Masjid in Kerala Opened Its Doors for Non-Muslims to Attend the Friday Prayers and Listen to the Talk by the Imam
New Age Islam News Bureau
27 November 2021
Swami Asparshananda of the Viswagaji Mutt speaking in
the Markaz Masjid in Alappuzha on Friday
-----
• Secular Muslims Oppose the Unconstitutional Demand
of Anti-Blasphemy Law in India
By AIMPLB and Some Other Organisations
• Islamic State Down but Not Out In Syria And Iraq:
Pentagon Report
• Israel’s President to Light Hanukkah Menorah at
Palestinian Mosque in Hebron
• Sindh Makes Vaccination Compulsory for Offering
Namaz in Mosques
India
• Row Over Namaz in Gurgaon Again, Praying Muslims
Face Jai Shri Ram Chants
• Communal Torture in Noida: Supreme Court to Examine
Petition Seeking Police Action
• UP: Hindu, Muslim weddings under one roof at mass
marriage
• India to Pakistan: Expedite 26/11 trial, give up
double standards
• Life changed for these Muslim families from
Telangana after 26/11
• Massive protest against Waseem Rizvi held in old
city, effigy burnt
• Pak terrorist killed, Army foils infiltration bid in
Rajouri
• J&K police destroy 24kg RDX, grenades & IEDs
seized during anti-terror ops
• No conditionality on Afghanistan aid, India tells
Pakistan as they finalise modalities
--------
North America
• Ilhan Omar Blasts Republican Congresswoman Over
'Anti-Muslim Bigotry'
• Lauren Boebert apologizes to Muslims for
‘Islamophobic and racist comments’
• Vienna talks will be about US return to 2015 deal:
Iran’s nuclear chief
• Turkey marks 5th anniversary of Colombia's
'historic' peace agreement
-----
Mideast
• Senior Cleric Urges Europeans Not to Fall in US,
Israel's Trap
• Turkey's Investment Office inks deal with Islamic
Organization for Food Security
• Spokesman Blasts US, E3 Anti-Iran Moves Ahead of
Vienna Talks
• FM: Iran Ready to Help Turkmenistan for Successful
Holding of ECO Summit
• Turkish court rules to keep Osman Kavala in jail
during trial
• Israeli PM warns of state of emergency due to new
COVID-19 variant
--------
Pakistan
• Why is Pakistan military land being used to build
wedding halls, cinemas? SC asks defence secretary
• Pakistan offers transit routes to int’l donors for
Afghan aid: NSA
--------
Europe
• EU Says Demolitions of Palestinians' Houses Sabotage
'Prospects for Peace'
• UK designates Hamas as ‘terrorist group,’ warns
members, supporters of jail terms
• Turkish parliament head attends international
meeting in Madrid
• Iraq evacuates 608 refugees stranded at Belarusian
border
--------
Arab World
• Top Shia Cleric in Jeddah Conference: Terrorism Eradicated
By Stemming Its Financial, Arms Sources
• Former Muslim Brotherhood MP dies in Egyptian prison
amid accusations of medical neglect
• Lebanon launches second offshore licensing round
• Arab Coalition releases details on latest air strike
on Yemen Houthi military camps
--------
South Asia
• Over Half Million People Internally Displaced In
Afghanistan Due To Conflicts In 2021: UN Report
• India supports inclusive, representative govt in
Afghanistan: EAM Jaishankar
• Armed Taliban men kill a young physician in the
western Herat province
--------
Southeast Asia
• Penang Earmarks RM71.13m for Islamic Development in
2022 State Budget
• Anwar scouting for Johor seat to contest in GE15,
says source
• Penang tables deficit budget, announces half-month
bonus
--------
Africa
• Somalia's International Partners Stress Need For
Credible, Transparent Elections
• Jordanians Protest Water For Energy Deal With Israel
• Sudanese politicians released after beginning hunger
strike
• Tunisian police shoot man trying to attack Interior
Ministry: Reports
• Tunisian navy ‘rescues’ almost 500 migrants:
Ministry
• Ethiopia’s Abiy makes 1st appearance on TV after
joining battlefront
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/masjid-kerala-friday-hindus-khutbah/d/125855
--------
Masjid in Kerala Opened Its Doors for Non-Muslims to
Attend the Friday Prayers and Listen to the Talk by the Imam
Swami Asparshananda of the Viswagaji Mutt speaking in
the Markaz Masjid in Alappuzha on Friday
-----
Nov 27, 2021
KOTTAYAM: Friday prayers were held in the Markaz
masjid in Alappuzha in the presence of several non-Muslims. The mosque had
opened its doors for non-Muslims to attend the Friday prayers and listen to the
talk by the Imam of the mosque. Special seating arrangements were made for
around 50 persons in the mosque.
Imam Hakkim Panavally spoke about the recent
controversies, including those related to halal food. Swami Asparshananda of
Viswagaji Mutt in Muhamma delivered the keynote address. He expressed happiness
of getting an opportunity to witness the prayer session in the mosque and also
welcomed all to the Mutt. MLA P P Chitharanjan, present at the mosque, said
that such get-togethers are a fitting reply to the efforts of creating
religious hatred in the society.
Fr Christopher M Arthasseril, the vicar of Puthenkadu
church in Alappuzha, said that he was attending the prayers in a mosque for the
first time. He also said that he was always keen to see the inside of a mosque
and witness the prayer session.
Former minister G Sudhakaran was also present. The
guests were served food after the prayer session. The Markaz masjid trust had
personally invited leaders of various religions, government officials and
people from different walks of life. The move was aimed at giving a message to
society that all should coexist peacefully in the world.
Source: Times of India
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Secular Muslims Oppose the Unconstitutional Demand of Anti-Blasphemy Law in India By AIMPLB and Some Other Organisations
(File Photo/AIMPLB)
-----
27 Nov 2021
Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) strongly
opposes the unconstitutional demand of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board
(AIMPLB) and some other organisations for an anti-blasphemy law in India. The
IMSD statement has been endorsed by nearly 400 secular Indians. A large
majority of the signatories are Muslims.
We condemn the constant attempts by certain hate
factories of Hindutva which are working overtime to demonise Islam and Muslims.
However, IMSD fully supports the principle that in a secular state there can be
no place for a law criminalising blasphemy.
Muslims demanding such a law should instead take
recourse of the already existing law against hate speech in our country.
Section 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code states: “Whoever, with deliberate and
malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of
(citizens of India), (by words, either spoken or written or by signs or by
visible representation or otherwise) insults or attempts to insult the religion
or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of
either description for a term which may extend to (three years) or fine or with
both”.
As equal citizens of India Muslims have the right to
invoke Section 295(A) against every attempt to target the community with hate
speech and demand strict enforcement of the existing law. But the demand for a
special law to punish blasphemy must be opposed for more than one reason. Among
other things, the experience of neighbouring countries shows that such a law
promotes fanaticism and seeks to silence even rational critical commentaries on
religion.
The Board cannot be unaware of the notorious blasphemy
law in neighbouring Pakistan which is frequently misused to hound individuals
from religious minorities and even fellow Muslims with sectarian and personal
motives.
According to the Minorities Association of Pakistan,
“between 1987 and 2021, 1,865 people have been charged under the blasphemy
laws, with a significant spike in 2020, when 200 cases were registered. Punjab,
the province where most Christians of Pakistan live, is leading with 76% cases
and 337 people are in prison for blasphemy... Also, at least 128 people have
been killed by mobs, outside any judiciary process, after being signalled as
having committed blasphemy or apostasy, without any chance to have access to an
investigation, and nobody has been arrested for their murder”.
Neighbouring Bangladesh started off as a secular state
at its birth in 1971 but adopted Islam as a state religion in 1988. It does not
have a law against blasphemy but often misuses the same secular penal code of
the British period – section 295(A) – to silence all critical comments on Islam
in the name of blasphemy.
Source: Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD)
------
Islamic State Down but Not Out in Syria and Iraq: Pentagon
Report
US soldiers patrol an area near Syria's northeastern
Semalka border crossing with Iraq's Kurdish autonomous territory, on Nov. 1,
2021. - DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
-----
November 26, 2021
Islamic State ‘entrenched as low-level insurgency’
The most recent report from the Pentagon’s Inspector
General on Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led diplomatic and military
operation against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria, indicates that IS
has weakened but remains a priority for US national security interests in the
region.
These quarterly reports provide the most comprehensive
reporting and assessment of the US-led mission against IS and therefore deserve
attention. Among the latest findings:
The report makes clear that the United States and its
coalition partners remain essential to the continued success of the mission.
The Iraq-Syria border remains an area of concern for
IS activity.
Economic hardship, the COVID-19 pandemic and a
devastating drought, especially in Syria, will continue to shape the
environment.
The Iraqi elections and the prospect for continued
political stability and progress there is good news for Iraq and the anti-IS
coalition effort.
Iran-backed proxy forces and militias in both
countries remain a threat to coalition forces and operations.
Both the Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) will continue to depend on US training and support in
“conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), intelligence
integration and airstrikes.”
There are also country-specific highlights:
In Iraq:
The US mission in Iraq will transition to “training,
advising and intelligence gathering” on Dec. 31.
There are no expected changes in the numbers of US
troops in Iraq, currently at approximately 2,500.
While IS has carried out a decreasing number of
attacks, in some cases it has shown unusual complexity and a “higher level of
operational maturity.”
In Syria:
The United States maintains approximately 900 troops,
and the US mission to work “with, by and through” the SDF to defeat IS has not
changed.
The pace and number of counter-IS operations carried
out by the US-allied SDF has decreased, and the SDF alone “lacked the ability
to conduct persistent surveillance or maintain situational awareness.”
IS appeared to be “consolidating in the desert and
poised for increased activity in what the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
termed “the next stage of its insurgency.”
IS continued its focus activity in the al-Hol
displaced persons camp for recruitment and indoctrination.
Follow all the latest on Al-Monitor
Al-Monitor provides unmatched reporting and analysis
on the security situation in Syria and Iraq and elsewhere in the region,
including:
An Iran-linked militia has called for volunteers to
fight US troops in Iraq after Dec. 31, reports Shelly Kittleson.
Iraqi populist leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who seeks to
form a majority government in Iraq, has called for the “liquidation” of
pro-Iran militias, Ali Mamouri reports.
How the Turkish lira crisis is affecting the residents
of Idlib, which started using the lira last year, reports Khaled al-Khateb.
How a devastating drought is affecting the lives of
Syrians, reports Khateb and Amberin Zaman.
Reports of a planned attack on a prison in Syria that
houses thousands of Iraqi IS operatives, reports Kittleson.
The backstory on why the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) commander in Syria was removed, perhaps at Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad’s request, Ali Hashem reports.
Islamic State attacks in Iraq's Diyala province seek
to spark sectarian bloodletting, Kittleson reports.
Giving credit where due
Operation Inherent Resolve has been a massive success
story since it was launched by the Obama administration in 2014, and it
deserves repeating — as it has occurred amid steady criticism from both the
right and left and in the region — that the United States was stepping back
from its commitments in the Middle East.
It may be easy to forget that IS in 2014 had overrun
large parts of Iraq and Syria, instituting a brutal reign of terror. IS took
Raqqa, the seventh-largest city in Syria, and Mosul, the third-largest city in
Iraq, and murdered, raped, tortured and beheaded those who crossed them.
The Obama administration went all in on its commitment
to defeat IS and never wavered. As we wrote here in February, the execution of
the US-led policy has been mostly textbook: The mission sustained bipartisan
congressional support across three (both Republican and Democrat)
administrations and near-flawless civilian and military coordination both
within the US government and across the coalition as well as with local
partners of varying capabilities.
By March 2019, the US-led coalition had “territorially
defeated” IS, and more than two years later, IS still holds no ground in either
country. The intense coordination between the United States and Iraqi Security
Forces over these past seven years has also been instrumental in deepening the
US-Iraq strategic partnership and the steady progress that has occurred in
Iraq, including in the October elections that, according to the United Nations
and other observers, may have set a new standard for transparency in the
region.
Source: Al Monitor
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
--------
Israel’s President to Light Hanukkah Menorah at
Palestinian Mosque in Hebron
A Hanukkah menorah is pictured next to an Israeli flag
on the top roof of the Ibrahimi mosque in the
occupied West Bank city of Hebron, 9 December 2020 (AFP)
------
By Mustafa Abu Sneineh
26 November 2021
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will light the first
candle of Hanukkah accompanied by settler leaders at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the
occupied West Bank's city of Hebron.
Hanukkah, which begins on Sunday and ends on 6
December, is a Jewish holiday in which a menorah - a nine-branched candelabra -
is lit over eight days and nights.
Herzog has angered members of the left-leaning Meretz
party, which is part of the broad coalition government ruling Israel. Michal
Rozin, a Meretz Knesset member, tweeted that Herzog's decision is
"wrong."
"[Israeli] rule in Hebron and in the occupied
territories in particular, is mired in the sharpest political controversy.
Settlements in Hebron around the cave are the most outrageous. It's very sad
that the president gives priority to this," Rozin tweeted, referring to
the Cave of the Patriarchs, the term used by Israeli Jews for the site of the
Ibrahimi Mosque.
The Palestine Authority (PA) also condemned Herzog's
decision.
The PA's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised
Herzog's planned visit as "provocative" and called on the US
administration of President Joe Biden to stop Israeli settlement expansion in
the West Bank, following an announcement of Israeli plans to build new
settlements north of East Jerusalem and 372 housing units in Hebron.
The PA also called country members in the United
Nations to put Israeli settlers leaders, their organisations, "militias
and their armed terrorists members," on terrorist lists.
Heavy surveillance
Jewish people believe that the prophets Abraham, his
wife Sarah, son Isaac and grandson Jacob were laid to rest in the Cave of the
Patriarchs. Herzog is planning to light the Hanukkah menorah in Hebron on
Wednesday.
In 1994, the far-right American-Israeli settler Baruch
Goldstein opened fire on Palestinian worshippers at the Ibrahimi Mosque, killing
29 men and wounding 100. Following the massacre, Israeli authorities split the
shrine in two halves, one for Palestinian worshippers and the other for Jewish
worshippers.
Hebron, 32km from occupied East Jerusalem, is divided
into two areas: H1, which is under the complete administrative and security
control of Palestine Authority (PA); and H2, administratively run by the PA but
controlled by the Israeli military, which has the final say on who enters and
exits the area.
Some 40,000 Palestinians live in H2, adjacent to 1,000
Israeli settlers, monitored by 18 permanently staffed Israeli military
checkpoints.
Israeli forces maintain a heavy presence in Hebron's
Old City. Palestinians are not allowed to walk in certain areas, such as
Shuhada Street, once a thriving wholesale market that was shut down by Israel
and turned into a ghost town during the Second Intifada in 2000.
The city of Hebron is monitored intensely by Israeli
forces and police. Surveillance cameras have been mounted every 90 metres in
H2, with some installed on the roofs of private houses, leaving Palestinian
residents feeling they are constantly being watched.
Herzog is the second-highest ranking Israeli
politician to visit Hebron in recent years.
In September 2019, then-prime minister Benjamin
Netanyahu became the first Israeli premier to visit Hebron, participating in a
ceremony along with settler leaders in the Ibrahimi Mosque in a bid to boost
his votes during an election campaign.
Source: Middle East Eye
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-hanukkah-menorah-mosque-hebron-herzog-light
--------
Sindh Makes Vaccination Compulsory For Offering Namaz
In Mosques
Muslim devotees wearing protective masks offer Friday
prayers at the Jamia Masque during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan in
Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Friday. — Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Image
-----
Nov 26 2021
KARACHI: The Sindh government has made vaccination
compulsory for people offering prayers in mosques as the authorities take steps
to keep the coronavirus in check.
The Sindh Home Department on Friday — in line with the
National Command and Operations Centre's (NCOC) directions — issued a
notification in which it listed updated COVID-19 protocols for mosques.
Per the notification, "only fully vaccinated
individuals are allowed for prayers in masajid to avoid risk to others."
The notification further added that all worshippers
will be required to continue wearing a face mask when praying inside mosques.
Aside from that, carpets will have to be removed from
the floors of mosques, while adequate ventilation has to be ensured for indoor
prayer gatherings.
It should be noted that as of November 25, Sindh
reported 43 new cases of coronavirus in the province after 6,468 tests were
conducted. No deaths were reported.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, in a statement,
said that 6,686,895 tests had been conducted in the province against which
473,750 cases were diagnosed, of which 97.1% or 460,136 patients had recovered.
He added that 5,995 patients were under treatment, of
which 5,794 were in home isolation, while 12 were admitted to isolation centres
and 189 at different hospitals.
Source: Geo TV
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.geo.tv/latest/384432-sindh-makes-vaccination-compulsory-for-offering-namaz-in-mosques
--------
India
Row Over Namaz In Gurgaon Again, Praying Muslims Face
Jai Shri Ram Chants
November 26, 2021
After protests in 2018, a list of 37
"designated" sites was drawn up based on talks
265
New Delhi: Muslims offering namaz at a designated open
site in Gurgaon's Sector 37 were interrupted once again by right-wing Hindu
groups, with tensions mounting as they performed a 'prayer' that claimed to
commemorate the 26/11 terror attacks.
The gathered Muslims initially had planned to leave
without praying, but then around 25 decided to go ahead. They prayed to shouts
of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' from less than 30 metres.
150 policemen were present at the scene but only 30
stood between the two groups.
The moment the 20-minute namaz ended, two men from the
Hindu group crossed the distance to claim the space. The Muslim community
members decided to leave the site peacefully.
Muslims also did not pray at gurdwaras in the city on
Friday.
The city's Gurdwara Singh Sabha Committee said space
would not be offered because Muslims had "not sought space for
namaz", but underlined its resolve to stand with the minority community.
However, anti-Muslim posters outside one gurdwara have
raised questions about pressure from right-wing groups, some of whom had
earlier spread cow dung over a namaz site.
Last week - in a show of solidarity hailed by many -
the gurudwara committee offered to open its doors to Muslims so they could
offer namaz in peace. "(this is) 'guru ghar'... open for all communities
with no discrimination..." the head of a gurdwara in Gurgaon's Sadar Bazar
said.
Two days later, though, the committee backtracked on
that offer. A spokesperson was quoted by news agency ANI as saying
"Muslims themselves refused to offer namaz to avoid any conflict".
Muslims in Gurgaon have been stopped from offering
weekly prayers for a few months, with some residents - boosted, reportedly, by
right-wing groups - slamming religious displays in public.
Two weeks ago tensions flared in the city's Sector 12A
area, where people reportedly affiliated with Hindu groups occupied the land
and claimed to be making a volleyball court.
Visuals showed them sitting around on plastic chairs
eating nuts. "We will not allow namaz, no matter what..." Veer Yadav,
one of those at the site, said.
Nearby, rows of cow dung cakes spread across the
ground last week - after some people held a "puja" that included
spreading the dung over the namaz prayer spot - remain untouched.
Again, Muslim groups, rather than exacerbate matters,
said they would not offer prayers.
The Sector 12A site is one of 29 sites (37 before
authorities withdrew permission for eight) set aside for namaz after an
agreement between Hindus and Muslims following similar clashes in 2018.
Source: ND TV
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of the original story:
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Communal Torture In Noida: Supreme Court To Examine
Petition Seeking Police Action
R. Balaji
27.11.21
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a
petition seeking police action and protection, filed by an elderly Delhi
resident who alleged that he was abused, assaulted, stripped and robbed by four
men inside a car in Noida in July only because he was “visibly Muslim”.
Kazeem Ahmad Sherwani has told the court he has
received no help in the past four months from the police, who have told him not
to “politicise” the matter by calling it a hate crime based on religious
identity.
He said he and his family felt traumatised, not only
because the attack had been on their “very identity as equal citizens of this
country” but also by the refusal of law enforcement to even recognise it as a
hate crime.
Sherwani, 62, has urged the court to have the
perpetrators arrested and provide him with protection since he fears a threat
to his life.
The bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and C.T. Ravi
Kumar requested that the matter be placed before Chief Justice of India N.V.
Ramana, whose bench is already hearing petitions seeking action against those
who deliver hate speeches.
The apex court asked senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi to
ensure that copies of the petition were served on the state of Uttar Pradesh,
where Noida is located, and other authorities concerned.
Sherwani, a resident of Delhi’s Jamia Nagar, said the
incident took place on July 4, but instead of registering an FIR, Uttar Pradesh
police were pressuring his family not to “politicise” the matter.
According to Sherwani, he is “visibly Muslim” inasmuch
as he wears a beard and a skullcap and his attire makes his identity as a
practising Muslim obvious.
Sherwani said he had “always felt secure in his Muslim
identity in his own motherland”.
“On the morning of July 4, 2021”, he had gone to
Noida’s Sector 37 to catch a bus to Aligarh when the driver of a white van
offered him a lift.
Sherwani said he had felt grateful and offered to pay
the driver. He saw three men in the rear seats. When he tried to take an empty
seat in the middle row, the men told him to get into the back row.
Two men were already seated in the back row and
Sherwani said he felt uncomfortable, but by then he had been pushed inside and
blocked from all sides.
He felt trapped and said he wanted to get out, but
they forcibly pulled him back and the driver centrally locked the doors.
“The petitioner was heinously tortured over the next
15 minutes. He was attacked and repeatedly called a ‘mullah’ and many other
derogatory words related to his religious identity. He was told that ‘mullahs’
had no right to remain in this country. He was humiliated: his beard was pulled
by the perpetrators, and then he was stripped and insulted about his
circumcision,” the petition, filed through advocate Talha Abdul Rahman, states.
“He was physically attacked while being called a
‘mullah’, threatened that he would be blinded with a screwdriver, and finally
hit with it on the nose. He was also looted and abused. The incident of that
day has left the petitioner and his family completely traumatised because it
attacked their very identity as equal citizens of this country.”
Sherwani was thrown out of the car after being driven
around for around 15 minutes. “Just before they pushed him out, one of the
perpetrators also grabbed his purse and took his money, amounting to about Rs
1,200,” the petition says.
Sherwani’s ordeal allegedly did not end here. He says
that when he regained consciousness, he was helped by a stranger who put him on
a rickshaw and sent him to Gautam Buddha Nagar police station in Sector 37.
Sherwani said the policemen present there only asked
his name, address and his father’s name but did not take down his complaint.
They refused to even hear the complaint, the petitioner alleged. Neither did
the cops offer any medical help.
Sherwani then visited the home of a niece, who is a
doctor in Delhi’s Okhla, and received medical aid.
According to the petitioner, the local media reported
the attack on him over the course of the day. Around 1.30am on July 5, a posse
of policemen from Uttar Pradesh visited the home of Sherwani’s niece. Instead
of recording Sherwani’s statement, the cops tried to convince him and his
family that they were blowing the incident out of proportion, according to the
petition.
Source: Telegraph India
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of the original story:
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UP: Hindu, Muslim weddings under one roof at mass
marriage
Nov 26, 2021
AYODHYA: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath
congratulated 3,915 newlyweds, including 138 Muslim couples, who tied the knot
at a mass wedding ceremony solemnised in his presence at Ayodhya on Friday.
There was an animated buzz at Government Inter College
grounds in Faizabad, where priests chanted Vedic vows and maulvis read out the
‘nikaahnama’ under one roof, setting another example of communal harmony in
Ayodhya.
Each married couple was given financial aid, including
insurance and social security cover at the event, which was organised by the UP
department of labour and employment.
The CM invited 11 married couples, including three
Muslim newlyweds on the stage and blessed them.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “We don’t
discriminate among our daughters, whether they are Hindu or Muslim. If their
families are underprivileged, their daughters’ future is the government’s
responsibility. The ‘nikaah’ of 138 Muslim couples have also been performed and
I sincerely congratulate them."
Brides, grooms and their families had also come from
Ayodhya’s neighbouring districts of Ambedkarnagar, Amethi, Sultanpur and
Barabanki.
Each bride received financial aid of Rs 55,000 along
with Rs 5 lakh insurance and Rs 2 lakh social security cover, while husbands
received Rs 5,000 each.
Inter-caste weddings carried an extra bonus for
brides, who received an additional Rs 6,000 in aid.
The CM said, “Organizing mass marriages curbs the evil
practice of child marriage and dowry. I heartily congratulate the labour
department and other state departments for organizing this programme. It is our
government’s intention to move forward with the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka
Vishwas’ and the event was conducted without discrimination of caste or
religion. It is a historic decision to organize a mass marriage of such a
mammoth scale in the birthplace of Lord Ram.”
Source: Times of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
India to Pakistan: Expedite 26/11 trial, give up
double standards
Nov 27, 2021
NEW DELHI: Underlining that it is not ready to accept
any sort of "closure" on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the government
gave a renewed push to punish the guilty on the 13th anniversary of the terror
strikes by summoning a senior Pakistani diplomat and calling for an expeditious
trial in the long pending case. In a note verbale, it also asked Pakistan to
abide by its commitment to not allow territories under its control to be used
for terrorism against India.
The government said in a statement it was a matter of
deep anguish that even after 13 years of the heinous terror attack
, the families of 166 victims from 15 countries still
awaited closure, with Pakistan showing little sincerity in bringing the
perpetrators to justice. The statement by MEA also said India will continue to
make every effort to seek justice for the families of the victims and the
martyrs.
"The 26/11 terrorist attack was planned, executed
and launched from Pakistani territory," it added. "The former Prime
Minister of Pakistan had gone on record and admitted that the terrorists were
sent from Pakistan’s soil. We once again call on the Government of Pakistan to
give up double standards and to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of the
horrific attack to justice," said the government. The trial in Pakistan
has dragged on, marred by change of judges and prosecutors and various senior
Lashkar-e-Toiba figures being let out on bail.
The MEA said Indian missions in 14 other countries,
whose citizens lost their lives in these attacks, were organising memorial
events remembering the victims, both national and foreign, reminding the world
of the continuing global threat of terrorism.
The US also called for perpetrators to face justice.
In a tweet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “On today’s anniversary,
we remember the victims, including six Americans. It is long overdue for the
perpetrators to face justice.”
Source: Times of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Life
changed for these Muslim families from Telangana after 26/11
26th
November 2021
Hyderabad:
Life has never been the same for Shahnawaz Noorjahan and her family, after that
fateful night of November 26, 2008 at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
(CST).
She
was waiting at the station along with her husband, their daughter who had
married only six months ago, their son and grand-daughter after missing a train
back home to Nizamabad.
They
had gone to Mumbai to offer a thanksgiving prayer at the Haji Ali Dargah for
Ameena Begum’s marriage. As fate would have it, they missed Devagiri Express
and had no option but to wait at the station for the next available train.
Around
9.20 p.m. when they were all settled down like many other waiting passengers,
sounds of gunshots sent panic in the station and people were seen running
helter-skelter.
Ameena
Begum (20) was among 58 victims of two Pakistani terrorists including Ajmal
Kasab, who was later captured alive and sentenced to death in 2012.
Noorjahan’s
husband Abdul Rasheed, who was then 55, suffered bullet injuries on his hand
and back. The injuries left him bed-ridden and finally led to his death in
2011.
She
was lucky to escape with splinter injuries along with a son and granddaughter.
“My
father was the sole breadwinner for the family. He was an auto-rickshaw driver
and also used to work in a factory manufacturing cement pipes. His thumb was
severed due to bullet injury and he could never recover,” Sheikh Anees told
IANS from Nizamabad.
Noorjahan’s
health also took a toll due to the shock over the killing of her daughter
before her eyes and later the death of her husband. “She developed blood
pressure and diabetes and whenever she remembers that fateful night, she goes
into depression. We don’t remind her anything about that tragedy,” said Anees,
an auto-rickshaw driver.
He
said the family not only lost two members but also suffered psychological
trauma and slipped into financial problems.
Anees
feels that things could have been better for the family if a member was
provided a government job.
Two
other families from Telangana had lost their loved ones in the terror attacks
that had rocked India’s financial capital.
Vijay
Rao Bhanja (47), chief executive chef at Taj Hotel, was killed in the attack on
the famous star hotel. According to his family, he was trapped in the kitchen
on the first floor of the hotel.
After
hearing about the terror attack, they had called him over his mobile phone and
he informed them that he is safe along with others in the kitchen.
Later,
they received the shocking news from his friends that he was shot dead by
terrorists when he was helping his colleagues to get out of the kitchen.
Vijay’s
family suffered another blow nine months later when his wife Fareeda, who was
working with visually challenged children in Mumbai, died in her sleep due to
cardiac arrest.
Source:
Daily Siasat
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/life-changed-for-these-muslim-families-from-telangana-after-26-11-2231476/
--------
Massive
protest against Waseem Rizvi held in old city, effigy burnt
26th
November 2021
Hyderabad:
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) along with the local public on Friday held a
massive protest in the old city against the former Shia Wakf Board Chairman
Waseem Rizvi.
After
performing Friday prayers scores of public gathered at Bada Bazaar at Yakutpura
and a protest rally was taken out till Dabeerpura Darwaza. The rally was headed
by JAC convenor and president Tahreek Muslim Shabban Mohammed Mushtaq Malik.
The
protesters shouted slogans and demanded Rizvi to be punished with stringent
laws since he had indulged in blasphemy. The contents of the book and the
objectionable statements have been made with a view to outrage the religious
sentiments of the community.
The
protestors burnt the effigy of Waseem Rizvi and demanded punishment.
Source:
Daily Siasat
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/massive-protest-against-waseem-rizvi-held-in-old-city-effigy-burnt-2231509/
--------
Pak
terrorist killed, Army foils infiltration bid in Rajouri
Sanjay
Khajuria
Nov
27, 2021
JAMMU:
Soldiers guarding the LoC gunned down a Pakistani terrorist in Bhimber Gali
sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district late on Thursday night, foiling
an attempt by an armed group trying to enter India from across the border under
the cover of darkness.
“Alert
Indian Army troops successfully foiled the infiltration attempt,” said defence
PRO Lt Col Devender Anand. The Army launched a mop-up operation in the area
after taking control of the terrorist’s body and his weapon and ammunition.
Source:
Times of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
J&K
police destroy 24kg RDX, grenades & IEDs seized during anti-terror ops
Nov
27, 2021
JAMMU:
Explosives, including 24 kg of RDX, and grenades seized during anti-terrorism
operations in the Mahore belt of Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district were
destroyed by the local police on Friday.
“Different
police stations and teams of special operations group (SOG
)
had seized grenades, IEDs, RDX in as many as 15 terrorism-related cases
registered since 2009 in Mahore-Chassana area. These explosives were kept in
the safe custody of the police for years,” Reasi senior superintendent of
police (SSP) Shailendra Singh said.
Sensing
security threat of accidental explosions, the police approached the concerned
courts to seek permission for the lawful and safe destruction of the seized
explosives, he said: “In response to a plea by the police, the court of Reasi
sessions judge passed the order for the destruction of explosives in two cases
by the police.”
Source:
Times of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
No
conditionality on Afghanistan aid, India tells Pakistan as they finalise
modalities
Sachin
Parashar
Nov
27, 2021
NEW
DELHI: As the government confirmed on Friday that it was working with Pakistan
to finalise the modalities for delivering wheat to Afghanistan through the land
route, it also reminded Islamabad that humanitarian assistance should not be
subject to “conditionalities".
The
two sides are yet to decide how the wheat will be transported as Pakistan is
apparently not ready to allow Indian trucks to carry the wheat from Wagah. The
official response followed a formal communication by Pakistan earlier in the
week that it had approved India’s proposal to deliver 50,000 MT of wheat to
Afghanistan via the Attari-Wagah border.
Earlier
in the day, in a Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral meeting, foreign minister
S Jaishankar exhorted his Russian and Chinese counterparts, Sergey Lavrov and
Wang Yi respectively, to ensure humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
“In
line with our commitment to the well-being of Afghan people, we have offered
supply of 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan to address the drought situation.
RIC countries need to work together to ensure that humanitarian assistance
reaches the Afghan people without hindrance and without politicisation,’’ said
Jaishankar, while calling for an inclusive and representative government in
Afghanistan.
Source:
Times of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
North America
Ilhan
Omar blasts Republican congresswoman over 'anti-Muslim bigotry'
26
November 2021
US
Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, has blasted the Republican Representative from
Colorado, Lauren Boebert, over her “anti-Muslim” remarks made in a viral video.
“Anti-Muslim
bigotry isn’t funny & shouldn’t be normalized. Congress can’t be a place
where hateful and dangerous Muslims tropes get no condemnation,” the Minnesota
Representative wrote on Twitter Thursday evening.
Her
tweet came in response to a story that Boebert, a far-right politician with a
knack for stirring controversies, told people in her home district during the
Thanksgiving weekend.
In
the viral video, shared by a Twitter account called PatriotTakes, Boebert
recounted her encounter with Omar at the US Capitol.
“So
the other night on the House floor was not my first jihad squad moment. So I
was getting into an elevator with one of my staffers. And he and I are - we’re
leaving the Capitol. We're going back to my office and we get in the elevator,
and I see a Capitol Police officer running hurriedly to the elevator,” Boebert
said in the video.
“I
see fret all over his face, and he's reaching… The door’s shutting, like I
can’t - I can’t open it - like, what's happening? I look to my left, and there
she is. Ilhan Omar. I said, ‘Well she doesn't have a backpack, we should be
fine,’” she added, with audience heard laughing over it.
The
Minnesota Representative dismissed the story as fiction, calling her a
“buffoon”.
“Fact,
this buffoon looks down when she sees me at the Capitol, this whole story is
made up. Sad she thinks bigotry gets her clout,” Omar said on Twitter.
CNN
anchor Jake Tapper called Bobert’s remarks “pure anti-Muslim bigotry.”
“This
is pure anti-Muslim bigotry and as such is completely contrary to what the USA
is supposed to stand for. That this is tolerated in American politics and the
House GOP is an indictment against anyone who is silent about it,” Tapper
tweeted on Thursday.
Cori
Bush, a Congresswoman from Missouri and a Black Lives Matter activist, said the
Capitol Hill was a “toxic work environment for Muslim members and staff when
bigots routinely spew racist, Islamophobic vitriol unchecked and with no
consequence.”
Prominent
MSNBC journalist and prime time show host, Mehdi Hassan, called her remarks
"disgusting".
"This
is disgusting. How is this ok? How is this not worthy of censure? Of being
stripped of committee assignments? I don’t expect anything from the GOP anymore
but, hey, Dems? Anyone going to do anything about this racism and anti-Muslim
bigotry? Do Muslim Americans not matter?" he tweeted.
"Like
so many Muslim Americans, I am tired of the relentless demonization and
bigotry. The ‘jokes’ about us being terrorists and ‘backpacks.’ The collective
blaming and bullying. Most of all I’m tired of liberals who claim to care about
racism turning a blind eye to Islamophobia," he added.
Source:
Press TV
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Lauren
Boebert apologizes to Muslims for ‘Islamophobic and racist comments’
27
November 2021
US
Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has issued an apology to Muslims after
Representative Ilhan Omar called for an “appropriate action” against her for
"anti-Muslim bigotry" over an anecdote she shared in a recent speech.
During
an event in her Colorado district, Boebert told the audience about an encounter
with Omar in the Capitol — which Omar says never happened.
“I
was getting into an elevator with one of my staffers,” Boebert told the
laughing crowd. “You know, we’re leaving the Capitol and we’re going back to my
office and we get an elevator and I see a Capitol police officer running to the
elevator. I see fret all over his face, and he’s reaching, and the door’s shutting,
like I can’t open it, like what’s happening. I look to my left, and there she
is. Ilhan Omar. And I said, ‘Well, she doesn’t have a backpack, we should be
fine.’ ”
Hours
later, Democratic leadership released a statement blasting Boebert's
"Islamophobic and racist comments" and called on their Republican
counterparts to "finally take real action to confront racism.”
Democratic
leaders called for Boebert to "fully retract these comments and refrain
from making similar ones going forward."
“Congresswoman
Boebert’s repeated, ongoing and targeted Islamophobic comments and actions
against another Member of Congress, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, are both deeply
offensive and concerning," they wrote.
“Leader
McCarthy and the entire House Republican Leadership’s repeated failure to
condemn inflammatory and bigoted rhetoric from members of their conference is
outrageous," they added. "We call on the Republican Leadership to
address this priority with the Congresswoman and to finally take real action to
confront racism.”
Omar
on Friday called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority
Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to discipline Boebert.
“Saying
I am a suicide bomber is no laughing matter,” Omar tweeted. “@GOPLeader and
@SpeakerPelosi need to take appropriate action, normalizing this bigotry not
only endangers my life but the lives of all Muslims. Anti-Muslim bigotry has no
place in Congress.”
A
day earlier, Omar said the story was concocted and called Boebert a “buffoon.”
Source:
Press TV
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Vienna
talks will be about US return to 2015 deal: Iran’s nuclear chief
26
November ,2021
The
Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, said on Friday that
talks in Vienna next week will be about the United States returning to the 2015
nuclear deal.
Tehran
and Washington are due to resume indirect negotiations, which have been on hold
since June, in Vienna on Monday. Then-president Donald Trump pulled the United
States out of the deal in 2018, and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Earlier
on Friday, Iran’s foreign minister said that his country wants the lifting of
all sanctions in a verifiable process.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Turkey marks 5th anniversary of Colombia's 'historic' peace agreement
Jeyhun
Aliyev
26.11.2021
Turkey
on Thursday marked the 5th anniversary of the "historic" peace
agreement signed between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group on Nov. 24, 2016, putting an end to more
than five decades of conflict.
"Having
strongly supported the peace process that emanated from this historic
agreement, Turkey attaches utmost importance to the continuation of the
environment of peace and stability in Colombia, a leading partner for Turkey in
the region and remain committed to continue to provide all possible assistance
to this peace process," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.
On
Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Colombia has a
"moral obligation" to advance the peace agreement.
The
2016 peace deal brought a cease-fire after more than five decades of armed
conflict between the FARC guerrillas and the Colombian government.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Mideast
Senior
Cleric Urges Europeans Not to Fall in US, Israel's Trap
2021-November-26
During
this week's Friday Prayers on the campus of the University of Tehran, Hojatoleslam Aboutorabi Fard touched on the
upcoming round of nuclear talks between Iran and Group 4+ 1 (Russia, China,
France and the UK plus Germany) in Vienna, Austria.
He
called on the leaders of the European countries not to sacrifice the interests
of the European nations to the illegitimate interests of the "United
States and the Zionist regime".
"The
interests of European nations are tied to the interests of Asia, specially West
Asia, and today it is the Islamic Republic of Iran that has the authority to
guard this security. If it were not for the authority of the Resistance, Europe
would be exposed to severe insecurity today, and it was the authority of
Islamic Iran and the Resistance that defeated the ISIL," the senior cleric
added.
He
pointed out that today, it is known to everyone that the policies of the United
States in the West Asian region have been failed.
"Given
the tremendous amount of contradictions and conflicts in US strategic plans,
the inability of the Pentagon and US military apparatus to suppress popular
movements in the world, we are witnessing a decline in US soft power," he
further said.
In
a relevant development on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed
Khatibzadeh in a Twitter message strongly blasted the anti-Iran moves by the US
and the three European countries of France, Britain and Germany just before the
the new round of the upcoming talks in Vienna, Austria.
The
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman made the remarks while comparing the
approach and actions of the US, European Troika, and Iran ahead of the new
round of Vienna talks.
"Ahead
of #ViennaTalks,US/E3:Issue bogus statements, add sanctions, conjure distorted
narratives, keep mum on Israel's threats," Khatibzadeh tweeted.
"Iran:
Forms high-level nego team, calls for quick good deal & full implementation
of JCPOA/2231, holds regional consultations", the Iranian diplomat added.
Khatibzadeh's
tweet came in reaction to a joint statement issued by France, Germany, and
Britain at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of
Governors.
In
their anti-Iran statement, France, Germany, and Britain expressed concern over
the progress of Iran's nuclear program.
In
a relevant development on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir
Abdollahian said that his country will take part in the upcoming talks with the
Group 4+1 with the aim of reaching a good agreement.
In
a phone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on November 24, Amir
Abdollahian said the Islamic Republic was completely willing to participate in
the negotiations with the aim of reaching "a good agreement".
Such
an agreement, he added, could materialize shortly if Washington and its
European allies in the deal were likewise willing to resume their commitments
under JCPOA.
Elsewhere,
Amir Abdollahian said that Tehran and the UN nuclear agency have reached an
agreement in principle to resolve their outstanding issues.
Iran
and the agency were seeking to "issue a joint statement at the earliest
opportunity", he added.
The
comments came a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's Director
General, Rafael Grossi ended a two-day visit to the Islamic Republic, during
which he held various meetings with senior Iranian officials, including Amir
Abdollahian himself.
In
a tweet earlier on Wednesday, the top Iranian diplomat described his talks with
the IAEA chief as "cordial, frank and fruitful" and said they
"reached good agreements on continuing cooperation".
"Yet,
to work out a text, we need work on a few words. Agreement is possible,"
he further said in his tweet, warning "politicization of technical matters
is unproductive".
He
also said that a meeting will be held soon to finalize the text of their
agreement.
The
Chinese official, for his part, rated Grossi's trip to Iran as a
"positive" development. He also considered the Islamic Republic's
standpoint on the JCPOA's potential revival to be "fair".
On
Tuesday, Amir Abdollahian called on Washington to stop its contradictory
behavior to bring talks out of the current stalemate.
“The
Americans on the one hand say they are interested in returning to the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but on the other hand in two phases they
imposed two sets of new sanctions against Iranian persons and companies, which
shows how contradictory the US behaviors are, as one of the main obstacles in
upcoming negotiations,” Amir Abdollahian said in a phone conversation with his
Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis.
He
added that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s judgment about the US is based on its
behaviors.
Amir
Abdollahian also said that the negotiations to terminate the anti-Iran
sanctions will start in Vienna as of next week, emphasizing that Iran is ready
for a good, immediate and serious agreements, but meanwhile the contradictory
US behaviors generate mistrust.
The
revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially called the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been on the agenda of high-profile
negotiations between Iran and the remaining signatories, known as the G4+1
group (Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany), in the Austrian capital
since April.
The
JCPOA was unilaterally abandoned by the US in 2018, when former US President
Donald Trump decided to implement a “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran.
US
President Joe Biden promised to reverse Trump’s own reversing of his
predecessor Barack Obama’s decision to sign on to the JCPOA. The Biden
administration also argued on the sidelines of the Vienna talks that Tehran and
Washington should mutually return to their commitments under the agreement.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000905000427/Senir-Cleric-Urges-Erpeans-N-Fall-in-US-Israel's-Trap
--------
Turkey's
Investment Office inks deal with Islamic Organization for Food Security
Muhammet
Emin Horuz
26.11.2021
ISTANBUL
Turkey's
Investment Office signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday with the
Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) on agricultural cooperation,
especially in Africa.
The
agreement was signed by Burak Daglioglu, the head of the office, and Yerlan
Baidaulet, general director of the IOFS.
At
the signing ceremony, Daglioglu said Turkey is one of the most active members
of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Daglioglu
stressed that food supply was a critical issue worldwide, adding that OIC members
should cooperate deeply on this issue.
While
some countries have natural sources, such as water and land, but face
difficulties accessing finance and technology, others have financial resources
with a deficiency of natural resources, he said.
"These
countries are not the same, so we believe there should be better cooperation
and integration between member states," he added.
He
underlined that of the $235 billion foreign direct investments that Turkey has
attracted since 2013, $10 billion were from food and agricultural firms.
"This
shows that not only domestic companies, but also international companies are
active in the food and related sectors in Turkey," Daglioglu said.
"Turkey
is an agricultural center in its region, we'd like to share our expertise and
experience in attracting investments in the food sector with (other) OIC member
countries."
Baidaulet
stressed that the Investment Office and IOFS would engage in results-oriented
cooperation to develop agricultural investment opportunities in member countries
with low human development indicators, especially in Africa.
"To
be successful and raise the Islamic Civilization even higher, we must do more
as Muslim countries and organizations," he underlined.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Spokesman
Blasts US, E3 Anti-Iran Moves Ahead of Vienna Talks
2021-November-26
The
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman made the remarks while comparing the
approach and actions of the US, European Troika, and Iran ahead of the new
round of Vienna talks.
"Ahead
of #ViennaTalks,US/E3:Issue bogus statements, add sanctions, conjure distorted
narratives, keep mum on Israel's threats," Khatibzadeh tweeted.
"Iran:
Forms high-level nego team, calls for quick good deal & full implementation
of JCPOA/2231, holds regional consultations", the Iranian diplomat added.
Khatibzadeh's
tweet came in reaction to a joint statement issued by France, Germany, and
Britain at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of
Governors.
In
their anti-Iran statement, France, Germany, and Britain expressed concern over
the progress of Iran's nuclear program.
In
a relevant development on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir
Abdollahian said that his country will take part in the upcoming talks with the
Group 4+1 with the aim of reaching a good agreement.
In
a phone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on November 24, Amir
Abdollahian said the Islamic Republic was completely willing to participate in
the negotiations with the aim of reaching "a good agreement".
Such
an agreement, he added, could materialize shortly if Washington and its
European allies in the deal were likewise willing to resume their commitments
under JCPOA.
Elsewhere,
Amir Abdollahian said that Tehran and the UN nuclear agency have reached an
agreement in principle to resolve their outstanding issues.
Iran
and the agency were seeking to "issue a joint statement at the earliest
opportunity", he added.
The
comments came a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's Director
General, Rafael Grossi ended a two-day visit to the Islamic Republic, during
which he held various meetings with senior Iranian officials, including Amir
Abdollahian himself.
In
a tweet earlier on Wednesday, the top Iranian diplomat described his talks with
the IAEA chief as "cordial, frank and fruitful" and said they
"reached good agreements on continuing cooperation".
"Yet,
to work out a text, we need work on a few words. Agreement is possible,"
he further said in his tweet, warning "politicization of technical matters
is unproductive".
He
also said that a meeting will be held soon to finalize the text of their
agreement.
The
Chinese official, for his part, rated Grossi's trip to Iran as a
"positive" development. He also considered the Islamic Republic's
standpoint on the JCPOA's potential revival to be "fair".
On
Tuesday, Amir Abdollahian called on Washington to stop its contradictory
behavior to bring talks out of the current stalemate.
“The
Americans on the one hand say they are interested in returning to the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but on the other hand in two phases they
imposed two sets of new sanctions against Iranian persons and companies, which
shows how contradictory the US behaviors are, as one of the main obstacles in
upcoming negotiations,” Amir Abdollahian said in a phone conversation with his
Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis.
He
added that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s judgment about the US is based on its
behaviors.
Amir
Abdollahian also said that the negotiations to terminate the anti-Iran
sanctions will start in Vienna as of next week, emphasizing that Iran is ready
for a good, immediate and serious agreements, but meanwhile the contradictory
US behaviors generate mistrust.
The
revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially called the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been on the agenda of high-profile
negotiations between Iran and the remaining signatories, known as the G4+1
group (Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany), in the Austrian capital
since April.
The
JCPOA was unilaterally abandoned by the US in 2018, when former US President
Donald Trump decided to implement a “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran.
US
President Joe Biden promised to reverse Trump’s own reversing of his
predecessor Barack Obama’s decision to sign on to the JCPOA. The Biden
administration also argued on the sidelines of the Vienna talks that Tehran and
Washington should mutually return to their commitments under the agreement.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
FM:
Iran Ready to Help Turkmenistan for Successful Holding of ECO Summit
2021-November-26
During
the phone talk, Amir Abdollahian and Meredov exchanged views on bilateral
relations and the holding of the ECO summit in Ashgabat.
"We
are ready to assist Turkmenistan in the successful holding of the ECO
summit," Amir Abdollahian said while conveying the greetings by Iranian
President Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi to his Turkmen counterpart.
Referring
to the participation of the Iranian president in this regional summit, the
Iranian top diplomat stressed that this is an opportunity to discuss issues of
mutual interest between the two countries.
The
Turkmen foreign minister, for his part, said that the ECO summit will be held
in the presence of senior economic officials of ECO member-states.
"Some
economic meetings will be held at the venue of Turkmenistan Foreign
Ministry," Meredov added.
He
appreciated the active presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the
mentioned meetings and expressed hope that these meetings will be more fruitful
in order to develop and expand relations and cooperation between the countries
of the region.
In
a relevant development earlier this week, Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim
Rayeesi in a meeting with ECO Secretary-General Khusrav Noziri stressed
Tehran’s special attention to the development of cooperation among the regional
states.
“Any
obstacles and problems on the way of the development of cooperation should be
removed so that the economic exchanges and relations of the ECO member states
can be carried out at a higher and superior level,” Rayeesi said in the meeting
in Tehran on Tuesday.
"Each
member of the ECO has a lot of economic potentials in various fields, the
activation of which can lead to economic prosperity in the region," he
added.
President
Rayeesi referred to the capacities of the ECO member states in the fields of
energy, trade, transportation, digital economy, maritime economy and tourism,
and said, "Comprehensive plans and actions of the ECO Secretariat to
activate these capacities can bring economic prosperity to the region and
development for the ECO member states.”
He
emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the activation and
development of ECO activities, and said, "Tehran attaches special
importance to regional cooperation in the framework of the Economic Cooperation
Organization and supports such activities."
In
relevant remarks last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian
announced his country’s continued support for the ECO and willingness to
further expand ties and cooperation with its members.
Amir
Abdollahian made the remarks in a meeting with Noziri in Tehran.
Amir
Abdollahian hailed the implementation of a number of long-term and
infrastructure projects by the ECO in various fields, including transportation,
trade, monetary and banking sections, and expressed hope that the remaining
plans would be completed during the tenure of Noziri, who took office in
August.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Turkish
court rules to keep Osman Kavala in jail during trial
26
November ,2021
A
Turkish court ruled on Friday to keep philanthropist Osman Kavala in prison,
after four years in detention without conviction, in an ongoing trial which has
further strained ties between Ankara and its Western allies.
The
trial of Kavala, who has been in jail without conviction for more than four
years, has been criticized as politically motivated and symbolic of a crackdown
on dissent under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
For
all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The
government rejects this and says Turkey’s courts are independent.
Last
month Erdogan threatened to expel the ambassadors of 10 countries, including
the United States, Germany and France, after they echoed a European Court of
Human Rights (ECHR) ruling that Kavala should be freed.
The
prospect of further deterioration in Western ties added at the time to pressure
on the Turkish lira, which has hit new record lows since September due mostly
to aggressive interest rate cuts.
Kavala,
who has been attending hearings via video link, was not participating on
Friday.
His
wife and opposition lawmakers were in the packed courtroom in Istanbul’s main
courthouse, as well as diplomats from some of the 10 embassies involved in the
dispute, including the United States, France, Germany, and Sweden.
‘Meaningless’
Kavala
was acquitted last year of charges related to nationwide protests in 2013
focused on Istanbul’s Gezi Park, but the ruling was overturned this year and
combined with charges in another case related to a coup attempt in 2016. He has
denied any wrongdoing.
Kavala,
64, said it would be “meaningless” for him to attend the court hearings as a
fair trial was impossible given Erdogan’s comments about him.
“As
a citizen defending the rule of law, I think it is not right to act in a way
that would legitimize the current situation the judiciary is exposed to,” he
said in a statement.
Taksim
Solidarity, a group formed during the Gezi protests that includes city planners
and lawyers, said the “mindless and illegal” case against Kavala must be
dropped immediately.
“Osman
Kavala, who has been remanded in jail for 1,487 days as a political prisoner,
must be released,” the group said in a statement read out in the square outside
the courthouse, which was packed with dozens of riot police and water cannon
vehicles.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Israeli
PM warns of state of emergency due to new COVID-19 variant
26
November ,2021
Israeli
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met health experts on Friday to discuss how best
to respond to a new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South
Africa that he said was more contagious than the delta strain.
“We
are currently on the verge of a state of emergency,” Bennett said, according to
a statement from his office. “Our main principle is to act fast, strong and
now.”
Israel
has reported one case of the new strain in a traveler returning from Malawi.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Pakistan
Why
is Pakistan military land being used to build wedding halls, cinemas? SC asks
defence secretary
Nov
26, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday grilled the defence secretary after the
powerful military was found using "strategic and defence" land for
commercial activities such as renting out to wedding parties and cinemas.
A
three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and
comprising Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, was
hearing the issue of military lands being used for commercial purposes at the
Supreme Court's Karachi registry.
Dawn
newspaper reported that the CJP grilled the defence secretary, retired Lt Gen
Mohammad Hilal Hussain, over commercial use of military land, asking whether
structures like "cinemas and wedding halls" were built for defence
purposes.
"This
land was given to you for strategic and defence [purposes and yet] you have
started commercial activities on it," he said. "Were wedding halls,
cinemas and housing societies built for defence purposes?" the chief
justice asked.
He
remarked that all Askari Housing Projects, popularly called Army Housing Scheme
Defence, had been built on cantonment lands.
"We
have decided that this will not happen again," the defence secretary said,
adding that the construction of housing societies and commercial use of
military land would be checked and stopped.
At
this, Justice Amin asked Hussain how that would be made possible and where the
process would start.
The
judge asked him to provide a written explanation.
The
chief justice commented that colonels and majors were acting like kings.
"What the colonels and majors desire, happens," he said.
"Go
and tell all the chiefs [of the armed forces] that the land meant for defence
purposes will not be used for commercial objectives. Go to all the military
cantonments and tell them the land will be used only for strategic
purposes," CJP Ahmed ordered the defence secretary.
He
also said that commercial activities were underway at Masroor Base and Faisal
Base in Karachi and buildings had been erected when orders were given to remove
the signboards.
The
bench asked Hussain whether he had a written report regarding the matter, at
which the secretary requested more time to submit the same.
The
court adjourned the hearing until November 30, saying it would take place in
Islamabad and also ordered that a written report be submitted.
While
hearing the case on Wednesday, the chief justice had stated that the conversion
of cantonment land into private land seemed to be in direct contravention of
the Cantonment Act, 1924, Cantonment Land Rules, 1937, and various
constitutional provisions and the issue needed to be heard and decided by the
court.
Source:
Times of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text of
the original story:
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Pakistan
offers transit routes to int’l donors for Afghan aid: NSA
November
26, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf on Thursday said that Pakistan
was offering its air and land routes, including access to local markets, to
international donor agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
In
an interview with PTV News, the NSA highlighted the plight of Afghan people,
who were at the brink of a catastrophe due to the cold harsh weather and the
looming threat of famine.
Dr
Moeed said that there were two main reasons why Pakistan was flagging the
impending Afghan crisis: first, it was Pakistan’s responsibility to alert the
world community of it.
“Any
instability in Afghanistan will have a spillover effect on Pakistan. It is not
the matter of Taliban rather 35-40 million Afghan people that the world is
worried about and need their support,” he stated.
Secondly,
he said that right now the focus was on humanitarian assistance. “If they [the
Afghan people] do not get the international aid then they will die in the
winters due to hunger and cold,” claimed the NSA, adding that Pakistan was trying
to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan but cannot afford to do it
for long.
“We
can play a role in ensuring aid for Afghanistan but there are international
sanctions, and it can’t be provided within those restrictions,” he said.
The
NSA further stated that these sanctions were halting the banking system in
Afghanistan and Pakistan was merely supporting the Afghans to improve the
situation.
Dr
Moeed underlined that despite all the reasons, including what kind of
leadership existed in Afghanistan, Pakistan wanted to collaborate with the
Afghan people.
He
reiterated that the international community should provide humanitarian
assistance to the Afghans and also work out ways towards institutional building
in the war-torn country.
“Any
government in Afghanistan will demand aid and legitimacy. The leverage [of
this] is with the US, UK and other developed countries. They should send aid
and then desire acceptable outcomes,” he added.
He
maintained that Pakistan will agree with the international decision on the
Afghan regime’s legitimacy, adding that the fugitives of the Islamic State (IS)
in Afghanistan were a threat to both the US and Pakistan, and the issue could
be tackled through dialogue.
On
the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan, Dr Moeed claimed that the
counter-terrorism and intelligence capacity of the country had augmented in the
past decade and there was no threat of any resurgence.
Source:
Pakistan Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Europe
EU
says demolitions of Palestinians' houses sabotage 'prospects for peace'
Beyza
Binnur Dönmez
27.11.2021
The
EU said Friday that demolitions of Palestinians' houses "undermine the
prospects for peace," and urged the halting of such "unlawful"
actions.
"We
reiterate our call to halt demolitions and any other unlawful practices that
coerce Palestinians out of their homes," the EU Delegation to the
Palestinians said on Twitter. "Demolitions are illegal under international
law and significantly undermine the prospects for peace."
It
added that 21% more structures were demolished or seized in the first nine
months of 2021 compared to the equivalent period in 2020, and 28% more people
were displaced, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs.
Twenty-two
Palestinians, including 15 children, lost their homes on Tuesday, said the
agency.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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of the original story:
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UK
designates Hamas as ‘terrorist group,’ warns members, supporters of jail terms
26
November ,2021
Britain
on Friday designated Hamas an extremist “terrorist group,” warning that its
members and those who support the group could face stiff jail terms.
The
al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the group that rules the Gaza Strip,
has been banned in Britain since 2001 but the interior ministry extended the
ban to its political entities.
London
said last week it was no longer possible to make a distinction, assessing that
Hamas “commits, participates in, prepares for and promotes and encourages
terrorism.”
“The
[extremist] terrorist group Hamas has today become a proscribed terrorist
organization in the UK in its entirety following parliament’s approval,” the
Home Office said.
“This
means that members of Hamas or those who invite support for the group could be
jailed for up to 14 years.”
Israel
has welcomed the move, which follows similar action by the US and the European
Union.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Turkish
parliament head attends international meeting in Madrid
Senhan
Bolelli
26.11.2021
Turkish
parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop attended on Friday the opening ceremony of
the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Madrid, Spain.
Sentop,
who holds the term presidency of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of
the Islamic Cooperation Member States and Asian Parliamentary Assembly will
also attend the opening reception.
King
of Spain Felipe VI gave a speech at the opening of the General Assembly, which
had high-level participation from more than 170 member parliaments.
In
an interview to Spanish daily El Mundo, Sentop said relations between Turkey
and Spain have entered a path that turns into a versatile, developing and
comprehensive partnership.
He
also talked about the issues in Eastern Mediterranean and decisions of the
European Court of Human Rights on Turkey.
Recalling
a recent high-level meeting between Turkish and Spanish officials in the
capital Ankara on Nov. 17, Sentop said “signing of bilateral agreements in many
fields is an indication that we have reached an important stage in our
relations.”
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Iraq
evacuates 608 refugees stranded at Belarusian border
Ali
Jawad
26.11.2021
BAGHDAD
Iraq's
Transport Ministry on Friday announced it has evacuated 608 refugees who were
stranded on the border between Belarus and Poland.
The
Director-General of the Iraqi Transport Company affiliated to the ministry,
Abbas Omran, said in a statement: "Two charter flights successfully
carried out the evacuation from Minsk Airport to Erbil and Baghdad airports,
after obtaining official approvals from the Iraqi and Belarusian
authorities."
The
statement added the refugees were evacuated by the official Iraqi Airways.
On
Nov. 18, Iraq announced the evacuation of 430 of its citizens stranded at the
Belarusian-Polish border.
In
early November, many asylum seekers tried to cross the border to enter Poland
from Belarus, where there are currently about 4,000 stranded asylum seekers,
according to the Polish Press Agency.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/iraq-evacuates-608-refugees-stranded-at-belarusian-border/2431362
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Arab World
Top
Shia cleric in Jeddah conference: Terrorism eradicated by stemming its
financial, arms sources
November
27, 2021
Secretary
General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought attended the
Jeddah conference stressing that the roosts of terrorism can only be eradicated
by drying up the sources that feed it with money, weapons and backward
extremist thought.
Sheikh
Hamid Shahriari attending the conference of Strategic Vision Group “Russia and
the Islamic World” held in the Saudi port city of Jeddah and reiterated that
terrorism can only be eradicated by drying up the sources that feed it with
money, weapons and backward extremist thought.
He
expressed appreciation for the head of the strategic vision group of Russia in
the Republic of Tatarstan and the officials contributing to the conference in
Saudi Arabia for convening the conference.
He
said,” The reality of the global arena requires all political decision-makers
and from all intellectual, scientific, media and technical spectrums to work to
extinguish the fires of aggressive wars and to create the atmosphere for peace
in the world.”
The
cleric added,” It works hard to ignite the flames of strife and wars in the
world. The Corona pandemic, with all the damage it has left, can provide a
lesson in the need for global cooperation to confront global threats.”
The
roots of terrorism can only be eradicated by drying up the sources that feed it
with money, weapons and backward extremist thought.
According
to the cleric eradication of terrorism needs a comprehensive awareness of the
nation so as not to open gaps or create an atmosphere that enables enemies to
expand the scope of this painful phenomenon that aims to offend Islam and
Muslims and all the slogans Muslims carry Holy.
Sheikh
Shahriari stressed necessity of spreading the concept of Islamic brotherhood
among Muslims in Islamic countries and abroad as an obligation that generations
must be brought up with, with an explanation of the behavior and dealings
required by this ordinance, and emphasizing that this important Islamic human
obligation can only be achieved by removing shackles from hearts, as it is not
achieved.
The
Secretary General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought
called all Muslims to focus on the Palestinian issue as the pivotal issue on
the Islamic and international arena, and stress that peace, security and
stability in the region and even in the world can only be established by
removing hotbeds of crises represented by global Zionists.
“We
must stress the importance of joint Islamic action and coordination at all
levels in order to stop suffering and mitigate the effects of crises on
millions of Muslims” he said highlighting special attention to the predicaments
of the oppressed Yemeni people.
Source:
ABNA24
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Former
Muslim Brotherhood MP dies in Egyptian prison amid accusations of medical
neglect
26
November, 2021
Cairo
- Senior Muslim Brotherhood leader and former MP Hamdy Hassan died on Thursday
in his cell in the notorious maximum-security Al-Aqrab prison, his family said
Friday on social media.
The
cause of Hamdy’s death remains unclear. However, according to a post by the
El-Shehab human rights organisation released on its official Facebook page, he
was allegedly subjected to “deliberate medical negligence.”
The
group described Hassan as “a victim of systematic killings.”
Hassan’s
son, who goes by the name Baraa Hamdy, wrote on Twitter that his father's
family was allowed access to Muslim funeral rites by the authorities with only
six people present amidst extreme security measures.
“We
hope that…my precious father can be considered by God as a martyr…God let him
go after spending eight years at the prisons of the oppressors,” Baraa tweeted.
A
former physician and MP, based in Egypt’s Mediterranean city of Alexandria,
Hassan was detained in 2013, as part of a wave of arrests that targeted Muslim
Brotherhood members."For five years, my father was denied the right to
receive family visits at prison, while being held in solitary
confinement," he added.
Hasan
received several sentences after being found guilty of
"terrorism"-related charges. The last sentence was in 2019, when he
was given 15 years in prison in 2019.
Since
the military overthrow in July 2013 of Egypt's first democratically elected
President Mohamed Morsi, the regime of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has
engaged in the systematic repression of the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Morsi
was a member.
Source:
The New Arab
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/former-muslim-brotherhood-mp-dies-egyptian-prison
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Lebanon
launches second offshore licensing round
26
November ,2021
Lebanon
re-launched a second offshore oil and gas licensing round for eight remaining
blocs on Friday, with the deadline for submission of bids set for June 15,
2022, the Lebanese Petroleum Administration said on its website.
The
round was initially approved in April 2019 in just two blocs but has been
postponed several times, including last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A
consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek last year
completed exploratory drilling in Lebanon’s offshore Bloc 4 off the coast of
Beirut and said they had not found a commercially viable amount of
hydrocarbons.
Planned
drilling in southern Bloc 9, also licensed to the consortium, has been
postponed.
Lebanon’s
leaders have said a significant oil and gas find could help the country emerge
from its worst economic crisis since the 1975-90 Civil War. The United Nations
says eight in 10 people are now in poverty.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Arab
Coalition releases details on latest air strike on Yemen Houthi military camps
26
November ,2021
The
Arab Coalition has published details of the operation targeting Iran-backed
Houthi military camps in the presidential palace in Yemen’s Sanaa.
Intelligence
and satellite images showed the presidential palace’s link to a secret
underground facility located south of the palace and linked to Jabal
al-Nahdain.
The
pictures published by the coalition show the aftermath of the airstrikes
conducted by the Coalition’s planes as well as the transfer of weapons from the
secret facility after the coalition targeted it two days ago.
The
Arab Coalition announced on Thursday that it had conducted several air strikes
on Houthi military camps and targets in the Yemen’s capital Sanaa, according to
a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The
operation in Sanaa targeted Houthi military camps at the presidential residence
in Sanaa, according to the Coalition. The Coalition also said it monitored
movements to transport weapons after the camp was targeted.
“We
have taken preventative measures to spare civilians and civilian objects from
collateral damage,” the statement said, according to SPA. “The operation was
conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary
rules.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
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South Asia
Over
half million people internally displaced in Afghanistan due to conflicts in
2021: UN report
Nov
26, 2021
KABUL:
More than half a million people in Afghanistan have been internally displaced
as a result of conflicts and insecurity in the country this year, according to
a new report issued by the UN migration agency IOM.
The
International Organization for Migration (IOM) report which was conducted
between November 11 to 21, 2021 has found that at least 667,900 people have
been internally displaced between January 1 and November 21, Khaama Press
reported
The
report has also identified the number of refugees who have been returned back
to Afghanistan during the current year from Pakistan and Iran.
Over
1.146 million undocumented Afghan refugees have been returned from Iran and
Pakistan during 2021, the majority of whom have returned from Iran.
On
the other hand, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have emigrated to Iran,
Pakistan, Turkey, India, Europe, England, the US, and Canada in the last 100
days, since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, reported Khaama Press.
Citing
unverified reports, the Afghan media outlet suggested that over 95 per cent of
Afghan citizens have been living under the poverty line since August 15 and the
country's economy has fallen by over 35 per cent since then.
Source:
Times of India
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India
supports inclusive, representative govt in Afghanistan: EAM Jaishankar
Nov
26, 2021
NEW
DELHI: Expressing concern over the recent developments in Afghanistan, external
affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday said that India, as a neighbour
and long-standing partner, supports an inclusive and representative government
in the nation.
Addressing
the 18th meeting of the Russia-India-China foreign ministers on Friday,
Jaishankar said: "As a neighbour and long-standing partner of Afghanistan,
India is concerned about the recent developments in that country. India
supports an inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan."
He
further spoke about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and urges RIC
countries to work together to ensure that assistance reaches the Afghan people
without hindrance and politicisation.
"RIC
countries need to work together to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches
the Afghan people without hindrance and politicisation. It is necessary for the
RIC countries to coordinate respective approaches on the threats of terrorism,
drug trafficking and radicalisation," Jaishankar said today.
The
External Affairs Minister also stressed on 'One Earth, One Health' mantra and
termed it "need of the hour".
"Our
approach to global development should be human-centric. Covid has shown
interdependence of the interconnected world. The need of the hour is 'One
Earth, One Health'," he said.
India
took over the chairmanship of the RIC after the last meeting of RIC foreign
ministers in Moscow in September 2020.
In
a veiled reference to China's Belt and Road Initiative, EAM Jaishankar on
Thursday said any serious connectivity initiative must be consultative,
transparent and participatory and conform to principles of sovereignty and
territorial integrity.
Source:
Times of India
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Armed
Taliban men kill a young physician in the western Herat province
27
Nov 2021
The
Taliban security men have killed a young physician in the western Herat
province of Afghanistan on Thursday, local sources confirmed.
Amruddin
Noori, a 33-year-old physician in Herat city was killed by the Taliban security
members after he did not stop at a police security checkpoint in Herat, the
victim’s family members claimed while speaking to local media agencies.
Noori
who used to have a small private medical clinic had newly got married, the
source said.
The
security authorities in Herat have rejected the killing of the victim by the
Taliban members saying such an incident has not been recorded with them.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-forces-kill-a-young-physician-in-the-western-herat-province-87686/
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Southeast Asia
Penang
earmarks RM71.13m for Islamic development in 2022 state budget
26
Nov 2021
BY
OPALYN MOK
GEORGE
TOWN, Nov 26 — The Penang government has allotted RM71.13 million for the
state’s Islamic development from its total budget for next year.
Penang
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the sum included allocations for the
management of state departments related to Islamic religious affairs and
development of mosques, surau (prayer halls), Islamic educational institutions
and implementation of Islamic programmes.
However,
he stressed that the state was also committed to other religions in the state,
when noting the allocation of 22 acres in Seberang Perai Utara worth RM17.65
million for non-Muslim places of worship there and RM9.2 million for supporting
infrastructure.
“A
total 35 religious associations consisting of those practising Taoism,
Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and others were given consideration to be
offered land on that site,” he said when reading the state budget 2022 at the
state legislative assembly today.
He
said these non-Islamic places of worship would be operational within two years.
The
state allocated a total RM316.1 million for development under the state Budget
2022, an increase of RM22.03 million compared to this year.
The
development funds are channelled through nine state departments such as the
Chief Minister’s Office and State Secretary (RM154.32 million), state finance
department (RM87.47 million), public works department (RM26.51 million),
Islamic affairs department (RM19.95 million), drainage and irrigation
department (RM14.72 million), agricultural department (RM6.25 million),
veterinary services department (RM3.49 million), forestry department (RM2.2
million) and botanic gardens department (RM1.22 million).
Chow
said the project with the largest allocation for 2022 was the Gurney Wharf
project, at RM60 million.
He
said phase one of the project was expected to be completed by the end of 2022
and phase two, by the end of 2023.
“The
overall project is expected to cost RM200 million,” he said.
The
project is aimed at improving the quality of life of the people by creating a
100-kilometre waterfront promenade for the public.
Chow
also announced a special payment of a half month’s salary or a minimum of
RM1,000 to each of the state’s 3,962 civil servants.
“This
will cost the state government a total RM5.59 million and payment will be made
in December,” he said.
He
said the special aid was to demonstrate the state’s appreciation of its civil
service, especially frontliners who have worked tirelessly throughout the
Covid-19 pandemic.
“We
fully appreciate the role played by the state Health Department, the state
National Security Council, the police, the army and all state and federal
agencies,” he said.
The
state is also concerned with the impact on the tourism sector, thus it has
allocated a total RM50 million for the sector next year.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Anwar
scouting for Johor seat to contest in GE15, says source
26
Nov 2021
BY
BEN TAN
JOHOR
BARU, Nov 26 — PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Johor tomorrow
could include him identifying federal seats to possibly contest during the 15th
general election, according to a Pakatan Harapan source.
This
was in addition to welcoming Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik, the former
Bersatu turned PH-friendly Independent, into PKR.
The
source said the 74-year-old federal Opposition leader and PH chairman was keen
to earmark at least one federal constituency in the state to possibly contest.
“We
were told that the Tebrau, Segamat and Batu Pahat parliamentary seats in Johor
were shortlisted from a handful where PKR has a strong following in those
areas.
“After
all, those seats were also contested by PKR during the last general election
before the incumbent MPs split from the party to support the then ruling
Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
“However,
the Tebrau seat looks more favourable for Anwar if he decides to contest in
Johor instead of his incumbent seat in Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan) or even
his traditional seat in Pematang Pauh (Penang),” the source told Malay Mail on
the condition of anonymity.
The
person said the PKR leadership considered Tebrau to be a strong possibility
given that the incumbent MP, Steven Choong, defected during the so-called
“Sheraton Move” in 2020 to align himself with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia
(PPBM) and Perikatan Nasional pending the formation of his new Parti Bangsa
Malaysia (PBM).
PKR
already has a strong presence in Tebrau that was considered one of the party’s
most valuable constituencies in the state, the source added when concluding it
would likely be the best choice for Anwar.
In
2018, Tebrau had a total of 123,033 registered voters who were 47.2 per cent
Malay, 39.36 per cent Chinese, 11.54 per cent Indian, and with other races
making up the remainder 1.9 per cent in the urban parliamentary constituency.
In
the 2018 general election, Choong, who contested under PKR, made huge gains for
the party as he garnered 64,535 votes while his closest rival, MCA’s Hou Kok
Chung, took only 27,310.
On
the inclusion of Maszlee as a PKR member, another source said that it will be a
boost for the party and its Johor chapter.
“Maszlee
has a good following and he is seen as a clean and dependable politician, which
are traits suited to our party.
“The
former education minister’s acceptance into PKR will be good to strengthen the
party’s Johor chapter as well as the state’s PH coalition towards the coming
general elections,” said the source.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Penang
tables deficit budget, announces half-month bonus
Predeep
Nambiar
November
26, 2021
GEORGE
TOWN: Penang today tabled a RM935.2 million budget for 2022 with a deficit of
RM449.8 million.
Announcing
the budget, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the deficit will be offset
with money from the consolidated fund, which stood at RM887.7 million as of
2020.
He
said the state expects to collect revenue of approximately RM485.4 million next
year while RM884.5 million had been set aside for operating expenditure in 20
state departments.
The
allocation for operating expenditure has been increased but was “under control”
with prudent spending, he said.
Allocations
set aside for operating expenditure include grants and fixed charges at RM548.8
million, emoluments and salaries (RM184 million), services and supplies (RM192.9
million), assets (RM7 million), and other expenditures (RM2.4 million).
“As
for development allocations, RM316.1 million has been set aside, considering
critical and high impact projects, including those for the benefit of small
contractors who will help revive the state’s economic sector,” he said.
The
breakdown of development allocations are as follows: chief minister and state
secretary’s office (RM154.3 million), state finance department (RM87.4
million), public works department (RM26.5 million), Islamic affairs department
(RM19.9 million), drainage and irrigation department (RM14.7 million),
agricultural department (RM6.2 million), veterinary services department (RM3.4
million), forestry department (RM2.2 million) and the botanic gardens department
(RM1.2 million).
Chow
said that among the largest allocations in 2022 will go to the Gurney Wharf
project, at RM60 million.
Some
RM71.1 million had been set aside for the development of Islam in the state,
including allocations to manage state departments related to the religion and
grants for mosques, surau, Islamic educational institutions, and other
programmes.
A
sum of RM34.7 million had also been allocated to the drainage and irrigation
department for flood mitigation projects, river repairs and other related
projects.
He
also revealed that the World Bank had granted an allocation of US$10 million
(RM42.4 million) for urban greening, stormwater management, baseline data
gathering for temperatures by mukim on the island, climate change awareness
among youth and capacity building for a “Penang Climate Board”.
It
will be carried out in the next five years by the Penang Island City Council,
state drainage and irrigation department, and Think City.
Another
RM11 million has been granted to the Penang Hill Corporation next year, given
the slump in tourism in the state. In addition, RM13.4 million has been set
aside for sporting and open spaces development.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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Africa
Somalia's
international partners stress need for credible, transparent elections
Mohammed
Dhaysane
26.11.2021
MOGADISHU,
Somalia
Somalia’s
international partners on Friday called for the ongoing elections for the lower
house of parliament to be completed in a transparent, inclusive, and credible
manner before the set deadline of Dec. 24.
A
joint statement was issued by the UN, US, UK, Russia, Turkey, Germany, France,
European Union, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Belgium, Canada,
Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, League of Arab States (LAS), Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Qatar, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, and Uganda.
“We
call for full transparency in all related processes, including selection
committee appointments, delegates selection, candidate registration, the
reservation of seats for women candidates, to comply with the agreed 30% quota,
and the management of candidate fees,” read the statement.
After
completing elections for 54 senators of the upper house, Somalia now has to
elect 275 members of the lower House of the People, before moving onto
presidential election.
The
statement by Somalia’s international partners came a day after Mohamed Osman
Jawari, former speaker of the House of the People, said he was not allowed to
contest the ongoing elections.
The
country’s election commission has promised to “diligently look at
controversies” in the parliamentary polls.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Jordanians
protest water for energy deal with Israel
Laith
Al-Juneidi
26.11.2021
AMMAN,
Jordan
Thousands
of Jordanians rallied in protest against a deal signed with Israel that will
reportedly see the two countries swap electricity for water.
The
march began in front of the Husseini Mosque in the capital Amman and continued
to the Al-Nakhil Square about a kilometer (0.6 miles) away amid a heavy
security presence, an Anadolu Agency correspondent reported from the scene.
The
demonstrations were organized by political parties and trade unions in Jordan
to reject the Hashemite Kingdom's decision to negotiate with Tel Aviv on the
feasibility of a joint energy and water project.
On
Monday, Jordan announced the signing of a declaration of intent for exchanging
water for energy with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel.
The
three countries will start talks to explore the feasibility of a joint energy
and water project, according to Jordan's Ministry of Water and Irrigation.
The
ministry said in a statement that the declaration of intent meant
"entering the process of feasibility studies during the next year 2022
through which Jordan could obtain 200 million cubic meters of water
annually."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/jordanians-protest-water-for-energy-deal-with-israel/2431438
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Sudanese
politicians released after beginning hunger strike
27
November ,2021
Sudan’s
former minister of cabinet affairs Khalid Omer Yousif was released from
detention along with others less than a day after beginning a hunger strike,
the country’s information ministry said in a statement early on Saturday.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
An
army takeover on Oct. 25 halted a power sharing deal between the military and
civilians from the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) alliance, and a number of
ministers and top civilian officials were detained.
Also
released on Saturday were former Khartoum State governor Ayman Nimir and
anti-corruption taskforce member Maher Abouljokh.
Several
high profile politicians remain in custody.
Yousif
and others had began the hunger strike, according to the Sudanese Congress
Party, to protest their continued detention despite the signing of a deal
between military leaders and civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok which
provided for the release of all civilian detainees.
Several
other prominent civilian politicians and activists had been released on Monday
and Friday.
Protests
calling for the military to exit politics and be held to account for the deaths
of civilian protesters have continued since the announcement of the deal
between military leaders and Hamdok.
A
call has been issued for more mass rallies on Sunday.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Tunisian
police shoot man trying to attack Interior Ministry: Reports
26
November ,2021
Police
in the Tunisian capital shot and wounded a man who tried to storm the Interior
Ministry on Friday, local media and witnesses said.
Local
Mosaique FM radio said police shot the man in the leg and brought him under
control. He was taken to hospital, the radio said.
Witnesses
said they saw police running after the man before shooting him.
“I
am at the crime scene and I cannot give any details now,” a ministry spokesman
told Reuters.
In
a post on their official Facebook page, police unions called the man an
extremist and published pictures of a knife and cleaver that they said the man
had carried.
A
video posted on social media showed policemen shooting and pedestrians running
on Habib Bourguiba Street.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Tunisian
navy ‘rescues’ almost 500 migrants: Ministry
26
November ,2021
Tunisian
authorities said Friday they had rescued almost 500 migrants whose boat ran
into trouble off the North African country’s coast during a bid to reach
Europe.
“A
sea patrol supported by units from the navy and the National Guard at dawn on
Friday rescued 487 clandestine migrants of various Arab, Asian and African
nationalities,” the defense ministry said. They included 93 children and 13
women.
The
vessel had set off from neighboring Libya and was heading towards Europe when
it was intercepted off the Tunisian city of Sfax, it said.
The
ministry published photos of a vessel carrying dozens of people, with many
others swimming next to it.
Libya,
already a major route for migrants seeking to reach Europe, saw a surge in
departures as it plunged into lawlessness after a 2011 NATO-backed revolt.
Around
half of those intercepted on Friday were Egyptians or Bangladeshis, along with
dozens of Syrians and Moroccans and smaller numbers of Eritreans and Sudanese,
the ministry said.
The
interception was the latest in a string of similar operations to thwart sea
crossings or to rescue migrants in unseaworthy boats.
Tunisian
authorities said over the weekend that they had intercepted more than 200
migrants as they tried to reach the Italian coast.
That
came after the coastguard said it had blocked six departure attempts and rescued
125 Europe-bound migrants in late October.
Earlier
that month, four Tunisian migrants died and 19 others went missing after their
boat capsized.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Ethiopia’s
Abiy makes 1st appearance on TV after joining battlefront
Addis
Getachew
26.11.2021
ADDIS
ABABA, Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday made his first TV appearance from
battlefield days after he joined the frontline.
The
state-affiliated broadcaster FANA aired an Oromia Broadcasting Network footage
showing Abiy clad in military uniforms.
“Yesterday
we liberated Kasagitta and today we will recapture Chifra,” Abiy said standing
at the Kasagitta front in the Afar region, where fierce fighting was fought for
several weeks between government forces – allied with Afar special forces and
militia – and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Abiy
announced Monday he would personally proceed to the front to lead the nation's
army in countering a group of rebels advancing towards the capital.
The
announcement came in the face of intensified fighting between government forces
and TPLF rebels who in recent months have gotten backing from the Oromo
Liberation Army-Shene, both declared terrorist organizations by the Ethiopian
parliament.
The
Ethiopian government has been fighting the TPLF forces since last November
following the rebels’ attack on Ethiopian army bases stationed across Tigray,
including the regional capital Mekelle, according to the government.
The
TPLF has joined forces in an alliance with opposition groups to form a party
against Abiy.
Drone
attack
Meanwhile,
TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda said a drone attack by government forces hit
the residential area on Friday. He, however, made no remarks about any
casualties or the extent of the damage.
“Yet
another drone attack on civilian neighborhood in #Mekelle. Desperate moves by a
desperate regime teetering on the brink. #TigrayShallPrevail!” the spokesperson
said on Twitter.
The
Ethiopian government has not denied or confirmed the drone attack yet.
Pinch
of war
Earlier
this month, Ethiopia’s 547-seat parliament met and endorsed almost unanimously
a six-month nationwide state of emergency declared by the Cabinet.
The
UN is reportedly drawing up criminal charges against the warring sides and has
decried reported mass detentions, killings, systematic looting, and sexual
violence with widespread civilian suffering.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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