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Islamic World News ( 28 Sept 2019, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Nahdlatul Ulama Movement Leader Meets Pope Francis, Calls for Islam That Sees No ‘Infidels’ More Peaceful Future and Greater Human Fraternity

New Age Islam News Bureau

28 Sept 2019

Sheikh Yahya Cholil Staquf with Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pongianak./Countney Grogan/CNA

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• Malaysian PM: Enmity towards Muslims, Islam Stems from Israel’s Creation

• India Responds To Khan's UN Speech: Indian Citizens Do Not Need Anyone to Speak On Their Behalf

• 'World Should Stand As One against Terrorism': PM Modi Tells World Leaders at UNGA

• Archaeologists Speculated About Temple beneath Babri: Muslim Parties

• Islamophobia Creating Division, Hijab Seen As Weapon: Pakistan PM Imran Khan at UNGA

• Sinhalese Nationalists Used the Easter Attacks to "Justify Actions That Harassed and Humiliated the Muslim Community", Now Risks Sri Lanka Peace

• Saudi Arabia Moving To Execute Dozens of Dissidents As Crackdown Intensifies

• Muslims Most Affected By Hate Speech, Says Erdogan

• Hundreds of 'Abused' Captives Freed From Nigeria Islamic School

• Why This Concern for Indian Muslims When You’re Not Worried about Those in China, US Asks Pakistan

Europe

• Nahdlatul Ulama Movement Leader Meets Pope Francis, Calls for Islam That Sees No ‘Infidels’ More Peaceful Future and Greater Human Fraternity

• French bank accused of enabling Sudan war crimes

• Spain charges 7 Catalan separatists with ‘terrorist organization’ membership

• UNC defends Middle East studies program against charges of bias toward Islam

• Maltese, Turkish unite for historical Turkish cemetery

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Southeast Asia

• Malaysian PM: Enmity towards Muslims, Islam Stems from Israel’s Creation

• If Sunnis defend Shias, politicians will champion Shias, says academic

• Ummah calls for peace after Adib inquest findings, but still wants AG sacked

• China slams Trump ‘lies’ on Hong Kong, treatment of Muslims

• Malaysian Police Detain 12 Indonesians for Alleged Involvement With Islamic State

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India

• India Responds To Khan's UN Speech: Indian Citizens Do Not Need Anyone to Speak On Their Behalf

• 'World Should Stand As One against Terrorism': PM Modi Tells World Leaders at UNGA

• Archaeologists Speculated About Temple beneath Babri: Muslim Parties

• Agra Muslims demand Hafiz Saeed's extradition to India

• India: Can Pakistan confirm that it is home to 130 UN-designated terrorists?

• A silence that spoke volumes: PM does not mention Pakistan, Kashmir in UN speech

• PM Narendra Modi, Iran’s Rouhani discuss Chabahar operationalisation, regional situation

• Babri demolition case: Immunity gone, charges framed against Kalyan Singh

• Waseem Rizvi Gets A Blow: High Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail

• Ayodhya case: Muslim parties apologise in SC for questioning 2003 ASI report

• Indian-American Groups to Protest Against Modi Outside UN Headquarters in New York

• Interfaith Group Gathers To Stand With Kashmir

• India, Pakistan among 7 nations with state actors active online for propaganda: Study

• India at UNGA: Imran Khan’s nuke remark ‘brinkmanship, not statesmanship’

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Pakistan

• Islamophobia Creating Division, Hijab Seen As Weapon: Pakistan PM Imran Khan at UNGA

• Mujahideens, Funded By US to Fight Soviets, Are Now Attacking Pak: Imran Khan

• More Worried About India than Pakistan Right Now, Says Imran Khan

• Social media lauds PM Imran for championing Kashmir cause at UNGA

• Bill Gates hails PM Imran's leadership for Pakistan’s anti-poverty strategy

• Imran's maiden UNGA speech exceeds time limit

• Imran wades into Indian history, politics as he takes aim at ‘Hindu supremacist RSS’

• To target RSS, Imran Khan quotes Congress at UNGA

• To combat Islamophobia, Khan bridges East and West

• Pak is blot on humanity, virus for entire world: Baloch activist

• Pro-Kashmir rallies held across Balochistan

• In meeting with UN chief, PM Imran highlights world body's responsibility to help resolve Kashmir

• Cross-border terrorist incidents reducing, says army chief

• Opposition can jolt PTI govt but they won’t for the sake of democracy: Chandio

• Pakistan to host next SAARC summit, says Qureshi

• NA body wants Mufti Muneeb sacked over irresponsible Yazid remarks

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South Asia

• Sinhalese Nationalists Used the Easter Attacks to "Justify Actions That Harassed and Humiliated the Muslim Community", Now Risks Sri Lanka Peace

• Airstrikes kill 48 Taliban militants in 5 provinces

• Two Rohingya killed in gun battle with Bangladesh border guards

• Taliban worries loom as Afghanistan prepares to vote for a president

• Bangladesh seeks accountability for Rohingya atrocities

• Bangladesh: March in solidarity with Kashmir

• Special Forces kill, detain 8 Taliban and ISIS militant; destroy caches of weapons in 4 provinces

• Taliban and Fraud are the only two enemies of democracy: Nabil

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Arab World

• Saudi Arabia Moving To Execute Dozens of Dissidents As Crackdown Intensifies

• Saudi Judiciary Preserves Human Rights, Says Minister

• Idlib: US, NATO Weapons Found in Terrorists' Underground Base

• Saudi Arabia pledges $50 mln to UN Palestinian refugee agency

• Saudi Arabia presents $500m to UN for its agencies in Yemen

• As tensions boil in the Persian Gulf, Iraq seeks to rein in Iran-aligned militias

• SDF, coalition crack down on Islamic State remnants in Syria

• Amal Clooney addresses diplomats at the United Nations over plans to put 20,000 ISIS fighters on trial in Iraq

• Egypt Calls for Holding Erdogan Accountable over Terrorism, Targeting of Kurds

• Egyptian authorities warn they will ‘deal firmly with those who break the law’

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Mideast

• Muslims Most Affected By Hate Speech, Says Erdogan

• As the White House Holds Back on Israeli-Palestinian Peace, Concerned Senators Step In

• Israeli Ambassador Danon: Don’t be fooled by Iran – Evil regime embraces terrorism, bloodshed and blackmail

• EU warns Iran it could be forced to withdraw from nuclear deal

• Israeli minister urges unity government to stave off ‘blow-up’ in Iran tensions

• British-flagged tanker Stena Impero reaches international waters

EU threatens to withdraw from JCPOA

• Europeans admit they didn’t know who attacked Saudi oil refineries: Rouhani

• Iran blasts 'economic terrorism' after US sanctions Russia, China

• Yemen's Houthis, Saudi-backed militiamen exchange prisoners

• Israeli forces kill Palestinian, injure 63 others in Gaza

• Leave Yemen or face crippling attacks on your country: Ansarallah to UAE

• Turkey to continue trade with Iran despite US threats: Erdogan

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Africa

• Hundreds of 'Abused' Captives Freed From Nigeria Islamic School

• Tunisia’s Ennahda Says May Govern Alone or ‘Partner with Revolution Forces’

• Sudan Closes Borders with Libya, Central African Republic

• US Strike Kills 17 Suspected Militants in Southern Libya

• Airstrikes hit Boko Haram militants, destroy camp in NE Nigeria

• US kills 17 suspected ISIS extremists in Libya strike

• Rwanda welcomes first group of African refugees from Libya

• US airstrike in southern Libya kills 17 people

• Somali rights advocate nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

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North America

• Why This Concern for Indian Muslims When You’re Not Worried about Those in China, US Asks Pakistan

• US Urges Action on China’s Uyghur Camps from Muslim World

• Teatime for Peace brings Muslim experiences into community dialogue

• US-Backed Forces in Syria Defy Trump on Islamic State Fighters

• Despite $380M in US aid for religious minorities persecuted by ISIS, 1 million from Nineveh Plains remain displaced

• Trump says US will not lift sanctions on Iran

• White House restricted access to Trump's calls with Putin and Saudi crown prince: CNN

• US officials ‘knew Saudi Arabia would fail in Yemen’

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/nahdlatul-ulama-movement-leader-meets/d/119862

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Nahdlatul Ulama Movement Leader Meets Pope Francis, Calls for Islam That Sees No ‘Infidels’ More Peaceful Future and Greater Human Fraternity

By Courtney Grogan

September 28, 2019

Vatican City, Sep 27, 2019 / 01:03 pm (CNA).- The leader of the largest independent Muslim organization in the world met Pope Francis this week to present his vision for a more peaceful future and greater human fraternity.

Sheikh Yahya Cholil Staquf leads the 50 million member Nahdlatul Ulama movement, which calls for a reformed “humanitarian Islam” and has developed a theological framework for Islam that rejects the concepts of caliphate, Sharia law, and “kafir” (infidels).

The Indonesian Sunni leader told CNA that he was “thrilled and excited” when Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb signed in February the Abu Dhabi declaration on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” because it expresses the vision of “compassionate Islam” his organization has advocated for for decades.

The sheikh has specific recommendations for concrete steps to achieve the pope’s aspirations of peace and human fraternity. He came to Rome to share them with the pope.

Staquf said that Abu Dhabi declaration requires “decisive follow-up” with actions, not just words.

Just weeks after the Abu Dhabi declaration, Nahdlatul Ulama hosted a conference in Indonesia with over 20,000 Muslim scholars in attendance. At this conference, Muslim clerics and scholars issued an “ijtihad” stating their theological reasoning for prohibting the term “kafir” meaning “infidel” to describe one’s fellow citizens.

“We cannot just pretend that there are no problems in Islamic views. There are problems there. You need to acknowledge that so that we can work for the solution. If you do not acknowledge the problem, you cannot resolve it,” Staquf told CNA.

"In Muslim-majority societies, you can see more attitudes of discrimination and persecution toward minorities ... so the Islamic world needs to develop the whole religious system that will integrate the Islamic world harmoniously with the rest of the world,” he said.

Central to these proposed changes to Islamic theology is how Muslims are called to interact with non-Muslims, Staquf explained.

"We need for Muslims to view others as a fellow human being, fellow brothers in humanity. We should not attack on the basis of different identities,” he said.

Staquf met Pope Francis after the general audience on Sept. 25. He presented the pope with a letter and several documents from Nahdlatul Ulama, containing recommendations as to how Muslims scholars have sought to address “problematic elements within Islamic orthodoxy” to create a more harmonious world order with “respect for equal rights and dignity of every human being.”

“When you think about global harmony, global security, global stability, we see four centers of concern related to Islamic orthodoxy,” Staquf said.

Within the documents presented to the pope, NU lays out “a practical road map” to achieve the aspirations expressed in pope’s Document on Human Fraternity: “prohibiting use of the term kafir (infidel) to describe one’s fellow citizens; affirming the legitimacy of the nation state and laws created through modern political processes; committing Muslims to strive for peace as a religious obligation; and providing a detailed framework for bringing Islamic orthodoxy into alignment with 21st century norms.”

“My hope is that these documents will be examined seriously by the Vatican so that the Vatican can make decisions to engage with us and work together with this,” Staquf said.

The Muslim leader also brought a delegation of Indonesian Catholics and young Muslims practicing “humanitarian Islam” with him to Rome to attend the general audience with the pope. Together they asked Pope Francis to visit Indonesia to continue his interreligious dialogue.

Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country historically known for its ethnic diversity and peaceful religious pluralism, which has seen an increase in religious-based violence and radical groups in recent years.

“They explained to the pope that we stand for the harmony of Indonesia, so that when we [Nahdlatul Ulama Muslims] see threats toward our fellow Indonesian Christians, we protect them,” Staquf said.

“I mentioned to His Holiness that we believe Humanitarian Islam is in alignment with noble values of Christian humanism ... It was received very well,” he said.

Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak, who accompanied Staquf on the trip, facilitated the Sunni sheikh’s meetings with the pope and members of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Archbishop Agus told CNA that when Sheikh Staquf expressed that he wanted to come to the Vatican to give the pope Nahdlatul Ulama’s response to the Abu Dhabi declaration, he knew it was “the right time … for one of the great leaders of the Muslims to meet the pope.”

“I feel that I have a responsibility for the future of Indonesia,” Agus said.

Staquf stressed that the persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority countries around the world must end. He said that when looking at the rise of the Islamic State and other radical groups, one cannot ignore the theological underpinnings that allow their radicalism and violence to spread.

“Let's look at why these problematic views can spread effectively everywhere in the Islamic world in these Muslims communities because it is supported by … what is considered to be authoritative elements of the orthodoxy. So we need to change that so that people cannot use that elements to make troubles, to make problems,” he said.

“We have a network of hundreds of thousands of clerics and Muslim scholars in Indonesia. So we all know what is in the teachings of Islam,” he said. “We know that there are some elements that do not encourage harmony and even can be potential obstacles to harmony.”

One of the areas Nahdlatul Ulama is working to reform is religious education for Muslim youth. They are constructing a curriculum for teaching Islamic history that places less of an emphasis on the violence of the past, and more on spirituality.

“We want to create materials for education which contains more about the character of the prophet, the compassionate character of the prophet, rather than these records of conflicts and wars,” Staquf said.

“We use a creed for this movement, the global movement of humanitarian Islam. Our creed is: 'We choose rahma' ... 'We choose compassion," he said.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/muslim-leader-meets-pope-francis-calls-for-islam-that-sees-no-infidels-11722

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Malaysian PM: Enmity towards Muslims, Islam Stems from Israel’s Creation

September 28, 2019

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia cannot accept the blatant seizure of Palestine land by Israel for their settlements as well as the occupation of Jerusalem by Israel.

He highlighted the dire situation of the Palestinians who cannot even enter the settlements built on their land.

Malaysia, he said, accepted the state of Israel as a fait accompli but underscored that because of the creation of Israel, there is now enmity towards the Muslims and Islam.

“Muslims are accused of terrorism even if they did nothing. Muslim countries have been destabilised through the campaign for democracy and regime change. Muslims everywhere have been oppressed, expelled from their countries and refused asylum,” he said.

Addressing the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly here on Friday, Mahathir said one cannot deny that in the past there was no massive migration but now the wars and instability due to regime change have forced them to run away from their countries.

He said that the result of overnight switch to democracy was destabilisation and civil wars, reducing some countries into government-less wilderness while others reverted to authoritarian regimes worse than the one that was displaced.

Unable to suffer from wars and violence, their people had to migrate, he said.

“The great democrats talk incessantly about the rule of law. But they are selective. Friends may break any law and get away scot-free.

“Thus, Israel can break all the international laws and norms of the world and it will continue to be supported and defended. The unfriendly countries can do nothing right. There is no justice in the world,” he said.

He said the creation of Israel by seizing Palestinian land and expelling its 90% Arab population had led to wars being fought in many countries, many precisely related to the formation of Israel.

“And now we have terrorism when there was none before or at least none on the present scale. Military action against acts of terrorism will not succeed. We need to identify the cause and remove it.

“But the great powers refuse to deal with the root cause. They prefer military action and sanctions. And they will continue to fail to stop terrorism.” .

On the plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, the prime minister said that the helplessness of the world in stopping atrocities inflicted on the ethnic community had reduced the regard for the resolution of the UN.

As a result, he said, they were forced to migrate and now they dare not return to Myanmar even when offered as they cannot trust the Myanmar military unless some form of non-Myanmar protection is given.

Turning his attention to Jammu and Kashmir, Mahathir said that now, despite a UN resolution, the country has been invaded and occupied.

“There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong,” he said, stressing that the problem must be solved by peaceful means.

He called on India to work with Pakistan to resolve this issue, cautioning that ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the rule of law.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/09/28/enmity-towards-muslims-islam-stems-from-israels-creation-says-dr-m/

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India Responds To Khan's UN Speech: Indian Citizens Do Not Need Anyone to Speak On Their Behalf

Sep 28, 2019

UNITED NATIONS: Strongly hitting back at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's rant at the UN General Assembly, India has said its citizens do not need anyone else to speak on their behalf and "least of all those who have built an industry of terrorism from the ideology of hate."

Khan delivered his maiden speech at the 74th UN General Debate on Friday and in his almost 50-minute address, devoted half of his time to India and Kashmir, drumming up hysteria over nuclear war.

India exercised its right of reply to the statement made by Khan later on Friday and fielded its newest diplomat at its mission at the UN to fend off the allegations made by former Pakistan cricket captain.

"Every word spoken from the podium of this august Assembly, it is believed, carries the weight of history. Unfortunately, what we heard today from Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan was a callous portrayal of the world in binary terms. Us vs Them; Rich vs Poor; North vs South; Developed Vs Developing; Muslims vs Others. A script that fosters divisiveness at the United Nations. Attempts to sharpen differences and stir up hatred, are simply put - 'hate speech'," First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Vidisha Maitra said.

Maitra said that rarely has the General Assembly witnessed such "misuse, rather abuse", of an opportunity to reflect.

"Words matter in diplomacy. Invocation of phrases such as "pogrom", "bloodbath", "racial superiority", "pick up the gun" and "fight to the end" reflect a medieval mindset and not a 21st century vision."

"Pogroms, Prime Minister Imran Khan Niazi, are not a phenomenon of today's vibrant democracies," she said.

"We would request you to refresh your rather sketchy understanding of history. Do not forget the gruesome genocide perpetrated by Pakistan against its own people in 1971 and the role played by Lt. Gen A A K Niazi. A sordid fact that the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh reminded this Assembly about earlier this afternoon."

Maitra said Khan's "threat of unleashing nuclear devastation qualifies as brinksmanship, not statesmanship."

"Even coming from the leader of a country that has monopolised the entire value chain of the industry of terrorism, Prime Minister Khan's justification of terrorism was brazen and incendiary," she said.

"Citizens of India do not need anyone else to speak on their behalf, least of all those who have built an industry of terrorism from the ideology of hate," she said.

Maitra added that after having "mainstreamed terrorism and hate speech," Pakistan is trying to play its wild card as the new found champion of human rights.

In his address, Khan had invited UN Observers to Pakistan to verify that there are no militant organisations in Pakistan.

Maitra said the world will hold him to that promise. She said a few questions that Pakistan can respond to as a precursor to the proposed verification, is that would Khan “deny to the city of New York that he was an open defender of Osama bin Laden?

"Can Pakistan confirm the fact that it is home to 130 UN designated terrorists and 25 terrorist entities listed by the UN, as of today?

"Will Pakistan acknowledge that it is the only Government in the world that provides pension to an individual listed by the UN in the Al Qaeda and Da'esh Sanctions list!

"Can Pakistan explain why here in New York, its premier bank, the Habib Bank had to shut shop after it was fined millions of dollars over terror financing?

"Will Pakistan deny that the Financial Action Task Force has put the country on notice for its violations of more than 20 of the 27 key parameters?

Khan, who was one a cricket player, and "believed in the gentleman's game, today gave a speech that was "bordered on crudeness of the variety that is reminiscent of the guns of Darra Adam Khel.

She said Pakistan is a country that has shrunk the size of its minority community from 23 per cent in 1947 to 3 per cent today and has subjected Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyas, Hindus, Shias, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Balochis to draconian blasphemy laws, systemic persecution, blatant abuse and forced conversions.

"Their newfound fascination for preaching human rights is akin to trophy hunting of the endangered mountain goat - markhor," she said.

Pakistan's virulent reaction to the removal of an outdated and temporary provision that was hindering development and integration of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir stems from the fact that those who thrive on conflict never welcome the ray of peace, Maitra said.

Asserting that while Pakistan has ventured to upstream terrorism and downstream hate speech there, India is going ahead with mainstreaming development in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The mainstreaming of Jammu & Kashmir, as well as Ladakh, in India's thriving and vibrant democracy with a millennia-old heritage of diversity, pluralism and tolerance is well and truly underway. Irreversibly so," she said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-responds-to-khans-un-speech-indian-citizens-do-not-need-anyone-to-speak-on-their-behalf/articleshow/71345473.cms

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'World Should Stand As One against Terrorism': PM Modi Tells World Leaders at UNGA

27 SEPTEMBER 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday exhorted the international community to stand united against terrorism, which he described as one of the biggest challenges not for any single country, but for the entire world.

Addressing the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, Modi lamented on the lack of unanimity amongst the member states on the issue of terrorism, saying it dents those very principles, that are the basis for the creation of the United Nations.

"We believe, that this is one of the biggest challenges, not for any single country, but for the entire world and humanity," Modi said while speaking in Hindi. This was his second address to the General Debate at the UN, five years after his maiden speech as Indian Prime Minister in 2014.

India had proposed a draft document in 1996 on the 'Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism' (CCIT) at the General Assembly but it remained a blueprint as the member states were unable to reach a consensus. The CCIT intends to criminalise all forms of terrorism and deny terrorists, their financiers and supporters access to funds, arms and safe havens.

"The lack of unanimity amongst us on the issue of terrorism dents those very principles, that are the basis for the creation of the UN," Prime Minister Modi rued.

Noting that India is a country, that has given the world, not war, but Buddha's message of peace, Modi said, "And that is the reason why, our voice against terrorism, to alert the world about this evil, rings with seriousness and the outrage."

"And that is why, for the sake of humanity, I firmly believe, that it is absolutely imperative, that the world unites against terrorism, and that the world stands as one against terrorism," he asserted.

Prime Minister Modi said the largest number of supreme sacrifices made by soldiers of any country for UN peacekeeping missions is from India.

At least 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price while serving with the United Nations.

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-world-should-stand-as-one-against-terrorism-pm-modi-tells-world-leaders-at-unga/339541

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Archaeologists Speculated About Temple beneath Babri: Muslim Parties

Sep 28, 2019

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday made plain its disagreement with Muslim parties’ dismissal of the Archaeological Survey of India’s excavation report indicating a “massive Hindu structure” resembling north Indian temples beneath the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya as a piece of speculation completely devoid of evidential value.

Countering the Hindu parties’ reliance on the ASI report to bolster their claim for construction of a temple on the 2.77 acre disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land, the counsel for Muslim parties, senior advocate Meenakshi Arora said, “Archaeology is a science based on speculation. Opinion of archaeologists on given excavated data could be at variance with other archaeologists as was recorded in the Allahabad High Court’s judgment.”

Arguing before a bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, she said, “Archaeologists’ opinion is akin to opinion of a handwriting expert and cannot be regarded as an expert opinion under Section 45 of Indian Evidence Act.” When Justice Bobde asked where she got the analogy of archaeologist and handwriting expert, she said it was her inference.

However, Justice Nazeer said the ASI report could be similar to a report by a court ordered inquiry commission. “The HC ordered an inquiry (into whether a temple existed beneath the disputed structure). The ASI carried out an inquiry and gave a report. So, it is more of an inquiry report. You (Muslim parties) cannot say it is a mere opinion by experts. It is much more weightier than an expert opinion. You submitted your objections to the report which were considered by the HC before rendering a finding,” he said.

The Allahabad HC, while appreciating the ASI report, had dealt with the Muslim parties’ objections to the report. It had said, “It normally happens when an expert body tenders an opinion, the party who finds such opinion adverse to its interest feels otherwise and tries to rid such opinion by taking recourse to all such measures as permissible but in the present case, we hoped a better response, particularly when the expert body involved is a pioneer and premier archaeological body of this country having international repute.

“We are satisfied that the ASI report not only deserves to be accepted but it really helps this court in forming its opinion on an important issue in this regard. All the objections against the ASI, therefore, are rejected.”

After Arora concluded her arguments, senior advocate Shekhar Naphade appeared for Muslim parties and said the suits filed by Hindu parties — Gopal Singh Visharad in 1950, Nirmohi Akhara in 1959 and one on behalf of the deity in 1989 — were not maintainable as the ownership claim over any part of the Babri Masjid was rejected concurrently by the sub-judge, district judge and the appellate authority in 1885-86.

Naphade referred to the 1885 suit filed by Mahant Raghubar Das, claiming to be the priest at Ram Chabutra and who sought to build a temple at the Chabutra in the outer courtyard of the mosque on the ground of providing shelter to devotees from the sun, rain and winter chill.

He said since the courts had concurrently rejected the claim of Mahant, who filed the suit as a representative of the Hindu community, for possession and ownership of the Chabutra, the 1885-86 judicial orders would serve as ‘res judicata’ (matter already judged) for Hindu parties to prevent them from filing fresh suits expanding their ownership rights over the entire mosque. Justice Chandrachud asked, “Now, there is a suit on behalf of the deity. If the 1885 suit was filed in the capacity as ‘sevait’ of the deity, then possibly the argument of ‘res judicata’ will apply, not otherwise.”

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/archaeologists-speculated-about-temple-beneath-babri-muslim-parties/articleshow/71344070.cms

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Islamophobia creating division, hijab seen as weapon: Pakistan PM Imran Khan at UNGA

September 27, 2019

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, while speaking at the 74th session of United Nations General (UNGA) in New York on Friday, said that Islamophobia created a division.

"There are 1.3 billion Muslims in this world. Millions of Muslims are living in the US and European countries as minorities. Islamophobia, since 9/11 has grown at an alarming pace. Human communities are supposed to live together with understanding among each other but Islamophobia is creating a division," Pakistan PM Imran Khan said.

"Muslim women wearing hijabs has become an issue in some countries as if a hijab is some kind of weapon. This is happening because of Islamophobia," Imran Khan said.

"Imran Khan said that after 9/11 attack, Islamophobia grew at an arming rate. Why did it start? Because certain western leaders equated terrorism with Islam, calling it Islamic terrorism and radical Islam. What is radical Islam? There is only one Islam," Imran Khan said.

Imran Khan asked how does one distinguish between a moderate Muslim and radical Muslim saying further that terrorism has no religion.

"This Islamic radicalism has been the main reason behind Islamophobia. This has caused pain to Muslims," Imran Khan said.

Imran Khan said that marginalisation of Muslims in European countries is leading to radicalisation making people end up as militants in Syria and other nations.

"No religion preaches radicalism. The basis of all religions is compassion and justice," Imran Khan said.

"Imran Khan said that before 9/11 majority of suicide attacks in the world were carried out by Tamil Tigers who were Hindus. No one blamed Hinduism. And it's quite right. What has Hinduism got to do with what desperate people were doing in Sri Lanka?" Imran Khan said.

Imran Khan added that there is a misunderstanding in the West regarding Islam which is causing Islamophobia in the world.

https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-imran-khan-unga-islamophobia-west-suicide-attack-muslim-1604016-2019-09-27

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Sinhalese Nationalists Used the Easter Attacks to "Justify Actions That Harassed and Humiliated the Muslim Community", Now Risks Sri Lanka Peace

September 28, 2019

A "harsh and dangerous" crackdown on Sri Lankan Muslims following deadly bombings on Easter Sunday poses a major threat to the Indian Ocean nation's peace and security, a think-tank has warned.

The assailants behind the church and hotel bombings in April were fringe actors, but politicians and Sinhalese nationalists have used the attacks to "justify actions that have harassed and humiliated the broader Muslim community", the International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a new report on Friday.

The attacks, which killed more than 250 people, were claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). But Sri Lankan police said members of an offshoot of a local Muslim group, National Thowheed Jamath, were responsible.

It was the deadliest single day of violence in the country, which is still recovering from a bloody civil war with ethnic Tamil separatists, and the first experience of Muslim-on-Christian mass violence, the report said.

Since then, more than 1,800 Muslims were arrested under emergency laws and nearly 300 remain in custody, it said. Muslims account for 10 percent of Sri Lanka's Sinhalese Buddhist-dominated population.

Families of those arrested told the ICG that many of those imprisoned had no connections to the attacks, but had been reported to the authorities out of fear and bigotry.

"Sinhalese Buddhist nationalists have waged a campaign of violence and hate, including economic boycotts, vigilante attacks on women wearing hijabs and media smear campaigns," the report said.

"Two days of devastating riots targeting Muslim businesses and mosques in mid-May raised fears of an island-wide pogrom," it warned. One Muslim was killed in the riots and scores of Muslim homes and Muslim-owned businesses were destroyed.

Anti-Muslim campaign

The violence was not a spontaneous retaliation for the Easter attacks, the report said, but a continuation of a years-long anti-Muslim campaign.

The attacks followed the same script as previous anti-Muslim riots, such as those in central Kandy last year, with Sinhalese nationalist groups bussing in supporters and security forces "failing to maintain order and in some cases appearing to assist rioters", it added.

Sinhalese nationalist politicians and commentators also seized the moment to "inject new energy into long-standing efforts to undermine the status and prosperity of the Muslim community".

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, opposition presidential candidate and brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has made security a key focus of his campaign. Polls are expected later this year.

Some senior monks have also engaged in violent rhetoric against Muslims. In June, Ven Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, one of Sri Lanka's two senior-most Buddhist monks, supported the call for the boycott of Muslim-owned businesses and repeated unfounded rumours that a Muslim doctor has sterilised Buddhist women.

All the while, Sri Lanka's weak and divided leadership "has either stood idly by or egged on the abuse", the report said.

Despite the heavy pressure on the Muslim community, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's UNP-led government has said and done little to reassure the minority, the ICG said, partly because it fears losing Sinhala voters to the opposition.

"The Easter bombers succeeded thanks principally to the failures of the state, not the Muslim community," the ICG said, noting foreign intelligence services had alerted Sri Lankan security agencies to such a threat weeks before the attacks.

"If Sri Lanka's leaders want to avoid future attacks, they should focus their attention on repairing the state's broken security apparatus and stop alienating law-abiding Muslim citizens."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/dangerous-actions-muslims-risk-sri-lanka-peace-190927110659004.html

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Saudi Arabia moving to execute dozens of dissidents as crackdown intensifies

Sep 27, 2019

Saudi authorities are going to execute dozens of imprisoned political dissidents from the country’s oil-rich and Shia-populated Eastern Province, amid a crackdown led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman against pro-democracy campaigners, Muslim preachers and intellectuals in the ultra-conservative kingdom.

London-based and Arabic-language Nabaa television news network, citing social media activists, reported that 39 Qatif residents are facing death penalty at various levels of litigation.

The report added that five detainees are already on the death row, while nine others have been sentenced to death. Another 26 inmates are facing death penalty at a request from the Public Prosecution.

Eastern Province has been the scene of peaceful demonstrations since February 2011. Protesters have been demanding reforms, freedom of expression, the release of political prisoners, and an end to economic and religious discrimination against the oil-rich region.

The protests have been met with a heavy-handed crackdown by the regime, with regime forces increasing security measures across the province.

Back in mid-July, informed sources, requesting anonymity, said that a young Saudi man had died more than a week after being injured by regime forces when they raided a district in the province.

Majid Abdullah al-Adam died ten days after regime forces, armed with heavy weapons and artillery launchers, stormed into the al-Jash district of Qatif onboard armored vehicles.

The sources added that the forces fired indiscriminately, inflicting damage on many houses and buildings. Adam suffered critical injuries during the raid.

Over the past years, Riyadh has also redefined its anti-terrorism laws to target activism.

In January 2016, Saudi authorities executed Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, who was an outspoken critic of the Riyadh regime. Nimr had been arrested in Qatif, Eastern Province, in 2012.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/09/27/607261/Saudi-Arabia-execution-beheading-dissidents-shias-eastern-province-ckdown-intensifies

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Muslims most affected by hate speech, says Erdogan

Servet Gunerigok, Dilara Hamit

25.09.2019

WASHINGTON

Muslims are most subjected to hate speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.

Erdogan was speaking at an event co-hosted by Turkey and Pakistan on encountering hate speech at the UN headquarters.

"Today, Muslims are the most subjected to hate speech, cultural racism, discrimination and insults. Muslims' workplaces, homes, worshipping places are targeted by racist and fascist groups almost every day," said the president.

He said Muslim women are harassed for wearing headscarves on the streets and workplaces.

"As a country, which has 6.5 million citizens abroad who are impacted by hate speech and attacks, we cannot overlook this issue," he added.

Erdogan remarked that hate speech is normalized by populist politicians and media and cannot be considered within freedom of opinion.

He also denounced violence against Muslims in India who eat beef and urged respect for freedom of faith.

"In India, how will we defend Muslim youth who are being whipped, beaten by machetes and even sentenced to death just for eating beef," Erdogan said.

Cows are considered sacred in the Hindu religion and there has been a rise in attacks on Muslim cattle owners by Hindu nationalists, with several self-styled cow protection groups emerging.

Turning to the situation in Kashmir, he said it has turned into an open-air prison and its residents have become prisoners.

"Important duties fall on all [foreign] state institutions," said Erdogan, and urged more active steps on regional and international levels.

He called on international institutions, technology companies, education institutions, media, and non-governmental organizations to act to resolve the row.

"Turkey is resolved to defend the rights of Muslims living in Jammu and Kashmir and make their entry and exit free," said Erdogan.

The president also criticized India's foreign minister and the country's envoys in Turkey for expressing discomfort over Ankara's approach to the Kashmir issue.

"I mean, will we determine our policy in any country by asking or taking permission from the leaders in those countries?" said Erdogan.

Since 1954, Jammu and Kashmir had enjoyed a special status under the Indian constitution which allowed it to enact its own laws until Indian government’s move on Aug.

5 to scrap the special status of the disputed region. The provisions had also protected the region's citizenship law, which barred outsiders from settling in and owning land in the territory.

India and Pakistan hold Kashmir in parts and claim it in full. China also controls part of the contested region, but it is India and Pakistan who have fought two wars over Kashmir,

Reacting to attacks on Islam, the president said linking Islam, a religion of peace, with terror is an immoral slander. It is unacceptable, he said.

"We will continue to pioneer all efforts to actively fight against Islamophobia, racism and hate speech," he added.

Also addressing the event, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called for effective measures to counter hate speech and Islamophobia.

According to a statement by his office in Islamabad, Khan underscored the growing incidences of discrimination and violence based on religion and belief.

He said both the motives and consequences of them should be addressed to over the issue.

"All the Muslim leaders need to put more efforts to explain why attempts to denigrate revered Muslim personalities, especially Prophet Muhammad, cause pain and offense to billions of Muslims," Khan said.

Khan rejected attempts to equate Islam with terrorism, as well, stressing that such self-serving approaches were dangerous and therefore should be avoided.

He also called for promoting greater understanding and tolerance among the communities across the world.

*Dilara Hamit in Ankara, Islamuddin Sajid in Islamabad contributed to this story

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/74th-un-general-assembly-2019/muslims-most-affected-by-hate-speech-says-erdogan/1594152

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Hundreds of 'abused' captives freed from Nigeria Islamic school

Sep 27, 2019

Police in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna have rescued more than 300 male students from an Islamic school where many had been tortured and sexually abused, a police spokesman said Friday.

Officers raided a building in the Rigasa area city on Thursday where the victims including adults and minors were kept in "the most debasing and inhuman conditions in the name of teaching them the Koran and reforming them", Kaduna state police spokesman Yakubu Sabo told AFP.

"We found around 100 students including children as young as nine, in chains stuffed in a small room, all in the name of reforming them and making them responsible persons," Mr Sabo said.

The school which has been operating for a decade, enrolled students brought by their families to learn the Quran and be rehabilitated from drug abuse and other illnesses, police said.

The proprietor of the school and six staff were arrested during the raid.

Many of the rescued students bore scars on their backs and serious injuries, police said.

"The victims were abused. Some of them said they were sodomised by their teachers," Mr Sabo stated.

Police had been tipped off by complaints from local residents who became suspicious of what was happening inside the school.

During the raid on the school, police said they found a "torture chamber" where students were chained, hung and beaten.

One inmate quoted by Nigerian media described horrific conditions and treatment at the facility.

"I have spent three months here with chains on my legs," Bello Hamza said, adding that he was meant to be in South Africa studying for his Masters degree.

"This is supposed to be an Islamic centre, but trying to run away from here attracts severe punishment; they tie people and hang them to the ceiling for that."

Pictures published in several newspapers showed an alleged victim with scars on his back and another chained up by his foot to a metal railing.

Television footage showed emaciated children being loaded into minivans and driven away for processing.

Mr Sabo said the victims were of varying nationalities and that "two of them said during interrogation they were brought by their parents from Burkina Faso".

The identities of the rescued victims were being documented to determine where they came from and to contact their families.

Parents of some of the victims from within the city, contacted by police were "shocked and horrified" when they saw the condition of their children, as they had no idea what was happening inside the school.

Parents were allowed to visit their children every three months, but only in select areas of the premises.

"They were not allowed into the house to see what was happening... the children are only brought to them outside to meet them," Mr Sabo said.

"All they thought was their children are being taught the Quran and good manners as they looked subdued," he added.

One of the the men allegedly running the facility insisted to local television channels that the centre was simply teaching Islamic studies and that those chained up were "the stubborn ones who attempt to run away".

Private Islamic schools are common in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria, where government services are often lacking.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/africa/hundreds-of-abused-captives-freed-from-nigeria-islamic-school-1.916017

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Why this concern for Indian Muslims when you’re not worried about those in China, US asks Pakistan

Sep 28, 2019

WASHINGTON: Nudging New Delhi to take “rapid action” to restore normalcy in Kashmir, the US on Thursday suggested the onus on resumption of talks between India and Pakistan rested on Islamabad acting on terrorism and dialing down its overheated rhetoric. Washington also implicitly rebuked Pakistan for its phony anxiety over treatment of Muslims in India, wondering why there was not as much concern about the fate of Muslims in China.

During a special briefing here, Alice Wells, the State Department’s point person for the region, noted that after India revoked J&K’s special status on August 5, PM Modi had laid out a plan of returning Kashmir to normalcy, as well engagement with a new generation of political leaders. “I think we are interested in knowing the next steps in engagement and encouraging that political dialogue to begin... we hope to see rapid action in the lifting of the restrictions and in the release of those who have been detained,” she said.

The smackdown of Pakistan’s double standards came when Wells was asked about Pakistan’s over-the-top anxiety on the situation in Kashmir. Wells said US concern about the human rights of Muslims extends “more broadly than just Kashmir” and it has been trying to shine a light on the “horrific conditions that continue to exist for Muslims throughout China.

”I would like to see the same level of concern expressed also about Muslims who are being detained in Western China, literally in concentration-like conditions,” Wells said when asked about Imran Khan’s cataclysmic remarks on Kashmir. The Pakistan PM has been making a big to-do in New York on the sidelines of the annual UN meet over not just the situation in Kashmir, but also the fate of Muslims all across India, invoking scenarios of massacres, genocide, and nuclear war in the subcontinent almost as if he wishes it.

He also pledged to fight Islamophobia after a meeting on “Countering hate speech,” announcing that Pakistan, Malaysia, and Turkey would start an English television channel to confront prejudice against Islam. But in other public meets, Khan has shirked from discussing China’s treatment of Muslims, which includes incarceration and “retraining” to scrub Islamic values, pleading that he has too many other things on his plate and Islamabad prefers to engage Beijing in private on such matters. Still, Wells said Washington would like to see India and Pakistan have a constructive conversation leading to better relations, although that would depend on Pakistan cracking down on terrorism.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/why-this-concern-for-indian-muslims-when-youre-not-worried-about-those-in-china-us-asks-pakistan/articleshow/71343752.cms

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Europe

French bank accused of enabling Sudan war crimes

Yusuf Ozcan

27.09.2019

PARIS

The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and Project Expedite Justice on Thursday accused French bank BNP Paribas of complicity in crimes against humanity, torture and genocide during the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region.

According to a report published in the Le Monde newspaper, the institutions filed a complaint against the bank at a Paris court for allegedly giving Sudanese authorities access to global money markets between 2002 and 2008 despite Sudan being subjected to sanctions.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for the arrest of former President Omar al-Bashir on the grounds of genocide linked to the Darfur conflict.

A similar charge has been filed and an investigation has been initiated into BNP Paribas.

The Paris prosecutor’s office launched an investigation in September 2017 to determine whether BNP Paribas played a role in the Rwandan genocide.

The bank is accused of involvement in financing illegal weapons supply to genocide perpetrators in Rwanda.

Through the bank’s alleged financing, it was claimed that despite a United Nations embargo, 80 tons of weapons were provided to those who committed genocide.

Al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan since 1989, was ousted by the military in April this year after months of protests against his 30-year rule.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/french-bank-accused-of-enabling-sudan-war-crimes/1595503

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Spain charges 7 Catalan separatists with ‘terrorist organization’ membership

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

Seven Catalan separatists arrested on suspicion of planning violent attacks have been charged with belonging to a “terrorist organization” and remanded in custody, Spanish judicial authorities said on Thursday, September 26.

The seven were among nine people detained on Monday on accusations they were planning attacks with possible explosives. The other two were released.

A judge in Madrid ruled that there was evidence suggesting the seven were members of an organization intending to achieve Catalan independence “by any means including violence,” a court statement said.

No details of the accused were given.

The suspects were being held on charges of “rebellion, terrorism and possession of explosives” for an attack planned for the coming weeks which could have caused “irreparable damage,” the prosecution said on Monday.

The seven suspects have also been charged with making and possessing explosives.

Police searched the region and particularly the city of Sabadell, 25 km (15 miles) north of Barcelona, and found “equipment and substances considered to be used for the manufacture of explosives,” Spain’s Guardia Civil said.

Spain’s High Court had ordered the arrests to shed light on “alleged criminal activities” planned by the separatist group, the Committees for the Defence of the Republic.

The arrests come just weeks before the second anniversary of the banned Catalan independence referendum which triggered one of Spain’s biggest political crises.

Several hundred people demonstrated outside the Catalan parliament in Barcelona and then the city’s police headquarters shouting “freedom for political prisoners.”

The parliament earlier Thursday approved a resolution calling for the “withdrawal from Catalan territory of the civil guard police,” described as a “type of political police.”

A verdict is due next month in the trial of 12 separatist leaders for their roles in the attempted secession in 2017.

Full report at:

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/09/27/spain-catalan-separatists-terrorism-charges/

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UNC defends Middle East studies program against charges of bias toward Islam

By Laura Meckler

September 27, 2019

The University of North Carolina is defending its federally funded Middle East studies program after the Education Department accused the school of advancing an ideological agenda.

In a letter to the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies, the department charged that the program promotes a positive view of Islam while virtually ignoring other religions. Its investigation was sparked by a complaint from a member of Congress who found a conference sponsored by the consortium to be biased against Israel.

The Education Department ordered the university to revise its offerings or risk losing its $235,000 federal grant under the Title VI program. In its response, the university did not offer to change its programs but said it would enhance oversight of the consortium and better record how spending matches the law’s requirements.

Government threatens funding for Middle East studies program it sees as too favorable to Islam

The Education Department’s action came under fire from academics and others who charged that the department was politicizing the grant program and violating principles of academic freedom. But its move was in line with conservative critics who have long accused universities of harboring anti-Semitic bias.

On Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union wrote Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to defend the consortium and to argue that the law does not allow the department to require that grantees “espouse its favored viewpoint or further this administration’s anti-Muslim agenda.”

The ACLU letter also expressed concern that the investigation could affect other institutions that receive Title VI funding.

“They are now on notice that, to continue their relationship with the federal government, they must espouse a particular viewpoint regarding Israel to the satisfaction of the government and must tread lightly when it comes to any curricular content that could somehow be perceived as portraying Islam and Muslims in a positive light,” wrote Ronald Newman, national political director of the ACLU, and Karen Anderson, executive director of the ACLU of North Carolina.

A spokeswoman for the Education Department declined to say whether other universities are under investigation for misuse of Title VI grants.

Title VI grants are meant to fund programs that train students in foreign languages and international affairs to advance U.S. national security and economic interests. Together with a sister program, the government spends about $72 million per year to support about 100 national resource centers on world affairs and languages, among other things.

In his letter to university officials, Robert King, assistant secretary at the Education Department, said the program was sponsoring activities that are perhaps consistent with “general principles of academic freedom” but are “plainly unqualified for taxpayer support.”

In a formal response sent last week, the vice chancellor for research at UNC, Terry Magnuson, defended the consortium as offering a range of programming. He said programs on Iranian art and film, which the department singled out as inconsistent with the law, are part of a broader study of language, which is a core part of the federal grant.

He also wrote that the consortium had offered programming on positive aspects of many religions, not just Islam. He pointed to a visit to a Jewish center to explore Jewish traditions, presentations on Christianity in Lebanon and presentations on religious diversity throughout the Middle East.

He also said that two programs that were singled out for criticism were not funded with federal dollars.

But Magnuson also said that the consortium would “re-examine its procedures to ensure that its Title VI-funded activities continue to match the purposes and requirements” of the program. He said the sponsors would establish an advisory board to oversee activities and create clear records showing how each expenditure relates to the purposes and requirements of the program.

Full report at:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/unc-defends-middle-east-studies-program-against-charges-of-bias-toward-islam/2019/09/27/c8b7e4e2-e13b-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html

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Maltese, Turkish unite for historical Turkish cemetery

Baris Seckin

27.09.2019

ROME

Maltese and Turkish people united for the protection of a historical Turkish cemetery in Malta.

The entrepreneur group wanted to open a gas station in 2016 next to the cemetery in the Marsa district of the capital Valletta, and the plan was rejected with the initiative of the Turkish Embassy in Malta.

The group instead decided to open a three-story industry workshop with carpentries and repair-shops in the same location, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

Not only the Turks but also the islanders have attempted many times to preserve the Turkish Military Cemetery, also called the "Ottoman Taj Mahal", said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.

"It is a fascinating and unique Neo-Ottoman architectural work in Malta and the product of a fascinating relationship between the patron Sultan Abdul Aziz Khan and the Maltese architect Emmanuele Luigi Galizia," said Conrad Thake, a history researcher and author of the book The Ottoman Muslim Cemetery in Malta.

"The proposed development of a three storey high services garage facility will totally obliterate vistas of the Ottoman cemetery and its distinctive silhouette of different forms. Besides that the proposed use of a service garage industry is totally incompatible," he added.

There have been several objections and representations from all quarters," said Thake, adding that he was the first to register his strong objections.

"Others followed from different sources, the Embassy of Turkey in Malta, various NGOs in the heritage conservation sector such as Din L-Art Helwa and many individuals with a passion for local architectural heritage," he said.

Thake expressed his confidence that his thesis will be accepted and such an initiative would not be allowed in the first-level protected area, adding: "I would certainly expect Planning Authority to refuse such an application without hesitation".

The appeal period for the construction of the industrial complex expires on Sept. 23, while the Maltese Planning Authority is expected to make its decision on applications and objections by Nov. 30.

- Turkish Military Cemetery

In 1874, a cemetery was built for the Turkish martyrs along with the great sailor Turgut Reis in Malta, which was besieged by the Ottoman forces in 1565.

Galizia, one of the renown architects of Malta at the time, was in charge of the construction of the cemetery.

The center of attention with its architecture, the cemetery includes graves of 22 Turks who were taken captive to Malta by the British in various fronts during World War I and died in the siege.

Full report at:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/maltese-turkish-unite-for-historical-turkish-cemetery/1595989

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Southeast Asia

If Sunnis defend Shias, politicians will champion Shias, says academic

Nicholas Chung

September 28, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: An academic has urged Sunni Muslim Malaysians to speak up against the persecution of Shia Muslims in the country, saying this will be able to end the crackdown by the authorities against the Muslim minority.

“Our politicians are just looking for votes. If Malay Sunnis were to rise up and reject the persecution of Shias, tomorrow Umno and Pakatan will fight for Shias.

“Then that will solve the problem,” said sociologist Syed Farid Alatas.

Last month, religious authorities in Selangor and Johor had carried out raids on private Shia events and detained several foreign nationals.

The situation is made worse when Sunnis refuse to trace and embrace similarities between the two branches of Islam, Syed Farid said when speaking at a forum on the future of the ummah at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Istac) here today.

He said there is an inability and lack of a conscious decision by Sunnis to understand their Muslim counterparts, adding that negative perceptions of Shias is mostly political and results from ignorance.

He said it is difficult to free the community from these perceptions that have been sown by religious leaders and politicians who are against the Shia as these influential figures, who he described as “stupid, evil and arrogant”, are still highly respected.

Prior to this, Syed Farid had told FMT that some religious leaders who knew about Shia had malicious intentions and wanted to use the issue as a political tool.

“To fight for the rights of the Malays, they think they have to champion Islam.

“In their context, championing Islam is championing the Sunnah. So to champion the Sunnah, they have to reject Shia,” he said in an interview on Sept 22.

Shia, with a substantial following in Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, several parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan, is the second-largest branch of Islam.

But state Islamic authorities have declared its teachings as “deviant”, with sermons in Selangor frequently condemning its followers as heretics.

Syed Farid called for a review of the existing fatwa against Shia Muslims, describing the recent raids by Islamic authorities as “barbaric”.

“Are they terrorists? Are they asking to overthrow the Malaysian government? Are they supporting violence?

“No. They’re just practising Islam in some ways that are slightly different than us. Do we want to become such an extremist country?” he asked, highlighting that none of the Muslims detained in Malaysia for links to terrorism were Shia.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/09/28/if-sunnis-defend-shias-politicians-will-champion-shias-says-academic/

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Ummah calls for peace after Adib inquest findings, but still wants AG sacked

27 September 2019

BY IDA LIM

SHAH ALAM, Sept 27 — Muslim group Ummah today urged Malaysians to stay calm after today’s inquest finding on firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s death last December, saying it trusted in the courts to deliver justice

However, the group was adamant that Tan Sri Tommy Thomas be removed as the attorney general (AG).

Ummah chairman Aminuddin Yahaya said the group was very happy about the “very positive results” by the coroner which he said was based on concrete evidence.

“It proves that the truth, justice prevail. That’s all we want,” he said when met outside the court complex after the inquest findings were delivered.

Aminuddin, who is also president of Muslim group Isma, said Ummah wants those responsible for Adib’s death — which the coroner concluded was due to injuries suffered during a riot — to be charged.

“Our demand is, based on the judgment, the IGP and AG have to prosecute the criminal, whoever responsible they have to prosecute. That’s the instructions by the judge and the IGP and AG have to take that mandate to prosecute and get all those criminals,” he said, referring to the inspector-general of police and the attorney general.

“We just demand justice, hopefully by having these criminals caught. We hope justice will remain and prevail, we believe in the court system if there’s no interference from any political parties, we believe in them, based on today’s judgment, I think we believe them,” he said.

“Yes, we believe in the court system, we call people don’t make any trouble, let the judge and the lawyers do their work, we believe in them, the justice system except for the AG,” he said when asked if Ummah was calling for peace.

Aminuddin claimed Thomas had erred by calling for the inquest to be held and insisted that he should be removed from office.

“We want if possible, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong terminate his service. That’s what our demand is because it’s proven that our AG is not competent,” he claimed.

Aminuddin said Ummah believed that the inquest should not have been initiated in the first place to determine Adib’s cause of death, claiming that the authorities should have proceeded to start prosecutions or carry out further investigations if required. “If the AG finds that the investigating is insufficient, they should ask police to extend the investigation rather than put aside investigation and do the inquest. To me, this is a waste of time but as law-abiding citizens, we have to follow,” he said.

Aminuddin, who said Ummah comprised 300 groups, claimed that 500 from the coalition had turned up today. It was not immediately apparent if there were as many as claimed.

Coroner Rofiah Mohamad delivered her findings at 10am here, concluding that Adib’s death was caused by two or more unknown individuals.

The inquest was held for 41 days during the February 11 to July 24 period where 30 witnesses and 137 exhibits were examined.

An inquest is usually held when the cause of death is unknown, as was the situation in Adib’s case where conflicting claims or theories regarding his death had been put forward.

Adib, 24, died at the National Heart Institute on December 17, 2018, after succumbing to serious injuries.

Full report at:

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/09/27/ummah-calls-for-peace-after-adib-inquest-findings-but-still-wants-ag-sacked/1794820

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China slams Trump ‘lies’ on Hong Kong, treatment of Muslims

September 25, 2019

BEIJING: Beijing accused Donald Trump of making “untrue remarks” over Hong Kong and Chinese trade commitments on Wednesday, hitting back after the US president ramped up pressure on China at the United Nations.

Beijing is facing international criticism on a number of fronts, as months of pro-democracy unrest in the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong come alongside economic tensions with the US and international scrutiny of its policy towards Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang slammed “the untrue remarks mentioned by the US side in his speech” after Trump criticised the fellow Security Council member in a strident speech Tuesday saying it must “protect Hong Kong’s freedom and legal system and democratic ways of life”.

The US president also declared that the time of Beijing’s “abuses” of the system was “over”.

But Geng said the “US should meet China at halfway” and called for the two countries to “handle and control their differences on the basis of mutual respect”.

Geng also criticised a US State Department event to highlight the plight of ethnic Uighurs in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, where human rights organisations say a million or more mainly Muslim minorities are being interned.

“I want to emphasise here that the issue of Xinjiang is not a religious or a human rights issue, but an anti-secession and anti-terrorism issue,” he said.

“Xinjiang continues to maintain prosperity and stability, national unity and social harmony … All malicious slander and smearing from the US and other countries are in vain.”

The conference was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to garner support “to demand and compel an immediate end to China’s horrific campaign of repression,” John Sullivan, the US’s second-highest diplomat, said.

The demonstrations in Hong Kong have triggered the Asian financial hub’s biggest political crisis since its handover from Britain to China in 1997.

Full report at:

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2019/09/25/china-slams-trump-lies-on-hong-kong-treatment-of-muslims/

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Malaysian Police Detain 12 Indonesians for Alleged Involvement With Islamic State

By Diana Mariska & Telly Nathalia

September 27, 2019

Jakarta. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has confirmed that Royal Malaysia Police's counter-terrorism unit has detained 12 Indonesians with alleged connections to the Islamic State.

"Royal Malaysia Police have issued a press statement on the arrest of 12 Indonesian citizens in Malaysia for allegedly being involved in terrorist activities," said Yudha Nugraha, the director of citizen protection and legal aid at the foreign ministry.

Their arrests were made between July 10 and Sept. 25 in several locations in Sabah, Selangor, Sarawak, Penang, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur. Three Malaysians and an Indian national were also arrested.

According to the press statement, signed by the head of the counter-terrorism unit Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, a 25-year-old Indonesian was arrested on July 10. Eleven other Indonesians including a woman, aged 22 to 36, were captured between Sept.14 and 25.

The 25-year-old Indonesian, who was arrested in Sabah on July 10, has been working in Malaysia since early 2018 as a worker at an oil palm plantation. Malaysian police said he had taken the oath of allegiance to Abubakar al Bagdadi, the leader of IS, on a Telegram chat room.

He was arrested after assisting an Indonesian couple and their three children to go to Jolo in the Southern Philippines, where they committed suicide bombing in a church in December 2018.

"The suspect was also giving money to the Maute militant group in the Southern Philippines and had a plan to wage jihad in Syria," the statement said.

According to Malaysian police, eleven other Indonesians have established a new IS cell in Malaysia which they have been promoting through social media.

"They have been actively recruiting new members from Indonesia and Malaysia... and were plotting attacks in both countries, where their number is growing," the statement said.

Embassy Help

The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has not received any notification from the Malaysian government regarding the arrest of the 12 Indonesians, Yudha said.

Full report at:

https://jakartaglobe.id/context/malaysian-police-detain-12-indonesians-for-alleged-involvement-with-islamic-state

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India

Agra Muslims demand Hafiz Saeed's extradition to India

Siraj Qureshi

September 18, 2019

Muslims in Agra have demanded Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's extradition to India. They have raised their voice for Saeed to be tried in an Indian prison for the atrocities he has committed.

Following the Friday Namaz in the Sadar Bhatti area of Agra, Muslim social activists, and community leaders gathered and demanded that Hafiz Saeed’s access to his bank accounts be blocked.

They said that by allowing him to access his bank accounts despite being in prison, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has proved that his sympathies are with Saeed, no matter what the world thinks of him.

They said that it is clear that Saeed is being provided with all possible amenities in the Pakistani prison. They demanded that the international community pressurise Pakistan to shift Saeed to a prison out of the country.

Hindustani Biradari secretary Ziauddin said, "If Imran Khan has such sympathy towards Saeed, he should start giving pension to his family from the government exchequer."

Ziauddin also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he demand's Saeed's extradition to India where he can be tried.

The community said that India should submit a written demand to the UN Security Council demanding censure on Pakistan for allowing Saeed access to his bank accounts when he is being tried for terror funding under UNSC resolution no. 1267.

Biradari vice-chairman Vishal Sharma said, "Prime Minister Modi has the perfect opportunity to expose the complicity of the Pakistani establishment with the terrorists by giving the example of Saeed’s continued access to his bank accounts in his address at the UN General Assembly. He may also place a demand for Saeed’s extradition to India as he has been found to be the mastermind behind several terror attacks in India and is facing terror charges here."

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agra-muslims-hafiz-saeed-1604104-2019-09-28

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India: Can Pakistan confirm that it is home to 130 UN-designated terrorists?

Sep 28, 2019

Khan delivered his maiden speech at the 74th UN General Debate on Friday and in his almost 50-minute address, devoted half of his time to India and Kashmir, drumming up hysteria over nuclear war.

Imran Khan's rant — yet again raising the nuclear bogey — is evidence of his mounting frustration over his failure to persuade the rest of the world to intervene in another nation's internal affairs.

"Every word spoken from the podium of this august Assembly, it is believed, carries the weight of history. Unfortunately, what we heard today from Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan was a callous portrayal of the world in binary terms. Us vs Them; Rich vs Poor; North vs South; Developed Vs Developing; Muslims vs Others. A script that fosters divisiveness at the United Nations. Attempts to sharpen differences and stir up hatred, are simply put - 'hate speech'," first secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Vidisha Maitra said.

Read also: India's reply to Imran's UNGA speech — Full text+