Indians Flood (Wrong) Baghdadi with Queries on ISIS
New Age Islam News Bureau
23 Jun 2016
Photo: The photo put out by United Cyber Caliphate along with the hit list
• Pro-Islamic State Group's Hit List Names 285 Indians; Caliphate Releases Personal Details Of Targets
• Dubai Breaks New Ground: Eases Liquor Rules during Ramadan
• Turkey Could Hold UK-Style Referendum on Stalled EU Bid: Erdoğan
• Away From Limelight, a Muslim Spreads Yoga in Pakistan
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India
• Indians Flood (Wrong) Baghdadi with Queries on ISIS
• Pro-Islamic State Group's Hit List Names 285 Indians; Caliphate Releases Personal Details Of Targets
• AQIS Operative, Rehman Admits Link with Kandahar Plane Hijack Terrorists
• CM Mufti Targets Muslim Clergy for Talking About Article 370, Handwara Molestation
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Arab World
• Dubai Breaks New Ground: Eases Liquor Rules during Ramadan
• ISIL Uses Nerve Gas against Syrian Army outside Raqqa
• Hamas Chief Rejects French ‘Peace’ Initiative
• Several Terrorist Groups Disbanded in Southern Iran
• FM Repeats Iran's Demand for West's Commitment to N. Deal Undertakings
• FM: France Seeks Long-Term Cooperation with Iran
• Saudi Forces Kill Civilian in Eastern Province
• Bahraini Parties, Religious Figures Invite People to Gather Outside Sheikh Qassim's House
• 6 Spies Captured in Northwestern Iran
• 1,200 ISIL Terrorists Killed in Manbij in the past 22 days
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Mideast
• Turkey Could Hold UK-Style Referendum on Stalled EU Bid: Erdoğan
• Israel Blames Palestinians for Water Shortages in West Bank
• Turkey urges Russia to stop attacks against civilians in Syria
• Rocket attack carried out in İzmir, no casualties reported
• Turkish company starts reverse brain drain from Silicon Valley
• Turkey blocking German official’s visit to İncirlik base, says Germany
• Turkey and Israel finalize the resumption of diplomatic relations
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Pakistan
• Away From Limelight, a Muslim Spreads Yoga in Pakistan
• Pakistan Court Indicts 6 Lashkar-E- Jhanghvi Men in 2009 Sri Lanka Team Attack Case
• World abandoned Pakistan to face terrorists alone: Asim Bajwa
• Couple ‘commits suicide’ on failing to convince families for marriage
• Sindh CM announces Rs. 10 million reward for recovery of kidnapped CJ’s son
• Taliban claim responsibility for Amjad Sabri’s murder
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South Asia
• Afghanistan’s Dwindling Sikh, Hindu Communities Flee New Abuses
• 4 Taliban Militants Blown Up By Own Explosives in Laghman
• Bangladesh’s Hindus number 1.7 Crore, up by 1 p.c. in a year: report
• Bangladesh: 2,000 Christians Pray For Peace In Nation Threatened By Islamists
• Afghanistan speaks against terrorists safe havens in Pakistan at UN Security Council
• Drone strike kill 4 militants fighting for ISIS group in Afghanistan
• Taliban commander among 12 militants killed in Helmand airstrike
• 5 soldiers martyred, 29 militants killed in counterterrorism operations: MoD
• Afghan soldier kill 4 comrades in an insider attack in Badghis province
• India pledges full support in strengthening Afghanistan’s defence capabilities
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Southeast Asia
• Sarawakian Muslim Opens Up About Sharing Buka Puasa Meal with Christians under Crucifix
• Despite Cloud of Islamist Criticism, Yoga Day Events in the Maldives Go Off Without a Twist
• Indonesia Mired in Religious and Gender Conflicts
• Company in focus: Indofood finds recipe for growth with Halal noodles
• Religious Affairs Ministry: White elephant or political necessity?
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Africa
• Islamic State Conflict: The Libyans Gaining Ground in Sirte
• Muslims Torch Dozens of Christian Homes in Egypt
• Experts Say South Africa Suffers Intelligence Gaps
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Europe
• Summit to confront Islamophobia in Europe and North America starts on Friday
• Brexit may impede Europe intel sharing: Dutch official
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North America
• David Petraeus: ISIS Is On Its Way to Defeat but Terrorism Threat Persists
• What it’s like to be a Muslim in the CIA
• Trump’s vote-winning strategy – attack Muslims
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
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Indians Flood (Wrong) Baghdadi with Queries on ISIS
June 23, 2016
Intelligence agencies are trying to get information on certain Indians who are suspected to have contacted an Arab Spring activist to figure out how they can join the Islamic State. The Indians, officials said, seem to have confused the activist, Iyad El-Baghdadi, with Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. They have been sending him emails expressing willingness to join the outfit and asking for ways to reach the ‘Caliphate’.
In a tweet on Tuesday evening, Iyad, a Palestine-born UAE citizen who has been living in Norway ever since he sought asylum, asked how he could get in touch with Indian authorities to report these people.
“If I get emails from India-based accounts asking how to join ISIS, who in India do I report them to?” Iyad tweeted.
In another tweet, he said that he had already reported the matter to the email host, but was yet to get in touch with Indian authorities. “Already contacted the email host and reported. I want to know the security agency to report to as well, just in case,” he tweeted.
He did not reveal the identity of the people or the content of the emails, but mentioned that those who have reached out to him want to “join ISIS”.
Intelligence agencies, which have been tracking online activity of hundreds of individuals vis-a-vis their dalliance with the Islamic State, have taken note of the tweet and are trying to get in touch with Iyad to get more information.
“We have taken cognizance of it and are trying to get more information and verify the same,” said a senior intelligence officer.
A Twitter handle of the Mumbai police also responded to Iyad, saying, “Thank you for bringing it to our notice. We will look into it.”
Curiously, intelligence sources said, a similar message was sent out by Iyad about a month-and-a-half ago. Agencies got in touch with him and got details but the probe did not lead to any suspects. “We have spoken to him earlier. He seemed to have some language issue then. He had then given us details of the messages he had received purportedly from Indians willing to join the Islamic State. But it did not lead us anywhere,” said an intelligence source.
Sources said that in the present case, action can be taken only after the contents of the emails and the IDs from which they were sent are known. “We don’t know who these people are, what is the nature of their query to Iyad, and whether they actually mean to travel to Syria or Iraq. We also have to establish that the emails are not pranks. They seem to have confused Iyad for the Islamic State chief. A lot of verification will have to be done,” said a security establishment officer.
This is not the first time Iyad has been confused for the Islamic State chief. In December 2015, Iyad had claimed that Twitter suspended his account @iyad_elbaghdadi. While Twitter had refrained from commenting at the time, Iyad accused it of “racism”.
“To confuse an Arab man for the IS leader because of his very Arabic common surname is overt racism,” he had said.
indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/baghdadi-islamic-state-arab-spring-iyad-el-baghdadi-islamic-state-abu-bakr-2870180/
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Pro-Islamic State group's hit list names 285 Indians; caliphate releases personal details of targets
Thu, 23 Jun 2016
As many as 285 Indian nationals – many of them average people who never in their life may have harboured animosity towards the Islamic State (IS), despite disproving the group's horrific killings – are among those to find place in the 4,000-odd 'kill list' drawn by a pro-IS group from across the globe.
The civilian target list, drawn by pro-IS United Cyber Caliphate and released on Wednesday on its private Telegram channel, gives personal details of the picks, and exhorts lone wolves to find and attack them.
A propaganda imagery (see pic) with the words "O individual wolves out there in the world, Kill the Cross wherever you find it," and "Kill them strongly…kill them hardly" with the hashtags, "#very important kill list" and "#Kill them immediately," was flashed along with the list.
The data in the excel sheet format contains names and addresses of 4,681 random civilians from around 18 countries including US, Britain, Canada, France and India. Jihadi intelligence agencies SITE and Flashpoint undermined the threat from the kill list as the personal details of people were taken from open sources on the web which is freely accessible. The hacking group, UCC, is believed to have 'repackaged' information available in public and collated the details from various platforms into one list, making it to appear like a targeted kill list.
It is thus unlikely that pro-IS supporters hacked a large set of database or is handpicking individual accounts. "While its methods and tactics continue to convey a relatively low and unsophisticated skill set, the group's association with IS creates the potential for real world effects, and high propaganda value,'' Flashpoint analysts reported.
This is the second such kill list, published by the same group this month, to inspire lone wolves to take revenge for Muslims. The list appears to be in line with the IS propaganda which asks followers who can't make the 'hijrah' (migration) to Syria and Iraq for jihad, to act in their countries and kill 'kufars' (non-Muslims) wherever they can find them.
Shortly after the Orlando shooting, where a neurotic gunman Omar Mateen opened fire in a nightclub popular among the LGBT community killing 49 and called 911 to pledge his allegiance to IS, the group's supporters started disseminating propaganda calling for individuals to attack people from western countries. Last week, UCC released the first list with 8318 names of nationals from US, Canada, UK and Australia.
The purpose of releasing such a list publicly on web is reflective of the group's tactics to spread fear psychosis amongst general public. Interviews of individuals, whose names appeared in Canada and US, showed they had no idea how their details reached the hands of IS men but are now feeling insecure knowing that the group has information on them. Although not considered of any imminent threat, authorities in US and Canada contacted people in the list to warn them to keep a watch.
Although only a handful of Indians are known to have joined IS and died in fighting, the group has not staged any attack in India. The National Investigating Agency had arrested more than 50 people suspected of subscribing to IS ideology and Caliphate. "We are not aware of the kill list. But the possibility of lone wolves acting cannot be refuted. Agencies are keeping a close watch on such suspects to avert any attack,'' said one senior officer.
dnaindia.com/india/report-pro-is-group-s-hit-list-names-285-indians-2226773
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Dubai breaks new ground: Eases liquor rules during Ramadan
June 23, 2016
Dubai, the Mideast’s desert party town, just got better. The city-state is breaking new ground with its decision to loosen rules prohibiting day-time alcohol sales during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a move that reflects how much Dubai’s rulers value the revenue both tourists and alcohol tax bring into this emirate.
In years past, those wanting a beer or a glass of wine needed to wait until sundown, when Muslims break the daylong Ramadan fast with their first sips of water and their evening meal called iftaar. Bars in this city of skyscrapers would also play quiet music and make sure to hide those imbibing behind closed doors and tinted glass during the holy month.
Just before this Ramadan, however, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing issued a seemingly benign notice to hotel managers across the emirate. Bars and nightclubs in Dubai are almost entirely limited to operating inside of or connected to hotels even drink receipts at the Dubai International Airport show up as coming from a hotel attached to the airport.
That May 31 notice, obtained by The Associated Press, informed hotels that during the dates encompassing Ramadan, alcohol sales would be governed by normal rules, as opposed to limiting their hours.
Asked by the AP about the rule change, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said that “ensuring a superlative visitor experience consistently is at the center of our destination proposition and remains in line with Dubai’s significance as a world-class tourism destination.”
The tourism department did appeal on tourists to respect Ramadan rules.
“With nearly 1 million tourists expected to visit and enjoy all aspects of our city over Ramadan, we expect all operators and travelers to be respectful of the Holy Month and be mindful of cultural sensitivities,” the department said in a statement.
It declined to say why officials decided to change the long-standing rules on alcohol this year.
Dubai, home of the long-haul airline Emirates, long has sought to make itself a tourism hub. It has the world’s tallest building the Burj Khalifa as well as man-made islands, an indoor ski slope and miles of air-conditioned walkways in its high-end malls. Under-construction amusement parks and other attractions are planned ahead of it hosting the 2020 World Expo, a world’s fair held every five years.
Part of Dubai’s year-round tourism draw is also its alcohol sales, as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran ban the purchase of liquor and beer. Even neighboring Sharjah, another of the United Arab Emirates’ seven sheikhdoms, bans it.
Beyond tourism, there’s another lucrative reason for Dubai’s rulers to sell alcohol.
Every beer poured and mixed drink decanted in a bar is subject to a 30-percent municipality tax. There’s also a 50-percent import tax for alcohol, so drinking can be expensive, though tourists and residents can buy from duty-free stores at Dubai’s airports or from bootleggers.
The taxes haven’t slowed down drinkers. In 2014, the United Arab Emirates saw 67.2 million liters (17.8 million gallons) of beer and 20 million liters (5 million gallons) of spirits sold. That’s according to research firm Euromonitor International, which also forecast that by 2019, a total of 91.2 million liters (24 million gallons) of beer and 27 million liters (7 million gallons) of spirits will be sold in the UAE.
“Strong population growth driven by political unrest in neighboring Arab countries and economic hardships in Europe … is likely to drive the sales of alcoholic drinks over the forecast,” Euromonitor said in an October 2015 report. “Strong investments in the real estate and hospitality industries in preparation for Expo 2020 will also push tourism higher, which will have a positive effect on alcoholic drinks.”
Despite Dubai’s flushed embrace of alcohol, the city-state’s laws are incredibly strict. In theory, anyone transporting or consuming liquor, beer or wine at home must carry a government-issued liquor license, obtainable only after gaining their employer’s permission. Anyone driving with any trace of alcohol in their system is subject to immediate arrest and charges.
Being drunk in public also is a criminal offense.
“Independently of any other crime, you certainly can get reported just for that,” said Radha Stirling, a lawyer based in Britain who runs the advocacy group Detained in Dubai. “Anything else that you do while in the UAE, add alcohol to it and you’ll certainly get a conviction for it.”
indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/dubai-breaks-new-ground-eases-liquor-rules-during-ramadan-2870898/
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Turkey could hold UK-style referendum on stalled EU bid: Erdoğan
June 23, 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has suggested Turkey could hold a referendum over whether to continue its long-stalled accession process to join the European Union.
Angrily lashing out at the bloc’s treatment of Ankara, Erdoğan said Turkey could hold a referendum along the lines of that in Britain, where voters are deciding on June 23 whether to stay in the European Union or leave.
“We can stand up and ask the people just like the British are doing,” Erdoğan said in a speech late June 22 at a fast-breaking dinner, quoted by the state-run Anadolu Agency.
“We would ask, ‘Should we continue the negotiations with the European Union or should we end them?’ If the people say ‘continue,’ then we would carry on,” Erdoğan said.
He accused the EU of not wanting to accept Turkey as a member as it is a “Muslim-majority country.”
Erdoğan said Turkey had been promised membership in 1963 but that nothing had happened despite the passage of 53 years. “Why are you stalling?” he asked.
Ankara and Brussels inked an association agreement for the first time in 1963, asserting that Turkey would aim to become a member of the bloc.
After applying in 1987, Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005 but its membership bid has been held up by an array of problems, particularly Turkey’s slide toward authoritarianism.
With the question of Turkey’s possible membership being raised in the British referendum, Ankara has been angered by comments from London suggesting that it has no realistic chance of joining the bloc in the medium term.
During the campaign, Prime Minister David Cameron said Turkish membership was not “remotely on the cards” and may not happen until the year 3000.
hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-could-hold-uk-style-referendum-on-stalled-eu-bid-erdogan-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100803&NewsCatID=338
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Away from limelight, a Muslim spreads yoga in Pakistan
June 23, 2016
In the world of yoga, Pakistan has produced an unsung yogi: Shamshad Haider, popularly known as Yogi Haider.
In a country where Islamic rightwingers very often call the shots, Haider, 47, has quietly succeeded in attracting tens of thousands to yoga, achieving a feat that once seemed near impossible.
On June 21, when the world celebrated the second International Day of Yoga, Haider did yogic asanas along with his 20,000 yoga students across Pakistan -- but minus media publicity.
While others around the world got plenty of publicity, Haider's success went unnoticed.
"We are also practising in yoga in a nice way in Pakistan but without beating the drums," the modest Haider told IANS in a telephonic interview.
If Haider is to be believed, Pakistanis celebrated the International Yoga Day in almost all major towns and cities including Islamabad.
Born in Pakistani Punjab, Haider is emphatic - in contrast to what many Muslims think - that yoga has nothing to do with the Hindu religion and should be accepted by people of all faiths.
Muslims, he suggests, should do at least five minutes of meditation - a key component of yoga - after every "'Fajar Nimaz" or early morning prayer.
"Yoga helps to gain mental stability, peace, balanced living. Moreover, it teaches us discipline which is vital in Islam and all religions."
What does he say about critics who link yoga with religion? "Agar ache cheez be burey hathoon mai aajaye, tho woh cheez be kharab hoti hai (Even if bad people touch good things, the good too become bad)," is his stock reply.
Rightwing fanatics in Pakistan insist yoga is a Hindu ritual.
"Yoga belongs to humanity in the form of a pure science and is not the sole entity of India," he said, speaking in Urdu. "While Indian Hindus and Muslims fight over its origin and practice, our clubs have people from all sects of Muslims, Christians and Hindus who have made it a part of their life to reap its health benefits," Haider said.
Among the over 50 yoga clubs in Pakistan, Haider oversees the major ones in Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Even some Islamic clerics come to the centres to learn and practise yoga and meditation.
"I have top clerics of (Islamabad) as my students. They are happy about it and they encourage others to join."
Haider, who sports a flowing beard, is an eternal optimist. "I want yoga in every school, every community in Pakistan."
The man married recently one of his students who came to him with various health issues after being denied treatment by many doctors and hospitals. "She came for yoga sessions. By the grace of God, she is doing absolutely fine now."
Haider has some 60 trainers. His wife, Shumaila, looks after the female students.
He says his inspiration and role model was the late S.N. Goenka, the Myanmar-born master of Vipassana meditation.
"He taught me meditation when I travelled to India. That changed my life. After that I started yoga sessions in Pakistan. He was my hero."
When he was in Saudi Arabia early on, Haider suffered pain in appendix and was suggested an operation. He refused and instead went on to read books on Mind Science by a Somalian decent doctor.
"After reading the books, I started feeling visible changes in my life. Then I dug more and that led me to learn yoga," said Haider, who travelled to China, Tibet, India and Nepal to learn the ancient science.
Haider holds both free and paid sessions. The Pakistani government has granted him permission to hold yoga camps on its land and has also allowed him to promote yoga.
business-standard.com/article/news-ians/away-from-limelight-a-muslim-spreads-yoga-in-pakistan-116062300378_1.html
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India
Indians Flood (Wrong) Baghdadi with Queries on ISIS
June 23, 2016
Intelligence agencies are trying to get information on certain Indians who are suspected to have contacted an Arab Spring activist to figure out how they can join the Islamic State. The Indians, officials said, seem to have confused the activist, Iyad El-Baghdadi, with Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. They have been sending him emails expressing willingness to join the outfit and asking for ways to reach the ‘Caliphate’.
In a tweet on Tuesday evening, Iyad, a Palestine-born UAE citizen who has been living in Norway ever since he sought asylum, asked how he could get in touch with Indian authorities to report these people.
“If I get emails from India-based accounts asking how to join ISIS, who in India do I report them to?” Iyad tweeted.
Full report at: indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/baghdadi-islamic-state-arab-spring-iyad-el-baghdadi-islamic-state-abu-bakr-2870180/
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Pro-Islamic State group's hit list names 285 Indians; caliphate releases personal details of targets
Thu, 23 Jun 2016
As many as 285 Indian nationals – many of them average people who never in their life may have harboured animosity towards the Islamic State (IS), despite disproving the group's horrific killings – are among those to find place in the 4,000-odd 'kill list' drawn by a pro-IS group from across the globe.
Full report at: dnaindia.com/india/report-pro-is-group-s-hit-list-names-285-indians-2226773
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AQIS Operative, Rehman Admits Link with Kandahar Plane Hijack Terrorists
June 22, 2016
Bhubaneswar: Al-Qaeda Indian sub-continent (AQIS) operative Mohammed Abdur Rehman has admitted his links with the terrorists involved in the 1999 Kandahar plane hijack and 2002 American Centre blast incident in Kolkata, a senior police official said today.
Rehman had provided safe shelter in Cuttack to a Pakistani terrorist involved in Kandahar plane hijack. The said terrorist belonged to Pak-based Harkat-ul-Mujadhideen group that hijacked the Delhi-bound Air India flight IC-184 from Kathamandu to Kandahar, said an official of the Special Task Force of Crime Branch of Odisha Police.
The hijackers had demanded release of Azhar Masood in order to release the passengers of the plane.
Full report at: siasat.com/news/rehman-admits-link-kandahar-plane-hijack-terrorists-976806/
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CM Mufti targets Muslim clergy for talking about Article 370, Handwara molestation
June 22, 2016
In Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, today targeted Muslim clergy and ridiculed it for talking about Article 370 being in danger, questioning industrial policy of the government and repeatedly mentioning Handwara molestation case. The Chief Minister said she was not accountable to anyone for her alliance with the BJP and insisted that if required, for peace of the state, she would forge an alliance with the BJP thousand times, thus nonchalantly rejecting the assertion of National Conference and Congress members, who had questioned her decision of entering alliance with the BJP.
Full report at: indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mehbooba-mufti-muslim-clergy-article-370/1/698540.html
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Arab World
Dubai breaks new ground: Eases liquor rules during Ramadan
June 23, 2016
Dubai, the Mideast’s desert party town, just got better. The city-state is breaking new ground with its decision to loosen rules prohibiting day-time alcohol sales during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a move that reflects how much Dubai’s rulers value the revenue both tourists and alcohol tax bring into this emirate.
In years past, those wanting a beer or a glass of wine needed to wait until sundown, when Muslims break the daylong Ramadan fast with their first sips of water and their evening meal called iftaar. Bars in this city of skyscrapers would also play quiet music and make sure to hide those imbibing behind closed doors and tinted glass during the holy month.
Just before this Ramadan, however, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing issued a seemingly benign notice to hotel managers across the emirate. Bars and nightclubs in Dubai are almost entirely limited to operating inside of or connected to hotels even drink receipts at the Dubai International Airport show up as coming from a hotel attached to the airport.
Full report at: indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/dubai-breaks-new-ground-eases-liquor-rules-during-ramadan-2870898/
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ISIL Uses Nerve Gas against Syrian Army outside Raqqa
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The ISIL terrorist group shelled the Syrian government troops in Southwestern Raqqa with rockets containing nerve gas, field sources said Thursday.
According to al-Mayadeen news channel, the Syrian Armed Forces withdrew from areas they controlled during a three-weeks-long military campaign aimed at recapturing the ISIL bastion in Raqqa after they came under gas attacks.
A field source said the troops were targeted with hand-made produced rockets loaded with nerve gas agents.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000491
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Hamas Chief Rejects French ‘Peace’ Initiative
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Palestine’s Hamas Movement censured France’s initiative to renew talks between Israel and Palestinians.
Hamas Political Bureau chief Khaled Meshaal said that the initiative ignores the Palestinians’ rights and interests, World News reported.
He also said the international community is not serious enough about putting an end to the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling on all Palestinian factions not to be deceived by such initiatives.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000504
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Several Terrorist Groups Disbanded in Southern Iran
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian security and intelligence forces disbanded several terrorist groups in the Southern parts of the country, a local official said.
Head of Khuzestan province's Justice Department Farhad Afsharnia announced that several teams of saboteurs and terrorists were disbanded in the province in recent days.
“We have arrested members of several sabotage teams in Khuzestan province who were trying to enter the country’s central parts and conduct sabotage activities; of course some of them were killed in clashes with the security forces," Afsharnia said in a meeting with Leader’s Representative in Khuzestan Province Ayatollah Mousavi Jazayeri in the city of Ahvaz on Wednesday.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000312
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FM Repeats Iran's Demand for West's Commitment to N. Deal Undertakings
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated the need for loyalty of the world powers, specially the western states, to the nuclear deal struck with Tehran in July.
“Iran has completely fulfilled its commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and it is not deviating from it; on the other hand the other side should not deviate from its commitments,” Zarif said in a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Paris on Wednesday.
Zarif voiced his satisfaction with talks with the senior French officials, and said that they paved the way for cooperation in different areas after President Hassan Rouhani's visit to France.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000347
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FM: France Seeks Long-Term Cooperation with Iran
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called Tehran as a great trade partner for Paris, and underlined his country's interest in starting long-term cooperation with Iran.
Ayrault made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Paris on Wednesday.
“We want to have long-term cooperation with Iran,” he said.
“After President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to France, we are happy that you are our guest,” Ayrault added.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000325
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Saudi Forces Kill Civilian in Eastern Province
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Saudi forces killed a Shiite citizen after raiding his home in the country’s Eastern Province.
Abdulrahim Ali al-Faraj was shot to death on Wednesday, after Saudi forces stormed his home, which he shared with his brother in the mostly Shiite-populated town of Awamiyah, said a statement released by Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry, presstv reported.
The statement noted that the brother, Majid, escaped the raid.
According to Saudi media reports, both brothers were wanted over accusations of attacking security forces.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000326
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Bahraini Parties, Religious Figures Invite People to Gather Outside Sheikh Qassim's House
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Several Bahraini political parties and religious figures called on people to gather in front of the house of Bahrain’s most senior Shia cleric, Sheikh Issa Qassim, in protest at the Manama regime’s revocation of his citizenship.
The Bahraini political and religious figures, including February 14 Revolution Coalition and Haq Movement leaders as well as Majid Abdullah, a politician, and Ali al-Aswad, a former Bahraini MP, demanded the country's people to gather in front of Sheikh Qassim's house in the village of Diraz near the capital Manama.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000440
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1,200 ISIL Terrorists Killed in Manbij in the past 22 days
June 23, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA) - 1,200 members of the ISIL terrorist group were killed in clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), mainly comprising of Kurdish fighters, near the terrorist-held town of Manbij in Aleppo province.
Sputnik news agency reported on Thursday that the terrorists, including 5 ISIL commanders, were killed in the past 22 days near the strategic town of Manbij.
According to sources, the corpses of at least 560 ISIL members are now in the hands of the SDF forces.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950403000527
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Mideast
Turkey could hold UK-style referendum on stalled EU bid: Erdoğan
June 23, 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has suggested Turkey could hold a referendum over whether to continue its long-stalled accession process to join the European Union.
Angrily lashing out at the bloc’s treatment of Ankara, Erdoğan said Turkey could hold a referendum along the lines of that in Britain, where voters are deciding on June 23 whether to stay in the European Union or leave.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-could-hold-uk-style-referendum-on-stalled-eu-bid-erdogan-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100803&NewsCatID=338
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Israel blames Palestinians for water shortages in West Bank
23 Jun, 2016
Israeli authorities blame Palestinians’ unwillingness to upgrade aging infrastructure as the primary reason for increased water shortages in the West Bank. Palestinians accuse their neighbors of blackmailing and holding water supplies hostage.
Since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Palestinian villages east of Nablus have been suffering from a water shortage amid soaring summer heat. Locals living in the West Bank blame the Israeli water company Mekorot for cutting water supplies, which the utility company has denied doing. Palestinians at the same time argue that quota for neighboring Jewish settlements located in the West Bank is much higher.
Full report at: rt.com/news/347858-israel-palestinians-west-bank-water/
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Turkey urges Russia to stop attacks against civilians in Syria
June 23, 2016
Turkey has expressed concerns over the Russian military’s alleged use of cluster and phosphorus bombs to target civilians, calling on Moscow to halt its attacks and contribute to a political transition in the Arab republic.
“Attacks by the regime and the Russian Federation against civilians in Syria and their track record on crimes committed through these attacks are increasing by the day. While this is the case, the footage of Russia’s use of cluster bombs on Russian television and the fact that Russian aircraft have been recorded while using white phosphorus bombs in the northern part of Aleppo in the last two days are outrageous and cause for serious concern,” read the statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry late June 22.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-urges-russia-to-stop-attacks-against-civilians-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100804&NewsCatID=510
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Turkey urges Russia to stop attacks against civilians in Syria
June 23, 2016
Turkey has expressed concerns over the Russian military’s alleged use of cluster and phosphorus bombs to target civilians, calling on Moscow to halt its attacks and contribute to a political transition in the Arab republic.
“Attacks by the regime and the Russian Federation against civilians in Syria and their track record on crimes committed through these attacks are increasing by the day. While this is the case, the footage of Russia’s use of cluster bombs on Russian television and the fact that Russian aircraft have been recorded while using white phosphorus bombs in the northern part of Aleppo in the last two days are outrageous and cause for serious concern,” read the statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry late June 22.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-urges-russia-to-stop-attacks-against-civilians-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100804&NewsCatID=510
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Rocket attack carried out in İzmir, no casualties reported
June 23, 2016
A rocket-propelled grenade attack, believed to have targeted a police headquarters, was carried out on late June 22 in the central part of the Bayındır district in the western province of İzmir.
Three rocket shots were fired from a high point in the district, with one of them hitting an area between the district’s public hospital and police headquarters and the two others hitting the roof of a depot and a house under construction. While the attack did not lead to any casualties, police started a wide-scale operation, supported from the air by a helicopter, to catch the attackers.
A similar attack by outlawed Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) militants was carried out in February in İzmir’s Kemalpaşa district, targeting a gendarmerie station. No causalities were reported during the attack.
hurriyetdailynews.com/rocket-attack-carried-out-in-izmir-no-casualties-reported.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100809&NewsCatID=341
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Turkish company starts reverse brain drain from Silicon Valley
June 23, 2016
The head of Turkey’s biggest e-commerce platform Hepsiburada.com, Hanzade Doğan Boyner, has called for more than 100 Turkish software professionals based in Silicon Valley to return to their own country in a summit, to which she was invited by U.S. President Barack Obama, in a bid to start a reverse brain drain to Turkey from the valley in particular and the United States in general.
Doğan Online and Hepsiburada.com chair Doğan Boyner met a number of Turkish entrepreneurs and high technology professionals in a meeting on June 21 on the sidelines of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-company-starts-reverse-brain-drain-from-silicon-valley-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100810&NewsCatID=345
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Turkey blocking German official’s visit to İncirlik base, says Germany
June 23 2016
Turkey is blocking the plans of a senior German defense official to visit the İncirlik Air Base in Turkey’s south in July, a spokesman for the German Defense Ministry said on June 22, in a sign of increasingly tense relations between the two NATO allies.
Germany has about 250 soldiers stationed at the air base in southern Turkey, along with six Tornado reconnaissance jets and a refueling plane, all of which are participating in a U.S.-led air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria.
“Turkish officials do not currently approve of the travel plans,” a ministry spokesman said, confirming a report published by the website of the German magazine Spiegel.
Ralf Brauksiepe, a deputy to German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, had planned to visit the İncirlik base along with some German lawmakers next month, the spokesman said, adding that Berlin still hoped the trip could go ahead.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-blocking-german-officials-visit-to-incirlik-base-says-germany.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100811&NewsCatID=351
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Turkey and Israel finalize the resumption of diplomatic relations
23 JUNE 2016
This weekend, several Turkish and Israeli delegations will meet in a European capital to finalize the resumption of their diplomatic relations, which had been interrupted after the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara.
In 2010, IHH, an association of the Turkish Muslim Brothers, had organized the “Freedom Flotilla”, claiming to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza (although the Flotilla was not [in fact] carrying the materials that has been announced). The ships had been pirated by the Israeli army in international waters, raising much concern within the international community.
After asking for an apology, Turkey settled for an international enquiry.
Full report at: voltairenet.org/article192473.html
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Pakistan
Away from limelight, a Muslim spreads yoga in Pakistan
June 23, 2016
In the world of yoga, Pakistan has produced an unsung yogi: Shamshad Haider, popularly known as Yogi Haider.
In a country where Islamic rightwingers very often call the shots, Haider, 47, has quietly succeeded in attracting tens of thousands to yoga, achieving a feat that once seemed near impossible.
On June 21, when the world celebrated the second International Day of Yoga, Haider did yogic asanas along with his 20,000 yoga students across Pakistan -- but minus media publicity.
While others around the world got plenty of publicity, Haider's success went unnoticed.
"We are also practising in yoga in a nice way in Pakistan but without beating the drums," the modest Haider told IANS in a telephonic interview.
Full report at: business-standard.com/article/news-ians/away-from-limelight-a-muslim-spreads-yoga-in-pakistan-116062300378_1.html
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Pakistan court indicts 6 Lashkar-e- Jhanghvi men in 2009 Sri Lanka team attack case
June 23, 2016
Lahore:Six members of outlawed Lashkar-e- Jhanghvi (LeJ) terror group were today indicted by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court here in the 2009 Sri Lankan cricket team attack case.
The LeJ suspects who have been charged by the court are Obaidullah, Javed Anwar, Ibrahim Khalil, Abdul Wahab, Zubair and Adnan Arshad. The first three suspects were on bail while the remaining are languishing in Kot Lakhpat Jail. The suspects pleaded not guilty.
Full report at: siasat.com/news/pakistan-court-indicts-6-lashkar-e-jhanghvi-men-2009-sri-lanka-team-attack-case-976649/
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World abandoned Pakistan to face terrorists alone: Asim Bajwa
June 23rd, 2016
BERLIN: Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Asim Bajwa in an interview with Deutsche Welle Urdu on Wednesday said the narrative that Pakistan has not done enough to fight terrorism was "unfair" as it did not recognise Pakistan's contributions to the war against terror.
"For the world to say Pakistan has not done enough in the war on terror is discrimination. It's unfair and I take it as quite an injustice to Pakistan. Pakistan has done a lot in the war against terrorism and for peace in the world," Bajwa said.
The ISPR chief said it was an injustice against Pakistan to suggest that the country did not "do enough" against terrorism. "The world had abandoned Pakistan to handle and face the terrorists in the region alone, and Pakistan has completed the task," he said.
He also addressed accusations that Operation Zarb-i-Azb did not target the Haqqani network, saying the operation tackled terrorist groups of all hues.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1266707/world-abandoned-pakistan-to-face-terrorists-alone-asim-bajwa
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Couple ‘commits suicide’ on failing to convince families for marriage
June 23rd, 2016
KASUR: A man and woman allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison on Wednesday in Roday Kay village.
Police claimed Wakil Ahmad and Rashida Masih loved each other and wanted to marry with the consent of their families. But their families did not approve of this marriage between a Muslim and a Christian.
On failing to convince their families, Ahmad and Rashida allegedly consumed poison on Tuesday. They were taken to a local hospital but were referred to the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore where they died on Wednesday.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1266632/couple-commits-suicide-on-failing-to-convince-families-for-marriage
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Sindh CM announces Rs. 10 million reward for recovery of kidnapped CJ’s son
June 23, 2016
Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced a Rs. 10 million reward for help leading to the recovery of Awais Ali Shah, the kidnapped son of the Sindh High Court Chief Justice .
Awais was abducted on Tuesday from outside a super market in the Defence Housing Authority area of the city by four armed gunmen.
Police has registered a case against “unknown suspects” for kidnapping Shah but no progress has been made in the search so far.
Full report at: siasat.com/news/sindh-cm-announces-rs-10-million-reward-recovery-kidnapped-cjs-son-976782/
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Taliban claim responsibility for Amjad Sabri’s murder
June 23, 2016
Hakimullah Mehsud faction, a splinter group of the Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the murder. The outfit’s spokesperson Qari Saifullah Mehsud said it killed Sabri because he was a “blasphemer.”
In 2014, the Islamabad Hight Court had issued a notice in a blasphemy case to two private TV channels for playing a qawwali during a morning show. The show had mixed a mock wedding with a qawwali sung by Sabri related to religious figures, and was considered offensive.
Additional police surgeon Dr Rohina Hasan confirmed Sabri’s death. He was shot thrice – twice in the head and once on the ear.
Full report at: siasat.com/news/taliban-claim-responsibility-amjad-sabris-murder-976608/
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South Asia
Afghanistan’s dwindling Sikh, Hindu communities flee new abuses
23 JUNE 2016
On a bright day in downtown Kabul, Jagtar Singh Laghmani was in his traditional herb shop when a man turned up, drew a knife and told him to convert to Islam or he would cut his throat. Only bystanders and other shopkeepers saved his life.
The incident earlier this month was the latest attack on a dwindling community of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan, a deeply conservative Muslim country struggling with growing insecurity caused by an Islamist insurgency and economic challenges.
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4 Taliban militants blown up by own explosives in Laghman
Thu Jun 23 2016
At least four Taliban insurgents were blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) manufuctured by themselves to target the security personnel.
According to the 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) forces, the incident took place in the vicinity of Alingar district.
The source further added that two Taliban militants were killed and two others were wounded in the blast.
Full report at: khaama.com/4-taliban-militants-blown-up-by-own-explosives-in-laghman-01334
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Bangladesh’s Hindus number 1.7 crore, up by 1 p.c. in a year: report
Wed Jun 22 2016
The country’s total population found to be 15.89 crore by 2015-end with the community numbering 1.70 crore against 1.55 crore in 2014.
The number of Hindus i Muslim-majority Bangladesh has grown by one per cent to 1.70 crore in one year constituting 10.7 per cent of the population by the end of 2015, an official report said on Thursday.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) said their latest vital sample statistics report found the country’s total population to be 15.89 crore by the end of 2015 with the number of Hindus at 1.70 crore.
Full report at: thehindu.com/news/international/bangladeshs-hindus-number-17-crore-up-by-1-pc-in-a-year-report/article8764332.ece
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Bangladesh: 2,000 Christians pray for peace in nation threatened by Islamists
23 June 2016
Around 2,000 Bangladeshi Christians from various denominations gathered to pray for "humanity to wake up" to the growing threat of Islamic terrorism in the country.
The ecumenical prayer service was held on Monday in the Archdiocese of Dhaka and in the Diocese of Khulna simultaneously.
"Let us pray that this will become a country of unity, peace and harmony," said Mgr Patrick D'Roazario, Archbishop of Dhaka, during the prayers.
"Let us pray that dormant humanity become aware of the violence, murders committed in secret, and the persecution. May Almighty God bless [the terrorists] so that they change their minds."
Full report at: christiantoday.com/article/bangladesh.2000.christians.pray.for.peace.in.nation.threatened.by.islamists/89065.htm
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Afghanistan speaks against terrorists safe havens in Pakistan at UN Security Council
Thu Jun 23 2016
The Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to United Nations Mahmoud Saikal updated the UN Security Council regarding the terrorist’s safe havens in Pakistan.
“The fact that terrorist leaders had been found and killed in safe havens in Pakistan was proof that it had violated the sovereignty of other nations,” Saikal said.
He called for urgent implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 2255 (2015).
Saikal also updated the Security Council regarding the provocative actions had meanwhile taken place along the de facto separation line, including an attempt to build new infrastructure at Torkham Pass.
Full report at: khaama.com/afghanistan-speaks-against-terrorists-safe-havens-in-pakistan-at-un-security-council-01331
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Drone strike kill 4 militants fighting for ISIS group in Afghanistan
Thu Jun 23 2016
A drone strike killed at least four militants fighting for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group in Afghanistan.
According to the local officials in eastern Nangarhar province, the militants were targeted in Kot district.
Provincial governor’s spokesman Ataullah Khogyani said the airstrike was carried out in Pir Shah Khel area late on Wednesday afternoon.
Full report at: khaama.com/drone-strike-kill-4-militants-fighting-for-isis-group-in-afghanistan-01333
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Taliban commander among 12 militants killed in Helmand airstrike
Thu Jun 23 2016
A commander of the Taliban group was killed along with 11 other militants during an airstrike in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the airstrike was carried out in Marjah district by the Afghan Air Force.
According to a statement by MoD, a weapons and explosives cache belonging to the Taliban group was also destroyed and along with a command control center of the group in Marjah.
The Taliban militants group has not commented regarding the report so far.
Full report at: khaama.com/taliban-commander-among-12-militants-killed-in-helmand-airstrike-01332
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5 soldiers martyred, 29 militants killed in counterterrorism operations: MoD
Wed Jun 22 2016
At least 29 anti-government armed militants were killed and 10 others were wounded in the latest counter-terrorism operations in the past 24 hours.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) in a statement said Wednesday that the operations were jointly conducted by the Afghan security forces.
The statement further added that 21 suspects were arrested and a would-be suicide bomber was among those held by the Afghan forces.
Full report at: khaama.com/5-soldiers-martyred-29-militants-killed-in-counterterrorism-operations-mod-01327
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Afghan soldier kill 4 comrades in an insider attack in Badghis province
Wed Jun 22 2016
An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier has killed at least four of his comrades in an insider attack in the northwestern Badghis province.
According to the local officials, the incident took place in Jund district on Tuesday evening after an Afghan soldier opened fire on his comrades.
A member of the provincial council said another soldier was also wounded in the attack and the assailant was also killed after the other soldiers responded to his fire.
Full report at: khaama.com/afghan-soldier-kill-4-comrades-in-an-insider-attack-in-badghis-province-01326
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India pledges full support in strengthening Afghanistan’s defense capabilities
Wed Jun 22 2016
India has pledged full support to strengthen the defense capabilities of Afghanistan in a bid to help the country preserve its unity and territorial integrity.
Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has said “The Security Council needs to look into the deteriorating security situation and the means to contain it as it could pose serious threats to the gains made by the people of Afghanistan in the last 15 years.”
Full report at: khaama.com/india-pledges-full-support-in-strengthening-afghanistans-defense-capabilities-01328
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Southeast Asia
Sarawakian Muslim opens up about sharing buka puasa meal with Christians under crucifix
June 23,2016
A Sarawakian Islamic group which recently organised an interfaith “buka puasa” event at a Christian centre that had a cross on the wall said there was nothing offensive about the religious symbol.
Zabariah Matali, CEO of the Islamic Information Centre based in Kuching, had also received a copy of the Bible from Archbishop Datuk John Ha who heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching, while he was presented with the Quran in exchange at the breaking of fast attended by about 150 Muslims and Christians.
“The cross is part of the Christian centre. Why should I be offended or be opposed to it?” Zabariah told Malay Mail Online in an email interview.
“Let’s say I organised a buka puasa at our centre (like what we normally do every year) and I invited our Christian friends or friends from other faiths. If you have been to our centre, you will notice that we have verses from the Holy Quran and writings/ articles on Islam on our wall and in almost every corner of our centre.
Full report at: themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sarawakian-muslim-opens-up-about-sharing-buka-puasa-meal-with-christians-un
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Despite cloud of Islamist criticism, Yoga Day events in the Maldives go off without a twist
June 23,2016
The students were confounded. Some looked at those standing next to them and felt reassured: they weren’t the only ones.
Stand on your knees with palms resting on the floor, then take the left knee forward and raise your right arm? A bizarre set of instructions indeed. The lesser of them couldn’t hold themselves back any longer. Soon, the entire auditorium with around 80 students of Billabong International School was in splits.
Full report at: scroll.in/bulletins/8/meet-four-companies-using-crowd-sourcing-to-put-the-consumer-at-the-center-of-their-businesses
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Indonesia Mired in Religious and Gender Conflicts
JUNE 22, 2016
Religious identity and gender relations are integral to women’s experiences of citizenship in Indonesia. While around 88 percent of Indonesia’s population is Muslim, it is emphatically not an Islamic state, in which state law and Islamic law are coterminous. So what is the relationship of religion to citizenship rights for women in the Muslim majority?
Religious prescriptions affect women’s rights, most notably in the area of marriage law and rights within the family. In the Dutch colonial period, family law was largely left to Islamic authorities. However, during its slow spread through the archipelago, Islamic law accommodated itself to the existing practices there, particularly in regard to polygyny and property rights: the former was unpalatable in much of the archipelago, and indigenous customs commonly recognised women’s inheritance and other property rights.
Full report at: economywatch.com/features/Indonesia-Mired-in-Religious-and-Gender-Conflicts0622.html
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Company in focus: Indofood finds recipe for growth with halal noodles
June 23, 2016
JAKARTA/ISTANBUL For a man known to shy away from publicity, Anthoni Salim, chief executive of Indonesia's largest food maker, was in a high spirits when he met with local journalists recently for his annual question-and-answer session at company headquarters in Jakarta.
"If [South] Korea has K-Pop, we have Indomie," Salim declared, offering an unusual point of comparison for Indofood Sukses Makmur's flagship instant noodles. It would not be much of a stretch to say the brand is known to every one of Indonesia's 250 million residents.
Indomie is less known outside the country, but that is changing. Indofood, the core member of Indonesia's Salim Group, is gaining a steady presence in emerging markets across the Middle East and Africa at a time when global rivals are hit by weak demand and regulatory hassles. Shares of Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur, Indofood's key consumer products unit, reached an all-time high of 17,000 rupiah ($1.27) on June 17.
Full report at: asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20160623-SHOWN-the-DOOR/Business/Company-in-focus-Indofood-finds-recipe-for-growth-with-halal-noodles
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Religious Affairs Ministry: White elephant or political necessity?
Thu, June 23 2016
All religions, including Islam, teach us to be honest.
So I was chagrinned when I read in the papers that Suryadharma Ali, former religious affairs minister (October 2009-May 2014 ) had committed corruption. He was found guilty of multiple charges of graft during his time in office. He embezzled haj funds between 2010 and 2013 and misused the ministry’s operational funds between 2011 and 2014 for personal gain.
The religious affairs minister, engaged in corruption? Oh boy, not only does that go against religious values but also against the law. Double disgrace! I was pleased to read that his prison term was increased from six to 10 years. And there’s also the afterlife punishment for him to look forward to.
Full report at: thejakartapost.com/academia/2016/06/23/religious-affairs-ministry-white-elephant-or-political-necessity.html
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Africa
Islamic State conflict: The Libyans gaining ground in Sirte
But put your head above the dunes here and you risk getting shot.
IS group snipers have occupied a Gaddafi-era hotel on the coast.
Yet in the city behind them, one they have controlled since early last year, their territory diminishes week after week.
IS can no longer get larger boats in and out of the harbour. Sirte was to be the Islamic State's bolt-hole from its bases in Iraq and Syria. But here, as in their home territories, the militants are losing.
Full report at: bbc.com/news/world-africa-36604131
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Muslims Torch Dozens of Christian Homes in Egypt
Jun 22, 2016
More than 80 Christian homes were torched by a mob of Muslim men this week. Why? They heard a rumor one of the homes was going to be turned into a church and therefore, dozens had to be destroyed. Lisa Daftari over at The Foreign Desk has the details:
The attacks, which took place Friday in Egypt’s Qaryat Al-Bayda village, near Alexandria, left two Copts seriously injured and resulted in thousands of dollars worth of damage, according to a Coptic activist.
Full report at: townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2016/06/22/muslims-torch-dozens-of-christian-homes-in-egypt-n2182203
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Experts Say South Africa Suffers Intelligence Gaps
Jun 23, 2016
Security experts say weaknesses in South Africa's police and intelligence agencies could make the country particularly vulnerable to an extremist attack, although they are not aware of evidence of any immediate threat at this time.
Anneli Botha, a consultant on radicalization and terrorism, said Wednesday that South African resources for combating militant threats are limited and that there is a perception that such attacks would happen elsewhere, not in South Africa.
Full report at: abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/experts-south-africa-suffers-intelligence-gaps-40067596
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Europe
Summit to confront Islamophobia in Europe and North America starts on Friday
June 23, 2016
Dubai: With the participation of some leading political figures, academics, and most of the “active and dynamic” NGOs in Europe and North America, the first European Islamophobia summit opens on Friday in Sarajevo.
The three-day summit aims to discuss ways to put an end to the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and increasing number of hate crimes.
The goal of Sarajevo summit is “to understand the phenomenon of islamophobia across Europe and North America and then to come up with some concrete proposals on how various governments across Europe and north America can work together to help resolve these issues,” Muddassar Ahmad, Director of the European Islamophobia Summit told Gulf News.
Ahmad, who is also member of the summit advisory panel and Patron of the Faiths Forum for London, hailed the participation of most of the western NGOs that are involved in the topic.
“While governments have a huge role to play, I believe that NGOs have also an equally important role to play… In addition, I think the NGO sector has been leading actually the efforts to work against islamophobia.”
Full report at: gulfnews.com/news/europe/summit-to-confront-islamophobia-in-europe-and-north-america-starts-on-friday-1.1851236
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Brexit may impede Europe intel sharing: Dutch official
June 23, 2016
THE HAGUE (AFP) - Europe may have to set up new ways of sharing vital intelligence to protect itself in the fight against terror groups if Britain leaves the EU, the top Dutch anti-terror chief warned on Wednesday.
Asked if Thursday's vote could impact the security of Europe, national counter-terrorism coordinator Dick Schoof replied "of course" but that could be the case even without a Brexit.
"If you don't get information from a country... there is a big danger for other countries," Schoof told foreign reporters.
Full report at: straitstimes.com/world/europe/brexit-may-impede-europe-intel-sharing-dutch-official
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North America
David Petraeus: ISIS is on its way to defeat but terrorism threat persists
June 23, 2016
(CNN)In a wide-ranging interview Monday, retired Gen. David Petraeus, who formerly led coalition forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and directed the CIA, said that ISIS is headed for military defeat in Iraq but that the terror threat it helped inspire remains significant.
In a conversation with CNN National Security Analyst and New America vice president Peter Bergen at an event at New America's offices in New York City, Petraeus also discussed gun control, Afghanistan, Syria and a range of other national security challenges facing the next president. Petraeus now serves as Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, part of the New York-based private equity firm KKR. Their conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Peter Bergen: Is the terror attack in Orlando the new normal?
Full report at: edition.cnn.com/2016/06/22/opinions/bergen-interview-with-petraeus/index.html
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What it’s like to be a Muslim in the CIA
June 22, 2016
It was the day after the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. I was working as a CIA analyst. I sat in a room with the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, along with several other analysts, as we discussed the attack. The mood was intense and somber. We focused on the killer, an Army psychiatrist and practicing Muslim named Nidal Malik Hasan, and how he had slipped through the cracks — how had he not been identified as an insider threat to our military? I was the only Muslim in the room — an observant Muslim convert who also is African American.
Full report at: vox.com/2016/6/22/11970280/muslim-cia-officer
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Trump’s vote-winning strategy – attack Muslims
June 22, 2016
Donald Trump prides himself on not backing down from any fight or controversial position. Hours after the Orlando nightclub mass shooting on June 12, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee doubled down on his plan to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the United States. He also renewed his call for U.S. law enforcement agencies to use greater racial profiling, especially of Muslim Americans.
“I think profiling is something that we’re going to have to start thinking about as a country,” Trump said in a June 19 interview on the CBS news program “Face the Nation.” He later added, “I hate the concept of profiling, but we have to start using common sense… It’s not the worst thing to do.”
Full report at: reuters.com/article/us-trump-islam-commentary-idUSKCN0Z82H4
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