New Age Islam News Bureau
11
Aug 2019
File image of people outside an NRC Seva Kendra in Guwahati. PTI
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• Muslims Found Succour From The Hindus To Meet The Deadline For The Crucial Re-Verification Of The Citizen's Register In Assam At A Short Notice
• Zomato Hits another Controversy: Hindu, Muslim Delivery Boys To Strike Against Delivering Beef, Pork
• Haj Sermon: Muslims Urged To Be Stronger Financially, Politically
• Putin Congratulates the Muslims Of Russia On The Eid Al-Adha Islamic Holiday
• Boris Johnson wishes Muslims Eid Mubarak
• US Muslims Rally To Express Solidarity with Kashmiris
• Sindh’s Hindu Community Rejects Modi Govt’s Decision To Revoke Kashmir’s Special Status
• Eidul Azha: A Day Of Prayer And Peace For Myanmar Muslims In M'sia
• Indonesia’s Muslims Urged To ‘Go Green’ And Ditch Plastic Bags On Eid
Compiled By New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslims-found-succour-hindus-meet/d/119448
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India
Asansol: Muslim Couple Cremates Hindu Cancer Patient
After Rahul Gandhi’s Claims Of ‘People Dying’, J&K Police Says Situation Peaceful
Man Writes To Satpal Maharaj: Dubai Birth Certificates Skip Religion If It’s Not Islam, Christianity
India promises easing of restrictions, food for Kashmir during Islamic Eid al-Adha festival
India eases restrictions in Kashmir for Islamic festival
Hyderabad: Muslims urged not to ‘sacrifice’ cleanliness on Id-uz-Zuha
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Arab World
Muslims gather in Muzdalifa to prepare for final stages of Hajj
Mohammed bin Rashid performs Eid Al Adha prayer at Zabeel Mosque
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Europe
First Mosque Attack in Norway After 34 Years
Eid 2019: Boris Johnson says Muslims make ‘huge contribution to British life’ as millions celebrate Festival
Muslim Eid celebration set to attract thousands cancelled due to bad weather
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North America
In combating gun violence, US Democrats present a united front
Why Muslims celebrate Eid twice in a year
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Pakistan
Sindh’s Hindu Community Rejects Modi Govt’s Decision To Revoke Kashmir’s Special Status
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South Asia
Afghan Leader Rejects Foreign Interference as Talks Advance
Afghan Special Forces discover and destroy a key Taliban compound in Uruzgan
Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in Ghazni and Wardak: 203rd Thunder Corps
Ghani appoints Inspector General amid reports of high-level corruption
Special Forces foil suicide attacks planned for Eid days in Kabul and Nangarhar
Special Forces kill, detain 9 Taliban militants in Wardak province
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Southeast Asia
Kazakhstan Welcomes Women Back From the Islamic State, Warily
Muslims Celebrate Eidul Azha with Spirit Of Sacrifice in Kuala Lumpur
Baguio Muslims and Catholics stand together against terrorism
Dr Mahathir joins thousands of Muslims in Eidul Azha prayers
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Mideast
Dozens of Palestinians injured after Israeli forces storm al-Aqsa Mosque
Clashes break out on Temple Mount between Muslim protesters, Israel Police
Forget Islamists, the IMF Is the Real Danger to the Egyptian Regime
Syria’s Assad attends holiday prayers in Damascus mosque
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Africa
Ugwuanyi felicitates with Muslims, prays for nation’s security
Security: Miyetti Allah to embark on campaign, weed out bad eggs in Enugu
Car bomb explodes in Libya’s Benghazi, killing three UN staff
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Muslims Found Succour From The Hindus To Meet The Deadline For The Crucial Re-Verification Of The Citizen's Register In Assam At A Short Notice
Aug 11, 2019
Guwahati: Thousands of Muslims straining to meet the deadline for the crucial re-verification of the citizen's register in Assam at a short notice earlier this month found succour from the Hindus. These people from Kamrup, Goalpara and South Salmara districts in lower Assam had received the National Register of Citizens (NRC) notices on 3 August asking them to appear within 24 to 48 hours at NRC Seva Kendras 400 kilometres away in Sivsagar, Charaideo and Golaghat districts in upper Assam.
Hard put to fund their journeys at such a short notice, many of the impoverished Muslims had pledged their valuables, including their meagre gold jewellery or sell their cattle and harvested crops at throwaway prices. Their hardship was compounded as they were forced to travel with their octogenarian parents and babies in overloaded buses, which charged them a premium.
But, in the age-old tradition of communal bonding in 'Sankardeb-Azan Fakir ore dexh' (Land of Sankardeb-Azan Fakir), these poor people got almost everything they needed, food, water and even a doctor to attend to a pregnant woman, "in an unknown land, from a group of unknown people".
For 72-year-old Immamul Haque from South Salmara district, who had confined himself to his community in the area he lives, the forced trip to Sivasagar, the capital of the Ahom kings in the 17th century, opened a new world to him. "I learnt that a Muslim preacher from Baghdadhad had come to Sivasagar and unified the people there. He had reformed and reinforced Islam in Assam and earned the name Azan Fakir because of his habit of calling the azan (the Muslim call to ritual prayer)," Haque said.
He also came to know that the fakir's popular devotional songs 'Zikr' and 'Zari' contain the local musical traditions and had similarities with 'Borgeets' of Srimanta Sankardeva, the 16th century Hindu polymath and socio-religious reformer.
"The youths of Sivsagar had provided hundreds of people like me with khichri and drinking water free of cost," Jahirul Alam said. They had even arranged for a doctor to examine a pregnant woman who was summoned to appear before an NRC centre, recalled Jahira Khatun from Nagarbera.
The upkeep of the dargahs (tombs or shrines of a Muslim saint) by the Hindus at Sivasagar left a deep impact in Sukur Ali, a high school student from Goalpara. "Humanism that was seen in upper Assam is supreme. The cooperation from the administration and the local Hindu people changed the mindset of the Muslims.
"They understood that political and vested interests are trying to create Hindu-Muslim divide which goes against Assam's traditional communal harmony," said Jeherul Islam, spokesperson of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), a minority-dominated party.
Islam said he felt emotional when he saw young local girls running to the district deputy commissioner's office to arrange ORS packets and preparing re-hydration drinks for children who had travelled long distances with their families. "This display of humanism and Assam's culture have sent a strong warning to the political and other vested interests that they cannot indulge in divisive communal politics in the state", All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) working president Ainuddin Ahmed said.
The Supreme Court is monitoring the NRC updating exercise and is firm on the 31 August deadline for the authorities to complete the process. Assam is the only state in India where the NRC
exercise is being carried out after the first one in 1951.
https://www.firstpost.com/india/assam-nrc-muslims-struggling-to-meet-deadline-to-appear-at-seva-kendras-receive-assistance-from-hindus-7144461.html
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Zomato hits another controversy: Hindu, Muslim delivery boys to strike against delivering beef, pork
August 11, 2019
Within days of Zomato trending on social platforms for standing by food as a religion, a fresh controversy has hit the food delivery app and this time within the company itself.
Zomato delivery boys will go on a strike from Monday protesting that the food being delivered by them is hurting their religious sentiments.
Delivery boys have refused to deliver beef or pork during the festive celebrations of Bakrid or Eid al-Adha to be celebrated this week on Monday.
Two of their demands are that the Zomato should revise the pay order and the company also must stop playing with the religious sentiment of their employees.
Hence, both Hindu and Muslim food delivery boys have decided to go on strike from Monday and refused to deliver the food that is beyond their religious acceptable guidelines.
The employees have, allegedly, informed their higher authorities but there is no response from them as of now.
Mousin Akhtar, a Zomato food delivery staff said, "Recently some Muslim restaurants have been added to the online food delivery app. But we have some Hindu delivery boy who are denying to delivery beef. And it's been heard that in few days we have to deliver Pork, which we refuse to deliver. We are also facing pay out issues and have least medical facilities. All these are hampering the fraternal bond between us as we have to deliver food which is not permitted by our religion. Our religious sentiment is being hurt. The company knows everything, but in spite of helping us they are using false allegations against us."
Another Zomato staff explained that the food being carried by them for earning a living could not compromise with their basic right to religion.
Bajraj Nath Brahma, Zomato food delivery staff in Howrah mentioned, "I am Hindu. There are also other fellow delivery boys who are Muslim. We have no issues in working together. Zomato has presently tied up with some new restaurants that are repelling us to work under any circumstances and we cannot cancel any order at any cost. If any of us deny delivering any particular food then this would fall under denial dispute which would be followed up by manager. The Muslims are equally feeling hurt with this decision as we Hindus are. The company is hurting our religious sentiment. We want this to be stopped immediately. Hence from Monday we have stopped our service."
West Bengal Minister and TMC MLA from Howrah Rajib Banerjee responded to the issue. He is supporting the delivery staff on the issue and assured of initiating probe in the same.
Rajib said, "I too feel that the organization performing such act should think about their action once again. They should not force any sect to go against the rules of their religion. This is very wrong. We had no idea about such actions. Since we have been approached, we shall surely take action against such deeds."
Inputs from Baidyanath Jha in Howrah
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/zomato-hits-another-controversy-hindu-muslim-delivery-boys-to-go-on-strike-against-delivery-of-beef-and-pork-1579684-2019-08-11
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Haj Sermon: Muslims Urged To Be Stronger Financially, Politically
MOUNT ARAFAT: Imam Sheikh Mohammad bin Hassan Al Shaikh has urged the Muslim Ummah to make themselves strong financially and politically to counter growing challenges of the world. He has also urged all Muslims to rid their hearts of hatred and be more kind in their treatment of others, Radio Pakistan reported.
While delivering the Haj sermon on Saturday at Masjid-i-Nimra on the plain of Arafat, he impressed upon the need for showing compassion towards parents, children, relatives and all living beings. He called upon Muslims to remain united in the bonds of brotherhood. He reminded them that God's blessings are infinite and one must find solace in this fact and continue to seek them.
More than two million Muslims gathered at the sacred hill of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for an intense day of worship and reflection on what's considered the climax of the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Pilgrims clad in white robes signifying a state of purity spent the night in a sprawling encampment around the hill where God tested Hazrat Ibrahim's (AS) faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS). It is also where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave his last sermon.
Some had tears streaming down their faces as the men and women raised their hands in worship on the slopes of the rocky hill. Other worshippers who had been praying in the nearby Mina area ascended in buses or on foot from before dawn. Some carried food, carpets for camping and fans to keep cool as temperatures rose towards 40 degrees Celsius.
Zaid Abdullah, a 30-year-old Yemeni who works in a supermarket in Saudi Arabia, said he was praying for his own country, where war has killed tens of thousands of people and caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis, and for Muslims around the globe. “We can tolerate the heat because our sins are greater than that,” he said as he approached the granite hill also known as the Mount of Mercy. “We ask God to alleviate the heat of the hereafter. As for the heat of this life, we can bear it.”
Taxi driver Khaled Maatouq said he was seeking an end to fighting in his native Libya: “I pray that God unites us.”
For others, the pilgrimage is a form of relief. Egyptian merchant Ramadan al-Jeedi said he was grateful to accompany his mother after his father died last year. “It's the greatest feeling, to feel that God the almighty chose us to be in this place,” he said.
Meanwhile, the covering cloth of the Kaaba, known as kiswa, was also changed at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah as part of a yearly ritual which takes place on 9th Zilhaj.
The kiswa is a heavy silk cloth with verses of the Holy Quran in golden embroidery.
Saudi Arabia has said more than two million pilgrims, mostly from abroad, have arrived for the five-day ritual of Haj, a religious duty once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey.
Among them are 200 survivors and relatives of victims of the attacks on two New Zealand mosques in March.
The pilgrims spent the day on Mount Arafat. By sunset they moved to the rocky plain of Muzdalifa to gather pebbles to throw at stone columns symbolising the devil at Jamarat on Sunday, which marks the first day of Eidul Azha.
Saudi Arabia stakes its reputation on its guardianship of Islam's holiest sites, Makkah and Madina, and organising the pilgrimage.
A perennial concern is the potential for disease spreading among pilgrims, who spend five days in close quarters, often eating outside and sleeping on the ground near holy sites.
The world's largest annual gathering of Muslims has in the past also seen stampedes, fires and riots, with authorities sometimes struggling to respond. Hundreds were killed in a crush in 2015, the worst disaster to strike Haj for at least 25 years.
Pilgrimage is also the backbone of a Saudi plan to expand tourism under a drive to diversify the kingdom's economy away from oil. The Haj and year-round Umrah generate billions of dollars in revenue from worshippers' lodging, transport, fees and gifts.
Officials aim to increase the number of Umrah and Haj pilgrims to 15 million and 5 million respectively by 2020 and the Umrah number to 30 million by 2030.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/511238-haj-sermon-muslims-urged-to-be-stronger-financially-politically
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Putin congratulates the Muslims of Russia on the Eid al-Adha Islamic holiday
MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the Muslims of Russia on the Eid al-Adha Islamic holiday, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, wishing them peace, happiness and prosperity, according to a telegram published on the Kremlin’s website on Sunday.
"This holiday, which is one of the main and the most respected ones by the Muslims, marks the end of the pilgrimage to the holy places and serves to unite people, strengthen the eternal values of love, kindness and mercy. It is pleasant that Russian Muslims cherish the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of their fathers and grandfathers, educate the younger generation to respect history, traditions and customs of their ancestors," Putin said.
According to Putin, life of the Muslim community is filled with good deeds and undertakings, and great attention is paid to fulfilling social and educational initiatives.
The Russian president highlighted the great contribution of Muslim organizations in developing fruitful cooperation with state and public institutions and maintaining dialogue between ethnic groups and religions.
https://tass.com/society/1072929
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Boris Johnson wishes Muslims Eid Mubarak
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has wished Muslims in the UK and worldwide Eid Mubarak on the eve of the Islamic holiday.
Mr Johnson, who became prime minister in July, said he wanted to “celebrate the contribution” that 3.3 million Muslims living in Britain had made.
“The story of Eid Al Adha is one of sacrifice, about doing your duty and doing what’s right,” he said.
“And that is something we see daily from Muslims right across the UK – men and women who, in all kinds of different ways, make such a huge contribution to modern British life.
“In business, in our public services, in culture and the media, at the highest levels of government and of course in England’s World Cup-winning cricket team, British Muslims are helping to make this country the success it is today.
“And, particularly during Eid but also all year round, we see extraordinary generosity from individuals in their support for charities that help the less fortunate – really living the values of Eid Al Adha.”
Mr Johnson came under fire last year before his return to the top tier of British politics for comments he made about Muslim women in a newspaper column.
The former mayor of London was branded Islamophobic by Muslim groups after he described women who wear the burqa or niqab as looking like “letterboxes” and “bank robbers”.
https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/boris-johnson-wishes-muslims-eid-mubarak-1.896742
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US Muslims rally to express solidarity with Kashmiris
NEW YORK: Hundreds of American-Muslims came together in New York on Friday in an
extraordinary demonstration of support and solidarity with the Kashmiri people who are under siege since India’s annexation of occupied Kashmir that has sparked of a crisis in the disputed region.
Apart from Pakistanis and Kashmiris, those demonstrating in front of Indian Consulate included Turks, Arabs, Bangladeshis, Bosnians, black and white Americans. Among the protestors were students from Columbia University, an elite American education institution.
The rally, held under tight police security, was sponsored by “Stand with Kashmiris”, an umbrella body established, among others, by the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Council of American Islamic Relations (ICNA).
Emotionally charged protesters raised vociferous slogans and waved placards denouncing India’s action in Kashmir and demanding withdrawal of Indian troops from Kashmir.
Speakers at the rally called for the Indian government to immediately reinstate the protected status of the disputed state, lift the siege, and enter into peaceful negotiations to determine the future Occupied Kashmir in accordance with the UN resolutions.
Earlier, Kashmiris and Pakistanis, joined by Sikhs, staged a protest demonstration in front of the Indian Mission to the United Nations, which is located several blocks away from the Indian Consulate.
The demonstrators, who were carrying flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, shouted slogans against Indian Prime Minister Modi and carried banners like “Kashmiris in Pain; India in Shame”, “Kashmir: Nuclear Flashpoint” “Modi: Face of Indian Terrorism”, “Indian forces out of Kashmir”, “Self-determination for Kashmiris”, “Kashmir banega Pakistan.
Among the Kashmiri leaders who addressed the demonstrators were Ghulam Nabi Fai, Sardar Sawar Khan and Capt. (rtd) Khalid Shaheen Butt who called for unity at this critical hour to counter India’s move to change the demographic character of occupied Kashmir.
Sikh leader Amarjit Singh, who also spoke, said that the Sikh nation will standby the Kashmiris in their struggle to get rid of the Indian yoke.
Fai, who is secretary-general of the Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum, expressed satisfaction over UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres statement that reaffirmed UN resolutions on Kashmir and that the dispute should be resolved through a dialogue in accordance with the UN Charter.
He said the SG’s statement debunks India’s claim that the Kashmir was India’s integral part.
The resolution also calls for refraining from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/08/10/us-muslims-rally-to-express-solidarity-with-kashmiris/
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Sindh’s Hindu community rejects Modi govt’s decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status
Sindh’s Hindu community has rejected the revocation of special status of Kashmir by the Modi government and called it blatant terrorism.
Minister for Minorities Affairs Hari Ram Kishori Lal, special assistants to Sindh chief minister Dr Khatu Mal Jeevan, Veerji Kolhi, MNA Dr Mahesh Malani and MPA Rana Hameer Singh said in joint statement on Saturday that they stood with the Kashmir brothers in their legitimate struggle.
They said that India had pushed the South Asian region towards a dangerous situation, and the Hindus of Sindh were ready to render any sacrifice for the protection of their beloved motherland.
The Hindu leaders further said that Kashmir was a disputed territory, and the Indian government had no authority to alter the status of Kashmir.
They added that the Modi government had buried the secular ideology of India. They termed the illegal annexation of Kashmir a violation of international laws.
Sindh’s seven million Hindu leaders demanded of human rights organisations and the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take notice of the Indian atrocities in Kashmir.
They said the Hindu community would organise rallies in various cities across the province to show solidarity with the Kashmiris on August 14 and arrange special prayers for blessings on Kashmir.
They also announced they would hoist the flags of Pakistan and Kashmir outside the temples.
On August 5, leaving aside their serious political differences, the treasury and opposition sides of the Sindh Assembly had showed complete unanimity of views in expressing solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people by passing a resolution against the Indian’s government move to scrap the special autonomous status given to the occupied Kashmir as enshrined in India’s constitution.
The resolution said: “This move [of India] has been designed to deprive Kashmiris of their rights including their invaluable right to self-determination and bring demographic changes by converting the Muslim majority into a minority.”
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/511125-sindh-s-hindu-community-rejects-modi-govt-s-decision-to-revoke-kashmir-s-special-status
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Eidul Azha: A day of prayer and peace for Myanmar Muslims in M'sia
Mukhriz Hazim
Also known as Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji here, the festival marks the end of the hajj pilgrimage.
It is also associated with the slaughtering of cows, goats, sheeps, and even camels, with the meat distributed to the poor or needy.
This practice is to commemorate the deed of the Prophet Ibrahim, who, as a proof of his faith in God, offered to sacrifice his son Ismail. Revealed to be a test, a ram was sacrificed instead.
For the more than 500 Myanmar Muslims living in Kuala Lumpur, once a year, the bustle of Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur in Selayang is transformed into a place of sacrifice and worship.
With some from the community escaping persecution back home, the day’s prayers and festivities the day provide some measure of comfort.
Recently, the Housing and Local Government Ministry said it was studying the idea of setting up a resettlement village to regroup refugees registered under the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said this would provide these communities with access to proper healthcare and education, allow them to work and enable the government to better monitor them.
Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran also recently reminded the Pakatan Harapan government of its election promise to allow refugees to work.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/487564
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Indonesia’s Muslims urged to ‘go green’ and ditch plastic bags on Eid
Indonesia is urging Muslims to use eco-friendly packaging when distributing sacrificial meat on Eid Al-Adha this year, as the country fights to reduce the amount of plastic waste it produces.
Indonesia is second only to China when it comes to dumping plastic waste in the ocean and, with a Muslim-majority population, the use of plastic bags to package sacrificial meat could lead to tens of thousands of tons of additional waste. Indonesia is estimated to produce an estimated 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, many of which end up in the ocean.
The slaughter of an animal — qurbani — is carried out in remembrance of the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at Allah’s command.
Regional leaders across Indonesia were last month urged by the government to tell people to bring their own reusable containers instead of single-use plastic bags for the sacrificial meat.
“Alternatively, they can replace plastic bags with wrappings from banana or teak leaves, woven bamboo baskets, or other biodegradable or reusable packaging,” an official from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, said in a circular.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the use of woven bamboo baskets would help to reduce plastic waste and generate additional income for local tradesmen, while Central Jakarta Mayor Bayu Meghantara said his office would distribute 500 woven bamboo baskets to qurbani committees.
Abu Hurairah Abdul Salam, a spokesman for Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta, said the qurbani committee had started using plastic bags made of cassava pulp four years ago.
“But, in accordance with the governor’s instructions, we will be using woven bamboo baskets to distribute qurbani meat this year. We have prepared 5,000 baskets and, if we run out of baskets, we will be using biodegradable cassava plastic bags,” he said.
The mosque slaughtered 30 cows and 20 goats this year.
North Jakarta’s Ancol Dreamland Park will hand out sacrificial meat to the first 100 recipients in woven bamboo baskets, or besek.
“We will wrap the rest of the qurbani meat packages, which on average are up to 5,000, in biodegradable, cassava-based bags. This is one of the many policies that park management has issued to address the waste problem. We have stopped using plastic straws at all vendor stalls,” Ancol spokeswoman Rika Lestari said.
The Indonesian Council of Ulema is backing the nationwide green initiative.
“We can take this Eid moment to start a new habit by using eco-friendly bags and to change our society’s dependence on plastic bags,” council’s fatwa committee official Hasanuddin Abdul Fattah said in a statement.
https://theparrot.co/2019/08/11/indonesias-muslims-urged-to-go-green-and-ditch-plastic-bags-on-eid/
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India
Asansol: Muslim couple cremates Hindu cancer patient
Aug 11, 2019
ASANSOL: A Muslim couple at Asansol’s Sitarampur kept their word to a Hindu cancer patient they had nursed by performing his last rites in accordance with Hindu customs. Syeed Khan and his wife Reshma will also perform the shradh of Surendra Bhagat Aggarwal in keeping with his wishes. Surendra, who died after a battle with oral cancer, was cremated at Sitarampur on Friday.
Reshma of Sitarampur had married Syeed from Kolkata’s Park Circus 30 years ago before moving to Mumbai, where Syeed owned a small food stall. The childless couple developed a friendship with Surendra, their neighbour, who look upon Reshma as a daughter.
“After some time, my husband left for Jaipur. I returned to my parental home in Sitarampur. Surendra stayed in touch and even visited Sitarampur,” Reshma said. “As the years passed, we heard he was suffering from oral cancer and had been admitted to an ayurvedic hospital in Rajasthan. Six months ago, he called me to say doctors had told him he would die soon. My husband brought him to Sitarampur and looked after him for six months.”
About a month ago, Surendra’s condition worsened. He stopped speaking and had to be fed through a Ryles tube. He died around 7pm on Thursday. Syeed said: “ We kept our promise by performing his last rites in accordance with Hindu customs. His shradh ceremony will be held in 10 days.”
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/muslim-couple-cremates-hindu-cancer-patient/articleshow/70625124.cms
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After Rahul Gandhi’s claims of ‘people dying’, J&K Police says situation peaceful
August 11, 2019
Refuting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claims of “deteriorating” law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar police said the situation in the Valley remained peaceful and that no untoward incident was reported in recent days.
Taking to Twitter, Srinagar Police said, “Situation in the Valley has remained normal today. No untoward incident has been reported. At selective locations restriction was lifted temporarily.”
Speaking on similar lines, Jammu and Kashmir Police said no untoward incident was reported in the area in last one week. “There has been no untoward incident barring minor stone-pelting which was dealt with on the spot and was nipped in the bud,” Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh told PTI.
Besides this, the government also issued a statement, saying the DGP and Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam requested people not to believe fabricated and motivated news regarding incidents of firing in the Valley.
The statement said no firing incident has taken place in Kashmir in the past six days and the situation is calm and people are cooperative and restrictions are being relaxed to ease the situation.
Earlier this week, the Centre had revoked the provisions of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the state into union territories.
Following the Congress Working Committee meeting at the AICC headquarters, Rahul on Saturday urged Prime Minister to assuage the concerns in a transparent manner.
“I was called by the Working Committee just now because between the work they were doing to choose the next Congress president some reports have come that things in Jammu and Kashmir are going very wrong. There are reports of violence, there are reports of people dying in Jammu and Kashmir. So we stopped our deliberations on the Congress president issue and we had a presentation on what was going in Jammu and Kashmir,” he told reporters.
“It is very very important that the Government of India and the Prime Minister make it very clear and transparent exactly what is happening in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. We are extremely concerned about reports that are coming and the Government needs to assuage the country and tell the country exactly what is happening and be transparent,” he added.
The Union Home Ministry on Saturday said that there have been a few stray protests in the Kashmir Valley in the past few days against the scrapping of special status of Jammu and Kashmir, but none of these involved a crowd of more than 20 people.
Floods wreak havoc, 60 dead in Kerala; Amit Shah to conduct aerial survey of Karnataka's Belagavi
“There have been a few stray protests in Srinagar/Baramulla and none of these involved a crowd of more than 20 people,” a ministry spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also dismissed a media report about a protest by about 10,000 people in Kashmir as “fabricated and incorrect”.
Top Army commanders reviewed the situation in the state and along the borders with Pakistan. Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Devraj Anbu arrived in the Valley, visited formations and units in north Kashmir, and was briefed by commanders on ground on the operational preparedness and measures taken to meet security challenges. Lt Gen Anbu interacted with troops and emphasised the need to maintain a high degree of vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) to eliminate any infiltration bid.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-article-370-scrapped-rahul-gandhi-srinagar-police-5895694/
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Man writes to Satpal Maharaj: Dubai birth certificates skip religion if it’s not Islam, Christianity
Aug 11, 2019
Dehradun: Prakash Pancholi, a Gujarat resident working in Dubai, has written to state tourism minister Satpal Maharaj, claiming if a baby in the UAE city has a religion other than Islam or Christianity, it isn’t mentioned in its birth certificate. Following the communication, Satpal Maharaj has spoken to senior party colleagues in Delhi and is soon going to meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar over the issue.
“My two children, a 9-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, were born in Dubai. When trying to get their birth certificates, I learnt that the religion is not mentioned unless it is Christianity or Islam," Pancholi said, adding that he had met the Indian consulate in Dubai over the issue, but the latter refused to help, saying this was the way it was.
The letter says, “My appeal/request to you is if you can escalate this to the powers to be and address the issue.”
When contacted, Pancholi said, “I will not call it a problem but an issue which needs to be addressed. There are no hassles if the religion is not mentioned in a birth certificate. However, if two religions are mentioned, why not the others.”
Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj confirmed that he had received Pancholi’s letter, saying that he had approached him through a common friend. “This is a surprising fact and I will soon meet our external affairs minister S Jaishankar to discuss the issue. I will request for his intervention in the matter. Meanwhile, I have spoken to some party seniors in Delhi and informed them about the issue,” the minister said.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/man-writes-to-satpal-maharaj-dubai-birth-certificates-skip-religion-if-its-not-islam-christianity/articleshow/70623688.cms
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India promises easing of restrictions, food for Kashmir during Islamic Eid al-Adha festival
AUG 11, 2019
NEW DELHI – Authorities enforcing a strict curfew in Indian-administered Kashmir promised easing of restrictions on Sunday and essential supplies for an Islamic festival, but the divided Himalayan region remained in a lockdown after India’s decision to strip it of its constitutional autonomy.
Pakistan said that with the support of China, it will take up India’s unilateral actions in Kashmir with the U.N. Security Council and may approach the U.N. Human Rights Commission over what it says is the “genocide” of the Kashmiri people.
“I have shared with China that the Pakistan government has decided to take this issue to U.N. Security Council. We will be needing China’s help there,” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a news conference on Saturday. “China has assured full support to Pakistan.”
Qureshi said he planned to approach Indonesia and Poland, both nonpermanent members of the 15-strong Security Council, for their support. He said that India’s moves have increased the threat to regional peace and raised fears of bloodshed in Kashmir.
“When a demographic change is made through force, it’s called genocide, and you are moving toward genocide,” he told reporters in Islamabad after returning from Beijing.
The Indian ambassador to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, left Islamabad on Saturday night after Pakistan retaliated against India by lowering diplomatic ties. Fourteen other Indian mission officials and their families also left Islamabad, airport official Mohammad Wasim Ahmed said.
Pakistan on Saturday also canceled a bus linking Lahore with New Delhi, the last remaining public transport link between the neighbors.
Pakistan has already cut two rail links, suspended bilateral trade and expelled India’s ambassador, all part of what it called a diplomatic effort to protest against the decision.
Arshad Ali, tourism officer at Pakistan Tourism Development Corp. which runs the Pakistan leg of the journey, told Reuters the government had issued directives that meant the bus, that departs Lahore six days a week at 6 a.m., was suspended from Saturday onward.
Kashmir is claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan and is divided between the archrivals. Rebels have been fighting New Delhi’s rule for decades in the Indian-controlled portion, and most Kashmiri residents want either independence or a merger with Pakistan.
Gov. Satya Pal Malik said in interviews with television networks that there would be easing of restrictions and adequate essential supplies for Monday’s Eid al-Adha festival.
His comments came as India’s main opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Kashmir, saying there are reports of violence and people dying.
Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Gandhi said “things are going very wrong there,” and called for the Indian government to make clear what is happening.
Gandhi later on Saturday was replaced as party leader by his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who once again took the reins of the Congress party. Rahul Gandhi stepped down after a second straight election drubbing by Modi, a right-wing Hindu nationalist. The 49-year-old Gandhi, who was seeking to become the fourth member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to become prime minister, quit in July after the latest big loss at the polls in the April-May elections.
Critics have blamed Rahul Gandhi’s lackluster leadership and political management for the party’s setbacks.
In Srinagar, Kashmir’s main city, authorities said there have been instances of stone pelting by protesters but no gun firing by security forces in the past six days. Television images on Saturday showed movement of cars and people in some parts of Kashmir.
“There has been no untoward incident barring minor stone-pelting, which was dealt with on the spot and was nipped in the bud,” Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh told the Press Trust of India news agency.
On Thursday, Modi assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that normalcy would gradually return and that the government was ensuring that the current restrictions do not dampen the Islamic Eid festival on Monday.
New Delhi rushed tens of thousands of additional soldiers to one of the world’s most militarized regions to prevent unrest and protests after Modi’s Hindu nationalist-led government said Monday that it was revoking Kashmir’s special constitutional status and downgrading its statehood. Modi said the move was necessary to free the region of “terrorism and separatism.”
The indefinite 24-hour curfew was briefly eased on Friday for weekly Muslim prayers in some parts of Srinagar, but thousands of residents are still forced to stay indoors with shops and most health clinics closed. All communications and the internet remain cut off.
Following Friday prayers, police used tear gas and pellets to fight back the protesters who gathered in their largest numbers since authorities clamped down and detained more than 500 political and separatist leaders.
Other stone-throwing incidents were reported from the northern and southern parts of Kashmir.
Authorities were closely watching for any anti-India protests, which will determine a further easing of restrictions for the Eid holiday.
The region’s top administrative official, Baseer Khan, said that essential commodities including food, grains and meat will be delivered to different parts of the region by Sunday.
In the meantime, most residents have been waking up before dawn to get food and other supplies stockpiled by neighborhood shopkeepers and pharmacists inside their homes. Shortly after dawn, police and paramilitary soldiers swiftly occupy the roads and streets as part of the restrictions on movement.
While some easing on the movement and opening of shops is expected around Eid, officials still held reservations about restoring mobile and internet services. Some relaxation of curbs on landline communication, however, could be considered, they said.
With India moving to erase the constitutional provision that prohibited outsiders from buying property in Jammu and Kashmir state, Indians from the rest of the country can now purchase real estate and apply for government jobs there. Some fear this may lead to a demographic and cultural change in the Muslim-majority region.
Also Saturday, a regional political party from Kashmir petitioned the Supreme Court to strike down the government’s move to scrap the region’s special status and divide the state into two federal territories. The National Conference in its plea claimed the move was illegal. An opposition Congress party activist has already filed a petition challenging the communications blockade and the detentions of Kashmiri leaders.
The United States on Friday said that there has been no change in its policy on Kashmir, as Washington continues to regard it as a territory disputed between India and Pakistan.
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus described Kashmir as “certainly an incredibly important issue” that the United States continued to “follow closely.”
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/11/asia-pacific/india-promises-easing-restrictions-food-kashmir-islamic-eid-al-adha-festival/#.XU_HsuMzbIU
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India eases restrictions in Kashmir for Islamic festival
ASHOK SHARMA
AUGUST 11, 2019
Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir said that they eased restrictions Sunday in most parts of Srinagar, the main city, ahead of an Islamic festival following India's decision to strip the region of its constitutional autonomy.
Magistrate Shahid Choudhary in a tweet said that more than 250 ATMs have been made functional and bank branches opened for people to withdraw money ahead of Monday's Eid al-Adha festival.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of reports by authorities that people were visiting shopping areas for festival purchases as all communications and the internet remain cut off for a seventh day.
Authorities appear to be acting with utmost caution because of a fear of a backlash from residents who have been forced to stay indoors since last Monday.
India's main opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said there are reports of violence and "people dying" in the region. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Gandhi said "things are going very wrong there," and called for the Indian government to make clear what is happening.
Authorities in Srinagar said there have been instances of stone pelting by protesters but no gun firing by security forces in the past six days. Television images showed movement of cars and people in some parts of Kashmir.
State-run All India Radio quoted the region's top bureaucrat, Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, as saying that people were coming out of their homes for Eid shopping. He also said that Srinagar and other towns witnessed good road traffic on Saturday.
India's junior Home Minister G. Kishan Reddy said he expected the situation in Kashmir to become "fully peaceful" in 10-15 days.
He said communication facilities would be restored in phases. "We have only taken precautionary measures with the view that even small incidents should not occur when a major decision has been made," the Press Trust of India news agency quoted him as saying.
Reddy said there had been occasions in the past when a curfew had continued for weeks at a stretch, but there was no such expectation now.
On Thursday, Modi assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that normalcy would gradually return and that the government was ensuring that the current restrictions do not dampen the Islamic festival.
New Delhi rushed tens of thousands of additional soldiers to one of the world's most militarized regions to prevent unrest and protests after Modi's Hindu nationalist-led government announced revoking of Kashmir's special constitutional status and downgrading its statehood. Modi said the move was necessary to free the region of "terrorism and separatism."
On Saturday, Pakistan said that with the support of China, it will take up India's unilateral actions in Kashmir with the U.N. Security Council and may approach the U.N. Human Rights Commission over what it says is the "genocide" of the Kashmiri people.
Kashmir is claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan and is divided between the archrivals. Rebels have been fighting New Delhi's rule for decades in the Indian-controlled portion, and most Kashmiri residents want either independence or a merger with Pakistan.
"When a demographic change is made through force, it's called genocide, and you are moving toward genocide," Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad after returning from Beijing.
With India moving to erase the constitutional provision that prohibited outsiders from buying property in Jammu and Kashmir state, Indians from the rest of the country can now purchase real estate and apply for government jobs there. Some fear this may lead to a demographic and cultural change in the Muslim-majority region.
Qureshi also said that while Pakistan is not planning to take any military action, it is ready to counter any potential aggression by India.
The Indian ambassador to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, left Islamabad on Saturday night after Pakistan retaliated against India by lowering diplomatic ties. Fourteen other Indian mission officials and their families also left Islamabad, airport official Mohammad Wasim Ahmed said.
A regional political party from Kashmir petitioned the Supreme Court to strike down the government's move to scrap the region's special status and divide the state into two federal territories. An opposition Congress party activist has already filed a petition challenging the communications blockade and the detentions of Kashmiri leaders.
Indian paramilitary soldiers prepare to close off a street with barbwire in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. Authorities enforcing a strict curfew in Indian-administered Kashmir will bring in trucks of essential supplies for an Islamic festival next week, as the divided Himalayan region remained in a lockdown following India's decision to strip it of its constitutional autonomy. The indefinite 24-hour curfew was briefly eased on Friday for weekly Muslim prayers in some parts of Srinagar, the region's main city, but thousands of residents are still forced to stay indoors with shops and most health clinics closed. All communications and the internet remain cut off. MUKHTAR KHAN AP PHOTO
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article233758197.html
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Hyderabad: Muslims urged not to ‘sacrifice’ cleanliness on Id-uz-Zuha
Aug 11, 2019
Hyderabad: A group of NGOs has been working for the last four years to create awareness to maintain cleanliness during the days when sacrifice is carried on the occasion of Id-uz-Zuha. The campaign by 15 NGOs has gained popularity in other states and more than 100 NGOs have joined it across the country.
Team Bakrid volunteers have started a massive campaign on social media ahead of Bakrid to ensure the celebrations go on in a hygienic manner.
Id-uz-Zuha sees a large number of animals, especially sheep and goat, being sacrificed to reflect Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismael. People previously used to dump entrails of the sacrificed animals on the roads, which raised unpleassant odour and caused various diseases.
Mr Ilyas Shamsi, president of the Reformers Front of India, had launched a drive in 2016 with the slogan “Id hamari safai ki zimedari hamari” (Ours is the Id, ours is the responsibility to maintain cleanliness) with 15 NGOs.
Team Bakrid creates awareness among the general public to avoid slaughtering of animals outside the houses and dumping the entrails and dung on the road.
Mr Shamsi said in Islam cleanliness is a part of imaan (faith). “We observed that during the Id many people dump the animal waste on the roads which is a baleful act and affects the neighbours. Islam insists that we respect and honour the neighbor and the rights of the neighbourhood are not meant for Muslims only. That’s why we are focusing on encouraging those who celebrate Bakrid to be more responsible by disposing of animal entrails after the ritual sacrifice in a hygienic manner. We are involving religious scholars to spread the message of cleanliness,” he said.
Mr Shamsi said. “In the previous years, we were fully support by the GHMC. The GHMC officials sent vehicles on our call to dispose of animal waste.” He feared it may not happen this year as GHMC workers are boycotting duties to protest the death of two employees at a garbage dump yard recently.
Volunteers of the NGOs will be active on the roads and streets to coordinate with the GHMC officials in the disposal of excrement.
Mr Mohammed Mansoor Ali, founder member of Team Bakrid, said, “We are touring the districts to involve people in the drive. Local people at many places who were attracted to the concept have started the campaign on their own.”
Mr Ali said the campaign has not only attracted Muslims, but also drawn the attention of non-Muslims and government officials especially civic and police authorities. “They are not only encouraging us, but also cooperating with us,” Mr Ali said.
Moulana Mohammed Abdur Raheem Khurram Jamai of Ahle Hadees appreciated the campaign launched by Team Bakrid and said every Muslim has a duty to keep their environment clean. He said. “If we neglect cleanliness, it will harm us as well.” he said and added that the message was being spread through mosques.
Traders wary of cow vigilantes
There is a 30 per cent drop in the cattle trade during Bakrid as the traders are scared of illegal snatching of permitted categories of cattle by anti-social elements and the strict enforcement by the police.
Estimates are that there are 15 lakh people offering animals like sheep, goats, camels and permitted varieties of cattle according to the Sharia laws on Id-uz-Zuha. During three days of sacrifice 6-7 lakh sheep or billy goats are sacrificed as also 2-3 lakh black buffaloes. Due to the prevailing political atmosphere, this year only sheep and goats are being procured for the ritual of sacrifice.
BJP MLA Raja Singh and his team have been roaming the streets checking the transportation of cattle in the city. He said, “We do not have any intention of disturbing the festival but will not allow slaughter of a cow or calf.”
Mr Muneer Qureshi, secretary, All India Jamiat ul Quraish, a representative body of butchers, said this year, many traders had avoided purchase of cattle. Due to legal action, butchers have to attend court and the procedure is very taxing.
Moulana Mohammed Zubair Qasmi, general secretary, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, said the police had issued directions not bring any cattle flouting norms from outside the state.
Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson, Amjadullah Khan Khalid, said he was receiving complaints of seizure of cattle at various entry points by the police. Muslims have voluntarily avoided sacrificing cows but gau rakshaks and animal rights activists were creating hurdles in transporting buffalos. He advised Muslims not to purchase cattle without the certificate of the authorised veterinary doctor.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110819/hyderabad-muslims-urged-not-to-sacrifice-cleanliness-on-id-uz-z.html
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Arab World
Muslims gather in Muzdalifa to prepare for final stages of Hajj
Muslim pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising the stoning of Satan, the last rite of the Hajj, on the first day of Eid Al Adha, in Mina.
Nearly 2.5 million Muslims gathered at Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat on Saturday for a vigil to atone for their sins, and then descended to Muzdalifa for the final stages of the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid summer heat and regional tensions.
Pilgrims clad in white robes signifying a state of purity spent the night in a sprawling encampment around the hill where Islam holds that God tested Abraham's faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son Ismail. It is also where Prophet Mohammad gave his last sermon.
Muslim pilgrims line up for shave their heads after stoning of Satan in Mina.
Other worshippers who had been praying in the nearby Mina area ascended in buses or on foot from before dawn. Some carried food, carpets for camping and fans to keep cool as temperatures rose towards 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) before heavy rains and lightning erupted.
Zaid Abdullah, a 30-year-old Yemeni who works in a supermarket in Saudi Arabia, said he was praying for his own country, where war has killed tens of thousands of people and caused the world's worse humanitarian crisis, and for Muslims around the globe.
A Muslim worshiper throws pebbles as part of the stoning of the Satan ritual at the Jamarat Bridge in Mina, near Makkah. AFP
"We can tolerate the heat because our sins are greater than that," he said as he approached the granite hill also known as the Mount of Mercy. "We ask God to alleviate the heat of the hereafter. As for the heat of this life, we can bear it."
Hamood Ismail and his wife Raghdaa travelled from Syria, through Turkey, while taxi driver Khaled Maatouq came from Libya. They all said they were seeking an end to the suffering in their homelands which have been torn apart by conflict.
For others, the pilgrimage is a form of relief. Egyptian merchant Ramadan al-Jeedi said he was grateful to accompany his mother after his father died last year.
"It's the greatest feeling, to feel that God the almighty chose us to be in this place," he said.
Muslim pilgrims pray as they prepare to leave Arafat on their way to Muzdalifah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Nadzmi Maruji Naid from the Philippines said he felt comfortable but a little nervous about making Hajj for the first time: "God willing, everyone here will be accepted by Allah."
Some 2.49 million pilgrims, mostly from abroad, have arrived for the five-day ritual, a religious duty once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
Among them are 200 survivors and relatives of victims of the attacks on two New Zealand mosques in March.
After spending the day on Mount Arafat, the pilgrims moved at sunset to the plain of Muzdalifa to gather pebbles to throw at stone columns symbolising the devil at Jamarat on Sunday, which marks the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the feast of sacrifice.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2019/08/11/muslims-gather-in-muzdalifa-to-prepare-for-final-stages-of-hajj
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Mohammed bin Rashid performs Eid Al Adha prayer at Zabeel Mosque
DUBAI, 11th August, 2019 (WAM) -- His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, this morning performed Eid Al Adha prayer at Zabeel Mosque in Dubai.
Performing the prayer alongside H.H. Sheikh Mohammed were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and a number of Sheikhs, officials and a crowd of worshippers.
The Eid sermon, delivered by Sheikh Dr. Omar Al Khateeb, underlined the spiritual significance of the auspicious occasion and the importance held by sacrifices in Islam.
Dr Al Khateeb accentuated the importance of Muslims adhering to the virtuous path of God by maintaining the sublime values of tolerance, forgiveness, love and acceptance.
Concluding, the imam prayed to Allah Almighty to bless President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council, Rulers of the Emirates and bestow further peace, stability, prosperity and happiness on the UAE and its people.
http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302779797
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Europe
First Mosque Attack in Norway After 34 Years
The attack on al-Noor Islamic Center is the first attack on a mosque in Norway since 1985.
A young man in his 20s armed with multiple weapons opened fire in a mosque in Bærum near Oslo on Saturday. One person was injured before the attacker was overpowered by a 75-year-old worshiper. Hours after the attack, the body of a young woman related to the attacker was found in a house.
Police confirms that the shooter known to police, said to have posted praise for New Zealand killer online before opening fire on house of worship.
The man charged with murder and attempted murder, confirms the man’s defender, Unni Fries in an SMS to NRK.
“A brief questioning has been conducted. That’s all I want to say now, writes the defender.
How it happened?
Police were notified at 4:07 pm Saturday afternoon that shots were fired inside the Al-Noor Islamic Center in Bærum.
“When we got there, there was a person who was overpowered by those on the scene,” Oslo Police Chief Rune Skjold said at a press conference on Saturday night.
Skjold says that the man is a Norwegian citizen with Norwegian background who lives in the area”, according to NRK. He states that he is a man in his 20s.
The first attacks since 1989
On July 14, 1985, a bomb went off in the Nor mosque at Frogner in Oslo. No one was killed in the attack, but one woman was injured. That time, police had arrested a 19-year-old man shortly after the explosion.
It was the last time a mosque was attacked in Norway, but the police have repeatedly raised security around mosques. Especially after the terrorist attacks against a mosque in Christchurch in New Zealand in March, the police was on alert.
Islamic Council Norway believes the attacks against the mosque in Bærum is a result of Muslim hate and believes the authorities are not taking the developments seriously, they wrote in a press release.
Norway experienced the worst-ever attacks by a right-wing extremist on 22 July 2011, when 77 people, mostly teenagers, were killed by Anders Behring Breivik. The terrorist in the Christchurch attacks had expressed in his hate-filled manifesto that he was influenced by far-right ideologues including Breivik.
https://www.google.com/search?ei=BdBPXZTpEeffz7sP0_-LqAc&q=NORWAY&oq=NORWAY&gs_l=psy-ab.3..35i39j0i67l4j0j0i67j0l3.654367.656637..657887...0.0..0.225.875.0j5j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i131j0i131i67.fLBGkeDYb5U&ved=0ahUKEwjU_5K_sfrjAhXn73MBHdP_AnUQ4dUDCAo&uact=5
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Eid 2019: Boris Johnson says Muslims make ‘huge contribution to British life’ as millions celebrate festival
Boris Johnson has praised Muslims for “making Britain a success” in a message marking one of Islam’s holiest festivals.
In a message marking Eid al-Adha, the prime minister called on people to celebrate the contribution made by the UK’s estimated 3.3 million Muslims.
“The story of Eid al-Adha is one of sacrifice, about doing your duty and doing what’s right,” Mr Johnson said in a statement.
“And that is something we see daily from Muslims right across the UK – men and women who, in all kinds of different ways, make such a huge contribution to modern British life.
“In business, in our public services, in culture and the media, at the highest levels of government and of course in England’s World Cup-winning cricket team, British Muslims are helping to make this country the success it is today.”
The prime minister praised the “extraordinary generosity” of Muslims, who traditionally celebrate by donating to charity and sharing meals with loved ones.
Prime ministers routinely release messages marking the two Eid festivals that take place each year, but Mr Johnson’s statement comes amid continued controversy over his previous remarks about Muslims.
He compared women who wear veils to “letterboxes” and “bank robbers” last year, but later apologised for the offence called.
The Muslim Council of Britain accused Mr Johnson of “pandering to the far right”, while his remarks were used by the perpetrators of hate crimes and included in a dossier calling for a formal investigation into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.
YouGov polling released last month suggested 56 per cent of Tory members believe Islam was “generally a threat” to the British way of life, while two-thirds believed in the myth of no-go zones where “non-Muslims are not able to enter”.
Fiyaz Mughal OBE, director of the Faith Matters group, told The Independent the prime minister had been left with a “low standing” among British Muslims.
“Clearly he’s realised he can’t carry on like this,” Mr Mughal said. “He cannot govern a country with a large section of the population not feeling supported or part of the political process.
“This is a conciliatory tone he has taken and I think it’s part of a strategy of reconciliation and recognition of British Muslims.”
It came after the head of UK counterterror police called for politicians to “bring society together”.
Johnson has been criticised for previous remarks about Muslims (EPA)
Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu raised the alarm about increasing polarisation and said societal inclusion was needed to fight extremism.
Security services have been increasing efforts to combat far-right terrorism following a series of global attack and plots targeting Muslims, non-whites and perceived “traitors”.
Official UK threat level warnings now consider the extreme right-wing as well as Islamists, while MI5 has been brought into cases previously deemed “domestic” and left to police.
Of the terror suspects arrested in the year to March, 72 per cent identified themselves as British nationals or dual citizens, while 41 per cent were white, 36 per cent were Asian and 12 per cent black.
In his last major speech as home secretary last month, Sajid Javid appealed for a “national conversation about extremism” as he announced the government was drawing up a new strategy to combat multiple threats.
“We must act now, to avoid sliding into the barely masked racism of nationalism,” he said.
Eid al-Adha, also known as the “feast of sacrifice”, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide and honours the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son at the command of God.
More than two million people have travelled to Saudi Arabia to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which is the world’s largest annual gathering of Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/eid-muslim-festival-boris-johnson-message-contribution-british-life-a9051501.html
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Muslim Eid celebration set to attract thousands cancelled due to bad weather
11 AUG 2019
A celebration of Eid ul Adha planned for Centre Square in Middlesbrough has been cancelled due to bad weater.
The event had been planned for Sunday and aimed to bring Muslims together to offer Eid prayer and celebrate with the whole community.
However organisers called off the event due to a forecast of wind and rain.
Around 3,000 people had been expected to attend at Centre Square .
Eid ul Adha is the second of the two Eids celebrated by the Muslim community and it consists of the coming together of all Muslims, men, women and children to celebrate the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage to commemorate the devotion of Prophet Abraham to God.
A similar event earmarked to celebrate Eid ul Fitr in June , the end of Ramadan, was unfortunately moved inside because of bad weather.
Prayers will take place in the mosque as usual despite the event's cancellation.
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/muslim-eid-celebration-set-attract-16735960
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North America
In combating gun violence, US Democrats present a united front
August 11, 2019
(Written by Thomas Kaplan)
One by one, Democratic presidential candidates Saturday emphasized the urgent need to confront gun violence in America, speaking largely in harmony on an issue that has been thrust to the forefront after last weekend’s mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.
At a forum in Des Moines, the candidates voiced support for a common set of gun control proposals, like requiring universal background checks and banning assault weapons. And they repeatedly cited the same obstacles in their path: President Donald Trump, Sen. Mitch McConnell and the National Rifle Association.
“People say to me, ‘Did Donald Trump cause those folks to be killed?’” Sen. Kamala Harris of California asked. “Well, no, of course, he didn’t pull the trigger. But he’s certainly been tweeting out the ammunition.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York urged gun control activists to press McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader. She suggested that they tweet at him, “Mitch, call the vote! Mitch, call the vote!”
And before she spoke at the forum, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts laid out a series of proposals to address gun violence, with an ambitious goal for her presidency: reducing gun deaths by 80%.
Sixteen candidates appeared at the forum, which was sponsored by Everytown for Gun Safety and two of its branches, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action. The mere presence of so many Democratic candidates was evidence of how the party’s candidates are not shying away from talking about gun control in the 2020 race.
“There has never been more unity on gun safety across so many Democratic presidential candidates and across the entire Democratic Party as there is today,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York City mayor and founder of Everytown.
But Bloomberg, who considered running for president in 2020 but opted against it, did allow himself a jab at one Democratic candidate: Warren, who assails the power of big corporations and wants to impose a wealth tax on the superrich. Taking the stage after Warren spoke, Bloomberg wryly recounted telling her, “If my company hadn’t been successful, we wouldn’t be here today, so enough with this stuff.”
Bloomberg and Warren hugged goodbye after their encounter backstage, according to two people familiar with how they parted ways.
At the forum, Warren and other Democrats presented themselves as determined to address the issue of guns. “I’ve taken on the NRA, nationally, and I’ve beaten them,” said former Vice President Joe Biden, adding of the Second Amendment, “No amendment is, in fact, absolute.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont offered a message for McConnell: “Reconvene the United States Senate now,” he said. “If McConnell wants to vote against gun safety legislation, let him vote against it. But reconvene the United States Senate. Let’s have that discussion. Let’s have that vote. Do what the American people want.” (McConnell has said he wants to pass bipartisan legislation, but he does not plan to bring the Senate back from its August recess.)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, whose candidacy is rooted in generational change, cited the power of young people pushing for action on gun safety. He said he was motivated to run for president to counter the notion that the United States had “accepted the unacceptable” throughout his lifetime — including on gun violence.
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El Paso’s Walmart Supercenter, where a mass shooting killed 22 people, in El Paso, Texas, Aug. 4, 2019. (Celia Talbot Tobin/The New York Times)
“Shame on us, God help us, if 20 years from now there’s a candidate forum with presidential candidates in the aftermath of mass shootings and a day-to-day beat of daily shootings, saying, ‘OK, what are we going to do to make sure it’s different this time?’” he said. “Let’s not let that happen.”
There were nearly 40,000 gun deaths in the United States in 2017, 60% of which were suicides, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Explaining her goal of reducing gun deaths by 80%, Warren drew a parallel with the effort to reduce automobile deaths over the past half-century.
“I want us to change how we think about gun safety in America,” Warren said. “It’s not just about passing four pieces of legislation over there or changing two regulations over here. It’s about reducing the deaths from gun violence. That’s what our goal has to be.”
Under her plan, Warren would make major changes to how Americans buy guns. Her plan includes creating a federal licensing system, akin to getting a driver’s license, for people buying guns or ammunition. She is also calling for new restrictions on gun purchases: The minimum age would be 21, people would be limited to one firearm purchase per month and there would be a one-week waiting period for all purchases.
Warren’s plan also calls for increasing taxes on gun manufacturers, as well as spending $100 million annually on research into gun violence.
Her plan endorses several proposals that are broadly popular among the Democratic candidates, like requiring universal background checks; banning assault weapons; enacting a so-called red flag law that allows guns to be removed from people deemed dangerous; and repealing a law that shields gun manufacturers and dealers from liability lawsuits.
The possibility of passing a red flag law has received considerable attention after last weekend’s shootings, and Trump on Friday said there was “tremendous support” for what he described as “really common-sense, sensible, important background checks.” But his track record on guns leaves major question marks about his commitment to that position.
In her plan, Warren laid out actions she would take on guns using executive power, such as expanding background checks to cover more gun purchases. But much of her agenda on the issue would require passing legislation in Congress. To do that, Warren reiterated her call to get rid of the Senate filibuster — a step that would clear the way for a narrow Democratic majority to pass new gun laws without needing to reach 60 votes.
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/in-combating-gun-violence-us-democrats-present-a-united-front-5895688/
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Why Muslims celebrate Eid twice in a year
By Sharmeen Somani
Lots of Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid. But you may wonder, didn’t the Muslim community just celebrate Eid? It’s true, they did celebrate Eid earlier this year. The Eid that is held in late spring is called “Eid-al-fitr”, the festival celebrated after a month of fasting. While Eid celebrations held towards the end of summer are known as “Eid-al-Adha,” or the festival of sacrifice.
Eid-al-Adha is held in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. It begins after Muslims begin “Hajj” or pilgrimage in Mecca. The four day celebration ends at the same time when worshippers in Mecca finish their pilgrimage.
READ MORE: Why Muslims fast during Ramadan
So what exactly is being sacrificed in the festival of sacrifice or “Eid-al-Adha”?
According to Wael Hamadeh, an imam at the Islamic Community Centre of Ontario, thousands of years ago God or “Allah” commanded Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail. Faithful worshipper, Ibrahim decided to follow God’s command and was about to sacrifice his son. At that moment, God asked Ibrahim to pause and told him that the command was a test of his faith and he passed.
God then gave Prophet Ibrahim the option to substitute his son for a lamb instead and continue performing his sacrifice.
To commemorate Ibrahim’s faith in God and sacrifice, Muslims around the world celebrate “Eid-al-Adha.” In many parts of the world, Muslims also celebrate by sacrificing a goat or a lamb and sharing it with their friends, family, and less fortunate.
“The rest, you distribute to all the poorer and less fortunate people within the community because you want the day of the festival to be a day of enjoyment a day of rejoice for everybody around you in the community irrespective of their religion,” says Hamadeh.
Muslims around the world celebrate “Eid-al-adha” with a feast and by reconnecting with their friends and families.
https://globalnews.ca/news/5748714/why-muslims-celebrate-eid-twice-in-a-year/
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Pakistan
Sindh’s Hindu community rejects Modi govt’s decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status
Sindh’s Hindu community has rejected the revocation of special status of Kashmir by the Modi government and called it blatant terrorism.
Minister for Minorities Affairs Hari Ram Kishori Lal, special assistants to Sindh chief minister Dr Khatu Mal Jeevan, Veerji Kolhi, MNA Dr Mahesh Malani and MPA Rana Hameer Singh said in joint statement on Saturday that they stood with the Kashmir brothers in their legitimate struggle.
They said that India had pushed the South Asian region towards a dangerous situation, and the Hindus of Sindh were ready to render any sacrifice for the protection of their beloved motherland.
The Hindu leaders further said that Kashmir was a disputed territory, and the Indian government had no authority to alter the status of Kashmir.
They added that the Modi government had buried the secular ideology of India. They termed the illegal annexation of Kashmir a violation of international laws.
Sindh’s seven million Hindu leaders demanded of human rights organisations and the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take notice of the Indian atrocities in Kashmir.
They said the Hindu community would organise rallies in various cities across the province to show solidarity with the Kashmiris on August 14 and arrange special prayers for blessings on Kashmir.
They also announced they would hoist the flags of Pakistan and Kashmir outside the temples.
On August 5, leaving aside their serious political differences, the treasury and opposition sides of the Sindh Assembly had showed complete unanimity of views in expressing solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people by passing a resolution against the Indian’s government move to scrap the special autonomous status given to the occupied Kashmir as enshrined in India’s constitution.
The resolution said: “This move [of India] has been designed to deprive Kashmiris of their rights including their invaluable right to self-determination and bring demographic changes by converting the Muslim majority into a minority.”
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/511125-sindh-s-hindu-community-rejects-modi-govt-s-decision-to-revoke-kashmir-s-special-status
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South Asia
Afghan leader rejects foreign interference as talks advance
Aug 11, 2019
KABUL: Afghanistan's president on Sunday rejected foreign interference as the United States and the Taliban appear to be closing in on a peace deal without the Afghan government at the table.
President Ashraf Ghani spoke during the Muslim holiday Eid-al-Adha and as US and Taliban negotiators continue their work in the Gulf nation of Qatar, where the insurgents have a political office.
Speaking after the Eid prayers, Ghani insisted that next month's presidential election is essential so that Afghanistan's leader will have a powerful mandate to decide the country's future after years of war.
"The fate of Afghanistan will be decided here in this homeland," he said. "We don't want anyone to intervene in our affairs."
US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is seeking a peace deal by September 1, weeks before the vote. The two sides are expected to agree on the withdrawal of some 20,000 US and NATO troops in return for Taliban guarantees that Afghanistan would not be a base for other extremist groups.
Few details have emerged, but Khalilzad and the lead Taliban negotiator, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, have been traveling in recent days to brief several countries involved in the process on the latest developments.
The Taliban spokesman in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, who has said a deal is expected at the end of this round of talks, on Sunday issued an Eid message expressing the hope that Afghanistan "will celebrate future Eids under the Islamic system, without occupation, under an environment of permanent peace and unity."
The Taliban have refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, dismissing it as a US puppet, and on Tuesday they declared the September 28 election a "sham".
They warned fellow Afghans to stay away from campaign rallies and the polls, saying such gatherings could be targeted. A day later the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that targeted security forces in Kabul. The attack killed 14 people and wounded 145, most of them civilians.
The Taliban control roughly half of Afghanistan and are at their strongest since the US-led invasion toppled their five-year-old government in 2001 after the group had harbored al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
More than 2,400 US service personnel have died in Afghanistan since then.
Ghani, stung by being excluded from the peace talks, on Sunday pleaded for national unity and peace.
"Peace is the desire of each Afghan and peace will come, there shouldn't be any doubt about it," he said. "But we want a peace in which each Afghan has dignity. We don't want a peace in which Afghans wouldn't have dignity. We don't want a peace that would cause people to leave their country. We don't want brain drain and we don't want investment drain."
A peace deal would be followed by intra-Afghan talks, but it is not clear whether the Taliban would agree to talk to Kabul government members in their official capacity or only as ordinary Afghans, as in the past.
The US and NATO formally concluded their combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014. The American and allied troops that remain are conducting strikes on the Taliban and the local Islamic State affiliate, and working to train and build the Afghan military.
President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his exasperation with America's continued involvement in Afghanistan and a desire to bring troops home.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/afghan-leader-rejects-foreign-interference-as-talks-advance/articleshow/70627195.cms
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Afghan Special Forces discover and destroy a key Taliban compound in Uruzgan
Sunday, 11 Aug 2019
The Afghan Special Forces discovered and destroyed a key Taliban compound during an operation in Uruzgan province.
The Special Operations Corps said in a statement that the Special Forces conducted the operation in Tarin Kot, the provincial capital of Uruzgan.
The statement further added that the Special Forces conducted the raid late on Friday night.
The Special Operations did not disclose further information regarding the operation and it is yet not clear if the Special Forces inflicted casualties on militants or not.
Meanwhile, the Special Operations Corps said the Special Forces detonated the compound and all its facilities after discovering it.
The Taliban group has not commented regarding the operation so far.
https://www.khaama.com/afghan-special-forces-discover-and-destroy-a-key-taliban-compound-in-uruzgan-03612/
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Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in Ghazni and Wardak: 203rd Thunder Corps
10 Aug 2019
The Afghan forces inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban militants in Ghazni and central Maidan Wardak provinces.
The 203rd Thunder Corps said in a statement that the Afghan forces killed 6 Taliban militants and wounded 10 others during a clash in Antan Tapa area of Ghazni on Friday night.
The statement further added that the Special Forces killed 5 Taliban militants during an operation in Bek Samang area of Chak district in Maidan Wardak province.
Furthermore, the 203rd Thunder Corps said the Afghan force defused 3 improvised explosive devices in Aryoub Zazai of Paktiya and Ghazni city.
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-ghazni-and-wardak-203rd-thunder-corps-03611/
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Ghani appoints Inspector General amid reports of high-level corruption
10 Aug 2019
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has issued a decree appointing Ghezal Haris as the Inspector General of the Government.
The Office of the President, ARG Palace said in a statement that the President Ghani has issued a decree for the establishment of the Inspector General’s Office.
The statement further added that Ms. Ghezal Haris has been appointed as the Inspector General of the Government.
Furthermore, the decree states that the Office of the Inspector General has been established to effectively fight corruption and overview the activities of the high-level government officials by reviewing the complaints.
President Ghani issued the order for the establishment of the Office of Inspector General amid reports of corruption in high level government institutions, including ARG Palace.
Recently, several reports also emerged which suggest that the top government officials in Presidential Palace and other governmental institutions are involved in sexual misconduct.
https://www.khaama.com/ghani-appoints-inspector-general-amid-reports-of-high-level-corruption-03610/
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Special Forces foil suicide attacks planned for Eid days in Kabul and Nangarhar
10 Aug 2019
The Special Forces of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) foiled suicide attacks planned for Eid days in Kabul and Nangarhar.
The Nangarhar governor Shah Mahmood Mia Khel told reporters that the NDS Special Forces confiscated six suicide bombing vests and some other military kits during an operation.
Mia Khel further added that the militant groups wanted to use the suicide bombing vests to execute attacks in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces.
Furthermore, Mia Khel said the militants wanted to carry out the attacks during the Eid days and Independence Day celebrations.
He also added that the attacks could inflict casualties on hundreds of people had the NDS Special Forces not thwarted the attacks.
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Special Forces kill, detain 9 Taliban militants in Wardak province
Saturday, 10 Aug
The Afghan Special Forces killed six Taliban militants during the operations in central Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defense said in a statement that the Special Forces conducted the raids in Sayyidabad and Chak districts of Wardak.
The statement further added that the Special Forces killed six Taliban militants and detained three others during the operations.
Furthermore, the Special Operations Corps said the Special Forces also destroyed large caches of weapons and munitions.
https://www.khaama.com/special-forces-kill-detain-9-taliban-militants-in-wardak-province-03608/
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Southeast Asia
Muslims Celebrate Eidul Azha with Spirit Of Sacrifice in Kuala Lumpur
11/08/2019
KUANTAN, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Muslims throughout the country today began the Hari Raya Eidul Azha celebrations by converging at mosques to perform Eidul Azha prayers before proceeding with sacrificial ritual according to Islamic teachings.
In PAHANG, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah performed their Eidul Azha prayers at the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque here today.
Also joining the royal couple were the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Pahang and other members of the royal family.
They then joined thousands of Muslims to perform Eidul Azha prayers which was officiated by Imam of the mosque Mohd Khalil Mohd Zari, while the sermon was delivered by the mosque’s khatib Datuk Badli Shah Alauddin.
After the prayers, Sultan Abdullah spent time mingling with the congregation who lined up to meet and greet him personally.
Sultan Abdullah and Tengku Hassanal later witnessed a sacrificial ritual held at the mosque grounds before leaving.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined thousands of Muslims to perform the Eidul Azha prayers at the National Mosque this morning.
Dr Mahathir later wished Muslims in Malaysia and all over the world “Selamat Hari Raya Eidul Azha” and reminded Muslims that Eidul Azha is not only about sacrificing animals but they should also be willing to sacrifice to assist members of needy Muslim community.
In SELANGOR, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah performed Eidul Azha prayers with the people at Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam.
Also performing their Eidul Azha prayers were the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris.
The prayer was led by Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque Grand Imam, Muhammad Farhan Wijaya, while the Eidul Azha sermon entitled “Sacrifice and Pilgrimage symbols of True Devotion” was delivered by Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid.
In JOHOR, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar performed his Eidul Azha prayer with a congregation of almost 2,000 at Pasir Pelangi Mosque here.
The sultan was accompanied by the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and other silbings as well as his son-in-law Datuk Dennis Muhammad Abdullah.
After the prayer, the Sultan of Johor and members of the Johor royal family mingled with the people present before departing the premises.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir and the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud performed Eidul Azha prayers at the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque in Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah.
Meanwhile, members of the search and rescue team for Nora Anne Quoirin, 15, managed to perform their Eidul Azha prayers at Masjid Kariah Pantai with 150 local residents.
In MELAKA, the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Adly Zahari joined about 5,000 Muslims to pray at Al-Azim Mosque in Bukit Palah.
The prayer was led by Al Azim Mosque Grand Imam, Datuk Mohammad Hashim who also delivered the sermon.
In KELANTAN, the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V prayed at the Muhammadi Mosque with a a congregation of about 2,000 people.
The Sultan who was dressed in a white robe was accompanied by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, the Tengku Temenggong of Kelantan Tan Sri Tengku Mohamad Rizam Tengku Abdul Aziz and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
In TERENGGANU, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin performed Eidul Azha prayer with about 1,000 Muslims at Al-Muktaffi Billah Shah Mosque in Ladang, Kuala Terengganu.
He was received upon arrival by the Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as well as the Yang Dipertuan Muda of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail and other state government leaders.
A Bernama observation found Muslims celebrated the Eidul Azha festival in moderation with family members and neighbours to conduct the sacrificial ritual.
In PERAK, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah performed Eidul Azha prayer at Sultan Azlan Shah Mosque in Ipoh.
His arrival at the mosque was received by state exco members and government officials. Also present was the Raja Dihilir of Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah.
After the prayer, Sultan Nazrin mingled with a congregation of 1,500 before departing the mosque.
In SABAH, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni performed their Eidul Azha prayers with thousands of Muslims at the State Mosque led by Sabah State Mosque Grand Imam, Suhaidi Kunting.
In PENANG, the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas joined about 4,000 Muslims to perform Eidul Azha prayers at Penang State Mosque.
The prayer was led by the mosque Grand Imam, Mohd Noordin Samah and after the prayers Abdul Rahman also greeted members of the congregation.
Eight cows were sacrificed at a Premier Sacrificial Ritual at the mosque compound and the meat was distributed to the needy and poor.
In SARAWAK, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg attended a Premier Sacrificial Ceremony organised by Sarawak Islamic Council at Dewan Hikmah.
Four cows were sacrificed and distributed to 250 asnaf (underprivileged) in Samariang and around the city.
Meanwhile, Eastern Field Command commander, Lt Gen Datuk Zamrose Mohd Zain also held an Eidul Azha ceremony and sacrificial ritual at Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi Mosque in Penrissen Camp.
In KEDAH, Muslims celebrated Adiladha on a moderate scale after 500 houses were damaged in a storm on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and his wife Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff performed Eidul Azha prayers at Al-Aman Mosque in Alor Setar.
Also joining the prayer was Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir.
The Raja Muda of Kedah also presented contributions to the poor and needy victims of the storm at Ar-Rahmah Mosque in Alor Setar.
In PERLIS, the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil performed Eidul Azha prayers with about 2,000 Muslims at Al-Hussien Mosque here.
Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs) chief executive officer Mohd Nazim Mohd Noor led the prayers while Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Azri Zainul Abidin delivered the sermon.
After the prayers, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin and Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen also witnessed the sacrificial ritual of a cow contributed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the mosque compound.
-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=1755978
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Baguio Muslims and Catholics stand together against terrorism
August 11, 2019
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Strong rain and wind did not stop members of Baguio's Muslim community from handing out roses to the Catholic faithful going to the Baguio Cathedral on Sunday morning, August 11.
The Muslim community in Baguio went to the famous Catholic Church of the city to offer their support to the efforts of all the sectors and the government against threats of terrorism.
This comes after reports of alleged terror threats and plans to bomb so called "Crusade Churches" by members of the ISIS network. The report itself, according to the AFP on Sunday, appears to have been caused by a family feud gone awry.
Imam Samsudin Monib, Baguio Muslim community president, led the group in joining members of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) in guarding and inspecting the perimeters of the Baguio Cathedral as part of the city to address terrorism threat targeting the churches. They added terrorism has no religion and no place in Baguio City.
The Baguio churchgoers felt safe as they willingly accepted the flowers given to them by Muslims clad in their Muslim religious garments.
Both Muslim and Catholic religious leaders and the officials of Baguio City and the police linked arms in front of the altar inside the Baguio Cathedral to show their solidarity against terrorism. – Rappler.com
https://www.rappler.com/nation/237529-baguio-muslims-catholics-stand-together-against-terrorism
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Dr Mahathir joins thousands of Muslims in Eidul Azha prayers
11/08/2019
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined thousands of Muslims to perform the Eidul Azha prayers at the National Mosque this morning.
The prayer was led by National Mosque Grand Imam Tan Sri Syaikh Ismail Muhammad.
Dr Mahathir when met by reporters later, wished Muslims in Malaysia and all over the world “Selamat Hari Raya Eidul Azha.”
He also reminded Muslims that Eidul Azha is not only about sacrificing animals but they should also be willing to sacrifice to assist members of needy Muslim community.
"It is our hope that we learn about sacrifice and the importance of sacrifice among Muslims,” he said.
Earlier, Syaikh Ismail in his sermon entitled Eidul Azha: Where is Our Sacrifice called on all Muslims to take a caring approach and be prepared to sacrifice by extending aid to Muslims suffering all over the world.
He said the sacrifice and assistance is based on one’s capability to provide money, energy, thoughts and prayers.
“Hopefully our bit of sacrifice would be valued as a righteous practice and as evidence of our faith to Allah SWT,” he said.
http://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=1755957
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Mideast
Dozens of Palestinians injured after Israeli forces storm al-Aqsa Mosque
Dozens of Palestinians were injured in al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday when clashes erupted between worshippers and Israeli forces.
It was not immediately clear what sparked the violence at the site, which Muslims refer to as the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and Jews refer to as the Temple Mount. Thousands of Muslims had flocked to the site early Sunday for Eid al-Adha prayers.
It is the holiest site for Jews and the third holiest for Muslims. It has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli police barred entry to the compound to Jewish visitors on Sunday before clashes erupted.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/08/11/Dozens-of-Palestinians-injured-after-Israeli-forces-storm-al-Aqsa-Mosque.html
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Clashes break out on Temple Mount between Muslim protesters, Israel Police
Clashes broke out between Muslim protesters and Israeli police forces on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount holy site on Sunday, during a period of peak religious tensions over the confluence of Jewish and Muslim holy days.
At least 14 Muslim worshipers were injured in the clashes, according to the Red Cross. At least two police officers were also reported wounded, apparently from being hit by bottles thrown by rioters.
Sunday marks both the start of Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holiday commemorating the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, and the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av, when Jews mourn the destruction of the temples that once stood on the Temple Mount and other disasters in Jewish history.
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Following a security assessment, police said non-Muslims would be barred from entering the Temple Mount, where tens of thousands of Muslim worshipers had arrived during the morning. Hundreds of Jews had gathered at the gates leading to the holy site on Sunday morning
According to police, Muslim worshipers began rioting and making “nationalistic calls” on the Temple Mount on Sunday morning.
In response, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and other less-lethal riot control weapons at the protesters.
The police said officers were “working to break up the rioters in order to bring back public order.”
The violence spilled out into the surrounding area, with a number of men surrounding and attacking a car driven by a Jewish man in an Arab neighborhood adjacent to the Old City, before a police officer drove them away by firing his gun into the air. Two suspects were later apprehended, police said.
Police had deployed additional forces throughout Jerusalem in expectation of violence throughout the day.
Muslim worshipers visit the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem on August 11, 2019, to mark the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. (Israel Police)
The closure of the holy site to Jewish visitors on Tisha B’Av drew considerable criticism from right-wing politicians and launched a minor exchange of incriminations for who was behind the move.
Right-wing politicians blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the move, with the United Right party condemning it as “disgraceful” and calling on him to reverse the ban.
A source in the Prime Minister’s Office denied Netanyahu ordered the closure, saying whether to allow entry to the Temple Mount is determined in accordance with police assessments of the situation.
“At no stage did Prime Minister Netanyahu give the instruction to close entry to the Temple Mount,” the source said.
Last week, representatives from the police, Shin Bet security service and Public Security Ministry presented the prime minister with their assessments and recommendations for Sunday’s Eid al-Adha and Tisha B’Av on the Temple Mount, indicating that Netanyahu would have been aware of their decision and given tacit approval.
The prime minister also has the power to override the police’s decisions regarding the holy site.
Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of United Right, said that banning Jewish visitors was “shameful and a disgrace.”
“The decision is a surrender to Arab terrorism and violence at the holiest place in Judaism is why there is a loss of deterrence in other areas,” he said.
Israeli authorities traditionally close the Temple Mount to non-Muslims during Islamic holidays, to keep religious tensions from boiling over, but exceptions have been made when Jewish holidays coincide.
In June, police allowed Jewish visitors onto the site on Jerusalem Day, which fell this year during the final days of Ramadan, sparking clashes between Muslims and police.
Israeli security forces gather at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City on June 2, 2019, after clashes broke out between police and Muslim worshipers following the entry of Jews to the site for Jerusalem Day. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)
On Friday, the Muslim Waqf trust, which oversees the site, urged Muslim worshipers to crowd the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount to keep Jews from visiting, after police said they would consider allowing non-Muslims to visit the holy site.
Last year, a record number of Jews were reported to have visited the Temple Mount for Tisha B’Av, leading to rebukes from the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, which manages the compound through the Waqf.
On Saturday night, small-scale scuffles broke out between police and East Jerusalem Palestinians at the Damascus Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, as an annual right-wing march around the Old City walls passed.
Jewish men pray at the Western Wall on the eve of Tisha B’Av in the Old City of Jerusalem, on August 10, 2019. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)
During the night, thousands of Jewish worshipers visited the Western Wall, the closest spot to the Temple Mount where Jews can pray, to read Lamentations and other traditional Tisha B’av liturgy.
Under an arrangement in place since Israel’s victory in the 1967 Six Day war, non-Muslims are allowed to visit the Temple Mount but not to pray there. Jews in religious garb are allowed to enter in small groups during limited hours, but are taken through a predetermined route, are closely watched and are prohibited from praying or displaying any religious or national symbols.
In a statement Friday, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hussein, former grand mufti of Jerusalem Ekrima Sabri and senior Waqf official Abdel Azeem Sahlab said all mosques in Jerusalem but al-Aqsa would be closed Sunday so as many worshipers as possible would come to the compound.
They said the move was in response to police announcing they would consider allowing Jews to ascend the holy site.
“The people of Jerusalem and its surroundings will stand together in the face of the ambitions of the settlers,” they said in a statement, referring to visits by non-Muslims.
Bassem Abu Labda, a Waqf official, said in a phone call that Israel would be “wise” to bar Jews from the Temple Mount on Sunday.
Likud Knesset Member Yehudah Glick, another Temple Mount activist, called the Waqf’s move a “cheap provocation.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/clashes-break-out-on-temple-mount-between-muslim-protesters-israel-police/
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Forget Islamists, the IMF Is the Real Danger to the Egyptian Regime
Aug 11, 2019
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is obsessed with threats to his rule, or as he would say, to Egypt’s stability. He’s hunted down Islamists and banned the Muslim Brotherhood. His security services have cracked down on the media, the internet and nongovernmental organizations.
Reportedly he is particularly fearful of middle class millennials, the kind of people who fomented the 2011 revolution.
As they say, even paranoids can have enemies. But in Sissi’s case his obsession seems to have missed out on the biggest threat of all, and that is none other than smooth-talking technocrats at the International Monetary Fund.
It’s easy to understand why Sissi might be oblivious to the danger. Unlike Islamists, the IMF doesn’t want to bring down his rule and, unlike bloggers, the media and NGOs, it never criticizes him in public, or it does so in such gentle terms that you have to be an expert on wonk-speak to recognize it. Quite to the contrary, when Egypt and Sissi were in dire financial straits three years ago, the IMF came up with a desperately needed $12 billion loan.
The result has been a remarkable turnaround for the Egyptian economy, certainly in comparison to the grim years after Hosni Mubarak was toppled. Egyptian GDP grew 5.6% in its latest fiscal year and will probably match or exceed it in each of the next two years. Unemployment is down and inflation, which at one point reached a 33% annual rate, is now a “mere” 8.7%. The government’s budget deficit is falling as its foreign debt relative to the size of the economy.
These are the kind of metrics that emerging market investors, and IMF economists, look at first in the developing world.
But the IMF is notorious for imposing painful terms. In Egypt’s case the $12 billion was contingent on liberalizing exchange rates, cutting fuel and food subsidies, privatizing companies and imposing new taxes. Sissi did most of what he was asked and the IMF cut Egypt the final $2 billion check this week.
The process is painful, but the IMF’s goal is to prevent long-term disasters like Greece or Argentina. The reasoning is that first you get your financial house in order and later the benefits will percolate through the rest of the economy, and everyone will be better off for it.
The problem is Egypt’s case is that nearly three years later, the second part of the success story hasn’t emerged.
Worse than before the Arab Spring
One of the most telling statistics unfortunately emerged just as the last IMF installment arrived. The government disclosed that the percentage of Egyptians living in poverty reached 32.5% last year, up from 27.8% in 2015, the year before the IMF program went into effect. This is real poverty because the government sets the poverty line at just $1.40 a day, 50 cents below the World Bank’s benchmark.
The middle class is suffering, too, and that could be more threatening from Sissi’s point of view because that's where rebellion is more likely to arise. Last year, the unemployment rate among youth was close to a third, more than it was on the eve of the Arab Spring.
The suffering of Egypt's poor and middle class can be blamed on the IMF, because liberalizing the currency set off a sharp depreciation and double-digit inflation. Subsidy cuts increased the prices of basic household goods and budget cuts reduced spending on health and education.
That might have been a reasonable price to pay if the Egyptian economy was on a growth trajectory that trickled down to ordinary people. But the economic revival has been more for the 1% than the rest. It’s a scenario that looks distressingly similar to the one that played out in the years before 2011. Thanks to a host of free market reforms, the top line figures for the economy were even stronger than they are now but the benefits were not reaching most Egyptians.
A key way the trickle-down is supposed to work is exports. Depreciation of the Egyptian pound should have led to a jump in exports, which would have created jobs and helped pay off the debt that the country is running up by borrowing from the IMF and in the international markets. However, while energy exports have risen thanks to the discovery of new offshore reserves, non-energy exports are stagnant.
It seems that Egypt’s economic problems are more fundamental than getting its financial house in order.
The economy remains highly regulated, corruption is pervasive and the army’s business empire is bigger and more untouchable than ever. Entrepreneurial drive in Egypt doesn’t stand much of a chance of manifesting itself. And if you can’t start up a company, then why not start up a revolution?
Okay, it’s a little facile to say that hundreds of thousands of Egyptians poured into Tahrir Square back in January 2011 because they couldn’t find jobs, saw no future ahead of them and were idling their days away in frustration. On the other hand, the protests that quickly led to Mubarak’s ouster didn’t come from nowhere.
It seems that Sissi was prepared to take the IMF medicine because he had no other choice. The rest of the cure should have come from real free market reforms; instead it’s being administered by the state security services. The prognosis is poor.
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-forget-islamists-the-international-monetary-fund-is-the-real-danger-to-the-egyptian-1.7651780
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Syria’s Assad attends holiday prayers in Damascus mosque
AUGUST 11, 2019
Syrian President Bashar Assad has attended Eid al-Adha prayers in a mosque in the capital, Damascus.
State news agency SANA showed Assad attending the Muslim prayers early Sunday at Afram Mosque along with top officials, including the prime minister and the country's grand mufti.
This year's feast comes as government forces have been on the offensive since April 30 against rebels in their last remaining stronghold in the northwestern Idlib province.
Over the past few years, Assad's forces have been able to capture most areas controlled by rebels in other parts of the country, including the eastern suburbs of Damascus.
https://www.heraldonline.com/news/nation-world/world/article233758297.html
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Africa
Ugwuanyi felicitates with Muslims, prays for nation’s security
August 11, 2019
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has enjoined all Nigerians to take advantage of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration to supplicate for enhanced peace, security and progress of the country.
Ugwuanyi, in a statement, emphasized the significance of Eid-el-Kabir in strengthening the bond that binds the nation together and urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of love, charity and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
The governor, in his Sallah Message, felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, and wished them the guidance and blessings of Allah.
He reiterated that “the ultimate goal remains our collective ability to live in peace and harmony in a secure environment, to cherish one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences, for sustainable development of the nation”.
Ugwuanyi, therefore, wishes all Nigerians a peaceful and pleasant celebration.
https://thenationonlineng.net/ugwuanyi-felicitates-with-muslims-prays-for-nations-security/
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Security: Miyetti Allah to embark on campaign, weed out bad eggs in Enugu
By Lawrence Njoku
Northern Leaders, Livestock and Perishable Goods Market Traders and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Enugu State, yesterday, rose from a meeting and resolved to shut their livestock and perishable goods markets in the state.
They said their decision was to enable them embark on “sensitisation tour of all livestock and perishable good markets and every Fulani settlement in Enugu State on August 14 and August 15, 2019”.
They said: “During the sensitisation exercise, all livestock and perishable goods markets will be closed, either in cattle markets, Fulani settlements, or wherever they exist throughout Enugu State. “We have constituted a 14-man committee for the programme to identify all our members and weed out infiltrators…”
The Northerners, led by the Southeast Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki and the Sarkin Hausawa, Enugu State, Alhaji Abukakar Yusuf Sambo, regretted the unfortunate incident that led to the death of Rev. Fr. Paul Offu of St. James The Greater Parish, Ugbawka in Nkanu East Local Council.
https://guardian.ng/news/security-miyetti-allah-to-embark-on-campaign-weed-out-bad-eggs-in-enugu/
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Car bomb explodes in Libya’s Benghazi, killing three UN staff
August 11, 2019
A bomb-laden vehicle exploded Saturday outside a shopping mall in Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi, killing at least three UK staff members, a spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general said. The attack came even as the country’s warring sides said they accepted a cease-fire proposed by the UK aimed at halting combat in the capital Tripoli during an upcoming Muslim holiday.
Health officials said the blast took place outside Arkan Mall in the Hawari neighborhood, where people were gathering for shopping a day before the Eid al-Adha holiday begins. The Benghazi municipal council said the attack targeted a convoy for the UK Support Mission in Libya.
The site of the attack is close to offices of the mission in Libya. Two of the dead hailed from Libya and Fuji, and the blast wounded nine people, according to health officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.
Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for UK Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a statement that three UK workers were among the wounded.
“The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a swift recovery to all the injured. He calls on the Libyan authorities to spare no effort in identifying and swiftly bringing to justice the perpetrators of this attack,” Dujarric said.
He also said the secretary-general urged “all parties to respect the humanitarian truce during Eid al Adha and return to the negotiating table to pursue the peaceful future the people of Libya deserve.”
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People gather at the site where a car bomb exploded in Benghazi, Libya. (Reuters)
The UK special envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, condemned what he called a “cowardly attack.”
“This attack will not discourage us, nor will it prevent us from carrying on with our duties to bring about peace, stability and prosperity to Libya and its people,” he said in a statement.
Salame said the commitment of the parties of the UK-proposed cease-fire in Tripoli “sends an irrevocable message that the blood of Libyans, and UN staff, … was not shed in vain in this heinous explosion.”
The UK Security Council held an emergency meeting late Saturday afternoon on the situation.
Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Bintou Keita told members the attack took place in an area “supposedly under full security control” of the Libyan National Army of Gen. Khalifa Hifter.
She said the attack “highlights the continued danger of terrorism across the country,” and it confirms that the latest hostilities are creating a vacuum “easily exploited by radical elements that strive on chaos and violence.”
Keita said the UK doesn’t intend to evacuate from Libya and she expressed hope that both sides will abide by their commitment to the Eid cease-fire.
Footage circulated online shows what appears to be burnt UK-owned vehicles as thick smoke bellows into the sky.
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The site of the attack is close to offices of the mission in Libya. (Reuters)
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which came just a month after two bomb-laden vehicles went off in Benghazi, the stronghold for the self-styled LNA. The July attack killed at least four people and wounded 33 others.
If it takes place, the upcoming cease-fire would be the first since the LNA launched a surprise military offensive on April 4 aimed at capturing Tripoli, ushering in fierce battles with militias loosely allied with a UK-supported but weak administration in the capital.
The battle for Tripoli has killed over 1,100 people, mostly combatants, and has displaced more than 100,000 civilians. Thousands of African migrants captured by Libyan forces supported by the European Union are trapped in detention centers.
In recent weeks, the battle lines have changed little, with both sides dug in and shelling one another in the southern reaches of the capital. Fighters have also resorted heavily to airstrikes and attacks by drones. An airstrike on one facility early last month killed more than 50 people _ many of whom were migrants who died when a hangar collapsed on top of them.
Libya slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed long-ruling dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Armed groups have proliferated, and the country has emerged as a major transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty for a better life in Europe.
The LNA is the largest and best organized of the country’s many militias, and enjoys the support of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia. But it has faced stiff resistance from fighters aligned with the UK-recognized government, which is aided by Turkey and Qatar.
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/car-bomb-explodes-in-libyas-benghazi-killing-three-un-staff-5895534/
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslims-found-succour-hindus-meet/d/119448