PM Modi, Refers Himself As The “Son Of Lord Jagannath”, The Most Revered God In Odisha

New Age Islam News Bureau

06 May 2024

 

PM Modi being presented a memento at a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha polls in Berhampur, Odisha, Monday, May 5, 2024. (PTI Photo)

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·         PM Modi, Refers Himself As The “Son Of Lord Jagannath”, The Most Revered God In Odisha

·         Taliban Face Rare Public Uprising Against Their Rule In Northeastern Afghanistan

·         Human Rights Activist In London Airport: ‘Mr. Khalilzad, You Ruined Afghanistan’

·         The Historic Byzantine Monastery Of Chora, Turkey, Reopens As A Mosque Today

·         Saudi CEO To Attend Gulf Creatives Conference At Harvard University

 

India

·         Muslims Recognise Congress, INDIA Bloc's Use of Them as Pawns: PM Modi

·         FIR Filed Against Nadda, Amit Malviya, Karnataka BJP Chief Over Social Media Post Targeting Muslims

·         Asaduddin Owaisi: ‘Muslims Should Wake Up And Learn From Rajputs’ – AIMIM Leader Comments On PM's 'Anti-Muslim' Rhetoric

·         ‘No Muslim Can Win, Now Or In The Future’: In Assam’s Barpeta, Delimitation Fears Confirmed

·         Alliance no-go casts polarisation cloud on Ghani turf 

·         Muslim Quota Will Be Removed If BJP Is Elected To Power In Telangana, Reiterates Amit Shah

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South Asia

·         88 More Myanmar Border Policemen Enter Bangladesh

·         Hajj Visa To Allow Pilgrims To Perform Only Holy Rituals Of Haj

·         Milli Shifa Pharmaceutical’s Serum Production Factory Makes Historic Export to Iraq

·         Over 23 million in Afghanistan require humanitarian aid

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Mideast

·         Pan-Islamic Organization Backs Efforts For UN Recognition Of Palestinian State

·         Netanyahu uses Holocaust ceremony to brush off international pressure against Gaza offensive

·         Teen ‘Jihad’ Stabber Shot Dead In Australia Not Tied To Sydney Young Extremists

·         Yazd To Host Children Of Mosque Theatre Festival After Three-Year Hiatus

·         85 extremist settlers storm blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque

·         UN atomic watchdog chief due in Iran as concern grows over nuclear activity

·         Lebanon’s Hezbollah says fired dozens of rockets at Israeli base

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Arab World

·         Muslim Commission in Nepal Awards its Medal to Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs

·         Saudi Border Guard Arrest 4 Attempting To Smuggle Qat, A Mild Stimulant

·         KSrelief distributes food in Pakistan, drills solar-powered wells in Nigeria

·         Saudi anti-corruption authority reveals details of recent cases

·         Jeddah to host ALECSO Executive Council, General Conference meetings

·         French classical concert tour for children in Saudi Arabia comes to an end

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Europe

·         No Place ForFriday PlayersFor Workers In Italian City Of Monfalcone; Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Jehovah Have Their Churches

·         Italy’s pragmatic prime minister leads charge for EU far right

·         UK Labour official acknowledges electoral backlash over Gaza

·         Richard Parker vows to rebuild trust with Muslim voters

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Pakistan

·         SC Suspends PHC’s Verdict Against Allocating Reserved Seats To Sunni Ittehad Council

·         Two TTP suspects killed in CTD ‘encounter’ in Rawalpindi

·         Pakistan aims high as Saudi investors arrive

·         'Saudi Arabia evinces interest, trust in economy of Pakistan'

·         OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir calls for early resolution of J&K dispute

·         Anti-Pakistan rhetoric during India polls threat to Muslims, peace: Dar

·         Govt to launch free bus service for female students, teachers in Islamabad next month

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Africa

·         Edo Guber: NSCIA Urges Muslims To Get Involved In Electoral Process

·         Nigerian leaders not interested in solving country’s problems – Kingsley Moghalu

·         Gaza Tops Agenda At Organization Of Islamic Cooperation Summit

·         Ethiopian Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter

·         S’Arabia Announces $100m Financing for Islamic Bank’s Livelihoods Fund

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Southeast Asia

·         Malaysian PM Condemns West’s ‘Sheer Hypocrisy’ Over Gaza War

·         Debate Rationally, Always Put People’s Interest First, Pahang Sultan Tells Assemblymen

·         PM Anwar calls for unified response as world confronts fragmented global landscape

·         SEC nurtures skilled local talents to reduce dependency on external expertise

·         Malaysia national football team player Faisai Halim suffers acid attack

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:     https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/pm-modi-lord-jagannath-god-odisha/d/132270

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PM Modi, Refers Himself As The “Son Of Lord Jagannath”, The Most Revered God In Odisha

 

PM Modi being presented a memento at a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha polls in Berhampur, Odisha, Monday, May 5, 2024. (PTI Photo)

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Written by SujitBisoyi

Ganjam: May 6, 2024

Exuding confidence that the BJP would form the government in Odisha, where Assembly elections are being held simultaneously with Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government’s “expiry date” was June 4 – the day the results come out.

Addressing a rally at Kanisi, under the Berhampur parliamentary constituency, Modi said, “Today is May 6. By June 6, a BJP chief minister will be nominated and on June 10, an oath-taking ceremony will be held. Write it down. I have come here to welcome you to the BJP government’s oath-taking ceremony.”

“The double engine government will come to Odisha for the first time,” he declared.

It was Modi’s first rally in Odisha since the election dates were announced. The state will go to the polls in four phases, starting May 13.

The PM, who referred to himself as the “son of Lord Jagannath”, the most revered god in Odisha, also promised that the BJP would nominate a chief minister who “understands and respects Odia culture”.

Festive offer

“Odisha has adequate water, mineral resources and a vast coastline. The almighty has blessed the state with everything. But what happened? The state is rich, but people are poor. Who has committed the sin? First the Congress and then the BJD. Even small BJD leaders are owners of big bungalows,” said the Prime Minister.

Underlining the Central government’s commitment to the state, Modi said the Centre had released over Rs 3.5 lakh crore to Odisha during his tenure.

“But friends, as you know, just sending funds doesn’t work.. We should have a good government here… Modi sends funds from Delhi and prepares a plan, but the BJD government here either doesn’t implement it, or pastes its own sticker on it, or loots the funds,” he said.

He said the BJP’s Odisha unit has released a progressive manifesto for the state with a focus on employment for youths, empowerment of women, social security for the elderly and appropriate MSP for farmers. It’s “Modi’s guarantee” that the BJP government will implement this in Odisha, he said.

Citing the example of Tripura, where he said the BJP ousted the Left and came to power despite fielding new and young leaders, Modi said the party could do the same in Odisha. He urged BJP workers to focus on winning individual booths and on motivating people to come out in large numbers to vote.

Source: indianexpress.com

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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/calling-himself-son-of-lord-jagannath-modi-declares-bjd-govts-expiry-date-is-june-4-9311100/

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 Taliban Face Rare Public Uprising Against Their Rule In Northeastern Afghanistan

 

FILE - An armed Afghan policemen destroys an opium poppy field in Noorgal, Kunar province, east of Kabul, April 13, 2013.

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May 05, 2024

ISLAMABAD —

Afghanistan’s hardline Taliban leaders have threatened to militarily suppress unprecedented violent public protests in a northeastern border region against a nationwide ban on poppy cultivation.

The unrest erupted last Friday when the Taliban’s anti-narcotics forces began destroying poppy fields in Badakhshan province, prompting angry farmers to resist it with the support of local residents.

Multiple sources confirmed Sunday that Taliban security forces used firearms to disperse the demonstrators, killing two of them during the two days of protests.

Videos circulating on social media showed residents chanting slogans against reclusive Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has banned poppy cultivation across Afghanistan through a religious decree. VOA could not ascertain the authenticity of the footage independently.

While Taliban authorities claimed Sunday the situation had returned to normal, residents said tensions were running high, and they were waiting for a high-powered government team to address their complaints.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in an overnight official announcement that their army chief, Qari Fasihuddin, a Badakhshan native, would lead the team to thoroughly investigate the violence and circumstances leading to it.

Mujahid said that an anti-poppy campaign in Badakhshan was under way in line with Akhundzada’s decree to prevent the cultivation of the illegal crop and its smuggling.

“This decree extends to all regions without exception. Regrettably, there have been incidents where offenders attempted to attack the security forces involved in the fight against poppy cultivation, resulting in tragic events,” he said.

Fasihuddin reportedly warned on Sunday that he would be compelled to deploy additional military forces to “quell the rebellion” if the demonstrations persist. He reiterated the Taliban's resolve to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and vowed to achieve this goal, come what may.

Badakhshan and surrounding Afghan provinces are ethnically non-Pashtun regions. The province borders Tajikistan and Pakistan.

The Taliban, who represent the country’s majority Pashtun population, were unable to take control of these provinces during their first stint in power in the 1990s.

Following their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have successfully established control over all 34 Afghan provinces.

However, some experts argue that the public uprising in Badakhshan highlights the potential obstacles that the Taliban may face in maintaining their authority.

The international community has not yet formally recognized the Taliban government, citing its restrictions on Afghan women’s access to education and work, among other human rights concerns.

Afghanistan has faced dire economic problems since the Taliban takeover nearly three years ago. The Afghan banking sector largely remains isolated, and terrorism-related sanctions on Taliban leaders continue to deter donors from resuming financial assistance for development programs.

The restrictions have fueled unemployment and economic problems for the poverty-stricken country’s estimated 40 million population.

The World Bank noted in its latest report released on Thursday that the Taliban’s ban on opium cultivation precipitated a staggering $1.3 billion loss in farmers' incomes.

Citing U.N. estimates, the report said that the opiate economy’s value has contracted by 90 percent, while the area under cultivation declined by 95 percent, costing Afghans 450,000 jobs at the farm level alone.

The World Bank report noted that Afghanistan's economic outlook remains uncertain, with the threat of stagnation looming large until at least 2025. “For a sustainable future, Afghanistan needs to address harmful gender policies, invest in health and education, and focus on the comparative advantages it has in the agricultural and extractive sectors,” it said.

Afghanistan used to be the world's largest opium-poppy producer until the Taliban imposed the ban on cultivation in early 2022.

The ban strictly prohibits the cultivation, production, usage, transportation, trade, export, and import of all illicit drugs in Afghanistan. Afghan poppy farming accounted for 85% of global opium production until recently, according to United Nations estimates.

Source: voanews.com

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https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-face-rare-public-uprising-against-their-rule-in-northeastern-afghanistan/7598640.html

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Human Rights Activist in London Airport: ‘Mr. Khalilzad, you ruined Afghanistan’

 

Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan

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May 6, 2024

HoriaMosadeq, a human rights activist, on Sunday, caught Khalilzad and asked him about a failed negotiation, which led to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and, subsequently, the collapse of the republic in Afghanistan.

Using her mobile phone camera, Ms. Mosadeq stood in front of the former U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and said, “Mr. Khalilzad, you ruined Afghanistan.”

In response, Khalilzad stated that he had made significant efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, but others had not cooperated.

During the brief conversation, Ms. Mosadeq invited Zalmay Khalilzad to apologize to the women of Afghanistan. Khalilzad responded negatively, stating that those responsible for the crisis in Afghanistan should apologize.

Mr. Khalilzad also expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation in Afghanistan to HoriaMosadeq.

The former U.S. special representative for Afghanistan responded to one of Ms. Mosadeq’s questions by saying, “America decided to leave Afghanistan. I aimed to create an understanding between the Taliban and the Afghans.”

Mr. Khalilzad further stated that due to “mistakes from various sides,” an understanding between the people of Afghanistan and the Taliban was not reached.

Continuing her questions, HoriaMosadeq asked Mr. Khalilzad, “Don’t you think you made a mistake by trusting the Taliban?”

The American diplomat responded, “The issue was never about trust. There were facts, and decisions were made. The issue was to create an understanding.”

During Donald Trump’s presidency, Zalmay Khalilzad was appointed as the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan to advance peace talks with the Taliban.

After rounds of several negotiations on February 20th, 2020, Khalilzad signed a peace agreement with Mullah Baradar, the political office chief of the Taliban in Qatar at that time.

This agreement facilitated the withdrawal of international forces, led by the United States, from Afghanistan.

The United States has confirmed in reports that the signing of the Doha Agreement affected the morale of the security forces of the former Afghan government and was one of the factors leading to the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban’s entry into Kabul.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/human-rights-activist-in-london-airport-mr-khalilzad-you-ruined-afghanistan/

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The Historic Byzantine Monastery Of Chora, Turkey, Reopens As A Mosque Today

 

Byzantine Chora Church in Constantinople is slated to be reopened as a mosque

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May 06, 2024

Turkish media outlets have reported that the Byzantine Chora Church in Constantinople is slated to be reopened as a mosque.

According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to attend a ceremony marking the completion of restoration works by the Directorate General of Foundations, which includes the preservation of 201 historical monuments, including the Chora Church.

As per the schedule, President Erdogan is set to participate in a ceremony at the conference center of the presidential palace in Ankara, during which he will establish a direct connection with the Chora Monastery.

Earlier reports had suggested that the inauguration of the historic Byzantine church, renowned for its priceless mosaics, would occur around February 23. However, the General Directorate of Foundations of Turkey refuted these claims, stating that the Chora Church is scheduled to function as a mosque starting in May.

The works lasted four years.

The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, serving as the katholikon of the former monastic complex, traces its origins back to the 6th century AD. Its remarkable mosaics and frescoes, renowned for their uniqueness, were crafted during the 14th century, specifically from 1305 to 1320, under the patronage of the Palaiologoi dynasty.

It is the monument with the most elaborate Byzantine mosaics preserved in Constantinople, along with the Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Pammakaristos, which also operates as a mosque called Fethiye. In 2020, Hagia Sophia was also designated for Muslim religious worship.

The Chora Church was converted into a mosque in 1511, 58 years after the Fall of Constantinople. However, in 1945, by decision of the Turkish government, it was transformed into a museum.

Following this decision, experts from the US embarked on an extensive restoration and preservation project for the mosaics and frescoes, meticulously removing the plaster that obscured them. The works, which began in 1948, were completed a decade later, in 1958.

In 2019, Turkey’s State Council (Danistay) nullified the 1945 decision, and a year later, President Erdogan declared that the monument would reopen as a mosque.

Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos

Source: orthodoxtimes.com

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https://orthodoxtimes.com/turkey-the-historic-byzantine-monastery-of-chora-reopens-as-a-mosque-today/

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Saudi CEO to attend Gulf Creatives Conference at Harvard University

 

The 121st meeting of the Executive Council is scheduled for May 14-15, while the 27th General Conference will be held on May 17. (SPA)

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May 05, 2024

RIYADH: Majid Ibrahim Al-Fayyadh, CEO of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, will take part in the Gulf Creatives Conference at Harvard University from May 10-12, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The conference will be a platform for influential voices from the Arab Gulf nations within the US academic landscape to illuminate the region’s expertise and accomplishments across diverse fields while charting a course for the future.

The conference will draw together distinguished leaders from both public and private sectors across the GCC, embodying the region’s dynamic potential and innovative ethos in sectors including sports, the arts, media, entrepreneurship, technology, non-profit endeavors, public policy, and healthcare.

The event is organized by The Diwan, a student-run organization representing those studying at Ivy League universities.

The GCC event will host 24 discussion sessions and five workshops.

Discussions will cover public policy landscapes, innovation strategies, and the future landscape of healthcare, inviting active participation from all attendees.

During the event, Al-Fayyadh will deliver a keynote address spotlighting the center’s achievements and its pivotal role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s healthcare transformation journey.

Additionally, he will articulate the hospital’s vision for the future of healthcare regionally and globally, underscoring its commitment to innovation and excellence.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2505081/saudi-arabia

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India

Muslims Recognise Congress, INDIA Bloc's Use of Them as Pawns: PM Modi

May 5, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Dhaurahra, made a compelling statement regarding the political landscape and its impact on various communities in India. He emphasized that Muslims, along with individuals from SC, ST, and OBC communities, are now gravitating towards the BJP, recognizing the inclusive development efforts of his government. This rally was held to support BJP candidate Rekha Verma.

Modi highlighted the equitable distribution of benefits under government schemes such as the PM housing scheme and Ujjwala Yojana, ensuring that aid reaches all needy citizens without discrimination. He accused the Congress and INDIA bloc of exploiting the Muslim community for electoral gains, a tactic he claims is now being rejected by the community itself.

The Prime Minister accused opposition parties of attempting to secure the Muslim vote bank through overt appeasement and criticized their manifesto for reflecting what he described as the Muslim League's thinking. He firmly opposed religion-based reservation, invoking statements by BR Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru against such policies. Modi alleged that the Congress's actions in Karnataka, where Muslims were categorized as OBC overnight for reservation benefits, are indicative of a broader agenda to undermine SC, ST, and OBC reservations.

Addressing the politics of appeasement, Modi took a veiled jab at Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, asserting his commitment to preventing reservation based on religion. He also claimed that the INDIA bloc harbors intentions to redistribute property among their vote bank by scrutinizing citizens' assets.

Furthermore, Modi criticized the opposition's stance on Article 370, asserting his government's decision to abrogate it as a step towards ensuring constitutional rights for all in Jammu and Kashmir. He questioned the opposition's intentions regarding national projects like the free ration scheme and Vande Bharat trains, as well as religious landmarks such as the Ram Temple and Vishwanath corridor.

The Prime Minister also reflected on his government's achievements in agriculture, particularly for sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting efforts to remove payment delays and promote ethanol production. He contrasted this with the previous UPA government's handling of terrorism and law enforcement, accusing them of hindering action against terror for appeasement purposes.

The rally saw participation from notable BJP figures including Dhaurahra MP Rekha Verma, MP from Lakhimpur Ajay Mishra Teni, BJP state president BhupendraChaudary, and BJP candidate from Sitapur Rajesh Verma. With Dhaurahra set to vote on May 13 in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Modi's speech aimed to consolidate support for the BJP candidates against their SP and BSP opponents.

Source: oneindia.com

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https://www.oneindia.com/india/pm-modi-claims-muslims-distancing-from-congress-india-bloc-011-3817277.html

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FIR Filed Against Nadda, Amit Malviya, Karnataka BJP Chief Over Social Media Post Targeting Muslims

6 May 2024

An FIR has been registered against BJP president J P Nadda, the party's IT cell head Amit Malviya and Karnataka unit chief B Y Vijayendra in connection with a social media post allegedly intimidating members of SC and ST community not to vote for a particular candidate, police said on Monday.

The action was taken following a complaint lodged by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) with the Election Commission and police on Sunday alleging violation of model code of conduct, they said.

They were booked under the sections of Representation of People Act and section 505 (2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code, a senior police officer said.

In the complaint, the KPCC cited a video uploaded on the social media platform 'X' by the official account of Karnataka State BJP which, it alleged, is operated by Malviya, on instructions of Nadda, Vijayendra and Social Media incharge - Karnataka BJP, on May 4.

"The said video posted on social media featured animated characters of (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi and (Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah. In the clip, the SC, ST and OBC community are portrayed as "eggs" in a nest and it also suggested Rahul Gandhi planting a big egg labelled as Muslim community. It is projected as though funds are being fed to the chick depicting the Muslim community, which then kicks out SC, ST and OBC communities," it alleged.

"The act of the accused person (s) is to wantonly provocate rioting and promote enmity between different religions and is prejudicial to maintenance of harmony apart from intimidating members of the SC/ST community not to vote for a particular candidate and causing enmity against members of SC/ST community," according to the complaint.

Source: outlookindia.com

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https://www.outlookindia.com/national/fir-filed-against-nadda-amit-malviya-karnataka-bjp-chief-over-social-media-post-targeting-muslims

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Asaduddin Owaisi: ‘Muslims should wake up and learn from Rajputs’ – AIMIM leader comments on PM's 'anti-Muslim' rhetoric

06 May 2024,

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said that Muslims should wake up and learn from Rajputs on how to respond to unparliamentary remarks made against the community.

Owaisi made the remarks while speaking to The New Indian Express, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi using words like “infiltrators".

In an interview published in The New Indian Express on Monday, Owaisi said, "It is high time Muslims should wake up and learn from how Rajputs have reacted to the same statement issued by Union minister (Parshottam) Rupala. Throughout the country they have announced that they are upset, their feelings have been hurt and they are emotionally surcharged. They have decided that they will defeat the BJP whatever be the cost."

Owaisi further stated that the biggest minority of the country (Muslims) should take a leaf out of how Rajputs are approaching unparliamentary statements coming from the PM.

The AIMIM chief said that the Prime Minister keeps on mentioning the word “jihadi" and questioned what that means.

"If the PM says Muslims are ghuspaithiyon (infiltrators), their women give birth to more children, which is a complete lie, and the mangalsutra of Hindu women will be taken and given away, he is creating hatred and suspicion about the biggest minority of this country," Owaisi said.

Earlier in April, taking strong exception to Modi's "ghuspaithiya" jibe, Owaisi remarked, "the real infiltrators are the Chinese troops which have been occupying so much of our territory in Ladakh and other places. If the Prime Minister has the courage, he should drive them out."

On May 1, Owaisi claimed that the situation of Muslims in today's India is similar to that of the Jews in Germany during dictator Adolf Hitler's era.

“The position of Muslims in today's India is the same as the situation which Jews witnessed or experienced during Hitler's era in the 1930s. The gas chamber was the last step; before that movies were made, hate speeches took place, there was a whole process to it," Owaisi told ANI.

Meanwhile, Owaisi, who has filed his nomination from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency, claimed that the BJP has fielded newcomer MadhaviLatha, the chairperson of a hospital that was “blacklisted for fleecing and exploiting poor people" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alluding to Muslims in his campaign speech in Rajasthan on April 22, Modi had alleged that the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi criticized PM Modi's remark, stating that the country has been free for the past 75 years, with Congress in power for 55 of those years. She questioned, “Did Congress ever snatch your gold or 'mangalsutra'?"

Source: livemint.com

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https://www.livemint.com/news/india/asaduddin-owaisi-muslims-infiltrators-jihad-rajputs-narendra-modi-bjp-lok-sabha-election-hyderabad-madhavi-latha-11714972559825.html

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‘No Muslim can win, now or in the future’: In Assam’s Barpeta, delimitation fears confirmed

06-05-24

Rokibuz Zaman

Every year, without exception, the Brahmaputra washes away villages that fall in the Chenga Assembly constituency in lower Assam’s Barpeta district.

“In 20 years, the river has advanced almost 5 km,” said Jiliam Uddin, the headman of Malipara village on the bank of the Brahmaputra. The villages here are built on chars – the sandbanks of the Brahmaputra or islands that dot the river – which are home to a large population of Bengali-origin Muslims.

Almost all the areas of a nearby village, Chenimari, have disappeared under water, Uddin said. The river now flows only 50 metres away from the Chenimara government school, threatening to drown it. “The Brahmaputra never stops advancing and no government tries to solve this problem,” rued Uddin.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, Uddin would have liked to bring his concerns about erosion to the notice of the candidates of various parties asking for his vote.

But not a single candidate standing for the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat had visited the area, as on April 30.

This was not the case in earlier Lok Sabha elections. What changed?

Uddin and residents of nearby villages blame the delimitation exercise. Despite being part of the Barpeta district, several villages in the Chenga Assembly segment have been added to the Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency.

Both Barpeta and Dhubri parliamentary constituencies in lower Assam go to the polls on May 7.

Uddin pointed out: “In the past, when we were part of the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat, candidates used to come and listen to our issues. They at least gave some assurances.”

Rajiv Ali, a 32-year-old construction worker of Chenglidia village near Malipara, said: “Chars are already far for candidates to reach, politicians barely care for us.” The distance between his village and the Dhubri district headquarters is 250 km. “That is 5-6 hours away. Who will come here?”

A communal exercise?

As Scroll had reported, the delimitation of constituencies carried out in 2023 in Assam has been a contentious one. Analysts have described it as “an attempt by the government to reduce the number of Muslim legislators” in the Assembly.

Muslims constitute approximately 35% of Assam’s population. Barpeta and other lower Assam districts like Dhubri are home to a large population of Bengali-origin Muslims, who are often vilified as “illegal immigrants” and pejoratively referred to as “Miya Muslims”. According to the 2011 Census, Dhubri had a Muslim population of 79.67%, and Barpeta 70.74%.

The figures have often been cited as evidence by Assamese nationalist groups as well as the BJP of the threat from “illegal immigrants” to the state, its resources, culture and identity.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has asserted that delimitation has secured the representation, if not domination, of “indigenous” or majority Hindu communities in 100-odd Assembly seats. A senior minister in his government had claimed that the exercise will bring down Muslim legislators to 22. Currently, Assam has 31 Muslim MLAs.

In a seat like Barpeta, which has mostly elected Muslim candidates in all but two Lok Sabha elections since 1967, delimitation has reconfigured the demography – some allege to ensure that no Muslim can win from it in the future.

While Muslims made up 60% of the constituency’s electorate before delimitation, their share has come down to around 35%, said local Congress and CPI(M) leaders.

Abdul Khaleque, the incumbent Barpeta parliamentarian from Congress, told Scroll that if the three major Muslim Assembly seats – Chenga, Baghbar and Jania – had not been added to Dhubri, Barpeta would have got a Muslim MP this time too. “The delimitation was done in a politically motivated way so that no Muslim can win from Barpeta,” he said.

Significantly, no major party has put up a Muslim candidate in this election in Barpeta, because of the changed demography.

 ‘I live in Barpeta, my vote is in Dhubri’

Multiple residents of the Chenga Assembly segment pointed out that panchayats with a large Muslim population have been taken out of the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat and added to Dhubri.

But nearby panchayat areas with a significant Hindu population have been added to Barpeta – in effect, a demarcation along religious lines.

“The Bahari reserve gaon panchayat, where Hindus are in the majority, has been moved out of the Chenga Assembly segment and added to the Barpeta segment,” said Juzar Khan, a 55-year-old retired havaldar of the Indian Army and resident of Chenimari.

He added: “We are residents of Barpeta, we live just 20 km from the Barpeta town. But we have been added to Dhubri which is 250 km from my village.”

Khan said several villagers had protested the Election Commission’s decision but to no avail. In redrawing the seats, the Election Commission appeared to have gone against its own guidelines that say that “physical features, existing boundaries of administrative units, facilities of communication and public convenience” be taken into consideration during delimitation.

Similarly, take the example of GajiaMedhirtarigaon panchayat of Barpeta district, which is just outside Barpeta town.

Two of its villages – Gajia and Jyoti Gaon – with significant Hindu populations have been added to the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. In contrast, Muslim-majority villages like Bheragon have been added to Dhubri parliamentary constituency.

“My home is 2 km from Barpeta town which is the district headquarters,” said Amtab Ali, 45-year-old resident of Bheragon village. “Despite being residents of Barpeta district, we can’t vote for Barpeta Lok Sabha.”

Khan underlined what several political parties and analysts have pointed out. “The government is of the BJP. So they have redrawn the constituencies so that a Muslim representative can never be elected from either the Barpeta Lok Sabha or the Barpeta Assembly seat.” After the delimitation, the Barpeta Assembly seat has been turned into a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency.

The baffling manner in which the constituencies have been sliced has led to the creation of Muslim-majority seats with huge populations – in effect, reducing the relative value of the vote of each resident.

For example, the total number of voters in Dhubri Lok Sabha seat is 26.43 lakh, while an average parliamentary seat in Assam includes 17.35 lakh residents.

The parliamentary constituency includes the entire Dhubri district, three Muslim-dominated Assembly segments from Barpeta district and two Muslim-dominated Assembly segments from Goalpara district.

Before delimitation, the population of Dhubri parliamentary seat was 16.85 lakh, according to 2019 data from the Election Commission.

The BJP has little to no presence in Dhubri, where the contest is between the All India United Democratic Front’s Badruddin Ajmal and the Congress’s Rakibul Hussain.

The electoral math

Barpeta has traditionally been a Congress bastion, with the party winning the seat in all Lok Sabha elections except 1991, 1996 and 2014. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Abdul Khaleque from the Congress won by a margin of over 1 lakh votes.

In the fray this year are former minister and AsomGana Parishad candidate Phani Bhushan Choudhury, Congress’s Deep Bayan and ManoranjanTalukdar of the CPI(M). The Bharatiya Janata Party is not contesting the seat.

The new demographic map of Barpeta Lok Sabha seat, especially the exclusion of Muslim-majority areas, has given the AsomGana Parishad, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, an advantage, said observers.

Besides moving Chenga, Baghbar and Jania Assembly segments to Dhubri, Hindu-dominated segments of Hajo, Sorbhog and Nalbari were added to the seat from adjoining parliamentary constituencies. This, said observers, has made things easier for the AGP in a three-cornered contest with the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

A senior Barpeta district leader of All Assam Students’ Union told Scroll that as the Muslim voters are now fewer in numbers, the AGP-BJP stands a good chance in Barpeta.

“Delimitation has secured the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat for the Hindu majority in the future too, and this sentiment has added to the support for the AGP among Hindus,” the AASU leader said.

Take Dijen Das, for example. The 56-year-old shop owner at Bahari market, about 5 km from Chenimari, pointed out that no one from the Hindu majority community had won the Chenga Assembly election before.

While Baharigaon panchayat, where Das lives, continues to be part of Barpeta Lok Sabha, all the adjacent Muslim villages are now part of Dhubri.

“Delimitation has been good for us,” he said. “Earlier, not a single Hindu won in Assembly elections but now not a single Muslim can win from Barpeta, as Hindu voters are more in number.”

According to JyotirmoyTalukdar, a writer from Barpeta district, the Opposition vote will end up splitting between the Congress and the CPI(M). “The minority vote will be divided but the majority vote will remain with one person largely.”

Meanwhile, the villagers in Barpeta’s char areas remain concerned about the value of their franchise and the future of their constituency. “The development of a constituency depends on its political map,” said ForidBhuyan, village headman of four villages in the Cheinmari char area. “Not a single candidate from Dhubri has visited our village yet. Will he visit after winning? Will he give us any importance?”

All photographs by Rokibuz Zaman.

Source: scroll.in

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Alliance no-go casts polarisation cloud on Ghani turf 

06.05.24

Soumya De Sarkar

“Wish there was an alliance between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress,” Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, a madrasa teacher, said on a scorching May morning sitting in his home at Harishchandrapur in Malda.

The 39-year-old teacher took care to explain that he has never been involved in politics as the “two objectives” of his life have been to run his family of six with his humble income and “empower” his students — most of whom come from humble backgrounds — with knowledge to ensure a proper future for them.

“But as a Muslim, I feel scared these days... I do not want communal tensions and that’s why I pray for the victory of any party other than the BJP in Malda,” said the voter of Malda Uttar constituency.

Malda, which has around 50 per cent Muslim population, has seen some instances of communal strife in the last 10 years, especially since the rise of the BJP as a political force in the district from 2016.

In 2019, the BJP bagged Malda Uttar by a margin of 84,000 votes while it marginally lost the Malda Dakshin seat to the Congress by 8,222 votes.

Two years later, in the 2021 Assembly polls, the BJP bagged only four seats in the district, but the vote percentage — 35 per cent, almost similar to that secured in the 2019 polls — made it clear that the BJP has emerged as a major political force in Malda.

Ahead of May 7 — when around 38 lakh voters in the two Malda seats will cast their votes — there is a buzz across the district that both the BJP nominees, Khagen Murmu in Malda Uttar and SreerupaMitra Choudhury in Malda Dakshin, may sail through because of the consolidation of Hindu votes, an objective that the saffron camp pursued vigorously over the last five years.

In the run-up to the polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a public meeting and the content of his speech — where he spoke on the INDIA bloc’s plan to snatch properties of tribals, women and the poor and hand over the proceeds to their “votebank” — made it clear that the BJP was clearly aiming at polarisation of the electorate.

The agenda was taken forward by other central leaders like Union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh, who spoke on everything, ranging from the Ram temple to the Citizenship Amendment Act during their campaigns.

“If the Prime Minister of the country openly makes such statements, we have reasons to worry... Other than a few instances, people in Malda have been living peacefully for decades,” said Asrarul Haque, who runs a private coaching centre in Kaliachak-I block.

“From this district, we have instances of Hindu students getting highest marks in Arabic and Muslims students getting distinction in Sanskrit. That fabric of religious tolerance has been lost,” he went on, before adding that resistance to this brand of politics can only be put up if the BJP nominees lose in the hustings.

According to him, an alliance between the TMC and the Congress could have ensured a rout of the BJP as it would have brought a majority of Muslim votes and a sizeable proportion of the Hindu votes to the same kitty.

“Sadly, that’s not going to happen... The failure to stitch an alliance has put the BJP in an advantageous position,” said Haque.

In support of his apprehensions, Haque referred to the split in minority votes, which resulted in Murmu’s victory from Malda Uttar and a slender margin of defeat for Sreerupa in Malda Dakshin in 2019.

Some secular Hindu voices are also expressing similar concerns in the run-up to the May 7 contest in Malda which has been a fief of the Ghani Khan family for years.

“This district has the legacy of ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, who was truly a secular leader... It is sad that the Congress and the TMC failed to reach an understanding. The biggest victim of their failure would be the secular political tradition,” said Indrajit Singha, a lawyer based in Malda.

While the residents, who are against the saffron ecosystem, are upset with the TMC and Congress for not coming together, some of the party leaders also admit that the alliance would have paved a smooth victory for their candidates.

“A single candidate against BJP, in alliance with Trinamool, would have guaranteed the defeat of the saffron party in Malda. Our party leaders waited till the last moment but the TMC went ahead and declared candidates in all 42 seats of the state,” said Isha Khan Choudhury, the Congress candidate from the Malda Dakshin seat.

Mausam Noor, the Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP — both she and Isha bear the lineage of Ghani Khan — made a similar claim, while passing the blame to the Congress.

“An alliance with the Congress in Malda would have meant a confirmed defeat for the BJP. But the state Congress leadership lacked willingness to forge a tie with us. On one hand, they went on making instigating remarks at our leaders and on the other, joined hands with the CPM. This brought the negotiations to an end,” said Noor.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Muslim quota will be removed if BJP is elected to power in Telangana, reiterates Amit Shah

May 06, 2024

Union Minister for Home Amit Shah, on Sunday, reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will remove reservations for Muslims and share it with SC/ST and BCs in Telangana after it comes to power here.

“When I said the same before, the video of my speech was doctored to show as if I spoke about removing quotas. As long Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP are there, there is no question of abolishing reservations for marginalised sections,” he asserted at a public meeting in Parade Grounds.

Mr. Shah said the PM had removed Article 370 and triple talaq, and not the existing quotas. He also accused the Congress of making Telangana an “ATM” and said the ‘RR’ tax being collected from businesspersons is being used for election spending.

Therefore, people voted for BJP candidates in Malkajgiri for Parliament and Assembly from the Secunderabad Cantonment in the bypoll, the party will ensure there is no money in the ATMs here, he remarked.

The Congress government’s “appeasement politics” has led to putting obstacles into taking out the Sri Ram Navami procession and not celebrating Telangana Liberation Day. “Will Owaisi allow them to celebrate? But, we have taken a decision to celebrate it officially,” he claimed.

The BJP leader also took potshots at the INDIA alliance questioning the leadership and wondering who the PM candidate is — Sharad Pawar, M.K. Stalin, Mamata Banerjee or Rahul Gandhi. “Unlike Mr. Gandhi who takes a holiday in Bangkok, Mr. Modi has not taken a single day off even during Diwali,” he said.

“A vote for EatalaRajender contesting from Malkajgiri is a vote for Modi to become PM for the third time. Mr. Modi has a matchless reputation with not a single corruption charge in his 23 cumulative years as CM and PM. If you give us the maximum number of seats, we will make Telangana the No.1 State in the country,” he added.

State unit president G. Kishan Reddy and Rajya Sabha MP K. Laxman were present.

Source: thehindu.com

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South Asia

 

88 more Myanmar border policemen enter Bangladesh

05 May, 2024

About 88 more members of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) have crossed into Bangladesh likely to escape the relentless onslaught of armed rebels in the country.

Myanmar have been embroiled in civil unrest since a junta takeover of power in early 2021, with armed rebels recently gaining an upper hand against the military.

Locals spotted them surrendering to the Bangladesh Coast Guard early Sunday after they entered Bangladesh by three wooden vessels through the Naf River in Shah PorirDwip island. The island is located in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

The Coast Guard later disarmed the BGP men and were preparing to hand them over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), sources said.

Foreign ministry’s Myanmar Wing chief Miah Md. Mainul Kabir confirmed the new entry of Myanmar security personnel when speaking with reporters. He, however, failed to specify the number of the new Myanmar asylum seekers set to be placed under BGB care.

A day earlier, less than 50 Myanmar border security members entered Bangladesh, Mainul Kabir said.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Adnan Chowdhury said he heard that about 80-90 Myanmar border security personnel fled to Bangladesh on Sunday. The Coast Guard and BGB are handling the matter, he said.

Source: daily-sun.com

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Hajj Visa To Allow Pilgrims To Perform Only Holy Rituals Of Haj

06 May, 2024

Saudi Arabia has clarified that a Hajj visa is the only visa allowing pilgrims to perform the holy rituals of Hajj in 2024.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah emphasised that this visa strictly permits travel within the cities of Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca.

It is not valid for work, residency, or travel outside these areas, with violations potentially leading to a ban on future Hajj participation and deportation.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that all international visitors, except those from GCC countries that require a Hajj permit, must obtain a Hajj visa.

The visa is only valid for the duration of the Hajj season, and holders are also not allowed to perform Umrah during this time or engage in any employment, paid or unpaid.

To facilitate the process, the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now offers electronic registration for the Hajj visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa platform. Applicants must register by the 7th of Dhu Al Hijjah or until the quota of pilgrims is reached.

The application process includes logging into the visa platform, selecting the appropriate services, and following the instructions to upload necessary documents. Applications are typically processed within three working days, and it is advised to apply well in advance to ensure compliance with all regulations.

Source: daily-sun.com

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Milli Shifa Pharmaceutical’s Serum Production Factory Makes Historic Export to Iraq

2024-05-06

KABUL(BNA): For the first time, Milli Shifa Pharmaceuticals’ serum factory proudly exported an impressive 1.8 million medical serum bottles worth $580,000 to Iraq.

At a gathering held in Kabul to mark this momentous occasion, Nisar Ahmad Tarki, the head of Milli Shifa Pharmaceuticals, stated that with the reestablishment of the Islamic Emirate, overall security in the country has been ensured, providing a favorable environment for investors and industries to thrive.

He further conveyed heartfelt gratitude for the comprehensive support of the leaders and officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan across various fields, vowing unwavering dedication to bolstering the Islamic system and catering to the welfare of the citizens with utmost diligence.

MawlawiKhairullahKhairkhwa, the Acting Minister of Information and Culture, continued to praise the endeavors of the mentioned factory and stated that anyone aiming to develop Afghanistan must engage in pragmatic reconciliation and steer clear of the empty and harmful propaganda spread by adversaries.

“In the upcoming years, witnessing progress in the industry and bolstering the economy remains a challenging feat in contemporary history. Despite facing unjust sanctions, IEA continues its resilient journey towards development and self-sufficiency.” Dr. Abdul Bari Omar, the Acting Head of Afghanistan’s Food and Drug Authority, said.

He continued that prior to the establishment of IEA, approximately 90% of medications entered Afghanistan through illegal channels. However, now 80% are legally imported, and the influx of smuggled medicines has been prevented.

Moreover, MawlawiQodratullah Jamal, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce and Mawlawi Abdul Wali Haqqani, Deputy Minister of Health Services praised investor initiatives and reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s strong support for investors and industrialists, fostering self sufficiency and bolstering employment opportunities.

It’s worth mentioning that the Mili Shifa Pharmaceuticals factory has the capability to produce 43.2 million serum bottles and 70 million syringes annually. Moreover, it employs 350 professionals including pharmacists, chemists, microbiologists, engineers, and skilled workers.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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Over 23 million in Afghanistan require humanitarian aid

May 6, 2024

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says that 23.7 million people urgently need humanitarian assistance in 2024.

The agency stated on Sunday, May 5th, that despite reduced violence, people in Afghanistan still require significant humanitarian aid.

According to the organization’s announcement, of the 23.7 million individuals in need of humanitarian assistance, 5.9 million are women, and 5.4 million are men.

Earlier, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also stated that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is severely deteriorating.

Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, the humanitarian crisis has escalated in the country amid forced deportation and a shortage of funds by the international communities.

Returnees from neighboring countries to Afghanistan face numerous challenges, including food shortages, clean water, shelter, and employment opportunities.

Based on findings, the recent wave of expulsions of migrants from neighbouring countries, recent earthquakes, and natural disasters, especially floods, have increased the urgency for humanitarian assistance.

Source: khaama.com

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Mideast

 

Pan-Islamic organization backs efforts for UN recognition of Palestinian state

05.05.2024

ANKARA

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday supported Palestinian efforts to win recognition from the United Nations for statehood.

Speaking at a press conference following the closing session of a two-day OIC summit in Banjul, Gambia, OIC Secretary-General HisseinBrahim Taha reiterated support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been under a deadly Israeli offensive since last October.

Taha stressed the OIC “consensus regarding the people of Gaza’s right to humanitarian aid” as well as “the Palestinian people’s right to a state recognized by the United Nations with Jerusalem as its capital.”

He said the pan-Islamic organization underlines the need to hold Israel accountable under international law for its actions and to support the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) “so that it can continue to play its vital role in Gaza.”

Last month, the US vetoed a draft resolution requesting Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.

Türkiye, among others, has stressed that recognition of Palestine as a contiguous state on the pre-1967 borders is key to ending the bloodshed in the Middle East.

Israel has waged a brutal military offensive on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a cross-border attack led by Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people.

Nearly 34,700 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and 78,000 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Nearly seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: aa.com.tr

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Netanyahu uses Holocaust ceremony to brush off international pressure against Gaza offensive

May 06, 2024

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected international pressure to halt the war in Gaza in a fiery speech marking the country’s annual Holocaust memorial day, declaring: “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.”

The message, delivered in a setting that typically avoids politics, was aimed at the growing chorus of world leaders who have criticized the heavy toll caused by Israel’s military offensive against Hamas militants and have urged the sides to agree to a ceasefire.

Netanyahu has said he is open to a deal that would pause nearly seven months of fighting and bring home hostages held by Hamas. But he also says he remains committed to an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite widespread international opposition because of the more than 1 million civilians huddled there.

“I say to the leaders of the world: No amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself,” he said, speaking in English. “Never again is now.”

Yom Hashoah, the day Israel observes as a memorial for the 6 million Jews killed by Nazi Germany and its allies in the Holocaust, is one of the most solemn dates on the country’s calendar. Speeches at the ceremony generally avoid politics, though Netanyahu in recent years has used the occasion to lash out at Israel’s archenemy Iran.

The ceremony ushered in Israel’s first Holocaust remembrance day since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war, imbuing the already somber day with additional meaning.

Hamas militants killed some 1,200 people in the attack, making it the deadliest violence against Jews since the Holocaust.

Israel responded with an air and ground offensive in Gaza, where the death toll has soared to more than 34,500 people, according to local health officials, and about 80 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are displaced. The death and destruction has prompted South Africa to file a genocide case against Israel in the UN’s world court. Israel strongly rejects the charges.

On Sunday, Netanyahu attacked those accusing Israel of carrying out a genocide against the Palestinians, claiming that Israel was doing everything possible to ensure the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The 24-hour memorial period began after sundown on Sunday with a ceremony at YadVashem, Israel’s national Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem.

There are approximately 245,000 living Holocaust survivors around the world, according to the Claims Conference, an organization that negotiates for material compensation for Holocaust survivors. Approximately half of the survivors live in Israel.

On Sunday, Tel Aviv University and the Anti-Defamation League released an annual Antisemitism Worldwide Report for 2023, which found a sharp increase in antisemitic attacks globally.

It said the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States doubled, from 3,697 in 2022 to 7,523 in 2023.

While most of these incidents occurred after the war erupted in October, the number of antisemitic incidents, which include vandalism, harassment, assault, and bomb threats, from January to September was already significantly higher than the previous year.

The report found an average of three bomb threats per day at synagogues and Jewish institutions in the US, more than 10 times the number in 2022.

Other countries tracked similar rises in antisemitic incidents. In France, the number nearly quadrupled, from 436 in 2022 to 1,676 in 2023, while it more than doubled in the United Kingdom and Canada.

“In the aftermath of the October 7 war crimes committed by Hamas, the world has seen the worst wave of antisemitic incidents since the end of the Second World War,” the report stated.

Netanyahu also compared the recent wave of protests on American campuses to German universities in the 1930s, in the runup to the Holocaust. He condemned the “explosion of a volcano of antisemitism spitting out boiling lava of lies against us around the world.”

Nearly 2,500 students have been arrested in a wave of protests at US college campuses, while there have been smaller protests in other countries, including France. Protesters reject antisemitism accusations and say they are criticizing Israel. Campuses and the federal government are struggling to define exactly where political speech crosses into antisemitism.

Source: arabnews.com

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Teen ‘jihad’ stabber shot dead in Australia not tied to Sydney young extremists

06-05-24

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A 16-year-old boy who was shot dead by police after stabbing a man in the Australian west coast city of Perth had been in a deradicalization program but had no links to an alleged network of teen extremists in the east coast city of Sydney, authorities said.

The boy had participated in the federally funded Countering Violent Extremism program for two years but had no criminal record, Western Australia Police Minister Paul Papalia said Monday.

“The challenge we confront with people like the 16-year-old in this incident is that he’s known to hold views that are dangerous and potentially he could be radicalized,” Papalia said. “But the problem with individuals like this is they can act at short notice without warning and be very dangerous.”

On the potential for the boy to have been radicalized, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was concerned by social media pushing extreme positions.

“It’s a dynamic that isn’t just an issue for government. It’s an issue for our entire society, whether it be violent extremism, misogyny and violence against women. It is an issue that of course I’m concerned about,” Albanese told reporters.

Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the boy had phoned police late Saturday saying he was about to commit “acts of violence” but did not say where. Minutes later, a member of the public reported to police seeing the boy with a knife in a hardware store parking lot.

The stabbing victim is a man in his 30s who was wounded in his back. He was in serious but stable condition at a Perth hospital, police said.

Three police officers responded, one armed with a gun and two with stun guns. Police deployed both stun guns but they failed to incapacitate the boy before he was killed by a single gunshot, Blanch said.

Blanch said members of the local Muslim community had raised concerns with police about the boy’s behavior before he was killed on Saturday.

The boy had said in a text message to associates, “I am going on the path of jihad tonight for the sake of Allah,” Australian Associated Press reported, prompting several to alert police.

Police said the stabbing had the hallmarks of a terrorist attack but have not declared it as such. Factors that can influence that decision include whether state police need federal resources, including the Australian Security Intelligence Organization domestic spy agency.

Blanch said the Western Australia Police Force investigation did not need additional federal resources and he was confidence the situation was different from the one in Sydney.

“We are dealing with complex issues, both mental health issues but also online radicalization issues,” Blanch said Sunday. “But we believe he very much is acting alone and we do not have concerns at this time that there is an ongoing network or other concerns that might have been seen over in Sydney.”

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said his government and the state education department had been aware of concerns at the boy’s school about his behavior. Cook didn’t directly respond to reports that several boys at Rossmoyne Senior High School, the prestigious government school he attended, were attempting to radicalize classmates.

“I’ll leave that up to the Education Department to clarify,” Cook told reporters. “This young man was harboring some extremist thoughts, which is the reason why he was part of the Countering Violent Extremism program.”

Amanda Spencer-Teo, a parent of a Rossmoyne student, said multiple “red flags” had been raised about the behavior of some students.

“Parents have been raising this with the school for some time,” Spencer-Teo, who will be an opposition party candidate at state elections next year, told The Australian newspaper. “The school and the department have failed to provide information to those concerned parents.”

In the stabbings at a Sydney church on April 15, New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb declared the stabbings of an Assyrian Orthodox bishop and priest as a terrorist act within hours. The boy arrested was later charged with committing a terrorist act. In the subsequent investigation, six more teenagers were charged with terror-related offenses.

Police alleged all seven were part of a network that “adhered to a religiously motivated, violent extremist ideology.”

Some Muslim leaders have criticized Australian police for declaring the church stabbing a terrorist act but not a rampage two days earlier in a Sydney shopping mall in which six people were killed and a dozen wounded.

The 40-year-old attacker, who was shot dead by police, had a history of schizophrenia and most of the victims he targeted were women. Police have yet to reveal the man’s motive.

Source: timesofisrael.com

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Yazd To Host Children Of Mosque Theatre Festival After Three-Year Hiatus

May 5, 2024

TEHRAN-The 15th edition of the Children of Mosque Popular Theatre Festival, following a three-year hiatus, will be held in Bafq, an ancient town in central Yazd province, the organizers have announced.

KouroshZarei, the director of the Art Bureau's Centre for Dramatic Arts, mentioned during a press conference in Tehran on Sunday that the festival was suspended for three years to create the right infrastructure and perspectives.

He also noted that during this period, several theatre groups in mosques across the country were producing plays and getting ready for this edition of the festival.

The plays have now reached maturity and are ready to enter serious arenas, with this year's outputs scheduled to be performed and participate in the country's theater events, he mentioned.

Furthermore, Zarei added that this year's performing plays are the output of 800 theater groups, and efforts are being made to reach out to villages as well.

He emphasized that this theater festival should expand to all corners of Iran in order to discover and guide talents even in the remote areas of the country.

Highlighting the motto of the fifteenth festival as "My Mosque, My Artistic Home," Zarei stressed the intention to merge religious context with artistic themes and attract teenagers to mosques as cultural centers suitable for children to spend their time.

For his part, Seyyed Mostafa Motorchi, the secretary of the festival, mentioned that in addition to producing works, a series of workshops will be organized on the sidelines of the event.

He also stated that the festival's focus is on teamwork, and awards will be presented to the best team works.

The 15th edition of the Children of Mosque Popular Theater Festival, with the participation of 14 groups of artists in the field of theater in mosques across the country, will open in Bafq on Tuesday and run until May 10.

Source: tehrantimes.com

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85 extremist settlers storm blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque

[05/May/2024]

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS May 05.2024 (Saba) - About 85 extremist settlers, today, Sunday, stormed the courtyards of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Quds, under heavy protection from the Zionist enemy police.

According to Ma'an News Agency, local sources reported that 85 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa's courtyards, from the direction of Mughrabi Gate, and carried out provocative rounds and performed Talmudic rituals in its courtyards.

These raids continue amid additional restrictions imposed by enemy forces, to monitor and pursue worshipers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to imposing further restrictions on Palestinians entering the mosque.

Source: saba.ye

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UN atomic watchdog chief due in Iran as concern grows over nuclear activity

May 06, 2024

TEHRAN: UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi is set to arrive in Iran on Monday, where he is expected to speak at a conference and meet officials for talks on Tehran’s nuclear program.

The visit comes at a time of heightened regional tensions and with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criticizing Iran for lack of cooperation on inspections and other outstanding issues.

Grossi, head of the IAEA, is expected to deliver a speech at Iran’s first International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology.

The three-day event, which starts on Monday, is being held in Isfahan province, home to the Natanz uranium enrichment plant and where strikes attributed to Israel hit last month.

The IAEA and Iranian officials reported “no damage” to nuclear facilities after the reported attack on Isfahan, widely seen as Israel’s response to Iran’s first-ever direct attack on its arch foe days earlier, which itself was a retaliation for a deadly strike on Tehran’s Damascus consulate.

During his visit, Grossi is expected to meet with Iranian officials including the Islamic republic’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami.

On Wednesday Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said he was “sure that these negotiations will further help clear ambiguities, and we will be able to strengthen our relations with the agency.”

Iran in recent years has deactivated IAEA monitoring devices at nuclear facilities and barred inspectors, according to the UN agency.

Grossi last visited Iran in March 2023 and met with top officials including President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iran has suspended its compliance with caps on nuclear activities set by a landmark 2015 deal with major powers after the United States in 2018 unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sweeping sanctions.

Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have repeatedly flared since the deal fell apart, while EU-mediated efforts have so far failed both to bring Washington back on board and to get Tehran to again comply with the terms of the accord.

Last year, Iran slowed down the pace of its uranium enrichment, which was seen as a goodwill gesture while informal talks began with the United States.

But the Vienna-based UN nuclear agency said Iran accelerated the production of 60-percent enriched uranium in late 2023.

Enrichment levels of around 90 percent are required for military use.

Tehran has consistently denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons, insisting that its atomic activities were entirely peaceful.

In February, the IAEA said in a confidential report seen by AFP that Iran’s estimated stockpile of enriched uranium had reached 27 times the limit set out in the 2015 accord.

On Sunday, the Iranian official news agency IRNA said Grossi’s visit provides “an opportunity for the two sides to share their concerns,” especially with regard to the IAEA’s inspectors.

Iran in September withdrew the accreditation of several inspectors, a move described at the time by the UN agency as “extreme and unjustified.”

Tehran, however, said its decision was a consequence of “political abuses” by the United States, France, Germany and Britain.

Eslami said the IAEA has “more than 130 inspectors” working in Iran, insisting Tehran remains committed to cooperating with the nuclear watchdog.

Source: arabnews.com

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Lebanon’s Hezbollah says fired dozens of rockets at Israeli base

May 06, 2024

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it fired “dozens of Katyusha rockets” at an Israeli base in the occupied Golan Heights on Monday in retaliation for a strike in Lebanon’s east.

Earlier, Lebanese official media said three people had been wounded in an Israeli strike early Monday in the country’s east, with the Israeli army saying it had struck a Hezbollah “military compound.”

Hezbollah fighters launched “dozens of Katyusha rockets” targeting “the headquarters of the Golan Division... at Nafah base,” the group said in a statement, saying it was “in response to the enemy’s attack targeting the Bekaa region.”

Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have exchanged regular cross-border fire since Palestinian militant group Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel sparked war in the Gaza Strip.

In recent weeks Hamas-ally Hezbollah has stepped up its attacks on northern Israel, and the Israeli military has struck deeper into Lebanese territory.

“Enemy warplanes launched a strike at around 1:30 am this morning on a factory in Sifri, wounding three civilians and destroying the building,” Lebanon’s official National News Agency said.

Sifri is located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, near the city of Baalbek, around 80 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon frontier.

The Israeli army said its warplanes “struck a Hezbollah military structure... deep inside Lebanon,” referring to the location as “Safri.”

Last month, a building in Sifri was targeted in an Israeli raid, according to a source close to Hezbollah, while the Israeli army said it had targeted Hezbollah sites in Lebanon’s east.

East Lebanon’s Baalbek area is a Hezbollah stronghold and has been repeatedly struck by Israel in recent weeks.

On Sunday official media in Lebanon said an Israeli strike on a southern village killed four family members, with Hezbollah announcing retaliatory fire by dozens of rockets toward KiryatShmona in northern Israel.

The intensifying exchanges have stoked fears of all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which went to war in 2006.

In Lebanon, at least 390 people have been killed in nearly seven months of cross-border violence, mostly militants but also more than 70 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

Israel says 11 soldiers and nine civilians have been killed on its side of the border.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides.

Source: arabnews.com

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Arab World

 

Muslim Commission in Nepal Awards its Medal to Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs

6 May 2024

The Muslim Commission in Nepal awarded its medal to the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, in appreciation of his efforts in spreading the call to God and his contributions to serving faith, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.

The medal symbolizes the bonds of brotherhood that unite Nepalese Muslims with the Saudi government and people through the foundations of religion, and the appreciation that Muslims in Nepal have for the leadership of Saudi Arabia, its government, its people, and its scholars.

On behalf of the minister, the religious attaché at the Saudi embassy in India, Sheikh Badr bin Nasser Al-Anazi, received the medal in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to Nepal, Saad Nasser Abdullah Abu Haimed, and a number of officials and Islamic figures.

Source: english.aawsat.com

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Saudi Border Guard Arrest 4 Attempting To Smuggle Qat, A Mild Stimulant

May 06, 2024

JAZAN: The Kingdom’s Border Guard in Al-Ardah, Jazan, recently arrested four Yemeni nationals attempting to smuggle 80 kg of qat into the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Mostly chewed by users, Qat is a mild stimulant and illegal across most of the Arab world.

The government has urged citizens and residents to report any information they have regarding drug smuggling or sales to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control. Reports can be made by calling 911 for Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 for other regions. Alternatively, information can be emailed to 995@gdnc.gov.sa. All reports are treated confidentially.

Source: arabnews.com

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KSrelief distributes food in Pakistan, drills solar-powered wells in Nigeria

May 06, 2024

DUBAI: KSrelief, Saudi Arabia’s aid agency, recently distributed 370 food baskets in the flood-hit Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, benefiting 2,590 individuals.

The aid was a part of the fourth phase of the Kingdom’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan 2024.

Last week, KSrelief, in collaboration with a civil society organization, initiated a project to drill six solar-powered medium-depth water wells in Kwara State, Nigeria. The wells, each at a depth of about 80 meters and equipped with tanks holding 5,000 liters, are for the benefit of 30,000 individuals.

The beneficiaries lauded Saudi Arabia for addressing their vital water needs.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi anti-corruption authority reveals details of recent cases

May 05, 2024

RIYADH: A spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, revealed on Sunday details of a number of criminal cases it recently investigated and prosecuted.

Outlining 20 of the most prominent corruption cases, he said legal procedures had been initiated against all perpetrators.

In one case, two Central Bank employees were arrested for receiving sums of money from a resident, who was also arrested, in exchange for depositing more than SR7.3 million ($1.95 million), without verifying the source, into bank accounts belonging to commercial entities over a two-year period.

In another case, a security officer working at the General Department of Traffic was arrested for receiving SR387,000 from the owner of a public services office, who was also arrested, in exchange for illegally amending the essential data of a group of vehicles.

One of the cases also highlighted involved an employee working at a university hospital who was arrested for receiving SR100,000 from citizens in exchange for a promise to employ them at the university.

Nazaha said it continues to work to identify and prosecute anyone in the Kingdom involved in the embezzlement of public funds, guilty of abuse of power and position for personal gain, or otherwise harming the public interest.

It stressed that guilty parties will be pursued and held accountable, and that there is no statute of limitations on such crimes.

Source: arabnews.com

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Jeddah to host ALECSO Executive Council, General Conference meetings

May 05, 2024

RIYADH: Jeddah is to host the Executive Council and General Conference of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.

Ministers and heads of national committees from 22 Arab countries will attend the event, which takes place from May 14-17 and highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to education, culture, and science, as well as its focus on strengthening ties with Arab and Islamic nations.

The event aligns with the directives of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Saudi minister of culture and chairman of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

The Kingdom aims to play a more active role in regional organizations like ALECSO, helping to contribute to its mission while supporting education, culture and science within Arab societies, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The 121st meeting of the Executive Council is scheduled for May 14-15, while the 27th General Conference will be held on May 17.

Organized by the Kingdom’s National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, more than 145 representatives from Arab countries and related organizations are expected to participate in the meetings.

The General Conference will hold working sessions aimed at improving ALECSO’s programs and initiatives. This approach will seek to empower Arab societies by fostering scientific, educational, cultural, and communication projects that nurture a new generation of Arabs embracing their identity, language, and heritage, while aspiring toward a more innovative and sustainable future, the SPA added.

Source: arabnews.com

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French classical concert tour for children in Saudi Arabia comes to an end

May 05, 2024

ALKHOBAR: Fresh from performances in Riyadh and Jeddah, the Concert Impromptu, a classical ensemble made up of French musicians that was established in 1991, journeyed into Alkhobar on Saturday for the final stop on a tour presenting a program designed specially for children.

There was a palpable energy at the concert, which was held at the newly opened Saudi Music Hub space, a colorful cluster of buildings near the corniche.

Yves Charpentier played the flute; ViolaineDufes the oboe; Jean Christophe Murer the clarinet; Emilien Drouin the French horn; and Vincent Legoupil the bassoon.

They started with Mozart, who had famously started off composing as a child, and then went on to other classical compositions that they joked were possibly something the audience had heard previously only as somebody’s ringtone.

The audience was mostly made up of parents with young children.

One such attendee was Abul Fahimuddin, who recently moved to Dhahran with his wife, Joana Macutkevic, and their two young daughters. As soon as he heard about the concert, he immediately signed them all up.

“Me and my family have just arrived from Norway several months (ago) … we came to know there is a music concert. We're very keen on what’s happening in the Alkhobar area because we’re living here in Aramco Camp,” Fahimuddin told Arab News.

His two daughters, dressed in pretty blue and white dresses, were plainly delighted to be there.

“I’m excited to see what instruments will be played and how the theater will look. I used to play piano but because of (the pandemic), I had to stop my piano lessons,” Kaja, 11, told Arab News before the show.

Stella, 8, who likes to sing, was giddy. “I’m also excited — like Kaja,” Stella said. “Now in my school, we started to play the xylophone.”

The Fahimuddin family came to the concert to enjoy the experience, but also with the aim to connect with other families that have recently arrived in the Kingdom and to be part of the budding creative community in the area.

“Music is a universal language; we don’t need to speak the same language to enjoy and feel the same atmosphere and the vibe,” Macutkevic told Arab News. “And, for the girls, hopefully the concert will make them more curious about the instruments and about the music,” she added.

Each musician took the time to playfully interact with the audience, and took the time to ask and answer questions and to explain what each instrument was and how to play it.

While the musicians played as an ensemble, they also had solo parts and, at the end, Dufes took the lead, instructing the audience to snap their fingers, clap and make specific sounds while her fellow musicians played along.

“Now you are all musicians,” she told the crowd at the end, to roars of laughter.

The event was organized by Alliances Francaises in partnership with the French Embassy in Saudi Arabia and other French organizations.

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

 

No Place ForFriday PlayersFor Workers In Italian City Of Monfalcone; Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, JehovahHave Their Churches

May 06, 2024

MONFALCONE, Italy: It’s Friday prayers in the northeastern Italian city of Monfalcone, and hundreds of men are on their knees in a concrete parking lot, their heads bowed to the ground.

They are just a fraction of the city’s Muslims who since November have been banned from praying inside their two cultural centres by Monfalcone’s far-right mayor.

Instead, they assemble in this privately owned construction site as they await a court decision later this month to settle a zoning issue they say has barred their constitutional right to prayer.

Among them is Rejaul Haq, the property’s owner, who expresses frustration over what he and many other Muslims see as harassment by the city they call home.

“Tell me where I should go? Why do I have to go outside of Monfalcone? I live here, I pay taxes here!” lamented Haq, a naturalized Italian citizen who arrived from Bangladesh in 2006.

“Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Jehovah’s, if they all have their church — why can’t we have one?”

Immigrants make up a third of this city of 30,000 inhabitants outside Trieste, most of them Bangladeshi Muslims who began arriving in the late 1990s to build cruise-liners for ship builder Fincantieri, whose Monfalcone shipyard is Italy’s largest.

Their presence is immediately visible, whether the Bangladeshi men on bicycles peddling to and from work or the ethnic grocery stores on street corners.

For Mayor Anna Cisint, the restriction on prayer is about zoning, not discrimination.

Urban planning regulations tightly limit the establishment of places of worship, and as a mayor in a secular state, she says it is not her job to provide them.

“As a mayor, I’m not against anybody, I wouldn’t even waste my time being against anybody, you see, but I’m also here to enforce the law,” Cisint said.

Still, she argues the number of Muslim immigrants, boosted by family reunifications and new births, has become “too many for Monfalcone.”

“There are too many... you have to tell it like it is,” she said.

Her warnings about the “social unsustainability” of Monfalcone’s Muslim population have propelled Cisint to national headlines in recent months.

They have also assured her a spot in upcoming European Parliament elections for Matteo Salvini’s anti-immigrant League party, part of Prime Minister GiorgiaMeloni’s coalition government.

The League for decades has obstructed mosque openings in its stronghold of northern Italy. But the problem is nationwide in Catholic-majority Italy.

Islam is not among the 13 religions that have official status under Italian law, which complicates efforts to build places of worship.

There are currently fewer than 10 officially recognized mosques, said Yahya Zanolo of the Italian Islamic Religious Community (COREIS), one of the country’s main Muslim associations.

That means that out of Italy’s estimated more than two million Muslims, most are relegated to thousands of makeshift places of worship that “feed prejudice and fear in the non-Muslim population,” said Zanolo.

Cisint, who has been under police protection since receiving online death threats in December, complains about a resistance to integration by what she called a “very closed” community.

She asks why Arabic and not Italian is taught in the community centers and calls “intolerable” wives walking behind husbands or schoolgirls in veils.

In the run-up to European elections, the League has once again seized on illegal immigration to Italy — where nearly 160,000 migrants arrived by boat last year, mostly from Muslim countries — as a vote-winner.

Salvini has called the June vote “a referendum on the future of Europe,” to decide “whether Europe will still exist or whether it will be a Sino-Islamic colony.”

But Monfalcone’s Muslims don’t fit the stereotypes exploited by the League, armed as they are with work permits or passports.

“It’s not like we came here to see the beautiful city of Monfalcone,” jokes Haq. “It’s because there’s work here.”

Many Muslims said they feel a palpable sense of distrust, if not outright hatred, from some of the long-time residents.

Ahmed Raju, 38, who works at Fincantieri installing panels, has mostly prayed at home since the cultural centers have been off-limits.

Such is the reach of the mayor’s rhetoric that “even I get scared” about Muslims, Raju said.

Of the prejudice the community faces, Raju added: “You feel like you’re in front of a big wall, that you can’t break down.”

“We’re foreigners. We can’t change the situation.”

Outside a classroom where volunteers teach Italian to recently immigrated women, Sharmin Islam, 32, said the animosity is acutely felt by her young son who was born in Italy.

“He comes back from school and asks, ‘Mum, are we Muslims bad?’”

An administrative court in Trieste will rule on May 23 whether to uphold or strike down the mayor’s ban on prayer within the cultural centers.

Haq says Monfalcone’s Muslims have “no Plan B” if they lose, but worries even if they win the scars from the stand-off will remain.

Meanwhile Cisint has been actively promoting her book, “Enough Already: Immigration, Islamization, Submission,” warning Monfalcone’s situation could be duplicated elsewhere.

On a recent public holiday, Bangladeshis filled the city’s main square, from little girls with unicorn balloons to groups of young men enjoying a day off.

Looking on was barman GennaroPomatico, 24.

“The locals won’t ever accept them,” said Pomatico.

“But ultimately they don’t bother anyone.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Italy’s pragmatic prime minister leads charge for EU far right

May 06, 2024

ROME: Having fostered pragmatic relations with Brussels, Italy’s GiorgiaMeloni is for many the “moderate” face of Europe’s radical right — and is leading the charge for June elections.

The ascent to power of Meloni’s post-fascist, euroskeptic Brothers of Italy in 2022 sent shockwaves through the European Union, sparking fears of a lurch to the right within a founding member of both the bloc and NATO.

But her strong support for Ukraine has won Meloni friends in Washington and Brussels, particularly after she helped persuade Hungary’s Viktor Orban — a long-time ally sympathetic to Moscow — to drop his veto of EU aid to Kyiv.

Meloni has also worked closely with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, particularly on migration, a priority for the far-right premier.

“At a European level, she’s trying to present herself as a sort of moderate conservative and mediator” with the rest of the radical right, noted Lorenzo Castellani, a political analyst at Rome’s LUISS University.

At home, Meloni has pursued a nationalist populist agenda focused on traditional family values, law and order, and migration, including a clampdown on rescue ships operating in the central Mediterranean.

It has raised hackles among the Italian left — particularly moves to exert influence over the RAI public state broadcaster — but nothing yet to spark alarm in Brussels, as with judicial reforms in Hungary and Poland.

Fiscal policy meanwhile has been relatively prudent, reflecting the constraints of being part of the EU’s single currency.

“She wants to be in many aspects the acceptable extreme for the rest of the European political establishment,” Castellani told AFP.

“She’s like the last island before the border.”

“More credible”

Meloni heads the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament, which includes Spain’s Vox, Poland’s populist Law and Justice (PiS), and France’s Reconquete!.

Marked by a pro-Ukraine, pro-NATO stance, it is viewed as more credible by the Brussels establishment than the other far-right grouping, the euroskeptic Identity and Democracy group (ID).

ID includes Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) in France, Germany’s anti-immigrant AfD and Meloni’s own coalition ally, Matteo Salvini’s far-right League.

Rosa Balfour, director of the Carnegie Europe think tank, says both Rome and Brussels have benefited from a pragmatic working relationship.

“What the Commission has been doing is embrace Meloni and isolate Orban,” who is not part of either grouping, she told AFP.

“And that’s worked very well for Italy because Meloni has managed to extract concessions.”

This has mainly entailed EU support for the premier’s efforts to stop the tens of thousands of migrants who land on Italy’s shores each year on boats from North Africa.

Von der Leyen joined Meloni on the island of Lampedusa last year after a surge in arrivals, and the two women joined EU delegations to Egypt and Tunisia in recent months to agree new deals on energy and migration.

Building bridges

Analysts say the shift to a tougher EU approach on migration was well underway before Meloni arrived — but that has not stopped her claiming credit.

“We want Italy to be central to changing what doesn’t work in Europe,” she said during her election campaign launch last month.

She is standing in the vote — despite an EU rule barring government ministers from taking up their seats — and urged the European right to follow her example.

“We want to do in Europe exactly what we did in Italy on September 25, 2022,” she said.

But Castellani calls this a “bluff.”

“The real game she’s playing is trying to enter within the European game of alliances,” he said, notably building bridges between the ECR and Von der Leyen’s conservative European People’s Party (EPP).

The divisions in the European right are echoed within Meloni’s coalition, notably between her and Salvini — they share similar domestic priorities but differ on foreign affairs.

Salvini’s League has a history of warm ties with Moscow, while he never misses an opportunity to criticize Brussels.

But he has been eclipsed. The League came top in 2019 European elections in Italy with 34 percent, but is now polling closer to eight percent, compared to more than 27 percent for Meloni’s Brothers of Italy.

Fresh face, skilled communicator

Surveys show voters are supportive of Meloni’s foreign policy — and less so of her migration efforts — but Lorenzo Pregliasco, founder of polling company YouTrend, says personality plays a big role.

Meloni is also seen as “more credible” than other Italian leaders, a skilled communicator and a “genuine figure, someone who says what she thinks,” he told AFP.

He notes her 2022 victory was driven by her image as a fresh face, the only party leader who did not join Mario Draghi’s technocratic government.

With the opposition still divided, as they were back then, he predicts she could stay in power for the full five-year term.

But by then the political landscape may be very different, not least if Donald Trump wins the November US presidential election.

Balfour suggests Meloni may have to reposition herself.

If Trump wins, “then you’ve got all the political leaders elbowing each other to lead the right. And Orban has already positioned himself there.”

Source: arabnews.com

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UK Labour official acknowledges electoral backlash over Gaza

May 05, 2024

LONDON: A senior Labour official on Sunday said the party has to recalibrate its campaigning strategy to win back voters opposing its position on Gaza, The Observer reported.

Pat McFadden, Labour’s national election coordinator, told the BBC program “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” that it would “work to get people’s support back,” and that the Middle East is a “high foreign policy priority” for the party.

Analysis has revealed that despite substantial gains in Thursday’s local elections in England, as well as Sadiq Khan securing a third term as mayor of London, there was a decline of nearly 18 percent in the Labour vote in areas of the country where over a fifth of the population identify as Muslim.

The analysis, conducted across 930 wards by Prof. Will Jennings from the University of Southampton, highlighted the extent of the protest vote against Labour leader Keir Starmer’s stance on Gaza, particularly his delay in calling for a ceasefire.

Ali Milani, chair of the Labour Muslim Network, voiced concern over the sense of betrayal within the Muslim community.

“We are now seeing the electoral consequence of that,” Milani told The Obsever. “If I was a Labour MP in Bradford or Birmingham or Leicester or parts of London or Manchester, I would be seriously concerned.”

Jennings said: “What this highlights is certainly that Labour is in an uncomfortable position on Gaza. And it is not just Muslim voters.

“But in a general election when we are looking at an anti-incumbent mood and there are fewer small parties and independents, we shouldn’t expect the pattern to be repeated.”

Labour MP Ellie Reeves said: “We have recognized the strength of feeling on this issue. We have called for an immediate ceasefire, we have also said there should absolutely be no ground offensive on Rafah.”

When questioned about Labour’s previous stance on the war, she told The Observer: “Keir Starmer has always been clear that our position would always respond to what is happening there.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Richard Parker vows to rebuild trust with Muslim voters

06-05-24

Newly elected West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has said he is committed to rebuilding the Labour Party's trust with Muslim communities.

Mr Parker defeated Tory incumbent Andy Street, who had held the office for seven years and was seeking a third term, by just 1,508 votes, in a shock loss for the Conservatives.

However, independent candidate AkhmedYakoob, who campaigned on a pro-Palestine ticket, won 69,621 votes, diminishing Labour's lead in some of its typical stronghold areas.

BBC analysis has shown Labour's position on the Israel-Hamas war appears to have dented its support in Muslim areas in England's local elections this week.

'It matters to this region'

In 58 local council wards analysed by the BBC, where more than 1 in 5 residents identify as Muslim, Labour's share of the vote was 21% down on 2021, the last time most seats were contested.

Speaking on BBC Politics Midlands after his electoral win, Richard Parker addressed voters' concerns about Gaza.

"It's a very important point and it matters to this region," he said.

"I've been out speaking and listening to many of our inner city communities, including the Muslim community.

"I understand their concerns, I understand how important this issue is to them and I'm committed to working with our council leaders, our councillors, our MPs in the region and with the Labour Party nationally to start to rebuild the trust we've lost with the Muslim community.

"I'm hoping if we do that and we demonstrate to them we do care and we understand their concerns, we can rebuild that trust and we can win them back to Labour."

Labour called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict in February, after months of wrangling over its position.

Its initial stance after the war began, in which it called for humanitarian pauses in the fighting, prompted Labour resignations in councils and from its frontbench last year.

Speaking in Birmingham after Mr Parker's win, Labour leader Keir Starmer addressed Labour voters who turned away from the party over its stance on Gaza.

"I say directly to those who may have voted Labour in the past, but felt on this occasion they couldn't, that across the West Midlands we are a proud and diverse community," Mr Starmer said.

"I have heard you, I have listened, and I am determined to meet your concerns and to gain your respect and trust again in the future."

Labour's campaign chief and Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden told Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday: "I understand why people have got strong feelings about this issue, thousands of people have been killed.

"There’s a great impulse to help people that are in a terrible situation, that’s something that we share.

"The better life that people want for the Palestinian people is something the Labour leadership shares. If we’re fortunate enough to be elected at the general election, its a very high foreign policy priority for the Labour Party.

"Two things have guided us since 7 October last year, the first was defending Israel’s right to defend itself after that atrocity and that remains part of our position and the second is working to get a better future for the Palestinian people, both of those things will guide our position going forward."

When asked whether the party’s stance on the issue will have an impact in a general election, he replied: "I do acknowledge that in some parts of the country that was the case and there will be some people who may have voted Labour in the past that haven’t in the local elections because of this issue and where that's the case we’ll work to get people’s support back.

"Overall I do have to stress, these were tremendous local election results, a tremendous by-election and a set of Mayoral elections that went beyond the expectations that we had."

'Emotional rollercoaster'

On BBC Politics Midlands, Mr Parker also discussed the mayoral results and what it meant for Labour in the next general election.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster. I'd actually only written a losing speech," the new mayor said.

"I had a great platform for my campaign and that was provided by the great work the Labour Party have done under Keir Starmer's leadership.

"What I think my victory demonstrated is that if we continue to work hard, campaign on issues that are important to working people, the Labour Party is in a great place to win the next election."

Source: bbc.com

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Pakistan

 

SC suspends PHC’s verdict against allocating reserved seats to Sunni Ittehad Council

May 6, 2024

The Supreme Court (SC) suspended on Monday Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) order against allocating reserved seats to Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

The SIC is the new home to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed independent candidates.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah took up an SIC appeal against the PHC order.

On March 14, the PHC rejected petitions filed by the SIC for the reserved seats of women and minorities.

Justice Shakeel Ahmed said told Barrister Ali Zafar that “the law uses the word secure, you didn’t secure the seats”.

“Your case of the Sunni Ittehad Council, the PTI joined it, both of them didn’t contest the election.

The reserved seats can be secured when the political parties have won the seats,“ Justice Syed Arshad Ali said.

“You had time after the Supreme Court decision to hold the intra-party election, but you didn’t.”

In March, a five-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja had rejected the SIC’s petition seeking the allocation of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

The ECP announced the verdict with a 4-1 majority, saying the SIC was not entitled to reserved seats.

In its decision, the electoral body said the SIC is not entitled to claim quota for reserved seats due to having “non-curable legal defects and violation of a mandatory provision of submission of party list for reserved seats which is the requirement of the law”.

“The seats in the National Assembly shall not remain vacant and will be allotted by proportional representation process of political parties based on seats won by political parties,” the order said.

Source: brecorder.com

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Two TTP suspects killed in CTD ‘encounter’ in Rawalpindi

May 6, 2024

RAWALPINDI: Two of the four alleged militants who were said to be involved in a shootout with Dolphin Police in which one policeman was killed and another injured earlier this week have been gunned down by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in an encounter.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the CTD claimed that the suspects allegedly belonged to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and were killed during an exchange of fire between their accomplices and the CTD.

Officials claimed the suspects attacked the CTD and during the shootout, they were killed by the firing of their accomplices who managed to flee from the scene.

They further said that the suspects were wanted in eight cases in Dera Ismail Khan and identified as Naseebullah and Ehsanullah. They were involved in other “anti-state activities”, including an attack on a convoy and were wanted by the police, the CTD claimed.

 The officials further claimed that they had recovered a large cache of arms and explosives from the militants while the search for their other accomplices, including the group leader, was underway.

Last week, one Dolphin police official was killed and another injured during a pursuit of a vehicle on Murree Road in which the four suspects were travelling. Subsequently, the police managed to arrest two suspects who were handed over to the CTD along with a mobile phone, some photographs, a copy of the arms licence, and the treatment record from a private hospital on Peshawar Road that were recovered from the car of the suspects.

At the time, the police sources said the suspects worked for the TTP but they were neither the foot soldiers nor its commanders. They had said that the car in which they were travelling was hired on rent from Dera Ismail Khan, and the vehicle was also shifted to the CTD office.

The sources said the shootout between the Dolphin Force officials and the suspects took place when they were heading back to Tank after getting treatment from a private hospital on Peshawar Road.

They had come to Rawalpindi for treatment as one of the suspects had been shot in the leg in the Tank city, where he was initially treated before being transferred to a private hospital in the garrison city. The doctor who had treated the leg injury of one of the suspects was also detained for interrogation.

According to the police, the four-men group had been spotted by intelligence and they were returning to Tank after getting the treatment when they were flagged by the Dolphin Force on Murree Road, resulting in a shootout.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1831761/two-ttp-suspects-killed-in-ctd-encounter-in-rawalpindi

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Pakistan aims high as Saudi investors arrive

May 6, 2024

ISLAMABAD: A key Saudi delegation comprising dozens of investors has arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit to explore investment opportunities, as Pakistan aims to court foreign investors to boost its exports in collaboration with Saudi companies.

The delegation led by Saudi Deputy Investment Minister Ibrahim Almubarak was welcomed by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik at the Nur Khan airbase, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce.

According to the commerce minister, the purpose of the visit is to enh­ance trade ties between investors from both countries and identify trade and investment opportunities across various sectors of national economy.

He said the ministry picked several Pakistani companies for business-to-business (B2B) meetings with the Saudi investors and disclosed that “leading” Pakistani companies would collaborate with at least 30 Saudi companies across different sectors. During the meetings, local companies will present their business and investment proposals to their Saudi counterparts.

The B2B meetings will target sectors, such as agriculture, mining, human resource, energy, chemicals, and maritime. More­over, discussions will also cover investment prospe­cts in other sectors, including IT, religious tourism, telecom, aviation, construction, water and power generation, he added.

The minister expressed optimism that several companies would be able to finalise business and investment deals during the B2B sessions, fostering greater economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. During a recent visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the latter agreed to expedite the first wave of a planned $5 billion Saudi investment package for Pakistan.

The information minister had termed the premier’s visit “highly successful” and said that major developments would take place within the next few months because of the PM’s trip to Riyadh. “Within a short span of just one month, the prime minister held two meetings with the Saudi crown prince which has a historic significance for the two brotherly countries,” the minister had said.

Before Shehbaz Sharif, ex-caretaker prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had visited Saudi Arabia. In Sept 2023, he claimed that the Saudi government would invest up to $25 billion in Pakistan over the “next two to five years” across various sectors.

APP adds: A two-day Pakis­tan-Saudi Arabia investment moot will begin today to “promote bilateral trade and invest­ment” and foster a new era of growth and prosperity.

The report cited a commerce ministry official saying that Saudi Arabia was an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities; however, it was now undergoing a transformation to reduce oil dependence, diversify income sources, and enhance competitiveness under the Vision 2030.

Currently, the major exports of the Kingdom included mineral fuels, mineral oils, plastics and organic chemicals, whereas it was importing machinery, vehicles, and agricultural products. The official said that during the first half of the current financial year, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was recorded at over $248 million, with Pakistan’s share of exports at $262.58 million and Saudi exports at $2.219 billion.

He said Pakistan’s major exports to Saudi Arabia included rice, meat of bovine animals, fruits and vegetables, and tents and camping goods.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1831789/pakistan-aims-high-as-saudi-investors-arrive

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'Saudi Arabia evinces interest, trust in economy of Pakistan'

May 06, 2024

Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has said Saudi Arabia has evinced interest and trust in the economy of Pakistan.

.Addressing a news conference along with Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on the sidelines of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia investment conference in Islamabad today, he said this has happened because of the commitment demonstrated by the government to facilitate the investors.

Jam Kamal Khan said there is enthusiasm on both the sides and they are discussing joint ventures and collaboration in diverse sectors.

The Commerce Minister said it is the vision of the present government to promote businesses in order to steer the economy in the right direction.

He said the visit of Saudi delegation is just the beginning. He said a Pakistan delegation will also visit the Kingdom to move forward towards the implementation phase.

Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik expressed the confidence that Pak-Saudi collaboration will lead Pakistan's economy towards growth which will create job opportunities for the youth.

He said the government is committed to do away with red-tapism and minimize regulations to provide conducive environment and level playing field to all the investors.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/06-05-2024/saudi-arabia-evinces-interest-trust-in-economy-of-pakistan

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OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir calls for early resolution of J&K dispute

May 06, 2024

OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir has called for an early and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Its meeting was held in Banjul, The Gambia on the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit of the OIC.

The participating delegations from different member states expressed support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who led the Pakistan delegation briefed the Contact Group on India’s ongoing efforts to transform Kashmiris into a disempowered community in their own land.

He apprised the meeting that India was systematically denying the Kashmiri people their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Ishaq Dar said the Indian authorities have created an environment of fear and intimidation in the IIOJK to crush dissent.

He urged the international community to take cognizance of the Indian leaders’ provocative statements and unwarranted claims about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which constitute a serious threat to regional peace.

The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that India must release all the political prisoners, lift curbs on the outlawed political parties, revoke the illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 and the subsequent steps aimed at demographic change and political engineering, and implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/06-05-2024/oic-contact-group-on-jammu-kashmir-calls-for-early-resolution-of-jk-dispute

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Anti-Pakistan rhetoric during India polls threat to Muslims, peace: Dar

May 06, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar Sunday strongly condemned the surge in anti-Pakistan rhetoric and Islamophobic narratives by India’s political leaders during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, which threatened the regional stability. Addressing the 15th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit conference in Banjul, the capital of Gambia, he highlighted that Pakistan continued to face externally sponsored terrorism from across its borders, despite contributing the most to the fight against terrorism.

The foreign minister also expressed Pakistan’s deep concern over Israel’s ongoing military onslaught against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. In the backdrop of the genocide of Palestinians and atrocities of Israeli forces, he urged the OIC member states to work together for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinians.

He expressed Pakistan’s support for Palestine’s admission as a full member of the UN, resumption of the peace process for realisation of the two-state solution and establishment of a viable, contiguous and sovereign state of Palestine on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release.

Highlighting Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), especially after India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, the deputy prime minister urged the OIC to implement its action plan on Jammu and Kashmir, demanding that India should end all human rights violations, release Hurriyat leaders and reverse its illegal demographic and other unilateral laws.

He appreciated the OIC over its principled support for the Kashmir cause and requested the OIC member countries to use their influence for urgent resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per relevant UN Security Council and OIC resolutions.

Condemning the rising trend of Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims in various parts of the world, the foreign minister urged the OIC to formulate a joint strategy to work with global social media platforms to harmonise their application of content regulation policies for blasphemous, anti-Islamic and Islamophobic content. He appreciated OIC’s appointment of a special envoy on Islamophobia.

The deputy prime minister and foreign minister underscored that the OIC could play an important role in global economic growth. He urged the OIC to work collectively to address the existential threat of climate change, which caused catastrophic floods in Pakistan in 2022. The deputy prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s support to revitalise the UN system and reform the UN Security Council “to make it more representative, democratic, and effective for international peace and security”.

Also, during a meeting on the sidelines of the summit conference, Ishaq Dar and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zheng Jianbang expressed their determination to complete all China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and further upgrade cooperation to achieve shared objectives. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s firm support to China’s core issues and underscored the importance of enhanced mutually productive ties through close economic collaboration and cooperation.

Zheng Jianbang reaffirmed China’s support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and development, Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release. Dar and Zheng also discussed China’s growing relationship with the OIC and underlined the importance of dialogue and understanding for mutual peace and prosperity.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister of Republic of Azerbaijan JeyhunBayramov Sunday exchanged views on bilateral relations and resolved to further deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including trade, connectivity, energy and people-to-people contacts.

In a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 15th OIC Islamic summit conference, the two sides also noted the importance of deepening dialogue and engagement, especially at the political level, the FO spokesperson said in a press release.

Dar congratulated Azerbaijan on winning the bid to host COP 29 in the city of Baku in November 2024 and expressed Pakistan’s interest in enhanced cooperation and experience sharing in combating climate change.

He also appreciated Azerbaijan’s firm and principled position on the just cause of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

Also, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Turkish counterpart HakanFidan and reviewed the state of bilateral relations.

The two leaders, expressing satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral relations, reiterated their resolve to further deepen cooperation, with a particular focus on economic, trade, and defence sectors, an FO statement said.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1185727-anti-pakistan-rhetoric-during-india-polls-threat-to-muslims-peace-dar

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Govt to launch free bus service for female students, teachers in Islamabad next month

May 05, 2024

ISLAMABAD: As part of its efforts to increase girl’s enrolment in schools and improve female literacy rate, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training is planning to launch a free transport service for female students and teachers of the Islamabad Capital Territory Schools

According to details, around 20 buses of federal educational institutions will be prepared and put on the roads with the support of the district administration.

The female students and teachers of public and private educational institutions will be able to travel for free in these buses operated in the urban and rural areas of the federal capital with the support of the district administration.

These buses reserved for women and girls will be painted pink, it added. The ministry has taken this step in view of the increasing dropout rate of girls from schools due to inadequate transport facilities, said the secretary of education.

He went on to say that in the internal audit, it was found that 30% of the total 385 buses of federal educational institutions have been parked due to unusability.

These buses were not being used due to lack of budget and drivers and for not repairing timely, said the official.

In future, women will also be allowed to travel in these vehicles subject to the availability of space, he added.

He further informed that by June 15, these buses will be ready and will start providing services for female students and teachers.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1185702-govt-to-launch-free-bus-service-for-female-students-teachers-in-islamabad-next-month

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Africa

 

Edo Guber: NSCIA urges Muslims to get involved in electoral process

May 5, 2024

The Edo State chapter of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has advised Muslim faithful to get involved in the electoral process in the forthcoming September governorship election in the state.

DAILY POST reports that NSCIA gave the advise in a communique issued at the end of its stakeholders meeting on Sunday in Benin City.

The state chairman of the Council, MallamAbdulazeezIgbinidu, who read the communique, noted that Muslims are not adequately represented in the governance of the state.

Igbinidu noted that the narratives could only be changed if the Muslim faithful are ready to actively engage in politics.

According to him, they can only have a say in the governance of the state if they are involved in the political and electoral processes in the state.

He therefore called on all Muslim eligible voters who are yet to register to take advantage of the forthcoming Independent National Electoral Commission voters registration exercise to get registered so that they can exercise their franchise.

The NSCIA chairman said the stakeholders meeting was organized to chart a common course for the Muslims as regards the September 21 governorship election in the state.

According to him, there is need for equity and fairness in representation in governance in Edo State, so that Muslims would be adequately represented.

“The Muslims have agreed to relate and interface with all political actors, especially the candidates of the various political parties, for the general good of the Muslims as well as all citizens of the state

“The Council is apolitical and non-partisan. Individuals are however free to support any party and candidate of their choice.

“I call on Muslim organisations and the League of Imams to sensitize the Muslims who are yet to register to do so during the forthcoming voter’s registration so that they can exercise their franchise,” he said.

Igbinidu, who opined that Edo Muslims remain one and united under the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, added that the Council is the umbrella body of Muslims in the state.

He also stressed the need to strengthen the unity of Muslims in the state irrespective of political affiliation and differences.

Source: dailypost.ng

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https://dailypost.ng/2024/05/05/edo-guber-nscia-urges-muslims-to-get-involved-in-electoral-process/#google_vignette

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Nigerian leaders not interested in solving country’s problems – Kingsley Moghalu

May 6, 2024

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Kingsley Moghalu, has accused Nigerian leaders of not truly interested in solving the country’s problems.

Moghalu said they were more ‘focused on politics, rent-seeking, and picking sycophants and ethnic journeymen for jobs they can’t perform’.

In a post on his X handle on Monday, Moghalu stressed that knowledge, competence and expertise, in addition to political will, would solve Nigeria’s problems.

He said: “The tragedy of Nigeria is that many of its leaders are not truly interested in solving the country’s problems.

“They are more focused on politics, rent-seeking, and picking sycophants and ethnic journeymen for jobs they can’t perform. But problems can’t solve themselves.

“It’s knowledge, competence and expertise, plus political will, that solves problems. To bring these factors together to fix Nigeria’s problems requires real #Leadership.

“This is a concept that can incorporate politics, but goes well beyond it. #LeadershipMatters.”

Source: dailypost.ng

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https://dailypost.ng/2024/05/06/nigerian-leaders-not-interested-in-solving-countrys-problems-kingsley-moghalu/

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Gaza tops agenda at Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit

06-05-24

The 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation got underway on Saturday in the Gambian capital, Banjul, with the conflict in Gaza on top of the agenda.

World leaders from the 57 members countries are expected to attend the two-day gathering which take place every three years.

The OIC is a group of mostly Muslim-majority nations which calls itself “the collective voice of the Muslim world”.

In his opening remarks, Gambia’s President Adama Barrow said the crisis in the Gaza Strip posed a serious challenge to stability and peace in the world.

“It is essential to address the prolonged conflict in Palestine and the devastating wars in Gaza. Those encounters have caused endless human suffering for over 75 years,” he said.

The OIC condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza and reaffirmed the organisation’s support for, and commitment to the people of Palestine.

Barrow said it was essential that “affected Palestinian communities” were able to regain their dignity.

“We stand in solidarity with South Africa, and all those who advocate justice and accountability, and pledge our support for their efforts to seek redress for the victims of atrocities committed by Israel,” he said.

Also on the agenda was Gambia’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on behalf of the OIC against Myanmar.

Lodged 2019, Gambia accused Myanmar of committing genocide against its Rohingya Muslim minority.

The case remains in court.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2024/05/05/gaza-tops-agenda-at-organization-of-islamic-cooperation-summit/

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Ethiopian Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter

06-05-24

Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia have been celebrating Easter at churches across the country.

Home to the largest Orthodox population outside Europe, they fast for 55 days prior to Easter, abstaining from meat and animal products.

On the eve of what is the country’s most celebrated religious holiday, worshippers wearing traditional white clothing attend church services lasting into the early hours of the morning.

At KidusGebreil Church in the capital, Addis Ababa, priests, deacons, and worshippers marked the day together on Sunday.

"We are celebrating the date our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rose from the dead. When we say this, we are witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this service and emphasising that just as He rose from death, we believers will also rise,” said the head of the church, Megabi Hadis Leake Mariam.

During the Easter period, family members and friends travel from faraway places to be with their loved ones.

While most Western churches observed Easter on 31 March, Eastern Orthodox churches follow the older Julian calendar, marking the holiday across the world on Sunday.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2024/05/05/ethiopian-orthodox-christians-around-the-world-celebrate-easter/

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S’Arabia Announces $100m Financing for Islamic Bank’s Livelihoods Fund

06-05-24

The Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) administered by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has received a major boost with a new funding of $100 million announced by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement,  it said Saudi Arabia has a decades-long commitment to steer sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries and close the economic divide that locks countries in a cycle of poverty.

It stressed that this undercuts their capacity to respond to the needs of vulnerable communities, and prevents their equal access to resources.

The statement noted that the fresh replenishment by KSrelief aims to build upon its initial contributions to LLF as a demonstration of its commitment to improving lives in low-income countries.

Earlier, on April 29, 2024, four global development partners, including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the IsDB, and KSrelief, jointly announced an additional $219 million in donor support for total 37 projects in 22 IsDB member countries through the Lives and Livelihoods LLF 2.0.

The announcement was made during the charter signing ceremony at the IsDB Annual General Meetings (AGM) 2024 in Riyadh.

“The newly announced funding will further expand our joint efforts under LLF 2.0 to lift the poorest out of poverty across 33 IsDB member countries.

“The innovative LLF financing model provides concessional financing to countries for strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving the livelihoods and productivity of smallholder farmers, and building the blocks of social infrastructure for the most vulnerable.

“With the support of KSrelief and our partners, LLF’s overall investment portfolio stands at $1.5 billion, channelled into critical socioeconomic and human capital development projects in member countries.

“The LLF is a $ 2.5 billion development initiative launched in 2016 and funded by an unprecedented global coalition including the ADFD, BMGF, the IsDB, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), KSrelief, and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD),” it stated.

As the largest development initiative in the Middle East, it noted that the goal is to lift the poorest out of poverty across 33 IsDB member countries by addressing nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through projects in health, agriculture, and basic infrastructure.

Source: thisdaylive.com

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https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/05/06/sarabia-announces-100m-financing-for-islamic-banks-livelihoods-fund

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Southeast Asia

 

Malaysian PM condemns West’s ‘sheer hypocrisy’ over Gaza war

May 05, 2024

DUBAI: Malaysia takes a strong stance on the war in Gaza and condemns the “sheer hypocrisy” of Western countries over the ongoing Israeli killing of Palestinian women and children, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said.

Speaking to Katie Jensen, host of the Arab News current affairs program “Frankly Speaking,” during a visit to Riyadh for a special meeting of the World Economic Forum last week, he said that a failure to prevent genocide in Gaza could foster extremism.

“We have issued statements to suggest that their genocide must end,” Anwar said in an interview that can be read in full on page 3.

“And it’s sheer hypocrisy for countries, some countries in the West, including the United States, to deny these continued killings of children and women and civilians.

“Whatever your political position is, I don’t believe that in this period we can condone these sort of inhuman, barbaric acts against fellow human beings. And I think that position is clear. Our position is very strong in that direction.

“I know for an emerging, developing country, it may sound a bit too harsh, but then how do you condone continued killings of women and children? There’s no other way except to at least express in the very strongest terms possible.

“I appreciate the role of the Arab neighbors and Turkiye and Iran and all these other countries trying to do their part. And I think we in Malaysia and many other countries outside the region, too, are expressing gross concern because people are feeling enraged.

“And we don’t want this to prolong, because it will only lead to groups to foster fanatical extremist or terrorist action in the absence of the failure of the international community.”

According to recent reports, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court may soon issue warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza.

If the ICC rules that genocide is taking place in Gaza, Anwar said he would support calls for the arrest of the Israeli ministers.

“I don’t believe that any reasonable person could dispute the incontrovertible effects adduced to support their allegation that genocide has been committed,” he said. “Once it is established that genocide happened, then of course the warrants have to be issued.”

In Kuala Lumpur, a trial is currently taking place after an Israeli national was arrested on March 28 suspected of entering Malaysia to assassinate a compatriot. He was found in possession of six guns and some 200 rounds of ammunition.

The case has raised speculation as to whether the man, named by local authorities as Shalom Avitan, was in fact a spy.

Asked whether any proof had been found connecting the Israeli national to espionage or organized crime, Anwar said investigations were ongoing.

“They have not established the fact that whether this criminal is a spy, but certainly the actions, the movements, the amount of weapons and the link networking within the country is of course concerning,” he said.

“And the authorities are taking tough measures to make sure they get to the bottom of it.”

On whether an independent Palestinian state is likely to come to fruition this year from the ashes of the Gaza war, Anwar said no country — including the US — has the right to deny the resounding global support for Palestinian statehood.

“There are 139 countries that have given recognition to the state of Palestine,” he said. “Now, why must one or two countries consider them above all these considerations and refuse to accept this?

“And to my mind, it is dishonorable to deny the right, not only of Palestinians but of the international community when they decide after years or decades of deliberations, looking at the facts, looking at historical decisions, looking at the precarious position now on the issue of security of the region, issue of economic progress.

“After all these considerations, 139 say, yes, we must recognize the existence of the state of Palestine. I don’t believe any country has the right to deny the sentiments, aspirations of the world.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2504891/middle-east

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Debate rationally, always put people’s interest first, Pahang Sultan tells assemblymen

06 May 2024

KUANTAN, May 6 — Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today urged all Pahang assemblymen to debate rationally and adhere to the principle of prioritising the interests of the people and the wellbeing of the state during the State Assembly sitting.

His Royal Highness also called on all assemblymen to always respect, protect, preserve, and defend both the federal and the state constitutions in every argument presented.

“The year 2024 is a significant year with my return to the state of Pahang Darul Makmur which I deeply love and cherish.

“Therefore, I hope that all Pahang assemblymen can fulfil their responsibilities and show commitment, as well as participate in the debate by providing views that can enhance the prosperity and well-being of our state.”

Al-Sultan Abdullah said in his royal address at the opening of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Pahang State Assembly here today.

Crown Prince TengkuMahkotaTengkuHassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah was in attendance.

Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Abdullah hopes that all parties will respect the decision of the Kuantan High Court to dismiss the judicial review application by Musang King durian farmers in Raub against the Pahang government’s decision to issue notices for land eviction.

“I hope that the Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) will not be deterred or afraid and will continue to proactively strengthen law enforcement actions such as preventive patrol activities, investigations, and gathering of information regarding encroachments on state-owned land,” he said.

The Pahang ruler also expressed pride in the state government’s efforts to address revenue losses stemming from activities such as agricultural theft and encroachments on state land, with a total of RM2.7 million in fines collected in 2023 compared to RM1.5 million the previous year.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed appreciation for various achievements of the state government, including the success in increasing revenue collection of over RM1 billion for two consecutive years, and hoped that it would not only be maintained but also enhanced.

The Sultan also congratulated the state government for successfully reducing the number of hardcore poor individuals in the state last year from 4,968 people in January to 1,946 people in December, representing a reduction of 60.08 per cent.

To enhance efforts in attracting investments into Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah wants all bureaucratic hurdles causing delays in the application process, whether at the state or federal government level, to be eliminated.

“This way, it not only makes our state investor-friendly but also enhances the level of competency and efficiency of all departments and government agencies involved,” he said.

The Sultan also encourages young people or young entrepreneurs to venture into agriculture, among other things, to help produce quality, sufficient, and safe food.

As proof of concern for the people, 274 units of Ru’RASA or Al-Sultan Abdullah People’s Homes, will continue to be built this year, involving an allocation of RM25.03 million, which also focuses on homeownership for the B40 group in Pahang.

In the royal address, Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed appreciation to the Crown Prince TengkuHassanal, who has shouldered the responsibility as the Regent of Pahang for five years while His Royal Highness resided in Istana Negara to perform duties as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/06/debate-rationally-always-put-peoples-interest-first-pahang-sultan-tells-assemblymen/132738

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PM Anwar calls for unified response as world confronts fragmented global landscape

Monday, 06 May 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim calls for a global unified response as the world confronts an increasingly fragmented global landscape that threatens collective security and prosperity.

The prime minister said these escalating threats among others the cyberattacks, environmental concerns and the scarcity of resources are pushing the world towards an unprecedented turning point, demanding a unified response.

“The digital realm, our so-called second reality, faces relentless cyberattacks that threaten to compromise our most sensitive data, undermining our security and the trust upon which our societies and economies stand.

“Environmental concerns and the scarcity of resources exacerbate these tensions. Climate change is not a distant threat but a present crisis, impacting food security, causing natural disasters, and displacing communities.

“As societies wobble under these pressures, the spectre of crumbling economies looms large, undermining the prospects of future prosperity,” he said when officiating the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 and National Security Asia (Natsec Asia) 2024 here today. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/06/pm-anwar-calls-for-unified-response-as-world-confronts-fragmented-global-landscape/132745

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SEC nurtures skilled local talents to reduce dependency on external expertise

06 May 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC) has been diligently nurturing skilled local talents, particularly in the oil and gas sector, to reduce reliance on external expertise.

Highlighting that these talents include graduates hired from the B40 income group, SEC chief executive officer Datuk Adzmir Abdul Rahman emphasised the company’s commitment to providing opportunities for staff to acquire diverse knowledge from experts in various fields.

“In support of the Sabah government’s human capital development, one of our strategies implemented involves the recruitment of graduates from the B40 income group who have excelled academically.

“These employees will then be given the opportunity to attend skills enhancement training in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere to acquire new knowledge from experts in various fields,” he said at the SEC Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house, here, on Monday (May 6).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and SEC board of directors chairman Datuk Annuar Ayub were also present at the event.

Adzmir added that through the approach, they had not only successfully increased the number of skilled local workers, lessened reliance on external expertise, but also generated additional high-quality employment, especially in the energy industry, thus narrowing the skills gap between jobs.

In addition, in support of the state government's agenda to empower women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), SEC also provides female employees with opportunities to engage in leadership roles such as supervisors and project managers.

“The opportunities given to them have been utilised to the fullest and have shown remarkable results, proving that women have capabilities equal to men if given space and opportunities,” Adzmir said.

At the event, the government-linked company launched its Anti-Corruption Plan Book which plays a role in combating governance, integrity, and anti-corruption issues within the organisation.

SEC also contributed RM200,000 to the YayasanKebajikan Sabah, led by its director RugayahAwangBesar, to support its efforts in advocating for the welfare of Sabahans, especially the less fortunate and those with special needs.

Source: thestar.com.my

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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/06/sec-nurtures-skilled-local-talents-to-reduce-dependency-on-external-expertise

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Malaysia national football team player Faisai Halim suffers acid attack

May 5, 2024

Malaysia national football team and Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim suffered an acid attack at a shopping mall on Sunday.

The incident occurred at a shopping center in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, when Halim was attending a go-kart racing event. It quickly went viral on social media, with a photo of the 26-year-old player sitting wrapped in a damp towel with wounds showing on his back and left hand.

According to Malaysian news agency Bernama, Faisal Halim had acid splashed on him by unidentified suspects. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said his force received information about the attack at 5:51 p.m. local time, and urged those with information to contact the police hotline.

Halim is said to be in stable condition, being treated at a private hospital.

Selangor FC posted on their official X (formerly Twitter) account that they viewed the matter seriously and would cooperate with the authorities to investigate the incident.

"Sad to announce that Selangor FC player, Faisal Halim, became a victim of an acid attack. Selangor FC urges all supporters and football fans nationwide to pray for and give moral support to Faisal Halim and his family and to respect their privacy," the club wrote.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh also posted on X, condemned the attack and urged police to take action immediately.

The attack took place five days before the 2024 Malaysia Super League kicked off, when Selangor will play defending champion Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Halim is Selangor's key player, scoring 12 goals in 26 matches last season. The winger has emerged in the last three years and became a mainstay in the national team with 15 goals in 32 matches.

This is the second incident involving a national footballer after Terengganu FC winger Akhyar Rashid suffered injuries to his head and leg after being attacked by two robbers in his housing area in Kuala Terengganu. The suspects fled after taking Rashid’s money.

Source: e.vnexpress.net

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https://e.vnexpress.net/news/football/malaysia-national-football-team-player-faisai-halim-suffers-acid-attack-4742571.html

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