Pakistan's Ministry Of Religious Affairs Rejects Age Bar, Appearance Before A Judge, And A 90-Day Waiting Period In The Proposed Islamic Conversion Bill As Anti-Sharia
New
Age Islam News Bureau
24
September 2021
Mian Mithu (left) at the Council of Islamic
Ideology meeting in Islamabad. (Photo courtesy of Naya Daur)
-----
•
Afghan Leading Rights Activist Says Taliban Have No Choice but To Listen To
Women To Escape Economic Collapse And Diplomatic Isolation
•
Why Islamic State in Afghanistan Harks On the Concept of Khorasan Province or
ISKP, and What It Means For India
•
Islamist Forces will Eliminate Democracy if Troops Withdrawn, UK
Parliamentarian Cites Afghanistan on Kashmir
Pakistan
•
Pakistan's 50 Year 'Forever War' Policy In Pursuit Of Strategic Depth, Results
Proxies In Afghanistan
•
Afghans Dying At Border As Tensions Intensify Between Taliban, Pakistan
•
Sufi Sajjadanashin Council chairman condemns attack on Hindu family in Pakistan
•
Pakistan welcomes Afghan cabinet expansion as ‘positive step’
•
Maryam says she wasn’t part of extension legislation
•
Anti-terrorist exercise with Chinese troops begins
--------
South Asia
•
Taliban Will Bring Back Executions, Cutting off Hands, Feet as Punishment:
Official
•
If UN Approves Representative, Will Strengthen Relations with US, EU, Others:
Taliban
•
It’s general amnesty, don’t defame IEA: Taliban’s acting defence minister to
his fighters
•
Music Is Haram in Islam, Won't Be Allowed: Controversial Kabul University
Chancellor Tells India Today
•
Islamic State uses Taliban's own tactics to attack Afghanistan's new rulers
•
WHO urges international donors to resume Afghanistan health funding
•
UNSC asks for inclusive government in Afghanistan: Guterres
--------
India
•
Indian Muslims' Ancestors Were Lord Ram, Krishna, and Shiva, Muslims Should Bow
To 'Land and Culture of India': UP Minister
•
Soumya, Killed By Hamas In Israel, Gets Caught Into Kerala 'Love Jihad'
Controversy
•
UK backbench MPs debate Kashmir motion, India condemns abusive language
•
US VP Kamala Harris 'suo moto' refers to Pakistan's role in terrorism during
meeting with PM Modi
•
Conversion case: Uttar Pradesh ATS gets 10-day remand of Islamic scholar
Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui
--------
Europe
•
Moscow in talks with Taliban to discuss visit to Russia: Report
•
Turkey urges Greece to cancel circular restricting Muslim students
•
Turkey playing constructive role in Balkans: Bosnian top diplomat
--------
Southeast Asia
•
Dispel Notion That Human Rights Is a Western Agenda, SIS Tells NGOs
•
Perak Sultan: Islamic finance now capable to lead from the front
•
Where’re your principles on gambling, PAS veteran asks party’s ministers
•
Home minister: Still no new leads on forced disappearance cases, Indira
Gandhi’s ex-husband’s whereabouts
•
Govt may ban transgenders from FT mosques
--------
Mideast
•
Catholic Priest from the US, Converts To Islam after Watching Seb-I Arus
Ceremony
•
Iranian FM Criticizes Britain, EU for Inaction on US Moves against JCPOA
•
Iran Blasts US, Britain for Selling Military N. Submarines to Australia
•
Iran Raps US Dishonesty in N. Deal Talks
•
Leader's Top Military Aide: US to Escape from Syria, Persian Gulf Soon
•
Iran's Top Diplomat Continues Meetings with Counterparts, Int'l Figures in New
York
•
Turkish foreign arrivals surge to nearly four mln in Aug: Ministry
•
Israel PM touts US friendship after House backs bill to provide $1 bln for Iron
Dome
--------
North America
•
US will not force Taliban to replicate Western culture with frozen funds:
Official
•
Blinken sees unity on Taliban after talks with Pakistan, China
•
Erdogan says relations with Biden off to poor start
•
US worried over Iran nuclear deal ‘Plan B’; Tehran has provided no positive
signs
•
Turkish president says access to sufficient food not privilege, 'but a right
for all'
--------
Arab World
•
Iraqi Leader Barham Salih Tells UNGA: ‘Corruption And Terrorism Work In Tandem’
•
Syria: Two Children Die Every Week at Camp for Islamic State Families, NGO says
•
Kurdistan Islamic Movement calls for boycotting the Parliamentary Elections
•
Iran says ‘serious progresses made in talks with Saudi Arabia
•
Coalition forces thwart Houthi attempts to disrupt Saudi National Day
celebrations with drone attacks
•
International community condemns latest Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
--------
Africa
•
Burhan comes close to admitting Islamists’ involvement in failed coup
•
Libyan Fatwa House: Libyans should demonstrate Friday to call for toppling HoR
•
Boko Haram: Buhari govt won’t name terrorists sponsors because they’re Muslims
– HURIWA alleges
•
South Sudan’s political elite plundering public coffers: UN
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/pakistan-religious-conversion-bill/d/125430
--------
Pakistan's
Ministry Of Religious Affairs Rejects Age Bar, Appearance Before A Judge, And A
90-Day Waiting Period In The Proposed Islamic Conversion Bill As Anti-Sharia
Mian Mithu (left) at the Council of Islamic
Ideology meeting in Islamabad. (Photo courtesy of Naya Daur)
-----
Kamran
Chaudhry
September
24, 2021
Pakistan's
Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has rejected a bill that
proposed regulations on conversions to Islam.
“Clauses
related to the 18-year age bar on religion conversion, appearance before a
judge, and a 90-day waiting period in the proposed bill are anti-Sharia,
illegal and in violation of the fundamental constitutional rights,” Religious
Affairs Minister Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri said in a Sept. 23 press statement.
“The
draft Anti-Forced Conversion Bill has been returned to the federal Ministry for
Human Rights. The proposed law in its present form clashes with Islamic Sharia.
There is a fear that this bill can be used to stop embracing Islam. It will
cause hatred among Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Islam rejects forced
conversions and it is after all necessary to stop this. Such cases are very few
in Pakistan but they cause notoriety.”
Muslim
clerics in Pakistan had been voicing opposition to the bill that would only
allow "mature people" to change their religion. A parliamentary
committee to protect minorities from forced conversions recommended in February
that only a "mature person" (adult) may be allowed to change religion
after appearing before an additional sessions judge.
The
committee suggested that the judge set a date for an interview within seven
days of receipt of the conversion application. An additional clause empowered
the judge with the option to grant the person 90 days to undertake a
comparative study of the religions concerned before returning to his office for
a final decision. The additional sessions judge may issue the certificate of
conversion only after being completely satisfied, the committee recommended.
Earlier
this week, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) invited Mian Mithu, a cleric
known for his alleged involvement in forced Hindu conversions, to discuss these
cases during a session.
Christians
in Pakistan and abroad termed this a setback. Nadeem Bhatti, president of
Canadian Aid to Persecuted Christians, shared the news on this Facebook page.
“It means more rapes and forced conversions in Pakistan. They will fail,” he
stated.
According
to Anjum James Paul, the Catholic chairman of the Pakistan Minorities Teachers'
Association, the CII is supreme over Pakistan's parliament.
“This
is condemnable and a denial to protect the religious minorities of Pakistan.
They have made up their minds to convert each and every individual from
minority religions including members of parliament who have already taken an
oath as Muslims under Schedule 3 of the constitution,” he said.
Last
month a media release by the global civil society alliance CIVICUS said
Pakistan continues to fall far short of its human rights obligations three
years after Imran Khan took office as prime minister.
Source:
UC News
Please
click the following url to read the text of the original story:
https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistan-ministry-rejects-age-bar-on-islamic-conversion/94277
--------
Afghan
Leading Rights Activist Says Taliban Have No Choice But To Listen To Women To
Escape Economic Collapse And Diplomatic Isolation
Sep
24, 2021
Despite the reurn of the Taliban, women can still
be seen on the streets of Kabul BULENT KILIC AFP/File
------
KABUL:
The Taliban will have no choice than to bend to the demands of Afghan women if
they want to escape economic collapse and diplomatic isolation, a leading
rights activist said.
Seventy-three-year-old
Mahbouba Seraj decided not to flee Kabul last month when the Taliban seized
back power, two decades after they were ousted.
Instead,
from her home in Kabul, she has followed the Taliban's mixed messages, trying
to decipher what lies ahead for the women of her country who she has dedicated
her life to.
"This
is becoming like a nightmare for everybody," she says.
The
Taliban have incrementally stripped away freedoms for women -- excluding girls
from secondary school, telling working women to stay home and unveiling an
all-male government.
They
claim it is only temporary, but many are distrustful and recognise a repeat of
history unfolding.
"The
first time, the Taliban had the same excuse, they said 'wait, we'll fix it for
you'," she said from her home in Kabul.
"We
waited for six years and it never came. There is no trust (in the Taliban)
amongst the women of Afghanistan."
Many
women, she says, are confused and under severe pressure, frightened to leave
their homes and face Taliban harassment.
Still,
she admits to being optimistic, sure that the Taliban will be forced to adjust
if they want to remain in power.
There
are signs of some changes -- women can still be seen on the streets, many are
still wearing headscarves instead of the all encompassing burqa and some forms
of university education can continue, though under segregation.
"It's
not Afghanistan of the 90s any more, this Afghanistan is different," she
said.
"I
really believe changes are going to happen. There is no other way, and the
Taliban should realise it."
The
head of the Afghan Women's Network, Seraj has long advocated for the equal
participation of women in deeply patriarchal Afghanistan.
She
moved to the United States in 1978, a year before the Soviets invaded
Afghanistan, living in exile through the civil war and Taliban years, and
returning after an international-backed government had been appointed.
Although
still marginalised, Afghan women have fought for and gained basic rights in the
past 20 years, becoming lawmakers, judges, pilots and police officers -- though
mostly limited to large cities.
Women's
jobs "keep the economy going, shops, schools, feed families... That's why
we must start moving without delay," Seraj said.
Under
the Taliban's last brutal and repressive rule notorious for human rights
abuses, women were effectively banned from education and work and only allowed
to leave the house with a male chaperone.
In
scenes unthinkable during that period, women have been at the forefront of
several protests around the country -- some numbering hundreds -- demanding
their participation in society.
They
have petered out since the Taliban effectively blocked the right to assembly
and dispersed crowds with gunfire, but Seraj says resistance is still brewing.
"Don't
think that it's over, it's not going to be over, it's just going to come up in
a different way," she said.
"And
it will become dangerous, including for them (the Taliban)."
A
month after seizing power, the Taliban has yet to be formally recognised by any
foreign nation.
Aid-dependent
Afghanistan has seen its access to the international banking system cut and
access to funding almost entirely frozen, while hesitant donor countries and
agencies watch to see if the Taliban live up to their initial pledges of softer
rule.
The
health system is already on the brink of collapse. Staff have not been paid and
there is a shortage of medicine, further complicated by a brain drain of
skilled doctors.
If
the Taliban persist, the international community "might take very drastic
action" and stop all funding.
It
would be the "worst case scenario for everyone".
She
is pushing for the Taliban to meet with her and other women, to "arrive at
a kind of midpoint acceptable to both camps".
"We
should sit down and have a conversation about us, who we are, what we
want," she said, with a loose blue headscarf over her grey hair.
Even
as the Taliban increase their chokehold on women, she chooses to stay hopeful.
"I
have to believe that something is going to change for the better, otherwise
what's the point of living?," she said.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following url to read the text of the original story:
--------
Why
Islamic State in Afghanistan Harks On the Concept of Khorasan Province or ISKP,
and What It Means For India
By
Adrija Roychowdhury
September
24, 2021
In
the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the presence of another
radical Islamic organisation, the Islamic State – Khorasan Province or ISKP,
has become a matter of worry across the world. The ISKP had claimed the attack
on the Kabul airport last month. The group, being ideologically opposed to the
Taliban, has a vision of the region with much bigger implications for India.
The
ISKP envisions the creation of a historical region that went by the name of
Khorasan. Historically, the region being referred to as Khorasan had varying
borders depending on its political rulers. But scholars do agree that the
origins of the term, which means ‘rising sun’, lies in the Sasanian Empire in
what is modern day Iran. Khorasan, under the Sassanians, comprised the north
eastern part of Iran. At the same time, there was a persistent notion of a
Greater Khorasan, comprising large parts south of the Aral Sea.
“Theoretically,
then, the eastern frontier of Khurasan went as far as China, but in fact it
seldom extended very far past Balkh into the district known as Turkharistan
(roughly analogous to ancient Bactria),” writes historian Elton L. Daniel in
his book, ‘The political and social history of Khurasan under Abbasid rule,
747-820’ (1979). So, despite its varying notions in the Islamic world, Khorasan
seldom crossed beyond the region that is modern day Afghanistan.
In
recent years, the first time the term ‘Khorasan’ was adopted by a radical
Islamic group was in 1996 by Osama Bin Laden of Al-Qaeda. At this point,
Afghanistan was the base of operations for the larger goals of establishing an
Islamic Caliphate after driving the United States out of Saudi Arabia and
destroying Israel. Bin Laden, operating from Afghanistan, proclaimed that he
had found a safe refuge in Khorasan. Later, the same term was adopted by the
ISKP, which claimed Khorasan to be the land encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Iran and Central Asian republics, northwestern or sometimes all of India, and
Russia.
“Both
Al-Qaeda and the ISKP are in fact not based in Khorasan. Historically speaking,
Khorasan never went south of the Hindu Kush. But the allies of Al-Qaeda and
ISKP are Pakistani Jihadi groups who wish to include Kashmir in their area of
operations. They are not interested in the Arab world issues, and are rather
looking east,” explains Dr. Amin Tarzi, director of Middle Eastern Studies at
Marine Corps University, in an interview with Indianepxress.com. Consequently,
these groups hark back to Islamic history to find political currency in the
significance of Khorasan. Indeed there was much to appropriate here, as the
region of Khorasan is of special significance in the political and cultural
history of Islam as well as in Islamic theology.
Why
Khorasan is special to Islam
Modern
scholars of Islamic history agree on this idea that between the seventh century
CE when the Sasanian Empire collapsed with the Muslim conquest and the 13th
century CE, Khorasan went from being in the margins of empire to becoming the
centre and then again withdrawing to the margins. “Its very name (literally
Khurasan means the land of the rising sun) hints at its marginal position
vis-a-vis the centre of the Sasanian Empire, which was first in Fars, then in
Iraq,” writes historian of medieval Iran David Durand Guedy in his article,
‘Pre-Mongol Khurasan: A historical introduction’ (2015).
The
Encyclopaedia Iranica notes that during the Arab Islamic invasion, Khorasan
seemed to have corresponded to an ‘abstract geographical entity’. “The Arab
armies did not limit their conquest to the boundaries of Sasanian Khorasan, but
rapidly passed the Oxus River through the Kara Kum desert and advanced through
Sogdiana toward the northeast, to stop later on the Talas River around 750 CE,”
it suggests.
In
his article, Guedy explains that the biggest impact of the Arab conquest was
the unification of the territories that were previously divided under the
common umbrella term called ‘Khorasan’. He also writes that unlike other
provinces, “Khurasan also saw the massive installation of Arab settlers,
perhaps as many as 250,000, which reflects both its strategic importance as
well as its potential wealth.” He adds: “Logically the the conversion of the
local population to Islam began there earlier.”
Rocco
Rante, archaeologist at the department of Islamic Art in the Louvre Museum says
that “excavations in the area show cultural and technological similarities,
proving that the Greater Khorasan area came to be unified from Herat to Balkh.
Sometimes we can find similar objects from the other side of the Oxus River as
well.”
Speaking
about the strategic importance of the Khorasan region to the Islamic Caliphate,
Daniel says, “All the major trade routes went through this area.” “Controlling
it was important to control the world economy.” Politically, he says, the area
was crucial to the Caliphate because “it was the military frontier for Islamic
expansion eastwards.” “Khorasan was also the richest province in terms of the
amount of taxes it paid to the Caliphate. Financially, militarily, and
commercially, this area was critical for the Caliphate,” says Daniel who is
Director at Ehsan Yarshater Center For Iranian Studies in Columbia University.
The
importance of this area also stems from the fact that it was the cradle of the
Abbasid Revolution, a critical moment in Islamic history. Hitherto the Islamic
world was ruled by the Umayyads, an Arab dynasty. Non-Arabs in the region,
including those who had converted to Islam, were particularly distressed by the
discriminatory treatment meted out to them under the Umayyads. The Abbasid
dynasty that stood up in opposition to them claimed descent from al-Abbas, an
uncle of the Prophet. Under the leadership of Abu Muslim, a Persian general,
the Abbasids toppled the Umayyad dynasty.
“This
was an extremely significant event because this is when the idea that in order
to be Muslim one also had to be Arab is rejected. The idea of Islam as a
multi-national, multi-ethnic religion grew out of these events,” says Daniel.
Thereafter,
leaders of the Caliphate were no longer Arabs. They were Iranians and other
Easterners drawn in from Central Asia. The centre of the Muslim world shifted from
Baghdad to Khorasan region, that now became the linchpin of the Muslim Empire.
Under
the Abbasids this region acquired a newfound cultural significance. Rante
explains that it would be incorrect to assume that the material cultural
productions at Khorasan were superior to that in other parts of the Muslim
world. However, after the Abbasid revolution, Khorasan assumed a political role
way more important than what it was before.
The
Encyclopaedia Iranica suggests that “it was from the province’s association
with the Abbasids that hadiths or traditions came into circulation like the one
attributed to the Prophet: “Khorasan is God’s quiver; when He becomes angry
with a people, he launches at them the Khorasanis.”
Consequently,
Khorasan also became a space for intellectual productions, with the city of
Nishapur at the centre of it. The multi-ethnic nature of Islam here was one of
main reasons behind the region producing exciting new works in philosophy,
science, and literature.
“Nishapur’s
lively intellectual climate was not solely the product of legal and theological
disputes and civil strife. The presence there of articulate Zoroastrians and
Christians also played a role, as did, the submerged traditions of Buddhism and
the ongoing intellectual contacts with India,” writes S.Frederick Starr, an
expert on Russian and Eurasian affairs in his book, ‘Lost Enlightenment:
Central Asia’s Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane’ (2013).
One
of the first philosophers to emerge here was a polymath by the name Abul-Abbas
Iranshahri who brought to his philosophy a deep knowledge of Christianity and
Zoroastrianism. He is known to have produced works on astronomy as well and
firmly believed in the rational intellect of humans to approach questions of
existence.
One
of Iranshahri’s students, Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, is noted by Starr in
his book as being the “greatest medical clinician of all times”. Then there was
the ninth century scholar, Jabir Ibn Hayyan who is known to have authored an
enormous volume of works dealing with Chemistry, alchemy, magic and religion.
“Khurasan
produced more than its share of skeptics and radical freethinkers,” writes
Starr. This was no surprise as people of this region were reading, editing and
translating religious texts for a while now. Several of these freethinkers
focused their attack squarely on Islam.
For
instance, there was Abu Hasan Ahmad Ibn Al-Rawandi born around 820 CE in Lesser
Merv (what is now northern Afghanistan). As Starr writes, Rawandi used “logic
and reason to plumb the nature of religion” and is supposed to have mastered
the art of “using the Bible against the Bible and the Quran against the Quran
to show ‘The Futility of Divine Wisdom’, the title of one of his diatribes
against all revealed religions.” He wrote close to 114 books and treatises on
philosophy, politics, music, grammar, but none of them survive today, nor does
any of his poetry.
No
discussion of intellectual productions in Khorasan is complete without
referring to the ‘Shahnameh’, an epic written by the Persian poet Firdawsi in
the 10th century CE. The Shahnameh provides a mythical and historical account
of the Persian Empire. It is believed to be one of the longest epic poems of
the world, and is deemed to be part of global cultural heritage.
“Both
Al-Qaeda and the ISKP are in fact not based in Khorasan. Historically speaking,
Khorasan never went south of the Hindu Kush. But the allies of Al-Qaeda and
ISKP are Pakistani Jihadi groups who wish to include Kashmir in their area of
operations. They are not interested in the Arab world issues, and are rather
looking east,” explains Dr. Amin Tarzi, director of Middle Eastern Studies at
Marine Corps University, in an interview with Indianepxress.com. Consequently,
these groups hark back to Islamic history to find political currency in the
significance of Khorasan. Indeed there was much to appropriate here, as the
region of Khorasan is of special significance in the political and cultural
history of Islam as well as in Islamic theology.
Why
Khorasan is special to Islam
Modern
scholars of Islamic history agree on this idea that between the seventh century
CE when the Sasanian Empire collapsed with the Muslim conquest and the 13th
century CE, Khorasan went from being in the margins of empire to becoming the
centre and then again withdrawing to the margins. “Its very name (literally
Khurasan means the land of the rising sun) hints at its marginal position
vis-a-vis the centre of the Sasanian Empire, which was first in Fars, then in
Iraq,” writes historian of medieval Iran David Durand Guedy in his article,
‘Pre-Mongol Khurasan: A historical introduction’ (2015).
The
Encyclopaedia Iranica notes that during the Arab Islamic invasion, Khorasan
seemed to have corresponded to an ‘abstract geographical entity’. “The Arab
armies did not limit their conquest to the boundaries of Sasanian Khorasan, but
rapidly passed the Oxus River through the Kara Kum desert and advanced through
Sogdiana toward the northeast, to stop later on the Talas River around 750 CE,”
it suggests.
In
his article, Guedy explains that the biggest impact of the Arab conquest was
the unification of the territories that were previously divided under the
common umbrella term called ‘Khorasan’. He also writes that unlike other
provinces, “Khurasan also saw the massive installation of Arab settlers,
perhaps as many as 250,000, which reflects both its strategic importance as
well as its potential wealth.” He adds: “Logically the the conversion of the
local population to Islam began there earlier.”
Rocco
Rante, archaeologist at the department of Islamic Art in the Louvre Museum says
that “excavations in the area show cultural and technological similarities,
proving that the Greater Khorasan area came to be unified from Herat to Balkh.
Sometimes we can find similar objects from the other side of the Oxus River as
well.”
Speaking
about the strategic importance of the Khorasan region to the Islamic Caliphate,
Daniel says, “All the major trade routes went through this area.” “Controlling
it was important to control the world economy.” Politically, he says, the area
was crucial to the Caliphate because “it was the military frontier for Islamic
expansion eastwards.” “Khorasan was also the richest province in terms of the
amount of taxes it paid to the Caliphate. Financially, militarily, and
commercially, this area was critical for the Caliphate,” says Daniel who is
Director at Ehsan Yarshater Center For Iranian Studies in Columbia University.
The
importance of this area also stems from the fact that it was the cradle of the
Abbasid Revolution, a critical moment in Islamic history. Hitherto the Islamic
world was ruled by the Umayyads, an Arab dynasty. Non-Arabs in the region,
including those who had converted to Islam, were particularly distressed by the
discriminatory treatment meted out to them under the Umayyads. The Abbasid
dynasty that stood up in opposition to them claimed descent from al-Abbas, an
uncle of the Prophet. Under the leadership of Abu Muslim, a Persian general,
the Abbasids toppled the Umayyad dynasty.
“This
was an extremely significant event because this is when the idea that in order
to be Muslim one also had to be Arab is rejected. The idea of Islam as a
multi-national, multi-ethnic religion grew out of these events,” says Daniel.
Thereafter,
leaders of the Caliphate were no longer Arabs. They were Iranians and other
Easterners drawn in from Central Asia. The centre of the Muslim world shifted
from Baghdad to Khorasan region, that now became the linchpin of the Muslim
Empire.
Under
the Abbasids this region acquired a newfound cultural significance. Rante
explains that it would be incorrect to assume that the material cultural
productions at Khorasan were superior to that in other parts of the Muslim
world. However, after the Abbasid revolution, Khorasan assumed a political role
way more important than what it was before.
The
Encyclopaedia Iranica suggests that “it was from the province’s association
with the Abbasids that hadiths or traditions came into circulation like the one
attributed to the Prophet: “Khorasan is God’s quiver; when He becomes angry
with a people, he launches at them the Khorasanis.”
Consequently,
Khorasan also became a space for intellectual productions, with the city of
Nishapur at the centre of it. The multi-ethnic nature of Islam here was one of
main reasons behind the region producing exciting new works in philosophy,
science, and literature.
“Nishapur’s
lively intellectual climate was not solely the product of legal and theological
disputes and civil strife. The presence there of articulate Zoroastrians and
Christians also played a role, as did, the submerged traditions of Buddhism and
the ongoing intellectual contacts with India,” writes S.Frederick Starr, an
expert on Russian and Eurasian affairs in his book, ‘Lost Enlightenment: Central
Asia’s Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane’ (2013).
One
of the first philosophers to emerge here was a polymath by the name Abul-Abbas
Iranshahri who brought to his philosophy a deep knowledge of Christianity and
Zoroastrianism. He is known to have produced works on astronomy as well and
firmly believed in the rational intellect of humans to approach questions of
existence.
One
of Iranshahri’s students, Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, is noted by Starr in
his book as being the “greatest medical clinician of all times”. Then there was
the ninth century scholar, Jabir Ibn Hayyan who is known to have authored an
enormous volume of works dealing with Chemistry, alchemy, magic and religion.
“Khurasan
produced more than its share of skeptics and radical freethinkers,” writes
Starr. This was no surprise as people of this region were reading, editing and
translating religious texts for a while now. Several of these freethinkers
focused their attack squarely on Islam.
For
instance, there was Abu Hasan Ahmad Ibn Al-Rawandi born around 820 CE in Lesser
Merv (what is now northern Afghanistan). As Starr writes, Rawandi used “logic
and reason to plumb the nature of religion” and is supposed to have mastered
the art of “using the Bible against the Bible and the Quran against the Quran
to show ‘The Futility of Divine Wisdom’, the title of one of his diatribes
against all revealed religions.” He wrote close to 114 books and treatises on
philosophy, politics, music, grammar, but none of them survive today, nor does
any of his poetry.
No
discussion of intellectual productions in Khorasan is complete without
referring to the ‘Shahnameh’, an epic written by the Persian poet Firdawsi in
the 10th century CE. The Shahnameh provides a mythical and historical account
of the Persian Empire. It is believed to be one of the longest epic poems of
the world, and is deemed to be part of global cultural heritage.
Speaking
about the implications of the ISKP’s vision for India, Tarzi explains that
firstly one needs to see to what extent their ideology resonates with radical
Islamic groups within India. “Secondly, they would need support from a
different country to germinate further. This is dependent on international
relations among countries in the region. So, if India’s relations with one of
its neighbouring countries deteriorates they might find support there,” says
Tarzi.
At
present the ISKP stands firmly diminished in the wake of the Taliban takeover
of Afghanistan. This is one of the reasons for the Taliban finding
favourability among the Chinese and the Russians. While the Taliban’s extremist
ideology is definitely seen as worrying, it is recognised as being restricted
to Afghanistan, while the ISKP is seen as a much bigger regional threat.
It
is indeed interesting that the symbol of Khorasan that the radical Islamic
groups employ harks back to a time and space of intellectual enlightenment and
cultural productions. “It is true that Islam has made so many positive
contributions to the history and development of this region,” says Tarzi.
“These extremist organisations do not have that kind of a vision. Their only
vision is to create fear and work for whoever pays them.”
Further
reading:
Elton
L. Daniel, The political and social history of Khurasan under Abbasid rule,
747-820, Bibliotheca Islamica, 1979
Rocco
Rante (ed.), Greater Khorasan: History, Geography, archaeology and material
culture, De Gruyter, 2015
S.
Frederick Starr, Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia’s Golden Age from the Arab
Conquest to Tamerlane’, Princeton University Press, 2015
Amin
Tarzi, Khorasan in modern Islamist ideology, in ‘Encyclopaedia Iranica’, Brill
Publishers, Fascicle XVI/6, 2020
Source:
Indian Express
Please
click the following url to read the text of the original story:
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Islamist
Forces will Eliminate Democracy if Troops Withdrawn, UK Parliamentarian Cites
Afghanistan on Kashmir
SEPTEMBER
24, 2021
Islamist
forces will eliminate democracy in Kashmir like we saw in Afghanistan, if the
Indian troops were to be withdrawn, UK Parliamentarian Bob Blackman said on
Thursday in the House of Commons. Blackman was responding in a debate on human
rights situation in Kashmir at the House of Commons tabled by UK
Parliamentarian Debbie Abrahams and Pakistan origin Parliamentarian Yasmin
Qureshi.
“Just
imagine, we have seen what has happened in Afghanistan. If the troops were
withdrawn, if we had a position whereby the protections were not there, the
plight of Jammu & Kashmir would be the same as Afghanistan with Islamist
forces coming in and eliminating democracy in the area”, UK Parliamentarian Bob
Blackman said in his address at the House of Commons.
“It
is only the Indian Army and the sound footing of the Indian military democracy
that has stopped the region of Jammu & Kashmir resembling Taliban occupied
Afghanistan. It only makes sense for them to do so because the region is
legally and rightfully an integral part of Republic of India”, Blackman further
said asking his colleagues to recognise reality amidst protests from Pakistan
origin UK parliamentarians.
Debbie
Abrahams who sparked the debate on human rights in Kashmir in the House of
Commons was last year in the thick of controversy after it was revealed that
APPG on Kashmir (APPGK) received money from Pakistan Government between £31,501
(Rs 29.7 lakh) and £33,000 (Rs 31.2 lakh) on February 18, 2020 for a visit to
Pakistan. Abrahams was also deported from India to Dubai on February 17, 2020
after she was found carrying an invalid visa.
Earlier
UK Parliamentarian Barry Gardiner addressing the House of Commons raised
similar concerns on Pakistan sponsored terrorism in the region.
“At
this critical time in the region with the US and UK withdrawal from
Afghanistan, it’s right for people to understand connections between democracy,
pluralism and human rights and equally strong connections between
fundamentalism, terrorism, insurgency and the loss of human rights”, Gardiner
said.
“Over
the years, Pakistan has harboured Taliban leaders and the ISI has provided
other forms of service to them and other terrorist organisations”, he further
informed the British Parliament.
British
MPs earlier during the debate also raised concerns on the terror attacks in
Kashmir by Pakistan based terror groups including Lashkar e Tayyiba, Jaish e
Muhammad and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Source:
News18
Please
click the following url to read the text of the original story:
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Pakistan
Pakistan's
50 Year 'Forever War' Policy In Pursuit Of Strategic Depth, Results Proxies In
Afghanistan
Sep
23, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's policy for over half a century in pursuit of strategic depth while
planning for the recent invasion of Afghanistan has culminated in several years
of diversionary diplomacy resulting in Pakistan's generals managing to
re-install their proxies at Kabul, says a recent analysis.
Creating
a range of new vulnerabilities even for their own country, Pakistan during this
entire period, which included US withdrawal from the region in 1989 and the
presence of Western troops from 2001 to 2021, the US has misread Pakistan's
strategic intent.
Chris
Alexander, a former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament, and diplomat from
Canada wrote in European Eye on Radicalization that after Pakistan's defeat by
India in conventional warfare in 1971 led their military establishment to rely
increasingly on a policy of "strategic depth" by which they would
seek to dominate their western flank by irregular warfare, support for
terrorism and "global jihad."
He
added that the strategic focus of this policy has been Afghanistan for fifty
years.
In
doing so, the US has done its own national interest enormous harm, while
undermining the confidence of NATO allies. By failing to see the forest for the
trees, and by postponing a reckoning with Pakistan over these threats to
international peace and security, Biden and his three predecessors since 9/11
have disoriented the US and key allies on an issue of great strategic
importance.
"For
one decade of this half century, Pakistan had the US as a strategic ally and
source of funding as it engaged in irregular warfare through proxies against
the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. For two more decades of this half century
(from 2001 to 2021), Pakistan controlled the principal ground and air lines of
communication and supply for US forces based in Afghanistan, effectively
preventing any concerted effort either fully to map or to end Pakistan's
support for groups fighting US and Afghan forces," Chris who was the first
resident Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan said.
He
added that in other words, even while providing comprehensive support to
leading terrorist groups, Pakistan's military has considered itself and
remained a de facto strategic US ally for most of the period it has been waging
its proxy war in Afghanistan.
Even
after the effective US withdrawal from the region in 1989, Pakistan relied on
the principle of "positive symmetry" laid out by Secretary of State
George Schultz in a letter to his Soviet counterpart on 30 March 1988 to
justify its continuing military support for the Mujahidin, Al-Qaeda, the
Taliban, and other proxies fighting in Afghanistan.
Stating
that Pakistan's support for the Taliban and other proxies led to the death of
approximately 3,500 US, other NATO, and partner military members over the
twenty years after 2001, the author noted that the US failed to see the forest
for the trees.
"US
policy consistently pursued incremental change with Pakistan without tackling
strategic realities. In particular the U.S. approach to Pakistan failed on
three levels: (1) it under-estimated the determination of Pakistan's military
to orchestrate the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan; (2) it did not
assess the creation of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in late 2007 and the
Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) in 2014 as means to this end; and (3) it
overlooked the influence of a small group of ideologically-committed
generals," he said further.
Source:
Times of India
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click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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Afghans
dying at border as tensions intensify between Taliban, Pakistan
Sep
24, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Amid tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, Afghans are dying at Spin
Boldak after Islamabad restricted entry at the key international intersection
only to Pakistani or Kandahar identification cardholders.
Earlier
this month, a rush toward the entry checkpoint of the Pakistan border resulted
in the death of at least one person. However, those patrolling the boundary on
the Afghan side claim that over the past week, several people have perished
from dehydration and heatstroke and because they could not access life-saving
medical care in the Chaman district.
Citing
witnesses, New York Post reported that two more Afghans died near the Mazal
gate on Wednesday afternoon, a less frenetic exit to the primary thoroughfare
and designated for local families and special cases.
"Three
months ago, I went to see a doctor there [Pakistan], and the doctor has asked
me to return to carry out an operation," said a woman witness, "But
they are not allowing us."
While
another said: "It is very difficult; they [Pakistan] are allowing no one
in. They don't accept the Afghan National ID [Tazkira]."
In
recent weeks, Islamabad restricted entry at the key international intersection
only to Pakistani or Kandahar identification cardholders. However, as per the
accounts of those stranded on the Afghan side, the gates have been sealed to
almost everyone.
According
to New York Post, trucks remain backed up for miles, their perishable goods
rotting under the brutal September sun. Entire families, starved and afraid as
Afghanistan falls into a grave economic crisis, sleep on mounds of earth for
multiple nights -- rising in the early morning to make the fruitless trek to
the fortified checkpoint, only to be turned away.
The
area has become a "military zone" over the past several days,
according to the Taliban police officials who now patrol the overstuffed space.
"Pakistan
is creating problems. We have an understanding with Pakistan to allow Kandahar
people to cross into Pakistan. In return, people from Chaman and Quetta can
enter Afghanistan using National IDs," said Mohammad Sadiq Sabery, authority
in charge of the border area in Kandahar.
Many
public services including those in the health sector have halted operations,
New York Post said.
Source:
Times of India
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click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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Sufi
Sajjadanashin Council chairman condemns attack on Hindu family in Pakistan
23
September 2021
Jaipur,
Sep 23 (PTI) All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council chairman Syed Nasruddin
Chishty Thursday condemned an incident in Pakistan in which a Hindu family was
allegedly held hostage and tortured for fetching drinking water from a mosque.
Chishty
said such acts are unpardonable and against the very essence of Islam.
"The
attack on a Hindu family in Pakistan is highly condemnable and unpardonable.
Pakistan calls itself an Islamic country but such cowardly actions of violence
in the name of religion is against the very essence of Islam and the teachings
of Prophet Muhammad," Chisty said in a statement on Thursday.
He
is also the successor of the present spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah.
Chisty''s
reaction came days after the Hindu family of poor farmers were allegedly held
hostage and tortured for fetching drinking water from a mosque in the Punjab
province of Pakistan, according to reports on Monday.
Alam
Ram Bheel, a resident of Punjab’s Rahimyar Khan city, was picking raw cotton
along with his other family members, including his wife, in a field.
Bheel
said when the family went outside a nearby mosque to fetch drinking water from
a tap, some local landlords beat them up, The Dawn newspaper had reported.
Source:
Outlook India
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Pakistan
welcomes Afghan cabinet expansion as ‘positive step’
September
24, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Thursday welcomed the expansion in the Afghan cabinet as a
“positive step” and called for more such actions by the Taliban for stability
in the war-ravaged country.
“We
have taken note of the expansion in the interim cabinet with representation of
different ethnic and political groups. This is a positive direction, and we
hope they continue to take steps leading to lasting stability in the country,”
Foreign Office spokesman Asim Iftikhar said at the weekly media briefing.
The
Taliban had earlier in the week expanded the interim cabinet by naming a number
of deputy ministers, some of whom belong to ethnic minorities like Hazaras.
Most of the newly-inducted deputy ministers are, however, hardliners. Moreover,
no woman was included in the cabinet yet again.
The
international community has been unrelenting in its demand for an inclusive
government in Afghanistan and has linked recognition of the new set-up to the
fulfilment of the demand.
Calls
for timely mobilisation of humanitarian assistance to avert crisis
International
development assistance has been stopped in the absence of recognition for the
Taliban government. Afghanistan has traditionally heavily relied on foreign
assistance. Therefore, discontinuation of the assistance has raised fears of an
economic collapse.
The
FO spokesman recalled that Pakistan continued to urge the international
community on the imperative of constructive engagement and timely mobilisation
of humanitarian assistance to avert a humanitarian and economic crisis in
Afghanistan.
“Ensuring
peace and stability in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility of the
international community,” he underscored.
Mr
Iftikhar said that Pakistan continued to engage with the interim authorities.
He
also recalled that special representatives of China, Russia and Pakistan
visited Kabul for meeting the Taliban leadership and other leading Afghan
figures. The trip, he said, highlighted the importance of coordination among
the regional stakeholders to promote the shared objectives of a peaceful,
stable, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan.
He
emphasised the need for continued coordination among the regional countries.
“It
is all about coordination and consultation. The regional countries have shared
concerns and interests vis-a-vis the developments in Afghanistan,” he stressed,
adding that Pakistan would continue engagement and consultations with the
international community, particularly the regional countries.
Source:
Dawn
Please
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1648058/pakistan-welcomes-afghan-cabinet-expansion-as-positive-step
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Maryam
says she wasn’t part of extension legislation
Malik
Asad
September
24, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz said on
Thursday she felt vindicated as she was not part of the legislation that
allowed extension in the tenure of Chief of the Army Staff.
Talking
to Dawn before appearing for a hearing in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on her
appeal against conviction in the Avenfield properties reference, Ms Nawaz
termed “unacceptable” the rhetoric of government ministers who have sought to
do away with the role of leader of the opposition in the appointment or
extension of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman.
“They
want to keep out the opposition in NAB’s appointment (in order) to accommodate
their brothers at the top posts in NAB,” she said.
She
was apparently referring to the recent appointment of a federal minister’s
brother to a senior position in the prosecution wing of the anti-corruption
watchdog.
She,
however, said the PML-N would give its reaction when the government would
finally move to extend the tenure of incumbent NAB chairman retired Justice
Javed Iqbal.
The
daughter of PML-N’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif characterised the electronic
voting machines (EVMs) as a “tool that would be used to rig the next general
elections”.
“The
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has lost public support, which is evident from
their continuous defeats in the by-elections,” she said.
The
government is trying to paint a rosy picture by equating EVMs with transparent
and fair elections even though “this government has nothing to do with
transparency and fairness”, she said.
The
PTI government, she maintained, had failed miserably to deliver on the energy,
economy and diplomatic fronts. “They have failed to control inflation,
loadshedding, prices of electricity, edible items and petroleum products and in
devising an effective foreign policy,” she said.
“For
these reasons, they are again planning to steal the mandate through unfair
means and rigging.”
During
court proceedings, the PML-N leader informed the IHC’s division bench
comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani that she had
engaged Advocate Irfan Qadir, who sought time from the court to prepare
himself. The court adjourned the hearing till October 6.
Talking
to journalists after the hearing, she said the government, in order to hide its
failures, was scapegoating various institutions. Some ministers recently
attacked the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1648052/maryam-says-she-wasnt-part-of-extension-legislation
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Anti-terrorist
exercise with Chinese troops begins
September
24, 2021
RAWALPINDI:
The opening ceremony of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Exercise (JATE) 2021 was held
at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi on Thursday.
According
to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, troops from
the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of China and Pakistan Army are participating
in the exercise, which is part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO)
regional anti-terrorism structure.
Maj
Gen Javed Dost Chandio was chief guest at the opening ceremony,
The
JATE is being conducted to practise and master various drills and procedures
involved in counterterrorism operations, including cordon and search, compound
clearance, close quarter battle and medical evacuation.
Source:
Dawn
Please
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1648056/anti-terrorist-exercise-with-chinese-troops-begins
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South Asia
Taliban
Will Bring Back Executions, Cutting Off Hands, Feet As Punishment: Official
23
September, 2021
The
Taliban will bring back harsh punishments including executions and severing of
limbs as punishments for crimes committed by the public, a group official told
The Associated Press.
Since
seizing control of Afghanistan on August 15, the Taliban have launched a charm
offensive to rehabilitate their hardline image from their 1996-2001 era when
they performed public executions, men who didn’t pray in mosques where whipped,
women’s every day movements were restricted and an extreme interpretation of
Islamic law, Sharia, was enforced.
The
Taliban’s new government consists of mainly senior group members. The group
disbanded the Ministry of Women Affairs and brought back the Ministry of
Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
However,
it seems the Taliban are not changing much of their core values as Mullah
Nooruddin Turabi stressed in an interview with The Associated Press that the
group will carry out punishments as it sees fit and demanded the international
community not interfere.
“Everyone
criticized us for the punishments in the stadium [public executions], but we
have never said anything about their laws and their punishments. No one will
tell us what our laws should be. We will follow Islam and we will make our laws
on the Quran,” Turabi said.
Turbai,
who was the head of the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of
Vice during the Taliban’s previous era, said that murder crimes will be
punished by a public execution, which the group used to mete out by a single
bullet to the head.
However,
the option remains for the murdered victim’s family to opt for accepting “blood
money” to spare the life of the murder.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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If
UN approves representative, will strengthen relations with US, EU, others: Taliban
Sep
24, 2021
KABUL:
Taliban on Friday said that it will focus on strengthening relations with the
United States, European Union, and other countries if the United Nations
approves its representative.
In
an interview to Sputnik, Afghan deputy minister of culture and information
Zabihullah Mujahid said: "If my brother Suhail is approved by the UN as
our representative, he will obviously make effort to strengthen relations with
other states, including the European Union and the US, as well as with Muslim countries
for the sake of strong and long-term cooperation. This will be the primary
task."
He
further said that the Taliban may ask friendly countries like Qatar to help it
obtain a seat in the UN.
"Yes,
why not. Other countries close to us, such as Qatar and others, those that
supported us during a difficult period, could take on the role of mediators or
a link and help us get a seat in the UN. This is our right and we welcome any
nation capable of assisting this," Mujahid said, reported Sputnik.
Source:
Times of India
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click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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It’s
general amnesty, don’t defame IEA: Taliban’s acting defence minister to his
fighters
24
Sep 2021
The
acting defense minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Mullah Mohammad
Yaqoob called on foot soldiers that general amnesty has been announced and no
one should defame the IEA with their arbitrary actions.
The
acting defense minister has asked his foot soldiers to seriously implement
general amnesty and does not mistreat people.
A
statement released by Yaqoob reads that some Taliban members have been seen in
different provinces carrying out reprisal and have killed those who had worked
for the previous government, which is not the policy of the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan.
“Behave
well with people, do not defame IEA with your arbitrary actions, stop taking
unnecessary photos and videos, and do not enter to government administrations
unless you need to.” The statement addressed Taliban fighters.
Source:
Khaama Press
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Music
is haram in Islam, won't be allowed: Controversial Kabul University chancellor
tells India Today
September
23, 2021
The
Taliban has appointed Mohammad Ashraf Ghairat as the new chancellor of Kabul
University, replacing Muhammad Osman Baburi. This sparked sharp reactions
across social media with popular non-Taliban voices of Afghanistan questioning
the appointment of a newbie over an experienced PhD holder, who had been at the
helm of affairs at the Kabul University.
Those
criticising the appointment of Ashraf Ghairat specifically pointed out his
views on Twitter last year on the killings of Afghan journalists where he
justified deaths saying, “A spy journalist is more dangerous than a hundred
Arbaki (Police or Paramilitary members). I doubt faith of those who restrain
from killing journalists. Kill Spy Journalists”. Several others also questioned
the qualifications of Ashraf Ghairat and as to how he can fill in the shoes of
the previous chancellor.
This
was soon followed by the resignation of close to 70 teaching members of the
Kabul University that included assistant professors and professors who were
apparently unhappy with the development, with sources in the Khaama Press News
Agency indicating that the University Professors' Union has set a one-week
deadline for the Taliban to reconsider appointing Ashraf Ghairat as chancellor
of Kabul University.
The
Khaama Press Agency also reported that Sheikh Faqirullah Fayek, a senior
Taliban member, has strongly criticized the appointment of Mohammad Ashraf
Ghairat as the chancellor of Kabul University.
Mohammad
Ashraf Ghairat is said to have been a part of Taliban’s previous regime during
which he was employed in the Ministry of Education and was a head of the
assessment body of universities of the IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) in
the southwest part of Afghanistan.
Amidst
these controversies, Ashraf Ghairat spoke to India Today for the first time
since his appointment. Excerpts
Q.
There is a lot of criticism on your appointment. What do you have to say about
that?
Ashraf
Ghairat: Their criticisms are unfounded. We took over the country by force, you
cannot show me anywhere in the world throughout history that when a party takes
power, it shares it with others, so why should we do that? I have said about my
background and that would be enough to tell them that I'm suitable for this position.
With
respect to his credentials, Ashraf Ghairat said that he graduated from Kabul
University as a journalism graduate in 2008 and has almost 15 years of
experience working in different parts of IEA, including being a key member of
the cultural commission of IEA. On questions about having the experience
leading an academic institution, Ashraf said that he was the head of the
Al-Hijra Institute for three years. Ashraf also added that he can speak all
national languages of Afghanistan along with Arabic and English.
Q.
How do you plan to lead Kabul University in the future? What changes will you
be making?
Ashraf
Ghairat: We will move forward as per the plans made by the ministry of higher
education. We will have separate classes for men and women and our primary
focus will be to provide an Islamic environment to all, especially women.
Q:
How does the Taliban view education as a whole? Do you plan to change the way
education is served in Afghanistan?
Ashraf
Ghairat: We consider education as an important aspect in the development of
Afghanistan, but for us, religious studies come first, and modern sciences is
second. Our primary focus will be on the Islamisation of the country and our
academic institutions.
Q:
What is your opinion on women's education? Can they continue studying? And will
they be able to work after their studies?
Ashraf
Ghairat: Yes, they will be able to continue their education and work; but it
will have to be according to the teachings of Islam.
Q:
What about extracurricular activities at Kabul University? Will you support
arts (music, drama etc) on campus?
Ashraf
Ghairat: Music is haram or forbidden in Islam. So, whatever is forbidden in
Islam, will not be allowed on the campus.
Q:
How will you motivate and create a sense of trust among students?
Ashraf
Ghairat: We will try our best to provide them security and to bring everything
back to normal. It will take time, but we are dedicated to doing it. People
shouldn't panic, everything is going to be OK. As of now, lots of things have
become normal, so we will do our best to provide them with the services they
need.
Source:
India Today
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click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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Islamic
State uses Taliban's own tactics to attack Afghanistan's new rulers
By
Alasdair Pal and Jibran Ahmed
September
23, 2021
Sept
23 (Reuters) - A little more than a month after toppling the Western-backed
government in Kabul, Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers are facing internal
enemies who have adopted many of the tactics of urban warfare that marked their
own successful guerrilla campaign.
A
deadly attack on Kabul airport last month and a series of bomb blasts in the
eastern city of Jalalabad, all claimed by the local affiliate of Islamic State,
have underlined the threat to stability from violent militant groups who remain
unreconciled to the Taliban.
While
the movement's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has downplayed the threat, saying
this week that Islamic State had no effective presence in Afghanistan,
commanders on the ground do not dismiss the threat so lightly.
Two
members of the movement's intelligence services who investigated some of the
recent attacks in Jalalabad said the tactics showed the group remained a
danger, even if it did not have enough fighters and resources to seize
territory.
Using
sticky bombs - magnetic bombs usually stuck to the underside of cars - the
attacks targeted Taliban members in exactly the same way the Taliban itself
used to hit officials and civil society figures to destabilize the former government.
"We
are worried about these sticky bombs that once we used to apply to target our
enemies in Kabul. We are concerned about our leadership as they could target
them if not controlled them successfully," said one of the Taliban
intelligence officials.
Islamic
State in Khorasan, the name taken from the ancient name for the region that
includes modern Afghanistan, first emerged in late 2014 but has declined from
its peak around 2018 following a series of heavy losses inflicted by both the
Taliban and U.S. forces.
Taliban
security forces in Nangarhar said they had killed three members of the movement
on Wednesday night and the intelligence officials said the movement still
retains the ability to cause trouble through small-scale attacks.
"Their
main structure is broken and they are now divided in small groups to carry out
attacks," one of them said.
FUNDING
DRIED UP
The
Taliban have said repeatedly that they will not allow Afghanistan to be used as
a base for attacks on other countries. But some Western analysts believe the
return of the Islamist group to power has invigorated groups like ISIS-K and al
Qaeda, which had made Afghanistan their base when the Taliban last ruled the
country.
"In
Afghanistan, the return of Taliban is a huge victory for the Islamists,"
said Rohan Gunaratna, professor of security studies at Singapore's Nanyang
Technological University. "They have celebrated the return of the Taliban,
so I think that Afghanistan is the new theatre."
ISIS-K
is believed to draw many of its fighters from the ranks of the Taliban or the
Pakistani version of the Taliban, known as the TTP, but much of the way it
operates remains little understood.
It
has fought the Taliban over smuggling routes and other economic interests but
it also supports a global Caliphate under Islamic law, in contrast with the
Taliban which insists it has no interest in anywhere outside Afghanistan.
Source:
Reuters
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WHO
urges international donors to resume Afghanistan health funding
Sep
23, 2021
The
World Health Organisation's representative to Afghanistan called on the
international community on Thursday to resume funding of the war-torn country's
health program which was suspended when the Taliban took over governing the
country, as the healthcare system had plunged into crisis.
The
deteriorating situation underscored the dilemma faced by many international
donors, many of which are reticent to fund the Taliban-led administration, some
of whose members are on international sanctions lists, but fear that the
country is veering towards a humanitarian crisis.
"In
the recent weeks, access to health care has significantly declined for hundreds
of thousands of some of the most vulnerable Afghans," Luo Dapeng, WHO's
representative to Afghanistan, said at a press conference in Geneva.
"The
country's already-fragile health system is overwhelmed," he said, adding
they were coordinating with donors to find alternative funding mechanisms for
health facilities.
International
governments have pledged millions in urgent humanitarian aid but questions
remain over longer term development and other funding to an economy highly
dependent on international assistance. Billions of dollars in central bank
assets held outside the country have also been frozen.
Source:
Times of India
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UNSC
asks for inclusive government in Afghanistan: Guterres
23
Sep 2021
UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that the permanent members of the
Security Council- the US, China, Russia, France, and the UK- unanimously asked
the Taliban to establish an all-inclusive government in Afghanistan.
The
secretary-General, on the sideline of the UN annual assembly, told reporters
that the permanent members of UNSC pleaded with the Taliban to shape a
government set-up that is comprised of various ethnicities.
The
call from the five world powers comes as the Afghans themselves have been
criticizing the current caretaker cabinet and have been asking the Taliban to
shape an all-inclusive government and appoint people based on their
intelligence and experience.
Source:
Khaama Press
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https://www.khaama.com/unsc-asks-for-inclusive-government-in-afghanistan-guterres-65858568/
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India
Indian
Muslims' Ancestors Were Lord Ram, Krishna, and Shiva, Muslims Should Bow To
'Land and Culture of India': UP Minister
24
Sep 2021
Uttar
Pradesh minister Anand Swaroop Shukla has said that Lord Ram, Krishna, and
Shiva were the ancestors of Indian Muslims and thus the Muslims should bow to
the “land and culture of India”.
Shukla,
the Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs also said Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have defeated the
mindset which intended to create an Islamic State in the country by raising the
flag of Hindutva and “Indian culture”.
Praising
the Yogi government's work during the last four-and-a-half-years before the
media on Thursday evening, Shukla said: “The ancestors of the Muslims of India
are lord Ram, Krishna and Shankar (Shiva). They don't need to look up to the
land of Kaaba. These people should bow to the land and culture of India.”
After
Syria and Afghanistan, some people from different countries want to make the
world an Islamic State... some have this mindset in India too. But, the Modi
and Adityanath governments at the Centre and state have raised the flag of
Hindutva and "Indian culture" in the country and defeated this
mindset, Shukla said.
Referring
to controversial posters put up in Sambhal recently, Shukla said they were the
outcome of Samajwadi Party’s support to Islamic terrorists and its MP Shaifur
Rehman Barq's statement supporting the Taliban.
Posters
calling Sambhal the land of the "ghazis", an apparent reference to
Islamic warriors, had come up ahead of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's meeting
there earlier this week.
The
BJP had strongly objected to the posters, after which they were removed by
workers of the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
Source:
Outlook India
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Soumya,
Killed By Hamas In Israel, Gets Caught Into Kerala 'Love Jihad' Controversy
By
Cithara Paul
September
23, 2021
The
ongoing 'love jihad' row in Kerala—which has seen a few Catholic bishops
accusing other communities of luring away women from their community—took a new
low as Soumya Santhosh, a Keralite who got Killed in Israel in a rocket attack,
too got dragged into the controversy.
Soumya
was working as a home nurse in Israel when the house she was staying in got hit
with a rocket attack by Hamas. She died on May 11.
Soumya's
name was dragged into the controversy by SNDP leader Vellapally Natesan as a
counter to the allegation by Catholic priest Roy Kannanchira that Ezhava boys
are trapping Catholic girls into marriage. The priest had made this statement
while handling a virtual class for catechism teachers of a Syro Malabar Church
diocese. His statement got recorded and leaked. It had created a huge
controversy in the state.
The
SNDP leader came out in the open against the priest's remark and alleged that
it was Christian men who are trapping Ezhava girls in 'love jihad'. To prove
his point, Natesan cited Soumya's name and said the Ezhava woman was lured into
marrying a Christian and that she had to get converted into Christianity.
Her
husband, Santhosh, on Thursday countered Natesan's allegation. “We were in love
from the age of 15. We waited for five years and got married when she turned
20. There was no jihad, only love between us,'' he said.
He
also said that her parents were fully supportive of their marriage.
Santhosh
said that his sister has married a Hindu. “Is that too a love jihad?,'' he
asked.
“My
Soumya is no more...Why drag her into this controversy?,'' he asked, adding
that he was planning to take legal measures against this.
Source:
The Week
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UK
backbench MPs debate Kashmir motion, India condemns abusive language
Sep
24, 2021
LONDON:
Members of Parliament from the UK's All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on
Kashmir have tabled a motion on “Human rights in Kashmir” for a debate in the
House of Commons, drawing a strong reaction from India which said any assertion
made in any forum on a subject related to an integral part of the country needs
to be duly substantiated with authentic verifiable facts.
The
Minister for Asia in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),
Amanda Milling, responded to the debate on Thursday by reiterating the UK
government's unchanged stance on Kashmir as a bilateral issue.
“The
government takes the situation in Kashmir very seriously but it's for India and
Pakistan to find a lasting political solution, taking into account the wishes
of the Kashmiri people. It's not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to act
as a mediator,” said Milling.
The
Indian government expressed its dismay at some of the language used by
participating MPs in the Backbench Debate, specifically Pakistani-origin Labour
MP Naz Shah.
A
minister from the Indian High Commission in London condemned the attack on Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted Kashmir's status as an integral part of
India.
“It
is with sadness that the High Commission of India notes that an august
institution of a fellow democracy has been misused today to level abuse against
the elected leader of the largest practising democracy in the world,” the
minister said, referring to Shah's remarks on the 2002 Gujarat riots.
“As
on previous occasions, the High Commission of India reiterates that any
assertion made in any forum on a subject related to an integral part of India
needs to be duly substantiated with authentic verifiable facts,” the minister
added.
The
debate, which was scheduled to be held in March 2020 but had to be postponed
due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, was opened by Opposition Labour Party MP
Debbie Abrahams who recounted her visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in
February 2020.
“The
Pakistani government allowed us unfettered access… we used our meetings to ask
pointed questions related to human rights issues highlighted in United Nations
reports,” said Abrahams.
“Kashmiris
must be at the heart of a trilateral peacebuilding process,” she said,
reiterating that Thursday's debate was not “pro or anti” any country and only
speaking in favour of human rights.
Over
20 cross-party MPs participated on both sides of the debate, with Labour MP
Barry Gardiner highlighting the terrorist camps harboured by Pakistan in the
region and drawing parallels with neighbouring Afghanistan.
Source:
Times of India
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US
VP Kamala Harris 'suo moto' refers to Pakistan's role in terrorism during
meeting with PM Modi
Sep
24, 2021
WASHINGTON:
US Vice President Kamala Harris has 'suo moto', referred to Pakistan's role in
terrorism and asked the country to stop supporting terror groups during the
first-ever meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, informed Foreign
Secretary Harsh V Shringla on Thursday (local time).
Shringla
said, "When the issue of terrorism came up, the Vice President suo moto
referred to Pakistan's role in that regard."
Harris
acknowledged the presence of terror groups in Pakistan, said Shringla when
asked whether the issue of Pakistan emboldening Taliban came up during the
discussion between PM Modi and the US Vice President.
"In
that context when the issue of terrorism came up. The Vice President suo moto
referred to Pakistan's role in that regard. She said that there were terror
groups working there. She asked Pakistan to take action so that these groups do
not impact on US security and that of India," the Foreign Secretary said
during a special briefing.
"She
agreed with Prime Minister's briefing on the fact of cross-border terrorism and
the fact that India has been a victim of terrorism several decades now and the
need to rein in and closely monitor Pakistan's support for such terror
groups," added Shringla.
PM
Modi held the meeting with VP Kamala Harris at the White House. The two leaders
exchanged views on recent global developments, including in Afghanistan, and
reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific
region.
Source:
Times of India
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Conversion
case: Uttar Pradesh ATS gets 10-day remand of Islamic scholar Maulana Kaleem
Siddiqui
23rd
September 2021
LUCKNOW:
The Uttar Pradesh ATS on Thursday got a 10-day remand of Islamic scholar
Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, who was arrested for running a "conversion
syndicate".
The
Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had arrested Siddiqui on Tuesday for illegal
conversion of people to Islam.
Siddiqui
was produced in a court on Wednesday and the ATS had sought a 10-day custody to
probe the case, ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said.
The
Special Additional District and Session Court (NIA/ATS) awarded the custody
after going through evidence presented by the prosecution, the officer said.
The
remand period will start at 10 am from September 24.
Maulana
Siddiqui will be interrogated to get more information from him about his links,
he said.
Siddiqui,
a well-known Islamic scholar from Meerut, was arrested three months after
Delhi's Jamia Nagar residents Mufti Qazi Jahangir Alam Qasmi and Mohammad Umar
Gautam were apprehended by the ATS.
Source:
New Indian Express
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Europe
Moscow
in talks with Taliban to discuss visit to Russia: Report
24
September ,2021
Moscow
is discussing a possible visit by a delegation of the Taliban-appointed
government to Russia with Kabul, the RIA news agency cited a Russian foreign
ministry source as saying on Friday.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Turkey
urges Greece to cancel circular restricting Muslim students
Dilan
Pamuk
24.09.2021
Turkey
urged Greece early Friday to cancel a circular restricting Muslim students and
teachers from performing their religious duties.
In
a Twitter post, the Turkish Foreign Ministry invited Greek authorities to
“reverse the decision that restricts the students and teachers that go to the
elementary schools of Turkish minorities in Western Thrace from performing
their religious obligations.”
The
recently issued circular is a step towards restricting freedom of religion and
conscience, the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board said in a
statement.
The
board said the practice in Rhodope and Evros prefectures is against the law and
“is cunning, to say the least, if not a snide attitude.”
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Turkey
playing constructive role in Balkans: Bosnian top diplomat
Lejla
Biogradlija
23.09.2021
Turkey
is playing a very constructive and important role in the Balkans, said Bosnia
and Herzegovina's foreign minister.
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency about the current agenda in the region, Bisera Turkovic said:
“Turkey's economic, political and cultural contribution is productive for all
countries in the region.”
She
said the Sarajevo-Belgrade Highway Project supported by Turkey has
international importance.
“We
must insist on the completion of the project that will contribute greatly to
economic development. We must not sacrifice the project for daily political
exigencies and individual interests,” said Turkovic.
One
of the most important projects for the Balkans is the Sarajevo-Belgrade Highway
financed by Turkey, and its construction on the Serbian side continues despite
the pandemic.
Turkey
sees the highway as a tool to promote peace in the region.
Turkovic
pointed out that her country is always open to cooperation and joint projects.
“Bosnia
and Herzegovina is and will continue to be an inevitable factor in the solution
of all regional problems. Every country in the region has its own problems, but
we do not blame anyone. The sense of dominance moves the region away from the
path of stability and European Union (EU) membership,” said Turkovic.
She
added they have to be ambitious, patient, and determined in the marathon they
have set out on.
“Bosnia
and Herzegovina has been maintaining a stable peace for 26 years with the help
of its international partners, after a bloody war,” said Turkovic.
Speaking
about the "Open Balkan", Turkovic said the agreement moves the region
closer to the European Union standards.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Southeast Asia
Dispel
notion that human rights is a Western agenda, SIS tells NGOs
September
23, 2021
GEORGE
TOWN: NGOs must come together to “un-demonise” human rights and demystify the
notion that it is a Western agenda, a women’s group said.
Sisters
In Islam executive director Rozana Isa said NGOs must educate the public on
human rights, including on topics such as discrimination and equality.
They
also need to make it “meaningful and understandable”.
“Aside
from that, our understanding of human rights also needs to be demystified and
un-demonised as something which is coming from the West and be seen as a
framework to help us see past our biases and prejudices.
“It
has been 20 years since Durban,” she said at a webinar, referring to the World
Conference against Racism (WCAR) which celebrates its 20th anniversary this
year.
“But
we still have a long way to go with all sorts of racism and discrimination in
Malaysia.”
Rozana
also spoke about the need for the youths to play a bigger role in leading the
conversations on anti-racism.
“Young
people are our hope.”
She
stressed the need to learn from youth-led movements such as Undi18 and Lawan on
the ways they address issues related to civil and political rights, as well as
race and religious issues on social media platforms.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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Perak
Sultan: Islamic finance now capable to lead from the front
23
Sep 2021
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 23 — The response of the Islamic finance industry to the Covid-19
pandemic has shown that it can lead from the front, as opposed to merely
following the consensus, said Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
The
Sultan, who is also the Royal Patron for Malaysia’s Islamic Finance Initiative,
said the great potential of Islamic finance to lead in an equitable, global
economic recovery is demonstrated by the actions of the Islamic Development
Bank (IDB) during the pandemic itself.
“Of
all the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB), the IDB may have had the greatest
positive impact during the pandemic, with a few of its initiatives. After the
World Bank, the IDB has the second-largest subscribed capital of any MDB, at
US$70 billion (RM293 billion).
“What
we must seriously consider (now) is how to inculcate Maqasid values into the
very architecture of operational Islamic financial services,” he said in his
special keynote address at the 12th SC-OCIS virtual roundtable today.
He
believes that the philosophy of Maqasid has yet to be fully embraced across all
operations of the sector, in order to bridge the age-old gap between “God and
mammon”.
“We
now have to be even more proactive, by developing a common set of Social Goals
for the sector, based not only on global best practices but also on Maqasid.
“This
will enable us to deliver the real social impacts that are so sorely needed,”
he said.
The
Sultan said the urgency of the challenges confronting humanity cannot be
overstated, with the Islamic system of economic and financial intermediation,
based on the principles of Maqasid al-Shariah, has become more relevant than
ever.
“It
is my fervent hope that the industry will embrace this vital challenge and set
out a strong and practical agenda for Maqasid-based transformative change,” he
said.
Sultan
Nazrin said currently, the era is characterised by populist and increasingly
polarised politics, by growing inequalities, racial and gender-based
discrimination and violence, and inter-generational tensions over climate
change.
“There
are many such flashpoints of potential conflict, all of which have been
exacerbated by the pandemic. What they reflect is an underlying fraying of the
existing social contracts, which may no longer be fit for purpose.
“There
is a growing sense that our systems are too heavily skewed against the
interests of the majority. Too many people feel that they are only scraping by
in the harsh new climate, or worse, that they are being left behind. Existing
resentments and divides are deepening,” he said.
Luckily,
in the Islamic finance sector, the Maqasid philosophy provides the ideal
template to address these troubling dynamics, Sultan Nazrin said.
“It
gives us a foundation for forging an agenda for transformative change that aims
to heal these divisions and bridge these divides. It is now up to us to
deliberate, consult, and formalise this common agenda,” he said.
Sultan
Nazrin said this agenda must combine the rule of law; shared values; risks and
rewards; and equal opportunities, in order to harness the resources and talents
of everyone in pursuit of the greater good.
“This
agenda should introduce ‘Maqasid Social Goals’ as the norm towards which all
our financial institutions should strive.
“These
goals, developed in consultation with regulators and industry bodies, should be
incorporated into the constitutions of all the companies and institutions
involved in the Islamic finance space,” he said.
Source:
Malay Mail
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Where’re
your principles on gambling, PAS veteran asks party’s ministers
Nora
Mahpar
September
24, 2021
PETALING
JAYA: A PAS veteran questioned the role of PAS leaders in the Cabinet after the
number of “special draws” for 4-digit (4D) lottery operators was increased from
eight times in 2020 to 22 times this year.
Speaking
to FMT, Mahfodz Mohamed insisted that PAS ministers should not abandon the
principle of upholding Islamic teachings just because they were now part of the
government.
“I
am not happy with the government’s decision (to increase 4D draws). Although
the current government is Malay-Muslim, these draws should be reduced, not
increased.
“Knowing
what’s ‘halal’ and ‘haram’, PAS ministers must voice out (their opposition) as
they are now part of the government.
“Just
because we are a minority in the government, it does not mean we can’t voice
out.”
Mahfodz
also questioned whether the applications by the various lottery operators were
brought to the Cabinet first for evaluation, as it concerned public interest,
including that of Muslims, on the issue of gambling.
“With
the increase in the number of 4D draws, it will encourage people to commit
sins, especially Malay Muslims in rural areas, and this worries the Muslim
majority.
“The
government must remember that Islamic governments do not want the profits of
the world alone but the profits of the hereafter,” he said.
Last
Monday, Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar questioned PAS over its stance on the issue
of 4D “special draws” being increased from eight times to 22 times a year.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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Home
minister: Still no new leads on forced disappearance cases, Indira Gandhi’s
ex-husband’s whereabouts
23
Sep 2021
BY
YISWAREE PALANSAMY
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 23 — The police still have no fresh leads on their investigations
on the forced disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh, Joshua Helmi and his wife
Ruth Sitepu and social activist Amri Che Mat, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin
said today.
Hamzah
also said that the police are clueless on the whereabouts of Muhammad Riduan
Abdullah, the Muslim-convert ex-husband of Hindu mother M. Indira Gandhi, who
absconded after kidnapping their youngest daughter, M. Prasana Diksa.
“The
police is still continuing to investigate the disappearance of Pastor Raymond
Koh on the Kelana Jaya report 1540/2017, dated February 13, 2017, under Section
365 of the Penal Code (kidnapping or abduction of any person with the intent to
cause that person to be secretly and wrongfully confined),” he said.
Hamzah
added that to date, only one person has been charged in court on January 15,
2018, who would be tried on December 9, 2021.
“Investigations
are also ongoing to trace the victim. For the disappearance cases of Joshua
Helmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu on the Sg Way report 2249/2017 and the missing
case of Amri Che Mat on the Kangar report 008554/2016, these cases have been
classified as missing persons.
“The
police have not gotten any new leads to trace the victims involved and their
family members too did not receive any calls demanding ransom or other
communications. The police are still working to trace the victims and the
suspects responsible,” he added.
Hamzah
responded via a written reply to a question by Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani
Patto, who had asked to know about the status of investigations into the death
of former customs department officer Anisah Ali while on duty in 2016.
She
also asked about the updates on the investigations on the forced disappearances
and on Riduan.
On
Riduan’s case, Hamzah said that the former is believed to no longer be in the
country, nor at any one place overseas, and keeps moving from one location to
another to avoid being traced.
He
said that efforts are ongoing with the authorities abroad to trace Riduan’s
location.
On
Anisah’s case, Hamzah said that the police are still investigating and efforts
are ongoing to track suspects involved in the case.
“Therefore,
I do not intend to comment further regarding this case, to not disrupt
investigations,” he added.
Anisah,
who was 54-years-old at that time, was killed after a four-wheel-drive vehicle
driven by a “tonto” rammed into her vehicle in Pasir Mas, Kelantan in 2016,
when she was tailing a vehicle allegedly carrying smuggled cigarettes.
Source:
Malay Mail
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Govt
may ban transgenders from FT mosques
September
24, 2021
KEMAMAN:
The government is looking into whether mosques in the federal territories
should emulate Perlis, which has banned “mukhannath” or transgenders from
entering its mosques.
Deputy
minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (religious affairs) Ahmad Marzuk
Shaary said the religious authorities in Perlis had taken the appropriate steps
to maintain the sanctity of mosques and prevent confusion among the Muslim
community.
“I
am speaking in the context of the federal territories because that is within
our jurisdiction. As for other states, it’s up to their respective religious
authorities. If we want to encourage other states to follow what is being done
in Perlis, we have to look at the seriousness of the cases that occur (in the
states).
“For
me, what Perlis is doing is something that states can follow, because it is
very inappropriate for a man to enter a mosque wearing a headscarf. If a man
enters the women’s section (of the mosque), it will disrupt the women’s
privacy.
“But
if they go (to the mosque) to repent, then it’s okay,” he told reporters after
launching a food bank programme at Stesen Teksi here today.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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Mideast
Catholic
Priest from the US, Converts To Islam after Watching Seb-I Arus Ceremony
Serhat
Cetinkaya
23.09.2021
A
Catholic priest from the US, who was influenced by 13th-century Islamic
scholar, poet, and Sufi mystic Mevlana Jalaluddin al-Rumi, converted to Islam
and changed his name to Ismail.
Born
in 1955 in the US state of North Carolina and raised in Los Angeles, Craig
Victor Fenter went to a Catholic school at the request of his family and became
a pastor.
Before
converting to Islam, Fenter taught religion classes at US universities for a
decade.
But
in time, he began to have a feeling of spiritual void. In 2004, he crossed
paths with Esin Celebi Bayru, Rumi's 22nd generation granddaughter, during a
program in the US.
After
learning about Rumi and Islam, he visited Konya in 2005 at Bayru's invitation,
watched Seb-i Arus -- the “wedding night” when Rumi reaches God -- ceremonies.
Fenter,
very impressed by stories, the Sufi dance known as the Sema ceremony, and the
spiritual atmosphere during ceremonies, converted to Islam in 2006.
Religion
very important to my family
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency about his conversion to Islam, Ismail Fenter said he was
raised as a Christian since childhood.
"Religion
was very important to my family. My grandmother wanted me to be a pastor. I
went to the seminary to learn the priesthood," he said, adding that he
used to go to church every Sunday.
He
said many things did not make sense to him then.
"I
believed in God but something wasn't right. The information I was trying to
teach my students afterwards didn't make any sense to me. So I spent most of my
life searching. I used to teach at the seminary, but I didn't believe in what I
was teaching."
"I
quit and left the church. I went back to California with my family and became
interested in music. There was a lot in music, but my heart was empty. People's
applause was great, but something was missing," Fenter noted.
He
went on to say that with the advice of a teacher, he met Bayru, who was in San
Francisco for a program.
"I
told her: 'I feel myself at the bottom of the ocean.' I said: 'I don't know
where the treasure is.' She said to me: 'You have already found the treasure
because you sought it.' This sentence impressed me a lot. Then, on Bayru's
invitation, I came to (Turkey's central province of) Konya in December 2005 and
watched the Seb-i Arus ceremonies," Fented added.
Fenter
also said he felt something "special" while watching the whirling
dervishes, noting that they also went to the Mevlana Museum when he was in
Konya.
My
heart ripped open
In
Konya, Fenter also took lessons on Islam and Sufism from Nadir Karnibuyuk, a Sufi
teacher he met at the ceremonies.
"I
stopped and watched him (Karnibuyuk) and looked around while he was praying.
... Then he called me to pray (as well). Not knowing what to do, I walked
towards the 'Niyaz penceresi' (wishing window)," said Fenter, adding that
he started praying.
"Then
something happened. I don't know what happened, but I was stunned. I felt like
my heart was ripped open and I was crying. ... I felt like Rumi was calling me.
I cried for hours."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Iranian
FM Criticizes Britain, EU for Inaction on US Moves against JCPOA
2021-September-23
The
meeting was held on Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General
Assembly’s 76th Session in New York.
The
European attitude was helping “the US administration keep enforcing its illegal
sanctions [against Iran], while at the same time laying claim to seeking a
return to the JCPOA”, Amir Abdollahian said.
Iran
has been given many words and promises alleging that the West intended to
revisit its JCPOA approach, the Iranian top diplomat said. There, however, have
been no actions, he added.
“Unfortunately,
the UK has been part of this inaction too, and this approach should change,”
Amir Abdollahian said.
“This
is the obvious inconsistency that is being witnessed by the Iranian nation,” he
said, adding, “For the current Iranian Administration, measurable actions on
the part of the other parties in the JCPOA form the only yardstick.”
Separately,
the Iranian official urged that the UK take action towards repaying its debt
towards Iran.
Britain
owes as much as £400m to Iran arising from the non-delivery of Chieftain tanks
ordered by Iran's former monarchical regime. An international arbitration in
2008 ruled the UK owed the debt.
Rebuilding
of the bilateral ties took serious action, Amir Abdollahian asserted, urging
London to note that taking such action on its obligations constituted the only
means of reconstructing the relations.
Tehran
responds proportionately to any positive and constructive step, he, meanwhile,
pledged.
Truss,
for her part, alleged that the UK was prepared to repay the debt.
Concerning
the JCPOA, she claimed that the main focus currently rested on resumption of
the talks.
Iran
and the other five remaining parties to the nuclear deal signed between Tehran
and world powers in 2015, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA), that is, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, have held
six rounds of talks in Vienna to salvage the faltering agreement by bringing
the US, as the violator of the deal, back into compliance.
In
quitting the JCPOA in May 2018, the administration of former US President
Donald Trump reinstated the sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the
accord, while mounting pressure on the country with new bans, as the other
parties stood by and failed to protect Iran’s contractual benefits.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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Iran
Blasts US, Britain for Selling Military N. Submarines to Australia
2021-September-23
“It
is regrettable that the countries that scold Iran for enriching uranium up to
60 percent for humanitarian and peaceful purposes have now decided to sell to
Australia military nuclear submarines that run on uranium enriched to a level
of more than 90 percent,” Qaribabadi said, addressing the 65th regular session
of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday.
He
criticized the West for falsely accusing Iran of pursuing non-civilian nuclear
technology while inking a deal on the provision of submarines fueled with
weapon-grade uranium to another country.
Britain,
Australia and the US have agreed a partnership to boost their defenses and
share advanced technologies, including the acquisition of nuclear-powered
submarines.
The
trio, now known by the acronym AUKUS, will see Australia cancel a contract to
buy diesel-electric French submarines and instead build nuclear-powered
submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the US. A transfer
of this scale is also the first of its kind.
Qaribabadi
pointed to Iran’s conviction that every IAEA member state has the right to
pursue its peaceful nuclear program, regardless of the level of enrichment,
solely on the basis of its own needs and in accordance with the IAEA
safeguards, but underlined the need for necessary safeguards arrangements in
place to ensure civilian nature of their nuclear programs.
It
is essential that Australia reach an agreement with the IAEA on necessary
safeguards arrangements, he said, adding that the IAEA must have access to
high-enriched nuclear material in Australia at any agreed and reasonable time,
and no excuse is acceptable in this regard.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran
Raps US Dishonesty in N. Deal Talks
2021-September-23
During
the meeting held on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Amir
Abdollahian referred to the stable and good ties between the two countries,
saying, "We want to expand bilateral relations more than before and see
the vast presence of Swiss firms in Iran's economic and development projects.
There are many grounds for developing relations between the two
countries."
Fortunately,
there are good frameworks for strengthening relations between the two
countries. In this regard, it is appropriate to hold a joint economic
commission soon, the top Iranian diplomat emphasized.
Explaining
the Islamic Republic of Iran's position on the Vienna talks and the JCPOA, the
Iranian foreign minister said, "Unfortunately, the Americans have not been
and are not honest in the nuclear negotiations. Washington has no choice but to
completely reconsider its approach and behavior. It is essential that both the
Americans and the European parties show the necessary flexibility for the
future negotiations to have tangible results."
The
top Swiss diplomat, for his part, reviewed the results of his previous visit to
Tehran and said, "We attach great importance to relations with Iran. In
this regard, important meetings are being organized between our colleagues in
different fields in coming months."
At
the end of the meeting, Cassis stressed Berne's readiness to fully expand
relations with Iran and said: Switzerland is prepared for any kind of cooperation
necessary to make better and more use of the Swiss financial channel to supply
the goods that Iran wants.
Iran
and the other five remaining parties to the nuclear deal signed between Tehran
and world powers in 2015, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA), that is, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, have held
six rounds of talks in Vienna to salvage the faltering agreement by bringing
the US, as the violator of the deal, back into compliance.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000701000417/Iran-Raps-US-Dishnesy-in-N-Deal-Talks
--------
Leader's
Top Military Aide: US to Escape from Syria, Persian Gulf Soon
2021-September-23
"Meanwhile,
they have to escape from the Persian Gulf and West Asia as they cannot stay in
this region," Rahim Safavi said.
He
underlined that the Americans have to flee Syria as soon as possible after
their humiliating experience in Afghanistan.
"Iran,
as the largest power in West Asia region, has joined the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) based on the shared interests, threats, and enemies, while
the Americans are at odds with Russia, China, and North Korea," Rahim
Safavi added.
He
underlined that Iran as a major power in West Asia has extended and added to
the power of SCO as it connects the power in the East to the power of West
Asia, and to the Mediterranean Sea.
"Iran,
in fact, increased the geopolitical, geoeconomic, and geostrategic weight of
the Shanghai Organization," Rahim Safavi pointed out.
He
also predicted that the new power bloc in Asia will confront with Western bloc
led by the US, adding "The power of the Asian continent will become the
world's number one economic power in the next few decades, and it is
undoubtedly a fact that American power will be in decline."
In
relevant remarks on Tuesday, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
(IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami said that Iran is bolstering its power to
gain victory against Washington, noting that Israel is no more counted as a
power.
"We
have built power to defeat the US. When we build power for man's largest
military empire, i.e. the US, small powers like the Zionist regime are no
longer counted in our equations," General Salami said.
He
underlined that the Iranian nation has managed to embrace victory against the
US cruel sanctions and economic war as well as the psychological pressures and
heavy media operations of Washington and other western powers, and defused
enemies’ plots.
In
relevant remarks on Sunday, General Salami said that the US has lost its power
and is a defeated, fugitive and depressed state which has been forced to
withdraw its forces from the region.
“Today
we no longer see the dangerous US, but we witness a failed, fleeing, and the
depressed US,” General Salami said.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran's
Top Diplomat Continues Meetings with Counterparts, Int'l Figures in New York
2021-September-23
In
a meeting with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Peter Maurer on Wednesday, Amir Abdollahian criticized the international
community for inaction in the face of oppressive US sanctions against the
Iranian people, calling for concerted efforts to counter the inhumane measures.
“The
oppressive US sanctions are an inhumane act and a blatant form of terrorism
against the Iranian people that must be rejected and countered by all,” he
said.
In
May 2018, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a
UN-endorsed nuclear deal, which it had signed as a member of the P5+1 group
with Tehran in 2015, and unleashed a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran.
In
response, Iran announced remedial measures, scaling back some of its
commitments under the deal, while maintaining that the moves were
"reversible" depending on the actions of the other signatories.
The
US special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, has admitted that the maximum
pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic has “failed miserably” and “hurt
US interests”.
Pointing
to the ongoing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Amir Abdollahian outlined
relentless efforts by Iran’s diplomatic missions in the war-ravaged country in
recent weeks, and called for international aid to help ease the humanitarian
situation there.
“In
the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and despite all pressures that Iranian
society is facing these days, we tried to vaccinate the displaced Afghans as
much as possible, but immediate and serious international assistance is needed
in this regard,” the top Iranian diplomat said.
The
government of Afghanistan collapsed on August 15 and President Ashraf Ghani
fled the country in the face of the lightning advances by the Taliban following
a hasty and ill-executed withdrawal of foreign forces from the country. Fears
of violence and poverty have caused many Afghans to seek refuge in neighboring
countries and elsewhere.
The
ICRC president hailed Iran’s close cooperation with the committee and its
valuable efforts to host the Afghan refugees.
Maurer
also stressed the importance of improving health infrastructure in Afghanistan
and said humanitarian activities in the war-hit country should not be limited
only to the dispatch of commodities.
In
a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart Felix Plasencia, the Iranian foreign
minister said the two countries would continue joint efforts to counter the US
sanctions, emphasizing resistance and a focus on domestic capacities.
Amir
Abdollahian hailed Venezuela's resistance and victories against the United
States, which he said were a testament to the fact that the will of the people
is stronger than that of the hegemonic powers.
He
added that the Islamic Republic has set no limit on the expansion of bilateral
relations with the Latin American country.
For
his part, the Venezuelan foreign minister said Caracas would do its utmost to
promote relations with Tehran, adding that mutual ties have shown that
geographical distance cannot hinder cooperation among independent states.
In
another meeting with Iraqi President Barham Salih, the top Iranian diplomat
expressed Tehran’s readiness to improve strategic ties with Baghdad in various
fields, urging the two sides to make use of their great capacities in this
regard.
The
Iraqi president thanked Iran for its efforts to help his country over the past
years and said Baghdad is resolute on the promotion of inclusive cooperation
with Tehran.
Amir
Abdollahian told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that Iran is ready
to host sessions of a joint commission with Turkey, which have been delayed for
some time.
During
a meeting, the Iranian foreign minister stressed the importance of holding
regular consultations between the two neighboring countries especially in light
of the new developments in the region.
He
said Iran is in contact with all parties in Afghanistan and urged the formation
of an inclusive government in the country as the only way to establish
endurable peace and stability.
The
Iranian foreign minister also extended to Cavusoglu an official invitation by
President Ebrahim Raeisi to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to pay
a visit to Tehran.
Amir
Abdollahian and Cavusoglu agreed that a meeting among foreign ministers of
Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan would be held in Tehran.
The
Turkish foreign minister, for his part, said all unilateral and unlawful
sanctions against Iran should be lifted.
He
added that Iran and Turkey face common regional challenges, including the
crisis in Afghanistan, and called on both sides to maintain close
consultations.
Cavusoglu
expressed his concern over the escalation of violence and extremism in
Afghanistan and stressed the importance of the formation of an inclusive
government in the country.
Amir
Abdollahian also met his Hungarian counterpart on Wednesday on the sidelines of
the United Nations General Assembly.
Amir
Abdollahian and Péter Szijjártó discussed bilateral and international issues,
including economic relations, educational cooperation, and the situation in
Afghanistan.
Iranian
top diplomat proposed holding a joint commission as early as possible to make a
roadmap for Tehran-Budapest ties.
He
said that over 4,000 Iranian students were studying in and the same number was
graduated from Hungarian universities and this could be a basis for deepening
of ties.
Szijjártó
referred to his trip to Iran in 2015 and said that his country was ready to
hold joint economic commission in Tehran.
He
said that the US sanctions have caused problems in Iran-Hungary relations, but
Budapest has tried to boost ties again.
Hungarian
Foreign Minister proposed to donate 100,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine
and Amirabdollahian accepted to receive them to be administered to Afghan
refugees in Iran.
Amir
Abdollahian also had a meeting with Namibian Foreign Minister Netumbo
Nandi-Ndaitwah during which he underscored the importance relations with Africa
for the new administration in Iran, highlighting Iran’s support of Namibia’s
fight for independence.
The
two discussed the problems occurred in the good trade relationship between Iran
and Namibia and the how to solve them. Amir Abdollahian invited Namibian
Foreign Minister to pay a visit to Iran.
Nandi-Ndaitwah
pointed out that Iran was among the first countries to establish diplomatic
ties with Namibia, saying that her country was ready to expand ties with Iran
on trade, mining, agriculture, health and medicine.
She
also underlined that Namibia has tried to keep ties with Iran despite the
obstacles caused by the US sanctions.
Meantime,
ministers of foreign affairs of Iran and Belarus in a meeting in New York on
Wednesday emphasized the need for expansion of bilateral economic ties.
The
meeting of the Iranian and Belarus foreign ministers, Hossein Amir Abdollahian
and Vladimir Makei was on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and the two
sides in it exchanged viewpoints on bilateral ties and economic cooperation
between the two countries.
The
Belarus foreign minister in the meeting emphasized on Minsk’s will for
implementing the reached agreement in last week meeting between the two
countries’ presidents on the sidelines of the last week's Shanghai Cooperation
Conference in Dushanbe.
“The
oppressive sanctions imposed against both countries can only face defeat based
on our joint cooperation,” said Makei.
He
emphasized that his country is ready for comprehensive cooperation with Iran
and establishment of a balanced economic relation with Iran.
Makei
referred to the numerous meetings at technical level between the two countries,
noting that implementing the reached agreements is in need of the existence of
strong political will.
The
Iranian foreign minister, for his part, said in the meeting that the two
presidents' meeting was quite fruitful, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is
ready for opening and new path for improvement of bilateral ties.
Amir
Abdollahian expressed regret that the volume of bilateral trade has decreased
despite the reached agreements, reiterating that Iran is ready for serious
cooperation with Belorussia in such fields as industrial and heavy machines,
agricultural machines, electrical buses, car spare parts, and agricultural
items.
The
Iranian foreign minister referred to the cancellation of the joint political
commission and the joint economic commission during the past four years, asking
for the holding of those commissions and telling his Belarus counterpart that
Tehran is still waiting for the appointments of the head of the joint
commissions by Minsk and holding the political commission in October.
Amir
Abdollahian said that it is also possible to use the Eurasia Economic Union
(EAEU) for expansion of bilateral ties.
Iran’s
foreign minister said in New York on Wednesday that Tehran’s will is defining
balanced relations with Europe, adding that the Iran-EU relations should not be
subjected to the unconstructive behavior and approach of the United States.
Hossein
Amir Abdollahian made the comment in a meeting with his Spanish counterpart
José Manuel Albares, during which the latest conditions in Afghanistan, Iran’s
relations with the European Union, bilateral relations, and other issues of
mutual interest were discussed.
Amir
Abdollahian referred to the 400-year old record of the Iran-Spain relations,
emphasizing the need for serious efforts aimed at improving the two countries
comprehensive ties.
“The
two countries’ relations in the political, economic, and parliamentary fields
are on the right path, but new plans need to be devised in the fields of
health, industrial, science and technology, cultural, tourism, bartered
transactions, private sector companies and such other fields,” said Iran's top
diplomat.
He
appreciated the two countries’ cooperation in health and medical fields during
the coronavirus disease peaks and an “unforgettable point” in the bilateral
cooperation.
Amir
Abdollahian in this meeting also referred to the banking problems with which
the Iranian university students are faced with, expressing hope that the two
countries’ cooperation will lead to solving them.
The
Iranian foreign minister emphasized that Tehran’s will is establishment of a
balanced relation with the EU, reiterating that Iran’s relations with Europe
should not be subjected to the unconstructive behaviors of the United States
with Iran.
“In
the foreign policy of the new Iranian government relations with Europe,
including the entire countries in the green continent, is a priority, and that
is not restricted to the EU troika countries,” he said.
The
Spanish foreign minister, for his part, while agreeing with the points made by
his Iranian counterpart emphasized that Spain makes its entire efforts aimed at
improving the level of its political and economic ties with Iran, and that is
the reason why Spain decided to join the INSTEX.
José
Manuel Albares referred to the declining trend of bilateral commercial ties
ever since the year 2018, emphasized that these conditions need to be changed
relying on the joint efforts of both countries.
The
Spanish foreign minister also exchanged viewpoints with his Iranian counterpart
on Afghanistan developments, announcing that his country is ready for assisting
in vaccination of the Afghan immigrants in Iran.
In
a meeting with Amir Abdollahian in New York, Ireland's foreign minister said
that his country is ready to take any action necessary to revive and maintain
the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.
Irish
top diplomat Simon Coveney made the comments in a meeting with Iran’s Foreign
Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN
General Assembly to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation, the Iran
nuclear deal, and the situation in Afghanistan.
During
the meeting, the Irish foreign minister congratulated Amir Abdollahian on his
appointment as foreign minister and said it was a great pleasure for him to
visit Iran as the first top Irish diplomat in the last 20 years. Coveney
expressed hope that this trip would serve a cornerstone to expand relations
between the two countries. Coveney also said the final stages of reopening the
Irish embassy in Tehran were under way.
The
Irish Foreign Minister expressed his satisfaction with his country's readiness
to play a facilitating role in the implementation of the UN Security Council
Resolution 2231 during Trump's presidency in the US.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkish
foreign arrivals surge to nearly four mln in Aug: Ministry
24
September ,2021
The
number of foreign visitors arriving in Turkey jumped to 3.982 million in
August, data showed on Friday, surging more than 119 percent from a year
earlier when strict COVID-19 measures were still in place but less than two
thirds of the number in 2019.
Turkey
began closing borders and restricting activity when its first COVID-19 case was
recorded in March last year. There were only 1.8 million foreign arrivals in
August 2020, compared to 6.3 million in the same month in 2019.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Israel
PM touts US friendship after House backs bill to provide $1 bln for Iron Dome
23
September ,2021
Israel’s
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett hailed his country’s “friendship” with the US on
Thursday, after the House of Representatives voted to provide $1 billion to Tel
Aviv for its Iron Dome missile defense system.
“Thanks
to members of the House of Representatives, Democratic and Republican alike,
for the overwhelming support for Israel and the commitment to its security.
Whoever tries to challenge this security received a resounding response today,”
Bennett said on Twitter.
Foreign
Minister Yair Lapid also thanked the US House members who backed the bill: “I
am grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel and the solid
commitment to our security demonstrated today by the vote on the replenishment
of the Iron Dome missile defense system.”
“This
support reaffirms the special relations between our two countries, rooted in
shared values and strategic interests,” he added.
The
US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in support of the Iron Dome
bill, backing it by 420 votes to nine, only two days after the funding was
removed from a broader spending bill.
Democratic
lawmakers had removed the $1 billion in military funding to Israel from
legislation on Tuesday after liberals in the House of Representatives raised
concerns and objections.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
--------
North America
US
will not force Taliban to replicate Western culture with frozen funds: Official
23
September ,2021
The
US will not be able to force the Taliban to replicate and adopt Western
cultures in Afghanistan through pressuring it using the country’s frozen funds,
a member of the Taliban Political Commission told CNN.
“The
frozen money is the people’s right. It doesn’t have anything to do with the
government and politics. It’s the nation’s right. With frozen money they cannot
make us copy and bring their culture here. It is in contradiction to our
history, beliefs and traditions,” Anas Haqqani said in an interview with CNN.
After
the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on August 15, the US froze almost $10
billion in Afghan gold, investments and foreign currency reserves.
Washington
plans to use the frozen funds as means to pressure the Taliban to respect
women’s rights and to govern the public in a lawful manner.
The
Taliban have rejected interference into how it decides to govern Afghanistan
from the international community, demanded the US release its frozen funds and
asked the international community for aid to support the country’s ailing
economy.
“We
will not give up on our people’s rights… This is not [US President Joe] Biden’s
right or the right of the US government for them to freeze [the funds],”
Haqqani said.
He
added: “If the world thinks they can put a lot of pressure on us through this
matter [economic pressure]… it is a very wrong thinking. Sustenance is not in
the hands of Biden, Europe, Russia or China. We are not panicking about this
hardship.”
Afghanistan’s
economy is under immense pressure, with prices of food and fuel rising sharply
amid a shortage of cash, triggered by a halt in foreign aid and a drought.
Since
seizing control of Afghanistan, the Taliban launched a charm offensive to
rehabilitate their hardline image from their 1996-2001 era when they performed
public executions, men who didn’t pray in mosques where whipped, women’s every
day movements were restricted and an extreme interpretation of Islamic law,
Sharia, was enforced.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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Blinken
sees unity on Taliban after talks with Pakistan, China
September
24, 2021
US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he believed the world was
united on pressing the Taliban after speaking with Pakistan, China and Russia,
key players with Afghanistan's new rulers.
Blinken
on Thursday met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly with his Pakistani
counterpart and held talks with ministers of the four other veto-wielding
Security Council members including China and Russia on Wednesday evening.
“I
think there is very strong unity of approach and unity of purpose,” Blinken
told reporters.
“The
Taliban says that it seeks legitimacy, that it seeks support from the
international community. The relationship that it has with the international
community is going to be defined by the actions it takes.”
Blinken
reiterated US priorities for the Taliban including allowing Afghans and
foreigners to leave, respecting the rights of women, girls and minorities, and
not letting Afghanistan be used again by extremists such as Al Qaeda.
The
State Department said Blinken highlighted “the importance of coordinating our
diplomatic engagement” in talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Pakistan
has called for engagement with the Taliban and the unfreezing of Afghan assets
but Qureshi said earlier in the week that there was no rush to recognise a new
Taliban government, a step opposed by Western nations.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1648157/blinken-sees-unity-on-taliban-after-talks-with-pakistan-china
--------
Erdogan
says relations with Biden off to poor start
September
24, 2021
ISTANBUL:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday he felt that relations
with his US counterpart Joe Biden had “not gotten off to a good start” since
the latter’s arrival in the White House.
“My
wish is to have friendly and not hostile relations” with the United States, the
state news agency Anadolu quoted Erdogan as saying on the sidelines of the UN
general assembly in New York.
“But
the way things are going between two Nato allies is currently not too
auspicious,” he said.
He
said had “worked well” with previous US presidents, George W. Bush, Barack
Obama and Donald Trump. “But I cannot say things have gotten off to a good
start with Biden”.
The
Turkish leader said he had been unhappy with Washington before Biden took
office, notably regarding Ankara’s removal from the F-35 fighter project two
years ago after Turkey agreed a multi-billion-dollar purchase of the S-400
Russian-made air defence system.
That
deal led to US sanctions last year and to Turkey’s suspension from the F-35
programme.
Ankara
had been due to as many as 100 of the stealth fighter jets, and several Turkish
suppliers were involved in the construction.
“We
bought the F-35, paid $1.4 billion and the F-35 were not delivered to us,”
Erdogan said. “For us the S-400 affair is done. It is not possible to go back
on that.
The
United States must understand. We, Turkey, are honest, but unfortunately the
United States were not and are not.” Erdogan said that Ankara would go
“knocking on other doors” and that “Turkey purchases what it needs for its
defence.” Turning to Afghanistan and the instability which followed the recent
US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover, Erdogan insisted that “it is the United
States which must pay the price” in case there is an massive exodus of Afghan
citizens.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1648124/erdogan-says-relations-with-biden-off-to-poor-start
--------
US
worried over Iran nuclear deal ‘Plan B’; Tehran has provided no positive signs
23
September ,2021
Iran
has not given any positive indications that it is ready to resume talks on the
now-defunct nuclear deal, a senior US official said Thursday, adding that
Washington was worried about “Plan B” where Tehran would push ahead with its
nuclear program.
Repeating
what Biden administration officials have said for nine months that the US was
ready to continue waiting for Iran to decide on the fate of the talks, the
official warned that a time would come when the US will no longer have an
interest in the existing deal.
“Our
concern about a Plan B is whether Iran has chosen a Plan B, building out its
nuclear program,” the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told
reporters.
Nevertheless,
the official refused to set a deadline.
The
official added that Iran’s new government has not announced whether they will
resume talks where their predecessors and the US delegation left off in June.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkish
president says access to sufficient food not privilege, 'but a right for all'
Servet
Gunerigok
23.09.2021
WASHINGTON
Turkey's
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that access to sufficient food is
“not a privilege, but a right for all," and warned that global demand for
food is growing.
Erdogan
said the world is falling far too short of realizing the Sustainable
Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.
"Access
to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food is not a privilege but a right for
all," he said at the UN Food Systems Summit via video conference on the
sidelines of 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
"It
is our shared responsibility to bequeath a more just, habitable, and peaceful
world to our children," said Erdogan. "We, as Turkey, will resolutely
continue to work in this direction."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Iraqi
leader Barham Salih tells UNGA: ‘Corruption and terrorism work in tandem’
September
24, 2021
NEW
YORK: Cooperation and solidarity is the world’s “only choice” in the fight against
global terrorism, Iraqi President Barham Salih said.
Speaking
at the UN General Assembly, Salih told fellow world leaders that his country
had been dogged by wars and genocides over the past 40 years.
“We
have known mass graves, the use of chemical weapons and terrorism all over our
cities.”
The
Iraqi leader said that victory over “the evil forces of Daesh” would not have
been possible without the joint efforts of Iraqi army and police, the Peshmerga
on the one hand, and their regional and international allies, on the other.
Salih
reiterated his call for the international community to combat funding for
terrorism, provide reparations to victims and help rebuild destroyed regions
that have been freed from “the yoke of terrorism.”
This
will ensure that such tragedies are not repeated, he said.
“Our
obligation today is to rebuild the cities that have been liberated and ensure
that the displaced go back home.”
The
Iraqi president spoke at length about the link between terrorism and
corruption, warning that it threatens not only Iraq’s security but the
stability of the whole world.
“Our
country is facing corruption because of the heavy burden left behind by wars
and conflicts that have squandered a huge part of the resources of the country,
depriving Iraqis of the riches of their land,” Salih said.
“For
Iraq, fighting corruption is a genuine national battle. The situation will not
normalize unless we manage to beat corruption.”
Salih
renewed his call for an international alliance against corruption, similar to
that against terrorism.
He
urged member states to tackle the roots of corruption and help Iraq to restore
the funds that had been plundered.
“We
cannot eliminate terrorism unless we eliminate corruption, which itself
constitutes a political economy of violence and terrorism,” Salih said.
“Corruption
and terrorism are linked, mutually reinforcing and work steadfastly in tandem.”
Referring
to regional conflicts, Salih told UNGA participants that “the absence of Iraq
in its natural role for the past 40 years” has exacerbated instability, which
is the result of wars and the breakdown of security and political systems in
the area.
The
Syrian conflict and the prolonged Yemeni war are “unacceptable,” he said.
Ending these wars “should be a priority.”
The
Iraqi leader added: “Neither will there be peace without granting Palestinians
their legitimate rights to a state,” reiterating Iraq’s call for a global and
fair solution to the issue.
Salih
said that the success of peace efforts relied on an Iraq that “is safe, stable
and fully sovereign.”
He
added: “This requires regional and international support as well as (putting) a
stop to competitive behavior and the conflicts of others being played out on
our land.”
The
Iraqi president called for further regional cooperation — in the form of a new
organization — over shared issues, including terrorism, extremism, climate
change, unstable economic conditions and the “inability to provide work to a
greater number of young people.”
He
said that the recent Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership
underscored that “Iraq, which was a synonym for conflict, is now a meeting
point for the interests of people and states in the region.”
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1934616/middle-east
--------
Syria:
Two children die every week at camp for Islamic State families, NGO says
23
September 2021
An
average of two children die every week at a camp in northeast Syria for
suspected family members of Islamic State (IS) militants, Save the Children
said.
The
charity said in a report released on Thursday that tens of thousands of
children were "wasting away" at al-Hol and Roj camps, and it was
"more urgent than ever" that foreign governments repatriate their
citizens.
"The
scale of the violence, hardship, deprivation and trauma that children living in
these camps experience every day cannot be overstated," the report said.
Save
the Children said a total of 40,000 children from 60 different countries were
living in dire conditions at al-Hol and Roj camps.
Controlled
by Kurdish authorities, they have previously warned that al-Hol camp in
particular is emerging as an extremist powder keg.
While
the camp was set up to house the families of individuals detained for suspected
ties to IS, it also houses refugees who fled fighting and IS occupation.
According
to Save the Children, 163 people died at al-Hol camp between January and
mid-August this year, with 62 of them children. It added that 73 people had
been murdered, including three children who were shot to death - a total
average of two children dying every week.
The
top US military chief in the Middle East, General Kenneth McKenzie, had previously
warned that children "in particular" were being radicalised by IS
sympathisers within the camp and warned that "unless we find a way to
repatriate them and reintegrate them and deradicalise them, we're giving
ourselves the gift of fighters five to seven years down the road".
Save
the Children spoke with some of the children trapped inside the camp behind
barbed wire.
"I
cannot endure this life anymore. We do nothing but wait," said one
11-year-old Lebanese girl who was interviewed in May and was reportedly killed
during a failed escape attempt in a water truck.
The
charity urged governments, including EU member states, to repatriate their
citizens, stating "many of the world's richest countries have failed to
bring home the majority of their children".
"What
we are seeing here is governments simply abandoning children who are first and
foremost victims of conflict," said Sonia Khush, director of Save the
Children's Syria response.
Khush
said 83 percent of repatriation operations so far had been to Uzbekistan,
Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
While
1,163 children have been repatriated since 2017, only 14 repatriations had
taken place this year, the report said.
Source:
Middle East Eye
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-two-children-die-every-week-al-hol-camp-save-the-children
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Kurdistan
Islamic Movement calls for boycotting the Parliamentary Elections
2021-09-23
Shafaq
News/ The Shura Council of the Islamic Movement in the Kurdistan Region urged
on Thursday the citizens to boycott the parliamentary elections in all the
Iraqi governorates except for Kirkuk.
A
statement issued by the movement said, "the people of Kurdistan must take
a historic position to punish the politicians who, for years, have viewed the
elections as a business."
Source:
Shafaq News
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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Iran
says ‘serious progresses made in talks with Saudi Arabia
23
September ,2021
Iran
and Saudi Arabia achieved “serious progress” on the issue of Gulf security,
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Thursday.
“We
have had several rounds of talks with Saudi Arabia’s government in [Iraqi
capital] Baghdad over the past few months. There have been good talks on
bilateral issues. Serious progress has been made on the subject of security in
the Gulf,” state news agency IRNA quoted Khatibzadeh as saying.
He
added that Tehran believes the solution to resolving the problems of the of the
region can be achieved through a “comprehensive mechanism” from within the
region itself. Iran has long argued against foreign interference in the Middle
East.
Saudi
Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz said in his speech to the UN on Wednesday:
“Iran is a neighboring country. We hope that our preliminary talks with it will
lead to tangible outcomes to build trust, paving the way to achieve aspirations
of our peoples in building relations of cooperation.”
The
King added that any relationship with Iran must be “based on the compliance
with principles and resolutions of the international legitimacy, respect for
sovereignty, and avoidance of interfering in the internal affairs of other
countries, as well as it stopping all types of support for terrorist groups and
sectarian militias that have brought only war, destruction, and suffering to
the peoples of the world.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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Coalition
forces thwart Houthi attempts to disrupt Saudi National Day celebrations with
drone attacks
September
24, 2021
RIYADH:
Iran-backed Houthi terrorists launched five armed drones toward Saudi Arabia
late on Thursday as the Kingdom celebrated its 91st national day, state media
Al-Ekhbariya TV and the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The
weaponized drones, which came in waves, were intercepted and destroyed by
coalition air defenses before they could do any harm, the Joint Forces Command
of the Coalition supporting Yemen's legitimate government was quoted by state
media as saying.
"The
Joint Forces Command affirmed that all necessary operational measures are taken
to protect the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its citizens and
residents in order to neutralize and destroy these hostile cross-border
attacks," the SPA report said.
In
a tweet, Al-Ekhbariyah TV said the 4th and 5th drones came just before midnight
as Saudi National Day celebrations continued.
On
Wednesday, Houthi terrorists launched three drones toward the southwestern
Saudi city of Khamis Mushayt, all of which were shot down. On Monday, Coalition
forces destroyed two bomb-laden boats that the Houthis were planning to use in
Yemen's northwestern port city of Hodeidah.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1934571/saudi-arabia
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International
community condemns latest Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
September
24, 2021
RIYADH:
The UAE, Bahrain, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Thursday
joined a chorus of international condemnation of a failed ballistic missile
attack by the Iran-backed Houthis on civilians in Saudi Arabia.
OIC
Secretary-General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen praised the efficiency of Saudi-led
coalition air defenses in intercepting and destroying the missile before it
reached Jazan in the southwest of the Kingdom.
He
renewed his call for the international community to take decisive action to
stop the ongoing threats from ballistic missile and bomb-laden drone attacks by
Houthis operating from Yemen.
Al-Othaimeen
pointed out that the OIC considered the militia group’s actions to be war
crimes and a challenge to international humanitarian law.
Coalition
forces supporting Yemen’s legitimate government on Wednesday thwarted another
wave of Houthi drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia that came two days after an
attempted boat-bomb strike was foiled in Hodeidah.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1934566/saudi-arabia
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Africa
Burhan
comes close to admitting Islamists’ involvement in failed coup
24
SEPTEMBER 2021
September
23, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Head of the Transitional Sovereign
Council on Thursday pointed to the involvement of civilians in the failed coup
attempt but stopped short of admitting they were Islamists.
Earlier
this week, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok said the coup was
orchestrated by the former regime emphasizing the participation of civilians
affiliated with the dissolved National Congress Party participated in the
attempt.
However,
al-Burhan, the army spokesperson and other senior military officials dismissed
the involvement of the Islamists in the attempt.
"The
preparations for the coup involved some army officers and civilians that we
will disclose their political affiliation at the end of the
investigation," al-Burhan said in an interview with AlHadath TV Thursday.
He
added that there were "political fingers" behind all the military
coups that occurred in Sudan.
The
Commander in Chief of the Sudanese army said these civilians will be referred
to justice once the investigation concluded while the military will face
military courts.
He
disclosed they had intelligence about the coup but they did not detain them
before because they wanted to arrest the putschists in flagrante delicto to
facilitate the role of military justice.
"We
wanted to arrest them in the act so that the coup attempt will be easy to
prove," he stressed.
Hamdok
and the leaders of the Forces for Freedom and Changes (FFC) pointed an accusing
finger at al-Burhan saying he delays the reforms of the security sector and
refuses to sack the Islamist militaries from the army.
They
added that this situation paved the way in the past and continue to enable the
Islamists to carry out attempts to seize power.
In
return, al-Burhan says if the political forces settle their difference and
stopped their quarrels, the Islamists would not have an opportunity to try to
take power.
Source:
Sudan Tribune
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
https://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article70106
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Libyan
Fatwa House: Libyans should demonstrate Friday to call for toppling HoR
September
23, 2021
The
Libyan Fatwa House's Council for Research and Sharia Studies called on all
Libyans across the country to take to streets on Friday and demand the toppling
of the House of Representatives (HoR).
The
council said Thursday that the parliament has become similar to a
"tumor" and because Islamic Sharia says any harm can be removed, then
the Libyan people should take to streets and demand the overthrow of the HoR.
The
council said MPs are responsible, Sharia-wise, for the bad deeds done to the
country and religion by the HoR Speaker, whom it said was "leading them to
the abyss."
"The
HoR, headed by Aqila Saleh, is already illegal in terms of Sharia, laws, and
morals. It has gone too far in its corruption and is adding a new crime to its
record every day. It has supported the bloodshed of Libyans by backing up wars
waged by Khalifa Haftar and the arrival of mercenaries and occupiers." The
council added.
Source:
Libya Observer
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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Boko
Haram: Buhari govt won’t name terrorists sponsors because they’re Muslims –
HURIWA alleges
September
23, 2021
By
John Owen Nwachukwu
Human
Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has accused the President
Muhammadu Buhari administration of concealing the identities of sponsors of
terrorist group Boko Haram because they are Muslims.
This
is contrary to what it (HURIWA) described as tepid explanation recently offered
by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar
Malami (SAN), that government won’t disclose identity of sponsors of terrorism
in Nigeria because that will imperil or undermine investigation.
HURIWA,
in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko,
and made available to DAILY POST on Thursday, said the AGF was being economical
with the truth because his office had already filed the suit before the
competent court of law meaning that investigations are concluded.
HURIWA
said the current government is heavily pro-Muslim North and is just protecting
the interest of the region from which key players of the government came from.
HURIWA
insists that the claims made by the minister do not make sense, carpeting the
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for not allowing accredited journalists
to have unfettered access to the records of the indicted persons.
As
DAILY POST reported earlier, Malami had in New York, United States, said that
the Buhari administration will not name sponsors of terrorism at the moment so
it won’t jeopardise investigations.
HURIWA
further questioned why Malami is being clever by half by dishing out what it
described as jaundiced, highly toxic and outrightly despicable “tales by
moonlight” in which he thinks he can deceive even the youngest infant with such
an illogical and infantile excuse he has offered for not releasing the names of
the sponsors of boko haram terrorists.
Source:
Daily Post
Please
click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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South
Sudan’s political elite plundering public coffers: UN
23
September ,2021
Massive
plundering of South Sudan’s public coffers is undermining human rights in the
world’s youngest nation and threatening its already fragile peace process, a UN
report said Thursday.
Since
independence a decade ago, South Sudan has struggled to emerge from five years
of civil war, and is battling chronic instability, economic chaos, ethnic
violence and a hunger crisis.
The
UN’s Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said a “staggering” amount of money
and other wealth had been diverted from public coffers and resources – more
than $73 million (62 million euros) since 2018, with almost $39 million stolen
over a period of less than two months.
It
described the figure as only a fraction of the overall amount looted, saying
President Salva Kiir had admitted as far back as 2012 that South Sudan’s ruling
elites had diverted more than $4 billion.
The
report said that through these actions, “South Sudan’s leaders are undermining
human rights and endangering security” and called on them to implement the
terms of the peace deal to ensure proper economic management.
“This
plundering also continues to fuel political competition amongst elites, and is
a key driver of the ongoing conflict, violations and serious crimes,
jeopardizing the prospects for sustainable peace,” the commission said in a
report presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
A
2018 ceasefire to end the civil war and a power-sharing deal was agreed between
Kiir and his rival turned deputy Riek Machar but little progress has been made
in fulfilling the peace deal’s terms.
The
commission said its investigations revealed the involvement of politicians,
government officials, international corporations, military personnel, and
multinational banks in these “crimes.”
It
accused South Sudan’s elites of deliberately adopting a “highly informal”
system of oil revenue collection without independent oversight and transparency
that is enabling the misappropriation of public funds.
The
country, which ranks last on Transparency International’s corruption index
along with Somalia, is almost entirely dependent on earnings from oil.
“The
commission’s documentation of the corruption, embezzlement, bribery, and
misappropriation of state funds by political elites is merely the tip of the
iceberg,” commission chair Yasmin Sooka said in a statement.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following url to read the full text of the original story:
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/pakistan-religious-conversion-bill/d/125430