President Biden at a Reception to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr: Through Their Fast, Muslims Demonstrate Empathy For Suffering Of Others
New Age Islam News Bureau
03 May 2022
FILE - President Joe Biden
and first lady Jill Biden in Washington, June 9, 2021. The Bidens, along with
Vice President Kamala Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, are hosting a reception
Monday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan.
-----
• Taj Mahal Entry Remains Free For 2 Hours For
Offering Namaz On Eid
• Plea Seeks Polygamy By Muslim Men Without Written
Consent Of Existing Wife Be Declared Illegal, Delhi HC Wants Centre's Stand
• Hibatullah Akhundzada’s Eid Speech Delivered With
His Back Turned To The Audience, And Cameras Kept Away Reinforces Doubts On
Whether He Is Alive
• Muslim, Orthodox Christian Graves Vandalized In
Sweden
North America
• Muslims being targeted with violence around the
world: Joe Biden
• Canada's Tax Authority Urged To Act Against Al-Quds
Day Mosques
• Biden meets with parents of reporter who went
missing in Syria
--------
India
•
Rajasthan: Curfew imposed in 10 Jodhpur areas after Eid clashes
• On Eid-al-Fitr, PM Modi Calls For ‘Togetherness,
Brotherhood’ In The Society
• Muslim Leaders Appeal Not To Offer Eid Namaz On
Roads
• Security Forces Outside Mosque In Kashmir's Anantnag
Pelted With Stones On Eid
• Notice Issued To Organisers Of Aligarh Event For
Hate Speech Against Muslims
• Thackeray Says Muslims Should Have No Hindrance In
Celebrating Eid, Cancels ‘Maha Aartis’
--------
South Asia
• As Iran-Taliban Tensions Rise, Afghan Migrants In
Tinderbox
• Eight months on, Taliban’s rule is far from stable
• Rohingya refugee children celebrate ‘lifeless’ Eid on
remote Bangladesh island
--------
Southeast Asia
• Singapore PM Lee Wishes Muslims A Blessed Hari Raya Eid
Ul Fitr
• Chinese FM extends Eid ul Fitr greetings to Muslims
• Moderate Eid ul Fitr celebrations for Malaysian
students in Japan
--------
Europe
• Afghan judge ‘backstabbed’ as UK rules him
ineligible for relocation
• Mali set to cut off military cooperation with France
--------
Pakistan
• London, Bilawal House Worried By Govt Handling Of
Madina Incident
• Imran says Fox News analyst's remarks 'reaffirmation'
of US conspiracy behind his ouster
• MNA Rashid Shafique arrested over Masjid-i-Nabwi
incident
• Pakistan: PML-Q leader claims charges against Imran
Khan part of ‘political vendetta’
• Pakistan government may quash Nawaz Sharif's
conviction in corruption cases: Report
• For tribesmen in Southwestern Pakistan, no Eid
celebrations without traditional headgear
--------
Arab World
• Grand Mufti Motivates Sunni Votes In Lebanon During
Eid Sermon
• Iraqi soldier killed in clashes with Yazidi fighters
• Syrian authorities free 60 prisoners in presidential
amnesty: Monitor
• Qatar reclaims crown from US as world’s top LNG
exporter
• Muslims mark Eid Al-Fitr holiday with joy, worry
-------
Mideast
• Iran Nuclear Deal Near Death, But West Not Ready To
Pull Plug
• Senior MP Reiterates High Combat Capability of
Iran-Made Drones
• Hamas claims deadly attack that killed Israeli guard
• Rights group: Over 600 Palestinians held by Israel
without charge
• Three Palestinians injured by Israeli gunfire near
Ramallah
• Turkish warplanes bomb Iraq's Kurdistan again
despite no agreement to allow operations on Iraqi territory
--------
Africa
• Eid ul Fitr: Fear Allah In All Your Endeavours, The
Companion, An Association Of Muslims Men, Urges Muslim Faithful
• Presidential hopeful Ajadi celebrates with Muslims
• Tunisia’s president Saied announces ‘national
dialogue,’ while keeping out opposition
• Al-Shabaab attacks African Union mission camp in
central Somalia: Report
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/president-biden-eid-muslims-empathy/d/126923
--------
President Biden at a Reception to Celebrate Eid
al-Fitr: Through Their Fast, Muslims Demonstrate Empathy For Suffering Of
Others
FILE - President Joe Biden
and first lady Jill Biden in Washington, June 9, 2021. The Bidens, along with
Vice President Kamala Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, are hosting a reception
Monday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan.
------
MAY 02, 2022
4:22 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT:
Mom, with your permission — you boys can come up on stage if you want.
AUDIENCE: Awww
—
THE PRESIDENT:
Come on. Don’t worry, he’s
coming. (Laughter.)
(Children are brought on stage.)
Well, welcome to the White House, guys. (Laughter.)
Welcome to the White House. And
Eid Mubarak.
AUDIENCE: Eid
Mubarak!
THE PRESIDENT:
I’m honoured to welcome Representatives Tlaib and Carson. I think they’re here. (Applause.)
I see a hand going up back there.
All right.
And although she can’t be here today, I also enjoyed
seeing Representative Omar over the weekend.
And, look, welcome to the members of the diplomatic
corps and to the elected representatives and community leaders all across the
country, the thinkers, and activists.
And it’s great to have you here in the White House, all working to make
our nation and our world stronger and more inclusive. I emphasize “inclusive.”
And if you’ll excuse a point of personal privilege, I
want to — is — is Madinah Wilson-Anton here?
STATE REPRESENTATIVE WILSON-ANTON: Yeah, I’m here. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT:
Welcome. It’s good to see you. She represents the state of Delaware, by the
way. (Applause.)
And I want you to know she works at the University of
Delaware, at the Biden Institute.
(Applause.) So, we call that
“using a point of personal privilege.”
(Laughter.) And there have not
been many senators from Delaware. It’s a
small state. As a matter of fact,
there’s never been one. (Laughter.) And so, I want to take advantage of it by
making sure I introduce her.
Jill and I are so glad to host all of you on this
joyous occasion. You know, we send our
warmest greetings celebrating Eid all across the United States and, quite
frankly, around the world.
One of the promises I made when I ran for office is
that I was to restore this annual celebration, because it’s important. It’s important. Sadly — (applause) —
Sadly, last year, because of the pandemic, we had to
hold a virtual event. This year, thanks
to the progress we’ve made fighting the pandemic, we can fully honour my
promise.
And it’s in no small part thanks to the courage and
commitment of many Muslim frontline workers and first responders — many of
them. Many.
And to the brilliant Muslim scientists who helped
pioneer the technology for COVID-19 vaccine — don’t forget that either. (Applause.)
Not only helping people here but people around the world.
At the same time, we know that that it’s a bittersweet
day for many — too many families.
You know, even as we celebrate Eid and mark the end of
the holy month of Ramadan, we also, in our hearts, have those families who lost
a loved one to the pandemic.
And, by the way, I was telling the doc — you know,
there’s a lot of similarities between all the three major religions here. But I want you to know you have a slight
advantage in Ramadan. For Lent, I got to
go 40 days. (Laughter.) Forty days with no sweets and no ice
cream. (Laughter.) And I did it.
Forty. (Laughter.) It’s harder, guys. You know what I mean? (Laughter.)
Anyway, throughout the past month, Muslims have fasted
each day from dawn to dusk. And — while
— you know, while exercising the patience of discipline can be a solitary act,
it also is something that strengthens community bonds. It helps communities stick together. Communities are — is essential — essential to
the celebration of Ramadan and Eid.
You know, whether breaking your fast with friends or
family, or joining neighbours in acts of volunteering, or gathering for nightly
communal prayers special to the month of Ramadan, this is a time to reflect not
just on oneself and one’s faith but on the entire community — a whole
community.
You know, through their fast, Muslims demonstrate
empathy for suffering of others, strengthening and renewing their resolve to
give generously and to make the world a better place — better for all who
suffer. And I mean that sincerely. I’ve witnessed it around the world.
This year, for the first time in decades, three
Abrahamic faiths all celebrate their holy days at the same time. Think about that. The same time. That’s a message, guys. (Laughter.)
No, I really mean that. I think —
I really believe it.
Ramadan.
Passover. Easter. And each a time of celebration for the light
that has triumphed over darkness and — and for death giving way to renewal of
life.
You know, each of us remember the work that remains to
be unfinished here on Earth — and there’s a lot of it — to which God calls all
his children. You know, that we should
strive to show kindness and mercy, understanding to one another. And that we should do unto others as we wish
to have done — do unto us. Sound
familiar? Sound familiar in every
language. It’s similar.
Today, we celebrate the incredible stories of the
indispensable contributions of Muslims all across this great nation. Muslim-Americans, a diverse and vibrant part
of the United States, making invaluable cultural and economic contributions to
communities all across the nation.
You know what I think it’s about? I think you understand the sense of
empathy. How can you move without
empathy to understand? Teachers, counselors,
mentors helping young people achieve their full potential.
By the way, I don’t know which one of you guys is
going to be President, but, you know — (laughter) — if I were you, I’d be
Secretary of State. (Laughter.)
Anyway, all kidding aside, look at these young
men. They can be anything they want in
this country, if we’re smart.
Anything. Anything at all.
And members of the military, first responders serving
with such distinction, keeping us safe at home and abroad. Public servants across this country and
across the administration who are leading the work to address the challenges of
our time.
I’ve said it from the beginning that my administration
— and I meant it and I proved it — is going to look like America — look like
America — (applause) — really — with Muslim Americans serving at every
level. And it does.
Muslim Americans in my administration have key roles
in
tackling the climate crisis, rebuilding our economy,
safeguarding our health, restoring our alliances, and so much more.
And I’m incredibly proud to have nominated the first
Muslim American ever confirmed to the federal bench. (Applause.)
And I’ve appointed the first Muslim to serve as
Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious
Freedom. (Applause.)
And it’s especially important because today, around
the world, we’re seeing so many Muslims being targeted with violence. No one — no one should discriminate against
oppressed — or be oppressed for their religious beliefs. Nobody.
Nobody. (Applause.)
So, today, we also remember all those who are not able
to celebrate this holy day, including Muslim and Ro- — excuse me — and
including Uyghurs and Rohingyas and all — all those who are facing famine,
violence, conflict, and disease.
And we honor — we honor the signs of hope and progress
toward the world we want to see, including the ceasefire, which allowed the
people in Yemen to honor Ramadan and celebrate Eid in peace for the first time
in six years. (Applause.)
But at the same time, we have to acknowledge that an
awful lot of work remains to be done abroad and here at home.
Muslims make our nation stronger every single day,
even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society, including
targeted violence and Islamophobia that exists.
I mean, it’s just astounding. And
— well, I won’t go into it. Anyway —
(laughter) — I won’t get —
Making our own nation more equitable, more inclusive
for Muslim Americans is an essential part of the enduring work
to form the more perfect union. That’s what we seek.
You know, we’re the only nation in all the history of
the world that’s been organized not based on a religion, race, ethnicity,
geography, but on an idea. Think about
that. An idea.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
[and women] are created equal…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
rights…life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness” — et cetera.
We’ve never met that goal, but we’ve never walked away
from it — except one brief moment, and we’re back. And we’re back and making — (applause) — no,
I really mean it.
And the resilience of Muslim Americans enriching the
fabric of this nation is testament to Quran’s teaching: We have made you into
nations and tribes so that you may know one another. The last part: so you may know one another.
Our differences should not be obstacles that divide us
but opportunities to learn from one another.
You know, it was mentioned earlier — excuse the
diversion here — but when I became Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee
— I’m a — if you come to my home, in my library you’ll see a lot of
contemporary theology and comparative theology.
And I’m just — been interested in it my whole career.
And I realized how little I knew about the details of
Islam. I knew — I knew about it, but I
didn’t know the difference that existed.
I didn’t know what the hidden Imam — I mean, I — so I went out and I
hired a full professor — a professor of Islamic studies who came to work with
me.
He thought he was only staying a year. Every Wednesday, he had lunch with me. And he said, “How much more do you need to
know?” (Laughter.)
But all kidding aside — I really mean it — I really
mean it — it was a chance to seek out and build and celebrate a common
community.
So, let’s celebrate today as we move forward this
year, holding this teaching in our heart.
I am so proud to serve this community as your
President, and I’m humbled by all the amazing accomplishments reflected in this
room in front of me. And I’m grateful to
have this opportunity to join together today to renew our common commitment to
shared values.
Thank you. And
God bless you. May God bless
America. And may God protect our
troops. Thank you. (Applause.)
4:33 P.M. EDT
Source: White House
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Taj
Mahal Entry Remains Free For 2 Hours For Offering Namaz On Eid
Taj
Mahal. (File pic)
----
May
02, 2022
The
entry to the Taj Mahal will remain free for two hours on the occasion of
Eid-ul-Fitr for offering Namaz at the mosque situated on its premises on
Tuesday. This relaxation in ticket booking would be for two hours from 7 am to
9 am on Tuesday, subject to the sighting of the moon, clarified ASI officials.
Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) Agra circle superintending archaeologist RK Patel issued
a notification on Monday stating that the entry fee at Taj Mahal on the
occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr will be suspended for two hours from 7 am to 9 am.
“This
relaxation is for offering Namaz at a mosque within Taj Mahal premises on the
day of Eid subject to the sighting of the moon. The booking offices at the
gates of Taj Mahal will remain closed for this duration,” stated Patel.
It
may be recalled that Taj Mahal gates had remained closed for Namaz on Eid in
2020 and 2021, because of restrictions and curbs imposed during the Covid-19
pandemic.
Traditionally
‘Namaz’ has been offered at the mosque within the premises of the Taj Mahal on
the occasion of Eid for a long time. Thousands used to gather on Taj Mahal
premises to offer ‘Namaz’ in the early hours of the day, and the entry fee was
suspended for two hours.
Earlier,
the entry to the Taj Mahal used to remain free every Friday for the whole day,
but after the orders from the Supreme Court, the Taj Mahal now remains close
every Friday of the month and the day is used for conservation work by ASI.
Entry
ticket is also suspended from 2 pm onwards on the first two days of the
three-day annual ‘Urs’ of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. On the third day of ‘Urs’,
the entry is free for the entire day.
AMU
extends Eid greetings
The
Eid prayer at the Aligarh Muslim University Jama Masjid will be offered on
Tuesday at 8 am, while prayer for Ahl-e-Tash’ee will be held at 9 am, informed
the Public Relation Office of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), through a press
statement.
Earlier,
extending greetings to AMU fraternity and fellow citizens on the occasion of
Eid-ul-Fitr, vice-chancellor professor Tariq Mansoor wished everyone happiness,
joy, good health and prosperity. The V-C prayed for the continued progress and
welfare of the university and the country.
“May
all of us walk in the doors of harmony, success, and happiness this Eid and
find numerous reasons to make life more beautiful with peace and tranquillity,
V-C said, in his message.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Plea
Seeks Polygamy By Muslim Men Without Written Consent Of Existing Wife Be
Declared Illegal, Delhi HC Wants
Centre's Stand
Representative
image
----
May
02, 2022
The
Delhi high court on Monday asked the Centre to submit its stand on a petition
filed by a Muslim woman wanting bigamy or polygamy be practised by Muslim men
without written consent of existing wife be declared unconstitutional and
illegal. The public interest litigation (PIL) also sought adequate arrangement
for the existing wife’s accommodation and maintenance.
According
to a PTI report, the ministries of law, women and child development and
minority affairs were asked to share their stand on the issue. A bench of acting
chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Navin Chawla posted the matter for
further hearing August 23.
Stating
the bigamy or polygamy by a Muslim husband is permitted under Shariat laws only
under exceptional circumstances and ought to be regulated to curb the plight of
women from the community, the plea said such a practice without the consent of
the existing wife and securing her well-being was unconstitutional, illegal,
arbitrary, harsh, inhuman, and barbaric. It also went against the essence of articles
14, 15, 21, and 25 of the Constitution, the petitioner said.
It
said such practices should be allowed only after a judicial officer certifies
that the husband has the capacity to provide equal treatment to all wives. The
plea also sought the framing of laws for compulsory registration of Muslim
marriages.
The
petitioner Reshma, whose husband is stated to be “planning to divorce” her and
solemnise another marriage without her consent or making arrangements for her
and their 11-month-old son's maintenance, said polygamy is neither mandatory
nor encouraged but is merely permitted as a part of social duty and for
charitable motives. According to the Quran, men who choose to take multiple
wives are under an obligation to treat them equally.
“Even
in countries governed by Shariah (Islamic) law, the second marriage is
permitted under special circumstances, such as an illness of the first wife or
her inability to bear children. In these cases, with the first wife's consent,
a man may marry again and this is referred to as polygamy, a subset of
polygamous marriages,” said the petition filed through lawyer Bajrang Vats.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Hibatullah
Akhundzada’s Eid Speech Delivered With His Back Turned To The Audience, And
Cameras Kept Away Reinforces Doubts On Whether He Is Alive
Hibatullah
Akhundzada
-----
The
Print Team
2
May, 2022
Taliban
chief Hibatullah Akhundzada’s Eid speech in Kandahar—delivered with his back
turned to the audience, and cameras kept away—reinforces doubts on whether the
ageing cleric is alive, and in charge. Irrespective of the answer, escalating
violence and economic chaos show whoever is running Afghanistan isn’t fit to
rule.
Source:
The Print
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Muslim,
Orthodox Christian graves vandalized in Sweden
Representative Photo
-----
May
02, 2022
At
least 20 graves belonging to Muslims and Orthodox Christians were vandalized in
a cemetery in the southern Swedish city of Malmo, local media reported Monday.
Many
tombstones were also scrawled with red paint by unidentified people at Ostra
Cemetery, reported Swedish public broadcaster SVT, citing police spokesperson
Nils Norling.
The
Swedish SvD newspaper reported that around 20 graves were damaged and Muslims
who wanted to pray for their deceased…
Source:
Salten
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://salten.cz/2022/05/02/muslim-orthodox-christian-graves-vandalized-in-sweden/
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North America
Muslims
being targeted with violence around the world: Joe Biden
May
3, 2022
Around
the world, Muslims are being targeted with violence, US President Joe Biden
said on Monday asserting that Muslims make America stronger every single day
even as they still face real challenges and threats in the society that they
live in.
At
a White House reception to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, Biden said he has appointed
the first Muslim to serve as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious
Freedom.
“It’s
especially important because today, around the world, we’re seeing so many
Muslims being targeted with violence. No one, no one should discriminate
against oppressed or be oppressed for their religious beliefs,” he said to
applause from the select gathering at the White House.
Arooj
Aftab, a Pakistani vocalist and composer, was one of the speakers at the event
along with First Lady Jill Biden and Dr. Talib M. Shareef, Imam of Masjid
Muhammad, known as ‘The Nation’s Mosque’ in Washington, DC.
“Today,
we also remember all those who are not able to celebrate this holy day,
including Uyghurs and Rohingyas and all those who are facing famine, violence,
conflict, and disease,” Biden said.
“And
honour the signs of hope and progress toward the world we want to see,
including the ceasefire, which allowed the people in Yemen to honour Ramadan
and celebrate Eid in peace for the first time in six years,” he added.
“But
at the same time, we have to acknowledge that an awful lot of work remains to
be done abroad and here at home. Muslims make our nation stronger every single
day, even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society,
including targeted violence and Islamophobia that exists,” he said.
Biden
said, making the US more equitable, more inclusive for Muslim Americans is an
essential part of the enduring work to form the more perfect union.
“We’re
the only nation in all the history of the world that’s been organised not based
on a religion, race, ethnicity, geography, but on an idea. Think about that. An
idea,” he said.
In
a tweet after the event, Biden said, “Jill and I were honoured to host an Eid
al-Fitr reception at the White House tonight, and we send our warmest greetings
to everyone celebrating across the world. Eid Mubarak!” Meanwhile, Vice
President Kamala Harris too wished people on the occasion.
Source:
Indian Express
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Canada's
tax authority urged to act against Al-Quds Day mosques
Elad
Benari
03.05.22
B’nai
Brith Canada on Monday wrote to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the revenue
service of the federal government of Canada, demanding that it examine the
charitable status of mosques that facilitated the recent Al-Quds Day hate-fest
in downtown Toronto.
In
a statement, B’nai Brith said that on Saturday, protesters who were mostly
bused in from pick-up locations at mosques near Toronto, gathered downtown to
call for the elimination of Israel.
As
they marched around Nathan Philips Square, they chanted “Long live the
intifada!”. In addition, protesters chanted, “We heed your call, oh Nasrallah!”
in reference to Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, a designated
terrorist entity in Canada.
This
came during a speech delivered by Ali Sbeiti, a Montreal-based cleric whose
passport was revoked by the Government of Canada in 2014 before being restored
the following year.
B’nai
Brith obtained an image distributed by Al-Quds Day organizers that lists five
mosques located in Southern Ontario as the bus pick-up locations for people
travelling to the Toronto rally. Four of the five mosques involved operate as
registered charities and some have also had clergy attend and deliver speeches
at previous Toronto rallies.
Three
of the five mosques have been the subject of prior complaints by B’nai Brith to
the CRA over apparent antisemitic or pro-terrorist conduct, yet little or no
action has been taken against those Islamic charities.
“The
ongoing impunity for religious charities that breach the conditions of their
charitable status is unacceptable and against public policy,” said Michael
Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of B’nai Brith Canada. “Canadian taxpayers must
not be forced to subsidize the promotion of hatred against Jews or Israelis and
glorifying acts of terrorism, via our charities system.”
Al-Quds
Day was declared in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian
Revolution. It is marked throughout the Middle East and in countries around the
world, including the United States.
During
Al-Quds Day, rallies are held around the world and are used to incite against
Israelis and Jews.
Al-Quds
Day events in Canada have become a notorious forum for the promotion of
antisemitism, terrorism and even calls for genocide. At the 2014 Toronto
iteration of the event, Moulana Zaki Baqri called for “Yahoodi,” i.e. Jews, to
be “dismantled.” In 2013 and 2016, speakers called for Israelis to be shot.
In
2018, Sheikh Shafiq Hudda, director of the Islamic Humanitarian Service in
Kitchener, Ontario, said during an Al-Quds Day rally that a day will come when
we will see "the eradication of the unjust powers, such as the American
empire, such as the Israeli Zionists."
He
challenged the IDF to enter Gaza and "fight like men, not cowards,"
saying, "You will leave in body bags."
Source:
Israel National News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/326831
--------
Biden
meets with parents of reporter who went missing in Syria
03
May ,2022
US
President Joe Biden told the parents of a reporter who disappeared in Syria
almost a decade ago that his administration would work “relentlessly” until his
return is secured, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on
Monday.
Biden
met on Monday with the parents of Austin Tice, a freelance journalist and
former marine, who disappeared while reporting in 2012.
“During
their meeting, the President reiterated his commitment to continue to work
through all available avenues to secure Austin’s long overdue return to his
family,” Psaki said.
She
said the administration would work “relentlessly until Austin and other
Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained worldwide are safely at home
with their loved ones.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
India
Rajasthan:
Curfew imposed in 10 Jodhpur areas after Eid clashes
03.05.22
Curfew
was imposed in 10 police stations of Jodhpur city on Tuesday after communal
tension broke out.
Udai
Mandir, Nagori Gate, Khanda Phalsa, Pratap Nagar, Dev Nagar, Soor Sagar and
Sardarpura are among the police stations limits where the curfew has been
imposed until May 4 midnight, according to the police control room.
Meanwhile,
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed the Minister of State for Home Rajendra
Yadav, Minister inicharge for Jodhpur Subhash Garg, Additional Chief Secretary
Home Abhay Kumar and Additional DG (Law and Order) Hawa Singh Ghumaria to
travel to Jodhpur by helicopter.
Gehlot
chaired a high-level review meeting in this connection and gave necessary
directions.
Hours
before Eid, communal tension broke out in Jodhpur leading to stone pelting.
Five policemen were injured in the incident that took place past midnight,
officials said.
The
situation was brought under control with heavy deployment of police, but the
tension re-escalated after the Namaz of Eid on Tuesday morning when some people
pelted stones near the Jalori Gate here. A few vehicles were damaged, they
said.
Jodhpur
is the hometown of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who appealed to the people to
maintain peace and harmony.
Members
of the minority community were installing Eid flags and they put up a flag on a
roundabout alongside the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa.
This
led to a confrontation as the other community alleged that they a saffron flag
they had put up there ahead of Parshuram Jayanti, had gone missing.
The
issue snowballed into stone pelting and clashes, the officials said.
Police
rushed to the spot to control the situation during which five policemen were
injured, police control room said.
The
police had to lob tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Mobile internet services
were suspended in the area to check the spread of rumours, the officials said.
Gehlot
tweeted urging the people to maintain peace and called the incident
unfortunate.
"While
respecting the tradition of love and brotherhood of Jodhpur, Marwar, I make a
touching appeal to all the parties to maintain peace and cooperate in restoring
law and order," he said.
The
chief minister said instructions had been issued to the administration to
maintain peace and order.
BJP
MLA Suryakanta Vyas in Jodhpur raised an objection to the installation of the
Eid flag alongside the freedom fighter's statue.
"They
did (put up the flag) at (the statue of) Bissa ji and we have a strong
objection to this. We will not forget this," Vyas, along with her
supporters, said.
BJP
state president Satish Poonia said, "Putting up Islamic flag on the statue
of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa by anti-social elements, and removing
saffron flag put up on Parshuram Jayanti is condemnable."
Source:
Telegraph India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
On
Eid-al-Fitr, PM Modi Calls For ‘Togetherness, Brotherhood’ In The Society
May
03, 2022
by
Manjiri Sachin Chitre
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night extended his greetings on the occasion
of the Eid-al-Fitr. Sending his “best wishes”, PM Modi wished for “togetherness
and brotherhood in the society”, along with “health and prosperity.”
“Best
wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious occasion enhance the spirit of
togetherness and brotherhood in our society. May everyone be blessed with good
health and prosperity,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile,
President Ram Nath Kovind also greeted citizens on the occasion. Greeting “fellow
citizens” on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr, the president mentioned that the festival
“inspires people to strive for building a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous
society.”
"Eid-al-Fitr
is celebrated as the month of Ramzan ends. Special importance is given to the
distribution of food and food-grains among the poor on this occasion. This
festival inspires people to strive for building a harmonious, peaceful, and
prosperous society," President Ram Nath Kovind Kovind said.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Muslim
leaders appeal not to offer Eid namaz on roads
May
02, 2022
By
S Raju
Muslim
religious leaders and leaders of other Muslim organisations have appealed to
community embers to ensure that namaz is offered only inside mosques and Idgahs
and that the roads are not blocked during Eid namaz on Tuesday.
Chief
minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure that roads are not
blocked during celebration of festivals.
Akshaya
Tritya and Eid will be celebrated together on Tuesday and officials have made
elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the CM’s directions are followed
during the celebrations of the festivals.
District
magistrate of Meerut, Deepak Meena, SSP, Prabhakar Choudhary convened a meeting
with religious leaders to appeal that roads should not be blocked while
offering namaz during Eid and members of the Hindu community should not take
out any procession without seeking due permission from authorities.
Divisional
commissioner of Meerut, Surendra Singh, also appealed to people to celebrate
the festivals in a way that it does not create trouble for others.
Meanwhile,
Shahar Qazi, Prof Zainus Sajeedin, has also appealed to the imams of over 300
mosques in the district to ensure that no roads are blocked during Eid namaz.
“I have appealed to people to offer namaz only inside mosques and Idgahs,” said
Sajeedin.
Nayab
Shahar Qazi Zainus Rasheedin said that people should follow the directions of
officials and offered namaz inside mosques. “People will cooperate with the
officials and ensure that no road is blocked to offer namaz,” said the Nayab
Shahar Qazi.
Source:
Hindustan Time
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Security
forces outside mosque in Kashmir's Anantnag pelted with stones on Eid
Sunil
Bhat Ashraf Wani
May
3, 2022
An
incident of stone-pelting was reported outside a mosque in South Kashmir's
Anantnag district after early morning Eid prayers. Security forces were pelted
with security forces. A video of the incident that shows many men hurling
stones at security forces has emerged.
According
to sources, when during the prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-fitr, a few
miscreants raised slogans, demanding a 'free Kashmir'. As security forces
stepped in, the miscreants started hurling stones at them.
Source:
India Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Notice
issued to organisers of Aligarh event for hate speech against Muslims
May
3, 2022
The
Aligarh district administration on Monday issued a show-cause notice to the
organisers of an event called the “Sant Samagam” in the city after those
attending made hate speech against the Muslim community, PTI reported.
The
event, held on Sunday, was attended by Hindutva supremacist seers Yati
Narsinghanand and Kalicharan. Both of them are facing trials in cases of hate
speech and are currently out on bail.
Additional
City Magistrate Kunwar Bahadur Singh said that the organisers have been asked
to reply to the notice within 24 hours, failing which legal action will be
taken against them.
The
notice charged the organisers for violating the terms of the permission granted
for the event, according to The Indian Express.
“Permission
was taken for food distribution and a ceremony for priests,” the notice read.
“It was brought to our notice that swords were brandished at the event despite
a ban on carrying weapons. There are also reports that comments were made
regarding a religious minority to incite sentiments.”
At
the event, Kalicharan said that the country was facing a major threat due to
the “growing population of Muslims”, PTI reported. He said the only way to
address the problem posed by “jihadi elements” was the establishment of a Hindu
nation.
“Everywhere
[in India] Pakistan is going to be created,” Kalicharan can be seen saying in a
video from Sunday’s event. “Crackers are burst when India loses to Pakistan in
a cricket match. Imagine, if Modi [prime minister] declares war with Pakistan,
who will these Muslims support? If you cannot understand this then think about
how you will feel when hundreds of Muslims will…[rape] your sisters, mothers,
wife or lovers.”
In
December, Kalicharan had been arrested from Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho town
after he was seen in a video using an expletive about Mahatma Gandhi and
accusing him of destroying the country at an event in Raipur. He was granted
bail by the Chhattisgarh High Court in April.
At
Sunday’s event in Aligarh, Yati Narsinghanand called upon Hindus to give birth
to more children, PTI reported.
“Otherwise
they [Hindus] will be swamped by the Muslims by 2029,” he said, adding that
there was a “real possibility that by 2029 India would have a Muslim prime
minister and states would have Muslim chief ministers”.
In
2015, Scroll.in had reported that with current trends, it will take 220 years
for India’s Muslim population to equal Hindu numbers. Between 1951 and 2011,
Hindu population increased from 30.04 crore to 96.6 crore, according to Pew
Research Centre. In the same duration, the Muslim population increased from 3.5
crore to 17.2 crore.
Narsinghanand
was arrested in December after he had called for the genocide of Muslims at an
event in Haridwar. He was granted bail on February 7 on the condition that he
would not participate in any gathering “which aims towards creating difference
between communities”.
Source:
Scroll
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Thackeray
says Muslims should have no hindrance in celebrating Eid, cancels ‘maha aartis’
May
3, 2022
Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Monday said that Muslims should have no
hindrance in celebrating the festival of Eid on May 3.
In
a tweet addressed to his party members, Thackeray asked them to cancel the
“maha aartis” – a Hindu ritual – scheduled to be held in various parts of
Maharashtra on the same day on the occasion of the Akshay Tritiya festival.
Thackeray’s
remarks came two days after he had reiterated his demand that the Maharashtra
government should remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3. He had said that
if the loudspeakers were not removed, he would ask his party members to play
the Hindu hymn Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques.
“If
you [Muslims] are going to do nuisance by playing azaan on loudspeakers from
mosques, we will recite and play Hanuman Chalisa outside that mosque loudly,”
Thackeray had said during a rally in Aurangabad on May 1, according to The
Indian Express. “I don’t want to cause riots in Maharashtra. Muslims, too, need
to understand that very well.”
In
Monday’s tweet, Thackeray said that the matter of loudspeakers was not
religious in nature, but a “social issue with related inconvenience”.
“Regarding
the loudspeaker issue, I will further notify what we intend to do, via my
social media,” he told his party workers.
Thackeray
had first made the demand to remove the loudspeakers on April 2. Since then, he
and members of the Bharatiya Janata Party have repeatedly asked the Maharashtra
government to ban loudspeakers at mosques.
The
matter escalated after Independent MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi
Rana, threatened to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav
Thackeray’s home last month. Both the leaders have been charged with sedition
and were sent to judicial custody on April 24.
Meanwhile,
on Monday Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that no one can
give an ultimatum to the state government, PTI reported.
“Dictatorship
won’t be allowed in Maharashtra,” Pawar said, without naming Thackeray. “There
is rule of law here and law is equal for all.”
Pawar
said that every citizen has to abide by the law and the Constitution and
decisions taken by the government will be applicable to every resident of the
state.
Source:
Scroll
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
South Asia
As
Iran-Taliban tensions rise, Afghan migrants in tinderbox
02
May ,2022
The
Taliban members who killed her activist husband offered Zahra Husseini a deal:
Marry one of us, and you'll be safe.
Husseini,
31, decided to flee. Through swaths of lawless flatlands she and her two small
children trekked by foot, motorcycle and truck until reaching Iran.
As
Afghanistan plunged into economic crisis after the United States withdrew
troops and the Taliban seized power, the 960-kilometer (572-mile) long border
with Iran became a lifeline for Afghans who piled into smugglers’ pickups in desperate
search of money and work.
But
in recent weeks the desert crossing, long a dangerous corner of the world, has
become a growing source of tension as an estimated 5,000 Afghans traverse it
each day and the neighbors — erstwhile enemies that trade fuel, share water and
have a tortured history — navigate an increasingly charged relationship.
In
past weeks, skirmishes erupted between Taliban and Iranian border guards.
Afghans in three cities rallied against Iran. Demonstrators hurled stones and
set fires outside an Iranian Consulate. A fatal stabbing spree, allegedly by an
Afghan migrant, at Iran's holiest shrine sent shockwaves through the country.
Political
analysts say even as both nations do not want an escalation, long-smoldering
hostilities risk spiraling out of control.
“You
have one of the world’s worst-simmering refugee crises just chugging along on a
daily pace and historical enmity,” said Andrew Watkins, senior Afghanistan
expert at the United States Institute of Peace. “Earthquakes will happen."
The
perils are personal for Afghans slipping across the border like Husseini. Since
the Taliban takeover, Iran has escalated its deportations of Afghan migrants,
according to the U.N. migration agency, warning that its sanctions-hit economy
cannot handle the influx.
In
the first three months of this year, Iran's deportations jumped 60% each month,
said Ashley Carl, deputy chief of the agency's Afghanistan mission. Many of the
251,000 returned from Iran this year bear the wounds and scars of the arduous
trip, he said, surviving car accidents, gunshots and other travails.
Roshangol
Hakimi, a 35-year-old who fled to Iran after the Taliban takeover, said
smugglers held her and her 9-year-old daughter hostage over a week until her
relatives paid ransom.
"They
would feed us with polluted water and hard, stale bread,” she said. “We were
dying.”
The
lucky ones land in the jumble of Tehran, squeezing into dank and crowded
alleyways. Iran estimates at least a million Afghans have sought refuge in the
country over the last eight months.
Like
many, Husseini lives in legal limbo, vulnerable to harassment and exploitation.
Her boss at the tailor’s shop refuses to pay her salary. Her landlord threatens
to kick her out. She can barely cobble together enough cash to feed her children.
“We
have nothing and nowhere to go,” she said from a cramped room in southern
Tehran, furnished with just a donated gas heater, chairs and a few velour
blankets.
As
more Afghans arrive, helping them gets harder. Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh lamented last month that “waves of displaced
Afghans cannot continue to Iran” because Iran’s “capacities are limited.”
Iran's youth unemployment hovers over 23 percent. Iran’s currency, the rial,
has shriveled to less than 50 percent of its value since 2018.
“The
biggest challenge is that Iran is not ready for the new situation of
refugees," Tehran-based political analyst Rea Ghobeishavi said of the
increasing friction between Afghans and Iranians.
Iran
has grown more anxious as a string of bloody attacks in Afghanistan targeting
the country's minority Hazara Shiites makes clear that extremist threats
proliferate despite Taliban promises to provide security.
“There
are reports that some extremists are entering Iran easily with refugees,” said
Abbas Husseini, a prominent Afghan journalist in Tehran, describing mounting
paranoia in Iran.
Last
month, Iran’s most sacred Shiite shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad
turned into a scene of carnage when an assailant stabbed three clerics, killing
two — a rare act of violence at the compound. The attacker was identified in
media as an Afghan national of Uzbek ethnicity.
In
the following days, a surge of videos agitating against Afghan refugees flooded
Iranian social media. Impossible to authenticate, the grainy clips — footage
showing Iranians insulting and beating up Afghans — have been dismissed as
misleading in Iran but in Afghanistan have dominated headlines, stoking public
fury.
Demonstrators
attacked the Iranian Consulate in the western city of Herat with stones and
protested at Iran's Embassy in Kabul. “Stop killing Afghans," pleaded
protesters in the Afghan capital. “Death to Iran," chanted crowds in Herat
and the southeastern Khost province. Iran suspended all of its diplomatic
missions in Afghanistan for 10 days.
Even
as the gate of its consulate smoldered, Iran’s special envoy for Afghanistan
deflected. Hassan Kazemi Qomi blamed the escalating tensions on a vague
“enemy" seeking to subvert the nations' relations. Afghan Foreign Minister
Amir Khan Muttaqi raised his concerns with the Iranian ambassador.
“The
ill-treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran adversely affects relations between
the two countries ... allowing antagonists to conspire,” Muttaqi was quoted as
saying.
His
careful tone betrays a troubled history.
In
1998, Iran nearly went to war against the Taliban after 10 of its diplomats
were killed when their consulate was stormed in the northern city of
Mazar-e-Sharif. But after the US-led invasion, Tehran's Shiite leaders grew
wary of the American military presence on their doorstep and took a more
pragmatic stance toward the Sunni militant group.
Now,
analysts say, with both nations severed from the global banking system and
starved for cash, they have come to depend on each other. Neither wants to see
tensions mount further.
“Through
neighbors, Iran can sanctions-bust, exchange currency, barter and keep its
economy alive,” said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of Chatham House’s Middle
East and North Africa Program.
But
the neighbors nearly came to blows last week when Taliban guards tried to pave
a new road across the border. Iranian guards went on high alert. The vital
crossing closed.
Aware
of the stakes, the countries are vigorously pursuing diplomacy. Last week,
Khatibzadeh promised Tehran would accredit Taliban diplomats for the first time
to help process the mountains of consular cases. Taliban officials visited the
capital to discuss Iran's treatment of Afghan refugees.
Many
of those refugees fleeing Afghanistan's repression and destitution harbor
humble dreams: of scraping by as construction laborers, factory workers and
farmhands in Iran.
Others,
like Hakimi's 9-year-old daughter Yasmin, hope to continue on to Europe. She
fantasizes about Germany. Her father, a police officer killed by the Taliban in
Logar province, instilled in her the importance of an education, she said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Eight
months on, Taliban’s rule is far from stable
By
SALMAN RAFI SHEIKH
MAY
2, 2022
When
the Taliban, loaded with guns and firepower and riding on the promise of
“peace, stability and unity,” took over Kabul in August last year, few at the
time believed the militant group’s seizure of power marked a transition from
war to peacetime stability.
Fast
forward eight months, the Taliban’s fractious regime is far from stable, either
politically, economically or geostrategically. The poor economic situation,
with the country careening towards widespread famine, is only one side of the
Taliban’s problem.
Emerging
power centers within Afghanistan pose a direct challenge to the Taliban’s
claims to be the only representative party or power wielder. And those
competing political forces are making their point in an explosive fashion.
On
April 29, a blast in Kabul in a mosque belonging to a Sunni minority group –
the Zikris – killed at least 50 people. On Thursday, a bomb blast in a van
carrying Shiite Muslims in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif killed at least
nine people.
The
attack on the Shiite van came after Taliban leaders claimed to have captured an
ISIS-K mastermind of the previous attack in Mazar-e-Sharif on a Shiite mosque
that killed at least 31.
These
attacks challenge the Taliban leadership’s claims to have eliminated opposed
terror groups like ISIS-K, offered full protection to minorities and claimed
groups like ISIS-K do not pose a serious threat.
While
their claims have by now clearly been proven wrong, there is little denying
that the continuing success of ISIS-K is directly tied to the Taliban regime
for several reasons.
First,
some hardliner groups within the Taliban – including the Haqqanis, who control
the Ministry of Interior responsible for tackling such threats and whose ties
with the ISIS-K go back to their joint attacks on the US-NATO-Afghan forces –
are reluctant to take effective tough action against the terror group.
It
was the same internal division with ISIS-K that led the Taliban, despite their
apparent ideological rivalry with the group, to release several hundred ISIS-K
fighters after their August takeover, allowing the organization to increase its
numbers to 4,000, according to a February 2022 estimate by the UN, from 2,000
previously.
This
has allowed the ISIS-K to operate freely inside Afghanistan, giving it the
leeway to establish cells in almost all of Afghanistan’s provinces.
Secondly,
apart from the Taliban’s own inability and unwillingness to counter ISIS-K, the
group’s growing strength is also tied to existing political opposition to the
Taliban.
As
some recent reports have indicated, many members of groups and militias
previously trained by the US, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and NATO
have since joined ISIS-K, not only because they are being hounded by the
Taliban but also because these fighters think ISIS-K is the most effective
opposition to Taliban rule.
Following
the “enemy of my enemy” rule, these former militia members are effectively
following the mission they were originally trained to accomplish: to hunt and
kill the Taliban.
While
some of those who have joined ISIS-K can be categorized as sympathetic to the
organization’s core ideology, many others who are joining are from a more
secular brand of resistance, including the National Resistance Front (NRF),
based in northern Afghanistan and led by Ahmad Massoud and Amrullah Saleh,
Afghanistan’s former vice-president.
While
the NRF is the only known group to have carried out several attacks on the
Taliban in the recent past, some new groups – the Afghanistan Freedom Front and
the Afghanistan Islamic National and Liberation Movement – have also emerged in
the last few months, vowing to resist the Taliban regime on their own or in an
alliance with the NRF.
A
recent study by the Institute for the Study of War shows that these groups
refer to the Taliban as a “terrorist group” and “occupiers” and aim to
“liberate” Afghanistan.
These
groups have most recently been joined by Lieutenant General Sami Sadat of the
Afghan security forces, who led them in the province of Helmand before being
appointed as head of the Afghan special forces in the last few days of the
toppled Ashraf Ghani regime.
Sadat
claims to be in touch with the NRF and other groups and believes there is
enough popular support available to them to cultivate and build an organic
resistance movement against the Taliban.
In
an apparent reversal of roles, these groups are deploying the same tactics – in
particular, guerrilla warfare – the Taliban used against US-NATO-Afghan
security forces.
In
view of these developments, the Taliban has started deploying additional armed
groups in northern Afghanistan to hunt down the resistance groups. Most
analysts in Afghanistan, therefore, believe a new fighting season is
approaching the war-torn country, which is already beset by a massive economic
crisis.
For
these resistance groups, however, the prevailing economic crisis is more of an
opportunity than a threat. The fact that the Taliban has failed to address the
economic calamity and threat of famine is only helping these groups to recruit
new fighters.
At
the same time, the fact that the Taliban regime has not been able to gain
foreign recognition means these groups are unlikely to draw any international
condemnation for their actions against a regime that is yet to gain legitimacy
via elections.
Besides
the challenge coming from these groups, another key problem for the Taliban is
its growing distance from Pakistan, which many observers believe played a
clandestine role in the militant group’s lightning seizure of power amid the US
troop withdrawal last August.
In
a recent operation motivated, according to Pakistani officials, by the
Taliban’s inability and/or unwillingness to tackle the anti-Pakistan
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) based in eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan military
airstrikes killed at least 47 in Afghanistan’s two provinces of Khost and Kunar
in eastern Afghanistan. TTP is also known as the “Pakistan Taliban” and has
well-established links to the Taliban in Kabul.
While
these strikes clearly point to emerging tensions between Islamabad and Kabul,
the NRF leveraged the attacks as an opportunity to project the growing weakness
of the Taliban’s rule and the splintered group’s inability to protect
Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
While
condemning Pakistan’s attack, the NRF statement said that the “Taliban
occupying regime (is) the main cause of foreign aggression in Afghanistan. We
emphasize the dismantling of the occupiers and proxy groups in Afghanistan.”
As
some recent reports have also indicated, there have been a few meetings between
US officials and NRF leaders in Tajikistan to discuss the prospects and
possibilities of this resistance movement.
While
it is not yet clear whether Washington would offer any assistance, the meetings
come against the backdrop of growing Russian and Chinese willingness to
strengthen the Taliban against these groups.
But
Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan would seem to indicate that Islamabad is
not willing to help the Taliban against the resistance groups, regardless of
Moscow and Beijing’s position.
The
head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Nadeem Anjum, has
recently met these groups, including Ahmad Massoud, according to the Institute
for the Study of War report.
The
report claimed Anjum expressed a willingness to work with the resistance groups
in exchange for their recognition of the Durand Line – Pakistan’s contested
border with Afghanistan that Islamabad has recently rushed to fence off for
security reasons, thus cutting off a source of lucrative cross-border legal and
illegal trade for the Taliban.
Source:
Asia Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://asiatimes.com/2022/05/eight-months-on-talibans-rule-is-far-from-stable/
--------
Rohingya
refugee children celebrate ‘lifeless’ Eid on remote Bangladesh island
May
02, 2022
DHAKA:
Rohingya refugee children relocated with their families to a remote Bangladeshi
island said on Monday they missed Eid Al-Fitr celebrations with friends and
relatives.
Nearly
30,000 refugees have been moved to Bhasan Char — an island settlement in the
Bay of Bengal several hours’ sail away from the mainland — since the end of
2020 with promises of a better life and livelihoods.
The
facility, expected to eventually house 100,000 people, is part of Bangladesh’s
effort to ease pressure on congested camps at Cox’s Bazar, where more than 1
million Rohingya refugees who fled violence and persecution in Myanmar are
living.
The
second Eid Al-Fitr on Bhasan Char has not eased the feeling of isolation for
its residents, with children reminiscing about the festivities they had
experienced at Cox’s Bazar.
“My
Eid celebrations are almost lifeless,” Mohammed Noman Yusuf, 16, told Arab
News.
“Most
of my friends are still living in Cox’s Bazar camps, and I am missing them a
lot. It’s not possible to meet them in person so I resorted to phone calls.”
To
mark Eid Al-Fitr, authorities have provided families with food packages and new
clothes, but an estimated 7,000 children at Bhasan Char still long for more
than what the island life has to offer.
“Where
should I go wearing this new cloth?” Yusuf said. “It’s an island and definitely
a confined place. There is little room to roam around here and there with
friends, which is part of my Eid celebrations.”
Mohammed
Ayub, 12, is among those missing his life at Cox’s Bazar, where he recalled far
more things to do to mark the end of the Ramadan holy month.
“My
Eid celebrations at Cox’s Bazar were much more colorful. Most of my friends and
relatives are living there. I used to enjoy the merry-go-round rides during the
Eid fair held at Cox’s Bazar,” Ayub told Arab News.
“But
here we don’t get such things on the occasion of Eid.”
The
boy’s spirits were significantly lifted when his father gifted him a pair of
trousers to mark the religious holiday this year, but Ayub still dreams of the
feast that had accompanied Eid celebrations.
“Having
rich food like beef and chicken during Eid boosts our celebrations, but without
them there’s nothing special in our kitchen on this Eid,” he said.
Nasima
Akter, 12, told Arab News that she used to visit the beach at Cox’s Bazar to
celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, but noted that this year was better because they had
more neighbors. However, she missed her relatives who remained at the mainland
refugee camps.
“Many
of our relatives are still living at Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar. I can’t see them
on Eid days. It’s very sad for me,” Akter added.
Moazzam
Hossain, Bangladesh’s additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner,
told Arab News that authorities were making arrangements to add to the
festivities for the children.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074606/world
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Southeast Asia
Singapore
PM Lee wishes Muslims a blessed Hari Raya Eid ul Fitr
03
May 2022
SINGAPORE,
May 3 ― Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today wished Muslims in the
republic a blessed Hari Raya Eid ul Fitr.
“With
the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, this year’s Raya indeed feels lively and
special,” wrote Lee on his official Facebook.
Singapore
Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir had on May 1 announced that the first day of
Syawal 1443 Hijrah falls today (May 3).
“For
the first time since the pandemic started, our Muslim friends are able to
resume more normalcy, and gather with family and friends to celebrate the end
of the fasting month.
“The
last two years have been a very challenging and difficult time. Thank you for
your sacrifices and understanding. Let us persevere in practising social
responsibility and keeping ourselves safe,” he posted.
The
prime minister ended his posting which was appended with a photo of Masjid Al
Iman here with his wishes “all Muslims a joyful and blessed celebration!”
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Chinese
FM extends Eid ul Fitr greetings to Muslims
MAY
3, 2022
Chinese
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin has wished Muslims across the world
a happy Eid ul Fitr, a celebration marking the end of the Holy month of
Ramazan. “Eid Mubarak! On this day of Eid ul Fitr, I wish all our Muslim
brothers and sisters around the world, a peaceful and joyful Eid,” he said in a
video message here on Monday. In Pakistan, the Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated
as per announcement of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Tuesday. However,
Eid ul Fitr was celebrated in Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Arab countries and
United Kingdom (UK) on Monday.
Source:
Daily Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/929533/chinese-fm-extends-eid-ul-fitr-greetings-to-muslims-2/
--------
Moderate
Eid ul Fitr celebrations for Malaysian students in Japan
02
May 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR, May 2 — Malaysian students in Japan managed to mark the start of Syawal
in the Land of the Rising Sun today with a moderate celebration even though
they had classes to attend.
Muhammad
Khair Nadil Khairudin, 23, who is a pursuing Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical
Engineering at Nagaoka University Of Technology, Nagaoka, said they performed
Eid ul Fitr prayers at the campus surau along with about 40 other Muslims from
around the university.
“After
Eid ul Fitr prayers at the university surau with the Muslim community here, my
friends and I had to rush off for morning lectures. The surau is not only used
by Muslim students of the university but also by the nearby Muslim community,”
he told Bernama today.
According
to him, the Muslim community that attended the Aidifitri prayers were of
diverse backgrounds, coming from various countries such as Indonesia, Senegal,
Bangladesh, Pakistan and also the local Japanese Muslim community.
On
Eid ul Fitr preparations in Japan, Muhammad Khair Nadil said he and other
Muslim friends could not find the time to cook because they did not expect
Syawal to be celebrated today, on top of their other commitments as students.
He
said Japan was supposed to celebrate Eid ul Fitr tomorrow but as the country’s closest
Islamic country, Malaysia was celebrating it today, the Japanese Muslim
community followed suit.
“We
were actually planning to have a Hari Raya banquet tomorrow, but who knew that
it would be today instead. Such being the case, we were unable to prepare to
host a feast today,” he said.
Muhammad
Khair Nadil, who has twice celebrated Eid ul Fitr in Japan, also said he missed
the festive air back in Malaysia.
“The
atmosphere in Japan and Malaysia is very different. I miss the Raya mood in
Malaysia, especially delicacies like rendang, ketupat, lemang and all that. I
also miss celebrating it with my family,” he said.
A
fellow Malaysian student in Japan, Nuraiman Mustaqim Nurnasran, 22, said
celebrating Raya in Japan was rather boring as he was so far away from his
family.
“In
Japan, celebrations are rather subdued unlike Malaysia, with rendang, ketupat,
lemang and the like. The holiday feast is what I miss most when I’m here in
Japan. I miss celebrating Raya with my family,” Nuraiman, who is celebrating
his first Raya abroad, admitted.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Europe
Afghan
judge ‘backstabbed’ as UK rules him ineligible for relocation
May
02, 2022
LONDON:
A judge in Afghanistan has said he feels “backstabbed” by the UK for not
evacuating him from the country, as he faces the possibility of being killed if
his application for a visa is unsuccessful.
The
judge, whose identity is being kept secret, is currently in hiding in
Afghanistan, having prosecuted members of the Taliban, Daesh, the Haqqani
network and Al-Qaeda in the country before it was taken over by the Taliban in
August last year.
The
High Court in London ruled he should be granted asylum in the UK in April, but
the government said he had not been an official employee of the British state
because the court he worked for was an Afghan institution, and that he does not
meet the criteria to be relocated to the UK along with members of his family,
who are also in hiding in separate locations.
To
further his application, he would need to leave Afghanistan and reach a UK
visa-processing center in Pakistan for biometric data submission, but would
face deportation back to his country if the request was then rejected.
The
High Court ruling on the matter said that were this to happen, it would place
the judge and his family “at real and immediate risk of death.”
The
judge told the Guardian: “I am shocked by the government’s decision to refuse
to relocate me to the UK. I was once considered an important ally, given
security due to the imminent threat I faced and awarded certificates of
appreciation for making material contribution to the UK and allies’
counter-terrorism mission in Afghanistan.
“I
do not regret serving justice upon those who killed innocent people including
UK government personnel, but I am heartbroken, abandoned and feel backstabbed
by the government for refusing to relocate me in the UK,” he said via an
intermediary. “I plead with them to save my life and the lives of my family.”
Lord
Carlile and Lord Anderson, former independent reviewers of terrorism
legislation in the UK, wrote to the Home Office on April 15, asking it to
reconsider the decision.
“The
courageous acceptance by judges of the responsibility for incorruptible trial
of terrorists … made an important contribution to the lives of Afghans and to
international counter-terrorism efforts,” they said in their letter.
In
a separate case, the UK Ministry of Defence urged a relocated Afghan
interpreter, who worked for British forces, not to make public that it had
failed to bring his parents and brothers from Afghanistan to the UK after eight
months in hiding.
A
ministry letter sent on April 26 admitted to the interpreter, who was badly
injured whilst serving in his home country, that officials had not yet been
able to confirm the eligibility of his family for the Afghan resettlement
program.
A
ministry spokesperson told the Guardian: “We recognise the challenging
circumstances faced by Afghans applying to resettle in the UK through the
Afghan relocation and assistance policy scheme and are processing applications
as quickly as possible.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074491/world
--------
Mali
set to cut off military cooperation with France
03
May 2022
Mali’s
military administrators are set to fully cut off its military cooperation with
the French government, condemning “flagrant violations” of its national
sovereignty by the French forces there.
Spokesman
Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga announced the move in a televised statement on Tuesday,
saying, “For some time now, the government of the Republic of Mali notes with
regret a profound deterioration in military cooperation with France.”
Maiga
cited several violations of the country’s airspace by French troops to “spy” on
Malian forces. He referred to the French government’s decision in June 2021 to
end joint operations with Malian forces.
The
spokesman also mentioned the French troops’ withdrawal from the country in
February, which prompted celebrations by the anti-French population.
Thousands
of demonstrators poured into the streets of the Malian capital of Bamako at the
time, to celebrate the planned withdrawal. They burned a European flag and
carried placards with messages such as “France is a terrorist nation,” amid
simmering tensions between the West African country and its former colonial
ruler.
The
Malian authorities said they had informed Paris of the decision on Monday
afternoon, but the French government has not yet issued any official reaction
to the junta’s announcement.
The
agreements Mali has ended with France include those that set the framework for
the French intervention in Mali in 2014. They were signed a year after French
troops deployed a large force there.
The
development comes after Malian troops discovered a mass grave close to a former
French military base. French forces handed the Gossi military base back to the
Malian army just weeks ago.
The
Malian army’s general staff revealed in a statement that “bodies in a state of
advanced putrefaction were discovered in a mass grave, not far from the camp
formerly occupied by the French force Barkhane.”
A
French mission began in Mali in 2013 to allegedly counter militants that Paris
claims are linked to the al-Qaeda and Daesh terrorist groups. Accordingly, the
French government deployed thousands of soldiers to presumably prevent
separatist forces from reaching Bamako.
The
war caused several thousand deaths and more than a million people to flee their
homes. There have been two military coups in roughly a year, amid growing
demonstrations against France’s military presence.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/05/03/681424/Mali-junta-cut-off-military-cooperation-France
--------
Pakistan
London,
Bilawal House worried by govt handling of Madina incident
Amir
Wasim | Zulqernain Tahir
May
3, 2022
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:
The top leadership and saner elements in the PML-N and PPP — the two largest
partners in the ruling coalition — are unhappy over the handling of the
situation after the Madina mosque incident and registration of cases against
PTI leaders in different parts of the country.
Background
interviews with a number of senior leaders of the two parties reveal there is a
general feeling within the ruling coalition that the government may have
“overreacted” to the issue, and the registration of cases and action against
some PTI leaders is now proving counterproductive for the government.
They
are of the view that swift action by the Saudi authorities against the
Pakistani pilgrims, who appeared to be PTI supporters, over slogans of “chor,
chor (thieves)” and “lotay (turncoats)”, and physically attacking some members
of the official delegation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the widespread
condemnation of the incident had put the PTI on the defensive, but the
government’s actions have not only provided an opportunity to the former ruling
party to control the damage, but also to portray itself as a victim.
Some
protesters were seen chasing and trying to physically assault federal ministers
Shahzain Bugti and Marriyum Aurangzeb who were saved and escorted by the guards
and police officials.
“People’s
sympathies were with us initially after the Masjid-i-Nabwi incident. But now
the sentiments have started shifting to the other side,” acknowledged a key
member of PM Sharif’s cabinet and a PML-N office-bearer while talking to Dawn
on condition of anonymity on Monday.
Recalling
that the parties now in the government had in the past criticised Imran Khan
for using religion for political gains, the minister said the registration of
cases and some statements by politicians linking the incident with blasphemy
had damaged their narrative to a great extent.
“Secondly,
these actions and reactions have provided an opportunity to the culprits to
present themselves as victims which is evident from the statements now coming
from the civil society and other saner quarters who are opposing the
registration of blasphemy cases,” said the minister.
Responding
to a question, he said PM Sharif had not issued any directives in this regard
and the matter was being solely handled by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
Meanwhile,
federal minister Javed Latif of the PML-N went public with his opposition to
the government’s policy of registering first information reports (FIRs) against
the PTI leadership over the Masjid-i-Nabwi incident, saying it will further fan
the “Imrani fitna” (mischief).
Mr
Latif, who has yet to be assigned a portfolio, also expressed his inability to
speak on the matter in the cabinet as it was not his party’s government alone.
“I could have spoken on the matter directly (with the prime minister) had this
government not been a coalition. Through this presser I want to request Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif not to register FIRs on the complaints of different
people on the sensitive matter of the Masjid-i-Nabwi incident. Rather the state
should come forward and become a complainant to deal with the Imrani fitna,” he
said at a press conference in Lahore on Monday.
The
minister reportedly does not enjoy cordial relations with PM Shehbaz since
commenting on the latter’s purported links with the establishment.
A
PML-N insider told Dawn that Latif was not alone in this ‘request’ to PM
Shehbaz against taking an aggressive stance on the matter that could give
further political mileage to Mr Khan.
“Some
senior PML-N leaders are of the view that Imran Khan and his close aides should
be exposed for their corruption and not dragged into religious matters. This
will not reflect well on us at the end of the day,” he said, adding the PPP was
also openly opposing Shehbaz’s policy of using the incident to implicate the
PTI leadership in cases.
The
insider further said PM Shehbaz, who is otherwise known for his reconciliatory
politics, should not follow the advice of party hawks like Interior Minister
Rana Sanaullah of using religion to hunt down political opponents.
Even
Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has advised the government to avoid a clash. “I am
not in favour of extracting revenge (from political opponents). Being in the
government, we should avoid a clash,” he told a news channel on Monday.
Moreover,
PPP secretary general and former senator Farhatullah Babar through his Twitter
handle called the supposed institution of blasphemy cases against rival PTI
leaders “most disturbing, insane and condemnable”.
Mr
Babar said he had always opposed “weaponisation of religion-based laws” in the
past, opposes it now and will oppose it in future also.
Talking
to Dawn, Mr Babar urged the government to provide counsellor’s access to the
Pakistani pilgrims detained by the Saudi authorities. Interestingly, the
veteran politician has made this demand despite the fact that his party
chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is the foreign minister.
The
Faisalabad, Attock and Islamabad police have registered separate cases against
PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan and over 150 others,
including party stalwarts Fawad Chaudhry, Shahbaz Gill, Qasim Suri, Sahibzada
Jahangir and Aneel Musarrat, for defiling a sacred place on the complaints of
various citizens in the wake of the hooliganism at Masjid-i-Nabwi during the
visit of an official delegation last week. The Saudi government has arrested
some of the Pakistanis for hooliganism in violation of the regulations.
Following
registration of the FIRs, police arrested former interior minister Sheikh
Rashid’s nephew, Rashid Shafique, upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
A district court in Attock on Monday sent him on a two-day physical remand in
police custody over the mosque incident. As his uncle Rashid, Shafiq is also
accused of inciting and planning the incident in Madina.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1688031/london-bilawal-house-worried-by-govt-handling-of-madina-incident
--------
Imran
says Fox News analyst's remarks 'reaffirmation' of US conspiracy behind his
ouster
May
2, 2022
PTI
Chairman Imran Khan on Monday claimed that US defence analyst Dr Rebecca
Grant's remarks in a Fox News show removed "all doubts" regarding his
allegation that he was ousted from the prime minister's office last month
through a US-sponsored "foreign conspiracy" due to his pursuance of
an independent foreign policy for Pakistan.
Khan's
remarks came after Dr Grant was asked in a Fox News programme what the US
message to Pakistan should be. To this, she said: "Pakistan needs to
support Ukraine, stop looking for deals with Russia right now, limit their
involvement with China, and stop the anti-American policies that are part of
the reason that Imran Khan, the prime minister, got voted out of office a
couple of weeks ago.
"So,
it's time to cool it on the anti-American, pro-Russia policies in Pakistan. Now
is not the time."
Dr
Grant is a contributor for Fox News and provides analysis on Russia's invasion
of Ukraine as well as national and military-related topics. She is also the
president of an independent research firm named IRIS that specialises in
defence and aerospace. According to IRIS website, she has previously worked for
RAND Corporation — a US government-funded think tank — and on the staff of the
secretary of the US Air Force and its chief of staff.
Soon
after the video made rounds on social media, Imran, in a series of tweets,
claimed vindication for his stance, saying it should "remove all
doubts" about why a democratically elected prime minister and his
government were ousted.
He
asked US President Joe Biden's administration whether it believed it had
increased or decreased "anti-American" sentiment in Pakistan by
indulging in what he termed as a "regime-change conspiracy".
"My
question for the Biden Administration: By indulging in a regime-change
conspiracy to remove a democratically elected PM of a country of over 220
[million] people to bring in a puppet PM, do you think you have lessened or
increased anti-American sentiment in Pakistan?" he questioned.
"Clearly
the US wants an obedient puppet as PM who will not allow Pak choice of
neutrality in a European war; a PM who will be obedient to US demands; who will
not sign agreements with Russia & who will downgrade our strategic
[relationship] with China," Imran, who was ousted from government after
losing a no-confidence vote on April 9, said.
If
a Pakistani prime minister asserted the country's sovereignty and formulated an
independent foreign policy, he would be removed and a "subservient,
crooked PM like [Shehbaz] Sharif will be brought in", the former premier
claimed.
Terming
the video clip a reaffirmation of "US regime-change conspiracy",
Imran said it was the chief justice of Pakistan's duty to form a commission to
hold public hearings to determine who was involved in it.
Separately,
in a video message, Imran said he had presented the "cable" to the
nation and sent it to the chief justice, the National Assembly speaker and the
president. He had made the nation aware that the government was removed through
a "very big foreign conspiracy", he added.
"We
told everyone that it is clear in the cable that a foreign conspiracy was
hatched abroad against Pakistan's democracy and government. Our country's Mir
Jafars and Mir Sadiqs were involved in it."
However,
prominent journalists, incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other
leaders of the then-opposition did not believe the PTI, he lamented.
"Later
it was all proved. Everyone accepted that the cable is real," he said.
Referring
to Grant's comments, Imran said the analyst had elaborated that the US
"removed" Pakistan's prime minister because he was trying to
formulate an independent foreign policy and remaining neutral in the war
between Russia and Ukraine.
Referring
to his stance as the then-prime minister, he continued that he was broadening
relations with China and talking about trade with Russia which would have
benefitted Pakistan. Russia was ready to give Pakistan wheat and oil at 30 per
cent reduced prices, he said.
"It
was made clear that this is why change was brought because this [new] prime
minister will follow all their instructions."
Imran
claimed that PM Shehbaz would sacrifice Pakistan's interests for those of the
US, limit the country's relations with China and not do any trade with Russia.
The
new government had come into power because of an agenda, he alleged, iterating
that Shehbaz had been "imposed because of a conspiracy". He termed
the premier as "the most corrupt man whose family is facing cases [related
to] Rs40 billion in NAB, FIA", adding that the court had also convicted
suspects in those cases.
"They
[will] listen to everything [which will be] against Pakistan's benefit like the
way Pakistan participated in the war on terror. We sacrificed 80,000 of our
people in the US' war, destroyed the country, got 400 drone attacks done on our
people. What benefit did we get?
"We
did all this for another country. We are again going down the same path. And
this was why the regime change was done," he said.
The
PTI chairman said that if the Supreme Court did not hold open hearings to
"expose the conspiracy" no prime minister in the future would protect
Pakistan.
"When
these investigations are started, it will be found who committed treason with
this country [and] how this mafia government registered blasphemy cases against
us. They should be ashamed. In fact, treason cases should be registered against
them."
He
repeated his call to the nation's citizens to come out in protest on chand raat
(the eve of Eid) with flags to show everyone within the country as well as
people abroad that Pakistanis were "not ready to be anyone's slaves".
"All
of you have to come out for Pakistan's future, an independent Pakistan. And it
will be proved that this country is not ready to be anyone's slaves but
Allah's," he concluded.
'Foreign
conspiracy'
Imran
claims that his government was sent packing and PM Shehbaz's regime was
subsequently "imposed" on the country as part of a
"conspiracy" hatched by the US against his insistence of having an
independent foreign policy.
"This
conspiracy started when the US decided to remove Imran Khan," the PTI
chairman had said last week. "Their secretary, Donald Lu, came to our US
ambassador and threatened him that if Imran Khan wasn't removed, Pakistan would
have to face difficulties. He also said that if Imran Khan was removed by the
no-confidence vote, Pakistan would be forgiven.
"They
[US] knew that the corrupt mafia would seek forgiveness," Imran had said,
stating that the US knew "these dacoits had money abroad. Always remember,
all those leaders who have money, palaces and businesses abroad can never stand
up to the US. They will always remain slaves to the US."
The
former prime minister has also called for countrywide protests and a long march
to the capital in the last week of May.
He
had earlier elaborated that the march's purpose would be to give the US the
message that Pakistan was a "free country" and urged his supporters
to gather people from every village, street and locality and prepare them for
the movement for "true freedom".
"I
want two million people to come to Islamabad when I give the call. I want all
of you to go to the people and preach to them about our movement for true
freedom," Imran had said at a workers' convention in Lahore earlier last
week.
For
its part, the US has denied the claims of a "foreign conspiracy"
being hatched to oust Imran.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
MNA
Rashid Shafique arrested over Masjid-i-Nabwi incident
Mohammad
Asghar
May
2, 2022
RAWALPINDI:
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Sheikh Rashid Shafique, nephew of
former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, was arrested on his arrival at the
Islamabad International Airport (IIA) from Saudi Arabia in connection with a
blasphemy case on Sunday.
Mr
Shafique was later remanded in the custody of the New Airport police for a day
on the charge of posting a video on social media in which he was seen
encouraging people who chanted slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
and his delegation inside the premises of Masjid-i-Nabwi.
The
case was registered in Attock against former prime minister Imran Khan and
other top figures of the previous government as well as 100 to 150 other
people.
Mr
Shafique was detained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after he
arrived at the IIA on a private airline from Jeddah. He was taken into custody
by the FIA at 5:45am and handed over to the police.
Blasphemy
case registered in Attock; ex-PM, top figures of previous govt among over 100
people nominated
The
move came about days after pilgrims chanted slogans against the prime minister
and his delegation in Masjid-i-Nabwi.
The
FIR, a copy of which is available with Dawn, has been registered under sections
295 (harming or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult a religion),
295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of
any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 296 (disturbing
religious assembly).
The
FIR registered on the complaint of Qazi Mohammad Tariq Advocate, named key PTI
leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, Shahbaz Gill, Qasim Suri, Sahibzada
Jehangir, Aneel Musarrat as well as former interior minister Sheikh Rashid
Ahmed and 100 to 150 unidentified people.
According
to the complainant, the incident at Masjid-i-Nabwi was carried out under a
“planned and thought-out scheme and conspiracy”.
He
said he felt hurt and was mentally disturbed after watching videos that were
being shared on electronic and social media.
In
the FIR, he said 100 to 150 people belonging to a political party were
identified through videos.
It
stated that miscreants shouted insulting slogans as members of the official
delegation arrived at the holy mosque.
He
alleged that Imran Khan Niazi, Fawad Chaudhry, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Shahbaz
Gill, Murad Saeed and Qasim Suri were part of the conspiracy under which other
PTI leaders led delegations to Saudi Arabia to carry out the actions at the
holy mosque which were then posted on social media.
He
said to execute the conspiracy, Mr Shafique along with a group of miscreants
was dispatched from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and on arriving in the kingdom
some other people also joined them. Likewise, the FIR said Sahibzada Jehangir
alias Chicho, Aneel Musarrat, Rana Abdul Sattar, Barrister Amir Ilyas, Ijazul
Haq and Gohar Jilani and others were also involved in it.
The
FIR said evidence of telephonic links among the suspects, video clips and circumstantial
evidence would be produced during investigation.
Taxila
MNA
Shafique was later remanded in the custody of the New Airport police for a day
on the charge of posting a video on social media where he was seen encouraging
people who chanted slogans against the prime minister and his delegation inside
the premises of Masjid-i-Nabwi.
A
case was registered against him under sections 295, 295-A and 296 of Pakistan
Penal Code (PPC).
On
the night following the incident, MNA Shafique had posted a video from his
mobile phone through his social media account which was made while he was in
the mosque. In the video, he was seen supporting the treatment meted out to the
government’s delegation.
Sources
privy to the matter said MNA Shafique was shifted to an undisclosed location in
a private car escorted by three police vans and led by the Elite Force.
The
lawyer of the applicant sought a three-day police remand, so that the mobile
phone from which the video was uploaded could be recovered, but this was
refused by Duty Magistrate Mushtaq Hussain Janjua.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1687764/mna-rashid-shafique-arrested-over-masjid-i-nabwi-incident
--------
Pakistan:
PML-Q leader claims charges against Imran Khan part of ‘political vendetta’
2
May, 2022
Islamabad
[Pakistan], May 2 (ANI): Moonis Elahi, Pakistan Muslim League Qaid (PML-Q) top
leader, claimed a political vendetta behind the registration of FIR against the
former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, and warned the Sharif brothers to
refrain from any kind of revengeful moves.
Chaudhry
Pervaiz Elahi, another top leader of PML-Q, said in a statement, that Sharifs
have neither taken any lesson from the history nor stopped targeting their
political rival, Ary News reported on Sunday.
He
added that the ‘imported government’ is taking dangerous steps by using
religious cards in the country.
“Imran
Khan has no connection with the Masjid-e-Nabavi PBUH incident and the PTI
chairman has also clarified his position,” he further added.
PMLQ
leader also said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had summoned members
of the National Assembly who even did not cast their vote against the PTI,
while the cases of lawmakers, who had cast their vote and breached the party
line, were pending.
Two
separate groups, a 150-member group from Pakistan and another group from London,
had been sent to Saudi Arabia, who harassed Pakistani pilgrims and stopped them
from performing their religious rituals at Masjid-e-Nabawi, read the FIR,
according to local media reports.
After
Faisalabad, a case was registered against the former Prime Minister and PTI
chairman Imran Khan and others in Attock over the Masjid-e-Nabawi incident.
A
case has also been registered against Imran Khan and others at the New Airport
police station in Attock for disrespecting the sanctity of the holy place.
Apart
from Imran Khan, those nominated in the case include former information
minister Fawad Chaudhry, National Assembly former deputy speaker Qasim Khan
Suri, MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafique, Aneel Mussarat, a British-Pakistani
businessman, and others.
Source:
The Print
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
government may quash Nawaz Sharif's conviction in corruption cases: Report
May
02, 2022
Islamabad:
Pakistan's new government is considering quashing or suspending former prime
minister Nawaz Sharif's conviction in corruption cases to offer him a chance to
plead afresh before a court of law, according to a media report on Monday.
The
72-year-old three-time premier, against whom several corruption cases were
launched by the government of former prime minister Imran Khan, had left for
London in November 2019 after the Lahore High Court granted him four-week
permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment.
Dawn
newspaper quoted Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah as saying that both the
federal and Punjab's provincial government had the powers to quash or suspend
the punishment of an accused and offer him a chance to plead his case afresh
before a court of law for being wrongly' sentenced earlier in the case.
He
said that the provisions might be used to provide relief to the ruling Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and others.
He,
however, said that Sharif would decide his homecoming on the basis of his
health.
Sharif
was removed from power in 2017 after a decision by the Supreme Court against
him. He was later convicted separately in two corruption cases in 2018.
Sharif
was given a 10-year prison sentence for owning property in London called the
Avenfield case, but was released two months later when the court suspended the
sentences, pending a final judgement.
But
in December 2018 he was jailed for corruption again, this time for seven years,
related to his family's ownership of steel mills in Saudi Arabia called the
Al-Azizia Steel Mills case.
In
both cases, he failed to provide the money trail to procure these foreign
assets.
Sharif
was in jail when allowed to go to London for four weeks for medical treatment
but never came back.
She
had given an undertaking to the Lahore High Court to return to Pakistan, citing
his record to face the process of law and justice within four weeks or as soon
as he is declared healthy and fit to travel by doctors.
He
was also given bail in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was
serving seven-year imprisonment in Lahore's high-security Kot Lakhpat jail.
Sharif
challenged his convictions in the Islamabad High Court but the process of the
hearing was stopped after he failed to appear in person despite repeated
warnings by the court.
He
can be arrested on return and put back in jail. That is why, after his PML-N
came to power, efforts are being made to provide him a way out to come back
without the fear of being put in jail, the newspaper said.
Late
last month, the government led by his brother Shehbaz Sharif issued a new
passport with 10-year-validity to the former premier to return to Pakistan.
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
For
tribesmen in southwestern Pakistan, no Eid celebrations without traditional
headgear
May
02, 2022
QUETTA:
Colorful caps are a source of pride for Baloch and Pashtun tribesmen in
southwest Pakistan and provide a significant income for shopkeepers ahead of
Eid Al-Fitr.
No
celebrations in the region are complete without traditional headgear, and every
year before Eid men throng the shops in Circular Road, Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan, to buy new headdress.
Some
caps are woven with colorful threads, while others are fitted with tiny, round
pieces of glass. They come in many shapes and sizes, with the major Baloch and
Pashtun tribes — which make up the two main ethnic groups in Balochistan
province — having their own styles.
Mehmood
Shah, who traveled 45 kilometers from Mastung district to Quetta to buy a new
cap for the religious holiday celebrations, said: “Our forefathers have been
wearing cultural caps and turbans for many centuries now, especially during the
Eid festival.
“Wearing
the traditional headgear on the holy festival is essential dressing for Baloch and
Pashtun tribesmen.”
Prices
vary. An ordinary cap can be as cheap as $3, but one that features embroidery
can cost 30 times more.
Naseer
Ahmed, who has been selling traditional headgear for the last two decades, said
that handmade Bugti and Yaqoobi caps were the most expensive and sought-after
ones, not only in Pakistan but in other countries too.
“I
have been sending these caps across Balochistan and Afghanistan because demand
for caps and turbans rises before Eid Al-Fitr,” he added.
The
difference between Baloch and Pashtun headgear can easily be spotted: Baloch
caps feature colorful ornaments, while Pashtun ones are known for their
simplicity, and woven with a single thread.
Zia
ul Haq, a member of the Pashtun Kakar tribe, told Arab News that Eid was a time
when attire was important for everyone in the province.
Although
the cultures of Balochis and Pashtuns were different, their love for headgear
was the same, he said.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074621/world
--------
Arab World
Grand
Mufti motivates Sunni votes in Lebanon during Eid sermon
May
02, 2022
BEIRUT:
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian has used his Eid Al-Fitr sermon to warn
Sunnis against the danger of abstaining from participating in the upcoming
parliamentary elections in Lebanon on May 15.
In
an address held at Al-Amin Mosque in the heart of Beirut, he told a crowd that
included several Sunni candidates that “abstaining is the magic formula for
corrupt people to come to power.”
His
warning comes after international observers said that Sunnis abstaining from
the vote will allow the “growing influence of Hezbollah and its allies from the
Sunni sect, through the winning of the party’s loyalists or its allies.The
lower the turnout to the elections, the easier it becomes for Hezbollah to win
in the Sunni areas.”
Derian’s
remarks came as Eid Al-Fitr was celebrated amid a crippling financial hardship
that has plagued the whole country.
President
Michel Aoun tweeted his greetings on the Islamic holiday: “May those with good
converge toward the supreme interest of the nation to reach safety.”
He
added: “Let this feast be an invitation to all to rise above immediate
interests and realize national hopes and ambitions for the advancement and
recovery of our homeland.”
Prime
Minister Najib Mikati wished for “Lebanon to recover as fast as possible
through everyone’s efforts and positive cooperation, as this is the only
choice.”
He
added: “The repetition of mistakes is a crime, and the worst crimes are the
ones committed against the homeland, under the pretext of defending it.”
Derian,
the highest authority in Sunni Islam in the country, spoke on Monday on the
grounds that “the enthusiasm of Sunnis in voting is declining” due to “people’s
disgust from the ruling class and the poverty it led to,” an official in Dar
Al-Fatwa told Arab News.
They
added: “The ‘Future Movement’ and its loyalists are some of the people
abstaining from voting, despite former Prime Minister Saad Hariri not demanding
boycotting the elections. However, they related to his decision for the
movement to abstain from participating in the elections, on the level of
candidacy and endorsement of candidates. They decided to abstain from voting
due to their lack of conviction in Hariri’s replacements.”
Hariri’s
decision led to most of his parliamentary bloc — with 19 seats — not contesting
the elections. Mikati and predecessors Fouad Siniora and Tammam Salam, as well
as former Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk, also decided not to run for the
elections.
The
official said: “Hunger does not distinguish between sects and regions. We are
united by our suffering from worsening crises and united by the national will
to change our situation and overcome collapse and failure, thus achieving what
we aspire to be, a state bearing a message and linked by genuine friendship
with the Arab brothers who stood by Lebanon and the Lebanese people in the most
difficult circumstances.”
Derian
harshly criticized the authorities and described the situation as “very severe
and harmful.”
He
added: “They try to make the abuser a well-doer and the criminal a hero,
elevating the useless to the highest levels of praise and honor. They are the
ones who transformed Lebanon into a failed state begging for water, electricity
and bread.”
He
added: “None of those useless ones has the courage to admit what their dirty
hands committed from corruption and ill-gotten money. They classify themselves
as angels and saints in order to return to the crime scene again, and they
inflict corruption. Beware of their deceptive and misleading statements.”
Derian
stressed that “change and choice cannot be achieved from afar, nor by wishing.
Those are achieved by massive active participation and speaking the truth on
the ballot. Choosing the parliament’s members is the start of the desired
reform. In national action, despair is not permitted, as it is surrendering to
failure and corruption, suicide and death.”
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074636/middle-east
--------
Iraqi
soldier killed in clashes with Yazidi fighters
02
May ,2022
An
Iraqi soldier was killed and two others were wounded in clashes Monday with
Yazidi fighters in the northern region of Sinjar, an army officer and an MP
said.
The
heartland of Iraq's Yazidi minority, Sinjar is the site of frequent
confrontations between security forces and local fighters affiliated with
Turkey's banned separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
The
two sides traded accusations of having ignited the latest fighting, which broke
out Sunday.
Sherwan
al-Douberdani, a provincial deputy, said a soldier was killed, while a senior
army official said two other soldiers were injured.
The
clashes also cost the lives of half a dozen Yazidi fighters, said the officer,
who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The
Iraqi military used heavy artillery in the clashes, according to ANF, a news
agency close to the separatists.
Douberdani
said the Yazidis were refusing demands to pull out of Sinjar and for “the
withdrawal of foreign agents”, a reference to the PKK.
Nobel
Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, a Yazidi enslaved for months by ISIS group
extremists who brutalised her community in 2014, called for an end to the
violence.
“After
years of displacement, recent returnees are once again forced to flee their
homes due to current armed clashes in Sinjar. I call on the international
community to intervene & work with the Iraqi government to resolve the
region's ongoing security issues & protect civilians,” she tweeted.
The
Sinjar region is also a frequent target of Turkish air strikes on rear bases of
the PKK. Last August, eight people were killed in a Turkish strike on a Sinjar
clinic that was treating a PKK member.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Syrian
authorities free 60 prisoners in presidential amnesty: Monitor
02
May ,2022
Syrian
authorities have freed 60 detainees, including some held in regime prisons for
over a decade, in a presidential amnesty which also covers terror-related
convictions, a war monitor said Monday.
“About
60 detainees have been released since Sunday, from various Syrian regions, some
of whom have spent at least 10 years” in regime prisons notorious for killings
and torture, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
President
Bashar al-Assad has issued several amnesty decrees during the country’s 11-year
war, which broke out after the regime cracked down on mostly peaceful
protesters.
But
human rights activists said the new decree issued on Saturday is the most
comprehensive.
The
new decree calls for “granting a general amnesty for terrorist crimes committed
by Syrians” before April 30, 2022, “except for those leading to the death of a
person.”
This
would mean that tens of thousands of detainees could be released, according to
Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.
Many
are accused of terrorism offences, “a loose label used to convict those who are
arbitrarily arrested,” he said.
Syrian
activists shared a list of 20 released detainees on social media, including
people who wasted for years in the notorious Sednaya prison -- a jail that
Amnesty International described as a “human slaughterhouse.”
The
NGO found that authorities killed about 13,000 people there by hanging in four
years.
Lawyer
Nora Ghazi said the new amnesty was “the widest since the beginning of the
Syrian revolution, as it includes all terror crimes except those that caused
death.”
She
heads “No Photo Zone,” a group providing legal assistance to the families of
detainees and missing persons.
Ghazi
expects many more to be released “but this will take time,” she said.
Prior
to the decree, Assad last announced an amnesty in May 2021, weeks before his
re-election for a fourth presidential term.
Half
a million people have been detained in regime prisons since the onset of the
war, with about 100,000 dying either under torture or due to insalubrious
detention conditions, the Observatory said.
Activists
also accuse the regime of torturing inmates to death, of rape, sexual assaults
and extrajudicial executions.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Qatar
reclaims crown from US as world’s top LNG exporter
03
May ,2022
Qatar
reclaimed the crown as the world’s top liquefied natural gas exporter from the
US just as the end of winter lowered demand for the heating fuel in the
northern hemisphere.
April
exports of the superchilled fuel from Qatar surpassed 7.5 million metric tons,
edging out the US, according to ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.
Maintenance at Qatargas reduced the Middle Eastern nation’s exports a month
earlier.
During
the winter months, low temperatures, combined with Europe’s desire to cut
dependence on Russian energy, drove up the demand for natural gas and prices of
the fuel.
Once
winter ended, some US export terminals have used the period of softer demand
and lower prices to undergo maintenance, which has lowered the US production.
A
shale gas revolution, coupled with billions of dollars of investments in
liquefaction facilities, transformed the US from a net LNG importer to a top
exporter in less than a decade.
Looking
ahead, the US and Qatar are expected to engage in a two-horse race for
dominance in the global LNG market. Once the Calcasieu Pass export terminal in
Louisiana is complete later this year, the US is expected to reach a peak LNG
production capacity of 13.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Muslims
mark Eid Al-Fitr holiday with joy, worry
May
02, 2022
CAIRO:
For the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Fitr, the smell of freshly baked orange
biscuits and powdered sugar-dusted cookies typically fills the air in Mona
Abubakr’s home. But due to higher prices, the Egyptian housewife this year made
smaller quantities of the sweet treats, some of which she gives as gifts to
relatives and neighbors.
The
mother of three has also tweaked another tradition this Eid, which began Monday
in Egypt and many countries and marks the end of the Islamic holy month of
Ramadan. She bought fewer outfits for her sons to wear during the three-day
feast.
“I
told them we have to compromise on some things in order to be able to afford
other things,” she said.
This
year, Muslims around the world are observing Eid Al-Fitr — typically marked
with communal prayers, celebratory gatherings around festive meals and new
clothes — in the shadow of a surge in global food prices exacerbated by the war
in Ukraine. Against that backdrop, many are still determined to enjoy the
holiday amid easing of coronavirus restrictions in their countries while, for
others, the festivities are dampened by conflict and economic hardship.
At
the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, tens of thousands of Muslims attended
prayers Monday morning. The Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Indonesia’s capital
Jakarta was shuttered when Islam’s holiest period coincided with the start of
the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and was closed to communal prayers last year.
“Words
can’t describe how happy I am today after two years we were separated by
pandemic. Today we can do Eid prayer together again,” said Epi Tanjung after he
and his wife worshipped at another Jakarta mosque. “Hopefully all of this will
make us more faithful.”
The
mood was festive at Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque where people congregated for the
Eid prayer on Monday. One man threw lollipops in the air for kids to catch in
celebration, before the prayer started, while other children played with
balloons.
“I
was really happy at seeing the gathering and the joy of the people for Eid,”
said one worshipper, Marwan Taher. “The atmosphere here really made me feel
like it’s Eid.”
The
war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia have disrupted supplies of grain and
fertilizer, driving up food prices at a time when inflation was already raging.
A number of Muslim-majority countries are heavily reliant on Russia and Ukraine
for much of their wheat imports, for instance.
Even
before the Russian invasion, an unexpectedly strong global recovery from the
2020 coronavirus recession had created supply chain bottlenecks, causing
shipping delays and pushing prices of food and other commodities higher.
In
some countries, the fallout from the war in Ukraine is only adding to the woes
of those already suffering from turmoil, displacement or poverty.
In
Syria’s rebel-held northwestern province of Idlib, Ramadan this year was more
difficult than Ramadans past. Abed Yassin said he, his wife and three children
now receive half the amounts of products — including chickpeas, lentils, rice
and cooking oil — which last year they used to get from an aid group. It has
made life more difficult.
Syria’s
economy has been hammered by war, Western sanctions, corruption and an economic
meltdown in neighboring Lebanon where Syrians have billions of dollars stuck in
Lebanese banks.
In
the Gaza Strip, though streets and markets are bustling, many say they cannot
afford much.
“The
situation is difficult,” said Umme Musab, a mother of five, as she toured a
traditional market in Gaza City. “Employees barely make a living but the rest
of the people are crushed.”
Mahmoud
Al-Madhoun, who bought some date paste, flour and oil to make Eid cookies, said
financial conditions were going from bad to worse. “However, we are determined
to rejoice,” he added.
The
Palestinian enclave, which relies heavily on imports, was already vulnerable
before the Ukraine war as it had been under a tight Israeli-Egyptian blockade
meant to isolate Hamas, its militant rulers.
Afghans
are celebrating the first Eid since the Taliban takeover amid grim security and
economic conditions. Many were cautious but poured into Kabul’s largest mosques
for prayers on Sunday, when the holiday started there, amid tight security.
Frequent
explosions marred the period leading to Eid. These included fatal bombings,
most claimed by a Daesh affiliate, known as Daesh in Khorasan Province,
targeting ethnic Hazaras who are mostly Shiites, leaving many of them debating
whether it was safe to attend Eid prayers at mosques.
“We
want to show our resistance, that they cannot push us away,” said community
leader Dr. Bakr Saeed before Eid. “We will go forward.”
Violence
wasn’t the only cause for worry. Since the Taliban takeover in August,
Afghanistan’s economy has been in a freefall with food prices and inflation
soaring.
At
a charity food distribution center in Kabul on Saturday, Din Mohammad, a father
of 10, said he expected this Eid to be his worst.
“With
poverty, no one can celebrate Eid like in the past,” he said. “I wish we had
jobs and work so we could buy something for ourselves, not have to wait for
people to give us food.”
Muslims
follow a lunar calendar, and methodologies, including moon sighting, can lead
to different countries — or Muslim communities — declaring the start of Eid on
different days.
In
Iraq, security issues also plague celebrations, with security forces going on
high alert from Sunday to Thursday to avert possible attacks after a suicide
bombing in Baghdad last year ahead of another major Islamic holiday killed
dozens.
In
India, the country’s Muslim minority is reeling from vilification by hard-line
Hindu nationalists who have long espoused anti-Muslim stances, with some inciting
against Muslims. Tensions boiled over into violence in Ramadan, including
stone-throwing between Hindu and Muslim groups. Muslim preachers cautioned the
faithful to remain vigilant during Eid, which will be observed there on
Tuesday.
Indian
Muslims “are proactively preparing themselves to deal with the worst,” said
Ovais Sultan Khan, a rights activist. “Nothing is as it used to be for Muslims
in India, including the Eid.”
Still,
many Muslims elsewhere rejoiced in reviving rituals disrupted by pandemic restrictions.
Millions
of Indonesians have crammed into trains, ferries and buses ahead of Eid as they
poured out of major cities to celebrate with their families in villages in the
world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. The return of the tradition of
homecoming caused great excitement after two years of subdued festivities due
to pandemic restrictions.
“The
longing for (the) Eid celebration in a normal way has finally been relieved
today although the pandemic has not yet ended,” said Hadiyul Umam, a resident
of Jakarta.
Many
in the capital flocked to shopping centers to buy clothes, shoes and sweets
before the holiday despite pandemic warnings and food price surges.
Muslims
in Malaysia were also in a celebratory mood after their country’s borders fully
reopened and COVID-19 measures were further loosened. Ramadan bazaars and
shopping malls have been filled with shoppers ahead of Eid and many traveled to
their hometowns.
“It’s
a blessing that we can now go back to celebrate,” said sales manager Fairuz
Mohamad Talib, who works in Kuala Lumpur. His family will celebrate at his
wife’s village, where they planned to visit neighbors.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074601/world
--------
Mideast
Iran
nuclear deal near death, but West not ready to pull plug
May
3, 2022
WASHINGTON:
Western officials have largely lost hope the Iran nuclear deal can be
resurrected, sources familiar with the matter said, forcing them to weigh how
to limit Iran’s nuclear programme even as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has
divided the big powers.
While
they have not completely given up on the pact, under which Iran restrained its
nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions, there is a
growing belief it may be beyond salvation.
Four
Western diplomats said that the deal -- which Iran struck with Britain, China,
France, Germany, Russia and the United States in 2015 but which then-US
President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018 — was withering away.
The
pact appeared on the brink of revival in early March when the European Union,
which coordinates the talks, invited ministers to Vienna to seal the deal. But
talks were thrown into disarray over last-minute Russian demands and whether
Washington might remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from its
Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) list.
Tehran
wants Washington to remove IRGC from foreign terrorist list
The
IRGC controls elite armed and intelligence forces that Washington accuses of a
global terrorist campaign.
Tehran’s
demand to remove it from the list is opposed by many US lawmakers, who see it
as a terrorist entity despite Iranian denials.
The
Russian demands appear to have been finessed but the IRGC designation has not,
with the impending Nov 8 US mid-term elections making it hard for US President
Joe Biden to buck domestic opposition to remove it.
Biden’s
aides have made clear they have no plans to drop the IRGC from the list but
have not ruled it out, saying if Tehran wants Washington to take such a step
beyond strict revival of the deal, named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA) then Iran must address US concerns outside the deal.
“If
they’re not prepared to drop extraneous demands, continue to insist on lifting
the FTO, and refuse to address our concerns that go beyond the JCPOA then, yes,
we’re going to reach an impasse that is probably not going to be surmountable,”
said a senior US official.
“Is
it dead? We don’t know yet and frankly we don’t think Iran knows either,” the
official said.
So
far, Iran seems unwilling to budge on the FTO removal.
“That
is our redline and we will not cave on that,” said an Iranian security
official.
Neither
side wants to admit nearly a year of indirect talks may have failed, several
sources said.
As
a result, events may drift, with the world focused on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
and the resulting oil price spike allowing Iran to earn more from its oil
exports that evade US sanctions.
“I
don’t think anybody wants to say enough is enough,” said a Western diplomat.
“Does this go on indefinitely with neither side conceding that it’s over? ...
Probably.”
No
real ‘Plan B’
Despite
talk of a US “Plan B” to address Iran’s nuclear programme if the deal cannot be
revived, there are few good options.
Short
of US or Israeli military action to destroy Iranian nuclear sites, the main
lever big powers have is to cut Iran’s oil exports.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1688026/iran-nuclear-deal-near-death-but-west-not-ready-to-pull-plug
--------
Senior
MP Reiterates High Combat Capability of Iran-Made Drones
2022-May-2
Iran
has succeeded in meeting its requirement by manufacturing drones and the drones
can play the role of warplanes in real situations, Abolfazl Aboutorabi said.
He
also said that the Iran-made drones used by the resistance movement have made
the Zionist regime helpless.
The
Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the four powers in the world in
manufacturing drones, Aboutorabi said, adding that the Zionists have dispatched
41 warplanes to identify two drones of the resistance movement.
The
lawmaker added that the Islamic Republic of Iran has manufactured 59 types of
drones, including an aerial vehicle that can fly 4,000 kilometers.
Deputy
Defense Minister and Head of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO)
Second Brigadier General Afshin Khajeh Fard underlined in December the
country’s astonishing progress in production of different military equipment,
saying that the Iranian drones are favored by many customers in the market.
“In
the aviation industry, we did not think that there would be such a large number
of customers for Iranian drones,” General Khajeh Fard said.
He
added that Iran has also been able to produce air brakes, noting that today
many countries well-known in aviation industry are asking to cooperate with
Iran for joint production of air brakes.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Hamas
claims deadly attack that killed Israeli guard
May
02, 2022
JERUSALEM:
The Palestinian militant group Hamas claimed responsibility Monday for a deadly
shooting that left an Israeli security guard dead at the entrance of a Jewish
settlement in the West Bank last week.
It
was the first time Hamas has claimed such an attack targeting Israelis in the
occupied West Bank since 2018. Friday evening’s attack was the latest in a long
string of incidents in recent weeks. Tensions have mounted after deadly attacks
on Israelis by Palestinian assailants, an Israeli military crackdown in the
West Bank, and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at a flashpoint
Jerusalem holy site.
The
site contains the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place in Islam. It is also
the holiest site for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount because it is the
location of the biblical Temples destroyed in antiquity. The site is a frequent
flashpoint for tensions, and violence there last year helped spark an 11-day
war between Israel and Gaza militants.
“This
is an episode in a series of responses by Al-Qassam Brigades to the aggression
on Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Hamas’s armed wing said in a short statement.
The
claim of responsibility came a day after the Israeli army spokesperson told
Kann public radio that two Palestinian suspects apprehended by the military did
not belong to any militant group.
Israel
said Saturday that it had arrested two Palestinians suspected of carrying out
the shooting that killed 23-year-old Vyacheslav Golev.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2074641/middle-east
--------
Rights
group: Over 600 Palestinians held by Israel without charge
Tuesday,
03 May 2022
An
Israeli rights group has revealed that the occupying regime is holding more
than 600 Palestinian detainees without charge or trial in its detention centers
across the occupied territories.
HaMoked,
an Israeli rights group that regularly gathers figures from the regime’s prison
authorities, announced on Monday that as of May there were 604 detainees held
in administrative detention, the highest number since 2016.
HaMoked
said 2,441 Palestinians are currently serving sentences after being convicted
in Israel’s military courts. A further 1,478 detainees are being held for
questioning, have been charged and are awaiting trial, or are currently being
tried.
The
last time Israel held this many administrative detainees was in October 2016
amid the regime's illegal settlement expansion plan and ensuing attacks
allegedly by Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Last
month, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the Israeli regime had
detained more than 9,000 Palestinian children across the occupied territories
over the past seven years.
The
PPS said in a report that Israel had detained more than 9000 children since
2015, and 19,000, including children younger than 10 years of age, since the
outbreak of the second Intifada (uprising) in September 2000.
Hundreds
of Palestinian prisoners are held under administrative detention, in which
Israel keeps the detainees without charge for up to six months, a period which
can be extended an infinite number of times. The detention takes place on
orders from a military commander and on the basis of what the Israeli regime
describes as ‘secret’ evidence. Some prisoners have been held in administrative
detention for up to 11 years.
Rights
groups say Israel’s use of administrative detention is a “bankrupt tactic.”
Systematic
torture, harassment and repression are all examples of the fashion in which the
Israeli prison authorities treat Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Prison
Service (IPS) keeps the prisoners under deplorable conditions lacking proper
hygienic standards.
Of
the thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, 160 are children and 32
are women, according to the latest figures published by prisoners’ rights group
Addameer.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/05/03/681422/Israeli-rights-group-HaMoked-Palestinian-detainees-
--------
Three
Palestinians injured by Israeli gunfire near Ramallah
02
May 2022
Three
Palestinian youths have sustained gunshot wounds in violent clashes with
Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah amid a flare-up of
tensions between Palestinians and the usurping regime in the occupied
territories.
Palestine's
official Wafa news agency said on Monday that three Palestinian youths were
injured by Israeli gunfire, while a fourth was detained, during clashes in the
village of Ni'lin after the Eid al-Fitr prayer, which marks the end of the holy
fasting month of Ramadan.
The
news agency said the clashes broke out after Israeli forces raided the village
and opened fire on local residents with live bullets.
Israeli
soldiers detained a youth after raiding his family's home in the village.
Late
on Sunday, the Israeli occupation forces stormed Marda village in the West Bank
and fired stun grenades in the streets, which caused panic among the families
and their children.
Citing
local sources, Wafa also said on Monday that a Palestinian doctor was injured
by Israeli gunfire, while dozens of others suffered from suffocation, during an
Israeli military raid in the village of Kafr Allabad, to the east of the West
Bank city of al-Khalil.
The
news agency said the confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli forces
broke out following the raid into the village, which resulted in injuring
70-year-old doctor Adnan Mahfouth with a rubber bullet in the neck as he
offered help to the casualties during the confrontations.
Dozens
of others suffered from suffocation due to inhaling the teargas bomb fired at
them by Israeli forces.
The
latest development comes as the Israeli regime has escalated its deadly attacks
against Palestinians in the run-up to Ramadan and sustained the violence
throughout the holy fasting month, stirring up anti-Tel Aviv sentiments
throughout the occupied territories.
The
Israeli regime has also ramped up its violent attacks on Palestinian worshipers
in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of al-Quds in recent
weeks.
Last
week, thousands of people across the globe took to the streets to deplore
Israeli violence against Palestinians at al-Aqsa Mosque and elsewhere in the
occupied territories.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkish
warplanes bomb Iraq's Kurdistan again despite no agreement to allow operations
on Iraqi territory
02
May 2022
Despite
the Iraqi Foreign Ministry’s insistence that there is no agreement between
Baghdad and Ankara pertaining to the Turkish military operations inside the
borders of Iraq, Turkey’s armed forces have launched air raids targeting the
purported positions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group in the
semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
Lebanon’s
Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network reported that the
cross-border strike targeted the outskirts of Amadiya town in the Duhok
district of the region on Monday afternoon.
There
were no immediate reports about possible casualties or the extent of damage
caused.
The
development comes a day after Turkish fighter jets and helicopter gunships
heavily bombed the same area.
Last
month, Turkey launched its latest cross-border incursion into Iraq, codenamed
Operation Claw-Lock. The air-and-ground military attacks target suspected PKK
hideouts in the Zab, Basiyan, Avasheen, and Korajiwar districts of the
Kurdistan region.
Iraq
has slammed Turkish military operations on its soil as unlawful.
On
April 19, the Iraqi government summoned the Turkish ambassador, Ali Riza Guney,
and handed him a "strongly worded" protest note over the offensive,
and called the operation a blatant violation of its sovereignty.
Two
days later, Ankara summoned the Iraqi charge d'affaires and informed him those
military operations will continue if Baghdad doesn't take action against PKK
members.
Calls
have been growing for Baghdad to take the matter of Turkey's repeated attacks
to the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League.
The
spokesman for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Ahmed al-Sahaf, says Turkey's ongoing
operation against PKK positions in the Kurdistan region is not being carried
out under any agreement with the Baghdad government.
He
told the Iraqi News Agency on April 24 that there was a pre-2003 agreement
between Ankara and Baghdad that temporarily permitted Turkish military forces,
under certain circumstances, to cross five kilometers over the border in
pursuit of PKK militants for a limited number of days in coordination with the
Iraqi government.
However,
in 2009, the Iraqi parliament “canceled” all agreements permitting Turkish
troop to enter the country, Sahaf noted.
Militants
of the PKK — designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and
European Union — regularly clash with Turkish forces in the Kurdish-dominated
southeast of Turkey attached to northern Iraq.
Source:
Press TV
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Africa
Eid
ul Fitr: Fear Allah In All Your Endeavours, The Companion, An Association Of
Muslims Men, Urges Muslim Faithful
By
Kazeem Awojoodu
May
2, 2022
‘The
Companion’, an association of Muslims men in business and professions, has
congratulated adherents of Islam on the successful completion of the 30-day
Ramadan fast.
The
Islamic Organisation in a release by the National Amir Engr. Kamil
Olalekan,noted the steadfastness, resilience of all fasting Muslims and the
charity work undertaken by them, during the holy month.
The
statement describes Ramadan as a veritable training ground for the followers of
Prophet Muhammad on virtues and deeds expected of them all-year round, adding
that these are expected to reshape their lives for a purposeful life.
‘The
Companion’ enjoins Muslims to fear Allah in all their affairs and resist the
temptation to slip back into the dungeon of vices after Ramadan, but urges them
to remain steadfast.
The
Islamic group admonishes adherents to be engaged in spiritual activities
including voluntary fast, establishment of regular solat and acts of charity as
prescribed by Prophet Muhammad(SW).
The
association urges the country’s leaders to premise their cardinal principles on
the downtrodden, with a view to making life more bearable for them.
It
decries the state of insecurity occasioned by terrorism, banditry and
kidnapping, stressing that no efforts should be spared in smoking the criminals
out of their hideouts.
Source:
Independent
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Presidential
hopeful Ajadi celebrates with Muslims
By
NAN
02
May 2022
Olufemi
Ajadi, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s
Party (NNPP), has urged Nigerians to love one another despite religious
differences.
In
his Eid-el Fitr message to mark the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting season
by Muslims, Ajadi said it required commitment and endurance for one to go
through with the spiritual exercise.
He
advised Muslims to remember the essence of the fast, and also to remember the
words of Allah which encourage tolerance and peaceful coexistence which he
described as important in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like
Nigeria.
He
expressed optimism that Allah has already accepted the supplications of
Nigerians, and would respond positively to their pleas for a solution to
insecurity and other ungodly atrocities in the country.
These,
he said had distorted peaceful co-existence in the country, making it difficult
for the citizens to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He
bemoaned a situation whereby people who were elected into office through
democratic means were working contrary to the tenets of democracy.
He
said democracy itself was a good system of government but that those practicing
it had tended to give it a negative image.
“It
is not that democracy is a bad system of government; the problem is our elected
leaders who are now using the opportunity to selfishly enrich themselves at the
expense of the masses.
“It
is for issues like these that some of us are urging Nigerians to rise up and
change bad governance in the country. Elect people of integrity and you would
have done yourselves and the country a whole lot of good,” he said.
Encouraging
Nigerians not to lose hope, he said he saw a better Nigeria.
Ajadi,
however, wished all Muslims a blessed celebration.
Source:
Guardian Nigeria
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://guardian.ng/news/presidential-hopeful-ajadi-celebrates-with-muslims/
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Tunisia’s
president Saied announces ‘national dialogue,’ while keeping out opposition
02
May ,2022
Tunisian
President Kais Saied has announced the launch of “national dialogue” to help
resolve a political crisis following his controversial power grab, but
excluding critical opposition groups.
Saied,
a former law professor elected in 2019 amid public anger against the political
class in the North African nation, sacked the government on July 25 last year,
later moving to rule by decree in moves opponents dubbed a “coup.”
In
a speech late Sunday, Saied said a commission would manage “the national
dialogue,” a measure demanded repeatedly by the G7 nations and European Union.
Saied’s
proposed talks will include four groups which, together as the “National
Dialogue Quartet,” jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 for its work in
building what was, at the time, the only democracy that emerged from the 2011
Arab Spring.
The
four groups are the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), the Tunisian
Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Tunisian Human
Rights League and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers.
On
Sunday, UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi appealed to Saied to launch the national
dialogue, saying it was “probably the last chance” to bring the country
together and avoid “a dismantling of the state and a financial and economic
collapse.”
But
Saied ruled out participation in the talks of those “who sabotaged, starved,
and mistreated the people,” suggesting it would not include parties and civil
society organizations which have denounced his seizure of power.
That
would cover his arch rivals, the Ennahdha party.
Ennahdha,
which has played a central role in Tunisian politics since the revolution that
overthrew dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, is part of the National
Salvation Front coalition, forged last month between five political parties and
five civil society groups.
Saied
also said that a committee preparing constitutional reforms for “a New
Republic” will be completed soon, with a referendum on the proposals slated for
July 25, followed by legislative elections on December 17.
Tunisia
is also gripped by a dire social and economic crisis, and has been seeking a
loan package from the International Monetary Fund.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Al-Shabaab
attacks African Union mission camp in central Somalia: Report
03
May ,2022
Somalia’s
al-Shabaab group launched a car bomb and gun attack on an African Union mission
troop camp in the Shabelle region in the center of the country, a local elder
and the group said on Tuesday.
“We
were awoken by huge blasts early in the morning. The blasts were at the African
Union mission base. Heavy exchange of gunfire followed,” local elder Mohamed
Nur told Reuters by phone from el-Baraf, about 130 km (80 miles) to the north
of the capital Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab,
which has been fighting for years to topple the central government and
establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic law,
claimed responsibility for the attack.
“The
Mujahideen launched a pre-dawn raid on an ATMIS (African Union Mission)
military base in el-Baraf, middle Shabelle region,” al Shabaab said in a
statement.
“After
a fierce firefight, the Mujahideen managed to overrun the base and are now in
complete control of the entire military base.”
Officials
in Shabelle and the African Union mission were not immediately available to
comment on the attack.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/president-biden-eid-muslims-empathy/d/126923