Man Stands At Minbar Of Al-Safa Mosque In Al-Busayrah City of Deir al-Zour, Asking People Not To Pay Zakat To ISIS Cells
New
Age Islam News Bureau
13 December 2020
• Man Stands At Minbar Of Al-Safa Mosque In
Al-Busayrah City of Deir al-Zour, Asking People Not To Pay Zakat To ISIS Cells
• Macron Thrusts Muslims Onto the Front Line of French
Politics
• American Expert: Normalizing Ties With Israel
Amounts To Acceptance Of Occupation
• Moroccan Islamist Groups Reject Normalizing Ties
With Israel
• West Must Pressure Myanmar to Stop Rohingya Genocide
• New Zealand: Police Investigating Message Left Near
Christchurch Mosque
• Vandalism Of The Statue Of Sikh Leader Maharaja
Ranjit Singh, Located In The Lahore Fort, Condemned
Arab World
• Man Stands At Minbar Of Al-Safa Mosque In
Al-Busayrah City of Deir al-Zour, Asking People Not To Pay Zakat To ISIS Cells
• Library Of The Makkah’s Grand Mosque Uses Ozone Tech
To Preserve Manuscripts
• OIC Body Adds 66 Sites To Islamic Heritage List
• Saudi skywatchers ready to catch a falling star
• Road projects linking Madinah city with other key
places launched
• 3k plots for Saudis reserved under Sakani program
----------
Europe
• Macron Thrusts Muslims Onto the Front Line of French
Politics
• France Shuts Down Only Muslim School In Paris
• First appearance of acting Muslim Brotherhood
supreme guide Ezzat after 4 months in prison
• How Islamic funeral rituals have been affected by
the coronavirus outbreak
-----------
North America
• American Expert: Normalizing Ties With Israel
Amounts To Acceptance Of Occupation
• Bay Area Muslim Community Supports Local Restaurants
In 1st Halal Restaurant Week In US
• Islamic Centre of Quad Cities hosts free fresh
produce drive
• CAIR Welcomes Removal of Tennessee Board of
Professional Responsibility Attorney After Anti-Muslim Posts
• One shot, four stabbed as political unrest continues
across America
---------
Mideast
• Moroccan Islamist Groups Reject Normalizing Ties
With Israel
• Creating Tension Among Muslim Countries
“Unforgivable” Sin: Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei
• Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, One Of The Most Influential Iraqi
Armed Factions Backed By Iran, Defying Iran To Attack US In Iraq
• Turkey summons Iran envoy over protest against
Erdogan’s controversial remarks
• IDF fighter faces Islamic rioters alone
• Syria reiterates necessity for closing chemical
weapons completely
------
South Asia
• West Must Pressure Myanmar to Stop Rohingya Genocide
• China: Big Data Program Targets Xinjiang’s Muslims
• Mohib: Intra-Afghan Talks Should Be Held in
Afghanistan
• 90 Taliban Terrorists Killed In Kandahar Of Afghan
• Mullah Mansour had life insurance policy
• Kabul Blast Claims 2, Hurts 2
• NATO Supports Afghan Forces with Pharmaceutical
Supplies
• Two killed in Kabul magnetic IED blast
• Audit Report Finds Glaring Wrongdoings In Setting Up
‘Sharia’ University
----------
New Zealand
• New Zealand: Police Investigating Message Left Near
Christchurch Mosque
-----------
Pakistan
• Vandalism Of The Statue Of Sikh Leader Maharaja
Ranjit Singh, Located In The Lahore Fort, Condemned
• Stage set for PDM power show in Lahore today
• Govt Decides To Act Swiftly Over Sedition,
Incitement To Disorder
-----
India
• India To Discuss Chabahar Port Issue With Iran And Uzbekistan
• NIA Denied A News Report That Said NIA Court In
Srinagar Has Acquitted All Accused In A Case
• Grenade attack on Sopore police post, 2 civilians
hurt
-----
Southeast Asia
• ‘Profits over people’: Covid-19 overruns Top Glove
factories as workers speak of appalling accommodations
• Indonesia arrests firebrand Islamist cleric over
virus rule breaches
• Mat Sabu: Amanah will find best solution to resolve
internal crisis in Negri Sembilan
• Professor Dr Wan Maseri's teachings to be referred
to National Fatwa Council
• Malaysia cannot remain closed for too long, says
Ismail Sabri
----------
Africa
• "Dividing Muslims, Global Diplomacy Of
Enemies": Iran's Ambassador To Ethiopia
• 'Mosque of Jesus Christ' causes online sensation
• Algeria parties condemn normalization between
Morocco, Zionist regime
• Nigerian Christians fear a bloody holiday season at
the hands of Muslim terrorists
• Sudan confiscates Bin Laden's farm, ends services of
30 ambassadors
• Here are all the beautiful photos from NPP’s Islamic
thanksgiving service
• Libya releases 2 Russians suspected of spying for
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
• ICC prosecutor seeks investigation into crimes
committed during Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria
• Army kill nine Boko Haram terrorists in Borno, Yobe
• Hundreds of students missing after attack on
Nigerian school
Compiled by New
Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/man-stands-minbar-al-safa/d/123742
------
Man Stands At Minbar Of Al-Safa Mosque In Al-Busayrah City of Deir al-Zour, Asking People Not To Pay Zakat To ISIS Cells
Deir ez-Zor countryside
Dec 12, 2020
SOHR activists say that a man stood at the minbar of
Al-Safa mosque in the city of al-Busayrah in eastern countryside of Deir
al-Zour, after the end of Friday prayers yesterday, and demanded that residents
not pay money to people who ask them to pay zakat as being from the Islamic
State.
The man accused the SDF of turning a blind eye to
these people as if it is not their concern. This comes in light of increasing
incidents of money requests from residents in al-Busayrah and surrounding areas
by people claiming to be from the Islamic State.
On December 8, reliable sources informed the Syrian
Observatory that ISIS cells have planted an improvised explosive device (IED)
in front of the house of a civilian in the city of Al-Busayrah, east of Deir
ez-Zor, after the owner refused to pay zakat for the group’s members. However,
a number of young men have managed to dismantle the IED in front of the
civilian’s house before it explodes.
Meanwhile, ISIS cells threatened a shopkeeper in
Al-Busayrah city not to come to his shop, otherwise he would be assassinated.
This comes nearly a week after his home was shot by ISIS cells to force him to
pay zakat.
https://www.syriahr.com/en/195634/
---------
Macron Thrusts Muslims Onto the Front Line of French
Politics
Ania Nussbaum
13-12-2020
Nagib Azergui used to be hopeful that the racism he
experienced growing up in a Paris suburb was on its way out. In Emmanuel
Macron, the country was getting a president who would heal divisions, an
“anti-Trump leader.”
The head of France’s only Muslim political party now
he says he was wrong. Macron has called Islam a religion in crisis and has
moved to shut down mosques accused of spreading hatred. Last week, his
government introduced a draft law to fight “separatism,” a term he’s coined for
groups that don’t integrate and are susceptible to extremism.
“Muslims are tired of being used by politicians as scapegoats
to deflect attention away from real problems,” said Azergui, 41, an engineer of
Moroccan descent from Nanterre.
Azergui can’t claim to represent the country’s
Muslims—his group still only has about 1,000 members and in last year’s
European elections it gained just 0.13% of the vote. But Macron’s policies have
reinvigorated his goal of fighting Islamophobia and encouraging citizens of his
religion to stop being “invisible.”
France’s president has cultivated an image abroad as a
defender of liberalism since coming to power in 2017 in contrast to leaderships
in the U.S., Britain and eastern Europe. Yet at home he’s been courting
conservatives after a series of horrific attacks by Islamic radicals and that
risks alienating a Muslim population that may be heterogeneous but also
represents France’s second biggest religious group after Catholicism.
As campaigning for the 2022 presidential election
unofficially gets underway, there’s a growing sense of betrayal within France’s
5.6 million-strong Muslim community, the overwhelming majority of whom are
integrated and reject terrorism.
Macron hasn’t said whether he’ll run again, but he’s
clearly positioning himself as the law-and-order candidate in an election
that’s likely to pit him against far-right leader Marine le Pen.
Attacks by extremists have left about 250 people dead
since 2015, including a teacher beheaded in October for opening a classroom
debate on freedom of speech and cartoons of Prophet Muhammed.
Part of the French president’s plan entails creating
an “Islam of Enlightenment” and while he has repeatedly insisted that Muslims
shouldn’t be stigmatized, his assertion that the religion is in crisis upset
many Muslims in France.
As did his appointment of Gerald Darmanin, a
hardliner, as interior minister in a recent cabinet shuffle. His prime
minister, Jean Castex, meanwhile has dismissed the idea of making amends for
France’s colonization of regions including in North Africa and the Sahel, from
where many of its Muslims can trace their roots.
France’s Muslim community is broad and opinions are
hard to pin down because of restrictions on collecting ethnic and religious
statistics.
The country’s aspiration for universalism and
integration makes it harder for those who identify with any religion from entering
public life, said Hakim El Karoui, a fellow at Paris-based think tank Institut
Montaigne. Polls commissioned by Journal du Dimanche, a French weekly
newspaper, and Charlie Hebdo, the
satirical magazine targeted in a 2015 terrorist attack, last year showed that
60% of French deem Islam incompatible with the values of the Republic, with
almost half of French Muslims under 25 sharing that view.
El Karoui is himself a poster child of success in
France, and said Islam represents a link to his family’s roots. His mother is
Protestant, his father a Muslim of Tunisian origin. He’s an ex-banker whose
time at Rothschild coincided with Macron’s. Two of his uncles were ministers in
Tunisia before the uprising that sparked the Arab Spring. El Karoui served as
an adviser to former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.
In his elegant office in Paris’s business district, El
Karoui thinks France’s integration system ultimately works well, citing as an
example a high rate of mixed marriages. He advocates the creation of a body
that would raise funds to encourage Muslims to fund research and train imams.
“After every terrorist attack, discrimination against
Muslims jumps,” he said. “What I’m telling them is: It’s not your fault, but
now it’s in your interest to get organized.”
The trouble is that when they try to do that, they can
run into problems. Fatima Bent is the president of the feminist, anti-racist
group Lallab. It describes itself as “pro-choice” on issues from abortion to
the veil, but has been accused of being close to the Muslim Brotherhood. When
it was set up in 2016, a bank even rejected its application to open an account.
Bent said she worries most about police violence,
which quietly affected Muslims in the suburbs, or “banlieues,” for a long time
before entering the public eye more recently. She’s critical of a law provision
once pushed by Macron that would have made it harder to share videos of police
abuse.
Muslim voters are disappointed by the parties on the
political left, which they have tended to support, Bent said. That’s when they
don’t abstain.
While Azergui tries to get people behind his Union of
French Muslim Democrats, which he founded eight years ago after former
President Nicolas Sarkozy began a debate on national identity and immigration,
Bent is betting on local initiatives. She’s organizing to help Muslim women
share their stories.
“I can’t believe we’re still asked whether Islam is compatible
with secularism when we have millions of French Muslims at peace with these two
identities, and living peacefully,” Bent said. “The government’s rhetoric is
dangerous, it’s widening the rift of ‘them’ against us.”
According to the draft law on “separatism” published
on Dec. 9, there will be stricter punishments for those who promote hatred
online and threaten civil servants, including teachers. It neither explicitly
mentioned Islam nor Muslims.
Doctors who provide “virginity certificates” will also
be targeted and scrutiny of the funding of religious associations increased.
Home-schooling for kids older than three, meanwhile, will be restricted in a
bid to prevent clandestine religious schools. Macron also wants to end the
ghettoization of city suburbs and support their residents, though he has yet to
unveil firm proposals to do so.
Azergui is concerned the crackdown will backfire and
drive more youngsters to extremism. He defends an interpretation of France’s
secularism, known as “laicite,” whereby all faiths are respected but kept
private, though he’d like women to be allowed to wear veils wherever they want.
Since 2004, the wearing of religious signs has been
prohibited in French schools, a ban backed by 44% of Muslims, according to a
recent Ifop poll. While the veil may be worn elsewhere, women who do so and
take on public responsibilities are often criticized as promoting a sexist
symbol, including by government members.
“When Macron speaks about separatism, he deliberately
focuses on Islamism rather than on Corsican separatists, or wealthy people
building a life on the margins,” said Azergui. “We’re an easy target.”
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/macron-thrusts-muslims-onto-the-front-line-of-french-politics-1.1535877
------------
American expert: Normalizing ties with Israel amounts
to acceptance of occupation
December 12, 2020
Leading lawyer, strategist & communications expert
Elizabeth Myers said that normalizing ties with Israel amounts to acceptance of
occupation citing Morocco's decision to normalize relations with the Zionist
regime.
"While the moves of normalization of relations
are good for the countries and of course for Israel, in the long term in my
view they exacerbate the marginalization of the Palestinian people and undermine
the potential for having a 2-state solution, the desired outcome so far
supported by not only the US but also in the UN," Myers told IRNA News.
"These actions in effect legitimize Israel's
continuing occupation and continuing expansion of settlements in the occupied
territories by reducing and/or removing the former diplomatic pressures against
Israel taking such actions that are contrary to international law," she
added.
As long as the Palestinians themselves are excluded
and marginalized, there cannot be a resolution of the conflict or the
initiation of a lasting peace in the region.
"The Trump Administration, led by Trump's
emissary Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner, have been putting tremendous pressure
on a number of Arab countries to normalize relations overtly with Israel,"
the expert said.
With respect to Morocco and the UAE in particular,
this is merely a formalization of relations and transactions that have been
ongoing for some time in the economic sphere," Myers said adding that the
only real difference is the open acknowledgment.
"The countries involved so far have nevertheless
reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause," she
reiterated.
"Moroccos King Mohammed VI issued a statement via
the royal cabinet to thus effect. Morocco has had a special relationship with
Israel for decades since the Jewish state's establishment as thousands of
Jewish Moroccans emigrated there in the 1950s and 60s. There are for example 10
ministers of Moroccan origin in the Knesset."
"As Morocco's king so eloquently reaffirmed
yesterday, "negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli parties
remain the only way to reach a final, lasting and comprehensive settlement of
this conflict."
"While the US under the Trump administration has
essentially sold out the Palestinian people by recognizing Jerusalem as the
capital of Israel, King Mohammed VI as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee has
emphasized the need to preserve the city's special status and ensure the
freedom for the followers of the three monotheistic religions to practice their
religions including full access to the Al-Aqsa mosque, the US expert said.
Earlier on Friday, Secretariat of the International
Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada of the Iranian parliament in
a statement condemned Morocco's compromise with the terrorist occupying regime,
stressing that the humiliating betrayal is not approved by the combatant and
right-seeking nations.
https://en.abna24.com/news//american-expert-normalizing-ties-with-israel-amounts-to-acceptance-of-occupation_1094785.html
-----------
Moroccan Islamist groups reject normalizing ties with
Israel
By Reuters Staff
RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco’s main Islamist groups on
Saturday rejected Rabat’s plan to normalize ties with Israel following a deal brokered
by the United States.
The religious branch of the co-ruling PJD party, the
Unity and Reform Movement (MUR), said in a statement the move was “deplorable”
and denounced “all attempts at normalisation and the Zionist infiltration.” The
Islamist PJD party was more nuanced, endorsing King Mohammed VI’s actions
support for the Palestinian cause while reiterating the party’s “firm position
against the Zionist occupation.”
Unlike its government coalition partners who backed
the deal, it took the PJD two days to react after disagreements emerged between
the party’s senior leadership, according to a source close to the matter.
A core element of the deal brokered by President
Donald Trump was U.S. recognition of Morocco’s claim to sovereignty over the
Western Sahara. A decades-old territorial dispute has pitted Morocco against
the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks to establish an independent
state.
“The United States made an important proclamation that
stresses Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces and opens new
horizons for strengthening Morocco’s position in international circles. It also
further isolates the adversaries of our territorial integrity,” the Islamist
party said in a statement.
King Mohammed VI has the last say over major diplomatic
decisions.On Friday, Morocco’s outlawed Adl Wal Ihssane, one of the largest
opposition groups in the country, said normalisation deals a “stab from the
back to the Palestinian cause.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-israel/moroccan-islamist-groups-reject-normalizing-ties-with-israel-idUSKBN28M102?rpc=401&
-----------
West Must Pressure Myanmar to Stop Rohingya Genocide
Source : Arab News
December 13, 2020
Dr. Azeem Ibrahim and Prof. Michael Charney, speaking
at a webinar hosted by the Arab News Research & Studies Unit (ANRSU) and
SOAS University of London, concluded that without international pressure the
future looked bleak for the Rohingya Muslims.
The panelists said much of the response from other
countries, especially in the West, to the plight of the Rohingya — which they
said bore all the hallmarks of genocide — had been shaped by a belief that
Myanmar, under the civilian rule of Aung San Suu Kyi, is on the path to a
functioning democracy and a fear that any substantial pressure would bring a
return to full military rule as seen before 2011.
But this is not the case, according to Ibrahim and
Charney, who were discussing a recent ANRSU report written by Ibrahim titled
“What next for the Rohingya?”
Suu Kyi is “not concerned” about the Rohingya or any
other ethnic minority, Charney said. He added that a myth had been built up
around her in the West, and that the only chance of a positive outcome for the
minority in Myanmar would be a forceful challenging of the National League for
Democracy (NLD) government and the removal of an “ineffective and opportunistic
leader” in Suu Kyi.
Bangladesh has hosted fleeing Rohingya Muslims since
2017 in Cox’s Bazar and more recently on Bhasan Char island and it is playing
an active role in helping the Rohingya, according to Ibrahim. But it is under
pressure with more than one million refugees within its borders costing $900
million a year to look after, as well as waning good will from Bangladeshis
toward the Rohingya.
Ibrahim said that, in the long term, the absorption of
the Rohingya into Bangladeshi society — and other sympathetic societies in Asia
such as Malaysia and Indonesia — is one solution to the crisis, but this would
require assistance from the international community.
While this outcome would likely lead to the
diminishing, or even eradication, of the Rohingya identity, he said it was the
“most practical outcome.”
Both panelists agreed that the International Court of
Justice’s preliminary ruling in a case of genocide brought forward by The Gambia
was a powerful tool and that the court’s actions had to be supported by the
international community, something Ibrahim called the “easiest” and “most
realistic” way other countries could support the Rohingya, who currently have
no global lobbyists working in their favor.
Both Charney and Ibrahim said an overhaul of how
Myanmar was governed at a political and societal level was vital if the
Rohingya were to be allowed to return home, where they are currently denied
citizenship or inclusion in the electoral process.
his could be achieved through targeted sanctioning of
Myanmar’s wealthy military leaders and their assets through the Magnitsky Act,
something that Ibrahim noted has worked in other parts of the world.
Charney also said persuading China — which has
traditionally sided with the NLD and military rulers in the Rohingya issue — to
pressure Myanmar to play more active role in returning the Rohingya and
including them in the country’s political process could also have an impact.
https://en.abna24.com/news//experts-west-must-pressure-myanmar-to-stop-rohingya-genocide_1095091.html
-----------
New Zealand: Police investigating message left near
Christchurch Mosque
Source : NZ herald
December 13, 2020
The message, written on the footpath outside Masjid An-Nur
in Riccarton Saturday, was reported to the police by the Muslim Association of
Canterbury.
The message was reportedly written while worshippers
were at afternoon prayers.
Canterbury police District Commander John Price said
the incident was being taken very seriously.
"We take any messaging that has any concern to it
extremely seriously and a report has been completed and that has been assigned
to an investigator," he said.
Superintendent Price said the timing of the message -
just days after the Royal Commission into the 2019 terrorist attack was
released - was worrying.
"No matter what time it is, any messaging that
has an undertone that is not right for us in New Zealand is concerning,"
he said.
"Whether or not it would be on the back of the
Royal Commission of Inquiry or not, it's irrelevant. At the end of the day,
it's about making sure we get to the bottom of what's actually happened, why
it's happened and who has done it."
The police have a greater visibility around
Masjid-An-Nur to provide reassurance to the community.
Masjid An-Nur was one of the two mosques targeted
during the March 15, 2019 terror attack.
Forty-four people were murdered at the mosque, and
another seven people were murdered at the Linwood Islamic Centre.
https://en.abna24.com/news//new-zealand-police-investigating-message-left-near-christchurch-mosque_1095161.html
-----------
Vandalism Of The Statue Of Sikh Leader Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, Located In The Lahore Fort, Condemned
Xari Jalil
13 Dec 2020
LAHORE: A man was arrested for vandalising the statue
of Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh, located in the Lahore Fort, on Friday and
several have come forward to condemn the act.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the ruler of the Sikh empire
spread across many parts of Pakistan, with Punjab being the main territory,
parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and even southern parts of the country. His statue
was unveiled in the Lahore Fort at the Mai Jindan Haveli, on the emperor’s
180th death anniversary, by Sikh historian, writer and filmmaker Bobby Singh Bansal.
Bansal’s London-based organisation the S.K. Foundation had funded the statue.
It was sculpted by local artists, under the aegis of the Fakir Khana Museum.
Bansal himself had stated earlier that the statue was
a project meant to forge a lasting friendship amongst the people of Punjab and
that the statue had been donated to the people of Pakistan by his foundation to
promote Sikh heritage and tourism here.
However, not long after the statue was inaugurated was
the first attack of vandalism, where two men struck it with wooden rods,
resulting in the breakage of one of its arms and damage to other parts. The
attackers were chanting slogans against the former ruler of the Punjab, and
were protesting against the revocation of the special status from Jammu and
Kashmir.
In the recent attack, the young man who was later
arrested, broke an arm of the statue made of cold bronze. Like those before
him, the suspect, Zeeshan, also told the police that the Ranjit Singh’s statue
should not have been built as he had committed atrocities against Muslims
during his rule.
Speaking to Dawn, Bansal said that there would always
be people who would remain unaware of Punjab’s rich Sikh history — this had
been the case since 1947. “There has been so much apathy and mistrust over the
Partition that it has caused misinformation and misunderstanding between
Muslims and Sikhs as well as other religions,” he said. “It is sad that people
target a monument without knowing the facts.”
Most students know about Mughal and British rule, but
absolutely nothing about how Sikh’s ruled for so long in a secular manner, he
said. The Sikh chapter is a link to Punjab’s identity both culturally and
politically.
Bansal went on to specify how the rule had been and
said that the Sikh period had been the most peaceful period. “Ranjit Singh had
employed more Muslims and Hindus in his court than people of any other religion
— there were hardly any Sikhs nobles in the darbar — Sikhs were usually sent to
guard the frontiers,” he said. “Ranjit Singh had repaired and restored many
mosques and the Sunehri Masjid was given gold and a facelift after he evicted
occupying troops from it. He never forcibly converted anyone to any faith and
even married a Muslim woman, Gul Begum.”
The act of vandalism has been condemned by some on
Twitter. A user wrote: “So a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh has again been
vandalized for the second time in Lahore fort. What’s different between those
Pakistanis who support this act, and #Modibhakts who call Aurangzeb Alamgir and
Tipu Sultan terrorists?”
Although the teenager who has now been arrested had
been influenced by the now deceased Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who had preached hate
against the Sikh ruler, the colour of intolerance towards personalities of
other religions have been tainting society since a long time and many academics
and civil society activists have been uneasy about it.
Minority rights activist and chairperson of the
People’s Commission for Minority Rights (PCMR), Peter Jacob, said that it was
time to keep in check the kind of intolerance that has seeped into society, and
which has also received impunity in the public discourse. “The sociology of
this should be investigated — why are people behaving like this?” he said.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1595466/vandalism-of-ranjits-statue-condemned
----------
Arab World
Library Of The Makkah’s Grand Mosque Uses Ozone Tech
To Preserve Manuscripts
ARAB NEWS
December 12, 2020
MAKKAH: The library of the Makkah’s Grand Mosque is
using ozone technology and ozone-based devices to disinfect historical
manuscripts and books as part of its measures to curb the spread of the
coronavirus disease.
The library, which has 15 sections, offers digital,
audio and internet services. It contains rare books dating back to the Hijri
second century, including “Al-Mustatab,” “Majmaa Al-Anhur Fi Sharh Multaqa
Al-Abhur” and “Al-Ashbah Wal Nazaer.”
Khaled Al-Zahrani, head of the sanitization unit in
the library, said that all books were disinfected using modern technology after
being read by visitors and researchers.
“The device accommodates 100 books, placed next to
each other and its takes approximately eight hours to disinfect all books and
clean them from bacteria and harmful substances,” he said.
Al-Zahrani explained that the unit receives the books
periodically, where they are transported through fully packaged transport
vehicles, placed directly inside the device for cleaning and then returned to
their intended areas.
He said that the device worked by withdrawing oxygen
into it and then converting it into ozone rays, which contributed to the
preservation of the quality of the paper and its complete disinfection.
The control of the environment in buildings that house
cultural collections has long been recognized as the best measure to insure the
preservation of such objects. Ozone gas is high in oxidants that are able to
kill microorganisms, including some bacteria and viruses. In addition, it does
not leave toxic residue behind, unlike many industrial cleaning solutions.
Adel Eid, head of the manuscripts department at the
Grand Mosque library, said that the device had three main functions: Ozone-ray
disinfection, dust removal through suction, and dusting using a smooth
dedicated pad to preserve the manuscripts.
Ayman Al-Sahli, director of the library’s services
department, said that the library had received more than 1,900 visitors since
its opening after the resumption of Umrah.
He said that the number of visitors in the reading
gallery exceeded 50 people an hour, and the hall accommodated between 15 and 20
people in line with the required procedures.
The library has enough reading spaces for both men and
women, children’s desk services, translation and research centers, high-tech
storage, delivery and receipt of folders, special collections and multimedia
tools — as well as specialized services using the latest scientific methods, a
manuscripts and digital library, a department for rehabilitation and
restoration of ancient manuscripts and adequate administrative space.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1776411/saudi-arabia
-----------
OIC Body Adds 66 Sites To Islamic Heritage List
SPA
13 DECEMBER 2020
RABAT: The Islamic Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has added 66 new cultural sites to its Islamic
World Heritage List.
Twenty-two of those sites, located in the UAE,
Afghanistan, Palestine, Yemen, Morocco and Oman, were added to the Islamic
World Heritage List, while the remaining 44 sites, located in Palestine, Oman,
Iraq, Burkina Faso, Jordan and Kuwait, were added to the preliminary Islamic
World Heritage List.
In a statement issued on Friday, ISESCO pointed out
that this decision was taken during the third extraordinary virtual session of
the Islamic World Heritage Committee, which was held on Thursday.
The committee issued several recommendations, which
included adopting ISESCO’s initiative regarding the celebration of the Islamic
World Heritage month annually. The move would involve entrusting the General
Secretariat with the formation of a body to inspect the extent of the damage to
heritage sites and cultural institutions in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh
province.
A special program would be designated for digital
cultural heritage as part of ISESCO’s “Roads to the Future” Program.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1776496/saudi-arabia
----------
Saudi skywatchers ready to catch a falling star
RAWAN RADWAN
December 12, 2020
JEDDAH: Avid skywatchers in the Kingdom are preparing
to head out into the deserts to catch one of the most spectacular celestial
shows of the year — a meteor shower.
The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak on Dec.
13-14, raining down up to 120 meteors per hour in one of the brightest displays
of the 100-plus meteor showers viewed from Earth each year.
In a bonus for stargazers, the Geminids this year
occur alongside a new moon, which will make for ideal viewing conditions,
according to astronomers. New moons typically cannot be seen, improving the
chances of meteors being seen streaking across the night sky.
Meteors, also known as shooting or falling stars, can
be best viewed in areas far from city lights, which makes the Kingdom’s deserts
an ideal location to witness the best and final meteor shower of the year — and
what a year it has been.
Anas Al-Majed, an astrophotographer based in Riyadh
who earlier this year attempted to photograph the Alpha Capricornids and
Southern Delta Aquariids meteor showers, is looking forward to photographing
and recording a time-lapse video of the Geminids.
“The timing is absolutely fantastic because of the
moon and the weather here is promising, too — it should be clear and visible,”
he told Arab News.
“Go to a place where the sky is at bortle five or
better; anything higher than that will be quite hard to spot. The bortle scale
ranges from ‘one,’ where sites can be pitch black, to ‘nine,’ which is a city
sky,” he added.
Other suggestions for those hoping to catch the show
include dress warmly and take a chair that allows you to look halfway up in the
sky comfortably.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1776381/saudi-arabia
-----------
Road projects linking Madinah city with other key
places launched
SPA
December 13, 2020
MADINAH CITY: Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman on
Saturday launched several road development projects in the region linking
Madinah city with other parts of the Kingdom. The projects seek to develop the
road infrastructure of the region and ensure the safety of road users.
At the ceremony, which was also attended by Transport
Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the governor was briefed about the
projects and their significance to the development of the region.
The projects include the development of the two-way
Madinah-Hail road, Madinah-AlUla-Tabuk highway, and service lanes project on
both sides of the Madinah-Yanbu highway.
Al-Jasser said the Transport Ministry attaches great
importance to the region and is keen on completing all ongoing and new projects
in record time.
All these projects, he said, will help serve pilgrims
and residents in a better way. He also said maintaining the highest standards
in all these projects is the Transport Ministry’s top priority.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1776501/saudi-arabia
------------
3k plots for Saudis reserved under Sakani program
SPA
December 13, 2020
RIYADH: The Housing Ministry’s Sakani program
finalized 3,499 contracts for residential plots during November, said a
statement issued on Saturday.
The program is continuing to serve families wishing to
own property through Sakani’s mobile application and website. It also displays
the beneficiaries’ national ID numbers on https://sakani-names.housing.sa/, and
the electronic platform, which provides detailed information regarding the
various housing options.
The Sakani program offers Saudi nationals access to
land and residential housing across eight regions of the Kingdom through
various financing solutions to enable families to own their first home, whether
through prefabricated units, under-construction builds, or self-construction.
The ministry also reported that 42 prefabricated
housing projects providing around 14,000 residential villas have so far been
completed.
The total number of families that benefited from the
program in different regions of the Kingdom since the start of the year reached
285,762, including 96,633 families that have already moved into their homes.
The program also announced that since the beginning of
2020, 61,552 under-construction residential units have been reserved.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1776516/saudi-arabia
---------
Europe
France shuts down only Muslim school in Paris
News desk
December 13, 2020
French authorities have shut down the only school in
Paris that caters to Muslims, TRT World reported.
According to the publication, the 4.5 million strong
Muslim community in the country is facing increasing pressure from authorities.
Established in 2015, MHS College and High School is a
private secondary in Paris. Despite the school officially being secular and
following the national curriculum, its pupils are mostly Muslims.
“A unique feature of the school, however, is that it
allows its girlstudents to follow their religious convictions and wear the
hijab if they wish, ‘because we think that everybody should wear the clothes
they want!’ said the founder of the MHS,” reported TRT. ollowing France’s 2004
crackdown against Muslim girls’ right to wear a headscarf on school premises,
they were compelled to take it off at the entrance of the school gate.
Since then, there were few options under which a
Muslim woman could receive an education while still able to practice her faith.
The Paris school was a “unique” establishment that had allowed this freedom to
Muslim girls.
In a statement, the school called this latest decision
to shut the school as “arbitrary”, with more than 110 students without a
placement in the middle of an academic year, as well 18 teachers and support
staff unemployed.
https://pakobserver.net/france-shuts-down-only-muslim-school-in-paris/
-----------
First appearance of acting Muslim Brotherhood supreme
guide Ezzat after 4 months in prison
MEMO
December 12, 2020
Acting Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mahmoud Ezzat
appeared for the first time on Thursday in a cage at an Egyptian court in
Cairo, Arabi21.com reported.
Ezzat appeared very pale and weak, according to
Egyptian news websites, as he faced judges inside the court where he was being
prosecuted for alleged terror and murder charges.
The judges presented him with the claims, on which he
was sentenced for 25 years in absentia, but he denied them, stating: "This
has never happened." The hearing was adjourned until 4 January 2021, in
order to bring in witnesses and a lawyer.
In August, Egyptian security services arrested Ezzat
in an apartment in the east of Cairo, after years of being in hiding. Izzat
then disappeared until Thursday, when he appeared in court.
Speaking to Watan TV, Muslim Brotherhood Spokesman
Talaat Fahmi conveyed: "It is a tragic image on the International Day for
Human Rights (10 December) that portrays the conditions of a 76-year-old
university professor, who has been detained over 100 days in a place that lacks
humanitarian conditions."
Fahmi confirmed: "Ezzat was not a terrorist. He is
keen on protecting Egypt, the Arab and Islamic nation. There are more than
60,000 others inside Egyptian prisons."
In February 2015, an Egyptian court sentenced four
senior Muslim Brotherhood leaders to life sentences over claims of murder and
creating chaos during the military coup carried out by Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
against the late freely-elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201212-first-appearance-of-acting-muslim-brotherhood-supreme-guide-ezzat-after-4-months-in-prison/
-----------
How Islamic funeral rituals have been affected by the
coronavirus outbreak
ByRema Mukena
12 DEC 2020
The coronavirus pandemic in the UK has affected how
most religious rituals are done, including funerals.
It is now different for the Muslim community in
Bristol who have had to carry out funerals in a different manner since the
outbreak of the virus in March.
The Covid-19 outbreak has meant that the religious
process of holding the Janazah funeral prayer within the mosque has been denied
to many families.
The owners of Aslam Funeral Services, which specialise
in Muslim Funerals in the South West Region, have been running their family-led
business since 1987.
The turn around of Muslim burials depends on the
availability of the cemetery, but can be between one or two days, and usually
friends, family and the wider community are invited to attend.
Ruksana Aslam, Managing Director, of Aslam Funeral
Services said: “In terms of the Covid burials, funerals had to be conducted
differently for example, entry inside the mosque was not permitted and prayers
had to take place near the grave side.”
Following the Prime Minister's announcement to
temporarily close all places of religious and mass gathering when the first
lockdown was introduced, Islamic funeral services have had to come up with
adjustments to complete the final rites of a Muslim.
“It was difficult and it was more heartbreaking for us
to see the impact on them, for example family members were not able to attend
their loved one's burials and, in some cases watched from their cars at the
cemetery where that was possible.
“Usually, we would go into the homes of families who
have had someone pass away and there would be more of a personal connection and
consultation and at the same time we would pay our condolences, but all of that
was taken away from the process. Condolences were arranged via zoom calls so
community members could support the bereaving families,” Ruksana said.
But the business saw “a noticeable increase in
funerals” due to the coronavirus pandemic and each funeral had to be handled
with care.
“We continue to conduct funerals as we have been and
keep the numbers limited to keep in line with government guidelines and follow
our strict protocols to keep everyone safe," she added.
“Through all our procedures we are fully kitted in
PPE, we sanitise everything and we guide all the families through the paper
work which needs to be completed electronically.
“It’s going to take a long time, but we don't want to
become too relaxed too soon, so we will have to work under the correct
guidelines,” Ruksana said.
“Usually when a Muslim passes away, the community will
do their best to support the family. Whether that's moral support, attending
their homes, looking after them and cooking for them - but that just hasn't
been an option at the moment.
“Due to some family members having to self isolate,
we’ve also been arranging for the hearse to be driven past their homes, so then
they could pay their last requests and feel involved in the process even if
they couldn't attend the funeral.”
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/how-islamic-funeral-rituals-been-4786104
----------
North America
Bay Area Muslim community supports local restaurants
in 1st Halal Restaurant Week in US
By Anser Hassan
December 13, 2020
FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) -- Parked along Alder Avenue is
Fremont, is the El Halal Amigos food truck.
Just ahead of Friday's lunch rush, owner Hisham
AbdelFattah is expecting a lot of phone orders.
El Halal Amigos specializes in Mexican street food,
with their unique blend of sauces and original recipes.
"Our Nar-Cho burrito is basically nachos and a
burrito. It's big! It's massive! And it's delicious," says Abdelfattah.
The creative menu may be a draw, but the some
customers made the trip to Fremont as part of the first-of-its kind restaurant
week featuring restaurants that serve halal food and zabiha meat. It is similar
to Jewish kosher food, but following Islamic dietary guidelines.
RELATED: Coronavirus Impact: Farmers market on wheels
brings healthy food to seniors, others in need during pandemic
"Most halal food is antibiotic-free, hormone-free
and is free-range. And (the animal) has to be grass-feed," explains
Abdelfattah.
"I've had a lot of tacos. I really like them
here. I think they are definitely worth the drive," Mahmood says. "We
don't have that many options for halal Mexican food in Concord. Yeah, so for me
it's worth it."
Leading the charge is Irfan Rydhan, the founder of
Halal Fest, an annual food event that takes place in the summer. He says it's
critical to rally the community to support local mom-and-pop restaurants during
the pandemic.
"They are getting a lot of exposure. They are
getting new customers, as well, coming in (who) haven't even heard of them
before. So, (the restaurants) are very happy about that," says Rydhan.
Zoha Raza is a foodie vlogger, who has been writing
about the event. She says many restaurants getting big crowds for take away
orders, while offering special discounts for the Halal Restaurant Week, which
runs through Sunday .
"It is the first Halal Restaurant Week in the
United States, happening in the Bay Area, and I think that's incredible,"
says Raza. "By people seeing swarms of people outside a restaurant, I am
sure even non-Muslims will wonder what's going on."
He was the general manager at a restaurant in Santana
Row, but was laid off due to the pandemic. He had been working on a plan for
the past two years to start his own venture. But investors dropped out due to
the COVID-19 crisis.
I just thought, 'Why not now?' We are all are going to
be at home, bunkered down. Let's put our heads together and let's make this
happen," says Hisham, adding, "Halal Mexican food was kind of
untapped."
He says he had $100 to his name on August 12, the day
he launched. He says people called him "crazy" to launch in the
middle of a pandemic. Several in months, and business has been growing.
He proudly displays his halal sign. He hopes it helps
break down stereotypes and open dialogue between communities.
"Bridge that gap and explain to people who don't
know what halal is, through tacos. It's just a great avenue to take. I mean,
who doesn't like a great taco!"
https://abc7news.com/society/1st-halal-restaurant-week-in-bay-area-us/8701506/
----------
Islamic Center of Quad Cities hosts free fresh produce
drive
By KWQC Staff
Dec. 13, 2020
MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) - The Islamic Center of the Quad
Cities will be hosting their monthly free fresh produce drive on Sunday,
December 13.
Organizers say free fresh produce will be given out to
help Quad Cities families during this tough time.
The event is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at their center which
is located at 6005 34th Avenue in Moline. Organizers say everyone is welcome.
https://www.kwqc.com/2020/12/13/islamic-center-of-quad-cities-hosts-free-fresh-produce-drive/
----------
CAIR Welcomes Removal of Tennessee Board of
Professional Responsibility Attorney After Anti-Muslim Posts
Ibrahim Hooper
December 12, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/12/2020) – The Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and
advocacy organization, today welcomed the removal a staff attorney for the
Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) after allegations that he
posted anti-Muslim messages online. [NOTE: BPR is an ethics watchdog for that
state’s attorneys.]
In a court filing, the BPR said Jerry Morgan was “no
longer employed” as a disciplinary counsel. According to the filing, Morgan
reportedly tweeted praise of Donald Trump for “stopping Muslims” and “talking
big against Muslims.” An attorney in the case referred to Morgan’s “apparent
termination.”
SEE: Tennessee legal watchdog out after lawyer accused
him of being an ‘anti-Muslim bigot’
On Thursday, CAIR called for independent investigation
of the attorney’s alleged anti-Muslim posts.
SEE: CAIR Calls for Probe of Tennessee Board of
Professional Responsibility Attorney’s Alleged Anti-Muslim Posts
CAIR Calls for Probe of Tennessee Board of
Professional Responsibility Attorney’s Alleged Anti-Muslim Posts
“We welcome this development involving the Tennessee
Board of Professional Responsibility as a sign that bigotry and bias will not
be tolerated or excused,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim
Hooper.
Last month, CAIR called on Tennessee House Speaker
Cameron Sexton to rescind his appointment of anti-Muslim activist Laurie
Cardoza-Moore to the Tennessee State Textbook and Instructional Materials
Quality Commission.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Tennessee House Speaker to Rescind
Appointment of Anti-Muslim Activist to Textbook Commission
CAIR Calls on Tennessee House Speaker to Rescind
Appointment of Anti-Muslim Activist to Textbook Commission
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance
understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles,
mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los
musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-removal-of-tennessee-board-of-professional-responsibility-attorney-after-anti-muslim-posts/
--------------
One shot, four stabbed as political unrest continues
across America
13-12-2020
Four people have been stabbed and one shot as
political unrest spreads across US.
Rallies backing President Donald Trump's baseless
claims of election fraud led to clashes in major US cities on Saturday.
Scuffles broke out in many places between rally-goers,
including racist group Proud Boys, and counter-protesters who turned up to
criticise the president, who lost the November 3 election to Democrat Joe
Biden, but is yet to concede.
Washington State Police said in a tweet late Saturday
that a shooting had taken place after clashes near the capitol building in
Olympia, and that a suspect had been detained.
In the US capital, DC Fire and EMS Department
communications chief Doug Buchanan told AFP that four people had been stabbed
and were now hospitalised "with serious injuries."
Chaotic scenes in DC tonight. Police intervening on
the regular for the past hour #DC #MarchForTrump #ProudBoys #DefendDC
pic.twitter.com/HsnxF4JW1E
The gatherings of mostly unmasked Trump loyalists were
intended as a show of force just two days before the Electoral College meets to
formally elect Joe Biden as the 46th president.
Trump, whose term will end January 20, refuses to
concede, while clinging to baseless claims of fraud that have been rejected by
state and federal courts, and Friday by the Supreme Court.
Trump tweeted his apparent surprise Saturday morning
at the rallies, publicly known for weeks: “Wow! Thousands of people forming in
Washington (DC) for Stop the Steal. Didn’t know about this, but I’ll be seeing
them! #MAGA"
Trump left the White House around midday for the trip
to the Army-Navy football game at the US Military Academy in West Point, New
York.
“That’s pretty cool. Imagine just being able to jump
in a helicopter and just go for a joy ride around Washington,” said Flynn,
whose pardon wiped away his conviction for lying to the FBI during the Russia
investigation.
At a pro-Trump demonstration in Washington a month
ago, Trump thrilled supporters when he passed by in his motorcade en route to
his Virginia golf club.
That demonstration, which drew 10,000 to 15,000 people
to the capital, ended late in the evening with scattered clashes between
Trump's loyalists and local activists near Black Lives Matter Plaza near the
White House.
Police took more steps to keep the two sides apart,
closing a wide swath of downtown to traffic and sealing off Black Lives Matter
Plaza.
But while Saturday's rallies, including one on Freedom
Plaza downtown, were smaller than on November 14, they drew a larger contingent
of the Proud Boys.
After the rallies ended, downtown Washington quickly
devolved into crowds of hundreds of Proud Boys and combined forces of antifa
and local Black activists — both sides seeking a confrontation in an area
flooded with police officers.
As dusk fell, they faced off on opposite sides of a
street, with multiple lines of city police and federal Park Police, some in
riot gear, keeping them separated.
Antifa activists also were more organised this time,
with their own bicycle corps to form bike walls to match those of the police.
Earlier in the day, a group of about 50 men in the
Proud Boys' black and yellow circled the perimeter of Black Lives Matter Plaza,
where about 200 anti-Trump demonstrators were rallying.
The assembly on the National Mall, called the “Jericho
March,” was described on its website as a “prayer rally” with speakers “praying
for the walls of corruption and election fraud to fall down.”
https://www.trtworld.com/americas/one-shot-four-stabbed-as-political-unrest-continues-across-america-42314
------------
Mideast
Creating Tension Among Muslim Countries “Unforgivable”
Sin: Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei
Dec 12, 2020
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in northwestern
provinces of Iran said in reaction to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s
remarks that creating controversies among Islamic countries is an unforgivable
sin.
Representatives of the Supreme Leader in Easter
Azarbaijan, Western Azarbaijan, Zanjan, and Ardebil provinces, respectively
Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem, Mehdi Qoreishi, Ali Khatami, and Hassan Ameli, made the
remarks in a statement issued on Saturday.
President Erdogan traveled to Baku on Thursday to
attend a military parade of Azerbaijani forces on the occasion of the
liberation of the Armenian-occupied territories. At the ceremony, which was
also attended by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, he recited a piece of
poetry, including separatist sentiments about the Aras River which runs along
the Iran-Azerbaijan border.
The four Iranian officials said in the statement that
in a time that the Muslim world is underdeveloped in industrial, economic, and
technological fields and is targeted by the vengeful enemy, creating rifts and
tensions between Muslim countries is an unforgivable sin.
They added that it is a religious duty of the leaders
of the Muslim countries to avoid any acts and words that may cause divide.
It is common knowledge that the enemies of Islam have
always greed for the strategic region of Western Asia, which is now the fixed
strategy of the Global Arrogance and the Zionists, they wrote.
They added that everyone knows that good neighborliness
and cooperation with neighbors and all Muslim countries are among the most
important principles of the Islamic Revolution, which has always been stated by
the Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
They urged all the Muslim World, especially Iranian,
Azerbaijan, and Turkish governments, to be aware of the sensitive conditions of
the region and act wisely not become a tool of conspiracies of the enemy.
https://en.irna.ir/news/84144058/Creating-tension-among-Muslim-countries-unforgivable-sin-Officials
------------
Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, One Of The Most Influential Iraqi
Armed Factions Backed By Iran, Defying Iran To Attack US In Iraq
By Suadad al-Salhy
12 December 2020
Asaib Ahl al-Haq, one of the most influential Iraqi
armed factions backed by Iran, is rebelling against Tehran's orders and
continuing to target US interests, Shia commanders and politicians told Middle
East Eye.
In October, Iran issued orders to its armed allies in
Iraq not to attack US targets, fearing the reactions of the outgoing President
Donald Trump, who seeks to obstruct Iranian efforts to negotiate with his
successor, Joe Biden, to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Despite the explicit and strict Iranian directions,
Asaib Ahl al-Haq, led by Qais al-Khazali, has carried out some attacks against
the US embassy in Baghdad and American envoys over the past three weeks
"without coordinating with any of the other factions or the
Iranians," according to the commander of one of the armed factions.
That indicates that Asaib Ahl al-Haq is operating
outside Iranian control and is therefore not relying on the protection of
Tehran or other Iraqi paramilitaries, which raises many questions about the
future of the faction.
On Thursday, two military convoys carrying equipment
for the US forces were hit by explosive devices, causing material damage on the
highwaysouthern Baghdad, security sources said.
'Asaib Ahl al-Haq's new approach has to do with
preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections and the competition to
head the armed resistance factions in Iraq'
Those blasts were preceded by a missile attack
targeting the US embassy in central Baghdad on 17 November, which killed a
child and wounded seven others, in addition to causing material damage to a
number of private properties and government buildings.
An armed group calling itself the "Qasim
al-Jabareen Brigade" claimed responsibility for Thursday's attacks, while
another faction calling itself "Asshab al-Kahaf" claimed
responsibility for the November rocket attack.
Until recently, both groups were previously unknown.
But their names have been circulated during the past few months, as they took
turns claiming responsibility for attacks targeting the logistical support
convoys of the US-led coalition forces in a number of governorates.
Although the finger of blame was pointed at Kataeb
Hezbollah, the most influential Shia militia, commanders of four Shia armed
factions, including that group and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, denied to MEE that it was
involved in these attacks.
Instead, they insisted that Asaib Ahl al-Haq had
carried out the attacks, putting an end to a truce with the US put forward by
militias in October.
"The truce was conditional on scheduling the
departure of US forces from Iraq within one month, but the Americans did not
fulfill this condition and did not do anything to prove their intention to
leave," a prominent Asaib Ahl al-Haq commander told MEE, speaking on
condition of anonymity.
The commander said Washington's failure to make any
plans to fully withdraw from Iraq meant his faction no longer needed to abide
by the ceasefire.
"The religious and national duty requires
everyone to stand against the foreign presence in Iraq and to use all political
and military means to expel them," he said.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq is a Shia armed faction that split
from the Mahdi Army, the former armed wing of influential cleric Muqtada
al-Sadr's movement, in 2006.
At first, the faction attracted fighters with
experience and combat skills, and, in conjunction with Kataeb Hezbollah,
carried out dozens of deadly attacks against US troops between 2006 and 2008.
Since the beginning, Asaib Ahl al-Haq has been backed,
equipped and supervised by Iran, and until last month was one of the most
important and powerful Iranian arms in Iraq.
Although Iran's reaction is not yet clear, the recent
attacks, which were carried out by small groups linked to Asaib Ahl al-Haq
"unilaterally and without coordination with other factions," have
provoked major disputes with Kataeb Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq's traditional
partner for over a decade, and other Shia factions backed by Iran.
"Iranian officials are still pressing [the Iraqi
factions] to be patient and not to carry out attacks against US interests in
Iraq, because these attacks may confuse the political situation in both [Iraq
and Iran]," a prominent Shia politician close to Iran, who declined to be
named, told MEE.
According to the politician, Asaib Ahl al-Haq is the
most prominent of Iraqi factions unhappy with Iranian directives and starting
to revolt. In a recent meeting with Shia leaders, he said, Asaib Ahl al-Haq
said "the situation in Iraq is special and that they are not bound by the
Iranian viewpoint and will not submit to the Iranian will".
"Kataeb is more committed to Iranian directives,
and their fighters are more disciplined, and they see that it is necessary to
not confuse the Iraqi scene with any unpredictable behaviour, so they were
against these attacks from the beginning," the politician said.
"Asaib Ahl al-Haq seeks to reproduce its media
and political discourse and to perpetuate the idea of their national belonging
and their non-affiliation with Iran. Asaib Ahl al-Haq's new approach has to do
with preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections and the competition to
head the armed resistance factions in Iraq."
An outbreak of fighting between Asaib Ahl al-Haq and
Kataeb Hezbollah "is not currently expected" according to the
factions' commanders. But Asaib Ahl al-Haq's insistence to continue its new
approach will necessarily mean that Iran may exclude it, sacrifice it and leave
it to confront the Americans and the Iraqi government alone.
"All scenarios are possible. What will happen
with Asaib Ahl al-Haq depends on what the Iranians decide. It is expected that
Iran will seek to bring them back to its bosom and will try to limit [Qais]
al-Khazali's ambitions or satisfy him with some settlement," a Kataeb
Hezbollah commander told MEE, referring to Asaib Ahl al-Haq's leader.
"But will they succeed in this? No one knows except
Khazali and the Iranians."
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-asaib-ahl-al-haq-defying-iran-attack-us-iraq
------------
Turkey summons Iran envoy over protest against
Erdogan’s controversial remarks
Source : Mehr News
December 12, 2020
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has reportedly summoned the
Iranian ambassador to Ankara over Iranian officials’ protest against President
Erdogan’s controversial remarks.
Ambassador Mohammad Farazmand has been summoned to
hear ‘Ankara’s condemnation’ of allegation against Turkey and Erdogan, as well
as protest the summoning of Turkish envoy to Tehran by the Iranian Foreign
Ministry, Anadolu reported quoting unnamed sources.
“If Iran has discomfort with any issue related to
Turkey, it is unacceptable for Iran’s foreign minister to target Turkey via
Twitter if there are other channels to communicate,” the report says.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issues an official
statement on Friday, noting that it has summoned Ambassador Derya Ors over a
controversial poem that President Erdogan had recited in Baku.
At the ceremony, which was also attended by
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Erdogan recited a separatist poem about the
Aras River on the Iranian-Azerbaijani border. “They separated the Aras River
and filled it with rocks and rods. I will not be separated from you. They have
separated us forcibly,” reads part of the controversial poem.
Earlier on Friday, Foreign Minister Zarif took to
Twitter to protest Erdogan. “Pres. Erdogan was not informed that what he
ill-recited in Baku refers to the forcible separation of areas north of Aras
from Iranian motherland. Didn't he realize that he was undermining the
sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan? NO ONE can talk about OUR beloved
Azerbaijan.”
https://en.abna24.com/news//turkey-summons-iran-envoy-over-protest-against-erdogan%e2%80%99s-controversial-remarks_1094784.html
-----------
IDF fighter faces Islamic rioters alone
Arutz Sheva Staff
Dec 12 , 2020
A video being widely disseminated apparently shows an
IDF fighter left alone to face Islamic rioters in Ramallah who attacked him
with rocks. The soldier appears to attempt escape without meting the rioters a
response.
The IDF Spokesman responded to the video: "The
video documents only a small part of an incident during which fighters who were
in an ambush surprised rioters and chased them away.
"Examination of the documented incident shows
that two fighters sat in ambush in the center of the hill before a planned
disturbance that is taking place in al-Maghar and that was known in advance.
The rioters were surprised by the fighters. Some retreated down the mountain,
and two or three of them threw rocks as they fled backwards after being
surprised at close range by the force.
"While the Palestinians present the video as a
'picture of victory', the video they distribute actually cut off the moments
when the fighters chased away the rioters - leaving only the last moments
before the rioters who remained in the area also fled."
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/292944
-----------
Syria reiterates necessity for closing chemical
weapons completely
December 12, 2020
Source : Sana
Syria has reiterated the necessity of closing chemical
file completely and getting it out of political tricks and misleading media as
it has met all its obligations regarding its joining to Chemical Weapons
Convention in 2013.
“I listened with great interest to the statements of
the member states’ envoys, and while I reiterate my country’s appreciation for
the stances of the member states that adhere to the principles of International
law and the provisions of its Charter, and Syria’s condemnation of the use of
chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction at any time, place and
under any circumstances, I stress again that the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is a technical organization, but it has turned
from a technical organization, which has noble goals, into a tool in a
geopolitical game led by the US and its allies instead of being a faithful guard
to implement the chemical weapons convention,” Deputy Foreign and Expatriates
Minister and Syria’s representative to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari said during a
session for Security council via video on the situation in Syria.
He called on member states at the Organization of the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to reject politicizing the technical feature of
the Organization and treat what has affected its works of defects and
politicization that undermine the status and credibility of the Organization,
SANA reported.
Al-Jaafari reiterated that Syria has never used
chemical weapons and it still committed in cooperation with the Organization
and its technical secretariat, and the assessment team to settle all pending
issues to pave the way for closing the file completely as soon as possible and
get it out of the circle of political tricks and misleading media.
https://en.abna24.com/news//syria-calls-for-closing-chemical-file-completely_1094789.html
------------
South Asia
China: Big data program targets Xinjiang’s Muslims
Human Rights Watch
12 December 2020
A big data program for policing in China’s Xinjiang
region arbitrarily selects Turkic Muslims for possible detention, Human Rights
Watch said today. A leaked list of over 2,000 detainees from Aksu prefecture
provided to Human Rights Watch is further evidence of China’s use of technology
in its repression of the Muslim population.
The big data program, the Integrated Joint Operations
Platform (IJOP), apparently flagged the people on the Aksu List, whom officials
then evaluated and sent to “political education” camps in Xinjiang.
“The Aksu List provides further insights into how
China’s brutal repression of Xinjiang’s Turkic Muslims is being turbocharged by
technology,” said Maya Wang, senior China researcher. “The Chinese government
owes answers to the families of those on the list: why were they detained, and
where are they now?”
Human Rights Watch first reported on the IJOP in
February 2018, noting that the policing program aggregates data about people
from various sensory systems in Xinjiang, and flags to officials those it deems
potentially threatening. Officials then evaluate these individuals’ “general
performance” together with other sources of information, and send some to
political education camps and other facilities. Human Rights Watch “reverse
engineered” the IJOP mobile app in May 2019 and revealed the dubious criteria
this mass surveillance system was programmed to flag, including many lawful
behaviors.
The Aksu List, dated around late 2018, is similar to
another leaked file, the Karakax List. That list – of people detained for
having relatives abroad – dated around June 2019, provides an assessment of
whether an individual should remain in detention. The IJOP is also repeatedly
mentioned in the Karakax List. Together the lists provide two snapshots of
Xinjiang’s bureaucracy, as it picks and vets its victims in the process of
coerced thought transformation: the decision to detain people and the decision
to keep them in detention. At both stages, the IJOP system assists officials in
selecting targets.
The entry for “Ms. T” on the Aksu List illustrates how
the program’s algorithms identify legal behaviors as grounds for detention. It
notes that she was detained because the IJOP system had flagged her for “links
to sensitive countries.” It reported that Ms. T had received four calls from a
foreign number in March 2017, down to the number of seconds. In other words,
the IJOP system is programed to pick out particular behavior, calls to a
foreign number, noting the precise duration of the calls. Human Rights Watch
called that number and found that it belongs to Ms. T’s sister.
Ms. T’s sister said that Xinjiang police interrogated
Ms. T around the time the Aksu List recorded her detention date. The police had
specifically asked about her sister because she lives abroad. Ms. T’s sister
said she has had no direct contact with her family in Xinjiang since then, but
heard via an intermediary that Ms. T – presumably upon her release from a
political education camp – was now working in a factory five days a week and
allowed to go home only on weekends. Ms. T’s sister believes Ms. T is being
forced to work in a factory against her will, noting that Ms. T had been
training for a different career before she was detained.
Human Rights Watch’s analysis of the Aksu List
strongly suggests that the vast majority of the people flagged by the IJOP
system are detained for everyday lawful, non-violent behavior. This contradicts
the Chinese authorities’ claims that their “sophisticated,” “predictive”
technologies, like the IJOP, are keeping Xinjiang safe by “targeting” criminals
“with precision.”
The mass surveillance and arbitrary detention of
Xinjiang’s Turkic Muslims violate fundamental rights under China’s constitution
and international human rights law. Article 37 of the constitution states that
all arrests must be approved by either the procuratorate (the state prosecution
agency) or the courts.
Yet Human Rights Watch research indicates that neither
agency appears to be involved in these detentions. Rather, administrative
officials, including police officers, make the sole decision to detain someone.
Those facing detention have no right to due process, including access to
lawyers and family members, or a chance to stand trial to contest such
allegations. The use of intrusive surveillance, including in and around
people’s homes, also violates everyone’s right to privacy.
“‘Predictive policing’ platforms are really just a
pseudo-scientific fig leaf for the Chinese government to justify vast
repression of Turkic Muslims,” Wang said. “The Chinese government should
immediately shut down the IJOP, delete all the data it has collected, and
release everyone arbitrarily detained in Xinjiang.”
In August, Radio Free Asia’s Uyghur Service provided
Human Rights Watch with an Excel spreadsheet titled “List of IJOP Trainees”
with the names of over 2,000 people obtained from an anonymous Xinjiang source
in late 2018. The sheet has columns that include the person’s name, gender, the
date of their detention in a political education camp, the reason for their
detention, the number of their detention facility or cell, the batch number
from which the IJOP systems picked them out, and the reason why, usually no
more than a sentence or two.
Although the sender has not been identified, the list
appears to come from a part of Aksu prefecture where 80 percent of the
residents are Uyghurs. Human Rights Watch is confident that all the people on
the Aksu List are Uyghurs. About half of the list are men and the other half
women. Their detention dates ranged from mid-2016 to late 2018. At the peak,
well over 100 people were detained on a single day. To protect the source,
Human Rights Watch is obscuring the precise location of the Aksu List, precise
dates, and some of the numbers throughout the analysis.
The file’s metadata suggests that it was last modified
in late 2018. Human Rights Watch used various methods to verify the Aksu List:
Human Rights Watch shared the Excel sheet with Uyghur
diaspora communities from that region, who identified 18 names on the list as
their immediate family members.
The list also contains nearly 200 unique ID numbers,
which were checked against the ID numbers on an official website of people who
have been blacklisted under China’s social credit system, run by the Supreme
People’s Court; and two of those numbers matched. The rate of 1 percent is
consistent with the matching rate of those in the Karakax List, which contained
more identifying personal information for extensive verification.
Some entries say the individual was detained in a camp
after completing a prison sentence, and 20 list the crimes. Human Rights Watch
searched the Supreme People’s Court’s database of Chinese court verdicts for
these 20 people’s full names, but it did not yield results, though the court
verdict database is far from comprehensive.
The Aksu List also contains 27 unique Chinese mobile
phone numbers. Human Rights Watch was able to find 14 of them on WeChat. In
most cases, their photos, names, and locations indicate that they are Uyghurs
from Aksu.
The Aksu List contains two mobile phone numbers from
outside China. One is still functional and, as noted, the person who picked up
the phone confirmed she is the sister of the woman on the list we have called
Ms. T.
The language and terms used in the Aksu List are also
consistent with those in other Xinjiang official documents that Human Rights
Watch reviewed. Human Rights Watch has shown the full Aksu List to two experts
who have extensively documented Xinjiang’s repression. They determined that the
list appears authentic based on details such as detention duration and the
language used.
The same Xinjiang source who provided the Aksu List
also provided other audiovisual content to Radio Free Asia’s Uyghur Service
between mid and late 2018. Human Rights Watch analyzed this material to assess
the credibility of the Excel spreadsheet, as it was obtained from the same
source.
To protect the anonymous source, Human Rights Watch
will not describe specifics of the analysis performed, but concluded that the
audiovisual content was taken from inside a detention facility in Aksu. The
embedded geographic coordinates suggest that they were taken from within a
large building complex previously identified as a political education camp by
the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a think tank. This analysis provides
Human Rights Watch with additional confidence in the authenticity of the Aksu
List.
According to the Aksu List, the IJOP can flag people
at both the prefecture and regional levels, though it is unclear how, or if,
those two levels of analysis differ. At both levels, most people were flagged
for their relationships, their communications (通联),
or for being related to (家族人员 or 亲属), or
traveling, or staying with (同行同住)
someone the authorities consider suspicious. Column F appears to be the reasons
officials give for detaining a person. An examination of the Aksu List suggests
that the authorities consider the following behavior suspicious:
https://ifex.org/china-big-data-program-targets-xinjiangs-muslims/
------------
Mohib: Intra-Afghan Talks Should Be Held in
Afghanistan
By Mohammad Haroon Alim
12 Dec 2020
Hamdullah Mohib, National Security Adviser, said on
Saturday, that the next rounds of peace negotiations between the Taliban and
the Afghan government should be held in Afghanistan, adding that the Afghan government
does not have any consideration with any venue selected by the Taliban.
He added, that Afghanistan is ready to hold talks in
any part of the country as the Taliban suggests, talks within the country will
build trust in peace negotiations and provide the ability to afghans to monitor
and own the peace process.
He mentioned that talks in Afghanistan could be
cost-effective and prevent additional expenses, he tweeted.
He expressed that there is a need to hold peace
negotiations within Afghanistan, so peace turns countrywide and enduring and it
will be impacted by the Afghan community instead of the foreign community.
As the peace negotiators became overshadowed and by
conditions abroad and such type of peace will not be in the interest of
Afghanistan, Mohib shared in a thread of tweets.
This comes as peace negotiators of both parties are
set to take three-week off, media reported, members who have not met their
families over the past few months, took a break for a visit, the break was in
parleys is based on both side agreements.
https://www.khaama.com/mohib-intra-afghan-talks-should-be-held-in-afghanistan-876868/
-----------
90 Taliban terrorists killed in Kandahar of Afghan
Source : Mehr News
December 13, 2020
Ministry of Defense in a statement on Saturday
announced that 90 members of Taliban were killed in the past 24 hours in
Kandahar province.
Clashes between the Afghan National Security Forces
and the Taliban in the southern province of Kandahar have left 90 killed.
"During the clashes, 90 Taliban members were
killed and nine others wounded," the ministry said.
Taliban attacked regions including Panjwai, Zhari,
Arghandab and Maiwand districts of Kandahar, based on which, nine other
servicemen were also wounded in the clashes, according to the statement.
On the other hand, the Afghan army has seized large
quantities of ammunition and mines during another operation against the
Taliban.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Taliban and the
Afghan government are currently in Doha, Qatar, to discuss resolving disputes
and achieving lasting peace in the country.
After the US-led coalition invaded Afghanistan in 2001
under the pretext of fighting terrorism, statistics clearly show that the level
of violence, terrorist attacks and insecurity in this country has been
constantly increasing.
https://en.abna24.com/news//90-taliban-terrorists-killed-in-kandahar-of-afghan_1095096.html
-----------
Mullah Mansour had life insurance policy
S.Muddasir Ali Shah
13 Dec 2020
PESHAWAE (Pajhwok): Taliban’s supreme leader Mullah
Akhtar Mansour had purchased a ‘life insurance’ policy from a private firm in
Pakistan.
A Karachi-based anti-terrorism court was informed on
Saturday the former Taliban supremo, who was killed in a US drone attack in
2016, had bought the life insurance policy using a fake identity.
At the hearing of a terror funding case against
Mansour and his absconding accomplices, the insurance firm confirmed this to
the anti-terrorism court.
Mansour and his accomplices were involved in raising funds
for terrorist activities through the purchase of properties on ‘forged
identities’.
The investigating officer appeared before the court
along with an official of the IGI General Insurance Limited and filed a report
on behalf of the fim.
According to the report, it emerged during the
investigation that Mullah Mansour had purchased a ‘life insurance’ policy on
the basis of a fake identity and had paid up to Rs300,000 to the firm before
his death.
Dawn reported the insurance company had presented a
cheque fo Rs300,000 to investigators for submitting it to the court so that the
amount could be deposited in the state treasury.
“However, FIA investigators returned the cheque,
asking the company to pay the principal amount along with premium so that the
whole amount could be deposited in the treasury,” the newspaper added.
At the hearing, the company deposited a cheque for
Rs350,000 with the court, which had on Sept 24 ordered the firm to deposit the
amount paid by the slain Taliban leader.
In compliance with a court directive, a property owned
by Mansour in Karachi had been auctioned for Rs9,200,000 and the amount had
been deposited with the court.
https://pajhwok.com/2020/12/13/mullah-mansour-had-life-insurance-policy/
-----------
Kabul Blast Claims 2, Hurts 2
By Mohammad Arif Sheva
13 Dec 2020
KABUL, Afghanistan – At least two person killed and
further two wounded in an IED blast Sunday morning in PD15 of Kabul city, local
police confirmed.
According to authorities, the incident took place at
around 7:45 a.m. local time after a vehicle got hit by a magnetic mine at Khair
Khana area of Police District 15 (PD15) in Kabul city.
The eyewitnesses said the car belongs to member of the
House of Representatives, but further details are not reported.
No group or individual has immediately claimed
responsibility for the attack.
https://www.khaama.com/kabul-blast-claims-2-hurts-2-43893478/
----------
NATO Supports Afghan Forces with Pharmaceutical Supplies
By Mohammad Haroon Alim
12 Dec 2020
NATO said in a statement on Saturday, that between
November and early December of 2020, NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)
has operated several chartered flights carrying pharmaceutical supplies from
NATO allies to Afghanistan.
The cargo consisted of pain relievers, vitamins,
antibiotic pills and ointments, polio vaccine, hand sanitizers, IV fluids, and
other critical medicines, the statement read.
Such supplies will help Afghan forces improve their
standards of care and reduce the risk of infections and harm to service
personnel, other flights are scheduled through the end of this year.
This aid is funded by the NATO-run ANA trust fund,
this is part of the extensive support by the NATO and CSTC-A Procurement Agency
to the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan, which plays a
prominent role in developing Afghan National Defense Forces.
According to the statement, such projects focus on
improving Afghan security forces in logistical, organizational, educational,
and healthcare aspects.
“The Afghan National Army Trust Fund represents one of
three funding streams used by the international community to channel its
financial support to Afghanistan’s security forces. The other two are the Law
and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA), administered by the United
Nations Development Programme, and the United States Afghanistan Security
Forces Fund (ASFF). LOTFA is used to pay the salaries of police and corrections
personnel and to build the capacity of the Afghan Ministry of the Interior and
the police. The ASFF pays for equipping and running Afghanistan’s security
forces, as well as facility and infrastructure repair, renovation and
construction” NATO reported.
NATO indicated that Projects in ANA Trust Fund
includes millions of dollars for power transmission, countering IEDs, training,
helicopter repair, and security systems developed by video surveillance, these
services are delivered through many agencies including NATO support,
Procurement Agency, United States Army Corps of Engineers, The United Nations
Office of Project Services.
Total contributions made to the ANA Trust Fund since
its establishment in 2007 increased to over 3.2 billion US dollars.
Earlier NATO foreign ministers reiterated their strong
commitment to RS missions in Afghanistan, they assured Afghanistan of NATO’s
financial sustainment of Afghan Security forces up to the year 2024 and efforts
towards lasting peace in Afghanistan.
“The NATO Support and Procurement Agency is NATO’s
main services provider, delivering a broad spectrum of integrated capabilities
for the Alliance, its member nations and partners. The Agency brings together
NATO’s logistics support and procurement activities, providing effective and
cost-efficient multinational support solutions. NSPA is a customer-funded
agency, operating on a “no profit – no loss” basis”. NATO reported on their
website.
https://www.khaama.com/nato-supports-afghan-forces-with-pharmaceutical-supplies-8796655/
--------------
Two killed in Kabul magnetic IED blast
Source : Mehr
December 13, 2020
A magnetically-attached improvised explosive device
(MIED) blast occurred in Kabul's PD15 on Sunday.
At least two people were killed and two were wounded
in a magnetic IED blast in Kabul's PD15 this morning, Kabul police confirmed on
Twitter.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack
yet.
https://en.abna24.com/news//two-killed-in-kabul-magnetic-ied-blast_1095126.html
---------
Audit report finds glaring wrongdoings in setting up
‘Sharia’ University
Ruwantha Nithulgaspitiya
12-12-2020
The Hira Foundation chaired by Former Governor of the
Eastern Province A.M.L.Hizbullah, has been accused of committing a number of
wrongdoings and abuses of power in violation of the country’s common law and
regulations when initiating the controversial private ‘Sharia’ university in
Batticaloa, according to a report by the Auditor General.
The Special Audit Report on the Establishment and
Maintenance of the Batticaloa Private University has also pointed out that the
Hira Foundation, acted in a manner which amounts to an interference in the
normal functioning of one Ministry, two Pradeshiya Sabhas and several other
state and semi-government institutions.
The report alleges that the Hira Foundation had
misused state property, evaded taxes, concealed information, causing serious
financial losses to several institutions, from the initial planning stage to
the opening of the private university in Batticaloa.
The audit report also states the foundation has
violated several general rules and regulations applicable when starting and
operating a private university.
Therefore, the Auditor General recommends that the
Attorney General should take immediate action against the illegal practices of
the project.
The report further states that since the commencement
of the project, a number of suspicious transactions have taken place in several
accounts associated with the Hira Foundation.
According to the audit report, 49 NVQ certificates
have been issued by this private university in the recent past in a background
where no formal approval has been given at the ministry level to issue
certificates to the relevant institution.
Also it states that the state emblem has been misused
to promote the Hira Foundation’s Batticaloa Private University as a government
affiliated university and to extend open invitations to students for long term
courses.
During the implementation of the relevant project,
steps have been taken to lease the property without an assessment report
contrary to the provisions of the Municipal Council Ordinance and the Municipal
Council has lost over Rs. 84 lakhs during the relevant period due to the lease
of property belonging to the Municipal Council.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2020/12/12/local/235921/audit-report-finds-glaring-wrongdoings-setting-%E2%80%98sharia%E2%80%99-university
-----------
Pakistan
Stage set for PDM power show in Lahore today
Zulqernain Tahir
13 Dec 2020
LAHORE: The 11-party opposition alliance, the
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), is all geared up for putting up its
much-hyped “power show” at Minar-i-Pakistan here on Sunday (today), the last
one in its first phase of anti-government rallies that began three months ago.
The PDM is expected to announce the “decisive phase”
of its struggle against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led government in
this public meeting.
A senior PML-N leader told Dawn that the next phase of
its struggle would begin in January in which the PDM had planned 16 more
rallies across the country before the final showdown — a long march on
Islamabad and resignations from the national and provincial assemblies.
The PDM has planned a long march in February if the
PTI government does not buckle to the pressure exerted by the opposition
alliance.
However, no consensus seems to be in sight over
resignations from the national and provincial assemblies at the moment because
PPP is still reluctant to say goodbye to the Sindh government.
The government on the other hand appears to have
changed at the last minute its strategy to handle Sunday’s rally. The
government said it would not stop the people coming from other cities from
joining the rally, giving an opportunity to the opposition parties to match
Imran Khan’s Oct 2011 public meeting at the same venue.
The PML-N expressed its doubts over the government’s
intentions to give the PDM free hand to hold the public meeting. “It will be
clear on Sunday morning whether the PTI government allows our caravans from
other parts of the country to enter Lahore. At this moment we have reports that
police have been put on alert and containers placed at different points,
including motorways,” PML-N lawmaker Samiullah Khan told Dawn.
“As far as our preparations are concerned, tomorrow’s
power show will be historic, setting a new record in terms of number of
participants,” Mr Khan said.
This is the first time in the recent history of the
country that the PML-N is going to hold a public meeting at Minar-i-Pakistan,
the first rally at this venue for the de-facto president of PML-N Maryam Nawaz.
Earlier she had held corner meetings in the 14
constituencies of Lahore to mobilise the party workers. She had pleaded the
people to come out of their houses and reach Minar-i-Pakistan on Sunday so that
the PDM could manage to send the government home.
Similarly, it will be the first appearance of PPP
chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at a political gathering at Minar-i-Pakistan.
Going there would revive the memories of his mother Benazir Bhutto’s historic
public meeting at Minar-i-Pakistan in 1986.
Both the PML-N and PPP leaders Dawn spoke to on
Saturday emphasised the significance of public meetings at Minar-i-Pakistan.
“Benazir Bhutto’s historical power show at the venue in 1986 is remembered even
today,” a PPP leader said.
“For the PDM and particularly the PML-N, Minar-i-Pakistan’s
Sunday rally is a matter of do or die. In case of failure to put up a big show
in terms of the number of participants, the anti-government campaign will
fizzle out,” the PPP leader said and expressed the hope that the PDM would
manage to prove its mettle on Sunday.
On Saturday a good number of PML-N workers reached
Minar-i-Pakistan, broke the locks of its main gate and placed chairs and
installed lights at its ground. Some PML-N leaders also visited the venue and
oversaw the preparations. Maryam Nawaz also reached there late on Saturday
night to take a look at the arrangements.
As many as 3,000 volunteers of the Ansarul Islam, the
volunteer wing of the JUI-F, will provide security cover to the rally. A
separate gate has been allocated for women participants.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar asked
the PDM to delay its Minar-i-Pakistan rally in light of “terror threat alerts”
and the coronavirus situation. “I ask the opposition to resolve issues through
talks; to discuss the issues through dialogue and not by playing with people’s
lives,” Mr Buzdar said while talking to reporters.
He said the opposition should realise that current
Covid-19 situation in Lahore was “very grave” and the positivity rate of
coronavirus was more than 46 per cent.
Provincial Law Minister Basharat Raja said the
government had given permission to the PDM to hold a rally at Minar-i-Pakistan
but “action will be taken against those who will take law into their hands”.
Special Assistant to the CM on Information Firdous
Ashiq Awan said in a tweet that according to intelligence reports, there was a
terror threat to the PDM rally. Besides gathering of more than 300 people is a
violation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures. “If any untoward incident
takes place at the PDM rally, the opposition parties will be responsible for
it,” she warned.
Meanwhile, Mr Bhutto-Zardari who is in Lahore, said
the strategy of the second phase of the democratic struggle against the
selected government of Imran Khan would be announced on Sunday at
Minar-i-Pakistan. He called on every PPP worker in the city to attend the
public meeting.
“Jiyalas of PPP fought against the dictatorship of Gen
Ayub Khan and Gen Ziaul Haq. They were lashed but refused to give in. They
sacrificed their lives in the struggle for democracy. They know how to fight
dictators. The blood of jiyalas has kept democracy alive in this country. They
know how to start and finish a long march, they know how train marches are
organised and they know how to root out the tyrants,” he said.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari said the PPP was fighting for
democracy from the platform of the PDM and this would be a decisive struggle
for democracy in the country. “We will restore real democracy in Pakistan. We
want the people to decide about the economic policy and other policies of the
country. We want the people to decide their future themselves. We will install
a people’s government after dislodging this puppet and selected government. We
will form a government which will fulfill the promises of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto,” he said.
Speaking to reporters at Minar-i-Pakistan, PMLN
information secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb said: “No matter what the imposed
regime of selected PM Khan does, Sunday’s public meeting will take place come
what may.”
She said the people of Pakistan did not need to worry
about the fascist tactics of this regime because the PDM would now rest only
after sending the sugar and wheat thieves home. “Dec 13 is the decisive day of
sending the sugar, wheat, flour, medicine, electricity, gas thieves and lying,
incompetent and corrupt hoard of looters back to their homes,” she said.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Latif
Afridi and former president Syed Qalbe Hassan on Saturday condemned what they
called unwarranted arrests of political workers in the wake of the PDM rally in
Lahore.
In a statement, they demanded immediate release of all
political workers of PDM since they had been unlawfully arrested.
Mr Afridi said the people had the right to peacefully
protest and hold demonstrations and the government had no justification to
oppress peaceful political workers and protestors.
He said any aggression perpetrated against peaceful
political workers was against constitutional, democratic and human values.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1595459/stage-set-for-pdm-power-show-in-lahore-today
-----------
Govt decides to act swiftly over sedition, incitement
to disorder
Iftikhar A. Khan
13 Dec 2020
ISLAMABAD: A day ahead of the Lahore rally that the
opposition is holding ignoring a terror threat alert and the worsening Covid-19
situation, the federal government has decided to act swiftly against sedition
and incitement to disorder.
Informed sources told Dawn on Saturday that the
cabinet under the provision of Section 196 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)
had authorised the interior secretary to lodge complaints on behalf of the
government in case of `commission of an offence against the state’.
An official told Dawn that all offences against the
state were tried under Section 196 of CrPC and if mandatory condition for the
exercise of jurisdiction was not fulfilled, then the entire proceedings that
followed would become coram non judice.
Section 196 of CrPC reads: “No Court shall take
cognisance of any offence punishable under Chapter VI or IXA of the Pakistan
Penal Code (except Section 127), or punishable under Section 108-A, or Section
153-A, or Section 294-A, or Section 295-A or Section 505 of the same Code,
unless upon complaint made by order of, or under authority from, the Central
Government, or the Provincial Government concerned, or some officer empowered
in this behalf by either of the two Governments.”
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by
the then chief justice had held that the federal government meant the federal
cabinet. Consequently, each and every decision, even of administrative nature,
is sent to the cabinet for approval.
“Now in case of offence against the state, a complaint
will be lodged by the interior secretary on behalf of federal government and
there will be no need to send a summary for the cabinet’s approval each time,”
the official said.
When contacted, a lawmaker from the opposition said
the government’s intent would be clear in next few days and hastened to add
that the way in which the cabinet had approved the summary without a formal
meeting raised questions.
Offences against the state include waging or
attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan, (Section 121
of the PPC), conspiracy to commit offences punishable by Section 121 (S.121-A),
collecting arms etc., with intention of waging war against Pakistan (S.122),
concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war (S.123), defiling or
unauthorised removing the national flag from a government building etc.
(S.123-B), assaulting president or governor of any province with intent to
compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful powers (S. 124), waging war
against any power in alliance with Pakistan (S. 125) and sedition (S. 124-A).
Section 124A of the PPC, seen by many as a relic of
colonial era criminalises words/expression which “brings or attempts to bring
into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection” towards
the government.
The section which relates to offences of sedition
reads: “Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible
representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or
contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the federal or
provincial government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment
for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to
three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.”
In June this year, a bill seeking omission of Section
124-A of the PPC had been tabled in the Senate by PPP Senator Mian Raza
Rabbani.
The veteran senator noted that this section was a part
of the inherited colonial structure of the British rule, which continued in
Pakistan, and it had been in use to control those who incited rebellion against
the masters.
“This law served as brutal occupying force and it is
being used to crush the political dissent and ensure unquestionable obedience,”
he said while speaking on the bill.
Mr Rabbani stressed that the relationship between the
rulers and the masses now was not of the master and servant, as was the case
during the colonial rule.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1595460/govt-decides-to-act-swiftly-over-sedition-incitement-to-disorder
------------
India
India to discuss Chabahar port issue with Iran and
Uzbekistan
TNN
Dec 13, 2020
NEW DELHI: Looking to enhance its engagement with
energy-rich central Asia, India will participate in the first trilateral
working group meeting with Iran and Uzbekistan for joint use of Chabahar Port
on December 14.
The meeting would be jointly chaired at deputy
minister level by Uzbekistan and Iran and at secretary level by India.
“India welcomes the interest of Uzbekistan to use the
Chabahar port as a transit port. This would open up economic opportunities for
the traders and business community of the region,” said the government in a
statement.
“Besides Uzbekistan, other central Asian countries
have also shown interest in using the port. India seeks to cooperate closely
with regional countries on this issue,” it added.The port is being developed by
India, Iran and Afghanistan in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to
New Delhi.
Ways to speed up connectivity projects linking central
Asia was a major focus of a virtual summit between PM Modi and Uzbek President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev Friday.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-discuss-chabahar-port-issue-with-iran-and-uzbekistan/articleshowprint/79701891.cms
-----------
NIA Denied A News Report That Said NIA Court In
Srinagar Has Acquitted All Accused In A Case
GK News Network
December 13, 2020
The National Investigation Agency today denied a news
report that said NIA Court in Srinagar has acquitted all accused in a case.
“On 11.12.2020, there was a misleading news published
by some media houses that NIA Court in Srinagar has acquitted all accused in a
case related to killing of chief of Jamiat-e-Ahlihadeeth, J&K. It is
clarified that for all the cases of NIA in Jammu & Kashmir, the trials are
conducted by NIA Special Court at Jammu, which has been designated by Ministry of
Home Affairs and Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir,” the NIA said in a
statement.
“In the current year 2020, all the designated NIA
Special Courts in India have pronounced judgements in 11 cases till date and
NIA has been able to secure 100% conviction. The reference to the term NIA
Court in respect of the designated Court dealing with Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act cases in Srinagar is misinformation leading to raising of
doubts about NIA’s working,” the statement said.
https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page-2/grenade-attack-on-sopore-police-post-2-civilians-hurt/
-----------
Grenade attack on Sopore police post, 2 civilians hurt
Ghulam Muhammad
December 13, 2020
Two civilians were injured in a grenade blast in north
Kashmir’s Sopore Saturday evening.
An official said that two civilians identified as
Bilal Ahmad and Shakir Ahmad Malik, both residents of Sopore, were injured when
a grenade was lobbed on a police post near bus stand in Sopore town.
https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page-2/grenade-attack-on-sopore-police-post-2-civilians-hurt/
-----------
Southeast Asia
‘Profits over people’: Covid-19 overruns Top Glove
factories as workers speak of appalling accommodations
MYT
13 Dec 2020
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 — Bangladeshi migrant worker
Sheikh Kibria recalls with horror the filthy, overcrowded dormitory where he
was housed by the world’s biggest rubber glove manufacturer when a coronavirus
outbreak erupted and infected thousands.
Malaysia’s Top Glove saw profits soar, and its stock
price jump as much as 400 per cent this year as countries worldwide rushed to
buy protective gear as the pandemic intensified.
But in interviews with AFP, the South Asian migrants
working flat out to make the gloves — who typically earn around US$300 a month
(RM1,215) — described appalling living conditions, in cramped dormitories where
up to 25 people sleep in bunk beds in a single room.
The scandal has added to growing pressure on the firm,
already under scrutiny after the United States banned the import of some of its
gloves over allegations of forced labour earlier this year.
“The room itself is a bare minimum. It is quite
impossible to maintain cleanliness when so many people live in a single room.
It is like an army barracks — only less maintained.”
When the situation escalated last month, Top Glove
began shifting infected workers to hospital and their close contacts to
quarantine centres, reducing the numbers in dormitories.
Kibria, 24, was suspected of having Covid-19 so was
first put in hospital, although he later tested negative and was moved to a
hotel.
“The company had discussed decreasing people in the
rooms before infections began but it never happened,” a Nepali production line
worker, Karan Shrestha, told AFP.
It has spent RM20 million (US$5 million) purchasing
new worker accommodations in the past two months, and plans to build
“mega-hostels” kitted out with modern facilities that can house up to 7,300
people.
“We are mindful there is much more to be done to
uplift the standard of our employee welfare and promise to rectify shortcomings
immediately,” said managing director Lee Kim Meow.
“The company, its investors and its buyers have
prioritised the delivery of more gloves, more quickly and at higher
profitability over the welfare of its mainly migrant worker labour force,” said
Andy Hall, a migrant labour specialist who focuses on Asia.
Malaysia, a relatively affluent South-east Asian
country of 32 million, has long attracted migrants from poorer parts of the
region to work in industries ranging from manufacturing to agriculture.
Top Glove says the vast majority of workers who tested
positive have already been released from hospital, and some factories are now
reopening.
But some workers remain terrified at the prospect of
returning to the production line, despite the company trying to enforce social
distancing and providing protective gear.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/12/13/profits-over-people-virus-overruns-top-glove-factories/1931471
------------
Indonesia arrests firebrand Islamist cleric over virus
rule breaches
By AFP
13 December 2020
A firebrand Indonesian Muslim cleric was arrested
Sunday for allegedly breaching coronavirus restrictions after he held a series
of sermons with tens of thousands of followers.
Rizieq Shihab's arrest came just days after Jakarta
police shot dead six followers of his hardline Islamist group in a highway
shootout.
Shihab will be detained for 20 days to prevent him
from fleeing and destroying evidence, police said.
"Another reason for the detention is for him not
to repeat the offence," National Police spokesman Argo Yuwono said Sunday.
If found guilty, he could face up to six years behind
bars for breaching coronavirus rules.
Shihab was welcomed by tens of thousands of followers
at Jakarta airport on his return from exile last month, in violation of a
Covid-19 ban on gatherings.
As dozens who attended that gathering subsequently
tested positive for the coronavirus, police summoned Shihab several times for
questioning.
Indonesia has reported more than 600,000 coronavirus
infections and over 18,500 deaths, with authorities imposing nationwide
restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.
Despite those restrictions, Shihab held sermons, a
celebration of the birthday of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, and his daughter's
wedding -- all of which were attended by thousands of people.
The charismatic leader of the Islamic Defender Front
(FPI), Shihab fled to Saudi Arabia shortly after police named him a suspect in
a pornography case in 2017, and remained in exile for three years.
Since his return, he's called for a "moral
revolution".
His FPI is notorious for targeting night clubs and
other establishments it deems "immoral", and has also attacked
minority Muslim sects it considers "deviant".
He was among the main figures behind mass rallies in
2016 against the then governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, over
allegations that he insulted the Koran.
Basuki, who is Christian, was sentenced to two years
in prison for blasphemy.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-9047985/Indonesia-arrests-firebrand-Islamist-cleric-virus-rule-breaches.html
------------
Mat Sabu: Amanah will find best solution to resolve
internal crisis in Negri Sembilan
MYT
13 Dec 2020
SEREMBAN, Dec 13 — Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah)
president Mohamad Sabu today said he will find the best solution to resolve
problems in the party in Negri Sembilan.
“Other political parties also experience the same
thing, no problem, we will find the best way (to discuss and resolve the
matter). This process is normal and I am confident we will be stronger,” he
told reporters when met after chairing the Negri Sembilan Amanah Convention
here today.
Bernama yesterday reported that six of the eight
division and Wanita wing chiefs of Negri Sembilan Amanah have decided against
attending the state party convention, being held today, because they do not
recognise the state’s current top leadership.
On the distribution of seats for the 15th General
Election, Mohamad said the matter had not been discussed yet, either at the
national or state level.
Meanwhile, on a statement by PKR president Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim, who claimed to have a sufficient number of supporters among
members of the Dewan Rakyat to form a new government, Mohamad said he was also
waiting for development on the matter.
The media reported yesterday that Anwar, who is also
the Opposition Leader, was said to be seeking an audience with the Yang
di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to
present evidence that he now had 113 supporters in the form of a sworn
statement (SD).
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/12/13/mat-sabu-amanah-will-find-best-solution-to-resolve-internal-crisis-in-negri/1931502
----------
Professor Dr Wan Maseri's teachings to be referred to
National Fatwa Council
Ahmad Marzuk Shaary
12/12/2020
KOTA BHARU, Dec 12
-- Issues on the teachings of "Asmaul Husna Wan Maseri" which
is alleged to be deviant from Islam will be referred to the National Fatwa
Council for further evaluation and decision, said Deputy Minister in the Prime
Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.
According to him, the matter had previously been
raised and discussed several times in the Religious Division of the Prime
Minister's Department in post-cabinet meetings.
He said initial information found that there were
deviations in terms of the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah in the teachings
of "Asmaul Husna Wan Maseri".
So far, the teaching was alleged to have surfaced in
Pahang and a fatwa on it has been issued as a deviation from Ahli Sunnah Wal
Jamaah.
Apart from that, several states had taken the same
action, including the Federal Territories, "he told reporters after the
COVID-19 Musaadah Contribution Presentation Ceremony at the Pengkalan Chepa
Parliamentary Level here, today.
It is understood that the teachings allegedly founded
by Professor Dr Wan Maseri Wan Ahmad had now been declared as heretical and
misleading in Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan and several other states.
Ahmad Marzuk said, his ministry wanted to advise the
communities, which were not fully aware about any teaching being taught, to be
careful.
The individual who was said to be spreading this
teaching was also no longer a member of PAS and had been sacked even though she
had previously been a candidate in the general election, "he said.
Commenting further, he said so far the Federal
Territories Mufti Department and the Akidah (Faith) Division under the
Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) had been entrusted to obtain
more information from the individual concerned.
https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=1911532
----------
Malaysia cannot remain closed for too long, says
Ismail Sabri
MYT
12 Dec 2020
ARAU, Dec 12 —The government cannot be closing the
country indefinitely and not allowing the people to move freely, said Senior
Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri.
“In the end, we need to allow them to be free as
Covid-19 will always be around us like dengue and so on,” he told reporters
after an audience with the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra
Jamalullail at Istana Arau here today.
Also present in the audience were Perlis Menteri Besar
Datuk Seri Azlan Man, Army Chief Gen Datuk Zamrose Mohd Zain and Defence
Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz.
Ismail said when the government allowed the people the
freedom of movement, every individual should take preventive measures to avoid
getting infected.
“As such the people have to comply with all the
standard operating procedures (SOP) as well as all the instructions announced
by the government from time to time. I believe if everybody cooperates, the
Covid-19 graph could be flattened,” he said.
He said many countries have no movement control such
as Taiwan where the people are disciplined and practise self-control so much so
Covid-19 did not spread in the country.
Commenting on the rise of Covid-19 cases in the past
few days, Ismail said the total cases detected rose after government enforced
mandatory screening of all foreign workers in the country.
“There are 888,000 workers (foreign workers) in the
country...’just imagine’ if five per cent were positive, the figure would
increase drastically and we have to be prepared with sufficient number of beds
if there are Covid-19 cases among them.
“What I want to stress here is that ‘as long as’ it
does not spread in the community, we would be able to control it as the number
involved only foreign workers,” he said. He said at the same time, the Human
Resource Ministry is intensifying inspection of
worker accommodation as many factories did not adhere to Act 446
(Workers Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities Act 1990) where employers
are required to provide conducive living quarters for their workers.
“Two actions have to be taken, namely swab test for
Covid-19 on foreign workers and we need to ensure their living condition is
more conducive as living in cramped conditions with 20-30 people in an
apartment can cause the disease to spread quickly,” he said.
In another development, Ismail said the government has
added two more new posts in the northern region of the country apart from
increasing the purchase of new equipment such as drones to step up surveillance
at the Malaysian-Thai border.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/12/12/malaysia-cannot-remain-closed-for-too-long-says-ismail-sabri/1931343
-----------
Africa
"Dividing Muslims, global diplomacy of
enemies": Iran's ambassador to Ethiopia
Source : Taghrib News
December 13, 2020
AhlulBayt News Agency: Iran's charge d'affaires ad
interim, Samad Ali Lakizadeh, has met with Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme
Council, Grand Mufti Haji Omar Idris in Addis Ababa to stress importance of
Islamic unity.
Iranian envoy in this meeting related on the
demography of Muslims and diversity of denominations in Iran and highlighted
the key role of boosting unity among Muslims.
Samad Ali Lakizadeh warned of efforts to divide
Muslims as the diplomacy of enemies and noted desecration of Prophet Mohammad
(PBUH) and Qur'an burning as measures in line with the same objective.
https://en.abna24.com/news//dividing-muslims-global-diplomacy-of-enemies-irans-ambassador-to-ethiopia_1095094.html
-----------
'Mosque of Jesus Christ' causes online sensation
By HAROLD ODHIAMBO
December 13th 2020
It all started with a protracted legal tussle between
the Muslim Association and the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) over
ownership of a parcel of land.
The row that lasted decades, ended in October this
year after a Land and Environment Court in Kisumu declared that the parcel
belonged to the Muslim community.
In an effort to build bridges and heal the rifts, the
Muslim community have chosen a new name for the mosque that has caught the
attention of many and become an Internet sensation.
The faithful say the choice of the name signifies the
decision of the Muslim community to demonstrate to the SDA church that they are
one.
“We have had a long tussle for the parcel and that is
one of the reasons we opted to settle on the name. We are not enemies with
Christians," says Abdul Rashid, a muezzin. A muezzin is the official who
proclaims the call to prayer.
He notes that Muslims also believe in Jesus and that
he was one of the prophets alongside four others that also included Prophet
Muhamad.
“Muslims believe in Jesus Christ. The choice of the
name is also our appreciation of Jesus Christ who we believe will come
back," says Rashid.
Plans to construct a permanent mosque are also in the
offing although the Muslims worshiping at the place have already constructed a
temporary structure for their prayers.
A senior government official who worships at the
mosque and is one of those who lodged the suit against the SDA church said the
name is not unique, adding that Jesus is also recognised in Islam.
“Jesus was given Injil while Muhamad was given the
Quran. The choice of name is a message to them that we are together. We have
always been together," said the official.
“It is a good gesture. I think that is a strong
indication that Muslims and Christians regard each other as brothers and
sisters,” said Joseph Odhiambo, a Christian.
The quest for the land began on September 25, 1985,
when the then association Secretary Mohammed Abdo Saleh wrote to Commissioner
of Lands, applying for a site to build a new mosque.
At the time, a 40-year lease to Ramisi Sugar Authority
had expired, but there were controversies as the authority had used the title
to secure a loan from a commercial bank, and had defaulted.
However, after back and forth correspondences between
the Muslim Association and the Provincial Commissioner, the District Lands
Registrar and the District Land registrar for 12 years, the association decided
to engage the Bank which cleared the air by stating there was never charge on
the land.
The association then took over the parcel without
clearance from the relevant lands authorities. But in 2010, the SDA Church
moved into the same parcel laying claim to it. This forced the Muslim
Association to head to court. In October, the Muslim association breathed a
sigh of relief after Justice Ombwayo determined that the church was not the
legitimate holders of the land.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/nyanza/article/2001397115/mosque-of-jesus-christ-causes-online-sensation
-------------
Algeria parties condemn normalization between Morocco,
Zionist regime
Source : Iran Press
December 13, 2020
Algerian parties have criticized the US-brokered
normalization agreement between Morocco, and Israel, calling it a political,
diplomatic, and ethical stain.
In a statement published on Facebook, the National
Liberation Front (FLN) confirmed that it had angrily denounced and condemned
the announcement made by the Kingdom of Morocco regarding the establishment of
diplomatic relations with the usurping Zionist entity, in exchange for the
recognition of the US president of Morocco's alleged sovereignty over occupied
Western Sahara.
The statement added: "The most remarkable part of
the humiliating and shameful agreement that traded the nation's honor, is that
it coincided with Human Rights Day (10 December)."
The statement considered that: "Giving up the
inalienable right of the Palestinian people in exchange for obtaining illusory
sovereignty over occupied Western Sahara is humiliating. It will remain a
political, diplomatic, and ethical stain on the forehead of the involved
parties who have always bragged about supporting the Palestinian cause. Today,
the truth is revealed after agreeing to sell the sacred cause based on a
deceitful and fake tweet published at the last moment. It is a gift from the
have-nots to the unworthy."
The FLN stressed that it renews its commitment, on
this perfidious occasion, to continue its support for the Palestinian cause
until victory is achieved in order to establish an independent state with
Jerusalem Al-Quds as its capital.
The party also reiterated its support for the rights
of the Saharawi people in their struggle and resistance until the
implementation of the international legitimacy resolutions, as well as holding
a referendum on self-rule to decide the fate of the people of Western Sahara.
Head of the Movement for the Society of Peace
Abderrazak Makri posted on Facebook: "The Moroccan regime did not decide
to normalize only today, and anyone who knows the complications of the
Palestinian cause will be aware of the old hidden and uncovered paths of
normalization between Morocco and the Zionist entity."
The leader of Algeria's largest Islamic party drew a
distinction between the position of the Moroccan state and that of the Moroccan
people, stating: "We are aware of the efforts made by the Moroccan people
to reject normalization through their mass protests and varied efforts in this
regard, and they will not be disappointed by Allah's will."
As a sign of solidarity with the Justice and
Development Party that leads the Moroccan government, Makri expressed:
"What will the affected party (the Justice and Development Party) in this
case do? We ask Allah to help them handle the situation. Regardless of existing
infiltrations of the Arab regimes that have inherited the honor of defending
the Palestinian cause through national struggles and movements, but have
abandoned it, the peoples of the region will remain faithful until the storm
passes thanks to our steadfast values of Islam and the spirit of our nation
that stands as our defense in difficult times."
The head of the Movement of Society for Peace seized
the opportunity to call on the Algerians to preserve: "National cohesion
to avoid the greed of conspirators."
The Moroccan people have expressed their rejection of
normalization through their mass protests and various efforts to hinder this
step.
https://en.abna24.com/news//algeria-parties-condemn-normalization-between-morocco-zionist-regime_1095095.html
-----------
Nigerian Christians fear a bloody holiday season at
the hands of Muslim terrorists
By Rev. Johnnie Moore
December 12, 2020
Patience was 13. Revelation was 6. Rejoice was 4. They
are the names of three of the youngest victims of a Christian massacre
unfolding in Africa.
The terrorists killed at least 20 that evening as they
went from house to house yelling “Allahu Akbar” along the way. They also put a
bullet in the head of a 3-month-old and hacked a 6-year-old to death. We don’t
know their names. We do know the name of a 14-year-old girl who was murdered
along with her grandparents.
This horror wasn’t even the work of the infamous Boko
Haram insurgents who’ve long terrorized Nigeria’s northeast. These massacres
came at the hands of a group of radicalized Fulani tribesmen who — profanely
inspired by Boko Haram and ISIS — have been summarily executing Christians in
the center of Nigeria, not far from the country’s capital, Abuja. In this
democracy, almost no one is ever prosecuted for the crimes. According to
Stephen Enada, executive president of the International Committee on Nigeria,
there have been at least 63,000 victims.
Thousands of churches have been torched, scores of
children slaughtered, countless women enslaved, pastors have been beheaded and
Christian homes have been set ablaze by the tens of thousands. The victims are
mainly Christian, with the terrorists determined to also kill or extort every
single Muslim who attempts to stand in their way. Christmas is a particularly
vulnerable time of the year for Africa’s beleaguered Christians.
Last year, the Islamic State in West Africa marked
Christmas in Nigeria by beheading 11 Christians on video. Two weeks later they
picked up another young Christian as he traveled back home from a Christmas
holiday with his family. The 22-year-old was last seen on a video being executed
at point-blank range by a child whose terrorist overlord was issuing a warning
to “all Christians in Nigeria’s Plateau State.” Another young victim I met in
Nigeria in February had only recently escaped her Christmas kidnappers. She had
been picked up by Islamists 5 minutes after passing a government checkpoint.
Before they carried her away to the bush they shot the Christian men she was
traveling with.
The situation in Africa’s most populated country, with
the continent’s largest economy, is getting out of control and it cannot be
neglected any longer.
Despite the present US administration’s unprecedented
success in advancing religious freedom policies around the world, the current
ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, is one of many senior members of the
career foreign service in the US Department of State who seem in total denial
about the situation. During a meeting with myself in February, Amb. Leonard in
Abuja actually downplayed the role of religion in the conflict, which she
described as “fundamentally a resource issue.” A recent, cursory look at the
Embassy’s social media channels in Nigeria didn’t turn up a single
acknowledgment of the victims of the conflict. It was business as usual.
The presumptive US Ambassador to the United Nations
for a Biden administration is Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who served as a deputy
and ally of former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie
Carson back when the Obama-Biden administration refused to even designate Boko
Haram as a foreign terrorist organization. They were, apparently, concerned the
designation would foster Islamophobia and give the Nigerian government an
excuse to “legitimize a heavy-handed crackdown by [their] security forces at a
time when American officials were urging them to avoid human rights abuses,”
Carson told The New York Times.
The fact is that the present and pitiful condition in
Nigeria represents a multi-year and bipartisan foreign policy failure. All of
this in a country which receives approximately $1 billion in aid a year from
the United States government, not to mention what it receives from many other
countries including 800,000 pounds a day from the United Kingdom, alone.
We shouldn’t let the poor starve, but we also
shouldn’t continue to donate the hard-earned support of the American taxpayer
with no real strings attached.
In the meantime, we must ensure the victims no longer
suffer in the shadows, even during a pandemic. We must be their voice.
As one pastor recently told the Nigerian press,
leaning against his torched Christian school, “This issue of COVID-19: We don’t
know anything about it; our problem is Fulani who keep killing us.”
https://nypost.com/2020/12/12/nigerian-christians-fear-a-bloody-holiday-at-hands-of-terrorists/
------------
Sudan confiscates Bin Laden's farm, ends services of
30 ambassadors
MEMO
December 12, 2020
The Empowerment Elimination, Anti-Corruption, and
Funds Recovery Committee in Sudan announced the confiscation of a farm owned by
former Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden as well as ending the services of 30
ambassadors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, it was reported
that land would be seized under the possession of officials of the regime led
by former President Omar Al-Bashir.
Deputy Chairman of the committee and a member of the
Sovereignty Council Mohamed Al-Faki affirmed that the committee ended the
services of 30 ambassadors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, due to their
ties with the previous regime.
Committee member Salah Manna disclosed in a press conference,
reported by Sputnik, that the state had recovered a farm owned by Bin Laden,
which had been seized from one of the officials of the former regime.
Manna mentioned the seizure of the Holborn company,
affiliated with the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), which was working to receive
and distribute funds to the defunct regime's wings.
Committee member Wagdi Saleh revealed the existence of
an account containing hundreds of millions of foreign currencies at the Islamic
Solidarity Bank of Sudan. The account received the funds from two former
governors of the Central Bank of Sudan who used to sell foreign currencies on
the black market to the supporters of the former regime, with 30 per cent gains
in favour of the former president and his office.
Since the fall of Al-Bashir's regime in April 2019,
the committee has been active in recovering billions of dollars, land, and
properties from the leaders of the former regime.
Mohamed Ismat, a leader of the Forces of Freedom and
Change that led the popular movement against Al-Bashir, confirmed that in
addition to the funds seized in the country, the leaders of the former regime
own about $64 billion in banks abroad.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201212-sudan-confiscates-bin-ladens-farm-ends-services-of-30-ambassadors/
------------
Here are all the beautiful photos from NPP’s Islamic
thanksgiving service
ANDREAS KAMASAH
12-12-2020
The NPP held the ceremony at midday on Friday led by
the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu after Jummah (Friday
congregational prayers) at the Central Mosque.
President Akufo Addo, his vice Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
and his wife Samira as well as some members and bigwigs of the party were in
attendance to thank God for making them victorious in the just-ended December 7
general election.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Samira and the Muslim
congregation are seen in photos performing Muslim prayers.
Dr. Bawumia who posted some photos of the ceremony on
his Facebook page wrote: "I joined President Akufo-Addo, Hajia Samira
Bawumia, national executives and members of the New Patriotic Party for the
Islamic thanksgiving service at the central Mosque in Abossey Okai officiated
by the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.
"We expressed our gratitude to the Almighty Allah
for a successful election and the re-election of President Akufo-Addo and the
New Patriotic Party and prayed for His guidance and protection for the next
four years."
https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/politics/here-are-all-the-beautiful-photos-from-npps-islamic-thanksgiving-service/rv41c91
-----------
Libya releases 2 Russians suspected of spying for Saif
al-Islam Gaddafi
BY LIBYAN EXPRESS
DEC 12, 2020
Two Russians, detained in Libya on espionage charges
in 2019, were released on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria
Zakharova said.
Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Zakharova
said the Russian side is “satisfied” with the decision of the Libyan authorites
to free Maxim Shugaley and Samer Hasan Ali Sueyfan, and thanked everyone who
assisted in their release.
The Russian government had argued that these people
were academic researchers affiliated with a think tank. But the Libyan
government announced that the two Russian citizens were intelligence agents who
were conducting field research associated with the Wagner private military
company.
The Libyan security service found a memory stick,
confirming Shugaley and Sueyfan were conspiring with Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the
son of Muammar Gaddafi on taking power in the county.
https://www.libyanexpress.com/libya-releases-2-russians-suspected-of-spying-for-saif-al-islam-gaddafi/
------------
ICC prosecutor seeks investigation into crimes
committed during Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria
Esther Chihaavi
DECEMBER 12, 2020
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda
said Friday that she intends to open an investigation into possible crimes
committed during Islamist rebel group Boko Haram’s Nigerian insurgency that
began in 2009. Bensouda indicated that a preliminary examination into the
situation had found a reasonable basis to believe that Boko Haram and its
splinter groups committed several war crimes and crimes against humanity,
including rape, murder and conscripting children under 15 into armed groups.
She said that as much as her office recognizes that most crimes were committed
by non-state actors, there is reasonable basis to believe that the Nigerian
Security Forces also committed crimes against humanity.
Attacks by Boko Haram had led to more than 1200 deaths
by the end of 2013. The Nigerian government has made attempts to prosecute the
group, primarily its low-level members. Bensouda also said that the Nigerian
military has investigated and dismissed members of its military who were found
to have committed crimes against humanity. But she still wishes to proceed:
I have given ample time for these proceedings to
progress, bearing in mind the overarching requirements of partnership and
vigilance that must guide our approach to complementarity. However, our
assessment is that none of these proceedings relate, even indirectly, to the
forms of conduct or categories of persons that would likely form the focus of
my investigations. And while this does not foreclose the possibility for the
authorities to conduct relevant and genuine proceedings, it does mean that, as
things stand, the requirements under the Statute are met for my Office to
proceed.
Beginning investigations would require authorization
from the judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC. Bensouda seeks to reach a
determination on all cases that have been under preliminary examination during
her tenure before that comes to an end on June 15, 2021.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2020/12/icc-prosecutor-seeks-investigation-into-crimes-committed-during-boko-haram-insurgency-in-nigeria/
-----------
Army kill nine Boko Haram terrorists in Borno, Yobe
By Njadvara Musa
13 December 2020
Troops of 151,112 Task Force Battalions and 21 Special
Armoured Brigade of Operation Fireball have killed nine Boko Haram and Islamic
State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno and Yobe states.
They also recovered two each, of AK-47 rifles,
bicycles and bags of grains while conducting clearance operations in
Pulka/Firgi/Banki axis and Goniri community in Yobe State.
While announcing operational successes, yesterday, at
the Special Army Super Camp 1, Ngamdu, Borno State, acting Director Defence,
Media Operations, Brig-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said: “Our troops successfully,
sprang a well-coordinated ambush along Pulka/Firgi/Banki junction against the
fleeing terrorists.
“During the decisive encounter, four terrorists were
killed, while two each of bicycles, wheel barrows bags of fish and grains were
also recovered.”
Similarly, he added that on December 8, 2020, troops
of 151 Battalion had an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists along Pulka/Firgi
Road and neutralised an insurgent with the recovery of his AK-47 rifle and
ammunition.
Speaking on Damaturu/Gujba Road clearance patrols, he
said: “The 21 Special Armoured Brigade conducted clearance operations in the
general area of Goniri village forest. During a fierce battle with terrorists,
one of them was gunned down, while others fled with gunshot wounds towards the
south flank of the forest.”
He assured the people of Northeast that the military
was determined to finally rout remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP criminals from
forest hideouts.
“We encourage you to avail our troops with credible
information that could help in execution of ongoing military operations,” he
said.
https://guardian.ng/news/army-kill-nine-boko-haram-terrorists-in-borno-yobe/
-----------
Hundreds of students missing after attack on Nigerian
school
NZ Herald
13-12-2020
Hundreds of students are feared missing after armed
men attacked a boarding school in Nigeria, The Guardian reports.
Residents of north-western Katsina state reported
hearing gunfire at the Government Science secondary school at about 11pm on
Friday. The attack reportedly lasted for more than an hour.
Security staff at the school tried to fend off the
attackers before police arrived, officials said.
More than 200 students were rescued by police, but
hundreds more were missing, two local people told the Reuters news agency.
Chaotic scenes unfolded at the school as parents
arrived and frantically searched for their children. Some students managed to
escape the gunmen by climbing over the school's fence and fleeing, police said.
Katsina, the home state of Nigerian President
Muhammadu Buhari, has been plagued by violent bandits who attack and kidnap
people for ransom.
Attacks by Islamist militants are common in
north-eastern parts of the country.
In 2014, more than 270 girls were kidnapped by the
militant Islamist group Boko Haram from a school in the north-eastern town of
Chibok.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/hundreds-of-students-missing-after-attack-on-nigerian-school/YLUY2ZBWOAZATMXZS2QYW6E7MM/
------------
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/man-stands-minbar-al-safa/d/123742
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism