International Favours Not Welcome if 'Against Islam': Minister of Vice and Virtue, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
New Age Islam News Bureau
25 July 2022
Khalid Hanafi, Minister of
Vice and Virtue, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
----
• Killing People for Their Faith Bad, Sunni-Shia
Killings in Afghanistan Sad: Dalai Lama
• In Child-Friendly Move, Mosque in Kerala Builds Football
Turf on Terrace; Children Come For Prayers and Studies
• Erdogan Accuses Greece of Undermining Muslim
Minority Rights
• Macron Says Iran Nuclear Deal ‘Still Possible’
South Asia
• Taliban team heads for Tashkent to take part in
int'l summit on Afghanistan
• Turkey to Forcibly Deport Over 200 Afghan Migrants
• Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Departs for
Uzbekistan
--------
India
• Two Men Hire Delhi Woman, Radha, To Frame Muslim
Businessman, Prince Qureshi, in 'Love Jihad' Case In UP's Kasganj
• BJP’s ‘Pasmanda’ Muslims Outreach ‘Farce’; Wants
‘Muslim-Mukt’ Legislatures: BSP MP Danish Ali
• Uttar Pradesh: Muslim Brothers Arrested For
Vandalising Tomb in Bijnor
• NIA puts PFI under lens after Phulwarisharif seizure
--------
Mideast
• Iran says it detains Israel-linked network planning
‘terrorist operations’
• Hagia Sophia Mosque Raising Interest of Bangladeshis
to Visit Türkiye
• Hagia Sophia hosts 6.5M visitors in 2nd year of
reopening as mosque
• Top IRGC Commander: Iran After Most Advanced Weapons
• Iranian President: Washington's Anti-Tehran
Sanctions Hurting Global Economy
• Iran Arrests Mossad Agents, Foils Attacks on
Sensitive Sites
• Envoy: Iran Favouring Sustainable Security for
Afghanistan
• Two Palestinians killed in Israel West Bank raid:
Palestinian Ministry
• Gunmen kill brother of collapsed tower’s owner in
Abadan: Iran media
--------
Europe
• Greece missed opportunity for dialogue, says
Türkiye's communications director
• Greece ‘Deliberately’ Eroding Lausanne Peace Treaty:
Turkish President
• Turkey summons Swedish diplomat over Kurdish
militants
------
Pakistan
• Pakistan Expected To Hold Fresh Elections in October:
Reports
• Pakistan: Govt to move SC requesting full court
bench to hear cases related to Article 63-A
• Protest against killing of JUI-F activists in North
Waziristan
• ISPR refutes report about ‘soft intervention’ by
establishment amid deepening political, economic crisis
• Pakistan: PM Sharif’s ally JUI-F to become party in
PML-Q’s petition against Mazari ruling case
--------
Southeast Asia
• Malaysians to Shop More With Significant Income
Growth, Says Fitch Solutions
• Jawi, NGOs to resolve issues linked to prostitution
in Chow Kit, says minister
• Dr M also received RM2.6mil in political donation,
says witness
• Malaysian DJ, 7UFO is making the beat drop in the UK
--------
Arab World
• Kuwaiti Emir's Son, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah,
Named Prime Minister
• Saudi students encouraged to learn space sciences,
technology
• Prominent Iraqi politician warns country against provocations
in aftermath of Duhok attack
• Mideast nations wake up to need for action to stem
damage from climate change
• Attack on Syria church gathering kills two, injures
12: State media
• Iraq files complaint at UN against Turkey after
deadly attack
• Saudi Arabia, Iraq come to the aid of Europe’s oil
refiners amid Ukraine war
• Saudi creatives showcase sensational sounds and art
at SOL festival
--------
Africa
• Al-Qaeda and Daesh/ISIS Affiliate Claims
Responsibility for Mali’s Attacks
• Jordan’s King Abdullah protests border attacks by
Iran-tied militias
• Tunisians Vote on Constitution Expanding President’s
Power
• Clashes erupt on outskirts of Libya’s Misrata
• Turkish generosity helping to reduce impact of
drought in Somalia
--------
North America
• US to help Pakistan set up Centre for Disease
Control
• US energy advisor expected in Beirut for
Lebanon-Israel maritime talks
• US approves new funds to help Lebanon’s ailing
security agencies
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/vice-virtue-islamic-emirate-afghanistan/d/127566
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International Favours Not Welcome if 'Against Islam':
Minister of Vice and Virtue, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Khalid Hanafi, Minister of
Vice and Virtue, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
----
July 25, 2022
Acting Minister of Vice and Virtue, Khalid Hanafi,
while visiting Ghazni decried sanctions and said the Islamic Emirate is ready
for engagement with the international community, but its offers, if they are
against Islam, are not acceptable.
"We just follow Allah, Prophet Mohammad, the
Caliph of Rashidun and Companions in implementation of our law. We don’t accept
anything from anyone which is against Islam,” said Mawlawi Mohammad Khalid
Hanafi, minister of Vice and Virtue.
The provincial governor, Mowlawi Mohammad Ishaq
Akhundzada, called on the forces of the Islamic Emirate to respect the people.
“Those who stand in the checkpoints, or are in a
district office or another department, they should address the problems of the
people,” he said.
Hanafi also called on government employees to adjust
their appearance based on Sharia.
"All employees that are in the provinces,
districts and ministries should make their appearances according to Islamic
values,” Hanafi said.
He said that after the Islamic Emirate swept into
power, the women are observing hijab "100 percent."
Source: Tolo News
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-179087
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Killing People for Their Faith Bad, Sunni-Shia Killings
In Afghanistan Sad: Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama | Photo Credit:
PTI
----
Peerzada Ashiq
JULY 24, 2022
Dalai Lama visited the Jokhang Temple, Jamia Masjid,
Shia Mosque and Moravian Church as part of an interfaith pilgrimage in Leh,
Ladakh
Heart-warming scenes were witnessed in Ladakh’s Leh
district on Saturday when the Dalai Lama visited a temple, a church, a Sunni
Mosque and a Shia Imam Bara (a place designated for religious congregational
mourning), where he joined special prayers held for peace and brotherhood in
the world.
A spokesman of the Dalai Lama said he visited the
Jokhang Temple, Jamia Masjid, Shia Mosque and Moravian Church as part “of an
interfaith pilgrimage in Leh, Ladakh”.
This is the first visit of the Dalai Lama to Ladakh
since it was carved out as a Union Territory from J&K in 2019. This visit
also comes in the backdrop of a growing military confrontation between India
and China in the region since 2020.
The Dalai Lama was seen wearing a skull cap and eating
from the hands of Muslim women as they welcomed him in local mosques. He was
seen praying along with Muslim priests for global peace. He also expressed
unhappiness over violence driven by religion and referred to Afghanistan as an
example.
“One of my commitments is the promotion of religious
harmony. All religions, whether theistic and non-theistic, have a message of
compassion. These days and even in the past, sometimes because of different
faiths, there are killings, which is sad and unbelievable. In our neighbourhood
in Afghanistan, Sunnis and Shias are killing each other. It’s sad,” said the
Dalai Lama.
He further said he joins prayers irrespective of the
place being a mosque, church or temple “to promote religious harmony”. “I am
happy to join Muslim brothers and sisters (in Leh),” the Dalai Lama said.
He said he left Tibet’s capital Lhasa many decades ago
and came to India as a refugee. “With the sense of brotherhood here in India, I
am very happy,” he added.
The Dalai Lama flagged the issue of global warming and
termed it “serious”. “We have to live together, work together and help each
other. Global warming is a real danger to human life. We can’t avoid it but
need to remain with a genuine sense of brotherhood. There is no longer emphasis
on my nation, my country or my political party. The entire humanity is facing
the problem. We have to live with a sense of brotherhood and with universal
responsibility,” he said.
Source: The Hindu
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original story:
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In Child-Friendly Move, Mosque in Kerala Builds
Football Turf on Terrace; Children Come For Prayers and Studies
The football turf set up
on the terrace of Masjidul Rehma at Panur in Kannur
-----
25th July 2022
KOZHIKODE: In a bid to make the Masjid ul Rehma in
Kannur district child-friendly, the mosque authorities have set up an
artificial football turf on its terrace. The mini turf has come up on the third
floor, with the 20-year-old mosque located at Panur being renovated earlier
this month. “Our concept is to make the mosque child-friendly and arrange
facilities for the overall development of the children who come here for
prayers and studies,” said Nisthar Kizhuparamba, the Khateeb of the masjid.
He said a tuition centre and an institute for
differently-abled children are functioning under the Karunya Charitable Trust
at the mosque. “We also have over 150 children studying in the madrassa
attached to the mosque,” Nisthar said.
He said the idea of the football turf came up as the mosque had an open
terrace. “We thought of utilising the space creatively,” he added. There are around 250 kids at the Yes Academy
for the differently-abled, besides 30 staff. The inmates are given counselling,
speech and physiotherapy at the academy.
But not all are happy with the setting up of a
football turf at the mosque. Those who object to the decision say the turf will
spoil the sanctity of the mosque. “A
mosque is a place where people pray to Allah. The setting up of a football turf
inside the mosque amounts to sabotaging and damaging Islam,” said Sunni
preacher Perode Abdul Rehman Saqafi.
Saqafi said in a speech that the Jama’at-e-Islami
objects to many Sunni practices of remembering Allah inside the mosques but
have no qualm in converting places of worship into play fields. Such practices
will send a wrong signal to the young minds that mosques are places for kidding
around, he said. Sunnis say that there
is a danger of gullible people following this practice. They wanted to know
whether other recreational activities also can be introduced at the mosque to
attract children.
Source: New Indian Express
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original story:
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Erdogan Accuses Greece Of Undermining Muslim Minority
Rights
Muslim worshipers wait in
the rain for the Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the month of Ramadan at
the Mosque of Athens, Greece, on May 2, 2022. (AP Photo/ Thanassis Stavrakis)
-----
24 July 2022
ISTANBUL, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan on Sunday criticized Greece for allegedly violating a settlement that
has governed relations between the rivals for nearly a century.
In a statement released on the 99th anniversary of the
Lausanne Treaty, Erdogan accused Athens of undermining the rights of the Muslim
minority in Greece’s Thrace region. Muslims in Thrace make up about 32 percent
of the province’s population and include ethnic Turks, Roma, and
Bulgarian-speaking Pomaks.
“The conditions registered in the treaty, especially
the rights of the Turkish minority, have been ignored or deliberately eroded,”
the nationalist leader said. “It is not possible for our country to accept this
situation, which is incompatible with good neighborly relations and loyalty to
the treaty.”
The 1923 treaty was signed by the new Republic of
Turkey to settle disputes with the Allies, including Greece, following World
War I and the Turkish War of Independence.
It outlined the rights of the remaining Muslim
minority in Greece and Christians in Turkey, after a bitter conflict between
the countries, which was followed by a population exchange. It also set out
conditions for Greek rule of the Aegean islands that lie off Turkey’s coast.
Ankara recently complained that Greece violated the
treaty by militarizing the islands. Athens said it was acting according to
international law and was defending its territory in the face of constant
Turkish hostility.
On Friday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the
closure of four Muslim minority schools in Thrace, saying it demonstrated
“discriminatory and oppressive policies” by the Greek government.
The Greek Foreign Ministry rejected the
“unsubstantiated” allegations, saying the schools were suspended because
student numbers fell below minimum requirements.
NATO members Greece and Turkey have been at
loggerheads for decades over a series of issues, including disputes over
undersea exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean and the sovereignty of
uninhabited Aegean islets. The two neighbors have come to the brink of war
three times in the past half century.
Erdogan last month broke off high-level talks with
Athens.
Source: Times Of Israel
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-accuses-greece-of-undermining-muslim-minority-rights/
--------
Macron Says Iran Nuclear Deal ‘Still Possible’
Macron also called for the
liberation of four French citizens held in Iran (Courtesy: DW)
-----
24 July ,2022
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his
Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi that reviving the landmark 2015 deal on
Tehran’s nuclear capabilities was “still possible” but must happen “as soon as
possible.”
Macron also “expressed his disappointment” at the
absence of progress after the suspension of talks in Vienna and underlined the
need for Iran to return to the accord and implement its nuclear commitments,
according to a French presidency statement.
The French leader’s telephone call with Raisi comes as
negotiations in Vienna between Iran and world powers including the US have
stalled since March.
The 2015 deal aimed to prevent Iran from developing
the capability to acquire an atomic bomb in exchange for lifting sanctions that
have hobbled its economy.
But former president Donald Trump unilaterally
withdrew the US from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, leading Tehran
to begin rolling back on its commitments.
In June, Qatar hosted indirect talks between the US
and Iran in a bid to restart the diplomatic efforts in Vienna, but discussions
were interrupted after two days without a breakthrough.
The Iranian presidency said Raisi “condemned the
unconstructive positions and actions of the US and European countries” during
his two-hour conversation with Macron on Saturday.
Last week, an Iranian official said Tehran had the
technical capacity to make a nuclear bomb but clarified that it had not decided
to make any.
The Iranian foreign ministry said there was “no
change” in its nuclear policy, referring to an Islamic ruling that forbids
“arms of mass destruction.”
Macron also “reiterated his deep concern” about four
French citizens “arbitrarily held” in Iran during his call with Raisi.
They include Benjamin Briere, sentenced to more than
eight years in jail for spying, and French-Iranian researcher Fariba Adelkhah,
who received a five-year prison term in May 2020 for endangering national
security.
The two other detainees are trade unionists held since
May 11 and accused of threatening Iranian security.
Source: Al Arabiya
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original story:
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South Asia
Taliban team heads for Tashkent to take part in int'l
summit on Afghanistan
July 24, 2022
A delegation led by Taliban-appointed Foreign Minister
Amir Khan Muttaqi left Kabul for Tashkent to participate in an international
conference on Afghanistan which is to be held Monday, the country's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, while discussing the situation in
Afghanistan and the increasing hunger crisis in the country, the EU Ambassador
to Afghanistan, Andreas Von Brandt said that there is a consensus on the
non-recognition of the Taliban government in the western world.
According to Brandt, the world is trying to provide
humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan, not to the government
which came to power by means not provided for in the country's constitution,
Khaama Press reported.
"We have a very cautious approach...and I think
...if there are a few good things at the moment it is, that there is the
tremendous consensus on the non-recognition in the entire western world and I
actually don't see that changing in the near future," he said, as TOLOnews
quoted.Meanwhile, political analysts believe the current situation in
Afghanistan could get worse if the Taliban leadership do not consider an
inclusive government, saying such could also pave the way for the international
community to offer formal recognition to the group.
"The international community and the people of
Afghanistan want the current government to include diverse layers of educated
youth and representatives from different ethnic groups," another political
analyst, Ahmad Monib Rasa said.
According to the publication, the Islamic Emirate
government had repeatedly said that their leaders had "fulfilled all the
promises it made with the United States in the Doha Agreement.""The
Islamic Emirate does not allow anyone to use the territory of Afghanistan
against the United States and its allies," spokesman of Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan Zabihullah Mujahid said. "In addition, IEA is also committed
to providing all the Shariah rights of its citizens," he added.
Reflecting on the overall security of the country, the
spokesman said a "peaceful atmosphere" has been created in the
country, where women and men could rightfully take part in Afghanistan's
development.
"In Afghanistan, a normal life and peaceful
atmosphere has been created for women and men, and the rights of all minorities
are maintained," he said. "Moreover, the system and way of life in
Afghanistan are issues related to Afghans."
Source: Business Standard
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of the original story:
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Turkey to Forcibly Deport Over 200 Afghan Migrants
By Saqalain Eqbal
24 Jul 2022
According to the Turkish state-run Anatolian Agency,
215 undocumented Afghan migrants, who have been transferred from Edirne to
Istanbul, in northwestern Turkey, will be deported tomorrow.
215 Afghan migrants are reportedly waiting to be
deported back to Afghanistan, on July 25th, on several flights following
Turkey’s forced deportations, according to Turkish media, citing the Edirne
Immigration Office.
According to the Turkish Migration Management
Directorate, approximately 28,000 undocumented migrants have been deported from
Turkey by Turkish authorities since the start of 2022, a 70% rise from the same
period in 2021.
Since flights to Afghanistan started on January 27,
Turkey has deported over 18,256 Afghan nationals to Afghanistan, according to
the Turkish Interior Ministry.
The Migration Management Directorate said in a
statement that Turkey deported 28,581 irregular migrants who entered the
country unlawfully, broke visa and residency laws, worked without permits,
engaged in fraud, and threatened public safety and security.
Nine charter flights scheduled between May 15 and May
22 carried 1,054 undocumented migrants back to Afghanistan, according to the
migration office.
Source: Khaama Press
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of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/turkey-to-forcibly-deport-over-200-afghan-migrants-46383/
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Taliban
Acting Foreign Minister Departs for Uzbekistan
By
Saqalain Eqbal
24
Jul 2022
A
high-ranking delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Taliban, left for Uzbekistan to attend the Tashkent
conference, according to a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According
to the Foreign Ministry of the Taliban, the delegation will attend the Tashkent
conference at Uzbekistan’s invitation. This conference will be held on the next
day, Monday, 25th July, in continuation of the Tashkent conference of 2018 with
the theme “Security, Economic Growth, and Regional Connectivity of
Afghanistan.”
The
countries participating in this conference have not yet been officially
reported by Uzbek and regional news agencies, but the concerns of Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan will be the center of our discussions.
According
to the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency, the Tashkent conference will
continue for two days and begins tomorrow, Monday, July 25. Representatives
from 20 international and regional countries will attend.
The
main objective of the event, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, is to develop a set of measures and proposals for the approaches taken
by the international community to promote stability, security, and
post-conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan.
The
Tashkent conference is important in ways more than one, as it discusses
post-conflict reconstruction of Afghanistan and finding out how dangerous and
active ISIS, extremist religious, and nationalist groups are in northern
Afghanistan, along with the rockets that were launched onto the Tajik and Uzbek
soils from Afghanistan.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-acting-foreign-minister-departs-for-uzbekistan-47383/
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India
Two
Men Hire Delhi Woman, Radha, To Frame Muslim Businessman, Prince Qureshi, in
'Love Jihad' Case In UP's Kasganj
Jul
24, 2022
AGRA:
A 24-year-old Delhi-based Hindu woman has accused two people -- one of them the
"district vice-president of the BJP youth wing", according to his
Facebook profile -- of "hiring" her to frame a 27-year-old Muslim
businessman in a rape and 'love jihad' case in UP's Kasganj.
The
woman, Radha (who only uses her first name), had earlier accused the man,
Prince Qureshi, of having presented himself as 'Monu Gupta', who "promised
to marry her" but later "raped her". Following her complaint,
Qureshi was booked under IPC sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing
hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) on July 16.
However,
the two men, Aman Chauhan, 34, and Akash Solanki, 28, had "hired her"
to say this, Radha said while recording her statement in the case before a
magistrate under CrPC section 164.
She
is believed to have rescinded her allegations after she was told by court that
a medical exam would be conducted and that she might have to go to jail if her
complaint was found to be false.
Chauhan,
Solanki, and Radha were later booked by cops under charges of criminal
conspiracy. Earlier, Chauhan and Solanki, along with over 200 workers from
right-wing organisations, had staged a protest at the Ganjdundwara police
station regarding the "rape" matter.
SP
of Kasganj police BBGTS Murthy said, "All details provided by the woman in
support of her allegations were found to be wrong in our investigation. She was
unwilling to go for a medical examination. She later confessed and said she had
been asked to do this by two local residents. There seems to be an old rivalry
related to financial agreements between the parties."
SHO
Anoop Kumar Bharti said, "The two men were arrested but later granted interim
bail by the court. We will be filing a charge sheet very soon."
Source:
Times Of India
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of the original story:
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BJP’s
‘Pasmanda’ Muslims outreach ‘farce’; wants ‘Muslim-mukt’ legislatures: BSP MP
Danish Ali
24th
July 2022
New
Delhi: BSP MP Danish Ali on Sunday dubbed the BJP’s outreach to ‘Pasmanda’
Muslims a “farce” and alleged that the ruling party wants “Muslim-mukt”
legislatures throughout the country.
He
accused the BJP of indulging in “majority appeasement” and targeting minorities
by allegedly getting false cases registered against them and demolishing their
houses using bulldozers.
The
MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha also said it is the moral responsibility of
Opposition parties, particularly the ones whom the minority community used to
vote for, to raise Muslims’ issues but rued that in this era of “majoritarian
politics”, the issues of Muslims have been isolated.
“Political
analysts have convinced all the secular parties that addressing and vehemently
raising the minority issues is counterproductive for getting the votes of the
majority community. That is why every political party is shying away from
raising Muslims’ issues,” he told PTI in an interview.
Ali
said the BJP has “created so much hatred” that attention gets diverted from
real issues.
“The
policies of this government are of majority appeasement. They are policies
aimed at appeasement of hatred. They talk about appeasement but in reality it
is the BJP government that is indulging in appeasement of the majority,” the
Bahujan Samaj Party MP alleged.
The
BJP keeps on harping on appeasement but the real appeasement is showing in how
fact checkers are put in jail and hate mongers are provided security, Ali said
in an apparent reference to the case of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair.
The
BJP’s argument that Muslim appeasement took place in the past is demolished by
the Sachar Committee report, Ali said.
If
there was appeasement of Muslims then this would not have been their condition
now, he said.
“What
is happening in Sri Lanka? There also majority appeasement was taking place.
The same thing is happening here. The focus in Sri Lanka was not on economic issues,
the focus was not on the agricultural sector,” he said.
“There
is a need to focus on economic issues, we are going down in every sphere. The
government is focussing on polarisation because they think this is the best way
to survive,” Ali said.
Asked
about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion that party workers should reach
out to downtrodden sections among minorities such Pasmanda Muslims, Ali said,
“It is a farce. Had anybody stopped them from fielding Muslims in Uttar Pradesh
polls?”
“The
BJP said they want Congress-mukt Bharat but their real intention is
Opposition-mukt Bharat, their real intention is Muslim-mukt legislatures, in
states and in Parliament, and that is where they are moving forward,” he said.
They
have already achieved “Muslim-mukt” BJP parliamentary party, he said.
Ali
alleged that the BJP wants to “politically disenfranchise” Muslims and they are
succeeding.
Ali’s
remarks come in the wake of the BJP’s minority wing having prepared a blueprint
to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims, among the most backwards in the community.
Asked
about the near “washout” of the first week of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, Ali
said the Opposition will also have to revisit its strategy on this.
“My
take is that what I am observing from the last few sessions is that the
important questions always come in the first week of the session. For example
my question on MSP was on Tuesday, there was a disruption in the House and I
could not ask that question,” he said.
Source:
Siasat Daily
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Uttar
Pradesh: Muslim Brothers Arrested For Vandalising Tomb In Bijnor
July
25, 2022
Bijnor
(UP): Two Muslim brothers were arrested on Sunday for allegedly vandalising a
'mazaar' (tomb) here and burning curtains and 'Chaadars' offered there, police
said.
One
of them was wearing a saffron-coloured 'pagrhi' and a garland, a senior police
officer said.
Superintendent
of Police Dinesh Singh said around 4.30 pm, police got information that the
'Mazar' of Jalal Shah was vandalised.
He
said when police reached there, they came to know that it was vandalised by
Mohammad Kamal and Mohammad Aadib, both residents of Sherkot area here, who
also burnt the curtains and 'Chaadars' offered there.
"We
also came to know that both these brothers had damaged the 'Mazar' at
Ghosiawala and 'Mazar' of Kutub Shah in the morning," Singh said.
Source:
Firstpost
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NIA
puts PFI under lens after Phulwarisharif seizure
Jul
24, 2022
By
Shishir Gupta
The
National Investigating Agency (NIA) FIR into busting of a PFI module in
Phulwarisharif area of Bihar lists the crime as having national security
ramifications based on the anti-India material seized during raids after the
interception of Islamists Athar Parvej and Mohammed Jalaluddin, a day before
the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 11, 2022.
After
the Home Ministry order handing over the case to NIA on July 22, the FIR lists
26 persons as accused with majority of them having links with PFI, a
Ahle-Hadith outfit which portrays itself to be an umbrella Muslim organization
with the objective of delivering social justice for the masses. The suspected extremists
were trained in Phulwari Sharif 15 days ahead of PM Modi’s visit with meetings
held on July 6 and 7 with a plan to target the PM. The raid was conducted on
the basis of intelligence input and a document titled—2047 India towards rule
of Islamic India—was recovered along with 25 PFI pamphlets.
The
NIA is also conducting investigations into the Udaipur and Amravati savage
killings with some of the arrested Islamists having links with PFI front Social
Democratic Party of India (SDPI). All the accused appear to be radicalized
during interrogation with little remorse after committing heinous murders.
After
the Home Ministry order handing over the case to NIA on July 22, the FIR lists
26 persons as accused with majority of them having links with PFI, a Ahle-Hadith
outfit which portrays itself to be an umbrella Muslim organization with the
objective of delivering social justice for the masses. The suspected extremists
were trained in Phulwari Sharif 15 days ahead of PM Modi’s visit with meetings
held on July 6 and 7 with a plan to target the PM. The raid was conducted on
the basis of intelligence input and a document titled—2047 India towards rule
of Islamic India—was recovered along with 25 PFI pamphlets.
The
NIA is also conducting investigations into the Udaipur and Amravati savage
killings with some of the arrested Islamists having links with PFI front Social
Democratic Party of India (SDPI). All the accused appear to be radicalized
during interrogation with little remorse after committing heinous murders.
The
PFI is known to take pan-Islamic positions time and again with its cadre
protesting outside the Egyptian Embassy in Delhi in 2015 when the death
sentence was handed over to former Egyptian president and Muslim Brotherhood
leader Mohammed Morsi. The group has pronounced an anti-Zionist stance and has
organized pro-Palestine protests all over the country earlier this decade. It
has established external affiliates in West Asia for financial and political
support particularly in Qatar and Kuwait so that political shelter is available
to its leadership should the need arise.
The
Qatar Indian Social Forum was formed in December 2014 to raise funding and
organize the cadre. The Rehab India Foundation, another front, has selected
several Muslim-dominated villages in India and channels Qatar funding to them.
The group has several active funding collecting fronts in Oman, Abu Dhabi, and
Kuwait. Last year, two officials of Qatar Embassy in New Delhi were sent back
as they were routing funds from Doha to the PFI.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
Mideast
Iran
says it detains Israel-linked network planning ‘terrorist operations’
23
July ,2022
Iran
said on Saturday its security forces had arrested a network of agents working
for Israel before they were able to carry out sabotage and “terrorist
operations,” state media reported.
The
announcement by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry came amid heightening tensions
with arch-enemy Israel over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“This
network’s members were in contact with (Israel’s) Mossad spy agency through a
neighboring country and entered Iran from (Iraq’s) Kurdistan region with
advanced equipment and strong explosives,” the ministry said in a statement
carried by state media.
The
Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which oversees Mossad, declined to comment.
Iran
often accuses its enemies or rivals abroad, such as Israel, the United States
and Saudi Arabia, of trying to destabilize the country.
The
Intelligence ministry did not say how many people were arrested and did not
divulge their nationality.
The
network planned “acts of sabotage and unprecedented terrorist operations in
sensitive locations,” its statement said, without giving details.
Earlier
this month, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed
a joint pledge to deny Iran nuclear arms.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Hagia
Sophia mosque raising interest of Bangladeshis to visit Türkiye
Md.
Kamruzzaman
24.07.2022
DHAKA,
Bangladesh
The
desire of Bangladeshis to travel to Türkiye has risen drastically after
Istanbul's iconic monument Hagia Sophia was restored as a mosque, analysts and
visitors said on the second anniversary of its reopening.
“The
Muslims of sub-continent have loved Türkiye for long, and during the fall of
the Ottoman Empire, in early 20th century, they started the Khilafat movement
(Caliphate movement) in its support. Hagia Sophia reminds us of the
inspirational history of conquering Constantinople (Istanbul) by Sultan Mehmet
II,” Abdullah Al Mahmud, professor of world religion and culture at Dhaka
University, told Anadolu Agency.
He
said the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia has always attracted a huge number of
tourists from all over the world.
“We,
the Muslims, in the South Asian belt, have been dreaming to see Hagia Sophia as
a mosque since it was converted into a museum in 1934. As our dream has been
fulfilled, we are now interested in offering prayers in this mosque,” said
Mahmud.
On
July 10, 2020, a Turkish court annulled a 1934 Cabinet decree that had turned
Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for its use again as a mosque.
The
monument was restored to its former glory as the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque on
July 24, 2020, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joining hundreds of
worshipers for the first Muslim prayer in 86 years inside Hagia Sophia.
Hagia
Sophia served as a church for 916 years and 86 years as a museum. However, it
was a mosque from 1453 to 1934, nearly 500 years.
In
1985, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is among Türkiye’s
top tourist destinations.
“Many
university teachers and students frequently consult with me on how to get
Turkish visas as they know that I have visited the country several times.
Almost all of them are mainly interested in visiting Hagia Sophia,” added the
professor.
-
One of the best countries to visit
Young
Bangladeshi entrepreneur Faruk-e-Azam, who visited Türkiye and Hagia Sophia
recently, said Istanbul is one of the best cities to visit.
“I
got a different feeling when I saw Hagia Sophia and offered salat (prayer)
there ... I could imagine the historic victory of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmet,”
he told Anadolu Agency.
Mohammad
Rakibul Islam, a university student, told the Turkish leading news agency that
he has not visited any country, but has dreamed of a trip to Türkiye.
“I
have a dream to visit two countries. Firstly, Saudi Arabia to visit our holiest
site the Kaaba in Mecca, and the graveyard of our Prophet Muhammad in Medina. I
also wish to visit Istanbul and offer salat inside the Hagia Sophia mosque,”
said Islam.
-
Symbol of boldness
Abul
Hossain Asad, noted Bangladeshi cyclist and television anchor, who has visited
45 countries and is currently living in Portugal, told Anadolu Agency that his
visit to Türkiye was different from other tours.
“Türkiye
is a symbol of boldness and Hagia Sophia reminds me that Muslims have a
responsibility to establish justice everywhere, and should not fear any
tyrannical force,” he said.
He
recalled that while Muslims in different parts of the world were oppressed and
their achievements were being destroyed by Mongol forces, remote Turkish Kayi
tribe incredibly stood against them.
“Thus,
through enormous struggle, the Ottoman Empire established rule of law and
justice across the world and this is the golden history of Muslims that all of
us should know,” said Asad.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Hagia
Sophia hosts 6.5M visitors in 2nd year of reopening as mosque
JUL
24, 2022
Istanbul's
historical Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque welcomed over 6.5 million visitors in its
second year of reopening as a mosque, according to Istanbul Deputy Mufti Ahmet
Aktürkoğlu.
The
iconic monument served as a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul
in 1453. It then served as a mosque from 1453 to 1934 – nearly 500 years – and
most recently as a museum for 86 years.
One
of the most visited historic buildings in Turkey by domestic and international
tourists, Hagia Sophia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
On
July 10, 2020, a Turkish court annulled a 1934 Cabinet decree that had turned
Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for its use again as a mosque after
the 86-year hiatus.
The
monument was restored to its former glory as the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque on
July 24, 2020, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joining hundreds of
worshipers for the first Muslim prayer in 86 years inside Hagia Sophia.
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency (AA) on the second anniversary of the reopening, Aktürkoğlu
said the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque after the conquest was one of
the most important events in the history of Islam.
He
added that Hagia Sophia, like many other important places of worship around the
world, draws a huge number of tourists and the faithful.
"Like
many other holy places in the world, Hagia Sophia is flooded with visitors. It
attracts great attention from local and foreign tourists, especially after it
was opened to worship again. In the second year since its opening, the mosque
has hosted over 6.5 million visitors," he said.
Aktürkoğlu
underlined that there was a lot of interest in Hagia Sophia, particularly
during the Qurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha).
"The
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque received over 120,000 people every day during the
nine-day bayram holiday. The interest of our people and visitors from around
the world on Hagia Sophia is increasing every day."
"We
also see an increasing number of visitors, especially on weekends. People from
all over Turkey come here to attend the morning prayer. Many social and
cultural organizations also arrange various events and tours of the monument. This
makes us extremely happy."
Creating
memories
Hagia
Sophia has also been a destination for new converts and people wanting to
convert to Islam, according to Aktürkoğlu.
"We
oversee many conversion events at the mosque every day. Many people who want to
convert to Islam decide to do so with our help at the Hagia Sophia and make it
a memorable occasion.
"On
average we hold three or five such ceremonies in Hagia Sophia every day. People
from all over the world come here to become Muslims. This makes us very
happy."
He
noted that there the coronavirus pandemic was in full swing when the mosque was
reopened for worship, thus visitors were hosted as per health and
social-distancing rules for COVID-19.
The
authorities continue to pay a lot of attention to the health rules as they
prepare to accommodate over 120,000 daily visitors.
Aktürkoğlu
added that Hagia Sophia is managed by the administrative board and a scientific
committee was formed to carry out research activities at the Hagia Sophia
Madrassa.
"Teachers
are currently teaching tafsir and hadith. The online and face-to-face lessons
will resume in September after the summer break," he said.
Source:
Daily Sabah
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of the original story:
--------
Top
IRGC Commander: Iran After Most Advanced Weapons
2022-July-24
Addressing
an IRGC conference in Tehran, Major General Salami said since "weapons
play an effective role in wars", the IRGC is pursuing plans to manufacture
and obtain the most advanced arms.
"However,
the IRGC would not rely solely on weapons or expect them to perform a
miracle," he continued, adding that his forces trust in God and consider
it as the key to victory.
Military
officials say Iran has been able to achieve the state-of-the-art defense
technologies despite sanctions and pressures.
Elsewhere
in his remarks, the major general hailed the IRGC commanders for their courage,
and stressed that the pious people do not give up, and get stronger as they
approach danger.
Tehran
says it will not hesitate to boost its military capabilities, including its
missile and drone power, which are entirely meant for defense.
Iranian
experts have in recent years succeeded in manufacturing a broad range of
military equipment, including destroyers, hi-tech radars, missile systems as
well as several types of drones and missiles.
In
early July, Iranian Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Kioumars
Heidari said his forces have been supplied with different types of
precision-striking and smart weapons to defend the country’s peace and
stability.
He
described the Ground Force’s defense and military achievements as a “thorn in
the side of the sworn enemies” of Iran.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010502000789/Tp-IRGC-Cmmander-Iran-Afer-Ms-Advanced-Weapns
--------
Iranian
President: Washington's Anti-Tehran Sanctions Hurting Global Economy
2022-July-24
In
a 120-minute phone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on
Saturday, President Rayeesi stated that despite the US sanctions, Iran has
managed to achieve spectacular growth in its political and economic cooperation
with various countries across the world.
He
condemned the non-constructive measures and positions of the United States and
European countries against Iran and noted, "Issuing a resolution in the
[International] Atomic Energy Agency was a crisis-stirring move aimed at
creating pressure against the Iranian nation, which undermined political
trust."
The
president underlined the need for Iran to be able to reap the economic benefits
of the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA), through a potential revival of the multilateral accord, which
the US abandoned unilaterally three years after its conclusion.
"The
Islamic Republic of Iran believes that reaching an agreement [on the JCPOA
revival] hinges on the full resolution of safeguard issues and the provision of
necessary guarantees, including continued adherence of the parties to the
agreement and fulfillment of the economic interests of the Iranian
nation," the Iranian chief executive pointed out.
The
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Board of Governors adopted the
resolution in early June, accusing Iran of not cooperating with the agency.
Iran
criticized the US and the European trio for pushing a resolution against Iran
at the UN atomic body’s board of governors, calling the move irresponsible, and
a Washington plot to force Tehran to make concessions in the Vienna talks.
Tehran stressed that the IAEA is directly influenced by the Zionists and the
measure has undermined the country's constructive cooperation with the nuclear
watchdog.
The
Iranian president also told his French counterpart that the Daesh (also known
as ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group would declare a "caliphate" in
Europe today if it were not for the Islamic Republic's role to promote security
in the region, particularly its fight against terrorism and support for
territorial integrity and national sovereignty of countries.
Rayeesi
underscored that regional issues should be settled by nations and governments
in the region, emphasizing that "foreign intervention runs counter to
security and stability".
Macron,
for his part, said his country would continue its role in the process of
reaching a conclusion in the JCPOA revival negotiations.
The
French president added that Iran plays a leading role in bringing political
processes to fruition in the region.
He
expressed his country's support for Iran's stance against military operations
by some countries in the region against Syria.
The
Iranian and French presidents also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral
cooperation as well as regional and international developments and major global
challenges, including food and energy security.
Iran
and the five remaining parties to the nuclear deal, officially known as the
JCPOA, have held several rounds of negotiations in the Austrian capital of
Vienna since April last year to restore the agreement, which was unilaterally
abandoned by Donald Trump in May 2018.
In
quitting the agreement, Trump restored sanctions on Iran as part of what he
called the “maximum pressure” campaign against the country. Those sanctions are
being enforced to this day by the Joe Biden administration, even though it has
repeatedly acknowledged that the policy has been a mistake and a failure.
Iranian
officials have criticized Washington for raising excessive demands from Tehran
during the nuclear negotiations and blocking efforts to reach an agreement on
the JCPOA. They emphasized the Tehran's will to reach a good, strong and
lasting agreement.
In
a telephone conversation with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin
Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir
Abdollahian underlined the need for the United States to stop excessive demands
in the course of talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, and lifting
unilateral sanctions against Tehran.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
Iran
Arrests Mossad Agents, Foils Attacks on Sensitive Sites
2022-July-24
The
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that members of a
terrorist group affiliated with Mossad were identified and arrested by Iranian
security forces before they could take any action to carry out acts of
sabotage.
The
ministry added that the terrorists, who were in contact with Mossad agents
through one of the neighboring countries, had sneaked into the country from
Iraq's Kurdistan region.
Members
of the spying network intended to carry out acts of sabotage and terrorist
attacks in some sensitive areas by using the most up-to-date equipment as well
as powerful explosives, it said, adding that their goals were predetermined.
However,
the ministry said, all of its members were captured by "multi-stage and
preemptive operations" of security forces, adding that "their
weapons, explosives, as well technical and communication equipment were also
discovered and confiscated."
The
statement also noted that further details about the operation will be announced
after an investigation is complete.
The
ministry, however, did not clarify how many people were arrested.
Iranian
nuclear scientists and sites have been the target of the Western and Israeli
spy agencies' terror and sabotage attacks in recent years, but, Iranian
intelligence bodies say they have managed to thwart a large number of these
plots.
Back
in June, a plot by Mossad to assassinate Iranian nuclear scientists was defused
after security forces arrested three agents of the spy agency.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010502000128/Iran-Arress-Mssad-Agens-Fils-Aacks-n-Sensiive-Sies
--------
Envoy:
Iran Favoring Sustainable Security for Afghanistan
2022-July-24
Kazzemi
Qomi made the remarks in a series of tweets he posted following his Friday
meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad.
The
senior Iranian diplomat reiterated that one of the policies of the Islamic
Republic of Iran is expanding relations with Afghan rulers in order to
contribute to the security, stability, and economic improvement of Afghanistan.
"One
year after the withdrawal of Americans, developments in Afghanistan reveal the
destructive role of the US in Afghanistan's internal affairs, specially in the
imposition of pressure and sanctions against the oppressed people of this
country," the senior Iranian diplomat said.
He,
meantime, voiced concern about the expansion of terrorism in Afghanistan, and
said, "During last year, ISIL has expanded geographically, structurally
and organizationally inside Afghanistan, and in return, the US seeks to prevent
Afghanistan to move towards stability and security."
Referring
to the meetings held with the Pakistani Foreign Minister and the Pakistani
Prime Minister's Special Representative for Afghanistan affairs, Kazzemi Qomi
said, "We evaluate the points of view of the Pakistani officials as
positive and the message we received from them was the need to establish
stability and permanent security in Afghanistan."
In
a relevant development earlier this month, Kazzemi Qomi blamed the US military
deployment in Afghanistan for different crises in the war-hit country, saying
that Tehran along with other regional states are in consultation to help the
Afghan people.
"During
a regional trip to Central Asia, I consulted with officials on various issues,
especially the international summit on Afghanistan," Kazzemi Qomi wrote on
his twitter page, elaborating on his recent consultations with the officials of
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan regarding the latest developments in
Afghanistan.
"And
I will do my best to materialize the effective results of this summit so that
the people of Afghanistan can be saved from the American-created nightmare of
sedition and crisis as well as instability and insecurity," he added.
In
relevant remarks late last month, Kazzemi Qomi underlined the necessity for the
settlement of crises and problems in the region through collective cooperation
among the regional states, and underlined that the US presence is not helpful.
The
US presence and plans in the West and South Asia have resulted in nothing but
destruction and displacement for the people of these regions, Kazzemi Qomi
wrote on his twitter page.
The
US does not seem to have learned lessons from Afghanistan yet, he added.
The
US seeks to return to the region by making some promises to some countries in
the region, Kazzemi Qomi said.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010502000321/Envy-Iran-Favring-Ssainable-Secriy-fr-Afghanisan
--------
Two
Palestinians killed in Israel West Bank raid: Palestinian Ministry
24
July ,2022
Two
Palestinians were killed overnight during an Israeli army raid in the occupied
West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian health ministry said early Sunday.
The
ministry said Muhamad Azizi, 25, was killed by a bullet to the chest while
Abdul Rahman Jamal Suleiman Sobh, 28, was shot in the head.
Six
others were wounded, including two in serious condition, it said.
The
Israeli army said it was carrying out an operation in Nablus, in the occupied
West Bank, without immediately commenting on the Palestinian report of
casualties.
In
a statement it said there were exchanges of fire between armed suspects and
troops.
At
least 52 Palestinians have been killed since late March, mostly in the West
Bank, among them suspected militants and also non-combatants, including Al
Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American dual national, who
was covering an Israeli raid in Jenin.
Israeli
security forces have launched near-daily raids in the West Bank following a
spate of attacks in Israel in recent months.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
Gunmen
kill brother of collapsed tower’s owner in Abadan: Iran media
23
July ,2022
A
pair of gunmen opened machinegun fire on Saturday in the southwestern Iranian
city of Abadan, killing the brother of the owner of a tower that collapsed
there earlier this year, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The
May 23 collapse at the Metropol Building, some 660 kilometers (410 miles) from
the capital of Tehran, killed 41 people and dredged up painful memories of past
national disasters in Iran. It also triggered street protests in Abadan over
the collapse, demonstrations that saw police club protesters and fire tear gas.
The
fate of the building’s owner, Hossein Abdolbaghi, has been the subject of much
speculation — from initial reports that he had been arrested to rumors that
left the country. Official media in Iran said he died in the collapse.
IRNA’s
report said Abdolbaghi’s brother Majid was gunned down on Saturday in “an
assassination” and died of severe injuries from multiple gunshots.
A
video on social media shows Majid’s killing. He is seen at the parking lot
outside his home in Abadan when a white car stops by the gate. A gunman gets
out and opens fire from his machinegun. A second gunman shoots from inside the
car.
No
one immediately claimed responsibility for Saturday’s slaying.
After
the Metropol collapse, authorities arrested 11 suspects in a widening probe,
including the city’s mayor. Over the weeks that followed, videos on social
media showed protest gatherings in Abadan, with protesters often blaming the owner
for the collapse.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Europe
Greece
missed opportunity for dialogue, says Türkiye's communications director
Enes
Kaplan
24.07.2022
The
Greek government led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis has failed to take advantage of
Türkiye's offer for dialogue, the Turkish communications director has said.
In
an interview with Greek daily Kathimerini, published on Sunday, Fahrettin Altun
evaluated relations between Ankara and Athens, the current tension over the
Aegean Sea, and the militarization of Eastern Aegean islands.
"Our
president gave the Mitsotakis government a chance and opened channels for
dialogue. The Greek prime minister did not take advantage of this
opportunity," Altun said.
Altun
said Türkiye wishes to have "good relations with all its neighbors and
ensure peace and stability in the region."
Asked
about possibility of a meeting between Erdogan and Mitsotakis, Altun said:
"I do not think there will be such a meeting under the current
conditions."
"Despite
promising not to include third countries in bilateral relations, Mitsotakis
gave anti-Türkiye messages in the US," he said, adding: "Greece only
harms itself by opposing Türkiye self-interestedly or relying on third-party
countries."
Altun
said that resolving disputes within the framework of diplomacy and
international law will particularly be in the interest of the Greek people.
-
Tension over Aegean Sea
Commenting
on the allegations that Turkish aircraft violated Greek airspace, Altun said:
"Greece has been the party responsible for escalating the tension over the
Aegean Sea for months.
"You
would have seen Turkish warplanes flying over the Attica peninsula if Türkiye
decided to play a game as dangerous as Greece. But we don't have such a
problem."
Altun
underlined that Türkiye will not be the one escalating regional tension, but
"we have the resources and capabilities to respond to any move."
-
Militarization of Eastern Aegean islands
Speaking
on violation of the non-military status of the Eastern Aegean islands and
international treaties by Greece, Altun said: "By arming the islands with
non-military status, Greece violates international conventions.
"It
is absurd to imagine that Türkiye will not speak out against Greece's illegal
actions on such an issue," he added.
Greece
will only harm itself by opening the current international agreements to
discussion, he said, referring to the Lausanne Peace Treaty and the 1947 Paris
Peace Treaty.
Türkiye
has rejected the militarization of the islands by Greece since the beginning,
protesting the Greek policy of violating the non-military status of the islands
since the 1960s.
Ankara
has issued protests through diplomatic channels and requested the violations to
stop. The issue came to the UN and NATO agenda in the 1970s.
The
latest Turkish diplomatic move was to send a letter of complaint to the UN in
July 2021, saying the militarization of the islands posed a serious threat to
Türkiye's security.
-
Türkiye's new drill ship
Answering
if Türkiye's drill ship Abdulhamid Han will start operations in August, Altun
said: "It is up to Türkiye to decide on its own as a sovereign state where
our drilling ships would conduct their operations."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Greece
‘deliberately’ eroding Lausanne Peace Treaty: Turkish president
Burak
Dag
24.07.2022
Greece
has recently been deliberately eroding terms and conditions of the Lausanne
Peace Treaty, Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.
In
a video message on the 99th anniversary of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, he said:
“The terms and conditions of Lausanne Peace Treaty, particularly rights of
Turkish minority, have recently been deliberately eroded by Greece.”
“It
is not possible for our country to accept this situation, which is incompatible
with the principle of good neighborly relations and loyalty to the treaty,” he
added.
The
Lausanne treaty was signed on July 24, 1923 after the Turkish victory in the
War of Independence.
Describing
it as one of the founding documents of the Republic of Türkiye, Erdogan
emphasized that Ankara has meticulously monitored its implementation over the
past 99 years.
“With
the Lausanne Peace Treaty, our land borders were drawn, capitulations were
abolished, rights of the Turkish minority in Greece were secured, and the
non-military status of Greek islands close to our coasts was confirmed,” he
said.
Türkiye
continues to strengthen its active position in regional and global issues as it
takes firm step toward 2023, the 100th anniversary of Lausanne Peace Treaty and
foundation of the Republic of Türkiye, he added.
“We
are determined to make every effort for lasting peace and tranquility in the
region and to protect the rights of our beloved nation,” the president
asserted.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Turkey
summons Swedish diplomat over Kurdish militants
24
July ,2022
Sweden's
charge d'affaires in Turkey was summoned at the weekend to explain the use of
what Ankara alleges is “terrorist propaganda” in support of Kurdish militants,
a diplomatic source said.
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Sweden and Finland of being havens
for Kurdish militants -- specifically from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK), which he has sought to crush -- and for promoting “terrorism”.
He
has threatened to block the Nordic states' bid to join NATO unless they
extradite dozens of alleged “terrorists” under a deal the three signed last
month.
The
Swedish foreign ministry said its diplomat had been called to a “meeting” in
Ankara on Saturday, without elaborating.
Turkey's
display of displeasure follows events in Sweden last week to commemorate the
10th anniversary of the Kurdish uprising in northern Syria, which borders
Turkey.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
Pakistan
expected to hold fresh elections in October: Reports
Jul
24, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's ruling coalition and rival former Prime Minister Imran Khan's
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are set to hold talks over holding fresh general
elections and as per local media sources the date for the same is expected to
be in October 2022.
The
Pakistan Muslim League-led (PML-N) government, all allied parties, and Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf are expected to begin talking over the date of fresh general
elections, ARY News reported citing sources.
The
talks are to be held in a bid to contain the ongoing political and economic
turmoil. The date for the next general elections is expected to be in October
2022, sources said.
As
per the sources, the Pakistani establishment is also going to mediate in the
talks between the government and the opposition.
After
former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
won the Punjab bypolls, PML-N leader and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said
that early elections are on the cards however the decision will only be
finalized post discussion with the coalition parties.
The
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sanaullah made these remarks at a
press conference in Lahore. "The decision will be made after we present
the matter before the parties," said the interior minister.
Earlier,
Imran Khan said that general elections must be held in the country under the
supervision of a neutral chief election commissioner (CEC), reported local
media.
Claiming
that the "selected" government has been imposed on the masses through
planning and plotting, he said that an election must be held as soon as
possible, otherwise, democracy will suffer a huge blow.
Khan,
however, added that the polls should be conducted under the supervision of a
suitable chief election commissioner (CEC).
Dismissing
the allegations of his former government being incompetent, he said, "We
had been hearing those remarks for three-and-a-half years. My only demand is to
conduct the election under the chairmanship of a neutral CEC. Let the people
decide [the country's fate]."
Further,
reiterating that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) government was toppled
through a conspiracy, he said that a commission should be formed under the
chairmanship of the chief justice of Pakistan to probe the matter.
Source:
Times Of India
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--------
Pakistan: Govt to move SC requesting full court bench to hear cases related to
Article 63-A
24
July, 2022
Islamabad
[Pakistan], July 24 (ANI): The ruling coalition of Pakistan has decided to file
a petition in the Pakistan Supreme Court (SC) for the formation of a full court
bench to hear cases related to the interpretation of Article 63-A of the
Constitution, Pakistan Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed in a
statement on Sunday.
The
announcement comes a day after the Supreme Court announced its verdict over
Punjab’s by-election.
The
official statement said that the leaders of the government alliance will also
address a press conference at 10:30 am on Monday, the Dawn reported.
The
leaders will then go to the Supreme court with their lawyers to request the
formation of a full court bench that jointly hears cases related to the
election of Punjab’s chief minister, the Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA)
review petition of the SC’s opinion on Article 63-A and other related
petitions, the Dawn reported.
The
statement said the PPP, PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl will go to the SC,
while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Balochistan National Party,
Balochistan Awami Party and other allied parties will be among the petitioners
as well.
“The
lawyers of all the parties will argue in the Supreme Court on Article 63-A of
the Constitution,” the statement read.
A
day ago, the ruling coalition demanded of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP)
Justice Umar Ata Bandial to form a full bench to hear a petition from PTI
candidate for CM Punjab Parvez Elahi challenging a ruling from Deputy Speaker
Punjab Assembly to reject votes of PML-Q during the election.
The
Supreme Court must take up a review petition from Supreme Court Bar Association
(SCBA) and other petitions jointly, a handout issued by the coalition
government said adding that the people are paying for the political instability
through inflation, unemployment and poverty, the Dawn reported.
“This
is a matter of national and political importance,” it read.
Notably,
Pakistan Supreme Court allowed Hamza Shahbaz to stay as a ‘trustee’ chief
minister of Punjab till the court resumes hearing on Monday.
A
three-member SC bench comprising Pakistan Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial,
Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhter issued the verbal order during a
hearing on PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi’s petition.
In
its order after the day-long hearing, the court said that it cannot leave a
province without a chief executive and so, “Hamza will continue to work as a
trustee chief minister till Monday.”
The
court also said Hamza is not allowed to work as per the constitution and law
during the time period. Supreme Court directed Hamza Shehbaz to exercise only
ceremonial powers while restraining him from exercising the absolute powers of
the chief minister till Monday.
“The
chief minister, Hamza Shehbaz will not use his powers for political gains,” it
stressed.
The
apex court then adjourned the hearing of the plea filed by PML-Q’s Chaudhry
Pervez Elahi.
Former
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a petition
against Mazari’s ruling to reject 10 PML-Q votes in Punjab Chief Minister’s
elections, media reports said.
Source:
The Print
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Protest
against killing of JUI-F activists in North Waziristan
July
25, 2022
NORTH
WAZIRISTAN/LAKKI MARWAT: Workers of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl on Sunday held
protest demonstrations in North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu against the
killing of its local leaders and lawlessness in the tribal district.
In
North Waziristan, the workers of JUI-F and other political parties continued a
sit-in protest against lawlessness in the tribal district.
The
protest in Eidek village near Mirali entered third week on Sunday. A large
number of workers, including JUI-F activists, had been attending the protest
camp.
The
protesters demanded early arrest of the killers of JUI-F leaders Qari
Samiuddin, Hafiz Nauman and others.
They
also asked the government to take steps for maintenance of law and order in the
district.
Rallies
also held in Lakki Marwat and Bannu
General
Officer Commanding (GOC) Maj-Gen Naeem Akhtar and other senior officers visited
the protest camp on Sunday and assured the protesters that those involved in
the targeted killing would be arrested.
He
said that some elements were trying to sabotage peace in the area and the
administration would take concrete measures in this regard.
In
Lakki Marwat, the district chapter of JUI-F held a demonstration on Sunday to
protest the killing of its leaders in North Waziristan district.
A
good number of workers gathered at Qazi Ishfaq Chowk and demanded arrest of the
killers.
Speaking
on the occasion, MNA Maulana Mohammad Anwar and other leaders condemned the
killing of Qari Samiuddin and his companion in North Waziristan.
They
said that unknown assailants had gunned down Qari Samiuddin and his colleague
on July 15 when they were on their way home in a car.
“It
was the second attack on JUI-F leadership in a week as the party’s
councillor-elect Malik Murtaza had also been killed by unidentified attackers
in Eidak village of the tribal district,” they said.
The
JUI-F activists closed an urban road in Bannu city on Sunday to protest the
killing of the party activists in North Waziristan.
The
protesters gathered outside the press club building and raised slogans in
favour of their demands.
Party’s
district general secretary Haji Niaz Mohammad and others said on the occasion
that the people had rendered sacrifices for restoration of peace in the tribal
region.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1701453/protest-against-killing-of-jui-f-activists-in-north-waziristan
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ISPR
refutes report about ‘soft intervention’ by establishment amid deepening
political, economic crisis
July
24, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Director-General of the ISPR Maj-General Babar Iftikhar has refuted a media
report that suggested that the establishment is considering a “soft
intervention” under which it may mediate between PTI Chairman Imran Khan and
the coalition parties — comprising PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, and others as political
and economic crises grip Pakistan.
The
report by a publication said that there are chances of a “grand dialogue”
between the Opposition and the government with the intervention of the
establishment.
The
report comes as the Pakistani rupee continues its downward trend against the US
dollar and the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) also witnessing constant plunges
in recent sessions — both markets recording historic lows.
Not
only this, but there has also been persistent political instability since
Khan’s ouster from power as political parties keep approaching courts over
political problems and the Punjab government has also remained a matter of
contention — given that Hamza took oath twice as chief minister in nearly four
months. Hamza Shahbaz took oath twice as chief minister in this period but with
his appointment challenged time and again in the courts, the matter has now
gone to him being appointed a trustee chief minister until Monday.
The
situation has given way to the likelihood for the next general elections to
take place soon, with the sources putting the time frame at October.
‘Khan
ready for negotiations’
Senior
journalist Suhail Warraich told Geo News that he met the ousted prime minister
and that “Khan is ready for negotiations” with the coalition government on
three issues: elections and election reforms, the economic agenda and the
appointment of the army chief.
The
journalist said that there are chances that Khan will write a letter to
President Arif Alvi and he might help in holding negotiations between the PTI
and the government.
“Everyone
believes that the political parties should resolve their issues amicably,” the
journalist said.
Alvi
urges state institutions, media to play role to bring people’s govt
Soon
afterwards, President Dr Alvi emphasised that state institutions and the media
should help create an environment to set up a government that truly represents
the people of Pakistan.
Speaking
during the fifth Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) Business
Excellence Awards Ceremony, the president elaborated: “Such a government will
reflect people’s aspirations and hopes to ensure political and economic
stability needed for promoting business, trade, and investment in the country.”
Source:
Pakistan Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Pakistan:
PM Sharif’s ally JUI-F to become party in PML-Q’s petition against Mazari
ruling case
25
July, 2022
Islamabad
[Pakistan], July 25 (ANI): Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana
Fazlur Rehman, who is supporting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has now said
that he is party to the petition filed by the Opposition against the ruling of
Pakistan Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari.
It
is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) leader Parvez
Elahi, was the contender to Punjab Chief Minister’s post and was the joint
candidate of PML-Q and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party PTI.
The
petition has been filed by Parvez Elahi against the ruling of Pakistan Punjab
Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari.
Pakistan
Supreme Court has summoned Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari
for citing Article 63A of the Constitution and not counting the votes of
defecting lawmakers as well as electing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
leader Hamza Shahbaz as Punjab Chief Minister.
Addressing
a press conference, the JUI-F chief said he would move a petition with the
Supreme Court to become a party in the case, the Dawn reported.
The
coalition government and parties in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on
Sunday decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) for the formation
of a full court bench regarding the election of the Punjab chief minister and
the interpretation of Article 63-A.
Echoing
the demand of two major parties in the PDM, the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim
League – Nawaz (PML-N), Rahman also demanded the formation of a full court
bench to hear the petition.
Flanked
by party leaders, including Akram Khan Durrani and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor
Haideri, he said the party’s chief has the final authority to decide the party
policy and all other office bearers (lawmakers) have to follow it.
“A
party leader directs their parliamentary party even if they are not a member of
the house,” he said, adding that after the fiasco in the Punjab Assembly, a new
discussion has started that only a parliamentary leader has the authority to
lead the party in the assembly.
The
announcement comes after the Supreme Court announced its verdict over Punjab’s
by-election.
Pakistan
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed in a statement on Sunday that
the ruling coalition of Pakistan has decided to file a petition in the Pakistan
Supreme Court (SC) for the formation of a full court bench to hear cases
related to the interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution.
As
per the official statement, the leaders of the government alliance will address
a press conference at 10:30 am today.
The
leaders will then go to the Supreme court with their lawyers to request the
formation of a full court bench that jointly hears cases related to the
election of Punjab’s chief minister, the Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA)
review petition of the SC’s opinion on Article 63-A and other related
petitions, the Dawn reported.
The
statement said the PPP, PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl will go to the SC,
while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Balochistan National Party,
Balochistan Awami Party and other allied parties will be among the petitioners
as well.
“The
lawyers of all the parties will argue in the Supreme Court on Article 63-A of
the Constitution,” the official statement read.
The
Supreme Court must take up a review petition from Supreme Court Bar Association
(SCBA) and other petitions jointly, a handout issued by the coalition
government said adding that the people are paying for the political instability
through inflation, unemployment and poverty, the Dawn reported.
“This
is a matter of national and political importance,” it read.
This
comes amid renewed political turmoil triggered by the contentious Punjab chief
minister election.
The
political battle between opposition and coalition partners intensified over the
controversial Punjab CM poll which saw Hamza Shahbaz retaining the chief
minister’s post on technical grounds.
According
to the Punjab Assembly deputy speaker, Hamza received 179 votes whereas
Chaudhry Pervez Elahi garnered 176 votes, but only after 10 votes of Elahi’s
own party were not counted, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour.
Source:
The Print
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Southeast Asia
Malaysians
to shop more with significant income growth, says Fitch Solutions
July
25, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: Malaysian households will see significant growth in their disposable
income for the rest of the year and up until 2026, says Fitch Solutions.
Fitch
Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research said household disposable income
had grown beyond pre-pandemic levels of RM98,300 per household in 2019.
For
the medium-term from 2022 to 2026, it predicted that the average disposable
income of Malaysian households will grow at an average of 5.3% a year to reach
RM127,000 by 2026.
While
inflation is expected to increase this year at an average of 3.3%, it said,
this will be significantly below the rate of disposable income growth of 7.2%.
Disposable income growth in 2023 will slow but still remain above the inflation
rate.
“This
will remain the case in 2024, with the trend of household disposable income outpacing
inflation maintained throughout our forecast period to 2026. This means
consumers in Malaysia will see their disposable incomes increasing in real
terms,” it said in a statement.
Fitch
said Malaysian households will be moving away from focusing on essentials, as
they did in the past two years, to non-essential spending.
It
said recreational and cultural spending was the fastest growing category
currently, followed by restaurant and hotel.
“These
growth outlooks indicate that while Malaysian consumers are spending more on
discretionary spending than they did during or before the pandemic, they are
focusing that spending on experiences rather than tangible products.
“We
believe the continuous strong growth of the spending category in the long term
is aided by a growing middle class and high-income households in Malaysia, as
well as positive demographic shifts that will drive demand for recreation and
cultural experiences,” it said.
It
said the clothing and footwear category could be the biggest benefactor from
this growth in recreational spending, pointing out that retail sales had
strongly recovered over the past six months.
Clothing
and footwear spending will grow at an annual average of 8.5%, with expenditures
for this category set to reach RM39.1 billion in 2026, compared to RM28.4
billion this year.
Regional
and international brands are looking to capitalise on this, said Fitch,
pointing out that Adidas had opened its largest brand centre in Southeast Asia
when it set up its store in Sunway Pyramid last year.
The
opening of Japan-based Mitsui Fudosan’s Lalaport mall and Tropicana Corp’s
Tropicana Gardens Mall this year further proved the retail sector’s strong
recovery.
“Fashion
retailers can benefit by having their stores near recreation or tourist spots
in order to capitalise on the strong surge in recreation and culture spending
over the medium term.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Jawi,
NGOs to resolve issues linked to prostitution in Chow Kit, says minister
July
24, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: The federal territories Islamic religious department (Jawi) is working
with NGOs to resolve issues linked to prostitution in areas such as Chow Kit,
says religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad.
He
said these NGOs have been tasked with rehabilitating prostitutes as well as
assisting children born out of wedlock to obtain valid birth certificates and
other documentation.
“Besides
the prostitution taking place, young couples living together is another common
problem in the Chow Kit area.
“We
also found that there are children (born out of wedlock) who do not know who
their fathers are and they are also homeless,” HarakahDaily quoted him as
saying.
He
added that if these children did not receive help, they would face problems in
society or be forced into a life of crime.
Idris
said he had also ordered Jawi to continue monitoring all 4D gaming shops in
areas under its jurisdiction.
“We
found that only 3% of the customers at these premises were Muslims. Officers
from Jawi detained them and advised them against patronising such shops,” he
added.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Dr
M also received RM2.6mil in political donation, says witness
V
Anbalagan
July
25, 2022
SHAH
ALAM: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been named as one of the individuals who received
RM2.6 million as political donations from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) for his
then Bersatu party after the 14th general election (GE14).
Former
UKSB administrative manager David Tan told the High Court in Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi’s corruption trial the money was passed to Mahathir’s nephew, Rahmat Abu
Bakar.
However,
Tan said during cross-examination by Zahid’s lawyer, Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, he was
unsure if Rahmat was a director of Giromakro Sdn Bhd.
Zaidi:
Why make a donation of RM2.6 million to Rahmat?
Tan:
As a political fund for Mahathir and Bersatu.
The
money was said to have been given to Rahmat after Pakatan Harapan (PH) was
voted into power after the May 9, 2018 general election and Mahathir was
appointed the prime minister for the second time.
On
June 17, Tan had testified that the home minister under the PH administration,
Muhyiddin Yassin, had also received RM1.3 million from UKSB.
Elaborating
on the matter today, he said the money was passed to SHH Resources Bhd director
Teo Wee Cheng, who was Muhyiddin’s close friend.
“The
money was also given as a political donation to assist Muhyiddin,” he said.
Zaidi:
Did the accused (Zahid) also receive political funds from UKSB?
Tan:
Yes.
Zaidi:
Do you see Mahathir and Muhyiddin sitting beside the accused (Zahid) in the
dock?
Tan:
No.
The
17th prosecution witness had also said the payments were made to “ministers,
politicians and government servants” as he kept a ledger of payments made
between 2014 and 2018 in spreadsheet files in his laptop.
Filed
under code names, he had named former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal, former
foreign minister Anifah Aman and former deputy foreign minister Reezal Merican
Naina Merican as among the other recipients.
However,
Tan did not specify the amount of money paid to Shafie, Anifah and Reezal
Merican.
UKSB
was the firm that handled the foreign visa system (VLN) for Chinese tourists.
It was appointed by the government in 2016.
The
company was implicated in the case against Zahid, the former deputy prime
minister and home minister standing trial on 33 corruption charges.
Previously,
the court heard testimony from former UKSB directors Harry Tan and Wan Quoris
Shah Wan Abdul Ghani, in which they said the company made millions in cash
payments, in Singapore dollars, to Zahid from 2014 to 2018 over the VLN
contract.
Wan
Quoris told the court the financial assistance to Zahid was aimed at
strengthening their position as a home ministry contractor.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Malaysian
DJ, 7UFO is making the beat drop in the UK
July
25, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: Among the many Malaysians adversely affected by the Covid-19 lockdowns,
performing artistes were among the worst hit.
With
venues shut down and live events postponed, many lost their rice bowls and were
forced to find other means to earn a living.
However,
even in the face of adversity, some of these artistes persevered and honed
their craft in anticipation of better times.
Among
them was DJ and music producer, Sean Leng, who goes by the stage name, 7UFO.
At
the start of the pandemic in 2020, Leng struggled to adapt but chose to
continue his passion of deejaying despite the unfavourable circumstances.
Fast
forward to 2022 and Leng has certainly bounced back from his troubles to
achieve new heights that even he could not have imagined.
Just
this year alone, he signed a song of his to a London music label; no small feat
for a self-taught artiste.
His
newest song, “Everyday”, is thus likely to reach the ears of audiences around
the globe and hopefully, it will be Leng’s first of many successes.
Leng
is currently based in the UK, having been there since August last year for
“performance, work and studies.”
Speaking
to FMT, Leng shared how his life and music has changed in the past two years
and what direction he hopes his life will take next.
“Since
the pandemic, I’ve been working on perfecting my craft and focusing on the tech
house and house genres. I’ve also been working on collaborations with different
artistes from Europe and America,” he shared, adding that he already has songs
awaiting signing.
According
to him, he has moved on from his hip-hop origins to try something new. “I’ve
been trying to find my sound as a music producer and to make something that I
really want.”
While
Leng continued to make music to please his audience, he felt that he wanted to
make something that he himself was proud of.
“So,
I eventually found my sound in house and tech house and since then, I’ve been
enjoying myself,” he said.
For
the uninitiated, the tech house genre has its origins in techno, with an
emphasis on rhythms and drops. “It’s a trending genre among Western audiences.”
He
admitted however, that the transition was no bed of roses, as many of his fans
had followed him because of his hip-hop work.
Hence,
it was a challenge to create something new without leaving behind everything
that he was known for. However, by blending his old and new genres, he created
“Everyday”, which has gone over well with old and new fans.
“I’m
currently in Leicester and the music scene here is very wide. There are lots of
genres you can find here. Prior to making this song, I attended many music
events that inspired me to mix these genres together,” he said. “That’s how
‘Everyday’ was made.”
As
to how he got his music signed on, he said that the label, Exigo Records, had
long earned his respect for supporting young, fledgling artistes like himself.
Once
Leng approached them and understood what music it was they were looking for, it
was only a matter of time before his music got signed on June 17.
Spending
time in the UK has also allowed Leng to get a glimpse into how the music scene
there differs from that in Malaysia.
“There
are a lot of people here who are open-minded to different genres. In Malaysia,
the only music you can sell for a club to profit is commercial electronic dance
music,” he said.
“That
is quite sad as there are only a few places playing house music in Malaysia.”
So,
what’s next for Leng? In addition to creating more music, he is still pursuing
his studies in business and management. “It’s been actually quite easy to
balance. In the night, I produce my music. And during the day, I study.”
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Arab World
Kuwaiti
Emir's Son, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah, Named Prime Minister
24
July, 2022
Kuwait
named the emir's son as prime minister on Sunday, replacing caretaker premier
Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid who faced a combative parliament amid a feud between the
government and elected assembly that has hindered fiscal reform.
Crown
Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who took over most of the ruling emir's
duties late last year, named Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Sabah to the post in an
Emiri decree.
Last
month the crown prince said he was dissolving parliament and would issue a
decree for early elections, a move welcomed by opposition lawmakers who had
staged a sit-in to press the prince to name a new prime minister.
Sheikh
Ahmad was deputy prime minister and interior minister in the outgoing
government, which had submitted its resignation in April ahead of a
non-cooperation motion in parliament against
Sheikh
Sabah, who had been premier since late 2019.
Sheikh
Ahmad, in his late 60s, began his career with the police force and then entered
the interior ministry. After his father Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad took power
in 2020 he was appointed deputy head of the National Guard.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2022/07/24/Kuwaiti-emir-s-son-named-prime-minister
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Saudi
students encouraged to learn space sciences, technology
HEBSHI
ALSHAMMARI
July
24, 2022
RIYADH:
The Saudi Space Commission on Saturday opened registration for the second
virtual “Go to Space” training camp. Registration will remain open until Aug.
6.
The
commission is organizing the camp in collaboration with Teaching Science and
Technology, Inc. The program aims to increase students’ expertise in scientific
subjects related to space by increasing awareness, knowledge and curiosity.
“Go
to Space” is aimed at intermediate third-grade students as well as secondary
students.
Admission
to the camp requires that the applicant be a Saudi national currently enrolled
in the third intermediate or secondary level, where he/she will be dedicated to
the natural sciences course for both the second and third secondary grades, as
well as having proficiency in speaking and writing in English and also passing
the camp’s entrance exam.
The
camp will run from Aug. 14 to Aug. 18 and will contain two parallel tracks: The
first, “Space exploration: An introduction to space science,” is aimed at
students in the third intermediate and first secondary grades.
The
second track, “Space Recognition: An Introduction to Astronautics and Space
Systems,” is designed for students in the second and third grades in the
natural sciences specialization “Scientific.”
The
registration link is https://s.ssc.gov.sa/787
“The
purpose of this step is to increase scientific knowledge and the importance of
specializing in space sciences and technology. It also identifies and
highlights its significance in order to inspire and encourage future
generations,” according to the commission’s statement.
The
camp’s goal is to expand students’ understanding and enthusiasm for space
science and technology, as well as to inspire them to pursue careers in the
space industry.
Through
training sessions led by space scientific professionals, the program provides
hands-on learning experience.
The
Saudi Space Commission launched the first edition of the “Go to Space” summer training
camp in July 2021 with the goal of qualifying secondary students in space
science and technology in 14 days. The camp included courses and applied
projects to prepare astronauts and engineers for the future and attract the
talent to join various space applications through dedicated training programs.
Natural
sciences, according to Faisal Al-Ahmari, a member of the Saudi Council of
Engineers, study the living and non-living parts of the natural world via
experience, observation and inference. The primary goals of this large field of
research are to broaden scientific knowledge and develop a better understanding
of how the universe operates.
“Through
space exploration, we can validate or refute scientific theories developed on
Earth,” Al-Ahmari told Arab News. “Our understanding of the solar system, for
example, has helped us better comprehend phenomena such as gravity,
magnetosphere, atmosphere, fluid dynamics and planet geological evolution.”
“Natural
sciences help to understand, interpret and establish laws and theories in many
subjects such as space science and astronomy, and it is difficult without it to
innovate tools, equipment and systems that help to develop and advance in many
areas,” he said.
“Advances
in natural science and related disciplines of medical research, technology, and
engineering have helped humanity in a number of ways,” he said. “Natural
science is the cornerstone of knowledge required to encourage technical
advancement that will continue to sustain the global economy.”
Al-Ahmari
said that a training camp such as “Go to Space” allowed participants to develop
solid and soft skills such as critical and innovative thinking, team-building
and constructive collaboration, as well as programming and rhetoric skills.
Source:
Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2128611/saudi-arabia
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Prominent
Iraqi politician warns country against provocations in aftermath of Duhok
attack
Mehmet
Nuri Uçar, Zeynep Tüfekçi Gülay
23.07.2022
BAGHDAD,
Iraq
A
prominent Iraqi politician warned his country Friday against provocations in
the aftermath of the Duhok attack that killed nine people earlier this week
Stressing
that Türkiye had expressed a willingness to cooperate in uncovering the truth
about the attack, former governor of Ninevah Governate, Atheel al-Nujaifi, said
attacking Turkish interests would harm Iraq’s interests.
If
Türkiye was not sure about the results of an investigation, it would not have
taken such a step, he said.
Against
that backdrop, the Iraqi government should initiate an objective investigation
to clear any confusion, said Nujaifi.
He
drew attention to the fact that some local media outlets and those on social
media have been keenly trying to manipulate Iraqis and mislead the public.
-Attack
in Duhok
Nine
people were killed and 23 injured Wednesday in the attack in Zakho district.
Turkish
security sources have rejected reports "in support of" the PKK terror
group that claimed civilians were killed due to "shelling" by Turkish
forces.
The
Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement after the attack and asked Iraqi
officials not to make statements about the deadly assault "under the
influence of rhetoric and propaganda" of the PKK terror organization.
"We
invite Iraqi government officials ... to cooperate in bringing the real
perpetrators of this tragic incident into light," it said.
Noting
that Türkiye is against all attacks targeting civilians, it said: "Türkiye
carries out its fight against terrorism in accordance with international law,
with utmost sensitivity to the protection of civilians, civilian
infrastructure, historical and cultural property and the environment."
The
foreign minister also said that Ankara had no role in the strike.
"According
to the information we received from the Turkish Armed Forces, we did not carry
out any attack against civilians," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said
in a live interview Thursday with public news broadcaster TRT Haber.
"We
have announced that we can cooperate with the Iraqi authorities after the
treacherous attack that we think was carried out by terrorist organizations. We
reject both authorized and unauthorized statements regarding Türkiye," he
said.
Cavusoglu
added that PKK propaganda in Iraq came as Türkiye is soon to launch a new
anti-terror operation in northern Syria, saying that Iraqi authorities must not
fall into the trap of terror groups.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Mideast
nations wake up to need for action to stem damage from climate change
25
July ,2022
Temperatures
in the Middle East have risen far faster than the world’s average in the past
three decades. Precipitation has been decreasing, and experts predict droughts
will come with greater frequency and severity.
The
Middle East is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to the impact of
climate change — and already the effects are being seen.
In
Iraq, intensified sandstorms have repeatedly smothered cities this year,
shutting down commerce and sending thousands to hospitals. Rising soil salinity
in Egypt’s Nile Delta is eating away at crucial farmland. In Afghanistan,
drought has helped fuel the migration of young people from their villages,
searching for jobs. In recent weeks, temperatures in some parts of the region
have topped 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).
This
year’s annual UN climate change conference, known as COP27, is being held in
Egypt in November, throwing a spotlight on the region. Governments across the
Middle East have awakened to the dangers of climate change, particularly to the
damage it is already inflicting on their economies.
“We’re
literally seeing the effects right in front of us. ... These impacts are not
something that will hit us nine or 10 years down the line,” said Lama El Hatow,
an environmental climate change consultant who has worked with the World Bank
and specializes on the Middle East and North Africa.
“More
and more states are starting to understand that it’s necessary” to act, she
said.
Egypt,
Morocco, and other countries in the region have been stepping up initiatives
for clean energy. But a top priority for them at COP27 is to push for more
international funding to help them deal with the dangers they are already
facing from climate change.
One
reason for the Middle East’s vulnerability is that there is simply no margin to
cushion the blow on millions of people as the rise in temperatures accelerates:
The region already has high temperatures and limited water resources even in
normal circumstances.
Middle
East governments also have a limited ability to adapt, the International
Monetary Fund noted in a report earlier this year. Economies and infrastructure
are weak, and regulations are often unenforced. Poverty is widespread, making
job creation a priority over climate protection.
At
the same time, developing nations are pressuring countries in the Mideast and
elsewhere to make emissions cuts, even as they themselves backslide on
promises.
The
threats are dire.
As
the region grows hotter and drier, the United Nations has warned that the
Mideast’s crop production could drop 30 percent by 2025. The region is expected
to lose 6 percent to14 percent of its GDP by 2050 because of water scarcity,
according to the World Bank. In Egypt, precipitation has fallen 22 percent in
the past 30 years, according to the World Bank.
Droughts
are expected to become more frequent and severe. The Eastern Mediterranean
recently saw its worst drought in 900 years, according to NASA, a heavy blow to
countries like Syria and Lebanon where agriculture relies on rainfall. Demand
for water in Jordan and the Gulf countries is putting unsustainable pressure on
underground water aquifers. In Iraq, the increased aridity has caused an
increase in sandstorms.
At
the same time, warming waters and air make extreme and often destructive
weather events more frequent, like deadly floods that have repeatedly hit Sudan
and Afghanistan.
The
climate damage has potentially dangerous social repercussions.
Many
of those who lose the livelihoods they once made in agriculture or tourism will
move to the cities in search of jobs, said Karim Elgendy, an associate fellow
at Chatham House. That will likely increase urban unemployment, strain social
services, and could raise social tensions and affect security, said Elgendy,
who is also a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute.
Adapting
infrastructure and economies to weather the damage will be enormously
expensive: the equivalent of 3.3 percent of the region’s GDP every year for the
next 10 years, the IMF estimates. The spending needs to go toward everything
from creating more efficient water use systems and new agricultural methods to
building coastal protections, beefing up social safety nets, and improving
awareness campaigns.
So
one of top priorities for Mideast and other developing nations at this year’s
COP is to press the United States, Europe, and other wealthier nations to
follow through on long-time promises to provide them with billions in climate
financing.
So
far, developed nations have fallen short on those promises. Also, most of the
money they have provided has gone to helping poorer countries pay for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions — for “mitigation,” in UN terminology, as opposed to
“adaptation.”
For
this year’s COP, the top theme repeated by UN officials, the Egyptian hosts and
climate activists is the implementation of commitments. The gathering aims to
push countries to spell out how they will reach promised emission reduction
targets — and to come up with even deeper cuts, since experts say the targets
as they are now will still lead to disastrous levels of warming.
Developing
nations will also want richer countries to show how they will carry out a
promise from the last COP to provide $500 billion in climate financing over the
next five years — and to ensure at least half that funding is for adaptation,
not mitigation.
World
events, however, threaten to undercut the momentum from COP26. On emissions
cuts, the spike in world energy prices and the war in Ukraine have prompted
some European countries to turn back to coal for power generation — though they
insist it’s only a temporary step. The Middle East also has several countries
whose economies rely on their fossil fuel resources — Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
most obviously, but also Egypt, with its increasing natural gas production.
Persistent
inflation and the possibility of recession could make top nations hesitant on
making climate financing commitments.
With
international officials often emphasizing emission reduction, El Hatow said it
should be remembered the countries of Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere in
the developing world have not contributed substantially to climate change, yet
are bearing the brunt of it.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Attack
on Syria church gathering kills two, injures 12: State media
24
July ,2022
Two
people were killed and 12 injured Sunday by bombardment of a church as it was
being inaugurated in Syria's central province of Hama, the official SANA news
agency reported.
“A
rocket fired by terrorist organizations targeted a religious gathering in the
town of al-Suqaylabiyah near Hama, killing two people and wounding 12,” it
said.
SANA
said the attack came during a ceremony to inaugurate the Ayia Sofia church.
Britain-based
war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a vast network
of sources on the ground, confirmed the attack.
Giving
a toll of one civilian killed and several wounded, the Observatory said
shelling or a drone attack by nearby rebel groups could be to blame.
Sunday’s
attack came two days after bombardment killed seven people including four
children in the rebel-held Idlib region.
The
Observatory said Friday’s fatalities in the Jisr al-Shughur countryside of
northern Syria were caused by Russian air strikes.
Around
half of Idlib province as well as parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces
are controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the former franchise in Syria of
al-Qaeda.
Other
rebel groups in the last pocket of armed opposition to the Damascus regime also
remain active, with varying degrees of Turkish backing.
In
March 2020, Russia and Turkey brokered a truce in Idlib and neighboring areas
that still holds, despite sporadic attacks from both sides, including Russian
air strikes.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Iraq
files complaint at UN against Turkey after deadly attack
23
July ,2022
Iraq
has filed a complaint to the UN Security Council, requesting an urgent session
to discuss a deadly artillery attack this week that Baghdad blames on Turkey,
the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
Wednesday’s
attack on the district of Zakho in Iraq’s northern, Kurdish region killed nine
Iraqi tourists, including a child, and wounded 20.
Foreign
Ministry spokesman Ahmad al-Sahaf said the ministry also recalled Iraq’s chargé
d’affaires from Ankara. Iraq’s parliament held a session Saturday on the
attack, with lawmakers deciding to form a committee to investigate further.
Turkey,
which has several bases in northern Iraq and often conducts cross-border
military operations there, says it’s targeting militants from the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.
The
group, declared a terrorist organization by Turkey and the West, has for
decades waged a fight against the government in Ankara and maintains hideouts
in Iraq’s mountainous north.
And
though Iraqi civilians, mostly local villagers, have been killed in past
Turkish attacks, Wednesday marked the first time that tourists visiting the
north from elsewhere in Iraq were killed.
Ankara
has denied it was behind Wednesday’s attack. Iraqi media reported that the
Security Council session was due next Tuesday.
The
recent escalation threatens to further erode ties between the two neighboring
countries at a time when Iraq relies heavily on Turkish trade and negotiations
are underway on water-sharing of the Tigris and Euphrates river basin.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
Saudi
Arabia, Iraq come to the aid of Europe’s oil refiners amid Ukraine war
23
July ,2022
Saudi
Arabia and Iraq are diverting more and more of their crude oil toward Europe,
helping the continent’s oil refineries to overcome a pivot away from Russia.
More
than 1 million barrels a day of crude has made its way to Europe from the
Middle East in the first three weeks of July via a pipeline that crosses Egypt,
according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Volumes have roughly
doubled from a year ago.
Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine triggered a backlash among European companies, with many of
them electing to stop dealing with Moscow. The so-called self-sanctioning
nevertheless created a question about where they would find alternative
supplies.
The
piped flows are dominated by shipments from Saudi Arabia but Iraq is also
ramping up deliveries too. Companies can either deliver into a pipeline called
the SuMed that crosses Egypt or, if their ships are small enough, go straight
through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. Iraq’s cargoes are doing the latter.
Piped
volumes have increased from about 800,000 barrels a day a month earlier to the
highest since a brief surge during a production free-for-all in April 2020.
In
addition to those flows, about 1.2 million barrels a day have been shipped
toward the canal from the Arabian Gulf in the first three weeks of July, mostly
from Iraq.
That
could take total flows from the Middle East to Europe to 2.2 million barrels a
day, up by nearly 90 percent since January, the last full month before the war
began.
The
shift comes as increasing volumes of Russian crude head in the opposite
direction, from its Baltic and Black Sea ports to buyers in India and China.
That’s given the two Asian countries bountiful cheap barrels at a time when
fuel prices have been soaring.
“We
now see a re-routing of some of those barrels away from Asia to Europe,”
Giovanni Staunovo, commodity analyst at UBS Group AG said of Middle Eastern
crude. That comes “with Europe scaling back their purchases of Russian barrels
and Russia sending their oil instead to a key market of the Middle East, Asia.”
Whether
the Middle East-to-Europe flows are sustainable is less certain. At the end of
this year a European Union embargo on the Russian crude set to come into
effect.
Part
of the sanctions package includes a ban on insuring shipments of Russian
supplies to any buyers.
If
the insurance ban hits overall exports -- something the US Treasury fears --
then it could intensify competition for supplies from the Middle East again.
Saudi
Arabia’s tanker company, Bahri, this week chartered a supertanker to transport
crude from the Mediterranean to Rotterdam, a rare charter for the Kingdom’s
tanker company that underscores the shift in flows.
The
adjustment in where barrels are moving is also a reminder of logistical
challenges that may emerge as buyers wean themselves off of Russian crude.
Shipments
are having to sail longer distances, boosting employment of the world’s oil
tanker fleet.
Benchmark
earnings for giant supertankers that can carry 2 million barrels of crude oil
climbed to their highest since April this week, though were still relatively
weak by historical standards.
Europe’s
appetite for Middle Eastern crude is boosting so-called ton-miles, a demand
measure that multiplies the amount of cargo by how far it gets shipped,
according to said Lars Barstad, chief executive officer of Frontline Management
AS.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
Saudi
creatives showcase sensational sounds and art at SOL festival
AFSHAN
AZIZ
July
24, 2022
JEDDAH:
The three-day SOL music festival, which ended on Saturday, featured an eclectic
lineup of local, regional, and global DJs and artists, that had the crowds
rocking on Jeddah’s beachfront.
Held
at Buhairat Beach for the first time, the event also featured a fashion fete of
contemporary clothing brands, art installations, craft from local artisans, and
food trucks.
SOL
is an exclusive community that aims to bring together local fans of music,
fashion and art. Their goal is to shine a light on local artists and talent.
Managed
by ENTX and EGO talents, an event management company, SOL delivered pure
ecstasy for Jeddah’s music lovers.
Ibtisam
Al-Somali, CEO of ENTX, said: “We created a festival that is a whole experience
of art, fashion, food, and performances including acting shows on (the) ground
and on stage.”
“We
collaborated with pioneers Karaz and Neo Nomad Digital in Jeddah to create and
produce a rare experience for the audience by finding new artists and talents,”
Al-Somali added.
“As
this is the first edition, we are still learning the musical market and their
interests in new … talents. It was not easy to create an event with emerging
artists or those that are not A-list stars.”
Al-Somali
said it was not easy trying to convince the industry that there was a great
deal of talent to be tapped in the country. They partnered with musical
enterprises including EGO talents, HRMNY, Karaz, Neo Nomad Digital, and BRIJ
Entertainments.
Fahad
Al-Saud, CEO of Karaz and co-partner of SOL Jeddah, said: “Karaz is so excited
to have provided our consultancy services to ENTX and the role we played in
advising and supporting them in this event. As a team of local and
international professionals, it is our mission to bring a sense of community
and collaboration to the Kingdom and are honored to have been a part of this
developing industry in the Kingdom.”
Nezar
Tashkandi, aerial director and producer of Glider Aerial Solutions, and a
leading drone pilot, handled all the media production including livestreaming
and drone filming. “The event was very special as it gathered all the new
generation of Saudi artists in one spot to be exposed to the world. It’s a
great experience to be surrounded by talented people.”
Misha
Saied, director for the media production team of the festival, and the main
driver behind the photography and videography, said: “I enjoyed documenting
SOL. The team worked very hard to set up a proper stage with a (crisp) sound
system and visually pleasing lighting. It was special because the team was heavily
invested in the artists they book, especially the local heroes. It’s beautiful
to see local, talented artists get the recognition they deserve.”
Several
artists told Arab News that SOL has helped them get attention.
Saud
Al-Turki, a Saudi music producer, curator, and owner of BRIJ Entertainment,
said: “There’s nothing like performing at home and being able to use my music
to bring the right energy to my people; (it) is a feeling that’s unmatched.
Such an initiative like SOL is a beautiful thing. Bringing artists together
from across the world is the very essence of what music is all about and that’s
also the actual mission of BRIJ Entertainment.”
Jeme,
born and based in Riyadh is another Saudi music producer, DJ, and founder of
KNZ Record Label, and music lab. “To be a part of this new experience formed by
local brands and to connect with local and international artists was amazing. I
personally believe that it is always exciting to connect and meet new and
familiar faces on stage. We even had a chance to interact with the audience
after the performance. This intimate experience of getting to talk with the
crowd was incredible.”
DJ
Zii performed for the first time on a stage for a huge audience, and called the
experience “magical.”
Source:
Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2128666/saudi-arabia
--------
Africa
Al-Qaeda
and Daesh/ISIS affiliate claims responsibility for Mali’s attacks
James
Tasamba
23.07.2022
KIGALI,
Rwanda
A
group affiliated with the al-Qaeda and Daesh/ISIS terror organizations claimed
responsibility Saturday for two recent separate attacks in Mali, purportedly in
response to Mali’s collaboration with mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group.
A
terrorist attack on a military base near Mali’s capital Bamako left a soldier
dead on Friday.
Seven
terrorists were shot dead as Malian forces “vigorously repelled” the attackers.
The
attack on the Kati military barracks, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Bamako,
began early in the morning with two vehicles packed with explosives, the army
said.
Six
people were wounded in the assault while eight more were arrested.
The
government blamed the attack on Katiba Macina, a group affiliated with the
al-Qaeda and Daesh/ISIS terror organizations.
Friday’s
attack came a day after coordinated assaults on army bases in central Mali left
one soldier dead and 15 wounded.
In
separate statements on Saturday, the so-called media unit for al-Qaeda and
Daesh/ISIS local affiliate, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM),
acknowledged the government’s claim that Katiba Macina had carried out the two
attacks.
A
Malian fighter had “detonated a car bomb at the barrack’s gate while a fighter
from Burkina Faso detonated another inside the barracks, thereby allowing
additional fighters to enter,” according to the JNIM statement.
“We
say to the Bamako government that if you have the right to hire mercenaries to
kill the defenseless innocent people, then we have the right to destroy and
target you,” it said.
Last
year, Mali indicated that deals with Wagner were motivated by the French
drawdown of its troops in the country.
Western
leaders and rights groups have expressed concerns about the actions of Wagner
in Mali, and in particular about its alleged crimes against certain communities
such as the Fulani.
But
the Malian government has referred to Wagner personnel as instructors from the
Russian military.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
Jordan’s
King Abdullah protests border attacks by Iran-tied militias
24
July ,2022
King
Abdullah II protested in an interview published Sunday over attacks on Jordan’s
borders by “militias linked to Iran,” following deadly clashes with drug
smugglers on the frontier with Syria.
Jordan
faces “regular attacks on its borders by militias linked to Iran,” he told
al-Rai newspaper.
Abdullah
called for “a change of behavior by Iran” and said that Jordan “does not want
tensions in the region.”
“Jordan,
like the rest of the Arab countries, seeks good relations with Iran, with
mutual respect, good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of other
states and non-interference in their affairs,” the king said.
Abdullah
said that Jordan, like other Arab nations, was being targeted by smugglers of
drugs and arms that he said were in transit to Europe.
“Jordan
is coordinating with its brothers (Arab countries) to confront this and protect
its borders,” he said.
The
Jordanian army conducts regular anti-smuggling operations on the border with
Syria, where Iran-backed fighters support the Damascus regime in a civil war
that erupted in 2011.
On
January 27, Amman said its forces killed 27 drug traffickers supported by armed
groups, seizing a large quantity of drugs. An officer and a border guard were
killed in a similar clash earlier the same month.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
Tunisians
Vote on Constitution Expanding President’s Power
25
July ,2022
Tunisians
vote on Monday in a referendum on a new constitution that critics of President
Kais Saied fear will maul the democracy that emerged from a 2011 revolution by
handing him nearly total power.
The
vote is being held on the anniversary of Saied’s sudden move against the
elected parliament when he ousted the government, established emergency rule,
and began governing by fiat.
It
is not clear when the results will be announced after polls close at 2100 GMT,
but with little apparent enthusiasm for the vote among most Tunisians and a
boycott by major parties, analysts expect a ‘yes’ vote with low turnout.
Under
Saied’s own rules for the referendum, no minimum level of participation is
needed to approve the new constitution. They only stipulate it will come into
effect once the final results are published, and do not say what happens if
voters reject it.
Saied
has hailed his moves as the foundation of a new Tunisian republic to put the
revolution back on course and end years of political sclerosis and economic
stagnation.
His
foes accuse him of a coup.
Disunity
However,
while nearly all major political parties and civil society organizations have
denounced his unilateral approach to rewriting the constitution and the
legitimacy of the referendum, they have failed to build a united front.
Disunity
was visible in protests against Saied in recent days. The Islamist Ennahda, the
biggest party in parliament, took part in a protest on Saturday. Civil society
organizations and smaller parties held one on Friday. A party that backed the
pre-revolution autocracy held its own on both days.
The
protests attracted only small numbers, but rallies organized by Saied
supporters have also had only modest attendance and there has been little sign
of excitement around the campaign.
Most
Tunisians remain focused on the dire economy and rising prices.
However,
the economic decline since 2011 has left many people angry at the parties that
have governed since the revolution and disillusioned with the political system
they ran.
“I
don’t support Saied, but I will vote ‘yes’ in the referendum because those
protesting against it are the main cause of our problems for the past decade,”
said Mohammed, a Tripoli resident.
Of
the three parliamentary elections and two presidential elections since the
revolution, the lowest turnout, of 41 percent, was in 2019 for the chamber that
Saied has dissolved.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
Clashes
erupt on outskirts of Libya’s Misrata
23
July ,2022
Clashes
erupted between rival groups on the outskirts of the Libyan city of Misrata on
Saturday, before being halted by the intervention of another armed force.
The
cause of the clashes near the junction of the main coastal highway leading to
Tripoli was not immediately clear.
It
was also not clear if there was any connection to the mobilization in recent
days of Misrata-based forces aligned with the two main sides in a wider
political standoff over control of the Libyan government.
The
fighting lasted less than an hour, two residents of the area said. A fighter
with another force that later moved in to stop the clashes said the two sides
had stopped shooting, though there were also reports of fresh mobilizations in
the area.
Motorists
trying to reach the main road towards Tripoli were turned back because of the
security problems there, another city resident said.
Western
Libya has been tense this year due to a political standoff between the
government of Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah in Tripoli, and a rival administration
under Fathi Bashagha that was appointed by the parliament.
Both
men are originally from Misrata, a coastal city whose armed groups have played
a key role throughout Libya’s conflict.
One
of the two groups involved in Saturday’s clashes is the Joint Operations Force
linked to Dbeibah, city residents said. The other is a local group that has not
declared an affiliation in the political crisis.
Bashagha
has not been able to enter Tripoli because factions linked to Dbeibah have
repeatedly stopped him. However, last week amid reports of a realignment of
armed groups over the political situation, Bashagha entered Misrata for the
first time since his appointment.
Armed
forces aligned with each man have since been mobilized around the city,
residents have said.
On
Friday, armed factions in Tripoli engaged in the worst clashes there for two
years, with 16 people killed including several civilians, authorities said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
Turkish
generosity helping to reduce impact of drought in Somalia
Hassan
Isilow
25.07.2022
JOHANNESBURG
The
Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) is helping ease the impact of a severe drought
in parts of Somalia by distributing food aid and hot meals.
“We
provide 3,195 hot meals daily from our soup kitchen in Mogadishu which are
distributed to 20 different locations in the city,” Rusen Cetinkaya, head of
the Turkish Red Crescent delegation in Somalia, told Anadolu Agency in a phone
interview over the weekend.
Cetinkaya
said some of the cooked meals are sent to internally displaced persons (IDPs)
camps, schools, orphanages, hospitals, and prisons around the city.
Somalia
has had several failed rainy seasons which have pushed the country into its
worst drought in 40 years edging towards a famine.
Pastoralist
communities have been forced to leave their homes in search of pasture and
water.
“In
the past, we have supported the people of Somalia in the fight against drought.
And now we are ready to support them again and we are trying to get donations
from the Turkish community and the international community,” Cetinkaya said.
He
said that last year, they built a deep tube well in the Sool area of Somalia
which is currently benefiting around 40,000 people.
Cetinkaya
noted, however, that the drought has pushed a disturbingly high number of
children out of school.
“An
additional 1.1 million children are at risk of dropping out, with thousands of
schools already lacking access to water.”
He
said children are losing their homes, their education, and their right to grow
up safe from harm.
Cetinkaya
said incidents of malnutrition have been recorded, which he said contributes to
the further spread of diseases such as malaria and diarrhea, which have a
significant share in child mortality.
The
Turkish Red crescent also gives cash handouts to assist families in distress.
Millions
in need of urgent assistance
Somalia,
which has undergone decades of conflict, is facing its worst drought in many
years due to failed rainy seasons.
According
to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA), the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection
in Somalia has risen from 5.9 million in 2021 to 7.7 million in 2022.
“As
of January 2022, Somalia is the most severely drought-affected country in the
Horn of Africa, with about 4.3 million people affected, of whom 271,000 have been
forced to leave their homes in search of water, food, and pasture,” the UN
agency said on its website.
OCHA
says Somalia has one of the highest numbers of IDPs in the world, estimated at
2.9 million people in 2022, of whom 2.2 million require urgent humanitarian
assistance.
“In
many parts of the country, conflict and insecurity have aggravated
vulnerabilities and displacement, with nearly 900,000 people living in
inaccessible areas due to the presence of non-state armed actors,” it said.
It
added that another 2 million people live in areas that have high access
constraints where principled humanitarian operations face serious challenges.
The
UN agency said the combined impact of recurring stress factors and shocks has
deepened poverty in the country.
“At
least 71 percent of Somalis are living below the poverty line, especially in
areas where humanitarian access remains a challenge. Preventable diseases such
as acute watery diarrhea and measles are endemic amid severe water shortages,
poor sanitation, especially in IDP settlements, and limitations in the
healthcare system,” it added.
Kizilay
offers capacity building
The
Turkish Red Crescent has been offering vocational training courses like sewing,
which is already benefiting 18 women at Central Mogadishu Prison.
“We
also distribute stationery for school projects and also bring in shipments of
school materials such as desks,” Cetinkaya said.
He
said the Turkish Red Crescent also distributes food hampers during the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
North America
US
to help Pakistan set up Centre for Disease Control
Anwar
Iqbal
July
25, 2022
WASHINGTON:
The United States and Pakistan will discuss setting up a Centre for Disease
Control (CDC) in Pakistan when they hold their first-ever health dialogue in
Washington on Monday.
A
four-member Pakistani delegation, led by federal Minister for Health Abdul
Qadir Patel, reached Washington on Saturday for the talks. Earlier this week, Pakistan
also sought US support for its efforts to stabilise the economy.
Last
week, Director of the Pakistan Desk at the US State Department Neil W. Hop said
at a gathering of Pakistani physicians that the July 25 dialogue would be the
largest-ever health talks between the two countries.
Although
the Pakistani delegation has only four members, a large number of Pakistani
health officials and experts will participate in the talks virtually.
Ambassador Masood Khan and other officials of the Pakistan Embassy will also
join the delegation.
Experts
from the US Center of Disease Control (CDC) will also participate in these
talks at the State Department. Other participants would include officials from
the State and Health departments.
The
US CDC is a federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services,
which played a key role in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and in making
antiviral vaccines to bring it under control.
The
agency’s main goal is the protection of public health and safety through the
control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and
worldwide. The CDC focuses on curbing infectious disease, environmental health,
occupational safety, and educational activities designed to improve the health
of US citizens. The CDC also conducts research and provides information on
non-infectious diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.
Both
sides have prepared a comprehensive agenda for the July 25 talks, aimed at
strengthening bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The
dialogue will have seven sessions on: establishing a CDC in Pakistan, global
health security, childhood immunisations, Covid-19 engagement, regulatory
engagements, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases. “The
health dialogue is an example of the close ties between the United States and
Pakistan and a befitting way to celebrate the important milestone of the 75th
anniversary of their diplomatic relations,” said a statement issued by the
Pakistan Embassy. “Solid progress is expected.”
On
Thursday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi met US Deputy
Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Washington and told her that Pakistan views
the United States as an “important partner in its efforts to revive” the
country’s ailing economy. Later State Department spokesperson Ned Price told
journalists that Deputy Secretary Sherman “reaffirmed our shared goals for
enhancing the US-Pakistan relationship by advancing our economic and commercial
ties and health cooperation”. A Pakistan Embassy press release said Mr Fatemi
told the US official that “Pakistan seeks close and cordial relations with the
US on the basis of equality, mutual cooperation and mutual benefit”.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1701446/us-to-help-pakistan-set-up-centre-for-disease-control
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US
energy advisor expected in Beirut for Lebanon-Israel maritime talks
23
July ,2022
A
senior US diplomat tasked with mediating a maritime border deal between Lebanon
and Israel is expected in Beirut at the end of this month, sources familiar
with his trip said.
Amos
Hochstein, the US senior advisor for Energy Security, met with Israeli
officials earlier this month when he accompanied President Joe Biden on his
first trip to the region.
Israeli
officials told Hochstein that they want a deal as soon as possible, two Israeli
officials told Axios after the US diplomat met with them.
Sources
told Al Arabiya English that Hochstein is expected in Beirut on July 31.
Depending on his meetings, he may shuttle back and forth between Lebanon and
Israel with the hopes of reaching a deal that would allow both countries to explore
potential natural gas reserves in their respective waters.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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US
approves new funds to help Lebanon’s ailing security agencies
22
July ,2022
The
US has greenlighted two separate funds to help prop up Lebanon’s army and its
Internal Security Forces (ISF), officials and sources familiar with the matter
said, after months of being held up by the top Republican on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee.
The
State Department first notified Congress at the start of this year that it
wanted to reroute $67 million of American military aid earmarked for Lebanon to
include “livelihood support.”
Washington’s
move comes as Lebanon faces an unprecedented economic, financial and social
collapse, one of the worst the world has ever seen, according to the World
Bank. In 2020, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) stopped serving meat in all of
its meals for soldiers on duty due to the economic crisis.
The
support is for six months and will help Lebanese soldiers “put food on the
table,” an official said.
A
separate fund has also been approved for the ISF, which will be less than $67
million. The ISF has around 50,000 servicemembers compared to the LAF’s
estimated 80,00 troops.
Congressman
Michael McCaul was initially opposed to rerouting the funds, originally marked
as Foreign Military Financing (FMF). But earlier this week, McCaul moved to
allow the US taxpayer funds to be sent.
Al
Arabiya English reached out to McCaul for comment.
But
after the State Department answered questions from McCaul and other lawmakers,
it was agreed that the funds would be marked under US Peacekeeping Operations
(PKO), sources said.
PKO
funding helps “diminish and resolve conflict; enhance the ability of states to
participate in stability operations and address counter-terrorism and maritime
security threats; and reform military establishments, in the aftermath of
conflict, into professional military forces,” according to the State Department.
The
US is expected to release a statement announcing the decision within the next
few days.
US
lawmakers were also concerned that the PKO funds would go through the UN
agency, which was recently caught up in a massive corruption scandal. The
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was alleged to have been
working as an investment bank and went as far as giving over $60 million in
loans and grants to a single British family, the New York Times reported in
May.
Following
the scandal, the US, which publicly criticized UNOPS for not taking action
earlier to resolve the signs of corruption, decided against distributing the
money to the LAF through the UN agency.
Senator
Chris Murphy said the LAF was an important source of stability in a country facing
dual political and economic crises. “It’s in our best interest to ensure its
members can continue to fulfill their roles,” he told Al Arabiya English.
“I
was glad to see the administration put additional security assistance dollars
toward that goal and am hopeful that support will be delivered soon,” Murphy
added.
Gulf
countries have also stepped in to help prop up the LAF. Qatar announced $60
million for the LAF at the end of May.
And
the final statement from the Jeddah Security and Development Summit singled out
praise for the LAF and ISF while thanking Doha for its announcement of “direct
support for LAF salaries.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
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of the original story:
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/vice-virtue-islamic-emirate-afghanistan/d/127566