‘Madrasas as Nationalist as Any Other Institute’: Chairman UPMEB
New Age Islam News Bureau
16
Sept 2014
Photo: Bosnian children attend 'ISIS summer camp' in Syria
India
• ‘Madrasas as Nationalist as Any Other Institute’: Chairman UPMEB
• ‘Shouted for Azad Kashmir and laughed at it later’
• Muslim Clerics Slam BJP MP on Madrasa-Terror Remark
• Govt gears up to quiz Thane boys who 'joined ISIS'
• India slams Pakistan for saying Hafiz Saeed free to roam
• Golden Temple to provide help in relief program for flood victims in J&K
Europe
• British Lord Calls to Ban Certain Passages of the Qur'an
• Bosnian children attend 'ISIS summer camp' in Syria
• Logan mosque bombarded with anti-Islamic leaflets in latest hate attack
• The West is seeking a mentality change in Turkey on ISIL
• Austria to ban Islamic State symbols in crackdown on militants
• England cricketer urges Muslims to shun IS
• UN: Palestinian unity government crucial for Gaza recovery
Arab World
• Islamic State Group Removes Art, Music from Iraqi Curricula
• Syrian Army Ambushes Dozens of Militants in Qalamoun, Kills 37 Others in Deir Ezzur
• Joint efforts needed to defeat IS: Prince Saud
• Dozens of Christians 'Including Women and Children' Are Arrested In Saudi Arabia after Tip-Off to State's Islamist Police Force
• Sinai bomb kills six Egypt policemen: ministry
• Bombings kill 8 people in Iraq
• IS jihadists down Syria warplane: Monitor
• Al-Qaida appealed to ISIS to release British aid worker following kidnap
• In Iraq, parents take silent stand against Islamic State education
• Investigators find Syrian govt still ‘responsible’ for most killings
• Saudi court jails 13 Islamists for fighting abroad
Pakistan
• Zarb-e-Azb: 31 militants killed
• Qadri master of U-turn like his cousin Imran: Minister
• Sit-ins becoming problematic: Jamaat-e-Islami
• Five killed in Karachi violence
• Rabbani's questions are 'hypothetical', PAT tells Supreme Court
• Taliban have lost capability to carry out coordinated attacks
• Passengers expel ex-Pakistan Minister Rehman Malik from PIA flight
• Amnesty to Pakistan: Stop execution of Shoaib Sarwar immediately
Mideast
• 25 killed in Sunni and Shiite clashes in northern Yemen
• Palestinian Authority compares Islamic State to 'settlers'
• Exiled Muslim Brotherhood leaders would be welcome in Turkey: Erdogan
• ISIL drawing a steady stream of recruits from Turkey: Report
• Gazans rush to enjoy life after ruinous war
• Israel sees mass Hezbollah incursion in future fight
North America
• Al-Qaida-inspired killers spreading like weeds
• Islamic State post threatens to target 'the American depth'
• US Scouts for Sunni Allies on the Ground in Iraq
• US bombs ISIL near Baghdad for first time
• Islamic State supporter warns of attacks against US: SITE
• Turkish religious body to host Latin American Muslim leaders
• US warns Assad not to target US planes in Syria
• Second actor sues Google over anti-Islam movie
• US denies claims that ISIS may enter through Mexico
• Al-Qaeda recruiting European militants in Syria to 'attack U.S. planes': American officials
Africa
• Mystery airstrikes target Libyan Islamist militias
• Boko Haram Subjects Children to Greater Violence
• At least 19 killed in fierce Benghazi clashes
• Nigeria: Boko Haram Threat Dangerously Exploited By Elites
• Kenya Raising Stakes of FGM with Almost 50 Cases in Court - Paper
South Asia
• Taliban beheads religious cleric in Uruzgan province
• 3 NATO service members killed in Kabul suicide attack
• Cross-border attack from Afghanistan kills 3 Pakistani soldiers
• 3 Afghan soldiers martyred in roadside bomb blast
• Jamaat leader Sayedee appeal verdict Wednesday
• After 20 years, Taslima’s Lajja translated afresh
Southeast Asia
• Dr M takes dig at West over western jihadists in Islamic State
• On Malaysia Day, a picnic protest to stand against fear and heal the racial divide
• Yet Another Terror Suspect Arrested in Central Sulawesi
• Sedition fear prompts forum organisers to ask for no media coverage
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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India
‘Madrasas as Nationalist as Any Other Institute’: Chairman UPMEB
Ishita Bhatia,TNN | Sep 16, 2014
MEERUT: A day after Sakshi Maharaj's comment on the minority community, saying that madrasas were giving "education of terrorism," Quazi Zainus Sajidin, chairman UP Madrasa Education Board, claimed that madrasas were nationalist than any other educational institute in the country.
"Madrasas are nationalist than any other educational institute in the country. At the time of freedom struggle, madrasas were the first to put up a brave fight, though they knew they belonged to a minority community," said Sajidin.
Commenting on Maharaj's statement, Sajidin, said, "He is a member of parliament and he should have acted responsibly before passing any such comment. He should have rather tried going to any of the madrasas to know the ground reality, before commenting on them."
Maharaj's comment came a few days after Yogi Adityanath, another BJP MP triggered a controversy by saying that chances of riots are more in places where minority community is in maximum number.
Maharaj also claimed that there is hardly any madrasa where a tricolor is hoisted on August 15 and January 26.
"Madrasas teach students about the holy book of Quran. All of us our Indians and we celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day with the same gusto as others do," said Sajidin.
Sajidin further claimed that madrasas teach the poor kids in a similar manner they teach rich kids and there is no line of demarcation between any religion, caste, creed or stature.
He even claimed that had madrasas not been there, terrorism would have spread in the entire country and that it is the madrasas which teach the right way of living.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Madrasas-as-nationalist-as-any-other-institute/articleshow/42584313.cms
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‘Shouted for Azad Kashmir and laughed at it later’
September 16, 2014
On the night of September 12, responding to an SOS, a team of five Army personnel led by an officer launched a relief operation at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, a separatist stronghold. Carrying out rescue work in the area needed recce and more importantly concealment of identity.
Dressed in civvies, the team began its operation at 2 am and worked till late in the evening on September 13. During the day-long exercise, the personnel witnessed firing at Army boats trying to ferry out stranded people to dry areas, and raised slogans of “Azad Kashmir” to maintain their cover even as they laughed at the rumours that Pakistan had sent 80 helicopters to help rescue operations.
“On the night of September 12, we received an SOS for two people. By 2 am, we were on our way. Knowing that it is a notorious area, we decided to conceal our identities. Dressed in civvies, we went in a Sumo vehicle. After crossing Gupkar, we realised that the vehicle could not go further. We did not have life jackets… and decided to swim… we waded through 800 metres,” said an Army man involved in the operation.
At one point, the group found an abandoned wooden boat with no oars. Rowing the boat with their hands, the group reached Exchange Road adjacent to Lal Chowk at around 5 am. “There were four women and they did not have food or water. We had to ask our operation commander to send air support. We needed to be stationed at a height to receive the air support, and thus got on to one Dena Bank building,” the official said.
Considering the difficulty that the incoming helicopters might have in locating the team from amongst several others atop the houses, the group told their commander that they would “remove their shirts and stand in two groups — a few feet from each other — waving black clothes”.
“We sent the supplies, including some specific medicines. And with the peculiar arrangement that our men created on the top of the building, the helicopter located them easily,” said the operation commander. One of the flood-victims provided relief was an 84-year-old Kashmiri Pandit woman who was being looked after by a Muslim family.
After distributing the air-dropped aid, the group started rowing the wooden boat to return to its base. “At this time, two Army boats on routine rescue mission entered from south and were fired upon. We told the boats to retract and disengage. To row away from the scene, we navigated to a Mohalla. Three Hurriyat men got onto our boat… they told us that Pakistan had sent a help of 80 rescue helicopters, which India denied. We went to a mosque. I told the Maulvi to pray that the water recedes soon and peace prevails. The Maulvi said that the tragedy has brought people of Kashmir together and prayed for Azad Kashmir… to remain under cover, we too shouted for Azad Kashmir. We all laughed at this later… (but) at that time, we were one amongst them,” said a member of the Army team.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/shouted-for-azad-kashmir-and-laughed-at-it-later/99/#sthash.Y6sY7Pmx.dpuf
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Muslim Clerics Slam BJP MP on Madrasa-Terror Remark
Maria Akram,TNN | Sep 16, 2014
NEW DELHI: A day after Sakshi Maharaj's remarks that children in madrasas were being trained to become terrorists, the Muslim clerics are up in arms against BJP Unnao MP. In fact, some are planning to submit a memorandum against him to the PM.
Slamming the remarks, Muslim clerics said madrasas do not teach terrorism, and it is only about Quran teachings for peace. "Those who make such statements should be punished," said Muslim cleric Maulana Mohammad Sajid Rashidi.
Nowadays, many madrasas along with Islamic teachings are also imparting modern-day education. In Okhla's Da'wah Centre, boys are taught all subjects. "Madrasas have been in India for more than 400 years and there are instances of even Hindus studying in them. Had the government found any misdoings, the NDA government would not have allocated Rs 100 crore for madrasas," Mohd Abidullah of Markaz Ul-Marif, that runs the madrasa in Okhla, said.
First 'love jihad' and now defaming madrasas, these are all ways widen the gap between communities and divide India on religion lines," said Abidullah. Even Shia leaders have urged the government to probe the case and if no truth is found in the statement then Maharaj should apologize.
Maharaja had also said that madrasas don't celebrate Independence and Republic Day as they do not hoist Indian flag. To this, Darul Uloom said hoisting a national flag doesn't make anyone more Indian. "All madrasas ensure that these are celebrated and many hoist the flag. Saying such things shows that Sakshi Maharaj isn't an Indian himself," said Mufti Abul Qasim Naumani from Deobandh.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-clerics-slam-MP-on-madrasa-terror-remark/articleshow/42584394.cms
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Govt gears up to quiz Thane boys who 'joined ISIS'
TNN | Sep 16, 2014
NEW DELHI: The government has begun preparing for the return of youths learned to be fighting alongside Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. The NIA has sent a report on the outfit to the home ministry and various avenues are being explored through which an FIR can be lodged against ISIS as an outfit and the returning boys questioned legally.
Of the four boys from Thane in Maharashtra who recently went to Iraq to fight alongside ISIS, while one has died, three have called up their families and informed that they would return. Fears have been expressed within the security establishment that these battle-hardened boys could be tapped by ISIS as and when they decide to begin operations in India. This would effectively pull India into the cauldron of global terror.
However, there is a legal hitch to taking such a step as ISIS has not committed any offence in India and is also not a banned organization under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The discussion within the home ministry is that since the outfit is facing sanctions from the United Nations, it can be brought under the purview of UAPA and be investigated by NIA following an FIR.
The UAPA schedule of 35 terrorist organizations includes "Organizations listed in the schedule to the UN Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism (Implementation of Security Council Resolutions) Order, 2007 made under Section 2 of the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947 (43 of 1947) and amended from time to time". Sources said it is being studied if this could be used to file an FIR against ISIS.
However, home ministry sources also said there was no immediate threat of large scale radicalization among Indian Muslims towards ISIS. Notably, in a recent press conference, home minister Rajnath Singh brushed aside any threat from ISIS, saying, "There is no progress in ISIS recruitment in the country. All Muslim organizations have condemned the outfit and its ways in India. Everybody wants communal harmony in the country to continue. The approach of Islamic organizations in the country has been very positive as far as the issue of ISIS is concerned."
Sources said the government is looking at handling the return of youth from war zones sensitively.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-gears-up-to-quiz-Thane-boys-who-joined-ISIS/articleshow/42585342.cms
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India slams Pakistan for saying Hafiz Saeed free to roam, demands his arrest
PTI | Sep 15, 2014
NEW DELHI: India on Monday hit out at Pakistan for its remarks that Hafiz Saeed had no case against him and he was free to roam, saying the designated terrorist was the "evil" mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks and it is Pakistan's responsibility to bring the chief of terror outfit JuD to book and deliver justice.
"Our views on Hafiz Saeed are very clear. To us, he is the evil mastermind of the attacks on Mumbai and one of the accused in an Indian court for killings on streets of Mumbai. We have repeatedly asked Pakistan that he should be apprehended and taken through normal judicial process.
"Alas! He has never been arrested on account of 26/11. Therefore.... he is only free because he is a Pakistani citizen," external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said here.
The sharp reaction by India came within hours of Pakistan high commission Abdul Basit's remarks that "Hafiz Saeed is a Pakistani national so he is free to roam around. So what is the problem...he is a free citizen so there is no issue as far as Pakistan is concerned. Courts have already exonerated him. There is no case pending against him."
Asked about Pakistan's stand that there was not enough evidence to prove his involvement, the MEA spokesperson said, "99 per cent evidence in this case is in Pakistan. That is because the entire conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan. The planning for this dastardly act was done in Pakistan.
"The financing for this act was undertaken in Pakistan and people involved who were involved in this were from Pakistan. Therefore, it has always been our view that it devolves on Pakistan that it ensures that criminals like Hafiz Saeed were brought to book and justice was delivered in the instance of crime in Mumbai."
166 people were killed in the terror strike in Mumbai in 2008. New Delhi has also protested the delay in the on-going trial of the case in Pakistan.
Recently, Saeed, known for his anti-India tirade and designated as a terrorist by the US, has also accused India of indulging in "water-terrorism".
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-slams-Pakistan-for-saying-Hafiz-Saeed-free-to-roam-demands-his-arrest/articleshow/42542908.cms
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Golden Temple to provide help in relief program for flood victims in J&K
Sep 16, 2014
Amid the ongoing rescue operation where the armed forces have evacuated over thousands of victims, the IAF has roped in help from Golden Temple in Amritsar.
The langar committee of the temple would provide ready to eat meals to the victims. the Air force base in Srinagar that was providing 10,000 food packets per day previously felt the need to call in for help as the number of victims is growing.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) would initiate to provide food packets to the victims. The IAF would be flying a special aircraft from Amritsar to Srinagar carrying special food packets.
The state government is still finding it difficult to cope with the crisis.
http://www.newdelhitimes.com/golden-temple-to-provide-help-in-relief-program-for-flood-victims-in-jammu-and-kashmir123/
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Europe
British Lord Calls to Ban Certain Passages of the Qur'an
World Bulletin / News Desk
16 Sep, 2014
A British Lord and former advisor to the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has called on the US Congress to ban certain passages of the Qur'an and to make reading them aloud illegal.
Lord Christopher Monckton’s latest column for website World Net Daily falsely claimed “Nearly all acts of terrorism perpetrated throughout the world in the past quarter of a century were carried out by Muslims in the name of Allah.”
“One does not need to look any further than their “holy” book, the [Qur'an],” he said, adding “Craven public authorities have failed to act against the circulation of the [Qur'an] in its present form because they fear a violent backlash.”
According to Raw Story, Monckton then urged the banning of portions of the Qur'an that he wrongly interprets to be a call for violence against nonbelievers, saying the rights of free speech are outweighed by the need to stop incitement.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/144478/british-lord-calls-to-ban-reading-of-quran
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Bosnian children attend 'ISIS summer camp' in Syria
16 Sep, 2014
Children are among the ranks of the organization striking terror in the hearts of people across the Middle East and making headlines in the West with brutal executions recorded and distributed over the Internet.
A video placed online by the Islamic State, and translated by MEMRI, shows some of the youngest ISIS recruits, a group of Bosnian children who appear to be under 10 years old in Syria, holding the group's black flag.
In the clip, the children chant "Allah Akbar," and "the Islamic State is here to stay."
The children of Bosnian militants, one of the many groups that has arrived in Syria from abroad to fight with the organziation, are seen playing with firearms as well.
Two of the children send greetings to "al-Baghdadi and his lions," referring to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State.
The children say that their adherence to Sunni Islam and the Koran will bring them victory.
"Send a message to the Crusaders of America," the children chant in unison, "Your grave will be in Syria, our state is victorious."
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Watch-Bosnian-children-attend-ISIS-summer-camp-in-Syria-375467
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Logan mosque bombarded with anti-Islamic leaflets in latest hate attack
16 Sep, 2014
A LOGAN mosque has been targeted by four “hate” attacks, including two on the weekend.
In the most recent incident, about 50 anti-Muslim leaflets were dumped in the grounds of the Kingston mosque early yesterday.
“This is very insulting to the Muslim community, and we are disgusted that someone would take this action against us,’’ Brisbane Muslim community leader Ali Kadri said.
“We condemn their actions, as should all Australians, but I am calling for calm.
“While there is anger in the community over what is happening, there should be no retaliation or demonstration of that anger.”
The leaflets featured racist taunts such as “Terrorists born in Australia are not Australians – they are Muslims” and “Muslims are not welcome in Australia, go back to where you came from”.
Full report at:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/logan-mosque-bombarded-with-antiislamic-leaflets-in-latest-hate-attack/story-fnihsrf2-1227058301127
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The West is seeking a mentality change in Turkey on ISIL
16 Sep, 2014
It had escaped my attention when it was apparently reported in the press last month – that’s why I was quite interested to hear the results of an opinion poll on Turks’ attitude toward the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from a European diplomat. I first understood that 62 percent of Turks did not consider ISIL a terrorist organization. Apparently it was the other way around. According to the poll conducted by Metropoll in mid-August, 62 percent of Turks consider ISIL to be a terrorist organization. The European diplomat in fact was expressing his astonishment that the rate was so low.
Ten years ago I would have had the same astonishment, although a decade ago the rate would have been much higher about a horrendous organization that has the audacity to hold 49 Turkish state officials hostage.
Full report at:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-west-is-seeking-a-mentality-change-in-turkey-on-isil.aspx?PageID=238&NID=71767&NewsCatID=412
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Austria to ban Islamic State symbols in crackdown on militants
16 Sep, 2014
Austria plans to ban militant Islamist groups' symbols and strip citizenship from people who travel abroad to fight with jihadists in a crackdown announced by conservative government ministers on Monday.
The People's Party (OVP) campaign still needs to be coordinated with their Social Democrat coalition partners but looks likely to be adopted amid mounting concern in Austria about the potential security threat from radicalised Muslims, especially those who ally with Islamic State.
Authorities suspect more than 140 people in Austria - most of them foreigners who sought asylum - have allied themselves with Islamist groups fighting abroad. Expressions of support for them on the Internet are becoming common.
Thousands of Western volunteers have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join militant groups including Islamic State. The trend has raised fears in Europe and the United States of attacks by returning fighters.
Germany, which believes some 400 German citizens have joined IS in Iraq and Syria, imposed a similar ban last week on Islamic State symbols such as the black flag used by the group in internet postings, and any promotion of the group.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/110793/World/International/Austria-to-ban-Islamic-State-symbols-in-crackdown-.aspx
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England cricketer urges Muslims to shun IS
16 Sep, 2014
LONDON: England cricketer Moeen Ali has “strongly advised” his fellow British Muslims against joining Islamic State or other similar groups fighting in Iraq and Syria.
Asked what his advice would be to his compatriots contemplating such action, Ali told the Huffington Post website in an interview: “I would strongly advise them not to go.“
Ali insisted groups such as IS, which has beheaded three Western hostages in the past month, did not represent his faith.
“If you look at Islam, it condemns this sort of thing,” he said.
The government estimates around 500 British Muslims have travelled to Syria and Iraq in recent months to fight for groups such as IS.
“It is a little bit worrying,” Ali said. “As Muslims we need to understand the ruling behind (whether) guys can go (to fight).
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1132135/england-cricketer-urges-muslims-to-shun-is
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UN: Palestinian unity government crucial for Gaza recovery
16 Sep, 2014
The United Nations released a report Monday saying that a unified, Palestinian government is crucial in helping Gaza recover and rebuild following Operation Protective Edge.
The report also blamed supposed Palestinian confrontations with Israelis and IDF soldiers as a major sign of the deterioration of the situation in the West Bank.
A committee hosted by UN chief Ban Ki-Moon is set to discuss the report further on September 22, two days before the UN General Assembly convenes.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/UN-Palestinian-unity-government-crucial-for-Gaza-recovery-375458
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Arab World
Islamic State group removes art, music from Iraqi curricula
16 Sep, 2014
The extremist-held Iraqi city of Mosul is set to usher in a new school year. But unlike years past, there will be no art or music. Classes about history, literature and Christianity have been "permanently annulled."
The Islamic State group has declared patriotic songs blasphemous and ordered that certain pictures be torn out of textbooks.
But instead of compliance, Iraq's second largest city has — at least so far — responded to the Sunni militants' demands with silence. Although the extremists stipulated that the school year would begin Sept. 9, pupils have uniformly not shown up for class, according to residents who spoke anonymously because of safety concerns.
They said families were keeping their children home out of mixed feelings of fear, resistance and uncertainty.
"What's important to us now is that the children continue receiving knowledge correctly, even if they lose a whole academic year and an official certification," a Mosul resident who identified himself as Abu Hassan told The Associated Press, giving only his nickname for fear of reprisals. He and his wife have opted for home schooling, picking up the required readings at the local market.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/35/110873/Arts--Culture/Stage--Street/Islamic-State-group-removes-art,-music-from-Iraqi-.aspx
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Syrian Army Ambushes Dozens of Militants in Qalamoun, Kills 37 Others in Deir Ezzur
16 Sep, 2014
The Syrian army ambushed and killed dozens of Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front terrorists on Flita barrens in Qalamoun in Damascus countryside, well-informed sources said.
The Syrian army also killed 37 ISIL terrorists in Deir Ezzur after fierce clashes with the terrorist group, Al-Manar reported Monday.
Syrian army destroyed the Siyassa bridge in Deir Ezzur in special operation carried out by elite forces and engineering units, leaving all operating militants killed and injured, informed sources said.
The city has been totally isolated now from the rural area of Deir Ezzur following the operation as Siyassa Bridge was the main supply route for armed groups between both areas.
Movements of militants have been also paralyzed as the heavy artillery of the Syrian army stormed their communities and main stationing points in the area following the huge blast.
The opposition UK-based Syrian Observatory said the Siyassa Bridge was the only outlet connecting the ISIL-led areas which makes the terrorists' strongholds in Deir Ezzur trapped due to the control of the army on the land crossings.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930625000454
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Joint efforts needed to defeat IS: Prince Saud
16 Sep, 2014
PARIS – The threats posed by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) has transcended the borders of Iraq and the Levant to reach every country, said Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Affairs Minister, during the Iraq Peace and Security Conference in Paris on Monday.
“Such threats call for joint efforts to fight them and protect all countries against them. The IS was formed in Syria where it had found a safe haven on the territories of the Al-Assad regime and where it conducted training and received weapons and moved freely without any obstacles. Therefore, any strategy to launch attacks against it should include the Syrian territories where its exists,” said Prince Saud.
The conference, the results of which are important to the present and future of Iraq in light of the challenges Iraq faces, has been held following the latest tumultuous political and security developments the Iraqi arena has seen. These developments have placed Iraq at a crossroads – with a past that saw political turmoil and sectarian violence as well as forms of foreign interventions and challenges that threatened its sovereignty and national unity.
Today Iraq has a chance to find a way out of this stalemate, in light of the formation of a new government that is hoped to be politically balanced, something which the former government lacked.
Full report at:
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140916218351
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Dozens of Christians 'including women and children' are arrested in Saudi Arabia after tip-off to state's Islamist police force
September 16, 2014
Islamist police in Saudi Arabia have stormed a Christian prayer meeting and arrested its entire congregation, including women and children, and confiscated their bibles, it has been reported.
The raid was the latest incident of a swingeing crackdown on religious minorities in Saudi Arabia by the country's hard-line Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
The 28 Christians were said to be worshipping at the home of an Indian national in the eastern city of Khafji, when the police entered the building and took them into custody. They have not been seen or heard from since, raising concerns among human rights groups as to their whereabouts.
Nina Shea, director of the Washington-based Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, told FoxNews.com: 'Saudi Arabia is continuing the religious cleansing that has always been its official policy.
Full report at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2756134/Dozens-Christians-including-women-children-arrested-Saudi-Arabia-tip-state-s-Islamist-police-force.html#ixzz3DTJIWDgO
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Sinai bomb kills six Egypt policemen: ministry
16 Sep, 2014
CAIRO: A bomb hit an Egyptian security force convoy in the Sinai Peninsula on Tuesday, killing six policemen in the restive region where jihadists launch regular attacks.
Two policemen were also wounded in the attack on the road between North Sinai provincial capital El-Arish and the town of Rafah on the Gaza border, the interior ministry said.
"An explosive device went off near one of the APCs (armoured personnel carriers) of a joint police and army security convoy on the road between El-Arish and Rafah, killing six policemen including an officer and wounding two others," the ministry said in a statement.
It said security forces had cordoned off the area and an investigation was being carried out.The attack has not been claimed but the Sinai Peninsula is a hotbed of militant groups who regularly attack security forces in retaliation for a government crackdown against Islamist supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Full report at:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-159912-Sinai-bomb-kills-six-Egypt-policemen:-ministry
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Bombings kill 8 people in Iraq
16 Sep, 2014
Iraqi officials say two separate bombings have killed eight people in and around the capital.
Police officials say the first attack happened Monday afternoon when a roadside bomb explosion hit a patrol of anti-militant fighters, known as Sahwa, in the town of Madain, just south of Baghdad, killing three fighters and one civilian.
The Sahwa are made up of Sunni militiamen who joined U.S. troops in the fight against al-Qaida during the height of Iraq's insurgency in 2007 and 2008.
In a later attack, police say a sticky bomb attached to a minibus exploded in Baghdad's southern district of Abu Dashir, killing four passengers and wounding six people.
Medical officials confirmed the causalities. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/110847/World/Region/Bombings-kill--people-in-Iraq.aspx
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IS jihadists down Syria warplane: Monitor
16 Sep, 2014
Jihadists shot down a Syrian warplane conducting strikes on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqa on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.
"IS fighters fired on a military aircraft which crashed," the Britain-based group said.
"It is the first aircraft shot down since the regime launched air strikes against the jihadists in July following their declaration of a caliphate in late June," said the group, which relies on a wide network of doctors and activists for its reports.
Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP that the plane crashed into a house in the Euphrates Valley city, the sole provincial capital entirely out of Syrian government control.
He said there were casualties on the ground.
The air force carried out five sorties against IS targets in Raqa on Tuesday morning, he added.
A photograph posted on a jihadist Twitter account purported to show the burnt out wreckage of the plane.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/110874/World/Region/IS-jihadists-down-Syria-warplane-Monitor.aspx
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Al-Qaida appealed to ISIS to release British aid worker following kidnap
Tom Harper,The Independent | Sep 16, 2014
Al-Qaida appealed to ISIS to release the British hostage Alan Henning because it believed he was an innocent aid worker who was genuinely trying to help suffering Muslims, it can be revealed.
In evidence that the depravity exhibited by ISIS is now repelling Muslims of all views and backgrounds, even the terrorist group behind the 11 September attacks on the US in 2001 decided that kidnapping the aid-convoy volunteer was a step too far.
Mr Henning, a taxi driver from Eccles, Salford, was so moved by the plight of Muslims in Syria that he decided to miss last Christmas with his wife and two children and travel 4,000 miles to deliver medical equipment to refugees holed up in the town of Al-Dana.
A local commander - or emir - of Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaida affiliate in Syria, visited his then-allies in ISIS four days after Mr Henning, 47, was captured. The emir confronted the kidnappers, arguing that their actions were "wrong under Islamic law" and "counter-productive", according to a journalist who interviewed the man immediately after the encounter.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Alan-Henning-Al-Qaida-appealed-to-ISIS-to-release-British-aid-worker-following-kidnap/articleshow/42628455.cms
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In Iraq, parents take silent stand against Islamic State education
16 Sep, 2014
BAGHDAD (AP) — The extremist-held Iraqi city of Mosul is set to usher in a new school year. But unlike years past, there will be no art or music. Classes about history, literature and Christianity have been “permanently annulled.
The Islamic State group has declared patriotic songs blasphemous and ordered that certain pictures be torn out of textbooks.
But instead of compliance, Iraq’s second largest city has — at least so far — responded to the Sunni fighters’ demands with silence. Although the extremists stipulated that the school year would begin September 9, pupils have uniformly not shown up for class, according to residents who spoke anonymously because of safety concerns. They said families were keeping their children home out of mixed feelings of fear, resistance and uncertainty.
“What’s important to us now is that the children continue receiving knowledge correctly, even if they lose a whole academic year and an official certification,” a Mosul resident who identified himself as Abu Hassan told The Associated Press, giving only his nickname for fear of reprisals. He and his wife have opted for home schooling, picking up the required readings at the local market.
Full report at:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/islamic-state-group-issues-new-curriculum-in-iraq/#ixzz3DTTCNlAY
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Investigators find Syrian govt still ‘responsible’ for most killings
16 September 2014
United Nations war crimes investigators for Syria cautioned world powers preparing military action against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters that the 'laws of war' would apply to them and they must do everything possible to protect civilian populations.
They said ISIS, which controls swathes of Iraq and Syria, had committed massacres of religious and ethnic groups and abused women. The government of President Bashar al-Assad, however, remained responsible for the majority of civilian casualties.
World powers meeting in Paris on Monday gave public backing to military action to fight ISIS fighters in Iraq.
The U.S. military struck an Islamic State target southwest of Baghdad, U.S. Central Command said, in an expansion of the Obama administration's campaign against the group that has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/16/Investigators-find-Syrian-govt-still-responsible-for-most-killings.html
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Saudi court jails 13 Islamists for fighting abroad
16 September 2014
A court in Saudi Arabia on Monday jailed 13 defendants for up to 10 years on charges including joining a radical Islamist group and fighting and supporting fighters abroad.
The 13 were part of a larger cell of 32 and were convicted of “following the Takfirist doctrine,” a term usually used to refer to al-Qaeda, the official SPA news agency said.
They were also convicted of charges including fighting abroad, supporting fighters financially, and helping “misled” people travel to conflict zones, SPA said.
Scores of Saudis are believed to be in the ranks of radical Islamist groups in areas of unrest across the Middle East, including Syria.
Some of the defendants were also convicted of possessing arms and undergoing weapons training.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/16/Saudi-court-jails-13-Islamists-for-fighting-abroad.html
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Pakistan
Zarb-e-Azb: 31 militants killed
September 16, 2014
Miranshah- Pakistan army prevented a cross-border militant attack from Afghanistan, killing 11 militants and eliminated 20 others in fresh airstrikes in North Waziristan Agency today.
At least 11 terrorists and three Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers were killed as a militant attack from across the border was thwarted by Pakistani security forces in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) today.
The Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that a group of terrorists from the Afghan side of the border attacked Dandi Kuch in the Spinwam area of NWA. Pakistani troops repulsed the attack, killing 11 terrorists while arresting one. Security forces also recovered bodies of three terrorists. During the gun-battle, at least three FC soldiers lost their lives. A militant was apprehended by army, officials said. During the military’s Zarb-e-Azb operation in North Waziristan region, ISPR said, at least 20 more terrorists were killed in today’s airstrikes that were carried out in Khyber Agency early morning. Three hideouts and two ammunition dumps were also destroyed in Tordara and Koki Khel areas of Khyber Agency bordering Afghanistan. Nearly 1100 terrorists have been killed since the operation begun on June 15.
http://nation.com.pk/national/16-Sep-2014/zarb-e-azb-31-militants-killed
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Qadri master of U-turn like his cousin Imran: Minister
16 Sep, 2014
ISLAMABAD – Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid on Monday lashed out at Dr Tahir ul Qadri, saying that he was the master of U-turn like his cousin Imran Khan.
“Why does Qadri say something which he has to retract a day later,” Rashid questioned. He said both cousins Imran and Qadri were now tired of giving one after another deadline about government' ouster. His statement comes in reference to 'Go Nawaz Go' campaign launched by Dr Qadri on currency notes yesterday.
He, however, withdrew the campaign and asked his supporters to start this campaign on mobile phones and social media.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/15-Sep-2014/qadri-master-of-u-turn-like-his-cousin-imran-pervaiz
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Sit-ins becoming problematic: Jamaat-e-Islami
16 Sep, 2014
The sit-ins are becoming increasingly problematic since all three players have yet not responded to the suggestions made to find a way out, said Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq while talking to media persons here on Monday.
He made a special mention of the PTI leader Imran Khan for being obstinate.
“Imran Khan has not yet responded to any of our suggestions,” Sirajul Haq said. “Politics has entered a blind alley.”
He, however, said that his party would not become part of the problem and instead would strive to look for a negotiated settlement. “We will not become a part of the problem,” he said categorically.
Full report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/16-Sep-2014/sit-ins-becoming-problematic-siraj
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Five killed in Karachi violence
16 Sep, 2014
KARACHI: Five people, including a woman, were killed in different incidents of violence in Karachi on Tuesday whereas six alleged terrorists were arrested during an operation in the SITE area of the metropolis.
A former counselor and his son were shot dead near a hotel in Orangi Town’s Sabri Chowk. The victims were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
Following the incident, panic spread in the area.
Meanwhile, three bodies, including one belonging to a woman, were recovered from the areas of Gulbahar, Memon Goth and Korangi Zaman Town.
Separately, Crime Investigation Department (CID) personnel carried out raids in the SITE area of the city and arrested five suspected terrorists belonging to the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1132322/five-killed-in-karachi-violence
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Rabbani's questions are 'hypothetical', PAT tells Supreme Court
16 Sep, 2014
ISLAMABAD: In response to the questions raised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Raza Rabbani in a case pertaining to extra-constitutional steps and sit-ins on Islamabad's Constitution Avenue, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) on Tuesday declared them as 'hypothetical'.
PAT counsel Barrister Syed Ali submitted the response on behalf of the party.
Responding to Rabbani's first question whether any political party or any other group could, at all, seek constitutional office-bearers to disengage from office under threat of violence, the reply stated that it was the right of every person to raise demands, including the resignation of any office bearer in the government, be it prime minister or chief minister of any province.
"The resignation of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister are duly provided in the Constitution in Article 91(6) and 130(6), hence there is nothing unconstitutional in demanding the resignation," PAT response said.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1132317/rabbanis-questions-are-hypothetical-pat-tells-supreme-court
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Taliban have lost capability to carry out coordinated attacks
16 Sep, 2014
RAWALPINDI: The army on Monday said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has lost the capability to carry out coordinated attacks.
In an interview with BBC on Monday Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Director General Major General Asim Bajwa said that after successful Operation Zarb-e-Azb, terrorists are on the run and have lost their ability to carry out coordinated attacks. He said that TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah and the members of his “cabinet” are currently in Afghanistan hatching conspiracies against Pakistan. He dispelled the impression that the terrorists and extremists are gaining strength and will be able to carry out subversive activities against the motherland.
To a question, Bajwa said that no deadline has been given for the culmination of the current operation in Waziristan to root out the terrorists. He said that the Taliban have carried out scattered attacks in Quetta, Karachi and other parts of the country as they have been expelled from their hideouts established for planning and targeting security personnel, state institutions and public places through suicide bomb blasts and explosive-laden vehicles. He said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb has proved to be a major blow for terrorists who have been taking shelter in Waziristan Agency, as now they were struggling for their survival.
The army had on Friday emphatically stated that it was not the “scriptwriter” of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek protest marches. Bajwa had then said that the army supports constitution and democracy and has nothing to do with the present political situation in the country. “Army has no role or involvement in the situation and assumptions and speculations in this connection are regrettable,” Bajwa had said while answering questions by media persons at a briefing on Friday. He said that COAS General Raheel Sharif had in his address on Youm-i-Shuhuda clearly said that the army believes in the continuation of democracy.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/16-Sep-2014/taliban-have-lost-capability-to-carry-out-coordinated-attacks
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Passengers expel ex-Pakistan Minister Rehman Malik from PIA flight
Sep 16, 2014
Angry passengers on board a PIA flight stopped former Interior Minister Rehman Malik and a lawmaker of the ruling PML-N from boarding the plane, accusing them of causing over two hours of delay.
The Islamabad-bound Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-370 from Karachi was delayed by two-and-a-half hours on Monday as it kept waiting for the arrival of Mr. Malik and National Assembly member Dr. Ramesh Kumar Wakwani.
When they finally came, the passengers stopped them from boarding the aircraft.
According to a video clip repeatedly shown by the local media, passengers were shouting at Mr. Malik, who was filmed going back hurriedly when confronted by the passengers.
“Malik sahab, sorry. You should go back. You should apologise to these passengers. You should be ashamed of yourself...250 passengers have suffered because of you. It is your fault, sir,” a passenger was heard saying in the clip.
Full report at:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/angry-passengers-expel-expakistan-minister-rehman-malik-from-pia-flight/article6415827.ece
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Amnesty to Pakistan: Stop execution of Shoaib Sarwar immediately
Sep 16, 2014
Amnesty International has asked Pakistan to immediately scrap the plans to carry out its first civilian execution over the past six years and sought steps towards the abolition of capital punishment.
Shoaib Sarwar, a death row prisoner convicted on murder charges in 1998, is set to be hanged in a Rawalpindi jail on September 18.
“This execution should be halted immediately,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia-Pacific Director.
Pakistan has not hanged any civilian since 2008 and last execution of a soldier was carried out by military in 2012.
“Instead of moving to resume executions, authorities should formalise a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards full abolition,” said Mr. Griffiths.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/amnesty-international-asks-pakistan-to-stop-execution-of-shoaib-sarwar-immediately/article6415760.ece
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Mideast
25 killed in Sunni and Shiite clashes in northern Yemen
16 Sep, 2014
Yemeni security and tribal officials say at least 25 people were killed in clashes between Sunni tribesmen affiliated to the country's Muslim Brotherhood group and Shiite rebels in a northern city.
The officials said Monday that the killings took place over the past 24 hours in fighting between the Shiite rebels, known as Hawthis, and their rivals in the city of Jawf.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
The Hawthis, already in control of the northern city of Saada, have been staging demonstrations in the capital Sanaa demanding a new government. The group waged a six-year insurgency that ended with a cease-fire in 2010, and critics have portrayed the demonstrations as part of a power grab.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/110836/World/Region/-killed-in-clashes-in-northern-Yemen.aspx
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Palestinian Authority compares Islamic State to 'settlers'
16 Sep, 2014
The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry said Monday that Islamic State's terrorism is like that of "occupation" and "settlements."
The ministry urged the world to consider occupation and settlements as a form of terror.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Palestinian-Authority-compares-Islamic-State-to-settlers-375444
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Exiled Muslim Brotherhood leaders would be welcome in Turkey: Erdogan
16 Sep, 2014
ISTANBUL: Turkey would welcome exiled leaders of Egypt's outlawed Muslim Brotherhood who have come under pressure to leave Qatar, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.
A Brotherhood official said on Saturday that several members of the group were relocating after Qatar came under enormous pressure from other Gulf Arab states to cut support for the Islamist group.
"If they make any request to come to Turkey, we will review their request," Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters on his plane back from an official trip to Qatar late on Monday.
“If there are any reasons that would prevent them from coming to Turkey, they would be assessed. And if there aren't any obstacles, they would be granted the ease that is granted to everyone,” he said.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1132319/exiled-muslim-brotherhood-leaders-would-be-welcome-in-turkey-erdogan
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ISIL drawing a steady stream of recruits from Turkey: Report
16 Sep, 2014
Turkey is one of the biggest sources of recruits for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants, the New York Times reported Sept. 16.
Having spent most of his youth as a drug addict in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Turkey’s capital, Ankara, Can did not think he had much to lose when he was smuggled into Syria with 10 of his childhood friends to join the world’s most extreme jihadist group.
After 15 days at a training camp in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto headquarters of ISIL, 27-year-old Can was assigned to a fighting unit. He said he shot two men and participated in a public execution. It was only after he buried a man alive that he was told he had become a full ISIL fighter.
“When you fight over there, it’s like being in a trance,” said Can, who asked to be referred to only by his middle name for fear of reprisal. “Everyone shouts, ‘God is great,’ which gives you divine strength to kill the enemy without being fazed by blood or splattered guts,” he said.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/isil-drawing-a-steady-stream-of-recruits-from-turkey-report.aspx?pageID=238&nID=71773&NewsCatID=352
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Gazans rush to enjoy life after ruinous war
16 September 2014
After a ruinous war, Gaza is rushing back to a veneer of normalcy at astonishing speed. Street cafes and beaches are packed with people until late at night. Families crowd the few public parks. Wedding halls are booked solid.
Gazans who endured 50 days of devastating Israeli bombardment are now eager to enjoy some life. Far from a celebration, however, Gazans themselves acknowledge the revelry is only to thinly mask trauma and widespread despair.
Many complain that none of the gains they hoped for from the war have been realized. Almost none express any optimism for change in the misery in the tiny, densely populated Mediterranean coastal strip, which is suffocating under seven years of blockade by Israel and Egypt and is under the iron rule of the Hamas militant group.
“We go out just to steal a moment of joy,” said Rami Ali, a 33-year-old bank employee sitting with friends at a seaside cafe. “We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, we might have another war.” He said nothing can help them avoid the reminders of the onslaught - “the destruction of homes, the power outages, the lack of any progress on easing the blockade.”
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2014/09/16/Gazans-rush-to-enjoy-life-after-ruinous-war.html
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Israel sees mass Hezbollah incursion in future fight
16 Sep, 2014
A future war with Lebanon's Hezbollah could see the Shiite militant group cross the border in strength and seize Israeli territory, a senior officer said in comments widely reported by Israeli media Monday.
The Jerusalem Post quoted the unidentified officer as saying that Hezbollah had learnt much about ground tactics from Syria, where it has fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the three-and-a-half-year-old civil war.
"Hezbollah's confidence is growing, along with its combat experience in Syria," it quoted the officer as saying.
"The battlegrounds of Syria have enabled Hezbollah to upgrade its capabilities. Hezbollah plans to send many combatants into Israeli territory near the border and seize it."
Israel and Hezbollah fought a devastating war in 2006, which killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Since then the border has remained largely quiet, but in February Israeli warplanes attacked targets inside Lebanon for the first reported time since the 2006 conflict and Hezbollah vowed revenge.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/110801/World/Region/Israel-sees-mass-Hezbollah-incursion-in-future-fig.aspx
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North America
Al-Qaida-inspired killers spreading like weeds
AP | Sep 16, 2014
WASHINGTON: Osama bin Laden is dead and al-Qaida dispersed, yet the horrors keep coming.
Western hostages beheaded on camera. School girls abducted by gunmen in the night. Families fleeing their homes in fear they might be executed because of their religion. The news from much of the Middle East and Africa is relentlessly brutal.
The Islamic State group's rampage through Iraq and Syria has shocked the United States into launching expanded air strikes at a time when Americans were expecting to pull back from the Middle East after more than a decade of war.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Al-Qaida-inspired-killers-spreading-like-weeds/articleshow/42622238.cms
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Islamic State post threatens to target 'the American depth'
16 Sep, 2014
A supporter of Islamic State militants has warned of attacks on the United States and its allies if they continue to carry out military action against the group that has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, the SITE monitoring service said.
The message on a well-known militant Islamist online forum is one of the few responses from supporters of Islamic State to Washington's announcement last week that it was prepared to extend airstrikes against the group into Syria.
The posting on the Minbar Jihadi Media website condemned "intervention in the affairs of other peoples" and said it would trigger an equal response, SITE said late on Monday.
"It will lead to an equal reaction of the same strength in targeting the American depth and also the nations allied to it and in all aspects," the message said in a translation from Arabic, according to SITE, which tracks militant forums.
"I direct a sternly worded warning to each of those nations involved with America, or that are allied with it in their war against the Islamic Caliphate, that their local and international interests will be legitimate targets," the posting by a supporter referred to as "Amir al-Thul" said.
Full report at:
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Islamic-State-post-threatens-to-target-the-American-depth-375474
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US Scouts for Sunni Allies on the Ground in Iraq
16 Sep, 2014
Baghdad/Amman: Unwilling to send US troops back to Iraq, Washington is trying to persuade armed Sunni factions and tribal figures to fight Islamic State militants in an echo of the “Awakening” movement that drove Al-Qaeda from the country six years ago.
“There is a lot of traffic right now,” James Jeffrey, a veteran diplomat who was US ambassador to Iraq from 2010-2012 and maintains close ties to the government in Baghdad.
“There were meetings in Arbil. There were meetings in Amman,” he said, referring to talks between tribal groups and US officials in the capitals of the relatively neutral Iraqi province of Kurdistan and neighbouring Jordan.
The plan is far from easy, since many Sunnis regard the Awakening as a failure and a betrayal and see the Sunni Islamic State’s sweep into predominantly Sunni northern and western Iraq as the lesser of two evils, despite its mass killings.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/us-scouts-sunni-allies-ground-iraq/
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US bombs ISIL near Baghdad for first time
16 Sep, 2014
US warplanes carried out their first air strike on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)near Baghdad, as world diplomats pledged Monday to support Iraq in its fight against the militants.
The United States early last month began air strikes against ISIL positions in northern Iraq, but Monday's announcement that the campaign had targeted the jihadists near the Iraqi capital marks an escalation in the scope of the mission.
It comes less than a week after US President Barack Obama, in a primetime television address to the nation, ordered a "relentless" war against the Islamic State, including air strikes in Syria and expanded operations in Iraq to "destroy" the marauding jihadist army.
"US military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Iraq, employing attack and fighter aircraft to conduct two air strikes Sunday and Monday in support of Iraqi security forces near Sinjar and southwest of Baghdad," US Central Command said in a statement.
Full report at:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-bombs-isil-near-baghdad-for-first-time.aspx?pageID=238&nID=71768&NewsCatID=359
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Islamic State supporter warns of attacks against US: SITE
Reuters | Sep 16, 2014
BEIRUT: A supporter of Islamic State militants has warned of attacks on the United States and its allies if they continue to carry out military action against the group that has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, the SITE monitoring service said.
The message on a well-known militant Islamist online forum is one of the few responses from supporters of Islamic State to Washington's announcement last week that it was prepared to extend airstrikes against the group into Syria.
The posting on the Minbar Jihadi Media website condemned "intervention in the affairs of other peoples" and said it would trigger an equal response, SITE said late on Monday.
"It will lead to an equal reaction of the same strength in targeting the American depth and also the nations allied to it and in all aspects," the message said in a translation from Arabic, according to SITE, which tracks militant forums.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Islamic-State-supporter-warns-of-attacks-against-US-SITE/articleshow/42617543.cms
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Turkish religious body to host Latin American Muslim leaders
World Bulletin / News Desk
16 Sep, 2014
Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) is due to host a summit for Latin American Muslim leaders in November.
The summit is part of an effort to reach Muslim communities around the world, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
The Eurasian Islam Council, the African Religious Leaders Summit, the Meeting of European Muslims, the Balkans Meeting of Religious Directorate Heads and the World Islam Scholars’ Peace, Moderation and Foresight Initiative will also participate in the summit.
Diyanet head Mehmet Gormez said these platforms were launched to solve problems about why “religions, which brought peace and safety to the world, have begun to be seen as obstacles to peace.”
http://www.worldbulletin.net/muslim-world/144431/turkish-religious-body-to-host-latin-american-muslim-leaders
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US warns Assad not to target US planes in Syria
World Bulletin/News Desk
16 Sep, 2014
The Syrian military's air defenses would face retaliation if Syria attempted to respond to U.S. airstrikes that are expected against ISIL targets in Syria, senior U.S. officials said on Monday.
President Barack Obama's authorization of the use of American airpower against ISIL's strongholds in Syria has raised the question of whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would respond in some way.
Senior U.S. officials who briefed reporters said Assad should not interfere, that the United States has a good sense of where Syrian air defenses and command-and-control facilities are located.
One official said if the Assad military were to demonstrate that it was a threat to the U.S. ability to operate in the area, it would put Syrian air defenses in the region at risk.
The United States has stressed it will not coordinate with the Assad government in any way in its fight against ISIL. Obama's position has long been that he would like to see Assad leave power, particularly after using chemical weapons against his own people last year.
But airstrikes against ISIL in Syria could have the indirect effect of benefiting Assad because the extremists have been fighting the Syrian government during what is now a three-year civil war.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/144471/us-warns-assad-not-to-target-us-planes-in-syria
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Second actor sues Google over anti-Islam movie
World Bulletin / News Desk
16 Sep, 2014
A second actor has sued Google Inc over a movie trailer called "Innocence of Muslims" that mocked the Prophet Mohammad in 2012, six months after a U.S. appeals court ruled for another actor and ordered the film taken off YouTube, although Google continues to provide its users with access to the film through pirated content websites known as torrent sites.
Gaylord Flynn, who is also suing the filmmaker, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, said Google had refused to block access to the movie, even though a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel last February ordered it taken off Google's video-sharing website, YouTube.
In that case, actor Cindy Lee Garcia sued Google for an injunction, claiming she owned the copyright of her performance.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/muslim-world/144473/second-actor-sues-google-over-anti-islam-movie
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US denies claims that ISIS may enter through Mexico
Michael S Schmidt,NYT News Service | Sep 16, 2014
WASHINGTON: Militants for the Islamic State have traveled to Mexico and are just miles from the United States. They plan to cross over the porous border and will "imminently" launch car bomb attacks. And the threat is so real that federal law enforcement officers have been placed at a heightened state of alert, and an American military base near the border has increased its security.
As the Obama administration and the American public have focused their attention on the Islamic State in recent weeks, conservative groups and leading Republicans have issued stark warnings like those that Islamic State and other extremists from Syria are planning to enter the country illegally from Mexico. But the Homeland Security Department, the FBI and lawmakers who represent areas near the border say there is no truth to the warnings.
"There is no credible intelligence to suggest that there is an active plot by ISIS to attempt to cross the southern border," homeland security officials said in a written statement, using an alternative acronym for the group.
Democrats say opponents of President Barack Obama are simply playing on concerns about terrorism as part of their attempt to portray Obama as having failed to secure the border against illegal immigration.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-denies-claims-that-ISIS-may-enter-through-Mexico/articleshow/42605175.cms
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Al-Qaeda recruiting European militants in Syria to 'attack U.S. planes': American officials
16 September 2014
While ISIS is getting the most attention now, another band of extremists in Syria – a mix of hardened militants from Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Europe – poses a more direct and imminent threat to the United States, working with Yemeni bomb-makers to target U.S. aviation, American officials say.
At the center is a cell known as the Khorasan group, a cadre of veteran al-Qaeda fighters from Afghanistan and Pakistan who travelled to Syria to link up with the al-Qaeda affiliate there, the Nusra Front.
But the Khorasan militants did not go to Syria principally to fight the government of President Bashar Assad, U.S. officials say. Instead, they were sent by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to recruit Europeans and Americans whose passports allow them to board a U.S.-bound airliner with less scrutiny from security officials.
In addition, according to classified U.S. intelligence assessments, the Khorasan militants have been working with bomb-makers from al-Qaeda's Yemen affiliate to test new ways to slip explosives past airport security.
Full report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2014/09/16/Al-Qaeda-recruiting-European-militants-in-Syria-to-attack-U-S-planes-.html
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Africa
Mystery airstrikes target Libyan Islamist militias
16 Sep, 2014
CAIRO — Unidentified warplanes conducted four airstrikes on Monday near the Libyan capital of Tripoli, leaving one dead and five wounded, a spokesman for Libya's Islamist-allied militias and a militia commander said.
A series of mysterious airstrikes, which U.S. officials have previously said were carried out by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, have reinforced the perception that Libya has become a proxy battleground for larger regional struggles -- with Turkey and Qatar backing the Islamist militias and Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE supporting their opponents.
The specter of regional intervention has cast a pall over the increasingly fractured country, which was plunged into turmoil following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi but gave rise to a patchwork of heavily armed and increasingly unruly militias.
Full report at:
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/international/middle_east/2014/09/mystery_airstrikes_target_libyan_islamist_militias?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bostonherald+(Home+-+BostonHerald.com)
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Boko Haram Subjects Children to Greater Violence
16 Sep, 2014
Maroua — The rights group Watchlist released a report earlier this month that accused Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria of subjecting boys and girls to forced recruitment, detention, attacks at school, abductions, rape and other forms of sexual violence.
The group - Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict - released the report called Who Will Care for Us? - Grave Violations in Northeastern Nigeria. It's based on a six-week research mission earlier this year.
Thousands of Nigerians along the northeast border continue to flee attacks by the militant group, which is fighting to set up its own Islamic caliphate in Nigeria.
Refugees have been showing up at the United Nations refugee camp at Minawao, a village in northern Cameroon about 130 kilometers from the border with Nigeria.
United Nations High Commission for Refugees officials said last week that 22,000 people have crossed into northern Cameroon in the past 20 days.
Full report at:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201409160360.html
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At least 19 killed in fierce Benghazi clashes
Sep 16, 2014
At least 19 members of both Operation Dignity and Ansar Al-Sharia have been killed in more than 24 hours of fierce but sporadic fighting in Benghazi.
Mohamed Al-Hejazi, the spokesman for Operation Dignity, told the Libya Herald that six members of Saiqa Special Forces, which is allied with the Dignity operation, had been killed in the clashes and 14 wounded. He claimed the bodies of at least 13 dead from Ansar Al-Sharia had been recovered since the fighting began.
The fierce clashes in and around Benina Airport and the nearby district of Buatni began at around 9:00pm yesterday, at which point Benghazi’s Revolutionaries’ Shura Council, the umbrella organisation including Ansar Al-Sharia and February 17 Brigade declared they had seized the airport. Benina and a nearby Air Defence Forces camp loyal to Operation Dignity have been the focus of weeks of fighting by Ansar Al-Sharia over the last two months.
Full report at:
http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/09/15/at-least-19-killed-in-fierce-benghazi-clashes/#ixzz3DU6MtdzU
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Nigeria: Boko Haram Threat Dangerously Exploited By Elites
16 Sep, 2014
Among Nigeria's political class, the only issue of current interest seems to be the 2015 election. But Nigeria is facing a threat that should be everyone's chief concern - the growing strength of Boko Haram, which in recent weeks has captured a string of towns across Borno, this country's second largest state.
Approximately 20 percent of Nigerian territory may now be under insurgent occupation, including Bama, a strategic town commanding the most important approaches from neighboring Chad and Cameroon to the Borno capital, Maiduguri.
From a "back-to-basics" radical fringe religious movement, Boko Haram has rapidly metamorphosed into a well-organized military force. In stark contrast to earlier crude hit-and-run attacks, its fighters are now capturing and holding territory. Advancing at a lightning pace, they have all but decimated the forward presence of the most powerful army in west Africa.
Full report at:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201409152135.html
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Kenya Raising Stakes of FGM With Almost 50 Cases in Court - Paper
16 Sep, 2014
Nairobi — With almost 50 cases in court, it is becoming increasingly risky for Kenyans to carry out Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on their girls, a prosecutor said.
Kenya is cracking down on FGM, a traditional practice which involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, with the deployment in March of 20 prosecutors around the country.
The anti-FGM unit, which is under the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has at least 47 open cases, one of its senior lawyers said.
"Civil societies in these areas are committed to fighting FGM," Paul Ochieng of the DPP was quoted as telling The Star newspaper. "People will get scared and stop engaging in the outdated practice."
Full report at:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201409160992.html
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South Asia
Taliban beheads religious cleric in Uruzgan province
Sep 16 201
Taliban militants beheaded a religious cleric in central Uruzgan province of Afghanistan, local officials said Tuesday.
The officials further added that the religious cleric was beheaded in Shahid Hasas district.
The provincial government media office following a statement confirmed the brutal murder of the religious cleric – Mawlavi Ahmadullah.
The statement further added that Mawlavi Ahmadullah was speaking against the Taliban militants and was calling their acts as un-Islamic.
According to local government officials, the Taliban militants had threatened the religious cleric on numerous occassions not to preach against the group.
The Taliban militants group has not commented regarding the report so far.
Uruzgan is among the relatively volatile provinces in central Afghanistan where anti-government armed militant groups are actively operating and often carry out insurgency activities.
http://www.khaama.com/taliban-beheads-religious-cleric-in-uruzgan-province-8659
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3 NATO service members killed in Kabul suicide attack
Sep 16 2014
At least three service members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed following a suicide attack in capital Kabul early Tuesday.
The alliance following a statement confirmed that a suicide bomber targeted the convoy of the coalition forces in Kabul airport.
The statement further added at least five service members were also injured following the attack.
It did not disclose further information regarding the identities of the deceased service members.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) generally do not disclose identities of the NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan, saying, ” It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”
At least 60 NATO service members including 43 US troops, 6 British troops and 11 soldiers from the other countries have been killed since the beginning of the year in Afghanistan.
http://www.khaama.com/4-nato-service-members-killed-in-kabul-suicide-attack-8658
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Cross-border attack from Afghanistan kills 3 Pakistani soldiers
Sep 16 2014
The Pakistani officials have claimed that three soldiers were killed following a cross-borer attack by militants in North Waziristan.
Pakistan’s Inter Service Publi Relatins (ISPR) has said the attack was carried out on a Pakistani army check post in Spinwm area.
The source further added that 11 militants were also killed following clashes and another militant was arrested.
Afghanistan and Pakistan share a 2,200 km porous border with a blame game between the two nations with regard to infiltration of terrorists has continued for several years now, often straining relations between the two countries.
On the other hand, Afghanistan blames Pakistani military for continued cross-border shelling in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan, besides accusing Pakistan intelligence agencies for funding, arming and training the terrorist groups who are staging attacks in Afghanistan.
The ministry of foreign affairs of Afghanistan also summoned the top Pakistani envoy in Kabul over remarks by Punjabi Taliban chief who vowed to increase attacks in Afghanistan.
http://www.khaama.com/cross-border-attack-from-afghanistan-kills-3-pakistani-soldiers-8661
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3 Afghan soldiers martyred in roadside bomb blast
Sep 16 2014
At least three Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were martyred following roadside bomb explosion, defense officials said.
Defense ministry spokesman, Gen. Zahir Azimi confirmed that the three Afghan soldiers were martyred following immprovised explosive device (EID) attack.
He did not disclose further information regarding the exact location of the incident. However, he said the three soldiers were martyred in the past 24 hours.
The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the report so far.
Taliban militants and other insurgent groups frequently use improvised explosive device (IED) as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and coalition forces.
According to security officials, the Afghan army deaths stands at 4 service members daily on average which is mainly caused due to improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.
http://www.khaama.com/3-afghan-soldiers-martyred-in-roadside-bomb-blast-8657
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Jamaat leader Sayedee appeal verdict Wednesday
16 Sep, 2014
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgement on appeal against Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedee’s death sentence in war crimes case on Wednesday, according to the Supreme Court website.
The five-member bench led by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain will give the order, says the cause list of court 3.
Cause List : Supreme Court of BangladeshThe rest four justices are Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique and Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury.
The tribunal handed down the death penalty to Sayedee on February 28 last year.
He appealed against the sentence seeking acquittal on March 28.
The government also lodged an appeal to specify the sentence in all the six charges that were proved at the tribunal.
The Appellate Division bench has so far disposed of the appeal case of Abdul Quader Molla, who was executed on December 12 in light of the top court’s verdict.
Six other appeals cases are pending with the court.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/sep/16/sayeedi-appeal-verdict-wednesday#sthash.KWPqJfW5.dpuf
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After 20 years, Taslima’s Lajja translated afresh
16 Sep, 2014
Marking the twentieth anniversary of the controversial novel Lajja, a fresh English translation of the Bengali work by feminist author Taslima Nasreenn has now been published.
Translated by activist-writer Anchita Ghatak, the 20th anniversary edition of Lajja by Penguin is an updated one.
“This is like a documentary novel. There are fictional characters but is based on facts. Lajja has been a bestseller for a very long time. It has been published and translated in almost all Indian languages and also many foreign languages like French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, etc,” Ms. Nasreen said.
Lajja recounts the story about the Duttas, a Bengali family living in Bangladesh and their struggles during the communal riots in 1992, which started when the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished.
Full report at:
afresh/article6412668.ece
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Southeast Asia
Dr M takes dig at West over western jihadists in Islamic State
16 Sep, 2014
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad again condemned militants of the Islamic State in Syria but also noted the involvement of British jihadists, using this to highlight the hypocrisy of Western governments towards Muslims as well as the failure of Muslim governments to act decisively.
The former prime minister in his blog said the so-called Islamic State (IS) was un-Islamic because Islam does not advocate violence and terror.
He said even after Prophet Muhammad defeated his enemies, he did not force them to covert, let alone kill them.
"The Quran says, ‘There is no compulsion in Islam’. But we are seeing more and more violence and atrocities committed by Muslims.
"Now we have the IS ‘jihadists', some of whom come from countries where they had migrated to because life is good there,” Dr Mahathir wrote on his blog Chedet yesterday.
In the two-part entry titled “British Jihadists”, he said he was horrified by the beheadings carried out by “John”, a British citizen and member of the IS.
"I don’t for one moment regard the beheading of the American journalist as Islamic, despite the claim of Isil (Islamic State of Iraq and Levant).
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dr-m-takes-dig-at-west-over-western-jihadists-in-islamic-state#sthash.0GfuB08t.dpuf
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On Malaysia Day, a picnic protest to stand against fear and heal the racial divide
16 Sep, 2014
Malaysians want a government that prioritises the welfare of its citizens instead of just jailing critics, said activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, in light of challenging race relations on the back of an ongoing sedition blitz against dissidents.
The patron of civil society movement Negara-Ku said many Malaysians had wonderful memories of the country as they grew up but that there were forces bent on destroying this.
"All of you here are proof that we want to be together. Each parent wants the same thing for your children, a wonderful Malaysia with a bright future that enjoys peace and harmony.
"We want a government who looks after us, not a government who puts people behind bars for expressing their opinions," she said in a short speech during the Piknik Rakyat event at Taman Jaya, Petaling Jaya, this morning.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/on-malaysia-day-a-picnic-protest-to-stand-against-fear-and-heal-the-racial#sthash.rmlRCGUN.dpuf
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Yet Another Terror Suspect Arrested in Central Sulawesi
16 Sep, 2014
Jakarta. The National Police’s anti-terror unit Densus 88 on Monday arrested a mobile phone vendor who owns a boarding house in Palu, Central Sulawesi, as part of a wider terrorism investigation after the arrest of four foreigners in the region on Sunday.
“On Monday at 2.05 p.m. local time, [police] arrested Akbar alias Rosi alias Jo, who works as a mobile phone seller and lives on Jalan Lombok No. 25, West Palu,” National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Ronny F. Sompie said on Tuesday.
Akbar was arrested in front of the Palu Plaza shopping mall.
“Akbar is a member of the [East Indonesia Mujahedin, MIT] network, often acting as a courier for a [terrorist] cell led by Santoso, who until this day remains a fugitive,” Ronny said, referring to one of Indonesia’s most-wanted terror suspect.
Police on Sunday arrested four men whose identities remain under investigation, but who were said to have used forged Turkish passports. Police also said they suspected the men to be tied to the Islamic State terrorist movement operating in the Middle East.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/yet-another-terror-suspect-arrested-central-sulawesi/
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Sedition fear prompts forum organisers to ask for no media coverage
16 Sep, 2014
The current sedition blitz by Putrajaya hung over a forum on Malaysia’s future with the organisers asking for no media coverage today.
Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) chief executive officer Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the current climate in the country was unfortunate, leaving many people in a difficult position.
"We still have the Sedition Act, and sometimes people tend to misinterpret. I know reporters will report based on what you hear and what you see, but readers may not understand it, and then suddenly some people get into trouble for what he or she said with good intention,” he said on the decision to ask the media not to report the proceedings today.
The meeting is the first in a series by the government-backed Global Movement of Moderates Foundation and Akedemi Belia.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sedition-fear-prompts-forum-organisers-to-ask-for-no-media-coverage#sthash.SAUOzBTN.dpuf
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