story — one where every person, no matter their religion or background, is treated with the same dignity, the same respect, the same empathy. Not because the West says so. Not because the world is watching. But because that’s the kind of society worth living in. Just because it’s right.
In the end, Bangladesh cannot truly be free or democratic unless all its citizens — regardless of religion — feel safe, seen, and protected. The true spirit of 1971 was not just about breaking from Pakistan, but about building a just, inclusive, pluralistic nation. That spirit must be reclaimed, or the dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’ will remain incomplete.
Source: theprint.in
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https://theprint.in/opinion/bangladeshs-bhabesh-to-murshidabad-riots-muslims-must-ask-why-violence-keeps-repeating/2602092/
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Yunus leaves Qatar for the Vatican to attend Pope Francis's funeral
Apr 25, 2025
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus left Qatar for the Vatican around 9:25 am (12:25 pm Bangladesh Standard Time) today to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.He is expected to reach Rome by 2:15pm (Central European Summer Time), where he will be received by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Italy and the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Vatican City, according to the press wing of the chief adviser.
An hour after his arrival, the Chief Adviser will visit Saint Peter's Square at 3:15pm to pay homage to the mortal remains of the head of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, vicar general of His Holiness for Vatican City, will offer an official greeting to the chief adviser and the Bangladesh delegation at Saint Peter's Square.
On Saturday, around 9:30am, the chief adviser will again visit Saint Peter's Square to attend the funeral mass of Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88.
The chief adviser is expected to return to Dhaka in the early hours on Monday.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-leaves-qatar-the-vatican-attend-pope-franciss-funeral-3879861
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Italy to support Bangladesh in curbing illegal migration: home adviser
Apr 24, 2025
Italy is keen to cooperate with Bangladesh in preventing irregular migration and human trafficking, as well as enhancing the capacity of police, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said today.
He made the remarks after a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro at his office at the Secretariat.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including the upcoming visit of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to Bangladesh on May 5-6, cooperation in the security sector, advanced training for police and BGB personnel, maintaining public order, and tackling transnational crimes, according to a home ministry release.
Welcoming the Italian envoy, the home adviser described Italy as a time-tested friend of Bangladesh.
He highlighted the contributions of around 250,000 skilled Bangladeshi workers in Italy, who play a vital role in the country's economic growth by sending remittances.
"We hope the upcoming visit of the Italian interior minister will pave the way for increasing this number and further strengthen bilateral ties," he added.
The ambassador said the Italian interior minister is set to meet the chief adviser, foreign adviser, and law and expatriates' welfare adviser during his visit.
A bilateral meeting between the two sides is scheduled on May 5, during which declarations, MoUs, or agreements may be signed on issues such as irregular migration prevention, combatting transnational crimes, and mutual cooperation between the police forces of both countries.
"Bangladesh is committed to exporting manpower through legal channels and in compliance with international regulations.
"We are against irregular migration. Legal action will be taken against human traffickers and brokers who exploit people attempting to migrate to Italy and other countries illegally," Jahangir said.
Alessandro wished success for Bangladesh's interim government and assured Italy's continued support in this regard.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/italy-support-bangladesh-curbing-illegal-migration-home-adviser-3879516
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Germany investigating 2,000 refugee cases for returning to their home countries
By Fidel Rahmati
April 25, 2025
Germany is investigating 2,000 refugee cases where individuals returned to their home countries, potentially violating asylum status regulations.
Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has initiated over 2,000 investigations into refugees who have traveled back to their countries of origin. These actions, spanning from November 2024 to March 2025, primarily involve individuals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. The BAMF’s scrutiny aims to assess whether these returns violate the conditions of their asylum status.?
Among the affected, Afghan nationals constitute a significant portion, with approximately 240 cases reported. This development has raised concerns about the potential revocation of their refugee status, as returning to one’s home country can be interpreted as an indication that the individual no longer faces the threat that initially warranted asylum.?
The issue of refugees returning to their home countries has been a subject of political debate in Germany for some time. Critics argue that such returns may be voluntary or circumstantial, rather than a genuine indication of safety, and caution against blanket assumptions regarding the safety of these individuals upon their return.?
The BAMF’s investigations highlight the complex nature of refugee status and the challenges in determining the legitimacy of asylum claims. While the agency’s efforts aim to uphold the integrity of the asylum system, they also underscore the need for nuanced understanding and consideration of individual circumstances.?
Meanwhile, reports indicate that in Afghanistan, human rights violations remain widespread, with religious minorities, ethnic groups, and women facing severe persecution. Torture, arbitrary detentions, and executions are common, while freedom of expression is stifled. Journalists are subjected to harassment, imprisonment, and even death for reporting on government abuses, creating a climate of fear and censorship.
Women’s rights have been significantly restricted, with many banned from working, attending school, or participating in public life. These ongoing violations highlight the oppressive nature of the current regime, where basic freedoms are denied, and any form of dissent is met with violent retribution. The situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen, leaving citizens in constant danger and uncertainty.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/germany-investigating-2000-refugee-cases-for-returning-to-their-home-countries/
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Over 200 Afghan Refugees in Iowa ordered to leave US immediately
By Fidel Rahmati
April 24, 2025
Over 200 Afghan refugees in Iowa have been ordered by U.S. authorities to leave the country immediately, facing legal action.
American media reports indicate that in April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent emails to over 200 Afghan refugees residing in Iowa, instructing them to leave the country immediately.
According to Axios, the emails, sent by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, begin with the statement, “It is time to leave the United States.” The messages warned that failure to leave voluntarily would result in detention, revocation of work permits, and potential legal action. One of the emails accessed by Axios concludes with the message, “Do not attempt to remain in the United States, the federal government will find you.”
These warnings were directed at refugees who entered the U.S. legally under humanitarian programs or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after the U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan and Kabul fell in 2021.
The Afghan Allies in Iowa organization, led by Zabihullah Safi, has stated that many of the recipients of these emails are former soldiers who fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan, putting them at risk of retaliation by the Taliban. Safi emphasized that these individuals have become active members of the community in Iowa, working, paying taxes, and having their children enrolled in schools and universities.
According to Axios, this action is part of a broader federal policy to end the temporary humanitarian parole status granted to Afghan refugees in 2021 and 2022. More than 900 such refugees were granted this status in Iowa.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed this development in a statement to Axios, asserting, “The presence of foreign nationals in the United States is a privilege, not a right. We act in the interests of the country and enforce the law.”
These developments reflect the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan refugees in the U.S. and the complexities of immigration policy, as well as the broader debate over humanitarian aid and asylum policies. As these issues unfold, many Afghan refugees in the U.S. remain in limbo, caught between their past sacrifices and uncertain futures.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/over-200-afghan-refugees-in-iowa-ordered-to-leave-us-immediately/
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Europe
‘Reform UK and the Rising Threat to Muslims and Minorities in Britain’
Dr Sabera Bhayat
24 April 2025
As Britain approaches the 1 May local council elections, it faces the alarming rise of a far-right political force. Reform UK, a party that has its roots in anti-EU sentiment and is steeped in Islamophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric, is gaining ground.
With its rise comes a serious threat to Muslims and other minority communities in Britain. The party’s record of Islamophobic rhetoric, racist remarks, and divisive policies represents a danger to social cohesion and the democratic fabric of this country.
Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party, was rebranded in 2021 and gained a major boost with its leader Nigel Farage’s return to politics. Since he was elected as an MPS for Clactor, the party has achieved alarming electoral successes.
Most recently, Reform unseated Labour in the Tameside by-election in Greater Manchester and is predicted to make further gains in the Runcorn by-election, which coincides with the local elections.
These victories are not isolated. Reform now holds 113 council seats, including 66 Conservative defections. Polling shows they are rivalling Labour and the Conservatives, and in some areas, even leading.
This surge mirrors a broader European trend of far-right advances such as the rise of parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD). In the 2024 general election, Reform secured 4.1 million votes, the largest ever vote share for a far-right party in the UK. Recent polls show their support growing, with some placing Reform ahead of both major parties.
Central to Reform’s appeal has been the weaponisation of immigration, Islamophobia and national identity. Reform presents itself as the voice of the forgotten, using sensationalist media coverage and social media to target voters. While most Reform supporters are older white men, support among younger age groups is rising. Reform dominated social media interactions during the election period and are the most boosted UK politicians on X. Their messaging resonates with a demographic increasingly drawn to populist narratives that blame immigrants and minorities for national decline.
Reform’s success has largely been driven by widespread public disillusionment with the political mainstream. Voters frustrated by Conservative failures and disappointed by Labour’s direction, particularly their proposed welfare cuts, have been drawn to Reform. A Hope Not Hate report found 68% of people feel ignored by politicians, a sentiment Reform exploits to push its divisive agenda.
Despite its denials, Reform UK is widely recognised by experts as a far-right party and has been identified as the biggest far-right threat in Britain today. Reform UK has also been embraced by extremist groups who see it as a legitimate path to power. During the 2024 general election, far-right groups and figures, including Tommy Robinson, Britain First, and Patriotic Alternative, urged their followers to support Reform.
Mark Collett of Patriotic Alternative, praised Reform for campaigning on a platform “more right-wing than the BNP” and encouraged far-right extremists to infiltrate Reform UK to push it further toward far-right extremism. 28% of Reform voters support Tommy Robinson, highlighting the ideological overlap between Reform and fascist movements.
Farage and members of Reform UK have particularly targeted Muslims, fuelling Islamophobia. Farage himself has a long record of Islamophobic remarks, claiming Muslims do not share British values and “loathe much of what we stand for.” He has previously accused Muslim immigrants of wanting to “take us over”, stated some people believed them to be a “fifth column” and blamed Muslims for the rise of antisemitism in the UK. These statements suggest his Islamophobic credentials.
This hostility extends through the party. An undercover Channel 4 investigation recorded Reform canvassers making explicitly Islamophobic and racist comments. One campaigner described Islam as “the most disgusting cult out” and told voters Reform would be kicking Muslims out of mosques and converting them into pubs. This reflects a broader party culture that tolerates and even encourages bigotry.
Evidence also points to Islamophobia among Reform UK supporters. Facebook groups affiliated with the party are filled with xenophobic and Islamophobic content, perpetuating conspiracy theories about Muslims “taking over” the UK. In Reform-led constituencies, Muslims report feeling unsafe and unwilling to approach MPs due to fears of discrimination.
Reform UK’s hostility is not limited to Muslims. The party promotes a wider agenda rooted in racism and xenophobia. At a speech in County Durham, Nigel Farage, echoing Trump, criticised diversity, equity and inclusion policies, claiming they disadvantage white people and elevate minorities unfairly.
Farage also called for a “British equivalent of DOGE” to be established in every council, referring to the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency in the US. Farage has long aligned with far-right leaders like Viktor Orbán, Marine Le Pen, and Donald Trump. In 2016 he said, “I’ve watched the rise of the AfD with fascination, with interest, and I’ve been cheering on from the sidelines.”
The party’s policy proposals are equally concerning. Reform supports leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and repealing the UK Human Rights Act, moves that would strip away vital protections for minorities.
Reform’s candidate selection has also raised concerns. During the 2024 general election, several Reform candidates were dropped after being exposed for posting racist, Islamophobic, and conspiracy-laden content online. This reflects a pattern of deeply troubling culture within the party. Reform UK’s positions appear to threaten all minority groups by promoting policies and narratives that seek to exclude and marginalise, and thus we believe they pose a threat to the human rights of all minorities.
We believe Reform UK represents a growing threat to democracy, human rights, and social cohesion in Britain. Its rise has coincided with the mainstreaming of far-right rhetoric that fuels division, emboldens racists, and puts vulnerable communities, especially Muslims and minorities, at greater risk.
By apparently spreading Islamophobia and scapegoating minorities, the party distracts from real issues like economic inequality and underfunded public services. This dangerous shift demands a united response from all who value justice and equality. Britain’s future must not be shaped by fear and division, but by solidarity, inclusion, and respect for human rights.
Source: bylinetimes.com
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https://bylinetimes.com/2025/04/24/reform-uk-and-the-rising-threat-to-muslims-and-minorities-in-britain/
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Nadim Muslim selected as new leader of Bolton Conservatives
24 Apr 2025
Conservative councillors in Bolton have selected Nadim Muslim to be their new leader. Coun Muslim, 32, who has represented the Bromley Cross ward on Bolton Council since 2018, was elected unopposed at a meeting of party colleagues on Wednesday, April 23.
Coun Muslim, who was born and raised in Bolton, succeeds Martyn Cox, a former leader of the council, who announced he would be stepping down earlier this month. Speaking after the meeting, Coun Muslim, said: “It is an absolute honour and privilege to have the unanimous backing of my group to be their next leader of Bolton Conservatives on Bolton Council.
“I’d like to thank Martyn Cox for all the work he has done, having become leader in difficult circumstances after the death of Coun David Greenhalgh. “We are a united group that is ready to do what is right for Bolton.
“Going forward, we will solely be focused on delivering for Bolton residents.
“That means we will table motions at full council that are specific to Bolton and not international disputes.
“Our time in council should be used to affect change on issues we can control domestically.
“And, of course, we are ready to work with any other party in the borough that wants to see lower council tax and better services in all our towns, just as we did when we last controlled the council.”
There are currently 15 Conservative councillors on the 60-strong council. The administration is minority Labour led as they have the highest number of members with 26. The outgoing Tory leader Martyn Cox said he would be continuing his role as a ward councillor for Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor.
Coun Cox, who has offered his ‘full support’ to the new leader, led a Conservative administration in Bolton between 2021 and 2023. He took over as leader of both Bolton Conservatives and the council after the death of his close friend, David Greenhalgh, who died in July 2021, while holding both roles.
Since Labour took over the running of the authority in 2023, Coun Cox has led the opposition in the council chamber.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
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https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/nadim-muslim-selected-new-leader-31504631
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Tens of thousands queue to see Pope Francis's body
25 Apr 2025
More than 50,000 people have queued in the last 24 hours to pay their respects to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican has said.
On Thursday morning, the queue to see the Pope, who is in an open coffin, stretched out of St Peter's Square and down the street - the longest the line had become since his body was moved to lie in state on Wednesday.
Entry to the church in Vatican City had been due to stop at midnight local time (22:00 GMT), but opening hours were extended to accommodate large crowds.
The pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. He had spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year with double pneumonia.
Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and held the role for 12 years.
Red-robed cardinals and white-clad priests escorted the Pope's coffin from his residence to the basilica on Wednesday.
Bells tolled during the 40-minute procession, while the crowd broke into applause - a traditional Italian sign of respect.
Swiss Guards, who are responsible for the Pope's safety, escorted his coffin to the church's altar.
Public viewing began at 11:00 local time on Wednesday. By mid-afternoon, tens of thousands of people lined the square.
The church was supposed to close at midnight, but police told the BBC that it would stay open all night so that crowds gathered on the square could file past the coffin.
"I think the Pope was an amazing man, so I wanted to see him," 13-year-old Edoardo, waiting after midnight with his parents, told the BBC. "I am really sorry. But I think maybe he will enjoy heaven."
Viewing continued until 05:30 on Thursday, then closed for an hour and a half, before reopening at 07:00. The crowd became so large that some turned away.
"It looks like five or six hours, so we'll come back later," Catherine, from Birmingham, said.
The Pope's body will lie in state in the church until Friday evening, when his coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite at 20:00, the Vatican said.
The ceremony will be overseen by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is the Pope's "camerlengo", or chamberlain, and runs the Vatican until a new Pope is chosen.
Luis and Macarena, from Mexico, had come to Rome for their honeymoon and hoped to see the Pope for a special blessing, Luis said seeing the Pope's final resting place would help them to feel a connection.
"Pope Francis is a saint and he will bless us from heaven," Luis said.
Mary Ellen, an American who lives in Italy, said she had come to the Vatican on an overnight train to "say goodbye".
"I love Papa Francesco," she said. "He's humble, kind, he loves immigrants. I know he's put up with a lot of difficult things in the Vatican. He's fought against power and the power of the Vatican to be a true Christian, true Catholic."
Inside St Peter's on Wednesday, the atmosphere was quiet and solemn as some people kneeled and prayed, before slowly moving on.
Many lingered to admire the staggering beauty of the basilica.
Two women who had waited for five hours to see the Pope said it was important to them to say goodbye to the pontiff.
"All these years I followed all he did and it's as if I travelled all over the world with him, even if I was just at home. He liked going everywhere and prioritises the poor," one woman said.
Fredrik, who is from Ghana but travelled from Poland, said the Pope had "done his best" and "it is left to us to continue the good works".
Eva Asensio, a Mexican on holiday in Italy, said she felt an affinity for the Pope.
"We saw him as a good Pope – someone who supported everyone, no matter your sexual orientation, no matter where you came from. He united us," she said with tears in her eyes.
Margaux, who is French and lives in Rome, said it was "powerful to live this".
To her, Pope Francis meant "hope", and his more progressive social views were "very important".
"I hope the next Pope will follow his path," she said.
Dignitaries from all over the world, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William, will attend the funeral on Saturday.
Pope Francis left clear instructions that he wanted a smaller ceremony in keeping with his simpler tastes as pontiff. He had arranged for a benefactor to pay for it all.
Unlike the vast majority of his predecessors, he will not be buried in St Peter's, but in a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in central Rome, beneath a tombstone inscribed only with his name.
Before being moved to St Peter's, Pope Francis had been lying in an open coffin in the chapel of his home, flanked by Swiss Guards and cardinals in prayer.
His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, during which he delivered brief remarks to the masses gathered in St Peter's Square from a wheelchair.
He then greeted worshippers and blessed babies as he was driven in a car through the crowds.
His Papal apartments have been sealed, marking the start of the period known as the Sede Vacante - or empty seat - which continues until a new head of the church is elected.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn91e1w12ljo
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UK edges towards youth visa deal with EU
25 Apr 2025
The government is no longer ruling out a youth visa deal with the EU, ahead of a summit next month to "reset" relations after Brexit.
Labour has previously said it has "no plans" for such a scheme, which would make it easier for young people to study and work abroad.
But an agreement has emerged as a key European demand in ongoing negotiations between the two sides to boost co-operation. Downing Street declined to repeat its previous opposition to reporters on Thursday, saying it would not provide a "running commentary" on talks.
It comes as over 60 Labour MPs called on ministers to strike a "new and bespoke youth visa scheme for UK and EU citizens aged under 30".
In a letter to EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, they argued a mutual deal for time-limited visas, subject to a cap, would "extend new cultural, educational, and economic opportunities to young people in the UK".
Sir Keir Starmer met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen later, as preparations increase for the summit in London on 19 May.
Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "Discussing the ongoing negotiations to strengthen the UK-EU partnership, they both agreed that good progress had been made.
"They asked their teams to continue their important work in the coming weeks, with the aim of delivering as ambitious a package as possible at the first UK-EU summit next month."
The Labour government is aiming to forge closer economic ties to the EU after Brexit. Both sides have also expressed a renewed interest in a defence and security pact amid the war in Ukraine.
A defence deal would potentially unlock full UK access to a €150bn (£128bn) EU-backed loans scheme, with British firms otherwise limited to providing up to 35% of the value of projects funded under the programme.
Speaking at UK Trade and Business Commission meeting on Thursday, Germany's ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger said he wanted to see progress on a youth visa deal as part of a "package approach" to the talks, where different topics are linked together.
He added that EU citizens had faced "many obstacles" to moving to the UK since Brexit, including "very high thresholds" for skilled work visas.
Existing schemes
The UK currently offers visas allowing young people from 12 non-EU countries including Japan, South Korea and Uruguay to study or work in the UK for up to two years. Those from Australia, Canada or New Zealand can extend by a further year.
These visas are subject to annual quotas, ranging from 100 visas for Andorra to 42,000 for Australia, with ballots held where they are oversubscribed.
Applicants from these countries need at least £2,530 in savings, cannot apply for most benefits, and have to pay an annual NHS surcharge of £776 for students and £1,035 for workers.
The European Commission first suggested an EU-wide youth deal in April last year, claiming Rishi Sunak's government had approached European capitals to discuss individual visa deals, risking "differential treatment" of EU citizens.
Under its original proposal, people aged between 18 and 30 would be able to apply for visas lasting up to four years to work, study, train or volunteer, with no overall cap on the number of visas issued.
It also said EU applicants should not have to pay the NHS surcharge, and should be able to pay the same university tuition fees as British students, rather than the higher fees they have had to pay since Brexit.
'Youth experience'
There have been suggestions that the Home Office, tasked with delivering government plans to lower overall migration, is pushing for any eventual agreement to be more limited than that suggested by the European Commission.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is reportedly arguing for visas to be limited to one year so that EU citizens taking part do not show up in official immigration figures, with applications also subject to an overall cap.
Asked about the reports, Mr Berger declined to comment, saying that "we have to leave that to the negotiations".
The EU has been keen to stress that a visa deal would not replicate the bloc's rules on freedom of movement, under which EU citizens were automatically entitled to live and work in the UK without applying for a visa.
Documents circulated between EU states also suggest a deal could be rebranded as a "youth experience" scheme, in an apparent bid to downplay any link to migration.
But any deal that is negotiated is likely to lead to a political row, with the Conservatives and Reform UK critical of a proposed agreement.
During a local election campaign visit earlier, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said a deal risked "another avenue which people might use to game the system," adding that Labour "doesn't know how to negotiate".
She added: "Where are all these people they want to bring in going to work?"
Reform leader Nigel Farage said a deal could lead to a "huge number of people" coming to the UK, adding it would be "completely against what the Brexit vote demanded".
An agreement has however been strongly supported by the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, which have long been calling on the Labour government to reach an agreement with the EU.
In his comments on Thursday, Mr Berger insisted a deal would have "nothing to do with migration" as those taking part in the scheme would "go home" once their visa has ended.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qw58r0x0do
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Ukraine must compromise – Polish president
24 Apr, 2025
Ukraine will have to compromise to achieve a peace settlement with Russia, Polish President Andrzej Duda has said. In an interview with Euronews on Thursday, Duda argued that a lasting peace must be built on mutual concessions.
Warsaw has been one of the staunchest supporters of Kiev in its conflict with Moscow. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has spoken out against any peace deals that would require Ukraine to cede territory.
“It has to be a compromise... in my personal opinion… each side will have to give in in some sense. Well, Ukraine will also have to give in in some sense, because that is probably what will happen,” Duda said.
Discussing US-led peace efforts, Duda argued that only US President Donald Trump, who he described as someone who “plays very tough,” is capable of mediating an end to the hostilities. Duda was the first EU leader to meet with Trump in person following his inauguration in January.
Acting as a mediator in the ongoing negotiations, Trump reportedly presented a peace framework to Kiev earlier this week. The proposal is said to have included the recognition of Crimea as Russian.
The peninsula, where most of the population is ethnically Russian, held a referendum to rejoin Russia in 2014 after a Western-backed armed coup in Kiev.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky insisted on Wednesday that Kiev will never officially recognize Crimea as Russian – which elicited a sharp rebuke from Trump.
Moscow has also ruled out territorial concessions, saying the status of Crimea and the four other former Ukrainian regions that joined Russia after referendums in 2022 is not up for negotiation. Moscow has insisted that a peace deal must recognize the “reality on the ground.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/616227-duda-ukraine-russia-compromise/
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Mideast
Palestinians create role for a vice president and possible successor to PA leader Abbas
April 24, 2025
RAMALLAH, West Bank: The Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday announced the creation of a vice presidency under 89-year-old leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has not specified a successor.
The PLO Central Council’s decision came as Abbas seeks greater relevance and a role in postwar planning for the Gaza Strip after having been largely sidelined by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
After a two-day meeting, the council voted to create the role of vice chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. This position would also be referred to as the vice president of the State of Palestine, which the Palestinians hope will one day receive full international recognition.
The expectation is that whoever holds that role would be the front-runner to succeed Abbas — though it’s unclear when or exactly how it would be filled. Abbas is to choose his vice president from among the other 15 members of the PLO’s executive committee.
The PLO is the internationally recognized representative of the Palestinian people and oversees the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited autonomy in less than half of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abbas has led both entities for two decades.
Abbas is still seen internationally as the leader of the Palestinians and a partner in any effort to revive the peace process, which ground to a halt when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to office in 2009.
But the political veteran has clung to power since his mandate expired in 2009 and has not named a successor. Polls in recent years have shown plummeting support for him and his Fatah party.
Western and Arab donor countries have demanded reforms in the Palestinian Authority for it to play a role in postwar Gaza. The authority is deeply unpopular and faces long-standing allegations of corruption and poor governance. Appointing an heir apparent could be aimed at appeasing his critics.
Hamas, which won the last national elections in 2006, is not in the PLO. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas’ forces in 2007, and reconciliation attempts between the rivals have repeatedly failed.
Hamas touched off the war in Gaza when its militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. Israel responded with an air and ground campaign that has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598346/middle-east
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Revolution Leader?: Islamic Nation bears religious, moral, & humanitarian responsibility in confronting Zionist Project
24 Apr 2025
The Leader of the Revolution, Sayyed Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi, affirmed that the Islamic nation bears a religious, moral, and humanitarian responsibility in confronting the Zionist project in defense of its interests and national security.
In his speech today regarding the latest developments of the aggression on Gaza and regional and international events, the Leader pointed out that the silence, hesitation, and inaction of the Islamic nation have encouraged the Israeli enemy in all its actions against the peoples of the nation. It even receives encouragement from some Arab regimes at the same time. He clarified that submission to the Israeli enemy—with all its hatred, greed, and blatant disregard for Arabs and Muslims—is in no one's interest.
He explained that the Israeli enemy does not value those who submit to it, align with it, or adopt its narratives and slogans as part of its scheme. Nor does it appreciate any member of this nation, no matter how many services they provide to it. He emphasized that the choice of allegiance to the enemy serves only the enemy, destroys the nation, and further enables its adversaries.
The Leader of the Revolution stated that surrendering to the enemy is a suicidal, destructive, and catastrophic choice that causes the nation to lose everything while simultaneously incurring severe punishment from Allah. He noted that the nation possesses significant capabilities and enabling factors that would encourage it to confront the enemy—if only it adopted the correct perspective.
He said, *"There is an appalling and terrifying state of blindness in the condition of the nation. Yet, there are also encouraging factors for this nation to rise to its responsibility. The first and foremost of these factors, which stands as a reproach to the nation, is the extent and magnitude of Palestinian resilience in the Gaza Strip. For over a year and a half, they have demonstrated unprecedented levels of steadfastness, resolve, effectiveness, and sacrifice—something never before seen in the history of the conflict with the Israeli enemy, neither in Palestine itself nor on the Arab level."*
He added, *"Never before has there been such resilience in the face of genocide, destruction, and a criminal, barbaric Israeli-American offensive backed by the West, while giving the Israeli enemy free rein to commit the most heinous crimes."*
The Leader affirmed that despite all this, the Israeli enemy has failed for over a year and a half to achieve what it sought in the Gaza Strip or to accomplish its goal of full control. He pointed out that the extraordinary resilience of the mujahideen brothers in Gaza, with extremely limited resources, as well as the steadfastness of the civilian population under the harshest and most difficult conditions, stands as a reproach to this nation.
He stressed that this resilience should have been met with embrace, support, and solidarity, and that there should have been a shift in dealings toward the Palestinian people, with greater support, and toward the mujahideen.
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3470652.htm
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UN Yemen envoy meets Houthi officials in Oman
April 24, 2025
MUSCAT: UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg met Houthi militant officials in Oman on Thursday to discuss “the necessity to stabilize the situation” in the Arabian Peninsula country.
The Houthis form part of Iran’s “axis of resistance” against Israel and the United States, and since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, they have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel in what they say is a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.
They have also targeted ships they accuse of having ties to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, sparking a US-led bombing campaign aimed at securing the key shipping lanes.
In a statement posted on X, Grundberg’s office said he “met today in #Muscat with senior Omani officials, members of Ansar Allah (Houthi) leadership and representatives of the diplomatic community.”
The talks “centered on the necessity to stabilize the situation in #Yemen to allow all Yemenis to live in dignity and prosperity and to address the legitimate concerns of all stakeholders including the region and the international community,” it added.
Grundberg “reiterated his commitment to continue to work toward that goal, as part of his efforts toward sustainable peace in Yemen.”
Since March 15, Israel’s key ally the United States has stepped up its attacks on the Houthis, targeting their positions in Yemen with near-daily air strikes.
The UN envoy’s meetings in Muscat come two days before a third round of indirect talks, mediated by Oman, between top officials from Iran and the United States on the Islamic republic’s nuclear program.
Grundberg’s office said he also raised UN demands for “the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN, NGO, civil society and diplomatic personnel” in Yemen.
In June last year, the Houthis detained 13 UN personnel, including six employees of the Human Rights Office, and more than 50 NGO staff, plus an embassy staff member.
They claimed they had arrested “an American-Israeli spy network” operating under the cover of humanitarian organizations — allegations emphatically rejected by the UN Human Rights Office.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598329/middle-east
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Israeli strikes put Gaza’s Al-Durrah Children’s Hospital out of service
April 24, 2025
LONDON: The Martyr Mohammed Al-Durrah Children’s Hospital, east of Gaza City, was put out of service on Thursday, according to Palestinian medical sources.
The facility, which provides health services for children in northern Gaza, sustained severe damage after being targeted by Israeli forces this week, the Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported.
Bombing damaged the hospital’s intensive care unit and alternative energy panels, the report said.
Medical sources told Wafa that Israel’s blockade of food and medical supplies since mid-March meant that children in Gaza were facing a catastrophic situation.
Al-Durrah is the 37th hospital to be put out of service since Israel began its attacks on the Palestinian coastal enclave in late 2023.
Source: arabnews.com
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While the world watches Gaza, here is what’s happening in the West Bank
April 25, 2025
With the world’s attention focused on Gaza, Israeli military operations in the West Bank grew in size, frequency and intensity. The army launched the stepped-up campaign to counter what it says is a growing militant threat.
Here’s a look at where things stand, with data collected by the UN’s humanitarian office and Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement tracking group.
Palestinian deaths by Israeli fire have surged
Since the war in Gaza erupted, the majority of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank have been shot during military raids in villages and towns.
Israel says the operations are needed to stamp out militancy. Many of the dead were militants killed in clashes, or youths throwing stones or firebombs.
But Palestinians and rights groups say scores of uninvolved civilians have been caught in the crossfire.
Israeli offensives evicted 40,000 from refugee camps
Israel is staging a massive offensive across four major refugee camps in the north of the West Bank. The raids, at their height, pushed 40,000 people from their homes. Many are now sheltering with relatives in neighboring villages, others racking up debt renting apartments while they wait to return.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, have said those displaced will not be allowed to go back for at least a year.
Forces have ripped up roads, destroyed infrastructure and demolished hundreds of homes. Israel says it is dismantling terrorist infrastructure. But civilian homes have also been destroyed.
In another escalation, the military has resumed previously rare tactics, like drone strikes, in these densely populated areas.
Settler attacks on Palestinians occur almost daily.
For Palestinians living in small Bedouin villages in areas under full Israeli control, the attacks have become a near-daily occurrence as settlers — emboldened by Israel’s pro-settler government— build new unauthorized outposts on nearby hilltops.
Israel says it opposes settler violence and blames it all on a small, extremist fringe. Palestinians say that the Israeli army does little to protect them, and that the attacks are part of a systematic attempt to expel them from their land.
Israeli outposts spring up across territory
Settlers have established about 80 new outposts since the war began. Rights groups say the outposts, often populated by extremist activists, are the main drivers of violence against Palestinians. The tiny unauthorized land grabs are tolerated and even encouraged by Israel, which over the years has converted many outposts into authorized settlements as it cements its hold on the territory and moves to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Israel’s government, dominated by settler leaders and supporters, has established 13 new settlements since the war began, at least five of which originally sprung up as outposts. That brings the total number of settlements to 140.
Most of the international community considers settlements illegal, though US President Donald Trump has supported them.
Checkpoints choke Palestinian movement
Meanwhile, movement between Palestinian towns and cities has only grown more difficult. New checkpoints have further divided the territory and created choke points the Israeli army can shut off on a whim.
Crossings that had been open 24/7 started closing during morning and evening rush hours, disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and turning once-routine commutes into hours-long journeys.
As the war in Gaza continues and the West Bank seethes, Palestinians say life is only growing more difficult.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598394/middle-east
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Moving heaven and earth to make bread in Gaza
April 24, 2025
NUSEIRAT: In Gaza, where hunger gnaws and hope runs thin, flour and bread are so scarce that they are carefully divided by families clinging to survival.
“Because the crossing points are closed, there’s no more gas and no flour, and no firewood coming in,” said Umm Mohammed Issa, a volunteer helping to make bread with the few available resources.
Israel resumed military operations in the Palestinian territory in mid-March, shattering weeks of relative calm brought by a fragile ceasefire.
The UN has warned of a growing humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the besieged territory, where Israel’s blockade on aid since March 2 has cut off food, fuel, and other essentials to Gaza’s 2.4 million people.
Once again, residents have had to resort to increasingly desperate measures to feed themselves.
Issa said the volunteers have resorted to burning pieces of cardboard to cook a thin flatbread called “saj,” named after the convex hotplate on which it is made.
“There’s going to be famine,” the Palestinian woman said, a warning international aid groups have previously issued over 18 months of war.
“We’ll be in the situation where we can no longer feed our children.”
Until the end of March, Gazans gathered outside the few bakeries still operating each morning, hoping to get some bread.
But one by one, the ovens cooled as ingredients — flour, water, salt, and yeast — ran out.
Larger industrial bakeries central to the UN’s World Food Programme operations also closed due to a lack of flour and fuel to power their generators.
On Wednesday, World Central Kitchen, or WCK, sounded the alarm about a humanitarian crisis “growing more dire each day.”
The organization’s bakery is the only one still operating in Gaza, producing 87,000 loaves of bread daily.
“Bread is precious, often substituting for meals where cooking has stopped,” it said.
“I built a clay oven to bake bread to sell,” said Baqer Deeb, a 35-year-old father from Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.
He has been displaced by the fighting, like almost the entire population of the territory, and is now in Gaza City.
“But now there’s a severe shortage of flour,” he said, “and that is making the bread crisis even worse.”
There is no longer much food for sale at makeshift roadside stalls, and prices are climbing, making many products unaffordable for most people.
Fidaa Abu Ummayra thought she had found a real bargain when she bought a large sack of flour for €90 at Al-Shati refugee camp in the north of the territory.
“If only I hadn’t bought it,” the 55-year-old said. “It was full of mold and worms. The bread was disgusting.”
Before the war, a typical 25-kilo sack like the one she bought would have gone for less than €10,
“We are literally dying of hunger,” said Tasnim Abu Matar in Gaza City.
“We count and calculate everything our children eat, and divide up the bread to make it last for days,” the 50-year-old added.
“We can’t take it anymore.”
People rummage through debris searching for something to eat as others walk for kilometers (miles) to aid distribution points, hoping to find food for their families.
Germany, France, and Britain on Wednesday called on Israel to stop blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza, warning of “an acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease and death.”
According to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, displaced people at more than 250 shelters in Gaza had no or limited access to enough food last month.
Hamas, whose unprecedented Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel ignited the war, accuses Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war.
Source: arabnews.com
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Iraqi PM, Jordanian speaker call for unified global action on Gaza
April 24, 2025
AMMAN: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Jordan’s Lower House Speaker Ahmad Al-Safadi on Thursday called for increased international efforts to halt Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.
During a meeting at the prime minister’s offices in Baghdad, the pair emphasized the importance of aligning global positions to end the violation of the Palestinian people, the Jordan News Agency reported.
They called for a concerted international response and unified regional efforts to restore stability and bolster security.
The officials also reaffirmed their commitment to closer relations between Iraq and Jordan, as well as advancing pan-Arab interests and confronting regional challenges.
Safadi stressed Jordan’s commitment to enhancing ties with Iraq, particularly in the parliamentary and economic spheres, and highlighted the need to broaden cooperation in other sectors to serve mutual interests.
He expressed his pride in the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and their peoples, and reiterated the shared determination to continue engagement on key issues.
Source: arabnews.com
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Arab World
Blue tea cultivation in Jazan highlighted
April 24, 2025
RIYADH: The Jazan Mountainous Areas Development and Reconstruction Authority is currently showcasing its expertise in cultivating blue tea.
The showcase is a part of the authority’s participation in Environment Week 2025, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, with government, private, and nonprofit organizations.
The authority’s pavilion has been visited by a number of people intrigued by blue tea’s nutritional benefits, unique flavor and vibrant color.
The cultivation project is a part of the authority’s strategic initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture in the mountainous area of Jazan.
The project plays a key role in supporting the local economy and expanding income sources within the agricultural sector.
Source: arabnews.com
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Conversations under the tree: Saudi community space encourages discussions on environment
HAIFA ALSHAMMARI
April 24, 2025
RIYADH: A Saudi nonprofit organization has created a “tree library” in Riyadh, which aims to educate the public while providing a community space for environmental discussions.
AEON Collective’s initiative is raising awareness of environmental topics through organized discussions and offering opportunities for knowledge exchange.
Princess Mashael Al-Shalan, co-founder of AEON Collective, told Arab News: “We have a firm belief that if we are trying to tackle a lot of these issues we’re talking about in our day-to-day operations — climate change, energy security, biodiversity loss, land degradation — as we heard in Saudi last year, you need to have a way of talking truly about the complexity of these issues.”
The tree library was developed during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when in-person meetings were restricted.
Princess Al-Shalan added: “We needed to find some way to make it a bit safer for people to congregate again in person, to have some of these difficult conversations and do them in a way that was consistent, of delivering on actionable dialogs, not necessarily just conversation for its (own) sake.”
The tree library is not only an area for dialogue, but also a garden where people can enjoy conversation while surrounded by nature.
Co-founder Princess Noura bint Turki compared it to a majlis, or traditional gathering.
She added: “They’re just respectful interactions and exchanges of ideas which then, even if you have a problem, you end up solving this problem or finding solutions. That is a win-win for everyone.”
The tree library is now growing and has become a haven for all types of environmental health and well-being activities.
Princess Noura explained that health and wellness were essential to creating a healthy community.
She said: “We provide them with the space, they have these conversations together, they work out or they do some healing practices and exercises, but at the same time they reflect on the space where they feel connected to nature and they start thinking about sustainability issues.
“They can have conversations around sustainability, around challenges that we’re facing, and come up with solutions. That way you get people from various backgrounds, various interests, to talk about subjects, to speak to them at the individual level. That’s how you create a community.”
AEON Collective has created a number of tree libraries around the world, including in Italy, Kuwait, Jamaica, Liberia, and the US.
Princess Noura described how these interconnected libraries were a representation of the underground mycelium networks that trees use to communicate.
She said: “(This) romantic paradigm is something that we’re trying to replicate in the physical and digital realm with these locations of the tree library, so that the notion of a system coming to the aid of its weakest constituents in a specific way is how we’re trying to address it.”
Although interconnected, each tree library is designed to serve its own local community.
Princess Al-Shalan said: “The priorities of each of those different jurisdictions are most definitely different from those in Riyadh.
“So while, for example, Failaka Island used to be the food basket of Kuwait prior to the First Gulf War, after it a lot of the land there was no longer productive.
“The return of those lands to something that’s a bit more productive as a vehicle for food security for Kuwait is immensely important.”
The co-founders of AEON Collective speak of how collaborative discussions often lead to stronger advocacy efforts and policy changes, with open communication empowering people to take action and promote a sustainable future for the planet.
Princess Noura said: “The whole idea is you want to inspire a new generation of support, and the way you inspire a new generation is by showing them through action.
“If we can work with people from our generation or our younger generation to showcase the positive impacts that can happen through an individual and at a community level, when it comes to environmental conservation, human well-being, then you are charting a way for the new generations and the upcoming generations to really have urgency moving forward.
“We hope that everyone feels that this is a space for them, where they can come and learn and contribute and also educate others, because that’s how we learn from each other and create stronger communities.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Hajj Minister highlights AI integration, service enhancements for pilgrims
24 Apr 2025
Oxford: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfig Al Rabiah emphasized that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Grand Mosque in Makkah has significantly enhanced crowd management and rapid emergency response, without disrupting the sanctity of the holy site.
He also noted that the Nusuk application, which provides over 100 digital services in 20 languages, facilitated the issuance of more than 13 million permits to visit Al Rawdah Al Sharifah in 2024, a significant increase from 4 million in 2022.
During his address at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Dr. Al Rabiah stated that serving the Guests of Allah is not merely a duty but an honor and a sacred trust. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring a seamless, dignified, and spiritual journey for pilgrims.
The minister highlighted several groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed services for pilgrims, including the electronic pathway in collaboration with over 80 countries and the introduction of smart cards that connect pilgrims with their personal and medical information, facilitating movement and ensuring their safety.
Dr. Al Rabiah revealed that Saudi Arabia welcomed over 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers in 2024, reflecting the outcomes of investments in infrastructure and humanitarian innovation.
He also stressed the importance of preserving Islamic heritage, stating that the Kingdom has restored 55 Islamic and cultural sites to strengthen visitors' connection to the rich Islamic history of Makkah and Madinah.
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
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How Saudi Arabia can balance its AI infrastructure and sustainable water usage
GHADI JOUDAH
April 24, 2025
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence has opened up remarkable new possibilities — but beneath its sleek, digital surface lies an overlooked environmental cost: Water.
While debates over AI’s energy demands have captured headlines, its vast and growing water footprint remains largely out of sight. That blind spot, experts warn, could carry serious consequences.
Salah Al-Kafrawi, senior consultant at EY for data and AI, told Arab News: “We have no universal approach to assess how much water is consumed while using or training AI,” leaving the true scale of the problem poorly understood.
Although a few tech firms publish rough water usage estimates, most businesses — from e-commerce to aviation — remain unaware of their consumption. “Many aren’t even aware of their water footprint,” Al-Kafrawi said
Even available data likely underestimates reality by a factor of 10 or more. In a world facing increasing water scarcity, AI’s mounting thirst is a silent crisis — one that demands innovation, transparency and smarter systems.
AI’s water usage is complex. It includes both direct consumption, such as cooling servers, and indirect usage tied to the electricity that powers them.
“AI requires significant data for training and evaluation, along with electricity to operate and cooling systems to prevent overheating,” Al-Kafrawi said.
That electricity often comes from water-intensive power sources. Coal-fired and nuclear plants, for instance, consume “millions of gallons of water daily” for steam production and cooling — a hidden environmental cost rarely accounted for in sustainability reports.
Meanwhile, data centers use vast amounts of water to stop their servers from overheating.
“Data centers often use water cooling towers to dissipate heat generated by their servers,” said Al-Kafrawi, noting this creates “another significant source of water usage.”
This leads to a vicious cycle: AI requires power, power generates heat, and cooling that heat requires more water.
“The combination of water needed for electricity generation and cooling systems means that AI’s water footprint extends far beyond what might be immediately apparent,” Al-Kafrawi said.
In Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce and AI infrastructure is booming, managing this balance is becoming increasingly urgent.
Abdulelah Al-Shehri, assistant professor of chemical engineering at King Saud University, said that most global data centers rely on potable water — despite its scarcity.
“Water purity directly affects a system’s lifespan,” he said. Indeed, reclaimed water can risk corrosion and microbial contamination, though efforts to safely reuse non-potable sources are gaining traction.
Currently, most data centers in the Kingdom use hybrid cooling systems.
“Saudi data centers rely on high-efficiency mechanical cooling systems combining air-cooled and water-cooled chillers,” said Al-Shehri, referencing Microsoft’s climate-adaptive guidelines and the Saudi Telecom Company’s 2023 Sustainability Report.
Even these efficient systems come with a significant toll. Al-Shehri said that cooling infrastructure for the country’s 300 MW of operational data centers consumes between 2.3 and 2.8 liters of water per kilowatt-hour.
“If we look at current capacity operating at full load year-round, annual water use would approach 6.7 million cubic meters,” he warned — roughly the same amount used by 160,000 Saudi households each year.
And this is just the beginning. Al-Shehri projected that capacity could more than quadruple to 1,300 MW within five years — putting total water use on par with the needs of 700,000 households.
“These figures only capture direct water use for cooling,” he added. The indirect cost, tied to fossil fuel-based energy production, remains even greater.
Despite the growing demand, Al-Shehri said that there are promising solutions — but they require investment and vision.
“Multiple solutions are emerging to reduce water usage in data center cooling, though investors often hesitate because of the intensive capital investment and costly retrofits.”
Among the most promising ideas is rethinking traditional cooling standards. “Microsoft and Google have piloted these so-called ‘high-temperature data centers,’ which would effectively drive the direct water footprint to zero,” he said.
Raising operating temperatures from 21 degrees Celsius to as high as 35 Celsius allows systems to rely more on air than water.
Other technologies focus on recycling heat. “Absorption chillers can reclaim up to 40 percent of waste heat here and repurpose it for cooling,” said Al-Shehri, pointing to global examples such as Swiss company Infomaniak, which now uses server heat to warm 6,000 homes.
There is also the energy mix to consider. “Diversifying energy sources for AI power isn’t a simple swap,” he said. “It hinges on resource availability, proximity to data centers, and the water footprint.”
Research shows that solar and wind are the most water-efficient sources. By contrast, biomass — a widely promoted renewable option — can consume “up to 100 times more water than natural gas,” Al-Shehri said.
Another overlooked cost comes from the treatment and transportation of water itself — a point highlighted by Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabia managing director at global water solutions firm Ecolab.
“Water must be moved, heated, cooled and treated to be fit for business use, which requires energy,” Al-Otaibi told Arab News. He framed water and energy as interconnected levers — what scientists call the “water-energy nexus.”
“Water serves a dual purpose in data centers. It cools infrastructure directly and gets consumed indirectly when generating the electricity that powers high-performance computing,” he said.
Failing to manage this interdependency is risky. “Overlooking water creates risk — particularly in regions like Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce, and digital infrastructure is expanding rapidly.”
Al-Otaibi said that better data and AI tools can help companies to understand and reduce their water and energy footprints. “With the right data and technologies, businesses can make water use more visible — and more manageable,” he said.
Ecolab’s audits show significant gains are possible. Their tools have helped clients to cut water usage by 44 percent, energy by 22 percent and emissions by 12 percent, all while improving reliability.
“Water efficiency can become a business enabler — supporting uptime and sustainability targets at the same time,” Al-Otaibi said.
With AI infrastructure expanding rapidly across the Gulf, Al-Otaibi urged stakeholders to act now — especially in design stages. “The key is starting early — smart water strategies begin before construction,” he said.
He cited Ecolab’s partnership with global data center operator Digital Realty, where their AI-driven system is expected to reduce water use by up to 15 percent and prevent the withdrawal of 126 million gallons of potable water annually.
For Saudi Arabia, where water is precious and technology ambitions are vast, that kind of efficiency is not just smart — it is essential.
Source: arabnews.com
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Al-Hadhan village: discover the natural and cultural jewel of Najran
April 24, 2025
RIYADH: Al-Hadhan village, southwest of Najran city in southern Saudi Arabia, provides a captivating blend of nature and history.
Verdant agricultural fields, flourishing palm farms, and ancient mud houses together form a timeless landscape, making it a popular destination for visitors from within the Kingdom and beyond.
Abdullah Adlan, a resident with a passion for agriculture and rural tourism, speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, described daily life in the village as simple and deeply rooted in social cohesion.
Residents primarily rely on farming and livestock breeding, while actively participating in community events that strengthen their social bonds.
They also take great pride in preserving their cultural identity by restoring historic mud buildings — some of which date back centuries — to safeguard the village’s architectural heritage and pass it on to future generations.
Adlan also noted that the village is a vital agricultural hub, supplying local markets with a variety of crops, including grapes, strawberries, dates, figs, lemons and oranges.
This abundance is made possible by the village’s fertile soil, freshwater resources, and a longstanding agricultural tradition.
Ibrahim Al-Mansour, the head of the Tourism Cooperative Society in Najran said that the history of Al-Hadhan village stretches back centuries, as reflected in its ancient landmarks and traditional mud-brick architecture.
He said that the village was once a key stop on the route for trade caravans traveling from Yemen, adding that Al-Hadhan is one of Najran’s premier tourist destinations, thanks to its strategic location at the intersection of mountains, verdant oases, and scenic valleys.
He also highlighted the genuine hospitality of the local community, which greatly enhances the overall visitor experience.
Source: arabnews.com
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Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman appointed chairman of KAUST’s board of trustees
April 24, 2025
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has been appointed as the chairman of the board of trustees of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology by royal order.
The order was issued by King Salman at the recommendation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and reflects KAUST’s strategic role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s research, development, and innovation agenda, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Under Prince Abdulaziz’s leadership, KAUST is poised to further its mission as a global hub for scientific excellence and transformative innovation, SPA said.
Prince Abdulaziz has extensive expertise in the energy and sustainability sector, having played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing policies that drive the transition toward clean energy and foster innovation in this field.
His appointment represents a strategic step in advancing KAUST’s “Accelerating Impact” strategy, which aims to fast-track scientific research and bridge its outcomes with industrial and technological applications in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, SPA said.
The appointment underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing research efforts aimed at addressing environmental and climate challenges, enhancing the adoption of renewable energy, and achieving net-zero emissions through the university’s research initiatives.
Commenting on the appointment, KAUST President Sir Edward Byrne AC said: “We are honored to have Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman as the Chairman of KAUST Board of Trustees. His appointment marks a significant milestone in the university’s journey.
“His vision and deep expertise in energy and sustainability will accelerate KAUST’s impact and strengthen its role in linking scientific research with economic and technological development. We look forward to achieving further milestones, expanding strategic partnerships, and supporting the next generation of scientists and innovators.”
Source: arabnews.com
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UAE Digital Bank Ruya Rolls Out In-App Shari’ah-Compliant Crypto Trades
By Peter Mwangi
April 24, 2025
Ruya, a digital Islamic bank based in the UAE, now lets customers buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly through its mobile app. The bank confirmed this marks the first time a Shari’ah-compliant institution has offered crypto trading within a regulated banking framework, reflecting Ruya’s push to blend modern finance with Islamic banking ethics.
According to Ruya, customers can trade selected digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), via a secure, integrated mobile platform. This service is part of the bank’s wider investment options designed for ethical, long-term wealth creation. Importantly, Ruya emphasized that all available digital assets have been vetted for Shari’ah compliance, assuring users of their religious permissibility.
To power this new feature, Ruya partnered with Fuze, a licensed digital asset infrastructure provider. This collaboration ensures the service meets high technical security standards while upholding Islamic financial principles.
UAE’s Growing Appetite for Digital Assets
This launch coincides with surging digital asset activity in the United Arab Emirates. The nation saw over $30 billion in virtual asset inflows in the year ending June 2024, a 42% jump year-over-year. Ruya pointed to this trend as a key factor driving its decision to add digital assets to its platform.
Ruya CEO Christoph Koster stated the service aims to meet customer demand for responsible, ethical access to the digital economy. He highlighted the bank’s focus on transparency, strong governance, and promoting long-term financial planning through the offering.
Focus on Ethical Investing and Support
Ruya stressed that its platform discourages speculative trading, focusing instead on financial resilience. The investment framework encourages responsible choices, aligning with Islamic finance’s principles against excessive risk and uncertainty (Gharar).
For customer assistance, the bank uses a hybrid call center and community support channels. Ruya stated the goal is to offer expert guidance while ensuring clarity and compliance in all investment interactions.
Fuze CEO Mo Ali Yusuf commented that the partnership signifies progress in merging ethical digital assets with mainstream banking. He added their combined effort aims for a secure, user-friendly experience for customers exploring crypto.
Source: coinedition.com
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North America
Muslim group wants Biden ‘war criminals’ canceled from academic gigs
APRIL 25, 2025
Two Biden foreign policy officials should lose their academic appointments, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
The Muslim advocacy group called former U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Middle East policy coordinator Brett McGurk “war criminals,” in a petition and two letters directed at Harvard University and the University of New Hampshire.
Harvard hired both Sullivan and McGurk for roles this semester. UNH also appointed Sullivan to a “senior fellow” role.
Both officials “played key roles in developing, justifying and executing the Biden administration’s most disastrous foreign policy decisions,” according to CAIR.
These decisions include “the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan that ended with a drone attack on an innocent Afghan family and weapons transfers to support the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza despite federal law forbidding those transfers.”
“Government officials who flout federal law, lie to the American public, and enable deadly foreign policy catastrophes should not be able to cash out on their disastrous time in office by failing up and taking up positions at prominent colleges and universities,” CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Mitchell stated in a news release.
The group did not respond to emails and phone calls in the past month seeking further comment and any update on the petition.
Harvard and UNH also did not respond to similar outreach requests, seeking comment on the petition.
However, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi criticized the petition in emailed comments to The Fix.
“CAIR has a long record of support for antisemitism and terrorism, and these statements are no exception,” Rabbi Yaakov Menken of the Coalition for Jewish values said via email.
He particularly criticized the group’s use of the term genocide, writing:
He also alleged the Muslim group “exists to fuel antisemitism.”
Menken also noted that CAIR’s executive director, Nihad Awad, praised the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel.
“The people of Gaza only decided to break the siege the walls of the concentration camp on October 7,” Awad previously said.
“Yes, I was happy to see people breaking the siege and throwing down the shackles of their own land and walk free into their own land that they were not allowed to walk in,” he said. “And yes, the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense, have the right to defend themselves, and yes, Israel as an occupying power does not have that right to self-defense.”
He later clarified that he “condemned the violence against Israeli civilians on October 7th and past Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians.”
CAIR has previously convinced other universities to cancel people it dislikes, including Dr. Elon Glassberg, a surgeon with the Israeli Defense Forces. Its Maryland office thanked the university’s medical school for canceling Glassberg’s planned January speech about surgery after it generated 6,000 emails in opposition, as The Fix previously reported.
Medical school officials canceled the event, citing vague “safety concerns” and the fear “some debate” might occur, as The Fix reported, based on emails it obtained via a public records request.
Source: thecollegefix.com
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Mosque to open inside Okotoks church
APRIL 25, 2025
It will be a mosque within a church.
An opening ceremony will be held next week for the Sayyidah Aysha Islamic Center, which will operate inside Okotoks United Church.
The Sayyidah Khadijah Center and Islamic Supreme Council of Canada have joined forces to create the mosque, which will be celebrated at the opening ceremony on Friday, May 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Atthar Mahmood, vice president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, said it will be the first Islamic centre in Okotoks and, most importantly, will function from within the United Church.
The Muslim community has been conducting Friday prayers at the Okotoks church since late 2022.
“There is definitely a huge need for it here in Okotoks,” Mahmood said in early 2023. “People had to go to Calgary and that’s just not convenient.”
Mahmood said Muslims pray five times daily, which can typically be done at home, but on Fridays it must be done in congregation, which had forced members of the faith to leave town.
He said Muslims are grateful to the church for providing space for Friday prayers, and are excited by the new arrangement that will give them 24-hour access to the mosque.
He said the permanent space will allow them to start classes for children and on the Quran, the holy book of Islam.
Mahmood said the need for a mosque was due to a growing local Muslim community.
“We just announced it last week and I have already heard from three or four people that are moving to Okotoks, so this is good news for them,” he said. “People are showing a lot of interest in moving to Okotoks.”
Mahmood has helped establish congregations in other Calgary suburbs, including Airdrie and Chestermere.
Source: westernwheel.ca
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https://www.westernwheel.ca/local-news/mosque-to-open-inside-okotoks-church-10565981
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Canadian PM reveals Trump brought up '51st state' during March call
APRIL 25, 2025
Donald Trump raised the matter of making Canada the US's 51st state in a March call with Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Liberal Party leader acknowledged.
The two men spoke on 28 March, the first week of the Canadian election season, but Carney had not previously shared this detail of the call, according to the Globe and Mail.
"The president brings this up all the time. He brought it up yesterday. He brought it up before," Carney said at a Thursday campaign press conference.
Pressed by reporters, he added, "I said that he did. He has these things in his mind. This is not news."
Canada will hold elections on Monday, and Trump's tariff policies and musings about making its northern neighbour part of the United States have become critical issues in the race.
"To be clear, as I've said to anyone who's raised this issue in private or in public, including the president, it will never happen," Carney added.
On Wednesday, Trump said he'd spoken to Carney several times.
"We had a couple of very nice conversations. Very good," he said in response to a BBC question. "But I don't think it's appropriate for me to get involved in their election."
Despite Trump's insistence on staying neutral, he looms heavily over Canada's election.
Since his re-election, Trump repeatedly has mentioned making Canada the "51st state" of America, which rattled Canadian leaders and infuriated residents.
He referred to then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "governor"- the title for the leaders of individual US states.
His talk of a "51st state," coupled with the trade war sparked by Trump's tariffs, has unleashed a patriotic fervour in Canada. Even in Quebec, a province where talk of independence has long simmered, voters told the BBC they wanted leadership that would stand up to Trump.
At a French language debate last week, all four major federal party leaders were grilled on how they would respond to Trump.
Both Carney, who leads the Liberal Party, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, have sought to convince voters that their party is the best choice to address the trade war with the US and guide Canadians through the resulting economic uncertainty.
Trump has placed a 25% tariffs on goods imported to the US from Canada, but has exempted products covered by a North American trade deal known as USMCA. He also hit Canada with global US tariffs on steel, aluminium and automobiles.
In March, when Trump placed a 25% tariff on Canadian-made automobiles, Poilievre delivered remarks "condemning, without equivocation, the unjustified and unprovoked tariffs that President Trump has now announced against our auto sector."
Polling suggests the Liberal Party holds a slight lead over the Conservatives, though the margin is tightening, according to a CBC News poll tracker.
Canadians have shattered early vote records, with more than 7m people casting their ballots so far.
Source: bbc.com
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China tells Trump: If you want trade talks, cancel tariffs
APRIL 25, 2025
China has called on the US to cancel its sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods entering the country as a sign that the President Donald Trump is serious about resolving the trade war between the two countries.
A Chinese official said there had been no trade talks with the US, despite suggestions otherwise from the Trump administration.
The trade war between the world's two largest economies has been escalating, with China sending back Boeing planes it ordered from the US in its latest retaliation over tariffs.
But Trump has appeared to soften his stance on China, saying that the taxes he has so far imposed on Chinese imports would "come down substantially, but it won't be zero".
A trade war between China and the US is in full swing, with Trump imposing import taxes of up to 145% on Chinese goods coming into the US, and China hitting back with a 125% tax on American products.
In one of China's strongest statements yet over the tariff war, Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong said the US should remove all "unilateral tariff measures" against China "if it truly wanted" to solve the issue.
"The person who tied the bell must untie it," he added.
Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China and the US had "not conducted consultations or negotiations on tariffs, let alone reached an agreement".
He added that reports to the contrary were "false".
Trump previously said negotiations between the countries were "active" - but this was also contradicted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said on Wednesday they had not yet begun.
Bessent added that there was an opportunity for a "big deal" between the US and China on trade.
He has previously said he expected a de-escalation of the "unsustainable" trade war, and said the current situation was "not a joke".
Trump said on Tuesday that he would be "very nice" in negotiations with Beijing in the hope of securing a trade deal.
But following China's latest comments, he said on his Truth Social media platform "Boeing should default China for not taking the beautifully finished planes that China committed to purchase".
"This is just a small example of what China has done to the USA, for years," he added, before repeating accusations that synthetic opioid fentanyl "continues to pour into our country from China, through Mexico and Canada, killing hundreds of thousands of our people".
The boss of plane manufacturer Boeing revealed China had sent back aircraft it had ordered from the US as part of its retaliation to tariffs.
Kelly Ortberg said this week that two planes had already been returned and another would follow due trade tensions between the two countries.
China held a roundtable on Wednesday to address the concerns of more than 80 foreign firms over the impact of US tariffs on their investments and operations in China, the commerce ministry said.
"It is hoped that foreign firms will turn crises into opportunities," said Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dglmm5j52o
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California passes Japan as fourth largest economy
APRIL 25, 2025
California's economy has overtaken that of the country of Japan, making the US state the fourth largest global economic force.
Governor Gavin Newsom touted new data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis showing California's growth.
The data shows California's gross domestic product (GDP) hit $4.10 trillion (£3.08 trillion) in 2024, surpassing Japan, which was marked at $4.01 trillion. The state now only trails Germany, China and the US as a whole.
"California isn't just keeping pace with the world - we're setting the pace," Newsom said.
The new figures come as Newsom has spoken out against President Donald Trump's tariffs and voiced concern about the future of the state's economy.
California has the largest share of manufacturing and agricultural production in the US. It is also home to leading technological innovation, the centre of the world's entertainment industry and the country's two largest seaports.
Newsom, a prominent Democrat and possible presidential candidate in 2028, filed a lawsuit challenging Trump's authority to impose the levies, which have caused disruption to global markets and trade.
Trump has enacted 10% levies on almost all countries importing to the US, after announcing a 90-day pause on higher tariffs.
Another 25% tariff was imposed on Mexico and Canada. The levies on China, however, have led to an all-out trade war with the world's second largest economy.
Trump imposed import taxes of up to 145% on Chinese goods coming into the US and China hit back with a 125% tax on American products.
His administration said last week that when the new tariffs were added on to existing ones, the levies on some Chinese goods could reach 245%.
Newsom noted his worries about the future of the state's economy.
"While we celebrate this success, we recognise that our progress is threatened by the reckless tariff policies of the current federal administration," he said. "California's economy powers the nation, and it must be protected."
Trump has argued his trade war is only levelling the playing field after years of the US being taxed.
The tariffs are an effort to encourage factories and jobs to return to the US. It is one major pillar of his economic agenda, as is a cut in interest rates, aimed at reducing the cost of borrowing for Americans.
The new data shows California's GDP behind the US at $29.18 trillion, China at $18.74 trillion and Germany at $4.65 trillion. It also shows California was the fastest growing among those countries.
Japan's economy is under pressure because of its decreasing and ageing population, which means its workforce is shrinking and social care costs are ballooning.
This week, the IMF cut its economic growth forecast for Japan and projected that the central bank would raise interest rates more slowly than previously expected because of the impact of higher tariffs.
"The effect of tariffs announced on April 2 and associated uncertainty offset the expected strengthening of private consumption with above-inflation wage growth boosting household disposable income," its World Economic Outlook report said.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly80zlk1lyo
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Africa
Insecurity: Lagos Muslims urge security chiefs to act decisively
April 25, 2025
by Tajudeen Adebanjo
The President of the Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS), Alhaji Mohammed Oyinlomo Danmole has likened the current security challenges plaquing some parts of the country especially the North East and the Middle belt as that of guerilla warfare.
He said that it was high time the nation’s security forces takes the fight to the hideout of the terrorists who he described as foreigners and enemy of the state.
Alhaji Danmole stated this during the inaugural Central Working Committee meeting of the new leadership of the Muslim Community of Lagos held at the Conference Room of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Ajao road in Surulere.
He stressed the need for government to identify and attack the root cause of the problem while noting that the terrain of the troubled spots are difficult to navigate.
The President of the Muslim Community was of the view that the current insecurity is not beyond solution adding that what it requires is for residents of the troubled communities to give useful information while the security demonstrate the courage to confront them with superior firepower.
He said that he strongly believe that President Bola Tinubu is well prepared and has the capacity to deliver on the mandate entrusted on him by the people.
On the state of the economy, Danmole pointed out that the recent Fitch ratings shows clearly that it is gradually bouncing back but advised government to prioritize policies that will sustain it.
According to him, the group is ready to collaborate with the Lagos State Government in providing solutions to some of the identified challenges facing the residents.
Alhaji Danmole added that the Muslim Community of Lagos is prepared to implement her mission to the latter in improving the wellbeing of muslims adding the nature of their empowerment will be a departure from distribution of palliatives to the people.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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Tinubu Did Not Break Any Law, He Broke The Constitution When He Declared State Of Emergency In Rivers – Rotimi Amaechi
April 25, 2025
By Justina Otio
Former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has described the National Assembly as a weak institution that aided President Bola Tinubu in instituting an illegal government.
Amaechi stated this while reacting to the suspension of the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Speaking at the 9th Edition of Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) Annual Leadership Discourse themed: “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” organised by AAF in Lagos, Amaechi asserted that President Bola Tinubu did not break the law when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers, but broke the constitution.
The former minister of transportation, who expressed dismay over the ineffectiveness of the National Assembly in the matter, urged Nigerians to be proactive in reacting to poor governance, saying docility was an enabler of bad leadership.
His words: “Do you agree that there is nothing like a fearless leader and there is nothing like courageous leadership? Do you (Nigerians) need a courageous leader where the system works? Just push the button, everything will give you the answer. It is only when there is a failed leadership that you begin to look at who is the courageous leader.
“There are different types of leadership traits, and fearless leadership is not one of them. There is the authoritarian leadership trait, which is one who knows it all. Such leaders tell you what to do without consulting and expect you to obey.
“You can either have a fearless followership or a docile followership. Does Nigeria resonate here as par the docility of followership? Does it resonate here? Yes. Good governance is about constitutionality and the rule of law. It is also about the concept of separation of power. The absence of good governance and rule of law breeds arbitrariness in governance. Arbitrariness here has to do with non-observance of the basic principles of law.
“For a governor or a president, who subscribes to such a concept, it is what he or she does that is law. It is not what is in the book that is law. There is also the non-observance of the basic principles of law. This is where government is not by law, but by the whims and caprices of an individual leader. Like the current pronouncement of an illegal and unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State aided by weak institutions like the National Assembly, which is very weak.
“What is even more alarming is that the breach in the situation is not even about law. The president didn’t break any law. He broke the constitution. Now, this breach of the constitution is the breach of the sacredness and sanctity of the constitution. The constitution of a country is the Bible of that country. And its sanctity must be protected. Can we say the same in Nigeria? Obviously, the response would be a resounding no. The president looked at the whole Nigeria and removed an elected governor in Rivers State and appointed a military man, yet the country continued. Nothing happened.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/25/tinubu-did-not-break-any-law-he-broke-the-constitution-when-he-declared-state-of-emergency-in-rivers-rotimi-amaechi/
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Rivers Emergency Rule: Ibas Fixes Fresh Date To Meet Reps Panel
April 25, 2025
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), failed to appear before the House of Representatives Committee overseeing the state’s administration under the emergency rule on Thursday.
The Committee Chairman, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, conducted a closed-door session with committee members for about 50 minutes but declined to address the press afterward. Journalists were left disappointed as committee members refused to comment on the matter.
The meeting was attended by prominent lawmakers, including Deputy Chief Whip Ali Isah and the chairpersons of various House committees, including those for Federal Character, Finance, Water Resources, and Health Services.
Although no official reason was given for Admiral Ibas’s absence, a source informed The PUNCH that the Sole Administrator is now scheduled to meet with the committee on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the National Assembly Complex.
It is speculated that his participation in the National Economic Council meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, could explain his absence.
Meanwhile, protests continued in Rivers State as hundreds of women from the Opobo Kingdom marched to demand the immediate reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was suspended following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. The women rejected the appointment of a Sole Administrator to manage the state’s affairs, calling the emergency rule unconstitutional.
Led by the President of the Opobo Women Association, Felicia Pepple, the protest began with a solemn prayer session at King Jaja Monument Square, where the women wore black to seek divine intervention. A sermon delivered by Venerable Michael Dappa inspired the protesters, who then marched to the Water Side, chanting, “Bring back our Governor,” and sat on the ground in protest.
Pepple emphasized the governor’s positive contributions to the state’s development and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate Fubara.
She stated, “We voted for our peaceful and amiable Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; we say no to emergency rule.” Pepple called on Nigerians to support their cause and criticized the hardship faced by the people of Rivers State under the emergency rule.
Resident Blessing Accra-Jaja lamented that the town’s once-bustling landmarks, like King Jaja Monument Square and local hotels, had become deserted. She urged the National Assembly Reconciliation Committee and President Tinubu to reinstate Governor Fubara, hoping it would restore peace and bring back the town’s festive spirit.
The Rivers Women Unite Prayer Group also expressed concern over the ongoing emergency rule, calling on President Tinubu to end the crisis. They warned that the economy of Rivers State was deteriorating, causing hardship for women, youths, and children. In a prayer rally held in Port Harcourt, the group urged the president to lift the emergency rule, restore the state’s democratic institutions, and return Governor Fubara to office.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/25/rivers-emergency-rule-ibas-fixes-fresh-date-to-meet-reps-panel/
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Why I Didn’t Allow Peter Obi Visit Benue IDP Camp – Gov Alia Opens Up
April 24, 2025
By Oladipo Abiola
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has opened up about the episode which resulted in the inability of the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to visit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the state.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview with TVC, Governor Alia said he didn’t know the intention Obi had for the planned visit, as there was no prior information on the visit.
While debunking any political colouration of the denial, the Benue State Governor added that there are protocols for such high-profile visits that need to be vetted before approval can be given.
Naija News recalls that following the denial, Peter Obi had lamented the treatment meted out to him by the Benue State Government over his planned visit to camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state and called for a need to change his approach in responding to issues in politics.
Sharing his own side of the story, Alia said the denial wasn’t a political move but more of a security approach and protection for the people in the IDP camp.
He said, “I can never politicize that. I am the one bearing the brunt and the pains and the sorrows of the IDPs in my state.
“The very respected Peter Obi was a Governor and if you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. A very high personality you are coming into someone’s state and you party does not even know you are coming and I the sitting Governor do not know you are coming and then you are going to where I’m protecting even most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them, they have been disbalanced and I need to protect them even some more.
“So I don’t know the intent you have. Is it not courteous enough just for me to know as a sitting Governor and even to provide more security to you and to prepare the mind of the IDPs.”
Governor Alia also denied claims by Obi that he couldn’t be reached, adding that if he couldn’t be reached directly, other senior members of his government could have been reached.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/24/why-i-didnt-allow-peter-obi-visit-benue-idp-camp-gov-alia-opens-up/
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Notorious Bandit Leader Killed In Rival Clash In Katsina
April 24, 2025
A notorious bandit leader, Harisu Babba Yauni, was killed along with ten of his men during a violent clash with a rival group.
Naija News reports that the clash occured in Yauni Forest, located in Zakka, Safana Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.
Security forces confirmed to Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on April 23, 2025, around 8:30 a.m. Reports indicated that Babba Yauni and his group were attacked by a rival faction from Kambarau, Tudun Dole, and Kauyen Mahuta Forests in Tsaskiya Ward of Safana LGA.
Harisu Babba Yauni, believed to be responsible for the recent killing of a Personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Zakka PMF Camp, had been a target of security forces due to his notorious activities.
The clash between the two groups resulted in the deaths of Babba Yauni and his associates.
Meanwhile, armed criminal gangs have imposed a hefty ?60 million levy on around 12 villages in Zamfara State, alleging that the residents collaborated with the Nigerian military during recent operations that struck their hideouts.
Naija News gathered that the targeted villages are Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya, and Kabusu.
Tension has gripped locals who fear that non-compliance could provoke deadly retaliations such as mass kidnappings, arson attacks, or outright killings.
A journalist covering security affairs, Bakatsine, revealed the incident via his verified account on ?? on Tuesday, raising alarm over the likelihood of further escalation without swift governmental response.
Speaking to BBC Hausa, a former councillor of Dankurmi Ward, Hon. Iliyasu Salisu Dankurmi, verified the extortion demand and attributed it to recent army offensives in the area that reportedly dealt significant blows to the bandits.
“The Nigerian Army had recently raided the area, and the bandits are now demanding ?60million as compensation. They have threatened to make life unbearable if we don’t pay,” Dankurmi stated.
He went on to disclose that the bandits had already abducted eight people from Zargado village, and their release is now being used as leverage to extract the payment.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/24/notorious-bandit-leader-killed-in-rival-clash-in-katsina/
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‘He Was In A Coma’ – Lead Doctor Recounts Pope Francis’ Final Moments
April 24, 2025
The chief of Pope Francis’ medical team, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, has shared details about the pontiff’s final moments, revealing that he died swiftly from a sudden stroke, without experiencing prolonged suffering.
Alfieri, who previously managed Pope Francis’ care during a five-week hospitalisation for double pneumonia earlier this year, confirmed that nothing could have been done to prevent the inevitable.
Speaking on Thursday, the physician from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital recounted the moment he was summoned to the Vatican.
“I got a phone call at around 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) on Monday morning to come quickly,” Alfieri recalled. “I entered his rooms and he (Francis) had his eyes open. I ascertained that there were no respiratory problems. And then I tried to call his name, but he did not respond to me. At that moment I knew there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma.”
The attending officials, in their concern, had considered moving the pope back to the hospital for urgent care, but Alfieri explained that it would have been futile.
“He would have died on the way. Doing a scan we would have had a more exact diagnosis, but nothing more. It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away,” he added.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, made history as the first pontiff from Latin America.
Although he was 88 and had previously battled pneumonia, his death came as a shock, especially after he appeared in good spirits on Easter Sunday.
Just a day before his passing, the pope was seen in St. Peter’s Square aboard his popemobile, warmly acknowledging the faithful—a moment that gave many hope of his recovery.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/24/he-was-in-a-coma-lead-doctor-recounts-pope-francis-final-moments/
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SoutheastAsia
Nurul Izzah denies MCMC report against social media user, says has never met him or know what he actually does
By Malay Mail
25 Apr 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 – Nurul Izzah Anwar has today denied lodging any report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) against a social media user called Aliff Ahmad.
In a statement, the PKR vice-president said she does not know Aliff personally and has never met him, nor is she aware of his source of income.
“However, it is clear that he should not be investigated merely for making a challenge or statement such as the one mentioned about me,” she said.
“I wish to emphasise that neither I nor any of my officers have lodged any report with the MCMC against Aliff, as alleged.”
The daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also called for caution in making public accusations that could harm reputations without sufficient basis.
She said that all parties should stand by the truth and avoid undermining credibility through baseless claims.
Aliff had previously offered on social media to scrutinise Nurul Izzah’s background, amid questions over her source of income.
He later said he was summoned by the MCMC over his posts.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/25/nurul-izzah-denies-mcmc-report-against-social-media-user-says-has-never-met-him-or-know-what-he-actually-does/174468
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Anwar to meet Maldives, Kosovo, Pakistan leaders as Malaysia seeks new allies amid US tariff tensions
By John Bunyan
25 Apr 2025
IPOH, April 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he is scheduled to meet leaders from the Maldives, Kosovo, and Pakistan in the coming days, to bolster ties amid uncertainties posed by the United States and its tariffs.
Anwar emphasised that this move is part Malaysia's strategic effort to navigate recent economic challenges, since the country cannot simply moan about its fate.
“In my discussions with Asean leaders, and more recently with the president of China, and soon, with the presidents of Maldives, Kosovo, and Pakistan who are scheduled to visit Malaysia we have reached a consensus.
“The most important step is to build our domestic capabilities. We must instil public confidence that we can be self-reliant and that we can grow using our own strengths,” he said when attending an event on the improvement and upgrading of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here.
Anwar said that Malaysia is expanding its networks in Asean and throughout Asia — namely in China, India, Australia, Japan, Korea — to strengthen its economic ties.
He said the country is also opening new markets in Europe, and currently growing closer to Brazil.
“Just two nights ago, I had an online discussion with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the president of Brazil and the president of Turkey, among others, where we discussed how to expand our markets and increase domestic tourism.
“One of the key points raised in Asean discussions is how to boost intra-Asian tourism. That is why we must compete with better facilities, better execution, and a higher level of efficiency from all officers,” he said.
This comes as Malaysia expressed its openness to negotiate with the US on four key areas, namely reducing the trade deficit; addressing non-tariff barriers; strengthening technological safeguards and security; and exploring a potential bilateral trade agreement.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz is leading a delegation to meet and engage with the US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, in Washington, DC, on the reciprocal tariff imposed by the US on Malaysia.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/25/anwar-to-meet-maldives-kosovo-pakistan-leaders-as-malaysia-seeks-new-allies-amid-us-tariff-tensions/174460
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Malaysia sends ministers Azalina and Ewon to Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican, honours his interfaith and climate legacy
By Malay Mail
25 Apr 2025
VATICAN CITY, April 25 – Malaysia will be represented at the state funeral of Pope Francis tomorrow by Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick, Putrajaya said today.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ewon has also signed the Book of Condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, on behalf of the Malaysian government.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his condolences, honouring Pope Francis’s legacy in promoting interfaith understanding, protecting the environment, and standing up for the marginalised,” it said.
The funeral, held in Vatican City, will feature a solemn Mass at St Peter’s Square led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals.
This will be followed by a ceremonial procession and private interment at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Pope Francis, who died earlier this month, was the first pontiff from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and led the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death.
He was widely regarded as a reformist figure who sought to modernise the Church’s role in global affairs and improve relations with other faiths.
His papacy was also marked by strong advocacy on climate change, economic inequality, and humanitarian causes.
Malaysia, a multi-religious nation with a Muslim majority, has maintained diplomatic ties with the Vatican since 2011.
The late pope’s efforts to build bridges across faiths were noted and appreciated by Malaysian leaders and civil society groups.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/25/malaysia-sends-ministers-azalina-and-ewon-to-pope-francis-funeral-in-vatican-honours-his-interfaith-and-climate-legacy/174402
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A noble statesman, a moral compass: Remembering Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (1939–2025) — Iqbal Khan
25 Apr 2025
APRIL 25 — Former (fifth) Prime Minister of Malaysia (2003–2009) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi — affectionately known as “Pak Lah” — was a gentle and soft-spoken man but led his nation with strength, dignity, humility, and a deep sense of moral responsibility.
His legacy endures not only in public policy but in the quiet power of his presence, his character, and his humanity.
Tun Abdullah governed Malaysia during a time of transition and promise.
His tenure was marked by a gentler, more inclusive form of leadership — one that offered a striking contrast to the hard politics we see today.
He articulated a vision of Islam Hadhari, a forward-looking and inclusive philosophy that emphasised knowledge, economic progress, social justice, and interfaith harmony. It positioned Malaysia as a global leader in principled and progressive Muslim leadership.
As a reformer, Tun Abdullah prioritised clean government, institutional reform, and human capital development.
His leadership fostered trust and transparency, championing civil service transformation, anti-corruption measures, and balanced growth.
Even after relinquishing office, he left behind a standard for decency, modesty, and sincerity rarely matched in public life.
I had the honour of meeting Tun Abdullah on multiple occasions that continue to resonate with me, not only for their historical significance but also for the personal wisdom and warmth they embodied.
I first met with Tun Abdullah when I was still the Global CEO of HSBC Amanah, i.e. when Tun Abdullah came to the East London Mosque (ELM) – London Muslim Centre (LMC) for Jumu’ah prayers in July 2004 – the mosque brimmed with over 10,000 worshippers.
I was honoured to welcome him and introduce him to East London’s vibrant and diverse Muslim community.
As we waited in the foyer, I told him that the stone laid beneath us had come from Jerusalem, via Jordan. He paused and gently said, “Iqbal, I have never touched anything from Jerusalem.”
He then bent down, touched the stone with reverence, and placed his hand on his eyes and heart.
Members of his Cabinet, witnessing this moment, instinctively followed suit. It was a profound gesture — a statesman’s quiet communion with the sacred.
My next encounter with Tun Abdullah was on Merdeka Day on August 31, 2007, marking Malaysia’s 50th year of independence.
As a guest of a programme around the 3rd Khazanah Global Lecture hosted by Khazanah Nasional Berhad (which he chaired), I was honoured to witness and participate in a historical milestone for Malaysia.
The atmosphere was electric — an inspiring blend of national pride and cosmopolitan inclusivity. It was a reflection of his vision: a confident, modern Malaysia rooted in its heritage but open to the world.
That entire celebration bore Tun Abdullah’s hallmark — humility, unity, and quiet conviction. I left feeling not only moved but inspired by the leadership emerging from Malaysia under his guidance.
The following year, Tun Abdullah invited me for lunch at the Prime Minister’s Box during the 2008 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.
Even in such a dynamic setting, his hospitality reflected deep values — there were prayer arrangements, a quiet meal, and an absence of ostentation. We spoke about fostering Gulf–Malaysia investment ties and the state of the global ummah.
Years later, after Tun Abdullah stepped down from office, I was contacted by Tan Sri Azman Hj. Mokhtar to help arrange a visit for Tun Abdullah to the world’s largest organic shrimp farm in Al-Lith, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was scorching hot, yet he insisted on personally shaking hands with every worker.
When I suggested he rest, he replied, “They stand in this heat from morning to evening for their company. I can stand for a little while to honour them on behalf of Malaysia.”
That single act — of empathy, humility, and honour — epitomised his soul. He was never one for theatrics, yet every gesture he made spoke volumes.
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reminded us that leadership is not about domination, but about service. That power is not about spectacle, but about doing what is right — even when it is hard.
To me, and to many others privileged to know him or witness his leadership, he embodied the Prophetic virtues: patience, compassion, humility, and justice.
He has returned to his Lord, but his light endures.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2025/04/25/a-noble-statesman-a-moral-compass-remembering-tun-abdullah-ahmad-badawi-19392025-iqbal-khan/174394
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Why change KTM when colonial names remain? — Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli
25 Apr 2025
APRIL 25 — Recent suggestions to change the name Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) because it is supposedly “obsolete” have triggered a lot of discussion. The claim is that the name no longer fits with the image of a modern and inclusive Malaysia. But this kind of proposal brings up a bigger question — if KTM, a name in our national language and one that carries deep historical significance, is considered outdated, what about the many towns and places in Malaysia that still carry the names of colonial officers and British royalty?
Keretapi Tanah Melayu is not a colonial name. It is rooted in our own history, unlike George Town—named after King George III—or Port Dickson, Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands, and Butterworth, which were named during the British colonial era. KTM represents a local and national identity. It reflects the spirit of a growing Malaya that eventually became an independent nation. Saying that Tanah Melayu is no longer relevant is to overlook the long journey of this land and its people.
Some people feel that Tanah Melayu sounds exclusive and does not reflect the multicultural nature of Malaysia today. But actually, Tanah Melayu refers to the historical and geographical reality of the Malay Peninsula—it’s not a statement to exclude anyone. Historically, Tanah Melayu simply means Land of the Malays—what’s wrong with acknowledging that fact? Just as Thailand is the land of the Thais, and China the land of the Chinese, it is perfectly natural for the Malay Peninsula to be referred to by its historical identity. That does not mean there is no room for others; it just reflects the roots of the land.
What’s ironic is the reaction we see when people try to change colonial names. Take George Town, for example. When there was a suggestion to rename it Tanjung Penaga, which was the original name of the area, many of the same people who support changing KTM were quick to criticise. Some said it would “erase history” or “confuse tourists”, even though the name George Town itself came from colonial rule. The irony is hard to miss—a colonial name is defended strongly, while a local, historical name like KTM is seen as outdated. This kind of double standard is quite hard to understand.
If we are serious about decolonisation or rebranding our national identity, then we should start by reviewing names that clearly came from colonial times. Why are names like George Town and Butterworth still around in post-independence Malaysia? Why haven’t places like Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands been renamed to reflect our local heritage and identity? If the goal is to move past old identities, then surely colonial names should be the first to go—not a name like KTM that comes from our own language and culture.
Names are not just for convenience—they carry meaning. Keretapi Tanah Melayu brings back memories, a sense of belonging, and national pride. It’s a living symbol of our past, and one that has grown together with us as a nation. Changing it is not really progress—it’s more like forgetting who we are.
In the end, let’s not be too quick to throw away our own identity just to look “modern”. If KTM needs to go because it’s seen as old-fashioned, then we should be fair and apply the same logic to all names—especially those left behind by colonial rule. Otherwise, we might end up protecting the names of our colonisers while slowly erasing our own.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2025/04/25/why-change-ktm-when-colonial-names-remain-mohd-hazmi-mohd-rusli/174436
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Transforming Kuala Lumpur: Warisan KL a vision for liveable, lovable city
By Soo Wern Jun
25 Apr 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — Kuala Lumpur is returning to its roots — and reimagined for the future generations.
With the launch of the Warisan Kuala Lumpur initiative, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in partnership with Finance Ministry, Federal Territories Ministry and Think City is looking at restoring iconic buildings, upgrading infrastructure and redefining what it means to live in and love the capital.
The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier this morning.
Framed as part of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 and with a decade of groundwork, the Warisan Kuala Lumpur initiative signals a new chapter focused on identity, memory, and pride.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said is it time to put all those studies to practice.
“We are beginning where we all began, and the heart of our capital before radiating out onwards.
“By revitalising the area, we are not just upgrading infrastructure, not only restoring buildings, upgrading the drainage, improving the landscape — but it’s also trying to strengthen the meaning and identity of our city at the same time giving future generations the opportunity to inherit, shape and what is most important is to take pride in our city.
“I think this is how we want to make Kuala Lumpur liveable and lovable. Now it’s liveable, but how can we love Kuala Lumpur. I think this is very important to ensure how our future development is rooted in identity, memory and also pride, making it an honour for its people and also the past,” Maimunah said during a media briefing held prior to the launch of the Warisan Kuala Lumpur initiative.
So what is the Warisan Kuala Lumpur (KL)?
The Warisan KL is a strategic initiative to rejuvenate the historic core of Kuala Lumpur as a creative and cultural district
Building on the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040, Warisan KL spans a 20 sq km focus area across a defined Core and Buffer Zone, encompassing key civic, heritage, and commercial precincts.
Through 10 flagship projects, the effort will reposition Kuala Lumpur as a global creative city that is inclusive, connected, and proudly Malaysian-driven by place, people, and culture.
What are some of the flagship projects?
Dataran Merdeka, or Merdeka Square, will be reimagined as a civic and ceremonial destination.
Its transformation honours its historical stature while restoring its function as a people-first public space.
Through heritage conservation, public space upgrades and climate-resilient landscaping, the initiative balances national pride with contemporary relevance.
Landmark buildings such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building will be revitalised alongside improved pedestrian linkages, storytelling elements and green-blue infrastructure.
This flagship project reflects Malaysia’s commitment to unity, memory and dignity — reviving the spirit of the nation at the very place where Independence was first declared.
Another notable revitalisation project will be the Carcosa Seri Negara building.
Nestled within the lush Perdana Botanical Gardens, Carcosa Seri Negara stands a symbol of Malaysia’s journey to independence.
The building was originally built between 1896 and 1913 as the official residence of the British Resident-General and later became the site where the 1957 Federation Agreement was signed by nine Malay Rulers.
Today, Carcosa is being reimagined as an inclusive eco-cultural destination-home to galleries, storytelling spaces and community programming.
The site will also reconnect with the city through the Green Connector Network.
Next, is the Masjid Jamek enclave.
A location that is no stranger to Malaysians and tourists, the Masjid Jamek enclave is at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers — where Kuala Lumpur first took root.
Anchored by the 1909 Masjid Jamek or Jamek Mosque, today this area is surrounded by the vibrancy of cultural landmarks and markets.
Over time, it also became one of Kuala Lumpur’s busiest transit hubs.
Restoration will be done on the mosque where improved walkability and activation of the surrounding public spaces will reconnect the enclave to Dataran Merdeka and the city’s cultural spine.
Located between the Klang River and Jalan Tun Perak, the Heritage Triangle Precinct 1950 will now be reimagined as the Trade Quadrant.
One of the oldest commercial precincts — home to heritage shophouses, markets and landmarks like Medan Pasir and Sin Sze Si Ya temple — this was once a key trading zone, and will be revitalised to attract new businesses, support cultural industries and enhance public spaces.
Not forgetting the Memorial Tun Abdul Razak which honours Malaysia’s second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak.
Originally built as the prime minister’s residence, the site is now part of a broader cultural network including other national memorials.
Once revitalised, the site will serve as a living repository of collective memory — inviting Malaysians to reflect, learn and shape with the story of Malaysia’s future.
What is the Green Connector Network?
Under this initiative, it looks at reimagining downtown Kuala Lumpur as a walkable, living urban park by linking parks, laneways, heritage landmarks and transit routes through nature-based infrastructure.
This will be a focus on the “in-between” spaces which looks to reconnect people, places and ecology.
Two priority routes — Jalan Parlimen-Tun Perak and Maharajalela-Jalan Perdana — will serve as pilots, while the network advances the Kuala Lumpur Central Park vision.
“My dream is for everyone to walk seamlessly with no barriers in the city,” said Maimunah.
“I know it’s a very tall (order) dream, but if you don’t move now... you can see that we have already started clearing many of the lanes, pedestrians walkway, we would like to connect from one pocket park to another pocket part though a pedestrian walkway.
“We also put condition in many of the new developments for them to connect from one area to perhaps transportation system in their areas, covered with solar energy and all that... this is very close to my heart and I hope we get it done,” she added.
The return of Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
A national heritage icon built in 1910, the railway station will be brought back to life as a railway-themed cultural hub through restoration of its historic grandeur while enhancing connectivity to Pasar Seni, Dataran Merdeka and nearby civic landmarks.
Under the Warisan KL initiative, there are plans to activate the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) headquarters, introduce curated public spaces and establish an improved urban plaza.
An improved Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
The Warisan KL initiative will look at improving Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman’s infrastructure with wider walkways, landscaped public areas and better stall organisation.
Anchored by Masjid India, this area will be enchanted with curated storytelling, brand positioning and ecosystem-building to elevate local artisans and creative enterprises.
Transforming Kuala Lumpur into a Creative City
Content and programming will help strengthen Kuala Lumpur’s position as a creative and cultural capital through strategic branding, placemaking and ecosystem building.
“We have submitted our application to the Unesco Creative Cities Network and I’ve just received an email from Paris two days ago, that our application is all in order, all the documentation is well received and now they are going into the next phase.
“Hopefully soon we can announce, and get the recognition for Kuala Lumpur as a Creative City under the Unesco Creative Cities Network,” said Maimunah.
A Unesco Creative City is a city placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of its development plan at the local level and cooperating actively a the international level.
The Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
There are 350 cities around the world which currently make up this network.
Source: malaymail.com
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