Sunni Muslims in Kerala Declared Fresh War against Wahhabism-Salafism on a University Syllabus
New
Age Islam News Bureau
29
September 2021
•
Uttar Pradesh: Muslim Man Playing Ram in Ramlila Gets Death Threats
•
Two Boys Discussing Conversion to Islam on Video Booked, Probe Finds They're
Hindus, Minors
•
Taliban to Implement a Constitution from the Era of Muhammad Zahir Shah: Taliban’s
Acting Minister of Justice
•
EU Holds 1st Ever Human Rights Meeting With Saudi Arabia
India
•
Police Ask Kerala Govt to Ban Circulation of 'Mashari Al Ashwaq' -- Book Of
Jihad
•
Terrorist nabbed during failed infiltration bid exposes Pakistan Army, says
'this jihad is wrong'
•
Govt Appointing Mujawar to Perform Hindu Rituals in Datta Peetha Counter to
Muslim Belief: HC
•
RSS’ Muslim wing opposes protest against arrest of UP cleric
•
Muslim artist faces threats for playing the role of Lord Ram in Ramleela
•
Students Islamic Organisation to Fund Education of Moinul Haque's Children
--------
South Asia
•
Former Afghan Officials Who Have Fled the Country Along With President Ashraf
Ghani Announce Government In Exile
•
Taliban to ‘Temporarily’ Adopt 1964 Constitution, With Caveats
•
Taliban: US drones must stop entering Afghanistan
•
Taliban fighters hit the fairground as Afghans fear for freedoms
•
Former Afghanistan officials announce govt in exile, Saleh to lead
•
Prices soar at opium market in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
•
20-war in Afghanistan was a strategic failure, 2,500 troops should have been
kept: Milley
•
Taliban accuse US forces of violating Afghan airspace, call for upholding
commitments made in Doha
•
Taliban fighters take over Kabul amusement park
--------
Europe
•
UK, Pakistan Agree On Need for Coordinated Approach To Afghanistan
--------
Arab World
•
Al-Azhar Fatwa Centre Warns Against ’Conquer’ Game Due To Gambling
•
Egypt releases four Salafi Muslim preachers from detention
•
Saudi Arabia supports global efforts to ensure Iran does not possess nuclear
arms: FM
•
Senior US official, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince meet for first time under Biden
•
UN: New meeting this month to draft Syria constitution
--------
North America
•
US Generals Express Concern over Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal in Wake of Taliban
Takeover of Afghanistan
•
US senators seek assessment of Pakistan’s role in America’s Afghan debacle
•
White House delegation heading to Egypt for talks on Horn of Africa, Palestine
•
US credibility has been damaged due to Afghanistan withdrawal: Top military
general
•
US bars flight from landing with Americans from Kabul: Activists
•
Top US generals recommended having 2,500 troops in Afghanistan; White House
defends withdrawal
--------
Pakistan
•
Pakistan Minister Highlights Importance of Free Thinking Culture to Find
Truth–Islam
•
Islamabad in a fix over helping Kabul without recognition
•
No new law against Islamic guidelines in my rule: PM Imran Khan
•
Akal Takht jathedar holds meeting with ETPB chairman
•
Pakistan, UK agree to form working group to strengthen ties
•
FC soldier martyred in Balochistan's Chukab area in firing by terrorists
--------
Mideast
•
Jordan Slams Israeli Abuses At Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque
•
Iranian Envoy Blasts European Trio for Double-Standard Approach
•
Minister: Iran, Turkey Play Major Role in Restoring Regional Stability
•
UN Ambassador Blasts Israel's Unfounded Allegations against Iran
•
Iran says military exercises near Azeri border an issue of ‘sovereignty’
--------
Southeast Asia
•
Johor Islamic Council Drops Bid to Join Putrajaya’s Appeal On ‘Allah’ Ban Case,
But Selangor Counterpart Wants In
•
After reports of leak, home minister says NRD confirmed its data still secure
•
Minister: 4,771 screened under sex offenders against children registry since
April 2019
•
Sabah CM signals no simultaneous polls for parliamentary, state seats
•
Azalina takes veiled swipe at Rina Harun over stalled Special Courts for sexual
crimes against children
--------
Africa
•
Nigerian Security Forces Kill Eight Muslim Mourners at Arba’een Procession in
Abuja
•
Sudan says five security officers killed in clash with ISIS-linked group
•
Libyan Fatwa House denounces brutal killing of Muslims in India’s Assam
•
Libya’s High Council of State does not want elections to take place: Aguila
Saleh
•
Algeria’s army chief accuses neighbouring Morocco of ‘conspiracies’
•
Pregnant Algerian mom and her five children among 91 migrants rescued off Spain
coast
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/wahhabism-salafism-calicut-kerala-sunni/d/125466
--------
Sunni
Muslims in Kerala Declared Fresh War against Wahhabism-Salafism on a University
Syllabus
SEPTEMBER
02, 2021
Kerala
has witnessed strong debates between Wahhabis-Salafis and Sunnis for the last
many decades. Alleging pro-Wahhabi-Salafi content in the Arabic syllabus of the
University of Calicut, a section of Sunni Muslims in the state has declared
fresh war against Wahhabism-Salafism. The faction has strongly opposed the book
‘History of Contemporary Arab World’ prescribed for the university’s
second-year MA Arabic course, alleging that it promotes extremist ideology and
glorifies Wahhabism and its founder Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab.
The
state committee of the Sunni Students’ Federation (SSF) has approached Chief
Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the state Education Minister and the Vice-Chancellor
of the university demanding removal of the controversial portion from the study
material and department-level action against those responsible for the
inclusion of the content in the syllabus. SSF state president Nizamudheen
Falili said that the effort to cover up the extremist image of Wahhabism
through a university book should be condemned.
“Pages
203 to 206 of the book have been dedicated to discussing Wahhabism, which has
always shown traditional Muslims in a bad light. There is also an attempt to
‘whitewash’ Jamaludheen Afghani, who was a promoter of radical Islam. Pages
211, 212 and 213 of the book say that Afghani, who laid the ideological
foundation for political Islamic organisations such as Muslim Brotherhood, was
an advocate of unity in Islam and a leader of renaissance. This is baseless,
such misleading facts will have far-reaching consequences among society,” he
said.
Earlier
too, Calicut University was forced to withdraw an Arabic book prepared for its
BA Afzal Ul Ulama course in 2016, after a section of Sunnis alleged that the
book tried to whitewash the Salafi stream of Islam.
An
article titled ‘Kudanjozhivakkanakumo Bheekaramukham’ (Can you shake off the
face of terror?) written by the state secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham
(SYS), Rahmathulla Saqafi Ealamaram, in Siraj daily, the mouthpiece of the AP
faction of the Sunnis in Kerala, said that the controversial book wrongly
portrays Wahhabism as an ideology that led Islam to the renaissance. The
article added that the Sunni organisation cannot condone the ‘whitewashing’ of
the terror tag of Wahhabism, which caused tensions across West Asia for
decades.
SSF
state secretary KB Basheer told TNM that there have been many similar attempts
in the past to include such controversial contents in the Arabic syllabus in
schools and colleges, and that the government should be ready to take strong
action to avoid such situations in the future. “Glorifying the leaders of
Wahhabism and Salafism is a dangerous move. Wahhabism and Salafism are not real
Islam and such interpretations should be discouraged,” he said.
Speaking
to TNM, Calicut University Vice-Chancellor MK Jayaraj said that his office has
received a complaint regarding the MA Arabic book from a section of the Sunni
organisation and that the issue will be brought to the notice of the
university’s Board of Studies. “We have to conduct a detailed discussion on the
contents of the book with the members of the Board of Studies in Arabic prior
to taking a final decision on the removal of the controversial portion from the
book. We will take a decision soon,” he said.
Social
critic and writer Ashraf Kadakkal said that the fresh row over the contents of
the Arabic book is a continuation of a decades-old dispute between the Sunni
and Salafi streams of Islam in Kerala. “The decades-old intellectual debates
about the ideological differences between the Sunni and Salafi streams in
Kerala have many layers. In the early 1920s, the Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham
was formed as a collective of reformists. These leaders aimed for educational
reforms and women empowerment. But the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama was
formed as a Sunni body to uphold the traditional beliefs of Islam. Until the
1950s, Salafis or Mujahids were considered reformists and Sunnis were
considered conservative, and there were regular ideological debates between
them. The reformist groups of the Salafis later played a major role in the
formation of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML),” he said.
Elaborating
further on the history of the dispute, Ashraf said, “After 1960, there were
ideological debates over the political intervention of religion between
Jamaat-e-Islami scholars and Salafis in the state, even though the former has
an ideological affiliation with the Salafi stream of Islam. Major changes were
visible in the Mujahid organisations in Kerala in the 1970s after the influence
of the Saudi variant of Salafism, and a crucial split happened in the Mujahid
movement after 2000. Now, the Mujahids in Kerala can be considered
conservatives under the deep influence of Saudi Salafis.”
He
added that the ongoing dispute between Sunnis and Salafis in Kerala cannot be
considered part of any reformist move, but is a mere dispute between two
organisations.
The
recent intervention of the leaders of the left-leaning AP faction of Sunnis to
resolve issues within the Indian National League (INL), an ally of the ruling
Left Democratic Front (LDF), was a major topic of discussion in political
circles as INL is a pro-Salafi outfit.
Source:
The News Minute
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Uttar
Pradesh: Muslim man playing Ram in Ramlila gets death threats
Sep
29, 2021
Representative image -
-----
BAREILLY:
A Muslim theatre artiste, who has been playing Lord Ram in ‘Ramlila’ here for a
long time, has been threatened that he would be excommunicated and killed if he
does it this year. Thirty-year-old theatre artiste Danish, a resident of the
old city area, complained to police that a man from his own community
threatened him.
In
his complaint, Danish has said his tenant, with whom he has a rent dispute, has
tried to make an issue out of a Muslim playing the character of a Hindu god. He
also claimed he was attacked by the tenant and his associate with a knife but
has managed to escape. Danish is associated with a local theatre group and has
been playing the character of Lord Ram in Ramlila for the past six or seven
years and he has got recognition for his feat.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Two
Boys Discussing Conversion To Islam On Video Booked, Probe Finds They're
Hindus, Minors
Sep
29, 2021
Agra:
Two boys in Aligarh who were allegedly discussing “conversion to Islam” in a
video that went viral were booked by police under a non-Bailable section of the
Indian Penal Code for “promoting enmity between classes”. A probe later found
that both the boys were minors and belonged to the Hindu community.
Their
families, shocked at the FIR against them, said the boys were students of class
12 and were engaged in a “friendly debate” and “someone complained
unnecessarily”.
The
FIR was registered against the boys in the video under section 505 (statements
creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) of the IPC, a
non-bailable section, at the Sasni gate police station on Monday. The case was
filed after the video went viral and a local BJP member approached police.
In
his complaint, Ram Gopal said, “I have seen a video in which one boy is
threatening Hindus and asking them to convert to Islam. The video has created
anger among people and the content can create religious enmity.”
In
the video, a masked boy on his bicycle is pretending to be Muslim and another a
Hindu. Police probe later found that the boys in the video were minors. “They
belong to the same community,” said circle officer Raghvendra Kumar, adding
that they were not arrested as they were minors and “legal proceedings are on
in the matter”.
Families
of the two boys said they were taken aback by how quickly the matter had
escalated. Uncle of one of the boys, a BJP member from Hathras, said it was “a
friendly debate” between them that was misinterpreted. “They were returning
from their coaching classes and were discussing things. We will approach police
as the boys didn’t mean any harm,” said the uncle.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Taliban
to Implement a Constitution from the Era of Muhammad Zahir Shah: Taliban’s
Acting Minister of Justice
28
Sep 2021
Taliban’s
acting minister of Justice Abdul Hakim Sharaee said that they will implement
the constitution from the era of Muhammad Zahir Shah which was ratified 57
years ago.
Abdul
Hakim Sharaee in meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Kabul said that the
constitution will be implemented temporarily during their interim government.
A
statement released by the ministry of justice reads that the constitution will
be implemented in a way that does not violate Sharia law and the principles of
the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Based
on the statement, Sharaee has also thanked the Chinese ambassador for all the
help his country is delivering for the people of Afghanistan and added that the
IEA is willing to be a good friend of China.
On
the threat from Afghanistan, Sharaee said that they want to have good relations
with all the countries and added that no threat will be posed to regional
countries from the soil of Afghanistan.
The
constitution of King Zahir Shah was also temporarily implemented during the
first years of Hamid Karzai.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-to-implement-a-constitution-from-nearly-60-years-ago-457457/
--------
EU
holds 1st ever human rights meeting with Saudi Arabia
Agnes
Szucs
28.09.2021
BRUSSELS
The
EU welcomed Saudi Arabia’s social and economic reforms, but expressed concern
over certain human rights issues, said a statement issued on Tuesday following
the first bilateral meeting on human rights.
The
EU and Saudi delegations met in Brussels on Monday for the first Human Rights
Dialogue, which “offered an opportunity to have detailed discussions on a wide
range of topics,” the European External Action Service said.
The
bloc welcomed kingdom’s socio-economic reforms, particularly those on women’s
rights.
“The
EU encouraged Saudi authorities to work towards achieving women’s full enjoyment
of all human rights,” the statement noted.
The
EU delegation also addressed current labor law reforms in Saudi Arabia,
including changes to the "Kefala" system, a sponsorship arrangement
that grants employers extensive rights over foreign workers.
They
recommended Saudi Arabia to extend the scope of the legislation to domestic
employees as well.
They
also voiced concern over several human rights issues in Saudi Arabia, such as
restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, an increase in executions,
and conditions of detention centers.
The
bloc also asked the kingdom to cooperate more with UN institutions on labor and
human rights and adhere to relevant international treaties.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-holds-1st-ever-human-rights-meeting-with-saudi-arabia/2377125
--------
India
Police
ask Kerala govt to ban circulation of 'Mashari al Ashwaq' -- book of jihad
29th
September 2021
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The police department has asked the state government to ban the circulation of
14th-century Arabic text Mashari al-Ashwaq Ila Masari al-Ushaaq, better known
as the ‘book of jihad’, which allegedly motivates youngsters to join terrorist
organisations. Following the request, the government has formed a three-member
committee to scrutinise its content.
The
committee headed by PRD Director S Harikishore also consists of Internal
Security IG G Sparjan Kumar and National University for Advanced Legal Studies
former vice-chancellor N K Jayakumar.
Former
state police chief Loknath Behera in 2020 and incumbent chief Anil Kant in July
this year had recommended a ban on the circulation of the book on all
platforms, including on social media.
They
had written to the government that the book contains extremist literature and
lures youth into extremism. It was also said that the text has been motivating
youngsters to get embedded with international terror outfits, including the
Islamic State.
Mashari
al Ashwaq is a medieval text written by Damascene scholar Ahmad Ibrahim
Muhammad al Dimashqi al Dumyati, popularly known as Ibn Nuhaas. He is said to
have been killed while fighting the Byzantine army in 1411. The IS sympathisers
in Kerala had, meanwhile, brought out the book’s Malayalam translation, which
was named Vijayathinte Vathil Vaalinte Thanalil, and circulated online.
Source:
New Indian Express
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Terrorist
nabbed during failed infiltration bid exposes Pakistan Army, says 'this jihad
is wrong'
Abhishek
Bhalla
September
28, 2021
Ali
Babar Patra, the Pakistani terrorist who surrendered before the Indian Army
along the Line of Control (LOC), has revealed that he is a member of the
Lashkar-e-Taiba. The 19-year-old was among two terrorists cornered by security
forces in Uri.
"No
civilian can cross over without the Pakistan Army's hand in it. Why aren't
there such tanzeems in India who send people across? I want to tell youth like
me in Pakistan this jihad is wrong," Ali Babar Patra said. He added that
he was handed over to the ISI before being trained by the Pakistan Army.
Speaking
to reporters in Uri during a press conference called by the Indian Army, Ali
Babar Patra said, "After joining LeT, I got Rs 20,000 and was handed over
to the ISI. Along with others trained by the Pakistan Army. My family was to be
given Rs 30,000 after I got launched in Kashmir."
The
Army added in a statement, "As per the surrendered terrorist, Atiq ur
Rehman @ Qari Anas r/o (resident of) Village - Pindi, District- Attock, Punjab
(Pakistan) had given him Rs 20,000/- for his mother's treatment and had
promised to give him additional Rs 30,000/- on safe return from Pattan near
Baramulla, where the group was to deliver the warlike stores."
"We
had been told that the Indian Army committed atrocities against Muslims in
Kashmir but I saw nothing of this sort. The Indian Army treated me well, I was
not tortured or beaten up," Ali Babar Patra said.
He
added, "The people I saw here seemed happy."
A
resident of Dipalpur in Okara in Pakistan's Punjab, Ali Babar Patra, was handed
over to the police by the Indian Army after the press conference.
Same
route terrorists took in 2016
The
operation to foil an infiltration bid at the LoC first took shape on September
18 when the Indian Army received intelligence about six terrorists trying to
cross over from Pakistan. This operation went on for 10 days and resulted in
the arrest of the 19-year-old terrorist.
Two
of these terrorists, including Ali Baba Patra, managed to sneak into India but
were soon engaged in gunfire by security forces. While his accomplice was
killed, Ali Babar Patra surrendered before the Indian Army. The other four
terrorists are believed to have turned back.
The
route taken by the terrorists to infiltrate was from Sawai Nala Terrorist camp
to Hallan Shumali launchpad to Jabri, leading into Salamabad Nala, the Indian
Army revealed.
"It
is pertinent to mention here that it was along Salamabad Nala through which
terrorists infiltrated in 2016 with the help of the Pakistan Army and carried
out a suicide attack on Uri Garrison," the Army added.
Pakistan
Army exposed
Ali
Babar Patra's interrogation has also exposed the Pakistan Army's complicity
since he told the Indian Army that he and the other terrorists were launched
from the Pakistan Army's Jabri post at the LoC.
Source:
India Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Govt
Appointing Mujawar To Perform Hindu Rituals in Datta Peetha Counter to Muslim
Belief: HC
Sep
29, 2021
Bengaluru:
In a significant order related to the decades-old controversy regarding the
Guru Dattatreya Peetha-Baba Budangiri Dargah dispute in Chikkamagaluru district
on Tuesday, the high court of Karnataka quashed a state government order
allowing only a mujawar (Muslim priest) to offer flowers and light ‘Nanda
Deepa’ (lamp) of Dattatreya Swami as it ran contrary to the Muslim belief
system.
The
high court said the order is in “flagrant violation of rights of both
communities (Hindus and Muslims) guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution
of India.”
Justice
P.S. Dinesh Kumar noted that the government order permitted only a mujawar, to
be appointed by Shah Khadri, to enter the sanctum of the cave and to distribute
teertha (Charanamrit) to both Hindus and Muslims.
It
also took note of the order that the mujawar is also required to offer flowers
to the idol and light the Nanda Deepa.
“On
the face of it, this portion of the order runs counter to the practices adopted
by the Muslim community because idol worship is not recognised by them,”
Justice Kumar observed.
Noting
that Article 25 of the constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and free
possession, practice and propagation of religion, the judge pointed out that
the state has “infringed upon the rights of Hindu community to have the pooja
(rituals) and archana (prayers) done in the manner as per their faith.”
The
judge also said in his order that the state government has imposed upon the
mujawar to perform Paduka Pooja and to light Nanda Deepa contrary to his faith.
“Both
these acts amount to flagrant violation of rights of both communities (Hindus
and Muslims) guaranteed by Article 25 of the constitution of India,” the bench
noted.
The
court also explained that the Supreme Court had directed the cabinet to
consider the pros and cons and take a decision. However, contrary to the apex
court order, the government delegated the matter to a high-level committee.
Guru
Dattatreya Peetha and Baba Budangiri are worshipped and visited by both Hindus
and Muslims. However, a dispute arose following the claim that the place was
exclusive to a particular community.
Source:
The Wire
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
RSS’
Muslim wing opposes protest against arrest of UP cleric
By
Nadeem Inamdar
SEP
29, 2021
PUNE
A day after the Kul Jamaat E Tanzeem, an umbrella organisation of 22 Muslim
outfits announced its plan to hold a protest in front of the District
Collectorate to condemn the arrest of cleric Maulana Kalimuddin Siddiqui, the
Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) Pune, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Svayam Sevak
Sangh (RSS), stated that the organisation opposes the “conversion of
non-Muslims”.
MRM
state president and BJP spokesperson Ali Daruwala on Tuesday evening said, “We
had sought police permission to protest against the Kul Jamaat Tanzeem but it
has been denied. So we will take up the issue by organising a media conference.
We strongly oppose the conversion of non-Muslims and at the same time oppose
the stand taken by the 22 Muslim organisations in favour of the accused. We
condemn and oppose individuals working against national interest s because for
us, the nation comes first.”
Maulana
Kaleem Siddiqui who runs Jamia Imam Waliullah trust was arrested in Meerut by
the Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorist squad (ATS) on September 22. The ATS on Sunday
arrested three more associates of Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, identified as Kunal
Chaudhary, Mohammad Hafiz Idris and Mohammad Salim on charges of allegedly
running a religious conversion syndicate across the country.
Source:
Hindustan Times
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Muslim
artist faces threats for playing the role of Lord Ram in Ramleela
SEP
28, 2021
by
Shankhyaneel Sarkar
A
Muslim theatre artist from Bareilly who has played the role of Lord Ram in
Ramleela faced a death threat from a person of his own community. The person,
Danish, who has been playing the role for the past few years said that he was
also threatened with excommunication as well.
The
30-year-old Danish informed the senior superintendent of police Rohit Singh
Sajwan in a complaint that the man who threatened him is his tenant.
Danish
said that his tenant owes him two months' rent which he has not paid and is
raising this issue in a bid to avoid it. He said that he was preparing for the
Ramleela this time but his tenant, along with his associate, came and
threatened him with excommunication and death if he played the role of the
Hindu deity.
The
tenant and the associate allegedly attacked him with a knife but no one was
hurt as Danish’s cousin intervened.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Students
Islamic Organisation to Fund Education of Moinul Haque's Children
Ismat
Ara
Sep
29, 2021
New
Delhi: The Students Islamic Organisation has announced that it will fund the
education of the three children of Moinul Haque, the man who died after being
shot by the Assam Police as he protested against an eviction drive and was then
attacked brutally by a photographer.
The
SIO, which is the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, met with the families of
Haque and 12-year-old Shaikh Farid, who also died protesting against the
eviction in Sipajhar village of Darrang district in Assam, on September 23.
SIO
national president Salman Ahmad said, “We want them to study in their area of
interest as much as they want. We pray for better life and prosperity for them
and punishment for those who made them suffer.”
The
police as well as an administration-employed photographer were caught on camera
brutally shooting, thrashing and stomping on 30-year-old Haque’s body during
the ‘anti-encroachment’ eviction.
Following
the incident, the Assam government ordered a probe by a panel headed by a
retired high court judge. The cameraperson seen stomping on Haque’s body has
been arrested and is currently on 14 days’ judicial remand.
Haque
was the sole breadwinner of his family, which comprises his wife, three
children and two elderly parents. The vegetables Haque grew gave him meagre
earnings.
His
two sons, Moqsidul and Muqaddas Ali, are 13 and 14 years old respectively, and
his daughter Manzoora, is nine.
Following
his death, his wife and elderly parents have moved to the tin makeshift relief
camp that has been set up for the 800 families that had been uprooted in the
eviction. Nearly all of them are Muslims of East Bengal origin.
Suhail
Ahmed, SIO’s north east organiser, told The Wire that this is part of a
targeted “witch hunt” of minorities, especially Muslims, by the state and the
encouragement given to fringe and vigilante groups by state agencies.
He
said, “The Himanta Biswa Sharma administration is using every trick in the book
to systematically marginalise, alienate and disenfranchise the Muslim
population in the state. In the process, it appears successful in polarising a
large section of the society, including the police force.”
The
SIO said that the makeshift relief camp is situated in a flood-prone area with
no road access. Victims are in dire need of basic facilities such as water,
food and medicines,.
Earlier,
a joint delegation of the SIO, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind had
met chief minister Sarma, his brother and Darrang SP Siddhartha Biswa Sarma and
Darrang Deputy Commissioner Prabhati Thaosen, the statement said.
Source:
The Wire
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://thewire.in/rights/students-islamic-organisation-to-fund-education-of-moinul-haques-children
--------
South Asia
Former
Afghan Officials Who Have Fled the Country Along With President Ashraf Ghani
Announce Government In Exile
29
Sep 2021
A
number of former Afghan officials who have fled the country along with
President Ashraf Ghani announced the continuation of the Afghan government in
exile.
A
statement released by the Afghan embassy in Swiss reads that, the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan is the only legitimate government of Afghanistan that
is elected by the votes of people and no other government can replace a
legitimate one.
The
statement reads that Afghanistan has been occupied by external factors and
based on the historic responsibility of the Afghan government after
consultations with the elders of the country, they decided to announce
government in exile.
“After
the escape of Ashraf Ghani and his rupture with the Afghan politics, his first
vice-president (Amrullah Saleh) will be leading the country.” Reads the
statement.
In
the meantime, the statement reads that the three powers of the government
namely executive, judicial, and legislative will be activated soon and they
have been busy consulting in this regard.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/former-afghan-officials-announce-government-in-exile-56657567/
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Taliban
to ‘Temporarily’ Adopt 1964 Constitution, With Caveats
September
29, 2021
KABUL:
The Taliban said on Tuesday they will temporarily adopt a 1964 constitution
that granted women the right to vote but eliminate any elements they disagree
with.
The
Taliban´s acting justice minister issued a statement saying they planned to
introduce a constitution used during Afghanistan´s short-lived golden age of
democracy, but only briefly and with amendments.
"The
Islamic Emirate will adopt the constitution of the former King Mohammad Zahir
Shah´s time for a temporary period," Mawlavi Abdul Hakim Sharaee said. But
anything in the text found to conflict with Sharia law and the principles of
the Islamic Emirate would be discarded, he added.
Source:
The News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/896203-taliban-to-temporarily-adopt-1964-constitution-with-caveats
--------
Taliban:
US drones must stop entering Afghanistan
Sep
29, 2021
KABUL:
The Taliban on Wednesday warned of consequences if the United States did not
stop flying drones over Afghan airspace.
"The
US has violated all international rights and laws as well as its commitments
made to the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, with the operation of these drones in
Afghanistan," the Taliban said in a statement on Twitter.
"We
call on all countries, especially United States, to treat Afghanistan in light
of international rights, laws and commitments ... in order to prevent any
negative consequences."
US
officials were not immediately available to comment.
The
Taliban Islamist militia swept back into power in Afghanistan last month after
most US and other Western troops left, ending a military and diplomatic mission
that began soon after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Taliban
fighters hit the fairground as Afghans fear for freedoms
Sep
29, 2021
QARGHAH,
Afghanistan: "This is Afghanistan!" a Taliban fighter shouts on a
pirate ship ride at a fairground in western Kabul, as his armed comrades cackle
and whoop onboard the rickety attraction.
With
AK-47 and M4 assault rifles strapped to their chests, the soldiers cling to
colourful steel benches as they are flung back and forth, their scarves and
headdresses flapping in the wind.
It
was decided a rocket launcher one of them was earlier cradling was better left
on solid ground.
The
group -- ranging in age from 18 to 52 -- is relaxing at a small amusement park
next to Qarghah Reservoir on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, where
families and children normally ride the Ferris Wheel and carousel.
The
scene is an incongruous one: the Taliban fighters were in a playful mood in the
capital they seized less than six weeks ago.
Since
then, Afghans have feared a return to the group's brutally oppressive rule of
the 1990s, when they banned music, photography, television -- and even
children's games such as kite-flying.
The
Taliban promised a more moderate rule this time, but have already curtailed
Afghans' freedoms, including excluding girls from school and sports.
Fighters
from around the country flocked to Kabul after the Islamist hardliners swept to
power in mid-August and many had never been to a funfair.
Once
the three-minute ride is over the battle-hardened fighters clap, grin and
giggle amongst themselves -- and the RPG launcher is reunited with its owner.
On
the shores of the picturesque reservoir, other Taliban members hop into
swan-shaped pedalos as the sun begins to set behind the hills in the distance.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Former
Afghanistan officials announce govt in exile, Saleh to lead
Sep
29, 2021
KABUL:
Former officials of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan who left the war-torn
nation after the takeover by the Taliban announced the continuation of the
Afghan government in exile, headed by the former Vice-President Amrullah Saleh.
A
statement released by the Afghan embassy in Swiss reads that, the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan is the only legitimate government of Afghanistan that
is elected by the votes of people and no other government can replace a
legitimate one, reported The Khaama Press News Agency.
"After
the escape of Ashraf Ghani and his rupture with the Afghan politics, his first
vice-president (Amrullah Saleh) will be leading the country," read the
statement.
The
statement reads that Afghanistan has been occupied by external factors and
based on the historic responsibility of the Afghan government after
consultations with the elders of the country; they decided to announce
government in exile, reported The Khaama Press.
As
per the statement, three powers of the government namely executive, judicial,
and legislative will be activated soon.
It
also announced its support to the Panjshir resistance front- the anti-Taliban
front led by Ahmad Masoud- and has added that all the embassies and consulates
of Afghanistan will be functional as normal.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Prices
soar at opium market in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
Sep
29, 2021
HOWZ-E-MADAD:
While the economy teeters on the brink of collapse, vendors at an opium market
in southern Afghanistan say prices for their goods have skyrocketed since the
Taliban takeover.
Plunging
his knife into a large plastic bag filled with four kilograms (nine pounds) of
what looks like brown mud, Amanullah, who asked to use a fake name, extracts a
lump and places it in a small cup suspended over a primus flame.
The
poppy resin quickly begins to boil and liquify, and he and his partner Mohammad
Masoom can display to buyers that their opium is pure.
"It
is haram (forbidden) in Islam, but we don't have any other choice," Masoom
says, at the market on the arid plains of Howz-e-Madad, in Kandahar province.
Since
the Taliban overran Kabul on August 15, the price for opium -- which is
transformed into heroin either in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iran before flooding
the European market -- has more than tripled.
Masoom
said smugglers are now paying him 17,500 Pakistani rupees ($100, 90 euros) per
kilogram. In Europe it has a street value of over $50 a gram.
As
he sat beneath a canvas suspended from four stakes to protect the precious
wares from the burning sun, he said the price prior to the Taliban takeover
stood at just a third of what he can make today.
Speaking
to AFP on his field a few kilometres away, poppy farmer Zekria confirms that
prices have skyrocketed.
He
says his opium is more concentrated -- and therefore of better quality -- than
Masoom and Amanullah's because the flowers were picked at the start of the
harvesting season.
He
says he now gets over 25,000 PKR per kilo, up from 7,500 before the Taliban's
takeover.
Back
at the market, hundreds of producers, vendors and buyers chat over green tea
around sacks of opium and hashish, discussing the soaring prices.
The
weather, insecurity, political unrest and border closures can all affect the
ever-fluctuating opium price, but everyone seems to agree that it was a single
statement by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid last month that made the
prices take off.
At
the time, he told the world the Taliban did not want to see "any narcotics
produced" -- but added that international backing was needed to allow
farmers to shift away from the trade.
The
rumour that a ban on poppy-growing was imminent spread through the province, a
historical Taliban stronghold and the centre of the country's opium production
and drug trafficking.
Buyers
are bracing for a looming shortage, "so the opium price is soaring,"
said Zekria, who also used a pseudonym to avoid retribution.
But
the 40-year-old, who like his father and grandfather has spent much of his life
growing poppies, said he did not believe the Taliban "can eradicate all
poppy (farming) in Afghanistan".
In
2000, during the hardliners' last stint in power, the Taliban banned poppy
growing, declaring it forbidden under Islam, and virtually eradicated the crop.
After
the US-led ouster of the Taliban in 2001, poppy farming again proliferated,
even as the West poured millions of dollars into pushing alternatives, such as
saffron.
Then,
with the Taliban switching from ruling Afghanistan to insurgency against US-led
forces, they relied on opium production to finance their rebellion.
In
2016, half of their revenue came from the trade, according to the United
Nations.
Afghanistan's
opium production has since remained high year after year, producing some 6,300
tonnes last year alone, the UN says.
Farmers
in the south say it's impossible to eradicate the trade, which the UN estimates
is worth $2 billion in annual revenues in Afghanistan.
"We
know it's not good but we don't have enough water (or) seeds," he said.
"We
cannot grow anything else right now," Masoom said, adding that any other
trade would be far less lucrative.
Zekria,
the sole breadwinner in a family of 25, agreed.
"Without
opium, I cannot even cover my expenses," he said, adding there is "no
other solution unless the international community helps us".
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
20-war
in Afghanistan was a strategic failure, 2,500 troops should have been kept:
Milley
29
Sep 2021
Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US General Mark Milley said that their
20-year presence was their strategic failure and his personal opinion was to
have 2,500 troops in Afghanistan.
The
US general in his testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee said that he
did not advise President Joe Biden about keeping troops in Afghanistan and
added that this was his personal opinion.
He
believed that several thousand troops were needed to prevent the unexpectedly
rapid takeover of the Taliban.
In
the meantime, the white house speaker Jen Psaki defended the US withdrawal from
Afghanistan and added that president Joe Biden was given split advices over the
pullout of troops.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Taliban
accuse US forces of violating Afghan airspace, call for upholding commitments
made in Doha
September
29, 2021
The
Taliban on Wednesday warned of consequences if the US did not stop flying
drones over Afghan airspace.
“The
US has violated all international rights and laws as well as its commitments
made to the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, with the operation of these drones in
Afghanistan,” the Taliban said in a statement on Twitter. “We call on all
countries, especially United States, to treat Afghanistan in light of
international rights, laws and commitments ... in order to prevent any negative
consequences.”
US
officials were not immediately available to comment on the matter.
The
Taliban swept back into power in Afghanistan last month after most US and other
Western troops left, ending a military and diplomatic mission that began soon
after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.
Since
then, the US has carried out two drone strikes in Afghanistan, claiming to have
targeted an Islamic State (IS) militant of the group's Khorasan chapter who was
involved in the planning of a deadly attack at the Kabul airport and a suicide
bomber in a vehicle aiming to hit the airport again.
The
strikes were carried out within a day's gap and civilians, including children,
were killed in the second attack.
While
the US had not confirmed civilian deaths immediately, the Pentagon had later
admitted that 10 civilians, including seven children, were killed in the
strike. The US military had apologised for the incident, terming it a tragic
mistake.
The
strikes had also drawn a strong reaction from Afghanistan's new rulers, the
Taliban.
At
the time, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid had condemned the US for
failing to inform the Taliban before ordering the strike and described the US
action on foreign soil as unlawful.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Taliban
fighters take over Kabul amusement park
29
September ,2021
“This
is Afghanistan!” a Taliban fighter shouts on a pirate ship ride at a fairground
in western Kabul, as his armed comrades cackle and whoop onboard the rickety
attraction.
With
AK-47 and M4 assault rifles strapped to their chests, the soldiers cling to
colourful steel benches as they are flung back and forth, their scarves and
headdresses flapping in the wind.
It
was decided a rocket launcher one of them was earlier cradling was better left
on solid ground.
The
group – ranging in age from 18 to 52 – is relaxing at a small amusement park
next to Qarghah Reservoir on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, where
families and children normally ride the Ferris Wheel and carousel.
The
scene is an incongruous one: the Taliban fighters were in a playful mood in the
capital they seized less than six weeks ago.
Since
then, Afghans have feared a return to the group’s brutally oppressive rule of
the 1990s, when they banned music, photography, television – and even
children’s games such as kite-flying.
The
Taliban promised a more moderate rule this time, but have already curtailed
Afghans’ freedoms, including excluding girls from school and sports.
Fighters
from around the country flocked to Kabul after the extremist group swept to
power in mid-August and many had never been to a funfair.
Once
the three-minute ride is over the battle-hardened fighters clap, grin and
giggle amongst themselves – and the RPG launcher is reunited with its owner.
On
the shores of the picturesque reservoir, other Taliban members hop into
swan-shaped pedalos as the sun begins to set behind the hills in the distance.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2021/09/29/Taliban-fighters-take-over-Kabul-amusement-park-
--------
Europe
UK,
Pakistan agree on need for coordinated approach to Afghanistan
Ahmet
Gurhan Kartal
28.09.2021
LONDON
Britain
and Pakistan, along with the international community, are on the same page for
a “coordinated approach” to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a British
government statement said Tuesday.
The
British foreign secretary and Pakistani foreign minister discussed various
issues during a meeting in London, a statement by the UK's Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office said.
Liz
Truss and Shah Mahmood Qureshi “spoke about their commitment to strengthening
bilateral ties between the two countries, including deepening economic links.”
The
two ministers “discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, and the need for
the international community to work together to ensure a coordinated approach.”
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Al-Azhar
Fatwa Centre Warns Against ’Conquer’ Game Due To Gambling
September
28, 2021
Al-Azhar
International Center for e-Fatwa in Egypt warned against playing the “Conquer”
due to it encouraging gambling.
“The
Islamic Sharia does not stop for a moment to support every beneficial good, and
to confront all harmful evil in various times and places. We should not lose
sight of the guide that the honorable Sharia has set for playing games so that
through them one preserves their religion, themselves, money, and time, their
safety, and the safety of others,” the center said in a statement.
Source:
Egypt Independent
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/al-azhar-fatwa-center-warns-against-conquer-game-due-to-gambling/
--------
Egypt
releases four Salafi Muslim preachers from detention
28
September, 2021
Egyptian
authorities released four of the country's most prominent Salafi Islamic
preachers from prison in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Khalid
Al-Masri, a prominent lawyer, reported on Facebook that the Egyptian public
prosecutor's office had approved the release of Mahmoud Shaaban, Ashraf Abdul
Monem, Hisham Mashali, and Saad Fayyad.
Salafism,
an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam emphasising strict adherence to
the Quran and Prophetic traditions, has millions of followers in Egypt.
The
four preachers were leaders of the Salafi Front, an organisation that opposed
current Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's 2013 coup against Egypt's
first democratically elected leader, Mohammed Morsi.
They
have been detained and released several times since 2013. Their most recent
arrest was in 2019 when they were charged with "incitement to violence and
joining a terrorist group".
Source:
The New Arab
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/egypt-releases-four-salafi-muslim-preachers-detention
--------
Saudi
Arabia supports global efforts to ensure Iran does not possess nuclear arms: FM
28
September ,2021
Saudi
Arabia’s foreign minister has said Riyadh supports international efforts to
ensure that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons.
“We
stress the responsibility of the international community regarding Iran's
nuclear violations. The Kingdom pays great attention to treaties calling for
the abolition of nuclear weapons,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan was quoted as
saying.
Prince
Faisal also said that the Kingdom's position is based on the principle of the
right of states to use nuclear energy peacefully.
The
Saudi foreign minister’s comments come days after he had met with US special
envoy for Iran Robert Malley on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this
week.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Senior
US official, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince meet for first time under Biden
28
September ,2021
US
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, a senior Biden administration official said,
adding that the meeting discussed a broad range of topics.
Sullivan
also met with officials in the UAE on Tuesday, the US official told Al Arabiya
English.
During
his meeting in Saudi Arabia, the US official said detailed discussions on Yemen
were held. “Both parties endorsed the efforts of the new UN Special Envoy to
Yemen Hans Grundberg and agreed to intensify diplomatic engagement with all
relevant parties. Special Envoy Lenderking will remain in the region to follow
up on the detailed discussions.”
Sullivan
thanked the Saudis for helping evacuate at-risk Afghans during the US
withdrawal last month.
Sullivan
also welcomed “initiatives to de-escalate tensions throughout the Middle East
region, including the Al Ula Declaration and support for initiatives like the
Baghdad summit held earlier this month, which brought countries from across the
region around the same table to discuss support for Iraq.”
Also
present during the meeting, according to the official were, Saudi Arabia’s
Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Interior Minister
Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, National Guard Minister Abdullah bin Bandar, and
Minister of State and National Security Advisor Musaed al-Aiban.
In
the UAE, Sullivan met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s national
security advisor, with discussions touching on bilateral ties, according to the
Emirates News Agency (WAM).
“They
also exchanged views on regional developments and collaboration towards
promoting peace and stability in the region,” WAM reported.
‘Recalibrated’
ties
Sullivan
is the most senior Biden administration official to visit Saudi Arabia and meet
with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
His
trip to Saudi Arabia comes at a time when bilateral ties between Washington and
Riyadh have soured as a result of Biden’s efforts to “recalibrate” the
relationship since taking office.
Sullivan
is also expected to visit other countries, including Egypt, but the White House
has not made any other announcements.
Secretary
of Defense Lloyd Austin was scheduled to make a trip to the Kingdom while on a
tour of the region this month. However, his trip was postponed at the last
minute due to what Washington said were “scheduling” issues.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UN:
New meeting this month to draft Syria constitution
28
September ,2021
The
UN special envoy for Syria announced Tuesday that invitations have been issued
for a sixth meeting of the committee charged with producing a new constitution
for war-torn Syria in October.
After
the failure of the five previous meetings of Syrian government, opposition and
civil society representatives, Geir Pedersen told the UN Security Council: “We
should all now expect the constitutional committee to begin to work seriously
on a process of drafting — not just preparing — a constitutional reform.”
Pedersen
said the 45-member drafting committee will meet in Geneva starting Oct. 18, and
the co-chairs from the government and opposition will for the first time meet
with him the day before to prepare the session.
The
last round of talks ended in January without progress. Pedersen said that after
eight months of talks he was pleased to announce an agreement on “methodology”
for a sixth round. It’s based on three pillars: respect for rules of procedure,
the submission of texts of “basic constitutional principles” ahead of the
meeting, and regular meetings with him before and during the meeting.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
North America
US
generals express concern over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal in wake of Taliban
takeover of Afghanistan
Anwar
Iqbal
September
29, 2021
Top
US generals are claiming that they had warned US President Joe Biden that a
rushed withdrawal from Afghanistan could increase risks to Pakistan’s nuclear
weapons and the country’s security.
“We
estimated an accelerated withdrawal would increase risks of regional
instability, the security of Pakistan and its nuclear arsenals,” Chairman of
the Joint Chief General Mark Milley told the Senate Armed Services Committee on
Tuesday.
“We
need to fully examine the role of Pakistan sanctuary,” the general said, while
emphasising the need to probe how the Taliban withstood US military pressure
for 20 years.
General
Milley and General Frank McKenzie, the leader of US Central Command, also
warned that the Taliban Pakistan will now have to deal with would be different
from the one they dealt with earlier, and this would complicate their
relations.
“I
believe Pakistan's relationship with the Taliban is going to become
significantly more complicated as a result of the US withdrawal from
Afghanistan,” General McKenzie told the lawmakers.
Vital
air corridor
The
Centcom chief also said that the US and Pakistan were involved in ongoing
negotiations over the use of a vital air corridor to access Afghanistan.
“Over
the last 20 years we've been able to use what we call the air boulevard to go
in over western Pakistan and that's become something that’s vital to us, as
well as certain landlines of communication,” he said.
“And
we'll be working with the Pakistanis in the days and weeks ahead to look at
what that relationship is going to look like in the future.”
Both
generals, however, declined to discuss more on their concerns about Pakistan’s
nuclear weapons and the potential that they could fall into the hands of
terrorists.
They
said they would discuss this and other sensitive issues in a closed session
with the senators.
'Built
a state, not a nation'
Earlier
in the hearing, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told the senators that while
the US helped build a state, they failed to build the Afghan nation and that’s
why they could not see the collapse that happened in mid-August.
Op-Ed:
The Afghan state apparatus collapsed because it was artificially nurtured and
pumped up by external stimuli
This
was the first testimony by US generals before Congress since the US withdrawal
from Afghanistan ended America's longest war.
“We
helped build a state, but we could not forge a nation," said Secretary
Austin, while responding to a question from the committee’s chairman Senator
Jack Reed.
“We
absolutely missed the rapid 11-day collapse of the Afghan military and the
collapse of their government,” General Milley added.
“Most
of (our) intelligence assessments indicated that would occur late fall, perhaps
early winter; Kabul might hold till next spring.”
But
he acknowledged that military assessments did indicate that the “likely
outcome” of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan would be “a collapse of the
military, a collapse of the government”.
'Uncomfortable
truths'
Secretary
Austin urged Americans to “consider some uncomfortable truths” before blaming
anyone for the fall of Kabul.
“We
did not fully comprehend the depth of corruption and poor leadership in their
senior ranks, we did not grasp the damaging effect of frequent and unexplained
rotations by president Ashraf Ghani of his commanders,” he added.
“We
didn't anticipate the snowball effect caused by the deals that Taliban
commanders struck with local leaders in the wake of the Doha agreement, and
that the Doha agreement itself had a demoralising effect on Afghan soldiers.”
The
Americans, he said, also failed to understand that Afghan soldiers did not have
the motivation to fight for a corrupt government.
“We
failed to fully grasp that there was only so much for which — and for whom —
many of the Afghan forces would fight,” he said.
General
Miley noted that the vast majority of Afghan troops “put their weapons down and
melted away in a very, very short period of time.”
He
too blamed the previous Afghan government for failing to inspire the soldiers.
“I
think that has to do with leadership, and I think we still need to try to
figure out exactly why that was. […] we clearly missed that.”
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US
senators seek assessment of Pakistan’s role in America’s Afghan debacle
Anwar
Iqbal
September
29, 2021
Twenty
two US senators have moved a bill in the Senate that seeks to assess Pakistan’s
alleged role in Afghanistan before and after the fall of Kabul and in the
Taliban offensive in Panjshir Valley.
Senator
Jim Risch, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and other
Republicans introduced the Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and
Accountability Act in the Senate on Monday to address outstanding issues
related to the Biden administration’s “rushed and disastrous withdrawal from
Afghanistan.”
The
proposed legislation calls for a comprehensive report on who supported the
Taliban during America's 20 years in Afghanistan, helped the group in capturing
Kabul in mid-August and supported their offensive on Panjshir Valley.
The
proposed legislation requires the secretary of state, in consultation with the
secretary of defence and the director of national intelligence, to submit a
report on entities providing support to the Taliban to the appropriate
congressional committees.
The
report must reach the relevant committees “not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this act, and not less frequently than annually
thereafter”.
The
first report shall include “an assessment of support by state and non-state
actors, including the government of Pakistan, for the Taliban between 2001 and
2020,” including the provision of sanctuary space, financial support,
intelligence support, logistics and medical support, training, equipping, and
tactical, operation or strategic direction.
The
legislation also requires “an assessment of support by state and non-state
actors, including the government of Pakistan, for the September 2021 offensive
of the Taliban against the Panjshir Valley and the Afghan resistance”.
Read:
'It's preposterous': NSA dismisses claims of Pakistan supporting Taliban in
Panjshir
“We
continue to see the grave implications of the Biden administration’s haphazard
withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Senator Risch said in a statement issued by his
office.
“We
face a renewed terror threat against the United States, and the Taliban wrongly
seek recognition at the United Nations, even as they suppress the rights of
Afghan women and girls.”
Senator
Risch said he was proud to introduce the legislation to address these concerns
and rebuild America’s credibility.
“I
hope the committee will be able to mark it up soon so that we can quickly help
those we left behind and protect America’s national security interests before
it’s too late,” he added.
The
proposed bill also seeks to impose sanctions on the Taliban and others in
Afghanistan for terrorism, drug-trafficking, and human rights abuses, as well
as on those providing support to the Taliban, including foreign governments.
It
states that the US should not recognise any member of the Taliban as the
ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States or as the ambassador of Afghanistan
to the United Nations, and places restrictions on non-humanitarian foreign
assistance to the war-torn country.
It
also calls for a comprehensive review of foreign assistance to entities that
support the Taliban.
The
bill also seeks to establish a US State Department task force to focus on the
evacuation of American citizens, legal permanent residents, and Afghan Special
Immigrant Visas (SIVs) who are still stuck in Afghanistan, as well as impose
oversight mechanisms on the processing of SIVs and refugees.
It
also calls for strategies for counterterrorism and for the disposition of
Taliban-captured US equipment.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
White
House delegation heading to Egypt for talks on Horn of Africa, Palestine
29
September ,2021
White
House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is heading to Egypt to discuss
the issues in the Horn of Africa and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, a
statement from the NSC said late Tuesday.
Sullivan,
who visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this week, will head to
Cairo for official meetings on Wednesday. He will be joined by NSC Coordinator
for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk.
“The
US and Egyptian delegations will discuss support for Libyan elections and
regional security, including in the Horn of Africa,” the statement read.
Sullivan
will also reaffirm the importance of human rights and Egypt’s role in
“promoting security and prosperity for both Israelis and Palestinians following
the visit by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet to Egypt earlier this
month.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US
credibility has been damaged due to Afghanistan withdrawal: Top military
general
28
September ,2021
Washington’s
decision to withdraw from Afghanistan and its results have damaged US
credibility around the world, the top US military officer said Tuesday.
Separately,
the Pentagon chief said the Doha Agreement, which was brokered by the US,
between the Taliban and Afghanistan’s government had a “demoralizing effect” on
Afghan soldiers.
Testifying
in front of a Senate committee, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Central Command chief Gen. Frank
McKenzie defended the US withdrawal and evacuation process from Afghanistan.
“It
was the largest airlift conducted in US history, and it was executed in just 17
days,” Austin said in his opening remarks. “Was it perfect? Of course not. We
moved so many people so quickly out of Kabul that we ran into capacity and
screening problems at intermediate staging bases outside of Afghanistan,” the
defense secretary added.
Austin
also admitted that the US government may have invested too much time in trying
to “forge” a nation with fully functioning institutions.
“We
helped build a state, but we could not forge a nation,” Austin said. “The fact
that the Afghan army we and our partners trained simply melted away, in many
cases without firing a shot, took us all by surprise. It would be dishonest to
claim otherwise.”
US
credibility damaged: Milley
Milley
also took a direct jab at the Afghan army and forces. “I don’t want to say
negative things about these guys … and many of them did fight to the very end.
But the vast majority put their weapons down and melted away in a very, very
short period of time. I think that has to do with will and leadership,” he
said.
Asked
about US credibility following the withdrawal, Milley said, “damaged is one
word that could be used” to describe Washington’s standing around the world.
‘We
said 2,500 troops should remain; Biden heard’
Milley
also said he was of the view that President Joe Biden needed to keep 2,500 US
troops in Afghanistan. “I’m confident that the President heard all the
recommendations,” he said when asked why the president ignored the advice of
military generals. McKenzie also said he agreed with the recommendation to keep
a certain number of troops in the country.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US
bars flight from landing with Americans from Kabul: Activists
Sep
29, 2021
WASHINGTON:
The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday denied US landing rights for a
charter plane carrying more than 100 Americans and US green card holders
evacuated from Afghanistan, organizers of the flight said.
"They
will not allow a charter on an international flight into a US port of
entry," Bryan Stern, a founder of non-profit group Project Dynamo, said of
the department's Customs and Border Protection agency.
Stern
spoke to Reuters from aboard a plane his group chartered from Kam Air, a
private Afghan airline, that he said had been sitting for 14 hours at Abu Dhabi
airport after arriving from Kabul with 117 people, including 59 children.
His
group is one of several that emerged from ad hoc networks of US military
veterans, current and former US officials and others that formed to bolster
last month's U.S. evacuation operation they saw as chaotic and badly organized.
DHS
did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An administration
official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were unfamiliar with
the matter, but that the US government typically takes time to verify the
manifests of charter planes before clearing them to land in the United States.
US
President Joe Biden's administration has said its top priority is repatriating
Americans and green card holders unable to leave Afghanistan in the U.S.
evacuation operation last month.
A
senior State Department official on Monday said the United States was aware of
about 100 American citizens and legal permanent residents ready to leave
Afghanistan.
Six
Americans, 83 green card holders and six people with US Special Immigration
Visas granted to Afghans who worked for
the
US government during the 20-year war in Afghanistan were aboard the Kam Air
flight, Stern said.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Top
US generals recommended having 2,500 troops in Afghanistan; White House defends
withdrawal
Sep
29, 2021
WASHINGTON:
Top American generals on Tuesday told lawmakers that they had recommended
having 2,500 troops in Afghanistan to which President Joe Biden disagreed.
The
White House, however, defended the presidential decision, acknowledging that it
was a split recommendation from Biden's advisors and generals.
US
defense secretary Lloyd Austin, chairman of US joint chief of staff General
Mark Milley and Gen Frank McKenzie, commander of US Central Command told
members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon had
recommended Biden about the need to keep 2,500 American troops in Afghanistan
post withdrawal.
“I
won't share my personal recommendation to the president, but I will give you my
honest opinion, and my honest opinion and view shaped my recommendation. I
recommended that we maintain 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. And I also
recommended earlier in the fall of 2020 that we maintain 4,500 at that time.
Those are my personal views,” McKenzie told the senators.
Milley
told the lawmakers that he also agreed with the recommendations that the US
maintain 2,500 troops in Afghanistan.
“Their
input was received by the president and considered by the president, for
sure….In terms of what they specifically recommended, as they just said, they
are not going to provide what they recommended in confidence,” Austin told the
lawmakers as the furious senators grilled the top Pentagon leadership on the
nature of withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
“I
always keep my advice to the president confidential, but I am very much
satisfied that we had a thorough policy review and I believe that all of the
parties had an opportunity to provide input and that input was received,” he
said.
The
White House defended the presidential decision in this regard.
“There
was a range of viewpoints, as was evidenced by their testimony today, that were
presented to the president and his national security team as would be expected.
The president asked for a clear-eyed – did not ask them not to sugarcoat it,
what their recommendations were,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told
reporters at her daily news conference.
“It
was also clear that would not be a long-standing recommendation, that there
would need to be an escalation, an increase in troop numbers. It would also
mean war with the Taliban. And it would also mean the potential loss of casualties.
The president was just not willing to make that decision,” she said.
“He
did not think it was in the interest of the American people or the interest of
our troops,” the press secretary asserted.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
Pakistan
Minister Highlights Importance of Free Thinking Culture to Find Truth–Islam
September
29, 2021
LAHORE
- Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun on Tuesday stressed
the need for promoting the culture of free thinking among students as free
thinking leads to find truth and truth leads to Islam.
He
was addressing the first National Conference on Research in Education organised
by Punjab University (PU) Institute of Education and Research here.
PU’s
former vice chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasar, University of Okara Vice
Chancellor Prof Dr Zakria Zakar, PU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar,
University of Baltistan Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Naeem Khan, Dean Faculty of
Education Prof Dr Abid Hussain Chaudhry, IER Director Prof Dr Rifaqat Ali
Akbar, Sheikhul Hadees Jamia Nusratul Aloom Maulana Zahidur Rashidi, conference
secretary Prof Dr Shahid Farooq and eminent scholars from various parts of the
country also attended the conference.
Addressing
the conference, the minister said: “We must inculcate high moral values among
the new generation and educate students to apply logic on issues.” He said that
students must not be forced to adopt specific fields of knowledge or ideas.
We
must inculcate high moral values in new generation
He
said that feeding the hungry and providing basic facilities to the citizens
like education and health were the responsibility of an Islamic state. He added
that the concept of welfare state was first implemented in Madina by Hazrat
Muhammad (SAWW). He said: “Islam taught us to take care of minorities. We must
take guidance from the Holy Quran in every sphere of life.”
Source:
News Nation
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Islamabad
in a fix over helping Kabul without recognition
Khaleeq
Kiani
September
29, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan appears to be facing difficulties in providing technical, financial
and expert support to the transition government in Afghanistan in the absence
of the regime’s international recognition despite emerging challenges like food
crisis in the war-torn country.
At
a meeting presided over by Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan on
Tuesday, key stakeholders considered various options to support the new Afghan
administration through capacity building and technical expertise under crash
programmes but the major challenge was how to do that without recognition by
the world of the Afghan government.
The
meeting called to discuss economic cooperation with Afghanistan was attended by
Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, National
Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Reza
Baqir, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman retired Lt Gen
Muzammil Hussain and other senior officials.
Key
stakeholders at a meeting consider various options to support new Afghan
administration
Informed
sources said the meeting was told that the biggest challenge for the Afghan
administration was the void created by major exodus of technical and financial
experts soon after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.
The
brain drain left major institutions, particularly of technical and financial
nature, incapacitated to take over essential services like electricity, medical
and financial facilities for smooth operations.
The
meeting noted that the SBP management could arrange and provide crash training
courses to Afghanistan by inviting their staff to Pakistan. At this stage, the
Afghan central bank is incapacitated and requires urgent international
reorganisation and capacity building for financial settlements.
Likewise,
the Wapda administration could also help in capacity building of power sector
teams because a power breakdown could result in disruption of water supplies
and health facilities in major cities like capital Kabul.
The
SBP and Wapda managements have been advised to be prepared for short crash
courses so that their teams are fully geared to immediately extend technical
support and training even at a short notice to benefit from small window of
opportunity.
The
meeting noted that there should also be a ‘proper need assessment’ of Afghanistan
and support could be extended by Pakistan. Preferably such a need assessment
should be coordinated with some international organisations.
Omar
Ayub emphasised the importance of bilateral economic assistance in the context
of current situation in Afghanistan. A statement quoted the minister as telling
the participants that the government was keen to support the people of
Afghanistan in addressing their socioeconomic challenges.
“In
order to save lives and livelihood of the Afghan people, immediate technical
and financial support is required on a humanitarian basis,” he said, adding
that Pakistan had a reasonable understanding base with already implemented 20
projects costing $148.35 million in various sectors, including education,
health and infrastructure, and nine other projects worth $221.83m currently
under execution in Afghanistan.
Pakistan
is also providing 3,000 Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships to the Afghan
students in various disciplines.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1649020/islamabad-in-a-fix-over-helping-kabul-without-recognition
--------
No
new law against Islamic guidelines in my rule: PM Imran Khan
Ansar
Abbasi
September
29, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured the ulema that no law repugnant to
Islamic teachings will be made during his rule.
The
prime minister said that the contentious government bills -- including one
apparently addressing the issue of domestic violence and another drafted to
check forced conversions -- will not be enacted as they have provisions which
are ‘in direct conflict with the teachings of Islam.’
According
to sources, during his meeting with Islamic scholars in Karachi on Monday, the
prime minister also expressed his concerns about how to protect the family
system and the socio-religious values of Pakistani society.
The
prime minister said that some non-governmental organisations are working hard
to get such laws and policies legislated that promote westernisation and
seriously hurt our family system and socio-religious values.
The
prime minister once again pointed out that the spread of indecency and
obscenity through the social media seriously threatens our family system which
must be protected. He sought the ulema’s views on how to save our society’s
values, including the family system.
The
sources said that most of the religious scholars identified obscenity, which
they said is being spread specially by the social media, as the major threat to
our family system. The prime minister was told by some of the ulema that it is
the state’s responsibility to regulate the media to ensure that whether these
are television channels or any other form of social media including Youtube
channels, they operate within the parameters set by the Constitution and the
law and they should not be allowed to spread obscenity and indecency.
During
his interaction with the ulema, the prime minister also talked about the
Turkish drama Ertugrul Ghazi and said that he got it to run on PTV and it
became instantly popular and broke all records. The premier said earlier he was
being told that producing indecent and vulgar dramas and films was the only
choice to make them sell and earn money. He, however, said that the Turkish
drama, which shows Islamic history and has no indecent and vulgar parts, has
negated this excuse of depending on vulgarity for successful productions.
Source:
The News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/896172-no-new-law-against-islamic-guidelines-in-my-rule-pm
--------
Akal
Takht jathedar holds meeting with ETPB chairman
Sep
28, 2021
AMRITSAR:
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh held a meeting with Dr Aamer Ahmed,
chairman, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB ) at his office in Lahore on Tuesday
and discussed the issues pertaining to the upkeep and preservation of Gurdwaras
and other Sikh heritage places left in Pakistan following 1947 Indo Pak
partition.
While
talking to TOI over the phone from Lahore after meeting the jathedar of Akal
Takht, Aamer informed that their discussions were primarily focused on the
areas of mutual interests which included the maintenance of the Gurdwara,
religious activities, Kartapur Sahib etc.
"I
have asked the visiting jathedar of Akal Takht to send a large number of Sikh
jathas and have also suggested sending groups of Sikh school and college
students to Pakistan so they could visit their religious places and connect
with their heritage," he said.
ETPB
is an overarching body that not only monitors the functioning of the Pakistan
Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the recently constituted Project
Management Unit (PMU), a department to look after the day to day activities of
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, but also gives a final nod to the decisions
including those taken on religious affairs both by the PSGPC and PMU. The
former head of Pakistan’s notorious ISI Naseer Ahmad had been the chief of
ETPB.
Giani
Harpreet Singh had gone to Pakistan to participate in a religious event held to
mark the death anniversary of Sikh’s first master Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara
Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib on September 22.
"Jathedar
of Akal Takht hailed ETPB for the maintenance of the Gurdwaras in Pakistan and
also expressed gratitude for preserving the Sikh heritage in its original
form," said the ETPB chairman.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistan,
UK agree to form working group to strengthen ties
September
29, 2021
LONDON:
Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Tuesday agreed to form a joint working group
to formulate a strategy for strengthening bilateral ties in multiple spheres,
including trade and investment.
The
bilateral ties were discussed during a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah
Mahmood Qureshi and UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister for
Women and Equality Liz Truss wherein the former put forward a proposal for
formation of a joint working group.
Following
the meeting, the foreign minister told the media that the secretary of state
had accepted his proposal for a joint working group so that the two countries
could mutually assist each other in strengthening bilateral ties.
He
said the two countries would complete 75 years of diplomatic ties next year so
both sides stressed the need for further strengthening the ties.
FM
discusses Afghanistan, Kashmir situation with British counterpart, chairs of
House of Commons committees
Mr
Qureshi also invited his British counterpart to visit Pakistan to attend the
fifth round of Pakistan-UK Strategic Dialogue, which she accepted. He said both
sides discussed bilateral cooperation, Afghanistan as well as the situation in
Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The
foreign minister thanked the UK for continuing GSP plus facility for Pakistan
which resulted in increasing bilateral trade by 32 per cent last year despite
the Covid-19 pandemic. He called for exploiting the potential of 1.6 million
Pakistani diaspora in the UK to enhance trade and investment.
Ms
Truss told Mr Qureshi that the UK special envoy on trade would visit Islamabad
to discuss way forward with Pakistan’s trade ministry.
When
the foreign minister proposed that both countries should initiate a discussion
on free trade agreement, the secretary of state said they could form a joint
commission on the subject.
Mr
Qureshi said Pakistan had last year received record remittances of $4 billion
from the UK and thanked the British Pakistani community as well as the UK
government for its positive role.
The
foreign minister also handed over the copy of a well-researched dossier to the
secretary of state in which Pakistan has documented over 3,000 cases of human
rights abuses in IIOJK that fall under the category of war crimes.
He
said Indian actions in the occupied territory were also a violation of the
Fourth Geneva Convention as the country was carrying out a demographic
reengineering to convert the Muslim majority state into a Muslim minority
territory.
Lauding
the UK’s advocacy for human rights, Mr Qureshi said its application should not
be selected or in one part of the world as the human rights abuses were being
overlooked in IIOJK.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1649013/pakistan-uk-agree-to-form-working-group-to-strengthen-ties
--------
FC
soldier martyred in Balochistan's Chukab area in firing by terrorists
September
29, 2021
KARACHI:
Terrorists targeted a Frontier Corps border post from Iranian territory with
small arms fire in Chukab area of Balochistan, an ISPR press release said on
Tuesday.
Sepoy
Maqbool Shah of the Frontier Corps embraced martyrdom while another soldier was
injured in the firing, the press release said.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1649024/fc-soldier-martyred-in-balochistans-chukab-area-in-firing-by-terrorists
--------
Mideast
Jordan
slams Israeli abuses at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque
28
September, 2021
Israeli
abuses at Al-Aqsa Mosque have drawn the ire of neighbouring Jordan, which on
Tuesday submitted a complaint to Tel Aviv over its conduct at the Muslim holy
site.
The
East Jerusalem mosque is the most sacred Muslim place of worship in Palestine
and the third most revered in all of Islam.
Since
the holy city fell under illegal Israeli occupation in 1967, the area has
frequently been the scene of aggression from settlers and Israeli forces.
Israel
was urged to acknowledge the rights of the Islamic waqf department, which is
managed by Amman and administers the mosque and its compound, Jordanian foreign
affairs ministry spokesperson Haitham Abu Al-Foul said, Anadolu Agency
reported.
"The
ministry sent an official protest note to demand Israel halt its violations and
provocations and respect the historic and legal status quo and the sanctity of
the mosque," Abu Al-Foul said.
Source:
The New Arab
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/jordan-slams-israeli-abuses-jerusalems-al-aqsa-mosque
--------
Iranian
Envoy Blasts European Trio for Double-Standard Approach
2021-September-28
"The
International Atomic Energy Agency, the United States and the three European
countries should know that they cannot remain silent in the face of the Zionist
regime's terrorist acts and not prevent it, and simultaneously, call for the
continued monitoring and presence of IAEA cameras in facilities that the act of
sabotage has been carried out there," Qaribabadi said.
"When
the IAEA monitoring equipment fails by the Zionist regime, do not expect Iran
to re-install it without any action by the IAEA and the claiming countries
regarding the activities of the (Zionist) regime," he added.
Qaribabadi
stated that the recent agreement between Iran and the IAEA was fully
implemented within the agreed time, and said, "The Islamic Republic of
Iran is also monitoring how its goodwill is being responded and will take
appropriate action at each stage."
The
European Troika issued a statement accusing Tehran of failing to fully comply
with the September 12 agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency,
citing an anti-Iranian report by Director-General of the International Atomic
Energy Agency Rafael Grossi.
"France,
Germany and the United Kingdom would like to thank Director-General Grossi for
his report of Sunday 26 September, updating Board members on the IAEA’s ability
to conduct verification and monitoring activities of Iran’s nuclear-related
commitments. We are profoundly concerned that Iran has not fully implemented
the agreement it reached with DG Grossi on 12 September, and that the DG has
been forced to issue a report on non-cooperation after only two weeks,"
the statement read.
"If
Iran does not allow the IAEA to replace cameras at the Karaj centrifuge component
manufacturing workshop, the IAEA will lose the ability to re-establish
continuity of knowledge in the future. We urge Iran to immediately provide the
IAEA access to the Karaj facility and allow for the replacement of cameras
there," it claimed.
Iran
announced on Monday that it has sent a protest letter to the International
Atomic Energy Agency over the biased and inaccurate report on cooperation with
Tehran.
Spokesman
of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi called on the
IAEA not to disrupt the constructive process with “purposeful and biased
reports”.
He
said that after the inaccurate report by the IAEA chief, the Iranian ambassador
to the Agency provided some explanations.
Kamalvandi
said that Iran has sent a protest letter to the IAEA.
On
Sunday, Qaribabadi rejected the UN nuclear watchdog's claim that an agreement
had been made with Tehran on access to TESA Karaj Complex, a centrifuge
component manufacturing workshop in Northern Iran.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000706000483/Iranian-Envy-Blass-Erpean-Tri-fr-Dble-Sandard-Apprach
--------
Minister:
Iran, Turkey Play Major Role in Restoring Regional Stability
2021-September-28
"Creating
security in the region is the joint responsibility of the two countries,"
Vahidi said during the phone talk with his Turkish counterpart.
The
Iranian interior minister reiterated that Iran and Turkey are two important
regional powers that play a very important role in creating stability and peace
in the region.
Süleyman
Soylu, for his part, voiced Turkey's resolve to broaden mutual cooperation with
Iran.
"I
hope that we will advance the path of cooperation in favor of the interests of
the Turkish and Iranian nations," the Turkish interior minister said.
He
also expressed his readiness to travel to Tehran in the coming weeks so as to
hold talks with his Iranian counterpart.
In
a relevant development in late June, Iran's International Police Chief
Brigadier General Hadi Shirzad and his Turkish counterpart Lütfi Çiçek
underlined the need to broaden mutual cooperation.
Shirzad
and Çiçek, in an online meeting, emphasized the necessity of deepening
bilateral ties and exchanging experiences.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UN
Ambassador Blasts Israel's Unfounded Allegations against Iran
2021-September-28
"Iranophobia
runs rampant at the UN. The Israeli regime PM’s speech was full of lies on
Iran," Takht Ravanchi tweeted on Monday.
"That
regime is in no position to discuss our peaceful program when it has hundreds
of nuclear warheads. And its silence on Palestine illustrates a determination
to deprive Palestinian rights," he added.
During
his Monday UN address, Bennett repeated Israel's baseless allegations against
Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
The
Israeli prime minister claimed that Iran is seeking to destroy Israel and that
it wanted to dominate the region, and that it wanted to do so with its nuclear
program.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran
says military exercises near Azeri border an issue of ‘sovereignty’
28
September ,2021
Tehran
on Tuesday invoked its “sovereignty” to dismiss Azerbaijan’s concerns over
Iranian military exercises near their shared border.
“The
drills carried out by our country in the northwest border areas... are a
question of sovereignty,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh
said in a statement on the ministry website.
Tehran
“will take all measures it judges necessary for its national security,” he
said, adding, “Iran will not tolerate the presence of the Zionist regime near
our borders” – an allusion to Azerbaijan’s relations with Iran’s enemy Israel.
Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev had criticized Tehran over the drills, calling them “a
very surprising event.”
“Every
country can carry out any military drill on its own territory. It’s their
sovereign right. But why now, and why on our border?” he said in an interview
with Turkish news agency Anadolu published on Monday.
No
further details were available on the military exercises.
Fighting
broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia in September last year over the
disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, claiming some 6,000 lives over six weeks.
A
major supplier of arms to Azerbaijan, Israel came under diplomatic fire from
Armenia over the struggle between the Caucasus neighbors.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Southeast Asia
Johor
Islamic council drops bid to join Putrajaya’s appeal on ‘Allah’ ban case, but
Selangor counterpart wants in
28
Sep 2021
BY
IDA LIM
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The Johor Islamic Religious Council (Maij) has dropped its
bid to be part of the Malaysian government’s appeal against a High Court
decision that had quashed a 1986 ban on the word “Allah” in Christian
publications.
In
this case, the home minister and the Malaysian government are appealing against
the High Court’s March decision this year in favour of a Sarawakian Bumiputera
Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill.
The
Malaysian government’s 1986 directive to ban the use of the word “Allah” was
used by authorities previously to justify the seizure in 2008 of eight
educational compact discs meant for Melanau native Jill Ireland personal use,
with the CDs returned to her seven years later in 2015.
The
word “Allah” is Arabic for God and has been adopted into the Malay language
where it has been used for generations by Malay-speaking Christians in the
country, especially those living in Sabah and Sarawak.
In
March, the High Court declared that the government’s written directive via the
Home Ministry’s December 5, 1986 circular was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The
High Court had also in March made two other declarations to uphold the Bahasa
Malaysia-speaking Jill Ireland’s constitutional rights to import the eight CDs
in exercise of her rights to practise religion and right to education, and that
she is under the Federal Constitution guaranteed equality of all persons before
the law and protected from being discriminated on religious basis.
With
the Malaysian government and home minister appealing in March, Maij as well as
the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (Maiwp) were later reported
in June to have filed applications to be interveners or to join the appeal.
It
is understood that the Selangor Islamic religious council (Mais) had in early
August applied to also be an intervener or to be part of the appeal.
Yesterday,
the appeal had come up for case management at the Court of Appeal before deputy
registrar Radzilawatee Abdul Rahman.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
After
reports of leak, home minister says NRD confirmed its data still secure
29
Sep 2021
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 29 — The National Registration Department (NRD) has confirmed that
there were no data leakage from its personal data base, said Home Minister
Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
He
said this was because the firewall of the data security control system was very
secure and all information is protected.
“My
ministry has always ensured the security and integrity of data on Malaysian is
assured under NRD.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Minister:
4,771 screened under sex offenders against children registry since April 2019
29
Sep 2021
BY
KENNETH TEE
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 29 — A total of 4,771 individuals nationwide have been screened
for a background check under the Sex Offenders Against Children Registry from
April 2019 until July 2021, a parliamentary reply has revealed today.
Women,
Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun gave the latest
update in a parliamentary reply to Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh who wanted to know
about the latest statistics on the registry since its inception.
Yeoh
had also asked Rina to provide a breakdown by states, cumulative number of
applications, application status, conviction records and frequency of registry
updates.
According
to Rina’s parliamentary written reply, the Department of Social Welfare
received a total of 279 sexual offenders’ background check applications from
various agencies and individuals.
“Based
on the Department of Social Welfare’s record, all of those screened have not been
convicted of any sexual crimes against children.
“Information
on offenders who have been convicted of any sexual crimes against children will
be obtainable through the Court Registrar which will be periodically updated in
the registry trimonthly,” Rina said.
Selangor
recorded the highest number of individuals screened at 1,299 followed by
Sarawak (680), Kedah (657), Sabah (537), Kuala Lumpur (535), Negri Sembilan
(352), Kelantan (204), Terengganu (181), Perak (131), Pahang (77), Johor (40),
Perlis (21), Penang (33), Melaka (24) and Labuan (0).
Meanwhile,
Kedah recorded the highest number of applications submitted at 83 followed by
Kuala Lumpur (69), Kelantan (39), Selangor (31), Sabah (14), Pahang (10),
Sarawak (7), Johor (6), Perak and Penang (5), Perlis (4), Terengganu (3),
Melaka (2), Negri Sembilan (1) and Labuan (0).
Source:
Malay Mail
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Sabah
CM signals no simultaneous polls for parliamentary, state seats
29
Sep 2021
BY
JULIA CHAN
KOTA
KINABALU, Sept 29 — Sabah is unlikely to continue the trend of holding
simultaneous elections for its parliamentary and state seats, Chief Minister
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said today as his administration marks its first year in
power.
The
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman said he wants to serve the full five years of
the mandate.
As
such, he is unlikely to seek a dissolution of the state assembly should the
federal government go for snap polls, which many political observers believe
may happen next year.
“Yes,
our mandate is for five years and there is no reason why we should not complete
our term,” Hajiji told reporters at the Sabah government’s first anniversary
celebration here.
Sabah
has had simultaneous state elections the last four general elections, but the
Warisan-led government called for snap polls last year following an attempted
coup by former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
Hajiji’s
GRS coalition had won the last snap polls after Warisan had been in power for
just over two years.
GRS
comprises BN’s Umno and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Perikatan Nasional’s
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Sabah STAR, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), PAS
and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).
Source:
Malay Mail
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Azalina
takes veiled swipe at Rina Harun over stalled Special Courts for sexual crimes
against children
29
Sep 2021
BY
EMMANUEL SANTA MARIA CHIN
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 29 — Umno’s Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said today took indirect aim
at the women, family, and community development minister for the lack of an
action plan to curb sexual crimes against children.
When
debating the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in Dewan Rakyat today, Azalina revealed
the government previously agreed for specialised courts to be formed to handle
cases involving sexual abuse against children.
She
said despite the approval given by the administration when she served as legal
affairs minister from 2016 to 2018, nothing has been done since.
She
then criticised the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry for this
lack of progress, but did not identify any specific person.
“This
is why we wanted a special court, with a special witness room, using a specific
approach because the children are the ones who are the victims here.
“And
now with Covid-19, how many cases are there of children abused at home, how
many cases of children becoming victims of crimes, and where do they have to
go?
“If
you want to be a minister and you cannot even solve this issue, no need to be
the minister,” she said.
Source:
Malay Mail
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Africa
Nigerian
Security Forces Kill Eight Muslim Mourners at Arba’een Procession in Abuja
2021-September-29
The
casualties were reported on Tuesday after police and security forces used live
ammunition to disperse hundreds of mourners commemorating Arba’een along a
major road in Gwarinpa district, presstv reported.
The
religious procession was organized by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a
group that has over the past years been under severe attacks from the Nigerian
government forces following widespread protests against the detention of its
leader, prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
Abdullahi
Muhamed, an IMN member, said participants were walking peacefully along the
Abuja-Kubwa expressway when a combined team of police and soldiers fired tear
gas and live bullets at them. Muhamed added eight people were shot dead and two
were taken away by the security forces.
Videos
and images posted on social media and published by Nigerian news websites
showed bodies lying on the ground and people running from what appeared to be
clouds of tear gas.
“It
was around 10:00 am that we started hearing gunshots along the road. The
shooting lasted about 10 minutes,” a witness was reported as saying, adding, “I
can’t say how many people were killed but the corpses we have counted were eight.
What I can tell you is that up to eight people were killed in the incident.”
Media
reports said “many” had sustained gunshot wounds after the violent incident.
Abdullahi
Musa, the Secretary of the IMN’s Academic Forum, also confirmed the incident but
did not provide the exact number of casualties.
“We
assembled at the Galadima gate in Gwarinpa around 9:00 am and staged our
religious walk peacefully for about an hour. We neither made any demand on the
government nor criticized anyone during the trek. It was purely a spiritual
exercise for us,” Musa noted, adding, “But as we were about to disperse,
security operatives arrived at the scene and opened fire on our members,
injuring many and killing some people.”
Musa
stressed that the IMN has been leading the Arba’een procession since six years
ago when the Nigerian military demolished the movement’s center in the town of
Zaria in Kaduna state and detained Shiekh Zakzaky.
In
December 2015, Nigeria’s military launched a crackdown on the movement, which
Abuja has branded as illegal. The campaign saw troops attacking Zakzaky’s
residence in Zaria, afflicting him and his wife with serious injuries that
reportedly caused the cleric to lose his left eye.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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Sudan
says five security officers killed in clash with ISIS-linked group
28
September ,2021
Five
Sudanese security officers were killed in a clash during a raid on an
ISIS-linked group on Tuesday, a statement by the general intelligence service
said.
Security
forces arrested “11 foreign terrorists from different nationalities” in the
raid, the statement added.
Sudan
is led by a civilian-military administration under an August 2019 power-sharing
deal signed after president Omar al-Bashir’s ouster by the military in April
that year following mass protests against his iron-fisted rule.
Sudan’s
government said it thwarted a September 21 coup attempt involving military
officers and civilians linked to the regime of imprisoned Bashir. At least 11
officers were among those arrested.
Prime
Minister Abdalla Hamdok has since called for reforms within the army, a highly
sensitive issue in Sudan.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Libyan
Fatwa House denounces brutal killing of Muslims in India’s Assam
September
28, 2021
The
Libyan Fatwa House has decried the oppression and killing of Muslims in India
at the hands of the Hindu government, demanding immediate action to protect the
victims and hold the aggressors accountable.
In
a statement, Monday, the Sharia Research Council of the Fatwa House expressed
its bewilderment at the silence and lack of appropriate response of the international
community to this situation.
"The
Council is following what is happening in India at the hands of the criminal
Hindu government under the eyes of the so-called international community that
raises the slogans of human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, and
other slogans, which they use to blackmail other countries, but ignore them
when it comes to Muslims in reprehensible racism and hateful intolerance,"
the statement reads.
The
council also called on media outlets to address these aggravated offenses in
order to bring them to the center, reminding Muslims of their duty to use any
legitimate means to defend the Muslims of India, including severing ties with
the Indian government.
The
Indian authorities have launched a campaign to drive hundreds of Muslim
families from the Dholpur Gorukhuti area of Darrang district in the
northeastern province of Assam.
Source:
Libya Observer
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Libya’s
High Council of State does not want elections to take place: Aguila Saleh
28
September ,2021
Aguila
Saleh, the speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives, considered that the
only way out of the crisis in Libya is through elections, but that the High
Council of State “does not want the elections to take place.”
Saleh,
speaking to Al Arabiya during a live television interview on Tuesday, confirmed
that “the Libyan House of Representatives insists on holding presidential and
parliamentary elections.”
He
considered that “those who live in chaos in Libya do not want elections,”
adding that “everyone in the Libyan authority now refuses elections for fear of
their interests.”
The
Libyan politician told Al Arabiya that securing the elections is the
responsibility of the Government of National Unity (GNU), calling for “Arab,
regional and international supervision of the elections in Libya.”
Regarding
his plans to run in the upcoming elections, Saleh said he has not yet decided
whether he would stand.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Algeria’s
army chief accuses neighbouring Morocco of ‘conspiracies’
28
September ,2021
Algeria’s
army chief accused neighboring Morocco of conspiring against his country and
vowed a “rigorous, firm” response, in a speech he delivered Tuesday at an army
base near their border.
“This
expansionist regime has gone too far in its conspiracies and subversive
propaganda campaigns, which aim to reduce Algeria’s regional role, exhaust its
capacities, prevent its development and undermine the unity of its people,”
Said Chanegriha said, in a speech published on the defense ministry’s website.
Relations
have soured between the two North African nations in recent months and Algeria
on August 24 cut diplomatic ties with Rabat, accusing it of “hostile actions.”
Last
week it also banned all Moroccan aircraft from entering its airspace.
Chanegriha
said Algeria’s “enemies” had recruited “traitors” as spies in order to “weaken
Algeria from the inside and pressure it to renounce its principles.”
Algeria
accuses Morocco and Israel of backing the separatist MAK movement, which seeks
independence for the restive Kabylie region, and the Islamist Rachad movement,
both listed as terrorist organizations by Algiers.
Morocco
normalized ties with Israel last year in a US-backed deal that also saw
Washington recognize Rabat’s sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Pregnant
Algerian mom and her five children among 91 migrants rescued off Spain coast
28
September ,2021
A
pregnant Algerian mother and her five children were among 91 migrants rescued
off the coast of Alicante in southeastern Spain overnight, the Red Cross said
on Tuesday.
The
sea route to mainland Spain and its Balearic and Canary Islands is frought with
danger, with the International Organization for Migration saying at least 1,025
people have died in 2021 in “the deadliest year on the migratory route to
Spain.”
The
woman “was eight months pregnant,” a Red Cross spokeswoman told AFP, saying she
had been taken to hospital suffering from stomach pains, while her five
children were with their father.
Most
of the arrivals were from Algeria although one boat was carrying refugees from
Syria, she said.
“The
first boat was found near Santa Pola with four women and six minors on board,
including a baby of seven months while the others were between four and six,”
she said.
Of
the 23 on board, “most of them were Syrians.”
A
spokeswoman for the Salvamento Maritimo coastguard said five vessels had been
found in total, while the rescue of a sixth was underway.
All
of the boats were thought to have set sail from the Algerian coast, which at
its closest lies around 270 kilometers (170 miles) by boat from Alicante.
Last
week, the bodies of eight migrants, among them three women and a child, washed
up on the shores of southern Spain near the city of Almeria, the local
authorities said. The boats had likely set off from Morocco or Algeria.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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