WhatsApp Status on Pakistan Republic Day Lands Karnataka Muslim Woman in Jail
New Age Islam News Bureau
26 March 2022
Photo: The New Indian Express
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• Australian Special Forces ‘Incentivized’ To Kill
Afghan Prisoners, Assistant Defence Minister Admits
• US Cancels Talks with Taliban Over U-Turn on Girls’
Education
• Israel to Host Top Diplomats of UAE, Bahrain,
Morocco, US
• ISIS-Sympathizing Teens Allegedly Plotted a ‘Spring
Break’ Mosque Attack
India
• Lawyers Write to Karnataka Chief Minister, Seek
Action against Saffronists for Preventing Muslim Traders in Temple Fairs
• Hindu Outfits Want Shops Of Muslims Shut During
16-Day Car Festival In Karnataka's Belur
• Lone Muslim Mantri Vows to End Minority's BJP Phobia
in Uttar Pradesh
• Muslims Traders Must Stay Out Of Sagar Fair Too: VHP
• PFI vows to stand with Muslim girl students against
hijab ban
• Round table meeting to discuss promises made by KCR
to Muslims
• Uniform Civil Code: US body condemns Uttarakhand
govt’s move
--------
Europe
• 15 Islamic State Fighters Killed By Airstrike in Mali:
France
• Position on procurement of Russian S-400s unchanged:
Turkey’s President Erdogan
• ‘Nothing can be done’ about placing sanctions on
Russia: Turkey’s Erdogan
• Turkiye 'very important actor' in push to end
Russia-Ukraine war: EU envoy
• Former Iran detainee criticizes UK PM’s
‘opportunism’ after release
--------
North
America
• US, UK slap new sanctions on Myanmar after genocide
designation
• Maine teen accused of plotting to attack a Chicago
area mosque
• US to increase pressure on Iran if nuclear diplomacy
fails: White House
--------
Mideast
• Speaker: Iran Friend of Lebanon in Hard Times
• Iran's Top Negotiator Hopes for Tangible, Lasting
Results in Vienna Talks
• Iran Condemns Looting of Syria's Natural Resources
• Iranian FM, Hezbollah Chief Meet in Beirut
• Jerusalem’s Christian population sees steep decline:
Church leader
--------
Arab
World
• Egyptian authorities seize funds of 20 Muslim
Brotherhood figures
• ‘Hostile operation’ targeted Aramco facility in
Jeddah: Arab Coalition
• Rocket attack causes ‘limited fire’ in Saudi
Arabia’s Jazan
• Saudi Arabia’s defences destroy ballistic missile,
explosive-laden drone
• Saudi Arabia’s defences thwart Houthi drone attack:
Arab Coalition
• Latest round of Syrian constitutional talks ends in
Geneva
--------
Africa
• Any Muslim Who Supports Redeemed Church Of Christ
Group Member Traitor to Islam – Muslim Rights Concern Warns
• US sanctions 6 Nigerians for allegedly aiding Boko
Haram
• Nigerian military destroys major stronghold of Boko
Haram terror group
• Top Muslim bloc approves appointment of special
envoy for Africa
--------
Pakistan
• Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl Issued Notice for Planning
To Set Up Stage on Srinagar Highway
• Militant commander gunned down in South Waziristan
• US chargé d’affaires visits Karachi, meets Sindh
governor
• Imran’s ‘trump card’ claim a hollow threat, says
Maryam
• FO rejects India’s remarks on outcome of OIC session
• Pardoning graft cases would be treachery, says PM
Imran
--------
South
Asia
• Taliban Should Live up To Commitments, Let Girls Go
To School: UN’s Global Fund For Education
• Students Protest In Kabul As Taliban Bar Girls From
Attending Schools
• Taliban faces increasing global pressure to reopen
schools to Afghanistan girls
--------
Southeast
Asia
• India scolds Chinese minister over Kashmir remarks
• Court allows another Mareva injunction against Najib
• ‘Fight Was Leading Us Nowhere’: Former Abu Sayyaf
Militants Speak After Surrender To Philippines Forces
Compiled by New
Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/whatsapp-karnataka-muslim-woman-pakistan/d/126658
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WhatsApp Status on Pakistan Republic Day Lands Karnataka
Muslim Woman in Jail
Photo: The New Indian Express
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26th March 2022
BAGALKOT: A 25-year-old woman has been arrested for
posting celebratory messages on Pakistan Republic Day on her WhatsApp status in
Mudhol on Thursday. The accused is identified as Kuthma Sheikh, a resident of
Mudhol town and a student at local Madrasa. The incident reportedly occurred on
March 23, when Pakistan celebrates its Republic Day.
According to police, “She has put up WhatsApp status
conveying Pakistan Republic Day wishes on Wednesday. A person identified as
Arun Bhajantri after noticing Kuthma’s WhatsApp status has filed a complaint
with evidence. Based on the complaint, action was initiated.”
As per the photo shared by the department of police,
“The accused WhatsApp status stated that ‘Allah Har Mulk me
Ittihaad…Aman...Sukoon…Ata Farma Maula’ (may Allah grant unity, peace and
harmony in every country). Along with this she had also put up a photo
conveying wishes to Pakistan on their Republic Day.” A complaint has been
registered in Mudhol Police Station.
She has been charged with Indian Penal Code (IPC)
section 153(A) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of
religion, race, place of birth, residence) and 505(2) (Statements creating or
promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes).
Source: New Indian Express
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original story:
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Australian Special Forces ‘Incentivized’ To Kill
Afghan Prisoners, Assistant Defence Minister Admits
Andrew Hastie, 39, is a former Australian SAS officer
who is now the assistant defense minister. (Screenshot/ABC News)
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March 25, 2022
LONDON: A senior Australian minister has admitted that
the country’s Special Forces were “incentivized” to execute detained Afghans
because suspected insurgents were being released within days of capture.
Andrew Hastie, 39, a former Australian SAS officer who
is now the assistant defence minister, told a Sydney court that the Australian
military’s “catch and release” policy, in which insurgents captured on
operations were often freed after three days by Afghanistan’s judicial system,
had “incentivized extrajudicial killing” by coalition troops.
Hastie, who was deployed several times to Afghanistan
as a SAS captain, made the comments while giving evidence as part of defamation
proceedings raised by Ben Roberts-Smith — Australia’s most decorated living
soldier — in response to media allegations that he was involved in
extrajudicial killings of Afghans.
Roberts-Smith is suing Australian papers The Age and
The Sydney Morning Herald, and Hastie was subpoenaed to testify.
An official Australian Defence Force inquiry reported
in late 2020 that there had been 39 suspected unlawful killings by Australian
special forces in Afghanistan. The report is expected to result in criminal
prosecutions and compensation payments to the families of those who died.
Hastie, now Australia’s assistant minister for
defense, also said it was a “fairly well-established rumor” that Roberts-Smith
had kicked an unarmed prisoner off a cliff. He heard that allegation from
“multiple people.”
Hastie entered parliament in 2016 and is considered a
potential future leader of the governing Liberal Party.
Asked on his views on Roberts-Smith himself, the
minister said: “I pity him. I pity this whole process. I don’t want to be here;
I was subpoenaed for this.
“That’s how I feel about this because this is terrible
for our country, it’s terrible for the SAS, it’s terrible for the army, it’s
touched a lot of lives, no one wants to see this. But until we deal with it, we
can’t move forward.”
Hastie said that he “started from a very high regard
for Roberts-Smith” but that he was “no longer proud” of him.
He explained that he had previously raised concerns
that the “catch and release” policy incentivized killing rather than capturing
alleged Taliban insurgents, because prisoners were released quickly “if you
don’t have evidence to put into (the) Afghan judicial system.”
Roberts-Smith, 43, denies any wrongdoing and maintains
that any killings in Afghanistan in which he was involved were carried out
lawfully in the heat of battle.
The trial continues.
Source: Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2050401/world
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US Cancels Talks with Taliban Over U-Turn on Girls’
Education
An Afghan schoolgirl reads from her book inside a
house in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 23, 2022. REUTERS/Charlotte Greenfield
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25 March, 2022
The United States abruptly cancelled meetings with the
Taliban in Doha that were set to address key economic issues, officials said on
Friday, after Afghanistan’s Islamist rulers reversed a decision to allow all
girls to return to high school classes.
The cancellation of talks was the first concrete sign
that the Taliban’s recent moves on human rights and inclusivity could directly
impact the international community’s willingness to help the group, some of
whose leaders are under US sanctions.
“Their decision was a deeply disappointing and
inexplicable reversal of commitments to the Afghan people, first and foremost,
and also to the international community,” a US State Department spokesperson
told Reuters.
“We have cancelled some of our engagements, including
planned meetings in Doha, and made clear that we see this decision as a
potential turning point in our engagement.”
Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters
that the series of meeting between US and Taliban administration officials were
set to take place on the sidelines of a summit in Qatar’s capital on Saturday
and Sunday.
Some of the meetings were to have included United
Nations and World Bank representatives, the sources added.
A Taliban official confirmed that a Taliban
delegation, including the acting foreign minister, had been expecting to go to
Doha.
The talks were designed to cover issues including the
independence of the Afghan central bank and the printing of Afghani currency
bank notes.
Also up for discussion were a humanitarian exchange
facility to free up cash and hundreds of millions of dollars of funding
currently held in a World Bank Trust Fund that is earmarked for Afghanistan’s
education sector, according to the three sources.
They declined to be named because they were not
authorized to speak with the media.
“The Qatari jet that was meant to collect Muttaqi’s
delegation in Kabul has not turned up,” said a diplomatic source, referring to
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Qatar’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond
to a request for comment.
The move shows the headwinds the Taliban
administration faces in accessing foreign aid and freeing up the banking
sector, which faces hard currency shortages that have fueled inflation and
worsened the economic crisis.
The Taliban have also been unable to access billions
of dollars in foreign reserves held overseas as governments including the United
States refuse to fully recognize them.
Washington and its allies have insisted that the
group, which banned girls from school and most women from work the last time it
ruled, improves its human rights record.
The Taliban, who fought an insurgency that toppled the
Western-backed government last August, have also been accused of suppressing
free speech, violently breaking up protests and exacting deadly revenge on
their former foes.
The group says it will honor everyone’s rights within
its interpretation of Islamic law and has vowed to investigate specific
allegations of abuse.
The Taliban on Wednesday backtracked on their previous
commitment to open high schools to girls, saying that they would remain closed
until a plan was drawn up for them to reopen.
The U-turn shocked many, leaving students in tears and
sparking small protests from girls in Kabul. It also drew condemnation from
humanitarian agencies and foreign governments.
“They are definitely shooting themselves in the foot,”
said Graeme Smith, a senior consultant at International Crisis Group, of the
decision on girls’ education.
A major donor summit for humanitarian aid is set to
take place this month, co-hosted by Britain, in an effort to help raise $4.4
billion in funding the United Nations says it needs to meet urgent needs in the
country.
Source: Al Arabiya
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original story:
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Israel to host top diplomats of UAE, Bahrain, Morocco,
US
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid/ Photo: The Print
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Abdelraouf Arna'out
25.03.2022
JERUSALEM
Israel will host a two-day meeting with the top
diplomats of the US, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Morocco from
Sunday, its Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
In a statement, the ministry said the
"historic" diplomatic summit is being held at invitation from Israeli
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
The readout did not give further details about the
visit, but said the ministers will engage in diplomatic meetings.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to
arrive in Tel Aviv on Saturday to hold talks with Israeli officials.
The UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco had signed the
US-sponsored agreements to normalize relations with Israel in 2020.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-to-host-top-diplomats-of-uae-bahrain-morocco-us/2545870
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ISIS-Sympathizing Teens Allegedly Plotted A ‘Spring
Break’ Mosque Attack
Photo: USA News
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By Ben Feuerherd
March 25, 2022
A trio of ISIS-sympathizing teens plotted to shoot up
and firebomb a Chicago-area Shia mosque during “spring break,” according to
federal court documents that were unsealed Friday.
The murderous plot was uncovered by the FBI in
February, when they served search warrants on a 15-year-old in Chicago, a
17-year-old in Kentucky and 18-year-old Xavier Pelkey’s Waterville, Maine,
apartment, according to the FBI declaration unsealed Friday.
Prosecutors allege Pelkey was communicating with the
two teens over Instagram, plotting the attack on the Shia mosque.
The trio planned to meet in Chicago in late March
during “spring break” and launch their killing spree, according to the
document.
Pelkey, who was using the pseudonym “Abdullah,” told
the teens that he would buy guns, ammunition and had built a homemade explosive
device to “get more people,” court papers state.
They planned to, “enter the Shia mosque and separate
the adults from the children, then murder the adults. If they had not
encountered law enforcement at that point, they would continue on to another
Shia mosque or Jewish synagogue and execute the same plan,” the FBI declaration
says.
“They did not have a plan to escape but rather their
plan ended with them being shot by law enforcement,” it goes on.
Federal investigators recovered a cache of weapons
from the first teen and Pelkey and a number of ISIS flags at both their
apartments.
Pelkey is charged with possession of an unregistered
destructive device, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
An attorney for Pelkey did not immediately return a
request for comment.
Source: New York Post
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://nypost.com/2022/03/25/isis-sympathizing-teens-plotted-spring-break-mosque-attack-feds/
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India
Lawyers Write to Karnataka Chief Minister, Seek Action against Saffronists for Preventing Muslim Traders in Temple Fairs
26th March 2022
BENGALURU: After several temple committees reportedly
banned Muslim shopkeepers and vendors from participating in temple fairs, the
All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice (AILAJ) have issued a letter to
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and the Commissioner for Hindu Religious
Institutions and Charitable Endowments.
The association cited multiple incidents of temple
committees blacklisting Muslim vendors from temple fairs across the state,
wherein the committees have apparently cited pressure from Hindutva groups.
Due to this, AILAJ has termed the action as an attempt
to impose an economic boycott on the Muslim community and sought action against
the groups.
“Our country is governed by constitutional morality
and not by popular morality. By permitting only Hindu businesses to vend and by
discriminating against Muslim businesses, what is being caused and perpetuated
is an economic boycott against the Muslim community which is in direct
violation of Article 15 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on
the grounds of religion,” the letter read.
The association has demanded immediate withdrawal of
the decision to bar Muslim vendors from temple fairs, as well as criminal
action to be taken against the Hindutva groups purportedly pressuring the
committees into implementing the ban.
Source: New Indian Express
Please click the following URL to read the full text
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Hindu outfits want shops of Muslims shut during 16-day
car festival in Karnataka's Belur
25th March 2022
HASSAN: The Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have
urged the taluk authorities to ban Muslims from doing business during 16 days
of the popular Channakeshava car festival in Belur town.
The VHP president Krishnegowda and Bajrang Dal
coordinator Aadish led a team of activists who met Belur tahsildar Mohan Kumar
and urged him to ban Muslims from conducting business during the car festival
starting from April 2 in Belur town.
Speaking after presenting the memorandum to the
tahsildar, Krishnegowda said being the citizens of the country all should abide
by the law of the land. Every person should respect democracy and the
constitution which provides freedom and equal rights for every citizen. The
Hindu leaders took the decision to this effect as the Muslims had shut their
shops recently to protest the recent verdict of the High court over the Hijab
issue.
Source: New Indian Express
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Lone Muslim Mantri Vows To End Minority's BJP Phobia
In Uttar Pradesh
Mar 26, 2022
AYODHYA: Danish Azad Ansari, 32, a Lucknow University
post-graduate in public administration and member of BJP's students wing, Akhil
Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, is the sole Muslim face in the new Yogi
Adityanath-led government. Hailing from Ballia district, Danish Ansari replaced
Mohsin Raza, the only Muslim in the previous Yogi government. Raza was then
minister of state for minorities welfare.
Sworn in as minister of state, Danish told TOI that he
would work for the welfare of Muslims and bridge the gulf between the community
and BJP. "I will strive to end BJP-phobia in Muslim minds and help resolve
problems plaguing the community. I will try to bring government aid to Muslims
and ensure state-sponsored welfare schemes for minorities reach target
beneficiaries," he told TOI.
Source: Times Of India
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Muslims traders must stay out of Sagar fair too: VHP
26th March 2022
SHIVAMOGGA: After Muslims traders were not allowed to
set up shops during the city’s Sri Kote Marikamba Jatra, a similar demand has
come up in the run-up to the Maha Ganapati Jatra at Sagar town in the district.
The mega fair is scheduled to be held on the banks of Ganapati Kere from April
5 to 19.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishat has urged the office of the
assistant commissioner in Sagar to not allow Muslim shops during the jatra,
which is one of the most celebrated events in Sagar taluk. No Muslim-owned
shops were allowed during the Sri Kote Marikamba Jatra in Shivamogga city. The
organisation is demanding similar measures in Maha Ganapati Jatra too.
The parishat’s Sagar unit urged the assistant
commissioner to bar Muslims from setting up shops. In a memorandum, parishat
leaders said the authorities auction stalls to sell flowers, fruits, toys and
food during the fair. However, the temple is under the Muzrai Department. As
per the rules prescribed by the government, non-Hindus cannot be allowed to
open shops on temple premises, they claimed.
Source: New Indian Express
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of the original story:
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PFI vows to stand with Muslim girl students against
hijab ban
Mar 26, 2022
The Popular Front of India (PFI) has said it would
stand with Karnataka Muslim girl students against the hijab ban in schools and
colleges in the state.
Sharing the details of its resolution passed in its
Malappuram National Executive Council meeting, the PFI on Friday also condemned
the alleged restrictions on Muslim religious markers.
“The Karnataka BJP government’s decision to introduce
restrictions exclusively on Muslim religious markers clearly had divisive
political motives behind it. Unfortunately, the High Court failed to see it and
took a stand against a practice Muslim women in the country have held as part
of their identity for centuries,” the PFI said in a statement.
It further said the HC order validating the hijab ban
was against the constitutional values and the universal principle of freedom of
religion.
“The decision of the High Court will further encourage
social exclusion and become another pretext for religious persecution. Popular
Front stands with the struggles of the students who have decided to question
the high court order in the apex court and carry their fight forward till they
get justice,” the statement read.
Source: Hindustan Times
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Round table meeting to discuss promises made by KCR to
Muslims
25th March 2022
Hyderabad: JAC of Telangana Muslim Organisations is
going to conduct a round table meeting at 5 p.m. on March 27 to discuss
promises made by the chief minister of Telangana State K. Chandrashekar Rao to
Muslims.
The meeting will be held at Sundarayya Bhavan, Shoaib
Hall in Bagh Lingampally, Hyderabad.
The JAC questioned the possibility of golden Telangana
without the development of Muslims which is one of the largest communities of
Telangana state.
It said that the Muslim community in the last two
general elections has helped TRS in forming government in the state. Despite
it, many promises made to the community have not been fulfilled.
Now, the JAC urges the government to fulfill the
following promises.
12 percent reservation to Muslims
Waqf Board should be given judicial power.
A special task force should be set up for the protection
of waqf lands.
Full-fledged governing bodies for the Minority
Commission, Waqf Board, Minority Finance Corporation, Urdu Academy and Haj
Committees should be appointed immediately.
The Equal Opportunity Commission as suggested by the
Sudhir Commission should be set up.
Minority sub-plan suggested by Sudhir Commission needs
to be set up.
Three Rajya Sabha seats will soon become vacant. One
should be given to the Muslim.
Increase of minority budget to Rs. 5000 crore.
Minority Bandhu scheme should be implemented.
Vacant backlog posts in Urdu medium schools and
colleges should be de-notified and replaced.
558 Urdu medium teacher posts pending in TRT – 2017
needs to be filled immediately.
Permanent staff should be appointed on the Waqf Board
for the protection of waqf assets.
A Muslim person should be given a chance in the TSPSC.
Not a single Vice-Chancellor post in a universities
was given to a Muslim professor. Muslim professors should be given the
opportunity to be registrars and OSDs.
Subsidized loans should be granted directly
irrespective of the banks links.
Self-employment loans given by the corporation should
be increased to up to Rs. 10 lakhs.
Special quota should be provided to Muslims in
allotment of double bedroom houses.
Some of the persons who will be present in the meeting
are as follows
Skybaba (Yusuf Sheik), poet, writer, Telangana
activist, the editor of a Muslim magazine.
Source: Siasat Daily
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of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/round-table-meeting-to-discuss-promises-made-by-kcr-to-muslims-2296296/
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Uniform Civil Code: US body condemns Uttarakhand
govt’s move
25th March 2022
The Indian American Muslim Council on Friday
unequivocally condemned the BJP-ruled Uttarakhand state’s decision to implement
the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
On Thursday, a day after being sworn in, the
Uttarakhand cabinet led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami decided to form a
committee of experts on the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in the
state.
In a series of tweets, the IAMC discussed the pitfalls
of the Uniform Civil Code and how it would adversely affect the minorities in
India.
“This is an alarming deviation from the current
system, which has different laws for different faiths, including the Hindu
Marriage Act, Indian Christian Marriages Act, and the Parsi Marriage and
Divorce Act. Muslim personal laws are based on religious texts and are not
codified,” the council pointed out.
They argued that the implementation of the UCC is a
violation of freedom of religion and an invasion in the private lives of
citizens, particularly Muslims and Christians, who are already severely
marginalized in India. Invoking the recent hijab ban supported by the Karnataka
high court, they argued that the UCC will unfairly discriminate against Muslims
under the guise of secularism.
“Under the BJP’s Hindu supremacist agenda, the UCC
will neither liberate nor unite, but rather push a Hindu-centric idea of
uniformity,” they said.
“UCC is one more step in the direction of turning
India into a Hindu majoritarian state where minorities are relegated to
second-class citizenship,” said Rasheed Ahmed, Executive Director of IAMC.
In the recent past, the IAMC has condemned other
prominent instances of Islamophobia by the Indian state.
Source: Siasat Daily
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/uniform-civil-code-us-body-condemns-uttarakhand-govts-move-2296474/
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Europe
15 Islamic State fighters killed by airstrike in Mali:
France
25 March, 2022
French anti-jihadist forces in Mali have killed 15
members of the Islamic State group near the volatile border area with Niger, a
French army spokesman told AFP on Friday.
The team, travelling in a motorcycle convoy, was
spotted by a Reaper drone operated by France's Barkhane military operation on
Thursday and later hit by an airstrike.
"Verification of various intelligence data
allowed confirmation that they were part of the Islamic State in the Greater
Sahara (ISGS), en route toward the Menaka region," army spokesman Colonel
Pascal Ianni said.
France has around 2,400 soldiers in Mali, and 4,500 in
the Sahel region overall, as part of the Barkhane deployment to bolster
regional governments against Islamic militants spread across large parts of the
semi-desert expanse.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced last year a
drawdown of Barkhane, hoping that European allies would step in with more
troops while local authorities bolstered their own security forces.
Yet in February, France said it would withdraw all its
troops from Mali after a breakdown in relations with the country's ruling
junta, ending a near 10-year deployment against jihadist groups that pose a
growing threat in West Africa.
Source: The New Arab
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/15-islamic-state-fighters-killed-mali-france
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Position on procurement of Russian S-400s unchanged:
Turkey’s President Erdogan
25 March ,2022
Turkey’s position on its acquisition of Russian S-400
missile defense systems is unchanged and the matter is a “done deal”, President
Tayyip Erdogan was cited as saying on Friday, adding talks with Washington on
new F-16 jets and kits were going well.
The United States imposed sanctions on NATO member
Turkey’s defense industry in December 2020 over the S-400s and expelled Ankara
from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program, where it was a manufacturer and
buyer. Ankara says the moves are unjust.
Broadcaster Haberturk cited Erdogan as telling
reporters on a return flight from a NATO summit in Brussels that he hoped
positive talks on purchasing new F-16 jets and modernization kits from
Washington would yield results soon.
He also dismissed reports that US officials had
informally raised with Turkey the unlikely possibility of sending the S-400
systems to Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion, saying “all they do is cause
commotion” in reference to Washington.
Source: Al Arabiya
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‘Nothing can be done’ about placing sanctions on
Russia: Turkey’s Erdogan
25 March ,2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that
“nothing can be done” about placing sanctions on Russia due to Turkey’s energy
needs, Reuters reports, citing Turkish broadcaster NTV.
Speaking to reporters on a return flight from a NATO
summit in Brussels, Erdogan also said Turkey could not impose sanctions on
Russia due to its energy needs and cooperation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday
any compromises agreed with Russia to end the war would need to be voted upon
in a referendum.
Erdogan said he would hold separate calls with
Ukrainian and Russian counterparts in coming days to evaluate the summit.
NATO member Turkey shares a maritime border with
Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, has good ties with both and has offered to
mediate the conflict. While supporting for Ukraine and being critical of
Russia, Ankara has opposed sanctions on Moscow.
“We are buying nearly half of the natural gas we use
from Russia. Separately, we are making our Akkuyy Nuclear Power Plant with
Russia. We cannot set these aside,” Erdogan said.
“So there is nothing that can be done here. We must
maintain our sensitivity on this issue. Firstly, I can’t leave my people in the
cold of the winter. Secondly, I cannot halt our industry. We must defend
these,” he added.
Source: Al Arabiya
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Turkiye 'very important actor' in push to end
Russia-Ukraine war: EU envoy
İzzet Mazı
25.03.2022
KAHRAMANMARAS, Turkiye
Turkiye has emerged as “a very important actor” in
efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, according to the top
European Union diplomat in Turkiye.
“Turkey has had many diplomatic initiatives to try to
bring the Ukrainians and Russians together. Turkey has been a very important
actor in this conflict,” Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, head of the EU Delegation to
Turkiye, told Anadolu Agency.
He said Turkiye’s standing in NATO was also evident at
this week’s summit of top leaders in Brussels.
“Turkey, as a very important NATO ally, fully
participated in the NATO decision-making,” he said, stressing the significance
of solidarity within the alliance amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Meyer-Landrut added that Ankara has also taken
“important decisions” regarding the 1936 Montreux Convention, which gives
Turkiye the authority to restrict the passage of naval vessels through the
Istanbul (Bosphorus) and Canakkale (Dardanelles) Straits during times of war.
“What is important now is that we all stand together
in condemning and countering this (Russian) aggression, but also in supporting
Ukraine in its fight,” he said.
“In both respects, Turkey, of course, is hugely
important,” he added.
EU accession
On Turkiye’s bid to join the EU, Meyer-Landrut said
the Ukraine war has “completely changed the international setting.”
“This geopolitical shake-up which we are witnessing
also opens opportunities for reinforced cooperation between Turkey and the
European Union,” he said.
“I hope that these opportunities will be taken up by
both sides.”
Turkiye applied for EU membership in 1987 and
accession talks began in 2005.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Former Iran detainee criticizes UK PM’s ‘opportunism’
after release
March 25, 2022
LONDON: A British-Iranian dual national recently
released from a lengthy detention in Iran has criticized British Prime Minister
Boris Johnson for only getting in touch with him after his release.
Anoosheh Ashoori, 67, was held in Tehran’s notorious
Evin prison for five years, allegedly for spying on behalf of the Israeli
government.
He returned to the UK last week alongside Nazanin
Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a fellow British-Iranian national.
Ashoori told Sky News that he felt let down by the
British leader, but praised the “fantastic job” that civil servants had done
behind the scenes.
In 2020, he had managed to record an audio message
while behind bars pleading for Johnson’s help.
“I risked my safety but I managed to convey that
message to him,” said Ashoori.
“Unfortunately he did not expend even five minutes to
give a telephone call to my family.”
However, on Monday, Ashoori received an invitation to
meet with the prime minister.
He told Sky News: “Now he’s eager to see us. How would
you interpret that?
“I think that there’s a bit of opportunism involved in
it.”
Asked if he would meet with the prime minister,
Ashoori said: “I’m not sure.”
Though both London and Tehran deny it, it is thought
that the release of Ashoori and Zaghari-Ratcliffe was contingent upon the
payment of a historic debt owed to Iran worth around $530 million.
Ashoori said: “That was not a ransom, that was a debt
that the British government owed and it should have been paid. And if it had
been paid, none of this would have happened.”
He also revealed that his family had to pay a £27,000
($35,000) fine for his release — and that they received no assistance from the
Foreign Office on this, instead being forced to max out credit cards.
A crowdfunder established to help the family pay has
now raised more than £38,000, leaving Ashoori “bowled over by the generosity,
support, and absolute kindness of strangers.”
The remaining money will be used by the family to help
campaign for those who remain in Evin prison to be released, including Morad
Tahbaz, a British-US national who Ashoori knows personally.
Ashoori told Sky that he feels a responsibility to
help Tahbaz — whose plight was also raised by Zaghari-Ratcliffe — having
witnessed prison conditions that include bed bugs, the smell of open sewers,
and dental care from a dentist known for “pulling 10 teeth in 10 minutes.”
A government spokesperson told Sky News: “From the
prime minister down, this government has been committed to securing the release
of Anoosheh Ashoori.
“It was always entirely in Iran’s gift to do this, but
UK ministers and diplomats were tireless in working to secure his freedom and
are delighted that he is now home.
Source: Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2050271/world
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North
America
US, UK slap new sanctions on Myanmar after genocide
designation
March 26, 2022
WASHINGTON: The US and Britain on Friday announced new
sanctions against the Myanmar military that are intended to coincide with the
anniversary of a bloody crackdown on protests following last year’s coup
d’etat.
The new measures came days after Washington said it
has concluded that Myanmar’s military committed genocide against the mostly
Muslim Rohingya minority.
“Brutality and oppression have become trademarks of
the Burmese military regime’s rule,” US Under Secretary of the Treasury for
Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.
“Treasury is committed to holding accountable those
who are responsible for the ongoing violence and repression.”
Washington’s sanctions target two military commanders,
an infantry division as well as three businessmen and four businesses.
London targeted the new air force chief and a
businessman who acts as the honorary consul of Belarus, as well as a
businessman and firm that the US sanctioned, among others.
“The Myanmar military have shown no signs of stopping
their brutal campaign of violence against the people of Myanmar, who continue
in their fight for democracy,” Britain’s Minister for Asia Amanda Milling said.
“These sanctions target those who are instrumental in
supplying the military with weapons that facilitate these abuses across the
country.”
The measures come as Western nations increasingly
punish the military both for the February 2021 coup that saw Aung San Suu Kyi
ousted and the violence in 2016 and 2017 against the Rohingya, which Washington
earlier this week declared was an attempt to “destroy” the Muslim minority.
They were announced around the one-year anniversary of
the military killing of scores of protesters amid protests on Myanmar’s annual
Armed Forces Day.
The new US sanctions apply to Brigadier-General Ko Ko
Oo, and Major-General Zaw Hein as well as the 66th Light Infantry Division,
which Treasury said has been accused of carrying out a December 2021 massacre
in which civilians “were captured, tortured and killed, including some whom
members of the military reportedly burned alive”.
Three individuals and two companies were also
sanctioned for providing arms to the military, while two firms were targeted
for assisting other businesses that had been sanctioned previously.
Britain sanctioned Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar
Air Force Htun Aung and a company that supports the air force, along with
Belarusian Honorary Consul Aung Moe Myint and his company.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
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Maine teen accused of plotting to attack a Chicago
area mosque
By Sonia Moghe
March 26, 2022
Federal prosecutors have accused a Maine teen of
plotting to attack a Chicago-area mosque and charged him with possession of a
destructive device.
According to court documents unsealed on Friday,
Xavier Pelkey, who was 18 years old when he was arrested on February 11, was
charged by criminal complaint in Maine federal court for one count of
possession of unregistered destructive devices.
CNN has reached out to an attorney for Pelkey for
comment.
In the documents, an FBI agent said investigators
found three items in a backpack that appeared to be handmade explosive devices.
An initial review of the items found them to be fireworks taped together with
staples, pins, and thumbtacks, which the FBI agent said were "designed to
increase the amount of shrapnel propelled by an explosion" if detonated.
Prosecutors allege Pelkey planned to attack a Shia
Muslim mosque in the Chicago area "during spring break" with a
15-year-old and a 17-year-old with whom he had been speaking on Instagram.
FBI Agent Garrett Drew alleges it was Pelkey's job to
acquire additional firearms and ammunition and he allegedly "had built an
explosive device 'to get more people,'" according to court documents.
Drew said in a declaration filed in February and
unsealed Thursday that the Chicago-area 15-year-old told the FBI the three
planned to enter the mosque, "separate the adults from the children, then
murder the adults."
"If they had not encountered law enforcement at
that point, they would continue on to another Shia mosque or Jewish synagogue
and execute the same plan," the court filing states. "They did not
have a plan to escape but rather their plan ended with them being shot by law
enforcement."
Chicago FBI agents seized multiple firearms, swords,
knives, a bow and arrows, multiple homemade ISIS flags, and multiple electronic
devices from the 15-year-old's home while executing a search warrant in
February, the court filing said.
Investigators also searched the home of a 17-year-old
in Kentucky in February, who investigators believe spoke with Pelkey on
Instagram, who told them Pelkey talked about "gathering materials to make
fireworks to attack someone."
Source: CNN
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/25/us/chicago-mosque-attack-plot/index.html
--------
US to increase pressure on Iran if nuclear diplomacy
fails: White House
25 March ,2022
The United States is still pursuing talks on Iran’s
nuclear program but will work with allies to increase pressure on Iran if
diplomacy fails, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on
Friday.
The talks were close to an agreement until Russia made
last-minute demands of the United States, insisting that sanctions imposed on
Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine would not hurt its trade with Iran.
US officials have been cautious in their assessment of
efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers, which
would curb Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting tough sanctions on
Iran’s economy.
Substantial progress has been made in resolving a
number of issues necessary for Washington to come back to the deal “on a
compliance-for-compliance basis,” Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One
en route to Poland with President Joe Biden.
“There still are issues left. There still is work to
be done,” he added. “We are still seeking a diplomatic outcome here that puts
Iran’s nuclear program back in a box. Of course, if diplomacy doesn’t succeed,
then we will work very closely with our international partners to increase the
pressure on Iran.”
Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on
Thursday that the vital issue of sanctions relief for Iran was not yet fully
resolved.
Source: Al Arabiya
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Mideast
Speaker: Iran Friend of Lebanon in Hard Times
2022-March-25
Berri made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Beirut on Thursday afternoon.
Berri described Iran as the main source of resistance
in the region as well as a source of inspiration for all resistance movements
worldwide.
At the same time, he criticized the move by certain
Arab countries to normalize ties with the Israeli regime, saying they turned
their back on the Palestinian cause by the move.
Pointing to fuel shortages in his country, Berri said
Iran made good on its promise of sending fuel to Lebanon and showed its
solidarity with and support for the Arab country in difficult times.
However, the US has so far failed to fulfill its
pledge of providing Lebanon with the needed energy despite pretending to be
activating a gas pipeline project, he added.
Amir Abdollahian, for his part, voiced Tehran’s
readiness to cooperate with Lebanon in meeting its energy needs, including its
electricity and gas needs.
Iran stands prepared to expand mutual economic and
trade cooperation with the friendly and neighborly state of Lebanon, in
parallel with a mutual implementation of bilateral agreements, he said.
The two sides also discussed the Russia-Ukraine
conflict and the multilateral endeavors in Vienna to restore the 2015 Iran
deal.
“We are against war whether it is in Afghanistan,
Yemen, or Ukraine. At the same time, the imposition of unilateral sanctions by
Western states is also unacceptable to us. The Islamic Republic of Iran
encourages a resolution of the developments in Ukraine through political
dialog,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
Pointing to the Vienna talks between Tehran and the
world powers on removal of sanctions, Amir Abdollahian said Iran is serious
about achieving a “good, lasting deal” in the negotiations.
At the same time, he added, Iran does not seek a
prolongation of the process and will not cross its own red lines.
Source: Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010105000347/Speaker-Iran-Friend-f-Lebann-in-Hard-Times
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Iran's Top Negotiator Hopes for Tangible, Lasting Results
in Vienna Talks
2022-March-25
Baqeri Kani made the remarks in a phone conversation
with South Korea's First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun on
strengthening mutual ties.
He also voiced hope that the Vienna talks would lead
to the improvement of bilateral relations between Iran and South Korea.
During the conversation, the two sides discussed a
wide range of bilateral issues.
The South Korean official, for his part, congratulated
the Persian New Year (Nowruz) to Baqeri, wishing a happy new year for Iran and
people of the country.
He also voiced hope that negotiations on revival of
the JCPOA and removal of sanctions would produce positive results although
salient progresses have been made in this respect.
Emphasizing the importance of relations between Seoul
and Tehran, he stressed that South Korea will continue to play a role in
negotiations and conclusion of negotiations to revive the nuclear deal.
The success of talks in Vienna is also expected to
release Iran's frozen assets in South Korea.
The frozen asset issue started in 2018 when former US
President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal and reinstated
economic sanctions against Iran.
Iranian authorities have said on several occasions
that they expect South Korea to do more on the release of nearly $8.5 billion
blocked illegally at two South Korean banks under the pretext of the United
States’ sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
It had been previously agreed for the funds to be used
by Iran towards the purchase of humanitarian items, something that has again
been prevented as a result of Korea’s commitment to honor the sanctions.
Source: Fars News Agency
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Iran Condemns Looting of Syria's Natural Resources
2022-March-25
“The Islamic Republic of Iran once again condemns the
plunder of the Syrian nation’s natural resources, especially oil and
agricultural products in areas occupied by foreign forces. The criminal act is
in clear violation of Syria's territorial sovereignty, relevant Security
Council resolutions and the UN Charter,” Takht Ravanchi said on Thursday,
addressing a UN Security Council session.
He stressed that the Syrian crisis cannot be resolved
unless the presence of foreign occupation forces ends, and all Takfiri
terrorist groups are eradicated.
“Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot
be endangered in the name of fighting terrorism. Therefore, all occupying and
uninvited foreign forces, including American troops, must leave the country
immediately and without any preconditions,” the Iranian diplomat noted.
He also condemned the Tel Aviv regime’s acts of
aggression against Syria, stating that the March 7 Israeli air raids on several
sites near the capital Damascus were in flagrant violation of the international
humanitarian law.
“We call on the UN Security Council to hold the regime
to account for such acts of aggression, as well as its explicit threats to use
force against other countries in the region, which will endanger the regional
peace and security,” the Iranian envoy highlighted.
He went on to express concern about the dire
humanitarian situation in Syria.
According to the UN estimates, 14.6 million Syrians
need humanitarian aid. The figure marks a 9% increase compared to the preceding
year. The COVID-19 epidemic has also exacerbated the country's fragile
humanitarian situation.
“Given the dire humanitarian situation in Syria, where
a significant proportion of the civilian infrastructure is in ruins, imposition
of unilateral sanctions on Syrian people has had catastrophic consequences on
all aspects of their lives and is in contrast to some aspects of the Security
Council Resolution 2585, which says initial recovery projects are vital for
Syrians and that displaced people must be allowed to return home,” Takht
Ravanchi said.
The Iranian diplomat said unilateral sanctions against
Syria have also affected the efforts of international and national humanitarian
organizations there.
He underlined the need for the immediate removal of sanctions
and an end to all illegal and destructive actions against Syria, saying, “It is
very hypocritical to make claims of paying attention to the difficult
humanitarian situation in Syria at the same time as supporting unilateral
sanctions against Syrian people.”
Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy
since March 2011. The Syrian government says the United States, the Israeli
regime, and their Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist
groups that are spreading insecurity in the country.
The US military has stationed forces and equipment in
eastern and northeastern Syria, with the Pentagon claiming that the deployment
is aimed at preventing the oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of
the ISIL terrorists.
Damascus, however, says the unlawful deployment is
meant to plunder the country’s resources.
Former US president Donald Trump admitted on several
occasions that American forces were in Syria for its oil.
Source: Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010105000258/Iran-Cndemns-Ling-f-Syria's-Naral-Resrces
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Iranian FM, Hezbollah Chief Meet in Beirut
2022-March-25
During the meeting, Amir Abdollahian and Nasrallah
exchanged views on different issues and reviewed the latest developments in
Lebanon and the region.
Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Mohammad Jalal Firouznia
also accompanied Amir Abdollahian in the meeting.
During his visit to Beirut, met and held talks with
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib and
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
In the second leg of his regional trip, Amir Abdollahian
arrived in Lebanese capital of Beirut on Thursday after visiting Syrian capital
of Damascus.
Amir Abdollahian in a meeting with Syrian president’s
National Security Advisor Ali Mamlouk on Wednesday underlined that Tehran will
continue support for the government and people of Syria.
During the meeting in Damascus on Wednesday, the two
officials discussed bilateral ties as well as other issues of mutual interest.
Amir Abdollahian, for his part, referred to the
Islamic Republic of Iran’s relentless efforts in campaign against terrorism and
extremism in the region, and assured the Syrian security advisor about Iran’s
continued support for the Syrian government and nation.
Also, Mamlouk hailed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s
dominant role in strengthening the regional peace and security, specially in
campaign against the terrorist groups.
"The unique role played by martyred Major General
Qassem Soleimani in that respect is quite respectable," he added.
Source: Fars News Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010105000388/Iranian-FM-Hezbllah-Chief-Mee-in-Beir
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Jerusalem’s Christian population sees steep decline:
Church leader
AbdelRaouf Arnaout
25.03.2022
JERUSALEM
A church leader in Jerusalem has expressed concern
over the steep decline of the holy city’s Christian population over the years.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Wadih Abu Nassar, the
spokesman for the Council of Heads of Catholic Churches in Jerusalem, said
Christians constituted about 25% of the population of Jerusalem in 1922. But
the number has since fallen drastically to less than 1%, he noted.
According to Israeli sources, the population of
Jerusalem was 936,000 as of 2019. Jews made up 62% of the city’s population,
with Palestinians making up the remaining 38%.
Abu Nassar said the Christian population accounts for
less than 10,000 of the total number of Jerusalemites.
He attributed the drop in the number of Christians to
a combination of reasons ranging from economic to political.
Abu Nassar said economic challenges have played a
massive role in the decline of the Christian population in Jerusalem with the
coronavirus pandemic being the final blow that denied the city the income it
earned from foreign tourists.
Ambiguous political horizon
The church leader also blamed ambiguity in the
political horizon for the declining numbers.
“The political situation is heading toward the unknown
as there is no peace process and no prospect of a solution (on the Palestinian
question), and therefore there is a kind of ambiguity that frightens many
people, Christians and non-Christians alike," he said.
In 1993, the PLO and Israel signed the Oslo Accords
which gave Palestinians a form of self-rule. Years of peace negotiations
between the two sides, however, failed to achieve the Palestinian goal of
establishing an independent state.
US-sponsored peace talks collapsed in 2014 over
Israel’s refusal to halt settlement building and release Palestinians
imprisoned before 1993.
But while all segments of the society are affected by
political and economic upheavals, Abu Nassar believes that ethnic or religious
minorities suffer the most.
They “are the weakest link, not necessarily because
they are targeted, but because their presence in a state of constant
instability makes some think about immigration," he said.
He said the declining number of Christians will
disturb the demography of the city.
"This issue is worrying because Jerusalem is
indebted to the three religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, and one of
these religions is almost disappearing, and this is a matter of concern not
only for Christians but also for non-Christians, and for every person who loves
this pluralism in Jerusalem."
Jewish extremism
Abu Nassar has also blamed attacks by Jewish
extremists on Palestinians and expansion of illegal settlements as another key
reason behind the decline in Jerusalem’s Christian population.
"There is an increase in illegal settlement
activity in many neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, and this is not a secret, and
it targets many places, including some Christian holy sites," he said.
Abu Nassar slammed the Israeli authorities for not putting
“enough effort” to hold the extremists accountable.
He pointed out that the heads of churches expressed
concern about the existence of some kind of threat to Christians in Jerusalem
and their holy places.
Last December, the heads of Christian churches in
Jerusalem warned in a statement that Christians in the holy city “have become
the target of frequent and persistent attacks by extremist (Jewish)
groups" especially since 2012.
It listed the attacks as ranging from “countless
physical and verbal attacks on priests and other clergy, attacks on Christian
churches, with holy sites regularly vandalized and desecrated, and constant
intimidation of local Christians simply seeking to worship freely and go about
their daily lives."
They described the attacks as “tactics” employed by
the “extremist groups in a systematic attempt to push the Christian community
out of Jerusalem and other parts of the Holy Land.”
The statement warned that the extremist groups seek to
encroach Christian quarters through intimidation and other means.
In February, a plan was revealed to expropriate church
land on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem to turn it into a national park.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Arab
World
Egyptian authorities seize funds of 20 Muslim
Brotherhood figures
March 25, 2022
Egyptian authorities ordered the seizure of the funds
of 20 Muslim Brotherhood figures, including six of the sons and daughters of
Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Ghozlan.
The list included Yahya Mahmoud Sayed Abdullah
Ghozlan, Anas Mahmoud Sayed Abdullah Ghozlan, Hagar Mahmoud Sayed Abdullah
Ghozlan, Mohamed Mahmoud Sayed Abdullah Ghozlan, Yasser Mahmoud Sayed Abdullah
Ghozlan, Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Sayed Abdullah Ghozlan.
The father, Mahmoud Ghozlan, is accused of managing
armed committees that carried out terrorist attacks.
Ghozlan is the husband of Fatema al-Shater, sister of
Brotherhood deputy guide Khairat al-Shater.
In 2020, the investigation authorities listed Mahmoud
Ghazlan on the list of terrorism, in Case No. 2210 of 2014.
In these cases the defendants faced accusations of
leading an illegal group aiming to disrupt the provisions of the Constitution
and laws.
Also to prevent state institutions and public
authorities from exercising their duties, to attack the personal freedom of
citizens and public rights, and to harm national unity and social peace.
Source: Egypt Independent
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egyptian-authorities-seize-funds-of-20-muslim-brotherhood-figures/
--------
‘Hostile operation’ targeted Aramco facility in
Jeddah: Arab Coalition
25 March ,2022
The Arab Coalition said that a “hostile” operation by
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia targeted an Aramco oil facility in Jeddah on
Friday.
The attack which targeted a petroleum products
distribution station resulted in a fire in two tanks, the coalition said,
adding that the fire was brought under control.
No fatalities or injuries resulted from the attack.
“This hostile escalation targets oil facilities [and
aims] to affect the security of energy,” the coalition said, adding that the
Houthis target oil facilities in an attempt to impact “the artery of global
economy.”
The coalition added that the Houthis’ attacks had no
impact or repercussions on ordinary life in Jeddah.
The coalition warned the Houthi militia of escalating
“its grave violations” after targeting the Kingdom with 16 “hostile attacks” on
Friday.
Three of the 16 attacks include explosive-laden drones
launched toward the Kingdom’s Najran and nine explosive-laden drones launched
toward the southern, eastern and central regions of the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s defenses intercepted and destroyed all
drones, the coalition said, adding that it was “practicing self-restraint” in
order for the consultations among Yemen’s warring factions to succeed.
The attacks did not result in any fatalities, however,
debris from the intercepted attacks fell in some residential areas.
“[We warn] the Houthis not to test the coalition’s
patience,” it also said.
The Houthis have recently targeted oil facilities in
the Kingdom and launched several drones toward cities in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Al Arabiya
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Rocket attack causes ‘limited fire’ in Saudi Arabia’s
Jazan
25 March ,2022
A “limited fire” broke out at an electricity
distribution plant in the town of Samtah in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan following a
rocket attack, the Arab Coalition said on Friday.
The coalition said that there were no fatalities,
according to state news agency (SPA).
“We are practicing self-restraint, and we reserve the
right to respond at the right time,” the coalition added.
The coalition also said that a “hostile” attack
targeted the National Water Company tanks in the Kingdom’s Dhahran Al Janub.
Earlier on Friday, the coalition said that Saudi
Arabia’s defenses have destroyed nine explosive-laden drones launched by
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, one ballistic missile launched toward Jazan and
one explosive-laden drone launched toward Najran.
The Houthis have recently targeted oil facilities in
the Kingdom and launched several drones toward cities in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Al Arabiya
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Saudi
Arabia’s defences destroy ballistic missile, explosive-laden drone
25
March ,2022
Saudi
Arabia’s defenses have destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Jazan and
an explosive-laden drone launched toward Najran, the Arab Coalition said in a
statement on Friday.
The
coalition also said that it’s monitoring “the source of hostilities,” adding
that it’s still “practicing self-restraint.”
Earlier
on Friday, the coalition said that the Kingdom’s defenses have destroyed nine
explosive-laden drones launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
The
Houthis have recently targeted oil facilities in the Kingdom and launched
several drones toward cities in Saudi Arabia.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Saudi
Arabia’s defences thwart Houthi drone attack: Arab Coalition
25
March ,2022
Saudi
Arabia’s defenses have destroyed nine explosive-laden drones launched by
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, the Arab Coalition announced in a statement on
Friday.
The
drones were launched towards the southern, eastern and central regions of the
Kingdom at dawn, according to an official Saudi Press Agency report.
The
Arab Coalition said that these “continued hostilities threaten regional and
international security,” adding that “they deliberately target civilian and
energy facilities.”
The
coalition reiterated its support of Gulf and international efforts aimed at
contributing to the success of consultations among Yemen’s warring factions,
adding, however, that the “Houthis seek to thwart them.”
On
March 23, two booby-trapped boats launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi
militia were destroyed, thwarting an “imminent and hostile” attack on oil
tankers south of the Red Sea, the Arab Coalition said.
The
coalition also said that the two boats were launched from Yemen’s Hodeida,
adding that they were attempting to target giant oil tankers that have crossed
the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The
Houthis have recently targeted oil facilities in the Kingdom and launched
several drones toward cities in Saudi Arabia.
On
Sunday, an Aramco petroleum products distribution plant in Jeddah was attacked
by the Houthi militia leading to a “limited fire” which was brought under
control without injuries or casualties.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Latest
round of Syrian constitutional talks ends in Geneva
Peter
Kenny
25.03.2022
GENEVA
Another
round of talks for a solution to the war in Syria ended in Geneva on Friday,
with none of the parties offering signs of whether they would proceed to another
level of negotiations.
The
regime side made no comments while leaving the talks, which involved efforts to
draft a new constitution for the country after over a decade of war, with
opposition sources indicating to Anadolu Agency that "no agreements were
reached" on the draft revision on constitutional articles.
UN
Special Envoy on Syria Geir Pedersen canceled a scheduled press conference,
issuing only a written statement.
"Before
the Committee began its work this week, I appealed to the members to work with
the sense of seriousness and compromise that the situation demands," said
Pedersen.
"Two-and-a-half
years after the launching of the Constitutional Committee -- an event that took
nearly two years to bring about -- there is a clear need for this commitment to
be embodied in the Committee's work."
Commitment
needed
The
UN envoy said commitment was needed to make progress in bridging substantive
issues and drafting a constitutional reform that would be submitted to popular
approval.
"On
the fifth day (Friday), in line with the agreement, the delegations were
expected to submit revisions to reflect the content of the discussions during
the previous four days," said Pedersen.
Though
all delegations offered "at least some revisions" to the texts to
help compromise efforts, others "contained no changes," said the UN
official.
The
five days of talks involved both the regime and the opposition and took place
at Geneva's Intercontinental Hotel, instead of at the Palais des Nations, the
European headquarters of the UN.
"I
will do everything I can to bring closer viewpoints among the members through
exerting my good offices, which is plainly needed," said Pedersen, vowing
to engage with all sides in the talks.
When
the last round of talks had ended on Oct. 22, Pedersen said: "Today's
talks were a huge disappointment."
The
Syrian Constitutional Committee consists of two structures, large and small.
The
large structure includes all the committee members and consists of three
groups: The regime, the umbrella opposition delegation, and civil society
representatives.
Each
group sends 15 people to the small body, which is responsible for writing the
new constitution.
The
large 150-person structure must approve the drafts prepared by the 45-person
editorial board, and at least 75% of the members must support a decision for it
to be adopted.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Africa
Any
Muslim Who Supports Redeemed Church Of Christ Group Member Traitor to Islam –
Muslim Rights Concern Warns
March
25, 2022
By
Nsikak Nseyen
The
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned that any political party that picks
any member of the Redeemed Church of Christ Group (RCCG) will kiss the Aso Rock
goodbye.
The
group gave the warning in a statement signed by Idrees Safiyanu Gambo,
Chairman, Bauchi State Chapter, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
Recall
that the RCCG had a few weeks ago created a directorate for politics and
governance across the country.
The
church said the move is to mobilize support for members who are aspiring to
occupy political offices.
Vice
President, Yemi Osinbajo though yet to declare his intention to run for
president is a pastor in RCCG.
There
are indications that he may soon declare his intention.
But
MURIC said it is challenging the Redeemed Church of Christ Group (RCCG) for
having the effrontery to launch a national political structure.
According
to the group, RCCG plans to eliminate other religions or turn their faithful
into political slaves, adding that any Muslim who queues behind a redeemer is
now considered a traitor to the cause of Islam.
”The
rest of us have no option but to challenge this existential threat.
”We
must work towards our survival before the RCCG tsunami threat sweeps Islam and
other Christian denominations out of existence.
“The
ugly experience of our Muslim brothers in Yorubaland where they are persecuted
politically and marginalised economically despite their superior numerical
strength is enough for us to know what is likely to happen if members of the
RCCG take over the reins of power either in Aso Rock or in any state in the
manner they are going about it at the moment. We in the North have been
watching this ugly development with keen interest.
“In
fact, it is unimaginable to expect the emergence of RCCG candidates as winners
in the Northern States and we will ensure that this does not happen now or any
time in the future. We are not unaware of the ‘winner-takes-all’ mentality of
the RCCG but Northern Muslims will never expose their land to such obnoxious cultural
invasion, as what we want is a society where everyone is treated equally.
“The
RCCG declaration of a directorate of political affairs was met with great
annoyance by us in the North and it has destroyed any goodwill Christian
politicians enjoy here in the North. It is so bad that any Muslim who queues
behind a redeemer is now considered a traitor to the cause of Islam and this is
not what we want at this critical point in our nation. ”
MURIC
further warned Idrees Safiyanu Gambo also warned Islamic organizations and
Muslim communities against hobnobbing with any RCCG candidate, whether
presidential or gubernatorial.
He
said, “Although MURIC will not support any political party against another
during the coming general election, we warn Islamic organizations and Muslim
communities against hobnobbing with any RCCG candidate, whether presidential or
gubernatorial.
Source:
Daily Post
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
US
sanctions 6 Nigerians for allegedly aiding Boko Haram
Michael
Gabriel Hernandez
25.03.2022
WASHINGTON
Six
Nigerian nationals have been placed under US sanctions due to their alleged
support for Boko Haram, the State and Treasury Departments announced on Friday.
All
six, identified as Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf,
Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, were
convicted of attempting to set up a Boko Haram cell in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), the Treasury said in a statement.
“With
this action, the United States joins the UAE in targeting terrorist financing
networks of mutual concern,” Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson said.
“Treasury
continues to target financial facilitators of terrorist activity worldwide. We
welcome multilateral action on this Boko Haram network to ensure that it is not
able to move any further funds through the international financial system,” he
added.
The
men were convicted in the UAE of attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Boko
Haram in Nigeria.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/us-sanctions-6-nigerians-for-allegedly-aiding-boko-haram/2546058
--------
Nigerian
military destroys major stronghold of Boko Haram terror group
Andrew
Wasike
25.03.2022
NAIROBI,
Kenya
The
Nigerian military on Friday said it has destroyed one of the largest camps of
the Boko Haram terrorist group.
The
camp in the northeastern state of Borno was captured after intense fighting
with terrorists of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province
(ISWAP), the army said in a statement.
Several
terrorists were “neutralized in offensive clearance operations … around Ukuba
and Camp Zairo in Sambisa Forest,” the statement said, without specifying the
exact numbers.
A
large amount of weapons and equipment, including heavy artillery, a tank and
other armored and combat vehicles, was seized.
The
army also posted videos and photos on its Twitter page showing the aftermath of
the operation, as well as the weapons and equipment recovered.
Military
spokesperson Maj. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko hailed the operation as a “major
setback” for terrorist groups in Nigeria.
Boko
Haram launched a bloody insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 before
expanding to neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a military
response.
The
terror group has killed more than 30,000 people and displaced nearly 3 million
in Nigeria, according to the UN.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Top
Muslim bloc approves appointment of special envoy for Africa
Ibrahim
Mukhta
25.03.2022
The
foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have
endorsed the appointment of a special envoy for Africa.
Meeting
on March 22-23 in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, the OIC Council of Foreign
Ministers passed a resolution endorsing the bloc’s appointing Nassirou Bako
Arifari as special envoy, the 57-nation Muslim bloc said in a statement
Thursday.
A
former foreign minister for Benin, West Africa, Arifari has also taught at
various universities, according to the statement.
“This
decision is driven by the Council’s belief in the importance of the African
continent and its issues – the more so as a large number of OIC member states
are from the African continent,” the statement said.
“The
decision is also in response to the (2019) Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit’s urge
for greater attention to be given by the OIC to Africa and African issues.”
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl Issued Notice for Planning To Set Up Stage On Srinagar
Highway
Munawer
Azeem
March
26, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The capital administration on Friday issued a show-cause notice to Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) for planning to set up stage on Srinagar Highway by
blocking the road in violation of the terms and conditions of the no-objection
certificate (NOC) issued to it.
The
notice was issued by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqaat to JUI-F Islamabad
emir Maulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi, asking him to reply within 48 hours
otherwise the NOC would be cancelled.
It
said according to the terms and conditions of the NOC, the rally planned by the
JUI shall not disturb or disrupt fundamental rights of the citizens.
The
plan to block Srinagar Highway needs preemptive actions by the district
administration to maintain law and order and to protect public rights, it said,
adding that hence the organisers were being served show-cause notice, asking
why the NOC issued for the public gathering may not be cancelled.
“In
consequence of non-compliance of the show-cause notice, the capital
administration shall withdraw the NOC of the rally and you shall be responsible
for any untoward incident,” the notice said.
Meanwhile,
PML-N Islamabad chapter president Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry approached the
capital administration for issuance of an NOC for the party’s public gathering.
In
a letter addressed to the DC, he shared details of the long march plan of the
PML-N and the public gathering of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in
Islamabad.
The
PML-N’s long march will start on Saturday (today) from Lahore via G.T. Road and
Islamabad Expressway and will reach Peshawar Mor, Srinagar Highway, in the
evening.
The
public gathering will be held at Peshawar Mor on March 28 and will be addressed
jointly by the leadership of all PDM component parties.
When
contacted, Dr Chaudhry said a meeting was held with the officers of the police
and capital administration.
Asked
why the PML-N also applied for the NOC as it had already been issued to the
JUI-F, he said the NOC was not obtained in the name of the PDM.
Meanwhile,
the capital police have suggested to the administration to assign separate
routes to the participants of the PTI and the PDM to reach the Parade Ground
and H-9, sources in the police said.
They
said the suggestion was given after reports collected by the police showed that
chances of physical confrontation between the PTI and opposition parties’
workers cannot be ruled out.
Besides,
a buffer zone should also be created between the two venues to ensure that
there will be no standoff between them.
In
this regard, arrangements will be made at Zero Point, Islamabad Expressway from
Zero Point to Faizabad, Ninth Avenue from Peshawar Mor to I.J. Principal Road
and from Double Road to Faizabad on I.J. Principal Road to set up the buffer
zone, the sources said.
Peshawar
Mor Underpass and Education Chowk at H-8 have been declared prohibited areas
for the general public from March 26.
A
contingent of 3,000 officials of Punjab police, 2,000 personnel of FC, 2,000
Rangers, 200 policemen from Azad Kashmir and 400 personnel from Frontier
Reserve Police are arriving in the capital. About 3,000 personnel will be
deployed from Motorway Chowk to G-9.
Meanwhile,
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed chaired a meeting to review arrangements
for the public gatherings. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary
Affairs Babar Awan, the interior secretary and officers of the police and
administration of Islamabad and Rawalpindi attended the meeting.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Militant
commander gunned down in South Waziristan
March
26, 2022
SOUTH
WAZIRISTAN: Unknown gunmen killed a militant commander in Azam Warsak area of
South Waziristan tribal district on Thursday night, police and witnesses said.
The
witnesses said that attackers driving a non-custom paid car opened fire on Mr
Bakhan in front of a shop in Azam Warsak, some 15 kilometres from Wana, the
district headquarters of South Waziristan. He died instantly.
No
group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Locals
said that commander Bakhan had affiliation with the “good Taliban” that had
supported the government in operations against local and foreign militants in
South Waziristan.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1681924/militant-commander-gunned-down-in-south-waziristan
--------
US
chargé d’affaires visits Karachi, meets Sindh governor
March
25, 2022
The
United States Chargé d’affaires Angela Aggeler visited Karachi from March 23 to
25 and met with Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail, Port Qasim Authority Chairman
Hasan Nasir Shah, industry leaders, and professional female athletes to promote
ties between the US and Pakistan on the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations
between the two countries.
Aggeler
held a discussion with women athletes and sports journalists in conjunction
with Women’s History Month, and she commended the Pakistani sports stars for
breaking barriers on the pitch, in the arena, and on the Olympic podium.
“We
reaffirm our support for the advancement and achievements of Pakistani women,”
she said.
The
envoy further stated that a better, more secure and prosperous world is created
by elevating the societal status of women and girls.
The
chargé d’affaires also toured Port Qasim and met Port Qasim Authority Chairman
Hasan Nasir Shah to discuss opportunities for broader trade and economic
engagement between the US and Pakistan.
She
visited Exquisite, which is LNG company Excelerate’s floating liquefied natural
gas and the re-gasification unit, and met with crew members and learned about
the company’s contributions toward Pakistan’s energy sector.
“Economic
cooperation between our countries has long been a fundamental aspect of our
partnership and brings prosperity to both our countries,” Aggeler noted.
She
also observed the operations of US companies Cargill, and Procter and Gamble while
at Port Qasim.
The
US remains one of Pakistan’s largest sources of foreign investment and
Aggeler’s visit to Karachi highlighted the importance of strengthening the two
countries’ economic relationship, said the statement released.
Source:
Pakistan Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/03/25/us-charge-daffaires-visits-karachi-meets-governor-sindh/
--------
Imran’s
‘trump card’ claim a hollow threat, says Maryam
Zulqernain
Tahir
March
26, 2022
LAHORE:
Rejecting Imran Khan’s claim of having a ‘trump card’ to defeat the
opposition’s move to oust him from office, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz
offered a word of advice to the prime minister on Firday, asking him to show
some ‘self-respect’ and resign instead of seeking time to stay in government.
Addressing
party workers at the PML-N’s secretariat in Model Town, she said: “Today, Imran
Khan is crying for help not from the public but someone else pleading to come
forward and help save his government. But let me tell him… no one will come to
his rescue now. He is seeking NRO from everyone…going to his party men and
allies whom he never bothered to talk to.”
Asking
the PM to stop bluffing people on holding a trump card, she said: “Imran is
left with no cards, rather his government’s days are numbered and this is
writing on the wall.”
She
also castigated Mr Khan for ‘threats’ to his own party members. “Imran is in
power, yet over two dozen MNAs have left him. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif
is in opposition but not a single lawmaker parted ways with him despite worst
political victimisation by the PTI regime during the past three-and-a-half
years,” she claimed.
The
PML-N leader said people would not come out in favour of the “selected” premier
but would take to the streets against him under the banner of the opposition.
She asked the party workers to get ready for the long march towards Islamabad
to be kicked off on Saturday (today) from Model Town.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1681865/imrans-trump-card-claim-a-hollow-threat-says-maryam
--------
FO
rejects India’s remarks on outcome of OIC session
March
26, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Friday rejected as ‘totally untenable’ and ‘irresponsible’
statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the outcome of
unanimously adopted resolutions at the recently held session of the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM).
The
OIC-CFM in its Islamabad session supported Pakistan’s call for a joint probe to
establish the facts surrounding the recent firing of a missile into Pakistan’s
territory from India. The OIC in a resolution also urged India to “work
constructively with Pakistan for enhancing regional security and stability
through the settlement of outstanding disputes and positively responding to
Pakistan’s proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime, including measures for
arms control, restraint and confidence building”.
The
FO spokesman, in a statement, noted the OIC was a collective voice of the
Muslim Ummah and the second largest international organisation after the United
Nations, with 57 members and six observer states. “The OIC has a longstanding
principled position in support of the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri
people for their right to self-determination granted to them by the relevant
resolutions of the UN Security Council. While refusing to implement the UNSC
resolutions, India has for decades tried to suppress the voice of the Kashmiris
through brutal and indiscriminate use of force and gross and systematic
violations of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir
(IIOJK),” the statement added.
Besides,
the FO pointed out, the ascendant BJP-RSS-inspired “Hindutva” ideology
restricted the space for religious minorities in India, especially Muslims
whose persecution under state patronage has become a norm in today’s India.
“The OIC has accordingly condemned massive human rights abuses in IIOJK, and
has once again firmly rejected India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August
5, 2019 and subsequent steps aimed at altering the demographic composition of
the occupied territory,” the FO spokesman explained.
He
said the OIC had denounced the blatant and widespread discrimination,
intolerance and violence against Muslims in India, and called upon India to
ensure their rights, including religious freedom.
However,
reacting to the OIC resolutions and statements, the Indian MEA said the
references made to India were based on ‘falsehoods and misrepresentation’. “The
statements and resolutions adopted at the meeting demonstrate both the
irrelevance of the OIC as a body and role of Pakistan as its manipulator,” MEA
spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
According
to The Times of India on Thursday, he also warned all the nations and
governments that associated themselves with such exercises to realise the
impact it had on their “reputation”.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1681862/fo-rejects-indias-remarks-on-outcome-of-oic-session
--------
Pardoning
graft cases would be treachery, says PM Imran
Nisar
Ahmad Khan
March
26, 2022
MANSEHRA:
Continuing his onslaught on rivals who seem determined to kick him out of
power through a no-trust vote, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said if he
pardoned the former rulers in the cases of kickbacks and bribery they were
facing, it would be tantamount to treachery
“They
(opposition leaders) have been pressurising and blackmailing me to clear them
of corruption charges. However, if I give them a clean chit, as Pervez
Musharraf did, then I would be committing sedition,” Mr Khan declared while
speaking to a cheering crowd here at Thakra Stadium.
Referring
to PTI lawmakers who had openly come out against him, PM Khan said: “The
horse-trading in the federal capital is at its peak as Rs250 million and even
more is being offered to each MNA for my character assassination, but I cannot
find words to admire the loyalty of lawmakers like Salah Mohammad Khan who
didn’t sell his conscience. I am sure he would not have thought of going
against me even if he was offered Rs500 million,” Mr Khan said.
The
prime minister stayed at the rostrum for over 40 minutes, mostly talking about
his government’s performance, their mega-development projects and key achievements.
In
an apparent reference to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali
Zardari, PM Khan said: “Three cowards have been cursing me and trying to
intimidate me, but I want to make it clear that they would never succeed in
their evil mission.”
PM
Khan predicted that Sharif family’s role in Pakistan’s politics had come to an
end forever and now they could only get themselves enrolled in British
politics.
“If
this family would indulge in British politics, the country would go bankrupt
because of their corruption and the government would soon be compelled to seek
loans from the international community to run its affairs,” he said.
Mr
Khan recalled that because of his bold narrative at the UN General Assembly the
latter had declared March 15 as the international day to mark Islamophobia.
“Maulana
Fazlur Rehman has been using Islam as a stunt for his political and personal
gains but he couldn’t make any such achievement which could have helped bring
an end to blasphemy being committed in the garb of freedom of speech,” Mr Khan
said.
He
said his politics was for the dignity and respect of the country and he would
prefer to maintain relations with the US and other western countries based on
mutual respect and equality but would never accept their hegemony.
“I
would extend a hand of friendship to the Indian government if it revokes its
constitutional article 370 which ended Kashmir’s independent status on August
15, 2019,” Mr Khan said.
The
prime minister invited the people of Mansehra to attend what he called an
historic rally in Islamabad on March 27.
Poll
code violations
In
a related development, the Election Commission of Pakistan served a notice on
Prime Minister Khan for using state resources in the campaign of the ruling
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidates contesting the second phase of local
bodies elections and violating the code of conduct by addressing a rally in
Mansehra.
The
notice was served by Mansehra District Monitoring Officer Hayatullah Jan
through secretary to the PM. The DMO also served similar notices on Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Speaker
KP Assembly Mushtaq Ghani and MNA Saleh Mohammad Khan Swati.
It
may be recalled that the PM had been advised through a letter issued on March
21, not to violate any provision of the code of conduct. The fresh notice to PM
Khan follows the imposition of a fine of Rs50,000 on him and other public
office holders by the ECP Peshawar on Thursday for addressing a rally in
Malakand on March 20. Earlier, Prime Minister Khan was fined Rs50,000 each by
the respective DMOs for addressing public meetings in Lower Dir and Swat.
Source:
Dawn
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1681849/pardoning-graft-cases-would-be-treachery-says-pm-imran
--------
South
Asia
Taliban
should live up to commitments, let girls go to school: UN’s global fund for
education
26
Mar 2022
CAPTION
ADDITION – updated information – Girls arrive at their school in Kabul on March
23, 2022. – The Taliban ordered girls’ secondary schools in Afghanistan to shut
on March 23 just hours after they reopened, an official confirmed, sparking
confusion and heartbreak over the policy reversal by the hardline Islamist
group. (Photo by Ahmad SAHEL ARMAN / AFP) / CAPTION ADDITION (Photo by AHMAD
SAHEL ARMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Education
Cannot Wait (ECW), the UN’s global fund for education in emergencies and
protracted crisis expressed concern over the closure of schools for teenage
girls in Afghanistan and asked the Taliban to live up to their commitments
regarding education.
The
ECW in a press release asked the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to ensure
the right to education for children and adolescents across Afghanistan so that
they support a peaceful and prosperous future for all Afghans.
The
press release added that boys’ and girls’ return to schools is key for the
development of Afghanistan.
“While
boys have been able to access primary and secondary school since the Taliban
takeover in August 2021, girls’ access to education has been limited to primary
school in most of Afghanistan’s provinces. With today’s announcement, an entire
generation of Afghan children and adolescents could be left behind.” Reads the
statement.
As
per the statement of ECW, this was a crucial moment for the de facto
authorities to make good on their commitments and that this was the time to
fulfill the right to education for all girls and boys in Afghanistan.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Students
protest in Kabul as Taliban bar girls from attending schools
25
March, 2022
Kabul
[Afghanistan], March 25 (ANI): Dozens of students have rallied in Kabul on
Friday to protest the Taliban’s decision to block girls’ schools.
A
number of protestors chanted slogans against the Taliban. One of the slogans
said, “No religion has blocked education and the ban on educating girls is
blatant gender discrimination.”
As
the new school year begins in Afghanistan, the Taliban has announced that the
boys can continue their education normally. However, the doors of the schools
have been closed to girls beyond the sixth grade.
The
intentional community has condemned this ban saying, this move will have an
inevitable impact on the Taliban’s prospects of gaining political support and
legitimacy either at home or abroad.
Condemning
the Taliban’s decision not to reopen secondary schools to Afghan girls, the
United States and its allies have called on the group to revoke its decision.
A
joint statement issued by Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Italy, Norway,
the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative
of the European Union has condemned the Taliban’s decision on March 23 to deny
so many Afghan girls the opportunity to finally go back to school.
“The
Taliban’s action contradicted its public assurances to the Afghan people and to
the international community,” read the statement, adding that the decision came
after months of work by the international community to support teacher stipends
based on an expectation that schools would be open for all, with the higher
interest of Afghan students and teachers in mind.
They
called on the Taliban urgently to reverse this decision which will have
consequences far beyond its harm to Afghan girls.
Source:
The Print
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Taliban
faces increasing global pressure to reopen schools to Afghanistan girls
Mar
26, 2022
Months
after Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the struggle of civilians continues to
capture global attention. In the latest issue that has emerged from the South
Asian nation, a halt in education for girls has sparked huge concerns. Earlier
this week, the Taliban government had closed secondary schools hours after girl
students were back in classrooms. Schools had been shut for nearly seven
months.
According
to a report by Al Jazeera, an education ministry notice said on Wednesday that
schools for girls above class 6 would be closed until a plan was drawn up in
accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture. “We inform all girls in high
schools and those schools that are having female students above class six that
they are off until the next order,” it read.
Heartbreaking
visuals showed some girls crying over the decision while others chose to take
the protest route. The decision has triggered criticism worldwide.
Now,
female foreign ministers of 16 countries have urged Taliban for a rethink.
"As women and as foreign ministers, we are deeply disappointed and
concerned that girls in Afghanistan are being denied access to secondary
schools this spring. We call upon the Taliban to reverse their recent decision
and to grant equal access to all levels of education, in all provinces of the
country," a joint statement read.
The
ministers of Albania, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia, Canada, Estonia,
Germany, Iceland, Kosovo, Malawi, Mongolia, New Zealand, Sweden, Tonga and
Britain have sent the letter, news agency AP reported.
At
the United Nations, diplomats of 10 countries have sent across a similar
message.
The
United States, according to reports, has cancelled some planned meetings in
Doha, Qatar, as Taliban continues its hard-line stance. On cancelled meetings
in Doha. That's correct. We have cancelled some of our engagements, including
planned meetings in Doha and around the Doha forum and made clear that we see
this decision as a potential turning point in our engagement," US State
Department Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter was quoted as saying in reports.
In
a tweet, UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) wrote,
"Taliban decision on girls' education will cause irreparable damage to
Afghanistan if not reversed. @DeborahLyonsUN message to the Taliban today,
meeting in Qatar with their Doha office head @suhailsaheen1."
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
--------
Southeast
Asia
India
scolds Chinese minister over Kashmir remarks
March
24, 2022
NEW
DELHI: China’s foreign minister Wang Yi drew a rebuke from the Indian
government ahead of his expected but unconfirmed visit to New Delhi tomorrow,
upsetting his hosts with remarks made in Pakistan this week concerning the
disputed Kashmir region.
Relations
between the two nuclear armed Asian powers turned chilly two years ago after a
deadly border clash in the Ladakh region of Kashmir, and Wang would be the
first high-level Chinese official to visit since that time.
Attending
a conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Pakistan on
Tuesday, Wang said that “China shares the same hope” as the OIC on Kashmir, a
Muslim majority region which both India and Pakistan rule in part but claim in
full.
India
has been fighting an armed insurgency in Kashmir for decades and the OIC has
long advocated Kashmiris’ “inalienable right to self-determination”.
“We
reject the uncalled reference to India by the Chinese foreign minister Wang
Yi,” the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement late yesterday.
“Matters
related to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir are entirely the internal
affairs of India. Other countries including China have no locus standi to
comment. They should note that India refrains from public judgement of their
internal issues.”
India
has controlled nearly half of Kashmir since a war that followed independence
from Britain in 1947, including the heavily populated and prized Kashmir
valley.
Pakistan
controls around a third.
China
holds the remainder and has long backed Pakistan in its rivalry with India.
An
Indian government source told Reuters, that Wang would meet India’s foreign
minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and national security adviser Ajit Doval
tomorrow, and that while the agenda was unclear, talks on the Ukraine conflict
were expected.
The
source requested anonymity, and neither side has formally announced the Chinese
minister’s planned visit.
India’s
foreign ministry said today it had no information to share on Wang’s visit.
A
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said yesterday he too had no information on
it.
China
and India fought a brief but bloody border war in 1962.
Relations
became fraught again in June 2020, when 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers
were killed during a high-altitude clash in a disputed section of the western
Himalayas.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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Court
allows another Mareva injunction against Najib
March
24, 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR: SRC International Sdn Bhd and one of its subsidiaries have obtained a
Mareva injunction from the High Court here to prevent former prime minister
Najib Razak from transferring or dissipating his assets amounting to RM42
million.
The
decision was made by judicial commissioner Arief Emran Arifin in an online
proceeding today after allowing the application by SRC and Gandingan Mentari
Sdn Bhd, which were the first and second plaintiffs in SRC’s suit against
Najib.
A
Mareva injunction is a temporary order which restrains the defendant from
disposing of assets until the determination of the case between the plaintiff
and the defendant.
The
court directed that Najib, 69, must not remove, dispose of, deal with or
diminish the value of any of his assets in and outside Malaysia up to the value
of RM42 million, pending the final determination of the suit.
The
court also directed that the Pekan MP must disclose to SRC’s solicitors, in
writing, the details of his assets in or outside of Malaysia up to the value of
RM42 million within 30 days of the order being served on him.
The
former Umno president shall be entitled to draw and expend from a bank account
or other sources a sum not exceeding RM100,000 per month for ordinary living
and legal expenses, with the court highlighting that this amount was inclusive
of the ad interim Mareva injunction order obtained previously by 1MDB.
Arief
also fixed the next case management on May 13.
A lawyer
from Messrs Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership, who represented SRC, confirmed
the court’s decision.
SRC
and Gandingan Mentari were represented by M Nagarajah, Syafinaz Vani, Clament
Tay and Lisa Yong, while Farhan Shafee and Thilagan Mehanathan appeared for
Najib.
On
Feb 8, 1MDB and its subsidiaries Global Diversified Investment Company Ltd
(formerly known as 1MDB Global Investments Ltd) obtained a Mareva injunction
from the High Court here to stop Najib from disposing of or reducing the value
of any of his assets in Malaysia up to US$681 million.
However,
on Feb 18, Najib filed an application to set aside the Mareva injunction. The
hearing has been fixed for May 6.
On
July 28, 2020, the High Court sentenced Najib to 12 years in prison and a fine
of RM210 million after finding him guilty of misappropriating RM42 million in
SRC funds.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
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‘Fight
was leading us nowhere’: former Abu Sayyaf militants speak after surrender to
Philippines forces
March
25, 2022
JOLO,
Sulu: Former fighters from one of the most dangerous militant outfits in the
Philippines have claimed that they no longer believed their fight was worth it.
They were speaking as local army officers report a fall in the number of active
members in the organisation, the Abu Sayyaf Group.
The
ASG was formed in 1991 as a splinter group of the Moro National Liberation
Front, which seeks autonomy for Filipino Muslims in the southern Philippines.
Initially influenced by Al-Qaeda, since the early 2000s it has been notorious
for assassinations, extortion and kidnappings — often beheading hostages if a
ransom was not paid. Often described as a criminal gang whose activity is more
profit-driven than ideological, ASG was behind many violent incidents between
2011 and 2018. In 2014, some of its factions pledged allegiance to Daesh.
There
has been a decline in ASG-related incidents since 2017, following a five-month
operation to reclaim the city of Marawi in the southern Philippines, where
militants affiliated with Daesh had taken control, and the subsequent crackdown
on the ASG leadership.
Since
2018, the Philippine government has stepped up programs designed to encourage
ASG members to surrender.
Data
from the 11th Infantry Division, a Philippine army unit designated to fight
militancy in southwestern Sulu island — the stronghold of ASG — shows that the
number of militants active in the area has decreased from about 300 in 2019 to
an estimated 100.
In
an interview at a military facility in Jolo, capital of Sulu province, former
fighters who are cooperating with the army spoke to Arab News about why they
left the organization.
“Our
fight was leading us nowhere,” said Faizal Umadjadi, now 21, who joined ASG in
2012. According to the military, he was involved in at least four encounters
with government troops, the first time in 2014. Many ASG recruits come from
local communities where the militants have their hideouts.
“I
ran away from home, I didn’t listen to my parents,” Umadjadi said.
Six
years later, the decision to surrender came during one of his meetings with
family. “My parents cried a lot, so I thought I wouldn’t go back (to ASG),
because I felt sorry for them,” he said. “They said there is no chance that we (ASG)
can beat the government and it’s leading us nowhere.”
Arab
Abdulmain Yousoff, 29, said he also chose family over combat eventually. It
took him 10 years to make the decision. Military documentation shows he was a
sub-leader in the group. He claimed he was close to Radullan Sahiron — ASG’s
leader and one of its first members, who remains at large with a $1 million
bounty on his head. Yousoff joined the group in 2010, following a promise that
he would earn money from kidnaping for ransoms. In ASG, he was responsible for
transporting and guarding hostages. He was involved in nine operations against
government forces. At the same time, his elder brother, a soldier, was fighting
ASG.
“My
mother had a stroke because of me,” he said. “When there was a war in Marawi,
that’s when my mother started to become ill. My brother was fighting in Marawi.
My family said ‘if you still want to see your mother alive, it’s up to you. If
you don’t want to see her alive anymore, it’s still up to you.’”
For
Bennajar Jalmaani, recruited at the age of 15 in 2014, it was the ASG’s
brutality toward hostages that he said made him want to leave. He started in
reconnaissance and organizing food supplies. Military records show he was also
involved in combat and participated in four encounters with the army.
He
was with the group when it abducted two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina
from the Holiday Oceanview Resort on the island of Samal in Davao del Norte in
2015. The hostages were later taken to the jungles of Jolo island. He was also
there when the Canadians were decapitated in 2016, after $6.4 million in ransom
was not paid.
“When
they beheaded the hostages, that’s when I decided to get out,” he said. He
surrendered last year and now makes charcoal for a living. Like others who gave
up arms, he receives assistance from the government to keep his family. This
week alone, nine ASG members followed in his footsteps, and surrendered to the
Joint Task Force Sulu.
Source:
Arab News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2050411/world
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/whatsapp-karnataka-muslim-woman-pakistan/d/126658