Maajid Nawaz of Quilliam Foundation Apologises to Muslims And Asks for Forgiveness
New Age Islam News Bureau
9
Aug 2020
Maajid Nawaz, co-founder of Quilliam
----
• Maajid Nawaz of Quilliam Foundation Apologises to
Muslims And Asks for Forgiveness
• Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation to Invite CM Yogi
Adityanath For Hospital, School, Community Kitchen, Library Foundation
• Uttar Pradesh, Jalesar's Hindu, Muslim Artisans Cast
2.1-Tonne Brass Bell for Ram Temple in Ayodhya
• Saba Qamar, Bilal Saeed’s Video in Wazir Khan Mosque
Draws People’s Ire
• Faith Leaders from Across the World Unite to Condemn
China's Brutal Repression of Its Uighur Muslim Minority
• Ansarullah Leader Congratulates Arab, Islamic Nation
on Eid Al-Ghadir
• Sympathy of People of World with Lebanese Led to Humiliation
of Zionists
• Christchurch Mosque Attack: Foreign Media Told to
Obey Rules
Europe
• Maajid Nawaz of Quilliam Foundation Apologises to
Muslims And Asks for Forgiveness
• Wrestler Muslim Evloyev not found among militants
killed in Ingushetia
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India
• Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation to Invite CM Yogi
Adityanath For Hospital, School, Community Kitchen, Library Foundation
• Uttar Pradesh, Jalesar's Hindu, Muslim Artisans Cast
2.1-Tonne Brass Bell for Ram Temple in Ayodhya
• Rajasthan: 2 Arrested for Thrashing, Forcing Muslim
Auto Driver to Chant 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Modi Zindabad' In Sikar
• Muharram mourning processions not to be held in
Kashmir
• How can temple be erected over mosque, asks Bengal
minister amid CM Mamata's silence
• Bengal Muslims perform last rites of Hindu neighbour
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Pakistan
• Saba Qamar, Bilal Saeed’s Video in Wazir Khan Mosque
Draws People’s Ire
• Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Shoots Down Muslim
League Reunification Talk
• Who Is Upset with Islamic Content Of Single National
Curriculum?
• Lawmakers Say Voted For Tahaffuz-e-Bunyad-e-Islam
Bill ‘Without Reading Document’
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South Asia
• Faith Leaders from Across the World Unite to Condemn
China's Brutal Repression of Its Uighur Muslim Minority
• Bangladesh: How 90 Indigenous Villages In Sylhet
Region Keep Coronavirus At Bay
• Intra-Afghan Dialogue to Kick-Off Soon In Doha As
Loya Jirga Agrees To Release Another 400 Taliban Prisoners
• Afghan forces suffer heavy casualties in Ghazni city
car bomb attack
• members of a single-family wounded in Taliban mortar
attack in East of Afghanistan
--------
Mideast
• Ansarullah Leader Congratulates Arab, Islamic Nation
on Eid Al-Ghadir
• Cleric urges Muslims to stick to infallible Imams' guidance
• Iran's President felicitates Eid al-Ghadeer to grand
Ayatollahs
• Calls for Realization of Unity among Muslim Leaders
• US responsible for terrorist crimes of Tondar group
in Iran: Envoy to UN
• IRGC Quds Force arrests perpetrator of sound bomb blast
in Iran's Sistan & Baluchestan
-------
Arab world
• Sympathy of People of World with Lebanese Led to
Humiliation of Zionists
• An American National accepts Islam at the hands
Sheikh Al-Sudais
• Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia Starts Third Phase Of
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial
• UAE Continues Providing Aid to Victims of Beirut
Port Explosion
• Saudi Ophthalmology 2020 Virtual Symposium Concludes
Its Sessions
• Egypt Dispatches Second Airlift Plane to Lebanon to
Face Beirut Port Explosion Circumstances
• Saudi aid plane arrives in Beirut
• Saudi artist reimagines Jeddah through ’80s pop art
-------
New Zealand
• Christchurch Mosque Attack: Foreign Media Told to
Obey Rules
--------
North America
• World Leaders Holding Lebanon Aid Summit After Night
of Unrest In Beirut
• Commission rules in favour of 2 Muslim students who
wanted prayer at private school
• Alberta Muslim group collects donations for victims
of Beirut explosion
• An attack on an imam fractured his shoulder and terrified
the Muslim community in Bloomington.
--------
Africa
• Chad Says Boko Haram Wreaking Havoc Despite
Offensive
• Biafra group warns Miyetti Allah against operating
security outfit in South-east, South-south
• Zimbabwe activists decry 'unprecedented clampdown'
after arrests
-------
Southeast Asia
• Anak Mindanao, Zambo Lawyers, Artist and Imam File
Third Petition From Mindanao Vs Anti-Terror Act
• Hamzah Zainudin: Sabah governor will not abuse
position over political crisis
• New party will only divide Malays further, says Rais
Yatim
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL; https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/maajid-nawaz-quilliam-foundation-apologises/d/122584
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Maajid Nawaz of Quilliam Foundation Apologises to
Muslims And Asks for Forgiveness
07-08-2020
Maajid Nawaz, co-founder of Quilliam
----
In a long statement on Facebook, Nawaz said his
awakening over the situation of the Uyghurs had profoundly shocked him and had
promoted a change of heart.
For over a decade Nawaz and his Quilliam Foundation
have been widely criticised by Muslim organisations for targeting the community
and putting the emphasis on extremism among Muslims.
On the other hand, Quilliam describes itself as the
world’s first counter-extremism organisation which challenges extremism to
foster a shared sense of belonging and to advance liberal democratic values.
In his Facebook apology, Nawaz said: “My dearest
Muslim Ummah, this is my apology to you all… I am sorry to all of my family,
former family and in-laws, Muslim friends and allies, and to my sincere and
genuine shuyukh in and out of Egypt…
“This is because I have neglected so many of you. From
now on, I will strive to the best of my ability to protect you and serve you. I
am sorry for any previous harsh words and for all previous errors. Please
forgive me.
“The genocide against our Uyghur Ummah has shocked me.
It has shaken me out of my previous state of misguidance and ignorance. After
the genocide of Bosnia that I watched in horror as a teenager, for another
genocide against Muslims to go ignored by the world in my lifetime has sparked
a fire in me that only those formerly close to me have ever witnessed, except
this time my fire is fuelled by love, not revenge.
“My vengeful path took me 15 years, with a 5 year
illegal term in an Egyptian prison during the War on Terror. The anger
exhausted me, because those who knew me saw that I gave it my all. After that
journey ended – rightfully so – in failure, I became the one in need of love
for the next decade. It is during this period that I failed some of you. It has
taken me this long to recover from the cumulative trauma growing up as a British
Muslim-minority community in Essex subjected to racist abuse as children, as
teenagers, and then of course later with my fellow call-mates in Egypt, where
we witnessed torture in jail.”
“My beloved family, friends and fellow Muslims in and
out of jail. We have seen too much in life. We have suffered too much. We all
have. I have no more room left for hate. I no longer feel any pain. I am a
seeker of love.
“I forgive any of you who have previously unjustly
harmed me. I also beseech your forgiveness for unjustly harming any of you. Our
Uyghur Ummah needs us now. Do not let your anger at me or each other confuse us
and divide us against an evil that hates us all equally. An evil that spies on
our Uyghur Ummah with the One Eye of technology in order to enslave them, for
human greed and consumption.”
5Pillars editor Roshan Muhammed Salih said: “Just saw
this rambling ‘apology’ to Muslims from Maajid Nawaz. I’m afraid it will take
more than words after all these years he has targeted us. We need action – the
immediate dissolution of Quilliam and a long period of silence on all forms of
media would be a start.”
Mohammed Shafiq from the Ramadan Foundation said:
“When you talk about #Uighurs but choose to ignore the Palestinians and the
Kashmiri people then we know your tears and forgiveness are a con.”
@SahidaRiaz said: “How did Maajid Nawaz manage to make
the oppression of the Uighur Muslims all about himself? I’d like to also know
his opinion on Israeli organ harvesting and child killings, before making a
judgment.”
And @RepiakaMoni said: “Just seen #MaajidNawaz’s pleas
to the Muslim ummah. Does this plea mean that he is no longer trying to reform
Islam & accepts its perfectness? What is his reason for this plea? He seems
crazed to want recognition from Muslims now?”
https://5pillarsuk.com/2020/08/07/maajid-nawaz-apologises-to-muslims-and-asks-for-forgiveness/
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Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation to Invite CM Yogi
Adityanath For Hospital, School , Community Kitchen, Library Foundation
Aug 9, 2020
Uttar
Pradesh CM, Yogi Adityanath
-----
AYODHYA: The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation, the
Trust constituted by Sunni Waqf Board for construction of an alternate mosque
in Ayodhya in lieu of Babri Masjid, has decided to invite Uttar Pradesh chief
minister Yogi Adityanath for inaugurating the hospital, school, community
kitchen, library and other public utility facilities on the 5acre mosque
complex. The Trust, however, made it clear there would be no foundation laying
ceremony for the mosque. This comes just 48 hours after Yogi parried questions
from the media on participating in the mosque event, saying — Do you think I
will be invited?
Confirming the decision to invite the chief minister
to the mosque site at Dhannipur village, secretary of the Trust, Athar Hussain,
told TOI “there’s no provision for laying a foundation stone for a mosque in
the four schools of thought in Islam — Hanafi, Hanbali, Shafi and Maliki.”
“A hospital, library, community kitchen and a research
centre will also be built on the 5acre land in Dhannipur village, allotted for
construction of a mosque on Supreme Court's directive. These are public utility
projects and we will invite the CM to lay the foundation of these buildings,”
said Athar Hussain. He said, the chief minister will not only participate in
the programme, but also assist in construction of these public facilities.
Talking about the name of the proposed mosque, Hussain
said, the name is yet to be decided. “For Allah, namaz is important, not the
name of the mosque.” But, he clarified the mosque won’t be named after Mughal
emperor Babar.
Imran Ahmad, member of the trust, said, “Ayodhya
district magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha has formally given possession of the land to
the mosque trust. We have got a certified copy of the revenue record."
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/mosque-trust-to-invite-yogi-for-hosp-school-foundation/articleshowprint/77439064.cms
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Uttar Pradesh, Jalesar's Hindu, Muslim Artisans Cast
2.1-Tonne Brass Bell for Ram Temple in Ayodhya
09th August 2020
Craftsman
Dau Dayal works on a bell, weighing 2,100 kilograms, designed and crafted by --
Iqbal Mistri
------
JALESAR: Dau Dayal has been making bells of varied
shapes and sizes for more than 30 years, but what he and his team have pulled
off this time has surprised everyone in Uttar Pradesh's Jalesar town -- a bell
weighing 2,100 kg for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
"When you work on a bell of this size, the
difficulty levels increase manifold," Dayal, 50, a fourth-generation bell
maker, says.
"It's really hard to ensure you don't make a
single mistake in the months-long process. What excited us was that we were making
it for the Ram temple, but fear of failure also remained at the back of our
mind," he says.
The whole effort goes to waste even if there is a
delay of five seconds in pouring the molten metal into the mold, according to
Mistri.
"What's unique about it is that it is just a
piece, from top to bottom. It doesn't have multiple pieces welded together.
This is what made the task much more difficult," the 56-year-old says,
reveling in his achievement. The bell is not just brass but made of "ashtadhatu",
a combination of eight metals -- gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, iron
and mercury.
"This piece, which is one of the largest bells in
India, will be donated to the Ram temple," says Vikas Mittal, the chairman
of Jalesar municipal council in Etah district and the owner of the workshop
where the bell has been manufactured.
The Mittals got the order to prepare a 2,100-kg bell
from the Nirmohi Akhara -- a litigant in the Ayodhya title dispute --
immediately after the matter was decided last November, paving way for the
construction of the temple.
"We believe there is some divine reason that this
work came to us. So, we decided why don't we donate it to the temple,"
says Aaditya Mittal, the chairman's brother, adding that it cost them Rs 21
lakh.
The casting of a bell involves multiple, lengthy steps
-- determining the shape and measurement painstakingly, cutting out wooden
templates to make the mold, preparing metal, tuning, grinding, and fitting the
clapper.
A crane was used to pour the alloy into the mold. A
team of around 25 workers, Hindus and Muslims both, worked for a month, eight
hours a day, to make what could be "among the largest bells" in the
country. Before this, Dayal had cast a 101-kg bell that is being used at the
Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand.
"This is the largest and the heaviest bell we
have worked on so far. We had also cast a 1,000-kg bell for Mahakaleshwar
Temple in Ujjain," he says, as he prepared material to cast a regular
six-inch bell used in temples and schools.
The Mittals had also presented a 51-kg bell to Yogi
Adityanath, when he came to Etah to address his first public meeting after
becoming the chief minister, according to the family.
It aims to encourage indigenous and specialized
products and crafts in the state that are found nowhere else -- like the
ancient and nutritious 'Kala namak' rice, wheat-stalk craft, and chikankari and
zari-zardozi work on clothes.
The bells cast in this soil ring better. The sound of
the bell, prepared for the Ram temple, can be heard up to 15 kilometers, he
claims.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/aug/09/jalesars-hindu-muslim-artisans-cast-21-tonne-brass-bell-for-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-2181146.html
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Saba Qamar, Bilal Saeed’s Video in Wazir Khan Mosque
Draws People’s Ire
BY SHAHAB OMER
09-08-2020
Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed at Masjid Wazir Khan
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LAHORE: A video of song and dances of actress Saba Qamar and singer Bilal Saeed in the historic mosque ‘Masjid Wazir Khan’ in the provincial capital under the administration of the Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs department went viral on social media, which has drawn strong reactions from social and religious circles, Pakistan Today has learnt.
An official of the department, speaking on condition
of anonymity, said that a production house had been given permission for the
shooting in the mosque by the Assistant Director Tableegh e Tarbiyyat but the
higher ups of the department were kept unaware of the shooting of the dance.
However, the assistant director claimed that he had given permission for the
Nikah scene.
The official added that when the dance shooting
started, the mosque administration should have stopped it as such activities
are not allowed in mosques.
He said that the shooting took place in the main
chambers of Wazir Khan Mosque and complaints of dancing and singing in the mosques
under Auqaf department have been received in the past as well.
The official believed that if the video had not been
uploaded on Tik Tok by Saba Qamar, perhaps no one would have known about the
incident. However, a departmental inquiry has been initiated by the Director
General Religious Affairs and Secretary of the department against the
production house and those responsible.
The official added that in the past, a ban was imposed
in Badshahi Mosque because the department received complaints of dance and
inappropriate photography there, but now the ban has been relaxed again.
According to the official, due to the historical
status and beauty of Wazir Khan Mosque, many people used to come here for
Nikkah ceremonies but the mosque administration was also strictly instructed by
the department not to allow inappropriate photography within the premises of
the mosque.
He informed that there was a proper procedure to grant
permission before even the routine photography of the mosque and no doubt the
said shooting took place with the consent of the mosque administration.
However, social media users also reacted strongly to
the video going viral and demanded action against the concerned officials and
said that immediate action should be taken against those who violated the
sanctity of religious places of worship.
Speaking to Pakistan Today, Secretary Auqaf Dr. Irshad
Ahmed said that a departmental inquiry has been initiated against the incident
and strict action would be taken against those responsible.
Provincial Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs
Syed Saeed Al Hassan Shah told Pakistan Today that they had taken notice of the
video. “The department has ordered the suspension of the responsible officials.
The report will be submitted in 3 days after the inquiry. Such irresponsible
incidents will not be tolerated at all. The sanctity of mosques, holy places of
worship will be maintained.”
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/08/08/saba-qaram-bilal-saeeds-video-in-wazir-khan-mosque-goes-viral/
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Faith leaders from across the world unite to condemn
China's brutal repression of its Uighur Muslim minority
9 August 2020
Religious leaders from across the world have united to
condemn China’s brutal repression of its Uighur Muslim minority.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is
among a more than 40-strong group demanding a halt to what they called ‘one of
the most egregious human tragedies since the Holocaust: the potential genocide
of the Uighurs and other Muslims in China’.
Rabbi Julia Neuberger and the representative of the
Dalai Lama in Europe also lent their weight to a joint statement last night
that condemned the communist regime in Beijing, asserting that ‘the clear aim
of the Chinese authorities is to eradicate the Uighur identity’.
They add: ‘At least one million Uighur and other
Muslims in China are incarcerated in prison camps facing starvation, torture,
murder, sexual violence, slave labour and forced organ extraction.
'Mosques are destroyed, children are separated from
their families, and acts as simple as owning a Koran, praying or fasting can
result in arrest.’
China’s hardline president Xi Xinping ramped up
repression on the pretext of combating terrorism after taking power in 2012.
Despite strong evidence that up to a million Uighurs
have been held in detention camps over recent years, the Chinese government has
described such claims as baseless.
An academic report in June claimed Beijing had waged a
campaign of forced sterilisation or birth control against Uighur women of child-bearing
age, prompting calls for the UN to launch an investigation.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab last month accused
China of ‘gross and egregious’ human rights abuses against the Muslim group and
refused to rule out sanctions against Beijing.
But the coalition of religious heads accused world
leaders of failing to act and concluded: ‘After the Holocaust, the world said
“Never again.” Today, we repeat those words all over again.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8608361/Faith-leaders-world-unite-condemn-Chinas-brutal-repression-Uighur-Muslim-minority.html
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Ansarullah leader congratulates Arab, Islamic nation
on Eid al-Ghadir
August 9, 2020
Leader of the Yemeni Revolution Sayyed Abdulmalik Badr
Al-Din al-Houthi on Saturday congratulated the Arab and Islamic nation on the
occasion of the Wilayat Day, which falls on the eighteenth of Thu al-Hijjah
every year.
This came in his televised speech aired by Al-Masirah
TV channel on Saturday afternoon, on the occasion of Al-Ghadeer Day (Wilayat
Day), in which he indicated that the Yemeni people celebrated this occasion
every year as part of their religious heritage that they preserved it through
generations.
Sayyed Abdulmalik emphasized that the principle of
Wilayat (guardianship) is what guarantees the continuity of the divine path and
bridges the gap in front of the nation’s enemies.
He made it clear that the perfection of religion and
the fullness of grace was the one that ensured the continuity of the divine
approach, not from the position of the prophecy, but from the position of the
guardianship.
In his speech, Sayyed Abdulmalik pointed out that the
state of deficiency and distortion led some of the nation sons to turn to the
Jews and Christians to solve their problems, and they gave America the tutelage
over them.
https://en.abna24.com/news//ansarullah-leader-congratulates-arab-islamic-nation-on-eid-al-ghadir_1061120.html
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Sympathy of people of world with Lebanese led to
humiliation of Zionists
August 9, 2020
A senior Iraqi source of emulation said, “Some Western
politicians are politically blind and don’t see anything in the world other than the usurping Zionist regime
and they want all countries to be subjected to that regime.”
In a speech on the Beirut bombing, Ayatollah Sayyed
Muhammad-Taqi al-Modaressi, a senior Najaf-based Iraqi source of emulation, said, “What is happening in in
terms of successive conflicts and incidents in [the Western Asia] region is a struggle between Satanic
powers and humankind, between those who try to return the people to humiliation and dependence on
them and between those who follow the guardianship of God. Those who are not satisfied except with the
independence and sovereignty of their country.”
He added, “What is happening concerning the conflicts
and wars in our region is due to the commands and dictates of these Satanic powers and those who don’t
want establishment and security for the country and lure their agents into creating wars and chaos.”
Ayatollah al-Modarresi said, “Some Western politicians
are politically blind and don’t see anything in the world other than the usurping Zionist regime and they
want all countries to be subjected to that regime. Therefore, the pressures imposed on Lebanon are
following such a policy, which is the policy of the house of obedience that means subjugating all countries and
they follow this strategy in every ugly manner.”
His Eminence noted, “What happened in Lebanon was a
great explosion that left thousands of victims and resulted in the destruction of large parts of the city
of Beirut. Far from it being intentional or inadvertent, it must be said that it was an extremely great incident,
and those who are responsible for its occurrence must receive their just punishment in this material world,
otherwise God will punish them for their actions.”
Referring to the level of international sympathy with
the Lebanese people, he added, “These expressions of sympathy demonstrate the position of Lebanon among the
nations of the world who persuaded their governments to express their sympathy with Lebanon.”
In the end, Ayatollah al-Modarresi said, “In this
atmosphere full of empathy and emotion, some of the harpoons of Satanic powers have shown rejoiced
maliciously at the Lebanese people’s sorrow, even more so than the Zionists. However, the sympathy of the
people of the world with the Lebanese people led to humiliation of the Zionists. It should be known that
the Lebanese people are healing the wounds and overcoming the challenges, rebuilding their country,
and the gatherings of evil are turning and hatred and enmity are returning to them and the people of the
this valuable region are paying for their independence and dignity and its value is in the hands of God, as
God has promised, ‘Whoever takes for his guardians God, His Apostle and the faithful [should know that]
the confederates of God are indeed the victorious.’” [Holy Quran 5:56]
On the evening of August 4th, a series of explosions
occurred in the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. The extremely powerful main blast, at the Port of
Beirut, which was preceded by a fire, left at least 154 people dead least 80 more missing, and more than 5,000
injured. Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud estimated that up to 300,000 people were left homeless
by the explosion. The government declared a two-week state of emergency.
The explosion was linked to about 2,750 tonnes (3,030
short tons) of ammonium nitrate, equivalent to around 1,155 tonnes of TNT (4,830 gigajoules) that had
been confiscated by the government from the abandoned ship MV Rhosus and stored in the port
without proper safety measures for six years.
https://en.abna24.com/news//sympathy-of-people-of-world-with-lebanese-led-to-humiliation-of-zionists_1061108.html
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Christchurch mosque attack: Foreign media told to obey
rules
08/08/2020
A senior journalism lecturer is urging the foreign
media to respect strict reporting restrictions for the sentencing of the gunman
who carried out the Christchurch mosques' attacks.
Eighteen overseas and 11 New Zealand news
organisations plan to cover the sentencing which cannot be reported live, and
only under daily embargoes.
Justice Cameron Mander notified media this week that
live reporting of the sentencing hearing was banned with coverage of the
hearing embargoed until the midday and end-of-day adjournments during what was
set down to be a multi-day hearing.
Massey University journalism lecturer Dr Cathy Strong
said it was harsh but necessary censorship, and hoped foreign media would
respect New Zealand's attempts at forging social justice.
"We're in an unprecedented era here and we've
seen overseas how mass shootings have been an epidemic and someone has to do
something to stop it and this is one step. It's unprecedented but it may need
to be done."
Dr Strong said it remained a concern, particularly
because of the speed in which news was distributed online, but she hoped
methods by which reporters could cover the sentencing remotely might prevent
rule breaches.
The court had made provision for overseas media and
victims and their families who could not enter New Zealand due to the COVID-19
pandemic to view the hearing remotely.
"My real worry is the overseas media and I urge
them not to be crass, and respect that we're trying to forge a new step in
trying to cull mass shootings, because we know that it becomes what's known as
'dark fame' - some people, that's what they want even after they die - they
want to be known for being a mass shooter and worse than anyone else."
Dr Strong assumed overseas reporters would have to
register with the court to get access to the online link, which even though it
was an agreement, would be hard to police.
"Once it's out, there's no jurisdiction but a
really high ethical one throughout the world for journalism is that if you
agree to certain regulations to get information, that you agree to the
conditions around that."
She said while mainstream media largely respected the
rules, once information broke through the barricade and reached social media
platforms, then a freefall occurred.
"Yes, that's true, so it really comes down to who
is going to get that link and there are ways of controlling that and you'd have
to be pretty amateur in this day and age not to know the restrictions you can
place on something like Zoom and who can connect to it - and that would be
those who agree to the conditions."
Dr Strong said some mainstream media were so eager to
get a "scoop" they would risk violating ethical standards but she
hoped they would not do that in this case.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/christchurch-mosque-attack-foreign-media-told-to-obey-rules.html
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Europe
Wrestler Muslim Evloyev not found among militants
killed in Ingushetia
08 August 2020
All the militants killed during a counter-terrorist
operation in Nazran (Ingushetia) have been identified; a wrestler Muslim
Evloyev is not among them. TASS reports with reference to a source in the law
enforcement agencies of the republic.
According to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee,
during the counter-terrorist operation in Nazran and Malgobek district of
Ingushetia, the security forces have liquidated two bandits, one was detained.
They intended to commit several terrorist crimes in the republic.
As a law enforcement source previously reported, a
native of the region Muslim Evloyev, who represented the national freestyle
wrestling team of Kyrgyzstan, could be among the killed.
According to the source of the media outlet, Muslim
Evloyev, according to preliminary data, fled. His relative was detained.
The source noted that the special operation was
carried out as part of a criminal investigation into the murder of an officer
of the National Guard of Russia last week.
https://24.kg/english/161962_Wrestler_Muslim_Evloyev_not_found_among_militants_killed_in_Ingushetia/
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India
Rajasthan: 2 arrested for thrashing, forcing Muslim
auto driver to chant 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Modi Zindabad' in Sikar
August 8, 2020
In Rajasthan's Sikar, an autorickshaw driver was
allegedly thrashed and made to chant "Modi Zindabad" and "Jai
Shri Ram" on Friday.
The driver, 52-year-old Ghaffar Ahmed has registered a
complaint in this regard at the Sadar police station in Sikar.
According to his complaint, Ghaffar, who works as an
autorickshaw driver was ferrying passengers from Sikar's Kalyan Circle area to
Jigri Chhoti village on Friday. Upon his return, he was stopped by miscreants
who disembarked from a Mahindra Bolero pick-up. They then allegedly assaulted
Ghaffar Ahmed and forced him to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and "Modi
Zindabad" as per his statement to the police.
In fact, Ghaffar has also accused the miscreants of
yanking his beard and attempting to flee with his autorickshaw.
"I was returning after dropping (passengers) to
Chotti Jigar. On the way, people in the pick-up stopped me. I stopped. He
(miscreant) said listen to me. The other one said say Modi Zindabad and slapped
me. Then said say Jai Shri Ram. I started my autorickshaw and sped away. There
is a wheat godown ahead. The vehicle was brought ahead of the wheat godown and
stopped in front of me and (miscreants) began assaulting me and I became
unconscious," Ghaffar Ahmed told the police in his complaint.
"I have a head injury and have sustained an injury
on the waist as well. I was assaulted all over with legs and fists," Ahmed
added.
After the assault, Ghaffar managed to reach Sikar city
where he narrated his ordeal before the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
leader Qayoom Qureshi and Congress Councillor Sajaauddin.
Accompanied by the two, Ghaffar Ahmed went to the
Sadar police station late in the night where he registered his complaint. The
police filed an FIR and arrested two accused on the basis of a preliminary
probe.
The two suspects have been identified as Rajendra and
Shambhu Dayal, citizens of Jagdalpur and Jigar Chhoti respectively. They also
have several cases of physical assault, robbery and SC/ST (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act registered against them. Police say the Bolero pick-up allegedly
used by the accused has also been confiscated.
"Ghaffar Ahmed, an auto driver, who took
passengers from Kalyan Circle, was returning after dropping passengers. On the
way, two people sitting in camper made him stop and asked him for Zarda. Then,
they had an altercation. They were miscreants. After the FIR was registered,
within six hours, they were arrested and the camper vehicle used by them was
confiscated, "Pushpendra Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sadar
police station in Rajasthan's Sikar said.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/two-arrested-for-thrashing-forcing-auto-driver-to-chant-jai-shri-ram-modi-zindabad-in-rajasthan-s-sikar-1709246-2020-08-08
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Muharram mourning processions not to be held in
Kashmir
August 9, 2020
The President of All Jammu and Kashmir Shia
Association (AJKSA), taking into account that the recent Fatwas by noted
Islamic scholars and consultations with Ulemas, decided not to conduct any
mourning Majalis or procession under its banner in the lunar Hijri month of
Muharram amidst COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement issued to KNS, Maulana Imran Reza
Ansari, the President of AJKSA, said that the decision was taken keeping into
consideration the fatwas of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani and
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei to contain the spread of the
coronavirus.
Invoking verses of Quran, Mr Ansari said that Allah
says in the Holy Quran that, “So ask the people of the reminder if you do not
know"
“In the Quran, it is written that if you do not know
anything you should go to the people of reminders or people of the Book. These
people are scholars, scientists, doctors, administrators and frontline
workers,” Ansari said.
He said that Muharram is approaching and as we know
traditional commemoration of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) involves
congregations of varying size.
“Because of a high risk of these congregations
becoming super spreading events our respected Marja’s have also very wisely
informed the people to strictly follow SOP where ever needed and further
decided to refer the matter to experts and asked the people to follow the
advice of experts,” he added.
Therefore, after consultations with medical experts,
Ansari said that they have come to the conclusion that all congregations
whether they are small congregations at home (Majlis) and large congregations
as processions should be cancelled.
“As advised by our Maraja (sources of emulation),
Majalis and lectures can be held without risk by taking advantage of the modern
modes of communication like the internet, TV, social media. In fact, most of
our Majalis are already being broadcast live on these media outlets or uploaded
for later viewing,” Ansari said.
He said that the respected scholars, orators,
zakireen, can continue to do so with the only difference being that they have
to do it from their homes or wherever they want while the people participate
virtually rather than physically.
He said that they understand that it is a very
sensitive and emotional issue but they believe that health and the lives of
Azadars (mourners) take precedence over everything.
“We have to behave responsibly as a community
hopefully our respected religious leaders will consider these recommendations
and base their decisions on them,” he said.
The pandemic has already infected nearly 20 million
people and led to about 800,000 deaths. India at present averages nearly 50,000
cases per day.
The pandemic has taken hold in Kashmir also and with
an average recording about 500 cases/day with experts predicting that things are
going to be much worse in coming times.
https://en.abna24.com/news//muharram-mourning-processions-not-to-be-held-in-kashmir_1061128.html
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How can temple be erected over mosque, asks Bengal
minister amid CM Mamata's silence
August 8, 2020
While the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has maintained
silence on the issue, a minister in West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's cabinet
has spoken out against the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Siddiqullah Chowdhury, Bengal's Minister of State with
independent charge for Mass Education Extension and Library Services while
calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to attend the bhoomi pujan a
"mistake" said, "It would be wrong for me not to speak
out."
"How can a temple be erected over a mosque?"
Chowdhury asked in a video message on behalf of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, the
Bengal unit that he heads in the state.
Chowdhury went further to state, "We are holding
on to our patience, it is Allah's mosque; it shall remain so till eternity. It
does not matter if a temple is built and PM goes and lays its first stone. No
matter what, the whole world knows it is a mosque."
Accusing the BJP of trying to provoke Indian Muslims,
Siddiqullah Chowdhury said, "BJP and RSS must be thinking why Muslims are
not out on the streets, but Indian Muslims believe in the rule of law, Indian
constitution, democracy and national unity. They don't indulge in hate. Those
that have done this are trying to divide the country using hate."
"Some think resorting to force will lead to victory
and therefore such attempts at forcibly erecting a temple where the mosque was
pulled down. Islam is a religion of peace, love, discipline and forgiveness.
But people should not think we are weak. We are holding our patience," the
Bengal minister added.
Commenting on the Supreme Court's landmark judgment
that paved the way for the construction of a temple on the once-disputed site
in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, Siddiqullah Chowdhury said, "We did not get
justice, we have been subjected to injustice. The PM has committed a
mistake."
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/how-can-temple-be-erected-over-mosque-asks-bengal-minister-amid-cm-mamata-s-silence-1709208-2020-08-08
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Bengal Muslims perform last rites of Hindu neighbour
08th August 2020
KOLKATA: In an example of communal harmony and
humanity, Muslim neighbours of a Hindu man helped perform his last rites in
Jhargram district of West Bengal on Thursday. The 62-year-old man died after
suffering a cardiac arrest shortly after being refused treatment by a doctor at
the local health centre as he had not gone through a Covid-19 test. From
gathering wood for the funeral to carrying the body to the crematorium, the
neighbours helped his family perform all rituals.
Jugal Das was taken to Binpur rural hospital on
Thursday morning after complaining of chest pain. “There was a lady doctor at
the healthcare centre. We told her that my father had fever five days ago. She
refused to examine my father and asked us to conduct Covid-19 test first and
come only if he tests negative. We had to return home. In the afternoon, he
complained of severe chest pain and died,” said Sujit, Jugal’s son.
As the news of his death spread, Jugal’s neighbours
arrived at his house to help the family.
“In our village, there are about 300 Muslims families
and 10 Hindu households. I will never forget what they did for us when an
educated doctor refused to treat my father,” said Sujit. “We always come
forward whenever anyone is in distress. When Jugal was admitted to SSKM Hospital
in Kolkata in 2009, I spent three nights at the hospital,” Sheikh Kader, one of
Jugal’s neighbours, said. Sheikh Siddiqui said he and others of his community
collected wood, bought clothes and other items for Jugal’s last rites.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2020/aug/08/bengal-muslims-perform-last-rites-of-hindu-neighbour-2180608.html
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Pakistan
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Shoots Down Muslim League
Reunification Talk
Khalid Qayyum
August 09, 2020
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has refused to be part of
any proposed alliance between all Muslim League factions, dealing a blow to
proponents of unifying all parties using the Muslim League name.
According to sources privy to developments, the idea
of an alliance that leading to possible reunification has resurfaced among
Muslim League parties some believe to be ‘pro-establishment’, such as
PML-Quaid, PML-Functional and Awami Muslim League (AML). They claim the
proposal has even caught the attention certain PML-N members who too are seen
as close to the establishment.
“A unified Muslim League can make a stronger bid for
power in the 2023 general elections,” one insider said. “If the PML-N agrees,
it could use PML-Q to bolster its influence in Punjab and PML-F to increase its
presence in Sindh,” he insisted. “A reunification could prop Muslim League as a
‘national party’ and remove any obstacles in the way being a real contender in
the next elections.”
PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah, however, shot
down the possibility of allying with other Muslim League factions. “We have not
even spared a thought on this. This topic has not been discussed at any level
within our party,” he maintained. “This is an old dream of the establishment
and it will never come true.”
The PML-N leader also rubbished suggestions of a PML-N
sans Nawaz Sharif. “Such efforts are destined to fail,” he said. “The vote bank
that belongs to PML-N belongs to Nawaz Sharif.”
Asked what he thought of a Muslim League alliance
without PML-N, Sanaullah said his party had no qualms. “They can come together
if they like. We neither recognise them as Muslim League nor do we see them as
a threat,” he said.
PML-N Punjab chief, however, had a word of caution for
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. “This alliance or reunification talk is a message to
Imran Khan and company. They are no longer needed and efforts are on to find
their replacement,” he said.
On the other hand, PML-F Secretary General Muhammad
Ali Durrani said consensus of the security and economic challenges plaguing Pakistan
would only be possible through a national party. “If the Muslim League factions
ally with each other, they would easily form a strong national party,” he said.
On being perceived as a ‘pro-establishment’ party, Durrani said, “the Muslim
League has been always been pro-Pakistan.”
The idea of bringing parties operation under the
Muslim League is not a new one. According to sources, between 2008 and 2013,
Nawaz Sharif and PML-Q’s Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had almost agreed to form an
alliance but the move fell through following concerns raised by Shahbaz Sharif
Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2258674/pml-n-shoots-down-muslim-league-reunification-talk
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Who Is Upset with Islamic Content Of Single National
Curriculum?
Ansar Abbasi
August 9, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The PTI government is informed about a
vicious propaganda unleashed by certain elements, who are upset with the
Islamic content being introduced in the Single National Curriculum (SNC) with
the consensus of Centre and provinces.
Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood and the ministry’s
top officials have been informed of this campaign, which the government sources
said, is based on false perceptions and is aimed at targeting the Islamic
content included in the curriculum.
The development of SNC is driven by the key
considerations like teachings of Quran and Sunnah, constitutional framework,
vision of Quaid and Iqbal, focus on values, life skills-based and inclusive
education, respect and appreciation for different cultures and religions in
local and global context, focus on project, inquiry and activity-based
learning, development of 21st century skills including analytical, critical and
creative thinking.
The SNC is being developed by the National Curriculum
Council (NCC), Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in
consultation and collaboration with education departments of all federating
units of the country.
The ministry sources said that of late a campaign,
based on false perception, has been launched against the SNC. Those leading the
campaign are mainly targeting the Islamic content included in the curriculum.
Regarding the propaganda against Islamiat curriculum,
the government sources provided The News with facts which are being distorted
by the vested interest elements.
It is explained that Islamiat is now a separate
subject from grade 1 onwards. Previously for grade 1 and 2, it was part of the
integrated curriculum of General Knowledge.
The Islamiat curriculum has been revised by both the
representatives of the federating units as well as representatives of Ittehad
Tanzimat-e-Madaris Pakistan. It is said that there were no standards and
student learning objectives (SLOs) in the previous curriculum 2006. Now, these
have been added in the SNC along with their definition.
According to “Compulsory Teaching of the Holy Quran
Act 2017” the SLOs have been added in the Islamiat curriculum. In addition to
Nazra Quran, a framework for reading of 200 Ahadith from I-XII has been added.
The new curriculum includes an addition of two
strands; “Husn-e-Muamlat o Muashrat” and “Islami Taleemat aur Dour-e-Hazir ke
Taqazay”. For primary classes, SLOs have been developed keeping in view higher
order thinking besides adding instructions for teachers, textbook authors and
assessment experts.
These sources shared the following myths and realities
about SNC Islamiat.
Myth: Single National Curriculum Islamiat will
over-burden the students?
Reality: a) In National Curriculum 2006, Islamiat
curriculum was based on merely themes. In that curriculum, the textbook authors
were able to interpret the topics as per their own understanding. In SNC
Islamiat, standards, benchmarks and students' learning outcomes have been
included. It will ensure no misinterpretation on the part of given themes from
any author. Overall workload is more or less the same.
b) The portion of Nazra Quran has been added in the
curriculum in pursuance of “Teaching of Holy Quran Act 2017”. Duration of
completing the Holy Quran is according to the Act and not an addition to the
Single National Curriculum.
c) The framework for learning Hadith is only 18 hadith
from grade 1 to 5. These are very short and easy to understand Ahadith on
values such as honesty, cleanliness, purity of intention, avoiding backbiting,
using soft language, good behaviour with neighbours and other such values.
Myth: With the implementation of Single National
Curriculum (Islamiat), public schools will be flooded with Madaris graduates?
Reality: Though there is no harm in giving employment
to Madaris graduates in contemporary education institutions, it is a totally
baseless claim. Certain activities have been given keeping in view the
resources of different institutions. For teaching the Holy Quran with proper
Tajweed, it has been suggested that a Qari may be arranged or alternatively,
recording of recitation from any known Qari may be given. It shows that it is
not compulsory for any school to arrange a Qari but they may also go for
alternative of using recording of recitation.
Myth: Single National Curriculum has nothing for
minorities.
Reality: Previously the subject of Ethics was
designated for non-Muslim students in lieu of Islamiat from Grade 3 onwards.
Now a new subject Religious Education has been introduced from grade 1 onwards
for non-Muslim students belonging to Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Bahaism
and Kalash community of Pakistan.
Myth: Single National Curriculum for Islamiat will
give air to sectarianism.
Reality: For the first time in the history of
Pakistan, representatives from all five factions of Ittehad Tanzimatul Madaris
Pakistan were part of the curriculum team. They focused on commonalities
instead of adding sect-based differences. Hence, this curriculum is free from
any bias for any sect of Islam.
Myth: SNC for Islamiat focuses only on rote learning.
Reality: It is an outcome-based and activity-based
curriculum. It encourages students to move from passive to active learning.
Activities have been added for all types of learners. It is an age and level
appropriate curriculum which will help students reach their full potential.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/698208-who-is-upset-with-islamic-content-of-single-national-curriculum
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Lawmakers Say Voted For Tahaffuz-e-Bunyad-e-Islam Bill
‘Without Reading Document’
Naya Daur
August 8, 2020
Punjab Assembly lawmakers have expressed remorse over
their decision to support the Tahaffuz-e-Bunyad-e-Islam Bill, saying they voted
for the bill without ‘reading the draft’.
During the proceedings on Friday, the MPAs from the opposition
and treasury benches withdrew their support to the bill, saying they would not
endorse a document that would ‘fan sectarian divides in the province’.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers termed it a
‘conspiracy’ against the government and demanded that the government amend the
bill with the approval of the Federal Shariat Court.
PML-N MPA Ashraf Rasool said that the bill was passed
at the behest of Shahzad Akbar, who is a prime minister’s aide on
accountability.
The lawmakers said that they could not condone such a
documents that would direct a person which sect one should belong to. They
demanded recalling and amending the bill by seeking recommendations from a
committee of clerics comprising all schools of thought.
Moreover, pointing out flaws in the procedures, the
PTI lawmakers argued if the bill was tabled as an official business, then
cabinet’s approval for the draft should be presented. And if it was a private
member bill, then they demanded to know the standing committee that vetted the
bill.
PPP parliamentary leader Syed Hassan Murtaza, who was
a member of the committee, also disowned the bill admitting that he was part of
the panel but had not been informed about its vetting process.
At this, Raja Basharat, who is the provincial law minister
and the member of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, said that objections to the bill
had been raised after its approval and that’s why it was not sent to the
governor for signing it into law.
Last month, Punjab Assembly passed the bill that the
provincial government sweeping powers to censor information by barring any
publisher, editor, or translator, from printing or publishing any text that is
deemed ‘un-Islamic’ or ‘objectionable’ by the government.
According to the bill, the Directorate General of
Public Relations (DGPR) is empowered to visit and inspect the premises of the
printing presses, offices of the publication houses and book stores. The DGPR
also has the authority to refuse permission to import, print, or publish a book
‘if it is prejudicial to the national interest, culture, religious and
sectarian harmony’.
https://nayadaur.tv/2020/08/lawmakers-say-voted-for-tahaffuz-e-bunyad-e-islam-bill-without-reading-document/
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South Asia
Bangladesh: How 90 Indigenous Villages In Sylhet
Region Keep Coronavirus At Bay
August 09, 2020
Mintu Deshwara
No Covid-19 patients have been found so far in 90
punjis (villages) in Sylhet, with each completely isolating itself from
outsiders and following strict hygiene protocols.
In the rest of the division, 8,497 Covid-19 cases were
reported and 153 patients died as of yesterday.
Dr Anisur Rahman, assistant director of the health
department in Sylhet division, told this correspondent that there have been no
Covid-19 cases so far in the punjis unlike the rest of division.
He termed the complete lockdown and hygiene protocols
being employed in the punjis as exemplary. "It is a very good practice;
anyone can follow it as an example."
Saju Marchiang, publicity secretary of the Khasi
Welfare Association, said entry to the punjis for outsiders has been stopped
since the government announced the countrywide shutdown back in March after the
country's first coronavirus cases were detected.
In each punji, people are under strict guard with only
those sick able to leave. Residents of the punjis who have been elsewhere have
to maintain a 14-day quarantine outside before they can enter. Not even
relatives of the residents have been allowed in during this time.
These measures have paid off as no one has so far been
found to be affected by coronavirus in the punjis.
Isolation from the outside world was crucial for these
indigenous communities as the nearest healthcare facilities are distant, said
local leaders.
Flora Bably Talang, general secretary of Kubraj, an
inter-punji development organisation, said there is a population of around
40,000 who mostly live in hilly punjis in Sylhet division.
"We suffer badly at times due to the poor
condition of hilly roads and no electricity facilities. There are so many
remote punjis where there are no modern facilities."
"But," he added, "we are following
strict health rules during this pandemic for our own safety."
On Thursday, this correspondent was able to secure a
visit to three punjis, with special permission and under special arrangement.
The nearest of the villages is around 50km from Moulvibazar town.
In the first punji, this correspondent was able to
enter through the only open gate and was sprayed down by guards on duty before
being allowed in.
Needless to say, he had to keep wearing gloves and a
mask all the time and did not enter any house.
"After meeting with all residents, we have been
maintaining a complete lockdown with no exceptions," said Welcome Lymba, a
resident of Jaflong punji in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet.
This includes a ban on tourists, who sometimes stray
from the popular hill station in Jaflong into the punjis.
Dipu Rema, a resident of Dhanchhara punji in
Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar, said they met everyone in the village on
implementing the lockdown, so that no one is given any special concessions.
"If Covid-19 is able to enter our area, everyone
will be severely affected."
Monika Khonglah, myntri (head) of Megatila punji in
Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar, said even sacks of rice and pulses bought from
outside are sprayed and kept in a hut adjacent to the punji gate for a week, as
a precaution against the virus.
Father Joseph Gomes OMI, central committee member of
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, and his team are also working in the punjis to
spread awareness, under the leadership of Bishop Bejoy N D'Cruze, head of the
Sylhet Diocese.
"We are running from one punji to another --
advising everyone to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and adhere to
hygiene rules," said Father Joseph.
He said they themselves maintain strict hygiene and
use protective gears during the campaigns.
Another precaution has been stopping gathering for
public worship in the punjis during the last few months, he added.
ATM Farhad Chowdhury, UNO of Kulaura upazila in
Moulvibazar, said the punji residents have been extremely sincere about the
Covid-19 issue.
"Their strict rules make us proud. We are also
helping them carry out various activities to increase social awareness,
including making it compulsory to wear a mask."
https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/examples-worth-following-1942001
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Intra-Afghan dialogue to kick-off soon in Doha as Loya
Jirga agrees to release another 400 Taliban prisoners
08 Aug 2020
The Traditional Loya Jirga has decided to agree on the
release of another 400 Taliban prisoners, Abdullah Abdullah the chairman of
Loya Jirga said on Saturday.
Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of the 2020
Afghanistan peace Loya Jirga and the head of Afghan peace reconciliation office
announce on the second day of the meeting that Jirga has decided to agree on
the release of another 400 Taliban prisoners.
“None of the 50 committees of the jirga categorically
opposed release of 400 high-value Taliban prisoners, a Taliban precondition to
allow intra-Afghan negotiations begin”, Abdullah said.
According to Abdullah the first round of the
intra-Afghan negotiations will be held in Doha, if the release of the prisoners
is completed promptly.
President Ghani said the other day that the
Intra-Afghan dialogue will kick-off within 3 days after the 400 remaining
Taliban prisoners are released.
This comes as the Afghan government had earlier
released 4,600 out of 5,000 Taliban prisoners as per the US-Taliban agreement
signed in February.
President Ghani refused to release the remaining 400
Taliban prisoners saying their crimes were ‘very serious’ and he cannot make
any decision by himself to release them, thus he called for Loya Jirga, a
traditional gathering of people’s representatives from all over the country.
https://www.khaama.com/intra-afghan-dialogue-to-kick-off-soon-in-doha-as-loya-jirga-agrees-to-release-another-400-taliban-prisoners-979876/
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Afghan forces suffer heavy casualties in Ghazni city
car bomb attack
09 Aug 2020
The Afghan security forces suffered heavy casualties
in a car bomb attack in Ghazni city, the provincial capital of South-eastern
Ghazni province.
Tariq Arian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of
Interior, confirmed that a group of militants detonated a car packed with
explosives in Ghazni city late on Saturday night.
Arian further added that the militants detonated the
car bomb close to a unit of the Public Order forces in Kotal-e Rawza area of
Ghazni city at around 7:45 pm local time.
He also added that a number of assailants attempted to
storm the compound of the security forces but the security personnel reacted
and killed all the assailants.
However, he said the explosion left at least 7
security personnel dead including 3 policemen and 4 security guards of the
Public Order forces.
According to Arian, the attack also left at least 16
personnel wounded.
No individual or group including Taliban has so far
claimed responsibility for the attack.
https://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-ghazni-city-car-bomb-attack-09010/
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9 members of a single family wounded in Taliban mortar
attack in East of Afghanistan
09 Aug 2020
A mortar round fired by Taliban militants landed on a
civilian house in East of Afghanistan leaving at least 9 members of the family
wounded.
The 201st Silab Corps in a statement said the Taliban
militants fired a mortar round which impacted a civilian house in Sherzad
district of Nangarhar province.
The statement further added that the Taliban militants
fired the mortar round on Saturday which landed on a civilian house Angar area
of Sherzad district.
According to 201st Silab Corps, the attack left at
least 9 members of a single family wounded.
https://www.khaama.com/9-members-of-a-single-family-wounded-in-taliban-mortar-attack-in-east-of-afghanistan-09011/
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Mideast
Cleric urges Muslims to stick to infallible Imams'
guidance
Aug 9, 2020
TEHRAN, Aug. 09 (MNA) – Bahrain's leading Shia cleric
called on the Muslim community to grasp to the teachings of the Infallible
Imams to reach prosperity.
“Islam teaches us that it is not possible to survive
except in the presence of an Imam who is as great in value as Islam itself,”
Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim said on Saturday on the occasion of the Eid
al-Ghadir.
He added that during the absence of the Infallible
Imam, Islam obliges the closest person to him in knowledge, guidance,
sincerity, justice, and piety to guide people and promote them toward
prosperity.
Underlining the importance of having infallible Imams
in the society, the prominent cleric said, “Throughout the history, the onset
of all problems of the Ummah has emerged when rulers did not respect the divine
rights and trampled the value or religion without any fear.”
“They are not pleased with God, nor is God pleased
with them, and they do not hesitate to commit what is prohibited.”
Saturday marked Eid al-Ghadir, which is the day when
the Prophet of Islam appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUM) – the first Shia Imam –
as his successor and Muslims’ next leader.
Prophet Mohammad announced his appointment on the way
back from his last Hajj pilgrimage fourteen centuries ago.
Eid al-Ghadir comes eight days after another great
festivity, called Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice – an important festival
on the Islamic calendar that marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage in
Mecca and Medina.
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/162011/Cleric-urges-Muslims-to-stick-to-infallible-Imams-guidance
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Iran's President felicitates Eid al-Ghadeer to grand
Ayatollahs
August 9, 2020
In telephone calls with the grand maraji, the
President congratulated them on Eid al-Ghadeer and wished them good health and
days full of blessings and success.
In separate phone calls with the Grand Ayatollahs
"Safi Golpayegani", "Vahid Khorasani", "Makarem
Shirazi", "Shobeyri Zanjani", "Javadi Amoli",
"Sobhani", "Noori Hamedani", "Alavi Gorgani" and
"Mazaheri" Dr Hassan Rouhani thanked the support and attention of the
grand maraji to the government.
In these talks, the President expressed hope that by
relying on God and with the capital of the prayers of the virtuous and pure, the
care of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and with the support and assistance of the maraji,
empathy of branches and institutions and public support and participation, we
will overcome current problems.
The grand maraji also congratulated the president on
Eid al-Ghadeer and wished him success in serving the people more, especially
the lower-income classes.
https://en.abna24.com/news//irans-president-felicitates-eid-al-ghadeer-to-grand-ayatollahs_1061109.html
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Speaker Calls for Realization of Unity among Muslim
Leaders
Aug 08, 2020
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad
Baqer Qalibaf congratulated Eid al-Ghadir to the political and religious
figures of the Shiite world, and called for the materialization of unity among
Muslim countries.
In separate messages to political and religious
figures of the Shiite world on Saturday, Qalibaf congratulated the arrival of
Eid al-Ghadir.
"In the current critical situation of the Islamic
world and in the shadow of adhering to the Holy Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH),
it is necessary to take and realize our strong and unifying steps with unity
and practice of the teachings of pure Islam," the Iranian parliament
speaker said.
Saturday marks Eid al-Ghadir, which is the day when
the Prophet of Islam appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUM) -- the first Shiite
Imam - as his successor and Muslims’ next leader.
Prophet Mohammad announced his appointment on the way
back from his last Hajj pilgrimage fourteen centuries ago.
Shia Muslims celebrate this auspicious occasion around
the world.
Eid al-Ghadir comes eight days after another great
festivity, called Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice – an important festival
on the Islamic calendar that marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage in
Mecca and Medina.
https://en.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13990518000417
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US responsible for terrorist crimes of Tondar group in
Iran: Envoy to UN
08 August 2020
A senior Iranian diplomat says Washington is
responsible for terrorist crimes committed by a US-based anti-Iran group, calling
on the United Nations to compel the US administration to stop its support for
the outfit, named Tondar (Thunder).
In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres,
Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi said that as
admitted by the group, it has carried out several terrorist attacks in the
country that killed or injured a number of civilians, IRNA reported.
However, the group is still conducting its acts of
terror from inside the United States and is even training terrorists to carry
out acts of sabotage in Iran, he added.
He emphasized that Iran has on numerous occasions
informed the United States of the group's terrorist crimes through the Swiss
Embassy in Tehran, which represents the US’ interests section, but Washington
has so far carried out no measure to prevent acts of terror by the group's
members or extradite them to Iran for trial.
Based on the international law, countries are
committed not to support terrorists and allow them to use their soil for
terrorist acts against other states, Takht Ravanchi said.
The Iranian envoy added that the continuation of the
US support for the Tondar group leaves no doubt that Washington is blatantly
violating all its international obligations and therefore is liable for all criminal
acts committed by the group's members in Iran.
The Iranian Intelligence Ministry said on August 1
that it had arrested Jamshid Sharmahd, the ringleader of the Tondar terrorist
group.
In a statement, the ministry said Iranian security
forces had managed to arrest Sharmahd, who directed "armed operations and
acts of sabotage" in Iran from the US.
Following a complicated operation, the ringleader of
the group, was arrested and he is "now in the powerful hands" of
Iranian security forces, it added.
Upon his arrest, Sharmahd admitted providing
explosives for a 2008 attack against a religious congregation center in the
southern Iranian city of Shiraz, Fars Province, in 2008, that killed 14 people
and wounded 215 others.
Upon arrest, the ringleader of a US-based anti-Iran
terrorist group admits providing explosives for a 2008 attack in southern Iran.
“I was called before the bomb was about to be set off.
They were in a good position. They [just] needed explosives that we provided
for them,” Sharmahd said.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/08/08/631350/Takht-Ravanchi-Guterres-Tondar-Thunder-Jamshid-Sharmahd-terrorists-US-letter
---------
IRGC Quds Force arrests perpetrator of sound bomb
blast in Iran's Sistan & Baluchestan
08 August 2020
The Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards
Corps (IRGC) has arrested the main perpetrator of a recent sound bomb explosion
in the country's southeastern city of Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan
Province.
In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC's Quds Force said
that security forces, who maintain a constant surveillance of the area,
captured the main element who had planted a sound bomb on Sadra street in
Zibashahr neighborhood in Zahedan a few days ago.
It added that the necessary follow-up is underway to
arrest other elements involved in this "terrorist act."
On August 5, members of a terrorist group planted
explosives in a ditch on Sadra street and then called the police to report an
incident. Immediately after the police forces reached the site, the terrorists
detonated the explosives, injuring four offices and damaging a police car.
IRGC forces regularly engage in clashes with
terrorists seeking to carry out acts of sabotage across the country.
Back in May, the IRGC’s Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada Base
said in a statement that a number of terrorists had been killed as the IRGC
forces carried out a security operation in the western province of Kordestan,
which borders Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
Iran’s IRGC forces kill a number of
‘counter-revolutionary’ terrorists in Divandarreh County of the western
province of Kordestan.
It added that several “counter-revolutionary’
terrorists were killed during clashes in Divandarreh County.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/08/08/631337/IRGC-Iran-Zahedan-Quds-Force-Ziba-Shahr-Sistan-Baluchestan-sound-bomb-explosives
--------
Arab world
An American National accepts Islam at the hands Sheikh
Al-Sudais
08 Aug, 2020
Steve, an American tourist, embraced Islam at the
hands of Sheikh Dr. Abdur-Rahman Al-Sudais, Chief of the General Presidency for
the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Majid Nabawi in Madina .
Steve pronounced his Shahadah (testimony of accepting
Islam) before Sheikh Sudais recently and expressed his immense joy and
gratitude for his new found faith. He profusely thanked and expressed his
gratitude towards Sheikh Sudais, who in turn praised the Almighty Allah for
opening Steve's heart, and enabling him to accept the true religion of God.
Sheikh Sudais further said that Steve "was now
his brother in Islam" adding that what casted a lasting impression on
Steve's mind was the purity of Islam and it's sublime teachings of the Oneness
of God. Additionally, he described how Steve was extremely impressed with the
level of tolerance and peaceful coexistence amongst those of different faiths
within the Kingdom. The key factors that stood out for Steve during his visit
were the Islamic teachings of good neighborliness and Saudi hospitality.
Steve, who works in the tourism sector in Miami, was
visiting Abha alongside some of his closest friends. Providentially, and as if
as pre-destined, Steve lived in the same neighborhood as Sheikh Sudais, who at
the time was also spending some days in Abha. It was Saad Al-Matrafi, Sheikh
Sudais' translator, who met with Steve and gave him Zamzam and dates as a gift
from Sheikh Sudais.
Al-Matrafi said that Steve showed keen interest in
knowing more about Islam and kept reading books about the Islamic teachings. He
also briefed Sheikh Sudais about his tête-à-tête with the American tourist and
Sheikh Al-Sudais was so impressed that he requested to meet with his American
neighbor. During his discourse with Steve, Sh Sudais referred to several
Qur'anic verses and Prophetic narrations that enjoined Muslims to be good to
their neighbors and the rights they have over each other. He specifically
mentioned the story of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Jewish
lady;
Our beloved Prophet(peace be upon him) had a Jewish
neighbor who used to throw garbage at him. Instead of reacting with anger,
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) showed kindness. When the Prophet learned
one day that the neighbor was sick, he went to visit/care for that neighbor.
This is an invaluable life lesson for all of us on the rights of our neighbors.
As we continued talking to Steve regarding his journey
to Islam, it quickly became very clear the level of joy and happiness that
beamed on his face, upon accepting Islam and pronouncing the Shahadah. He
mentioned that "the Islamic teachings of fairness, tolerance, compassion,
and mercy impressed him a lot". To add, he expressed his immense gratitude
and appreciation for the kindness and hospitality he found with the Saudi
people, describing them as "simple" and caring". In an array of
emotions he continued to share his experience and said he felt like he was with
his own family, his own "brothers". Steve, who was visiting the
Kingdom for leisure purposes and in his own words to "explore the beauty
spread over the length and breadth of the whole country" stated that he was
curious to know about the birthplace of Islam and the major development and
progress of the country's 2030 Vision.
Al-Matrafi who also played a major role in leading
Steve to accept Islam by the permission of Allah, shared his encounter;
As soon as Sheikh Sudais arrived at his lodging in
Abha, he inquired about his neighbor. On inquiries, I found out that our
neighbor was an American national, Sheikh Sudais suggested sending some Zamzam,
Arabic coffee, and dates to him as a gift. The initiative surprised Steve and
he asked what was the reasoning for the gifts? Al-Matrafi explained to him that
Islam teaches good conduct and kindness towards one's neighbor. Moreover,
Al-Matrafi said during his several meetings with Steve he found out that the
American national had previously read extensively about Islam and Muslims. As
his relations with Steve continued and during one of their morning walks in a
nearby park they discussed Islam and the parameters it sets around all worldly
affairs.
The next morning Steve informed Al-Matrafi that he
spent much of the night thinking about Islam and decided that he was ready to
accept Islam as his faith, after three years of studying the religion Upon
hearing this, Al-Matrafi was elated with joy and suggested that he takes the Shahadah
in the presence of Sheikh Sudais, to which he immediately agreed. Al-Matrafi
then took him to Sheikh Sudais who said the words of the Shahadah and Steve
repeated after him. Later, Sheikh Sudais gave instructions to host Steve to
perform Umrah in Makkah and to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah as well.
http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/387b02299f69487796fe003ebb2996d5
--------
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia starts third phase of
COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial
09 August 2020
Tuqa Khalid
Saudi Arabia will start the third phase of a clinical
trial for a coronavirus vaccine in cooperation with China’s vaccine developing
company CanSino, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health said on Saturday.
The trial will target 5,000 healthy volunteers in
Saudi Arabia over the age of 18 years old, and the ministry is currently
working on preparing to launch operations in three main cities: Riyadh, Dammam,
and Mecca.
The first and second phases of the clinical trial of
the Ad5-nCOV potential vaccine were conducted in China.
The first phase conducted between 16-27 March included
108 volunteers, and the second phase conducted between 11-16 April involved 603
volunteers.
CanSino’s vaccine uses a modified common cold virus to
carry genetic material from the coronavirus into the human body. It elicits
antibody and T-cell immune responses and did not prompt any serious side
effects.
King Abdullah International Medical Research Center
(KAIMRC) had invited in July Saudi hospitals to participate in several COVID-19
clinical trials approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
The first study “Avi Mild 19” involves the drug
favipiravir which was manufactured in Japan and used in cases of mild illness,
according to SPA.
The second was labelled “FACT”, involving a
combination of favipiravir and the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine.
The third is based on convalescent plasma and the
fourth is a comparative study to assess the efficacy of each of the different
coronavirus treatment protocols.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/coronavirus/2020/08/09/Coronavirus-Saudi-Arabia-starts-third-phase-of-COVID-19-vaccine-clinical-trial.html
---------
UAE Continues Providing Aid to Victims of Beirut Port
Explosion
2020/08/08
Abu Dhabi, August 08, 2020, SPA -- A UAE plane
carrying 40 tons of medical and food supplies as well as nutritional
supplements for kids has arrived in Beirut in support of the victims of the
massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital on Tuesday.
The Emirates Red Crescent had rushed to provide the
assistance from the country's strategic emergency relief reserve immediately
following the blast, in implementation of the directives of the UAE leadership.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2118625#2118625
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Saudi Ophthalmology 2020 Virtual Symposium Concludes
Its Sessions
2020/08/08
Riyadh, August 08, 2020, SPA -- The Saudi
Ophthalmology 2020 Virtual Symposium concluded its scientific sessions today.
The virtual symposium was held for 3 days from August
6-8, 2020, and co-organized by the Saudi Ophthalmologic Society and King Khaled
Eye Specialist Hospital in cooperation with the Department of Ophthalmology at
College of Medicine of King Saud University, where these scientific efforts are
part of the Saudi Vision 2030.
The scientific program of the symposium reviewed the
developments in all disciplines of ophthalmology, and included 38 scientific
sessions, 112 scientific papers, 10 training courses, 6 workshops, 26
scientific posters and 6 videos, with participation of a number of speakers
from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad, including 13 international
professors of ophthalmology.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2118612#2118612
--------
Egypt Dispatches Second Airlift Plane to Lebanon to
Face Beirut Port Explosion Circumstances
2020/08/08
Cairo, August 08, 2020, SPA -- Egypt dispatched the
second military plane, which was loaded with an urgent aid shipment containing
large quantities of medical supplies and foodstuffs, heading to Lebanon.
Egypt Armed Forces said in a statement issued today,
that this comes within the framework of support and solidarity with brotherly
countries, and as an implementation of the Egyptian President Abdelfattah
El-Sisi's directives to open an air bridge to send urgent aid to Lebanon to face
the Beirut Port explosion circumstances.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2118620#2118620
-------
Third Saudi aid plane arrives in Beirut
August 09, 2020
RIYADH: A third King Salman Humanitarian Aid and
Relief Center (KSRelief) plane loaded with aid arrived in Beirut on Saturday as
part of a relief air bridge that was set up to help the people in wake of the
Beirut blasts.
The air bridge was established on the directives of
King Salman to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Lebanon.
KSRelief Adviser Dr. Ali bin Hamed Al-Ghamdi said the
third plane is loaded with ventilators, hospital and medical equipment, as well
as various medicines and disinfectants. It also contains food, tents,
mattresses, blankets and cooking supplies.
So far, 200 tons of aid from the Kingdom have been
flown to Lebanon with specialized teams to follow up and supervise the
distribution operations.
Earlier, two Saudi aircraft carrying more than 120
tons of medicines, equipment, and emergency supplies were dispatched to Beirut.
KSRelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah
said in a statement that the assistance highlights the pivotal role of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in providing humanitarian assistance to all people in
need around the world with complete impartiality.
The twin blasts devastated large areas of the Lebanese
capital and destroyed vital infrastructure, including grain storage silos and
port facilities.
Lebanon, already reeling from an economic and currency
collapse, now faces the threat of food shortages and a major hit to exports and
imports.
The secretary-general of the High Relief Commission in
Lebanon, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Khair, thanked the Kingdom for the urgent
humanitarian aid provided through KSRelief.
In a press statement, he praised the historical
relations between the two countries, noting the Saudi aid will help alleviate
the suffering of Lebanese people.
Residents in the Kingdom can also help Lebanon by
making donations through KSRelief’s website.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1716711/saudi-arabia
--------
Saudi artist reimagines Jeddah through ’80s pop art
DEEMA AL-KHUDAIR
August 09, 2020
JEDDAH: Every Jeddawi has an obsession with their
city; the elderly reminisce about historic Jeddah in the old days, while the
youth romanticize the modern city through photography and social media.
One Saudi artist, Zaina Hassan, 23, who goes by the
name ZHA on social media, chose to express her attachment to Jeddah by
reimagining it through ’80s pop art.
“To many of us, Jeddah is a city too familiar for
words, for beautiful odes and formal praise. Yet, the love and belonging we
feel toward it are very real and deserve to be illuminated,” she told Arab
News.
She added: “My deep affection toward the city only
grew while I was away, and all its beauty that was previously hidden in plain
sight became visible to me in my nostalgia.”
The artist has completed eight pieces; the first
artwork, shared on Instagram is called “Show You the World” and portrays two
people walking toward the Globe Roundabout in northern Jeddah.
“This piece is dedicated to people who dream of seeing
the world but find themselves stuck in one place. A gentle reminder that there
is much to see and feel, even without getting on a plane and traveling thousands
of kilometers,” she said.
The other pieces follow the same idea, where the
location reflects certain feelings or emotions of the characters in the
artwork.
“Deep Blue” is an artwork that portrays a girl walking
along the new Corniche with the sea as her background. “It speaks of moments
when you feel melancholic or blue for reasons unknown to you,” Hassan said.
“Rosie” is another artwork that shows a couple
standing together lovingly, with the old Saudi airplane monument behind them.
The monument symbolizes how every relationship is a journey, she added.
Hassan chose ’80s pop art as her medium because it
combines youthful content with a vintage appearance, which she is very fond of.
“For the love of everything vintage. Comic book art or
’80s pop art has a nostalgic yet youthful and modern look to it, so it was the
perfect artistic style to merge the old with the new.”
The artist began sharing her work on Instagram during
the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
“I first thought of the theme behind the first few
pieces in the midst of the COVID-19 avalanche, when isolation and uncertainty
were still unexplored territories to most of us; the main incentive behind the
theme was homesickness,” Hassan added.
She said it was not artwork by other artists that
inspired her, but things from her daily life such as songs, movies and stories.
“I found that listening to certain songs inspires me
so much more vividly than looking at or studying actual art pieces. Obviously,
comic book illustrators have inspired me enough to use this specific style and
guided me with regard to colors and composition, but I believe that the real
inspiration behind my artworks’ ideas come from songs, as well as movie scenes,
pictures and stories,” she said.
“Basically, anything that is able to transport you to
an alternative reality for a period of time. So many things inspire me and
influence me daily, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact source.”
Hassan said the illustrations were figments,
romanticizing the streets people know well, but they exposed the genuine
fondness Jeddawis carry in their hearts for this coastal city.
To many people, she said, the landmarks portrayed in
Hassan’s artworks carry many memories of their youth — their favorite childhood
place, where they used to hang out in their teenage years, or even a place they
used to pass by on their way to their loved ones’ old houses. “It’s amazing how
memories connect people to places on such a deep level.”
The main theme of her collection is not solely
romantic as much as it is soulful, and it encompasses romance, friendship,
adventure, and even melancholy.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1716696/saudi-arabia
--------
North America
World leaders holding Lebanon aid summit after night
of unrest in Beirut
09-08-2020
President Trump was due to attend on Sunday an online
world leaders summit organized by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and
the United Nations on raising aid for Lebanon following last week's deadly
explosion.
The big picture: The talks come after massive protests
Saturday night that saw demonstrators storm government ministries and attack
the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks, as anger grows of the
explosion that killed 158 people and wounded over 6,000 others, per Reuters. At
least 728 people were wounded and one officer killed in overnight clashes
between police and protesters, Al Jazeera reports. The Lebanese government has
blamed poorly stored ammonium nitrate for the blast.
https://www.axios.com/world-leaders-hold-lebanon-aid-summit-beirut-port-ea6acc62-765c-48f4-8601-bd657d6ac791.html
-------
Commission rules in favour of 2 Muslim students who
wanted prayer at private school
Aug 07, 2020
The Alberta Human Rights Commission tribunal has again
ruled in favour of two Muslim students who sought prayer space at a
non-denominational private school in Calgary.
The tribunal had previously found in 2015 that Webber
Academy in southwest Calgary unlawfully discriminated against the students,
fining the school $26,000.
The school appealed that decision, though it was
upheld by a judge.
In 2018, however, the Court of Appeal of Alberta ruled
that the original decision contained a number of errors, including a mistake in
evaluating the level of accommodation being asked of Webber Academy.
Webber Academy to get new human rights hearing in
dispute over Muslim prayer
The new tribunal also ruled in favour of the two
students, Sarmad Amir and Naman Siddiqui, who had previously told the tribunal
that praying is mandatory in their Sunni religion.
"I had this intense sense of shame and
humiliation, despite that I was just exercising my right as a Canadian citizen,
as a human being, to practise my faith," Siddiqui testified before the
human rights tribunal.
New appeal
School president Neil Webber said Webber Academy
planned on immediately appealing the decision to the Alberta Court of Queen's
Bench, adding that the school's lawyer believes that the new decision also
contains errors of law.
"We feel that we should have the right, as a private
school, to have youngsters here of many different faiths and backgrounds
together, free of religious practices," he said.
"Parents have choices in terms of sending their
kids to schools that have a denominational belief, so I don't see any
difference for Webber Academy to be able to have a school where their kids are
in an environment that's free of religious practices."
Webber said that he believes that if the complainants
win the case, it would set a precedent.
"I think it sets a [situation] where schools
right across the country will have to provide prayer space for youngsters
coming into their school. It's not just an impact on Webber Academy, it's going
to have implications across the country," he said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-human-rights-private-school-webber-academy-wins-court-1.5678573?cmp=rss
---------
Alberta Muslim group collects donations for victims of
Beirut explosion
Aug 08, 2020
Mohamad Awada said he cries every time he watches the
news about the explosion in Lebanon — his home country.
"I felt like the explosion fled overseas and
reached me," he said. "It's emotional in every aspect."
Awada volunteers with the Alberta Muslim Social
Association in Calgary, which is collecting donations to support the victims of
last week's devastating explosion.
The explosion happened when 2,750 tons of ammonium
nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in fertilizer, ignited. At least 150
people were killed, thousands injured and 300,000 displaced from their homes.
An investigation into the disaster will focus on possible negligence around the
explosive material's storage.
Men stand at the site of the explosion in the port of
Beirut on Aug. 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion devastated the
Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. (Thibault
Camus/AFP/Getty Images)
The blast also destroyed medical supplies and food at
the capital city's port, at a time when Lebanon was already in the throes of a
financial crisis.
"I can't imagine how bad it is right now,"
said Mahmoud Mourra, the association's chairman. "When I talk to my friend
and my brother back home … they tell me no matter how bad you can imagine, it
is worse."
"God bless us that that explosion took place
after 6 o'clock, and the port closes at 3:30 p.m. If this thing had blown up at
3 o'clock, the number could have been way worse," he said.
The Alberta Muslim Social Association is collecting
donations to send to Lebanon, to support the victims of the explosion in
Beirut. (Hala Ghonaim/CBC)
"I'm so proud to be Canadian … but it's also very
hard to see your mom in pain, and that's how I feel about Lebanon," Awada
said. "To the Calgary community, please be generous, please try to help as
much as you can … good things always bring good things. What you do for good
will come back to you as good."
The association is accepting monetary donations, which
will be sent directly to the Lebanese Red Cross or other non-governmental
organizations, as well as non-perishable food and other essential items that
will be shipped overseas by Aug. 20.
More than 10,300 Albertans were born in Lebanon,
according to Statistics Canada's 2016 census. Of those, more than 4,000 live in
Calgary.
Items can be dropped of between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at
521 35th Avenue N.E., or donors can request pickup by contacting the
association.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-lebanon-donations-1.5679821?cmp=rss
-------
An attack on an imam fractured his shoulder and
terrified the Muslim community in Bloomington.
By HIBAH ANSARI
AUGUST 7, 2020
An imam at Dar Al Farooq in Bloomington was walking
across the street from his home to the mosque Thursday for the evening prayer.
Before he made it to the door, two people approached from behind and started
kicking, punching and cursing him. They fractured the imam’s shoulder before
fleeing.
The attack on Imam Mohamed Mukhtar is the latest in a
series of incidents surrounding the mosque, some violent and some examples of
non-violent harassment, that have left Bloomington’s Muslim community in a
state of worry.
“The reality is, it’s not one incident we’re trying to
make meaning of,” said Mohamed Omar, the executive director of Dar Al Farooq.
“This is not something new.”
Since it opened in 2011, a blog run by a neighbor has
tracked complaints about the mosque, most of them about traffic. The building
was firebombed in 2017. A few weeks ago, a man set up camp in a park behind the
mosque and raised a Confederate flag on a nearby tree. Mosque leadership said
the incident was a feeble attempt to intimidate.
One mosque visitor also on his way to the prayer late
Thursday saw Imam Mohamed, 50, struggling to walk after the assailants escaped,
and helped him to the front steps of the mosque. He had left his shoes, glasses
and hat at the site of the attack. Imam Mohamed’s family, on a walk in a nearby
park, saw his belongings and immediately knew something was wrong.
After the family called 911, an ambulance took Imam
Mohamed to M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital. The Bloomington Police
Department is investigating the incident. After arriving on the scene shortly
after 10 p.m. Thursday, police could not find the two suspects, who were
described as being in their late teens or early twenties.
“This is terrorizing our community. Please pray for
us. We did everything to secure our community but God knows how long we will be
feeling this fear,” Mohamed Omar said in the post.
A medical examiner said Imam Mohamed had a fractured
shoulder. He has left the hospital and is now recovering from home, according
to Mohamed Omar.
“I visited him this morning,” Mohamed Omar said. “He
was feeling okay but he was in a lot of pain because of the fracture in his
shoulder.”
“It makes me feel angry and also sad, because we lost
a sense of security and safety,” Mohamed Omar said. “Our place of worship is
not safe anymore.”
Bloomington Police Deputy Chief Mike Hartley said “as
far as the investigation goes, it’s early,” and could not disclose more details
about the case. Bloomington Police said they would be interviewing witnesses,
the imam, reviewing any available security footage and following up with mosque
leaders.
In a press release Friday, CAIR-MN urged the police to
investigate the possibility that the attack was motivated by anti-Muslim bias.
“We are thankful that the assault victim did not
suffer life-threatening injuries,” said CAIR-MN executive director Jaylani
Hussein. “We urge public officials to uncover the motivation behind the assault
and to take concrete steps to ensure that Muslim and minority communities will
be safe from such attacks in the future.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Dar
Al Farooq for a grant to support improved security at the mosque last year, but
the money hasn’t arrived yet. Mohamed Omar said he has spoken to multiple state
departments involved in distributing the federal grant, to no avail.
“For some reason the state has been holding it. This
is part of the problem,” Mohamed Omar said. “When the system is not recognizing
the problems and not seeing our issues and when you have been subjected to
these attacks, then you become more vulnerable.”
He added the mosque’s primarily immigrant and
low-income community does not have enough resources to protect their place of
worship.
“We are where we are because of how the system is
treating us,” Mohamed Omar said. “We have a system that’s ignoring us and other
groups are attacking us.”
Sophia Rashid, a member of the mosque, heard about the
incident after she saw Mohamed’s Facebook post. She said the mosque has been on
edge, especially since the bombing.
In August 2017, three members of an Illinois-based
far-right group calling itself the Patriot Freedom Fighters militia threw a
fire-bomb through the window of the mosque and into the imam’s office. No
injuries were reported. Two of three men charged with bombing the mosque
pleaded guilty in January 2019.
“As Muslims, we’re known to have attacks on our own
community,” Sophia said. “To wait out in the dark for someone who literally
represents the Muslim community, who speaks for and stands for your community,
it’s terrifying.”
https://sahanjournal.com/extremism/imam-attacked-at-bloomington-mosque/
--------
Africa
Chad says Boko Haram wreaking havoc despite offensive
August 9, 2020
Chad's President Idriss Deby said Saturday that Boko
Haram jihadists would continue to wreak havoc in the Lake Chad region despite a
huge military offensive against the group earlier this year.
Lake Chad -- a marshy region dotted with islands near
the border of Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon -- has been battered by attacks from
jihadists crossing from Nigeria.
"We will have this Boko Haram phenomenon for a
long time yet," Deby told Radio France Internationale in an interview.
"The incursions will continue," he said,
adding that the group "will continue to cause great damage," in the
Lake Chad area.
Boko Haram's insurgency, launched in northeast Nigeria
in 2009, has killed more than 36,000 people and displaced more than two million
from their homes.
The violence has since spread to Niger, Chad and
Cameroon.
In March, Chad's armed forces suffered their biggest
single-day loss, when 98 soldiers were massacred in their base at Bohoma, on
the banks of Lake Chad.
In response, Deby launched an offensive from March 31
to April 3, declaring at its end that there was "not a single jihadist
left" in the Lake Chad region.
But sporadic violence has continued, with an attack
attributed to Boko Haram on an army vehicle earlier last month killing eight
Chadian soldiers.
Deby on Saturday insisted that there were no Boko
Haram fighters left on Chadian territory but that cross-border raids from
Nigeria and Niger were continuing at night.
https://news.yahoo.com/chad-says-boko-haram-wreaking-221358968.html
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Biafra group warns Miyetti Allah against operating
security outfit in South-east, South-south
August 8, 2020
By Seun Opejobi
The Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, on Saturday,
warned Miyetti Allah Kautal Haure not to allow the Fulani Security group to
operate in the Southeast and Southsouth avoid bloody confrontation by both
groups.
BNYL Chief Press Secretary, Dianabasi Odung, gave the
warning while speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and was contained in a
statement he forwarded to DAILY POST.
The group said it will effectively use its grassroots structures
to checkmate the activities of the herdsmen and the security group in the
Southeast and Southsouth.
“We dare them to be more visible, we want to see them,
if they’re man enough let them be visible like normal security group and face
confrontations from us.
“But if they chose to operate like terrorists that
they have always been known for, then we shall meet in the bushes. Their
actions will only risk the lives of the cattle breeders” the BNYL warned.
https://dailypost.ng/2020/08/08/biafra-group-warns-miyetti-allah-against-operating-security-outfit-in-south-east-south-south/
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Zimbabwe activists decry 'unprecedented clampdown'
after arrests
by Fidelis Mbah
09-08-2020
Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono
has over the years leveraged his large social media following to share posts
about human rights abuses and alleged government corruption.
On June 20, after a series of tweets in the run-up to
an opposition-organised protest, police arrived at his home in the capital,
Harare.
The 49-year-old was charged with inciting the public
to commit violence for his role in promoting the demonstrations against
corruption and a worsening economic crisis under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Chin'ono, who in June helped expose the alleged non-transparent
awarding of contracts for essential supplies to battle the coronavirus
pandemic, denies the charges. On Thursday, he was denied bail for a second
time.
"Journalism is not a crime, but a crucial pillar
of any democratic society and of the fight against corruption. Journalists and
freedom of expression deserve protection," the European Union embassy in
Zimbabwe said after Chin'ono's arrest that coincided with the detention of
opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume, who had called for the protests.
The planned demonstrations on July 31 were denounced
by Mnangagwa as "an insurrection to overthrow our democratically elected
government", while the police banned them, citing coronavirus
restrictions.
As hundreds of soldiers and police officers were
deployed in major cities, several people, including award-winning author Tsitsi
Dangarembga, defied the police order and took to the streets in their
neighbourhoods to protest. They were swiftly arrested and have since been
released on bail.
Government critics and rights groups say the recent
wave of arrests and alleged rights abuses are reminiscent of the heavy-handed
tactics used by Mnangagwa's predecessor, longtime President Robert Mugabe.
"Zimbabweans are witnessing unprecedented abuses
that may very well be worse than witnessed under Mugabe," said Mavhinga,
citing "a sharp increase in abductions, torture and sexual abuse targeting
government critics and involving security forces".
Mavhinga added that "the latest crackdown on
anti-corruption protesters and government critics is a clear sign that the
Mnangagwa administration does not respect human rights and the rule of
law".
Human rights lawyers, meanwhile, decried "an
unprecedented clampdown" on dissent while social media users used the
#Zimbabweanlivesmatter hashtag to highlight the arrests. Some activists,
meanwhile, said they had gone into hiding.
"Several attempts have been made to abduct and
murder us. It is imperative that we remain outside to coordinate and provide
the required leadership," said political activist Promise Mkwananzi.
"We are worried and vehemently opposed to the
wanton arrests of human rights activists and anti-corruption
whistle-blowers," Mkwananzi added
But government spokesman Nick Mangwana dismissed the
allegations, saying "there were no premeditated plots to arrest people in
Zimbabwe".
"Nothing informs the arrest of suspected
criminals in our country other than the commission of a crime. Anyone who is
arrested in Zimbabwe will have charges levelled against him or her, and all the
cases are speedily taken to court," Mangwana said.
"As far as we are concerned, no opposing voices
have been stifled in Zimbabwe. You can attest to the fact that Zimbabweans
enjoy freedom of expression and are the most vocal people in the continent."
Mnangagwa came to power after the military removed
Mugabe in November 2017. He went on to win a disputed election the following
year, promising to tackle corruption and revive the country's shattered
economy.
But two years on, Zimbabwe is facing a severe economic
crisis marked by soaring inflation, foreign exchange shortages and a local
currency that is rapidly depreciating against the US dollar. An estimated 90
percent of Zimbabweans are without formal employment.
This week, UN chief Antonio Guterres urged the
government "to ensure the protection of all fundamental human rights"
while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa named two new special envoys to
the neighbouring country "following recent reports of difficulties that
the Republic of Zimbabwe is experiencing".
Despite the mounting international pressure, Mnangagwa
on Tuesday issued a warning to his political opponents: "Bad apples who
have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems will be flushed
out," he said in a televised address to the nation.
The president's speech came as he appointed his
deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, to replace Health Minister Obadiah Moyo who was
removed from his post amid allegations of corruption related to the
government's procurement of medical equipment for the coronavirus pandemic.
Moyo was arrested in June but was later freed on bail.
"President Mnangagwa revitalised the fight
against corruption by appointing new members of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption
Commission and furnishing them with the requisite equipment and wherewithal to
undertake their noble mission," Mangwana said.
But the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) has condemned Chiwenga's appointment, saying he is not the right man for
the job at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is further stretching
Zimbabwe's already fragile healthcare system.
The country has so far recorded more than 4,450
confirmed coronavirus cases and 102 related deaths.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/zimbabwe-activists-decry-unprecedented-clampdown-arrests-200805144813725.html
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Southeast Asia
Anak Mindanao, Zambo lawyers, artist and Imam file
third petition from Mindanao vs Anti-Terror Act
By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS
AUGUST 7, 2020
DAVAO CITY– Anak Mindanao (AMIN) party-list, two
Basilan-based Representatives to Congress, four Moro lawyers, an artist and an
Imam have filed a petition before the Supreme Court asking it to declare
unconstitutional RA 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the third petition
filed by Mindanawons, the second this week.
In their petition mailed on Tuesday, the petitioners –
AMIN, represented by party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan; Basilan’s lone
district Rep. and House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman; lawyers Satrina Mohammad,
Jamar Kulayan, Alman-Najar Namla and Bensaud Degusman; Rameer Tawasil, visual artist/designer and
peace advocate; and Sheikh Jamsir Jainal, an Imam who regularly gives Friday
sermons in a mosque – cited seven points why the law should be declared
unconstitutional, including lack of quorum, with only 25 members present at the
House of Representatives when it voted on the then House Bill 6875 on June 5.
The petitioners said the Congress “gravely abused its
discretion or exceeded its jurisdiction” when it enacted RA 11479 despite lack
of quorum; “when the means it employed
to prevent terrorism are both unreasonable and unconstitutional;” that by
punishing inciting and proposal to commit terrorism, the law “curtails
petitioners’ right to free exercise and free expression;” that Congress gravely abused its discretion
in granting the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) the power to designate and
proscribe terror suspects on mere suspicion; in granting the ATC “the power to
issue written authority to take custody of persons suspected of committing
terrorism or conspiracy thereof;” in granting the ATC the “power to detain,
without charge, terror suspects beyond three days; and that the law is “replete
with unclear and vague provisions and definitions violating the people’s right
to be informed of what constitute the punishable act/acts.”
The petition for Certiorari and Prohibition under Rule
65 of the Rules of Court and Article VIII, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution
with application for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Writ of Injunction was
filed against the Anti-Terrorism Council,
composed of Executive Secretary and ATC chair Salvador Medialdea,
National Security Adviser and ATC Vice Chair Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and ATC
members Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin
Lorenzana, Local Governments Secretary Eduardo Ano, Finance Secretary Carlos
Dominguez, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Information and Communications
Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan, and ATC Secretariat members Executive
Director Mel Georgie Racilla of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Director-General Alex Paul Monteagudo of the
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency; and the Senate and House of
Representatives headed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker
Alan Peter Cayetano.
Sangcopan and Hataman, who voted against the passage
of the anti-terror bill, said the House “did not have the required quorum” when
it passed then House Bill 6875 and they were also “prevented from introducing
any amendment.”
HB 6875 was approved on final reading on June 5 with
only 25 members physically present in the session hall in Quezon City while the
rest voted remotely “using the ‘Zoom’ and their ‘Viber Chat Group.”
Kulayan told MindaNews that the House did not revise
its rules on physical presence of members in session unlike the Senate which
revised its rules to allow participation and voting online.
Kulayan and fellow lawyers Mohammad, Namla and
Degusman are members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines who swore to
support the Constitution and are also enforcing the same rights to “free
exercise” and of “free expression”
Tawasil is a visual artist promoting Tausug culture
and history. The petition said some of his artworks depict the horrors of war
and violence that Moros endured over the centuries. “The assailed law threatens
the continued free exercise of his profession as his artworks may be construed
as promoting terrorism and violence,” it said.
Jainal is an imam who regularly gives Friday sermons
in mosque. The law “threatens to punish
him for inciting terrorism once he discusses Jihad during Friday sermons or
whenever he give lectures on the subject.”
“Collectively, petitioners are restrained by the
assailed law from freely and openly discussing their religious beliefs and
conveying the same,” the petition said.
The first was filed on July 23 by Moro lawyers Algamar
Latiph, Bantuas Lucman, Musa Malayang, and Dalomilang Parahiman. The second on
August 3 by five Mindanawons — a Moro leader, a human rights worker and three
journalists — and an organization catering to the education of Indigenous
Peoples or Lumads, noting that “counter-terrorism with no regard for human
rights cannot win the hearts and minds of the people against terrorism nor can
it suppress violent extremism.”
The fourth with petitioners from MIndnao, was filed on
Friday, the 26th petition
nationwide. It was filed by 15 petitioners,
nine of them Lumads (Indigenous Peoples) and Moro in Mindanao.
Other Mindanawons who went to the Supreme Court to
question the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act are retired Senior
Justice Antonio Carpio, who hails from Davao City; and Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos
Isagani Zarate of Davao and General
Santos cities and Eufemia Cullamat of
Surigao del Sur.
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/08/anak-mindanao-zambo-lawyers-artist-and-imam-file-third-petition-from-mindanao-vs-anti-terror-act/
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Hamzah Zainudin: Sabah governor will not abuse
position over political crisis
08 Aug 2020
By JULIA CHAN
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 8 — Bersatu secretary-general Datuk
Seri Hamzah Zainudin today said that Sabah governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin will
not abuse his position in resolving the political crisis in the state.
The Home Minister said the governor is responsible for
his actions, “but what is important is that if it were true we need to face a
state election, then we will face it”.
Asked if he had met with Juhar prior to the
dissolution, he said Juhar has been a good friend of his since the 1990s and
therefore not wrong for him to visit a friend.
“Tun Juhar is has been a good friend since the 1990s.
There’s nothing wrong with me visiting him. We discussed many things including
the future of Sabah.
“But the details — let it be between me and him. I
know what we said and he knows what told him.
“I am confident he will not abuse his position and to
be the Head of State, let him be responsible for his actions,” he said.
Hamzah added that Bersatu was ready to face the
election.
“What’s important to me also is Allah will know who
did the right things and who abused their position,” he said.
Hamzah was asked to comment on claims that he and the
Prime Minister’s political secretary had met with Juhar to inform him that
former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman had the support of a simple majority in
the State Assembly and wanted to form the government.
Musa had claimed in a press conference on July 29,
that he had the support to form a new state government.
However the same night, Chief Minister Datuk Seri
Shafie Apdal met with Juhar in a bid to dissolve the state assembly to prevent
the toppling and pave way for snap polls.
Juhar had consented to the dissolution of the state
assembly on July 30, paving the way for an election within 60 days.
Musa and the 32 assemblymen said to be aligned to him
filed an application for a judicial review of the decision to dissolve the
assembly.
Yesterday, the High Court said it wanted to hear
further arguments on whether it has the judicial authority to listen and decide
over the challenge to the authority of the governor to dissolve the assembly.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/08/08/hamzah-zainudin-sabah-governor-will-not-abuse-position-over-political-crisi/1892160
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New party will only divide Malays further, says Rais
Yatim
08 Aug 2020
KUANTAN, Aug 8 — The move by former Prime Minister Tun
Dr Mahathir Mohamad to set up another Malay-based political party will further
split the Malays in the country.
Negeri Sembilan Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia
(Bersatu) chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said that this is because there are
already quite a few Malay-based political parties, adding that the basic
formation on Dr Mahathir’s new party was also less clear.
“In reality, to establish a political party is not
easy and it takes time ... and besides, why would Tun want to establish another
Malay-based political party as he has already led Bersatu (which he founded) before.
So, I think the best thing for him is to return to Bersatu or Umno.
“Personally, I think the setting up of a Malay-based
political party has no basis anymore as we all want to find unity. We respect
him (Dr Mahathir) when it comes to being innovative but this is not the case,”
he said.
Rais, who is also the Yayasan Budi chairman and
founder, said this to reporters after attending the ‘Serlahan Budi’ photography
competition prize presentation ceremony at Taman Teluk Cempedak here today.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir announced the formation of a
new party that is not aligned to either Pakatan Harapan or the Perikatan
Nasional.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Rais said that
he had formally submitted an application to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar
Azizan Harun to enforce a ban on the use of abusive and rude language during
the Dewan Rakyat sitting.
“If we continue to behave like this, students and
leaders at the lower level will emulate such behaviour which will eventually
cause the country to be known for its leaders who behave badly,” he said.
Apart from that, Rais also said that a Jawi script
working committee was established by his party to implement various programmes
to revive and cultivate the traditional script.
“The implementation is expected to be carried out
ahead of Malaysia Day. We want to popularise Jawi script by holding various
competitions such as composing in Jawi, making posters and street names,” he
said.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/08/08/new-party-will-only-divide-malays-further-says-rais-yatim/1892227
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/maajid-nawaz-quilliam-foundation-apologises/d/122584