Muslims Celebrated Sri Ram Navami: Iftar Follows Ram Navami Celebrations In The Day As Andhra Pradesh Temple Opens Doors For Both
New Age Islam News Bureau
12 April 2022
People from both communities
at the outreach by RSS outfit RSS outfit MRM/ Times of India
-----
• Ramzan Walk: What Non-Muslim Boys, Girls Say About ,
Iftar, Taraweeh, And Sehri During Ramzan
• In First Speech, New Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif
Offers Olive Branch To India
• Bangladesh Church Backs Move To Help Male Rape
Victims By Bringing Gender Equality In
Rape Cases
• With Abu Sayyaf Declining, Is Daesh Still A Threat
In The Philippines?
Compiled By New
Age Islam News Bureau
For Details And More News From All Regions, Please Click, ‘Read
More'
India
• Bihar: Saffron Flag Planted on Muzaffarpur Mosque on
Ram Navami
• Uttar Pradesh: Muslims feel let down in Samajwadi
Party
• Silverline, Thiruvananthapuram And Kasaragod, Rail
Project Threatens To Cut Through 8th Century Mosque Courtyard
• Onus on Muslims to not hurt Hindu sentiments: Yatnal
• Two terrorists killed in Kulgam gunfight, two cops
wounded
• 4 Sri Ram Sene men held in Karnataka for smashing
Muslim vendor's stall
• NIA court to frame charges against Yasin Malik for
colluding with Pak-based outfits
--------
Pakistan
• Indictment of Shehbaz, Hamza in money laundering
case delayed
• Petition seeking trial of Imran Khan dismissed
• Alleged Attack On Mosque And Seminary: JUIF Demands
Arrest Of PTI Workers
• Imran's gambit for a new goal: early elections
• Shehbaz Sharif sworn-in as new Prime Minister of
Pakistan
• Dissolve NAB and hold its employees accountable,
Abbasi tells new govt
• PPP divided over Bilawal serving as foreign minister
• Nawaz has no plans to return soon despite Shehbaz’s
election as PM
• PTI workers rally against Imran’s ouster under
‘conspiracy’
--------
South Asia
• Kabul Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Russia,
Bidding Formal Recognition
• Akke Rahman first British Bangladeshi and Muslim to
climb Mount Everest while fasting
• RSF to UN:
act quickly to protect Afghan Journalists
• Iran Asks for Security of its Diplomatic Agencies in
Afghanistan
• Former Provincial Governor of Jowzjan Arrested in
Iran over Recruiting Militants
--------
Southeast Asia
• With Abu Sayyaf Declining, Is Daesh Still A Threat
In The Philippines?
• 2 denied leave to compel AG to prosecute converts
over alleged insults
• Indonesia passes landmark bill on sexual violence
• Mindef urged to form task force on lack of
non-Malays in military
--------
Arab World
• Saudi Boy Scouts Resume Duties At Haram After
Two-Year Hiatus
• Syrian President receives delegation of Islamic
clergymen in Damascus on Ramadan
• At least one killed, seven injured in explosion near
Lebanon’s Sidon: Officials
• UN envoy makes first trip to Yemen capital after
truce
• Makkah is a city embracing cultural, linguistic
diversity
--------
Mideast
• Hamas Stops Islamic Jihad From Military Escalation
With Israel In Gaza
• Iranian Parliament: Legal Guarantees Needed to
Prevent Repetition of US Withdrawal from N. Deal
• Politics, not substance, seen guiding US and Iran on
terror listing
• Israel army launches new operations around
flashpoint W. Bank city of Jenin
• Palestinian leaders condemn compensation ruling as
‘Israeli judicial extremism’
• Al-Abbas shrine affiliated centre launched program
of Ramadan month in 13 African countries
• Human Rights Official Protests at Denmark’s Misbehaviour
towards Iranian National
• Palestinian killed after alleged stabbing attempt:
Israeli police
--------
Africa
• Terrorists Kill 80, Abduct 70 And Burn Down Over 100
Houses In Nigeria
• Mass Iftar brings Cape Town community together,
feeds over 1,200
• Sudanese protesters mark third anniversary of
Bashir's ouster with fresh protests
• At least 4 people dead after boat capsizes off
Libya: UN
--------
North America
• India Witnessing Rise In Human Rights Abuse: US
Secretary Of State
• US says it values ties with Pakistan
• Muslim students want Georgia school district to mark
Eid al-Fitr as holiday
• India, US call on Pakistan to ensure its territory
is not used for terror attacks
• US voices support for Pakistan's 'constitutional
democratic principles'
--------
Europe
• UK Sanctions 2 Bosnian Serb Leaders Accused Of
Undermining Peace
• Jury holds British MP of Pakistani descent guilty of
sexually assaulting minor boy
•
Turkiye important security point for Europe: Albanian premier
• Serbia wants to buy Bayraktar drones from Turkiye:
President
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslims-ram-navami-iftar-temple/d/126781
--------
Muslims Celebrated Sri Ram Navami: Iftar Follows Ram
Navami Celebrations In The Day As Andhra Pradesh Temple Opens Doors For Both
People from both communities
at the outreach by RSS outfit RSS outfit MRM/ Times of India
-----
Apr 11, 2022
HYDERABAD: In a rare event, a temple committee in
Peddapalli village of Kadiri mandal in Andhra Pradesh hosted an Iftar while
local Muslims celebrated Sri Ram Navami on a grand scale on Sunday. This was
aimed at fostering communal amity between Hindus and Muslims, as part of the
outreach by Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an affiliate of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
About 2,000 Hindus and Muslims turned up at the
200-year-old Sri Ram Mandir at Peddapalli, a village on the AP-Karnataka
border, to celebrate the birthday of Lord Sri Ram and break the fast on the
eighth day of Ramzan. The dusty village wore a festive look as people from 24
neighbouring villages took part in the celebrations. This is first time that
the MRM is hosting Iftars on all 30 days of Ramzan across AP and Telangana in
response to a call by senior RSS leader and MRM patron Dr Indresh Kumar. Dr
Indresh had also suggested that Hindus and Muslims participate in each other's
festivals to celebrate the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb of Telugu states.
"It is an honour to host Iftar at the temple
premises. Our temple was built about two centuries ago during the British rule.
It's a small temple but has a very long history. After the day-long
celebrations marking Sri Ram Navami, we participated in the Iftar once the sun
set," said T Ulesh, temple president.
MRM activists went around 24 villages distributing
clothes and food packets at the doorsteps cutting across caste and creed.
Later, they participated in the special prayers at the temple. In the evening
they partook in the Iftar meal.
National co-convener of MRM, said it was just the
beginning and MRM would organise many such inter-faith events across Telangana
and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh
Source: Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
--------
Ramzan Walk: What Non-Muslim Boys, Girls Say About ,
Iftar, Taraweeh, And Sehri During Ramzan
People visit a crowded
market at the Charminar monument in Hyderabad (PTI Photo)
----
Mohammed Hussain Ahmed
12th April 2022
Hyderabad: During the holy month of Ramzan a new trend
has been started in the city as the non-Muslim young girls and boys from the
new city areas are undertaking the “Ramzan walk” in areas like Charminar,
Shalibanda, Syed Ali chabutra, Falaknuma, Hussaini Alam, Madina building,
Pathar Gatti and other historical areas of the old city to gain insight about
the Muslim prayers and cultural activities during the holy month.
These groups who started their walk from the first of
Ramzan have gained insights about the special prayers, Iftar, Taraweeh, and
Sehri during the holy month.
Rinky, a young girl, who is undertaking the Ramzan
walk along with her brother Piyush has visited the historical Charminar, Makkah
Masjid, Darul Shifa, and other areas of the old city to collect information
about “Taraweeh” prayers in big mosques of the city. She also collected information about the
delicacies of Iftar and Sehri.
“The devout converge at mosques for “Namaz-e-Taraweeh”
around 8.30 p.m. and the night activities ends at 3.30 a.m. to take Sehri meal
to begin the day-long fast. They offer prayers and seek forgiveness from the
Almighty,” she said.
Ashutosh who is from Delhi said that he is surprised
to see how Muslims and non-Muslims together participate in nightly cultural
outings during the holy month to enjoy Haleem, Biryani, and other delicacies.
“It seems to be the time for the families to shop for
new clothes, footwear, bangles, mehndi, ‘attar’ (natural perfumes), crockery,
household items, vermicelli, and dry fruits. They are seen buying everything.
Shops in the centuries-old markets in the old city are packed with men, women,
and children”, he said.
People also arrange food for Sehri to the sick people
and their relatives in hospitals which is quite unique. “This is the first time I am observing the
activities closely during the month of Ramzan. It is apparent that the holy
month is not only an occasion for celebration but it is an occasion for taking
care of the poor people’s needs during this month,” Ashutosh said.
Source: Siasat Daily
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.siasat.com/what-non-muslim-boys-girls-say-about-night-activities-during-ramzan-2307170/
--------
In
First Speech, New Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Offers Olive Branch To India
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, (AFP File
Photo)
-----
Apr
11, 2022
By
Rezaul H Laskar
NEW
DELHI: Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered an olive branch to
India on Monday, saying the resolution of the Kashmir issue will allow the two
sides to focus on shared problems such as poverty, though Prime Minister
Narendra Modi linked any engagement to the elimination of terror.
Sharif,
elected the country’s 23rd premier during a parliamentary vote boycotted by
more than 100 MPs from former prime minister Imran Khan’s party, also trotted
out the standard Pakistani position of raising the Kashmir issue at
international forums and offering diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris.
PM
Modi responded on Twitter, congratulating Sharif on his election and linking
any engagement with Pakistan to an environment free of terrorism. “India
desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on
our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our
people,” Modi said.
Speaking
after his election, Sharif devoted more time to India in the foreign policy
segment of his speech than any other country, including Pakistan’s traditional
ally China and the US. He was critical of the foreign policy of Khan, who was
ousted in a no-confidence vote on Sunday.
“We
desire good relations with India but there cannot be lasting peace till the
equitable resolution of the Kashmir issue,” the president of the Pakistan Muslim
League-Nawaz (PML-N) and younger brother of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif
said, speaking in Urdu.
“I
would give Prime Minister Modi this advice that you should understand about the
poverty, unemployment [and] sickness on both sides. People don’t have medicines,
education, trade or jobs. Why do we want to cause harm to ourselves and the
coming generations?” he said.
“Come,
let us decide the Kashmir issue according to UN resolutions and the wishes of
the Kashmiri people and end poverty on both sides and create jobs, and bring
progress and prosperity.”
Sharif
added: “Neighbours are not a matter of choice, it is something you have to live
with.”
Sharif
was backed by 174 lawmakers from parties such as PML-N, Pakistan People’s Party
(PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl in the vote. Khan stayed away from the
National Assembly and lawmakers from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party
walked out of the House, saying they were resigning en masse.
India
and Pakistan have not had any formal or structured dialogue since the 2008
Mumbai attacks by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistan snapped
virtually all ties and downgraded diplomatic relations after India scrapped the
special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
After
his election in 2018, Khan too had offered to improve relations with India but
there was no forward movement after the Pulwama suicide attack blamed on the
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Nawaz Sharif was among regional leaders invited to
Modi’s swearing-in in 2014, and the Indian leader made a surprise visit to
Lahore in December 2015 to meet Nawaz but a string of terror attacks thereafter
by the JeM took ties to an all-time low.
Sharif
raised the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019 and accused
Khan’s government of doing little to respond to this issue. He alleged there
were human rights violations in Kashmir and said Nawaz Sharif, who extended a
hand of friendship to India, was the same person who made a strong speech in
the UN General Assembly on independence and self-determination of Kashmiris.
“We
will raise our voice for Kashmiri brothers and sisters at every forum and
undertake diplomatic efforts. We will offer diplomatic and moral support, this
is our right, they are our brothers,” he said.
Sharif,
70, said no one should doubt China’s role as a steadfast ally of Pakistan in
good and bad times. These ties were unaffected by a change of government and
China has consistently backed Pakistan at international forums, but Khan’s
government had weakened these relations, he said. Sharif thanked Chinese
President Xi Jinping and pledged Pakistan will speedily take forward the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and
Road Initiative.
He
criticised former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s remarks about
negotiating the Kashmir issue without any role for Saudi Arabia and recalled
that the kingdom had stepped in to provide oil after sanctions were imposed on
Pakistan for its 1998 nuclear tests.
Sharif
noted the historic Pakistan-US relations have witnessed “ups and downs” and
that the US is the destination for Pakistani exports worth billions of dollars.
“We need to have ties on the basis of equality,” he said.
Turkey,
the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Iran, the European Union, the UK and Afghanistan
were the other countries that found a mention in Sharif’s speech.
Sharif
received the votes of all 174 lawmakers present in the National Assembly – two
more than the required simple majority – while Qureshi, who was the Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate, bagged none.
He
also focused on Pakistan’s economic problems in his speech, saying the current
account, budget and trade deficits were all at a record high. He promised to
make Pakistan a “paradise for investments” and announced various sops in health
and education.
Responding
to Khan’s allegations about the opposition colluding with the US to oust the
PTI government, Sharif said the parliamentary committee on security will be
provided an in-camera briefing on the diplomatic cable that Khan used to drum
up the “foreign conspiracy” angle. This briefing will be attended by the
military leadership, the ISI chief, the foreign secretary and the former envoy
to the US who sent the cable. Sharif said he would immediately resign if any
evidence of a foreign conspiracy was found.
Sharif’s
election followed a week of political turmoil that culminated in the ouster of
Khan. Though widely considered a capable administrator during his several
stints as the chief minister of Punjab province, Sharif will have his hands full
in tackling issues such as high inflation and a soaring energy crisis.
Khan’s
party organised massive protest rallies on Sunday and his promise to take to
the streets against a so-called “foreign conspiracy” to topple his government
will add to the pressure on Sharif.
On
the plus side, Shehbaz Sharif, unlike his elder brother who is currently in
self-exile in London, enjoys better relations with the powerful military that
keeps a tight grip on foreign and defence policy. The Supreme Court barred
Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in 2017 and he went abroad for medical
treatment after serving a few months of a 10-year jail term for corruption.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Bangladesh
Church Backs Move To Help Male Rape Victims By Bringing Gender Equality In Rape Cases
Bangladeshi students and activists protest in Dhaka
demanding justice for a recent gang assault on a woman. Photograph: Zabed
Hasnain Chowdhury/Rex/Shutterstock
-----
By
Stephan Uttom
April
12, 2022
Church
officials in Bangladesh have welcomed the Muslim-majority nation’s top court
seeking to amend a law that blocks justice for male rape victims as it
considers only women as rape victims.
The
High Court on April 10 issued a ruling asking why gender equality should not be
declared in rape cases.
Justice
Md. Mojibur Rahman Miah and Justice Khizir Hayat wanted to know why Section 375
of the penal code regarding rape could not be amended.
On Jan. 14, 2021, a writ petition was filed in
the High Court seeking to amend Section 375 to include male rape as a crime.
Barrister Tapas Kanti Baul filed the petition on behalf of human rights
activist Soumen Bhowmik, university lecturer Tasmia Nuhaiya Ahmed and social
worker Masum Billah.
Section
375 deals only with the punishment of rape of women by men. Yet women are being
sexually harassed by other women, men by women, men by other men and
transgender people by other transgender people. But these situations are not
covered by the law and its provisions.
Cases
of sexual abuse and rape of children of both sexes have increased significantly
in Bangladesh but such cases cannot be dealt with as rape under existing laws
and provisions, the petition observed.
According
to Dhaka-based rights group Ain O Salish Kendra (Law and Arbitration Center),
there were 20 recorded cases of boys being raped in 2017, seven in 2018, 37 in
2019, 52 in 2020 and 78 in 2021. However, the rights group noted, the actual
number of such incidents is many times higher than the number published in
newspapers.
A
19-year-old university student who did not want to be named told UCA News that
he had been sexually abused by an established and respected member of society
when he was younger.
“I
was about 10 years old then. When I went out to play with friends, the person
called me in and I now realize what he did to me was sexual abuse,” the
Catholic youth said.
“I
welcome this High Court writ because there is no point in seeking justice if
there is no direct law to ensure justice is done.”
Church
authorities likewise welcomed the High Court order but said the amendment would
not make it difficult for women to access justice.
“In
the current context, the amendment of this law is very important because cases
of male sexual harassment are increasing in the country. There are many men I
know who are victims of sexual harassment but they can't seek justice because
there is no relevant law,” said Rita Roseline Costa, head of the women’s desk
of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh.
“We
applaud gender equality by amending this law but at the same time we have to
ensure that justice for women does not face obstacles. “
Source:
UCA News
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.ucanews.com/news/bangladesh-church-backs-move-to-help-male-rape-victims/96868
--------
With
Abu Sayyaf Declining, Is Daesh Still A Threat In The Philippines?
Damaged buildings are seen after government troops
cleared Marawi City from pro-Daesh militants in this Oct. 23, 2017 file photo.
(Reuters)
------
April
12, 2022
JOLO,
Sulu: When Philippine security forces won a major fight with militants
affiliated with Daesh in 2017, a new surge in attacks led to concerns that the
group, which originated in the Middle East, was expanding its operations in the
Southeast Asian country. Five years later, the military says its operations
have decreased the threat, but it is not entirely gone.
The
main Daesh affiliate in the Philippines has been the Abu Sayyaf Group, a
militant outfit that operates in the country’s south.
Formed
in 1991, it emerged as a splinter group of the Moro National Liberation Front,
a movement seeking autonomy for Filipino Muslims in the southern Philippines.
It was initially influenced by Al-Qaeda, but since the early 2000s, it has
gained notoriety for extortion, assassinations and kidnappings — often
beheading hostages if a ransom was not paid. In 2014, some of its factions
pledged allegiance to Daesh.
The
ASG was not the only militant outfit in the Philippines that did so, but it was
the most notorious, with one of its leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, touted as the
Daesh “emir” in the country.
In
2017, militants mainly from the ASG and another Daesh affiliate, Dawlah
Islamiya, also known as the Maute group, took control of the city of Marawi in
the southern Philippines. After five months of fighting and widespread
destruction, the Philippine army was able to reclaim the city. Hapilon, the
Maute group’s main leadership and some foreign fighters were killed.
But
after the Marawi battle, attacks increased in the country, including suicide
bombings that indicated the presence of foreign fighters; local militants
generally did not use such a method of fighting. Daesh became a major cause of
concern. In 2018, the US Department of State designated Daesh-Philippines as a
separate group on its list of foreign terrorist organizations.
It
was also in 2018 that the Philippine military stepped up a crackdown on Daesh
affiliates. The Maute group was soon decimated and significantly weakened. But
the ASG remains, although the military says its threat has now declined due to
limited inflows of money and an apparent leadership crisis.
Data
from the 11th Infantry Division, a Philippine army unit designated to fight
militancy in the southwestern island of Sulu, shows that the number of
militants active in the area has decreased from about 300 in 2019 to an estimated
100.
“Here
in Sulu, militants aligned with the Daesh have lost their international
support. We are no longer monitoring fund transfers from outside,” Maj. Gen.
Patrimonio, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, told Arab News.
After
Hapilon’s death, Sulu-based Hadjan Sawadjaan reportedly emerged as the
Daesh-Philippines leader. He was named as the mastermind behind a 2019 attack
by two Indonesian suicide bombers on a cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu,
and another deadly twin blast in the city in 2020. Sawadjaan also oversaw the
kidnapping of Arab News Asia Bureau Chief Baker Atyani, who at that time was
working for Al-Arabiya. Atyani was held captive by the ASG for 18 months, until
December 2013.
In
November 2020, the Philippines announced Sawadjaan’s death, following an
encounter with security forces.
After
Sawadjaan, there was no one capable of taking over as Daesh leader in Sulu,
Patrimonio said, “so the designation as emir went to Salahuddin Hassan, a
Dawlah Islamiya (Maute group) leader operating in south-central Mindanao. But
only last year, he was also neutralized.”
Maj.
Lawrence Aranas, a member of the 11th Infantry Division’s civil relations team,
said the military had identified Hatib Majid Saeed, alias Amah Pattit, as the
new Daesh leader in Sulu. Pattit is the uncle of notorious ASG sub-leader and
bombmaker Mudzrimar “Mundi” Sawadjaan, the suspected handler of the executors
of the 2019 and 2020 Jolo attacks.
“Based
on revelations of the former fighters, Saeed himself is hesitant to lead Daesh
in the Philippines,” Aranas told Arab News, adding that since 2021 there have
been no attempts by the group to carry out kidnappings for ransom and that with
no money inflows, the militants had resorted to selling their own firearms for
sustenance.
“By
2020, their financial support was almost gone. They have been limited to local
support and the help of relatives not only financially but logistics-wise as
well, such as food.”
According
to Aranas, only two foreign militants remain in Sulu, an Egyptian and an
Indonesian, the son of the couple that carried out the 2019 Jolo cathedral
bombing.
While
the Daesh-affiliated faction, which used to be led by Hapilon, is experiencing
a leadership crisis and its members have been surrendering to the army, they
are not the only remaining ASG militants.
There
is also Radullan Sahiron, currently the chief leader of the ASG, who never
pledged allegiance to Daesh. He remains at large with a $1 million bounty on
his head, but Aranas said he is unlikely to support Daesh or foreign fighters.
“Based
on the account of the surrenderers, he’s not letting them join his group.”
The
apparent dwindling influence of Daesh does not, however, mean that the threat
is gone. Any future entry of militants into the Philippines is also not ruled
out.
“We
still have very loose security and monitoring in our borders. If not in Sulu,
they can also use Tawi-Tawi and Basilan as entry points,” Aranas said.
Patrimonio
also acknowledged that militants “still pose a threat for as long they are
here.”
“Mundi
(Sawadjaan) and the two foreign fighters are still around, and there are still
reports of planned bombings. So, they are still a threat to Sulu.”
The
Philippine military’s success in containing the danger of militancy has been observed,
but with caution.
“It’s
difficult to eradicate such a threat completely,” Rikard Jalkebro, associate
professor at Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi, who has researched
militant groups in the Philippines, told Arab News.
“We
know that it’s very easy for Daesh to strap on a suicide vest and blow
themselves up at a church or outside a marketplace,” he said.
“You
can kind of import the ideology and the package deal to conduct terrorism.”
But
in an organized way, he added, “it looks like they are definitely diminished.”
“I’m
quite impressed with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This clearly is
something.”
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2061301/world
--------
India
Bihar: Saffron Flag Planted on Muzaffarpur Mosque on Ram Navami
Apr
12, 2022
New
Delhi: On Ram Navami (April 10), a man in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur reportedly
climbed on top of a mosque and placed a saffron flag on the structure, while
others part of the same Hindu procession as him cheered and egged him on. A
video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
A
group of Hindus took out a procession in front of the Dak Bangla Masjid in
Mohammadpur village on Ram Navami, NDTV reported.
Across
several states, processions using loudspeakers went through Muslim-dominated
areas on Ram Navami, leading to communal violence in at least four states. In
Gujarat’s Anand, police found an unidentified body after the violence.
Source:
The Wire
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://thewire.in/communalism/bihar-saffron-flag-planted-on-muzaffarpur-mosque-on-ram-navami
--------
Uttar
Pradesh: Muslims feel let down in Samajwadi Party
Apr
12, 2022
LUCKNOW:
What was initially being seen as the Samajwadi Party’s conscious and strategic
decision to shed its image of being a ‘pro-Muslim’ party to blunt the BJP’s
strategy to communally polarize 2022 UP assembly polls is now turning into a
trouble spot for the party leadership itself.
Veteran
Muslim leaders in the SP have started pointing fingers at the party and the
leadership for ‘ignoring’ Muslims and ‘not doing enough for the community’.
There
is a growing feeling among the Muslims that they are being taken for granted by
the SP. There is no prominent Muslim politician who is projected as member of
Akhilesh Yadav’s team even just for the name. These things are now being noted
by the community which stood by the SP in the assembly polls despite the
leadership making no noticeable attempts to appeal to the minorities.
“During
the elections Akhilesh avoided siding openly with the Muslims and the community
did not mind it knowing pretty well that it was the best way to blunt the BJP’s
attempt of polarizing the elections on communal lines. But now when the
elections are over, things have to be handled differently,” said a political
analyst and Muslim intellectual. He further said: “If the SP is under the
impression that the Muslims have no choice but to back the SP, I am not sure if
the party is treading the right path.”
It
all started with a video clip of party’s sitting MP from Sambhal Shafiqur
Rehman Barq that went viral on the social media where the MP can be heard
saying that the entire Samajwadi Party was not doing enough for the Muslims.
Known for making headlines with his controversial statements in the past too,
Barq’s latest utterances found an echo in the Muslim community as well.
The
latest in the series is the statement that has originated from jailed SP
veteran Azam Khan’s camp. Addressing a gathering of supporters at party office
in Rampur on Sunday, Azam Khan’s media incharge Fasahat Khan ‘Shanu’ wondered
if chief minister Yogi Adityanath was right when he said Akhilesh Yadav doesn’t
want Azam Khan to be out of jail.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Silverline, Thiruvananthapuram And Kasaragod, Rail Project Threatens To Cut
Through 8th Century Mosque Courtyard
12th
April 2022
By
George Poikayil
KASARAGOD:
An eighth century mosque, believed to be the second oldest in India, will
suffer damage if K-Rail decides not to change the alignment of SilverLine, the
proposed semi high-speed rail line connecting Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod.
As per the project’s provisional alignment, the 529.45-km rail line will cut
through the courtyard and graveyard of Malik Deenar Juma Masjid at Thalangara.
The
mosque comes 1.5km after the proposed SilverLine station in Kasaragod. It is
believed to have been built around AD 720-740 by Malik Dinar of Basra, one of
the first Muslim scholars who came to India to propagate Islam.
His
grave (Mazar) at the Thalangara mosque will not be affected. But a revered
Mazar of an unknown commander of the Marakkars will have to be razed if the
alignment is not revised, said Malik Deenar Masjid Committee secretary A Abdul
Rahman, who is also the district general secretary of Indian Union Muslim
League.
In
the 16th century, when the Portuguese were running over the coastal belt from
Kozhikode to Ullal in Dakshina Kannada, the soldiers of Kunjali Marakkar, the
naval chieftain of Samoothiri (Zamorin), had pitched their tent at the mosque,
said Islamic scholar and qazi of Mangaluru and Keezhur Twaqa Ahmed Azhari
Kasiyarakam.
In
a battle in Kasaragod, many guerillas of the Marakkars died. “This mazar on the
southeast corner of the mosque belongs to one of their commanders. We don’t
know his name but for centuries, seafarers and fishermen have offered dua here
before hitting the sea,” said Twaqa Ahmed, who has authored several books on
the mosque’s history.
Councillor
of Thalangara, Deenar Nagar Zakariya M said around 70 houses in his ward (No
30) alone would have to be razed for the project. “But instead of sharing the
details of the proposal with the people, they send police to thrust the project
on us. The government will have to change its tact,” he said.
Many
houses will be razed in Nellikkunnu, where the service area for SilverLine is
proposed. “But if the SilverLine goes through the coastal area, 50m from the
grand mosque, many houses and the mosque can be saved,” said Kasaragod
municipal chairman V M Muneer. The mosque committee has written a letter to the
chief minister asking him to save the grand mosque.
4,000
graves, including the Mazar of a Marakkar commander, an orphanage, a smaller
masjid and a school of the mosque may have to be razed if alignment is not
changed
Work
put on hold
Source:
New Indian Express
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--------
Onus
on Muslims to not hurt Hindu sentiments: Yatnal
Apr
11, 2022
Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Sunday said the onus
is on the Muslim community to ensure Hindu sentiments are not hurt, amid the
ongoing controversy over halal meat and loudspeakers in mosques, among others.
“For
every action, there is a reaction. They (Muslims) have to live with Hindus in
this country. They have to ensure that they do not hurt the sentiments of Hindus.
Their (Muslim) leaders speaking has made people angry and there is a reaction
for these actions,” said the Bijapur legislator.
His
statements come a day after an elderly Muslim watermelon seller’s shop was
vandalised by members of the Sri Rama Sene in Karnataka’s Dharwad district,
about 400 kms from Bengaluru.
The
incident, videos of which went viral on social media, added to the growing
communal tensions under the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP-ruled government.
Several
pushcarts owned by Muslims were also vandalised by members of the right-wing
group near Sri Nuggikeri Hanumantha temple.
Since
the hijab row, right-wing groups have targeted the Muslim community on issues
like halal meat, azaan, restricting members of minority groups to take part in
Hindu religious fairs, asking people not to buy mangoes or use cabs owned and
operated by non-Hindus.
On
Sunday, former chief minister and Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) leader, HD
Kumaraswamy, paid the watermelon cart seller ₹10,000 to restart his business,
adding to the calls on social media to seek financial help for the victims.
In
a series of tweets, the former chief minister hit out at Bommai for not
initiating action against the outfits attacking Muslim shopkeepers around the
temples.
Source:
Hindustan Times
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Two
terrorists killed in Kulgam gunfight, two cops wounded
Apr
12, 2022
SRINAGAR:
Two terrorists were killed and as many cops wounded in a firefight at
Khurbatpora area in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday night. IGP
(Kashmir Zone) Vijay Kumar said it was the same group of terrorists that had
managed to escape following a brief fire exchange in Chaki Samad area last
week, adding that three Pakistani terrorists have been slain in the past two
days.
“One
Pakistani terrorist (codename Chacha) and one hybrid terrorist killed. Two
police personnel also injured. They are being evacuated to hospital. Encounter
going on: IGP Kashmir,” tweeted Kashmir Zone Police.
Source: Times Of India
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
4
Sri Ram Sene men held in Karnataka for smashing Muslim vendor's stall
Apr
12, 2022
DHARWAD:
Karnataka Police on Monday arrested four persons attached to the Sri Ram Sene
in connection with vandalising a fruit shop owned by a Muslim vendor in Dharwad
district.
The
arrested persons were identified as Chidananda Kalal, Kumar Kattimani,
Mylarappa Guddappanavar and Mahalinga Aigali.
The
police took into custody after Nabisaab, the vendor, lodged a police complaint.
The
Dharwad Rural police have lodged an FIR against eight persons.
Since
15 years, Nabisaab's shop has been operation from the premises of the Nuggikeri
Hanuman temple.
Source:
Times Of India
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
NIA
court to frame charges against Yasin Malik for colluding with Pak-based outfits
Apr
12, 2022
SRINAGAR:
A special NIA court in Jammu will frame charges on April 18 against Kashmiri
separatist Yasin Malik in a terror-funding and cross-border criminal conspiracy
case, in which his co-accused include Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and
Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin.
The
former head of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, the outfit held responsible
for putting the Valley on the long and winding road to decades of armed
insurrection, is already facing trial for a terror attack 32 years ago, in
which four unarmed IAF personnel were shot and killed.
Special
NIA Judge Praveen Singh on Monday postponed the hearing against Yasin and a few
others by a week as the police couldn't produce two of the jailed accused in
court.
Besides
Yasin, those awaiting trial for allegedly waging war against the state include
former MLA Rashid Engineer, businessman Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and Bitta
Karate, the once-dreaded terrorist known for spearheading a series of terror
attacks targeting Kashmiri Pandits.
While
framing charges against terror kingpins Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin under
the IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on March 16, the special judge
said a long line of Kashmiri secessionists like Yasin allegedly mobilised funds
from all possible sources and colluded with Pakistan-based outfits to fuel
unrest in J&K.
"The
above analysis reflects that the statements of witnesses and documentary
evidence have connected almost all the accused with each other, and to a common
object of secession, to the commonality of means they were to use, and their
close association to terrorist/terrorist organisations under the guiding hand
and funding of Pakistani establishment," he said.
Source:
Times Of India
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
Indictment
of Shehbaz, Hamza in money laundering case delayed
April
12, 2022
LAHORE:
The indictment of newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Leader
of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz in a Rs16 billion money
laundering case was delayed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) due to
absence of Mr Sharif and the prosecution team.
Hamza
Shehbaz along with his legal team appeared before a special court (Central-I).
However, an application for one-time exemption from personal appearance was
filed on behalf of Mr Sharif on account of his election as prime minister in
the National Assembly.
A
prosecutor told the court that the special prosecution team did not appear as
it had no fresh instructions from the FIA.
Presiding
Judge Ijaz Hassan Awan asked the defence counsel to ensure the appearance of
the suspects so that the charges could be framed to formally start the trial
proceedings.
Advocate
Amjad Pervez, the defence counsel, argued that the court needed to examine
first whether the evidence submitted by the prosecution was enough for the
indictment of Shehbaz. He requested the court for a long adjournment in the
case, saying he was set to leave for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.
Source:
Dawn
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684616/indictment-of-shehbaz-hamza-in-money-laundering-case-delayed
--------
Petition
seeking trial of Imran Khan dismissed
Malik
Asad
April
12, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition seeking trial of
former prime minister Imran Khan and others over the disclosure of a
‘threatening’ diplomatic cable.
IHC
Chief Justice Athar Minallah also imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the
petitioner, Molvi Iqbal Haider, for filing the frivolous petition.
Mr
Haider is known as a habitual litigant and in the past had been barred from
filing petitions in the Supreme Court.
Through
the petition in the IHC, he had sought directions to the federal government for
probing the contents of the cable sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by
the ambassador of Pakistan to the United States of America (USA).
IHC
says assertions made in memorandum of petition not supported by credible
material; imposes Rs100,000 fine on petitioner
The
petitioner had also sought a direction for initiating proceedings under the
High Treason (Punishment) Act 1973 against Imran Khan, former minister Fawad
Chaudhry and the ambassador.
In
addition, he prayed that their names be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).
The
petitioner claimed that the treason case against retired Gen Pervez Musharraf
had been initiated pursuant to acceptance of his petition in the apex court.
The
court noted that as per the settled law, matters relating to foreign affairs of
the country were extremely sensitive and, therefore, not justiciable while
exercising extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 199 of the Constitution.
Justice
Minallah observed that assertions made in the memorandum of the petition were
vague and not supported by any credible material so as to justify making of a
diplomatic cable as the subject of the litigation in hand.
The
court wondered that the petitioner appeared to be unaware of the importance,
sanctity and sensitive nature of a diplomatic cable sent by any Pakistani
diplomat from abroad.
Explaining
the significance of diplomatic cables, Justice Minallah noted that these were
of immense importance and had limited access. They are classified because they
enable the diplomats to write assessments and analysis without any hindrances.
The diplomats have the assurance that their reporting and assessments would be
fully protected and shall not be sensationalised nor politicised.
The
court stated that it was a fundamental duty of every diplomat across the globe
to share their assessments, analysis and conclusions with their respective
countries that they represent. Such assessments and analysis are invariably
based on informal conversations with officials of the host governments, adding
every diplomat of Pakistan was expected to faithfully and honestly convey what
they may hear or see.
Keeping
in view the nature of the diplomatic cables and the need to keep them
confidential, it is definitely not in public interest nor in the interest of
the integrity of the state to make them a subject of political controversies or
litigation.
This
is likely to have profound consequences for the functioning of the foreign
office because it would discourage diplomats from candid, faithful and honest
reporting besides undermining the integrity of the communication systems
available to them as tools for performing their onerous functions, the court
observed.
Justice
Minallah warned that by making diplomatic cables the subject of political
debate or litigation definitely impacts the credibility, reliability and
effectiveness of the working of the foreign office. Bringing sensitive and
informal diplomatic conversations into public domain is likely to harm the
image of Pakistan and its foreign policy.
He
termed making such diplomatic cables controversial against national interest.
Referring
to the ‘threatening’ cable, the court order said it was sent by a diplomat who
was known for his outstanding professionalism and competence. It was placed
before the National Security Committee. It appears that the committee was
satisfied that no probe was required.
Such
sensitive and complex matters ought to be dealt with by the foreign office
rather making them controversial through litigation, added the chief justice.
He
said it was an irony that an advocate was alleging treason against a former elected
prime minister and seeking a direction for initiation of proceedings against
him. The rhetoric of treason is deprecated. No citizen can claim to be more
patriotic than the other.
Likewise,
no citizen has the right to declare others as having committed treason. Every
citizen is presumed to be patriotic and loyal to the state unless otherwise
declared by a competent court of law.
“The
allegations and assertions made against a former elected prime minister in the
memorandum of the petition are deprecated. Moreover, making the cable sent by a
diplomat of Pakistan controversial and subject of litigation is against public
interest and the interests of the state,” the court observed.
It
warned that dragging diplomats and their classified reporting and assessments
into political controversies could undermine Pakistan’s national interests, its
diplomacy and external relations.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684546/petition-seeking-trial-of-imran-khan-dismissed
--------
Alleged
attack on mosque and seminary: JUIF demands arrest of PTI workers
By
Shahid Hussain Yousafzai
April
12, 2022
TIMERGARA:
The workers of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl here on Monday staged a protest
outside the office of the district police officer demanding the arrest of those
workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who had allegedly vandalized a mosque
and madrassa run by the religiopolitical party in Timergara.
The
protesters chanted slogans against local police for not registering the first
information report (FIR) against those who were allegedly involved in the attack
on the madrassa and torturing its students.
Chanting
slogans against the government, they marched on the road from Timergara to
Balambat. The charged PTI supporters on Sunday night had allegedly attacked the
mosque and the madrassa in Timergara to express anger over the ouster of Imran
Khan through a no-confidence vote.
The
PTI workers allegedly tortured the students at the seminary. Four students were
injured in the incident. Speaking on the occasion, JUIF district amir Maulana
Sirajuddin and others asked the district police officer to lodge the FIR
against those involved in the attack.
However,
the local PTI leaders and MPs denied involvement in the incident and termed the
allegations baseless. Some PTI workers in Lower Dir turned to social media and
condemned the attack demanding action against those involved in the incident.
Meanwhile,
the JUIF has taken exception to the alleged attacks on mosques and religious
leaders by the frenzied workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and asked the
government to take action against the perpetrators.
In
a joint statement issued here by JUIF provincial President Maulana Attaur
Rahman and General Secretary Ataul Haq condemned the recent attack on the
mosque in Timergara and bullying of religious clerics in Swat and Mardan.
They
said that former prime minister Imran Khan, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and PTI
were responsible for pushing the country towards civil war by inciting the
workers to violence. They said the government should take action against
perpetrators or else their workers would be forced to take the law into their
hands in the same manner and give a quid pro quo response to the PTI.
They
said that Imran Khan had been tasked with creating chaos in Pakistan under an
international agenda after paralyzing the country economically. The JUIF
leaders said the nation had thwarted the international conspiracy. They said
that Imran Khan and his followers had gone mad after being ousted from power.
Source:
The News
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Imran's
gambit for a new goal: early elections
Apr
12, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Ousted Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Monday appeared to find his second
wind in early signs of the public buying into his narrative of a "foreign
conspiracy" behind the no-trust vote that he lost, ostensibly because he
always had an "independent approach" to governance.
Criticised
often by his opponents for an alleged lack of interest in attending
parliamentary proceedings, Imran was among the first Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(PTI) lawmakers to reach the National Assembly ahead of voting to pick the
country's next PM.
He
arrived to cheers and slogans from the PTI lawmakers already assembled there
and proceeded to chair a meeting that set the stage for what was to follow.
Barring Imran, the group next went inside the assembly hall, where former
foreign minister and PTI's nominee for the PM's chair, Shah Mehmood Qureshi,
made a lengthy speech on how the opposition brought down an elected government
at the bidding of a foreign power. The PTI lawmakers then walked out.
Imran,
who had focused on mobilising public opinion in the weeks leading to the
no-trust motion being moved in the National Assembly, has appeared increasingly
confident that his strategy is working.
For
a PM whose popularity had been in free fall because of perceived poor
governance amid an economic crisis, Imran now appears politically more sinned
against than sinning. He has also been tactfully taking credit for things like
the approval of a resolution by the UN General Assembly to observe March 15 as
International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
In
an almost daily live telecast featuring him in the run-up to last Saturday's
post-midnight unravelling of the opposition's campaign to oust him, Imran sought
to convince the people of Pakistan that his entire struggle was "for
freedom" in the face of foreign meddling.
"It's
for the nation to choose whether to go on the path of freedom or slavery of the
opposition," he would say.
Like
some of his predecessors did, Imran's final days in office were spent playing
the religious card, usually a failsafe strategy in Pakistan, to sway public
opinion in his favour even as the opposition and his estranged allies ganged up
against him. In one speech, he warned people that they would be answerable to
God if they failed to differentiate between good and evil. He frequently quoted
Quranic verses in most of his recent rallies.
As
hordes of PTI supporters responded to Imran's call and took to the streets
across Pakistan on Sunday to protest his removal from office, the construct of
his fightback seemed to be coming together.
"Izzat
dene wala Allah hai (It is God who gives someone respect)," Imran
declared, referring to the protests.
Source:
Times Of India
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Shehbaz
Sharif sworn-in as new Prime Minister of Pakistan
Apr
11, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif was sworn-in as the 23rd prime minister of
Pakistan on Monday, hours after ousted premier Imran Khan's lawmakers resigned
en masse, signalling continued political instability in the coup-prone country.
Senate
Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered the oath of office to 70-year-old Shehbaz
in President Dr Arif Alvi's absence, who went on 'sick' leave ahead of the
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader's inauguration.
Alvi,
who belongs to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Imran Khan, had dissolved the
National Assembly on advise of then prime minister Khan. He was advised to
continue discharging his constitutional duties by his party.
Earlier,
the National Assembly elected Shehbaz as the new prime minister after his rival
candidate from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party Shah Mahmood Qureshi boycotted
the voting to elect the premier.
"Sharif
has secured 174 votes... and has been declared as prime minister of Islamic
Republic of Pakistan," said Speaker Ayaz Sadiq who presided over the
session after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri said his conscience did not allow him
to conduct the session.
In
the House of 342, the winning candidate should get support of at least 172
lawmakers.
Shehbaz
will now form a new government that can remain in place until elections are due
in August 2023. However, most of his allies are keen for early elections.
The
process of electing the new leader of the house began on Sunday after Khan was
removed from office through a no-confidence vote, becoming the first premier in
the country's history to be sent home after losing the trust of the House.
Pakistan
has struggled with political instability since its formation in 1947 with
multiple regime changes and military coups. No prime minister has ever
completed a full five-year term.
The
new prime minister would have to face not only the unruly PTI taking to the
streets but a brittle economy that needs a very careful handling. There are a
lot of expectations of the masses from the new leadership to control inflation,
which is a tough task.
Shehbaz's
PML-N has only 86 seats and the rest of numerical support has come from the
coalition partners who apparently has nothing in common except their rivalry
for Khan, and it will be a big challenge for him to keep them calm and
satisfied.
Soon
after his election, Shehbaz in his inaugural speech in Parliament raised the
issue of abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and alleged that the people in
the Valley were bleeding and Pakistan will provide them with "diplomatic
and moral support" besides raising the matter at every international fora.
Shehbaz,
the younger brother of former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said he
wanted good relations with India, but it cannot be achieved without the
resolution of the Kashmir issue.
He
attacked Khan for not making "serious and diplomatic efforts" when
India abrogated the Article 370 in August 2019.
"When
the forceful encroachment was done in August 2019 and Article 370 was
abrogated, what serious efforts did we make...what serious diplomacy did we
try...Kashmiris' blood is flowing on roads of Kashmir and the Kashmir Valley is
red with their blood," he said.
Shehbaz
also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward to address the Kashmir
issue so that the two countries could concentrate on tackling poverty,
unemployment, shortage of medicines and other issues.
Modi
was among the first world leaders to congratulate Shehbaz.
"Congratulations
to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of
Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that
we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and
prosperity of our people," Modi tweeted.
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also congratulated Shehbaz.
The
younger Sharif is known as an able administrator who served thrice as chief
minister of Punjab, the largest province of the country and greatly transformed
the road infrastructure of the province.
Unlike
his brother Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz enjoys cordial relations with the powerful
army, which has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 75 years
of existence and has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of
security and foreign policy, according to experts.
The
successful completion of the process to carry through the no-confidence motion
and elect the new leader of the house has for the time being ended the political
instability. But the resignation by PTI and its decision to launch protest
rallies has seeds of a fresh round of chaos.
Members
of Khan's party took out rallies in several cities of Pakistan on Sunday to
protest his ouster through the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition.
Protest
rallies were organised in cities like Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Malakand,
Multan Khanewal, Khyber, Jhang and Quetta, with demonstrators shouting slogans
against the Opposition.
Khan
on Sunday tweeted that today marked the beginning of a "freedom
struggle" against what he said was a "foreign conspiracy of regime
change" in Pakistan.
Foreign
policy challenges are also no less daunting for Shehbaz, especially after the
allegations of former prime minister Khan against the US in the context of
"conspiracy" to remove him.
In
his speech in Parliament, Shehbaz said Pakistan enjoyed a historical
relationship with the US and would never like to spoil it despite many ups and
downs in the relations.
"We
want to expand the relations on the basis of equality," he said.
He
talked about the special relations with China, calling the country as "the
most faithful friend and a partner through thick and thin".
"No
matter what happens, no one can deprive the two countries of their friendship...This
friendship will last till the day of judgment," he said.
He
also announced to speed up work on the projects being under the USD 60 billion
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He
also urged the world to help Afghanistan and expressed his fears that any
instability in Afghanistan would impact Pakistan in the form of an influx of
refugees.
Shehbaz
also highlighted special ties with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Iran, the UK,
the EU and the Gulf countries and said Pakistan would build ties and expand
relations.
On
the domestic front, he announced that a high-level briefing would be organised
for the parliament to ascertain facts about the "conspiracy" for
foreign intervention for regime change in Pakistan as alleged by Khan and his
party.
To
support the low paid workers and pensioners, he announced to increase the
minimum wage to Rs 25,000 and a 10 per cent increase in pension of former civil
and military employees. He also announced a subsidy on flour for the poor
during the month of Ramzan.
Source:
Times Of India
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Dissolve
NAB and hold its employees accountable, Abbasi tells new govt
April
12, 2022
PML-N
leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday told the newly-elected government, which
is being led by his party's president, Shehbaz Sharif, to dissolve the National
Accountability Bureau (NAB) and hold its employees accountable.
"NAB's
employees looted and tortured people for years. It's time they should be held
accountable," he said at a media talk in Islamabad today morning.
Abbasi
came down on the chairman of the bureau, accusing him of "being fully
under control" of PTI Chairman and former PM Imran Khan. "He used to
take instructions [from the previous government]."
He
claimed that there was a minister in Imran Khan's office who used to issue
orders to the NAB chief regarding lodging fake cases, arresting people and
defaming them. "This is your NAB chairman ... who stayed quiet on Imran
Khan's corruption," the PML-N leader added.
He
also lamented that NAB couldn't prove a single reference or inquiry against
PML-N leaders in the last four years. "Why didn't they investigate people
who were involved in corruption worth billions [of rupees] and were sitting in
the federal cabinet," Abbasi demanded.
Now,
he announced, was time to hold NAB accountable. "We are not taking revenge
from anyone. We just want to expose the reality of NAB in front of the public.
Accountability exists in the country but if you want to indulge in corruption,
go to NAB," Abbasi said.
He
also revealed that the government would move courts for the installation of
cameras inside NAB courts so that the "public knows who is actually
involved in corruption".
"We
won't arrest anyone. Weak people like the NAB chairman will be the first person
to arrested Imran Khan's people. But this is not our way," Abbasi pointed
out, adding that the PML-N had always maintained its honour and respect in
politics.
Whatever
happened in the last four years, he reiterated, would be kept in front of the
public.
PTI,
PML-N at odds over NAB
Yesterday,
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd prime minister of
Pakistan following Imran Khan's ouster after a successful no-confidence
movement.
As
he was being ousted from power, Imran Khan claimed the joint opposition, which
was behind the no-confidence move against him, wanted to form a government just
to de-fang the watchdog to protect their "looted wealth" and get away
with the corruption investigations under way against them.
NAB
and its powers have been a sticking point between the PML-N and the PTI for the
past three years, with several PML-N and PPP leaders facing cases lodged by the
corruption watchdog.
When
the PTI came to power in 2018, Imran Khan had claimed that the accountability
bureau would unveil Shehbaz and Nawaz Sharif's corruption to the public and
punish them for looting the public's money.
Meanwhile,
then-opposition parties PPP and PML-N repeatedly accused the Imran-led PTI government
and the corruption watchdog of a biased, one-sided, and politically motivated
witch-hunt. They also said that the government and NAB had developed a nexus to
target opposition members.
The
rift increased when the government promulgated the National Accountability
(Third Amendment) Ordinance 2021 last year. The law stripped the Supreme
Judicial Council (SJC) of the powers to remove the NAB chairman and authorised
the president to do so.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
PPP
divided over Bilawal serving as foreign minister
Amir
Wasim
April
12, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is divided on the issue of Bilawal
Bhutto-Zardari joining the federal cabinet as the country’s new foreign
minister in the coalition government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Background
interviews with several party leaders confirmed the reports in some media
circles that the PPP chairman might become the foreign minister, though
in-house consultation on the matter was still ongoing.
There
are two camps in the PPP. One believes Mr Bhutto-Zardari should go for the
foreign ministry slot, as it would provide him with an experience of handling
international affairs and ultimately benefit him if he becomes the country’s
prime minister in future.
Members
of the other camp, however, think the PPP chairman should not become a part of
the federal cabinet under Mr Sharif, as it would undermine his status of being
the head of the second-largest party in the ruling coalition. This camp also
believes PPP workers may not like to see their chairman working under the prime
minister of the PML-N — PPP’s main competitor in politics.
One
camp believes the role will benefit him as future PM; others say working under
Shehbaz may not sit well with party workers
“I
have advised my chairman to become the country’s foreign minister,” said a
senior PPP parliamentarian close to Mr Bhutto-Zardari.
He
elaborated that 64 per cent of the country’s population comprised people below
the age of 30 years, and Mr Bhutto-Zardari was a representative of the youth.
Moreover, he said, Bilawal had immense goodwill in the world due to his mother,
Benazir Bhutto, which would help him in dealing with international issues with
world leaders.
This
could help him create a good following among those people who had not seen
former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, and it would
ultimately benefit the PPP in future, the party leader said.
He
said Mr Bhutto-Zardari’s experience as the foreign minister would strengthen
his case of becoming a candidate for the premier. However, he said there had
been no formal discussion on the matter and a decision would be made in a day
or two.
On
the other hand, a senior PPP leader from the second camp insisted that Mr
Bhutto-Zardari should not get any cabinet portfolio because then he would not
be able to pay attention to party affairs and, as a result, the PPP could suffer
in the next general elections.
Interestingly,
outgoing foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his speech on the floor of
the National Assembly also advised the young PPP chairman not to become the
foreign minister under Mr Sharif.
Mr
Qureshi, who also served as the foreign minister during the previous PPP
government under former president Asif Ali Zardari, said it did not suit Mr
Bhutto-Zardari, the grandson of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the son of Benazir
Bhutto, to accept the foreign ministry under Shehbaz Sharif because the PPP
workers would not accept this.
Meanwhile,
sources in the new administration told Dawn that so far they had not worked out
any formula for distributing portfolios in the federal cabinet and nominations
for key constitutional posts of the speaker and the deputy speaker.
A
senior PPP leader said they were more interested in getting constitutional
offices instead of portfolios in the federal cabinet. He said two
constitutional offices had already become vacant after the resignation of the
speaker and the deputy speaker. He said the opposition was also planning to
remove Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and then definitely the PPP would like to
get the office.
According
to him, the office of the president could also become vacant either because of
the resignation of President Dr Arif Alvi or through his planned impeachment.
The
PPP leader then, in a lighter vein, said they feared that JUI-F chief Maulana
Fazlur Rehman could also demand the office of the president. In that situation,
he said, it would become very difficult for the PPP to accept the Maulana as
the president, which might not be beneficial for the country as well.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684619/ppp-divided-over-bilawal-serving-as-foreign-minister
--------
Nawaz
has no plans to return soon despite Shehbaz’s election as PM
Zulqernain
Tahir
April
12, 2022
LAHORE:
Despite Shehbaz Sharif finally taking over as the chief executive of the
country, his elder brother Nawaz Sharif’s immediate return from London has been
ruled out by his party, the PML-N.
After
the junior Sharif managed to become the premier, some PML-N leaders are excited
and wish their party’s supreme leader is among them soon. However, there were a
number of factors before Nawaz could book a flight back to Pakistan, they
believed.
Talking
to Dawn about Nawaz’s possible plans to return, a couple of senior PML-N
leaders said the party leaders and workers were very happy to see Sharif junior
donning the robe of premiership, and at the same time looked forward to seeing
Nawaz Sharif among them in the coming days.
“Nawaz
Sharif has no immediate plans to return. The Sharif family thinks that his
early return will establish the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) propaganda
that he does not have serious health issues,” a senior PML-N leader from Punjab
said. “The other factor Nawaz will weigh before deciding to return is how the
11-party coalition government functions in the coming months in the face of the
growing PTI pressure for early elections.”
In
reply a question about a tentative date for Nawaz’s return, another leader
close to the former premier said: “Either just before the next polls or right
after. If Nawaz gets some relief in the corruption cases ahead of the next
elections, the party will press him to return to spearhead the PML-N’s election
campaign. To match Imran Khan’s canvassing, the PML-N needs Nawaz around.”
He
claimed that since the new Shehbaz-led government would most likely pursue the
cases against Nawaz aggressively to secure relief for him, Imran Khan’s party
had rolled up its sleeves to ‘orchestrate propaganda’ over the plausible
development.
On
the other hand, the PML-N also sticks to its earlier stated position on the
return of Nawaz. “Mian sahib will return to Pakistan once his consultants allow
him to travel,” PML-N Punjab spokesperson Azma Bokhari told Dawn.
She
said that after Mr Shehbaz’s election as the premier, the party workers have
become emotional and want Mr Nawaz to return soon, but this decision has to be
taken on the advice of his doctors. “He will be here at an appropriate time,”
she added.
An
‘ailing’ Nawaz has been living in London since November 2019 for medical
treatment after the high court allowed him a four-week reprieve. Nawaz was
serving seven-year imprisonment in the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore in the
Al-Azizia corruption case before his departure.
Prior
to his exit, the now-PM Shehbaz had submitted an undertaking to the Lahore High
Court ensuring his elder brother would return “within four weeks or on
certification by doctors that he has regained his health and is fit to return
back to Pakistan”.
In
August last year, Nawaz Sharif filed an appeal with the British Immigration
Tribunal after the Home Department refused to extend his stay in the country on
“medical grounds” any further.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684618/nawaz-has-no-plans-to-return-soon-despite-shehbazs-election-as-pm
--------
PTI
workers rally against Imran’s ouster under ‘conspiracy’
April
12, 2022
PESHAWAR:
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Inasf activists staged protest demonstrations in different
cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday night against the ouster of former prime
minister Imran Khan under an alleged foreign conspiracy.
The
demonstrations continued till early hours of Monday.
In
Peshawar, the PTI workers had started assembling at the press club at around
10pm. Around 2,000 activists were present on the occasion.
Similarly,
the protesters also blocked the busy University Road near Tehkal area and
Jahangirabad, blocking the artery.
The
PTI workers were holding party flags and banners, chanting slogans against the
US and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for their alleged involvement in
a conspiracy to dethrone former prime minister Imran Khan.
Minister
for higher education department Kamran Bangash was leading the protest
demonstration outside the press club.
In
Swat, a large number of youth led by elected representatives took out rallies
against the ouster of former prime minister through the vote of no-confidence.
The
protesters chanted slogans against the JUI-F, PML-N, PPP and other allied
parties, and also showed concern over the Supreme Court verdict against former
deputy speaker’s ruling.
The
call for protest was given by PTI Malakand division president, MPA Fazal Hakim
Khan, asking workers to gather at the Nishat Chowk in Mingora after Isha
(evening) prayers.
Addressing
the rally at Nishat Chowk, the speakers alleged that Imran Khan was dethroned
through a foreign conspiracy. They claimed Imran Khan wanted to free the
country from the clutches of west, but the ‘anti-Pakistan elements’ did not
want it.
On
the occasion, Fazal Hakim claimed that the US was responsible for Imran Khan’s
ouster.
In
Abbottabad, workers and leaders of PTI, including newly-elected local body
members, took out a procession on Sunday night to show solidarity with their
ousted leader.
They
were carrying banners and placards and chanting slogans against overthrow of
the PTI government. The speakers, including sitting MPAs and MNA Ali Khan
Jadoon, alleged that all corrupt leaders were playing in the hands of
Pakistan’s enemies.
They
warned that Imran Khan would come back to power with a thumbing majority.
In
Mohmand, a protest rally was held in Mian Mandi Bazaar of Haleemzai tehsil in
support of Imran Khan.
A
large number of PTI workers participated in the protest demonstration. The
rally was organised by PTI Mohmand chapter, which was attended by senior leaders,
including Sajjad Mohmand, Rahim Shah, Maulana Amirullah Junaidi, Fakhar Alam
Mohmand, Tajbar Khan and others.
In
Haripur, the PTI workers took out a rally against the ouster of Imran Khan as
the prime minister on Sunday evening.
The
rally, which was led by former federal minister Omar Ayub Khan and provincial
irrigation minister Arshad Ayub Khan, started from the hujra of PTI MPA Akbar
Ayub Khan and turned into a public meeting at the Siddique-i-Akbar Chowk.
The
participants were carrying PTI flags and banners inscribed with slogans against
the removal the prime minister.
Omar
Ayub, Arshad Ayub, Akbar Ayub and others addressed the protesters and
highlighted the success stories of the PTI’s federal and provincial
governments. They termed the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan as an
alleged international conspiracy orchestrated by the opposition parties. They
claimed that PTI would soon return to power with a two-third majority.
In
Shangla, the PTI activists poured onto roads in Bisham, Puran, Chakesar,
Martung and Alpuri against Imran Khan’s ouster.
The
protesters chanted slogans against the PDM and the US over alleged conspiracy
to remove the PTI government.
In
Bajaur, PTI workers held a rally against the ouster of former prime minister on
Sunday night.
Hundreds
of party activists and local leaders participated in the rally held at the main
Chowk in Khar Bazaar.
Provincial
minister for social welfare Anwarzeb Khan and senior leaders addressed the
gathering.
The
speakers said the rally was meant to protest the ‘unlawful’ ouster of former
prime minister Imran Khan.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684530/pti-workers-rally-against-imrans-ouster-under-conspiracy
--------
South Asia
Kabul
Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Russia, Bidding Formal Recognition
11
Apr 2022
Kabul,
Afghanistan – The Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan in its bid for formal
recognition established diplomatic ties with Russian government, adding up to
the list of at least four other neighboring countries who have previously
accredited the Taliban-appointed diplomats.
China,
Pakistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan have accredited the Islamic Emirate’s
appointed diplomat in recent months, though all had initially refused to
recognize the 8-month-old government in Afghanistan.
This
came after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last August, which lead the
United States and other Western countries to shutting down their diplomatic
posts in Kabul. They, however, have maintained contact with the group to
facilitate the flow of humanitarian aids into the country.
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday confirmed the Afghan Embassy in Moscow
was handed over to the Islamic Emirates appointed diplomat, asserting they have
the right to lead Afghan embassies for better services to its fellow citizen.
“The
government’s envoy received credential form Moscow. We thank Russia for this
move and hope to provide consular services for our compatriots in the country,”
said Inammullah Samangani, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirates, as
TOLOnews quoted.
Meanwhile,
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova regards such
accomplishment a resumption of full-fledged diplomatic relation, saying it was
too early to “talk about official recognition of the Taliban.”
“We
regard this as a step towards the resumption of full-fledged diplomatic
contract,” said Zakharova, as Voice of America quoted, adding it was early to
discuss full recognition of the Islamic Emirate and any further details could
cause confusion among the group.
“Now
is not the time to take any steps to lend credibility to the Taliban or
normalize relations,” the spokesperson said in response to a query from VOA.
“This move sends the wrong signal to the Taliban.”
The
recent diplomatic ties have triggered numerous perspectives on the objective of
such a move, with Russia clarifying its intention of the tie being solely for
the diplomatic purposes. The Islamic Emirate, however, sees it as a milestone
towards world recognition.
The
Islamic Emirate has constantly persuaded in its bid to gain formal recognition from
the United Nations and the world but has repeatedly faced rejection, paralyzing
a number of government sectors across the country.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Akke
Rahman first British Bangladeshi and Muslim to climb Mount Everest while
fasting
Ansar
Ahmed Ullah
Apr
10, 2022
Akke
Rahman (39) from Oldham in the UK, will climb Mount Everest tomorrow April (11,
2022), while fasting during Ramadan.
He
will attempt to make history to be the first British Bangladeshi Muslim to climb Mount Everest. Akke Rahman
has already set a UK record time after climbing Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest
peak, which stands 5,642 metres above sea level in Russia, within 24 hours, and
only five days after recovering from coronavirus.
For
all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
"When
I was visiting a local shop asking for support for my campaign of climbing
Mount Everest, people said I was crazy for even thinking of doing this
challenge. If helping people who are in dire need makes me a crazy individual,
then we should all become crazy," said Akke Rahman, who was describing his
experience of finding support from his community as he described "people
think it's not an Asian or Bengali 'thing' to climb Mount Everest. It was
important for me to break this concept and keep a legacy for my children."
Akke
also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Blanc, the highest mountains of Africa
and the Alps, respectively. He later completed Mount Amadablam, one of the
highest mountains in the Himalayas at 6,856m.
Akke's
passion for climbing and a desire to support those in need meant that he
completed all the above expeditions within a year.
"We
are living in a challenging time, we thought Covid-19 was difficult, now look
at the terrible situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Burma. When I see mothers
struggling to feed their children and kids rolling around hungry, it really
impacts me to my core. They are crying out for help. I need to do something to
help them," he explained.
The
father of three young children, Akke, lives with his wife Hena Rahman in
Oldham.
Hena
accepts the risks but candidly asserted, "I always tell him how these
expeditions are dangerous and ask him not to go, but he is a stubborn
husband."
Despite
the risks and challenges of looking after three young children, Hena expressed
her pride in her husband's determination, "I'm extremely proud of what
Akke will be doing in order to support vulnerable refugees, women and children.
All I want is his safe return. That is the most important matter."
Supporters
have started donating in thousands and the figure is expected to rise by the
end of Ramadan.
Source:
The Daily Star
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
RSF
to UN: act quickly to protect Afghan
Journalists
12
Apr 2022
Reporters
Without Border (RSF) expressed concern over the freedom of media and the
situation of Afghan journalists and urged the United Nations to protect the
lives of journalists as arbitrary arrests are on the rise.
RSF
wrote this to the UN’s new special rapporteur on the Human rights situation in
Afghanistan, Richard Bennett.
In
the letter, RSF drew the attention of Bennett to the claim made by the chief
spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Zabiullah Mujahid about the
March 2015 media law is still in effect but the press freedom situation has
worsened in the country and journalists are being arrested arbitrarily.
The
letter further added that restrictions include a ban on transmissions of BBC,
VOA, and DW by Afghan channels in the country.
“The
harassment of journalists has intensified as a result of the new restrictions,
especially since the start of 2022, causing widespread alarm within the media.
Threats and arbitrary arrests have increased and officials with the various
security services, especially the intelligence services (Istikhbarat) can now
ban broadcasts and programs and can go directly to media outlets to arrest
journalists or other employees” reads the letter.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/rsf-to-unnbsp-act-quickly-to-protect-afghan-journalists-765875676/
--------
Iran
Asks for Security of its Diplomatic Agencies in Afghanistan
12
Apr 2022
Following
the protests of Afghan people in Kabul, Khost, and the burning of the door of
Iran’s consulate in western Herat province, the Foreign Ministry of Iran has
asked the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to ensure the security of their
embassy in Kabul and consulates.
Video
clips that went viral on social media show that protestors have burned the door
of Iran’s consulate in Herat province and are throwing stones at the agency.
The
Afghan protesters are taking to the streets to protest against the ongoing
ill-treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran by the country’s people and police
forces.
Protestors
asked Iran’s government to stop the ongoing torture of Afghan refugees.
In
reaction to the protests, the spokesperson of Iran’s Foreign Ministry Saeed
khatibzada said, this was the responsibility of the Afghan government to ensure
the security of Iran’s diplomatic agencies in the country.
Earlier,
Iran’s embassy in Kabul in a press release said that the ongoing ill-treatment
is a foreign conspiracy that is aimed at disturbing bilateral relations between
the two countries.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/iran-asks-for-security-of-its-diplomatic-agencies-in-afghanistan-564754765/
--------
Former
Provincial Governor of Jowzjan Arrested in Iran over Recruiting Militants
12
Apr 2022
Iranian
media have reported that the former governor of Jowzjan province and member of
the Junbesh Meli-party- Hashim Raees has been arrested in the country over
enlisting militants charges.
Mashriq
News has reported that Hashim is a close aide of Marshal Abdur Rashid Dostum
and was recruiting gunmen for the Ukraine war.
Hashim
Raees reportedly planned to create a military battalion of Afghan refugees in
Iran and send them to Ukraine in return for money and fake citizenship.
Iranian
forces have seized over $300,000 from his home.
Iran’s
government and Marshal Dostum’s Junbesh Meli have not commented on the issue
yet.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Southeast Asia
2
denied leave to compel AG to prosecute converts over alleged insults
V
Anbalagan
April
12, 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR: The High Court here has dismissed a leave application for judicial
review to challenge the attorney-general’s discretion in not prosecuting two
Muslim converts for allegedly insulting non-Islamic faiths.
Judge
Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said the applicants – S Sivakumar and M Rajasegaran
– had not rebutted the legality of the attorney-general’s decision not to file
charges.
“The
judge said that based on last year’s Federal Court ruling, the court could
review the attorney-general’s decision, but the applicants in this case did not
show bad faith (by the attorney-general),” said lawyer T Gunaseelan of the
ruling delivered online today.
However,
he said, Wan Ahmad Farid held that Sivakumar and Rajasegaran had the locus
standi to file the judicial review application.
Gunaseelan
said he has instructions from his clients to file an appeal
Federal
Counsel Noor Atiqah Zainal Abidin appeared for the attorney-general.
Sivakumar
and Rajasegaran, who filed the application last year, want a declaration that
the attorney-general’s decision not to charge Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu and
Firdaus Wong as recorded in the Shah Alam magistrates’ court on April 26, 2021,
is invalid and must be quashed.
They
also want an order from the court for the attorney-general to file charges
against the duo, said to be linked to controversial preacher Zakir Naik.
The
attorney-general, who was named as the respondent, opposed the leave
application.
The
action was filed after deputy public prosecutor Ainul Amirah told the
magistrate that the attorney-general had no plans to prosecute Zamri and
Firdaus.
Ainul
said the attorney-general was unwilling to prosecute Perlis-based preacher
Zamri and Multiracial Reverted Muslims founder and president Firdaus as police
had classified their cases as “no further action” (NFA).
Former
air steward S Shashi Kumar is attempting to conduct a private prosecution
against the duo.
Sivakumar,
who affirmed an affidavit in support of the judicial review application, said
the attorney-general was given the discretionary power under Article 145(3) of
the Federal Constitution to institute, conduct and discontinue criminal
proceedings.
He
said he was aware that Shashi Kumar had started proceedings at the magistrates’
court and that the NFA classification was unreasonable and disproportionate.
He
said he lodged a police report against Zamri on April 24, 2019 after finding
that the preacher had posted statements on his Facebook page that allegedly
insulted the Hindu religion and its rituals.
“This
is intended to incite hatred and insult those practising the religion,” he
said, adding that there were many others who filed police reports against
Zamri.
Sivakumar
said he was advised by his lawyers that Zamri had violated several penal laws
and should be prosecuted.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Indonesia
passes landmark bill on sexual violence
April
12, 2022
JAKARTA:
Indonesia’s parliament passed today a long-awaited bill to tackle sexual
violence, aimed at providing a legal framework for victims to secure justice in
a country where sexual abuse has often been regarded as a private matter.
A
majority of lawmakers backed the bill at the plenary session in parliament,
overcoming opposition from some conservative groups in the world’s biggest
Muslim majority country after six years of deliberation.
“We
hope that the implementation of this law will resolve sexual violence cases,”
speaker of the house Puan Maharani said.
The
bill has been broadly welcomed by activists, though some have objected to its
limited scope, with only some sex crimes included and the omission of a
specific clause on rape which the government has said will be included in other
legislation.
“This
is surely a step forward,” said Asfinawati, a law expert at Jentera school of
law, who has assisted sexual violence victims, while noting definitions of rape
currently covered under the criminal code should still be made clearer.
Sexual
violence complaints have been rising in Indonesia, where prosecuting sex crimes
has been complicated by the absence of a dedicated legal framework, while
victims’ concerns of being shamed during questioning have deterred many from
speaking up, according to activists.
The
final draft of the law includes prison terms of up to 12 years for crimes of
physical sexual abuse, both in marriage and outside, 15 years for sexual
exploitation, nine years for forced marriage, which include child marriage, and
four years for circulating non-consensual sexual content.
It
stipulated that a court must compel convicted abusers to pay restitution and
authorities to provide counselling to victims.
Under
earlier proposals, the legislation would have also covered abortion and
provided a clearer definition of what constituted rape.
The
National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and civil
society groups first proposed the idea of legislation a decade ago and a bill
was submitted to the house four years later.
In
January, president Joko Widodo told his government to expedite new legislation,
which seeks to make it easier to build cases and secure convictions.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Mindef
urged to form task force on lack of non-Malays in military
Ahimsya
Karu
April
12, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: A task force should be set up by the defence ministry (Mindef) to get
more non-Malay citizens to join the armed forces, says a defence analyst.
Lam
Choong Wah, a former fellow at the Research for Social Advancement centre, said
the reasons behind the meagre number of non-Malays in the military was already
known, but a solution was wanting.
The
lack of chances for promotion was the main issue and was an institutional
problem, he said.
In
the long run, Lam said, a panel led by the Mindef secretary-general should be
formed to rectify systemic issues and formulate a blueprint to implement the
actions.
According
to a 2009 parliamentary reply, Chinese and Indians accounted for 0.3% and 0.9%
respectively of active personnel in the armed forces.
The
reasons for this “have already been identified by the top brasses”, he said.
More
than 13 years on, little has changed, said Lam, who has written a book, “Are We
Protected? Malaysian Defence Uncovered” which touches on the issue and the
perceived bias in promotions for non-Malay servicemen.
He
said there was a need for action “rather than sweeping the ‘well-known
problems’ under the carpet”.
Allegations
of discrimination in the armed forces were also raised by former diplomat
Dennis Ignatius in his recent book “Paradise Lost: Mahathir & The End of
Hope”.
He
said there had been discrimination in promotions and assignments since the late
1970s.
However,
former 1st Infantry Division commander Major-General (rtd) Toh Choon Siang has dismissed claims of systematic
discrimination. He said it was a “pure myth that non-Malays are not keen to
join the armed forces because promotion prospects are limited for them”.
Patriot
president Brigadier-General (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said he was not sure why
fewer non-Malays joined the armed forces. “When I joined in 1965, more than 30%
(of recruits) were non-Malays, but now we don’t see that.”
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Saudi
boy scouts resume duties at Haram after two-year hiatus
NADA
HAMEED
April
11, 2022
JEDDAH:
Saudi scout boys resumed their duties this year in Ramadan after a hiatus of
two years following the coronavirus pandemic.
The
participating scout boys this year are students aged 17 and above from the
Makkah Education Department who began their volunteer work to serve worshippers
in the Holy Mosque, in cooperation with the General Presidency for the Affairs
of the Two Holy Mosques and Makkah Special Security Forces.
Ziad
Qadeer, the head of the scouting activity department of Makkah Education
Department, told Arab News that “it aims to upgrade the abilities of the boys
to become good individuals who will contribute to building the society in the
future.”
Every
year, the number of scout boys increases, as new scout units are formed at the
three school stages — elementary, intermediate, and high.
More
than 160 new scout leaders, who joined the Makkah Education Department, have
been trained and are qualified to lead their scouting units this season.
Qadeer
said that after the qualified scout boysweare selected “we introduce them to
the importance of principles in dealing and communication with worshippers
because it is the basis of the service they provide.”
The
scout boys are divided into two groups. The first group is assigned to multiple
locations on different floors of the Grand Mosque including the mataf
(circumambulation), and other praying areas, in addition to distributing iftar
meals with approved charities.
The
second group works after the Maghrib prayer until the Taraweeh prayer ends at
the Grand Mosque, where the scout boys are tasked with the responsibility of
directing worshippers to designated prayer areas, not corridors, to prevent
overcrowding and facilitate the smooth movement of worshippers.
In
2021, scout leaders were only allowed to participate in organizing and
assisting worshippers during Ramadan and Hajj season. However this year, all
scout boys were allowed to participate in various tasks as life returned to
normal.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2061271/saudi-arabia
--------
Syrian
President receives delegation of Islamic clergymen in Damascus on Ramadan
April
12, 2022
Bashar
al-Assad received on Monday a delegation of Islamic clergymen in Damascus on
the occasion of the holy month of Ramdan in the presence of Endowments’
Minister, Mohammad Abdel-Sattar al-Sayyed.
Syrian
President al-Assad’s speech concentrated on the role of the religious
institution, concepts and terms that would be proposed sometimes with contents
that contradict the ideology, and the importance of the clergymen to adopt
idioms in a proper way that suits the essence of religion and its purposes.
In
this regard, President al-Assad referred to the true concept of the religious
reform and renovation terms, affirming that scholars of the religious
institution in Syria have crossed important stages in the development of this
institution and the reform of wrong concepts that penetrated among the
clergymen since long time, and this has directly contributed to reforming the
society.
The
President considered that the deep notion of the renovation term depends on
“our ability to absorb from religion what we can of knowledge in light of the
principle that Quran is for all ages and all circumstances.”
President
al-Assad also talked about the principle of “Shura,” which means in English (
consultation ), considering that it is very important to propose wider ideas
which come in the interest of the whole nation and society, affirming the
importance of returning to the main source of legislation, which are the Quran
and Hadith.
The
President considered that religious institutions in the Islamic world face big
and accelerated challenges in terms of ideology or doctrine, particularly the
intellectual war, so, these institutions are in need to use equal tools, like
education and ethics, traditions and postulates in order to strike the
poisonous thinking in society.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
At
least one killed, seven injured in explosion near Lebanon’s Sidon: Officials
12
April ,2022
At
least one person was killed and seven were injured in an explosion at a scout
center affiliated with the Shia Amal Movement near Sidon in southern Lebanon,
officials told Reuters early on Tuesday.
The
blast demolished the building and army personnel were searching through the
rubble for any further casualties, sources added. The explosion also damaged
the town hall nearby.
One
security source told Reuters the explosion was not an act of sabotage, without
disclosing further details.
On
December 10, a large blast rocked a Palestinian camp in the southern Lebanese
port city of Tyre, injuring about a dozen people, according to rescue workers
on scene and a Palestinian source inside the camp.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UN
envoy makes first trip to Yemen capital after truce
11
April ,2022
UN
special envoy Hans Grundberg started his first visit to Yemen’s Houthi-held
capital Monday, following an April 2 ceasefire.
The
Swedish diplomat is scheduled to meet Iran-backed Houthi militia officials
during his first Sanaa visit since taking office in September.
“He
is looking forward to engaging with Ansar Allah [Houthi] leadership on
implementing and strengthening the truce and discussing the way forward,”
Grundberg’s office said in a tweet announcing his arrival.
The
Houthis took control of Sanaa in 2014, prompting an Arab Coalition military
intervention the following year and triggering what the United Nations calls
the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The
two-month ceasefire declared at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan
has largely held.
“Since
the start of the truce, we have seen a significant reduction of violence,”
Grundberg told a virtual press conference last week.
A
Yemeni military source told AFP on Friday that loyalist forces had “repelled a
Houthi attack” in southern Marib, the government’s last stronghold in the north
of the country.
Grundberg
has urged all parties to exercise “restraint”, tweeting that he was “following
very closely the latest developments in Marib”.
On
Thursday, Yemen’s Riyadh-based President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi announced he
was handing over his powers to a new leadership council tasked with reaching a
“final political solution” with the Houthis.
The
current, renewable truce called for a halt to all ground, air, and sea military
operations. Two commercial flights a week can resume in and out of Sanaa, and
18 fuel ships are allowed into the Houthi-held lifeline port of Hodeida.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Makkah
is a city embracing cultural, linguistic diversity
TAREQ
AL-THAQAFI
April
11, 2022
MAKKAH:
It’s no surprise that the people of Makkah are skilled in speaking many
languages due to their close and constant interaction with people from all over
the world, who come to perform Hajj and Umrah.
Dr.
Hassan Bukhari, the dean of the Institute of Arabic Language for non-Native
Speakers, said: “Makkah has unique characteristics that make it a unique model
of coexistence and for the convergence of civilizations from all over the
world.”
Bukhari
told Arab News that Makkah had become a cultural incubator as pilgrims from all
over the world come to worship at the Grand Mosque all year long, bringing and
sharing their cultural, social, and economic knowledge with the city’s people.
The
dean believes that pilgrims are emotionally attached to the Kingdom and show
great enthusiasm to learn Arabic — not only to converse but also to understand
the language. The people of Makkah, in return, make great efforts to learn the
language of their guests.
Often
foreigners live in Makkah for economic purposes, where they sometimes
intermarry and contribute to developing and enriching the cultural and social
fabric of the Arab society.
Dr.
Othman bin Bakr Qazzaz, head of the research and media affairs department at
the Institute of Research on Hajj and Umrah, said that the people of Makkah are
used to the presence of pilgrims and visitors during the Umrah season, which
lasts throughout the year.
He
said that the intensive presence of the guests of Allah — who come in millions
to Makkah and Madinah — leads to extensive interaction, communication and
cultural interaction with the people of Makkah, especially the service providers.
He
added: “The society of Makkah achieved this cultural diversity by opening their
minds and hearts to receive and accept these new cultures, which has pushed the
society toward prosperity.”
Qazzaz
said that the gateway for this influence is through the language with which the
people of Makkah communicate and interact with the pilgrims and visitors. They
mostly pick up the languages through economic means, such as through the
abundance of shops around the Grand Mosque, conveyance, or by providing services
to pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. Hence, a person from Makkah usually knows many
languages, or even various Arabic dialects.
Since
people from all over the world come to Makkah and Madinah for Hajj and Umrah,
Saudi Arabia has not only trained its people in many languages to facilitate
the pilgrims but also put up signs in various languages in the two Holy Cities.
The translators usually interpret fatwas, provide guidance, answer queries,
speeches from the day of Arafah during Hajj, snippets from biography of Prophet
Muhammad and Holy Qur’an.
He
added: “This cultural exchange between the people of Makkah and the guests of
Allah contributed in keeping the positive impact and image of the people of
Makkah in the minds of the guests of Allah, as the people of Makkah accepted
them and received them well as they are merciful, hospitable and compassionate
toward the guests of Allah. In addition, they offered commodities and services
to them in an atmosphere of serenity and noble spiritual sentiments.”
The
Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims to receive 30 million visitors by 2030. Hence,
Qazzaz believes that the guests of Allah should be given the best experience
through digital transformation. He said that the current generation should
enroll themselves in specialized institutes to learn more languages.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2061261/saudi-arabia
--------
Mideast
Hamas
stops Islamic Jihad from military escalation with Israel in Gaza
Rasha
Abou Jalal
April
11, 2022
GAZA
CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas has made concerted efforts to contain the anger of the
Islamic Jihad movement in the Gaza Strip, and to prevent it from engaging in a
new round of fighting with Israel, in response to the latter’s assassination of
three Islamic Jihad members.
Israeli
special forces opened fire at the three Islamic Jihad operatives in Jenin in
the northern West Bank on April 2, shooting dozens of bullets at their vehicle
at the Araba roundabout. Four Israeli soldiers were wounded during the clashes.
The Israeli army consequently went on alert and sent new reinforcements along
the border with the Gaza Strip.
A
senior Hamas source who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said that
his movement does not wish to see any resistance faction carry out military
activities against Israel from the Gaza Strip without consensus from the joint
operations room. Those 12 factions include Hamas, the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of
Palestine (DFLP).
Hamas
wants to unite and coordinate any political and military position in the face
of the Israeli army in clashes and wars, the source continued.
The
source added that the operations room is working to maintain the truce between
Israel and the Gaza Strip, which took place under Egyptian auspices in May
2021. However, he added, the operations room is escalating attacks in the West
Bank and inside Israeli territories.
There
has been a recent uptick in Palestinian attacks against Israeli targets in the
West Bank and inside Israel, with shootings targeting Israeli forces taking
place almost daily. Most recently on April 5, four separate shootings targeting
Israeli forces and settlements were carried out in West Bank cities. Meanwhile
11 Israelis were killed in attacks at the hands of Palestinians inside Israel
between March 15 and 29.
Firing
rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israel would mean "a new, currently
undesirable military confrontation with Israel,” the Hamas source said.
“Hamas
seeks calm in Gaza, to give the reconstruction efforts a chance and increase
the number of Gaza workers inside Israel,” he added. “But if Israel commits a folly
in the Gaza Strip, we’ll have to bid the truce goodbye.”
On
April 3, Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ politburo, had a phone call with Ziad
al-Nakhala, Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad, during which he offered his
condolences for the slain operatives in Jenin, stressing the need to strengthen
coordination at the political level and on the ground between the two
movements.
On
the same day, resistance factions in Gaza, including Hamas and the Islamic
Jihad, issued a joint statement that “The Israeli occupation policy will not
succeed in isolating any part of our people from the other.”
Leader
of the Islamic Jihad movement Ahmed al-Mudallal told Al-Monitor that “the
continuation of Israel's crimes against our people and the assassination of the
resistance fighters in the West Bank will lead to battles against occupation
forces in all arenas, whether in Gaza, the West Bank or the occupied interior
[Israel].”
The
joint operations room is maintaining the calm in Gaza, “but if we feel that
this calm will lead to Israel's singling out the West Bank or the Arab
Palestinians inside Israel, the truce will come to an end,” Mudallal said. “If
the occupation [forces] continue to storm Jenin and assassinate the resistance
fighters there, then let them prepare for the worst from our resistance.”
Following
the assassinations in Jenin, Al-Quds Brigades in the central governorate of the
Gaza Strip organized a military parade on April 3 to display its combat
capabilities. The brigades’ fighters brandished pictures of the three slain
operatives.
“Organizing
this parade demonstrates that the Islamic Jihad movement will not respond at
present to the assassination of its operatives in Jenin," Talal Okal, a
writer and political analyst in the local Al-Ayyam newspaper, told Al-Monitor.
"It instead contented itself with passing warning messages to Israel.”
Okal
added, "It is clear that the resistance factions, especially the Hamas and
Islamic Jihad movements, are currently focusing on escalating their military
activities against Israel in the West Bank, as we are witnessing almost daily
shootings and clashes with the Israeli army.”
Ahmed
Rafiq Awad, a professor of media and political sciences at Al-Quds Univeristy,
told Al-Monitor, “It is true that the Islamic Jihad wishes to respond strongly
to the assassination of its members, but it is unlikely that the retaliation
would be carried out from the Gaza Strip. Operations will be rather
concentrated in the West Bank.”
Source:
Al Monitor
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iranian
Parliament: Legal Guarantees Needed to Prevent Repetition of US Withdrawal from
N. Deal
2022-April-11
The
legislators said in a statement on Sunday that the experience gained through
past rounds of talks in Vienna shows that unwillingness of the United States
and other negotiating parties to provide the necessary guarantees has not only
failed to meet Iran’s national interests, but has harmed those interests and
caused the deal to fail.
“Therefore,
in the new talks, the US needs to provide [Iran with] a necessary legal
guarantee that it will not quit the JCPOA again, and this issue must be held up
by that country’s decision-making institutions, including Congress, in a
totally legal form, so that there would be no obstacle to the implementation
[of that guarantee] in the future,” they said.
The
statement signed by over 250 members of the Iranian parliament focused on the
situation of the ongoing talks in the Austrian capital on the revival of the
accord, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
In
another part of their statement, the lawmakers emphasized that the lack of any
threat against Iran after a new deal is reached, is one of the main conditions
for the successful conclusion of the Vienna talks.
However,
they added, continued existence of a “snapback” mechanism, under which the UN
Security Council’s sanctions on the Islamic Republic can be immediately
reinstated in case of an alleged violation of the deal by Iran, would mean that
such a threat is kept in place to be used against the country and would cause
the Vienna talks to fail.
“Therefore,
it is necessary to obtain necessary guarantees that in the event of a US return
to the JCPOA, the snapback mechanism would not be triggered under various
pretexts,” they said.
Pointing
to Washington’s imposition of new sanctions on Iranian individuals and
institutions in the course of the Vienna talks, the lawmakers stressed that it
is necessary that the imposition of new sanctions against Iran be banned under
the new agreement.
The
agreement must also guarantee that the lifted sanctions would not be
re-imposed, they said.
The
Iranian MPs also noted that Tehran must have the right to export its oil to any
country and at any amount agreed upon by the OPEC members, stressing that the
Islamic Republic must be able to receive the oil revenue through the
international banking system.
It
said Iran is entitled to transfer of all financial resources and interests,
including revenues from the oil sales and blocked assets from all countries,
adding that the negotiating countries must remove obstacles in this path.
“Therefore
and without a doubt, oral promises, including the remarks made by the US
president, cannot be considered as a guarantee” for the success of the deal,
the Iranian lawmakers added.
Negotiations
have been held in the Austrian capital since April last year to restore the
JCPOA, which was ditched by former US President Donald Trump in May 2018.
In
quitting the agreement, Trump introduced what he called the “maximum pressure”
campaign to bring Iran to its knees. Tehran maintains that the policy has
failed dismally. The Joe Biden administration agrees, yet it has not taken any
tangible steps to deliver on its promise of repealing the policy.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Politics, not substance, seen guiding US and Iran on terror listing
11
April ,2022
One
of the last obstacles to reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal - Tehran’s demand
to remove its Revolutionary Guards from a US terrorism list - is more an issue
of politics than substance, analysts said.
While
the two sides had appeared close to reviving the pact a month ago, talks have
since stalled over last-minute Russian demands, the Nowruz holiday, and the
unresolved issue of whether Washington might remove the Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) from the US Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list.
The
United States and Iran have been engaged it fitful, indirect talks for more
than a year on reviving the 2015 deal under which Iran limited its nuclear
program in return for relief from economic sanctions.
The
United States has weighed dropping the designation in return for some kind of
action or commitment from Iran to rein in IRGC activities, one source has said.
However,
the White House is well aware of “the political sensitivity and price
associated with” removing the elite force from the list, said Dennis Ross, a
long-time US Middle East negotiator, noting that some Democrats oppose dropping
it.
“There
is hesitancy on the part of the political side of the White House,” he added.
A
senior administration official said US President Joe Biden did not intend to
drop the terrorism designation, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius
reported on Friday.
Asked
about that report, a senior Biden administration official said, “We are not
going to negotiate in public. There are still gaps.”
“The
onus here is really on Iran at this stage, particularly on this issue,” the
official added on condition of anonymity.
Little
economic impact
When
the Trump administration designated the IRGC as an FTO in 2019, it was the
first time Washington had so blacklisted part of another country’s military and
was seen by some as a poison pill to make it harder to revive the nuclear deal,
which then-President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018.
Critics
of dropping the IRGC from the list, as well as those open to the idea, say
doing so will have little economic effect because other US sanctions force
foreign actors to shun the group.
“It’s
the administration-wide assessment that it would not have a significant – if
any – impact,” said a senior US official on condition of anonymity.
This
is in part because the IRGC would remain sanctioned as a “specially designated
global terrorist” (SDGT) on a separate US blacklist list created after the
September 11, 2001, attacks.
The
IRGC, a powerful political faction in Iran, controls a business empire as well
as elite armed and intelligence forces that Washington accuses of a global
terrorist campaign.
Iranian
sources cited multiple reasons why they want the designation removed, including
domestic politics and the desire of new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s team
to show it can secure a better deal than his predecessor Hassan Rouhani.
“Mostly
it is a matter of dignity for the establishment and Iran’s negotiators,” said a
senior Iranian diplomat on condition of anonymity.
“The
new team from the beginning insisted on the FTO issue and sees it as a major
achievement if those sanctions are lifted. That is mainly for domestic use
because they criticized Rouhani’s 2015 deal and cannot just revive it,” added a
former senior Iranian official briefed on the talks.
Another
Iranian diplomat said Iran had rejected the idea of removing the designation
from the IRGC as a whole but keeping it on the group’s elite Quds Force.
Soft
on terrorism?
While
US officials are loathe to admit it, the main issue in Washington is also
political. Republicans argue dropping the FTO label would show the Biden
administration is soft on terrorism, a charge US officials deny.
Representative
Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, last
week called the IRGC “a killing machine” that threatens Americans and he
stressed the political cost to the White House.
“That’s
going to split the Democratic party in half on this, if not more,” he said.
Some
Democrats have voiced misgivings, although there is little chance Congress
could block a revived nuclear deal.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Israel
army launches new operations around flashpoint W. Bank city of Jenin
11
April ,2022
Israeli
forces launched a third day of operations on Monday around the flashpoint West
Bank city of Jenin following heavy gun battles in recent days and 20 arrests
overnight, the army said.
Tensions
have soared since a spree of attacks in Israel left 14 people dead in the past
three weeks, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warning the Jewish state is
now “on the offensive.”
Four
Palestinians were killed in separate incidents across the occupied territory
Sunday, and militant groups in Jenin braced for more battles.
The
city as well as Bethlehem declared general strikes.
Thousands
of mourners flooded the streets of Jenin on Monday for the funerals of those
killed, many carrying Palestinian flags or rifles.
Abu
Muadh, military spokesman of the armed factions in Jenin’s refugee camp, late
Sunday called for “general mobilization of our fighters to confront any incursion
by the Zionist enemy.”
Israeli
troops were targeting relatives of Raad Hazem, the 28-year-old Jenin man who
last Thursday killed three Israeli civilians and wounded 12 at a Tel Aviv bar
before he was shot dead following a massive manhunt.
Israeli
soldiers on Sunday engaged in an exchange of gunfire involving his brothers and
also demanded the father hand himself in, ahead of the planned demolition of
the family home.
A
teen on a motorcycle who opened fire on the Israeli officers in that exchange,
Mohamed Zakarneh, 17, was the latest fatality, succumbing to gunshot wounds
overnight, the Wafa news agency said.
Another
Palestinian from the Bethlehem area was shot dead Sunday after hurling a
Molotov cocktail at Israeli troops, the army told AFP.
The
tensions have surged during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, nearly a year
after violence flared in the other Palestinian territory, the Hamas-ruled Gaza
Strip, leading to 11 days of devastating conflict.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Palestinian
leaders condemn compensation ruling as ‘Israeli judicial extremism’
MOHAMMED
NAJIB
April
12, 2022
RAMALLAH:
Palestinians on Monday criticized a decision a day earlier by the Israeli
Supreme Court as ‘piracy’ of the Palestinian Authority’s finances and a
collective punishment against the Palestinian people by Israeli extremists and
right-wing groups.
Palestinian
leaders called on the international judicial system and legal and human rights
institutions to take immediate action to end what they described as “Israeli
judicial extremism.”
The
68-page Supreme Court decision, a copy of which was obtained by Arab News,
opens the door for families of Israeli victims of terrorist attacks, whether
they take place in the West Bank or Hamas-run Gaza, to sue the PA for financial
compensation, on the grounds that the PA currently provides money for
Palestinian prisoners and the families of martyrs who carried out attacks on
Israelis. Such payments “constitute confirmation of their carrying out
terrorist operations” and therefore the authority is responsible for
compensating victims’ families, the court stated.
Prime
Minister Mohammed Shtayieh said at the start of the PA’s weekly cabinet session
on Monday that the Israeli court’s decision “is unacceptable to us and is
illegal and illegitimate.”
He
added that the Palestinian government was simply carrying out its duty “toward
orphans of the sons of martyrs, prisoners and their families.”
The
decision followed an appeal by four families whose relatives were killed about
20 years ago by Palestinian attacks in Jerusalem during the Second Intifada.
Their case for compensation had been rejected by a lower court.
The
Supreme Court said it was proven that the PA transferred money to the
perpetrators or their families, though the authority did not accept any
responsibility for the attacks. However, two of the three judges hearing the appeal
ruled that the PA policy of payments to prisoners and their families
constituted an “incentive” and “reward” for terrorism.
Setting
out the ruling, Justice Yitzhak Amit said: “In this conduct, there is a reward,
incentive, contribution and recognition of acts of terrorism, on the face of it
even in violation of the Law on Combating Terrorism, and it should be seen as a
confirmation of the wrongs committed by the prisoners-perpetrators.”
The
decision does not mean the PA will be forced to pay compensation to the
families of settlers injured or killed in attacks but it allows them to sue the
PA and any financial restitution could be obtained by the Israeli government
through the compensation law that enables it to deduct money from PA funds.
Qadri
Abu Baker, minister of the PA’s Detainees and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Authority,
told Arab News that the court ruling is a “miserable attempt to deter the
Palestinian people and its leadership” and described it as “piracy and
extortion” in an attempt to seize the authority’s funds.
“The
Israeli extremist right-wing takes advantage of any opportunity or security
circumstance to pass such decisions, all of which are supported by the head of
the fascist occupation government,” he said.
Abu
Baker called on the international judicial system and legal and human rights
institutions to take immediate action to put an end to such Israeli judicial
extremism.
“At
a time when the American courts have rejected the lawsuits filed by Jewish
extremists against the authority to demand compensation, the Israeli judiciary
is legislating this demand,” he said.
A
high-ranking Palestinian security source told Arab News the implementation of
the court’s decision could prove to be a complicated matter that could have
devastating effects. Currently, Israel collects taxes and customs tariffs on
imported Palestinian goods through a process known as “clearing” and then
transfers the funds to Ramallah each month, after making certain deductions.
“Whenever
an Israeli is wounded or killed by an attack by Hamas, Israel will deduct the
compensation money from the Palestinian tax money that it collects on behalf of
the PA,” the source said. “However, nothing will remain of it, which will lead
to the weakening of the PA and perhaps later its collapse.”
A
senior PA security official told Arab News: “This is piracy of the PA’s money
and a collective punishment against the Palestinian people.”
Israeli
political analyst Yoni Ben-Menachem said: “Since the Palestinian Authority is
the legitimate representative of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip, it is the party that must pay compensation to the Israeli victims of
Palestinian violence.
“When
Hamas launches a rocket from Gaza and injures Israelis, they cannot go to Gaza
to file a case in its courts and demand compensation from those who launched
the rocket. So, where does the Israeli victim complain? Surely he will be able
to file a complaint with an Israeli court, which will compensate him with the
funds of the Palestinian Authority that are in Israel’s possession.”
en-Menachem
told Arab News that the court ruling was long overdue and should have been made
a long time ago.
“The
Palestinian Authority instead of fighting terrorism pays salaries to the
families of prisoners and martyrs, so they must pay compensation to Israeli
citizens who are victims of Palestinian violence.”
Israeli
peace activist Gershon Baskin agreed with this view.
“The
Israeli High Court’s decision to allow Israeli victims of Palestinian terrorism
to sue the Palestinian Authority for responsibility and compensation should
encourage the Palestinian Authority to reconsider the compensation being paid
to the families of Palestinians who murdered Israelis by killing themselves, or
to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, based on a pay scale that pays
more if more Israelis were killed,” he told Arab News.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2061296/middle-east
--------
Al-Abbas
shrine affiliated centre launched program of Ramadan month in 13 African
countries
April
12, 2022
The
Center for African Studies, affiliated with the Department of intellectual and
Cultural Affairs at the al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine, announced that it has
organized a special program during the holy month of Ramadhan entitled: (Sufra
Al-Kafeel) in 13 African countries.
The
director of the center, Sheikh Saad al-Shammari, stated: "This program is
established annually by the center in a number of African countries, but this
year it has expanded to include additional countries and regions, as well as
increasing the activities of the program, within the activities and events of
the center during the holy month of Ramadhan".
"The
program is implemented under the auspices of the al-Abbas's (P) holy shrine and
with the blessing of its Senior Official; His Eminence Ahmad al-Safi, and
includes many activities, the most important of which are:
-
The Quranic Khatmah of the holy month of Ramadhan.
-
A series of lectures that concern doctrinal issues related to the fasting, and
other matters related to the fasting person and his life matters.
-
Religious lectures.
-
Ziyarat of the infallible imams (peace be upon them) and the specific
supplications of the holy month of Ramadhan.
-
Reviving the night of the birth anniversary of Imam al-Hassan al-Mujtaba (peace
be upon him).
-
Reviving the martyrdom anniversary of the Commander of the faithful (peace be
upon him).
-
Revival of the Blessed nights of Qadr (19, 21, 23).
-
A daily Iftar for participants in this program.
In
addition to other activities that are organized and provided by students of
religious sciences under the auspices of the center".
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Human Rights Official Protests at Denmark’s Misbehaviour towards Iranian
National
2022-April-11
In
a letter to Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration Mattias Tesfaye on
Sunday, Qaribabadi protested at the violent and inhumane behavior of Danish
police officials toward a female Iranian asylum seeker.
He
described the deportation of a female Iranian asylum seeker along with her two
children and separation from her one-year-old child who remained in Denmark
along with her father as well as exertion of violence and inhumane behavior
towards her as a gross violation of commitments of Denmark in the field of
human rights.
Qaribabadi
emphasized that mistreatment of the Danish police officials with a female
Iranian asylum seeker violates Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights.
He
called on the Danish Minister of Immigration and other responsible authorities
of the country to refrain from imposing double standards on nationals and to
compensate material and moral damages incurred to the Iranian female.
Danish
immigration authorities on Tuesday tried to deport Qadamkheir Haqanizadeh, 37,
and her two ten-year-old sons, Yousef and Younes back to Iran. Danish
authorities rejected the political asylum application of Qadamkheir and her two
sons in 2017.
In
the early hours of Monday, four Danish deportation agents dragged Qadamkheir, a
refugee from Iran's western province of Kermanshah, out of one of Denmark's
refugee camps where she had been living for six years.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Palestinian
killed after alleged stabbing attempt: Israeli police
12
April ,2022
A
Palestinian was killed by police after allegedly stabbing an officer with a
kitchen knife in the Israeli port city of Ashkelon on Tuesday, police said.
Police
said an officer began checking a person who aroused his suspicion when “the
attacker pulled out a knife and attacked the officer.”
The
officer “responded quickly, fired and neutralized the suspect, whose death was
declared on site,” police said.
The
officer was hospitalized with light wounds. The assailant was a man in his 40s
from the flashpoint city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, police
said.
The
attack comes amid a rising tide of violence among Israelis and Palestinians.
Four
shooting, stabbing and car-ramming attacks in Israeli cities have left 14
people dead since late March.
Over
the same period, Israeli forces killed 15 Palestinians, including assailants,
according to an AFP tally.
On
Sunday, Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian woman who allegedly
stabbed a policeman in the center of Hebron, a powder keg where around 1,000
Jewish settlers live under heavy military protection among 200,000
Palestinians.
The
same day, the army shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian woman who they said
failed to heed warning shots near the West Bank town of Bethlehem.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Africa
Terrorists
Kill 80, Abduct 70 And Burn Down Over 100 Houses In Nigeria
April
12, 2022
The
spate of killings in Plateau State took a frightening dimension on Sunday as
terrorists in their large numbers invaded the Kanam Local Government Area of
the state, killing more than 80 persons, 70 abducted and over 100 houses burnt
down.
Affected
communities and villages in the local government area are Kukawa, Gyambawu,
Dungur, Kyaram, Yelwa, Dadda, Wanka, Shuwaka, Gwammadaji and Dadin Kowa.
A
source close to the local government told Nigerian Tribune that the terrorists
in the large number swooped on the affected communities on Sunday and carried
out the deadly attack in a most bizarre manner, killing people at random.
The
source who is a local government official added that as at Monday morning, the
council has so far discovered that 38 persons were killed in Kukawa, Gyambau 24
persons, 8 persons were killed in Kyaram and 10 persons killed in
Wanna
adding that the number of dead bodies in the bush is unknown.
He
also pointed out that over one hundred houses were burnt while those with
various degree of gunshot wound are receiving treatment at Dengi general
hospital and Jos University teaching hospital JUTH.
An
eyewitness Sariki Bitrus also disclosed that over 70 persons mostly women were
abducted by the terrorists adding that most of the affected villages have been
deserted while those who escaped the killings are taking refuge in the nearby
council areas.
He
added that the incident happened at about 3: 45 pm when people were clearing
their farms in preparation for raining season, some people were going about
their normal or daily businesses when the terrorists opened fire at them.
Bitrus
further added that the local government for quite sometime has been having running
battle with the terrorists who wanted to dominate a game reserve located in the
area.
Meanwhile,
Plateau elders forum in a statement signed by its Media Officer Jonathan Ishaku
has lamented the killings of innocent persons in Kanam local government council
of the state.
The
Statement reads, ”Just within a week of our press release condemning terrorist
attacks on Miango villages in Bassa Local Government area (LGA) and Rantis in
Barkin Ladi LGA, bandits have allegedly killed several persons, wounded many
and abducted over 70 in Kanam LGA yesterday.”
“This
is again very sad and we strongly condemn it. This seemingly escalation of
violence on our communities further justifies the earlier call the Plateau
Elders Forum made on the Plateau State Government in conjunction with the
security forces to deal drastically with terrorists in the state,” it said.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://en.abna24.com/news//terrorists-kill-80-abduct-70-in-nigeria_1247114.html
--------
Mass
iftar brings Cape Town community together, feeds over 1,200
April
12, 2022
As
Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, one Cape Town
community has been given the gift of having a mass iftar for the first time.
Ramadan
month is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer,
reflection and community.
When
one hears the name of the area Cafda in Retreat, it is usually associated with
gang violence, gangsterism and volatility. However, on Sunday residents in the
area stood side by side as they feasted at iftar time, thanks to the local
mosque and community organisations.
Iftar
is the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramaadn month.
This
is the first time a mass iftar has been held in the area.
Peter
Charles Street was cordoned off as over 1200 residents, Muslim and non-Muslim,
came together to break bread.
The
iftar was hosted by Masjid-Tul-Islamieya, Shireen Ishmail in collaboration with
Carers Unite, Upcountry Feeding Hands, Shumeez Scott Foundation and the Girls
Feeding Scheme.
The
road was laid with treats, food, fruit, and beverages as long as 200 meters for
all to enjoy.
Mass
iftars are a common occurrence on the Cape Flats during Ramadan month, when
streets are cordoned off and people from all walks of life, religion and races
are invited to share a meal and conversation with those in their communities.
Upcountry
Feeding Hands’s Ishmail said the event was a massive success.
“It
was so beautiful. The children in the area are so humble and well behaved. Two
little boys, one aged eight and the other nine years old came up to me to say
it was the best day of their life. They told me they hope the Lord rewards us
for what we have done,” she said.
“Residents
could not stop thanking us.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Sudanese
protesters mark third anniversary of Bashir's ouster with fresh protests
11
April ,2022
Crowds
of Sudanese protesters gathered in parts of the capital and other Sudanese
cities on Monday, the third anniversary of Omar al-Bashir's ouster to protest
the prospect of renewed military rule.
Bashir
was ousted after three decades in power by a group of his top generals, who
later entered into a power-sharing government with the civilian groups that had
led months of protests in 2019.
That
arrangement ended on Oct. 25 when the same military leaders, led by General
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, staged a coup, which has plunged the country into
economic and political turmoil.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“Bashir's
downfall did not mean a final victory for the revolution, because Burhan is a
continuation of his regime,” said 38-year-old protester Ahmed Ibrahim. “We will
bring down the military peacefully and democracy is Sudan's future,” he told
Reuters at a Khartoum protest.
Protesters
blocked main roads, burning tires, banging drums, and chanting revolutionary
poems.
Protests
against the coup have taken place despite a security crackdown that has claimed
the lives of 94 people and injured thousands, as well as climbing temperatures
and Ramadan fasts.
Khartoum
protesters broke their day-long fasts in the street, as they did in major
protests last week, and numbers swelled after sunset.
Protests
were also seen in other major cities, including Bahri, Omdurman, Port Sudan,
Madani, and El Obeid.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
At
least 4 people dead after boat capsizes off Libya: UN
Ebu
Bekir Askin
12.04.2022
TRIPOLI,
Libya
At
least four people died when their boat capsized off the coast of Libya, the UN
migration agency said Monday.
“A
wooden boat capsized yesterday off Surman, #Libya with 20 migrants onboard,
according to @unmigration teams,” the International Organization for Migration
(IOM) in Libya said on Twitter.
“2
people rescued, 4 bodies retrieved, (and) 14 people missing,” the agency added.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/at-least-4-people-dead-after-boat-capsizes-off-libya-un/2561232
--------
North America
India
witnessing rise in human rights abuse: US Secretary of State
12th
April 2022
Washington:
Days after US Representative Ilhan Omar questioned the reluctance of President
Joe Biden’s administration to criticize Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
government over its alleged anti-Muslim policies, US Secretary of State Antony
Blinken alleged that India is witnessing a rise in human rights abuse.
On
Monday, in a joint press briefing with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin,
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and India’s Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh, Blinken said, “we are monitoring some recent concerning
developments in India including a rise in human rights abuses by some
government, police and prison officials”.
While
Blinken did not speak more on it, Singh and Jaishankar avoided reacting to the
comment.
Ilhan
Omar’s question
Recently,
Ilhan Omar asked, “How much does the Modi administration have to criminalize
the act of being Muslim in India for us to say something? What will it take for
us to outwardly criticize the action that the Modi administration is taking
against its Muslim minorities?”
In
a tweet, she added, “Why has the Biden Administration been so reluctant to
criticize Modi’s government on human rights?”
Issues
that grabbed global attention
In
2019, the central government led by BJP brought legislation, Citizenship
Amendment Act 2019, to give citizenship based on religion.
As
per the act, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Sikhs from
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before
December 31, 2014, are eligible to get citizenship.
Many
experts alleged that it is the first step toward the implementation of the
National Register of Citizens (NRC). Although, the government denied any link
between CAA and NRC, massive protests were held across the country.
The
recent controversy over the Hijab ban in Karnataka also gained attention
globally. The controversy erupted in Udupi spread across the state.
Source:
Siasat Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/india-witnessing-rise-in-human-rights-abuse-us-secretary-of-state-2307059/
--------
US
says it values ties with Pakistan
Anwar
Iqbal
April
12, 2022
WASHINGTON:
The United States said on Monday that it values its ‘long-standing’ cooperation
with Pakistan but will not like to comment on the regime change in Islamabad.
“We
are closely following developments in Pakistan,” a spokesperson for the US
State Department told Dawn when asked for comment on Shehbaz Sharif’s election
as the country’s new prime minister.
“The
United States has no position on and does not comment on Pakistan’s internal
process,” the US official added when reminded how during the weekend the
Pakistani parliament voted out Imran Khan and elected an opposition leader as
the new prime minister.
“The
United States values our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always
viewed a prosperous and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests,” said
the spokesperson. “And this remains unchanged.”
A
prestigious US publication, Foreign Policy, however, noted that while former
prime minister “Imran Khan is out, it’s not his last innings”. The report noted
that the ousted Pakistani leader “vowed to fight on”, as Mr Sharif replaced him
on Monday morning.
Atif
Mian, an internationally acclaimed Pakistani American economist, however,
pointed out that Mr Khan’s government, inheriting a weak economy in 2018, “went
for the usual shortcuts” in its economic policy instead of focusing on
sustainable growth. “This basic sense was missing.”
The
former prime minister had included Mr Mian in his team of economic advisers
after his election but excluded him later. Mr Mian heads the Center for Public
Policy and Finance at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
In
a Twitter thread, Mr Mian highlighted key reasons for the failure of the Khan
government.
“There’s
been zero increase in average income, and Pakistan never got out of the balance
of payment crisis,” he wrote.
“Covid
gave temporary respite to this crisis as oil imports and domestic demand
contracted due to pandemic, but with pandemic receding, Pakistan is back in
serious trouble.”
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684606/us-says-it-values-ties-with-pakistan
--------
Muslim
students want Georgia school district to mark Eid al-Fitr as holiday
April
12, 2022
Muslim
students want Georgia’s largest school district to mark the holiday Eid al-Fitr
with a day off on next year’s school calendar.
The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the request by students at Gwinnett
County Public Schools could be the first of its kind in Georgia.
The
newspaper reported Friday that Noor Ali, a freshman in the district, has spoken
to the school board and started an online petition.
Eid
al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a Muslim holy month. It falls on May 2 this
year.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
India,
US call on Pakistan to ensure its territory is not used for terror attacks
Apr
12, 2022
WASHINGTON:
India and the US have called on Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and
irreversible actions to ensure that no territory under its control is used for
terrorist attacks.
In
a joint statement issued on the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue,
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, US
Secretary of State Antony J Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III
welcomed the convening of the 18th Meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group
on Counter-Terrorism and the 4th Session of the India-US Designations Dialogue
in October 2021.
Expressing
strong condemnation against the use of terrorist proxies and cross-border
terrorism in all its forms, the ministers called for the perpetrators of the
26/11 Mumbai attack, and Pathankot attack, to be brought to justice.
They
called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups
proscribed by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee,
such as al-Qa'ida, Islamic State (Deash), Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and
Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb ul Mujahideen.
The
two sides committed to the continued exchange of information about sanctions and
designations against terror groups and individuals, countering violent
radicalism, use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, and cross-border
movement of terrorists.
They
also emphasized the importance of upholding international standards on
anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism by all
countries, consistent with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
recommendations.
The
ministers also reaffirmed their support for the early adoption of a UN
Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) that advances and
strengthens the framework for global cooperation and reinforces that no cause
or grievance justifies terrorism.
Both
sides also looked forward to the next India-US Counter Narcotics Working Group
meeting in 2022 and enhancing cooperation through a bilateral Counter-Narcotics
Framework to combat drug trafficking, illicit narcotics production, and
precursor chemical supply chains.
Building
upon the recent Senior Officials Meeting between the US Department of Homeland
Security and India's Ministry of Home Affairs, both sides looked forward to
reconvening a Ministerial meeting of the India-US Homeland Security Dialogue in
2022.
The
US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and
Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar
and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was held on Monday in Washington.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US voices
support for Pakistan's 'constitutional democratic principles'
11.04.2022
By
Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
(AA) - The US on Monday voiced its support for Pakistan's "peaceful
upholding of constitutional democratic principles" after the country's new
prime minister took the oath of office.
Shehbaz
Sharif was sworn-in on Monday after former Premier Imran Khan was ousted in a
no-confidence vote he attempted to thwart. Khan had maintained he was the victim
of a US plot that sought his removal.
White
House spokeswoman Jen Psaki continued to maintain, however, that Washington
does not "support one political party over another."
"We
value our long standing cooperation with Pakistan, have always viewed a prosperous
and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests," she said. "That
remains unchanged regardless of who leadership is."
Sharif,
the younger brother of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and a
joint candidate of the combined opposition, secured 174 votes in Pakistan's
342-member lower legislative chamber, the National Assembly.
A
minimum of 172 votes were required for a simple majority in the parliament.
Sharif's
opponent, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was the candidate
of the ousted premier's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, boycotted the
elections following his party's decision to resign from the parliament.
Sharif
has called for improving ties with the US, terming them "critical"
for Pakistan, a noticeable departure from Khan’s frosty relations with
Washington.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Europe
UK
sanctions 2 Bosnian Serb leaders accused of undermining peace
Muhammad
Mussa
11.04.2022
LONDON
The
British government on Monday announced sanctions against two Bosnian Serb
leaders for undermining peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the
wider Balkans region.
Milorad
Dodik, the Bosnian Serb member of the country's tripartite Presidency Council,
and Zeljka Cvijanovic, the president of the Serb entity Republika Srpska, have
both been sanctioned with travel bans and asset freezes for their destabilizing
activities in recent months.
"These
two politicians are deliberately undermining the hard-won peace in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Encouraged by (Russian President) Putin, their reckless behavior
threatens stability and security across the Western Balkans," Foreign
Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.
"With
these tough sanctions, we are showing that the enemies of peace will be held to
account," she added.
According
to Downing Street, Dodik has threatened to withdraw Republika Srpska from key
state institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and has increased the use of
divisive, dangerous, and ultra-nationalist rhetoric that undermines the peace
and stability established after the violent conflict that followed Yugoslavia's
breakup 30 years ago.
Cvijanovic
has exploited her office and position to table legislation in the Serb entity
that would transfer state powers and laws to Republika Srpska, a move that
would violate the Constitution and threaten to further divide the country. She
has also publicly glorified Serbian war criminals while denying the genocide at
Srebrenica.
"Emboldened
by Russia's undermining of the international rules-based system, both
individuals have used their positions of authority to push for the de facto
secession of Republika Srpska -- one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s two entities
-- in direct contravention of the country's constitution," said a
government statement.
The
UK accuses both Dodik and Cvijanovic of undermining domestic and regional
harmony and encouraging ethnic hatred and division, as well as genocide denial
that threatens to reignite ethnic divisions.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Jury
holds British MP of Pakistani descent guilty of sexually assaulting minor boy
Apr
12, 2022
LONDON:
A British MP of Pakistani descent has been found guilty of sexually assaulting
a 15-year-old boy following trial by jury.
Imran
Ahmad Khan, 48, who is half-Pakistani and half-English, has denied assaulting
the teenager after a party at the victim’s family home in Staffordshire in
January 2008. It took the jury at Southwark Crown Court on Monday just five
hours to convict him. He is thought to be the first sitting British MP
convicted of child sex offences.
A
spokesperson for the Conservative party told TOI following the verdict: “Imran
Khan has been expelled from the Conservative party with immediate effect”. Khan
was suspended from the Conservative party when he was charged with the offence
and had been sitting as an independent MP ever since. His lawyers said he
planned to appeal the verdict.
The
court heard that Khan had sexually assaulted the teenager, who is Catholic,
following a party at the boy’s family home in Staffordshire in January 2008.
Khan, aged 34 at the time, attended the party as a guest. He stayed the night
in the family home and shared a bedroom with the victim. The teenager reported
that Khan plied him with gin and tonic and sexually assaulted him in his bed.
The victim, now 29, reported the crime to police in December 2019 after Khan
was elected as MP. The court also heard Khan had performed a sex act on a man
in Pakistan in 2010 after a party, where they had been drinking whisky and
smoking cannabis.
Khan
is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court at a later date. A sentence of
over 12 months in jail will automatically disqualify him from being an MP
whilst any lesser sentence of imprisonment will trigger a recall petition
whereby if 10% of eligible registered voters sign a recall petition calling for
him to be removed, the seat becomes vacant and a by-election is required. A
recalled MP may stand as a candidate. No recall can be initiated until any
appeals process is completed.
A
spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “We would like to commend the
victim for reporting the offence committed against him – he has shown real
bravery and courage in doing so. This case has had a huge impact on the victim
and his family for a number of years.”
Khan
is the first British MP from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He tried to have
the case heard anonymously on the grounds that as an Ahmadi Muslim, the
consumption of alcohol and homosexuality are strictly prohibited, and reporting
such matters would expose him to a risk to his safety in the UK and overseas.
However, his application was rejected by the court. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
is persecuted in Pakistan.
Born
in Wakefield, his English mother was a nurse and midwife in the city’s hospital
and his late Pakistani father Dr Saeed Khan was the area’s first consultant
dermatologist.
Khan
attended a local private school and then studied Russian at Pushkin Institute
in Moscow and read war studies at King’s College London.
He
was voted in as the MP for Wakefield, a working class area in Yorkshire, in
December 2019, becoming the first Tory MP in the seat since 1932, making it one
of the “red wall” seats the Conservatives gained in that election. After being
elected, he denied media reports, which stated he was the first openly gay
Muslim British MP.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkiye
important security point for Europe: Albanian premier
Erbil
Basay
12.04.2022
BERLIN
Turkiye
is a very important security point for all of Europe, Albanian Prime Minister
Edi Rama said Monday.
Speaking
at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Rama said
Turkiye is not a “third actor” but a strategic partner of Albania.
Asked
about the influence of states such as Russia, China, Turkiye, or Arab countries
on the Western Balkans in the last two years, Rama said not all actors or third
countries have the same impact.
Noting
that Russia's influence in the region has become a problem, especially in
today's conditions, he said this shows that the European Union should bring all
countries in the Western Balkans closer to itself.
Rama
also underlined that they have been in friendly relations with the Gulf
countries for many years.
Pointing
out that Bulgaria will demand the continuation of the Albanian process
separately from Germany, France and other countries if North Macedonia blocks
accession negotiations in June, he expressed hope that Germany would do its
part in agreeing for the Council of Europe to sit at the table to start
accession negotiations with Albania.
He
also noted that he expects Germany to make efforts towards visa liberalization
for Kosovars.
Scholz
said the integration of the Western Balkans with the EU is very important and
that its realization is one of the EU's greatest tasks.
Underlining
that Western Balkan countries have strategic importance for Germany, he said
they are important for the stability of the region and the whole of Europe.
He
said Germany is in favor of starting EU membership negotiations with Albania
and North Macedonia as soon as possible, which he considers a “common
interest.”
Noting
that all Western Balkan countries benefit from regional cooperation, he said he
will revive the Berlin Process initiated for the Western Balkans.
He
added that Albania plays a constructive role at the international level and
supports the common security and foreign policy of the EU.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkiye-important-security-point-for-europe-albanian-premier/2561217
--------
Serbia
wants to buy Bayraktar drones from Turkiye: President
Talha
Ozturk
11.04.2022
BELGRADE,
Serbia
Serbia
on Monday reiterated its intention to purchase Turkish combat drones, with
President Aleksandar Vucic vowing to further strengthen the country’s defenses.
Vucic
said that during their talks last week, he asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan to supply Serbia with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Bayraktar TB2s.
"Two
days ago, at a meeting with the president of Turkiye, Erdogan, I said that we
want to buy Bayraktar from Turkiye, and Erdogan promised me that we can get
them,'' said Vucic.
Serbia
in late 2020 expressed interest and plans to purchase the drones, developed by
Baykar.
Vucic
praised Bayraktar TB2s, adding that that Serbia is very interested in the
systems and would certainly buy them in the future.
"These
are very good drones. I have to give the Turkish manufacturers their due,"
said Vucic in 2020.
He
also vowed to strengthen Serbia’s defenses.
"We
will strengthen our aviation. We will also increase the number of drones,"
said Vucic.
In
a phone call, Erdogan last week congratulated Vucic on his successful
reelection bid, saying he believed that the two countries’ friendship will be
strengthened further with solidarity and sincerity.
Telling
how the entire region is being impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan also
reiterated that Turkiye will continue to do its best to forge peace.
He
also pointed to the need to give constructive messages and provide more
stability and security to the region in this difficult period.
For
his part, Vucic stressed the importance of Serbia and its economic development
of good relations with Turkiye, as well as for peace and stability in the
region.
The
Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs’ capability in the field has been proven several times both
by the Turkish Armed Forces and the armies of countries that have acquired the
drone.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/serbia-wants-to-buy-bayraktar-drones-from-turkiye-president/2561092
--------
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslims-ram-navami-iftar-temple/d/126781