‘Right To Practice Religion Not Unlimited’: Allahabad HC Junks Man’s Plea for Namaz on Private Land

New Age Islam News Bureau

02 May 2026

·         ‘Right to practice religion not unlimited’: Allahabad HC junks man’s plea for namaz on private land

·         How Israel’s war on Hezbollah in south Lebanon is devastating farmland, raising food security concerns

·         Hajj plan for pilgrims’ food and medicines approved by Saudi authority

·         Alleged terror plot targeting Galway mosque to go before Special Criminal Court

·         CAIR Condemns Israel’s Destruction of Christian Monastery, Nuns’ School in Lebanon

·         Why There Are No ‘Christian Terrorists’ – Ex-US mayor, Mike Arnold

·         Zahid: Islamic and character education must be part of mainstream system, National Tahfiz Council proposal headed to Cabinet

·         Activists voice concern over Afghanistan embassy shutdowns abroad

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India

·         Saroj Khan embraced Islam for her second husband as he accepted her condition to adopt her children from previous relationship

·         ‘Cleric’ accused of molestation shot during encounter in UP's Moradabad

·         Jammu and Kashmir: Terror hideout busted in Kishtwar; huge cache of arms-ammo seized

·         Rob and retreat: The Bangladeshi gang behind Goa’s high-profile home invasion cases

·         No non-veg, no alcohol: After Iftar row, how Varanasi boatmen are changing rules on the Ganga

·         Operation Asmita: 4 more arrested in Agra illegal conversion case

·         Chhattisgarh CM urges Hajj pilgrims to pray for national prosperity

·         How Rekhta Foundation is preserving—and reimagining—Urdu in the AI age

·         Jammu and Kashmir: CM Omar Abdullah denies plan to drop Urdu in revenue jobs, slams PDP over ‘lies’

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Mideast

·         Explosion of bombs left over from strikes kill 14 Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, reports say

·         Lebanon says 13 killed in Israeli strikes in south

·         Pain on the menu as Iran war squeezes Dubai’s restaurants

·         WHO calls for urgent entry of medicines into Gaza to rebuild health services

·         Israel’s death penalty law ‘perpetuates discrimination’

·         UN should revisit Lebanon peacekeeping mission decision, China envoy says

·         Jordanian king, Bahraini crown prince call for deal to end US-Iran war for regional stability

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Arab World

·         Hail hub receives Iraqi pilgrims as Saudi Arabia scales up Hajj 2026 operations

·         Madinah airport receives first Hajj pilgrim flights from Algeria, Morocco, Philippines and Somalia

·         Saudi Arabia’s private museums bolster tourism in Qassim

·         Saudi transport authority vice president receives Syrian delegation

·         Saudi Arabia’s KFSHRC named Middle East’s most valuable hospital for 4th consecutive year

·         Saudi FM, EU’s foreign affairs chief hold call to discuss regional developments

·         NextEra’s launch signifies an era of localized tech talent in Kingdom

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Europe

·         Golders Green suspect left mental health hospital, 'attacked Muslim acquaintance' before targeting Jewish men

·         Diplomatic corps representatives view ongoing work at New Shusha Mosque

·         Anti-slavery orders for religious leader and four others

·         Man admits arson attack at East Sussex mosque

·         Police cordon as car found stranded in pond in Earley

·         Muslims in HR hosts first London event

·         French PM fuels row with trip to buy baguettes

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North America

·         Trump admin says Iran conflict ‘terminated’ – AP

·         CAIR-CT Condemns Anti-Muslim Bullying and Assault of 12-Year-Old Student in Danbury School, Urges Immediate Passage of HB 5328

·         CAIR-AL Joins Calls to Stop the Supreme Court from Fresh Redistricting Efforts in Alabama

·         Gatineau man charged for alleged threats against Aylmer mosque

·         US to cut troop levels in Germany by 5,000 amid Trump spat with Merz

·         Trump announces new tariffs against EU

·         Trump likens American forces seizing Iranian ships to pirates

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Africa

·         Troops Kill Four Terrorists In Borno Operation

·         Bandits Storm Sokoto Community, Abduct Deputy Governor’s Relatives, Others

·         Kwankwasiyya Chieftain Resigns From ADC

·         Air Peace Breaks Silence Over Gatwick-Lagos Disruption, Denies Passenger Abandonment

·         Tinubu Declares National Emergency On Insecurity, Poverty

·         Rebel alliance seizes key Tessalit military camp in northern Mali

·         China drops tariffs on all African nations except Eswatini

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Southeast Asia

·         After royal crisis, Negeri Sembilan Ruler thanks supporters amid show of solidarity at mosque

·         Religious affairs minister urges mosques to hold special prayers for abducted Gaza aid flotilla activists

·         Pahang man, 65, dies in Mecca after sudden collapse before Friday prayers at Masjidil Haram

·         10 Malaysian GSF activists detained near Crete, released – SNCC

·         Sabah electricity bills rising? Energy company says aircon use likeliest reason as tariff unchanged

·         Defence minister defends high‑achieving SPM student, calls for end to online criticism

·         Malaysia–Singapore commuters welcome move to extend Socso protection abroad amid accident risks, high medical costs

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South Asia

·         International Labour Day: A Look at Employment Conditions

·         Need for Coordinated Action on Afghanistan as Lasting Stability Ensured

·         Digital Media Asia 2026 spotlights newsroom reinvention, revenue and evolving audience habits

·         Germany to move visas for citizens of Afghanistan online

·         Afghan Railway Delegation Attends 40th OSJD Conference in Kazakhstan

·         The Tragedies of the 7th and 8th of Sawr!!!

·         IU 'D' unit admission process begins on May 10

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

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‘Right to practice religion not unlimited’: Allahabad HC junks man’s plea for namaz on private land

Bhupendra Pandey

May 2, 2026

Dismissing a man’s petition seeking directions to the Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) to allow him to offer namaz on his private land, the Allahabad High Court has observed that the right to practice religion is subject to public order and can’t be exercised in a manner that interferes with the rights of others.

“The Constitution protects the right to practice religion, but it also makes it clear that this right is subject to public order, morality and health. It is not an unlimited right. It cannot be exercised in a way that affects others or disturbs the normal functioning of public life,” a division bench of Justices Saral Srivastava and Garima Prashad observed in its April 6 order, uploaded on April 30.

It further stated based on the material placed on record, “… this Court finds that the land in question is recorded as public land. Even otherwise, if the land is assumed to be private, the petitioner is not entitled to the relief sought…”

The bench added, “When it comes to public land, the position is straightforward. Public land is meant for everyone and is controlled by law. No individual can claim a right to use it for regular religious gatherings,” the bench added.

The court said “the record shows that he is not protecting an existing practice but seeking to introduce regular congregational gatherings, including persons from within and outside the village. It is admitted that namaz was earlier offered only on specific occasions such as Eid. This expansion beyond a limited private sphere falls outside the protected domain and is subject to regulation”.

In these circumstances, the bench ordered, “… This court cannot grant relief on such a basis, particularly where the matter has implications for public order and social harmony. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed.”

What bench said on previous orders

The petitioner, Aseen, sought directions to the DM to provide security/protection and permission to pray at his private premises (measuring 82.80 sqm of gram sabha land) at Ikona village in Sambhal’s Gunnaur.

Aseen’s counsel cited four recent orders of the Allahabad High Court on separate petitions that sought similar relief. These orders, delivered between January and March this year, had stated that prayers can be conducted on private premises without requiring prior permission.

Replying to the petitioner, the bench said in these orders, the court protected bona fide prayer within private premises and held that such personal religious exercise cannot be arbitrarily interfered with.

However, the division bench of Justices Srivastava and Prashad stated that those decisions “cannot be read as laying down of organised or regular congregational activity on private premises is wholly immune from regulation. They recognise a limited protection, where prayer remains confined to a private, non-disruptive setting. Where the activity extends beyond that sphere and begins to affect the public domain, lawful regulation follows”.

“These decisions do not confer a right to convert private premises into an unregulated congregational space,” the bench added.

Further, the court observed, law does not require the authorities to wait for an actual disturbance to occur. Where an activity is likely to affect public order, the State is entitled to act in advance. The test is not the religious nature of the activity, but its public consequences, it observed.

Govt stand

The court further stated that the petitioner asserts ownership over the land on the basis of a registered gift deed dated June 16, 2023, and contends that the restraint violates his fundamental rights under Articles 19, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Constitution as persons professing Islam are entitled to offer namaz without interference.

The Standing Counsel appearing for the state also submitted that the land which the petitioner claimed is his private premises is meant for public use and he has no ownership rights over it. The government counsel said the gift deed does not disclose any identifiable revenue particulars and cannot confer any legal title upon him.

The court was also informed that a report by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate states that namaz has traditionally been offered at the said location only on the occasion of Eid, and that no restriction has been imposed on such established practice.

The petitioner, however, is attempting to introduce regular large-scale congregational prayers by inviting persons from within and outside the village. It was further brought on record that the village has a mixed population and has remained peaceful for decades.

The Standing Counsel cited government orders issued in 2024, 2025 and 2026 which consistently mandated that while religious practices are to be respected, no new traditions or non-traditional activities shall be permitted and that established practices must be adhered to to maintain public order.

The counsel cited an example of similar order applied for Hindu festivals like Holi, which is allowed to be held at traditional sites only.

Source: indianexpress.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/right-to-practice-religion-not-unlimited-allahabad-hc-namaz-10667284/

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How Israel’s war on Hezbollah in south Lebanon is devastating farmland, raising food security concerns

NAJIA HOUSSARI

May 01, 2026

BEIRUT: Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have left vast stretches of farmland scorched and contaminated, according to Lebanese officials, raising concerns about long-term environmental damage, food security and the ability of displaced residents to return.

The demolition of towns and villages in the south, which began during the 2023 war, has intensified since renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel erupted in March.

Even as a fragile ceasefire holds, Israeli forces have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon, displacing residents from what Israel has dubbed the Yellow Line, a new security buffer zone.

The reported use of white phosphorus and spraying of concentrated glyphosate along the border have destroyed crops and degraded soil, with Lebanese officials warning that some land may no longer be viable for agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani told Arab News that the destruction of land in southern Lebanon had reached “unprecedented levels,” estimating that 22.5 percent of farmland had been affected.

This far exceeds figures reported in Ukraine, where less than 10 percent of agricultural land has been damaged during the war with Russia.

According to the ministry’s third damage assessment, 78 percent of farmers in southern Lebanon have ceased activity due to displacement, while more than 10,000 farms have been damaged.

The impact has been on staple crops like wheat, vegetables, legumes and tobacco, as well as greenhouse production.

The soil in the south is fertile, with greater groundwater reserves and higher rainfall than other regions. The area was known for cultivating tobacco, olives, citrus fruits, grains and vegetables, which provided income, contributed to food self-sufficiency and supported year-round employment.

Hani told Arab News that the agricultural sector was “facing a severe crisis,” with the risk to food security increasing from 17 to 27 percent across the whole population.

Of the country’s 250,000 hectares of agricultural land, 54,000 hectares had been directly affected by the war, he said.

“This is an unprecedented scale with direct consequences for farmers, livelihoods and the broader economy.”

The conflict has damaged livestock facilities and irrigation networks, seen farmland bulldozed and vital bridges destroyed, such as those over the Litani River, cutting off farmers from their land and isolating produce from markets.

Official figures show a 49 percent decline in the number of beehives and a 39 percent drop in fish production, along with losses among cattle, sheep and poultry.

Israel’s establishment of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon is a military strategy intended to secure its northern border by removing Hezbollah militants and infrastructure from the immediate vicinity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described this as a “genuine security zone preventing any infiltration toward the Galilee and the northern border,” adding that the military was “expanding this zone to push the threat from anti-tank missiles further away.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz has outlined plans to maintain security control up to the Litani.

He said that once operations had been concluded, the military would govern the territory “while dismantling (Hezbollah) forces that have infiltrated and eliminating all weaponry in the area.”

Before the March offensive, some residents had managed to return briefly after the 2024 ceasefire to tend their plots, planting tobacco in the hope of a spring harvest. But when the war resumed the tobacco burned in the fields.

Tarek Mazraani, an architect from the border village of Houla and chair of a committee representing displaced residents, said the areas now under Israeli military control were among the most agriculturally significant in Lebanon.

Olive groves, citrus orchards, banana plantations and tobacco fields combined account for more than half of the country’s total farm output.

“What has been lost is not marginal land,” Mazraani told Arab News.

What remains of Lebanon’s citrus production lies further north, around Sidon and Sarafand, north of the Litani.

“But even there, agriculture has effectively ground to a halt. Farmers’ homes have become shelters for the displaced. The land sits untended,” Mazraani said.

The Ministry of Agriculture described the escalation in agricultural losses as severe. Its assessment, which does not include losses since March or those within the new Israeli buffer zone, found that more than 22.5 percent of the country’s agricultural land — almost 52,000 hectares — has been damaged.

Almost 2,400 hectares were recorded as being destroyed in a single week.

Hani said that about 1,600 hectares of land used for tobacco cultivation had been destroyed, with significant consequences for families, farmers and the broader economy, given the crop’s importance to local cigarette manufacturing and its high returns.

He also addressed the use of chemical substances, particularly white phosphorus, during the 2023 war in southern Lebanon.

“We collected hundreds of samples under extremely complex field conditions, examined them and found their impact to be significant,” he said.

“We were also investigating whether they sprayed substances containing heavy metals.”

Hani said Israel’s use of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, had been excessive during the current conflict.

They had “deliberately sprayed this substance at concentrations exceeding those typically used worldwide along a 17 km border strip,” in an attempt to damage Lebanon’s plant ecosystem, he said.

That approach mirrored practices seen in Gaza, with satellite images showing how treated areas formed a buffer zone as part of another Yellow Line within the enclave, he said.

“They are now adopting this method in Lebanon.”

Hani said that the chemical left behind harmful residues that could have long-term effects on forests, agriculture and vegetation, with contamination likely to persist in the soil.

According to Lebanon’s National Council for Scientific Research, the south has suffered extensive environmental damage, similar to that seen in Gaza. It said that the impact of the war was evident in the destruction of forests and agricultural land, which once served as hubs of biodiversity and natural carbon sinks, undermining livelihoods and food security.

Former Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Abbas Al-Hajj Hassan said that white phosphorus munitions used by Israeli forces burned about 40,000 mature olive trees in 2023.

The Legal Agenda, a Beirut-based nonprofit research and advocacy organization, has described the spraying of pesticides as a violation of Rule 76 of Customary International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits the use of herbicides as a method of warfare if they cause widespread, long-term damage to the environment.

The use of chemicals to clear vegetation in the border area is part of a broader Israeli security effort to eliminate cover for militants, improve visibility and reduce the risk of ambush. However, the strategy appears to have gone further than merely clearing vegetation.

The NCSR reported that during the first five weeks of the current war, the Israeli army completely or partially destroyed more than 50,400 homes across Lebanon. In Bint Jbeil alone, 9,540 units were destroyed, along with 9,909 in Tyre, 5,823 in Marjayoun and 9,972 in Nabatieh.

In a report published at the end of April last year, the Ministry of Environment documented damage to the country’s natural resources between 2023 and 2025. It said that Israeli military attacks had “reshaped the physical and environmental landscape” of southern Lebanon.

Minister of Environment Tamara Al-Zein said in the introduction that the scale and nature of the damage inflicted on forests, agricultural land, marine ecosystems, water resources and air quality “must be recognized as an act of ecocide, with repercussions extending beyond direct destruction.”

“The environmental damage we are facing is not merely an environmental issue but is also linked to public health, food security, livelihoods, the social fabric and the country’s resilience,” she said.

She accused Israel of committing “three simultaneous forms of destruction” — domicide, urbicide and ecocide.

She said that domicide was reflected in the large-scale destruction of housing, with more than 220,000 units damaged or destroyed, while urbicide was evident in the systematic targeting of southern border villages, including residential neighborhoods, infrastructure, places of worship and historical and archaeological sites.

Ecocide, she said, had caused widespread damage to forests, agricultural land, soil and water resources, with consequences that extended beyond the immediate destruction to affect public health, food security and livelihoods.

The Ministry of Environment’s findings align with the World Bank’s Lebanon Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, which estimates the total losses at $14 billion, comprising $6.8 billion in physical damage and $7.2 billion in economic losses.

Losses in the environmental sector and debris management reached $512 million, equivalent to 7.5 percent of total national losses, while overall recovery needs amounted to about $11 billion.

Al-Zein said that Lebanon’s right to hold Israel accountable for environmental damage was “non-negotiable,” regardless of political considerations or disagreements over the war.

Calling for support for recovery efforts was a national responsibility that required broad solidarity and strong international partnerships to address the high cost of remediation, she said.

Videos circulating on social media show Israeli soldiers harvesting vegetables from gardens in evacuated border villages, preparing meals inside homes and then demolishing them.

“It is painful and deeply humiliating,” Mazraani said, describing how residents had been displaced and prevented from returning.

“Soldiers broke in, ransacked what remained and desecrated land that families here have farmed for centuries,” he said.

He also pointed to a less visible form of loss, citing the disappearance or destruction of antiquities, documents and manuscripts left behind during the mass displacement.

Items such as books, documents, village archives and land ownership deeds had either been looted or destroyed, he said.

“I and others have thousands of books, old weapons, sculptures and records. This is another form of cultural erasure, following the destruction of villages and the severing of people’s connection to their land,” he said.

“It is an uprooting of history and geography.”

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2642023/middle-east

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Hajj plan for pilgrims’ food and medicines approved by Saudi authority

RASHID HASSAN

May 01, 2026

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has finalized its plan to ensure safe food, medicines and medical devices are provided for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj.

“This readiness aligns with the directives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s wise leadership to prioritize the health and well-being of pilgrims, leveraging all available resources to ensure a safe and seamless Hajj journey,” the SFDA stated in a press release on Thursday.

“Key pillars include strengthening supply chain oversight, enhancing the readiness of field teams, intensifying inspection visits of regulated facilities, and bolstering coordination with relevant government entities,” the organization added.

The SFDA stated “that a fully integrated technical team will work around the clock across all regulatory pathways, starting from land, sea, and air entry points.

“This includes control over air freight belonging to Hajj missions and specialized inspection points at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.”

Oversight extends to food and pharmaceutical establishments, as well as medical-device facilities under the SFDA’s supervision.

Over the past few months, the SFDA stated that it had conducted over 1,400 inspections of food and pharmaceutical factories and warehouses, as well as medical-device facilities to verify the integrity of supply chains.

Also, the SFDA has hosted several awareness workshops in collaboration with the municipalities of Makkah and Madinah, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Public Health Authority.

“These sessions targeted factory and catering workers, as well as government inspectors, to ensure strict compliance with health requirements and the provision of safe meals,” the SFDA stated.

“The SFDA’s participation in the Hajj season every year is part of a unified government ecosystem dedicated to providing the highest quality services to pilgrims, solidifying the Kingdom’s global leadership in crowd management and safety,” the organization added.

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2641974/saudi-arabia

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Alleged terror plot targeting Galway mosque to go before Special Criminal Court

Fiona Magennis

02 May 2026

Four men are to stand trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court charged in connection with an alleged plot to carry out a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway last November.

The four accused - Darren Gorman (33), O’Moore Place, Portlaoise Co Laois; Charles Flynn (35), Castlerock Avenue, Castleconnell, Co Limerick; Garrett Pollock (35), Kilhorne Greene, Annalong, Co Down; and Karolis Peckauskas (38), Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth - are all charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage by fire Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway, intending to damage or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged, an offence which was aggravated by hatred, between November 4 and 5, 2025.

Mr Peckauskas and Mr Pollock are also accused of having two hatchets, a knuckle duster and a hunting knife in a silver BMW at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise on November 4, 2025 contrary to Section 9 (5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.

Mr Peckauskas and Mr Pollock are further charged with possession an explosive substance - four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide - under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that they did not have it in their possession for a lawful object at O’Moore Place on November 4 that year.

Mr Pollock is also charged with having in his possession an explosive substance - EMCG1 - a glass jar with a metal lid, a cloth fuse, matches and tape in addition to EMCG5-EMCG10 liquids and white clumped powders, all containing hydrocarbon fire accelerants, namely petrol, under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he didn’t have it in his possession for a lawful object at An Tobar, Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth on the same date.

A State solicitor yesterday made an ex-parte application (where only one side is represented) on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have the four accused tried before the Special Criminal Court, with the charges having been sent forward from the District Court last month.

Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Fiona Lydon, made the order in respect of each of the accused and adjourned the matter to May 11.

He directed that the defendants be produced in person on that date.

Source: irishmirror.ie

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/alleged-terror-plot-targeting-galway-37100528

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CAIR Condemns Israel’s Destruction of Christian Monastery, Nuns’ School in Lebanon

May 1, 2026

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Israel’s reported destruction of a historic Christian monastery and a nuns’ school in southern Lebanon, calling the incident part of a broader pattern of escalating attacks on Christian and Muslim communities in the region.

According to media reports, Israeli forces demolished the religious and educational sites, raising alarm among religious leaders and human rights advocates about the safety of Christian institutions amid ongoing Israeli occupation operations.

Earlier today, CAIR called on Republican elected officials and Christian political organizations to condemn escalating attacks on Christians in Palestine and Lebanon, including an Israeli man’s assault on a French nun in Jerusalem and Israel’s destruction of churches and Christian villages in Lebanon.

In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:

“All those who defend religious freedom must speak out against the destruction of Christian and Muslim holy sites and institutions by Israeli occupation forces in Lebanon. The demolition of a monastery and school serving nuns in Lebanon is deeply disturbing and demands immediate international condemnation. Silence in the face of such actions undermines the universal principle of protecting religious rights and sacred spaces.”

CAIR recently condemned Israel’s destruction of a statue crucifix in Lebanon.

In 2024, Israeli forces desecrated a church in Lebanon. In October 2023, Israeli forces bombed the Church of St. Porphyrius in Gaza, one of the oldest in the world.

Source: cair.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-israels-destruction-of-christian-monastery-nuns-school-in-lebanon/

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Why There Are No ‘Christian Terrorists’ – Ex-US mayor, Mike Arnold

May 1, 2026

A former United States mayor, Mike Arnold, had asserted that there are no ‘Christian terrorists’ in southeastern Nigeria despite the attacks in the region.

Naija News reports that Arnold, in a post via his Facebook page on Friday, revealed that a Muslim fellow had questioned his failure to discuss “Christian terrorists in the South-East of Nigeria”.

According to him, the question concerns the criminal activities being perpetrated by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the region.

In response, Arnold declared that there is “no possible way for there to be a ‘Christian Terrorist.” Because such acts prove that the perpetrator is NOT a Christian”.

He added, “It is a 180 degree departure from the teachings and example of Jesus. Just because one is from a predominantly Christian tribe or region, or perhaps even labels themselves such, doesn’t make it so.

“It’s like saying someone is a flagrant homosexual Muslim. You would deny such a person is Muslim because it is not possible.

“They are not following Mohammed or the Quran. Right? On the flip side, however, all the bloodthirsty terrorist who are slaughtering, raping, enslaving, displacing, destroying while yelling Allahu Akbar… they are indeed faithfully following the footsteps of Mohammed and the foundational teachings of Islam.

“This is why we talk about Islamic terrorists and not Christian. One is a bloody reality, the other is impossible fiction”.

Source: naijanews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/01/why-there-are-no-christian-terrorists-ex-us-mayor-mike-arnold/

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Zahid: Islamic and character education must be part of mainstream system, National Tahfiz Council proposal headed to Cabinet

By Anis Zalani

01 May 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for Islamic religious education and moral‑values development to be strengthened within Malaysia’s mainstream schooling system, stressing that both should not be treated as peripheral streams.

He said the party backs the creation of a National Tahfiz Council to coordinate and elevate Islamic and tahfiz education nationwide, adding that he will take the proposal to the Cabinet for approval.

“We support the proposal to establish a National Tahfiz Council, and I will bring this matter to the Cabinet for approval.

“Our goal is to produce Huffaz who are not only memorisers of the Quran, but also professionals, engineers, doctors, technocrats, entrepreneurs, and leaders,” he said in his concluding remarks at the Umno education congress here today.

Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, added that he aspired to see future national leaders, including a prime minister, who are Hafiz of the Quran. A Hafiz is a person who has memorised the entire Quran.

He then said this ambition should be embedded within a structured national education agenda.

He also stressed the importance of building what he described as a “knowledge society” that not only values learning but also uses it to shape national development.

“In this context, education must build human beings, the complete and balanced human person.

“Knowledge without values will produce individuals who are intelligent but not wise, capable but not civilised,” he said.

He then went on to say that education must therefore return to its core purpose of developing character, ethics, discipline, patriotism and respect for parents.

He further proposed that ethics and character education be made a compulsory subject at all levels of schooling.

“An educated society must also be a society with strong moral values. Knowledge without ethics creates emptiness,” he said.

Source: malaymail.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/05/01/zahid-islamic-and-character-education-must-be-part-of-mainstream-system-national-tahfiz-council-proposal-headed-to-cabinet/218420

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Activists voice concern over Afghanistan embassy shutdowns abroad

By Fidel Rahmati

May 1, 2026

A rights group warned closing Afghanistan embassies abroad could limit services, weaken advocacy and deepen humanitarian and political challenges for vulnerable citizens.

A coalition of human rights activists warned that closing or weakening Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions abroad could have serious humanitarian and political consequences, particularly for vulnerable communities relying on consular support.

In a statement, the group said reports about a possible closure of Afghanistan’s embassy in Australia are concerning and could restrict access to essential services for Afghan nationals.

It added that shutting such missions could unintentionally strengthen the narrative of the Taliban by reducing alternative representation of Afghan citizens internationally and limiting advocacy efforts.

Diplomatic missions have become key support hubs for Afghans overseas, especially women, civil society actors and migrants, providing documentation, legal assistance and a channel for raising concerns.

Since 2021, several Afghanistan embassies have faced uncertainty over funding and recognition, with some scaling down operations or closing, further reducing access to services for diaspora communities.

The group urged host countries to reconsider such decisions, warning that closures could weaken the voice of Afghans abroad and worsen existing humanitarian and human rights challenges.

Source: khaama.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.khaama.com/activists-voice-concern-over-afghanistan-embassy-shutdowns-abroad/

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India

Saroj Khan embraced Islam for her second husband as he accepted her condition to adopt her children from previous relationship

May 1, 2026

Saroj Khan, who passed away on July 3, 2020, was considered one of the best choreographers that Indian cinema ever saw. Known for creating unforgettable dance sequences like 'Ek Do Teen' and 'Dola Re Dola', among many others, her professional achievements were monumental, but her personal life saw a lot of struggles and trauma. Yet, it was her passion for dance that kept her going.She was married off at just 13, only to later discover that the marriage was invalid. Forced to take on responsibilities early in life, she never had the chance to experience a carefree childhood. Interestingly, her entry into films was not planned but happened purely by chance.

Recalling those early days, she had said in an interview with Koshish Se Kaamyaabi Tak, “My father had died, and I had to keep the home running. I became a group dancer. I was studying and wanted to become a doctor, but God had other plans.”

A defining moment in her journey came when she caught the attention of noted dance director Sohanlal on a film set. He noticed that she was not only performing her assigned steps but also flawlessly matching those of dancer Helen. When asked to perform the entire routine, she did so with confidence, earning herself a position as his assistant at the age of just 12.

However, her association with Sohanlal soon took a complicated turn. At 13, she married him, despite him being three decades older, only to later discover that he was already married and had four children, rendering their union unlawful. By the age of 14, she was expecting her first child.

Reflecting on that phase in an interview with the BBC, she said, “I did not know what marriage meant at that time. He just put a black thread around my neck one day and I thought I was married.”

Years later, in 1975, she found companionship again with businessman Sardar Roshan Khan, who proposed to her. She agreed to marry him on the condition that he would accept and adopt her children from her previous relationship. A Punjabi Hindu by birth, Saroj Khan embraced Islam after marriage, as he honoured her request.

Despite finding stability later in life, personal loss continued to shadow her. From her first marriage, she suffered the heartbreaking loss of a baby girl who passed away within eight months of birth.

Source: indiatimes.com

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‘Cleric’ accused of molestation shot during encounter in UP's Moradabad

02 May 2026

LUCKNOW: A 45-year-old ‘cleric’, accused of molesting a burqa-clad woman in a deserted lane in Moradabad, was shot in the leg during an encounter with Moradabad police. Turning out to be a ladies’ tailor, the cleric sustained a bullet injury in his left leg.

As per police sources, the encounter took place near Jama Masjid around 11 pm on Thursday. The police authorities said that on being surrounded by the cops, the accused opened fire. In retaliatory firing, a bullet hit his left leg and he is currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

Two days ago, Naushad allegedly followed the woman in a deserted lane and molested her. When she screamed, the accused fled. As the victim reported the matter to the local police, on Thursday, Naushad was identified through the scanning of CCTV footage of the lane. Five police teams were deployed to trace him.

According to SP City Ran Vijay Singh, Naushad is unmarried. Investigation has revealed that he had allegedly behaved indecently with several women in the past as well.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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Jammu and Kashmir: Terror hideout busted in Kishtwar; huge cache of arms-ammo seized

May 2, 2026

JAMMU:Security forces busted a terrorist hideout in J&K’s Kishtwar district Friday and seized a massive cache of arms, ammunition and explosive material.

“The recovery included one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher with one 51mm rocket, a carbine, one pistol, a sling, four detonators, 97 live rounds of 9mm, 18 live rounds of 7.62mm, one pull-through, 1kg of explosives, one Kenwood radio set and two Motorola radio sets,” an official said.

Acting on intelligence inputs, troops launched a joint search operation in the hilly district’s Chatroo region and located the hideout within Bajmandoo forest in Sigdi Bhata area.

Source: indiatimes.com

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Rob and retreat: The Bangladeshi gang behind Goa’s high-profile home invasion cases

Pavneet Singh Chadha

May 2, 2026

A Bangladesh-linked gang allegedly behind two high-profile Goa dacoities last year — and wanted in multiple cases across states — is said to have used a “strike-and-vanish” playbook: entering India to commit crimes before quickly slipping back across the border to evade police.

Six accused — Suman Hauldhar (35), Saifful Islam (31), Sohail Sheikh (35), Md Nasir (48), Noor Islam (56) and Zakir Haldar (40), all from Bangladesh — were arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch on the intervening night of April 14–15 after an exchange of fire. Five were brought to Goa on transfer warrants and produced before a judicial magistrate first class in Panaji on Thursday, which remanded them to 11 days’ police custody.

In October 2025, six-armed alleged robbers broke into a doctor’s home in North Goa’s Mapusa, tied up occupants for over two hours and fled with jewellery, cash and a car. In a similar incident in April last year, armed robbers allegedly targeted an elderly couple from a business family in Dona Paula, decamping with gold and cash after tying them up. During the probe, Goa Police teams conducted raids across Belgaum, Bijapur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Tripura and Meghalaya. The suspects were identified and their details shared with police forces in other states.

One accused, Noor Islam, was earlier lodged in Goa’s Colvale jail and is alleged to have facilitated the gang’s entry into Goa. Police said he met a man identified as Mahmood there between 2023 and ߨ Mahmood, from Uttar Pradesh, allegedly provided logistical support for the Dona Paula dacoity. Another accused, Saifful Islam, was allegedly sheltered by Raju B and Safikul. Noor Islam, Saifful Islam and Mahmood have been arrested.

‘Hit, run, hide’: How they pulled it off

Goa Police said their interrogation suggests the group crossed into India via the Meghalaya border. Rahul Gupta, SP (Crime Branch), said some members allegedly conducted reconnaissance in residential areas, camping in nearby secluded patches for a day or two to study routines, sleeping patterns and entry points.

“They would split into smaller groups to avoid attention, regrouping at pre-decided points like bus stands, railway stations and beaches, and avoiding technical communication to reduce detection,” he said.

Police alleged the group used rods and knives to threaten victims and counter resistance. “After entering bungalows, they assessed layouts, identified locked and unlocked rooms and selectively targeted accessible areas. Family members were assaulted, tied up, and the accused then fled with gold and other valuables,” Gupta said.

In an April 15 statement, Delhi Police alleged the gang infiltrated India through clandestine networks, paying large sums. Operating masked and armed, they allegedly followed a ‘hit-run-hide’ pattern — targeting isolated, affluent elderly residents, committing dacoities and, in some cases, brutally assaulting those who resisted before escaping across the border.

Police further alleged the group relied on a covert network of relatives in India to identify homes with significant gold and cash, planned armed break-ins, and then quickly retreated toward the border. “Their local network also allegedly supplied arms and logistics. They paid human smugglers to facilitate return to Bangladesh and avoided mobile phones to stay off the grid,” the statement said.

Authorities said the gang is allegedly linked to cases of robbery, murder and dacoity registered across Goa, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

Source: indianexpress.com

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No non-veg, no alcohol: After Iftar row, how Varanasi boatmen are changing rules on the Ganga

Manish Sahu

May 2, 2026

Nearly two months after 14 youths were held for allegedly disposing of leftover chicken biryani into the Ganga at Varanasi on March 17, police say they are still waiting for a “forensic report”, without sharing details. Sources said a report is also awaited from Instagram on the account from which the video of the 14 purportedly caught in the act was uploaded.

With police yet to file a chargesheet, the bail hearing of the 14 Muslim youths — accused of “hurting religious sentiments”, “defiling” a place of worship and “extortion”, as well as of charges under the pollution Act — is to come up on May 5 now before the Allahabad High Court. Three hearings have happened in the court, with their bail application earlier rejected by a lower court and a Sessions Court.

In the time since, only one similar incident has led to police action off the Varanasi ghats, after two youths were allegedly caught drinking beer on the Ganga. The Assi Ghat Police Outpost In-Charge, Sub-Inspector Ranjeet Kumar, said Arjun Rajbhar was held in the case in the first week of April, after which Lal Sahani, also a resident and also in his 20s, was arrested based on “video proof”.

In this case too, police are yet to file a chargesheet. Both Rajbhar and Sahani, charged under Sections of breach of peace and criminal intimidation, are out on bail.

The state government, which transferred the authority to register boats plying on the Ganga in Varanasi from the Municipal Corporation to the Transport Department, before the iftar biryani row, is yet to put into motion a portal that was meant to streamline regulation and the process.

Court: It was alleged that an iftar gathering was held on a boat on the Ganga and the accused discarded the leftovers into the river on March 15. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav) It was alleged that an iftar gathering was held on a boat on the Ganga and the accused discarded the leftovers into the river on March 15. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)

New rules govern boat rides

Boat owners (1,217 boats are officially registered with the Municipal Corporation) are meant to upload details of their vessels on the portal, with licences to be issued only after verification and certification by government-appointed surveyors, who would ensure compliance with prescribed safety norms.

As they await the portal, boat operators are tightening oversight on their own, to prevent being caught in another such row.

Pramod Majhi, the president of the Maa Ganga Nishad Raj Sewa Niyas, an organisation representing boat operators in Varanasi, says: “Previously, there was no clearly defined code of conduct governing activities on boats. The controversy has compelled us to introduce safeguards to uphold the sanctity of the Ganga while also protecting it from pollution.”

The new set of guidelines, as per Majhi, include a strict ban on carrying or consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol, intoxicants and narcotic substances on board. Boat operators have been instructed to ensure that passengers do not throw plastic bottles, food wrappers or any other waste into the river, and are being encouraged to install cameras on their vessels.

Besides this, the display of firearms is now expressly forbidden, while operators have been told to stick to the vessel’s approved capacity of passengers, and to watch out for any brawls.

“Violators will face action by the association, and will have complaints filed against them to the authorities concerned,” says Majhi.

On food, Shambhu Nishad, the Maa Ganga Nishad Raj Sewa Niyas’s organising secretary, whose family operates 16 boats in Varanasi, says while vegetarian fare is “generally permitted”, passengers do carry items along. There is no provision to check their bags.

Some small boats also operate as floating kiosks, selling tea and biscuits to tourists.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Varanasi, Atul Anjaan Tripathi says that with all boats operating on the Ganga privately owned, the government’s role is largely confined to overseeing safety and security regulations.

Raghvendra Singh, Regional Transport Officer, Varanasi, promises that the portal for registration of boats will “begin soon”. “We are currently framing the necessary rules and regulations,” he says, adding that the registrations would have to be renewed annually.

Naina Sahani, the daughter of Kashi Sahani, the owner of the boat on which the 14 accused men held the iftar party, says the vessel is back on the water. “But we are now taking extra precautions. We avoid renting the boat to groups of young men, and prefer families, especially those with women and children.”

Sahani says her family members were questioned twice after the FIR against the 14 men was filed, but have not been called by police for a statement since.

The families of the arrested youths say they have been held on false charges without gathering proper evidence, and that they had not thrown any bones or leftovers into the river.

Mohammad Shameem, whose sons Mohammad Tahseem and Azad Ali are among the 14 in Varanasi District Jail, says: “All the families regularly visit them. Our sons are getting frustrated as time goes by and they remain in jail… We pray God will help us.”

Source: indianexpress.com

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Operation Asmita: 4 more arrested in Agra illegal conversion case

May 01, 2026

Police have arrested four more people for their involvement in an illegal conversion that the Agra police unearthed last year. Three of those arrested are from Delhi and one hails from Bharatpur in Rajasthan, police officials said on Friday.

“One of the four arrested from Delhi is Jatin Kapoor who has converted to Jashim and is resident of Mool Chandra Colony in North West Delhi. The 32-year-old is an MBA and a digital expert working as freelancer for website designing and plays key role in motivating youngsters towards converting to Islam,” Agra police commissioner Deepak Kumar told the media persons here.

“The other key associate is Maulana Hasan Mohammad, 59, from Bharatpur in Rajasthan. He was behind preparing ‘nikahnama’ for marriages arranged by deceit for converted girls. Talmeez (47), arrested from South East Delhi is resident of Okhla (in Delhi) and has a flourishing shoe and fruit business and was close to kingpin Abdul Rehman,” he said.

“We had locations of Talmeez along with kingpin Abdul Rahman from north east states, Jammu and Kashmir and other border states. He was much vocal against religions other than Islam and preached hatred for Hinduism,” the police commissioner added.

“The fourth arrest was also from Delhi of Parvez Akhtar, 53, who resided in Ahata Kidara in North Delhi and is a Delhi University graduate having a shop of computer hardware. He was associated with Siddiqui, the man who used to write Islamic books but was arrested. Parvez was instrumental in providing logistics in Delhi to gang members,” Kumar said.

“Earlier, 14 arrests were made in this connection and more than a dozen girls and women were rescued from Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh,” he added.

“Under Operation Asmita, patronised by the CM for women safety, police were keeping a vigil on those linked with the gang which had slowed down its activities after arrests of 14 people, yet they were active,” the cop said.

DCP (city) Syed Ali Abbas said the arrested accused were being presented before a court and legal compliances were being ensured. A case was registered with Agra’s Sadar Bazar police station on May 4 last year in connection with the illegal conversion racket.

Source: hindustantimes.com

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Chhattisgarh CM urges Hajj pilgrims to pray for national prosperity

Ejaz Kaiser

02 May 2026

RAIPUR: Addressing a gathering of Hajj pilgrims in Raipur, CM Vishnu Deo Sai emphasised the spirit of national unity and well-being.

The event organised by the Chhattisgarh State Hajj Committee served as a formal send-off for the state's pilgrims. A record 815 pilgrims from 29 districts embarked on the Hajj 2026 pilgrimage, since Chhattisgarh state's formation.

The largest-ever contingent includes 417 men and 398 women, reflecting a significant turnout for the holy journey.

CM Sai urged the pilgrims to remember their roots while on their sacred journey. "Pray for the progress and prosperity of Chhattisgarh and our nation," he urged the pilgrims.

He also stated that witnessing this departure is a great fortune.

He shared a personal connection to the tradition, mentioning that he has welcomed Hajj pilgrims since his tenure as a Member of Parliament.

The Chief Minister personally distributed essential Hajj kits to the travellers. Special guest Brijmohan Agarwal, Lok Sabha member from Raipur, congratulated the pilgrims, stating that the journey is a divine calling.

"Every Muslim dreams of this pilgrimage, and those going are truly fortunate. We ask that you pray for peace and harmony in our land," he said.

Mirza Ejaz Baig, Chairman of the State Hajj Committee, said that this year every individual who applied for the pilgrimage from the state was selected, and training sessions were organised at their respective districts.

The pilgrims were also guided to adhere to the laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia during their stay.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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How Rekhta Foundation is preserving—and reimagining—Urdu in the AI age

Nikita Mohta

May 2, 2026

Urdu, written in a Perso-Arabic script, can be difficult to access for those who haven’t learned to read it. For many readers, this creates a gap between familiarity with the language and access to its literary canon, especially since transliterations in Devanagari and Roman scripts are often inconsistent or incomplete.

About 13-14 years ago, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sanjiv Saraf encountered this problem. “I realised there were millions like me who couldn’t access this rich subcontinental heritage, and I wanted to bridge that gap by sharing selected works of great poets—like Mirza Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir, Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq, and Bahadur Shah Zafar—in accessible scripts with word meanings. So, at 54, I decided to learn the script myself. That’s how it began in 2013.”

There was no grand vision. “Just pure passion,” says Saraf.

Today, along with author and filmmaker Huma Khalil, Saraf has built the Rekhta Foundation. What began as a digital archive has evolved into a larger ecosystem, using technology and programming to expand access to Urdu and other Indic languages. “What began as a small effort quickly grew with overwhelming demand. Today, we feature over 5,000 poets, more than 40,000 ghazals, and thousands of nazms,” Saraf tells The Indian Express.

Urdu in India

From the 13th to the end of the 18th century, the language now called Urdu was largely known as Hindi. British administrator and linguist George Grierson described the language thus: “Hindōstānī is primarily the language of the Upper Gangetic Doab, and is also the lingua franca of India, capable of being written in both Persian and Dēvanāgarī characters… The name ‘Urdu’ can then be confined to that special variety of Hindōstānī in which Persian words are of frequent occurrence… and, similarly, ‘Hindi’ can be confined to the form… in which Sanskrit words abound.”

In From Hindi to Urdu: A Social and Political History (2011), Tariq Rahman notes that the term Urdu is Turkish in origin and refers to a camp or military cantonment (Urdū-ē-Muallā). He links it to the idea that the language emerged in Mughal military camps in north India, where interaction between Muslims and Hindus was constant. Yet he cautions, “Such associations tend to disown at least four hundred years of the history of the language when it was called…Hindvi, Hindi, Dihlavi, Gujri, Dakani and Rekhtah.”

This framing also risks reducing Urdu to a pidgin. “The definition of a pidgin,” Rahman notes, “is that it is a reduced language that results from extended contact between groups of people with no language in common.” But Urdu, he argues, is not a reduced language; its grammatical structure makes it a full language, not an ad hoc tool of communication.

Rahman argues instead for a shared base language—“call it Hindi for convenience”—spoken in pre-Muslim India, which evolved as it came into contact with Persian and Arabic, absorbing vocabulary and linguistic features over time.

Saraf adds that the language itself is a confluence of many regional languages. “Less than 30 per cent of Urdu is Persian, Arabic, or Turkish; the rest is rooted in local Indian languages, with its grammar and structure deeply drawn from here,” he says.

The idea of Rekhta and its initiatives

Saraf did not inherit Urdu. Born into a non-Urdu-speaking family, he discovered the language through poetry and music.

Rekhta.org is today the world’s largest digital platform for Urdu literature, reaching over 30 million users annually. Designed for ease of access, it supports Urdu, Devanagari, and Roman scripts, and hosts 8,500+ poets, 80,000+ ghazals, along with a rich archive of shers, meanings, and videos.

Reflecting on the journey, he says: “We later expanded into prose—covering classics and Partition-era writers such as Manto, Chughtai, Qurratulain Hyder, Premchand, Krishan Chander, and Rajinder Singh Bedi—the whole gamut. We also launched a preservation project, scanning over 300,000 books. It remains an ongoing journey, with new ideas and possibilities emerging every day, even if there’s only so much we can do.”

Digitization at Rekhta Foundation Digitization at Rekhta Foundation

Thus, complementing this is a large-scale digitisation effort to preserve Urdu’s literary heritage. The Rekhta Dictionary, launched in 2021, further expands access, offering over 300,000 words with meanings in Urdu, Hindi, and English, alongside synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and proverbs—across all three scripts.

Rekhta Learning extends this mission into education through flexible, self-paced online courses on the Urdu language, literature, and culture. Meanwhile, Rekhta Publications, established in 2017, curates and produces literary works in Urdu, Hindi, and English.

At the cultural forefront is Jashn-e-Rekhta, launched in 2015 and now among the world’s largest language festivals. Celebrating Urdu and Hindustani culture through poetry, music, and performance, the three-day event draws over 3,00,000 visitors annually and has expanded beyond Delhi to London and Dubai.

Khalil, here, says, “Preservation must go hand in hand with reinvention. There’s little point in preserving something if it becomes obsolete and loses relevance. At Rekhta, the idea is to reimagine the language through multiple mediums. The most effective way to promote Urdu, in my view, is to integrate it into lived cultural experiences—both digital and physical, through events, platforms, literature, music, and the many art forms it naturally supports. To keep the language alive, it has to be experienced in everyday life.”

Moving beyond Urdu

As part of its expansion into Indic languages, the foundation has built parallel platforms to extend its access-driven model beyond Urdu. Hindwi (Hindi) is its dedicated digital platform for Hindi literature and culture, attracting over 10 million users annually. It hosts hundreds of e-books and 10,000+ poems, organised by form, period, and theme for easy discovery. The initiative is supported by on-ground and digital programs such as Hindwi Utsav, Campus Kavita, and Sangat, a YouTube video podcast documenting the journeys of Hindi writers. Moreover, the Hindwi Dictionary is a trilingual digital resource with over 500,000 entries, covering Hindi and 13 dialects—including Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Braj.

Rekhta Foundation Rekhta Foundation

Rekhta Gujarati, launched in 2024, focuses on preserving and promoting Gujarati literature and culture, with 1.5 million annual users and literary festivals held across Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mumbai, and Bhavnagar. Similarly, Anjas (Rajasthani) is dedicated to documenting Rajasthan’s literary and oral traditions.

Finally, Sufinama serves as the world’s largest digital archive of Sufi traditions, bringing together Sufi and Bhakti writings for a global audience. The platform attracts over 2,50,000 monthly users and has published 20 authoritative titles.

The age of AI and other challenges

AI, for a project of this nature, can be both a boon and a bane, the founders explain. Khalil says, “AI is a very good editor—it speeds things up, but it isn’t a creator in itself. The concept still has to come from you. It can replace parts of production—for instance, turning a concept into visual content with AI-generated imagery while using your own voiceover.”

She explains that earlier, pronunciation was a major limitation, especially with Urdu; AI would default to Hindi-like pronunciation and struggle with poetic or complex Urdu words, so human voiceovers were necessary. “That has changed in the last few months. AI voice quality has improved significantly, and Urdu pronunciation has become much more accurate,” she adds, sounding relieved.

Rekhta Foundation Rekhta Foundation

However, Saraf says that this was a much later challenge. “In the beginning,” he recalls, “the biggest hurdle was technical: there was no real platform to handle Urdu online. We had to build our own software and systems, manage a right-to-left script, convert it into multiple scripts, and enable features like click-based word meanings. It took time, and we’re still learning and improving.” Today, with a large team, the foundation faces ongoing demands for infrastructure, salaries, and operations.

Yet, Rekhta is combating issues. Among the measures, Khalil notes that the focus is also strongly on digital media. “At Rekhta, we are investing heavily in creating digital content and amplifying material from our festivals. Even if a live event reaches a lakh people, the same content can be taken to a far wider audience quickly and effectively through digital platforms.”

Urdu: a culture

“What we call Hindi cinema is, in many ways, Urdu cinema; the dialogues and songs are all Hindustani. The divide between Hindi and Urdu is often overstated; it’s one language in different scripts,” remarks Saraf.

When presented well, he says, Urdu has an unmatched appeal. It lends itself beautifully to a wide range of art forms—films and dialogues, ghazal singing, qawwali, dastangoi, theatre, and short stories. “Few languages in the subcontinent have enriched so many artistic and performance traditions in the same way.”

According to the founders, Urdu isn’t just a language; it’s a culture in itself. “It brings a certain grace to everyday life,” says Saraf, smiling, “the habit of saying aap, the warmth of tashreef rakhiye—small expressions that make interactions gentler and more respectful. Even difficult things can be said without causing hurt.”

 “And then there’s its poetic power,” he adds. “You can express so much in just two lines. Like a couplet or a doha: the first line sets the thought, the second delivers the impact.”

Source: indianexpress.com

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Jammu and Kashmir: CM Omar Abdullah denies plan to drop Urdu in revenue jobs, slams PDP over ‘lies’

May 2, 2026,

SRINAGAR: J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah denied Friday having issued any order to remove Urdu from some revenue department jobs while defending a move to seek public feedback for such a move.

PDP functionary and party chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija has hit the streets, accusing the Omar-led National Conference (NC) govt of planning to drop Urdu as a mandatory requirement for such jobs.

“There is no dropping Urdu. God save us from those who cannot see the difference between truth and lies. Unfortunately, this group (PDP) and its leadership see nothing except lies,” Omar, who handles the revenue department, said.

The CM dared PDP to prove its allegations. “We asked them to show us the order under which we have dropped Urdu. What they showed was only an order seeking public comments. They fail to see the difference between seeking public comments and removing a language. She (Iltija ) is young and educated. Do I still need to explain this?” the chief minister asked.

Omar acknowledged that a proposal for Urdu’s removal was on his table. “I do not deny that the proposal came from the department, but I have not cleared it. There is no intention of giving a nod to it,” he said.

Iltija contested the assertions, asking how the CM was even comfortable “seeking feedback” despite knowing the overwhelming sentiment was in favour of Urdu. She alleged that the very act of “seeking opinion” betrayed an intention to initiate the process of striking off Urdu. “We won’t let you erase our history. I don’t need tuition. I’d much rather you use the same energy on cancelling these shambolic ‘opinion poll’ orders to annihilate Urdu,” Iltija said.

The row intensified after the revenue department issued draft recruitment rules for non-gazetted posts on April 10, inviting objections within 15 days. The draft rules set the minimum qualification as “graduation from any university”. Existing norms require graduation and knowledge of Urdu.

Hitting the streets earlier this week, Iltija called the proposed rules an attack on J&K’s linguistic heritage. She later posted a video of late separatist Syed Ali Geelani stressing the importance of Urdu. She wrote that she “may not concur” with Geelani’s ideology but endorsed his arguments about the importance of the language, calling the clip “worth a watch”.

J&K Police have filed an FIR over the clip’s circulation, alleging it promotes “separatist ideology.” Geelani died in 2021. He is heard saying in the video that youths are being deprived of Urdu, a language in which the religious literature “across India, Pakistan and J&K” has been preserved.

Source: indiatimes.com

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Mideast

Explosion of bombs left over from strikes kill 14 Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, reports say

May 01, 2026

ISLAMABAD: An explosion of leftover bombs from strikes during the war against Iran killed 14 members of the Revolutionary Guard, Iranian media reported Friday.

A report by the Nournews website, believed to be close to Iran’s security, said the explosion happened near the northern city of Zanjan, which is northwest of Tehran.

It was the largest number of Revolutionary Guard members reported to be killed since the ceasefire began on April 7.

The report said the ammunition included cluster bombs and air mines dropped during the fighting.

Source: arabnews.com

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Lebanon says 13 killed in Israeli strikes in south

May 02, 2026

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s health ministry said 13 people were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes in the south, including in a town where Israel’s army had issued an evacuation order despite a ceasefire.

The strikes in Habboush killed eight people, including a child and two women, and wounded 21 others, the ministry said, raising an earlier toll.

Other strikes in Zrariyeh killed four people, two of them women, and wounded four more, it said.

The ministry also reported a strike in Ain Baal near the coastal city of Tyre killed one person and wounded seven others.

In Habboush, where the Israeli evacuation warning was issued, an AFP photographer saw clouds of smoke rising after the raids.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli warplanes “launched a series of heavy strikes... less than an hour after” the warning.

Israel’s military had said it would act “forcefully” against Hezbollah after the Iran-backed group’s “violations of the ceasefire agreement,” and told residents to flee to open areas at least one kilometer (0.6 miles) from the town.

The NNA also reported Israeli strikes and artillery fire on other south Lebanon locations, including Tyre.

Israel has kept up deadly strikes on Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire that sought to halt more than six weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The ceasefire text grants Israel the right to act against “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.”

Israeli soldiers are operating inside a “Yellow Line” running some 10 kilometers deep inside Lebanon’s border, where they are carrying out wide-scale detonations and demolitions of buildings.

The NNA said Israeli troops carried out detonations in the southern town of Shamaa, and “demolished a monastery and a school” run by a religious order in the town of Yaroun after other detonations of “homes, shops and roads” there.

’Fear for their lives’

Hezbollah claimed a series of attacks on Israeli troops and sites in southern Lebanon on Friday, saying they were in response to Israeli ceasefire violations.

The group drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel to avenge the US-Israeli killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Lebanon’s health ministry on Friday raised the toll from Israeli strikes since March 2 to more than 2,600 dead, including 103 emergency workers and paramedics.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ under-secretary general for national society development and coordination, Xavier Castellanos, said that when Lebanese Red Cross volunteers go on a mission, “they fear for their lives.”

Two Lebanese Red Cross paramedics are among those killed in Israeli strikes.

“That a person that is trying to save lives, is trying to alleviate human suffering, might be targeted, might be killed... this is something that I found absolutely unacceptable,” Castellanos told reporters near Beirut.

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Pain on the menu as Iran war squeezes Dubai’s restaurants

May 02, 2026

DUBAI: Dubai chef Shaw Lash at Mexican restaurant Lila Molino flies in her avocados and tomatillos, small, tart green fruits native to Central America that are a staple of Mexican cuisine and key for her colorful and spicy dishes.

Now the two-month-old war in Iran is making such ingredients harder to source and more expensive, Lash and other chefs said, as the Gulf grapples with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sea route and spiking jet fuel prices push up air freight costs.

Lash has scaled back production, cut her payroll, and is buying ingredients in smaller quantities for now — measures she expects to be temporary. She’s focusing on her make-at-home fajita kits which have been a hit, and her grocery line.

“The reality is cargo has gotten more expensive, gas prices have gone up, the Strait of Hormuz is still blocked,” Lash told Reuters at her restaurant in Dubai’s trendy Alserkal Avenue art and culture district.

“This is really creating a problem for us as far as our supply.”

Chefs in the glitzy city are adapting their menus, with some turning to more regional or readily available ‌foods, or offering fewer ‌dishes. Dubai authorities have rolled out broader economic support measures, relief on fees and campaigns to get ‌people dining.

Restaurants face period of ‘disrupted footfall’

The trend is a challenge for the UAE’s wider full-service restaurant market estimated to be worth $9.5 billion last year by market researcher Mordor Intelligence. Before the war started, it predicted 20 percent growth to $11.3 billion this year. But the war may change the equation. After the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February, the Gulf saw several weeks of Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Although a ceasefire came into effect on April 8, the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea access to the UAE, which imports more than 80 percent of its food for consumption, remains effectively closed. The war has cut regional tourist arrivals, hit shopper numbers in luxury malls, high-end car sales, and disrupted restaurants, a pillar of Dubai’s booming leisure and tourism sector carefully built on an image of grandeur and safety.

A ⁠survey by Juniper Strategy and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum found that UAE foodservice operators reported they were ‌experiencing an average 27 percent drop in demand levels versus a year ago. Supplier cost increases ‌averaged 13 percent, according to the report, which consulted 30 industry leaders between April 1-8, who operate some 400 restaurants.

It added tourist-exposed locations and business districts were under the ‌greatest pressure while residential establishments showed greater resilience, and in some cases, growth.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism said in a statement that some ‌operators were navigating a “period of disrupted footfall” and were finding creative ways to respond.

“Across the city, restaurants, chefs and platforms are adapting through new formats, targeted offers and community-led initiatives,” it said in a document sent to Reuters.

The UAE ministry of economy and tourism did not respond to a request for comment.

Chefs turn to locally sourced ingredients

Kelvin Cheung, chef at fusion restaurant Jun’s Dubai, told Reuters that finding alternative routes to transport hard-to-source perishable ingredients, such as Norwegian scallops or certain Japanese seafood, had ‌become a costly challenge.

“Your only option was then to fly air freight, which would increase our costs by about thirty, thirty-five percent,” he said, adding he had turned to using local fish on his menu.

Air ⁠freight rates have risen by as ⁠much as 70 percent on some routes as the war has stymied oil shipments from the Gulf and pushed up jet fuel costs. Flights to and from the UAE are only slowly returning to normal.

“Tourism has taken a huge hit,” said Cheung. “That massive influx of tourists who provide that extra boost of economy, of spend, across all industries is what we’re missing now.”

Cheung has introduced a six-course menu for 225 dirhams ($61) using locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has retained all its staff. Other venues are set to roll out discounted set-price meals for Restaurant Week in May.

The conflict has sharpened existing challenges like high fixed costs, tourism reliance and supply-chain exposure, said food writer Courtney Brandt, who has been in the region since 2007, adding the market was already saturated before the war.

“We were due for a correction,” she said, adding that international brands, often with celebrity chefs and deeper pockets, could fare better but that mounting costs were a challenge despite local support.

“Difficult decisions have to be made if businesses are going to survive.”

Some fine-dining venues, including in the luxury Atlantis hotels on Dubai’s iconic man-made palm-shaped island, have temporarily closed for refurbishments, not citing the war. Others have opened, including Italian restaurant Siena in early April in Dubai and Isabel Mayfair in UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

Chefs Lash and Cheung expect the market to pick up.

“Over the last few weeks, especially with the ceasefire and schools resuming, we’ve started to see a positive uplift in business and overall movement across the city. There is a sense of normalcy slowly returning,” said Cheung.

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WHO calls for urgent entry of medicines into Gaza to rebuild health services

May 01, 2026

GENEVA: The World Health Organization has called for the immediate entry of medicines and essential supplies into the besieged Gaza Strip to enable a large-scale restoration of health services.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X on Friday that the organization has supported the establishment of a new family health center in northern Gaza, where access to healthcare remains extremely limited.

“It will deliver essential health services, including noncommunicable disease management, maternal and child health services, routine vaccination, wound care, and basic physical rehabilitation, alongside referrals for cases requiring higher-level care,” he stated on X.

He added: “Health needs across Gaza remain immense. To move beyond immediate lifesaving response and begin restoring health services at scale.”

He also called for the “protection of healthcare, essential medicines and supplies to be allowed into Gaza without delay, removal of bureaucratic barriers and access restrictions on globally recognized essential medicines, expedited entry of spare parts for medical equipment and generators.”

Palestinians and international aid bodies say supplies reaching Gaza are still insufficient, despite a ceasefire reached in October that included guarantees of increased aid.

Most of Gaza’s more than 2 million people have been displaced, many now living in bombed-out homes and makeshift tents pitched on open ground, roadsides, or atop the ruins of destroyed buildings.

Water restrictions and shortages have been a recurring issue throughout the war in Gaza, with pipelines destroyed, water trucks hit by strikes and spent munitions seeping into the groundwater aquifer many use for wells.

In a report on water and sanitation this week, Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, a nongovernmental group, accused Israel of using water as a weapon of war, “systemically depriving” people in what it calls a “campaign of collective punishment.” Other groups, including Human Rights Watch, have lodged similar accusations.

Palestinians say water shortages have persisted in the war-torn enclave more than six months after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas stopped most of the fighting.

Nearly 90 percent of the enclave’s water infrastructure was destroyed, according to the UN, including desalination plants and sewage treatment facilities.

Before the war, government providers and private companies distributed water via trucks and underground pipes.

Wastewater was circulated to treatment facilities via underground pipes as well.

The infrastructure is a top priority in Gaza’s reconstruction plan.

Wash Cluster, a UN-led network of nongovernmental organizations focused on water and sanitation, estimates that 80 percent of people in Gaza rely on water delivered by trucks to central distribution points.

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Israel’s death penalty law ‘perpetuates discrimination’

May 01, 2026

GENEVA: Israel’s new death penalty law permitting the execution of Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks perpetuates racial discrimination against them, a United Nations committee said on Friday, urging its immediate repeal.

The law amounts to a grave erosion of human rights, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said in a statement.

Under the new law, passed by the Israeli parliament in March, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted by military courts of carrying out deadly attacks classified as “terrorism” will face the death penalty as a default sentence.

“The new law is a severe blow to human rights, rolling back Israel’s long-standing de facto moratorium on executions since 1962 and expanding the use of the death penalty,” the committee said.

The law is “de facto applicable to Palestinians only” and sets a 90-day deadline for executions once a final judgment is rendered, the committee said.

Furthermore, it said Israel should ensure that all Palestinian detainees “are guaranteed their rights to equal treatment before the law, security of person, protection against violence or bodily harm, and access to justice.”

The committee also called on Israel to “end all policies and practices that amount to racial discrimination against and segregation of Palestinians.”

It said other countries should “ensure that their resources are not used to enforce or support discriminatory policies and practices against Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

The committee of 18 independent experts monitors adherence to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its 182 state parties.

Under the convention, which came into force in 1969, countries must eliminate racial discrimination, eradicate practices of segregation and guarantee equality before the law without distinction as to race, color, descent or national or ethnic origin.

Israel ratified the convention in 1979.

In March, UN rights chief Volker Turk branded Israel’s new law “cruel and discriminatory,” warning that applying it in the occupied Palestinian territory “would constitute a war crime.”

Israel has only applied the death penalty twice: in 1948, shortly after the state’s founding, against a military captain accused of high treason, and then in 1962, when the Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was hanged.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence in the territory has soared since the Oct.7, 2023, attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war.

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UN should revisit Lebanon peacekeeping mission decision, China envoy says

May 01, 2026

BEIRUT: China’s ambassador to the United Nations Fu Cong told ‌reporters ‌on Friday ‌that ⁠there was a ⁠need to revisit a decision ⁠that ‌will ‌see the UN ‌Interim ‌Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s mandate ‌end at the end ⁠of ⁠the year.

UNIFIL has served as a peacekeeping force between Israel and Lebanon since 1978 but finds itself caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

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Jordanian king, Bahraini crown prince call for deal to end US-Iran war for regional stability

May 01, 2026

AQABA: Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Friday received Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa during a meeting in Aqaba, the Jordan News Agency reported.

The talks, also attended by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, focused on the strong ties between Jordan and Bahrain and ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

King Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan’s solidarity with Bahrain and other Gulf states, stressing that the security of the Arab Gulf was integral to the region’s overall stability.

He also underscored the need to intensify international efforts to reinforce the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, noting that any deal to end the war must safeguard the security of Arab states.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening Arab coordination to address the economic impact of recent regional escalation.

The Bahraini crown prince thanked Jordan for its support and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation and exploring new opportunities between the two countries.

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Arab World

Hail hub receives Iraqi pilgrims as Saudi Arabia scales up Hajj 2026 operations

May 02, 2026

HAIL: A convoy of Iraqi pilgrims arrived Friday at the Hail Pilgrim City, a key transit hub in northern Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom accelerates preparations for the 2026 Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The integrated facility offers a full range of services, including round-the-clock healthcare, rest areas and logistical support, to assist pilgrims traveling overland from the Kingdom’s northern borders toward Makkah and Madinah.

Volunteer teams and multiple government agencies are deployed on-site to facilitate smooth transit, manage crowd flow and ensure compliance with health and travel protocols.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, governor of Hail, said the integration of services reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing pilgrim comfort and efficiency. Iraqi pilgrims expressed appreciation for the organized reception and streamlined procedures easing the demands of long-distance travel.

Saudi Arabia has in recent years developed a network of “pilgrim cities” at major land and sea entry points. These large-scale, self-contained hubs function as staging areas where pilgrims undergo medical screening, visa verification and orientation before entering the high-density pilgrimage zones in the Hejaz.

The Hail facility serves as a critical gateway for pilgrims arriving via historic land routes from Iraq and Jordan, forming a central component of the Kingdom’s northern logistics corridor.

Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, draws millions of Muslims annually to the holy sites. Saudi Arabia oversees one of the world’s largest recurring logistical operations to accommodate pilgrims arriving from dozens of countries over several weeks.

According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, 1,673,230 pilgrims performed Hajj last year, including 1,506,576 from abroad and 166,654 domestic pilgrims.

While Indonesia remains the largest source of pilgrims, followed by Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, land-based arrivals from neighboring countries such as Iraq continue to play a vital role in the Kingdom’s broader Hajj transport strategy.

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Madinah airport receives first Hajj pilgrim flights from Algeria, Morocco, Philippines and Somalia

May 02, 2026

MADINAH: Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah began receiving the first and inaugural Hajj pilgrim flights from the Philippines, Algeria, Somalia and Morocco on Thursday, as the kingdom ramps up its annual mass pilgrimage operations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The General Directorate of Passports at the airport processed arrivals from all four countries, completing entry procedures smoothly and without disruption, SPA said.

In statements carried by the state news agency, the directorate reaffirmed its readiness for this year’s Hajj season, saying it had deployed advanced technology and multilingual, specialized personnel across all air, land and sea entry points to ensure a seamless experience for arriving pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia manages one of the world’s largest annual logistical operations to receive millions of Muslim pilgrims for Hajj each year, with pilgrims arriving from dozens of countries over a period of several weeks ahead of the pilgrimage’s main rites.

Last year, a total of 1,673,230 pilgrims performed Hajj. Of the total, 1,506,576 came from abroad and 166,654 from inside the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, consistently sends the largest national contingent, followed by Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

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Saudi Arabia’s private museums bolster tourism in Qassim

May 01, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Qassim Region is witnessing significant growth in private museums, as individual collectors transform personal passions into vital cultural projects.

These museums serve as a living memory for the community, preserving rare artifacts, historical documents, antique weapons and vintage collections that document critical stages of the region’s history.

By connecting the present with its roots, these sites strengthen national identity and provide essential research resources for scholars and tourists alike.

A prominent example is the private museum of Abdullah Al-Suhaibani, an expert with more than 40 years’ experience in gemstones and minerals.

His collection features rare agates, fossils from ancient geological eras and unique rock formations discovered throughout the Kingdom.

The museum acts as a scientific platform, promoting geology and field research while educating the community on the Kingdom’s diverse natural resources and mineral wealth.

Located near Al-Khabra Historical Village, these private initiatives have become key cultural landmarks in Riyadh Al-Khabra Governorate.

Their growth aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop cultural and scientific tourism, support local content, and position the Kingdom’s heritage and natural sites as premier global destinations.

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Saudi transport authority vice president receives Syrian delegation

May 01, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Vice President for Regulation at the Transport General Authority Abdulmajeed Al-Tassan received a Syrian delegation led by Assistant Minister of Transport Mohamed Omar Rahal at TGA headquarters in Riyadh.

The two sides discussed a number of topics of mutual interest in the land transport field and reviewed ways to enhance cooperation to help develop the sector and improve its efficiency.

The officials emphasized the importance of facilitating the movement of people and goods between the two countries and stressed the need to continue working together to support land transport and supply chains.

The meeting was held within the framework of relations between Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in key sectors.

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Saudi Arabia’s KFSHRC named Middle East’s most valuable hospital for 4th consecutive year

May 01, 2026

RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has been named the Middle East’s most valuable healthcare brand for the fourth consecutive year, with its brand value surpassing SR6.3 billion ($1.7 billion), according to Brand Finance’s 2026 ranking of the Middle East’s top 150 most valuable brands.

KFSHRC also ranked among Saudi Arabia’s top 10 most valuable brands in Brand Finance’s 2026 report of the Kingdom’s top 100 brands, maintaining its position for the third consecutive year in an achievement that reflects the rising institutional value of specialized healthcare and its growing ability to secure a place among the nation’s leading brands across sectors.

According to the report, KFSHRC topped the Middle East’s 10 most valuable healthcare brands, further reinforcing its role as a regional reference in specialized care, research, medical education, and clinical innovation, while underscoring that its brand value is rooted in measurable medical, research, and operational impact.

This recognition builds on a series of major achievements in 2025, including the world’s first fully robotic artificial heart pump transplant, the world’s first dual robotic implantation of ventricular assist devices, and the world’s first robotic liver lobe transplant for a child, according to a press release.

KFSH also launched Saudi Arabia’s first genetic and cellular therapy manufacturing facility in 2025 while reducing emergency department admission wait times by 75 percent, placing it among the top 5 percent of high-capacity academic medical centers globally on this metric.

Together, these milestones demonstrate KFSHRC’s ability to translate medical, research, and operational innovation into measurable gains in care quality, efficiency, and patient experience.

The ranking also reflects KFSHRC’s broader transformation in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s global position in healthcare.

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Saudi FM, EU’s foreign affairs chief hold call to discuss regional developments

May 01, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Friday spoke on the phone with Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission.

During the call, they discussed regional developments and ongoing efforts to address them, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The call with Kallas follows a meeting in Riyadh between Prince Faisal and his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Thursday.

During their meeting, they reviewed relations between their countries and ways to enhance them, and discussed regional and international developments and their implications for security and stability.

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NextEra’s launch signifies an era of localized tech talent in Kingdom

BASMAH ALBASRAWI

May 01, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is working toward becoming a producer of technology by using its local talent as it shifts gears from being a consumer and builds a domestic digital ecosystem.

Announcing the opening of its headquarters in KAFD, NextEra, a Saudi IT company, said that it was established as a strategic partnership between Aramco Digital and LTIMindtree.

The company aims to bridge international expertise and local talent by providing solutions across a wide array of sectors in the Kingdom.

At the opening, NextEra highlighted its long-term commitment to pursuing growth in a way that prioritized localization of technology and digital solutions.

Speaking to Arab News at the launch, executives emphasized the importance of encouraging innovation, local careers and digital sovereignty as pillars for NextEra’s long-term plans in the Kingdom.

Nabil Al-Nuaim, CEO of Aramco Digital, told Arab News that the emphasis on building local talent was one of the core factors driving NextEra’s transformation. He elaborated on sourcing local talent by pointing to universities as prime entities that generated human capital capable of pursuing targets set by NextEra, Aramco Digital and the Kingdom’s digital ecosystem as a whole.

Al-Nuaim placed emphasis on young talent and the streamline of that localization innovation into local companies. “Once NextEra or, you know, other companies, have centers close to universities, you are very close to the talents,” he said. He added that putting emphasis on that streamline of talent also added another benefit; cost effectiveness.

“There will be entrepreneurs coming out from companies like NextEra that will start their own companies as well,” he said.

Al-Nuaim highlighted the importance of encouraging the skills and tools that created entrepreneurship, which would contribute to allowing the Kingdom to transform from consumer to producer: “We are bringing talents to help in NextEra, hoping that some of them will exit and start their own companies … this is where you shift from being only a consumer to a producer,” he said, adding that the process extended beyond a single company to a wider ecosystem.

One of the most big conversations surrounding technological and digital solutions is about digital sovereignty. Al-Nuaim tied that dialogue back to the localization of digital talent. He underscored that management of digital sovereignty, such as saving data, constructing digital platforms, and operating AI in accordance with country regulations, should be managed by local talent.

Al-Nuaim’s core motivations behind his leadership are an echo of what Dina Abo-Onoq, NextEra’s CEO, pursues as she leads a company that aims to create local, reliant and new Saudi-made digital solutions. NextEra exemplifies what alignment with Vision 2030’s pursuit of long-term digital transformation and providing local support to growing sectors through Saudi talent looks like.

On digital localization, Abo-Onoq emphasized the strategies behind NextEra’s goals: “We are bringing the global expertise and doing the knowledge transfer, we are hiring a big amount of Saudi fresh graduates, mid-level, senior-level, so we are bringing global expertise and translating it in Saudi Arabia.”

As NextEra advances, Abo-Onoq explained that part of that localization was understanding which sectors were to be prioritized: “Government and giga projects are number one, number two is banking and insurance, number three oil and gas manufacturers, last but not least, entertainment and tourism.”

As the Kingdom’s domestic technology ecosystem continues to expand, its abilities to provide solutions and security to a variety of leading industries are supported by the ecosystem’s reliance on the development of local talent. NextEra’s launch highlights that progression as it links local Aramco Digital and international LTIMindtree.

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Europe

Golders Green suspect left mental health hospital, 'attacked Muslim acquaintance' before targeting Jewish men

01 May, 2026

The sole suspect in the Golders Green stabbings on Wednesday had left a mental health hospital just days before the attacks, according to reports.

Channel 4 News reported that the suspected attacker, British national Essa Suleiman, had left the Maudsley Hospital "in the days before the attack", without giving further information.

Suleiman's history of mental health issues and serious violence was also confirmed by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, who said that the suspect had been previously admitted to mental health facilities.

Elsewhere, UK counter-terrorism police said that Suleiman was known to the UK's counter-terrorism strategy Prevent.

"We can confirm the suspect was known to the Prevent programme and was subject to a Prevent referral in 2020, which was closed in the same year," the police said in a statement.

Police said that the investigation into Suleiman was being led by counter-terrorism police and the UK's domestic security service MI5.

However, on Friday Suleiman appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court and was charged with the attempted murder of three men, including two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, and a man named as Ishmail Hussein in south London.

The attack on Hussein, reported to be a long-time acquaintance of Suleiman, took place on Wednesday morning at Hussein's flat after a personal dispute, according to reports.

Suleiman is also facing a charge of possessing a knife in a public place.

'Rising antisemitism'

The attacks have reignited discussions in the UK about an alleged rise in antisemitism, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accusing Iran of wanting "to harm British Jews".

"We need stronger powers to tackle the malign threat posed by states like Iran, because we know for a fact that they want to harm British Jews," he said in a statement delivered from Downing Street.

Starmer also called an emergency Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBRA) meeting in the aftermath of the attacks.

Starmer's statements came as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin, a shadowy group which claims to be linked to Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Telegram. Little is known about the group, which appeared on social media networks amid the recent US-Israel war on Iran.

The group also claimed responsibility for an attack on Jewish community ambulances earlier this year; however, charges later brought against four people over the incident did not appear to be terror-related, including arson with intent to damage, conspiracy to commit arson, and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Questions around media coverage

Much of the media attention has focused on the stabbings of two Jewish men in north London, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, with the attack on Hussein appearing to receive less coverage.

The UK's public broadcaster, the BBC, reported Suleiman's court appearance on Friday as being over the "attempted murder of two Jewish men", without mention of the attack on Hussein, who is presumed to be from a Muslim background, in the report's header.

The police were also accused of "glossing over" the attack on Hussein.

"He's been charged with the attempted murders of three people. The third is Ishmail Hussein. Why don't the Met Police mention that in their tweet? It's buried in the press release, but why in practise downplay the gravity of the crime?" wrote journalist Owen Jones on X, in response to a tweet from the Metropolitan police which omitted mention of the attack against Hussein.

On social media, some have questioned the government's escalated approach towards the incident, noting that hate crimes against other minority communities have not received similar focus.

"Any comment on the man who raped a Sikh woman solely because he thought she was Muslim?" one social media user said in reply to Starmer on social media, referring to a case which was concluded in April, with the attacker receiving a life sentence.

Similar questions were put to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who, in a recent interview with LBC host Nick Ferrari, appeared to imply that attacks on Black communities attract greater attention than those on the Jewish community.

Meanwhile, pro-Israel figures have called on the UK government to take action against mosques allegedly preaching hate, as well as for pro-Palestine and anti-war protests to be cancelled.

There have been no reported links between Suleiman and the pro-Palestine movement.

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Diplomatic corps representatives view ongoing work at New Shusha Mosque

02.05.2026

The second day of the diplomatic corps representatives’ visit to Azerbaijan’s liberated territories started in Shusha.

The diplomats, accompanied by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, visited the construction site of the New Shusha Mosque to review the ongoing efforts.

Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, provided information about the mosque project.

It was noted that the mosque’s foundation was laid in 2021 by President Ilham Aliyev. Its design reflects the number 8, symbolizing Victory Day—the day Shusha was liberated—while the two minarets represent the number 11, referring to the month of the city’s liberation. Each minaret will be 72 meters high. Shusha is well known for its historic mosques, and the New Shusha Mosque will add another architectural landmark to this rich heritage.

The diplomats then visited the Gazanchi Church, later toured the Shusha branch of the National Carpet Museum.

Source: azertag.az

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Anti-slavery orders for religious leader and four others

02 May, 2026

Bridie Adams

A court has granted an interim anti-slavery and trafficking order against five people from a religious group in Cheshire who were arrested over allegations of sexual assault, forced marriage and modern slavery.

They were among 10 people detained on Wednesday when police raided the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe.

All of the 10 were released on bail on Friday, following the operation earlier in the week which covered three addresses and involved a team of 500 police officers.

The four men and one woman did not appear at Chester Magistrates Court for the hearing into the granting of the civil orders.

They are Abdullah Hashem, a 42-year-old US citizen who is the leader of the group, Veronica Espoda, a 44-year-old Italian national, Kevin Omar Rodriguez Ponce, a 30-year-old from Mexico, Eyad Elkhouli, a 44-year-old German national and 35-year-old Ali Muhammed, who is British.

The interim orders prevent the five people from entering Crewe and from contacting the alleged victim. They also place restrictions on where they can live and where they can travel.

Police said the alleged victim, a woman, was a member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) in 2023.

In total, seven men and three women were bailed with conditions.

AROPL was started by followers of Shia Islam at the start of the century, but its beliefs have been rejected by Shia Muslims.

About 150 people are understood to live at its base at Webb House, which was searched by police along with two other properties owned by the group.

The 10 people arrested were of various nationalities, including British, Mexican, Italian, American, Spanish, German, Swedish and Egyptian.

Twenty five people have been charged for public order offences during the raids, but not connected to the investigation. All of them are due to appear at Crewe Magistrates' Court on various dates in June.

Ch Supt Gareth Wrigley said the operation was "not an investigation into the religion", adding: "We are continuing to work closely with our partners to provide the appropriate advice and safeguarding to other members of the group.

"I'd like to thank local residents for their support and patience following the warrants which resulted in some disruption in the local area," he said.

He said that additional patrols would remain in place over the bank holiday weekend to provide reassurance.

"This remains a live investigation which will take some time and I would ask that people do not speculate while the case remains ongoing," he said.

On Wednesday and Thursday a group understood to be members of the group or connected to it gathered outside Middlewich police station.

AROPL is not to be confused with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, often known as Ahmadis, which was founded on the Asian subcontinent and has a big presence in the UK.

Source: bbc.com

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Man admits arson attack at East Sussex mosque

02 May, 2026

Patrick Barlow

A man has admitted setting fire to an East Sussex mosque, but has denied trying to harm those inside.

Ricky Ryder, 38, pleaded guilty to arson that was reckless as to whether life was endangered, but denied that he had intended to endanger anyone's lives after an attack on Peacehaven Mosque on the night of October 4.

Ryder, from Seaford, also pleaded not guilty to two other counts of arson linked to a car outside the mosque which was also damaged.

Jack Slowey, 34, from Peacehaven, pleaded not guilty to four counts related to the attack in the hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday.

The pair are both due to stand trial at Kingston Crown Court in December.

Peacehaven Mosque was occupied and lights were on when a fire was allegedly started with accelerant on its front steps.

Three other people were arrested in March on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the mosque attack.

Source: bbc.com

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Police cordon as car found stranded in pond in Earley

1 MAY 2026

By Hollie Busby

Residents were shocked to find a car partially submerged after it was driven into a pond in Earley.

A VW Tiguan was driven into a pond beside the Garden of Peace and Reflection by the Aisha Masjid and Islamic Centre in London Road, Earley.

The vehicle is pictured partially submerged, with the pond water half-way up the tyres of the car, which has been stranded in front of the centre.

It is understood that the car was driven into the pond on Thursday, April, 30.

A police cordon has been put in place around the pond's perimeter.

Thames Valley Police has been contacted for further details on the incident.

Source: readingchronicle.co.uk

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Muslims in HR hosts first London event

01 May 2026

Founders of the Muslims in HR network led the community’s inaugural in-person conference at London Muslim Centre yesterday evening (30 April).

Speaking to an audience of around 50 people who’d travelled from around London and Birmingham, one of Muslims in HR’s founders – Idris Arshad, head of people at the charity Asthma + Lung UK – opened the event by explaining the vision behind creating the network, which began online, last April.

“HR itself is a challenging profession,” said Arshad. “Being Muslim in 2026 can be difficult as well. But this network isn’t about doom and gloom. Words like hope, optimism and working together – that’s what we want the network to be.”

The programme included a career-focused panel discussion, and a keynote talk from professor Jonathan AJ Wilson about how to create an authentic personal brand that embraces Muslim identity.

Speaking as part of the panel, HR consultant Shakil Butt, CEO of HR Hero for Hire, championed values-led leadership. “[HR exists] to represent [organisational] values,” he noted, “and that's what we should hold on to. Values help us to keep clear about what we’re there to do.

“Sometimes that might mean going against management. Sometimes that might mean making tough decisions regarding the people. As long as you're staying true to your values [though], that will help you also stay true to your faith, because most values, will very much align with your faith.”

Saqiba Sheikh, chief HR officer for the tech business EcoOnline, agreed: “It's really important for HR professionals to understand that, even if you are being made to do something, we have got the ability to influence decisions based on values, and based on doing the right thing for the right reasons.”

Drawing on survey results from a poll of 110 members in February, Arshad noted that though the majority of respondents feel safe to be themselves at work – a quarter of respondents indicated that they did not feel safe to bring their authentic self to work – more than a third (37%) had personally experienced anti-Muslim discriminatory behaviour at work, and a similar proportion (36%) had witnessed anti-Muslim discriminatory behaviour towards others.

Nearly half (46%) of respondents felt that their organisation’s EDI practices are inclusive of Muslims (32% responded ‘maybe’ and the remaining 22% opted for ‘neutral’.)

Founders and advisory board members of Muslims in HR hope to address these findings by offering a space for faith-focused support and advice, Arshad noted, showcasing survey analysis that highlighted what members want most from the network: mentoring, career progression support, a space to network, form community and share knowledge.

Mustafa Faruqi, employee relations strategy director for telecoms giant BT Group, who also cofounded the Muslims in HR community, encouraged members to engage with himself and other leaders of the community “and let us know what else we can do to support you as Muslims in HR”.

Sharing her career journey in HR during the panel discussion, Sadeea Magee, chief people officer for educational body The Kemnal Academies Trust, said that she rebelled against advice to “stop telling people you’re Muslim”, and instead found an authentic way to use the principles of her faith to drive her career.

“When you face a boundary or a ceiling, that is a lesson,” Magee told the audience. “We know, as Muslims, we're going to be tested. Do not let boundaries restrict you.”

Sheikh advised Muslim women who are considering the HR profession to make and maintain allies. Speaking personally about her own career, Sheikh said a great benefit had been having white male allies. “The CEOs I've worked with in the past, they have become brothers. I still speak to and have coffee with them today. They still advise me, coach me, mentor me.”

Commenting on how to align faith and work priorities, Junaid Ahmed, CEO of East London Mosque, pointed to ‘the three Is’: intention, integrity and ihsan (the Islamic concept of perfected faith). Work is part of worship, he argued, “so even if no one is watching you [at work], you do the right thing. Allah is watching you at all times”.

Source: hrmagazine.co.uk

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French PM fuels row with trip to buy baguettes

02 May, 2026

Jaroslav Lukiv

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has visited a village bakery to buy several baguettes on Labour Day, reigniting a row with unions who argue that 1 May should remain a compulsory rest day.

"Let's have several... at least four," he said, paying at the bakery in Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, central France. The politician also bought some flowers from a nearby florist.

The visit was part of a government drive to exempt independent bakeries and flower shops from mandatory rest on Labour Day - a public holiday across the country.

Under French law, only essential services such as hospitals and hotels may be open, with employees being paid double wages. The status of bakeries and flower shops is unclear.

In response, Marylise Léon, the General Secretary of France's leading union, said: "Politicians going to a bakery, I think that's part of a political spectacle that we don't need today. We need to show what the reality of a bakery worker is like".

On Friday, Lecornu also phoned another baker, who had received a fine from labour inspectors for staying open on 1 May.

The prime minister reassured the baker named Eric that he would not have to pay, according to France's BFMTV and Europe1 news websites.

The baker potentially faces a fine of €5,250 (£4,532; $6,168) - €750 for each of his seven employees working on Labour Day.

Earlier this week, the French government presented a bill allowing bakeries and florists to be open on 1 May.

The proposal - which needs a parliamentary approval - says employees must state in writing that they volunteer to work, and should also be paid double for that day.

The government has been encouraging bakers to work on 1 May, describing them as being "indispensable to the continuity of social life".

Meanwhile, labour unions say staff in many cases could be pressured by their employers to volunteer to work or risk their employment contracts.

The unions warn that soon employees across France would be required to work on public holidays.

In April, the unions said in a joint statement that "social history shows us that each time a principle is undermined, exemptions gradually increase until they become the rule", according to the AFP news agency.

Source: bbc.com

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North America

Trump admin says Iran conflict ‘terminated’ – AP

1 May, 2026

The US-Israeli war on Iran has already been “terminated,” and the Trump administration believes it does not need an extension from Congress to continue the fighting, the Associated Press has reported, citing sources.

The report comes as a deadline mandated by the 1973 War Powers Act rapidly approaches. The legislation limits any military action launched by the president without congressional authorization to 60 days.

The White House insists that, for the purposes of the law, “the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated,” an unnamed senior administration official told AP on Friday. Tehran and Washington reached a two-week ceasefire on April 7, with the truce extended indefinitely since then.

The assessment echoes the stance voiced by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during hearings in the Senate on Thursday. The Pentagon chief said the conflict has been “paused” since the ceasefire was implemented, arguing that in the administration’s “understanding” the 60-day period was on hold as well.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who grilled Hegseth about the timeline, told the press that the secretary offered a “very novel argument that I’ve never heard before,” which “certainly has no legal support.” Multiple legal experts have said that the 60-day period envisioned by the act cannot be “terminated” or “paused.” 

That unorthodox view of the 1973 legislation, however, has been backed by some experts. Richard Goldberg, a former official with the National Security Council during Trump’s first term and current senior adviser to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington-based think tank, claimed the interpretation was viable.

Launching a new operation later would help to circumvent the congressional approval requirement, Goldberg claimed, stating that the move “solves it all” in his opinion. A new attack on Iran “would inherently be a mission of self-defense focused on reopening the strait while reserving the right to offensive action in support of restoring freedom of navigation,” he suggested.

Since the ceasefire was announced, Washington has been pouring additional troops and hardware into the Middle East, prompting widespread concern that the truce is only a pause prior to the renewal of the hostilities. Three aircraft carrier strike groups, as well as multiple marine expeditionary groups, are currently active in the region, with some of the units enforcing Trump’s naval blockade of Iran, and others appearing to be on standby.

Source: rt.com

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CAIR-CT Condemns Anti-Muslim Bullying and Assault of 12-Year-Old Student in Danbury School, Urges Immediate Passage of HB 5328

May 1, 2026

The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the reported anti-Muslim bullying and physical assault of a 12-year-old Muslim student at a Danbury public school and called for urgent statewide action.

According to the student’s family, the child—identified as “Yusef” to protect his privacy—was subjected to repeated harassment over the course of this school year, including being called a “terrorist” by his classmates. The family reports that the situation escalated into a physical altercation that left the student with a black eye and ongoing emotional distress.

In an especially troubling development, the Danbury Police Department searched the family’s home after allegations were made against the student—allegations the family strongly disputes. No weapons of any kind were found at the home. The family also reports that despite multiple attempts to seek help, their concerns were not consistently documented or escalated, and that the incident was at times characterized as “just a fight.”

CAIR-CT is currently working with the family and met with the Superintendent of Danbury Public Schools to better understand how the situation was handled, including whether appropriate protocols for reporting, documentation, and intervention were followed.

“No child should ever fear going to school because of their faith or background,” said Farhan Memon, Chairman of CAIR-CT. “When a Muslim child is reportedly called a terrorist, injured in an altercation, and his family feels their concerns were minimized, it raises serious questions about whether our schools are equipped to recognize and respond to anti-Muslim bullying before it escalates. We must do better.”

CAIR-CT emphasized that Yusef’s experience reflects broader concerns reported by Muslim families across Connecticut and underscores the urgent need for systemic solutions.

The organization is calling on the Connecticut General Assembly to immediately pass House Bill 5328, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS ANTI-MUSLIM AND ANTI-ARAB RACISM IN SCHOOLS.” which would establish a statewide working group to examine and address anti-Muslim and anti-Arab racism in public schools, including bullying, reporting protocols, and culturally competent responses.

“HB 5328 is not symbolic—it is necessary,” Memon added. “Without clear statewide standards and accountability, incidents like this risk being misunderstood, underreported, or mishandled. This legislation would help ensure that schools have the tools and guidance needed to protect every student.”

CAIR-CT noted that this is not an isolated concern. Similar incidents in Connecticut including last year in Waterbury where two Muslim middle school students were assaulted by classmates. These incidents highlight the need for a coordinated, statewide response.

In addition to legislative action, CAIR-CT is urging school districts across Connecticut to:

Strengthen reporting and documentation protocols for bullying and harassment;

Ensure timely and appropriate intervention when concerns are raised;

Provide training for staff on recognizing and addressing anti-Muslim and identity-based bullying;

Offer culturally competent support to affected students and families.

CAIR-CT also offers resources for educators and families, including its Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices and Back to School Resource Guide, to help foster inclusive and supportive learning environments.

According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.  

CAIR-CT is the Connecticut chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Source: cair.com

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CAIR-AL Joins Calls to Stop the Supreme Court from Fresh Redistricting Efforts in Alabama

May 1, 2026

The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AL), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined calls from the NAACP and other civil rights organizations asking the Supreme Court to deny the state’s efforts to redraw congressional districts following Tuesday’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. 

Alabama Republicans started a push to redraw maps in 2021 but are enjoined from doing so until at least 2030 pursuant to a 2023 Federal Court order.

In a statement, CAIR-AL Staff Attorney Britton O’Shields said:

“The Alabama officials calling for redistricting are the same officials who defend white nationalists and use Islamophobia as a campaign platform. Though racism in Alabama has changed form since Jim Crow, it is still omnipresent in our political spaces. The court must preserve the political power of black and brown Alabamians and resist efforts to redistrict ahead of the 2026 election, or risk backsliding further into our past.”

She said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging systemic anti-Black racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry. 

Yesterday, CAIR’s national office called on all states to oppose efforts to dilute Black political representation after the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that dealt a blow to protections under the Voting Rights Act.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.  

Source: cair.com

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Gatineau man charged for alleged threats against Aylmer mosque

By Adam Beauchemin

May 01, 2026

Gatineau police say a man is facing charges after allegedly threatening a mosque in Aylmer, Que.

According to a statement from Gatineau police spokesperson Patrick Kenney, after receiving reports of a threat made against a mosque in Aylmer, officers carried out a search warrant on a Maclaren Street East home in Gatineau on Tuesday.

Kenney says the search resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old man and the seizure of two cell phones, computer equipment, four air guns, a slingshot and a .22 calibre firearm.

The man is facing charges of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, Kenney said.

In a statement, Imam Sikander Hashmi, executive director of the Canadian Council of Imams, said the alleged incident “underscores a troubling reality reflected in recent years of rising hate-motivated violence targeting Canadian mosques.”

“No community in Canada should ever have to wonder whether their place of worship is safe,” Hashmi said. “While our mosques remain open places of peace, prayer, and service, this is a reminder that vigilance is not optional in today’s world.”

Police say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges haven’t been ruled out.

Source: ctvnews.ca

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US to cut troop levels in Germany by 5,000 amid Trump spat with Merz

May 02, 2026

Max Matza

The US Defence Department plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, amid a spat between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran.

The decision comes a day after Trump criticised Merz, who suggested the US had been "humiliated" by Iranian negotiators.

In social media posts on Thursday, Trump said Merz was "doing a terrible job" and had "problems of all kinds", including on immigration and energy. Trump has also suggested pulling US troops from Italy and Spain.

The US has a significant military presence in Germany, with more than 36,000 active duty troops assigned to bases across the country as of last December.

In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the order had come from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

"This decision follows a thorough review of the Department's force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground," he said.

"We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months."

Trump, a longtime critic of the Nato alliance, has been lashing out at allies over their refusal to participate in operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Asked on Thursday whether he would also consider pulling US troops from Italy and Spain, Trump responded: "I probably will - look, why shouldn't I?"

"Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible," he added, criticising them for their response to the war in Iran.

"In all cases they said, 'I don't want to get involved.'"

Merz told university students earlier this week that "the Americans clearly have no strategy" and he could not see "what strategic exit" they might choose.

"The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result," he said.

He added that the "entire nation" was being "humiliated" by the Iranian leadership.

In response, Trump took to his platform Truth Social, where he said Merz thought it was "OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon" and "doesn't know what he's talking about".

"No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!" the post read.

The BBC has contacted the German embassy in Washington for comment.

The US military deployment in Germany is by far its biggest in Europe, with about 12,000 troops in Italy and a further 10,000 in the UK.

Many are stationed at Ramstein Air Base outside the south-western German city of Kaiserslautern.

Trump has previously proposed US troop reductions in Germany, but they have so far not come in to effect.

Only Japan hosts a larger US troop presence.

In 2020, a proposal to move 12,000 US troops from Germany either to other Nato countries in Europe or back to the US was blocked by Congress and then reversed by President Joe Biden.

At the time, Trump had accused Germany of being "delinquent" because its military spending was well below Nato's target of 2% of economic output (GDP).

But that has changed dramatically under the Merz government.

Germany is projected to spend €105.8bn (£91bn) in 2027 - with total defence expenditure next year set to reach 3.1% of GDP.

Last year, the US decided to reduce its troop presence in Romania, as part of Trump's plan to shift the focus of US military commitment from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region.

Romania's defence minister said the decision was made after Hegseth conveyed to the Romanians that they needed to pay more attention to their own defence.

The decision was met with disapproval from some of Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress, and concern from other Eastern European countries wary of Russia.

Source: bbc.com

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Trump announces new tariffs against EU

1 May, 2026

US President Donald Trump has announced 25% tariffs on EU-made cars and trucks, accusing the bloc of breaching a trade deal reached last summer but yet to be fully ratified by EU lawmakers.

The move constitutes a 10% hike from current 15% levies on the automotive industry. Announcing the decision, Trump urged European car makers to move their manufacturing to the US, saying that such cars would not be subjected to increased tariffs. 

“I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States. The Tariff will be increased to 25%,” Trump wrote on his TruthSocial platform.

While the deal between the US and the EU was agreed last July following a brief trade war, it ended up left in the bloc’s bureaucratic limbo. The EU Parliament voted at the end of March to advance the agreement, having twice delayed it before. However, the deal has not yet been fully ratified by the process known as the “trilogue.” To be fully implemented, the agreement must be approved not only by the legislature, but also by the EU Commission and the council of EU leaders.

The trade deal has been repeatedly criticized as a capitulation of EU bureaucrats before the US leader due to its generally unfavorable terms. Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, for instance, has repeatedly blasted the bloc’s passive stance in the trade standoff with the US, stating that the “deal was unfair from the beginning,” with Washington imposing 15% tariffs on the bloc while “we reduced ours on them.” 

Trump’s announcement prompted an immediate reaction in the EU, with the Parliament’s international trade committee head, Bernd Lange, lamenting Washington’s untrustworthiness and mulling retaliation. 

“This is no way to treat close partners. Now we can only respond with the utmost clarity and firmness, drawing on the strength of our position,” Lange stated without providing any insights on potential countermeasures.

Source: rt.com

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Trump likens American forces seizing Iranian ships to pirates

2 May, 2026

US President Donald Trump has joked that American forces are behaving like pirates as he boasted about the capture of tankers and cargo ships attempting to breach the blockade of Iranian ports.

Oil prices surged past $120 a barrel this week for the first time since 2022, while Trump’s approval rating fell to 34%, a record low in Reuters/Ipsos polling.

Speaking at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches dinner in Florida on Friday, Trump recalled how a destroyer fired at the Iranian-flagged cargo vessel Touska near the Strait of Hormuz on April 19 before it was boarded by US Marines.

“We took over the ship. We took over the cargo, took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business. Who would have thought we were doing that? We’re like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates,” Trump said, prompting laughter in the audience.

Iran has condemned the seizure as illegal, with a government source telling Press TV this week that US “piracy and banditry” would be met with an “unprecedented” response.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade, to “enemy ships” shortly after the US and Israel launched their bombing campaign on February 28. The US declared a naval blockade of Iran last month as the countries agreed to a ceasefire.

Trump said on Friday that he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest peace proposal and hailed the blockade as “incredible.”

Source: rt.com

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Africa

Troops Kill Four Terrorists In Borno Operation

May 2, 2026

By Enioluwa Adeniyi

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have killed four Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during sustained counter-insurgency operations across Borno State.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.

According to the statement, the operations were conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V as part of efforts to intensify counter-terrorism activities in the region.

Uba said the operation was carried out in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

He said troops engaged terrorists moving from Yale towards the Sambisa Forest axis.

The statement read, “In a successful operation conducted in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), troops engaged terrorists moving from Yale towards the Sambisa Forest axis.

“During the encounter, four terrorists were neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with ammunition, as well as food items suspected to be part of terrorist logistics supply. The troops returned safely to base with no casualties.”

The statement added that troops had sustained operations along key routes, including Damboa–Maiduguri, Damboa–Gwoza, Goniri axis and other infiltration corridors.

According to Uba, the operations have continued to deny terrorists freedom of movement and operations.

Suspected Collaborators Arrested

In a related development, troops at Kanama arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators during a stop-and-search operation.

The suspects were allegedly found with items, including clothing and personal effects, believed to be linked to terrorist logistics support.

The statement said preliminary investigations revealed digital materials suggesting possible links to terrorist networks.

The suspects are currently in custody for further interrogation.

The military also said one suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP member surrendered to troops at a checkpoint in Kukawa Local Government Area.

The suspect allegedly claimed that he was abducted earlier in the year and forced to join the group. He is currently undergoing profiling and investigation.

The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to restoring lasting peace, security and economic stability in the North-East.

It urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience and urged them to sustain the operational momentum.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/02/troops-kill-four-terrorists/

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Bandits Storm Sokoto Community, Abduct Deputy Governor’s Relatives, Others

May 1, 2026

No fewer than eight residents and relatives of the Sokoto Deputy Governor, Idris Muhammad Gobir, have reportedly been abducted in the Garin Idi village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

Naija News learnt that the attackers on eight motorcycles stormed the village around 1:00am on Thursday, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee into a nearby bush and safe locations for their lives.

A resident who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust said the bandits operated in the village for about two hours without any security response.

The source said, “I have never heard gunshots as intense as what we experienced yesterday. Now, we only fear them when they come, but once they leave, we calm down because we have become used to it. Still, there is no help.”

Another resident also stated that the attackers arrived on about eight motorcycles and initially abducted 30 people, mostly women and children, before releasing some and taking away eight victims.

The resident said the assailants abducted three men and five women and released some children and others due to limited space on their motorcycles.

The victims were identified as: Hassana Adare Maifata, Rabi Alhaji Ishaqa, Kwamuso Umar, Yar’aji Garba, Kabiru Alkasim, Sani Muazu, Jadi Alkasim (a patient), and a lady whose father is the same as the deputy governor (Late Aliyu). The victims were said to be mostly members of the deputy governor’s family.

The source further disclosed that the attackers raided a phone charging point in the village, stealing over 100 mobile phones, power banks, and ₦40,000 in cash.

The resident added, “When they entered the charging point, the operator fled. They then took phones mostly smartphones and power banks being charged, along with cash.”

While expressing concern for those abducted, the residents called on the government, particularly the deputy governor, to urgently address the worsening security situation bedevilling the area.

One of the residents said, “We are appealing to him to look into our condition. As our son and the deputy governor, it is painful that we are being neglected despite being his relatives. We support him and do not wish him ill, but he has not assisted us in this difficult situation.”

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/01/bandits-storm-sokoto-community-abduct-deputy-governors-relatives-others/

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Kwankwasiyya Chieftain Resigns From ADC

May 2, 2026

A key figure in the Kwankwasiyya movement in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Kabiru Adamu Abdullahi, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Naija News reports that Abdullahi, who is a House of Assembly aspirant, announced his resignation in a letter dated May 1, 2026, and addressed to the ADC chairman in Kofar Ruwa Ward.

According to Abdullahi, his resignation from ADC took effect immediately.

In the letter shared on his Facebook page, Abdullahi thanked the party for the opportunity to be a member.

He said, “I hereby formally resign my membership of All Democratic Congress (ADC) at Kofar Ruwa Ward with immediate effect.

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me to be part of the party and wish you and the party the very best in your future endeavours.

“Kindly accept this as my official notice and communicate the same to the appropriate authorities.”

Abdullahi is considered one of the prominent Kwankwasiyya leaders in Dala.

In a separate Facebook post, he linked his decision to the directive of the movement’s leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“This is the order of Jagora,” he wrote, using the term commonly used by members of the movement to refer to Kwankwaso.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/02/kwankwasiyya-chieftain-resigns-from-adc/

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Air Peace Breaks Silence Over Gatwick-Lagos Disruption, Denies Passenger Abandonment

May 2, 2026

Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, has addressed the circumstances surrounding the disruption of its London Gatwick–Lagos service on May 1, 2026.

In a statement issued on 𝕏, the Airline insisted that passengers were not abandoned and that safety considerations informed its actions.

The management asserted that a circulating social media video alleging that passengers were left stranded without communication or care “does not accurately reflect the full circumstances surrounding the disruption.

According to the airline, the flight was affected by a bird strike, a situation it described as a “recognised force majeure event in aviation,” which required the aircraft to be grounded immediately for safety checks.

“The affected flight experienced a bird strike necessitating the immediate grounding of the aircraft for comprehensive safety inspections in line with global aviation standards,” the airline said, stressing that “safety is not negotiable, and under no circumstance would we operate an aircraft without the required safety clearance.”

Air Peace maintained that passengers were informed promptly about the incident and subsequent cancellation.

“Affected passengers were promptly informed of the incident and the cancellation of the service,” it said, adding that arrangements were made for their comfort, including hotel accommodation at the Hilton London Gatwick.

The airline, however, acknowledged operational challenges that delayed some aspects of passenger handling, particularly baggage retrieval.

“We encountered additional operational constraints, including airport congestion and delays from ground handling services responsible for baggage retrieval,” it explained.

It further clarified that baggage handling falls outside the airline’s direct control.

“Baggage handling at international airports is managed by designated ground handling companies and as such, Air Peace does not exercise direct control over these processes,” the statement read.

Rejecting claims that passengers were abandoned, the airline said communication was maintained throughout the disruption.

“At no point were passengers abandoned. Communication was maintained with all affected passengers, and every effort was made to ensure their welfare,” it said, noting that all passengers were offered accommodation, while arrangements were being finalised to deploy another aircraft.

The airline also expressed concern over what it described as criticism of its handling of the incident.

“We find the ongoing negative hounding of our airline over a safety-driven, force majeure incident to be shocking and unwarranted,” it stated, adding that the flight captain provided timely updates to passengers.

While acknowledging the inconvenience caused, Air Peace appealed for understanding.

“We recognise that aviation disruptions can be distressing, however, aviation operations are not ‘plug and play” it said, citing the involvement of multiple stakeholders and strict safety protocols.

Reaffirming its commitment, the airline stated that it “remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety, comfort, and overall well-being of our passengers” and pledged to continue reviewing its processes to enhance service during unforeseen disruptions.

Source: naijanews.com

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Tinubu Declares National Emergency On Insecurity, Poverty

May 2, 2026

By Enioluwa Adeniyi

President Bola Tinubu has declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies, describing them as grave threats to jobs, productivity and national stability.

Tinubu made the declaration in his goodwill message to workers during the May Day celebration at Eagle Square, Abuja.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the twin challenges had continued to weaken livelihoods and erode economic confidence.

Tinubu said insecurity and poverty had become major obstacles to the country’s development and workers’ welfare.

He said, “There cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives or where wages cannot feed a family.”

The President aligned his message with the global May Day theme on the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organisation.

He said the agenda was not merely an international framework but a national imperative tied to his administration’s vision of a country where hard work is rewarded, and opportunities are available to all.

Tinubu said his administration had initiated measures to tackle insecurity while creating jobs.

According to him, the Community Protection Guards Initiative has provided employment opportunities for 45,000 young Nigerians to secure communities.

He also said the expanded cash transfer component of the Renewed Hope Agenda had reached about 15 million vulnerable households, lifting an estimated 7.5 million Nigerians out of poverty.

The President added that major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, had collectively generated over 600,000 jobs across the country.

Agro-Rangers Deployed In 19 States

Tinubu said targeted policies in agriculture, infrastructure, small businesses and social protection were laying the foundation for inclusive growth.

He said interventions such as the National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro-pocket, dry season farming programmes, mechanisation drives and post-harvest management initiatives were boosting food security and rural employment.

The President added that 10,000 Agro-Rangers deployed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps across 19 states were helping to secure farmers and agricultural investments from banditry.

On workers’ welfare, Tinubu said his administration had implemented a new national minimum wage, cleared pension arrears and reintroduced gratuity payments effective January 2026.

He also said over 800,000 informal sector workers had been enrolled in the micro pension scheme, while small businesses were benefiting from a ₦200 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises support fund.

Tinubu appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to exercise restraint in industrial disputes and embrace dialogue.

“Strike should be the last resort, not the first,” he said.

He commended security personnel for their sacrifices, noting that improved safety was directly linked to job creation and economic growth.

“To you, our dear workers, your welfare remains a priority. We are committed to improving working conditions, promoting fair wages, and ensuring that every Nigerian worker enjoys dignity, safety and equal opportunity in the workplace,” he said.

Minister Hails Nigerian Workers

In a separate message, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, described Nigerian workers as the backbone of the nation.

He said May Day was not only a commemoration of workers’ struggles and achievements but also “a reminder of the challenges that still confront us.”

Dingyadi acknowledged the rising cost of living and insecurity but said the Federal Government remained committed to wage reforms and job creation.

“The recently implemented minimum wage is not the end of our journey, but a step toward ensuring that every worker earns a living wage that reflects dignity and fairness,” he said.

The minister added that the government was working with states and labour unions to ensure full compliance.

Source: naijanews.com

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Rebel alliance seizes key Tessalit military camp in northern Mali

May 2, 2026

Tuareg separatists and jihadists waging a unified battle to bring down Mali’s junta have gained control of a key military camp in the north of the country.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the army and its Russian mercenary allies have surrendered the strategic Tessalit military base near the Algerian border.

A security source in Gao, south of the camp, told AFP journalists that "no clashes took place" during the capture of the base as regular troops had already evacuated.

An official from the Tuareg-dominated the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) separatist group said forces at Tessalit were scattering southward.

Friday's assault follows large-scale, deadly attacks last weekend by FLA separatists and jihadist rebels on junta strongholds across Mali.

This resulted in the death of at least 23 people, including defence minister Sadio Camara, a key figure in the military-led government.

He died as a result of a car bomb at his residence in Kati, a garrison town near Bamako. During the series of attacks, the militants took the northern city of Kidal.

The Tuareg rebels later predicted they would conquer the country's north and the junta would "fall".

Tessalit serves as a strategic base due to its geographical location and features a well-maintained airstrip capable of accommodating helicopters and other large military aircraft.

It had hosted a significant number of Malian troops and their Russian allies, in addition to a substantial quantity of military equipment.

The fall of Tessalit comes a day after the al-Qaeda affiliate, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) tightened its blockade on the capital, Bamako.

In recent years, Mali, like neighbouring junta-led Burkina Faso and Niger, has cut ties with colonial power France and moved closer to Russia.

Russia has sent in mercenaries to help fight a long-running jihadist insurgency.

The three west African neighbours banded together to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which created a joint force it says numbers some 15,000 men.

The government of Niger said late on Thursday that the three countries had "conducted intense air campaigns" following the attacks in Mali on Saturday.

The coordinated attacks last weekend marked the largest assault in the west African country in nearly 15 years.

Source: africanews.com

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China drops tariffs on all African nations except Eswatini

May 2, 2026

A China policy giving Africa's biggest economies tariff-free access to its market for the next two years came into effect Friday while its economic rival the United States seeks to impose new import taxes under President Donald Trump's push for protectionism.

The China deal covers Africa's 20 largest economies, including South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya. China had already dropped tariffs on 33 poorer African countries, meaning 53 of the continent's 54 nations are now eligible for “tariff-free treatment” for their goods, according to China.

The country not eligible is the small nation of Eswatini because it is the only one in Africa that maintains formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council in China said the agreement would promote the common development of China and Africa. China's official Xinhua News Agency said a shipment of 24 metric tons of apples from South Africa that cleared customs in Shenzhen in the early hours of Friday was the first batch of goods to enter under the new zero-tariff policy.

According to Xinhua, China's Commerce Ministry said it would especially benefit African products like cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, coffee and avocados from Kenya, and citrus fruits and wine from South Africa, which used to face tariffs of between 8 and 30 percent.

Ivory Coast is by far the world's biggest cocoa producer and it and Ghana account for more than 50 percent of the global supply. South Africa is a major citrus fruit exporter.

African nations looking away from the US

Several of Africa's top economies said they would look for new markets for some of their US-bound products after the Trump administration imposed reciprocal tariffs a year ago — at one point with rates of 30 percent for Africa's leading economy, South Africa, and higher than 40 percent for some other African countries.

“South Africa looks forward to working with China in a friendly, pragmatic and flexible manner,” South African Trade Minister Parks Tau said in February during bilateral talks in China.

While the US Supreme Court struck down Trump's far-reaching global tariffs as unconstitutional in February, the Republican president said his administration had "very powerful alternatives” and promptly rolled out temporary import taxes to replace them.

China is already the biggest trade partner for Africa, a continent of 1.5 billion people that's expected to nearly double to 2.5 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations, when it would have more than a quarter of the world's people.

China dominates a large trade imbalance with Africa

China hailed its tariff-free deal as promoting common development, but there is a large trade imbalance between it and Africa, while African nations owe Beijing billions in debt repayments. China-Africa trade reached a record $348 billion in 2025, though China's exports to Africa increased by around 25 percent to $225 billion, while its imports from Africa increased by only around 5 percent to $123 billion, widening the trade deficit for Africa.

China has long imported raw materials from Africa and sent back manufactured goods. Thierry Pairault, a China-Africa expert at France's National Center for Scientific Research, said that while the new policy might have some benefits for agricultural products, most African raw material exports like oil and minerals already had tariff-free access to China.

“(Chinese leader) Xi Jinping is positioning China as the antithesis of Western protectionism. This gesture is intended to appeal to both African public opinion and global markets,” Pairault wrote in an assessment published by the China Global South Project, which analyses China's relationship with poor countries.

But the policy “only applies where it costs (China) almost nothing,” Pairault wrote.

Source: africanews.com

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Southeast Asia

After royal crisis, Negeri Sembilan Ruler thanks supporters amid show of solidarity at mosque

02 May 2026

JEMPOL, May 2 — The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, yesterday expressed his appreciation for the support shown by various parties.

His Royal Highness conveyed his gratitude when meeting supporters at the compound of the Tuanku Muhriz Mosque in Bandar Seri Jempol.

Earlier, Tuanku Muhriz, accompanied by his sons, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin, performed solat hajat with about 1,500 congregants at the mosque.

After the prayers, His Royal Highness presented contributions to children and attended a luncheon before receiving a memorandum from Pertubuhan Otai Reformasi Negeri Sembilan (Profansi) president Muhamad Kamel Yassin.

“Thank you,” he said briefly to the group of supporters gathered at the mosque compound before departing.

Meanwhile, supporters group secretariat chief, Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharuddin, said 12 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were present at the mosque as a show of support and loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz.

“The spirit shown proves that we stand firmly with Tuanku and this state. The presence of 12 NGOs today is also a positive initiative in expressing support,” he told reporters here.

He also expressed hope that any ongoing issues would be resolved prudently to ensure continued harmony in the state and the well-being of its people.

Since yesterday, several NGOs have reportedly come forward to pledge their support and loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz through the submission of memoranda following recent developments related to governance issues in the state. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Religious affairs minister urges mosques to hold special prayers for abducted Gaza aid flotilla activists

01 May 2026

BANGI, May 1 — All mosques and surau nationwide have been urged to perform solat hajat and recite Qunut Nazilah for the safety of 175 Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 activists, including 10 Malaysians, who were abducted by the Zionist regime in international waters.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said the government fully supports the GSF 2.0 mission and is closely monitoring developments through the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC).

“We have mobilised mosques and surau  to perform special prayers and supplications for the success of the GSF 2.0 mission and the safety of all activists, including the 10 Malaysians whose whereabouts remain unknown,” he told a special press conference on the latest developments of the GSF 2026 mission here today.

Earlier, SNCC director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said there has been no official confirmation on the safety status of the 175 activists, including the 10 Malaysians, after 38 hours since the abduction in international waters.

Zulkifli said the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, remains consistent in its full support for the GSF 2.0 mission and efforts to liberate Gaza from the Zionist regime.

He added that the department is also reviewing forms of assistance, including moral support, that can be extended to the families of the activists.

“We have several agencies ready, and we are continuing initiatives from previous GSF missions. We will assess the needs from time to time,” he said.

The 10 Malaysians abducted yesterday are Zainal Rashid Ahmad who was on board Arkham III, Osman Zolkifli and Dr Jihan Alya Mohd Nordin (Eros 1), Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Mohd Hanafi Mohd Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman and Norhelmi Ab Ghani (Bianca BCN), as well as Mohd Redzal Amzah and Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi (Freia and Marea), and Mohd Shamsir Mohd Isa (Esplai).

The GSF 2.0 mission is an international maritime coalition and global mobilisation effort aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Pahang man, 65, dies in Mecca after sudden collapse before Friday prayers at Masjidil Haram

02 May 2026

MECCA, May 2 — A Malaysian haj pilgrim died after collapsing while on his way to perform Friday prayers at the courtyard of the Grand Mosque here yesterday.

Malaysian Haj Delegation head Mohd Hisham Harun said the 65-year-old male pilgrim from Pahang was pronounced dead at 12.15 pm local time (5.15 pm Malaysian time) due to heart complications.

Mohd Hisham said the deceased, who had travelled to the Holy Land with his wife, was at the  Grand Mosque courtyard to perform Friday prayers when he suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness.

“Initial treatment, including resuscitation, was administered at the scene before he was taken to Jiwar Jabal Omar Hospital for further treatment.

“However, the pilgrim was pronounced dead at the medical centre,” he said at a press conference here today.

He said all funeral arrangements for the deceased were fully managed by Tabung Haji including bringing the body to the Grand Mosque for funeral prayers after Maghrib before being laid to rest at the Al Sharayea Cemetery here.

He added that welfare unit personnel, counsellors and haj religious guides had also visited the deceased’s wife to provide support and necessary assistance.

“Tabung Haji will also perform badal haj on behalf of the deceased as well as organise a tahlil recital ceremony with other pilgrims,” he said. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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10 Malaysian GSF activists detained near Crete, released – SNCC

02 May 2026

SNCC confirms 10 Malaysians freed after detention in Greek waters, with activists set to depart for Istanbul following GSF mission incident.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ten Malaysian delegates from the Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC), who were detained in international waters near the Greek island of Crete on Thursday, have been released at the port of Lerapetra in Crete.

SNCC director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said the ten were among 175 humanitarian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) transported to Heraklion Airport in buses provided by the Greek authorities.

He also noted that SNCC has been informed that the Turkish government has provided a 160-seat aircraft to repatriate 20 of its own citizens, while also offering seats to any GSF activists who wish to join the flight.

“The flight is expected to depart from Heraklion Airport at 10.15 pm and arrive at Istanbul International Airport at 11.45 pm, both in Malaysian time,” he told a press conference here tonight.

He confirmed that the ten released Malaysian activists have accepted the offer and will fly to Istanbul.

Sani Araby said that SNCC received reports that activists faced provocation and physical attacks during their detention. They were also forced into uncomfortable conditions, leading to violent incidents that resulted in injuries to several participants.

He added that two members of GSF’s main steering committee, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Avila, remain in Israeli custody, believed to be an attempt to threaten and cripple the mission.

Sani Araby said SNCC has been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate travel arrangements for the Malaysian activists from Greece to Istanbul.

“Three SNCC representatives are already in Istanbul for management and assessment,” he said.

He further noted that the decision on whether the ten Malaysian activists will continue their mission or return home depends on their health status and the current consensus between SNCC and GSF.

Meanwhile, he said that SNCC urges Malaysians and the international community to keep up the pressure and demand the release of Thiago and Saif.

He also called on Malaysians to continue raising their voices in support of a free Gaza and Palestine, to perform special prayers (Solat Hajat and Qunut Nazilah), and to step up the dissemination of verified information and advocacy efforts both at home and abroad.

The GSF 2.0 mission is an international maritime coalition and global mobilisation movement committed to breaking the blockade on Gaza, in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.

Source: thesun.my

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Sabah electricity bills rising? Energy company says aircon use likeliest reason as tariff unchanged

02 May 2026

KOTA KINABALU, May 2 — Sabah Electricity has acknowledged growing public concern over higher electricity bills in recent weeks, following claims on social media questioning whether the increase was due to higher tariff rates.

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Yaakob Jaafar, said the utility company understands the financial strain faced by consumers amid rising living costs and takes seriously all feedback received.

He stressed that the increase in electricity bills is largely driven by higher energy consumption rather than any changes in tariff rates.

“The rise in electricity bills is influenced by several key factors, including increased usage due to prolonged hot weather, which has led to more frequent use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners,” he said in a statement issued on Saturday after attending the Sabah Electricity Kaamatan Chess Festival 2026 on Friday.

He added that modern lifestyles, which rely heavily on electrical appliances and digital devices, have also contributed to higher energy consumption in households and business premises.

Source: malaymail.com

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Defence minister defends high‑achieving SPM student, calls for end to online criticism

01 May 2026

JOHOR BAHRU, May 1 — Kota Tinggi Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has called on the public to cease all forms of criticism and speculation against a high-achieving Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) student, following the circulation of a video on social media recently.

He said the footage showed a casual interaction between him and students during an event in the Kota Tinggi parliamentary and Sedili state constituencies honouring prospective haj pilgrims and 2025 SPM high-achieving students.

According to him, the interaction was misinterpreted by certain parties, leading to various negative reactions, including criticism directed at the student.

“In this regard, I would like to stress that there is no issue arising from the interaction.

“The student’s response should be seen as a spontaneous reaction, possibly influenced by nervousness when facing an MP and a public audience,” he said in a statement.

In this regard, he stressed that all parties must exercise greater discretion in their reactions, especially when it involves students, to avoid negative impacts on their emotional well-being.

Mohamed Khaled, who is also the Defence Minister, said the achievements of students who obtained excellent SPM results should be celebrated.

Meanwhile, he also emphasised the importance of continued commitment from all parties in supporting the character development and excellence of the younger generation.

“Every programme involving students should be conducted in a positive and constructive environment,” he said.

Recently, a video showing the interaction between Mohamed Khaled and the high-achieving student went viral on Threads, drawing criticism from some quarters.

In the video, the female student was seen replying ‘mahu jadi orang’ (I just want to be someone) while laughing when asked about her ambitions for the future, which drew mixed reactions from netizens, with some describing the response as impolite. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Malaysia–Singapore commuters welcome move to extend Socso protection abroad amid accident risks, high medical costs

02 May 2026

SINGAPORE, May 2 — Malaysia-Singapore cross-border workers have welcomed the government’s initiative to amend the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 to extend protection under Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to those working abroad.

A logistics assistant at a service company in Singapore, Muhammad Amyrul Syahwan Abdullah, 23, described the move as timely, particularly amid current labour market uncertainties.

Amyrul, who commutes 49 kilometres daily by public transport to his workplace in Singapore, said Perkeso protection would help secure workers’ futures.

“There have been many accident cases involving cross-border workers, and some of them do not have insurance coverage, either personally or through their employers,” he told Bernama.

For Luqman Khafa, 27, the government initiative would help ease workers’ burden in the event of any misfortune.

“For someone who commutes by motorcycle, protection initiatives like this are a necessity… In addition, the welfare and fatigue of commuting workers should be given due attention,” he said, adding that he travels 35 kilometres daily by motorcycle from his home in Larkin, Johor, to his workplace in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Muhd Syafiq, 38, a Malaysian working in the pharmaceutical sector in Singapore, expressed hope that awareness among cross-border workers regarding risks and available protection would be improved.

“Awareness levels differ from person to person; some only become aware after experiencing an accident in Singapore, where we know treatment costs are high,” he said.

In conjunction with the 2026 National Labour Day celebration in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government would amend the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 to cover Malaysians working abroad, beginning with Malaysia-Singapore cross-border workers.

The initiative is expected to benefit more than 480,000 workers who earn a living commuting across the Johor Causeway.

In his speech, Anwar said that, on average, one Malaysian life is lost every week, or 54 deaths annually, among this group of cross-border workers.

He added that the government would therefore amend the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 to enable the expansion of such protection. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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South Asia

International Labour Day: A Look at Employment Conditions

May 2, 2026

By: Azar Rasikh

Every year on May 1, the world observes International Workers’ Day, a global occasion dedicated to recognizing the efforts, sacrifices, and indispensable role of workers in driving economic growth, social development, and human progress. More than a celebration, this day serves as a moment of reflection—an opportunity to assess the condition of workers, examine their rights, and address the challenges they continue to face in their professional lives.

The origins of International Workers’ Day trace back to the late 19th century, during the height of industrialization. In countries like the United States, workers endured extremely harsh and often inhumane conditions. Long working hours—sometimes 14 to 16 hours per day—combined with low wages, lack of job security, and unsafe environments placed immense pressure on laborers and their families.

In response, workers began organizing protests and strikes to demand better conditions. One of the most significant events occurred in Chicago in 1886, when laborers rallied for an eight-hour workday. These demonstrations culminated in the Haymarket Affair, a tragic confrontation that resulted in violence and the loss of lives. Despite the repression, the movement became a turning point in labor history and a symbol of resistance, justice, and the pursuit of human dignity.

In honor of these sacrifices, May 1 was later designated as International Workers’ Day—a lasting tribute to those who fought for fair treatment and better working conditions.

Work is one of the most fundamental aspects of human life and the foundation of any society’s development. Without labor, there would be no production, no services, and no progress. Workers across all sectors—from agriculture and industry to services and technology—keep the wheels of the global economy turning.

Everything we rely on in daily life—food, clothing, infrastructure, transportation, and even digital services—is the result of workers’ dedication. Yet, despite their central role, workers are often undervalued and insufficiently supported.

Beyond economics, workers are also the backbone of society. They sustain families, raise future generations, and contribute to social stability. Their well-being is directly linked to the overall health and progress of a nation.

Despite advancements in labor rights and improved conditions in some parts of the world, millions of workers still face serious challenges. These include low wages, job insecurity, lack of social protection, unsafe working environments, and limited access to education and skills training.

In developing countries, these issues are often more severe. Many workers are employed in the informal sector without contracts, insurance, or legal protection. Child labor, gender discrimination, and weak regulatory oversight remain persistent problems.

In Afghanistan, workers confront a particularly difficult reality. Widespread poverty, high unemployment, and limited access to stable job opportunities have made life increasingly challenging. Many laborers, especially in construction and agricultural work—work under hazardous conditions without proper safety equipment.

Additionally, the absence of strong labor unions and limited access to vocational training restrict workers’ ability to advocate for their rights and improve their skills. As a result, many remain trapped in low-paying, high-risk jobs with little opportunity for advancement.

At the international level, workers’ rights are recognized through various conventions and agreements. These rights include safe working conditions, fair wages, reasonable working hours, access to social protection, and the right to form labor unions.

However, one of the greatest challenges lies in the gap between law and practice. In many countries, even where protective legislation exists, enforcement is weak. This leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation and injustice.

To address this issue, governments must strengthen oversight, enforce compliance, and create mechanisms for accountability. Workers should also be given a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods, ensuring that policies reflect real needs and conditions.

Improving the condition of workers requires a shared commitment from governments, employers, and workers themselves.

Governments must create and implement policies that promote decent work, ensure fair wages, and provide access to education and healthcare. Investment in vocational training is particularly important, as it equips workers with the skills needed to adapt to changing labor markets.

Employers, meanwhile, have a direct responsibility to ensure safe and fair working environments. Providing proper equipment, respecting labor laws, and offering fair compensation are not just ethical obligations—they also contribute to higher productivity and long-term success. Research consistently shows that satisfied and healthy workers perform better and contribute more effectively to organizational growth.

The rapid advancement of technology, especially in digital fields and artificial intelligence—is transforming the nature of work. While these changes create new opportunities, they also pose significant challenges.

Many traditional jobs are disappearing, while new roles require advanced skills. Workers who cannot adapt may face unemployment. This makes continuous learning and skill development essential.

At the same time, the rise of temporary work, remote employment, and informal labor arrangements is reshaping job security and social protection systems. Policymakers must adapt to these changes to ensure that workers are not left behind in the evolving economy.

Improving the status of workers is not only a legal or economic issue—it is also cultural. In many societies, manual labor and low-income jobs are undervalued, despite their essential role in daily life.

Media, educational institutions, and cultural organizations can help shift this perception by promoting respect for all forms of work. Recognizing the dignity of labor should be reflected not only in words but also in policies, behaviors, and societal attitudes.

International Workers’ Day is not just a celebration—it is a call to action. It is an opportunity to reaffirm commitments to justice, equality, and human dignity.

By organizing awareness campaigns, policy discussions, and social dialogues among workers, employers, and governments, societies can build a shared understanding of challenges and solutions. This collective effort is essential for creating meaningful and lasting change.

Workers are the heartbeat of every society. Without their effort and dedication, development would not be possible. International Workers’ Day reminds us that true progress must be built on fairness, respect, and the protection of human rights.

Today, more than ever, it is essential to listen to workers’ voices and take concrete steps to improve their conditions. A society that seeks a bright and sustainable future must invest in its workforce and treat workers as partners in development.

With continued effort at both national and global levels, it is possible to envision a future where no worker is forced to endure unsafe or unjust conditions, and where everyone enjoys the right to decent work, dignity, and a secure life.

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://www.thekabultimes.com/international-labour-day-a-look-at-employment-conditions/

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Need for Coordinated Action on Afghanistan as Lasting Stability Ensured

May 2, 2026

Afghanistan stands at a delicate and defining moment, one that demands thoughtful engagement, practical solutions, and sustained attention from the international community. Recent discussions among regional and global stakeholders have once again highlighted the urgency of addressing the country’s humanitarian and economic challenges through coordinated and realistic approaches.

Years of conflict, combined with economic disruptions and natural hardships, have placed significant pressure on ordinary citizens. Many families continue to face difficulties in accessing basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and stable sources of income. In such conditions, immediate and well-organized humanitarian assistance is not only necessary but essential.

Ensuring that aid reaches vulnerable communities efficiently and transparently should remain a shared priority.

At the same time, humanitarian aid alone cannot provide a lasting solution. There is a growing need to shift focus toward early recovery and sustainable economic support. Expanding livelihood opportunities, particularly in agriculture, small enterprises, and local industries, can help communities regain self-sufficiency. When families are able to earn a stable income, the overall resilience of society improves, reducing long-term dependence on external assistance.

Another important aspect is the facilitation of financial mechanisms. Limitations in banking channels have created obstacles for aid delivery, trade, and private sector growth. Practical and coordinated steps to ease these challenges, while respecting appropriate frameworks, can significantly improve economic activity and restore a degree of normalcy to daily life. A functioning financial system is vital for rebuilding trust and encouraging both domestic and international engagement.

Cooperation among international institutions and humanitarian organizations also plays a key role. Joint efforts in sectors such as food security, healthcare, and infrastructure development can produce more effective and sustainable outcomes. When resources and expertise are aligned, the impact of assistance becomes stronger and more far-reaching. Constructive dialogue is equally important. Engagement based on mutual respect and shared interests can help bridge gaps, reduce misunderstandings, and foster a more stable environment. Stability is not achieved overnight; it requires patience, consistency, and a willingness from all sides to work toward common goals.

Afghanistan’s path forward depends on a balanced approach, one that combines immediate relief with long-term development, and humanitarian concern with economic strategy. With careful planning, coordinated action, and genuine commitment, it is possible to ease current hardships and gradually lay the foundation for recovery and progress.

The moment calls for responsibility, cooperation, and practical solutions. The well-being of millions depends on decisions made today, and the opportunity to support a more stable and self-reliant future should not be overlooked.

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://www.thekabultimes.com/need-for-coordinated-action-on-afghanistan-as-lasting-stability-ensured/

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Digital Media Asia 2026 spotlights newsroom reinvention, revenue and evolving audience habits

1 MAY 2026

Media leaders from across Asia and beyond have gathered in the Philippine capital to examine how journalism is evolving amid shifting audience behaviour, platform dynamics and revenue pressures.

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and Vice Mayor Chi Atienza opened the Digital Media Asia 2026, organised by World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) on Thursday.

Opening remarks were delivered by Kah Whye Lee, Director, Asia at WAN-IFRA, who underscored the need for news organisations to innovate across both editorial and business fronts as the industry undergoes rapid digital transformation.

The conference brought together leading regional and international media organisations, including Channel NewsAsia, SPH Media, Agence France-Presse and South China Morning Post, among others.

A key session moderated by OneNews Anchor Regina Hing (Lay), featured speakers including Nahar Khan of Marana Media and United News of Bangladesh (UNB) and Cania Citta of Malaka Indonesia, focusing on how changing audience behaviour is reshaping the use of platforms, crafting messages, addressing target audiences, and asks what traditional media can learn from it.

Drawing on her presentation, Nahar Khan highlighted a fundamental shift in how audiences consume news, noting that social media has become a top source of news for most of Generation Z.

"The hook must land in three seconds - or they scroll," she said.

She emphasised that the transformation goes beyond platforms to a deeper change in communication itself.

"It's not just that they use different platforms. It's that they think in a different language - visual language," she said.

"The headline is now an image. The argument is a meme. The news is a 30-second video."

Khan said visual storytelling is increasingly central to how information is processed and shared. She also highlighted that different platforms now play distinct roles in the news ecosystem, requiring newsrooms to tailor content and strategy accordingly.

Short-form video platforms such as TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts have become the "front page", where audiences encounter the headline, hook and first read before engaging further. Facebook, she noted, continues to function as a "public square" across Bangladesh and South Asia, where stories evolve into discussion and community engagement.

She added that Instagram broadcast channels are increasingly used as direct, one-to-many communication tools delivering verified updates, while X (formerly Twitter) acts as a "global megaphone," amplifying local stories to international audiences within hours.

"Memes carry political points wrapped in humour, and they spread instantly, while cartoons cut through complexity that a 1,000 word article cannot."

She also reflected on UNB's experience maintaining uninterrupted news operations during a period of communication disruption, relying on internal systems, correspondent networks and manual workflows to keep the wire active.

Turning to lessons for the industry, Khan outlined what traditional media organisations must adapt.

"Lead with the human story, not the institutional angle. Personal voice earns trust and credibility while faceless brands lose it," she said.

She stressed the importance of meeting audiences where they are.

"Short-form is the baseline and cross-platform is the default. That is a growth strategy."

At the same time, she underscored the enduring value of credibility and heightened verification channels in an age of increased misinformation.

"Speed may reach the audience, but credibility will keep them."

Beyond editorial transformation, discussions at the conference focused on business sustainability, with participants exploring diversified revenue streams including subscriptions, digital advertising, branded content and platform partnerships.

Sessions also examined how publishers are building direct audience relationships through memberships, newsletters and data-driven products, while leveraging analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance both editorial and commercial performance.

Across the two-day event, a central theme emerged: news organisations must evolve simultaneously in storytelling, technology and business models to remain relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/digital-media-asia-2026-spotlights-newsroom-reinvention-revenue-and-evolving-audience-habits-4165551

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Germany to move visas for citizens of Afghanistan online

By Fidel Rahmati

May 2, 2026

Germany will shift work and study visa applications for citizens of Afghanistan to an online system, aiming to improve access, speed, and transparency.

The German Embassy Islamabad announced that visa applications for Afghan citizens seeking work and study opportunities in Germany will be fully processed online through its consular services portal.

According to the statement issued on May 2, all visa applications, including student and work categories, must be submitted online starting June 1. Applicants will be able to upload documents step by step and receive immediate digital feedback on their submissions.

The embassy said that applicants who have not secured appointments through the previous waiting list system by May 1, 2026, will no longer receive in-person appointment slots under the old process. Instead, they must use the new digital system.

Once applications are completed online, individuals can independently schedule in-person appointments at the embassy’s Afghanistan visa section in Islamabad, depending on appointment availability and valid entry permits for Pakistan.

The embassy emphasized that the new system is designed to make the process faster, more transparent, and more efficient, with priority given to complete and properly submitted applications.

Restrictions on education in Afghanistan have significantly increased demand for study visas abroad, particularly among young people seeking access to universities and professional training opportunities that are currently limited domestically.

At the same time, rising unemployment and limited economic opportunities inside Afghanistan have pushed many skilled and unskilled workers to seek jobs overseas, increasing pressure on foreign visa systems and migration pathways.

Meanwhile, the shift to an online system could help reduce delays and improve access, but challenges such as internet access, documentation requirements, and travel restrictions may still affect many applicants.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/germany-to-move-visas-for-citizens-of-afghanistan-online/

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Afghan Railway Delegation Attends 40th OSJD Conference in Kazakhstan

May 2, 2026

KABUL: An Afghan delegation led by Mawlavi Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, Deputy Minister of Public Works for Railways, participated in the 40th Conference of the Organization for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD) held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of Public Works said in a statement on Friday that participants discussed expanding railway cooperation among member countries, improving transit corridors, facilitating regional trade, adopting modern technology, modernizing railway infrastructure, and strengthening rail systems.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Afghan delegation held separate meetings with Kazakhstan’s railway chief, the country’s deputy transport minister, and the head of Azerbaijan Railways to discuss increasing the capacity of Hairatan and Torghundi ports and expanding joint transportation through Sher Khan Port, the statement added.

The talks reflected Afghanistan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and expand its role in regional transit and trade networks, the statement said.

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://www.thekabultimes.com/afghan-railway-delegation-attends-40th-osjd-conference-in-kazakhstan/

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The Tragedies of the 7th and 8th of Sawr!!!

May 2, 2026

By: Mohammad Ali Ghazal

Internal and external figures shuttled back and forth to facilitate reconciliation and settlement between warlords and factional leaders (Pataksalars); however, these efforts consistently proved fruitless and yielded no results. Similarly, the involved parties formed and dissolved numerous new alliances, yet the bloodshed and slaughter were not halted.

At that time, a sun of joy rose over the Afghans when the Taliban movement, under the leadership of the late Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him), emerged and rose against oppression and injustice. They eliminated the checkpoints (pataks), and drove away the warlords and transgressors. Eventually, they entered Kabul on the night of the 6th of Mizan, 1375 (September 27, 1996), causing former rival warlords to flee to Panjshir, Kulob, and Iran. The Taliban established the Islamic Emirate in Kabul and enforced Sharia hudud.

Therefore, the 7th and 8th of Sawr (the communist coup and the mujahideen victory) share many similarities, though they possess slight differences in some aspects. However, for the nation, both resulted in unfortunate outcomes. After the 7th of Sawr, many oppressed people of the world learned a lesson from us; but after the 8th of Sawr, we became an object of ridicule for the infidels!

As World War II began, both sides of the conflict wanted Afghanistan to support their struggles and actions. However, the King and officials of the time decided on neutrality and did not stand in favor of either side, once again proving and maintaining the country’s neutrality. This was because the war was foreign, much like during World War I when Amir Habibullah Khan also chose non-alignment.

When World War II ended, the world was divided into two poles: one led by the Soviet Union and the other by the United States. Competition and rivalry began between the two poles (Communism and Imperialism). The rulers of our beloved country maintained a balance with both, held diplomatic relations with both sides in political terms, and placed the country within the ranks of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The Soviet intelligence agency (KGB) found slaves and mercenaries in our country, while the claimants of imperialism also had a number of supporters working for what the communists termed “world-devouring imperialism.” However, the KGB henchmen organized quickly, formed a party, and named it the “People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan” (PDPA). They extended its roots into civilian and military institutions and launched the deceptive slogan of “Home, Clothing, Food” (Kor, Kali, Dodai).

The prominent leaders (top figures) of this party included Noor Mohammad Taraki, Hafizullah Amin, Babrak Karmal, Mir Akbar Khyber, Anahita Ratebzad, Bariq Shafi’i, Dastagir Panjshiri, Sulaiman Layeq, and others. Neither folk circles nor academic and educational sectors were safe from these individuals; rather, they found supporters everywhere and spread smooth, oily traps to mislead Afghans.

These communists even extended their reach into the Afghan Parliament. Babrak Karmal and several others were members of Parliament, where they would constantly mock and ridicule the holy religion of Islam. They also controlled the press; in their newspaper, they offered “blessings” upon Lenin and showcased the film Mard ne Zana, which contained insults toward the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

The communists, who would go on to destroy our beloved country, were active for communism in every field of life and chose the path of Stalin to spread this false ideology. Consequently, on April 17, 1978, they killed their own leader and teacher, Mir Akbar Khyber, and blamed the government for his murder. They held a grand funeral for him and promised revenge during speeches at his graveside.

The intelligence services of President Sardar Mohammad Daoud Khan (the Martyr) reported the communists’ speeches to him, leading to the arrest of several high-ranking members by the government. However, some high-ranking party communists remained outside of prison. On the 7th of Sawr, 1357 (April 27, 1978), they launched a bloody coup against Sardar Mohammad Daoud Khan, martyring 70 members of his family.

Following their coup, a period of slaughter, massacres, assassinations, migrations, and the martyrdom of Muslims began in our beloved country—a cycle that has now completed its 45th year. During this period, invaders (the Soviet Union and the United States) twice launched unjust invasions of our beloved country, resulting in the martyrdom of millions of Afghans as a consequence of the coup and these invasions.

When the “Red Communists” carried out the coup, they seated the arch-apostate Noor Mohammad Taraki on the throne of Kabul. He issued one decree after another, all of which conflicted with the clear religion of Islam, revealing the apostate face of their regime.

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://www.thekabultimes.com/the-tragedies-of-the-7th-and-8th-of-sawr-3/

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IU 'D' unit admission process begins on May 10

May 2, 2026

ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, Kushtia, May 1, 2026 (BSS) - Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia has released an admission notice and guidelines for first-year undergraduate enrollment under the independent 'D' Unit for the 2025-26 academic session.

The notice was signed by 'D' Unit Coordinator and Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies Prof Dr Sekendar Ali and made public on Friday.

Previously, the admission test under the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies was conducted on April 11.

The unit offers a total of 330 seats. Among these, 80 seats each have been assigned to the departments of Al-Qur'an and Islamic Studies, Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies, and Dawah and Islamic Studies, while the Department of Arabic Language and Literature has been allocated 90 seats.

As per the notice, interviews for candidates listed in the first merit list, which was published on April 12, 2026, will take place from May 10 to May 12.

The interviews will be conducted at the 'D' Unit coordinator's office between 10:00am and 3:00pm on the specified dates.

Candidates who clear the interview must complete the admission process within the given timeframe. The notice also added failing to complete this process will result in the cancellation of their nominations.

Students wishing to change their department after the first merit list may submit applications from May 14 to May 15.

Depending on seat availability, interviews for second merit list candidates will be conducted from May 22 to May 23. Those selected will likewise be required to complete admission formalities within the stipulated period.

The university authorities noted that any updates or further instructions regarding the admission process will be published on the university's official website.

Source: bssnews.net

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https://www.bssnews.net/news/383293

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