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Islamic World News ( 29 Jun 2012, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Iran disbands Wahabi Terrorist Team that plotted to kill Clerics


New Age Islam News Bureau

29 Jun 2012 

Mideast Asia

 Iran disbands Wahhabi Terrorist Team that plotted to kill Clerics

 Mahdi’ism conference to be held in Qom

 Iranian Cleric: "Shia Muslims Do Not Worship Stone Graves, Shrines"

 Yemen says al Qaeda militants may have fled to Oman

 Dissident Warnings from Iran

 

South Asia

 Plane hijacking foiled in China's troubled Xinjiang in ethnic Uighur area

 Maldives sees Islamist resurgence

 Afghan Taliban deny taking orders from Pakistan

 Beijing’s Date with Organization of Islamic Cooperation

 Afghans face mass deportation from Pakistan

 Afghan Officials Hail Talks With Insurgents

 Peace talks not started on wishes of Pakistan: Taliban

 

India

 Explain atrocities on Muslims, says NHRC

 Tension in Kashmir over alleged desecration of religious books

 Jundal kin rubbish terrorism allegation

 Indian prisoners treated well in Pakistan: Surjeet Singh

 Krishna urges Indian private sector to invest in Afghanistan

 Sarabjit converted to Islam, has a Muslim name Sarfaraz: Surjeet

 Saudi rejected Indian DNA test, so blood sample was sent

 Army to court martial five officers in Pathribal J&K, fake encounter case

 Omar Abdullah orders immediate restoration of gutted shrine

 Pak releases 315 Indian fishermen

 11/7 blast case: Maharashtra ATS probing if Abu Hamza is Abu Jundal's alias

 Cuffed Surjeet at Wagah mirrors Pak's scant regard for human rights

 NIA had filed case against Abu Jundal days ahead of his arrest

 Choice of alias while launching website gave Abu Jundal away

 Abu Jundal escaped arrest in Pakistan at ISI's behest

 India won't share information on Abu Jundal with Pakistan

 I was a RAW agent, Surjeet Singh says

 I refuse to be chased off Twitter: Omar

 Kashmir calm under curfew as police swoops on stone pelters

 Abu Jundal hosted lavish dinners to lure cadre in Saudi Arabia, says police

 Abu Jundal: Wanted all over for strikes everywhere

 Punjab assembly asks Centre to take up Sarabjit's release issue with Pakistan

 Faith leaps over Indo-Pak border for Baba Chamliyal

 Salman Khan seeks support of Pak people for Sarabjit's release

 

Pakistan

 74% Pakistanis Consider United States an Enemy

 For Pakistanis, India bigger threat than Taliban, al Qaeda: Survey

 Pakistan Muslims feed orphans in the south Asian Muslim country

 Captain among eight killed in IED attack in Khyber Agency

 Abbottabad-like operation helped link Jundal's DNA

 New Pak PM says power top priority, not Zardari graft cases

 Another militant group bans polio vaccination, seeks end to drone strikes

 Thousands of Pak students in Britain doing low-grade jobs

 

Southeast Asia

 Don't be a gay or lesbian: Former Malaysian PM

 House to summon minister over Quran graft controversy

 

Arab World

 World silence encourages Al Khalifa to continue with its brutal crackdown

 Egyptians Pack Tahrir on Eve of Morsi Inauguration

 Egypt's new President Mohamed Morsi to take oath on Saturday

 Gunmen Kill 4 Sunni Fighters in Iraq

 Egypt ex-minister sentenced to 15 years over Israel gas deal

 Activists: Dozens Killed in Syria Shelling

 Assad, in Taped TV Interview, Calls Iran a Wise Friend

 Twitter revolutionises Kuwaiti political sphere

 Facebook markets to the Arab world, Insha’Allah

 

Africa

 Egypt’s elections: Lessons for “Islamic” movements in Nigeria

 Gunmen Kidnap Foreign Aid Workers from Kenyan Camp

 Libyans in first Abu Salim jail massacre remembrance

 Libyan deported after PC Fletcher murder wants UK asylum

 Suicide Bomber Kills One in Algeria Attack

 

North America

 Stockton Muslim cleric faces deportation to Pakistan

 US play all sides in divided Egypt

 Clinton to press Russia on Syria before crunch talks

 Ahmadiyya Muslim Community leader to speak at 64th annual convention

 

Europe

 Black Market for Body Parts Spreads Among the Poor in Europe

 Calls to ban anti-Islam English Defence League march in Bristol

 Fatwa against Rushdie turned into game to spread message of 'sin'

 2 held in UK over terror fears before Olympics

 Annan ‘Optimistic’ Over Geneva Talks on Syria

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

Photo: Mahdi’ism conference to be held in Qom

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/iran-disbands-wahabi-terrorist-team/d/7779

 

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Mideast Asia

 

Iran disbands Wahhabi Terrorist Team that plotted to kill Clerics

2012/06/28

Iranian intelligence and security forces managed to disband a Wahhabi terrorist group which plotted to carry out sabotage operations in Iran.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Iranian intelligence and security forces managed to disband a Wahhabi terrorist group which plotted to carry out sabotage operations in Iran.

The terrorist team was sponsored by extremist groups (Salafists) and organized by anti-revolutionary elements outside the country.

One of the detainees has said that the team intended to "assassinate a number of senior clerics" and a sum of 1 billion Rials (about $80,000) had been offered for the operation.

Wahhabis who call themselves as a real Muslims, founded in Arabic peninsula. The sect was founded by Abdul Wahab (1703-1792). They claim to be striving to purify Islamic beliefs and are strongly opposed to Shiism. Osama bin Laden, Head of the al-Qaeda terrorist group, was a Wahhabi Muslim.

Officials not just in Iran, but all through the region have on various occasions denounced extremist measures of the Wahhabis in certain countries, urging Muslim communities for more vigilance and unity.

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=325327

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Mahdi’ism conference to be held in Qom

2012/06/28

The general manager of the Culture and Islamic Guidance of Qom Province announce that the first nationwide conference of Mahdi’ism will be held in the province on June 28, 2012.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - In a press conference, Esmaeil Taba marked the recurring focus on issues related to the doom’s day and Mahdi’ism on the cinema, books and software programs and said, “The highest research capacity for issues about Mahdi’ism are placed in Qom and the city has the greatest potential to become the centre of such studies both in national and international levels.

He went on to say that the first biennial conference for praising the best publications on Mahdi’ism will be held this year (on June 28, 2012) in the presence of representatives from institutes working on Mahdi’ism with support from the culture department of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

As he said the panel of judges of the conference screened all the works published in the past 10 years on the subject. The screenings were done in two phases and the select works will be honoured in the ceremony.

He further presented more details about the select works as said, “among the submitted research works, 3 winners and 10 praiseworthy works, and in the category of children’s books, 3 winners and 6 praiseworthy works are selected.”

Moreover, he added, three winners and 5 praiseworthy works from literary works are chosen and among the screened journals, one journal is selected as a winner and another one is selected as a praiseworthy journal working on Mahdi’ism-related grounds.

He further added that publishers, translators and researchers of books and theses on Mahdi’ism will be honoured in the conference as well.

“Two select publishers and two praiseworthy publishers will be lauded during the conference. One select translation and three praiseworthy works will also be honoured in the conference.”

He went on to say the theses on the select Mahdi’ism will also be praised during the conference.

Furthermore, among general publications, three works will be honoured as select works and 10 others will be praised.

He added that the conference will begin with a message from the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Mohammad Husseini.

Ayatollah Ostadi and Bahman Dorri, Cultural Deputy of Guidance Ministry, will be the keynote speakers of the conference. Ayatollah Moghtadaei will be the scientific secretary of the conference.

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=325466

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Iranian Cleric: "Shia Muslims Do Not Worship Stone Graves, Shrines"

2012/06/27

An Iranian top cleric rejected anti-Shia allegations on worshiping stone graves of Imams or holy shrines demanding Saudi officials to maintain peace and respect for different denominations during Hajj pilgrimage.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - An Iranian top cleric rejected anti-Shia allegations on worshiping stone graves of Imams or holy shrines demanding Saudi officials to maintain peace and respect for different denominations during Hajj pilgrimage.

Hojjat-ol-Islam Seyyed Ali Ghazi Askar, Representative of the Supreme Leader in Hajj Affairs, participated in the conference on “Hajj and Islamic Awakening” held in Lebanon and stressed visiting the graves or shrines of Imams (AS) is not worshiping but it is a tribute to the divinity and high status of Imams (AS).

He warned Iranian pilgrims against seditious debates by Wahhabis during Hajj and said such discussions are only aimed at provoking the pilgrims.

Religious figure referred to the new Hajj official in Saudi Arabia and hailed his moderate views prevailing less disciplinary behaviors towards Iranian pilgrims.

Iranian Hajj Representative rejected imposing religious on followers of other denominations and invited Saudi scholars to academic debates calling universities and seminaries as proper places for such debates.

“We are not pursuing to force someone to Shia same way that Saudi Arabia should not impose its ideas on others.” stressed Iranian official demanding for a peaceful atmosphere for people from different denominations to perform their religious duties during Hajj.

He praised the positive cooperation for the hosting country of Saudi Arabia and expressed his optimist views in reply to a question on the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage regarding the recent changes in Saudi Arabia and the region.

“Islamic unity can be a good souvenir from Hajj pilgrimage.” Hojjat-ol-Islam Ghazi Askar and noted,” Certainly any move in line with bringing disunity among Muslims is slammed.”

He stressed the view of Islamic Republic of Iran to be focused on a peaceful coexistence and cooperation for boosting Islamic unity.

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=325056

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Yemen says al Qaeda militants may have fled to Oman

Jun 29 2012

DUBAI: Some al Qaeda-linked militants may have fled to neighbouring states, including Oman, after being driven out of their strongholds in cities in southern Yemen, Yemen’s foreign minister said on Thursday.

“What we are sure of is that we’ve kicked out the terrorist elements from the towns and that they’re now being chased,” Abubakr al-Qirbi told Reuters on the sidelines of an anti-piracy conference in Dubai.

Many had fled to mountainous parts of southern Yemen, while others could have fled to neighbouring countries using land and sea routes.

“There are reports that some of the militants went to Oman, which hasn’t been formally confirmed to us.”

“The security services are coordinating with neighbouring countries because the militants don’t only pose danger to Yemen but also to other countries.”

Any infiltration into Oman, which sits on one side of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for one third of the world’s seaborne oil exports, would raise fears of al Qaeda setting up a new base in a region of strategic importance.

Yemeni security sources had already suggested some al Qaeda members may have crossed into Oman, a relatively stable Arab monarchy bordering both Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Al Qaeda-linked militants, emboldened by waning government control over the country during last year’s protests that ousted former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, had seized several southern cities during the turmoil.

In May, the Yemeni army launched a large-scale US-backed offensive against al Qaeda’s Yemeni affiliate, Ansar al-Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law). The army drove out the militants from their main strongholds this month and regained control of several cities in the country’s south.

Full report at:

http://dawn.com/2012/06/29/yemen-says-al-qaeda-militants-may-have-fled-to-oman/

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Dissident Warnings From Iran

06/28/2012

The world's leading states -- the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and China -- stand at an impasse in dealing with Iran and its nuclear potential. Iran has been a major contributor to the survival of the regime of Bashar Al-Assad and Al-Assad's unrestrained bloodshed in Syria. A full European Union embargo on Iranian oil was scheduled to begin enforcement on July 1. An Israeli military strike at Iran's nuclear facilities has been widely discussed.

Meanwhile, two dissenting Iranian religious figures -- an imprisoned cleric and an exiled spiritual Sufi -- have issued messages to the world condemning the Iranian theocratic authorities and calling on all religious believers to assist Iranians against the governing hierarchy.

Both men -- Ayatollah Seyyed Hossein Kazemeini Boroujerdi, who is held in the notorious Evin Prison, and Dr. Seyed Azmayesh, who lives outside Iran -- have denied that the current dictatorship in their country represents Islamic principles. The cleric and the Sufi became victims of state repression in 2006, the year after the first election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the country's presidency.

Neither Ayatollah Boroujerdi nor Dr. Azmayesh has appealed for a violent effort to repudiate the Islamic state. They are advocates of peace on the path of peace.

In 1994, Ayatollah Boroujerdi criticized the political system that was established by the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979 and founded on the concept of "governance by the religious jurists." He then said that Iranians are loyal to Islam and the mission of Muhammad, but are "tired of the religion of politics and political slogans."

Full report at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-schwartz/dissident-warnings-from-iran_b_1629181.html

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South Asia

 

Plane hijacking foiled in China's troubled Xinjiang in ethnic Uighur area

Jun 29, 2012

BEIJING: Chinese airline passengers helped foil on Friday an attempt to hijack a plane in the western region of Xinjiang, state media said, the latest incident of instability in a part of China where the government says it is facing violent separatists.

Passengers and air crew subdued six people who attempted to hijack a flight 10 minutes after it took off from an airport in Hotan, an ethnic Uighur area that has been hit by recent bouts of violence, the official Xinhua news agency said.

The Tianjin Airlines plane was flying from Hotan to the regional capital Urumqi when the attackers were overpowered, Xinhua said, citing police.

The aircraft returned to Hotan where six people were taken into custody, it said without giving further details. Calls to Xinjiang regional government and police offices went unanswered.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Plane-hijacking-foiled-in-Chinas-troubled-

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Maldives sees Islamist resurgence

June 29, 2012

WASHINGTON - Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed has expressed concerns about the state of democracy in his home country, noting the dividing effect of a rising tide of Islamist extremism. In the midst of a tour of the United States that "includes an award from the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict", Nasheed, speaking at the US Institute of Peace (USIP), said: "People don't want radical Islam to take over."

Indeed, sharia law, a source of dispute between Islamic fundamentalists and modernists over its modern-day implementation in Maldives, serves as a supplement to Maldivian jurisprudence.

According to the country's constitution, citizens are not allowed to engage in actions at odds with sharia law, and judges must be

"educated in Islamic sharia or law".

According to the Pew Research Center, there were 309,000 Muslims in Maldives in 2010, a number that it projected to grow to 396,000 by 2030. According to the 2008 Maldivian constitution, "the 13th in the country's history", a non-Muslim is not allowed to become a Maldivian citizen, unless already a citizen.

Full report at:

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/NF29Df03.html

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Beijing’s Date with Organization of Islamic Cooperation

By: Yusuf Jameel

June 28, 2012

China may soon follow in the US and Russia footsteps. In a noteworthy development which is likely to leave a major impact on the region’s political scene, Beijing has officially desired to be made an observer member of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)-based 57-member group of Islamic nations.

China’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Jhaa Jane, told visiting OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in Beijing on Wednesday that his country desired to obtain the observer member status at the group. “He expressed his country’s desire to know the list of criteria required for becoming an Observer Member in the OIC, voicing hope that China could get this membership in the forthcoming meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Djibouti,” a spokesperson for Mr. Ihsanoglu told this correspondent.

On Thursday, in his address to the International Congress on “China and Muslim World: Cultural Interactions” convened at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, OIC Secretary Gerneral Mr. Ihsanoglu said that it (OIC) recognizes and respects that China “is a unitary multi-national state built up jointly by the people of all its nationalities, and the state protects the lawful rights and interests of the minority nationalities and upholds and develops the relationship of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all of the country’s nationalities.” He expressed his hope that today and in the future all the Chinese people enjoy their cultural rights and religious freedoms to practice their beliefs and added that it was notable that the Chinese authorities are promoting economic, political, cultural and social progress as well as ecological protection of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region with a goal to bring its regional per capita GDP up to the national average level by 2015.

He recalled that the OIC and China “share common positions on many international issues and share concern regarding peace and prosperity in the Middle East region,” the spokesperson said.

Full report at:

http://www.eurasiareview.com/28062012-beijings-date-with-organization-of-islamic-cooperation-oic-analysis/

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Afghan Taliban deny taking orders from Pakistan

June 29

The Taliban have denied that they had obtained permission from Pakistan to send representatives to Qatar to participate in initial talks that US officials had hoped would lead to a peace deal in Afghanistan, saying they had acted independently.

In a statement posted on a Taliban website, the militant group said it made "decisions of its own likings in all matters and affairs in light of Islamic principles and national interests".

"We would like to once categorically state that the representatives of Islamic Emirate did not go to Qatar with the permission of Pakistan," the group said in the statement posted on Thursday, using the term the Taliban use to describe themselves.

"The Islamic Emirate is completely free and independent in all of its affairs."

In an interview with Reuters this week, Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, said his government supported a possible peace agreement in Afghanistan, and said it had allowed some Taliban to travel to the Gulf for that purpose.

The Obama administration's hopes for soon establishing peace talks between the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai and the Taliban faded in March when the reclusive Taliban leadership, believed to be based in Pakistan, suspended their participation in preliminary discussions run by US diplomats.

Full report at:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Afghanistan/Afghan-Taliban-deny-taking-orders-from-Pakistan/Article1-880773.aspx

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Afghans face mass deportation from Pakistan

June 29, 2012

KABUL: Hundreds of thousands of Afghans face the threat of deportation back to their war-torn country from Pakistan once a deadline expires Saturday, but Kabul is crying foul over the move.

Pakistan is home to 1.7 million refugees and hundreds of thousands more unregistered migrants from its neighbour, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

But Islamabad says it cannot be expected to tolerate illegal migrants, and 400,000 undocumented Afghans in Pakistan’s northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the bulk of the Afghan community live, face the imminent prospect of removal.

The UNHCR describes the situation of Afghans in Pakistan as the “largest and most protracted refugee crisis in the world” and warned that the question of how to deal with it was becoming “increasingly politicised”.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s information minister, said law enforcement agencies have been told to compile lists of illegal Afghans and once the June 30 deadline passes, orders will be issued for their arrest, appearance in court and subsequent deportation to Afghanistan.

“No country allows illegal immigrants, how it is possible to legalise something which is illegal?” Hussain said.

Full report at:

http://dawn.com/2012/06/29/afghans-face-mass-deportation-from-pakistan/

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Afghan Officials Hail Talks With Insurgents

By GRAHAM BOWLEY and MATTHEW ROSENBERG

June 29, 2012

KABUL, Afghanistan — A flurry of informal contacts between the Afghan government and insurgent representatives over the past week suggests that long-stalled peace negotiation efforts may be inching forward, Afghan officials say, though American officials played down the significance of the meetings.

Afghan government negotiators sat with representatives of the insurgents first at an informal meeting in Paris this week and then at an academic conference in Kyoto, Japan, through the past two days, officials said. President Hamid Karzai’s top peace negotiator, Salahuddin Rabbani, hailed the public contacts this month as an indication that the Taliban were backing off their demand that Americans be the main interlocutors in any talks.

But the Taliban, in a statement on Thursday, insisted that their policies had not shifted, implying that the group still has no intention of talking to the Afghan government. The representative in Japan was sent “only to clarify our position,” the insurgents said in a statement. “As long as we have not solved the issue with the Americans — an effort that is currently at a complete halt — talks with the Karzai administration would not be fruitful.”

American officials said that while any and all contacts between the Afghan government and Taliban and other insurgent groups were helpful — Washington’s official policy is that any peace deal must be made by Afghans, not Americans — they did not put much stake in the two recent meetings.

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/world/asia/afghan-officials-hail-talks-with-taliban-

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Peace talks not started on wishes of Pakistan: Taliban

June 29, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Taliban on Thursday rejected the statement of Pakistani Ambassador in Kabul Muhammad Sadiq wherein he had said that Taliban were allowed to go to Qatar for peace talks, saying the peace talks were not started on directions from Pakistan. Commenting on the Pakistani ambassador’s statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, “We have said earlier that Taliban representatives never proceeded to Qatar for Pakistan told them to do so, as the ambassador in an interview with Reuters had said.” Perhaps the Pakistani ambassador lacked knowledge in that connection, he said, adding, “Afghanistan started peace talks in its national interest and on the wishes of the leadership of Taliban, and then suspended the talks when the leadership wished so.” In the fresh message, Taliban reiterated that the talks were held for forwarding the confidence-building measures that had to be followed by peace talks. However, he did not rule out the possibility of resumption of the talks.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\06\29\story_29-6-2012_pg7_11

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India

 

Explain atrocities on Muslims, says NHRC

Jun 29, 2012

AHMEDABAD: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Gujarat government seeking reply on the alleged police atrocities towards Muslims after the 2002 riots.

The commission has sought explanation within four weeks from the chief secretary and the director general of police in connection with evidence it gathered showing atrocities towards the minority community, especially police atrocities. The NHRC got complaints that while the Muslim community was still recuperating from the shock of the 2002 riots, there was no security ensured in the state for them.

During its visit to the state last year, the commission held a public hearing. At that time, some 50 cases of alleged atrocities against members of the minority community were presented before the commission. Besides, a civil rights organization, Centre for Social Justice, also made a detailed representation before the commission on May 14 projecting the situation of the Muslims in Gujarat after the 2002 riots.

The NGO highlighted the continuing discrimination against the minorities and told the commission that the attitude of authorities jeopardizes the security of minorities in this state. The representation by the organization was placed before the commission on June 12. On basis of the material gathered, the NHRC issued a notice the next day to the DGP and chief secretary of the state, demanding a report on the issues raised by the commission regarding the alleged atrocities on the Muslims.

Last month, the NHRC conducted open hearing when its chairman justice (retired) K G Balakrishnan heard complaints from people belonging to SC. In March, a United Nation's special rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary execution conducted his investigations into the issue of human rights violation in Gujarat.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Explain-atrocities-on-Muslims-says-NHRC/articleshow/14480393.cms?

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Tension in Kashmir over alleged desecration of religious books

Jun 29, 2012

SRINAGAR: Tension mounted in the Kashmir valley on Friday morning after the news of an alleged desecration of religious books near a local Imam Bargah at Gundhassibhat Mirgund in Baramulla district spread.

"We have registered an FIR (No. 202/2012) after we recovered the torn leaves of a religious book and a half burnt religious book near the Imam Bargah in the morning today," SHO Parimpora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din said.

The SHO, however, said the police have started the investigation and the situation in the area was under control even though the locals had gathered inside the Imam Bargah to protest against the sacrilege.

The incident occurred at a time when the valley remains under strict police surveillance following the Kashmir Grand Mufti's (Mufti Bashir-ud-Din) call for a Friday march from Lal Chowk to the Dastgeer Sahib shrine in the old city to protest against the fire that destroyed the 200-year-old Sufi shrine of Saint Abdul Qadir Jeelani on Monday. Although the state authorities have ordered an inquiry into the June 25 blaze, some sections in the valley suspect that it was not an accident. Mufti Bashir-ud-din has accused the Omar Abdullah administration of destroying the evidence of the cause of the fire.

The authorities have announced curfew in the areas of downtown to avert any law and order problem.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tension-in-Kashmir-over-alleged-desecration-of-religious-books/articleshow/14495292.cms

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Jundal kin rubbish terrorism allegation

By Krishna Kumar

June 29, 2012

THE family of Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari, alias Abu Jundal, has denied allegations that he is a terrorist. They claim he is a good namazi — a religious man — and could not be involved in the 26/ 11 terror attack. This is the first time the family has made a public defence of Jundal. His mother, Rehana, briefly spoke to the media as she stood up for Jundal.

“ This is completely wrong. Whatever is being claimed, everything that is being shown on TV, none of it is true. My son can never do this ( of being involved in a terror attack),” said Rehana. She also dismissed stories that Jundal had married in Pakistan.

She insisted that none of the family members had submitted themselves to a DNA test.

The family’s denial comes after media reports quoted intelligence officials as saying that Jundal’s DNA sample was given to the Saudi authorities to prove that he was an Indian and wanted for the 26/ 11 terror attack.

Full report at: Mail Today

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Indian prisoners treated well in Pakistan: Surjeet Singh

Jun 29, 2012

AMRITSAR: Indian prisoners in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore are treated fairly well, said Surjeet Singh after spending more than 30 years there. "They are given good treatment and I never saw anyone being tortured or mistreated in the prison," Surjeet told reporters.

"We were given food, clothes, medicines etc. All the basic necessities were available," Surjeet added.

He said a few Indian inmates of Kot Lakhpat Jail, where he was lodged, had gone insane, but the jail authorities provide them medical treatment. "Those who didn't recover were sent to Jinnah hospital in Lahore," he said.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-prisoners-treated-well-in-Pakistan-Surjeet-Singh/articleshow/14481530.cms

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Krishna urges Indian private sector to invest in Afghanistan

Jun 29, 2012

NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday made a strong pitch for investment by India's own private sector in Afghanistan as it sought to sell the country as a major investment destination to the world. Addressing a meet of potential investors from across 40 countries, foreign minister S M Krishna called upon companies to contribute "to the security, stability and prosperity of Afghanistan and the region particularly as NATO forces draw down from a combat to a train, advise and assist role".

"We need to offer a narrative of opportunity to counter the anxiety of withdrawal, uncertainty, instability and foreign interference," Krishna said at the meet, organized by CII.

Pakistan too participated in the meet, with its private companies having B2B meetings with their Afghan counterparts.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Krishna-urges-Indian-private-sector-to-invest-in-Afghanistan/articleshow/14480240.cms

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Sarabjit converted to Islam, has a Muslim name Sarfaraz: Surjeet

Jun 29 2012

Amritsar: Freed after a high decibel drama following Pakistan’s alleged flip-flop of first announcing the release of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh and later clarifying that it was Surjeet Singh who was to be repatriated, Surjeet Singh — who on Thursday crossed over to India from Pakistan after spending more than 30 years in prison — claimed that Sarabjit had “converted to Islam” and was now known as “Sarfaraz” in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Surjeet also claimed that another Indian prisoner on death row in Pakistan, Kirpal Singh, had also “converted to Islam” and had a new name “Mohammed Din”.

Speaking to media persons at the information centre of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee after paying obeisance at Golden Temple, Surjeet said: “Sarabjit Singh and Kirpal Singh have converted to Islam. They probably did so in hope of getting mercy. But no mercy was granted to them. Pakistan authorities do not grant mercy to even their own nationals.”

When contacted, Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur denied that Sarabjit had converted to Islam. “This is not true at all. Sarabjit was a Gursikh, is a Gursikh and will remain a Gursikh. He has kept photos of Sikh gurus in jail and a Sikh religious book. He regularly recites from that book,” she said.

Full report at:

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/967995/

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Saudi rejected Indian DNA test, so blood sample was sent

Jun 29 2012

New Delhi : Despite claims by Zabiuddin Ansari’s mother that a DNA test was never done to ascertain her son’s identity, intelligence agencies have revealed that blood samples were collected not once but twice from Zabiuddin’s father after Saudi Arabia had turned down the results of the first DNA test.

In the 14-month-long intelligence operation — Zabiuddin flew out of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia on April 26, 2011 — to bring back this 26/11 suspect to India, the suggestion to conduct a DNA test was made after Saudi agencies continued to dither on Ansari’s actual identity despite several documents handed over by the Indian side. A scientific superimposition of photographs from Ansari’s school days, then from his files in India and his current picture, was done repeatedly and they all suggested he was the same person. Yet, the Pakistani claim that he was Riyasat Ali, travelling on a genuine Pakistan passport (QL1790941), issued on January 28, 2009 and valid until January 27, 2014, weighed heavy on the Saudi authorities. Full report at:

to hold the argument and Saudi agencies conceded that he was an Indian.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/968110/

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Army to court martial five officers in Pathribal J&K, fake encounter case

Jun 29, 2012

SRINAGAR: Court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM) in Srinagar has allowed the Indian army authorities to try its five officers for the Pathribal fake encounter case in year 2000.

In March 2000, following the Chittisinghpura massacre of 36 Sikhs, according to a CBI probe, the Indian Army killed five innocent Kashmiri civilians in a fake encounter at Pathribal in Anantnag district.

Rajeev Gupta, CJM in his order on Wednesday, allowed the army to have the option of trying the accused army men in an army court. The order said, "In view of the options having been exercised by competent military authority for trial by army court, criminal court lacks jurisdiction to try the case initiated on the basis of FIR registered on February 14, 2003."

The army had this week applied for the permission to try the accused officers in the army court in the wake of the supreme court direction on May 1, 2012 that gave the army eight weeks to decide whether it wanted to court-martial the accused or let them get tried in a regular criminal court. The ruling had disappointed Kashmiri human rights groups fighting to Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-to-court-martial-five-officers-in-Pathribal-

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Omar Abdullah orders immediate restoration of gutted shrine

Jun 29, 2012

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has ordered immediate restoration of gutted Dastageer Sahib Shrine at Khanyar strictly as per its heritage characteristics.

"The restoration of the revered Shrine should be strictly based on its heritage characteristics," Omar told the Wakf Board at a high-level meeting convened to discuss measures for restoration of Shrine on Thursday evening.

The head of the INTACH, J&K Chapter, Mohammad Saleem Beg presented the images, photographs and digital documentation of the heritage structure of the 200-year-old shrine.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the heritage documentation of the Shrine by the INTACH. He said this documentation could provide required basis for restoring the Shrine as per its original structure.

Omar also directed the Wakf Board to immediately notify the measures and put in place befitting mechanism to safeguard the revered Shrines in the state.

Meanwhile, the restoration plan of the shrine was also discussed with the Sajada Nasheen (custodian) of the shrine) Syed Khalid Geelani.

The chief minister said the suggestions and viewpoint of Geelani, management committee and the experts in heritage restoration should be factored in the process of restoration of the Shrine.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Omar-Abdullah-orders-immediate-restoration-of-gutted-shrine/articleshow/14493830.cms

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Pak releases 315 Indian fishermen

Jun 29, 2012

CHANDIGARH: Pakistan on Thursday released 315 Indian fishermen, including 14 minors, who were lodged in Karachi jail after they were caught in Pakistani territorial waters while fishing in the high seas. Pakistan had repatriated 257 fishermen at the time of filing this report. They would be staying overnight in Amritsar before proceeding to Gujarat. This is believed to be the highest number of fishermen released by Pakistan in a single day.

5 of Kala Mann gang held: The Barnala police have arrested five members of infamous Kala Mann gang and seized five pistols from them. Barnala SSP Surjit Singh said, "Police on Thursday arrested Harpreet Singh and seized a 32 bore pistol with two cartridges and a Pulsar; a 315 bore pistol with three cartridges and a Yamaha R from Baljinder Singh; a 315 bore pistol with a cartridge and a Hero Honda from Kulwinder Singh; and a 12 bore pistol with two cartridges from Jagtar Singh." All the accused are from Selbarah village.

Bomb defused in near Jammu: Panic gripped the bordering town of R S Pura after a scare over live bomb detected in a briefcase on Thursday. The bomb was later destroyed by the bomb disposal squad. According to police, some locals noticed an abandoned briefcase lying near a petrol pump in Purana Pind area of R S Pura and informed them immediately. The police cordoned off the area and called the bomb disposal squad, who found a bomb fitted with a timer.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pak-releases-315-Indian-fishermen/articleshow/14482900.cms

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11/7 blast case: Maharashtra ATS probing if Abu Hamza is Abu Jundal's alias

Jun 29, 2012

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which is probing the 11/7 train blasts case, has charged one Abu Hamza for conspiracy, smuggling explosives and assembling bombs. Police sources now want to find out if Zabihuddin Ansari, alias Abu Jundal, also went by the name Abu Hamza and is the person wanted in the 11/7 case.

Police sources said that Ansari could be confronted with the accused nabbed for the Aurangabad arms haul and 11/7 cases to establish if they knew him as Hamza or Ansari. Sources said Ansari used the name Jundal only during the 26/11 attacks. "He used more than a dozen aliases. We will cross-check all the names he used and if they are connected to other cases as well," said a police source.

Jundal is currently named in the Aurangabad arms haul and Pune German Bakery blast cases. He is also wanted in a Nashik case.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/11/7-blast-case-Maharashtra-ATS-probing-if-Abu-

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Cuffed Surjeet at Wagah mirrors Pak's scant regard for human rights

Dhananjay Mahapatra

 Jun 29, 2012

NEW DELHI: When 69-year-old Surjeet Singh was brought in cuffs to the Indo-Pak border exchange point at Wagah on Thursday to be home after spending 30 years in a Pakistani prison — seven years after he completed the life term for alleged spying — he mirrored Islamabad's scant regard for human rights.

Surjeet must have been cherishing his return to his homeland so much that he never complained when his left hand was cuffed to a Pakistani national, even after he was a free man, as he was being brought from Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore to Wagah.

But all international legal regimes - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Convention against Torture - deride cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment to even prisoners on the ground that it caused physical and mental suffering to them.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Cuffed-Surjeet-at-Wagah-mirrors-Paks-scant-regard-for-human-rights/articleshow/14480678.cms

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NIA had filed case against Abu Jundal days ahead of his arrest

 Jun 29, 2012

NEW DELHI: Almost 13 days before Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal was brought to India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had officially got on his trail. On June 8, it registered an FIR against Ansari and his Aurangabad arms haul case associate Fayyaz Kagzi for being part of a terror organization.

The FIR was filed based on information that Kagzi and Jundal were trying to organize explosives for certain LeT and Indian Mujahideen operatives in India to carry out attacks in Delhi and Mumbai.

Both Jundal and Kagzi have been charged under Sections 18 and 20 (for being part of terror organization) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The FIR does not mention the conspiracy in great detail nor does it identify the LeT and IM operatives who were supposed to be provided the explosives.

Given the timing of the FIR, sources said the exercise may have been in pursuit of ensuring that NIA got Jundal's custody to investigate the larger conspiracy in the 26/11 attacks as it is probing LeT's US-born jihadi David Coleman Headley's involvement in the strike. The second purpose, sources said, was to strengthen India's case for deportation before Jundal, living in Saudi Arabia on a Pakistani passport, was brought to India.

Notably, agencies had faced lot of problems while getting gangster Abu Salem to India in the absence of a strong case against him in Mumbai.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/NIA-had-filed-case-against-Abu-Jundal-days-ahead-of-his-arrest/articleshow/14480321.cms

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Choice of alias while launching website gave Abu Jundal away

Jun 29, 2012

NEW DELHI: Abu Jundal's choice of an alias helped intelligence agencies unravel his identity. Jundal aka Syed Zabiuddin Ansari chose to call himself Kaasif as he launched a website to attract young boys to the Lashkar-e-Taiba while he was in Saudi Arabia.

This was a blunder. Indian counter-terror agencies were familiar with Kaasif as one of the nom de guerres that Jundal used. In fact, this was mentioned in the dossier on Jundal and other Indian fugitives holed up in Pakistan that was shared with Islamabad.

Suspicions were strengthened when intelligence agencies, including western ones, noticed heavy traffic between Kaasif's website and others which were already on their radar for terror-related activities. They were confirmed on further monitoring leading the US to ask Saudi Arabia to detain Jundal.

As already reported, the scanning of the website and the four email accounts that Jundal used after 26/11 has already yielded a cache of information on Lashkar operatives including those whom the Maharashtra- born alleged terrorist had managed to lure away to Saudi Arabia.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Choice-of-alias-while-launching-website-gave-Abu-Jundal-away/articleshow/14478484.cms

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Abu Jundal escaped arrest in Pakistan at ISI's behest

Jun 29, 2012

NEW DELHI: After 26/11, when pressure mounted on Pakistan to arrest Lashkar-e-Taiba's operations chief Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi from a camp near Muzaffarabad in PoK, Lashkar's Indian hand Abu Jundal was let off on the intervention of ISI officials despite being present at the spot.

Jundal, who was sent to India after being detained in Saudi Arabia, has already disclosed the role of Pakistan's ISI and serving officers of the Pakistan army in 26/11, and has also spoken of how the agencies worked to protect their Indian asset.

ISI and Pakistani army personnel were well aware of the control room in Quaidabad locality between Malir Cantonment and Jinnah International Airport in Karachi from where the Mumbai attacks were directed. Jundal is reported to have provided information on Sajid Mir, the handler of Pakistani-American jihadi David Coleman Headley. Mir has been charged by US prosecutors for the Mumbai outrage along with three others including a "Major Iqbal".

After being bailed out by the ISI, Jundal was asked to stay off the radar and he left for Saudi Arabia in early 2010. He was provided two IDs, one for internal use in Pakistan and one for outside the country.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abu-Jundal-escaped-arrest-in-Pakistan-at-ISIs-behest/articleshow/14476040.cms

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India won't share information on Abu Jundal with Pakistan, NIA seeks his custody

Jun 28, 2012

NEW DELHI: India will not share with Pakistan any information related to Syed Zabiuddin alias Abu Jundal who was arrested by the Delhi Police for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, sources in the home ministry said today.

Zaibuddin is being interrogated by law enforcement agencies and the ministry does not want its investigations hampered in any manner by sharing such information with Pakistan. The sources said that Zabiuddin, an Indian national, holds a Pakistani passport and two Pakistani identity cards. "This indicates Pakistan's complicity," a source said. Zabiuddin, a key handler of 26/11 attackers, was arrested on June 21 on his arrival from Saudi Arabia.

Home minister P Chidambaram had yesterday said there was clearly Pakistani state support to the terrorists responsible for the 26/11 attack. His comments had evoked sharp reaction from Pakistan's interior ministry chief Rehman Malik who after rejecting Chidambaram's assertion of "state support" to the terrorists said that ISI was a target of "propaganda campaign".

Chidambaram had stated that the Indian security agencies have been tracking Jundal, Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, for nearly a year and the information was kept a "well guarded secret".

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-wont-share-information-on-Abu-Jundal-with-Pakistan-NIA-seeks-his-custody/articleshow/14469682.cms

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I was a RAW agent, Surjeet Singh says

Jun 28, 2012

ATTARI: (Punjab): Minutes after stepping on home soil after spending over 30 years in Pakistani jails, Surjeet Singh admitted that he was a Indian spy sent to Pakistan.

"I was a RAW ( Research and Analysis Wing) agent. No one bothered for me after I got arrested. Don't ask me too much.....otherwise the BSF (Border Security Force) will get annoyed," he told media just after his arrival here.

Within seconds of his making this statement, BSF officials sitting besides him took him away to a room for a briefing.

Ironically, during his over three decades in Pakistani jails, Surjeet had contested the fact that he was a spy. He was sentenced to death earlier but that was later commuted to life imprisonment.

"I will never return to Pakistan again," Surjeet, who has a grey flowing beard, told reporters in Punjabi with his head and finger indicating a firm "no" gesture.

"I was arrested earlier for spying charges. If I return again, the security agencies might suspect that I have come for spying again," he said.

Surjeet said prisoners on both sides of the border should be released by the respective governments.

"I was treated well by prison officials and I am thankful to them," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/I-was-a-RAW-agent-Surjeet-Singh-says/articleshow/14468528.cms

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Kashmir calm under curfew as police swoops on stone pelters

Ashiq Hussain

June 28, 2012

Kashmir was calm although shut for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday after a mysterious blaze destroyed a revered Shrine in Srinagar constructed in memory of an 11- century Muslim mystic Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA). Smelling ‘conspiracy’ into the incident government

appointed grand mufti or chief cleric of the state Bashiruddin Ahmad had called for the strike and proposed a protest march on Friday. Initial reports had suggested short circuit as the cause of fire.

Government has imposed section 144 preventing assembly of people (an euphemism for undeclared curfew) in most parts of old city for the past three days after stone pelting erupted on Monday in the aftermath of the blaze. A huge presence of Police and CRPF coupled with road blocks and concertina rolls made sure to prevent any eventuality of people coming out of their homes.

Police have swooped on youth in many parts of old city prone to stone pelting. “Over 20 stone throwers have been taken into custody from areas like Khanyar, Nawhatta, Safa Kadal and Lalbazar,” said Superintendent of city (North), Tahir Saleem. “Everything was calm in old city today,” he boasted.

Full report at:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/JAndK/Kashmir-calm-under-curfew-as-police-swoops-on-stone-pelters/Article1-880350.aspx

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Abu Jundal hosted lavish dinners to lure cadre in Saudi Arabia, says police

Jatin Anand

June 29, 2012

Abu Jundal alias Syed Zabiuddin held the reins of a dedicated talent-spotting drive to recruit cadre in Saudi Arabia, the alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, arrested by the Delhi Police after being deported from Riyadh, has claimed if investigators are to be believed.

Code-named 'Operation Daawat' or simply 'Daawat' (dinner reception), the drive had allegedly been in place ever since Jundal left Pakistan and settled in Saudi Arabia at the behest of his handlers Muzammil and Zaki-Ur-Rahman Lakhvi post the execution of the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, sources claimed.

Interrogators said implementing the recruitment drive had been the main reason behind Jundal's deliberate 'exile' in Saudi Arabia - throughout which he had operated a small taxi business as a front.

Full report at:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Abu-Jundal-hosted-lavish-dinners-to-

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Abu Jundal: Wanted all over for strikes everywhere

Jun 29 2012

New Delhi : Two days before the 26/11 attack on Mumbai, Lashkar-e-Toiba operatives carried out a mock drill in Pakistan. The revelation came during the interrogation of Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal by the Delhi Police Special Cell, which arrested him on June 21.

The interrogation report says Ansari has admitted he was in the “control room” in Baitullah Mujahiddin near the international airport in Karachi, from where he had supervised the mock drill as well as the operation.

Present in the control room besides Ansari were Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi (the LeT military commander) and Abu Alkama, an LeT commander who had allegedly trained terrorists for the September serial blasts in Delhi that year. Sources said after the arrest of Lakhvi, the control room was destroyed so no documents could be found.

Sources said Ansari instructed the operatives to restrict the mock drill to two hours, apparently to ensure that the actual attack would not go on for too many days. During the drill, he used the same phone number and the same satellite phone set that he would use during 26/11.

Full report at:

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/968080/

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I refuse to be chased off Twitter: Omar

 Jun 29 2012

Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he would not be chased off the social networking site Twitter by online "trolls"

"Some times I ask myself what I'm doing here (on Twitter), I guess I refuse to be chased off by trolls," Omar wrote on Twitter.

Omar is one of the several high-profile politicians in the country who share their views on the micro-blogging site.

The Chief Minister has to often face hostilities on Twitter where users continuously taunt and abuse him.

In the Internet slang, 'trolls' are those users who post on an online group with the sole purpose of disrupting the discussion.

In 2008, Omar had to shut his blog after facing "heaps of personal abuse" by users.

The Chief Minister yesterday faced an online 'taunt' that "in Kashmir CM stands for Curfew Minister".

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/968292/

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Punjab assembly passes resolution, asks Centre to take up Sarabjit's release issue with Pakistan

Jun 29, 2012

CHANDIGARH: A day after Indian prisoner Surjeet Singh crossed the Wagah-Attari border and reached home after spending over three decades in Lahore's central jail, Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution asking the union government to take up the issue of the release of another Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh with Pakistani government.

The resolution, which also asked the centre to take steps for the release of prisoners of war and other Indians languishing in Pakistani jails, was moved by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

The resolution stated that immediate release of Sarabjit would further boost the ties between both the nations in the present cordial scenario, especially created after the opening of Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Punjab-assembly-passes-resolution-asks-Centre-to-

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Faith leaps over Indo-Pak border for Baba Chamliyal

 28 JUNE 2012

The relationship between India and Pakistan may have once again hit a rough patch, yet guards deployed along the International Border kept their date with the over 320-year-old shrine of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas.

In Ramgarh sector, 40 km south of Jammu, they offered the traditional chadar before returning with tractor trolleys of shakkar (holy clay) and sharbat (sweet water) on Thursday.

The Pakistani team was led by officiating sector commander Lt Col Qaisar. He was accompanied by several senior officers including Sialkote Assistant Commissioner Sameeha Salim.

The Pakistan officers, after attending a brief meeting at Zero Line, handed over a traditional chadar with religious text to BSF DIG Virender Singh. Samba Deputy Commissioner Mubarak Singh, senior district and police officers were also present.

Caretaker of Baba’s shrine on the Pakistani side in Saidanwali village also offered peace prayers in the presence of officers of both countries. The Pakistani Rangers later handed over tractor trolleys of sharbat and shakkar to be distributed among devotees.

The two sides exchanged gifts and shook hands. Despite the relationship chill, officers of the two sides were at ease while conversing with one another. Foot soldiers from Pakistan were offered water bottles by BSF men.

The chadar received from across the border was later laid on the tomb of the saint by BSF officers.

Full report at:

http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/76619-faith-leaps-over-indo-pak-border-for-baba-chamliyal.html

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Salman Khan seeks support of Pak people for Sarabjit's release

Jun 29, 2012

MUMBAI: Actor Salman Khan has come forward in seeking support of Pakistani people and the media for Sarabjit Singh's release, who has been on death row in a Lahore jail since 1990.

"Requesting the people of Pakistan to support me to help free Sarabjit who have been in prison since 30 years.  Please. Allah ka vasta," Salman wrote on twitter.

"Request the 'awam' of Pakistan, members of the press, government of Pakistan, President Zardari, a humble request. It would be the most amazing gesture, to send Sarabjit back to his family after 30 years. Hope u support me like its your own cause."

Salman also expressed how he felt sad about Sarabjit's family and longed for launching his support for his release.

"Wanted to tweet this for the longest time, saw a picture of Sarabjit's sister, it killed me. Felt real sad for her. Help me help her. It's a personal request to all of you in Pakistan to send Sarabjit back to his family in Punjab, hope you find it in your hearts to help," he said.

Sarabjit was convicted and sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in a string of bombings in 1990.

The Indian government also requested Pakistan to release Sarabjit after Islamabad said it had taken steps for the release of another Indian prisoner named Surjeet Singh who has been jailed for three decades.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Salman-Khan-seeks-support-of-Pak-people-for-Sarabjits-release/articleshow/14496835.cms

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Pakistan

 

74% Pakistanis Consider United States an Enemy

2012/06/28

Three-in-four Pakistanis consider the United States an enemy country, a new survey conducted by the Washington-based Pew Global Attitudes Project indicates.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Three-in-four Pakistanis consider the United States an enemy country, a new survey conducted by the Washington-based Pew Global Attitudes Project indicates.

The Pew survey, which was published on its website on Wednesday, said that last year 69 percent used to hate the US but in 2012 the figure jumped to 74 percent.

The survey also showed an exceptionally low regard for US President Barack Obama among Pakistanis. They believe Obama is as bad a leader as former US President George W. Bush had been during his final year in office.

US-Pakistan relations have been strained over the civilian casualties caused by the non-UN-sanctioned US drone attacks, and over a number of other issues.

Under intense public pressure, Islamabad closed the border crossings used to transfer NATO supplies to US-led forces occupying Afghanistan in November 2011 after 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in US-led airstrikes on two checkpoints on the Afghan border.

Full report at:

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=325311

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For Pakistanis, India bigger threat than Taliban, al Qaeda: Survey

June 29, 2012

Only one in five Pakistanis have a favourable view of India with almost six in ten considering it a bigger threat to their country than the Taliban, or al Qaeda, according to a new survey.

But as the survey of Pakistan by the Pew Research Centre's Global Attitudes Project notes

22% of Pakistanis having a favourable view of India is actually a slight improvement from 14% in 2011.

Pakistanis have consistently identified India as the top threat since the question was first asked in 2009, it noted. The%age fearing India has increased by 11 points to 59% since then, while the%age naming the Taliban has decreased by nine points.

Despite these negative sentiments, 62% of Pakistanis say it is important to improve relations with India, the survey found. And roughly two-thirds support more bilateral trade and further talks to try to reduce tensions between the two nations.

Most Indians also want better relations, more trade, and further talks between the two nations, Pew reported.

Still, Indian attitudes toward Pakistan remain largely negative. Roughly six-in-ten Indians (59%) express an unfavourable opinion of Pakistan, although this is down slightly from 65% in 2011.

Full report at:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/NorthAmerica/For-Pakistanis-India-bigger-

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Pakistan Muslims feed orphans in the south Asian Muslim country

June 29, 2012

 A leading Islamic foundation in Pakistan has launched a program to provide shelter, food and education to thousands of children who have lost their parents in natural calamities in the south Asian Muslim country.

"We had been planning to launch this project for last five years but because of some unavoidable reasons we could not do that," Ejazullah Khan, the national director of Al-Khidmat Foundation told OnIslam.net.

"We are thankful to Allah who has enabled us to launch this project in order o patronize those children who have lost their parents."

The much-awaited program has been divided into two parts - Aghosh (protection), and Kifalah (support).

The Aghosh or protection project is meant for children who have lost their parents, and have no other family member to take care of them.

"These children will be admitted to Aghosh centers, which are already working in northeastern and northwestern parts of the country," Khan said.

Pakistan's northeastern and northwestern parts were badly hit by a deadly earthquake and floods in 2005 and 2011.

Full report at:

http://www.shafaqna.com/english/shafaq/item/4309-pakistan-muslims-feed-orphans.html

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Captain among eight killed in IED attack in Khyber Agency

  June 29, 2012

KHYBER AGENCY: Eight soldiers including a captain were killed and three others were injured as security convoy was targeted by the  militants with a remote control improvised explosive device (IED) in Bara Tehsil of Khyber Agency on Thursday afternoon, officials said.

Government sources said that a convoy of the security forces was passing through Qamarabad area of Bara Tehsil in Khyber agency when it was hit by a remote controlled IED planted on the roadside.

The vehicle was partially destroyed as a result of the blast.

Two militants have also been killed as the security forces targeted the miscreants after the IED Blast near AlHaj Market.

“At least eight troops including an officer were killed and three others wounded in a bomb explosion, targeting two vehicles of the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC),” a spokesman for the force told AFP.

The vehicles were on a routine patrol when attack happened, he added.

Earlier, the spokesman had said that six troops were killed and four wounded.

Local government official Nasir Khan also confirmed the new toll.

The intelligence sources, however say eight security personnel including Captain Manan; Afzal, Tariq, Yousaf, Bahdar, Ali Badshah, Nawaz Gul, Kamran Ali and Khan Afzal have died in the blast.

The injured soldiers are; Nabiur Rehman, Gulshan Ali and Jamil Hussain have been shifted to the Combined Military Hospital for treatment. Security forces cordoned off the area after the incident as investigation went underway.

Earlier in Akakhel area of Bara, the militants targeted Akakhel peace lashkar with an IED, killing its two activists.

http://dawn.com/2012/06/28/ied-attack-kills-four-in-khyber-agency/

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Abbottabad-like operation helped link Jundal's DNA

Jun 29, 2012

NEW DELHI: Abu Jundal's mother Rehana Begum on Thursday denied that police took samples of her DNA as well as that of her husband in order to get the Lashkar terrorist deported to India, putting the spotlight on the covert operation by which the crucial evidence was extracted from the terrorist's father.

"Our (Rehana and her husband Zakiuddin Ansari's) DNA test was never done," agencies quoted Jundal's mother as telling reporters in her hometown of Beed in Maharashtra.

The claim ran contrary to the version of sources in the government that it was only because Jundal's DNA sample matched those of his parents that the Saudi authorities accepted India's claim that the person in their custody who claimed to be Riyasat Ali, a Pakistani national, was actually one of the 26/11 masterminds.

Yet, intelligence officials did not seem to be upset with Jundal's mother. No one accused her of lying, because neither she nor her spouse got to know when the DNA sample was taken from Zakiuddin to be dispatched to Saudi Arabia.

Sources familiar with the operation said the DNA sample was obtained with the help of one of the relatives of the Ansaris whom the Maharashtra ATS, working at the instance of the central agencies, had roped in for the mission. As part of the tactic, the relative started picking up fights with Zakiuddin and finally, in a scuffle, managed to scratch skin and blood from Jundal's father.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abbottabad-like-operation-helped-link-Jundals-DNA/articleshow/14480337.cms

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New Pak PM says power top priority, not Zardari graft cases

Jun 29 2012

Islamabad : The newly elected Pakistan premier has downplayed queries regarding writing to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, which is due on July 12, and has chosen instead to focus on his “top priority - the energy crisis.

“The prevailing energy crisis is my prime focus instead of anything else... it's high time to address the biggest problem we are facing,” The Express Tribune quoted Ashraf, as saying.

He said his government would remain focused on the power sector, as it is a major challenge faced by the nation.

Citing his past experience as the minister for water and power, Ashraf said he understood the challenges in the energy sector. While he insisted that there had already been an improvement in load shedding, he was quick to add that he did not want to make any tall claims.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/968300/

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Another militant group bans polio vaccination, seeks end to drone strikes

Zahir Shah Sherazi

25th June, 2012

An Urdu-language pamphlet distributed by militants in Pakistan’s tribal regions has warned health workers to stay away from polio vaccination campaigns or face dire consequences.

“Polio and other foreign-funded vaccination drives in Wana sub division would not be allowed until US drone operations in the agency are stopped,” warned the pamphlet issued by Mullah Nazir, commander of his own faction of the Taliban in South Waziristan.

The warning is not the first to come from tribal militants since a Pakistani doctor was convicted of assisting the CIA in locating former Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by running a fake polio vaccination campaign in Abbottabad last year.

Mullah Nazir’s handout calls the “traitor Dr Shakeel Afridi’s fake campaign in Abbottabad” proof that “infidel forces are using media, education and development as a tool to gag Muslims.”

A ban similar to the one in Wana was imposed earlier in North Waziristan Agency by the Hafiz Gul Bahadar faction of the Taliban, who are alleged by the United States of having close links to Al Qaeda and the Haqqani network.

Full report at:

http://dawn.com/2012/06/25/another-militant-group-bans-polio-vaccination-seeks-end-to-drone-strikes/

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Thousands of Pak students in Britain doing low-grade jobs

By Asif Mehmood

June 29, 2012

LONDON: Thousands of Pakistani graduate and undergraduate students in Britain have been forced to work for low wages and pursue menial jobs as cleaners, sweepers and porters due to rising unemployment and recession in the country.

More than 20,000 British Pakistani students who graduated last summer are without a job. Moreover, an increasing number of university graduates are opting for low-paying positions because of a decreasing number of well-paying opportunities. Last year, some 10,270 graduates found work as labourers, couriers, office juniors, hospital porters, waiters, bar staff, cleaners, road sweepers and school dinner servers. This was almost double the number in 2007 before the recession struck. University lecturers in Britain warned that the disclosure – in data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency – represented further evidence of the “incredibly challenging” job market for fresh graduates. University and College Union General Secretary Sally Hunt told Daily Times the figures were “further bad news for students”. “People working hard at university face an incredibly challenging job market when they graduate and the government should be doing more to stimulate jobs and growth,” she said. “We already have huge numbers of people on the dole and while the prime minister attacks people on benefits, he is doing little to help them get off benefits and on with their lives.”

Full report at:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\06\29\story_29-6-2012_pg7_4

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Southeast Asia

 

Don't be a gay or lesbian: Former Malaysian PM

 Jun 28 2012

Kuala Lumpur : Don't be a gay or lesbian as the whole human race can be wiped out. This is what former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad has to say about what he calls "not natural".

He said LGBTs were "not natural" for biological reasons.

"Men marrying men, women marrying women... It's not natural. Just imagine if we all indulge in that. No children. One generation and the whole human race is wiped out," Mahathir said.

Speaking at a forum "Politics and Business: The Malaysian Connection" here, Mahathir said that once you catered for a specific group such as the LGBT, others would follow suit and ask for more rights too.

"Now we have institutions for men and men, women and women. I want to see how many children they have," he said.

In Muslim majority Malaysia LGBT rights are not recognised. The nation retains its colonial era penal code criminalising sodomy.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/967877/

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House to summon minister over Quran graft controversy

 06/29/2012

House of Representatives Commission VIII members overseeing religious affairs said on Friday that they would soon summon Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali over a recent graft allegation controversy involving the procurement of Korans.

“We will soon arrange a meeting with Religious Affairs Ministry officials, including with the minister himself, so they can present us with their clarification of the ongoing furore,” Abdul Hakim of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) told The Jakarta Post.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named House commission member Zulkarnaen Djabar of the Golkar Party, as well as his son Dendi Prasetya, suspects in three cases, including the Koran procurement bribery case in 2011 and 2012, and a computer procurement project in 2011.

The two have allegedly caused state losses of approximately Rp54.4 billion (US$5.76 million).

KPK chief Abraham Samad said earlier that Zulkarnaen rigged the procurement by giving orders to the ministry’s directorate general for Islamic community affairs to appoint certain companies to win the project tenders.

Abraham said that the companies involved in the billion rupiah projects included PT KSAI, which is owned by Zulkarnaen, PT BKM and PT A3I.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/06/29/house-summon-minister-over-koran-graft-controversy.html

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Arab World

 

 

World silence encourages Al Khalifa to continue with its brutal crackdown

2012/06/27 - 09:32

Bahraini protesters have once again held demonstrations against the Al Khalifa regime in several villages across the country.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The protesters took to the streets in several villages near the capital, Manama, on Wednesday, blocking roads and setting fire to tires.

Anti-government protests continue in Bahrain despite the regime’s violent crackdown.

On June 24, the main Bahraini opposition group, al-Wefaq, said an anti-regime protester was injured during a demonstration in a village near Manama on June 22 and was in “critical condition.”

We have conducted an interview with Jamal Wakim, a political analyst from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, to further discuss the issue. What follows is an approximate transcript of the interview.

Q: It has been well over a year since the popular uprising began in Bahrain. Just how far are the Al khalifas willing to go to quell these demonstrations? And are you seeing an exit for the Saudi forces at all?

Wakim: I believe that the Bahraini regime will be persistent in cracking down on the revolution; especially that it is not having any support from any regional or international powers.

Full report at:

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=325234

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Egyptians Pack Tahrir on Eve of Mursi Inauguration

June 29, 2012

CAIRO (Reuters) - Muslim Brotherhood supporters flocked to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to hear Mohamed Mursi speak on the eve of his inauguration as Egypt's first Islamist, civilian president.

The rally's slogan, "Powers of the president", heralds what may prove a prolonged struggle between the Islamists and army generals who have imposed stark curbs on presidential powers before they formally hand over executive authority.

Crowds in Tahrir, the hub of last year's revolt against ousted leader Hosni Mubarak, chanted "Mursi is president of the republic" and waved Egyptian flags with his picture inset.

"A full revolution or nothing. Down, down with military rule!" they shouted. "We, the people, are the red line!"

The military council that pushed Mubarak aside on February 11, 2011 has supervised a chaotic stop-go transition since then, holding parliamentary and presidential elections, but then effectively negating their outcome to preserve its own power.

Mursi, who attended weekly Muslim prayers at the al-Azhar mosque, was expected to address the nation from Tahrir at about 6 p.m. (1600 GMT). He will swear his oath of office at 11 a.m. on Saturday before the Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo.

The usual venue is parliament, but the same court dissolved the Islamist-led lower house this month in a ruling backed, if not orchestrated, by the army, apparently unwilling to let Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/06/29/world/middleeast/29reuters-egypt-

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Egypt's new President Mohamed Morsi to take oath on Saturday

Jun 29, 2012

CAIRO: Egypt's president-elect Mohamed Morsi will be sworn in on Saturday before the Constitutional Court, the presidency announced after differences with the army over the transfer of power.

Morsi "will go at 11am (0900 GMT) on Saturday to the Constitutional Court to take the oath before the Court's general assembly", said a statement released late Thursday by the official MENA news agency.

The president will then go on to Cairo University to celebrate his investiture and address the nation, the statement added.

Egypt's president traditionally takes the oath in parliament, but the country's top court has ordered the disbanding of the Islamist-dominated legislature.

The military subsequently assumed legislative powers and formed a powerful national security council headed by the president but dominated by generals.

By agreeing to be sworn in by the Constitutional Court, Morsi is effectively acknowledging the court's decision to dissolve parliament.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which fielded Morsi as its candidate in the election and from which he resigned after his victory, had insisted that the oath be taken before the legislature.

"There is a debate around the issue of swearing in and attempts are being made to reach a compromise that will satisfy all national forces," MENA quoted Morsi's spokesman Yasser Ali as saying earlier.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Egypts-new-President-Mohamed-

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Gunmen Kill 4 Sunni Fighters in Iraq

June 29, 2012

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi security officials say gunmen have killed four anti-al-Qaida fighters in an attack on a security checkpoint in an eastern province.

Police in Diyala say that the attackers opened fire early Friday on members of the Sahwa or Awakening group manning a checkpoint near the provincial capital of Baqouba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad.

A hospital medic said that five other members of the movement were wounded in the attack.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

The Sahwa are Sunni Arabs who joined forces with the U.S. military to fight al-Qaida at the height of Iraq's insurgency.

June has been Iraq's bloodiest month in almost a half a year with more than 200 Iraqis killed in attacks.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/06/29/world/middleeast/ap-ml-iraq.html?ref=global-home

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Egypt ex-minister sentenced to 15 years over Israel gas deal

2012/06/28

An Egyptian court has sentenced the country’s former oil minister and a fugitive businessman to 15 years in prison each over selling natural gas to Israel at below-market rates.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Cairo Criminal Court sentenced former oil minister, Sameh Fahmi, and fugitive businessman, Hussein Salem, to 15 years in prison each over the (Israel) gas deal," a judicial source said on Thursday.

According to the source, five other former high-ranking oil and gas officials also received jail sentences ranging from three to 10 years on similar charges.

Salem, who fled to Spain after Egypt’s popular revolution in February 2011 that toppled his close friend and the country’s then dictator, Hosni Mubarak, was also sentenced in absentia in October 2011 to seven years in jail for profiteering.

Gas exports to Israel were launched in 2008 and came under heavy criticism at the time from Egypt's then banned Muslim Brotherhood.

In December 2010, Israel signed a 20-year contract with Egypt worth more than $10 billion (7.4 billion euros) -- much cheaper than global prices -- to import Egyptian natural gas.

Egypt accounts for roughly 40 percent of Israel's gas supplies.

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=325516

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Activists: Dozens Killed in Syria Shelling

June 29, 2012

BEIRUT (AP) — Government troops rained tank and artillery shells down on a rebellious suburb of the Syrian capital of Damascus Friday, killing at least 43 people over two days, opposition groups and activists said.

The barrage is part of a fierce government offensive aimed at regaining control of parts of Damascus suburbs where rebels operate, particularly Douma, a sprawling suburb that has been a hotbed of dissent against President Bashar Assad's regime.

A local activist who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons said the shelling was "relentless" throughout Thursday, and exploding shells killed people in their homes.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 41 people died in all-day shelling of Douma Thursday, including three children and five members of a single family. At least two more were killed Friday morning.

"They (government troops) are trying to bring Douma under control, but they are being met by fierce resistance," said Rami Abdul-Rahman, the group's director. He said most of the dead were civilians.

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/06/29/world/middleeast/ap-ml-

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Assad, in Taped TV Interview, Calls Iran a Wise Friend

By THOMAS ERDBRINK

June 29, 2012

TEHRAN — President Bashar al-Assad of Syria thanked Iran as one of the “wise governments” seeking to protect Syrian stability in the face of the uprising against him, he said in a taped interview broadcast Thursday on Iranian state television.

Mr. Assad, who has rarely granted interviews since the uprising began 16 months ago, also said in the interview, taped in Damascus last week, that he bore no hostility to Turkey despite its support of the Syrian insurgency. “We will not retaliate against Turkey,” Mr. Assad said.

But the interview was conducted before a number of notable developments in the Syria conflict — particularly a worsening of Syria’s relations with Turkey last Friday, when Syrian gunners shot down a Turkish fighter jet off the Mediterranean coast. Turkey has since issued warnings to Syrian forces and has moved batteries of antiaircraft weapons to its side of their shared 550-mile border.

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/world/middleeast/assad-in-taped-tv-interview-calls-

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Twitter revolutionises Kuwaiti political sphere

By Mona Kareem

June 29, 2012

If there is a country radically changing since the birth of the Arab Spring, then I would say it’s Kuwait. The leading democracy in the Gulf, as many refer to it, saw protests against former prime minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah in 2009, but it needed the boost of Arab uprisings to take the movement to a higher level.

Parliamentary attempts to oust Shaikh Nasser failed constantly with members of parliament accusing him of bribing several MPs to rescue him with “in cooperation votes”.

Parallel to this, the Arab Spring was able to introduce the public in Kuwait to Twitter so far limited to the elite — American-educated liberal bloggers. Twitter quickly became the number one source of news, political discussion, and more importantly the top generator of public opinion.

In reaction to pro-government media outlets, many activists used Twitter to call for protests against Shaikh Nasser. This led opposition MPs to get into Twitter to the extent of making the social networking site the place to publish their statements first. This, more importantly, helped the public to know the opinions of the opposition bloc regarding other issues such as sectarianism, clashes in the region and the rise of political Islam.

During 2011, several Twitter users were interrogated and even jailed for their posts; mostly for insulting the Sunni or Shiite sects and/or for posts that seen as disrespectful of the Emir and his authority.

Full report at:

http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/twitter-revolutionises-kuwaiti-political-sphere-1.1041731

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Facebook markets to the Arab world, Insha’Allah

June 29, 2012

Arabic-speaking Facebook users want the social networking website to add an “Insha’Allah” button to the platform for the Middle East. And Facebook seems ready to make the move to boost its regional presence.

According to Immanuel Simonsen from Multilingual Search, “Facebook has identified a strong wish from Arabic natives to include an “Insha’Allah” (Arabic term meaning “God Willing” that indicates hope for an aforementioned event to occur in the future) button for Facebook events.”

While Facebook may not be the most popular social media network in the Arab world, this addition “looks to be the first new localized feature for the Arabic market.”

Social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook, played a fundamental role in organizing the uprisings throughout the Arab World in 2011. Usage of these networks is growing exponentially as political changes continue to take place.

Full report at:

http://www.shafaqna.com/english/shafaq/item/4313-facebook-markets-to-the-arab-world-insha%E2%80%99allah.html

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Africa

 

Egypt’s elections: Lessons for “Islamic” movements in Nigeria

29 JUNE 2012 0

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful

“Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will most surely make them vicegerent on the earth as He made their ancestors before them, and that He will establish for them their religion, the one which He has chosen for them, and that He will change their present state of fear into peace and security…” (Qur’an 24: 54)

THE journey started in 1928 when he founded the Muslim Brotherhood on the desert land of Cairo. Ironically, the journey ended in 1948 when he was assassinated by the security apparatus of the Egyptian government. In 1948, Hassan al-Banna, the school teacher, preacher and visionary, sowed the seed of the “tree” he was sure may or may not fructify while he was alive.

He knew well beforehand that revolutions are usually not consummated by its founders: Human beings sometimes sweat in order that somebody else other than themselves may reap the fruit of their labour.

Full report at:

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90668:

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Gunmen Kidnap Foreign Aid Workers From Kenyan Camp

June 29, 2012

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Gunmen kidnapped four foreigners and a driver working for the Norwegian Refugee Council at Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp near the border with Somalia on Friday, police said.

Kenyan police said they suspected the gunmen to be sympathizers of Somalia's al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents.

"So far we have not confirmed the nationalities of the four foreign workers who were kidnapped," Philip Ndolo, the region's deputy police officer told Reuters.

"We suspect this could be the work of al Shabaab sympathizers."

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/06/29/world/africa/29reuters-kenya-kidnap.html?ref=africa&gwh=B8A0C99E5E0A77FFC8C6CBCAEB29E1EB

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Libyans in first Abu Salim jail massacre remembrance

June 29, 2012

Libyans are for the first time publicly marking the anniversary of a prison massacre in which nearly 1,300 inmates were shot dead 16 years ago.

The prisoners at the notorious Abu Salim jail in the capital, Tripoli, were killed after a protest demanding better conditions and fairer trials.

Since the overthrow of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi last year, the jail has become an exhibition gallery.

Gaddafi's brother-in-law is accused of giving the order to shoot.

Abdullah al-Senussi, who served as head of military intelligence, was arrested in Mauritania last November, a month after Col Gaddafi was killed - ending the eight-month uprising.

Secret notes

The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says the Abu Salim prison is now a site where former inmates, their families and others can publicly pay their respects to the 1,269 prisoners gunned down in 1996 and those who were incarcerated there for years on end.

Libyans have been streaming in to look at items exhibited in one of the prison's inner courtyards, including prison slippers, pictures of those killed, and secret notes written by inmates, she says.

Full report at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18641761

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Libyan deported after PC Fletcher murder wants UK asylum

By Jenny Cuffe

June 29, 2012

A Libyan deported from Britain after the murder of PC Yvonne Fletcher in 1984 and now wanted in his home country is seeking asylum in the UK.

Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, said to have been close to Colonel Gaddafi, is not a suspect in the murder but is suspected of misusing Libyan state funds.

The UK government deported Dr Ibrahim - who denies any wrongdoing - in 1984, saying his presence in Britain "was not conducive to the public good".

The Home Office declined to comment.

Dr Ibrahim was with demonstrators outside the Libyan embassy in London on the morning PC Fletcher was shot. He was once a high-ranking member of Colonel Gaddafi's Revolutionary Committees, known for their brutality in crushing opposition to the Gaddafi regime.

He was originally allowed to return to Britain as part of a Foreign Office initiative to improve Anglo-Libyan relations. The agreement was part of a wide-ranging deal negotiated by former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to bring the Libyan Lockerbie suspects to trial.

'$200m for mercenaries'

Full report at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18591792

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Suicide Bomber Kills One in Algeria Attack

June 29, 2012

ALGIERS (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and three wounded on Friday when a suicide bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives into a paramilitary police base in an Algerian desert town, official media reported.

The attack was the first at the gendarmes headquarters in Ouargla, some 90 km (55 miles) from Algeria's main oil town of Hassi Messaouad and 475 km south of the capital Algiers.

The attack took place at around 5:00 a.m. (05:00 a.m. British time) and damaged the main entrance and nearby buildings, the official APS news agency reported.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack but al Qaeda's North African wing, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has for years been waging an insurgency in Algeria and neighbouring countries. It frequently targets security forces.

Security experts say the conflict in Libya, which last year forced out its veteran leader, has allowed weapons looted from Muammar Gaddafi's arsenals to fall into the hands of insurgents from neighbouring countries.

This has provided a boost to the operations of AQIM, analysts say, and also helped fuel a separatist rebellion in Mali, where Islamists on Thursday declared control of the north.

Algerian media and a security source said on Thursday that Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a founding member of AQIM, was believed to have been killed in fighting in northern Mali this week.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/06/29/world/africa/29reuters-algeria-attack.html?ref=world

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North America

 

Stockton Muslim cleric faces deportation to Pakistan

 June 28th

STOCKTON, CA - The spiritual leader of Stockton's largest mosque faces deportation to his native Pakistan because he cheated on his taxes.

Saeed Ur Rahman, imam of the Islamic Center of Stockton, was convicted by a federal jury in Sacramento last fall on two felony counts of tax evasion.

News10 has learned the federal government will seek a one-year prison term for Ur Rahman at a July 5 sentencing hearing, which would trigger permanent expulsion from the United States after his release.

Tax evasion with a loss to the government exceeding $10,000 is considered an aggravated felony for immigration purposes.

Sources said the criminal investigation was initially launched by the FBI's anti-terrorism task force because of Ur Rahman's ties to Pakistan.

The US Attorney's office in Sacramento would not comment on the investigative path that led to the tax fraud conviction.

Full report at:

http://centralstockton.news10.net/news/news/100976-stockton-muslim-cleric-faces-deportation-pakistan

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US plays all sides in divided Egypt

Jun 28, 2012

WASHINGTON: The ambiguous outcome of Egypt's revolution leaves Washington no choice but to deal with the country's two major players, the military and the Muslim Brotherhood, despite its disagreements with each.

Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement long held at arm's length by the United States, was declared on Sunday to have won Egypt's presidency.

He assumes an office whose powers have been whittled away by the military, whose recent actions are seen as anti-democratic but which remains the country's most powerful institution.

The military and the Muslim Brotherhood are wrestling over how to share power in a country that for the time being has no sitting parliament, no permanent constitution and no clear path toward democracy after last year's ouster of Hosni Mubarak, a long-time US ally who banned and oppressed the Brotherhood.

Full report at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-plays-all-sides-in-divided-Egypt/articleshow/14470489.cms

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Clinton to press Russia on Syria before crunch talks

June 29, 2012

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will press Russia on Friday in a bid to save a crucial weekend meeting on the Syria crisis that has been threatened by objections from Moscow.

Clinton will meet her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov just one day after he angrily dismissed

suggestions that Moscow backed a transition plan which Western powers said was on the agenda for Saturday's talks in Geneva.

Peace envoy Kofi Annan's proposal would hand power to an interim Syrian team without those "whose continued presence and participation would undermine the credibility of the transition and jeopardise stability and reconciliation".

The wording appears to imply -- without saying so directly -- that Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad would have to relinquish his grip on the presidency for the idea to succeed.

Russia has recently cooled toward Assad while still providing its old ally with weapons and insisting that only the Syrians themselves can find a lasting solution to bloodshed that monitors say has claimed more than 15,000 lives in the nearly 16-month long conflict.

And Lavrov on Thursday rejected the notion that Russia was now ready to accept a prescription for the crisis "dictated from abroad."

"Foreign players should not be dictating their solutions to the Syrians," the Russian diplomat said.

Full report at:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Europe/Clinton-to-press-Russia-on-Syria-before-crunch-talks/Article1-880756.aspx

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Ahmadiyya Muslim Community leader to speak at 64th annual convention

June 29, 2012

By MARY KLAUS

The leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a man as prominent in his religion as the pope is to Roman Catholics, this weekend will address more than 12,000 Muslims in the state Farm Show Complex.

His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad of London, leader of what is billed as the largest following of Muslims in the world, will speak at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s 64th annual convention today through Sunday.

“It is an honour for all Ahmadi Muslims in the United States to have His Holiness visit their country,” said Imam Shamshad of Los Angeles, a convention spokesman. “His presence rejuvenates the spirit of his followers. His teachings are peace, love, harmony, and respect for others.”

Harris Zafar, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA national spokesman, compared the visit to the pope presiding over an American Catholic conference.

He said that the convention will begin at 12:45 p.m. today with a flag hoisting ceremony involving American and Muslim flags. An opening session for men will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:40 p.m.

Full report at:

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/06/ahmadiyya_muslim_community_lea.html

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Europe

 

Black Market for Body Parts Spreads Among the Poor in Europe

By DAN BILEFSKY

June 29, 2012

BELGRADE, Serbia — Pavle Mircov and his partner, Daniella, nervously scan their e-mail in-box every 15 minutes, desperate for economic salvation: a buyer willing to pay nearly $40,000 for one of their kidneys.

The couple, the parents of two teenagers, put their organs up for sale on a local online classified site six months ago after Mr. Mircov, 50, lost his job at a meat factory here. He has not been able to find any work, he said, so he has grown desperate. When his father recently died, Mr. Mircov could not afford a tombstone. The telephone service has been cut off. One meal a day of bread and salami is the family’s only extravagance.

“When you need to put food on the table, selling a kidney doesn’t seem like much of a sacrifice,” Mr. Mircov said.

Facing grinding poverty, some Europeans are seeking to sell their kidneys, lungs, bone marrow or corneas, experts say. This phenomenon is relatively new in Serbia, a nation that has been battered by war and is grappling with the financial crisis that has swept the Continent. The spread of illegal organ sales into Europe, where they are gaining momentum, has been abetted by the Internet, a global shortage of organs for transplants and, in some cases, unscrupulous traffickers ready to exploit the economic misery.

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/world/europe/black-market-for-body-parts-spreads-

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Calls to ban anti-Islam English Defence League march in Bristol

2012/06/28

An MP has called for a march through Bristol by the English Defence League to be banned.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - An MP has called for a march through Bristol by the English Defence League to be banned.

The controversial protest group will congregate in Castle Park on July 14, the same day as Bristol Pride's We Are: Proud lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender event takes place on College Green.

A heavy police presence is guaranteed on the day, with up to 700 officers expected to be on duty to police the events, in an operation costing as much as £1 million.

But Bristol East Labour MP Kerry McCarthy has called for the EDL to be barred from marching that day, saying she fears for public safety. She has written to the city council and Avon and Somerset police saying she is "not satisfied" public order will be maintained after the march.

Ms McCarthy told the Post: "For me, this is not an issue about the freedom to protest but a matter of public safety. The clash of these two quite contradictory events on the same weekend will put our city under enormous pressure and could put public safety at risk. For this reason, I have written to the police and Bristol City Council to express my profound concern and to request that they reconsider their decision to allow the EDL to march on July 14."

Full report at:

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=325315

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Fatwa against Rushdie turned into game to spread message of 'sin'

Jun 29 2012

Tehran : Indian-origin British author Salman Rushdie has now become the subject of an Iranian computer game, which aims to educate the younger generation about the 'sin' committed by him.

The bizarre game, named 'Stressful Life of Salman Rushdie and Implementation of his Verdict', is being developed by the Islamic Association of Students, a government-sponsored organization.

The organisation has announced this week that it had completed the initial phases of production.

Three years ago, the student association and Iran's National Foundation of Computer Games asked students across the country to submit scripts for the game and the top three were handed over to video developers, The Guardian reports.

Rushdie, who was slammed for writing The Satanic Verses, was the target of a notorious Fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic republic of Iran, 23 years ago.

According to the paper, little has been revealed about the game, but its title suggests players will be asked to implement Khomeini's call for assassinating Rushdie.

The director of the students association, Ahmad Khalili, told state-run media that the production of the game was under way despite technical difficulties.

''We usually don't have any problems with initial thoughts and ideas [for a computer games] but when it comes to the actual point of production, we experience delays,'' he said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/968302/

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2 held in UK over terror fears before Olympics

Jun 29, 2012

LONDON: Police on Thursday arrested two men on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks in Britain, less than a month before the opening of the London Olympic Games in the British capital.

Seven years after suicide bombers killed 52 people in a string of coordinated attacks in London, British security forces are on high alert for any signs of trouble ahead of the Games, which start on July 27. London police said the two men, aged 18 and 32, were arrested by officers from its Counter Terrorism Command on suspicion of terrorist-related activity.

"Both (are) in custody at a central London police station ," it said in a statement. Police declined to give further detail. Police and military strategists are gearing up for a range of security threats at the Olympics including bomb explosions, violent protests and attacks using hijacked airliners.

Around 13,500 soldiers are expected to help police during the Games, which run from July 27 to Aug 12. Security is a big worry in Britain, a country with an ethnically diverse population and which backed the US invasion of Iraq.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/2-held-in-UK-over-terror-fears-before-Olympics/articleshow/14484857.cms

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Annan ‘Optimistic’ Over Geneva Talks on Syria

By ELLEN BARRY, NICK CUMMING-BRUCE and RICK GLADSTONE

Jun 29, 2012

MOSCOW — As global powers prepared for an 11th-hour effort to revive the stalled peace effort in Syria, Kofi Annan, the special envoy and mediator who called the meeting, said on Friday he was optimistic that the talks in Geneva would yield an acceptable result despite Russian calls for changes in his settlement ideas.

“I think we are going to have a good meeting” on Saturday, Mr. Annan told Reuters television in Geneva as senior officials held preparatory talks in advance of the weekend encounter of foreign ministers, including Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “I am optimistic.”

The talks would end “with an acceptable result,” he said, despite news reports suggesting that differences between Russia and other Western and Arab nations at the Geneva meeting had raised new obstacles to an agreement.

Mrs. Clinton is set to meet on Friday in St. Petersburg, Russia, with her Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov, The Associated Press reported. Mr. Lavrov said on Thursday that Syria needed a period of political transition but reiterated Moscow’s resistance to any plan being imposed by the international community.

“In order to overcome the Syrian crisis and to finally establish stable rights and norms which satisfy all groups in the Syrian population, it is necessary to have a transitional period, this is obvious,” Mr. Lavrov said at a news conference here in Moscow.

At the meeting in Geneva on Saturday, Mr. Annan, the United Nations and Arab League special envoy, could put forward a proposal for a national unity cabinet that includes opposition figures.

Full report at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/world/europe/annan-hopeful-over-geneva-talks-on-

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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/iran-disbands-wahabi-terrorist-team/d/7779

 

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