The Taliban Dissolves the Human Rights Commission and Five Other Key Departments, Declaring them “Unnecessary”
New Age Islam News Bureau
17 May 2022
Afghanistan’s human rights commission and four other
government departments dissolved as country battles financial crunch.
Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
----
• Two Facebook Friends Arrested In Pakistan’s Punjab
Province For Committing Blasphemy On Social Media
• Leaked Prevent Review Attacks ‘Double Standards’ On
Far Right Extremism And Islamist Extremism
• Shiv Ling Claim Unfair, Attempt To Create Communal
Disharmony: AIMPLB
• Indonesians Celebrate Vesak Day At World’s Largest
Buddhist Temple
South
Asia
• Former Director-General of ISI Reaches Kabul for the
Talks with Pakistani Taliban
• UNSC Struggles to Whether adjust with Taliban
Sanctions Regime
• Taliban Forces Clash with the Tajik Border Guards
Near Sher Khan Bandar
• Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in focus as India hosts
SCO's RATS meeting in Delhi
• Taliban restricts Afghan journalists from covering
security incidents
--------
Pakistan
• Polio Vaccination Compulsory Until Complete
Eradication: Ulema
• Key allies encourage PM Shehbaz to take ‘tough’
decisions
• Omer Sarfraz Cheema to seek treason trial of PM
• China nationals leaving Pakistan after attacks:
Reports
• Pakistan says it foiled suspected suicide attack
against Chinese nationals
• Imran Khan’s erstwhile government procured USD 52
billion in loans
• Pair of Imran Khan's mobile phones stolen from
Sialkot airport
• PM Shehbaz Sharif assures security enhancement of
Chinese citizens in Pakistan, affirms resolve to fast track CPEC projects
• Kharadar blast claims woman’s life, leaves 12
injured
--------
Europe
• Turkey’s Erdogan says will not approve Sweden and
Finland joining NATO
• EU announces $26M in humanitarian aid for Palestine
• Sweden to continue talks with Turkiye on NATO
membership
• French hospital accuses Israel of attacking
journalist’s funeral
--------
India
• Gyanvapi mosque: Varanasi court orders sealing of
pond after claims of spotting ‘Shivalinga’ in it
• ‘Shivalinga’ Found, Part Of Gyanvapi Land Sealed In Uttar
Pradesh
• Uttar Pradesh: ASI releases pics of closed rooms of
Taj Mahal ‘for all to see’
• Gyanvapi mosque: Only 50% of videography survey
report ready, team to seek more time from court to submit complete findings
• AIMPLB condemns sealing of ‘wuzu khana’ of Gyanvapi
masjid
• Fault lines widening amongst Indian Muslim religious
leaders
• MP: Tensions In Neemuch City After Idol Found Placed
Near Mosque; Police Say Situation Under Control
• Karnataka: Hindu Groups Claim Hanuman Temple Existed
at Mandya Mosque, Seek Permission to Pray
• A local court to hear plea for survey of Mathura
mosque ‘on the lines of Gyanvapi’
• Allahabad HC adjourns Kashi Vishwanath
Temple-Gyanvapi mosque case hearing till May 20
• 25 Muslim League workers get life imprisonment for
siblings’ murder
• "Unwarranted Comments": India To Islamic
Nations' Group On Kashmir
--------
Southeast
Asia
• PAS Veep Says Muafakat Nasional’s Muslim Unity
Agenda With Umno Bigger Than Political Survival
• Dr M threatens to sue Zahid over ‘Kutty’ remarks
--------
Arab
World
• YPG/PKK Terror Group Keeps Recruiting, Using
Children In Syria
• Hezbollah MP Threatens Rivals Before Election
Results
• Driven out of their homes by PKK, Ezidis decry
silence of int'l community
• UN chief issues call for ‘inclusive government’
after Lebanon vote
• Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government arrests members
of PKK-linked group
• Syrian prisoner released in return for money despite
Assad regime's ‘amnesty’
• Iraq balks at greater Chinese control of its
oilfields
• UAE looking forward to strengthening ties with US
under Sheikh Mohammed: Emirati FM
• Saudi Crown Prince leaves for UAE to offer
condolences on Sheikh Khalifa’s death
--------
Africa
• Cameroon Football Star Patrick Mboma Converts To
Islam, Changes Name To Abdul Jalil
• Hassan Sheikh Mahmud Becomes the New President of
Somalia
• Parliament-backed Libya PM Bashagha leaves capital
after clashes
• At least 43 dead in weekend attacks in Burkina Faso:
Media
• Clashes break out as rival governments jostle for
power in Libya's capital
--------
Mideast
• Iran Slams US for Instrumental Use of Human Rights
• Detained French nationals in Iran arrested over
protests: Iran state TV
• Iran arrests university professor on security
charges, ‘foreign links’
• Iran could delay execution of Iranian-Swedish
academic
• Israel’s top Catholic prelate condemns police
funeral attack
--------
North
America
• US Removes Jewish Extremist Kahane Movement From
Terror Blacklist
• Senior US delegation meets Sheikh Mohammed, vows to
strengthen bilateral ties
• US welcomes Lebanon elections, calls on politicians
to ‘rescue’ the economy
• Turkish foreign minister to hold talks, attend
meetings in New York
• Biden authorizes redeployment of US forces to
Somalia: White House
• US, Turkiye reaffirm 'strategic relationship': State
Department
Compiled by New
Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/taliban-human-rights-commission/d/127026
--------
The Taliban Dissolves the Human Rights Commission and
Five Other Key Departments, Declaring them “Unnecessary”
Afghanistan’s human rights commission and four other
government departments dissolved as country battles financial crunch.
Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
----
By Saqalain Eqbal
17 May 2022
In the midst of a financial crisis, Taliban
authorities in Afghanistan disbanded five major departments of the former
US-backed administration, including the Human Rights Commission.
This fiscal year, Afghanistan will have a budget
deficit of 44 billion Afghanis, according to Taliban officials, who announced
their first annual national budget since taking control of the country last
August.
The dissolved departments, in addition to the Human
Rights Commission, are the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR),
National Security Council, Independent Commission for Overseeing the
Implementation of the Constitution (ICOIC), and the General Secretariats of the
Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and Mishrano Jirga (Upper House).
The Taliban government’s Deputy Spokesperson,
Innamullah Samangani, told Reuters, “Because these departments were not deemed
necessary and were not included in the budget, they have been dissolved,”.
The national budget, according to Samangani, is “based
on objective facts” and is solely for departments that have been active and
productive.
“If needed,” he said, the bodies could be reactivated
in the future.
Despite the Taliban’s assurances to the world that
they would be more moderate, they have yet to allow older girls to return to
school and have imposed rules mandating women and girls to wear Hijab and be
accompanied in public by male relatives.
Source: Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
--------
Two Facebook Friends Arrested In Pakistan’s Punjab
Province For Committing Blasphemy On Social Media
File Photo/ Indus Scroll Indian to the Core
-----
M Zulqernain
17 May, 2022
Lahore, May 17 (PTI) Two men have been arrested from
Pakistan’s Punjab province for allegedly committing blasphemy on social media,
the punishment of which is either life imprisonment or death penalty.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore on
Monday arrested Muhammad Usama Shafiq and Maisam Abbas on a complaint that they
had allegedly insulted the Prophet and defiled the holy Quran on Facebook and
WhatsApp groups.
An FIA official told PTI on Tuesday that both suspects
had uploaded objectionable videos along with Quranic verses on Facebook. They
also shared such material on a WhatsApp group.
“Under the law, the suspects committed blasphemy in
the honour of the Prophet and Allah and defiled the Quran,” the official said,
adding that the two have been booked under relevant sections of the Pakistan
Penal Code (PPC) and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.
Both the suspects were produced before a magistrate
who sent them to jail for judicial remand. Usama is from Lahore and Maisam from
Mandi Bahauddin district of Punjab and they were Facebook friends, the official
said.
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1986 added Section 295C
to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to provide death penalty or life imprisonment
to person defiling the name of the Prophet.
The blasphemy laws are usually misused to hound
members of minority communities in Pakistan, grab land and property, and settle
personal scores. Even unproven allegations of insulting Islam risk a violent
and bloody death instantly at the hands of mob.
According to reports, allegations in Pakistan progress
beyond vigilantism to the criminal justice system, lawyers are murdered for
taking cases of alleged blasphemers. Judges, if they do not shy away from
hearing a blasphemy case, won’t deliver judgements that will offend hardline
Islamists. PTI MZ SCY SCY
Source: The Print
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Leaked Prevent Review Attacks ‘Double Standards’ On
Far Right Extremism And Islamist Extremism
The government-commissioned Prevent review is being
carried out by Sir William Shawcross. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Media
-----
Jessica Elgot and Vikram Dodd
Mon 16 May 2022
The government’s counter-terrorism programme has been
too focused on right-wing extremism and should now crack down on Islamist
extremism, according to leaked draft extracts from a landmark review of the
Prevent strategy.
In one particularly provocative recommendation, seen
by the Guardian, the review claims there has been a “double standard” approach
to tackling different forms of extremism, with individuals targeted for
expressing mainstream rightwing views because the definition of neo-nazism has
expanded too widely, while the focus on Islamist extremism has been too narrow.
The leaks, from the government-commissioned Prevent
review being carried out by Sir William Shawcross, are likely to be deeply
controversial. They come days after a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, where
a self-confessed white supremacist shot 11 black and two white victims in what
authorities described as a “racially motivated hate crime”.
Sir Peter Fahy, the former police lead for Prevent,
said the review extracts suggested Shawcross’s findings were an unwarranted
attempt to “politicise counter-terrorism policing” and it was “quite dangerous
to play off one ideology against another”.
The draft Shawcross review also claims that:
a renewed focus on Islamist extremism is needed,
including when individuals do not yet meet the terrorism threshold.
individuals have been referred to Prevent, the
government’s anti-extremism programme, to access mental health support even
when there is no evidence of extremism.
some Prevent-funded groups have promoted extremist
narratives including support for the Taliban.
The long-delayed review by Shawcross, which was
delivered to the Home Office at the end of April, has already drawn criticism
from civil society groups, dozens of whom have declined to participate.
Shawcross, a former head of the charity watchdog, has
made controversial comments about Islam. In 2012, as a director of the
neoconservative thinktank the Henry Jackson Society, he said: “Europe and Islam
is one of the greatest, most terrifying problems of our future. I think all
European countries have vastly, very quickly growing Islamic populations.”
The number of referrals to Prevent relating to
far-right extremism exceeded those for Islamist radicalisation for the first
time last year. Referrals for far-right threats from the Prevent programme to
Channel, which provides more intensive intervention, had already outstripped
Islamist radicalisation since 2020.
In Shawcross’s draft review of the Prevent programme,
he argues that its purpose must be refocused and says its first objective, to
tackle the causes of radicalisation and respond to the ideological challenge of
terrorism, “is not being sufficiently met”.
It argues that the programme must re-engage with
individuals who are not yet posing a terror threat but who can “create an
environment conducive to terrorism”.
One extract says Prevent has a “double standard when
dealing with extreme rightwing and Islamism”. It says the programme has taken
an expansive view on rightwing terror, which has “been so broad it has included
mildly controversial or provocative forms of mainstream, rightwing-leaning
commentary that have no meaningful connection to terrorism or radicalisation”.
However, it says a more hardline approach should be
taken towards Islamist extremism, and that the programme has concentrated on
proscribed organisations, “ignoring Islamist narratives”.
The draft review is also critical of Prevent-funded
civil society organisations and community projects, suggesting funding is
misallocated to “generic” projects and few “could be seen to publicly contest
extremist discourse”.
It found that some Prevent-funded programmes “have
promoted extremist narratives, including statements that appear supportive of
the Taliban”. The draft says: “As a core principle, the government must cease
to engage with or fund those aligned with extremism.”
Another extract says Prevent is “carrying the weight”
for overstretched mental health services and that vulnerable people have been
referred in order to access other forms of support even when they do not pose a
terror threat.
It is understood that the report has been finalised by
Shawcross and his team. It is still to be fact-checked before being subjected
to legal checks in case any person or group can claim they have been libelled,
which would potentially expose the Home Office, which picked Shawcross for the
role despite extensive misgivings, to paying out legal damages.
Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester
police and head of Prevent until 2015, told the Guardian: “There is a danger of
policing thought as opposed to the risk of violence. It is not about ideology
but about the risk someone will cross into violence.
“It is about threat, risk and harm. We know there has
been an increase in far-rightwing extremism in the UK. The worst terrorist
attack in Europe was by a rightwing terrorist, Anders Breivik.
“It sounds to me quite dangerous to play off one
ideology against another. There is a danger this is an attempt to politicise
counter-terrorism policing. How are the police supposed to judge what is
mainstream? Police operate on what is the likelihood of this person being drawn
into violence, not whether their views are mainstream.”
The draft extracts are also likely to raise eyebrows
in the intelligence services. Ken McCallum, the domestic spy agency’s director
general, recently warned that extreme rightwing terrorism accounted for one in
five of all counter-terrorism investigations, a threat that had “grown and
morphed quite substantially over the last five to 10 years”.
A particular problem, he said, was the “high prevalence”
of teenagers in rightwing terrorism investigations, which he suggested was
because youngsters were being swept up in a “toxic ideology” of “online
extremists and echo chambers”.
The Home Office has proscribed a number of far-right
groups in recent years, including the neo-Nazi group Sonnenkrieg Division,
members of which have been jailed for serious offences. It also recognised the
extreme rightwing group System Resistance Network as an alias of the already
proscribed organisation National Action.
Prevent came under renewed scrutiny after the murder
of the Conservative MP David Amess, who was stabbed to death in his
constituency surgery by Ali Harbi Ali, who said he was motivated by Islamist
extremism. His murder last year was followed by another Islamist attack on
Liverpool women’s hospital.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Prevent remains a
vital tool for early intervention and safeguarding. We will not allow
extremists or terrorists to spread hate or sow division, and Prevent remains an
important driver to help divert people away from harm.
“The independent review of Prevent, led by William
Shawcross, will ensure we continue to improve our response and better protect
people from being drawn into poisonous and dangerous ideologies. The report is
currently being finalised and once formally received and after full
consideration, the report and the government’s response to it will be
published.”
Source: The Guardian
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
--------
Shiv Ling Claim Unfair, Attempt To Create Communal
Disharmony: AIMPLB
Security personnel outside the Gyanvapi mosque | PTI
-----
17.05.22
The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board has termed as
"unfair" and an "attempt to create communal disharmony" the
sealing of a pond in the Gyanvapi Masjid complex after it was claimed that a
Shivling was found there during a survey.
During a court-mandated videography survey, the
counsel representing the Hindu side claimed that the Shivling was found close
to the "wazookhana"- a small reservoir used by Muslim devotees to
perform ritual ablutions before offering the namaz.
A mosque management committee spokesperson disputed
the claim, telling a television channel that the object was part of a
"fountain". He said lawyers representing the mosque committee were
not fully heard before the sealing order was pronounced.
In a statement issued late Monday night, AIMPLB
general secretary Khalid Saifullah Rahmani said, "The Gyanvapi mosque is a
mosque and will remain a mosque. The attempt to term it a temple is nothing
more than a conspiracy to create communal disharmony. It is a matter of
constitutional rights and is against the law."
"In 1937, in the case of Deen Mohammad Vs State
Secretary, the court had decided on the basis of oral testimony and documents
that this entire compound (Gyanvapi mosque complex) belongs to the Muslim Waqf
and Muslims have the right to offer namaz in it," he said.
The court had also decided that how much area is of
the mosque and how much is of the temple. At the same time, the wazookhana was
accepted as the property of the mosque, Rahmani added.
"Then in 1991, the Places of Worship Act was
passed by Parliament, which states that the places of worship as they were in
1947 will be maintained in the same condition. Even in the Babri Masjid
judgment, it was said that now all places of worship places will be under this
law," he said.
The AIMPLB general secretary also said the claim of
the mosque being a temple should have been immediately rejected by the court
but the civil court of Varanasi ordered the survey and videography.
The Waqf Board has approached the high court in this
matter and the case is pending there.
The Gyanvapi mosque management committee has also
approached the Supreme Court against the civil court's decision.
"The issue is being heard. But by ignoring all
these things, the civil court first issued the order of the survey and then,
accepting its report, issued an order to seal the portion of wazookhana,"
Rahmani said.
"This order is an excess and also a violation of
law which cannot be expected from a court. The government should stop the
implementation of the order and wait for the Allahabad High Court's decision.
The government should protect all religious places as per the 1991 Act,"
he said.
Referring to the claims of a temple inside the mosque,
Rahmani said, "If the status of the places of worship is changed on the
basis of such arguments, then the whole country will be pushed into turmoil,
because many big temples are made by converting Buddhist and Jain shrines and
their traces are also visible there."
"Muslims cannot tolerate this atrocity. The
All-India Muslim Personal Law Board will fight this injustice at every
level," he said.
Source: Telegraph India
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original story:
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Indonesians Celebrate Vesak Day At World’s Largest Buddhist
Temple
Buddhists monks and devotees light lanterns during
Vesak day celebration at the Borobudur temple in Magelang, Java.... Photo:
Agence France-Presse
-----
Sheany Yasuko Lai
May 16, 2022
JAKARTA: Indonesian Buddhists on Monday marked the
religious holiday of Vesak at the faith’s largest temple in the world, as
celebrations returned to the holy site after two years of the coronavirus
pandemic.
Over 1,000 people, mostly dressed in all-white,
attended a ceremony at Borobudur temple in Central Java to mark this year’s
event, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
Monday’s celebrations mark the first time in two years
that a public procession of this scale has been held again at the 9th-century
temple, following restrictions imposed to curb coronavirus transmissions.
Prior to the public health outbreak, more than 40,000
Buddhist devotees from across the country and abroad would gather at Borobudur
each year to celebrate Vesak.
“Naturally, as Buddhist devotees we are very happy we
can celebrate the holy day of Vesak at Borobudur Temple, because the temple is
the world’s biggest mandala,” Tanto Soegito Harsono, lead organizer of the
event and regional leader of the country’s biggest Buddhist organization
WALUBI, told Arab News.
Mandala, which is Sanskrit for circle or center, is a
significant spiritual symbol in Buddhism.
“Let us realize the teachings of the Buddha in our
daily lives,” Harsono said, alluding to the event’s theme.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority
nation, is also home to sizable Buddhist, Christian and other religious
minorities. Centuries ago, this part of central Java was ruled by Buddhist and
Hindu kingdoms, whose cultural legacies remain through scattered temples and
statues across the region.
In this year’s scaled-down celebrations, organizers
say participants are capped at around 1,200 for the day’s ceremony, during
which health protocols are mandatory.
Borobudur, made up of platforms that form a pyramid
shape and topped with several stupas and Buddha statues, is also hosting a
festival in the evening, which will see participants releasing 2,022 lit
lanterns into the evening sky above the temple.
Christina, a 20-year-old college student visiting from
Tangerang, a city near the capital Jakarta, had taken part in Vesak Day
celebrations twice previously. She hopes this year will mark the return of the
annual festivities in Borobudur.
“This year I get to participate as WALUBI’s marching
band member during the procession,” Christina told Arab News.
“Celebrating Vesak in Borobudur is very meaningful for
me.”
Source: Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2083341/world
--------
South
Asia
Former Director-General of ISI Reaches Kabul for the
Talks with Pakistani Taliban
By Saqalain Eqbal
17 May 2022
General Faiz Hameed, the former director general of
Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and the current commander of the
Pakistan Army Corps in Peshawar, has arrived in Kabul, according to a number of
international media.
General Faiz Hameed “has arrived to the Kabul Serena
hotel lobby”, according to Al Jazeera’s Middle East and South Asia reporter
Sadaf Chaudhry, who tweeted on Monday, 16th May.
A number of Indian media sources have confirmed
General Faiz’s visit to Kabul and stated that Pakistan and the
Tehreek-e-Taliban (Pakistani Taliban) are initiating peace negotiations.
General Faiz Hameed, according to News 18, has arrived
in Kabul following the start of peace talks between the Pakistani Taliban and
the Pakistani government.
According to Pakistani military sources, Pakistani
Taliban and security officers have been staying at the Serena Hotel in Kabul
since Wednesday.
General Faiz Hameed’s arrival to Kabul has yet to be
confirmed by the Taliban.
Source: Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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UNSC Struggles to Whether adjust with Taliban
Sanctions Regime
16 May 2022
KABUL, Afghanistan – The United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) is struggling to whether adjust with the ongoing sanctions
regime against the so-called Islamic Emirate government, according to reports,
saying “it’s a consequential decision.”
Sanctions against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
were implemented by the United Nations in November 1999, which were tightened
against the Taliban under Executive Order 13224 after the September 11 attacks
in 2001.
In June of 2022, the UN Security Council must decide
whether to adjust the current regime of sanctions against leadership of the
Islamic Emirate, said the Hill, a US Washingon-focused news outlet.
The sanctions for many years had included a ban on the
leadership’s international travel, which the Security Council suspended in
April 2019 for the sake of a “reconciliation” process.
The Hill wrote that Islamic Emirate’s leaders used
their travel freedom to cut separate deals with Russia, China and other
neighbors, reinforcing their government while “refusing to negotiate with the
elected Afghan government officials.”
Taliban Eye Islamic System in Afghanistan:
Intra-Afghan Negotiations
Doha Yields Agreement on Ground Rules: Intra-Afghan
Negotiations
While world leaders, including the international
community, have repeatedly refused to credit the current leadership lead by the
Islamic Emirate, analysts fear “suspension” may continue to open doors for the
group.
“The US use this (sanction) as leverage but there is a
possibility for its suspension to continue because the US is still hopeful of
finding a diplomatic solution for Afghanistan, and traveling is important for
that issue,” said Torek Farhadi, a political analyst, as TOLOnews quoted.
However, the final decision on suspension of sanctions
regime on Islamic Emirate remain controversial, as “a general meeting will be
held in UN Security Council and member of the UNSC will meet,” said Suraya
Paikan, a political analyst.
Islamic Emirate government has not immediately
commented on the matter.
Why are Sanctions Imposed?
Sanctions against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
were implemented by the United Nations in November 1999, which were tightened
against the Taliban under Executive Order 13224 after the September 11 attacks
in 2001.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) maintains a
Taliban sanctions regime to promote the peace, stability and security of
Afghanistan. The Taliban is no longer considered a terrorist organization and
is involved in political processes in Afghanistan.
However, sanctions continue to apply in relation to
persons and entities designated for the purposes of the Taliban sanctions
regime. Many countries, including the United States and Australia implement
UNSC sanctions.
What is Prohibited by Taliban Sanctions Regime?
The Taliban sanctions regime imposes the following
sanctions measures:
restrictions on supplying arms and related matériel
restrictions on providing services related to military
activities (technical, financial or other assistance, or training)
restrictions on providing assets to designated persons
or entities
restrictions on dealing with the assets of designated
persons or entities
travel bans on designated persons
Measure UNSC
restrictions on supplying arms and related matériel ✓
restrictions on providing services related to military
activities (technical, financial or other assistance, or training) ✓
restrictions on providing assets to designated persons
or entities ✓
restrictions on dealing with the assets of designated
persons or entities ✓
travel bans on designated persons ✓
Source: Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/unsc-struggles-to-whether-adjust-with-taliban-sanctions-regime/
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Taliban Forces Clash with the Tajik Border Guards Near
Sher Khan Bandar
By Saqalain Eqbal
16 May 2022
Local sources in Kunduz province reported clashes
between Tajik border guards and Taliban forces on the border between the two
countries.
According to a resident of Kunduz province’s Imam
Sahib district, whose name was omitted due to the sensitivity of the matter,
the clash occurred near Sher Khan Bandar on Monday, May 16, and lasted for four
hours.
He continued by stating that the border guard clashes
began after a verbal confrontation, with the Taliban firing the first shot.
The clash happens between as the Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met three days ago to discuss
bilateral security issues.
Previous skirmishes have also occurred on the
Afghan-Pakistani border, as well as the Islam Qala border with Iran.
Source: Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-forces-clash-with-the-tajik-border-guards-near-sher-khan-bandar85939/
--------
Taliban-ruled
Afghanistan in focus as India hosts SCO's RATS meeting in Delhi
May
17, 2022
Counter-terrorism
experts from India, Pakistan and other member states of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday (May 16) deliberated on boosting
cooperation in combating various regional security challenges at a meeting
hosted by New Delhi.
The
meeting is taking place under the framework of the SCO's Regional
Anti-Terrorist Structure.
A
major focus of the discussions was to be on the situation in Afghanistan,
especially in dealing with the threat from terrorist groups active in the
Taliban-ruled country, people familiar with the meeting said.
Pakistan
has sent a three-member team for the meeting.
India
assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of
SCO (RATS SCO) on October 28 for a period of one year.
India
has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the
SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals
with issues relating to security and defence.
A
similar conference was organised by India in December which was participated by
all the member states.
The
SCO is an influential economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the
largest transregional international organisations.
The
member states of the SCO are Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan is among the observer states
of the SCO.
"I
thank India for hosting the key meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation's anti-terror body Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in New Delhi
today. The security & humanitarian situation has worsened in Afghanistan
over the past 9 months," Afghan envoy Farid Mamundzay tweeted.
"We
expect this meeting to raise and propose solutions to all important issues
related to the security situation in Afghanistan. Sincere regional security
cooperation particularly from neighbouring countries is the only way forward
for peace & development in Afghanistan and in the region," he added.
India
has not recognised the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and has been pitching for
the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul besides insisting that
Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country.
India
has been concerned about the developments in Afghanistan:
It
hosted a regional dialogue on Afghanistan in November that was attended by
National Security Advisors of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Source:
India TV New
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Taliban
restricts Afghan journalists from covering security incidents
May
16, 2022
Afghan
journalists have claimed that the Taliban-led government has imposed
restrictions on them from covering security incidents in the country.
Jawad
Etimad, a journalist who works for an online media outlet, said he was arrested
while covering a blast in Kabul city and spent two days in custody.
"They
(Taliban) prevented me from making footage. They kicked and punched me, and
then they arrested me," TOLO News quoted Etimad as saying.
Another
journalist, Farogh Faiz said that whenever there is a security incident in an
area, they go to cover it.
"But,
unfortunately we are not being allowed cover the incidents," he said.
Meanwhile,
the Afghanistan National Journalists Union said restrictions on access to
information is not acceptable.
"The
media has the right to make footage. Whenever there are restrictions on access
to information, it is a violation of the law of access to information,"
Masroor Lutfi, head of the media watchdog, was quoted as saying by TOLO News.
According
to the Reporters Without Borders, at least 50 media workers were arrested since
the Taliban took over the country in August last year until February 2022.
Source:
Business Standard
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
Polio
Vaccination Compulsory Until Complete Eradication: Ulema
May
17, 2022
LAHORE –
Ulema belonging to various schools of thought have hailed efforts of
polio teams saying that the noble cause rendered by the teams is reflective of
the true teachings of Islam. The ulema were speaking in a conference organized
by Tanzeem Ittehad Ummat a religious body working for harmony among various
schools of thought. Health Department of Faisalabad and Punjab Emergency
Operations Centre supported the Tanzeem in organizing the conference. The
conference was held in Muhammadi Mosque of Faisalabad City. Ulema belonging to
various schools of thought pledged support to polio eradication efforts.
District Health Officer Faisalabad Dr Abu Bakar Siddique represented the
government. Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Ziaul Haq Naqshbandi, the chairperson
of the Tanzeem called for upholding the rights of children as envisaged in
Islam. “Islam has laid much emphasis on the rights of human beings. Our
religion even lays emphasis on the rights of animals. Our children have the
right to receive vaccination and live a healthy life. We should not deprive
them of their rights”, said Muhammad Ziaul Haq Naqshbandi. Naqshbandi added
saying that polio teams go door to door to ensure that all children get the
polio vaccine and safety from the virus. “It is also the role of ulema to play
their role and speak whenever needed to build an amicable environment for polio
teams”, Naqshbandi said. Quoting a
hadith Allama Qari Bilal said that best among Muslims is the one who helps others.
“polio teams deliver vaccine at every household. Parents must support the
teams”, added Allama Bilal. Allama Hafiz Muhammad Zikria backed polio
eradication efforts saying although Punjab is doing fairly well but “we cannot
afford to be complacent yet until the virus is completely eradicated from
Pakistan as well as Afghanistan”.
Dr
Abu Bakar Siddique, the district health officer, responded to the queries of
ulema attending the conference.
Source:
Nation Pakistan
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://nation.com.pk/2022/05/17/polio-vaccination-compulsory-until-complete-eradication-ulema/
--------
Key
allies encourage PM Shehbaz to take ‘tough’ decisions
Syed
Irfan Raza | Kalbe Ali
May
17, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Three main ruling coalition partners — Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida
Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) — on Monday assured
the government of their support in taking ‘tough’ decisions, while Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to call a meeting of all the allies to take a
unanimous decision on how to overcome both the political and economic crises in
the country.
The
PM is also scheduled to head a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday
(today) where he will take all the members into confidence on the decisions
taken by the PML-N leadership in London recently.
A
day after returning from the UK and the UAE, Prime Minister Sharif on Monday
started consultations with allied parties in the ruling coalition, apparently
to apprise them of the decisions taken by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif during the
premier’s recent meetings with him in London.
The
prime minister met heads of three main coalition parties — Asif Ali Zardari of
the PPP, Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the JUI-F and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui of the
MQM.
Shehbaz
meets Fazl, Zardari, Siddiqui; meeting with all coalition partners on crises
expected soon; MQM opposes early polls despite them ‘going in party’s favour’
It
has been learnt that PM Sharif will soon call a meeting of all the allies in
the government to take a unanimous decision on how to overcome both the
political and economic crises in the country.
One
of the most difficult paths the government is likely to take is the withdrawal
of subsidy on petrol and its price is likely to jump by Rs50 per litre.
Presently, the government is reportedly bearing over Rs100 billion a month by
providing subsidies on petroleum products.
Read
more: Miftah says PM Shehbaz not increasing petrol prices
According
to the Prime Minister Office, the PM in a one-on-one meeting with Maulana Fazl
said national interest will remain supreme while taking ‘difficult’ decisions.
He stressed the need for collective efforts of the ruling coalition to provide
relief to the people and strengthen democracy in the country.
The
prime minister was quoted as saying: “Adherence to democracy and the
Constitution guarantee progress and stability of Pakistan.”
He
vowed that essential items will be available to people in the market at
affordable rates. In this connection, all available resources will be utilised,
he added.
Both
leaders thoroughly discussed the prevailing economic and political crises
confronting the government.
Meanwhile,
former finance minister Ishaq Dar, who is presently in London with Nawaz
Sharif, said on a private TV channel that the government should not be afraid
of the situation and take it head-on. “If we do not tackle the acute economic
situation today, will angels descend to rescue us,” he questioned.
The
PML-N leader maintained Pakistan’s economic situation had not deteriorated to
the extent that it could not be reversed.
Meanwhile,
PPP senior leader Farhatullah Babar confirmed party Co-chairman Asif Ali
Zardari called on the prime minister after Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari left
for the US on an official visit. The foreign minister will meet the UAE
leadership during a stopover to offer condolences on the demise of Emirati
president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Federal
minister Qamar Zaman Kaira of the PPP said his party was ready to jointly face
the consequences of “tough” decisions. “We will make decisions in the best
interest of the country whatever their political cost will be,” he added.
He
said it would be unfair to the country if the government, which came into power
to rectify the wrongs of the previous PTI regime, went back home without
providing any solution to the problems.
On
the other hand, the MQM opposed fresh elections on the grounds that it would be
a financial debacle for the ordinary citizens despite the fact that the
decision would be in the party’s favour, and urged the prime minister to act
fast and take a tough call related to the economic revival.
Talking
to the media here on Monday, MQM-Pakistan Convener Siddiqui said it will be in
the favour of his party to contest polls as soon as possible because they will
recover the 14 National Assembly seats that he claimed had been “snatched” and
given to the PTI, however for the common man it would be disastrous.
He
said the MQM-P believed if elections were held any moment, the interim
government would overburden the general public with difficult decisions as it
would not have any affiliation with the masses, which was unfair.
Flanked
by fellow party leader and IT Minister Syed Aminul Haq and Syed Shakeel Ahmed,
a member of the Rabita Committee, Mr Siddiqui said the economic situation was
bleak and it was the responsibility of the politicians to take charge and
restore the trust of the masses.
The
MQM chief also said apart from stabilising the economy, the government has to
initiate electoral reforms before announcing the date for elections.
“This
can be done (electoral reforms) in a week, as all the parties have already done
their homework, and if they need we can offer our working paper as well,” he
said, adding the next elections should not be held without a fresh census and
new delimitations.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1690083/key-allies-encourage-pm-shehbaz-to-take-tough-decisions
--------
Omer
Sarfraz Cheema to seek treason trial of PM
Ikram
Junaidi
May
17, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Former governor of Punjab Omer Sarfraz Cheema has announced approaching the
court for registration of a high treason case against Prime Minister Shehbaz
Sharif under Article 6.
Moreover,
he said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) believed that the Election
Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had ill intention during delimitation of
constituencies.
In
a post on social media, Mr Cheema said that it has been decided to get a case
registered under Article 6 against prime minister at a relent forum/court. He
said that prime minister and his son were continuously violating the
Constitution in Punjab and were misusing the power.
“I
will move a case against violation of constitution in a court of law,” Mr
Cheema said.
PTI
sees ‘ill intention’ of ECP during delimitation of constituencies
It
is worth mentioning that according to Article 6 any person who abrogates or
subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate
or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or
show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high
treason. However, Majlis-i-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the
punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.
Meanwhile,
PTI senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry on Monday alleged that the ECP had ill
intention while doing delimitation of constituencies and claimed that any move
in that regard would be illegal.
“All
members of the ECP should be sent home,” he said while speaking to reporters
outside the Supreme Court’s building.
He
criticised PM Sharif and said that he had completed four foreign visits, but
Pakistani rupee had lost ground against US dollar.
According
to the PTI leader, next 72 hours will be crucial for the economy.
Similarly,
former minister for planning and development Asad Umar said that all financial
indicators were continuously showing negative trends.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1690087/omer-sarfraz-cheema-to-seek-treason-trial-of-pm
--------
China
nationals leaving Pakistan after attacks: Reports
May
17, 2022
BEIJING/ISLAMABAD:
Enhanced security for Chinese nationals working in Pakistan and fast-tracking
of the $60 billion CPEC projects figured high in the first talks between
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his newly-appointed counterpart Shehbaz Sharif
on Monday.
According
to several reports, a large number of Chinese workers deployed in Pakistan for
CPEC projects have started leaving the country after the suicide bomb attack at
the Karachi University last month in which three Chinese language teachers were
killed. An official of the Karachi University said that Chinese nationals
teaching Mandarin in different parts of Pakistan have left for home after being
called back by Beijing following the attacks. Chinese experts say while
Pakistan security mainly focussed on major projects, those working in smaller
institutions like the Karachi University remained soft targets. “The Pakistani
side will strengthen security measures for all Chinese institutions and
nationals in Pakistan to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” Sharif
told Li.
Source:
Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
says it foiled suspected suicide attack against Chinese nationals
May
16, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistani police arrested a would-be suicide bomber who planned to blow herself
up near a convoy of Chinese nationals along the China Pakistan
Economic-Corridor (CPEC), a police statement said.
Monday's
arrest came two weeks after a woman suicide bomber blew herself up on a
university campus in the southern port city of Karachi, killing three Chinese
teachers and their Pakistani driver.
Police
arrested the militant in southwestern Balochistan province that borders
Afghanistan and Iran, the statement said.
She
belongs to the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has started using
women militants as suicide bombers, police said, a new phenomenon for
counter-terrorism police who are more used to dealing with such attacks by
Islamist militants.
"The
woman wanted to target a convoy of Chinese nationals," police said, adding
the attack was planned along a route of China Pakistan Economic-Corridor
(CPEC).
Police
recovered explosives and detonators from the woman and investigated her,
revealing her plans to target Chinese nationals. No other evidence was produced
to support their accusation.
The
Karachi suicide bomber was also a member of the BLA, the police statement said.
China
is a close Pakistan ally and the CPEC is $65 billion-plus investment in
infrastructure in Pakistan, part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative to seek
road and sea trade routes to connect with the rest of the world.
Balochistan
is home to a deep-water port in Gwadar city, which Beijing is developing under
the CPEC.
Baloch
separatist guerrillas say they've been fighting for decades for a greater share
in regional mine and mineral resources.
They
attack gas plants, infrastructure, security forces and Chinese interests, which
they say amount to the occupation of their land and resources in the name of
development.
Their
attacks against Chinese nationals have since the fall of the Afghan capital to
the Islamist Taliban in August last year.
The
Taliban deny Pakistan's accusations that the insurgents use Afghan soil to
train the militants and plan the attacks.
Source:
Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Imran
Khan’s erstwhile government procured USD 52 billion in loans
17
May, 2022
Islamabad
[Pakistan], May 16 (ANI): The erstwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
government tops the list amongst the last four administrations in the country
with the highest external borrowing of around USD 52 billion in its three-year
rule, a media report said.
PTI’s
pole position is followed by the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) which borrowed
USD 49.761 billion dollars in five years. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was in
third place for borrowing a total of USD 25.008 billion in five years, Business
Recorder, a Pakistani newspaper said citing data collected from Pakistan’s
Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Division.
Pakistan’s
external debt and liabilities (outstanding) reached an all-time high of USD
130.6 billion by end-December 2021, the report said.
During
the PTI government, foreign debt rose by USD 35.3 billion or 37 per cent (till
December 2021), while it was USD 95.2 billion when the PTI government came to
power, the report further said.
The
PTI government’s domestic borrowing was also the highest when compared to the
other three governments.
The
PTI government borrowed PKR 9,136 billion during its tenure compared to PML-N’s
PKR 6,896 billion, and PPP’s PKR 6,919 billion, the report said.
Meanwhile,
in its recent ‘Pakistan Development Update’, the World Bank has highlighted the
structural weaknesses of Pakistan’s economy which include low investment, low
exports, and a low productivity growth cycle.
Further,
high domestic demand pressures and rising global commodity prices would lead to
double-digit inflation in the country, reported Islam Khabar.
Source:
The Print
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://theprint.in/world/imran-khans-erstwhile-government-procured-usd-52-billion-in-loans/958873/
--------
Pair
of Imran Khan's mobile phones stolen from Sialkot airport
May
17, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
A senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member on Monday claimed that a pair of
mobile phones belonging to former PM, Imran Khan, were stolen from the Sialkot
airport after Khan disclosed at a power show in the city last Saturday that he
had recorded a video message containing names of all those who are allegedly
plotting to assassinate him.
In
a Twitter post, Khan’s former aide, Shahbaz Gill, said the incident took place
as the government had pulled the security detail of the former prime minister.
“You
(a veiled reference to government and security establishment) have gone
completely berserk. The video statement that Khan has recorded cannot be found
on his phone. The mobile phones were stolen after Imran Khan landed at the
airport after addressing a rally,” he said, alleging that Imran’s phones were “ordered
to be stolen” from the airport.
At
the Sialkot rally, Khan had claimed that an “assassination attempt” is being
hatched against him – video evidence of which he has kept in a “secure place”.
“I
have named all those elements involved in the conspiracy in the video. I knew
about it and I got full knowledge of it a few days ago,” Khan said.
“If
something happens to me then this video will be made public in front of the
nation. In it, whoever has conspired against me, whoever is complicit since
last summer, I’ve named everyone,” the ex-PM added.
PM
Shehbaz Sharif directed interior (home) minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday to
boost Imran’s security amid alleged threats to his life.
In
a statement, the spokesperson for the interior ministry said that as per the
orders of the PM, Imran has been provided “foolproof security”.
Source:
Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
PM
Shehbaz Sharif assures security enhancement of Chinese citizens in Pakistan,
affirms resolve to fast track CPEC projects
May
17, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday assured China that his government is
determined to take all necessary measures for the enhanced security and safety
of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and affirmed his "firm resolve" to
fast track projects under the $60 billion CPEC.
During
a "comprehensive telephonic conversation" with Chinese premier Li
Keqiang, Sharif underscored the need for both sides to work together and
enhance cooperation between the concerned agencies of the two countries to
fully operationalise the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) at an early date,
according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's office (PMO).
Shehbaz
affirmed his government's "firm resolve to fast-track both the ongoing as
well as the new projects under the transformational China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC), which had immensely contributed to the socio-economic
development of Pakistan and also realised its high-quality development”.
The
ambitious $60 billion CPEC is a 3,000-km long route of infrastructure projects
connecting China's northwest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Gwadar
Port in the western Pakistan province of Balochistan. India has protested to
China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
(PoK).
Condemning
the terrorist attack at the Karachi University last month in which three
Chinese scholars lost their lives, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's firm resolve to
hold thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to
justice.
"He
reiterated that Pakistan attached the highest importance to the safety,
security and protection of all Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on
economic projects and institutions. He assured Premier Li that his government
was determined to take all necessary measures for their enhanced security and
safety in Pakistan," the statement said.
Source:
Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Kharadar
blast claims woman’s life, leaves 12 injured
Imtiaz
Ali
May
17, 2022
KARACHI:
In a third blast in as many weeks, a woman died and at least 12 people
sustained injuries when an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to a
motorbike went off near Boulton Market in Kharadar late on Monday night,
officials and witnesses said.
A
police van passing through the famed Kaghzi Bazaar near Boulton Market was
apparently the target of the blast that claimed the life of a young woman
travelling in a rickshaw and left a dozen others, including a police officer
and an eight-year-old boy, wounded.
The
police vehicle and a few other vehicles, including two-wheelers and a
three-wheeler, were damaged in the blast that also triggered a fire, showed
video clips aired by some TV channels soon after the IED blast that took place
at 9.50pm.
Head
of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi,
Dr Sabir Memon, confirmed that one body and 12 injured were brought to the
centre. He said condition of two of the injured was serious.
Sindh
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah earlier taking immediate notice of the incident
declared an emergency at the Civil Hospital and sought an immediate report from
Sindh police chief.
In
the meantime, crime scene unit of the police rushed to the blast site and
secured the scene where bomb disposal squad officials were called to ascertain
the nature of the explosion.
“Preliminary
report showed that the real target was the police mobile,” DIG Karachi South
Sharjeel Kharal told Dawn. He said initial assessment showed the IED explosion
was ‘similar’ to the recent Saddar blast, but they were waiting for the report
of bomb disposal officials.
He
said the wholesale cloth bazaar of Boulton Market was almost closed with only a
few people present in the locality when the bomb went off in the late hours.
Senior
officer of the Counter-Terrorism Department Raja Umar Khattab said the IED,
which was planted on a parked motorbike in the bazaar, was detonated apparently
with a remote control device when the police vehicle slowed down near it. The
CTD officer said the target appeared to be the police mobile van that was
damaged in the explosion.
He
said the IED containing ball bearings seemed to be similar to the one used to
carry out the blast in the busy commercial area of Saddar.
Some
of the injured were identified as Ahsan Mushtaq, 20, Irshad, 35, Yunus Faiz,
30, Haris Khalid, 8, Ashfaq Habib, 30, Mohammed Habib, 60, Sikander Ghous, 25,
Faraz Shoaib, 25, Abdullah Jan and Ayub Habib, 40.
Assistant
sub-inspector Badaruddin was also among the injured whose condition was stated
to be out of danger, according to the police spokesperson.
This
was the third terror incident in the metropolis since April 26 when a suicide
bombing at Karachi University claimed the life of three Chinese teachers and a
local driver. The responsibility of the deadly attack was later claimed by
banned Baloch Liberation Army.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1690082/kharadar-blast-claims-womans-life-leaves-12-injured
--------
Europe
Turkey’s
Erdogan says will not approve Sweden and Finland joining NATO
16
May ,2022
Turkey’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he will not approve Sweden and
Finland obtaining NATO membership, state news agency Anadolu reported.
The
Swedish ministry of foreign affairs announced on Monday that senior
representatives from Helsinki and Stockholm will travel “soon” to Turkey to
discuss Ankara’s objections to their NATO membership.
However,
Erdogan said the diplomats should not bother coming to Turkey to try to
convince Ankara to approve their NATO bids.
“First
of all, we would not say ‘yes’ to those who impose sanctions on Turkey to join
NATO, a security organization, during this process,” Erdogan said. “Neither
country has an open, clear stance against terrorist organizations,” he added,
describing Sweden as an “incubation center for terrorist organizations.”
“They
have special invitations to terrorists. They even have pro PKK MPs in their
parliaments. How are we going to trust them?” Erdogan added, referring to the
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which Ankara designates as a terrorist
organization.
The
two Nordic countries confirmed officially that they will seek NATO membership,
ending decades of military nonalignment in an historic move driven by Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey
declared last week it had objections to the two countries joining NATO,
accusing them of supporting Kurdish militants whom Ankara considers to be
terrorists, and failing to extradite dozens of suspected “terrorists”.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
EU
announces $26M in humanitarian aid for Palestine
Agnes
Szucs
16.05.2022
BRUSSELS
The
EU announced on Monday €25 million (approximately $26 million) in humanitarian
aid for vulnerable Palestinians in occupied West Bank.
The
financial assistance aims to counterbalance the rising energy and food prices
exacerbated by the war in Ukraine that adds on the top of the economic crisis
in the West Bank and Gaza, the European Commission said in a statement.
The
funding will support Palestinian families' access to basic services and
assistance, as well as “healthcare assistance, including mental care for
trauma, to those affected by the continued violence, the ramifications of the
blockade on Gaza and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement added.
“The
EU continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” said EU
Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic.
He
stressed that the EU will continue to “insist on the full respect for
international humanitarian law and condemn the continued evictions of civilians
and demolitions of their homes, schools and basic infrastructure.” “This needs
to stop."
The
new pledge comes amid criticism on the EU executive body for delaying the
disbursement of financial aid for Palestine promised for 2021 because of a
controversy over school textbooks in Palestine allegedly containing
anti-Semitic texts and incitement to violence.
“There
is no reason for the European Commission to delay over €300 million of funding
for the Palestinian Authority,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told reporters
on Monday on the way to the meeting of EU top diplomats.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-announces-26m-in-humanitarian-aid-for-palestine/2589379
--------
Sweden
to continue talks with Turkiye on NATO membership
Atila
Altuntas
15.05.2022
STOCKHOLM
Sweden
was unable to reach a solution with Turkiye in talks early on Sunday about the
Scandinavian country's expected NATO membership application, but will continue
negotiations, the Swedish foreign minister said.
"We
did not reach a solution with Turkiye, and decided to continue the talks,"
Ann Linde said after meeting with her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu at
an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in the German capital Berlin,
where they discussed her country's expected application for NATO membership.
Noting
that Sweden was unable to agree with the Turkish side "because of the
formation in the north of Syria," Linde stressed: "We accept that the
PKK is a terrorist organization."
"We
don't think the same about the formation in northern Syria, and neither do many
NATO countries.
"Like
the US and other NATO countries, we have met with Kurdish organizations in
northern Syria," she pointed out.
Cavusoglu
had stressed before the NATO meeting that Sweden and Finland openly supported
the PKK, which is listed as a terror group by the EU. The YPG is its Syrian
offshoot.
"This
also negatively affects the feelings of our people," the Turkish foreign
minister added.
"Therefore,
a country that will become an ally should clearly not support the PKK/YPG, the
terrorist organization that attacks us, our soldiers, our police, and our
civilians every day."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/sweden-to-continue-talks-with-turkiye-on-nato-membership/2588752
--------
French
hospital accuses Israel of attacking journalist’s funeral
Abdelraouf
Arna'out
16.05.2022
JERUSALEM
The
French Hospital in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday accused Israeli police of
assaulting the funeral procession of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
On
Friday, Israeli police surrounded mourners and used stun grenades and batons to
assault pallbearers carrying Abu Akleh’s casket as it was being carried out of
the hospital in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
"What
increases the awfulness of the scene is that it took place inside the hospital
campus without any consideration for the sanctity of the place or the
occasion," hospital director Jamil Kousa told a press conference.
He
said the Israeli police attack took place although the hospital is sponsored by
the Vatican and the French state.
“They
stormed the hospital, attacked the casket and pallbearers, fired rubber bullets
and scared patients and visitors,” Kousa lamented.
In
the wake of international condemnations of the Israeli attack on the funeral,
the Israeli police said it opened an investigation into the incident. Police
said the results of the investigation will be presented to officials in the
coming days.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
India
Gyanvapi
mosque: Varanasi court orders sealing of pond after claims of spotting
‘Shivalinga’ in it
17th
May 2022
By
Namita Bajpai
LUCKNOW: The controversial court-mandated videography
of the Gyanvapi mosque complex on Monday took a dramatic turn with a Varanasi
court ordering the sealing of a pond after claims of having spotted a
‘Shivalinga’ in it, though the other side said it was just a defunct fountain.
The pond is used by Muslim devotees for wuzu or purification rituals before
offering namaz.
The
ongoing drama will shift to the Supreme Court on Tuesday where a bench of
justices D Y Chandrachud and P S Narasimha will hear a plea filed by the
Anjuman Intezamia Masjid that manages the affairs of the Gyanvapi mosque,
challenging the court-mandated survey.
The
Varanasi court’s order came even as the videography was on, as one lawyer
Harishankar Jain, representing a plaintiff, left the survey team midway and
filed a court application about the ‘Shivalinga’. “As it is a very important
piece of evidence, the area should be sealed immediately for its safety,” he
said in his application. Jain also sought a ban on the entry of Muslims in that
area besides allowing not more than 20 people to offer namaz at any given time.
Judge
Ravi Kumar Diwakar, while directing the district administration to seal the
area of the wuzu pond, ordered restricted entry of people into that part of the
mosque premises, but did not put a figure to it. The judge, however, made the
state chief secretary and director general of police responsible for the supervision
of the sealing process and the work done by the district magistrate,
commissioner of police and the CRPF for the execution of the order.
The
Muslim side was shocked that the court ordered the sealing without hearing it.
“The other side is misguiding the nation by calling a defunct fountain a
Shivalinga,” said Raees Ahmad Ansari, the lawyer of Anjuman Intenzamia Masjid.
Abhay
Nath Yadav, representing the Muslim side, said everyone should wait for the
submission of the survey report and subsequent court verdict without jumping to
conclusions. District Magistrate Kushal Raj Sharma said after receiving the
order, the wuzu pond area was isolated and sealed, adding alternative
arrangements for wuzu were being made to ensure that Muslims did not face any
problem in offering namaz.
Other
lawyers accompanying the court commission during the survey termed it a
‘historic day’ saying the evidence they collected would play a key role in all
cases related to Gyanvapi in different courts.
Source:
New Indian Express
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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‘Shivalinga’
found, part of Gyanvapi land sealed in Uttar Pradesh
Piyush
Srivastava
17.05.22
A
Varanasi court on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to seal the area
around a small pond on the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, which adjoins the
Kashi Vishwanath temple, after a Shivalinga was allegedly found in the water
body.
A
lawyer for the Hindu side in the case told reporters the purported discovery
was evidence that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had demolished the original Kashi
Vishwanath temple to have the mosque built — a claim that underpins a Sangh
parivar campaign for the mosque’s removal.
Lawyers
for the mosque management committee suggested the object found might not be a
Shivalinga, accused the Hindu side of flouting a court directive not to talk
about the findings, and said they would challenge Monday’s order in a higher court.
On
Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear a petition the mosque committee had filed
a few days ago seeking to stop any fresh activity (such as a survey) on the
mosque premises.
Monday’s
order by civil judge (senior division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar says: “The district
magistrate of Varanasi is ordered to immediately seal the area where the
Shivalinga was found and prevent the entry of any person into the sealed area.
The district magistrate of Varanasi, police commissioner of Varanasi and
commandant of the CRPF are ordered to preserve and protect the sealed area.”
The
civil court is dealing with a petition from a group of Hindus seeking the right
to pray daily at the Shringar Gauri — a structure carved with figures of
purported Hindu gods and goddesses — on the mosque premises.
Judge
Diwakar had last month formed a commission with 18 Hindu and 18 Muslim members
and asked it to survey and videograph the mosque premises.
Comments
by the petitioners’ lawyer, Hari Shankar Jain, on Monday suggested the Hindu
side would now try to have the case’s ambit widened to include the question
whether a temple’s ruins lay scattered around the mosque’s premises and under
the ground.
Cases
relating to the alleged temple demolition are already pending in various
courts, with Allahabad High Court having stayed a lower court’s order for the
Archaeological Survey of India to use radar technology to ascertain whether the
mosque stood over a destroyed temple.
Sangh
parivar members have long asserted that Varanasi and Mathura — where they
allege a Krishna temple was razed to build the Idgah mosque — would be their
next target after a Ram temple was built in Ayodhya.
The
purported Shivalinga was found during the last round of the court-appointed
commission’s controversial and stop-start survey, carried out between Saturday
morning and Monday morning.
Although
judge Diwakar had asked either side not to make any information about the
findings public before the commission had placed its report before him in a
sealed envelope on Tuesday, Jain revealed the purported Shivalinga’s discovery
on Monday morning.
In
the afternoon, Jain told reporters: “A 12.8-foot-high Shivalinga was found in a
pond, which was previously used by the Muslims for wuzu (or wudu, a physical
and spiritual act to purify oneself before prayer). So I requested the court to
seal the area.”
He
said the purported Shivalinga was partly buried at the bottom of the pond.
“There were fish in the pond and they (mosque management) asked the commission
not to disturb it. But the symbol of Lord Shiva was found when the water was
pumped out and the mud dredged,” Jain said.
“The
area (pond) is some distance away from the main Gyanvapi building; so this
court decision will not prevent people from offering namaz inside the mosque.”
Sources
said the pond was close to the Shringar Gauri.
Abhay
Nath Yadav, counsel for the mosque management committee, said that “nothing has
been found to prove that a temple was demolished to erect a mosque”.
“While
the Muslim side respects the court and doesn’t make any statement, the Hindu
side is making false claims to confuse people and violate the order of
secrecy,” he said.
Source:
Telegraph India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Uttar
Pradesh: ASI releases pics of closed rooms of Taj Mahal ‘for all to see’
May
17, 2022
AGRA:
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) recently released pictures of some of
the 22 underground rooms of the Taj Mahal, which were opened in January this
year for carrying out conservation work, reports Anuja Jaiswal. This was done
to debunk claims about the presence of Hindu idols and structures in the
so-called “permanently locked” rooms, as was claimed in a petition filed in the
Allahabad high court (HC).
The
Lucknow bench of the HC had dismissed the petition filed by BJP media in-charge
of Ayodhya, Rajneesh Singh, last week that sought permission to open the
“locked rooms” and get a survey done to ascertain the presence of idols of
Hindu deities. After the dismissal of his petition, Singh said that he would
approach the Supreme Court and pursue the matter of the “secret” Taj cells. TOI
had reported on May 13 quoting senior ASI officials that the Taj Mahal's below
the main structure were “not always locked” and that they had no idols. The
officials had said that “various records and reports reviewed till now have not
shown the existence of any (Hindu) idols”.
Photographs
of the opened rooms in the basement were released earlier this month by ASI,
whose superintending archeologist (Agra circle) Raj Kumar Patel said pictures
of restoration work done by authorities were now available on ASI’s website
“for everyone to view”.
Officials
added that conservation work was carried out in these cells between December
2021 and March 2022. The cost of the project was roughly Rs 6 lakh. Several
photographs that were then taken were sent to ASI's Delhi headquarters. Some of
them were included in the ASI’s January newsletter, which was uploaded on May 5
on their website.
The
ASI has recently started publishing a monthly newsletter, which was earlier
released annually. Each circle has to send highlights of work done by it to the
headquarters every month, said officials.
Source: Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Gyanvapi
mosque: Only 50% of videography survey report ready, team to seek more time
from court to submit complete findings
May
17, 2022
A
court-mandate videography survey of Gyanvapi mosque lasted for three days from
14 to 16 May and only 50 per cent of the report is ready due to which, the team
will seek more time from a local court in Varanasi on Tuesday to submit the
survey report.
"Only
50 per cent report ready. It is not complete yet, which is why we won't be able
to produce it before the court today (Tuesday, 17 May). We will seek 3-4 days'
time from court," news agency ANI quoted Assistant Court Commissioner Ajay
Pratap Singh as saying.
On
the third day of Gyanvapi masjid survey on Monday, a 'Shivling' was found by the
court-commissioned team in the mosque premises after which the local court
asked the Uttar Pradesh government to "immediately" seal places and
prohibit people entering in the restricted area.
The
local court in Varanasi has also directed District Magistrate, Police
Commissioner, and CRPF Commandment in the city to ensure the protection of the
sealed place where Shivling has been reportedly found.
Meanwhile,
the Supreme Court will, on Tuesday, hear a plea filed by the management of
Gyanvapi mosque against the survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex in
Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
As
per the updated list of business of the apex court for Tuesday, a bench of
Justices D Y Chandrachud and P S Narasimha would be hearing the plea of the
Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, which manages the affairs of
Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.
Also
Read: Gyanvapi Mosque case: Supreme Court to hear petition against survey as
AIMPLB calls Shivling claim unfair
On
Thursday (12 May) a local court in Varanasi said that the videography survey of
the Gyanvapi mosque will continue and has to be completed by 17 May following
the order, a court-mandated videography survey the Masjid complex started on
Saturday (14 May).
The
survey of the mosque complex on Monday started at 8 am and concluded around
10:15 am. "After working for over two hours, the court commission
concluded its work on Monday at around 10.15 am. All parties were satisfied
with the work," Varanasi District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma told mediapersons.
Gyanvapi
mosque is located close to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple in the temple
town, Varanasi. The local court is hearing a plea by five Hindu women asking
for year-long access to pray at a Hindu shrine behind the western wall of the
Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi.
Source:
Firstpost
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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AIMPLB
condemns sealing of ‘wuzu khana’ of Gyanvapi masjid
17th
May 2022
Lucknow:
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has reacted sharply and
condemned the survey of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi masjid and sealing of ‘wuzu khana’
(ablution area).
The
board termed the survey, its report and sealing of ‘wuzu khana’ as gross
injustice to Muslims.
In
a statement issued late on Monday evening, the AIMPLB said the current
situation created about the Gyanvapi mosque was completely unacceptable to
Muslims and Gyanvapi “was a mosque and will continue to remain a mosque till
the end”.
AIMPLB
General Secretary, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani said, “Gyanvapi is a mosque
and will remain a mosque. The attempt to transform it into a temple is nothing
more than a conspiracy to spread hate by communal forces.”
However,
Rais Ahmad Ansari, an advocate of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee that
manages the Gyanvapi mosque, has called petitioners’ claim about a “Shivling”
being found at the mosque “misleading”.
“There’s
only a fountain in the mosque’s wuzu khana,” Ansari said.
His
statement came after a court in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi ordered the sealing of
the spot where “Shivling” was reportedly found and Hindu petitioners claimed
that a ‘Shivling’ had been found in the survey.
The
court order was based on a petition that was filed by an advocate that there
was some concrete evidence that needed to be protected.
The
Supreme Court bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud will hear this case on
Tuesday.
An
appeal that has been filed by the Masjid Committee against the Allahabad High
Court’s order allowing the court-appointed Commissioner to the Inspector,
conduct a survey and videography of the Gyanvapi mosque.
The
Gyanvapi mosque is adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
At
present, the Varanasi court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India to
probe the structure of the Gyanvapi masjid.
On
April 18, 2021, five Delhi-based women — Rakhi Singh, Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahu,
among others moved the court with their plea where they sought permission for
daily prayers before the idols of Hindu deities on the outer walls of the
masjid.
The
petitioners also sought to stop their opponents from causing any damage to the
idols.
Source:
Siasat Daily
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/aimplb-condemns-sealing-of-wuzu-khana-of-gyanvapi-masjid-2328649/
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Fault
lines widening amongst Indian Muslim religious leaders
May
16 2022
By
Asad Mirza
New
Delhi, May 16 (IANS): Recent outreach activities by Muslim leaders across India
relays very disturbing and hopeless signs, instead of formulating a strategy to
unify the Indian Muslims, these leaders are hell bent on further dividing them
in various denominations and groupings.
As
per the reports based on first-person accounts and news circulating on various
social media platforms, the Indian Muslims across the country are worried about
their and their future generation's future in the country. The community as a
whole is living under a siege mentality and is unable to fathom how to proceed
further. One positive fallout of this stress is that now the common Indian
Muslim is ready to come out on the streets and demands his rights and stand
against the forceful establishment, in absence of any leadership.
This
change amongst the common Indian Muslims started in 2019 after the finalisation
of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The protests, which started from
Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, soon spread to many other cities. A novel feature of most
of these protests was that Muslim women were at the forefront of these
demonstrations.
More
recently, after the bulldozer politics started in certain Indian states, Muslims
in many cities came out once again against the establishment and stood in
solidarity with one another.
However,
one incongruous fact, which has emerged from these developments, is the absence
of any Muslim leader, with an all-India appeal, leading these movements or even
coming out in support of these people movements. This once again proves the
point that after 1947 the Indian Muslims have been betrayed by their own
leaders -- both religious and political.
The
fact remains that the so-called religious leaders are busy in amassing wealth
in the name of the religion and expanding their personal empires. In addition,
the social and political leaders pay lip-service to the Muslims' sentiments and
just appear at the right moment to get their mug shots for the photos and
videos, making sentimental not practical statements, whilst engaged in serving
their political masters and enjoying their political and financial patronage.
However,
a rather more worrying is the fact that recently some Muslim leaders have come
out to speak against the establishment and its anti-Muslim policies, but in
fact their main aim is not to vilify the establishment, but to vilify their
religious opponents and divide the community on fissiparous tendencies.
Last
week, one such conference was held in Hyderabad, Telangana. The main organisers
and speakers at the conference looked more intent on creating divisions within
the community, instead of offering any cohesive, forward looking and practical
plan to counter the anti-Muslim narratives and operations.
The
reports say that most of the speakers at the conference were intent on blaming
different international organisations like the Muslim Brotherhood, Ikhwan, Al
Qaeda and ISIS for the current plight of Indian Muslims, which sounds so incongruous!
I
fail to comprehend how these scholarly figures were able to draw any parallel
between the international organisations and Indian Muslims. Even to make any
connection of the Indian Muslims with these organisations is to make them more
unsafe and open to a whole lot of criticism, added to the fact that Indian
Muslims might be sympathetic to these organisations but they have never been
and nor will be associated with these organisations, and so far no
evidence-based study has been able to link the two. So in affect these leaders
in the name of serving the Muslim cause were making them vulnerable to more
attacks.
One
of the leaders even went to the extent of urging the Indian Muslims to connect
with the rulers and the governments, as per the proper methodology of Islam and
to advise them, instead of uprisings and protests to dethrone them and occupy
their seats. I hope the incongruity of this statement will not be lost to the
readers.
Another
speaker spoke about the qualities and patterns of Khawariji terrorists, while
exposing the double standards of Islamist preachers like Yusuf Qardawi, Hasan
Al Banna, Syed Qutub and Abul-Ala Maududi. This too has no resonance in India,
so far.
Now
coming to another of these so-called 'Muslim' conferences, which took place in
Mumbai on 12 May and was addressed by about 35 Muslim religious, social and
political leaders. At the end of the day long conference they issued a
statement, one point of which read: "The meeting of the Muslim Community
leadership appreciates the courage of local Muslim leaders for resisting the
evil designs of Fascist forces and thwarting their plans of creating large
scale violence against Muslims. It is observed that Muslims organising
themselves to defend their lives and properties is a positive sign. The meeting
calls upon Muslim leadership to organise at local levels and continuously
review the situation at your respective cities. An organised approach towards
such planned attacks on Muslims will be the best possible way to thwart the plans
of the Fascist forces in a situation where unfortunately the state declines to
do its duty of protecting the Minorities."
The
third one of these conferences is to be held in New Delhi on 21 May, organised
by a consultative Muslim body and supported by a religious and socio-cultural
organisation - which till a decade ago banned its members from participating in
the democratic and parliamentary process of India and a fledgling political
party and a religious denomination. And yet another one is scheduled to be held
in New Delhi on 29 May under the banner of Muslims intellectuals (sic).
Coming
back to the statement issued after the Mumbai conference, one can take heart
from the sentiments expressed by the community's leaders who have recognised
the efforts by the common Indian Muslims to come out against the tyrannical
rulers and urged them to organise themselves. But in reality these common
Muslims have been made and in future too will be made the sacrificial scapegoat
again, whilst these so-called leaders remain ensconced in their luxurious homes
with no threat either financial or physical looming over their heads.
I
have written and spoken many times in the past that the Indian Muslims have to
adopt not a reactive but a proactive strategy to counter any campaigns against
them. To construct and manage such an apparatus, which keeps an eye on the
planning of aggressors and plan a counter strategy, you have to be equipped
with monitoring, research and media teams, within the constitutional framework
of the country, to counter the opposition's efforts.
But
alas none of our leaders is ready to adopt such an approach and the biggest
irony is that even if the Indian Muslims agree to adopt such a strategy, then
it will have to be led by the so-called religious leaders eschewing their
religious denominational differences and act and behave as One monolith
religion, as others view you, not as being Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e Hadith etc.
Source: Daiji World
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=958973
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MP:
Tensions in Neemuch city after idol found placed near mosque; police say
situation under control
by
Iram Siddique | Bhopal |
May
17, 2022
There
were reports of tension in Neemuch city, in the district of the same name in
Madhya Pradesh, on Monday after an idol of Lord Hanuman was found placed near a
dargah in the city, police said late Monday.
Later
in the evening, police fired tear gas shells to disperse a crowd that threw
stones after “some equipment” were set on fire inside a mosque in the locality,
police said.
According
to police, stone-pelting went on for nearly half-an-hour before the situation was
brought under complete control.
Neemuch’s
Superitendent of Police, Suraj Kumar, said the police were informed about the
idol being placed near the dargah late afternoon, and district administration
and police officials reached the site soon. In an effort to stop the situation
from escalating, members of the minority community were asked to sit in the
control room and raise their complaints, instead of assembling at the site,
officers said.
Even
as the situation was controlled in the afternoon, fire was spotted from inside
a mosque which lies approximately 200 metres from the dargah. “Some equipments,
like a cooler kept in the mosque, were set on fire,” a Neemuch district police
officer said. Fire engines were rushed in and the blaze was brought under control.
But
a crowd assembled again around 9 pm and stone-pelting began soon after, an
officer said.
Source:
Indian Express
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Karnataka:
Hindu Groups Claim Hanuman Temple Existed at Mandya Mosque, Seek Permission to
Pray
MAY
16, 2022
Amid
the raging Varanasi Gyanvapi Mosque controversy, some Hindu groups in Karnataka
have now sought permission to pray at the Jamia Masjid in Srirangapatna
claiming that a Hanuman temple existed there before the mosque was built.
The
Hindu outfits – Narendra Modi Vichar Manch and Sri Ram Sene among others – have
also asked the Karnataka government to stop the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) site from being used as a prayer hall by Muslims. Further, they have
submitted a petition before the Mandya deputy commissioner, seeking permission
to offer pooja at the mosque.
The
groups claimed that letters by Tipu Sultan to rulers in Persia hinted at the
existence of a Hanuman temple before the mosque was built.
“They
have built the mosque over Hanuman temple. Hindu organisations in Mandya have
submitted a memorandum. But I say, even before performing pooja, the madrassa
at the site must be thrown out and microphone etc. must be removed,” said Sri
Ram Sene founder Pramod Muthalik.
Source:
News18
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
A
local court to hear plea for survey of Mathura mosque ‘on the lines of
Gyanvapi’
by
Manish Sahu | Lucknow |
May
17, 2022
WHILE
ALL eyes are on the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque complex in
Varanasi, a similar petition seeking videography of the Shahi Idgah Masjid
adjacent to Krishnajanmabhoomi was recently moved in a local Mathura court.
The
application seeks an advocate commissioner for assessment of the site “on the
lines of (the) Gyanvapi mosque”, to determine “existence of Hindu artefacts and
ancient religious inscriptions on the mosque premises”.
The
application was filed in the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division), Mathura, a
day after the Allahabad High Court directed it to dispose of all cases related
to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute within four months.
On
May 12, while disposing of a petition filed by Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman
And Another, the High Court said: “The Civil Judge (Senior Division), Mathura,
is directed to decide the aforesaid applications expeditiously, preferably
within a period of four months from the date a certified copy of this order is
produced before him, and after giving an opportunity of hearing to the affected
parties….”
The
High Court also stated in its order: “It is clarified that the court has not expressed
any opinion either regarding the maintainability of the case or the merits of
claim made by the petitioner.”
The
next day, May 13, an application was moved in the court of Civil Judge (Senior
Division), Mathura, seeking appointment of an advocate commissioner to carry
out inspection of the Shahi Idgah Masjid.
Petitioner
Manish Yadav, who had earlier filed an application in the High Court for early
disposal of petitions connected with the disputed Mathura site, told The Indian
Express: “I requested the Mathura court to appoint a senior advocate, an
advocate commissioner, and get a video survey done of Shahi Idgah immediately,
because there are still remains of Hindu religion inside the mosque. These are
important facts, and the Opposition can remove or delete them. The court is
likely to take up my application on July 1.”
National
president of an outfit called the Narayani Sena, Yadav said he had moved the
high court as petitions were pending, including ones seeking a survey of the
site by the Archeological Survey of India and a direction to stop any
construction at the site.
Earlier,
an advocate named Mahendra Pratap Singh had filed an application in the same
civil court seeking that a commission be appointed to survey the mosque.
Advocate
Tanveer Khan, who is representing the Shahi Idgah Masjid, said they were
waiting for the July 1 hearing of the four petitions pending in connection with
the disputed site.
Meanwhile,
the District Judge Court, Mathura, is likely to soon pronounce its judgment on
the maintainability of a civil suit seeking removal of the mosque, claiming it
was built on Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The suit was
filed two years ago by the ‘Deity and the Janmasthan (birthplace)’ and ‘next
friend’ Ranjana Agnihotri, a Lucknow resident, and others.
The
petitioners have also sought cancellation of a compromise decree between the
governing body of the temple complex and the management trust of the mosque in
1968. The petitioners claim that the agreement between the Shree Krishna
Janmasthan Seva Sangh, Mathura, and the mosque trust was “illegal and void ab
initio (not legally binding)” as the land was vested in another trust, Shree
Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust, and the Seva Sangh was not authorised to act on its
behalf.
Source:
Indian Express
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Allahabad
HC adjourns Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi mosque case hearing till May 20
May
16, 2022
PRAYAGRAJ:
The Allahabad high court on Monday adjourned the hearing of Varanasi’s Kashi
Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque case till May 20.
As
the hearing resumed on Monday, the counsel representing the parties put their
submissions before the court.
Hearing
a petition filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masajid of Varanasi and other connected
matters, Justice Prakash Padia, while adjourning the hearing of the case till
May 20 observed, “Heard counsel for the parties at length. Due to paucity of
time, the arguments could not be concluded. Put up this matter in the
additional cause list on May 20 at 12 noon.”
Earlier
on April 28, the counsel appearing on behalf of the temple had argued that the
property in dispute was not a waqf property and the provisions of the Waqf Act
were not applicable here.
The
original suit was filed in 1991 in Varanasi district court, seeking restoration
of the ancient temple at the site where the Gyanvapi mosque currently stands.
The plea has been taken in the suit that the said mosque is a part of the
temple.
At
one stage, the civil judge (senior division), fast track court (FTC) of
Varanasi, had on April 8, 2021 directed the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) to conduct a survey of KV Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque complex to find out
whether a temple was demolished to build the mosque that stands there adjacent
to the KV Temple.
Subsequently,
the high court, in the present case, had on September 9, 2021, stayed the
Varanasi court’s order dated April 8, 2021, that directed the ASI to ‘conduct a
comprehensive physical survey’ of the KVT-Gyanvapi Mosque complex and further
proceedings of this case.
Source:
Times Of India
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25
Muslim League workers get life imprisonment for siblings’ murder
17th
May 2022
PALAKKAD: The Palakkad Additional District and Sessions
Fast Track Court on Monday sentenced 25
Muslim League members of Kallankuzhi to life imprisonment for killing
two brothers belonging to the AP Sunni faction in 2013.
They
were directed to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 each to the family of the deceased by
Judge T H Rajitha.
There
are 27 accused in the case. Fourth accused Cheenan Hamzappa died during the
trial, while a case is also pending in the Juvenile Court against one of the
accused who was a minor at the time of the crime.
The
court declared all accused persons guilty on May 11.
Brothers
Kunhi Hamza, 48, and Noorudheen, 42, of Pallath house were killed by the
accused on November 20, 2013. The duo’s
eldest brother Kunhu Mohammed, 66, was seriously injured in the incident and
later became one of the main witnesses in the case.
The
rift between the duo and the accused people over the collection and utilisation
of funds in the Juma Masjid in Kallankuzhi is said to be the motive behind the
murder. Special Prosecutor T C Krishnan Narayanan appeared for the Prosecution.
Source:
New Indian Express
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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"Unwarranted
Comments": India To Islamic Nations' Group On Kashmir
May
16, 2022
New
Delhi: India On Monday hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
for its "unwarranted" comments on the delimitation exercise in Jammu
and Kashmir.
"We
are dismayed that the OIC secretariat has once again made unwarranted comments
on the internal affairs of India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson
Arindam Bagchi said.
"As
in the past, the Government of India categorically rejects the assertions made
by the OIC secretariat on the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which is an
integral and inalienable part of India," he said.
The
delimitation commission, tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assembly
constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, notified its final report earlier this
month.
"The
OIC should refrain from carrying out its communal agenda vis-a-vis India at the
behest of one country," the Ministry spokesperson said in an oblique
reference to Pakistan.
The
completion of the delimitation exercise paves the way for holding assembly
elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The former state is without an elected
government since June 2018.
In
a statement earlier, the general secretariat of the OIC said it "expresses
deep concern over India's attempts to redraw the electoral boundaries" of
Jammu and Kashmir, alleging it is a violation of the rights of the Kashmiri
people.
Source:
ND TV
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--------
Southeast
Asia
PAS
veep says Muafakat Nasional’s Muslim unity agenda with Umno bigger than
political survival
17
May 2022
BY
BEN TAN
KUALA
LUMPUR, May 17 ― PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said that
the Malay-Muslim unity agenda is the reason the Islamist party will continue to
defend its relationship with Umno through the Muafakat Nasional (MN) pact.
Malay
daily Berita Harian reported Ahmad Samsuri as saying that the Muslim unity
agenda, which is the mainstay of MN, is bigger than the 'survival' or
continuity of any particular political party.
“We
will continue to work on discussions with Umno to ensure that the cooperation
between the two parties remains intact, even though some leaders describing MN
as being “buried”.
“We
see a big agenda and not just a party agenda (or) party politics,” he told
reporters when met at the Rhu Rendang state assembly Hari Raya celebration at
the Marang district office square in Terengganu yesterday.
He
was commenting on the fate of the MN pact and its ties with Umno that has been
described as strained after PAS joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)
to form the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition that locked horns with Barisan
Nasional (BN) in the recent Melaka and Johor state elections.
Umno
is the lynchpin party of BN that won landslide victories in the two recent
state elections.
Ahmad
Samsuri, who is also the Terengganu Mentri Besar, also echoed PAS president Tan
Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s assertion that the party must always strive to ensure
both MN and PN can continue and be one of the alternatives in the country
compared to the Opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
He
said this was despite certain quarters condemning PAS and felt that the party’s
cooperation in MN with Umno is over.
“For
PAS we see a bigger agenda for the ummah (Malay-Muslims).
“Which
is bigger, the ummah or the survival of a particular political party alone? We
(PAS) have not given up on defending MN because for us the pact is unlike what
some political party leaders have described,” he explained to the Malay daily.
Ahmad
Samsuri added that PAS cannot afford to be upset if the other party does not
want to commit.
“This
is not a matter of getting engaged, nor is it a matter of marriage or looking
for a suitable spouse.
“On
the contrary, this is a matter of the ummah. The importance of the Muslim’s
bigger agenda is greater than anything else,” he said.
When
asked if PAS was disappointed with the many criticisms made against the party,
Ahmad Samsuri said the party was not discouraged and will continue the
struggle.
He
said God willing, may what has been done be blessed by Allah SWT.
The
MN pact’s charter was signed between Umno and PAS in September 2019, following
the defeat of BN at the 14th general election the year before.
MN
was formed to initially contest against Bersatu who were the predominant Malay
party that was previously with the PH government, before the Sheraton Move in
2020.
The
political manoeuvring, led by Bersatu president and former prime minister Tan
Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, resulted in the party defecting from PH to form and lead
the then ruling PN coalition with PAS and Umno.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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--------
Dr
M threatens to sue Zahid over ‘Kutty’ remarks
May
17, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has threatened to sue Umno
president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over a statement Zahid made in 2017 questioning
Mahathir’s lineage.
“I
do not like to take people to court despite many having slandered me in the
past because I know this is normal in politics,” he said in a blog posting
today.
“This
time, however, I feel the need to act.
“Zahid’s
lies are nauseating. Not only do they hurt my reputation, it is dangerous to
allow him to continue lying to Umno supporters and the Malays just so he can
remain in power.”
In
July 2017, Zahid said he was informed by the National Registration Department
that Mahathir’s original name was “Mahathir a/l Iskandar Kutty”.
Although
Zahid did not specifically name Mahathir, he referenced the former prime
minister’s catchphrase as well as his 22 years in power.
He
then accused Mahathir of only championing Malays in order to use the community
to achieve his personal goals.
Mahathir
acknowledged his Indian ancestry, adding that he had gone so far as to include
it in his book.
He
insisted, however, that he is Malay and that both his birth certificate and
identity card named him as Mahathir bin Mohamad.
“I
waited (to see) what proof Zahid wanted to show the people (that my name is
Mahathir a/l Iskandar Kutty) but up till the end of the previous general
election, there was nothing.
“According
to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution, I am Malay and my struggle has been
for my people. My parents were born in Tanah Melayu before Merdeka and we are
all Muslims.
“When
I was a child, we spoke Malay at home and we have always practised Malay
customs.”
On
his blog post, Mahathir also called Zahid a “compulsive liar”, saying that the
Umno president’s recent lawsuit against him was nothing more than an attempt to
hide his lies.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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Arab
World
YPG/PKK
terror group keeps recruiting, using children in Syria
Ömer
Koparan, Mehmet Burak Karacaoğlu
16.05.2022
AZAZ,
Syria
After
suffering heavy losses amid Turkish military operations in northern Iraq and
Syria, the YPG/PKK terror group is forcing minors to serve in combat zones, in
a flagrant violation of both the laws of war and human rights agreements.
The
terror group declared mobilization in response to the military campaigns of the
Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq, and it uses its proxies in Syria to
recruit children.
Recently,
a post on a website linked to the YPG/PKK showed a group of over 10 children
reading out a notice.
The
terror group's practice of abducting children and pushing them into combat
zones is nothing new, as seen in the US State Department’s 2020 Trafficking in
Persons Report.
According
to the report, the YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, forcibly recruited
girls as young as 12 from refugee camps located in northwestern Syria.
Moreover,
a January 2020 UN human rights office (OHCHR) report said its findings suggest
the YPG/PKK is using children as fighters in Syria.
Virginia
Gamba, the UN’s point person on ending the use of child fighters, as the
secretary-general’s special representative for children and armed conflict,
signed an action plan with the SDF – the label the YPG/PKK uses in Syria – to
end and prevent the recruitment and use of minors under 18.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Hezbollah
MP threatens rivals before election results
16
May ,2022
A
lawmaker from the Iran-backed Hezbollah group on Monday warned rivals against
becoming “shields for the Israelis,” as Lebanon awaits election results likely
to weaken the Shia group’s bloc.
“We
accept you as opponents in parliament, but we will not accept you as shields
for the Israelis,” said Mohammed Raad, according to Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV
channel.
In
mid-2006, a 34-day war pitted Israel -- whose troops had withdrawn from
southern Lebanon in 2000 -- against Hezbollah.
Raad
headed the outgoing parliamentary bloc led by Hezbollah and was re-elected
Sunday in the first polls since the country’s economy was dragged to the brink
of collapse and a mass anti-government protest movement sparked hope for change
in 2019.
His
comment raised fears of unrest as the country awaits results Tuesday, which
will show whether Hezbollah and its allies can keep an actionable majority in
parliament.
“Don’t
become the fuel for civil war,” Raad told opponents.
Lebanon
suffered a 15-year-old civil war that ended in 1990 with most belligerents
turning into political parties that have ruled the country for the past 30
years.
Independents
from the country’s nascent protest movement and members of Hezbollah’s
arch-rival, the Lebanese Forces (LF), are expected to make major gains in
Sunday’s polls.
Samir
Geagea’s LF, which has strong ties with Saudi Arabia, should emerge as the
largest Christian party, at the expense of President Michel Aoun’s Free
Patriotic Movement (FPM), which is allied with Hezbollah.
Hezbollah,
considered a “terrorist” organization by many Western and Gulf countries, has
so far retained all its seats.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Driven
out of their homes by PKK, Ezidis decry silence of int'l community
Zehra
Nur Düz
16.05.2022
DUHOK,
Iraq
Ezidi
community who could not return to their homes due to the PKK presence in northern
Iraq's Sinjar region have been struggling to survive in the camps in Duhok, a
city in Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) area.
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency, Ezidis from Sinjar decried the indifference of the
international community to the difficulties they have faced so far due to the
oppression by the PKK terror group.
Ezidis,
who had to flee their homes after the Daesh/ISIS terror group carried out an
attack on the Sinjar district of Mosul in 2014, have been living in camps under
harsh conditions for eight years.
After
being driven out of their homes by the PKK, a vast majority of the community
dwells in tents, despite unfavorable weather conditions in the summer and
winter.
Ezidis
await the implementation of the 2020 Sinjar Agreement, with one of the main
objectives being the elimination of PKK terrorists in the region.
In
October 2020, the Iraqi federal government and KRG in northern Iraq signed an
agreement to preserve security in Sinjar by the Iraqi federal security forces
in coordination with the KRG Peshmerga forces.
Ezidis
called on international institutions to help them end their nomadic life and
create suitable conditions for them to return to their hometowns.
Emin
Bahri Ibrahim, who took refuge in the Sharya Refugee Camp in Duhok, said he had
to leave his home in Sinjar twice over the past seven years.
“We
have been calling out to the world since 2014, but no one hears our voices. We
expect conditions to improve in Sinjar and for illegal groups (PKK) to leave
our city. That's how we can go back," Ibrahim told Anadolu Agency.
"The
superpowers in the world and human rights organizations are not interested in
our problems. Ezidis have been exposed to persecution, but the international
community and the Iraqi government did not take care of us," said Faisal
Osman Resho, another Ezidi from Sinjar.
Resho
accused the UN, human rights organizations, the Iraqi government, and other
institutions of remaining indifferent to the problems of Ezidis, saying: “Our
situation couldn't be worse than this.”
He
called on the Iraqi parliament to hold a special session on the situation of
Ezidis and find an immediate solution to their problems.
How
did terrorist PKK gain a foothold in Sinjar?
Daesh/ISIS
terrorists attacked Sinjar, a region with an Ezidi-majority population, in
August 2014.
The
terror group kidnapped and killed thousands of people, including women and
children, or detained them in areas under its control.
The
PKK terrorist organization managed to establish a foothold in Sinjar in 2014
under the pretext of protecting the Ezidi community from Daesh/ISIS terrorists.
Sinjar
has a strategic position as it is some 120 kilometers (74 miles) from Mosul and
close to the Turkish-Syrian border.
The
terror group aims to create a corridor between the YPG/PKK terrorists in
northern Syria and Iraq’s northern Qandil region.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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UN
chief issues call for ‘inclusive government’ after Lebanon vote
17
May ,2022
UN
Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Lebanon to form an “inclusive
government” to tackle the country's economic crisis, after elections held over
the weekend, his office said Monday.
Guterres
“looks forward to the swift formation of an inclusive government that can
finalize the agreement with the International Monetary Fund and accelerate the
implementation of reforms necessary to set Lebanon on the path to recovery,”
his office said in a statement.
The
UN chief also called on the country's new parliament “to urgently adopt all
legislation necessary to stabilize the economy and improve governance.”
He
stressed the need for Lebanon’s “political leaders to work jointly with the
best interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese people in mind.”
Lebanon's
largest parliamentary bloc, led by the Iran-backed Hezbollah armed movement,
appeared to have suffered a setback against the opposition and independents,
according to partial results released on Monday.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Iraq’s
Kurdish Regional Government arrests members of PKK-linked group
17.05.2022
ERBIL,
Iraq
The
Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq announced Monday that its security
units had arrested members of a group affiliated with the PKK terrorist
organization ahead of a planned attack.
According
to the anti-terror units of the KRG, the terrorists were planning to carry out
rocket attacks on Peshmerga forces, public areas, state buildings and dams.
The
Security Council of the KRG announced on April 26 that a “dangerous plot” aimed
at the region was neutralized and that security forces had confiscated a large
number of explosives.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Syrian
prisoner released in return for money despite Assad regime's ‘amnesty’
Ömer
Koparan, Ethem Emre Özcan
17.05.2022
DEIR-EZ-ZOR/AZAZ,
Syria
A
man imprisoned in Syria who was subjected to torture for three years says the
Assad regime uses a "detainee file" as a tool for extorting money.
Mohammed
Shilash, who is from the town of Sor in Deir Ez-Zor province, decided to leave
the country to work in Lebanon in 2019 after his financial situation
deteriorated due to the war.
Planning
to cross into Lebanon without being caught by regime forces, Mohammed and his
friends made a deal with a human smuggler.
But
his dream of leaving for Lebanon came to nothing with his arrest by regime
forces at the meeting point with the human trafficker in the capital, Damascus.
After
footage of the “Tadamon Massacre” carried out by Assad regime forces surfaced
in April this year, the regime legislated a “repentance law.”
Syria's
military intelligence service conducted the massacre in the Tadamon
neighborhood of Damascus in April 2013, and Palestinians were among the 41
victims. Members of Branch 227 forced civilians to run toward a mass grave
while shooting at them. Those murdered in the massacre were apparently Syrian
loyalists who were killed in order to threaten local residents against joining
insurrectionists.
The
Assad regime, which keep at least 132,000 Syrians in prisons, released only 476
people in line with the new law, according to the Syrian Network for Human
Rights (SNHR), which documents human rights abuses in Syria.
'I
was accused of being Iraqi'
Having
obtained his freedom by giving a bribe despite the amnesty, Mohammed said they
were held in a regime prison for three years without any charges.
"We
thought we would be free in two days…Our eyes were blindfolded. They put us in
single cells. We were in fear. At that moment, we realized that we had fallen
into the hands of al-Muhabarat," or General Intelligence Directorate, he
said, speaking to Anadolu Agency.
He
said he carried the identity card of one of his younger relatives with him to
avoid being forcibly recruited into the ranks of the regime forces in case of
capture.
During
the questioning, Mohammed said he told everything out of fear and confessed
that the identity card did not belong to him.
"The
identity issue made things worse. They accused me of being Iraqi. After that,
the torture began. As a result of the torture, I confessed everything they
wanted. I was subjected to beatings and torture for about one and a half
months. I was subjected to humiliation and unspeakable curses," he said.
'Persecution
usually took place after midnight'
Transferred
to a prison in Damascus about one and a half months after his first detention,
Mohammed said: "I was taken to a three-meter (9.84-foot) wide ward in the
prison. There were many people in the tiny ward. There was no place to sit. Two
days later, we were transferred to single cells," he added.
"We
had no rights. They tortured without question. We were hanging from the ceiling
by our arms. This was the worst of the torture.
"While
we were in this state, they would pour water on us and hit us. The persecution
usually took place after midnight."
He
noted that the torture continued for months, saying: "We couldn't go to
the toilet. We had to relieve ourselves where we were held."
"We
would be left hungry. They would give three olives and a piece of bread. They
only gave cheese once a week and they would dirty it too.”
'They
wouldn't remove the corpses until they rotted'
Mohammed
noted that people are constantly getting sick in prison due to bad conditions
and that adequate health services are not provided.
“Dozens
of people died from torture, disease and filth,” he said.
"They
wouldn't remove the corpses until they rotted. They used to eliminate most of
the corpses by burning. When I witnessed all this, I thought I would suffer the
same fate as them. I never thought I would be free," he added.
Comparing
the prison to a "slaughterhouse," he noted that massacres took place
in regime dungeons.
Saying
he could never get in touch with his family, Mohammed said his family got him
transferred to Adra Central Prison in Damascus by paying a lot of money.
"I
was held there for about six months. Adra Central Prison was better than
Sednaya. It was as if I had escaped from hell," he said.
Mohammed
said the so-called amnesty law announced by the Assad regime about two weeks
ago is a game.
"Lastly,
an amnesty was issued, but despite this, my family paid millions of Syrian
liras for my release."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Iraq
balks at greater Chinese control of its oilfields
17
May ,2022
Iraq’s
oil ministry thwarted three prospective deals last year that would have handed
Chinese firms more control over its oilfields and led to an exodus of
international oil majors that Baghdad wants to invest in its creaking economy.
Since
the start of 2021, plans by Russia’s Lukoil and US oil major Exxon Mobil to
sell stakes in major fields to Chinese state-backed firms have hit the buffers
after interventions from Iraq’s oil ministry, according to Iraqi oil officials
and industry executives.
Selling
a stake to a state-run Chinese company was also one of several options being
considered by Britain’s BP, but officials persuaded it to stay in Iraq for now,
people familiar with the matter said.
China
is Iraq’s top investor and Baghdad was the biggest beneficiary last year of
Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative, receiving $10.5 billion in financing for
infrastructure projects including a power plant and an airport.
But
when it comes to further Chinese investment in major oilfields, Baghdad has
drawn a line in the sand.
Iraq’s
government and officials at state-run firms are concerned that further
consolidation of fields in the hands of Chinese companies could accelerate an
exodus of Western oil companies, a total of seven Iraqi oil officials and
executives with companies operating in Iraq told Reuters in interviews.
Supported
by state-run oil company officials, Iraq’s Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar
dissuaded Lukoil last year from selling a stake in one of the country’s largest
fields, West Qurna 2, to Chinese state firm Sinopec, three people familiar with
the matter said.
Iraqi
officials also intervened last year to stop Chinese state-backed firms buying
Exxon’s stake in West Qurna 1 and to persuade BP to stay in Iraq rather than
offloading its interest in the giant Rumaila oilfield to a Chinese company,
people familiar with the matter said.
Combined,
Rumaila and West Qurna produce about half of the crude coming out of Iraq,
which sits on the fifth-largest oil reserves in the world.
Iraq’s
oil ministry did not respond to requests for comment about the deals or the
minister’s role in any interventions.
The
government worried that China’s dominance could make Iraq less attractive for
investment from elsewhere, two government officials said.
China’s
strengthening relationship with Iran has helped its position in Iraq due to
Tehran’s political and military influence there, but the oil ministry is wary
of ceding more control over the country’s key resources, some officials said.
“We
don’t want the Iraqi energy sector to be labelled as a China-led energy sector
and this attitude is agreed by government and the oil ministry,” another Iraqi
official said.
Risky
strategy
The
interventions over BP, Exxon and Lukoil’s positions in Iraq come after British
oil major Shell decided in 2018 to withdraw from Iraq’s vast Majnoon oilfield.
The
interventions also mark a shift in stance after Chinese companies won most
energy deals and contracts awarded over the past four years. Iraqi oil
officials said Chinese firms have accepted lower profit margins than most
rivals.
“All
the rules regarding tenders were formulated jointly by the Chinese and Iraqi
sides and were conducted under transparent and fair principles,” said
state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in an emailed
statement.
Pushing
back against further Chinese investment is a risky strategy, though, as there’s
no guarantee others will step up and the government needs billions of dollars
to rebuild the economy after the ISIS insurgency was defeated in 2017.
Over
the past decade, oil revenue accounted for 99 percent of Iraq’s exports, 85
percent of the country’s budget and 42 percent of its gross domestic product,
according to the World Bank.
While
oil majors jostled to get access to Iraq’s vast oilfields after the US-led
invasion in 2003, they are increasingly focused on the energy transition and
more profitable plays elsewhere. They also want better terms to develop fields,
oil executives said.
China
is among the biggest buyers of Iraq’s crude and Chinese state firms have built
up a dominant position in its oil industry.
But
when Lukoil notified the government last summer that it was considering selling
some of its stake in West Qurna 2 to Sinopec, the oil minister intervened,
people familiar with the matter said.
It
has not previously been reported that Sinopec was the potential buyer of
Lukoil’s stake. The Chinese company did not respond to a request for comment.
To
encourage Lukoil to stay, Iraq offered a sweetener, a person with direct
knowledge said.
A
few months after Lukoil signalled it was considering a sale, Baghdad finally
approved its plan to develop a field known as Block 10, where the Russian
company had discovered an oil reservoir in 2017. Afterwards, Lukoil dropped the
idea of selling its stake in West Qurna 2, the source said.
Lukoil
did not respond to a request for comment.
BP
and Exxon
Over
the past few years BP has also spoken to the government about its options -
including leaving Iraq altogether - before settling on spinning off its stake
in Rumaila into a standalone company last year, two people familiar with the
matter said.
Oil
minister Abdul Jabbar led efforts to convince BP not to leave as the government
was concerned its partner in the field, China National Petroleum Corporation
(CNPC), would buy BP’s stake, the people said. Baghdad was also keen to keep
such a high-profile international oil major in the country, they said.
BP
declined to comment.
When
Exxon flagged its intention to leave Iraq in January 2021, meanwhile, US
officials told Exxon they were unhappy with the prospect of the biggest US oil
major pulling out – for reasons that echoed Iraqi concerns.
State
department officials said Exxon’s departure could create a vacuum for Chinese
companies to fill, a person familiar with the conversations said.
US
officials then asked Exxon what it would take to stay in Iraq, the person said,
declining to give further details.
A
State Department spokesperson said: “We regularly engage with our Iraqi
counterparts on fostering an environment conducive to private sector
investment.”
Exxon
had signed an agreement for the sale of its interest in West Qurna 1 to CNOOC
and PetroChina, the listed arm of CNPC, people familiar with the matter said.
Neither
CNOOC nor CNPC responded to requests for comment about the deals.
Exxon’s
stake was valued at $350 million to $375 million, said people familiar with the
matter.
Iraq
has veto power over oilfield deals, however, and did not approve the
transaction.
Exxon
filed for arbitration with the International Chamber of Commerce against Basra
Oil Co., arguing that it had followed the terms of its contract for West Qurna
1 and had a good deal on the table, people familiar with the matter said.
The
oil ministry then took the unusual step of trying to broker a deal on Exxon’s
behalf. The ministry offered Exxon’s stake to other Western companies including
Chevron Corp.
No
one was interested. Rather than let the stake go to the Chinese companies,
Baghdad said the state-run Iraq National Oil Company (INOC) would take it
instead, though INOC is still in the process of being revived after being
defunct for many years.
“(Exxon)
will continue to work closely and constructively to reach an equitable
resolution,” said a spokeswoman.
Service
contracts
Iraq’s
oil industry is mostly based on technical service contracts between the
state-backed Basra Oil Co. and foreign companies that are repaid costs plus a
fee per barrel to develop fields, while Iraq retains ownership of the reserves.
Oil
majors typically prefer deals that allow a share in profits rather than a set
fee.
The
priority for Chinese firms, however, is achieving secure oil supplies to feed
China’s growing economy, rather than returns for investors, said a Chinese oil
executive with direct knowledge of CNPC’s global investments.
There
are some signs, however, that Iraq is attempting to make its terms more
appealing.
France’s
TotalEnergies signed a $27 billion deal in September that included payment of
40 percent of revenue from one field. The deal has stalled, however, due to
disputes over terms and it still needs approval from some Iraqi government
agencies, Reuters reported in February.
TotalEnergies
said it was fully committed to the project.
One
oil company executive said they were skeptical Iraq would introduce more
attractive terms. But unless they improve significantly, analysts say it is
hard to imagine Iraq will be able to stem the exodus as the energy transition
accelerates.
“Many
of the energy majors are looking at the carbon emissions, their ability to
generate cash flows if commodity prices are low, and they’re looking at
improving returns,” said Ian Thom, research director at consultancy Wood
Mackenzie.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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UAE
looking forward to strengthening ties with US under Sheikh Mohammed: Emirati FM
17
May ,2022
The
top US and Emirati diplomats met over dinner to look at ways of “expanding”
ties, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Monday.
Sheikh
Abdullah bin Zayed and Antony Blinken had a “business dinner,” where they
discussed bilateral ties and “explored avenues of expanding cooperation in various
fields.”
Blinken
was in the UAE as part of a high-ranking delegation dispatched by President Joe
Biden to offer condolences after the death of former UAE President Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed.
“The
two sides also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of
interest, including the latest developments in the Ukrainian crisis,” WAM
reported.
For
his part, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed said the UAE was looking forward to
strengthening ties with the US under the newly elected president, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed.
The
Emirati FM said the new president would look to “consolidate the pillars of
security and stability in the region to achieve development and prosperity for
its peoples.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Saudi
Crown Prince leaves for UAE to offer condolences on Sheikh Khalifa’s death
16
May ,2022
Saudi
Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman left for the UAE to offer condolences
on the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed upon the directive of King Salman bin
Abdulaziz, the royal court said on Monday.
Sheikh
Khalifa, the late president of the UAE, died on Friday at the age of 73. The
country’s ministry of presidential affairs announced a forty-day state of
mourning.
Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed, was elected president of the UAE on Saturday after the
Federal Supreme Council.
Sheikh
Mohammed received on Sunday a delegation of Saudi Princes who offered
condolences on the death of late Sheikh Khalifa.
The
delegation included: Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Mansour bin
Saud bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Prince Dr. Mansour
bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, Advisor to
the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Bandar bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz,
and Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Africa
Cameroon
football star Patrick Mboma converts to Islam, changes name to Abdul Jalil
16
May, 2022
Cameroon
football star Patrick Mboma has converted from Christianity to Islam and
changed his name to Abdul Jalil Mboma, according to local media reports.
Mboma
proclaimed his new faith to a packed Bonamoussadi mosque in Doula, Cameroon on
Friday, Muslim Voice reported.
The
two-time African Cup of Nations winner, aged 51, was an all-time top scorer for
Cameroon and was awarded the African Footballer of the Year award in 2000.
He
also led Cameroon to an Olympic gold medal in 2000, the nation's first.
He
played for Paris Saint-Germain and Italian clubs Cagliari and Parma, among
others.
Mboma
is one of many footballers to convert to Islam in recent years.
Source:
The New Arab
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/cameroon-football-star-patrick-mboma-converts-islam
--------
Hassan
Sheikh Mahmud Becomes the New President of Somalia
By
Saqalain Eqbal
16
May 2022
“Hassan
Sheik Mohamud is the winner of the election for the president of the Somali
Federal republic,” said the speaker of the lower house, Sheikh Adan Mohamed
Nur.
In
a long-awaited vote that began earlier on Sunday in the capital Mogadishu,
Somalia’s presidential election advanced to the third round on Sunday.
Only
four of the 36 candidates who competed in the first round advanced to the
second round as none of them receive enough votes to win outright.
Only
the current president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, and his predecessor, Hassan
Sheikh Mohamud, have advanced to the concluding third round of voting, which
will determine the country’s next leader by a simple majority.
In
the runoff, the newly elected president, Mohamud, overcame his opponent with
214 votes, while Mohamed received only 110 votes.
Members
of parliament and senators who chose Mohamud were chosen by clan chiefs’
delegates. The president was supposed to be elected by the Somali people
through universal suffrage, but the country’s political elite eventually
abandoned that plan.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/hassan-sheikh-mahmud-becomes-the-new-president-of-somalia87349/
--------
Parliament-backed
Libya PM Bashagha leaves capital after clashes
17
May ,2022
Libya’s
parliament-appointed prime minister Fathi Bashagha left the capital Tripoli on
Tuesday, his office said, hours after his attempt to enter the city led to
clashes between rival factions.
Clashes
erupted earlier on Tuesday as Bashagha arrived to try to take control of
government from a rival administration that has refused to cede power.
Reuters
journalists in Tripoli could hear the sound of gunfire and Al Hadath television
published video clips showing what it said was fighting downtown and in the
port.
The
violence followed Bashagha’s entry into the city overnight accompanied by an
armed faction. His office released a statement saying it would carry on its
duties from inside the capital.
Bashagha’s
appointment in March led to a standoff between two rival governments that both
claim legitimacy and are each backed by armed factions in Tripoli and western
Libya, raising fears that two years of comparative peace may soon end.
Libya
has had little security since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar
Gaddafi and it split in 2014 between rival eastern and western factions before
a 2020 truce that brought the country under a fragile unity government.
A
plan to hold an election in December collapsed amid arguments among major
factions and prominent candidates over the rules and the parliament, which had
sided with the east during the war, moved to appoint a new administration.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
At
least 43 dead in weekend attacks in Burkina Faso: Media
James
Tasamba
16.05.2022
KIGALI,
Rwanda
At
least 43 people were killed over the weekend in separate attacks attributed to
terrorists in Burkina Faso, local media reported Sunday.
The
first attack occurred between Salmossi and Markoye in the province of Oudalan
in the Sahel region, leaving six people dead, including five army auxiliaries
and one civilian, according to local media.
The
online news site Infowakat also reported that eight other volunteer militiamen
and a dozen civilians died in an attack in Guessel district in the same region.
The
insurgents looted several private properties and vandalized others before
fleeing, it said.
In
another attack, a convoy of civilians escorted by army auxiliaries was ambushed
by armed insurgents, leaving 15 civilians and two auxiliary militiamen dead in
the Tambarga area while they were heading to Namouyouri in Kompienga province
on the border with Benin, according to the media report.
Several
other civilians were injured.
Meanwhile,
additional attacks Saturday overnight by unidentified gunmen in the
Hauts-Bassins region of Houet province left two gendarmes wounded and a vehicle
burned, the local daily Lefaso reported.
The
attacks targeted gendarmerie and police in Faramana on the border with Mali.
This
was the second attack on the gendarmerie brigade of Faramana in the space of
two years, the last taking place in May 2020.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/at-least-43-dead-in-weekend-attacks-in-burkina-faso-media/2588955
--------
Clashes
break out as rival governments jostle for power in Libya's capital
Ali
Abo Rezeg and Walid Abdullah
17.05.2022
Clashes
erupted in Libya’s capital Tripoli on Tuesday between armed groups loyal to
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and rival leader Fathi Bashagha, who was
recently appointed as premier by the Tobruk-based parliament.
Bashagha
reached the capital overnight to take control of the government from Dbeibeh,
who has refused to hand over power.
However,
a security source told Anadolu Agency that Bashagha was forced to leave the
capital after fierce clashes were reported between the two sides.
Fighting
has been reported in the al-Mansoura and Souq al-Thulatha areas in central
Tripoli.
Khaled
al-Mishri, the head of Libya’s High Council of State, condemned the violence
and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
For
more than two months, there have been two governments in Libya: the national
unity government led by Dbeibeh and the one granted confidence in early March
by the Tobruk-based House of Representatives.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Mideast
Iran
Slams US for Instrumental Use of Human Rights
2022-May-16
Khatibzadeh
made the remarks on Sunday, addressing a gathering of Iranian nongovernmental
organizations enjoying consultative status with the United Nations Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC).
He
noted that the issue of human rights is one of the most important victims of
international relations at the current juncture.
“Due
to the approach adopted by the centers of power in the world, the issue of
human rights has been turned into a political tool to advance those centers’
goals,” he said.
Khatibzadeh
further took the US to task for its skewed approach to human rights, saying,
“The US uses human rights as a tool in its foreign policy toolbox in order to
achieve its goals. Unfortunately, this approach has degraded the sublime
concept of human rights to a plaything.”
Iran
has time and again warned of the exploitation of human rights by the US and its
Western allies as a tool to target independent countries.
In
relevant remarks last week, Deputy Iranian Judiciary Chief and head of the
country's Human Rights Headquarters Kazzem Qaribabadi blasted the US for
abusing the rights of indigenous Americans and at the same time lecturing on
human rights situation in other countries.
Qaribabadi
made the remarks in a post on his twitter page in reaction to a study which
confirmed killing of native Americans in the US.
“Poor
Native American children were separated from their families, prohibited from
speaking their languages, abused, raped, and finally dumped in mass graves,” he
said.
“The
US yet still dares to lecture on human rights,” Qaribabadi added.
A
first-of-its-kind federal study of Native American boarding schools that for
over a century sought to assimilate Indigenous children into white society has
identified more than 400 such schools that were supported by the US government
and more than 50 associated burial sites, a figure that could grow
exponentially as research continues.
The
report released Wednesday by the Interior Department expands the number of
schools that were known to have operated for 150 years, starting in the early
19th century and coinciding with the removal of many tribes from their
ancestral lands.
The
dark history of the boarding schools — where children who were taken from their
families were prohibited from speaking their Native American languages and
often abused — has been felt deeply across Indian Country and through
generations.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010226000221/Iran-Slams-US-fr-Insrmenal-Use-f-Hman-Righs
--------
Detained
French nationals in Iran arrested over protests: Iran state TV
17
May ,2022
Iran’s
state TV on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of two French citizens, saying they
met with protesting teachers and took part in an anti-government rally.
The
report identified the two as Cecile Kohler, 37, and Chuck Paris, 69, and said
they were not on a tourist visit to Iran. France had earlier identified the two
as a teachers’ union official and her partner on vacation in Iran.
The
Intelligence Ministry in Tehran last week only said that it had detained two
Europeans.
The
TV broadcast footage of the arrival of the two, saying they landed from Turkey
at Tehran airport on April 28.
It
also broadcast footage of their meetings with Iranian teachers and other
activists, as well as their presence at a protest gathering, and also aired a
video purported to show the two being arrested while on their way to the Tehran
airport to leave the country on May 7.
The
report said the two French citizens were “organizing a protest” with the
purpose of creating “unrest” in Iran.
Last
Thursday, France condemned the “groundless arrest” of the two and called for
their immediate release.
France’s
Foreign Ministry said its ambassador in Tehran has already attempted to obtain
consular access to the couple and that the charge d’affaires at Iran’s Embassy
in Paris has been summoned for explanations.
Another
French citizen, Benjamin Briere, was sentenced in January by Iran to over eight
years in prison for espionage, for photographing “prohibited areas” with a
drone in 2020 during what he said was a tourist visit in the north of the
country.
Briere’s
lawyer had claimed his client was being used as a “bargaining chip” in
diplomatic negotiations at the time between Iran and Western countries over
Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
Also
in January, Iranian justice ordered the re-imprisonment of Franco-Iranian
academic Fariba Adelkhah, arrested in 2019, who had for a time been allowed to
serve a five-year prison sentence under house arrest.
She
had been accused of “propaganda against the country’s political system” and
“collusion to undermine national security.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Iran
arrests university professor on security charges, ‘foreign links’
16
May ,2022
Authorities
in Iran have arrested a university professor on security charges and
“suspicious foreign links,” Iranian media reported on Monday.
The
semiofficial Mehr news agency identified the professor as Saeed Madani, but did
not provide details or say when and where he was taken into custody. The report
said the academic had met with allegedly suspicious foreign citizens and
carried messages from them to local activists in Iran.
Madani,
a sociology professor at Tehran's government-run Allameh University, was also
an activist, said Mehr. He was summoned by the courts several times in the
past, and was once, in 2019, banned from traveling abroad.
Iran
has in recent weeks intensified its crackdown on dissent, including with raids
on activists. Over the weekend, a statement from award-wining filmmaker
Mohammad Rasoulof and others said authorities recently raided offices and homes
of several filmmakers and other industry professionals, arresting some of them.
Iran’s
conservative authorities, many with religious sensibilities, control all the
levers of power in Iran. They have long viewed many activities as part of a
“soft war” by the West against the Republic. They say Westernization is
attempting to tarnish the country’s religious beliefs.
State
media reported last Friday that authorities had arrested at least 22
demonstrators protesting sudden price hikes of subsidized staple foods. And on
Saturday, Ahmad Avaei, a member of parliament from the city of Dezful in
southwestern Khuzestan province, said one person was killed during the unrest.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Iran
could delay execution of Iranian-Swedish academic
16
May ,2022
Iran
could postpone the death sentence expected later this month against
Iranian-Swedish academic Ahmedreza Djalali, the foreign ministry spokesman said
on Monday.
ISNA
news agency had reported earlier this month that Djalali would be executed by
May 21, after he was sentenced to death in 2017 over espionage for Israel.
“Mr.
Djalali’s sentence is definite, as the judiciary had announced,” foreign
ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters.
Asked
if Djalali and his lawyers had requested a review of the sentence, Khatibzadeh
said: “They have requested that the execution be done at another time.”
“It
is being considered... the judiciary will naturally follow up on the case,” he
said.
UN
envoy Enrique Mora has called for the release on “humanitarian grounds” of Djalali,
during a visit last week to Iran to help revive the 2015 nuclear pact with
Western powers.
“I
want to underline that in Tehran I raised the need to stop execution of
#AhmadrezaDjalali and asked for his release on humanitarian grounds,” Mora
tweeted after the two-day visit which ended Friday.
Djalali,
who was based in Stockholm and worked at Karolinska Medical Institute, was
arrested during a visit to Iran in April 2016.
He
was sentenced to death the following year after being found guilty of passing information
about two Iranian nuclear scientists to Israel’s Mossad spy agency that had led
to their assassinations.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Israel’s
top Catholic prelate condemns police funeral attack
May
16, 2022
JERUSALEM:
The top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land on Monday condemned the police
beating of mourners carrying the casket of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu
Akleh, accusing the authorities of violating human rights and disrespecting the
Catholic Church.
Latin
Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa told reporters at St. Joseph Hospital in
Jerusalem that Friday’s incident, broadcast around the world, was a
“disproportionate use of force” to the Palestinian flag-waving crowd of thousands
proceeding from the hospital to a nearby Catholic church in Jerusalem’s Old
City. The attack drew worldwide condemnation and added to the shock and outrage
of Abu Akleh’s killing as she covered a shootout in the occupied West Bank.
The
police attack, Pizzaballa told reporters, “is a severe violation of
international norms and regulations, including the fundamental human right of
freedom of religion, which must be observed also in a public space.”
There
was no immediate Israeli response.
He
spoke as Israel and the Palestinians are locked in a war of narratives over the
killing of Abu Akleh. The reporter, a Palestinian-American and a 25-year
veteran of the satellite channel, was killed Wednesday while covering an
Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp. She was a household name
across the Arab world, known for documenting the hardship of Palestinian life
under Israeli rule.
Palestinian
officials and witnesses, including journalists who were with her, say she was
killed by army fire. The military, after initially saying Palestinian gunmen
might have been responsible, later backtracked and now says it’s not clear who
fired the deadly bullet.
After
an international uproar over the funeral violence, Israeli police launched an
investigation into the conduct of the officers who attacked the mourners,
causing the pallbearers to nearly drop her coffin.
Israel
has called for a joint investigation with the Palestinians, saying the bullet
must be analyzed by ballistics experts to reach firm conclusions. Palestinian
officials have refused, saying they don’t trust Israel. Human rights groups
says Israel has a poor record of investigating wrongdoing by its security
forces.
After
earlier saying they would accept an outside partner, the Palestinians said late
Sunday that they would handle the investigation alone and deliver results very
soon.
“We
also refused to have an international investigation because we trust our
capabilities as a security institution,” Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh
announced. “We will not hand over any of the evidence to anyone because we know
that these people are able to falsify the facts.” He stood with Abu Akleh’s
brother, Anton, and Al Jazeera’s local bureau chief, Walid Al-Omari.
Amid
the wrangling, several research and human rights groups have launched their own
investigations.
Bellingcat,
a Dutch-based international consortium of researchers, published an analysis of
video and audio evidence gathered on social media. The material came from both
Palestinian and Israeli military sources, and the analysis looked at such
factors as time stamps, the locations of the videos, shadows and a forensic
audio analysis of gunshots.
The
group found that while gunmen and Israeli soldiers were both in the area, the
evidence supported witness accounts that Israeli fire killed Abu Akleh.
“Based
on what we were able to review, the IDF (Israeli soldiers) were in the closest
position and had the clearest line of sight to Abu Akleh,” said Giancarlo
Fiorella, the lead researcher of the analysis.
Source:
Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2083011/middle-east
--------
North
America
US
removes Jewish extremist Kahane movement from terror blacklist
16 May ,2022
The
US will remove a Jewish extremist group linked to late rabbi Meir Kahane as
well as a Palestinian militant group from a terror blacklist after years
without violence, an official said Sunday.
The
State Department designated Kahane Chai as a foreign terrorist organization in
1997, three years after its supporter Baruch Goldstein massacred 29
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
The
group was founded by Kahane, a US-born rabbi and former Israeli MP who
advocated the expulsion of Arabs from Israel and was assassinated in New York
in 1990.
The
State Department informed Congress it will withdraw the designation, which was
contested in court by the group, as Kahane Chai “has not been linked to a
terrorist attack since 2005,” an official said.
The
official said the State Department was also delisting the Mujahidin Shura
Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, a Palestinian group linked to rocket
attacks a decade ago.
Revoking
the designations “ensures our terrorism sanctions remain current and credible
and does not reflect any change in policy towards the past activities of any of
these the organizations,” the State Department official said on condition of
anonymity.
Despite
the lack of attacks by Kahane Chai group, the late rabbi remains a hero for
some on the extreme right of Israeli politics, including member of parliament
Itamar Ben-Gvir who has advocated annexing the West Bank and hung a portrait of
Goldstein in his home.
Designation
as a foreign terrorist organization severely limits activities in the United
States, including criminalizing financial support.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Senior
US delegation meets Sheikh Mohammed, vows to strengthen bilateral ties
16
May ,2022
A
senior US delegation met with the UAE’s newly elected president, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed, on Monday, where they stressed Washington’s commitment to
deepening bilateral ties.
“I
am here leading the presidential delegation on behalf of the President and the
American people and our administration to express our condolences to a friend
and to a partner, the United Arab Emirates,” Vice President Kamala Harris told
reporters on Air Force II.
She
said the delegation was in the UAE to “reaffirm the shared commitment we have
to security and prosperity in this region.”
Harris
added that the US would continue to work to strengthen the relationship with
the UAE.
The
US delegation included the top US diplomat, Antony Blinken, Secretary of
Defense Lloyd Austin, CIA chief William Burns and other senior White House
officials.
During
her meeting with the UAE president, Harris discussed the legacy and memory of
Sheikh Khalifa, “who was a good friend of the United States and a trusted
partner across multiple Administrations,” the VP’s office said in a readout of
the meeting.
She
also congratulated Sheikh Mohammed on his election as UAE President and
underscored the Biden administration’s commitment to deepening ties to “advance
the interests of the American and Emirati people in the months and years ahead.
“The
Vice President noted that she is looking forward to the future of the
relationship under Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership, and that our friendship and
partnership is enduring.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
US
welcomes Lebanon elections, calls on politicians to ‘rescue’ the economy
16
May ,2022
The
US said Monday that it welcomed the Lebanese elections, which were held on time
“without major security incidents,” but called on Beirut to implement needed
reforms.
“As
we await official elections observers’ reports we encourage the country’s
political leaders to recommit to passing and implementing necessary laws and
reforms to rescue the economy,” the State Department said on Twitter.
Parliamentary
elections were held across Lebanon on Sunday, one week after the Lebanese
diaspora voted abroad.
While
the final results have not been released, preliminary results show Iran-backed
Hezbollah and its Christian allies, the Free Patriotic Movement, losing their
outright majority in the parliament.
The
pro-Iran bloc will still be one of the leading powers inside Lebanon’s
lawmaking chamber, but the Lebanese Forces appear to now be the largest
Christian bloc.
Meanwhile,
several new faces, including members of the civil society, broke into the ranks
for the first time.
The
first major task in front of the new parliament will be to elect a speaker
ahead of October’s presidential election.
The
World Bank has said that Lebanon’s financial crisis is one of the worst the
world has seen in over 150 years.
Source: Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Turkish
foreign minister to hold talks, attend meetings in New York
Ali
Murat Alhas
17.05.2022
The
Turkish foreign minister on Tuesday is set to begin a four-day visit to New
York to attend a global forum on migration, the Foreign Ministry said late
Monday.
Mevlut
Cavusoglu will pay an official visit to New York “to attend the first-ever
International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) within the margins of the UN
General Assembly,” said a ministry statement.
In
addition, Cavusoglu will also attend the Global Food Security Call to Action
ministerial meeting to be hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and
hold bilateral meetings, the statement added.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Biden
authorizes redeployment of US forces to Somalia: White House
Michael
Hernandez
16.05.2022
WASHINGTON
President
Joe Biden has reauthorized the deployment of US forces to Somalia, the White
House announced on Monday in a major policy reversal conducted at the
Pentagon's request.
Former
US President Donald Trump pulled roughly 700 American troops out from the east
African country during the final month of his presidency, but al-Shabaab, a
US-designated terrorist organization, has grown considerably in the interim,
most recently claiming an attack on an African Union base in early May that
killed several troops.
White
House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
requested the redeployment "to enable a more effective fight against
al-Shabaab, which has increased in strength and proposed poses a heightened
threat." She acknowledged the inherent risk of the deployment, but said it
is "manageable."
The
troops that will be sent to Somalia will come from current deployments in the
region, and will have conducted what the White House called
"episodic" missions in the country following Trump's January 2021
withdrawal.
"Today
in Somalia we face al-Qaeda's largest and wealthiest global affiliate and one
that holds substantial territorial safe haven," said Jean-Pierre,
referring to al-Shabaab.
"The
decision to reintroduce a small but persistent presence was made first and
foremost to maximize the safety and effectiveness of our force and enable them
to provide better support of our partners. Additionally, our partners can
benefit from our more consistent support and engagement in addressing the
threat posed by al-Shabaab," she added.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
US,
Turkiye reaffirm 'strategic relationship': State Department
Michael
Hernandez
16.05.2022
WASHINGTON
A
senior US diplomat and her Turkish counterpart reaffirmed their nations'
bilateral "strategic relationship," the State Department said on
Monday.
Meeting
in Washington, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Turkish Deputy
Foreign Minister Sedat Onal "discussed the two countries’ many areas of
bilateral cooperation," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a
statement.
The
meeting came two days before Secretary Antony Blinken is slated to meet his
Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in New York.
"Deputy
Secretary Sherman thanked Deputy Foreign Minister Onal for Turkey’s strong and
vocal support of Ukraine and discussed the need for solidarity among NATO
Allies and partners in confronting Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and
unjustified attack on Ukraine and in imposing real costs on Putin and his
cronies," added Price.
He
was referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At
least 3,668 people have been killed and 3,896 injured in Ukraine since Russia
begain its war on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is believed
to be much higher.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/taliban-human-rights-commission/d/127026