PoK Going To Be Part Of J&K Post Elections: Uttar Pradesh CM
New Age Islam News Bureau
September 27, 2024
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addresses a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Thursday. (PTI)
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· PoK Going To Be Part Of J&K Post Elections: Uttar Pradesh CM
· Bangladesh: No Durga Puja Holiday, Idol Immersions, Demands Radical Islamic Group
· Islamist And European Antisemitism Now Dangerously Intertwined: German Expert with Expertise In Antisemitism
· GISBH Members Especially Leaders Were Gifted Wives For Continued Loyalty, IGP Reveals
Indian
· Shia Waqf Board Seeks Probe Into ‘Vulgar’ Reels Being Shot At Lucknow’s Imambara
· Mumbai's Muslim Leaders Oppose Waqf Amendment Bill In Meeting With JPC
· Alwar: Ramlila Stage Prepared by Muslim Artisans
· Reasi terror attack: NIA searches underway in two districts of Jammu and Kashmir
· Normality claim ‘spoiler’ in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections: Omar Abdullah
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South Asia
· Those Who Commit Genocide Have No Right To Do Politics: Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
· Case filed against man in Patuakhali for threatening to kill Prof Yunus
· Deputy Spokesman Rejects Allegations of Gender Discrimination Against Islamic Emirate
· Mullah KhairullahKhairkhwa Visits Herat to Assess Historical Sites and Inaugurate Key Public Projects
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Europe
· Muslim Council Of Britain's Campaign Encourages People Of All Faiths And No Faiths To Visit Their Local Mosques
· Mosque In Sweden Targeted Again With Neo-Nazi Slogans, Vandalism
· Southend Islamic Centre Set To Open Its Doors To Locals To Teach People About Islam
· Counter-protester threw rock at Hanley rioters to 'defend mosque from attack'
· French Muslim Activist Faces Prosecution After Calling For ‘Intifada’ At Palestine Rally
· Macron Says Would Be ‘Mistake’ For Israeli PM To ‘Refuse’ Lebanon Ceasefire
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Southeast Asia
· Former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Become Japan's Prime Minister Next Week
· PM Anwar: School dropouts are not a new thing but Covid-19 makes it tougher, we all need to work together
· PM Anwar says govt plans to widen Port Klang roads for Westport expansion, boost economy by RM55b
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Arab World
· Islamic Ministerial Committee Lauds Courageous Position Of UN Chief During Crisis
· UN Security Council Must Reform To ‘Reflect Realities Of Modern World’: Kuwait Crown Prince
· ‘Echoes Of Time’ Exhibition: An Artistic Exploration Of Saudi Arabia’s Archaeology
· Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York
· Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak
· Christian Dior retrospective exhibition coming to Saudi Arabia as part of Riyadh Season offering
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Mideast
· Yemen’s President Vows To Defeat ‘New Imamates’ As Country Commemorates 1962 Revolution
· Iran Defence Minister Urges Muslim States To Cut Ties With Israel
· What obstacles stand in the way of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire?
· UNRWA Earning ‘Global Vote Of Confidence’: Jordanian FM
· Russia in weapon transfer talks with Yemen’s Houthis, says US envoy
· Gaza rescuers say 7 killed in Israeli strike on school
· All eyes on Iran’s balancing act as IRGC’s Middle East proxies face Israel’s onslaught
· Norway issues wanted notice for man connected to exploding pagers in Lebanon
· Academic delegation from Central Asian Muslim republics visits Israel amid war
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Africa
· Sudan’s Islamic Movement Charts A New Direction In Search Of Legitimacy
· Head Of Sudan's Military Says RSF Militants Must Put Down Weapons
· ANC WC calls on public to advance Imam Abdullah Haron's legacy
· FCT Muslim pilgrims board sets N8.4m deposit for 2025 hajj
· KSrelief head participates in Sudan meeting on sidelines of UNGA
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Pakistan
· At Least 16 Personnel Injured In Explosion in KP’s Swabi Police Station: Officials
· PTI claims Fazl won’t back constitutional court plan
· Pakistan inks deal with Azerbaijan to sale JF-17 Block-III fighter jets
· Imran rebuffs PTI's chief spokesperson statement on holding talks with establishment
· Controversial package may land in parliament next week
· Imran closes door on talks as indictment looms
· Governor cites graft charges for rejecting VCs summary
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North America
· Experts Warn Democrats Against Dismissing Arab, Muslim American Voters
· Community leaders say Moorhead Mosque was attacked Wednesday night
· Alabama Carries Out Second Nitrogen Gas Execution In US
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/pok-jammu-kashmir-election-up-cm-jk/d/133301
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PoK Going To Be Part Of J&K Post Elections: Uttar Pradesh CM
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addresses a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Thursday. (PTI)
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26.09.24
Asserting that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is raising its voice for separation from Pakistan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that PoK will become part of Jammu and Kashmir after the BJP returns to power.
He said that people from various parts of the world have watched how peaceful polls are being conducted in Jammu and Kashmir in a festive mood and this is because of the government of the day which created such a situation.
"After the BJP’s return (to power) here through peaceful elections, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is also going to be a part of Jammu and Kashmir. And this is the commotion in Pakistan, they are struggling to save their democracy. They are battling hard to save their democracy," Adityanath told a rally in R S Pura area.
Taking a dig at Pakistan, the chief minister said "the country is falling apart".
"Pakistan has failed to safeguard its democracy. Flour in Pakistan now costs Rs 500 per kilogram, while PM Modi provides free ration to 80 crore Indians and free healthcare up to Rs five lakh. Pakistan is sinking, but India is advancing. Pakistan is a sinking ship,” Adityanath said.
"On one side there is India and on the other side there is Pakistan, there is a shortage of food there, naturally, beggar Pakistan is not able to handle itself today. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is raising its voice for separation from it. It is saying that we also had the right to participate in the J&K elections. You have to give a good message through elections," he added.
Escalating his attack on Pakistan, the senior BJP leader said Balochistan is saying that our chemistry does not match with Pakistan.
"Because Pakistan is the enemy of humanity, it is a cancer of humanity. The world must be freed from this cancer," he added.
Adityanath, who addressed rallies in Chhamb, R S Pura and Ramgarh, in Jammu as part of the BJP's campaign, said the large turnout of voters has shown that they have rejected the dynastic rulers and their divisive politics.
"The results will be a slap on the faces of the NC, PDP and Congress," he said, urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure BJP’s victory.
Adityanath further said the people of Jammu and Kashmir "want a democratic government".
"They want to connect to the national mainstream and want to work for the development and progress of the region and the country," he added.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, the chief minister said, "The people from various parts of the world are watching here how peaceful polls are being conducted in Jammu and Kashmir in a festive mood. They have enjoyed it. This is because of the government of the day which created such a situation." Adityanath said that Modi made Kashmir a world tourist destination, which registered a record high footfall of tourists in the valley.
He praised Modi for opening the Kartarpur Corridor, allowing the pilgrims from India to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan.
He also highlighted the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir, now regarded as a "tourism capital" rather than a "terrorism capital." Adityanath lashed out at the Congress for entering into a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference (NC).
He asked Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to clarify whether he and his party support the restoration of Article 370, release of detainees and other issues included in the manifesto of the National Conference.
"I want to ask Congress leader Rahul Gandhi whether he supports the National Conference's decision to have a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir? Does Rahul Gandhi support the National Conference's demand to bring back Article 370 and 35A and push Jammu and Kashmir into an era of unrest and terrorism? Does the Congress support promoting separatism again by talking to Pakistan at the cost of the youth of Kashmir?" he asked.
The chief minister criticized the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress for allegedly "ruining Jammu and Kashmir for 70 years".
He accused them of supporting terrorism in the 1990s while enjoying vacations in Europe and England.
"It was the Modi government that gave voting rights to West Pakistan refugees and the Valmikis, who were denied these rights by the previous governments in J&K," Adityanath said.
He also referred to a time when the BJP needed permission to hoist the tricolour in Lal Chowk, stating, "today, the national flag flies high there".
Adityanath emphasized the significance of the ongoing assembly elections, calling them historic.
"The results will be a slap on the faces of the NC, PDP and Congress," he said, urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the BJP’s victory.
Two of the three phases of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir concluded and the final phase polling will be held on October 1. The votes will be counted on October 8.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/yogi-adityanath-pakistan-occupied-kashmir-is-also-going-to-be-part-of-jammu-and-kashmir-post-elections/cid/2050976
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Bangladesh: No Durga Puja Holiday, Idol Immersions, Demands Radical Islamic Group
Hindus in Bangladesh hold a rally condemning violence against them and other religious groups in the Muslim-majority country(AP)
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Sep 27, 2024 08:37 AM IST
Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta, a radical Islamic group in Bangladesh, has warned Hindus in the country to not celebrate Durga Puja or engage in any idol worship
As Durga Puja approaches, radical Islamic groups have warned Bangladesh's Hindu minority to not openly celebrate the festival and engage in any idol worship or immersion, reported India Today.
Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta, a radical Islamic group, staged a protest in Dhaka's sector 13 against the use of a playground by the Hindu community for the Durga Puja celebrations.
The area had been used by the community for many years. However as tensions rise between religious groups in the country, several Islamic groups have called for restrictions on celebrating the Hindu festival, the report said.
Holding up placards in Bangla that read “no worship anywhere by closing roads, no pollution to water by idol immersion, no worship to idols”, the protesting group presented a 16-point list of demands citing environmental damage, use of government funds for religious activity and disruption as reasons to stop celebrating Durga Puja.
One of their issues was that Durga Puja had been made a national holiday despite Hindus only making up two per cent of the population. They claimed that the festival caused a nuisance for the Muslim majority and also stated that Muslims should not support such festivals for religious reasons.
Their demands also included a call to remove temples “built by occupying many special lands in Bangladesh”, reported India Today. Another demand asks all temples to have anti-India banners and slogans for Hindu citizens to prove their loyalty to Bangladesh and their anti-India sentiments.
Reports of temple vandalism and idol destruction have increased, heightening the anxiety of the community.
In Khulna, Hindu citizens told India Today that they were being asked to pay 5 lakh Bangladeshi taka to celebrate Durga Puja.
Despite assurances from Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of the interim government, the Hindu community in Bangladesh has faced a surge in attacks on life and property after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
Source:hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/bangladesh-no-durga-puja-holiday-idol-immersions-demands-radical-islamic-group-101727400926097.html
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Islamist And European Antisemitism Now Dangerously Intertwined: German Expert with Expertise In Antisemitism
Dr. Matthias Küntzel
(Photo credit: Courtes
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By OHAD MERLIN
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
“As a German, I wanted to learn how Auschwitz could have happened. This brought me to researching the topic of antisemitism about 30 years ago,” Dr. Matthias Küntzel told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview. Küntzel is a German political scientist and veteran scholar with expertise in antisemitism.
But then, over two decades ago, something happened. “9/11 came, and already on 9/12 I started to read books about the history of Islamism and the Muslim Brotherhood, looking to know why this terrorist attack had happened,” Küntzel added.
“Following extensive research and reading, I then came to a realization, which was surprising for me, that a major drive for the attack was antisemitism. For the attackers, New York was a ‘Jewish city,’ and they wanted to cause as much damage to ‘Jewish property’ as possible.”
This turn of events inspired Küntzel to immerse himself in the study of Islamist antisemitism. “[I] discovered during research that Nazi Germany played a role in spreading antisemitism in the Middle East; [there are] archives about the connection between Islamists and Nazi Germany.”
However, despite his in-depth research on this critical subject, Küntzel quickly learned that he was bound to remain quite lonely on his journey as one of the lone voices who researches and publishes studies revolving around Islamist antisemitism.
“Most researchers in Germany don’t want to touch this topic at all, and so it remained a special niche for me. This is due to several reasons. Some are afraid of being labeled as ‘Islamophobes’ because they dare to say a critical word about Islam or Muslims. I too am against racism – I research antisemitism! – but the topic is too important to leave it alone.”
Küntzel described how others in the German intellectual field seek to blame Israel for the prevalence of antisemitism in the Arab world. “This does not make sense, as studies show that this antisemitism against Israel and the Zionists developed in the 1930s, a whole decade before the establishment of the state of Israel. But this notion is not welcomed by too many intellectuals,” he added.
What exactly is Islamic antisemitism?
Küntzel makes a distinction between anti-Judaism, which he deems an ancient phenomenon based on religious polemics, and antisemitism, which is a modern concept coined in 1879 by Friedrich Marr. “In other words, anti-Judaism deems all Jews to be evil, but antisemitism views all evil to be Jewish,” he stressed.
“The Quran itself is not antisemitic. It has some anti-Jewish statements, and some verses speak in their favor, but those sayings against the Jews have more of a religious, polemic aura to them than those modern tropes,” he continued.
“The known status of Dhimmitude, in which Jews and other minorities under Islamic rule are supposed to be ‘sheltered’ but also degraded and harshly discriminated against, can also not be viewed as antisemitic in and of itself.
Nowadays, Islamist and European antisemitism are well mixed. For instance, Hamas leader Fathi Hamad was quoted saying, “We must attack every Jew on planet earth,” calling to slaughter and kill them and tear them into pieces ‘with Allah’s help.’ This is not Dhimmitude, and not at all what the Quran says. This was learned directly from Nazi antisemitism, which called to kill every Jew on planet earth – not to shelter and degrade them as Dhimmis.”
According to Küntzel, Nazi Germany and its ideology had a strong influence over the Arab and Islamic world. “That Jews don’t deserve the dhimmi status but that they must be killed to save the world is a new concept in Islam, a’redemptive antisemitism’ as Saul Friedländer coined it. The Nazis believed that Jews are responsible for every evil in the world thus must be killed to rid the world of all evil. Nowadays many Islamists say the same, that Jews must be killed in order to save Islam from destruction,” he added.
“This is a kind of paranoid thinking, brought into Islamic thought by Sayyid Qutb,” Küntzel continued, referring to the man regarded as the founding father of Salafi Jihadism and a direct disciple of the Muslim Brotherhood founder, Hassan Al-Banna.
“Qutb popularized this kind of thinking within the Muslim Brotherhood around 1951, but it can also be found before him in a 1937 pamphlet titled Judaism and Islam, which pictures Jews as fighting to destroy Islam, calling to fight and kill them before they have a chance to destroy Islam. So again, this is a parallel between European and Islamic antisemitism.”
According to Küntzel, the aforementioned pamphlet was published anonymously in August 1937 as an attempt to drown the Peel Commission’s first suggestion of a two-state solution.
“This was the first compromise plan for the Middle East, supported by some Arab leaders such as Emir Abdullah and favored by the Zionist leadership. However, the Palestinian mufti Hajj Amin Al-Husseini fought against it with all his might, and he was supported by the Nazis, who also sought to prevent a small Jewish state or ‘Jewish Vatican’ as they called it.”
Küntzel argued that the Nazis’ influence led to the eradication of the balance between moderate and radical forces in Islamic circles. “The 1937 pamphlet was probably the first time in which the myth of ’Jewish power’ typical of European antisemitism was mixed with an Islamic myth of Jews plotting to kill Mohammed – and all in an attempt to prevent a Jewish state.”
Hamas and the October 7 connection
When asked about Hamas’s antisemitic rhetoric, Küntzel stressed that the terrorist organization, which views itself as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, uses a similar rhetoric to that described earlier.
“In the Hamas charter, you can see an old hadith (oral Islamic tradition) referring to a battle of the end of times in which Muslims fight against the Jews. The Jews are described as fleeing behind trees and stones, which will then expose them to the Muslims so that they can kill them. Its cruel hadith, which paints Jews as weak and cowardly,” he explained.
“But in the same charter, European antisemitic discourse accusing Jews of standing behind every revolution and evil in the world is also present. This double picture of both weak and all powerful Jews is certainly self-contradictory. But this is how antisemitism always is.”
For Küntzel, the same ideology drove the October 7 massacre. “The mixture of these two types of antisemitism exploded together on October 7. The horrible videos of October 7 feature many of the perpetrators shouting ‘Allahuakbar,’ meaning that they believe that what they committed was not their own wish but a command from God himself. In other words, if you criticize this deed, you criticize God, which is not allowed.”
Küntzel also highlighted another worrying phenomenon. “I have heard some in the Islamist milieu who are now saying openly and loudly that there ‘has to be another holocaust,’” he added.
“One older example for holocaust appraisal was Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the most important and popular leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, who died in 2021,” he recalled.
“Qaradawi told his millions of viewers on Al Jazeera that in every generation Allah imposes upon the Jews people to punish them for their ‘corruption.’ Qaradawi claimed that the last of those was Hitler, who ‘put them in their place,’ and expressed hope that ‘the next time it will be at the hands of the believers,’ meaning Muslims. Obviously, nobody protested these comments.”
Regarding the phenomenon of October 7 denial, Küntzel highlighted: “Antisemitism was always based on lies. Nowadays they even claim that the October 7 brutality never happened despite being recorded and distributed online. There are also lies claiming that Jerusalem was never a Jewish city, that there was no temple in Jerusalem, and many other lies going around only to justify attacks on Jews.”
In this context, Küntzel stressed the importance of addressing Holocaust denial as well. “Holocaust denial is probably the most aggressive type of antisemitism possible. It not only kills the memory of those victims and essentially kills them a second time, but it also pushes the belief that Jews are so powerful all over the world that they’re able to manipulate media, academia, and art to proliferate the ‘lie of the holocaust.’
The current situation
Regarding the current state of antisemitism in Germany, Küntzel warned: “Germany’s problem is not necessarily with open hatred for Jews, but rather with indirect hate. Some talk about ‘globalists’ or Soros or the Rothschilds, and everyone knows what they mean.”
He continued, “In addition, young people are moving more and more to a right-wing, radical direction. Only this week a new study came out that showed how half of Germans wanted to move past the Holocaust, and a quarter believed that Jews have too much power and sow discord in German society.”
According to Küntzel, academia plays an ambivalent role in the state of antisemitism in modern Germany. “For years the Center for Antisemitism Studies in Berlin has been educating about antisemitism and its dangers, but as of lately it has been focusing on downplaying Islamist antisemitism, combating the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, and exonerating extreme criticism of Israel from antisemitic motives, he said.”
“There are new players in the academic field, but they have yet to achieve the institutional power of the Berlin Center,” he added.
Küntzel urged the establishment of a center for the research of Islamist antisemitism. “Such a center does not exist anywhere in the world, and this must change. Perhaps Israel should make the first step in this context.”
When asked if he sees any reason for optimism, Küntzel said, “I must admit that I was surprised by the Abraham Accords. They displayed that change is possible. The main thing here was that this wasn’t a ‘cold peace’ like in Egypt and Jordan, but it was also shared by many people. Also, there were examples that school curricula were changed a little, moving towards a path with less antisemitism.
“These were important changes, and we did not see massive protests or violence such as in the past, when Sadat was killed for the peace he signed with Israel, or when Cairo was isolated in the 1970s for this reason. This was an amazing change that made me a bit optimistic and made me think that perhaps antisemitism in the Muslim world is not as entrenched as it is in the Christian world.”
Küntzel saw October 7 as a response to peace efforts. “Surely, October 7 attempted to destroy this normalization, and they succeeded in a way but not entirely, as the Abraham Accords were not thrown away or cancelled.”
“We must strengthen the moderate Muslims who fight against Islamic antisemitism who see this problem and want to change the anti-Semitic interpretations of their religion, and we must amplify these voices and empower them to act in an organized effort,” he concluded.Source:jpost.com
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https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-821891
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GISBH Members Especially Leaders Were Gifted Wives For Continued Loyalty, IGP Reveals
Pix for representational purpose only - BERNAMApix
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27-09- 2024
PETALING JAYA: Loyal Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) Holdings SdnBhd members who obey the instructions or commandments by their leaders will be “gifted” certain women as wives in addition to being promoted as a leader, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain revealed.
Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, recently, Razarudin said as such all members who join GISB Holdings SdnBhd (GISBH) must obey all the leaders’ instructions as members who do not agree or try to leave the group will be threatened.
Further investigations by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) found that in order to achieve this goal, GISBH followers will be exposed to the AuradMuhammadiah doctrine via pamphlets or reading materials to ensure high fanaticism towards their leader.
Razarudin further said, there were reports received by the PDRM, where some followers claimed that they had been threatened if they no longer agreed with the leaders’ instructions and wanted to leave this group.
For those who obey and comply, Razarudin said they will be appointed or appointed as leaders in addition to being given certain women as wives.
“Because of that, when we (the police) investigated several individuals, including the top leader of GISBH, he had more than two wives.
“For disobedient followers, they will be threatened and not allowed to leave this group,“ he said when contacted by the Malay daily, yesterday.
Razarudin said the investigation team is continuing to identify the background and identity of about 10,000 members who have joined GISBH.
This, he said, is because the number of all members including children were only obtained by the police based on the documents seized after a series of raids across the country.
“We (police) still need to see who these people are, how they registered as GISBH members. Is this registration based on the law ? ,“ he explained.
In the meantime, Razarudin did not rule out the possibility of a police investigation into GISBH’s top management under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).
“The focus of (our) police investigation will go towards organised crime and we will see first, whether there is a need to detain them after this under SOSMA or not,“ he said.
Additionally, police investigations conducted under the Income Tax Act 1967 also found that GISBH had not paid taxes since the company was established.
“So far, we understand that these people have never paid tax, however we have left it to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to do further review,“ he said.
Yesterday, Razarudin in a statement revealed that the beliefs carried by GISBH followers are too fanatical and deify their leaders to the point of distorting the true teachings of Islam.
PDRM’s investigation into GISBH found that the company’s business methods were driven by their version of AuradMuhammadiah holdings.
This doctrine is seen as very dangerous to national security, especially against the teachings of Islam in the country.Source:
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Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local-news/gisbh-members-especially-leaders-were-gifted-wives-for-continued-loyalty-igp-reveals-CG13048208
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Indian
Shia Waqf Board seeks probe into ‘vulgar’ reels being shot at Lucknow’s Imambara
26 September 2024,
Lucknow: The Shia Central Waqf Board has demanded an "in-depth" investigation into the shooting of videos and reels of “vulgar dance" in the premises of Bada Imambara in Hussainabad in state capital Lucknow.
Waqf Board President Ali Zaidi said such videos go viral within a short time. "It is possible that all this is being done in a planned manner by anti-social elements to hatch a big conspiracy," he alleged.
He said that such "vulgar dance" being done in the compound which also houses Shahi Asifi Mosque hurt the sentiments of Shia Muslims all over the world. Making videos in the Imambara premises is prohibited without the permission of the administratio...
Source:deccanherald.com
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https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/shia-waqf-board-seeks-probe-into-vulgar-reels-being-shot-at-lucknows-imambara-3208336
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Mumbai's Muslim leaders oppose Waqf amendment bill in meeting with JPC
By Faisal Malik
Sep 27, 2024 09:14 AM IST
Muslim leaders in Mumbai oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, citing constitutional concerns and potential harm to their community's interests
A delegation of Muslim intellectuals, scholars and representatives of several organisations strongly objected to the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, during a meeting with the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) set up to examine it. They claimed that the bill is unconstitutional and goes against the interests of the Muslim community.
The JPC is in Mumbai to hold informal discussions with various stakeholders in an effort to refine the bill, which seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, and proposes sweeping changes to how waqfs are governed and regulated. A waqf is a Muslim religious endowment, usually in the form of a property made for purposes of charity and community welfare.
The delegation’s strong objections led to an argument with the head of the JPC, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jagdambika Pal, who was visibly unhappy about the fierce opposition to the bill. There was also a verbal spat between another JPC member, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, and representatives of the Gulshan Foundation, who supported the bill.
Members of the Muslim community told the JPC that the entire community was against the amendment and asked for it to be retracted. They claimed to have data showing that around 60 million Muslims have rejected the bill. “When we said this, the JPC chief immediately said you must have started a campaign. We asked why we wouldn’t do it, as it is directly related to our community. He was rude and appeared to have a preconceived notion about the waqf land and the community,” said a member of the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims, who was present for the meeting.
Also Read: BJP’s intent to dismantle Waqf Board clear in Amendment Bill, claims Asaduddin Owaisi
The delegation also raised concerns about misleading claims being spread on social media, such as waqf boards having the biggest land bank after the Railways and defence and the government being forced to give up land or property claimed by the waqf board. “Pal asked what can the government do about social media claims. We responded by saying it is the government’s responsibility to control misleading claims being made openly in society,” said another person who was present for the meeting.
The Muslim intellectuals told the JPC that thousands of acres of waqf land are illegally occupied, including by both central and state governments, with efforts currently underway to reclaim these lands. They also opposed the inclusion of non-Muslim members on the Waqf Board and the removal of the requirement for a Muslim chief executive officer.
The delegation expressed concerns that the amendment aims to facilitate the occupation of waqf lands, a notion that the Muslim community finds entirely unacceptable. They emphasised that Waqf lands are private properties dedicated to god for charitable and welfare purposes.
The delegation expressed hope that the JPC would communicate the Muslim community’s sentiments regarding the bill to the government and recommend its rejection. They cautioned that if the bill is passed without proper consideration, the Muslim community would be compelled to resist it through constitutional means.
In August, the BJP-led central government introduced a bill that sought to bring sweeping changes to the powers of state waqf boards, conduct a survey of waqf properties, and remove encroachments by amending the Waqf Act. The tabling of the bill was met with strong criticism from opposition parties, who said it was “unconstitutional” and “divisive”.
The government then set up a 21-member joint parliamentary committee to examine the bill. The JPC has to submit its report when Parliament convenes for its winter session. The committee is visiting several cities across the country to seek the opinion of people from the Muslim community about the bill.
Apart from Pal, other members of the JPC present for the Mumbai meeting were Maulana Mohibullah Nadwi, Asaduddin Owaisi, Nishikant Dubey, Arvind Sawant, Suresh Gopinath, Kalyan Banerjee, and Suresh Mhatre, among others. They met with scholars and representatives of several Muslim organisations, such as Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi, general secretary of the All India Ulema Council; Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, president of the Maharashtra Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; Dr Zahir Kazi, president of Anjuman Islam; Fareed Sheikh, president of the Mumbai Aman Committee, and Maulana Faheem Falahi, secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami Maharashtra Waqf Cell.
Source:hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/muslim-delegation-opposes-waqf-amendment-bill-in-meeting-with-jpc-in-mumbai-101727379545590.html
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Alwar: Ramlila Stage Prepared by Muslim Artisans
27 September 2024,
Alwar: The Yuvraj Pratap Ramlila Trust is all set to organize Ramlila at Ramlila Maidan, Shivaji Park from Friday. The stage for the event has been prepared by Muslim artisans, including Habib Khan Habib, Arif Khan, Juledeen Khan, Salman Khan, Zuber Khan, and Bhalu Singh Yadav. The artisans have worked day and night to complete the stage, which features a Parsi-style presentation.
The Trust's spokesperson, Shiv Charan Kamal, said that the stage has been designed with nine curtains and two new wings have been added on either side. This year, several tableaux will be presented during the Ramlila, and separate seating arrangements have been made for men, women, and children.
The Hanuman flag was installed on Thursday, followed by bhajan-kirtan and Hanuman Chalisa recitation at the Ramlila Maidan. The Ramlila will begin on Friday with Ganesh Puja, and the first day's proceedings will include the presentation of NaradMohni's Leela.
The Ramlila will continue till October 13, with different episodes from the Ramayana being presented each day. The event will conclude with the presentation of Maharaj Bhartrihari's play on October 14 and 15.
The organizers have made elaborate arrangements for the event, including a maharati ceremony and a grand finale on the last day.
Source:catchnews.com
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https://www.catchnews.com/culture-news/alwar-ramlila-stage-prepared-by-muslim-artisans-254046.html
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Reasi terror attack: NIA searches underway in two districts of Jammu and Kashmir
27.09.24
National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday launched searches at multiple places in Rajouri and Reasi districts as part of its investigation into the deadly terror attack in June on a bus carrying pilgrims who were returning from Shiv Khori temple, officials said.
NIA is conducting searches at seven locations in Jammu and Kashmir, they said.
Nine persons, including seven pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir, were killed and 41 injured when terrorists opened fire at the bus on June 9. The bus, on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, veered off the road following a barrage of gunfire and fell into a deep gorge near Teryath village of Pouni area in Reasi.
A two-year-old boy from Rajasthan and a 14-year-old from Uttar Pradesh were also among the dead.
On June 17, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handed over the terror attack case to the NIA.
One person, Hakam Khan of Rajouri, who allegedly provided food, shelter and logistics to the terrorists besides helping them recce the area before the attack, has been arrested in connection with the case so far.
Officials said multiple NIA teams are carrying out searches in Rajouri and Reasi districts in connection with the Shiv Khori terror attack case since this morning.
The searches are underway and further details are awaited, they said.
NIA had also conducted searches at five locations linked to hybrid terrorists and their overground workers in Rajouri on June 30.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/reasi-terror-attack-national-investigation-agency-searches-underway-in-two-districts-of-jammu-and-kashmir/cid/2051075
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Normality claim ‘spoiler’ in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections: Omar Abdullah
Muzaffar Raina
27.09.24
The turnout in the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections has been far from rosy despite claims to the contrary by top government functionaries, prompting former chief minister Omar Abdullah to claim that the alleged propaganda linking elections to normality was to blame for the modest turnout.
The former chief minister was of the opinion that the visit of foreign diplomats to Kashmir to witness the elections on the government’s invite also played spoilsport. Omar had on Wednesday hit out at the Centre for sending foreign diplomats to witness the elections and said it was done to showcase “normality” before the world.
Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday clocked a turnout of 57 per cent in the second phase of polling on Wednesday, which though decent by local standards was lower than the 2014 Assembly elections when it stood at more than 60 per cent. The turnout was 59 per cent in the first phase of the Assembly elections.
What makes the voter footfall more surprising is that there were no calls for boycott this time, unlike in 2014 when separatists had urged people not to vote.
Srinagar district on Wednesday lived up to its reputation as the “boycott capital” of Jammu and Kashmir, although the turnout improved a little from 27.86 per cent in 2014 to around 30 per cent this time.
Officials said five Srinagar constituencies witnessed a relatively higher turnout while the three others saw a fall when compared to 2014.
The figures provided by the election commission show that 20 of the 26 Assembly segments in the six districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam (in Kashmir) and Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi (in Jammu) have witnessed lower turnout compared to the 2014 polls.
The Habba Kadal constituency in Srinagar clocked the lowest turnout of 18.39 per cent compared to 21.31 per cent registered 10 years ago.
Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said on Wednesday that the ongoing Assembly poll process was “history in the making” and that its echoes would be heard for generations to come.
Omar on Thursday claimed that the low turnout was a result of government “propaganda” linking voting to normality.
“The government of India has been doing the propaganda that turnout is proof that people here are happy, coming out in large numbers after August 5 (2019, when Article 370 was scrapped). It is the Centre’s fault (that the turnout is lower). There are a lot of areas where there was more voting in 2014. The central government has to explain the reasons behind the fall,” he told reporters.
The government had projected the high turnout in this year’s Lok Sabha polls as proof of normality, although the parties opposing the 2019 changes won all three Valley seats.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said no “secular” government can be formed in Jammu and Kashmir without the support of her party. She offered her backing to the formation of a secular government to keep the BJP out of power, suggesting support to INDIA partners Congress and NC.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/normality-claim-spoiler-in-jammu-and-kashmir-assembly-elections-omar-abdullah/cid/2051009
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South Asia
Those Who Commit Genocide Have No Right To Do Politics: Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Sep 27, 2024
Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has criticised Awami League today, accusing it of committing genocide asserting that such actions disqualify any party from participating in national politics.
He made this statement while addressing a gathering at Rukon Conference organised by Khulna Metropolitan Jamaat at the Al Faruq Society in Sonadanga.
"Those who commit genocide have no right to do politics," said the Jamaat ameer.
He said political leadership should stem from the will and aspirations of the people, not through external intervention or violence. He emphasised that politics must serve the interests of the country's citizens and be rooted in their desires.
Shafiqur also urged the interim government to implement an inclusive process to shape the country's political future.
He called for dialogues with all stakeholders, including political parties, to formulate a roadmap for electoral reforms, ensuring that the upcoming elections are fair and transparent.
"A credible election is essential, and it must take place within a reasonable timeframe, allowing the government to exit with dignity," he said.
The Jamaat leader expressed concern over the composition of the Education Reform Commission, claiming that individuals who do not acknowledge Islam have been included in it.
He demanded the inclusion of Islamic scholars from both the Alia and Qawmi systems in the commission to maintain balance and integrity in the education sector.
He also highlighted the need for justice regarding the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny, during which 57 army officers were killed. He demanded that those responsible for this and other killings across the country be brought to justice. He warned that failure to hold these individuals accountable could lead to the return of tyranny and the rise of a "third force" in the nation's politics.
Reflecting on AL's tenure, the Jamaat chief accused it of widespread corruption and oppression. He claimed that no citizen was spared from "plunder and injustice" over the past 15 years.
Shafiqur connected these grievances to the July uprising led by students and ordinary citizens, which he described as a people's movement against the regime's injustices.
Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Parwar, along with Central Majlis-e-Shura member and Khulna Metropolitan Ameer Professor Mahfuzur Rahman, were present at the meeting.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/those-who-commit-genocide-have-no-right-do-politics-jamaat-ameer-3713636
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Case filed against man in Patuakhali for threatening to kill Prof Yunus
Sep 26, 2024
A case has been filed against a man for making defamatory statements on social media and threatening to kill Prof Muhammad Yunus.
Hasan Mahmud, a resident of PurbaMadukhali village of Kalaparaupazila, filed the case with Kalaparaupazila Senior Judicial Magistrate Court this afternoon accusing MasumBillah, a railway employee, of the same village, reports our Patuakhali correspondent quoting court bench assistant and the complanant's lawyer.
Judge Ashish Roy took it in cognisance and ordered the officer-in-charge of Kalapara police station to take the statement as FIR.
Kalapara OC Ali Ahmed said appropriate legal measures will be taken based on court's directions.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/bnp-leader-salahuddin-ahmed-acquitted-two-cases-coxs-bazar-3712971
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Deputy Spokesman Rejects Allegations of Gender Discrimination Against Islamic Emirate
2024-09-26
KABUL(BNA): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has firmly rejected allegations of gender discrimination made by certain countries and organizations.
Mullah HamdullahFitrats, Deputy Spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, asserted on his official X page that accusations made by certain nations and organizations regarding human rights violations and gender discrimination by the Islamic Emirate are baseless.
Fitrats emphasized that human rights in Afghanistan are safeguarded and that no individual faces discriminatory treatment. He remarked, “Unfortunately, there is a concerted effort to propagate misleading narratives about Afghanistan through the testimonies of a few fleeing women.”
This statement follows a press conference held yesterday in New York, where the foreign ministers of Canada, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands accused the Islamic Emirate of gender discrimination and threatened to bring the matter before the International Criminal Court.
They also indicated their readiness to engage in dialogue with officials of the Islamic Emirate before pursuing any further actions.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/deputy-spokesman-rejects-allegations-of-gender-discrimination-against-islamic-emirate/
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Mullah KhairullahKhairkhwa Visits Herat to Assess Historical Sites and Inaugurate Key Public Projects
2024-09-26
HERAT(BNA): Mullah KhairullahKhairkhwa, the Acting Minister of Information and Culture, has arrived in Herat to assess the condition of historical sites and inaugurate several public welfare projects.
According to Bakhtar News Agency, during his visit, Minister Mullah Khairkhwa met with Sheikh al-Hadith Noor Ahmad Islam Jar, the Governor of Herat, and referred to Herat as a vital economic and commercial hub.
He outlined the objectives of his visit, which include evaluating the status of historical monuments, inaugurating the Ghoriyan Road, delivering multiple dialysis machines to the Herat Regional Hospital, and opening residential homes for flood victims in the Chisht Sharif district.
During the meeting, Governor of Herat emphasized that over 30 major economic projects are currently underway in the province. He expressed optimism that the implementation of these projects would resolve many existing challenges and transform Herat into a central economic and commercial hub for the country.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/mullah-khairullah-khairkhwa-visits-herat-to-assess-historical-sites-and-inaugurate-key-public-projects/
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Europe
Muslim Council Of Britain's Campaign Encourages People Of All Faiths And No Faiths To Visit Their Local Mosques
By Shuiab Khan
26 September 2024
The Lancashire Council of Mosques is backing the Muslim Council of Britain's campaign, which encourages people of all faiths and no faiths to visit their local mosques across the United Kingdom.
In Blackburn, residents can visit the Masjid e Taqwa in Pleckgate Road from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, September 28, and on Sunday 29 the Masjid Noorul Islam in Audley Range will open its doors to the wider public between 2pm and 4.30pm.
Noreen Hameed, who is helping to manage the campaign in the Lancashire area, said: “Recent statistics reveal 70 per cent of Britons have never visited a place of worship outside their own, highlighting the need for change in our multicultural society.
"Just as we visit friends and family in their homes, it is essential for communities to engage with one another, breaking down barriers and building bridges of trust and understanding."
"Join us on the weekend of September 28 and 29, as Visit My Mosque invites hundreds of mosques across the UK to open their doors to their neighbours, friends, and the wider community.
“This year's theme, 'Sharing Stories,' aims to foster community cohesion and promote understanding among diverse cultures and faiths.”
Since its inception in February 2015 with just 20 participating mosques, the initiative has grown significantly and now involves more than 200 mosques across the country.
This year, the Lancashire Council of Mosques said it is focusing on supporting the Southport Mosque on Sunday, September 29, which was targeted by racist attacks this summer before residents in the town came out to fix the damage the next day, reinforcing the commitment to community solidarity.
Source:lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
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https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24610749.mosques-open-doors-non-muslims-blackburn/
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Mosque in Sweden targeted again with neo-Nazi slogans, vandalism
26 September 2024
The Bosnian Mosque in the Swedish city of Norrkoping was attacked in a "targeted hate crime" in which windows were broken and neo-Nazi slogans written on the walls, media reports have said.
"With great shame and deep sadness, we condemn the disgusting attack on the construction of our mosque in Norrkoping, where windows were broken, and offensive messages were written on the walls", the Board of Directors of the Bosnian Islamic Assembly in Norrkoping and the Board of the Bosnian Islamic Society in Sweden said in a statement on Thursday.
"This action brings back unpleasant memories from the time when many of our members came to Sweden as refugees during the war in Bosnia," the statement added.
"Therefore, we are directly addressing the government with a proposal to do more to protect religious freedom in Sweden. Polarisation and growing hate campaigns like this one, we expect the government to act more decisively and intensively in security work with religious communities," it said.
The two groups said they see the attack as an assault, not only on the holy place and the community but also on the basic values of respect, tolerance and diversity of the entire Swedish society.
They stressed that this act of hatred would not shape or break their spirit, but would strengthen “our determination to continue building our mosque and keep it open for all residents of Northkoping.”
Furthermore, they express their deepest gratitude to everyone who has shown support and solidarity "at this difficult time."
"Your touching words and actions remind us that we are not alone in the fight against hatred and intolerance," it said.
Graffiti and vandalism have repeatedly occurred since an expansion project at the mosque began in Norrkoping. This year, a mosque in Skovde was attacked with a wild boar thrown at the building.
The latest attack is the second major "hate crime" directed at the community's mosques and its members within a short time, according to the statement that said Muslims are experiencing "a general increase in Islamophobic sentiment in society."
In recent years there have been arson attacks at Swedish mosques with the Stockholm Mosque continuing to be the target of Islamophobic attacks.
The Islamic Association of Stockholm earlier this year urged politicians to ensure the safety of the Muslim community, asserting that the rise in threats against mosques reflects a deeper issue of anti-Muslim racism embedded in the media and political discourse.
It urged the government to prioritise addressing hate crimes to ensure the safety and religious freedom of the Muslim community in Sweden.
Source:trtworld.com
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https://www.trtworld.com/discrimination/mosque-in-sweden-targeted-again-with-neo-nazi-slogans-vandalism-18213088
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Southend Islamic centre set to open its doors to locals to teach people about Islam
26 SEP 2024
An historic Islamic centre in Southend is opening their doors to people of all backgrounds this weekend in an attempt to help people learn about Islam and break down barriers and misunderstandings about the faith. It's part of a national scheme to encourage people to learn more about Islam.
Hundreds of mosques across the UK are taking part in the national event organised by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), an independent body representing over 500 different organisations including mosques, schools and charities.
Southend Mosque, on West Road in Westcliff, will be open between 11am and 4pm on Sunday (September 29) as part of the scheme.
Visitors will be able to participate tours of the mosque, watch live prayers and enjoy food and refreshments. The national event is known as Visit My Mosque and at Southend Mosque visitors will also be able to participate in children's activities, a question and answer session as well as Hennah painting.
Cllr Matt Dent (Lab.) at Southend City Council said: "This is an excellent opportunity to learn about another part of our community, to dispel myths, and to foster understanding between different faiths."
According to data obtained in the Census in 2021, there are just over 38,500 people living in Essex constituencies who stated their religion as Muslim. That equates to around 2.1 per cent of everyone who responded to the survey.
Source:essexlive.news
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Counter-protester threw rock at Hanley rioters to 'defend mosque from attack'
ByStoke-on-Trent Live
26 SEP 2024
A counter-protester involved in the large-scale disorder in Hanley last month has been jailed for two years. Dillan Bahruzi, aged 38, picked up some large stones and threw one towards protesters who were trying to attack the Masjid Salahuddin mosque in Old Town Road, Hanley, on the afternoon of Saturday, August 3.
A police officer approached him in the mosque car park and told him to put the other rocks down and he did. Now Bahruzi has been jailed for two years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said: "There was large scale disorder in Town Road, Hanley, on August 3. There were two groups. The defendant was with others in the car park at the mosque.
"The two groups were separated by two police lines. The police requested all weapons were put down. The discarded weapons were collected by the police.
"The other group were throwing objects towards the mosque and its car park. Police enlisted the help from trusted members of the mosque. The defendant accepted he picked up rocks and threw one in the direction of the protesters."
Bahruzi was arrested on August 16 at his home. He was wearing the same clothing as shown on the footage.
In his police interview Bahruzi told police he picked up a rock and made a move to throw it but was stopped by police. CCTV was shown to Bahruzi and he was clearly seen throwing a rock. He apologised for his actions.
Bahruzi, of Redman Grove, Sneyd Green, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. His plea was on the basis he attended his mosque after receiving information it was going to be attacked by far right protesters. He attended with the intention of preventing it from attack. While he was drinking tea a group began to throw objects into the car park. In the heat of the moment he picked up rocks and threw one in the direction of the protesters.
Rashad Mohammed, mitigating, said:"His motivation was not one of violence but was one of protection. He had received information from others that an organised faction was going to descend on the mosque. There were rumours circulating they were going to burn the mosque down. There was an incident in Stoke-on-Trent, not connected with this disorder, when an attempt had been made to burn a particular mosque down.
"He made a decision to attend the location. He was sitting with others when a group descended on the mosque. They were intent on violence. The disorder broke out.
"His intention was not to behave violently. His intention was to protect the mosque. He accepts while he was at the location things got out of hand. In a moment of stupidity he decided to pick up rocks and threw one of the rocks towards protesters.
"His intention was to not harm anyone but to frighten them. His intention was never to hurt the police in any way. They were simply caught in the crossfire."
Mr Mohammed said Bahruzi did not take weapons to the scene but picked up the rocks from the car park floor. He said his client acted 'impulsively' and is 'extremely remorseful'.
He said Bahruzi is the primary carer for one of his children and supports his parents in Iran. Mr Mohammed added: "He acted foolishly on this day and bitterly regrets his actions."
Jailing Bahruzi, Judge Graeme Smith said: "There was a substantial police presence aimed at keeping the different groups at a distance and preventing violence. Weapons were brandished and missiles thrown on both sides. A number of people, including protesters and police officers, were injured. Verbal abuse was exchanged. There was no suggestion you were involved in that.
"You picked up a number of stones. They were significant stones or rocks and you threw at least one. You were then challenged by a police officer as you were about to throw a second and you did at that stage cease throwing the rocks.
"There is no suggestion what you did throw injured anyone. There was a risk of injury to the police. They were simply doing their duty. And those police had their backs to you as they were between yourself and the other protesters.
"There was absolutely no need for you to pick up and throw rocks because the police were there providing protection. It had the effect of encouraging further aggression and violence."
The judge said he gave serious thought to suspending the sentence but this was not one that could be suspended. Bahruzi will serve half the sentence with the rest on licence.
Source:stokesentinel.co.uk
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https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/counter-protester-threw-rock-hanley-9584215
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French Muslim activist faces prosecution after calling for ‘intifada’ at Palestine rally
26th September 2024
The leading French pro-Palestine activist, Elias d’Imzalène, has been arrested and is facing prosecution for expressing support for an “intifada” during a pro-Palestine rally in Paris.
D’Imzalène was reported to the public prosecutor following remarks made at the rally in Paris on September 8 that angered pro-Zionist media and officials, and which led to his arrest.
Intifada simply means “uprising” in Arabic and can be used to denote non-violent activism or armed resistance depending on the context. But pro-Israel commentators have demonised the word to denote “terrorism” in all cases.
Footage of d’Imzalène at the anti-genocide march shows him saying: “Are we ready to lead an intifada in Paris? In the suburbs, in our areas. We are going to show that the road to liberation comes from us and starts from Paris and will pass by Marseille… Soon Jerusalem will be liberated and we will be able to pray in Masjid Al Aqsa. Jerusalem will then become the capital of all the revolutionaries… Genocide has its enablers – they are called ‘Biden,’ they are called ‘Macron,’ who stole the elections right? We recognise thieves who live in the presidential palace… are we ready to get get rid of them?”
The clip was shared online and reshared by prominent figures in French media and reported to the Interior Ministry. Before long the Paris Prosecutor’s Office announced an investigation for incitement to “hatred,” “violence,” and “crimes against the fundamental interests of the nation.”
This led to a police interview at 10 a.m. on September 24th, where d’Imzalène was summoned for questioning. The interview led to his arrest and his subsequent placement into custody. He was only released earlier today.
Elias d’Imzalène is a leading figure of the group Perspective Musulmane and a prominent member of the Urgence Palestine collective. He has been a leader in organising the anti-genocide marches and is the owner of Islam et Info.
Commenting on his arrest, advocacy group CAGE, which has has released a report into French Islamophobia, said: “This is in a country that encourages so-called satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo to publish the most vile, abusive and defamatory anti Muslim content on the planet, at the same time the political establishment applies a double standard to any dissent against the genocide supported by the French state.
“This case is the latest example of the French state’s ongoing efforts to silence dissenting Muslim voices by any means necessary. The state’s actions form part of a broader psychological campaign aimed at silencing, subjugating, and controlling the entire Muslim community. Elias, like AbdourahmaneRidouane and Imam Ismail, is being persecuted for publicly opposing genocide and Islamophobia.”
Rayan Freschi, a researcher for CAGE International, added: “We fully support Elias d’Imzalène. Despite an ongoing political crisis in France, the state continues its targeting of Muslim community organisations and leaders unabated.
“We are witnessing how condemning the genocide in Gaza and exposing its enablers is becoming criminalised. Statements of solidarity are being deliberately misconstrued to justify politicised prosecutions under the guise of incitement or undermining national security.”
Source:5pillarsuk.com
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https://5pillarsuk.com/2024/09/26/french-muslim-activist-faces-prosecution-after-calling-for-intifada-at-palestine-rally/
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Macron says would be ‘mistake’ for Israeli PM to ‘refuse’ Lebanon ceasefire
September 27, 2024
MONTREAL: French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday it would be “a mistake” for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refuse a ceasefire in Lebanon, and that he would have to take “responsibility” for a regional escalation.
“The proposal that was made is a solid proposal,” Macron said at a news conference in Montreal, specifying that the plan supported by the United States and the EU had been prepared with Netanyahu himself.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2572916/middle-east
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Southeast Asia
Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Become Japan's Prime Minister Next Week
September 27, 2024
Tokyo. Japan’s ruling party on Friday picked former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba as leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week.
The party leadership win is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s ruling coalition currently controls the parliament.
Considered a defense policy expert, Ishiba has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance and a more equal Japan-US security alliance. Ishiba is a supporter of Taiwan’s democracy. He calls for the establishment of a disaster management agency in one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
Ishiba beat out Economic Security Minister SanaeTakaichi, a staunch conservative who was running to become the country's first female prime minister.
A record nine lawmakers, including two women, ran in a vote decided by LDP members of parliament and about 1 million dues-paying party members. That’s only 1 percent of the country’s eligible voters.
Outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been dogged by party corruption scandals, and the LDP wanted a fresh leader in hopes of regaining public trust before a likely general election.
Some experts believe that party turmoil could mean that Japan will return to an era similar to the early 2000s, which saw “revolving door” leadership changes and political instability.
A succession of short-lived governments hurts Japanese prime ministers' ability to set up long-term policy goals or develop trusted relations with other leaders.
On Tuesday, Kishida and his Cabinet ministers will resign. Ishiba, after being formally elected in a parliamentary vote, will then form a new Cabinet later in the day.
The main opposition -- the liberal-leaning Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan -- has struggled to build momentum, despite the LDP scandals. But experts say its newly elected leader, centrist former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, is pushing a conservative shift for the party, could trigger a broader political regroupings.
Source:jakartaglobe.id
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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/former-defense-minister-shigeru-ishiba-to-become-japans-prime-minister-next-week
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PM Anwar: School dropouts are not a new thing but Covid-19 makes it tougher, we all need to work together
27 Sep 2024
BATANG KALI, Sept 27 — Comprehensive cooperation from all parties is required to obtain positive results of the government’s efforts to address the issue of school dropouts in the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He emphasised that support should be provided to enhance children’s abilities in the country to prevent them from dropping out of school.
“We need to give them space and a second chance in education, dropping out is not a new thing but it has become more complicated and challenging when faced with the Covid-19 problem.
“Parents should also take the responsibility. Teachers have to be burdened because of their responsibility to save our children from dropping out...Children should take this opportunity to improve,” he said.
A recording of the prime minister’s speech was played at the launch of the “Anak Kita: SemarakPotensi Malaysia” programme at SekolahKebangsaan Rasa here today which was attended by Education Minister FadhlinaSidek and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Anwar said that although the Education Ministry (MoE) was allocated RM58.7 billion in the 2024 Budget, an additional allocation of RM100 million was given to implement the “Anak Kita: SemarakPotensi Malaysia” programme to overcome the dropout issue.
“This additional allocation is given because of the MoE’s concern on the dropout issues and to avoid overburdening the ministry with its existing responsibilities,” he said.
He hoped that the programme, which involves collaboration between the Ministry of Finance, MoWE the Ministry of Education, the Hasnah Foundation, the private sector and civil society would be fully utilised.
“This collaboration will enable us to explore various areas, particularly in digital and information technology, which are in high demand.
“Hopefully, through this initiative, we can expand its implementation and combat poverty, as school dropout issues are directly linked to poverty,” said the prime minister.
The “Anak Kita” programme focuses on interventions for students with weak educational foundations by offering tutoring services and providing face-to-face or hybrid learning opportunities outside of regular school hours. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/09/27/pm-anwar-school-dropouts-are-not-a-new-thing-but-covid-19-makes-it-tougher-we-all-need-to-work-together/151771
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PM Anwar says govt plans to widen Port Klang roads for Westport expansion, boost economy by RM55b
By Muhammad Yusry
27 Sep 2024
KLANG, Sept 27 — The government is looking at widening roads in the Port Klang area to support the expansion of the local logistics sector so it can boost Malaysia’s economy by RM55 billion.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the road widening project is to support the Westports 2 expansion plans, which can generate RM55 billion to the economy, while also reducing road crashes in the area.
“I saw an initial report yesterday about an accident involving a large truck at Westport. It’s common to see Malaysia facing high accident rates due to infrastructure weaknesses.
“I will discuss with the minister and the Transport Ministry how we can expedite road widening efforts,” he said in his speech during the Westports 2 groundbreaking ceremony here this morning.
However, Anwar said that it was not an official announcement from the government
“Some people are hoping I can make an announcement, especially since the budget is coming up next month, and I’m looking for final details.
“As a responsible minister, I cannot provide a definitive answer at this moment, but we have the capacity to address this. For now, we need to wait a bit longer,” said Anwar who is also the finance minister.
The Westports 2 project aims to increase the port’s handling capacity once all terminals, from Container Terminal 10 to Container Terminal 17, are completed.
Currently, there are only nine container terminals.
Westports executive chairman and group managing director Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam said the project is expected to generate an output of RM55 billion for the Malaysian economy throughout the project period.
“Westports 2 will create a new free trade zone covering 550 acres. This free zone will attract more foreign direct investment and stimulate additional regional and global distribution centres, such as IKEA, Robert Bosch, and Marks & Spencer, which are already established here.
“Westports 2 will also be developed with automation and digitalization, creating more high-skilled jobs for Malaysians,” he said at the same event.
To date, Ruben said that Westports has contributed nearly RM4 billion to the government in the form of corporate taxes and lease payments.
“This amount is expected to increase significantly over the next 30 years due to the new agreements related to Westports 2.
“Additionally, the land purchased for the development of Westports 2, valued at more than RM600 million, will eventually become the property of the government at no cost.
“Westports is also the largest generator of import duties in Malaysia, and we maintain close working relationships with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Immigration Department, and MAQIS to manage the country’s borders,” he said.
Source:malaymail.com
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Arab World
Islamic Ministerial Committee lauds courageous position of UN Chief during crisis
September 26, 2024
NEW YORK — Members of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza met with the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres in New York on Wednesday. The committee is headed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
The committee members expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and his courageous positions that he has shown during the crisis, especially with regard to efforts to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance.
The ministerial committee’s meeting came on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss ways to intensify Arab and Islamic action during the General Assembly's work to support efforts aimed at activating recognition of the Palestinian state and ensuring the fulfillment of the rights of the Palestinian people to embody their independent, sovereign state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with occupied Jerusalem as its capital.
The meeting discussed the dangerous developments in the Gaza Strip, and the continued military escalation at the hand of the Israeli occupation forces against unarmed civilians. The meeting reiterated the unified position of Arab and Islamic countries in rejecting the Israeli occupation forces' continued aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and renewed their call for the need for an immediate and complete ceasefire so as to ensure the protection of civilians as stipulated by international humanitarian law.
The committee members discussed the importance of the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as an indispensable necessity in all humanitarian response operations in Gaza. They stressed the importance of countering the systematic campaigns aimed at undermining the agency's role. They also noted the importance of supporting it to ensure the delivery of assistance to those in need.
The committee members called for addressing all the flagrant violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, which exacerbate the humanitarian tragedy and obstruct the entry of urgent humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, stressing the importance of holding the Israeli occupation state accountable for the ongoing violations in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, which violates international law and international humanitarian law.
The committee members also stressed the importance of taking serious and urgent steps to ensure the security of relief corridors to deliver sufficient and urgent humanitarian, food, and medical aid to the Gaza Strip, expressing their rejection of restricting the entry of humanitarian aid in a rapid, sustainable, and safe manner.
The members of the ministerial committee unequivocally rejected all forms of forced displacement operations that the occupation seeks to implement, stressing the importance of adhering to international law and international humanitarian law. They also emphasized the need to confront these operations at all levels.
The Islamic Ministerial Committee was represented in the meeting by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine Dr. Mohammed Mustafa; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan Ayman Al-Safadi; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty; Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani; Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs HakanFidan; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia RetnoMarsudi; Arab League Secretary General Ahmed AboulGheit; and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation HisseinBrahim Taha.
Source:saudigazette.com.sa
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UN Security Council must reform to ‘reflect realities of modern world’: Kuwait crown prince
September 26, 2024
NEW YORK CITY: The UN Security Council must reform to “reflect the realities of the modern world” and so it is equipped to deal with current and future challenges, Kuwait’s crown prince told the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also said it is vital that the international community maintain the UN’s effectiveness, especially amid current escalating global crises.
He stressed that global challenges such as conflicts, inequality and financial instability require “innovative and collective” solutions from key international institutions, including the UN.
Kuwait, he added, believes strongly in the importance of making the UNSC more representative and democratic.
Sheikh Sabah also reiterated Kuwait’s “unwavering” support for the Palestinian people and their struggle to establish an independent state based on the 1967 borders, and for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
“We condemn the illegal and inhumane actions of the Israeli occupation forces, including the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the forcible displacement of Palestinian citizens, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” he said.
“We call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and put an end to the violations and injustices suffered by the Palestinian people under the ongoing Israeli occupation.
“We also condemn Israel’s continued violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty, including its repeated military incursions and violations of Lebanese airspace, which destabilize the region and disregard international law.”
Sheikh Sabah praised Saudi Arabia for its role in alleviating the humanitarian crises in regional countries such as Syria and Libya, and its support for the UN-recognized government in Yemen.
“We commend Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the political process in Yemen, and their leadership in supporting the legitimate government and promoting peace,” he said.
“We believe that the Saudi-led coalition’s efforts will pave the way for a political solution that ensures Yemen’s security and stability.”
The crown prince said Kuwait remains committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people, and it is working closely with international organizations to ensure the delivery of necessary assistance.
He called for urgent international action to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and urged all parties to respect the country’s “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”
He urged Iran to respect international law and the sovereignty of its regional neighbors, adding that peaceful relations between countries in the Middle East are critical for stability.
“Kuwait fully supports the international community’s efforts to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program,” he said.
“We urge Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and abide by international agreements to ensure the security and stability of the Gulf region.”
Sheikh Sabah congratulated Saudi Arabia on its successful bids to host the World Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup as a victory for the Kingdom and the region as a whole, which would highlight its “significant progress and its role on the international stage.”
Source:arabnews.com
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‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology
RAHAF JAMBI
September 26, 2024
RIYADH: A new art exhibition inspired by early archaeological exploration in Saudi Arabia has opened in Riyadh.
The Goethe-Institut in Riyadh, in partnership with the German Embassy and the German Archaeological Institute, or DAI, in Berlin, recently opened “Echoes of Time,” an exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of DAI excavations in Saudi Arabia.
Curated by Salma Al-Khalidi, the exhibition displays work from Saudi artist Daniah Al-Saleh and German artist Susanne Kriemann.
“The Saudi art scene is fantastic,” Al-Saleh told Arab News. “It’s alive and expanding, with numerous opportunities for artists thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and the government.
“It’s an amazing time to be an artist, especially with the backing of the German Archaeological Institute and the German Embassy. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our work and collaborate with fellow artists.”
The opening reception was held on Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. and was attended by Michael Kindsgrab, the German ambassador to Saudi Arabia, along with several members from the German Embassy and DAI.
Set against the archaeological landscapes of Tayma and AlUla, the exhibition encourages viewers to perceive the desert as a place where history and modernity intersect, emphasizing the significance of environmental stewardship in global discussions about history and ecology.
Al-Saleh’s artwork, “A Stone’s Palette,” utilizes carnelian beads from ancient sites like RujumSa’sa’ and Tell Saq, blending ancient materials with contemporary techniques to create mixed-media pieces.
“Initially, my proposal focused on the Nabatean queens, but the German archaeologists were more interested in the Bronze Age. In our discussions, I discovered that carnelian beads were consistently found at various sites. In Tayma, there’s a carnelian bead factory that dates back about 5,000 years, leading me to shift my focus to these beads,” Al-Saleh explained.
Susanne Kriemann’s work, “Datadust Skin on Sand,” contrasts ancient artifacts with modern waste found in Qurh and Tayma. Her photographic prints combine archaeological discoveries with microplastics, shedding light on the environmental impact of plastic pollution in desert landscapes and offering a nuanced perspective on contemporary ecological issues.
Kriemann described her process: “I began early one morning when it was still dark, taking photos of a mountain every 10 minutes, capturing a hidden watchtower. I selected about 12 images depicting the slowly rising sun mirrored in the tower’s colors. I used Datadust textile, which is employed in archaeological sites, to create layers in my work.”
The exhibition is running at the Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, 2024.
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Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York
September 26, 2024
NEW YORK: Faisal bin FadhilAlibrahim, the Saudi minister of economy and planning, met with Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s minister of arts, culture and creative economy, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York.
The meeting focused on exploring areas of cooperation and addressing topics of shared interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
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Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak
SULAFA ALKHUNAIZI
September 26, 2024
RIYADH: From virtual assistant devices to extravagant light shows, Saudi Arabia has achieved more than 233 Guinness World Records over the years.
Guinness World Records lists human achievements and extremes of nature, and has great expectations for the country over the coming months.
The Kingdom has been placed second behind the UAE in the Middle East and North Africa region for its record-breaking streak.
Each region within the Kingdom has achieved notable Guinness World Records, setting the bar high.
Hassan Ibrahim, head of brand communications at Guinness World Records MENA and Turkiye, told Arab News that since the company’s expansion in the Middle East, “there has been a surge in record-breaking requests including many from Saudi Arabia.
“We’ve seen an increase in record attempts across various fields, such as art, with the largest coffee painting, environmental initiatives like the largest bottle cap mosaic, and gaming, with the most gaming consoles connected to a single TV. There have also been notable achievements in other areas, such as the youngest newspaper columnist (Ritaj Al-Hazmi).
All world records require thorough research to ensure that they meet the strict criteria set by Guinness World Records, including being globally competitive, breakable, verifiable and standardized, Ibrahim said.
“No world record is easy to achieve or monitor — each attempt undergoes a rigorous assessment process before a final decision is made. Guinness World Records is dedicated to publishing accurate and verified facts about the world, so as the term ‘facts’ suggests, the results of our findings should be accurate and true descriptions of what has been achieved.”
Ibrahim highlighted the significance of the creation of the darkest man-made substance by scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in 2015, in a collaboration between Prof. Yu Han and Prof. Andrea Fratalocchi.
The substance is a black material made of gold nanoparticles and called “dark chamaleon dimers,” which absorb more than 99 percent of visible light.
“It is also amazing to witness a local university breaking a record for the darkest man-made substance, or a community event creating the largest human awareness ribbon. Universities, charities, children and schools all contribute to this incredible variety of accomplishments.”
RIYADH
The most recent record broken was by Diriyah, which made history on Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day by setting a mark recognized by Guinness World Records for the largest display of virtual assistant devices.
The show featured more than 500 Amazon Echo devices and Alexa voice assistants and was part of Diriyah’s celebrations of the Kingdom’s national day.
Noor Riyadh, an annual citywide festival celebrating the beauty of light and art, has secured 14 Guinness World Records, with its most prominent title being the largest light art festival in the world.
Architect and Designer Nouf Al-Moneef has been the festival director of Noor Riyadh since its launch in 2021. She told Arab News that preparing for Noor Riyadh’s records involved meticulous planning, collaboration with experts, advanced technical setups, securing permits, and rehearsals.
“A large, passionate team provided not only logistical support but also emotional encouragement, ensuring everyone stayed motivated and focused on delivering a flawless execution.”
She said that the festival’s record-breaking projects were driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to promote cultural growth, gain global recognition and showcase innovation.
“The festival is also influenced by the history and legacy of light art and its pioneers, celebrating creativity through large-scale, impactful works that push artistic boundaries.”
In 2023, Riyadh Season, a range of entertainment cultural and sporting events held in Saudi Arabia’s Capital, also received Guinness World Records.
During the same year, Saudi Arabia entered Guinness World Records with the creation of the largest sustainable farm in the world, with a total area of more than 3.2 million sq m.
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli received the registration certificate from the Guinness World Records during a ceremony held by the Saudi Reef Program at its headquarters in Riyadh.
EASTERN PROVINCE
Saudi columnist and author Ritaj Al-Hazmi has been awarded two Guinness World Records, in 2024 as the world’s youngest female newspaper columnist at the age of 15 and in 2020 for being the youngest female to publish a book series at the age of 12.
JEDDAH
In 2023, Olympic athlete KarimanAbuljadayel achieved the fastest time to row 10 km in open water at 57 min 24 sec in Jeddah.
In 2021, the largest LEGO® brick F1 car was 5.73m x 2.32m x 1.15m (18ft 9in x 7ft 7in x 3ft 9in) and was created by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in Jeddah.
ALULA
AlUla Moments set the Guinness World Record for the largest hot air balloon glow show twice — first in 2019 with 100 balloons, and then surpassed this achievement in 2022 by lighting up the skies with 142 balloons.
In 2019, the Royal Commission for AlUla achieved a GWR for the largest mirrored building covered by 9,740 m² (104,840 ft² 71 in²) of mirrored facade.
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Christian Dior retrospective exhibition coming to Saudi Arabia as part of Riyadh Season offering
September 26, 2024
LONDON: A popular Christian Dior exhibition is coming to Saudi Arabia as part of this year’s Riyadh Season festivities, it was announced on Thursday.
“Christian Dior: Desginer of Dreams,” which has captivated audiences at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, will run from Nov. 21 to April 2 next year at the Saudi National Museum.
Curated by Florence Muller and designed by scenographer Nathalie Criniere, the immersive retrospective highlights over 70 years of Dior’s haute couture legacy.
The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the legendary designer’s origins and rise in the fashion world, beginning at 30 Avenue Montaigne and exploring his admiration for gardens, the splendor of the natural world, and his fascination with the grandeur of Versailles and the Enlightenment period.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see a collection of his haute couture creations, spanning from his early designs to those crafted by his successors, with each piece illustrating the house’s artistic innovation.
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Mideast
Yemen’s president vows to defeat ‘new imamates’ as country commemorates 1962 revolution
SAEED AL-BATATI
September 26, 2024
AL-MUKALLA: The chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, pledged to defeat the Houthi militia and end their rule, as the country marked the 62nd anniversary of its Sept. 26 Revolution.
In a televised speech on the eve of the commemoration of the 1962 uprising, he accused the Houthis of attempting to restore the Zaidi Imamate that ruled Yemen before the revolution, and promised to defeat them and foil Iran’s plans for the country.
“At the forefront of our national tasks and priorities is the completion of the country’s liberation from terrorism, slavery, tyranny, ignorance and injustice brought about by the new imamates,” Al-Alimi said.
“We must defeat the Iranian project, and the outcome of this decisive battle, in which we have no choice but to win, will determine our freedom and dignity, as well as the future of all Yemeni men and women.”
The Yemeni leader thanked Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman for the support they have provided to the Yemeni people, the transitional council and state bodies, and for facilitating peace talks in the hope of ending the war in the country.
The revolution, which began on Sept. 26, 1962, resulted in the overthrow of the Zaidi Imamate rulers who had controlled northern Yemen for centuries, paving the way for the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic. Many Yemenis believe the Houthis share similar radical ideologies as the Zaidi Imamate and wish to revive its era, during which rule over the country was limited to Hashemites.
The Houthis have attempted to suppress celebrations of the anniversary of the revolution in areas under their control. They have abducted at least 250 people over the past few days for commemorating the event online or encouraging others to do so. They also deployed forces and armored vehicles in Sanaa, Hodeidah, Taiz, Ibb, Dhamar and other areas to to crack down on any revolutionary rallies.
The Houthis say those who celebrate the revolution are being used by the US and other opponents to put pressure on the militia to halt its attacks on international shipping.
The leader of the group, Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, on Thursday vowed that attacks on vessels in waters off the coast of Yemen will continue until Israel ends its war in the Gaza Strip. He also said his forces would defend Hezbollah against Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
“We will continue to support Gaza and Palestine in general, as well as Lebanon and Hezbollah, without hesitation,” he said during a televised speech.
The Houthis say their attacks on ships using missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and drone boats, which began in November, target Israeli, American and British ships in an attempt to put pressure on authorities in Israel to halt their military operations in Gaza.
However, critics say the militia is using outrage in Yemen over the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza to gain public support, recruit new fighters and divert attention from its failures to address crumbling services and pay public-sector salaries.
Speaking in the US on Wednesday during an event organized by the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, Al-Alimi called for the Houthis to be globally designated as a terrorist organization in an attempt to deter them from undermining the security of international shipping lanes. He warned that the group would continue to attack ships even if the war in Gaza ended.
“After using the Red Sea as a weapon, Iran and its affiliate militias will continue to blackmail international trade, waterways and the environment in the future,” he said.
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Iran Defence MinisterUrges Muslim States To Cut Ties With Israel
Sep 26, 2024,
“Muslim states should not merely suffice to denunciation of Israeli crimes. They are rather required to put pressure on the regime to stop its genocide and prepare the ground for its collapse by severing political relations with the regime, expelling its ambassadors and ending mutual economic relations,” he said.
Nasirzadeh also underlined the need for Muslim countries and freedom-loving nations of the world to implement deterrent measures against the brutalities of the Zionist regime.
“Zionist usurpers are gravely mistaken to think that acts of terror can destroy the resistance front, as the spirit of resistance has defeated the Zionist regime. The idea of jihad and resistance will never be obliterated through bombs and mass killings,” he said.
Iran's defense minister made the remarks on Thursday as he visited many wounded victims of the recent Israeli terrorist attack in Lebanon, who have been transferred to Iranian hospitals for medical treatment.
Nasirzadeh said the idea of resistance and steadfastness against oppressors derives from Islamic teachings and has its roots in the Holy Qur'an.
“According to the divine promise in the Holy Qur'an, we must resist oppression and oppressors, including Zionists. This movement will continue until complete destruction of the regime,” he said.
The Iranian defense minister said anti-human acts are expected to be committed only by the Zionist regime with the support of the United States and Europe.
“One is bewildered how the world order that the West is propagating has resulted in genocide and damage to civilians,” he said.
Nasirzadeh touched upon Israel's use of communication devices (pagers) for terrorist attacks.
“Such behaviors disrupt commercial relationships among countries; because commercial firms and manufacturers of communication devices are fundamentally required to produce these devices in such a way that their use would pose no risk to consumers, and not to turn these devices into bombs and tools of terror.”
Source:mehrnews.com
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What obstacles stand in the way of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire?
September 27, 2024
Israel and Hezbollah each have strong incentives to heed international calls for a ceasefire that could avert all-out war — but that doesn’t mean they will.
Hezbollah is reeling after a sophisticated attack on personal devices killed and wounded hundreds of its members. Israeli airstrikes have killed two top commanders in Beirut in less than a week, and warplanes have pounded what Israel says are Hezbollah sites across large parts of Lebanon, killing over 600 people.
So far, Israel clearly has the upper hand militarily, which could make it less willing to compromise. But it’s unlikely to achieve its goal of halting Hezbollah rocket fire with air power alone, and a threatened ground invasion of Lebanon poses major risks.
After nearly a year of war, Israeli troops are still fighting Hamas in Gaza. And Hezbollah is a much more formidable force.
“Hezbollah has yet to employ 10 percent of its capabilities,” military affairs correspondent Yossi Yehoshua wrote in YediotAhronot, Israel’s largest daily newspaper. “The euphoria that is evident among the decision-makers and some of the public should be placed back in the attic: the situation is still complex and flammable.”
The United States and its allies, including Gulf Arab countries, have tried to offer a way out, proposing an immediate 21-day ceasefire to “provide space for diplomacy.”
But any deal would require both sides to back away from their core demands, and they may decide the price is too high.
Hezbollah wants a truce in Gaza, too
Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones and missiles into northern Israel after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in the south triggered the war in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are both allies of Iran, and the Lebanese militant group says it is acting in solidarity with Palestinians.
Israel has responded with waves of airstrikes. Overall, the fighting has killed dozens of people in Israel, more than 1,500 in Lebanon and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from communities on both sides of the border.
Hezbollah has said it will halt the attacks if there is a ceasefire in Gaza. But months of negotiations over Gaza led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have repeatedly stalled, and Hamas might be less motivated to reach a deal if it thinks Hezbollah and Iran will join a wider war against Israel.
For Hezbollah, halting its rocket fire without securing any tangible gains for the Palestinians would be seen as a capitulation to Israeli pressure, with all of its recent casualties suffered in vain.
Any deal involving a ceasefire in Gaza would be a hard sell for Israel, which would view it as a reward for Hezbollah rocket attacks that have displaced tens of thousands of its citizens for nearly a year.
For Israel, a ceasefire might not be enough
Israel’s goals in Lebanon are far narrower than in Gaza, where Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu has vowed “total victory” over Hamas and the return of scores of hostages.
Israel wants the tens of thousands of people who were evacuated from northern communities nearly a year ago to return safely to their homes. And it wants to ensure that Hezbollah never carries out an Oct. 7-style attack.
A weekslong ceasefire — which would give Hezbollah a chance to reset after major attacks on its chain of command and communications — might not be enough.
Few Israelis are likely to return if they know it’s only temporary, and even an agreement for a lasting ceasefire would face skepticism.
The UN Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah called for the militants to withdraw north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border, and for the area between to be patrolled by Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers.
Israel says that provision was never implemented and is likely to demand additional guarantees in any new ceasefire. But Hezbollah is far stronger than Lebanon’s regular armed forces and the UN detachment, neither of which would be able to impose any agreement by force.
Netanyahu’s partners want him to fight on
Netanyahu leads the most religious and nationalist government in Israel’s history. His far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he makes too many concessions to Hamas, and they are also likely to oppose any deal with Hezbollah.
Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu’s hard-line finance minister, said Thursday that Israel’s campaign in the north “should only end in one scenario – crushing Hezbollah and denying its ability to harm residents of the north.”
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right National Security Minister, said he would not support a temporary ceasefire and would leave the government if it becomes permanent.
Although opposition parties would likely support the ceasefire, the defection of his partners would eventually bring down Netanyahu’s government and force early elections, potentially leaving him even more exposed to investigations into the security failures of Oct. 7 and corruption charges that predate the war. It could even mean the end of his long political career.
Iran has sent mixed signals
In Lebanon, Prime Minister Najib Mikati has welcomed the ceasefire proposal, but he has little power to impose an agreement on Hezbollah.
Iran, which helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and is the source of its advanced weapons, has more sway over the group, but it has yet to express a position on any ceasefire. It likely fears a wider war that could bring it into direct conflict with the United States, but can’t stand by indefinitely while its most powerful proxy force is dismantled.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a relative moderate elected over the summer, struck a more conciliatory tone toward the West than his predecessors when he addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
But he had sharp words for Israel and said its heavy bombardment of Lebanon in recent days “cannot go unanswered.”
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UNRWA earning ‘global vote of confidence’: Jordanian FM
CASPAR WEBB
September 27, 2024
NEW YORK CITY: A high-level meeting on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugee produced a “global vote of confidence” in the agency despite Israel’s “political assassination campaign” against it, Jordan’s foreign minister said on Thursday.
Ayman Safadi was speaking at a joint press conference with UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini following the meeting at the UN headquarters.
Safadi said: “Today rallied international support behind an agency which carries out heroic work in helping the Palestinian people through the misery that Israel continues to bring to Gaza.
“Nobody can do the job that UNRWA is doing. It’s irreplaceable. It’s indispensable. It’s needed now more than ever before.
“UNRWA and its staff made the ultimate sacrifice. Israel has killed 222 UNRWA staff members. It targets them. It doesn’t allow them to operate.”
Safadi said more than 50 countries attended the meeting. He hailed UNRWA’s “noble job” in saving the lives of thousands of Palestinian children from paralysis through a polio vaccination campaign.
The agency has become the victim of an Israeli “political assassination campaign” designed to undermine support for the Palestinian people, Safadi said.
It is “incomprehensible” that a UN member state would designate a UN agency as a terrorist organization, he added.
“That can’t happen, and we must stand against that,” Safadi said, because “it’s undermining the whole UN system, and the world mustn’t allow that, and we’ll stand up to it, along with all our partners who showed up in support of UNRWA today.”
He added: “We’ll continue to do everything to ensure that UNRWA stands because UNRWA is also a beacon of hope for Palestinians, and that’s why Israel has launched the political assassination campaign on UNRWA, because it wants to liquidate the cause of the Palestinian refugees, which shouldn’t be done and won’t be done.”
Lazzarini echoed Safadi’s words, describing the Israeli campaign against the agency as “relentless” and “coming from every corner.”
He said: “These aren’t just attacks against UNRWA. They’re attacks against the broader UN system, attacks against the broader international community.
“They aim, first, at stripping Palestinians from the refugee statute, but secondly, they aim at weakening or putting an end to the aspirations of the Palestinians for self-determination.”
The UNRWA chief said his agency and others, as well as international NGOs, have seen staff being “phased out” in the Occupied Territories as a result of Israeli practices.
Calls to dissolve UNRWA or end its presence in the Middle East would be “unconscionable, unprecedented, and would open an extraordinary Pandora’s Box,” Lazzarini warned.
To counter the Israeli campaign, “we’ll continue to push the true narrative that UNRWA deserves to be supported,” Safadi said.
“UNRWA deserves to be thanked for the tremendous sacrifices that it continues to do in the execution of its global mandate.”
Both officials described conditions on the ground in Gaza almost one year on from Israel’s invasion.
The UNRWA chief warned that the Palestinian enclave is a “place which definitely horrifies even the most seasoned humanitarians who’ve seen it all over the last 20, 30 years.”
He said more than 1 million school-age children in Gaza are “deeply traumatized” and living amongst rubble.
“An entire generation might be sacrificed if they aren’t brought back to learning,” he added. “Obviously learning in this environment is extraordinary difficult, but we’re trying to make sure that they lose as little as possible.”
Lazzarini discussed the financing of his agency, warning that the shortfall in funding from October to the end of the year stood at $60-$80 million.
But he said UNRWA would make sure to “bridge the gap” despite some donor countries signaling a decline in foreign aid due to austerity measures.
Lazzarini also highlighted UNRWA operations in Lebanon, saying shelters are now open to “not only Palestinian refugees, but also Lebanese and Syrian refugees.”
The UNRWA meeting on Thursday was backed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.
“Virtually all donors have reversed their funding suspensions” to UNRWA, Guterres said in a statement, adding that “123 countries have signed up to the declaration on shared commitments to UNRWA.
“This underscores the consensus that UNRWA’s role across the West Bank and the region is vital. Friends, there is no alternative to UNRWA.”
Barrot said: “The role of UNRWA is necessary in the Gaza Strip to provide vital humanitarian aid to a civilian population of Gaza whose needs are immense.
“France pays tribute to the UNRWA personnel and to all the humanitarian personnel killed in Gaza while they were trying to rescue civilians.”
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Russia in weapon transfer talks with Yemen’s Houthis, says US envoy
September 26, 2024
NEW YORK: The US has accused Russia of discussing weapon transfers with Houthis, whose attacks on Red Sea shipping are holding hostage a vital commercial waterway.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said Moscow was “cutting its deals” with the Houthis to allow their ships to sail through the Red Sea unharmed.
“We have confirmation that the Russians and the Houthis are in dialogue about ways to cooperate,” including on weapon transfers, Lenderking said.
“We don’t know that weapons are being transferred as we speak, but it’s come to the point that we’re all sounding the alarm bell to ensure this does not happen,” he added.
If the weapon transfers were to materialize, it “could potentially change the conflict in a significant manner,” Lenderking said, warning of “an escalation” that would derail already stalled efforts to end Yemen’s war.
“The notion that the Russians would provide the Houthis with lethal weapons is deeply alarming to the countries of the region,” he said.
Russia has been stepping up military relationships with Iran and North Korea, both under heavy sanctions, as it seeks to bolster its arsenal in its war in Ukraine.
Russia’s relationship with the US has deteriorated sharply since the invasion of Ukraine, with Washington leading the West in slapping sanctions on Moscow and arming Kyiv.
The Houthis have been firing drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November, saying they are targeting vessels linked to Israel, the US, and Britain in a show of solidarity with Palestinians over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The Houthi campaign has killed at least four sailors and sunk two ships.
One vessel — the Galaxy Leader — was hijacked in November and continues to be held by the Houthis along with its 25 international crew.
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Gaza rescuers say 7 killed in Israeli strike on school
September 26, 2024
GAZA STRIP: Civil defense rescuers in Gaza said an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter killed at least seven people, with the Israeli military saying it had targeted a Hamas command center.
The vast majority of the besieged Gaza Strip’s 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once by the war, sparked by the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, with many seeking shelter in school buildings.
Civil defense agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said there were “seven martyrs, including children, and many wounded following an Israeli missile attack that targeted Al-Faluja School in Jabalia camp in north Gaza.”
The military said it carried out “precise strikes” targeting Hamas militants operating inside what it said was a command-and-control center at the Al-Faluja School.
Thursday’s attack was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes on school buildings housing displaced people in Gaza, where fighting has raged for nearly a year.
A strike on the UN-run Al-Jawni School in central Gaza on Sept. 11 drew an international outcry.
In his address to the UN General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the international community to stop sending weapons to Israel to halt the bloodshed in the West Bank and Gaza, singling out the US.
Abbas said that Washington continued to provide diplomatic cover and weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza despite the mounting death toll there, now at 41,534 according to the Health Ministry in the Strip.
“Stop this crime. Stop it now. Stop killing children and women. Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel. This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people in Gaza and the West Bank,” Abbas told the UN General Assembly.
“The US alone stood and said: ‘No, the fighting will continue.’ It did this by using the veto,” he said, referring to the veto repeatedly wielded to thwart censure in the UN Security Council of Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
“It furnished Israel with the deadly weapons that it used to kill thousands of innocent civilians, children, and women.
“This further encouraged Israel to continuous aggression,” he added, saying that Israel “does not deserve” to be in the UN.
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All eyes on Iran’s balancing act as IRGC’s Middle East proxies face Israel’s onslaught
JONATHAN GORNALL
September 26, 2024
LONDON: On July 31, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ decision-making Political Bureau, was killed in the heart of Tehran.
As a prominent negotiator of an eagerly awaited ceasefire deal with Israel, Haniyeh would have made an unlikely target for an Israeli government looking to bring an end to the months of indiscriminate death and destruction being suffered in Gaza.
However, for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom critics accuse of maintaining the impetus of perpetual war as a guarantee of clinging on to power, the audacious killing appeared to be a calculated provocation of Tehran, designed to escalate the war in Gaza into a regional conflict.
According to this line of thinking, other than vowing to avenge Haniyeh for the “cowardly action,” Tehran refused to play ball.
In much the same way, Iran’s reaction to the Israeli missile attack on an Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus in April, in which senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed, was unexpectedly muted. Iran’s response — a wave of missiles and drones that constituted its first direct attack on Israeli soil — was largely gestural, planned, telegraphed and executed deliberately to cause minimum damage and casualties.
This week, following the deadly pager-bomb attacks — widely believed to be carried out by Israel’s spy agency Mossad targeting Hezbollah operatives — and airstrikes, as Israeli troops massed on the border with Lebanon, critics said Netanyahu was poised once again to try to provoke Iran into a regional escalation.
And, once again, Tehran is exercising restraint.
Haniyeh could have been killed anywhere, at any time, but the timing and location of his death was chosen carefully. The former Palestinian prime minister was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian — a moderate whose election and approval by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen by some commentators as a sign that Iran might be entering a new, conciliatory era, anathema to an Israeli leader dependent on perpetual conflict for his political survival.
The day before the killing of Haniyeh, Pezeshkian spoke in his inauguration speech of his determination to normalize his country’s relations with the rest of the world — an ambition underlined by the presence of Enrique Mora, the European Union’s chief nuclear negotiator.
This week, even as Israel is bombarding Lebanon and hitting Hezbollah hard, Iran has kept its finger off the trigger.
Not only that, but in an unprecedented and lengthy press conference with Western media at the UN in New York earlier this week, Pezeshkian spelled it out for anyone who had not already noticed the extent to which Iran has exercised restraint in the face of repeated provocation.
“What Israel has done in the region and what Israel tried with the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran was to drag us into a regional war,” he said. “We have exercised restraint so far, but we reserve the right to defend ourselves at a specific time and place with specific methods.”
But, he added: “We do not wish to be the cause of instability in the region.”
According to a report last month by the media outlet Iran International, citing sources “familiar with the subject,” in the wake of Haniyeh’s killing, Pezeshkian made the case for restraint directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, clashing with senior leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who wanted to launch attacks against Israel.
But the most remarkable evidence that Pezeshkian may be seeking a new path for Iran came on Tuesday, when he addressed the UN General Assembly in New York.
Predictably enough, he condemned the “atrocities” carried out in Gaza by Israel, which “in 11 months has murdered in cold blood over 41,000 innocent people, mostly women and children.”
Israel’s “desperate barbarism” in Lebanon, he added, must be halted “before it engulfs the region and the world.”
And then came the real message he had flown to New York to deliver: “I aim to lay a strong foundation for my country’s entry into a new era, positioning it to play an effective and constructive role in the evolving global order,” he said.
“My objective is to address existing obstacles and challenges while structuring my country’s foreign relations in cognizance of the necessities and realities of the contemporary world.”
Echoing the words of Iran’s equally new foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, Pezeshkian indicated that Tehran was keen to reopen the nuclear negotiations from which former US president Donald Trump unexpectedly walked away in 2017.
He also made the case for ending sanctions, “destructive and inhumane weapons … endangering the lives of thousands of innocent people (and) a blatant violation of human rights.”
Iran, he added, “stands prepared to foster meaningful economic, social, political and security partnerships with global powers and its neighbors based on equal footing.”
Faced with Iran’s seemingly conciliatory new president, offering an olive branch at a time when Iran might normally be expected to be reaching for weaponry, experts are divided over whether or not Tehran is truly on a new course and set to defy expectations of its response to events in Lebanon.
“Pezeshkian and Araghchi receive their orders from Ayatollah Khamenei and from the National Security Council in Tehran and they thus don't have a mandate for some sort of a grand change in Iranian policies that would help end its pariah status,” said Arash Azizi, visiting fellow at Boston University’s Frederick S. PardeeCenter for the Study of the Longer-Range Future and author of the 2021 book “The Shadow Commander — Soleimani, the US, and Iran's Global Ambitions.”
“But they do have a mandate for lessening tensions, negotiating with the West, including the US, over Iran’s role in Ukraine and its nuclear program, and trying to get to some sort of a rapprochement that could help alleviate pressure on Iran and fix its economy.”
He added: “Any success Iran has in this path will strengthen the pro-reform factions in Iran and affect the trajectory of the country's future, especially a future after Khamenei dies.”
Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington and author of the book “Political Succession in The Islamic Republic of Iran,” believes Pezeshkian is uniquely positioned to effect change.
“Iranian President Pezeshkian presides over a cabinet composed of capable technocrats, who also happen to represent different factions among the ruling elites of the Islamic Republic,” he said.
“This rare combination of skills and representation not only provides Pezeshkian with the opportunity to engage in effective diplomacy, but also lessens the risk of domestic factional sabotage of his diplomatic efforts.”
Certainly, when it comes to events in Lebanon, Ali Vaez, Iran Project director with the International Crisis Group, said: “Iran is going to stand behind, not with, Hezbollah. Tehran’s forward defense strategy has always been based on projecting power beyond its borders and deterring, not inviting, strikes against its own territory.”
He added: “Iran seems convinced that expansion of the conflict now will benefit Israel, and it’s following a basic rule that what’s good for Israel can’t be good for Iran.”
Iran, said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East North Africa Program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, was trying to keep two doors open at once.
“It needs to open negotiations with the West to manage its domestic economic crisis, but on regional issues it also needs to keep the Axis of Resistance alive. It’s a hard balance to strike, which is leading to challenges and changes in perception,” he said.
But the reasons behind Iran’s current diplomatic offensive remain “intriguing,” said AhronBregman, former Israeli soldier, author and senior teaching fellow in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, specializing in the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Middle East peace process.
“Iranian diplomats excel at tightrope walking,” he said.
“Are they trying to end their pariah-state status, or is there a hidden agenda behind their somehow soft diplomatic approach? Does Iran genuinely want to reach an agreement with the West regarding its nuclear ambitions, or is it just trying to kill time?”
Either way, he added: “I believe that Iran doesn’t want to become directly involved in Lebanon, not least because they can see how destructive Israel’s air power is. I’m pretty sure that Iran was taken aback by the ferocity of the Israeli campaign in Lebanon, from the ‘James Bond’ pagers operation to the precise air attacks on Hezbollah’s weapons arsenal.
“But Iran reckons that Israel will struggle if the current campaign in the north turns into a war of attrition with Hezbollah, particularly if Israel invades Lebanon, where it will lose its advantages — the terrain in south Lebanon makes it difficult to use tanks and airpower.”
Urban Coningham, a RUSI research fellow specializing in the security and geopolitics of the Middle East, particularly in the Levant, is skeptical that President Pezeshkian is the face of genuine change.
“I don’t think that we can take this as evidence that Iran is willing to become a reliable security partner and actor in the region,” he said.
“Iran and its Axis of Resistance are in a uniquely weak position as one of their key members, Hezbollah, is under intense attack. Iran’s statement of willingness to come to the negotiation table is really its last tool of applying pressure upon Israel.
“This diplomatic pressure will be applied to Israel’s key allies, principally the US, to persuade Western policymakers that Iran and its network do not pose a threat and to dissuade Israel from continuing to escalate the conflict and isolate Netanyahu.”
ArshinAdib-Moghaddam, professor in Global Thought and Comparative Philosophies at SOAS University of London and author of the book “What is Iran?,” takes a more generous view of Tehran’s current stance.
“By virtue of its historical weight, strategic position and national resources, Iran will always be a central nodal point for the politics of the region and beyond,” he said.
“The reformist administration of President Pezeshkian follows a realistic and largely prudent assessment of this geopolitical centrality, which attempts to harness all the dividends that the power of Persia could bring about.”
In concrete terms, he added, “this approach has seriously restrained Iran’s responses to the onslaught spearheaded by the Netanyahu administration.
“As opposed to the rationale of maximum escalation that Netanyahu pursues with so much brutal desperation, Iran has been recurrently and consistently restrained in its responses, certainly relative to the offensive capabilities that the country possesses.
“Of course, Iran has its right-wing extremists, too. But in contrast to the situation in Israel, they are currently marginalized and the Iranian government around President Pezeshkian is composed of pragmatists and diplomats.”
It was, he added, to be regretted that, as yet, “the world has not taken advantage of this chance for peace, exactly because the Netanyahu administration has plunged the region, and indeed Israelis themselves, into the abyss of a horrendous inferno.”
For now, though, cynicism about Iran’s motives persists among seasoned Western diplomats.
“Iran is playing its usual mind games,” said Sir John Jenkins, a former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria, and consul-general in Jerusalem.
Talk of returning to the nuclear deal, he said, “in the eyes of some makes Iran look reasonable when it’s anything but, so it’s a niche bit of trolling.”
There are, he added, “no signs Tehran will abandon the militias, the Houthis, Hamas, let alone Hezbollah. Iran doesn’t want a hot war with Israel because it believes it can win a war of attrition, so persuading everyone that de-escalation is the answer is a victory in itself.
“If Israel degrades Hezbollah’s capabilities to the extent that it poses no credible threat to Israel, or if it looks as if that is achievable, then Iran may think again. But it wants to avoid the choice. Hence this blackly comic diplomatic farce.”
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Norway issues wanted notice for man connected to exploding pagers in Lebanon
September 26, 2024
COPENHAGEN: Norway issued an international wanted notice on Thursday for a man linked to a Bulgaria-based company that may have been involved in the dissemination of exploding electronic devices to the militant Hezbollah group that killed dozens and wounded thousands in Lebanon last week.
The notice is part of a multi-country investigation trying to piece together how thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies were rigged to explode and their trail to Lebanon.
Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have blamed Israel for the coordinated two-day attacks, which killed at least 39 people and wounded more than 3,000, including civilians. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
“We have on behalf of the Oslo police sent out an international wanted notice today,” ÅsteDahleSundet, a spokeswoman for Norway’s National Criminal Investigation Service told The Associated Press.
The agency declined to name the man or provide his nationality. All that is known is that he was listed as working for a Norwegian company.
Norwegian news agency NTB wrote on Thursday that the 39-year-old man had traveled to the United States last week but vanished after arriving there. The man was subsequently reported missing on Wednesday, one of Norway’s major tabloids VG wrote, citing police.
The CEO of the man’s employer, Norway-based DN Group, told the AP in an email that the company had “tried to contact our employee without success since we first heard the serious allegations about his alleged private activity, which we did not know about and has nothing to do with us as a company.”
“We haven’t heard from him since (last) Wednesday, and we don’t know where he is. This worries us,” DN Group CEO AmundDjuve said.
Djuve also did not give the man’s name.
The man holds a Norwegian passport and has lived in Norway for 12 years but was born in another country, NTB reported. The news agency described him as one of the founders of the Bulgarian company that was allegedly connected to supplying the pagers to Hezbollah.
The Bulgarian company is not the only firm implicated in the pagers’ journey to Lebanon.
Last week, Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo, whose name appeared on the pagers, said it had authorized Budapest, Hungary-based BAC Consulting to use its brand for the devices that exploded, but insisted the Hungarian company was responsible for their manufacturing and design.
Hungary’s Special Service for National Security told the AP last week that the CEO of BAC Consulting had been interviewed “several times” as part of an investigation, but that they believed the company had not taken part in rigging the devices to explode.
“The results of the investigation so far have made it clear that the so-called pagers have never been on Hungarian territory, and that no Hungarian company or Hungarian expert was involved in their manufacture or modification!” the agency said in an email.
Norway’s domestic security agency, known by its acronym PST, earlier told the AP that it was checking whether a Norwegian national had any connection with the company that sold the pagers that exploded in Lebanon.
PST stressed that it was not a formal investigation and that there was currently no concrete suspicion against the man.
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Academic delegation from Central Asian Muslim republics visits Israel amid war
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
By OHAD MERLIN
A delegation of academics from Central Asian Muslim republics is touring Israel in a scholarly delegation led by the Ben-Zvi Institute for the Study of Jewish Communities in the East and funded in large part by the Diaspora Affairs Ministry.
The delegation centers around the study of Jewish communities in Central Asia, as well as Jewish and Israeli history.
The Jerusalem Post reached out to Dr. Zeev Levin from the Ben-Zvi Institute, as well as two of the participants from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, to learn more about the delegation and their experiences.
“After the war started, we at the Ben-Zvi Institute tried to come up with ways to promote our main academic area of study, which is Jewish communities in the East – with the ongoing reality. So we came up with this idea of bringing a delegation of academics from Central Asian republics to receive training on Jewish and Israeli communities and the history of the conflict, with much-appreciated help from the Diaspora Affairs Ministry,” explained Levin.
The group consists of nine lecturers and academics whose areas of expertise range from political science to history and culture, who hail from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, all Muslim-majority countries and part of the former Soviet Union.
According to Levin, the delegation is designed to expose the participants to issues related to the history of the State of Israel, Judaism, the conflict, and more.
“The unfortunate reality nowadays is that, despite the centuries-long presence of Jewish communities in Central Asia, there is hardly any research being carried out in these countries’ academic scene regarding Jewish history in their region,” Levin said.
“So, one of our goals here is to arouse awareness and curiosity among our guests and their students, to conduct research and study these unique communities, such as Bukharan Jewry and the way they coexisted in a Muslim majority environment.”
Levin spoke to the Post following the delegation’s meeting with members of the local council of Ramla, a mixed city in central Israel where Jews and Arabs live side by side.“We just met with two local council members; one was Mr. Eduard Mordukaev, a Bukharan Jew himself, and the other one was Mr. Ibrahim Abu-Laben, a Muslim, and they were talking about coexistence in the city,” elaborated Levin.
“Many came with some stereotypes about the situation, and these kinds of meetings are real eye-openers for those who were sure that everything here is a war, and everyone hates everyone.”
The group also toured the Old City of Jerusalem, arriving at the Western Wall, Temple Mount, and Al-Aqsa Mosque. “Many stereotypes about the State of Israel and the conflict were surely broken in this trip,” he added.
When asked whether the war changed their plans, Levin commented: “There were some who canceled the participation due to the situation. When we organized the trip many months ago, we thought that by September things would calm down, but here we are in another round of escalation. Despite this, our nine guests arrived and they are happy to be here.”
The program includes, in addition to visiting the Old City and meeting people in mixed cities, a trip to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Knesset. “We brought the best lectures who will explain the Israeli story, involving direct meetings with Jewish and Muslim figures alike.”
Referring to the delegation, Levin added: “They are all well-known and esteemed professors and lecturers in their countries. They had an image about Israel, but it’s their first time visiting here.”
“Some of them covered the conflict in Afghanistan, and they’re all aware even in their own countries that if there is anything dangerous in this world, it’s religious fanaticism and radicalism, as well as unbridled organizations who take over entire countries, and now they understand better who Israel’s adversaries are,” he continued.
Dr. Vladimir Paramonov, Uzbekistan: 'It's our job as academics to visit these places'
Dr. Vladimir Paramonov is a senior research fellow on political science from the Uzbek Academy of Science. He specializes in international relations and leads the department of the Center for Contemporary History of Uzbekistan.
“I’m interested in leading a unique project to develop Central Asia’s ties with Israel. We have an interesting format named “Central Asia+,” which we lead with several countries on the political, academic, and scientific levels, and hopefully, this format will also be developed with Israel,” Paramonov explained, expressing his hopes for the development of relations between his homeland and Israel.
“Zeev Levin is a good friend of Uzbekistan and an expert on Central Asian affairs. We were in contact with him and focused on international relations. This is the first time I have ever visited here,” he said.
“Though I did know a bit about Israel, this visit is great and eye-opening. It is very interesting to hear from people who live together and in cooperation in mixed cities. And it’s also very moving to visit the holy places in the Old City of Jerusalem, which makes this a spiritual journey as well.”
Paramonov commented that prior to arriving in Israel, he felt a bit worried.
“This is because of what the international media portrays. The situation seems very dramatic and very dangerous. It is true that there are dramatic things happening, but we arrived and saw for ourselves that the situation inside is not what it seems.”
“Many people around me were very worried about me going to Israel, but I believe that experts and academics must go to any place that has any effect on international politics. I myself have visited Afghanistan and Pakistan in areas that aren’t exactly stable. But it is our job to visit these places, especially if we see ourselves as academic experts trying to improve relations and solve problems to benefit all sides.
Regarding Uzbekistan’s relations with Israel, Paramonov commented: “They are good relations; Uzbekistan has good relations with most if not all countries. Surely, one can always improve relations, and we are here to see how this can be done.
As researchers, we have the duty to find these solutions and bring people from both countries to be more involved in improving relations for the benefit of all people. The Bukharan Jewish community plays a central role in the relations between the countries, and my hope is that they continue in doing so.”
Dr. Mukhitdin (Moshe) Sabirov, Tajikistan: 'My dream of visiting Jerusalem came true'
Dr. Moshe Sabirov is a lecturer at the Tajik National University. The sole Jewish participant in the delegation, he is also the representative and CEO of the tiny Jewish community in the country, which numbers a handful of dozens. He is also a teacher, a tour guide, and a photojournalist for the Bukhara Times, who seeks to represent Israeli technology in his country and to represent his country for those who haven’t heard of it.“This is my first time in Israel. A colleague at the Tajik National University invited me and I am very happy to be here. I feel like this is a perfect place for the Jewish people, where they can feel free to practice their beliefs and develop their culture,” he said.
“I came to explore this place, to know more about the culture. I always dreamed of visiting the Western Wall and the holy places, putting a note in the Western Wall – and now this dream came true.”
When asked about the reaction of his community to his visit to Israel, he answered, “It’s an interesting question; it really depends on who was talking to me. There were some who asked why I’m going and claimed that it’s ‘not a good place.’ Others said it was not safe to come here, but there were many who said that I had to seize the opportunity and go.”
Sabirov concluded: “I want to say to the Israeli people that I am very happy to be here, and I encourage you all to come to Tajikistan too; you are all welcome there.”
Source:jpost.com
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Africa
Sudan’s Islamic movement charts a new direction in search of legitimacy
September 26, 2024
by Khalil Charles
Sudan’s influential Islamic movement has elected the former Foreign Minister, Ali Ahmed Karti, as its general secretary. Although the movement’s leader is currently operating secretly; observers, including its opponents, believe the group continues to financially and politically control Sudan’s government. The group is also thought to command a significant presence in the Sudanese Army.
Whatever the case, Ali Karti’s decision to lead the newly reformed Islamic movement follows the October 2021 army takeover of Sudan in which the restrictions against Islamic orientated parties were lifted. The new group includes the Islamic movement, the Just Peace Forum, two factions of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Reform Now movement and the State of Law and Development Party led by Islamic preacher, Mohammed Ali Al-Jazouli, who was detained by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the start of the war. The National Justice Alliance, headed by Al-Tijani Al-Sisi, and the Renaissance Current led by Mohamed Majzoub, are also included in it.
The new group became the ‘Broad Islamic Current’ and declared itself in opposition to the founding agreement that established the Transitional Sovereignty Council in 2019 in conjunction with the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC). That agreement allowed a variety of parties to take part in the Sudanese political process with the exception of the Islamic orientated parties.
Under the circumstances, the coalition did not disclose how or where the recent elections took place but the news outlet Sudan Tribune confirmed the group continued to operate within Sudan. The group’s spokesperson, Hassan Abdel Hamid, said their stance in the ongoing conflict is to back the army against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who they accuse of attempting to “swallow the Sudanese state.”
Read: Sudan army wages major offensive on paramilitary RSF in Khartoum
The election of Karti signals a reemergence of a new united Islamic bloc, many of whom were blamed for the economic woes and political injustices during the 30-year rule of President Omer Al-Bashir from June 1989-April 2019. It follows a reappraisal of the movement’s activities in light of Sudan’s inability to secure democratic elections or to stabilise. The alliance mirrors the broad coalition called the Islamic Charter Front that was formed to participate in the 1968 elections. It included the Muslim Brotherhood, the Salafis and the Tijaniyya Sufi order.
Later in 1986, the convergence of the Islamic groups was instigated by Dr. Hassan Abdullah Al-Turabi who formed the National Islamic Front (NIF). The front supported women’s right to vote and run for office, and Al-Turabi’s main goals were to Islamise society and establish Islamic Sharia rule in Sudan. The National Islamic Front integrated itself into the parliament, government, army, local and regional organisations, and women and youth welfare organisations.
At the same time, they controlled Islamic charitable institutions in order to promote their ideas. They benefited from their participation with President Nimeiri from 1979 to 1985 in economic and social empowerment. The Islamic Front – separate from the Muslim Brotherhood – also took administrative positions in the emerging Islamic banks in Sudan and became employees and administrators in them and became the main financier of their projects to become a force that influenced politics, law, state and society in Sudan. It won 51 seats in the Sudanese parliament and came in third place after the Umma and Democratic Unionist parties.
Many observers believe that the new broad movement can rekindle its relationship with the Sudanese people. It remains to be seen whether Sudan can trust the Islamic parties given the level of widespread allegations of corruption and injustice during Al-Bashir’s rule.
Moreover, analysts believe that challenges facing the movement may be difficult to overcome. Particularly, the international opposition to Islamic principles and governance. Those speaking in support of the new movement are clear that foreign influence about the affairs of Sudan should be minimised. Therefore, politically, the coalition’s statement criticised the RSF and its alleged foreign backers, reflecting a stance aligned with the military.
Read: Sudan ex-leader Bashir moved to northern town for treatment, lawyer says
A year ago, in September 2023, the United States administration imposed sanctions on what it called “hardline Islamist groups actively opposing Sudan’s democratic transition.” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said: “The Department of State has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals believed to be responsible for or complicit in past and current efforts to undermine Sudan’s democratic transition.”
“This includes Sudanese Islamists and officials of the former Al-Bashir regime, as well as other individuals who are working to suppress human rights and fundamental freedoms or engage in other actions that undermine Sudan’s aspirations for democracy. We will continue to hold to account those who undermine peace and a democratic transition in Sudan,” the statement said.
Since its inception, the Islamic movement in Sudan has struggled to attain a mandate given that it has never won elections or been voted into office with the democratic support of the Sudanese people. Indeed, the 1989 coup that they staged had always been marred by the lack of legitimacy. Many in this Board Islamic Current coalition are hoping that the movement can finally legitimise and make become the democratic ruler of Sudan.
Source:middleeastmonitor.com
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Head of Sudan's military says RSF militants must put down weapons
26 September 2024
The head of Sudan's military told the United Nations General Assembly Thursday that the militias fighting in his country must put down their weapons and stop fighting.
Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan's address came as new fighting rocked Sudan's capital with airstrikes and drone attacks in and around Khartoum amid a worsening cholera outbreak, officials said.
For months, some of the worst fighting has been in the city of El Fasher, the capital of the North Darfur state. RSF forces have laid siege to the city since May.
"The Dagalo family has been violating all laws and all international obligations with impunity," Burhan said. "The family refuses to comply with the Juba declaration and rejects U.N. Security Council resolutions."
Sudan’s military launched an early morning operation aimed at taking control of areas in the capital that had been in the hands of its enemy, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Sudanese media reported increased military movements and airstrikes in the districts of Khartoum and Omdurman, the heaviest in the capital area in months.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/09/27/head-of-sudans-military-says-rsf-militants-must-put-down-weapons/
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ANC WC calls on public to advance Imam Abdullah Haron's legacy
27 September 2024
CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC), in the Western Cape, is on Friday calling on the public to recommit to the legacy of Imam Abdullah Haron.
Friday marks 55 years since the tragic death of Haron who died while in police custody in 1969.
Last year, the Western Cape High Court overturned findings of an initial inquest into Haron's death ruling that he most likely died after being tortured by policemen.
ANC Western Cape spokesperson Khalid Sayed said Haron's legacy of sacrifice and fighting for the downtrodden must be honoured.
"Imam Abdullah Haron was more than just a leader and an activist in the anti-apartheid struggle. Imam Abdullah Haron was an organic leader. He was an ethical leader. He was a man of faith. He was a man of the community."
Sayed also called for justice as the National Prosecuting Authority deliberates on the role of a retired police officer - Johannes Burger - and whether he should face prosecution.
"Justice needs to serve as a matter of urgency. This will bring closure to the family. This will also bring a sense of relief to all victims of the racist apartheid State."
Sayed added Haron's legacy should also inspire the building of a truly inclusive Western Cape.
Source:ewn.co.za
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https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/09/27/anc-western-cape-calls-on-the-public-to-recommit-to-the-legacy-of-imam-abdullah-haron
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FCT Muslim pilgrims board sets N8.4m deposit for 2025 hajj
26th September 2024
The Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has asked intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise to make payments of N8,400,000 as an initial deposit.
This was contained in a statement signed on Thursday by the Board’s Chief Information Officer, Ahmad Saleh, on behalf of the Chairman, MallamAbubakarAdamu-Evuti.
According to the statement, intending pilgrims were to make the payments at any commercial bank via bank draft and submit the drafts at respective area offices of the Board in the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Saleh also pointed out that the Board did not accept cash deposits, or registration by proxy, adding that pilgrims would be attended to on a first come, first served basis.
The statement reads as follows “The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board wishes to inform the general public, especially the intending pilgrims who wish to perform the next year’s Hajj through the Board, that it has commenced the registration of intending pilgrims for 2025 Hajj exercise”.
“The prospective intending pilgrims are to deposit a minimum of Eight Million and Four Hundred Thousand Naira (8,400,000.00) only via a bank draft from any commercial bank in favour of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja, to be registered”.
The prospective intending pilgrims are to submit the bank drafts to the Board’s respective Area Officers at the six Area Councils in the FCT. The prospective intending pilgrims are to note that the Board does not accept cash deposits and does not entertain registration by proxy. It strictly adheres to the principles of first come, first served basis.”
The PUNCH reports that out of a total of 51,477 pilgrims, 2,491 pilgrims from the FCT participated in the 2024 Hajj, which commenced on July 15th 2024 and ended on August 15th 2024.
Source:punchng.com
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https://punchng.com/fct-muslim-pilgrims-board-sets-n8-4m-deposit-for-2025-hajj/#google_vignette
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KSrelief head participates in Sudan meeting on sidelines of UNGA
September 26, 2024
RIYADH: The Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah participated in a meeting on Sudan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
The meeting, called “The Cost of Inaction - Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region,” aimed to strengthen support for the humanitarian response in Sudan and the region.
Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the US, the European Union, and the African Union took part in the high-level event.
Al-Rabeeah said Saudi Arabia is fully aware of its duty toward Sudan and has “made great efforts since the beginning of the crisis in order to find means to bring hope back to” the country.
“This includes the Jeddah declaration for the protection of civilians, as well as humanitarian access. There have also been efforts made on behalf of the working group to save lives and bring peace to Sudan so that we can reach thousands of people in Darfur.”
“However, the escalation of violence that has recently been seen in a number of regions has caused even further damage, which has pushed millions of people to flee their homes, leaving behind their families and their possessions,” he said.
Al-Rabeeah added that the Kingdom has allocated $3 billion of assistance to the country which has been distributed among the various regions and humanitarian sectors.
He said that KSrelief, even before the outbreak of the crisis in April 2023, had shifted toward implementing more sustainable interventions.
“The worsening of the security situation has, however, impacted the progress that had been made, which has required further efforts on our part. We have redoubled our efforts and stepped up our contributions. Since April 2023, we have launched a number of projects amounting to $73 million dollars,” the head of KSrelief said.
Al-Rabeeah said that the Kingdom, together with the UN and other humanitarian organizations, has brought in assistance through land and sea routes.
“We are providing support to the government and also carrying out a campaign to assist the Sudanese people with contributions above $125 million dollars.
“However, despite all of these efforts made by our country, challenges remain, and the crisis requires coordinated efforts in order to bring unhindered humanitarian access to the country and provide a sustainable and coordinated response, as well as safe and unhindered access to areas affected by conflict.
“The international humanitarian community must bring a response to this humanitarian crisis in Sudan that goes beyond any political considerations. This is a humanitarian tragedy that requires us to overcome existing divisions,” he said.
Al-Rabeeah added that the Kingdom is making significant efforts to make sure that the necessary assistance is delivered to the Sudanese people.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2572897/saudi-arabia
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Pakistan
At Least 16 Personnel Injured In Explosion in KP’s SwabiPolice Station: Officials
Murad Ali Khan | Pervaiz Khan
September 26, 2024
At least sixteen personnel were injured after an explosion ripped through the second floor of the city police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swabi district on Thursday, police said.
A statement from the Swabi police spokesperson said the explosion was caused by a short circuit in a room where material and case evidence were dumped, injuring 16-17 personnel and damaging the building.
It added that a departmental inquiry would be initiated against the negligent police officers. The statement said Rescue 1122 managed to snuff the fire and senior police officials were present on the scene as activities were under way to remove the rubble.
Mardan Regional Police Officer (RPO) Najibur Rehman told local media that the blast was caused by explosive material in the police station’s warehouse and left 17 police personnel injured.
He added that bomb disposal personnel were investigating the incident, adding that further updates were incoming regarding the nature of the explosion. RPO Rehman confirmed the information to Dawn.com.
Swabi District Emergency Officer (DEO) Awais Babar said that Rescue 1122 moved 15 injured to the District Headquarters Hospital and Bacha Khan Medical Complex, adding that there were a total of “25 casualties”.
He said the rescue operation was still ongoing.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur ordered the provincial police chief and chief secretary to reach the incident site immediately. He also summoned a report on the nature of the explosion.
The chief minister ordered divisional and district administrations to begin rescue operations to ensure that there was timely provision of medical aid to the injured.
On July 17, hand grenades stored in Jamshoro Police Station’s evidence lockup detonated and caused a large explosion, leaving five policemen and one suspect injured, police said.
Deputy Inspector General Tariq RazzakDharejo said the blast was caused by old hand grenades stored in the warehouse detonating accidentally in the sweltering heat.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1861307/at-least-16-personnel-injured-in-explosion-at-swabi-police-station-officials
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PTI claims Fazl won’t back constitutional court plan
Syed Irfan Raza
September 27, 2024
ISLAMABAD: A day after JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman reportedly backed the government’s proposal for a constitutional court, a PTI delegation met him on Thursday, claiming that he would never support such a constitutional amendment.
However, the JUI-F remained silent on the matter, with no official statement from party leaders refuting or confirming Mr Rehman’s position.
On Wednesday, the JUI-F chief met senior TV anchors at his residence, where he hinted at supporting the proposed establishment of a constitutional court and other amendments to the judiciary, including fixing the chief justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) tenure at three years.
Media reports suggested that while Mr Rehman did not reject the government’s proposals outright, he indicated that any changes should not be person-specific. He also expressed willingness to convince the main opposition party, PTI, on the matter while urging caution against rushing the constitutional changes.
The government recently made an abortive attempt to pass the controversial legislation, as it lacked the required two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. The constitutional package contains a proposed amendment to fix the CJP’s tenure at three years and increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 23.
However, the package could not be tabled in parliament as the government couldn’t convince Maulana Fazl to vote for the bill.
Following Thursday’s meeting with Maulana Fazl, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza held a press conference, insisting that the JUI-F chief had never expressed support for the proposed constitutional court.
“A wrong perception was painted in the media that the Maulana has decided to support the puppet court (constitutional court),” Mr Raja said. “The Maulana will never support the government’s plan as he had played a significant role in averting an ambush in the night. His role will be remembered,” he added.
Mr Raja said the JUI-F president’s stance was quite clear that he would not back any move that could undermine the judiciary’s independence.
Regarding the IMF’s approval of a $7 billion loan programme to Pakistan, Mr Raja said: “It’s not the time to celebrate the deal. Investment does not take place in the jungle.”
SIC’s Hamid Raza also insisted that Maulana Fazl’s stance remained unchanged and that he would not support any unconstitutional move by the government.
Meanwhile, Farooq H. Naek, vice chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), revealed during a Geo News talk show that the council had prepared a draft of suggestions based on the government’s constitutional package.
The PBC plans to submit the draft to the government in a couple of days.
Mr Naek said he had asked Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to share the package’s draft so the lawyers’ body could give its opinion on the subject.
“We have excluded some of the clauses of the package and incorporated some other beneficial subjects in it,” he added. He also expressed support for the establishment of a constitutional court, noting that similar courts exist in most democratic nations.
Mr Naek highlighted the Supreme Court’s current backlog of over 60,000 cases — including civil, criminal and political cases — as a reason for the proposed new court. “People want a constitutional court to address pending cases. Even divorce cases have been waiting for over 10 years,” he said.
On a lighter note, Mr Naek added: “The Supreme Court is the court of the people, while the constitutional court will serve the elite.”
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1861427/pti-claims-fazl-wont-back-constitutional-court-plan
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Pakistan inks deal with Azerbaijan to sale JF-17 Block-III fighter jets
September 26, 2024
RAWALPINDI: As part of Pakistan's efforts to strengthen defence ties with friendly countries, it has signed a contract for the sale of JF-17 Block-III fighter jets with Azerbaijan to bolster its air power capabilities, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.
During his recent visit to Pakistan, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev was briefed on the combat capabilities and versatile employment options of JF-17 BLOCK-III fighter aircraft, the military's media wing said.
Under President Aliyev's visit and at the request of the government of Azerbaijan, Pakistan deployed a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) contingent at Baku to participate in ADEX-2024 showcasing the aerial prowess and static display of pride of Pakistan JF-17 Thunder Block-III.
During deployment, JF-17 carried out air-to-air refuelling from the PAF Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft deploying in a single hop to Baku, demonstrating long haul capability and reach of the PAF's fighter jet.
President Aliyev visited the static display of JF-17 Block-III and later witnessed its enthralling aerial demonstration, showcasing the agility and manoeuvrability of the fighter jet alongside the professional competence of PAF pilots.
The JF-17 Thunder Block-III is an AESA radar and long-range BVR-equipped 4.5 generation multi-role fighter aircraft capable of undertaking a wide array of combat missions providing contemporary air power employment options, thus strengthening the National Security Paradigm of Azerbaijan.
President Aliyev said that the "support extended by Pakistan would go a long way in consolidating the existing military cooperation, fostering closer defence collaboration and strengthening the warm brotherly ties between the two nations".
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1234089-pakistan-inks-deal-with-azerbaijan-to-sale-jf-17-block-iii-fighter-jets
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Imran rebuffs PTI's chief spokesperson statement on holding talks with establishment
By Shabbir Dar
September 26, 2024
Terming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's spokesperson Raoof Hasan's statement a "misunderstanding", incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan ruled out the possibility of holding talks with the establishment.
The former ruling party's spokesperson had claimed that a dialogue between his party and the establishment is inevitable for which PTI is willing.
Speaking to journalists at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail on Thursday, the PTI founder said there is no use in holding talks with the establishment.
The cricketer-turned-politician said that Hasan had some misunderstanding, adding that he gave a clear message after the Islamabad power show that his party would not hold talks with anyone.
Prior to Khan's statement, the PTI spokesperson had told a private television channel that the Imran-founded party was ready for talks with the establishment yesterday and was prepared even today for this exercise.
"It has been PTI's policy that we want to engage with the establishment and I will go a step ahead to say that dialogue between my party and the establishment is inevitable for this state and we must not delay this,” Hasan contended.
He advocated the initiation of dialogue so that solutions to the country's problems and challenges could be found and Pakistan taken forward.
He disagreed with the questioner that, currently, the policy of establishment was not to engage with PTI and added they have engaged with his party and why he should not be hopeful that they would again engage.
Hasan, however, maintained that a conducive environment would have to be created for which both sides would have to make efforts.
Earlier this month, Khan had closed his doors to talks with all the parties, including the establishment, signalling a hardened stance amidst the ongoing political turmoil.
He also alleged that the establishment had deceived them, and he was closing the doors to negotiations with all the parties.
Separately, in another development today, Hasan was replaced by Sheikh Waqas Akram as PTI's central information secretary.
The former PTI information secretary has now been appointed as the head of the party's policy think tank over the directives of the party founder, as per a notification issued today.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1234086-imran-rebuffs-ptis-chief-spokesperson-statement-on-holding-talks-with-establishment
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Controversial package may land in parliament next week
Iftikhar A. Khan
September 27, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Weeks after an embarrassing retreat on a package seeking sweeping changes to the Constitution, the government plans to bring it to parliament soon, hoping that it will secure the required support for its passage.
“The constitutional package is most likely to land in parliament in the first week of October,” Irfan Siddiqui, PML-N’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, told a group of reporters on Thursday.
However, Mr Siddiqui agreed that passing the amendments, especially in the Senate, would not be possible without the backing of JUI-F, led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
He said the coalition government was in contact with the JUI-F chief, who supported the concept of a constitutional court but wanted clarity on key issues such as the number of judges, the appointment procedure, tenure, retirement age and the service structure.
Mr Siddiqui said the structure of the proposed constitutional court would be federal in nature, with representation from all the provinces.
He recalled that the formation of a constitutional court had been agreed upon in the Charter of Democracy, signed in May 2006 between the former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto. The proposal, he said, was later endorsed by all key political leaders, including PTI founder Imran Khan.
As for the proposed changes in the procedure of judges’ appointments, he recalled that before the 18th Amendment, the chief justice of Pakistan and the provincial chief justices had a pivotal role in appointing judges.
The 18th Amendment, passed in 2010, aimed to restore a balance of power by introducing a two-tier process involving the Judicial Commission, headed by the chief justice, and an eight-member parliamentary committee with equal representation from the government and opposition.
However, he lamented that the passage of the 19th Amendment, pushed by the then chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, had effectively neutralised the role of parliament in the appointment process.
The parliament “unwillingly” passed the 19th Amendment, which in practice has paralysed the parliamentary committee’s role in judicial appointments, Mr Siddiqui said. He argued that the current proposal aimed to revert to the 18th Amendment, giving parliament a more meaningful role.
Responding to a question on reserved seats, Mr Siddiqui highlighted the ongoing tension between parliament and the judiciary.
He stressed that while the judiciary has the authority to interpret the law, it is unclear where an appeal can be made if the judiciary rules against the Constitution itself.
Referring to the Elections Act, Mr Siddiqui noted a recent amendment that has led to legal confusion. “What do we do when forced to choose between the Constitution and the judiciary?” he asked.
He referred to Article 239(5) of the Constitution, which states that no constitutional amendment can be challenged in any court, and Article 239(6), which clarifies that there are no limitations on parliament’s power to amend the Constitution.
Mr Siddiqui also cited the example of the United States, where parliament not only appoints judges but can also impeach and punish them for misconduct.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1861419/controversial-package-may-land-in-parliament-next-week
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Imran closes door on talks as indictment looms
Malik Asad
September 27, 2024
• Charges in Toshakhana case to be framed against ex-PM, wife on Oct 2
• PTI founder cancels Rawalpindi rally on Saturday
• Raoof appointed head of party’s policy think tank
ISLAMABAD: PTI founding chairman Imran Khan on Thursday ruled out any further talks with the military establishment, calling it a “futile exercise”. The declaration followed an announcement by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand that the PTI chief and his spouse Bushra Bibi would be indicted in the new Toshakhana case on Oct 2.
The couple has been accused of retaining an expensive Bvlgari jewellery set gifted by a foreign leader at a throwaway price.
Earlier, during the hearing, the defence counsel submitted the post-arrest bail application of the ex-PM and his wife and requested the court to decide it forthwith.
The prosecution, on the other hand, could not conclude counterarguments till the end of the proceedings and sought further time.
The court asked the prosecution to conclude arguments by Sept 28.
‘Seeking justice’
While addressing the judge during the hearing, Mr Khan said he was seeking justice and pointed out that he was convicted in three cases a week before the Feb 8 general elections.
He claimed that his spouse has “nothing to do with these cases”, yet she had been imprisoned.
While speaking to reporters later, Mr Khan said that talks with the military establishment is “an exercise in futility”. Therefore, PTI will not hold any dialogue with them.
When a reporter pointed out that PTI spokesman Raoof Hassan had said the party would talk to the establishment, Mr Khan replied that it may be because of some misunderstanding.
Mr Khan said he made it clear after the Sept 8 rally in Islamabad that there would be no talks with the establishment.
He once again demanded that the government appoint Justice Mansoor Ali Shah next chief justice and issue a notification.
He said he does not personally know Justice Shah, but it is written in the Constitution that the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court would become the CJP.
He recalled that the notification of the incumbent chief justice Qazi Faez Isa’s appointment was issued three months before the retirement of his predecessor.
In June 2023, the Ministry of Law and Justice notified Justice Isa’s appointment as the CJP after confirmation by then president Arif Alvi, three months before the retirement of Justice Umar Ata Bandial in September.
Mr Khan criticised CJP Justice Isa for not taking any action regarding the complaints of judges who received threats.
He claimed that the government is still trying to bring the constitutional amendment to parliament and vowed that PTI will “strongly resist such a move”.
No jalsa in Rawalpindi
The PTI founder also announced that his party will not hold a planned jalsa in Rawalpindi on Sept 28.
He said the decision was made due to an apprehension that the government would not allow his party to hold the event in the city and designate a location in the suburb as the venue.
He said that instead of a jalsa, the party would stage protests, and PTI lawyers would hold a demonstration outside the Supreme Court.
Raoof’s appointment
In a separate move, the PTI chairman appointed Raoof Hasan as head of the party’s ‘Policy Think Tank’.
A notification issued by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the appointment has been made on the instructions of Imran Khan.
There are also reports of further shake-ups in PTI’s top leadership, with party sources saying that Sheikh Waqas Akram is being considered for the post of central information secretary.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1861417
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Governor cites graft charges for rejecting VCs summary
September 27, 2024
LAHORE: Punjab Governor Saleem Haider claims that he rejected Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s summary for the appointment of vice-chancellors of state universities in the province because some of the nominees were facing corruption charges.
“I rejected the summary for appointment of vice-chancellors because a few of those nominated for the offices have corruption charges against them. While rejecting the summary, I wrote that fingers are being raised on the process for the appointments (of VCs),” the governor, who is also chancellor of the universities, told the media here on Thursday.
Denying the claim attributed to Ms Sharif that the governor desired to appoint a VC of his choice, he said on oath that he never talked to the chief minister on the posting of any VC and wished only that the appointments should be made on merit.
“I’ve no personal dispute on the postings. I wish that only such persons should be posted as VCs who may build the youth into one nation.”
Responding to a query, he said the current set-up is a coalition government and “we have to run it” because it is in the national interest that the present dispensation should continue to work.
“Whether this government survives or not, we are part of the ruling coalition.”
He told a questioner that the only concern of the PPP is to fully implement the Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed by Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Nawaz Sharif through the constitutional package the government plans to introduce shortly.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has completed the process of appointing vice-chancellors transparently for the first time and one must not play with the future of students or politicise these appointments.
In a statement, she refuted the claims attributed to the chief minister regarding the governor on the appointment of VCs.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1861351
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North America
Experts warn Democrats against dismissing Arab, Muslim American voters
NOURELDEIN GHANEM
September 27, 2024
Washington, DC — With the US election approaching, experts warn that Israel's genocidal war on Gaza and recent Israel-Lebanon tensions could sway Arab and Muslim-American voters in the White House race, cautioning Democrats against dismissing their influence.
In a seminar conducted by the Arab Center at the National Press Club in Washington DC on Thursday, Osama Abu Irshaid, Executive Director and Board Member of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) said that while no one expects Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to make a substantial policy change, they at least need to hear something different from her regarding Gaza, which didn't happen.
"What we have seen is denying Palestinian-Americans to speak during the DNC. What we have seen is her continuous insistence that she will continue to support Israel while paying lip service to the suffering of the Palestinian people," Abu Irshaid noted.
"Arab and Muslim Americans are American citizens; they shouldn't be treated as something separate, but there is this tendency to try to disfranchise the Arab and Muslim Americans," he added, saying that Harris and Democrats would be making a mistake by dismissing them.
Abu Irshaid also said that he opposes the idea that they should be blamed if Harris loses, which he said some allies have warned them about.
"I don't think it will be on us… she will be blamed for it," he said. "We understand the consequences of a second Trump presidency, but we also have a moral compass where we can't vote for someone who continues to enable the genocide that is taking place in Gaza and continues to embolden Israel to wage another war in Lebanon."
"It's not a choice we make; it's a choice that candidates themselves make, mainly Kamala Harris in this case," he added.
Twin crises, twice the impact
James J. Zogby, Co-founder and President of the Arab American Institute, emphasised that Gaza is a critical issue in this election, and Lebanon could soon become another key factor, cautioning Democrats about the potential reaction of Arab and Muslim American voters.
"Gaza is a deciding factor; Lebanon soon may join it, unfortunately, as a deciding factor, particularly in Michigan," Zogby said.
"If you don't say anything about Lebanon, you can kiss Michigan goodbye," he added. "Democrats have to worry about how we respond and respond more effectively to these twin crises."
Zogby added that Gaza is not just a deciding factor for Arab Americans; young Black, Latino, and Asian voters are also weighing it heavily in their considerations.
"These are voters you can’t leave on the table; you got to do something with them because Democrats need to keep their coalition to win," Zogby said.
Although a minority, Arab and Muslim Americans wield considerable influence in pivotal swing states.
In 2020, over 150,000 Muslim voters in Michigan helped President Joe Biden win the state against Trump. They also helped him win other crucial swing states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
In a post-election survey in 2020, The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) found that around 69 percent of Muslim Americans backed Biden then.
Who is better for Gaza, and who is better for Israel?
While there is broad agreement that Democrats risk losing support due to their backing of Israel amidst the devastation in the blockaded enclave, opinions diverged on which candidate would be a more favourable choice for Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza.
Answering a question by TRT World during the seminar, Zogby said he doesn’t think in this election that Arab-Americans "have a choice", saying the Arab-Americans would have better relations and allies if there is a Democrat in the White House.
"If you think about those four Trump years (as president), we couldn't do a thing. There was nothing you could do… but we know in a Democratic coalition like we have right now, even though they’re doing all the wrong stuff, we have allies," Zogby told TRT World.
Addressing the same TRT World question, albeit from a different perspective, Dalia Mogahed, Scholar and Former Director of Research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, said the majority of Israelis prefer Trump as president, referring to polls conducted in Israel.
This comes in clear contrast to what American Jewish voters think. According to a September survey by the Jewish Democratic Council of America, Harris has 68 percent support of the Jewish voters, compared to 25 percent for Trump.
Source:trtworld.com
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https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/experts-warn-democrats-against-dismissing-arab-muslim-american-voters-18213163
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Community leaders say Moorhead Mosque was attacked Wednesday night
Sep. 26, 2024
MOORHEAD, Minn. (Valley News Live) - Community leaders say it appears the Moorhead Mosque was attacked late Wednesday night.
They say it happened around 11 p.m. at the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Center, 2215 12th Ave. S.
In a Facebook post, CaniSangabo writes:
“I hate to share this news, but something awful happened last night. The Moorhead Mosque was attacked around 11 pm. It seems that someone tried to burn down the mosque. Let’s keep the community in our thoughts and hope for justice to prevail. Stay safe.”
However, Moorhead Police say the were called to the mosque for a man experiencing a mental health crisis.
They arrived shortly after midnight, for a report of a suspicious man, who appeared to be trying to break into the building. Police say officers attempted to de-escalate the man, who was in an obvious mental health crisis.
The man was eventually detained and taken to a local hospital. Police are investigating and speaking with members of the Islamic Center.
The mosque has been targeted before. The FBI has to get involved after an incident in April, 2021.
Officers found hate-related graffiti spray painted on several areas outside of the building. The community raised thousands of dollars that year. Large crowds gathered to help clean up the vandalism.
Source:valleynewslive.com
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https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/09/26/community-leaders-say-moorhead-mosque-was-attacked-wednesday-night/
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Alabama Carries Out Second Nitrogen Gas Execution In US
The US state of Alabama has executed Alan Eugene Miller - the second American ever put to death by inhaling nitrogen gas.
September 27, 2024
Miller, 59, was sentenced to death over the back-to-back workplace murders of Lee Holdbrooks, Christopher Scott Yancy and Terry Lee Jarvis in 1999.
His execution marks the fifth in the US within a one-week span - its greatest use of capital punishment in more than two decades.
Also on Thursday, Emmanuel Littlejohn received a lethal injection in Oklahoma after the state's governor denied a last-minute clemency request.
Miller's execution marks the 18th so far this year - and seven more are scheduled over the remaining three months of 2024.
It also marks the 1,600th execution in the US since the nation's highest court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) non-profit.
Freddie Owens was put to death last Friday in South Carolina, while Tuesday saw the executions of Marcellus Williams in Missouri and Travis Mullis in Texas.
DPIC data also indicates that July 2003 was the last time so many inmates have received their death sentences within seven days.
Experts have told US media that the timing is a mere coincidence, resulting from changes in execution scheduling as a result of previously botched executions and legal challenges.
For years, executions were on the decline across the country. Thirty-five states have either abolished or not used the death penalty for at least the past decade, according to DPIC.
But the number of executions has risen over the past three years, with Texas, Missouri, Alabama and Florida leading the way.
Last year saw 24 people put to death, up from 18 in 2022 and 11 in 2021.
Alan Eugene Miller
Miller, 59, was sentenced to death over the back-to-back workplace murders of Holdbrooks, Yancy and Jarvis in 1999.
Initially set to die in 2022, he was given a reprieve when officials struggled to connect an intravenous line that would administer his lethal injection.
Earlier this year, the Alabama state Supreme Court cleared the way for Miller to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia, a method that involves an inmate inhaling nitrogen gas through a fitted mask until their body is deprived of oxygen.
Alabama is one of only three states that sanctions this form of capital punishment and carried out its first such execution this past January.
Kenneth Eugene Smith's nitrogen-induced killing was described by the state's attorney general as "textbook" but critics said it appeared painful and inhumane.
"In Alabama, we will not deny justice to the victims of heinous murders," attorney general Steve Marshall said in a statement.
"Tonight, despite misinformation campaigns by political activists, out-of-state lawyers, and biased media, the state proved once again that nitrogen hypoxia is both humane and effective."
Emmanuel Littlejohn
Littlejohn, 52, was sentenced to death for his role in a 1992 robbery gone wrong that ended in the murder of convenience store owner Kenneth Meers.
Both Littlejohn and his accomplice, Glenn Bethany, were charged and convicted over the incident, but Littlejohn's lawyers argued it was not him who fired the fatal shot and that jurors had been confused by their sentencing options.
Littlejohn was 20 years old at the time of his crime and, his lawyers argued, a killing resulting from a robbery should not be subject to the death penalty
Two jurors from his 1994 sentencing and 2000 re-sentencing provided sworn affidavits as part of his recent clemency petition, saying they did not believe he should be put to death.
But prosecutors said two teenage witnesses claimed it was Littlejohn, not Bethany, who pulled the trigger and killed Meers.
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 last month to spare Littlejohn's life and commute his sentence to life in prison without parole.
Governor Kevin Stitt declined to grant the reprieve, saying: “A jury found him guilty and sentenced him to death. As a law and order governor, I have a hard time unilaterally overturning that decision.”
Littlejohn's mother, daughter and spiritual advisor all witnessed his lethal-injection execution.
Source:bbc.com
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