'Lightning Rod For Polarisation': Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Opposes Uniform Civil Code
New Age
Islam News Bureau
17 July 20123
The
statement also brought to notice the timing of the submission, with less than a
year to go for the general elections. (Photo: India Today)
------
India
• A63-Year-Old BJP And RSS Leader,
Mistaken To Be A Muslim, Attacked By Kanwariyas
• Imam Arrested For Offering 'Namaz' On
Road Outside A Mosque In UP; 25 Others Booked
• Mehbooba Mufti urges judiciary action
against Assam CM's remarks on Muslims
• “A Meeting Against UCC”: Akhilesh
Yadav Meets All India Muslim Personal Law Board Chief
--------
Europe
• Islamic State and Al-Qaeda plotting
terror attacks in UK, government report to warn
• Finland's Islamic Community Demands
Government Take Concrete Steps Towards "Zero Tolerance" Of Racism
• A new mosque and community centre has
officially opened in Swansea
--------
South Asia
• Russia Invites Acting FM Muttaqi to
Upcoming Moscow Format on Afghanistan
• Commission: 15 Members of Previous
Govt Returned in Past Week
• Mullah Baradar opens key domestic and
foreign expo in Kabul
• Nurul Islam appointed new CAG
• Iran Deports Nearly 5,000 Afghan
Migrants
• Iran Reiterates Its Water Rights, Says
It Will not ‘Compromise’
--------
Mideast
• Jihad praises heroic operation of
Tuqu', considers it natural response to enemy's crimes
• Groups of Israeli Settlers Invade
Al-Aqsa Mosque
• Israeli Foreign Minister Holds Meeting
with Leader of Unnamed Islamic Country in Kenya
• Diriyah launches mosque design contest
for young Saudi architects
• Grand Imam of Al-Azhar congratulates
graduates of Emerging Peacemakers Forum 2023
• The Al-Omari Mosque: A Witness to
Gaza’s History and Heritage
• Jerusalem: Israeli Settlers Seize Sab
Laban Family’s Home Near Al-Aqsa Mosque
--------
Southeast Asia
• KL High Court frees former radio DJ
Ismahalil of drug trafficking charge
• Muslim travel intent trends up,
hitting record high
--------
Arab World
• Saudi Students Compete In Prestigious
Chemistry Olympiad
• Training program targets Saudi
entertainment entrepreneurs
• Video goes viral after Saudis add
Ronaldo’s ‘Siuu’ move to traditional dance
• Kishida aide describes PM’s visit as
‘precious opportunity’ to deepen Saudi-Japan ties
• Saudi crown prince receives Japan PM
in Jeddah
• Makkah municipality honours Chinese
pilgrims
• Saudi Islamic minister meets president
of Islamic Sheikhdom of Montenegro
• Saudi authorities announce new
strategy for pilgrim service system
------
Pakistan
• Militant Attack On ZhobCantt Foiled
• 25 Pakistani manufacturers
participating in Imam Abu Hanifa Exhibition in Kabul
• TDAP participates in Imam Abu Hanifa
2nd National, Int’l Expo, Trade Fair
• In telephone call, PM thanks Sri
Lankan president for support in clinching IMF deal
• Reports of ‘attack on temple’ sow
confusion
--------
North America
• Proposal For Private Muslim CemeteryIn
Oldham Voted Down
• US Sees India As ‘Indispensable
Partner’ – Treasury ChiefJanet Yellen
• Trump outlines ‘24 hour’ Ukraine peace
plan
--------
Africa
• Sultan directs Muslims to look out for
new moon of Muharram
• Osun Muslims Back Gov. Adeleke On
Appointment Of Commissioners
• Muslim students tell Tinubu to prevent
ASUU strike during his tenure
• Hajj Board Chair visits Ghanaian
Pilgrims in Mecca, promises improvements for future experiences
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/polarisation-jamaat-islami-hind-ucc/d/130232
----
'Lightning Rod For Polarisation':
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Opposes Uniform Civil Code
The
statement also brought to notice the timing of the submission, with less than a
year to go for the general elections. (Photo: India Today)
------
Jul 16, 2023
Amit Bhardwaj
By Amit Bhardwaj: The Jamaat-e-Islami
Hind on Sunday highlighted that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) could serve as a
"lightning rod for polarisation", in a statement submitted to the Law
Commission of India. The statement was issued in response to the Law
Commission's request for public opinion on the UCC on July 14.
In its letter, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
urged the Law Commission to maintain its previous stance, which deemed the UCC
undesirable. They emphasised that the 21st Law Commission had previously
conducted a similar task from 2016 to 2018 and recommended in their
consultation paper that the UCC was "neither necessary nor desirable"
in the context of respecting India's diversity and pluralism.
The statement also brought to notice the
timing of the submission, with less than a year to go for the general
elections.
The statement further called on the Law
Commission to recommend that the Government of India refrain from interfering
with Muslim laws, highlighting that these laws are integral to the religious
practices of Muslims and are protected by Article 25 of the Indian
Constitution.
"We strongly believe such
interference can potentially harm India's cherished unity in diversity,"
the statement said. It emphasized the importance of upholding personal laws and
respecting religious obligations in matters such as marriage, divorce,
succession, and related issues.
The organisation also argued that the
precise meaning of a 'Uniform Civil Code' remains vague and ambiguous.
“Any imposition of a Uniform Civil Code
to the exclusion of faith-based and customary practices in a multi-religious
and multicultural country like India would not only be undesirable, but also
pose a threat to the very fabric and cohesion of society,” it stated.
Claiming to be one of the largest Muslim
organisations in India, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expressed concerns that imposing a
Uniform Civil Code without considering faith-based and customary practices
could be detrimental to societal fabric and cohesion.
Source: indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ucc-is-lightning-rod-for-polarisation-jamaat-e-islami-hind-tells-law-commission-2407407-2023-07-16
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‘I’m Muslim, We Don’t Burn’: Muslim
Protester Abandons Plan To Desecrate Bible In Sweden
A man talks
to the media outside the Isaeli embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, July 15, 2023.
(AP)
------
Jul 16, 2023
The man who said he would burn the Torah
and the Bible outside the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm gave up his plan and
instead held a one-person demonstration on Saturday against the burning of holy
books, the media reported.
At the scene, he said he was a Muslim and
threw a lighter he held in his hand to the ground, saying he never intended to
burn holy books.
The man, who is in his 30s and had been
issued a permit for the protest by Stockholm police, said such an action would
be against the Quran, the Muslim holy book, and that he “will not burn,”
according to the Swedish news agency TT.
The man, who resides in western Sweden,
also said that “no one should do that,” the report said.
Israeli officials had called on the
Swedish government to stop the protest and the burning of the holy books on
Saturday afternoon outside the diplomatic mission. Israeli President Isaac
Herzog and the World Jewish Congress condemned the action in advance as did
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.
The Times of Israel reported that the
man arrived outside the Israeli diplomatic mission on Saturday afternoon
holding a copy of the Quran and saying that it was never his intention to burn
Jewish or Christian holy books, only to protest the recent burning of the
Quran.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT said the
man threw a lighter in his hand to the ground and said he didn’t need it.
“I’m a Muslim, we don’t burn (books). I
want to show that we have to respect each other,” the man said, according to
SVT, adding that he had no intention to realize his original plan.
Sweden has recently faced strong
criticism from Muslim countries for allowing protesters to burn the Quran at
small anti-Islam demonstrations.
The man who filed the request for
Saturday’s protest, said he wanted to burn the Torah and the Bible outside the
Israeli Embassy in response to a Quran-burning outside a Stockholm mosque last
month by an Iraqi immigrant.
The right to hold public demonstrations
is strong in Sweden and protected by the constitution. Blasphemy laws were
abandoned in the 1970s. Police give permissions based on whether they believe a
public gathering can be held without major disruptions or risks to public
safety.
Last month, an Iraqi Christian immigrant
burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of
Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. A similar
protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkey’s Embassy earlier this year,
complicating Sweden’s efforts to convince Turkey to let it join NATO.
On Wednesday, the top U.N. human rights
body overwhelmingly approved a measure calling on countries to do more to
prevent religious hatred in the wake of the Quran-burnings. It was approved
despite objections of Western countries who fear tougher steps by governments
could trample freedom of expression.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sweden-quran-burning-controversy-stockholm-mosque-freedom-of-speech-debate-latest-101689507231394.html
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Ban On Five Islamic Organisations Among
11 Lifted Under Strict Conditions In Sri Lanka
'Black
Sunday' demonstration outside a church in Colombo on March 7, 2021, demanding
speedy investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 279
people at three churches and hotels.(AFP)
------
16 July 2023
The Government has decided to conditionally
lift the ban on five Islamic organisations out of 11 organisations which were
banned following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks on April 21, 2019.
Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
issued a gazette notification in April 2021 banning these five organisations
along with six others under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The ban on the five organisations is
being lifted in line with recommendations by a committee comprising experts
from investigative and intelligence agencies after a probe lasting more than a
year, and following talks between representatives of these groups and
government authorities.
The ban on five groups was lifted
considering the current peaceful situation in the country, subjected to
conditions with the aim of religious reconciliation.
Accordingly, the ban on the following
Islamic organisations will be lifted subject to strict conditions: Jamiyath ul Ansaari
Sunnath ul Mohomadiya (JASM), Sri Lanka Tawheed Jamma’ath (SLTJ), All Ceylon
Thawheed Jamma’ath (ACTJ), Ceylon Thawheed Jamma’ath (CTJ) and United Thawheed Jamma’ath
(UTJ).
Nevertheless, the expert committee has
recommended that even after the ban is lifted, authorities should keep a close
watch on the activities of these organisations, their funding and education
programmes.
If there is any kind of threat to the
national security from these organizations in the future, the committee has
recommended to strictly implement the law and reimpose the ban.(DSB)
Source: dailymirror.lk
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https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Ban-on-five-Islamic-organisations-among-11-lifted-under-strict-conditions/108-263229
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Iran's Morality Police Returns To Street To Enforce Islamic Dress Code
16 JUL 2023
Around 10 months after 22-year-old Mahsa
Amini's death in Iran's morality police's custody triggered month of nationwide
protests, the morality police personnel are back on the streets in a new
campaign to enforce the Islamic dress code.
The protests raged on for months in
which women participated in large numbers. Women often publicly tore off their
Islamic head covering called hijabs, cut their hair publicly, and burnt their
hijabs in defiance of the Iranian regime. The protests, however, largely died
down earlier this year after severe crackdown by the Iranian authorities that
saw over 500 protesters being killed and around 20,000 being detained.
Despite the protests dying down, several
incidents of women going about their lives without hijabs and defying the
Iranian dress code that requires women to wear hijabs publicly have surfaced.
Gen Saeed Montazerolmahdi, a police
spokesman, on Sunday said the morality police would resume notifying and then
detaining women not wearing hijab in public, reported the Associated Press,
adding that in Tehran, the men and women of the morality police could be seen
patrolling the streets in marked vans.
Hijab was imposed as a mandatory part of
women's clothing by the Iranian regime after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. As
per the Iranian dress code, women are required to wear cover their heads with
hijab in public. They are also not supposed to wear tight, form-fitting
clothing or one that's revealing. The mingling of men and women in public is
also regulated. The Iranian regime does this in the name of a strict
interpretation of Islamic law called Sharia.
These changes were introduced after 1979
when the hardline Islamic clergy overthrew the liberal, pro-Western Iranian
monarchy. For decades under the Iranian monarchy until 1979, women were free to
wear or not wear hijab. Photos from the period show women in skirts and
swimsuits as well.
Al Jazeera cited Montazerolmahdi as
saying that the morality police would "issue warnings and then introduce
to the judicial system people who unfortunately insist on their norm-breaking
behaviour without concern for the consequences of their covering that is
outside of the norm".
The protests that began after Amini's
death last year turned into the biggest challenge to the Iranian regime. Amini,
an ethnic Kurd, was out with her brother when she was detained by the morality
force for an alleged violation of the Islamic dress code. She later died from
alleged custodial torture.
"The battle over the hijab became a
powerful rallying cry last fall, with women playing a leading role in the
protests. The demonstrations quickly escalated into calls for the overthrow of
Iran's clerical rulers, whom the mostly young protesters accuse of being
corrupt, repressive and out of touch. Iran's government blamed the protests on
a foreign conspiracy, without providing evidence," reported AP.
Al Jazeera reported that the authorities
have been deploying surveillance in recent months to crack down on defiance of
the law. Over the past several months, several women have taken to going about
their lives bare-headed in individual acts of dissent against the Iranian
regime.
"Businesses have also been
increasingly targeted, with many cafes, restaurants and even sprawling shopping
centres facing closures for offering services to women with loose hijabs,"
reported Al Jazeera.
Besides thousands of common folk,
several prominent Iranians, including actors and sportspersons, joined the
protests and "Women, Life, Freedom" became the rallying call of their
protests.
"Several Iranian actresses were
detained after appearing in public without the hijab or expressing support for
the protests. In the most recent case, actress AzadehSamadi was barred from
social media and ordered by a court to seek psychological treatment for
'antisocial personality disorder' after appearing at a funeral two months ago
wearing a cap on her head," reported AP.
Earlier, several sportspersons had
defined the hijab law or had expressed solidarity with the protesters.
Reuters reported that top Iranian chess
player Sara Khadem had to move to Europe after competing in a tournament abroad
without hijab.
Similarly, Iranian chess player
AtousaPourkashiyan also competed abroad without a hijab.
In October, Iranian competitive climber
ElnazRekabi competed without a hijab in South Korea.
In November, an Iranian basketball team
shared a photo without hijab with a caption “Women, Life, Freedom”.
In November, Iranian skater Niloufar
Mardani received an award in Turkey without her hijab.
More recently, in February, Iranian
singer ShervinHajipour was awarded the Best Song For Social Change award at the
2023 Grammy Awards. He won the award for his song Baraye, which was listened by
over 40 million people in less than two days, according to the Grammy website.
Hajipour's song Baraye became the
unofficial anthem of the Iranian women-led protests following Amini's death in
September last year. US First Lady Jill Biden announced the him as the winner.
Announcing the award, she called the song "a powerful and poetic call for
freedom and women's right".
She said, "This song became the
anthem of Mahsa Amini protests, a powerful and poetic call for women's
rights...Shervin was arrested but this song continues to resonate around the
world with its powerful theme — women, life, freedom."
In May, Iranian-American model
MahlaghaJaberi in May wore a dress with a noose collar to the Cannes Film
Festival to bring attention to executions in Iran.
In a post on Instagram, she said,
"We wanted to make a fashion statement to observe the glamour of Cannes,
but more importantly, to bring media attention to the wrongful executions of
Iranian people. Unfortunately, political statements are not allowed at the film
festival and the security stopped me from showing the back of my dress, but the
'noose' meaning was well understood."
Source: outlookindia.com
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https://www.outlookindia.com/international/iran-morality-police-returns-to-street-to-enforce-islamic-dress-code-here-is-how-prominent-iranians-have-defied-the-regime-so-far-news-303356
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Anwar: Never have I used my powers as PM to betray Malays, Islam
Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his closing speech at the
Penang-level Malaysia Madani seminar in Kepala Batas July 16, 2023. — Bernama
pic
------
Sunday, 16 Jul 2023
KEPALA BATAS, July 16 — Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim said he has never used his authority as Prime Minister to betray the
Malays and Islam.
Anwar also said that he had never
belittled the Malays and Islam just because he was backing Chow KonYeow as the
Penang Chief Minister.
“For eight months I have been asking in
Parliament, what have I done to betray the Malays and Islam? Is it because I
support the Penang Chief Minister? I am not betraying, I am just accepting
political realities. I want peace in the country.
“In all the other states, the Malays and
Muslims are holding very important positions such as the Yang di-PertuanAgong,
Finance Minister, Chief Justice, Attorney General, Bank Negara Governor,” he
said in his closing speech at the Penang-level Malaysia Madani seminar here
today.
Also present were Chow, Deputy Chief
Minister 1 Datuk Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P
Ramasamy and Penang state secretary Datuk MohdSayuthi Bakar.
Anwar also advised the people not to
allow racial enmity to jeopardise the country’s peace and harmony.
“I went through many years of ups and
downs, if I am seen as not doing enough, I will fix this in due time. I am not
saying that when Anwar becomes Prime Minister, everything will be perfect...
no, there will be issues.
“But I am not ready to compromise when
it comes to stealing the country’s wealth and allowing corruption to thrive in
our country,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/07/16/anwar-never-have-i-used-my-powers-as-pm-to-betray-malays-islam/80063
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India
A63-Year-Old BJP And RSS Leader,
Mistaken To Be A Muslim, Attacked By Kanwariyas
July 16, 2023
A63-year-old BJP and RSS leader was
manhandled and his car vandalized by a group of Kanwariyas in Haridwar who
mistook him to be a Muslim.
“My car accidentally hit a ‘Kanwar’
(vessel in which holy water is carried) and those who assaulted me thought I
was a Muslim since I was wearing a black cap, have a beard and a burqa-clad
woman was accompanying me,” he said.
A widely shared video of the incident,
which took place on July 10, purportedly shows the Kanwariyas forcibly pulling
the car owner, Pratap Singh, out of the vehicle before overturning the vehicle
and hitting it with sticks.
The woman in the car, was a member of
the BJP’s local minority wing.
“They let the woman go, but tried to
manhandle me,” he said.
A section of the media and social media
users claimed that Kanwariyas had assaulted a “Muslim couple”, the Haridwar
police claimed there was no communal angle to the incident.
An FIR was registered in connection with
the incident under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly
weapon), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 427 (mischief causing damage) of
the IPC at Manglaur police station, and two persons have been arrested.
Another FIR was registered under IPC
section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion,
race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to
the maintenance of harmony) against those allegedly trying to spread fake
information and causing communal tension.
Singh said he was helping the woman drop
her son at a madrasa and was returning when the incident took place.
“On the way, we decided to have lunch
and parked my car on the side of the road. When I parked, there was nothing
there, but by the time I came back, someone had placed a kanwar right in front
of the car,” Singh said.
“When I started the car, it accidentally
hit the kanwar, after which a mob gathered and tried to pull me out, calling me
a Muslim and asking others to beat me up,” he alleged.
He tried to tell the attackers that he
is a Hindu and a member of the BJP and RSS, but they did not listen and
vandalised the car.
He said he later went to the local
police station and submitted a complaint, after which they arrested two
persons.
He said the police dropped him home, but
he had lost his phone which was in his car.
Haridwar SSP Ajai Singh said: “A few
days ago, local resident Pratap Singh was in his car in Manglaur town, and he
accidentally hit a kanwar placed (on the road), causing it to be damaged.
Following an altercation, some agitated Kanwariyas vandalised his car and
overturned it.”
Singh said he has been an RSS member
since 1974, and was a member of the BJP between 1991 and 2002, and again since
2017.
“No one from the RSS or the BJP had
called me to enquire about the incident,” he said.
The BJP’s state media in-charge Manveer
Chauhan, and the party’s Haridwar district president Sandeep Goyal said they
did not know of any incident involving an altercation between Kanwariyas and
any member of the BJP.
Source: thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/man-mistaken-to-be-a-muslim-attacked-by-kanwariyas-1503201187.html
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Imam Arrested For Offering 'Namaz' On
Road Outside A Mosque In UP; 25 Others Booked
JUL 16 2023
An imam has been arrested for allegedly
offering 'Namaz' (prayers) on the road outside a mosque here, police said on
Sunday.
They said an FIR has also been
registered against 25 others after a video of them offering the Friday prayers
on the road went viral.
"Maulana Naseem, imam of Rehman
mosque, has been arrested under IPC section 341 (wrongful restraint),"
Additional SP Ayush Vikram Singh said.
He said the police is trying to identify
the others with the help of the viral video.
Source: deccanherald.com
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https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/imam-arrested-for-offering-namaz-on-road-in-up-25-others-booked-1237631.html
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Mehbooba Mufti urges judiciary action
against Assam CM's remarks on Muslims
Jul 16, 2023
By Press Trust of India: PDP president
Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma blaming
Muslims for price rise shows the utter failure of the BJP-led government to
control unemployment and inflation.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief
minister added that while the judiciary took action against Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi for raising questions on corruption, it should also take suo-motu
notice of Sarma’s remarks.
“Assam CM blaming Muslims for crippling
price rise shows BJP’s utter failure on unemployment, inflation and lack of
development. Himanta Biswa is openly urging Hindus to forcibly take away even
their meagre forms of livelihood — vegetable vendors and kirhana shops.
“While the judiciary took quick action
against Rahul Gandhi for raising legitimate questions on corruption, what stops
them from taking suo moto notice of the Assam CM’s fire stoking statementsâ€æ,”
Mufti wrote on Twitter.
Responding to reporters’ questions on
the high price of vegetables in Guwahati, Sarma recently said, “Vegetables are
not priced so high in villages. Here, the Miya vendors charge us more. Had it
been Assamese vendors selling vegetables, they would not have fleeced their own
people.” “I will clear all the footpaths of Guwahati and I urge our Assamese
people to come forward and start their businesses,” he had added.
Miya is originally a pejorative term
used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam. In recent years, activists from the
community have started adopting this term in a gesture of defiance.
Opposition parties in Assam have slammed
Sarma for his comments, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader of
playing communal politics.
Source: indiatoday.in
Please
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pdp-chief-mehbooba-mufti-attack-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-for-is-jibe-on-muslims-2407380-2023-07-16
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“A meeting against UCC”: Akhilesh Yadav
meets All India Muslim Personal Law Board chief
July 16, 2023
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on
Sunday met the president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)
Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow.
“A meeting against UCC,” Akhilesh Yadav
tweeted.
After the meeting, the president of
AIMPLB Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani said that today he met SP National
President Akhilesh Yadav and discussed the issues regarding Uniform Civil Code.
“Today we met SP national president
Akhilesh Yadav and discussed many issues including Uniform Civil Code (UCC),”
the AIMPLB chief said.
Earlier today, All India United
Democratic Front (AIUDF) targeted the Centre over the Uniform Civil Code,
saying the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was “raking up a new issue” ahead of
the assembly elections in five states due later this year and Lok Sabha polls
in 2024.
Article 44 of the Constitution of India
says that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
throughout the territory of India.
The UCC proposes a common set of laws
dealing with marriage, inheritance, adoption and other matters.
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi
made a strong case for the implementation of the UCC at a recent public
meeting, several leaders in the Opposition voiced opposition to the proposed
legislation.
With regard to a reference sent by the
Ministry of Law and Justice on June 17, 2016, the 22nd Law Commission of India
examined the subject matter of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Source: thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/a-meeting-against-ucc-akhilesh-yadav-meets-all-india-muslim-personal-law-board-chief-1503201147.html
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Europe
Islamic State and Al-Qaeda plotting terror
attacks in UK, government report to warn
By
Elsa Maishman
17 July 2023
Islamic State and Al-Qaeda are both
plotting terror attacks in the UK, the Government is set to warn on Monday.
In an update to Contest, the UK’s
counter-terrorism strategy, the Home Secretary will describe the threat of
Islamist terrorism as the “most severe” in the UK, accounting for three
quarters of Mi5’s time, according to The Times.
SuellaBraverman will reportedly warn
that while “Islamist terrorism remains the predominant threat, terrorism is
becoming increasingly unpredictable, making cases harder to detect and
investigate”.
She will also say that countries
including Russia are an increasing threat, and that they are using terrorism to
sow division in the UK.
Extremist activity is becoming more
difficult to track and investigate, she is expected to say, with the
inspiration for attacks now often coming online.
There are around 800 live
counter-terrorism policing investigations ongoing, and last year 169 arrests
were made for terror-related offences.
Last month, the Daily Mirror reported
that British Islamic State terrorists were planning a lethal attack on a public
gathering.
The Iraqi Counter Terror Service
revealed the plot, which they said they had informed Western authorities about.
A Whitehall source told The Times: “This
is the first [report] of its kind for five years and is a comprehensive update
for the UK’s response to terrorism. It’s about how the fragmentation of Islamic
State and al-Qaeda is now posing a very different threat to our people, while
state actors like Russia and Iran will increasingly try to capitalise on
terrorism here in the UK.
“We can’t be complacent, the terrorists
are morphing and we have to keep our vigilance up.”
The current UK terror threat level set
by Mi5 is substantial, the third-highest of the five classifications. This
means an attack is “likely”.
It was reduced in February 2022, after
having been been raised to severe in November 2021.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Please
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/17/islamic-state-and-al-qaeda-plotting-terror-attacks-in-uk/
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Finland's Islamic community demands
government take concrete steps towards "zero tolerance" of racism
A group of Islamic communities and
organisations in Finland have issued a joint statement calling on the
government to take concrete steps towards achieving "zero tolerance"
on racism.
"We call on the Finnish government
and especially Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) to be more active in
condemning the normalisation of open hate speech and to act to eradicate racist
thinking," the statement reads.
The phrase "zero tolerance"
has been much reported and discussed in Finnish media over the past week after
President SauliNiinistö said the Finnish government "would be wise to
adopt a clear zero-tolerance stance on racism" in response to racist and
violent comments written by Finance Minister and Deputy PM RiikkaPurra (Finns)
on a blog in 2008.
PM Orpo repeated the phrase during a
joint press conference held with Purra last week, as the government parties
moved to respond to the controversy surrounding the Finns Party leader's
comments.
"In such a serious matter, nothing
should be left open to interpretation," the Islamic communities' statement
added.
The statement also referenced comments
Purra wrote on her own blog in 2019 criticising how Muslim women dress, which
the Islamic organisations described as racist, degrading and discriminatory in
tone.
Purra has apologised for the comments
she wrote in 2008, but has not issued an apology for the 2019 text on her own
blog.
PM Orpo said he has discussed the 2019
blog post with Purra, adding that he himself would not use the same language
that Purra used in the text.
The statement — which has been signed by
a total of 26 Islamic communities and organisations — also cited Finland's law
on freedom of religion, meaning everyone has a right to practice their own
religion.
Source: yle.fi
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
"This includes the freedom to dress
according to one's religion," the statement noted.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20041271
--------
A new mosque and community centre has
officially opened in Swansea
16 JUL 2023
A new mosque and community centre has
opened in Swansea. On Friday, Sketty Mosque and Community Centre held its
official inauguration ceremony. First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford presided
over the event with guests such as the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor and
other civil and uniformed dignitaries.
The historic Bethel United Reformed
Church has been transformed into the Sketty Mosque and Community Centre. The
revitalisation project was funded by £400k raised with the Swansea Muslim
community in just three weeks and supplemented by a £300k Community Cohesion
matching fund from the Welsh Government.
With an overall project value of
approximately £1.3 million, the Sketty Mosque and Community Centre provides a
space for up to 400 individuals to congregate at a time, and features the
second-largest female prayer room in Wales. The facility also includes a
multipurpose room capable of hosting various events for up to 120 attendees.
Read more: The Muslim hiking group
walking the Welsh coastline to celebrate nature and bring people together
The mosque and community centre has been
described as "monumental milestone" for the local community, and is
said to be a testimony to the hard work, dedication and unity of the people in
Sketty. Dr MahaboobBasha BEM is vice chair focusing on community engagement,
membership and communication at the mosque and community centre.
He said he was looking forward to see
how the hub can strengthen community cohesion within the Swansea community. He
said: "Today was a remarkable event. It was good to see dignitaries from
the Welsh Government invited to the mosque, coming to the mosque and getting to
know the things happening in the mosque.
"What is important here is that the
Muslim community engages greater with other diverse communities, and when I say
other diverse communities, I mean the local community. 20 years ago, perhaps
not many people knew what were happening in mosques. But in the last five
years, there's been a remarkable change and the coronavirus pandemic opened
that gateway to community cohesion and engagement with the wider community.
"We all worked together, we all
needed each other. Bringing people together - especially in a time of need and
working together as a team, is our vision as a mosque and community
centre."
Source: walesonline.co.uk
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/new-mosque-community-centre-officially-27325263
---------
South Asia
Russia Invites Acting FM Muttaqi to Upcoming
Moscow Format on Afghanistan
July 16, 2023
According to a statement from the
Ministry, the Russian envoy in Kabul briefed Muttaqi on the upcoming Moscow
format meeting on Afghanistan.
The Moscow format is one of many forums
on Afghanistan, which started before the Taliban took control of Kabul, and the
next meeting is scheduled to be held in October.
For his part, Muttaqi thanked Russian
Ambassador for the invitation and asked facilitation of Russian visas for
Afghanistan nationals so that business people could travel to the country
without any concerns.
The Moscow Format Consultation is a
regional platform in Afghanistan; it was established in 2017 and brought
together the special envoys of Russia, Afghanistan, India, Iran, China, and
Pakistan.
Its duties include establishing peace,
ensuring regional security, and assisting in political reconciliation between
the Taliban and the Kabul administration, which was later supported by the
international community. Due to its national interests and concerns in
Afghanistan, particularly concerning two crucial problems, Moscow assumed the
initiative in this process.
The first concern was the possible
dangers posed by the escalating unrest, violence, and extremism in Afghanistan
and the rest of Central Asia.
Critics also say that Afghan
representatives of human rights and women’s rights advocates have been included
in this meeting to express the people’s aspirations.
Source: khaama.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/russia-invites-acting-fm-muttaqi-to-upcoming-moscow-format-on-afghanistan/
--------
Commission: 15 Members of Previous Govt
Returned in Past Week
The "Commission for the Return and
Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures” said that in
the past week, 15 members of the previous government, including political and
military figures, returned to the country.
Ahmadullah Wasiq, the commission's
spokesperson, told TOLOnews that over 600 Afghans living abroad, including high-ranking
officials of the previous government, have filled out forms in order to return
to Afghanistan.
"So far, 605 individuals have
returned to their country, of which 15 people returned in the last week alone.
These figures include former ministers, governors, deputies, and members of
parliament,” Wasiq said.
Meanwhile, some political figures who
have returned to the country asked the current government to provide work to
professionals in the country.
"The commission plan is very
successful, but the government should provide work opportunities to those who
come to the country based on their competence and professionalism,” said Aziz
Safi, the former secretary of the Kapisa Provincial Council in the previous
government.
Other political figures who have returned
to the country emphasize that the Islamic Emirate should further facilitate the
return of the country's citizens.
"Those who have returned to the
country should be in direct contact with the relevant institutions so that they
can be used in a positive way," said Amanullah Ghalib, former head of
Breshna Company.
"It would be good that a
constitution is made in Afghanistan and the security institutions regulate the
duties under their authority, as well as if the problem of caretakers as
ministers is resolved and the rights of the Afghan people are clarified. Then,
every political figure in Afghanistan will feel safe and consider the
government to be their own,” said Kamal Nasser Osoli, a former member of the
house of representatives in the previous government.
According to the figures of the
"Commission for the Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials
and Political Figures”, 605 people have returned to the country since the
beginning of the commission's activity.
Source: tolonews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184221
--------
Mullah Baradar opens key domestic and
foreign expo in Kabul
July 16, 2023
Addressing guests at the event, Baradar
noted the significance of expos in showcasing a country’s industrial and
agricultural products to the public and said that governments also organize
such events in order to facilitate domestic and international marketing
efforts.
The Islamic Emirate has initiated a
series of expos, both at home and abroad, to introduce Afghanistan’s industrial
and agricultural products to the market, a statement read.
At the event, Baradar highlighted that
this expo has been organized after the re-establishment of IEA rule, and is the
largest one to date. Over 600 industrial and agricultural products are on
display.
Baradar also said the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) expressed interest in participating in this
expo, which the caretaker government deeply appreciates. Baradar emphasized
that the re-establishment of IEA rule has created a secure environment, serving
as a strong foundation for investment and mineral extraction throughout the
country. As a result, Afghanistan has entered a new phase of recovery, he said.
He also assured Central and South Asian
countries that Afghanistan offers a safe transit route for goods and in
addition to other infrastructure development projects, the Islamic Emirate has
started the process of reconstructing highways – including the key Salang Pass
highway and the Kabul-Kandahar highway.
Baradar also spoke about the expansion
of domestic businesses and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
He mentioned the recent establishment of
Chambers of Commerce in Uruzgan and Zabul provinces to facilitate this purpose.
Furthermore, he directed the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Investment
(ACCI) to promptly establish a chamber in Baghlan province and provide
necessary personnel.
Baradar extended an invitation to all
Afghan and foreign investors to come and invest in Afghanistan and assured
foreign investors that they would receive the same privileges as Afghan
investors.
The ACCI, with the support of the
government, organized this event in Kabul in the hope of promoting Afghan
products, supporting national investors, fostering relationships between
national and international businessmen, and engaging citizens.
The expo aims to showcase various
domestic products such as agriculture, construction, handicrafts, medical
devices, medicines, and other national goods. Notably, alongside domestic
industrialists, industrialists from Iran, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Pakistan, and
several other countries are also showcasing their products.
According to the office, this expo will
run from July 16th to July 22nd.
Source: ariananews.af
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.ariananews.af/mullah-baradar-opens-key-domestic-and-foreign-expo-in-kabul/
--------
Nurul Islam appointed new CAG
Sun Jul 16, 2023
The government has appointed Md Nurul
Islam as the new Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh.
Islam, who is currently serving as the
Controller General of Accounts (CGA), will serve as the CAG for the next five
years, according to a circular of the government issued on July 13.
He will replace Mohammad Muslim
Chowdhury, whose tenure ends today.
Islam, who worked in various capacities
at the Audit and Accounts Department, joined as the CGA on January 31, 2021.
Previously, he served as the controller
general of defence finance, additional director-general (Finance) at the office
of the Additional Director General (Finance), senior finance controller (Army)
at the Dhaka cantonment, and additional controller general for accounts at the
office of the Controller General of Accounts.
Islam joined the Bangladesh Civil
Service in December 1989 as an audit and accounts cadre of the 8th batch.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/nurul-islam-appointed-new-cag-3370381
--------
Iran Deports Nearly 5,000 Afghan
Migrants
July 17, 2023
Nearly 5,000 Afghan migrants have been
deported within 24 hours through the Milak border crossing in Sistan and
Baluchistan province.
According to an Iranian border
commander, 4,767 “illegal” Afghan immigrants have reportedly been sent back to
Afghanistan at the Milak border crossing in the province of Sistan and
Baluchistan in the past 24 hours.
Immigration officials cited “illegal
entry, stay, and passport expiration” as the main reasons for deporting the
migrants.
According to ParvizGhasemzada, Iran’s
border commander for the area, Foreigners must enter, remain and leave Iran
legally, Tasnim News Agency reported.
He warned that anyone trying to enter
Iran illegally would be turned over to the authorities and deported from the
country.
He added, “Combating the illegal
residence of unauthorized foreigners in Sistan and Baluchistan is seriously on
the agenda.”
Khorasan Razavi, general director of
Iran’s foreign national and immigrant affairs, reportedly said that more than
90,000 Afghans had returned home over the DogharunTaybad border this year.
Since the return of the Taliban in
August 2021, around 3.6 million Afghans left their country, with 70 per cent of
them travelling to Iran.
Most migrants leave the country due to
prosecution, lack of job opportunities, economic crisis, and security threats.
Source: khaama.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/iran-deports-nearly-5000-afghan-migrants/
--------
Iran Reiterates Its Water Rights, Says
It Will not ‘Compromise’
July 17, 2023
Ali Akbar Mehrabian, Iran’s minister of
energy, said that Iran would not compromise on its water rights to the Helmand
River.
Mehrabian said on Saturday, “Despite the
fact that our water share has not been given, we are taking necessary measures
to supply water to the people.”
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister
Hossein Amir Abdollahian said he discussed the disputed water resource with his
Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi.
He said both sides agreed to take
immediate action based on the 1973 agreement, and Afghanistan is committed to
Iran’s water rights.
Since the Taliban took control of the
country, Iran has undertaken several rounds of negotiations with the Taliban
authorities. At the same time, Iran criticized Afghanistan for not complying
with the terms of the agreement.
The Helmand River originates in the
Hindu Kush Mountains close to Kabul and flows through Afghanistan before
entering Iran’s Hamoun wetlands in Sistan-Baluchistan province. One of the
largest wetlands in the world, Lake Hamoun, once stretched across 4,000 square
kilometres between Iran and Afghanistan.
The main source of conflict for years has
been the river, which is essential to Afghanistan and Iran’s ability to produce
food and provide clean water.
Due to four decades of unrest in
Afghanistan, the treaty was never enacted. As a result, all the rivers,
including Helmand, flow to the neighbouring countries.
According to figures from the previous
administration’s Ministry of Water and Energy, Afghanistan currently only
consumes 20% of its available water resources, with the remaining 80% flows to
its neighbours, including Iran and Pakistan.
Source: khaama.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/iran-reiterates-its-water-rights-says-it-will-not-compromise/
--------
Mideast
Jihad praises heroic operation of Tuqu',
considers it natural response to enemy's crimes
[16/July/2023]
GAZA July 16. 2023 (Saba) - The Islamic
Jihad Movement in Palestine on Sunday blessed the heroic operation carried out
by the Palestinian resistance at Tuqu' military checkpoint in Bethlehem
province.
In a statement reported by Palestine
Today news agency, movement's spokesman Tariq Selmi,considered that the heroic
operation carried out by the resistance at Tuqu' military checkpoint in
Bethlehem came as a natural and legitimate response to the crimes of the
Zionist enemy army and settlers and their incursions into the blessed al-Aqsa
Mosque.
Selmi praised the performance of the
resistance and the courage of the fighters and their determination to fight and
confront the occupation.
The media of the Zionist enemy had announced
that three settlers have been injured, including a serious condition, in the
shooting at the Tuqu' checkpoint near Bethlehem.
Source: saba.ye
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3251966.htm
--------
Groups of Israeli Settlers Invade
Al-Aqsa Mosque
17 July, 2023
A group of Israeli settlers, accompanied
by Israeli occupation forces IOF, invaded the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque
through the Al-Maghariba gate, on Monday, July 10, 2023.
The Department of Islamic Endowments in
occupied Jerusalem confirmed that a significant number of Israeli settlers
conducted provocative rituals in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under the
protection of IOF.
The Israeli settlers’ raids onto the
holy site have become a growing concern. The settlers frequently perform
Talmudic rituals, which are viewed by the Muslim Palestinian community as
provocative and an infringement upon the sanctity of the site.
In addition, the repeated incursions
into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound are seen as deliberate attempts to establish a
temporal and spatial division within the sacred grounds.
However, such a proposal is vehemently
rejected and condemned by the Muslim Palestinian community, as it threatens the
unity and integrity of the site.
Recent reports in June have brought to
light a proposed Israeli plan to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque between Jews and
Muslims, intensifying tensions and exacerbating existing concerns.
These developments have spurred
Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem to amplify their calls for mobilization at
the Al-Aqsa Mosque, aiming to counter the planned mass incursions by Israeli
settlers and protect the sanctity of the holy site.
Based on the report from the
Jerusalem-based “Al-Qastal” news network, a significant number of around 4,000
Israeli settlers invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of June 2023.
Source: daysofpalestine.ps
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://daysofpalestine.ps/groups-of-israeli-settlers-invade-al-aqsa-mosque-3/
--------
Israeli Foreign Minister Holds Meeting
with Leader of Unnamed Islamic Country in Kenya
2023-07-17
Shafaq News/ Israeli media reported that
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met with the leader of an Islamic country
that does not currently maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.
The meeting took place during Cohen's
official visit to Nairobi, Kenya, following an invitation from Kenyan President
William Ruto and Foreign Minister Alfred NgangaMutua, coinciding with the
semi-annual meeting of the Organization of the African Union.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed
that Cohen engaged in discussions with African officials, although their
identities were not disclosed. The purpose of these talks was stated as an
effort to expand the circle of countries normalizing relations with Israel.
The ministry further stated that
contacts are ongoing for normalization with several African nations, including
Niger, Mali, and Mauritania.
During his meeting with Mutua, Cohen
focused on strengthening relations between Israel, Kenya, and the broader
African continent, emphasizing the desire to expand the circle of peace with
other nations.
Cohen highlighted the potential for
enhancing economic cooperation, particularly in cyber defense and increased
flights between Israel and Kenya during the tourism season.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasized
Kenya's crucial role as a central ally in East Africa, contributing to the
expansion of peace, normalization, and Israel's status as an observer in the African
Union.
Cohen also stressed the regional and
strategic significance of his political visit to Kenya in light of Iran's
efforts to extend its influence on the continent. Kenya's membership in the
International Atomic Energy Agency positions it to influence international
monitoring of Iranian nuclear program violations.
Cohen expressed gratitude to President
Ruto and Foreign Minister Mutua for their efforts to advance Israel's position
on the continent and to open doors to countries that have not yet established
diplomatic relations with Israel to promote closer ties.
Source: shafaq.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://shafaq.com/en/World/Israeli-Foreign-Minister-Holds-Meeting-with-Leader-of-Unnamed-Islamic-Country-in-Kenya
--------
Diriyah launches mosque design contest
for young Saudi architects
The Diriyah Company today (July 16)
kicked off a Local Mosque Design Competition in Diriyah, the Saudi City of
Earth, for young Saudi architects offering them a unique opportunity to
showcase their skills and contribute to the architectural landscape of the
city, reported SPA.
Scheduled to run until December 31,
2023, this landmark competition invites participants to design two identical
mosques constructed in two locations within the Diriyah.
Beyond serving the local community and
visitors, the mosques will also represent Diriyah's rich cultural,
architectural heritage and the region's significance.
The competition is part of Diriyah
Company's commitment to promoting Najdi architecture and fostering community
engagement through the development of Diriyah.
Diriyah Company said as per the rules,
the architects will have to construct these mosques using traditional Najdi
construction techniques and materials.
It will be open exclusively to Saudi
architecture students in their junior and senior years of an accredited
architecture programme, who can participate individually or in a group of three
to five members.
Diriyah Company said it is encouraging
participants to incorporate sustainable building practices into their designs.
By integrating elements of sustainability, the competition aims to raise
awareness and inspire innovative solutions for eco-friendly architecture.
It also encourages the kingdom's future
architects to explore new solutions to transform Diriyah into a destination
actively dedicated to sustainable practices.
Aspiring participants can access
comprehensive information, including eligibility criteria and submission
guidelines, on the competition's dedicated website, where they can also
register and submit their entries.
The submission process will involve a
review by a specialized committee of the Diriyah Company, aiming to identify
the top 10 entries that best encapsulate the spirit of Diriyah. The shortlisted
participants will then present their completed plans to a panel of experts from
the architectural, construction and design industries, said the SPA report.
The judges will determine three winning
entries and present each of the winners with a cash prize, acknowledging their
work and contribution to Diriyah, it stated.
Diriyah Company said engaging the Saudi
youth in the development of 'City of
Earth' is a key objective for the company.
The competition will foster the talents
of future architects and seeks to create a sense of ownership and a sense of
pride within the community. Through this initiative, Diriyah Company aims to
forge a deeper connection between Diriyah's cultural heritage and the
aspirations of the kingdom's youth, it added.
The registeration for the Local Mosque
Competition will run until July 25.
Source: tradearabia.com
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_411391.html
--------
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar congratulates
graduates of Emerging Peacemakers Forum 2023
Sun 16-07-2023
GENEVA, 16th July, 2023 (WAM) -- His
Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Chairman of the
Muslim Council of Elders, has issued a congratulatory message to the graduates
of the second edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, which was organised by
the Muslim Council of Elders in partnership with the World Council of Churches
and the Rose Castle Foundation, and which took place in Geneva from 6th to 14th
July.
His Eminence called upon the young
graduates to practically apply what they have learned at the forum and to carry
the banner of peace and spread it among their peers and community. The Grand
Imam also emphasised the importance of the participants' constructive efforts
and initiatives to serve as role models, in order to overcome contemporary
challenges facing the world.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar affirmed that
the hope for a better future for humanity rests upon the youth, stressing his
firm belief in the importance of empowering them within societies, harnessing
their potential for the benefit of nations and humanity at large, and creating
opportunities for their positive engagement and the realisation of their
aspirations and dreams for a world characterised by fraternity, understanding,
and coexistence.
His Eminence expressed his appreciation
for the efforts of the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge
Mohamed Abdelsalam for the various initiatives and projects undertaken by the
Council to help the youth further understand various global issues, enhance
their capabilities to face contemporary challenges, and establish youth
entities capable of promoting peace and disseminating the values of dialogue,
peace, coexistence, respect, acceptance of others, and rejection of racism,
prejudice, and discrimination.
He also extended his appreciation to the
partners involved in organising the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, including the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Justin Welby, the World Council of Churches and
its General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Jerry Pillai, and the Rose Castle
Foundation represented by Cannon Sarah Snyder and all youth organisers.
Source: wam.ae
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303177723
--------
The Al-Omari Mosque: A Witness to Gaza’s
History and Heritage
16 July, 2023
Gaza City, one of the oldest and most
densely populated cities in the world, is home to a remarkable architectural
treasure: the Al-Omari Mosque. This ancient mosque, which covers an area of
4100 square meters, is not only a place of worship for Muslims, but also a
living testimony to the rich and diverse history of Gaza and its people.
The mosque stands on the ruins of a
Roman temple, where the people of Gaza used to worship idols in the
pre-Christian era. The temple was dedicated to Marnas, the god of rain and
fertility, who was considered the patron deity of Gaza. The temple was later
converted into a Byzantine church, named after the Empress Eudoxia, who sent 42
marble columns from Greece to adorn it.
However, the church was destroyed by the
Persians in the 7th century AD, and soon after, Gaza was conquered by the
Muslim army led by Amr ibn al-As. He built the Al-Omari Mosque on the site of
the church, using some of the remaining columns. He named it after Omar ibn
al-Khattab, the second caliph of Islam, who visited Gaza and prayed in the
mosque.
The mosque witnessed many changes and
renovations over the centuries, as Gaza was ruled by different dynasties and
empires. The Crusaders turned it into a church again, called Saint John’s
Church, which still exists inside the mosque as a basilica. The Mamluks
restored it to a mosque and added a library that contained thousands of books
and manuscripts. The Ottomans expanded it and added new features such as iwans
(vaulted halls) and minarets.
The mosque survived wars and natural
disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, but also suffered damages and
destructions. It was restored several times by local authorities and religious
figures, who preserved its original style and character. The mosque is still in
use today, and it attracts visitors from all over the world who admire its
beauty and history.
The Al-Omari Mosque is more than just a
building; it is a symbol of Gaza’s resilience and identity. It reflects the
cultural diversity and religious tolerance that have characterized Gaza
throughout its history. It is a source of pride and inspiration for its people,
who cherish their heritage and hope for peace.
The Legendary Philistine Roots
According to tradition, the mosque
stands on the site of the Philistine temple dedicated to Dagon —the god of
fertility—which Samson toppled in the Book of Judges. Later, a temple dedicated
to Marnas —god of rain and grain—was erected. Local legend today claims that
Samson is buried under the present mosque.
The Byzantine Church
The building was constructed in 406 AD
as a large Byzantine church by Empress AeliaEudocia, although it is also
possible that the church was built by Emperor Marcian. The church appeared on
the 6th-century Madaba Map of the Holy Land.
The Early Muslim Mosque
The Byzantine church was transformed
into a mosque in the 7th century by Omar ibn al-Khattab’s generals, in the
early years of Rashidun rule. The mosque is still named “al-Omari”, in honour
of Omar ibn al-Khattab who was caliph during the Muslim conquest of Palestine.
The Crusader Church
In 1149, after capturing Gaza from the
Fatimids, King Baldwin III of Jerusalem turned the mosque into a church again,
called Saint John’s Church. He also built a castle near it to protect it from
Muslim attacks. The church was decorated with Gothic elements and had three
naves separated by columns.
The Mamluk Mosque
In 1187, after defeating the Crusaders
at Hattin, Salah al-Din (Saladin) recaptured Gaza and restored it to a mosque.
However, it was not until 1260 that his successors, the Mamluks, rebuilt it
completely after it was destroyed by the Mongols. They added a library that
contained thousands of books and manuscripts on various subjects such as
religion, history, medicine, astronomy and poetry.
The Ottoman Mosque
In 1516, Gaza became part of the Ottoman
Empire, which ruled it for four centuries. During this period, the mosque was
expanded and renovated several times by different governors and sultans. They
added new features such as iwans (vaulted halls), minarets, domes, fountains
and courtyards. They also embellished it with tiles, inscriptions and
paintings.
The Modern Mosque
In 1917, during World War I, British
forces bombarded Gaza and damaged parts of the mosque. In 1925, under British
Mandate rule, the Supreme Muslim Council restored it with the help of donations
from the local community. In 1948, after the establishment of Israel, Gaza came
under Egyptian administration, which also contributed to the maintenance of the
mosque. In 1967, after the Six-Day War, Gaza was occupied by Israel, which
imposed restrictions on the access and use of the mosque. In 1994, after the
Oslo Accords, Gaza was transferred to the Palestinian Authority, which took
over the responsibility of preserving and managing the mosque. In 2007, after
Hamas seized control of Gaza, the mosque was affected by the Israeli blockade
and siege, which limited its supplies and services.
The Future Mosque
Despite the challenges and hardships
that Gaza faces, the Al-Omari Mosque remains a beacon of hope and faith for its
people. It continues to serve as a place of worship, education and
socialization for Muslims. It also welcomes visitors from other faiths and
backgrounds who wish to learn about its history and culture. It is hoped that
one day, the mosque will witness the end of the conflict and the dawn of peace
in Gaza and beyond.
Source: daysofpalestine.ps
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://daysofpalestine.ps/the-al-omari-mosque-a-witness-to-gazas-history-and-heritage/
--------
Jerusalem: Israeli Settlers Seize Sab
Laban Family’s Home Near Al-Aqsa Mosque
16 July, 2023
Israeli settlers have forcefully taken
control of the residence belonging to the Sab Laban family, situated in the Old
City of Jerusalem and overlooking Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli occupation forces IOF provided
protection for settlers to take over the home, depriving the Palestinian family
of their home that has been in their possession for over 70 years.
This distressing development adds to the
long history of attempts by Israeli settlers to displace the Sab Laban family
from their property since the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
In a deeply controversial move, the
Israeli Supreme Court ruled in 2021 in favor of the settlers, ordering the
eviction of the family and the transfer of the property to them.
The Sab Laban is one among several
Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah facing the threat of eviction, igniting
local and international support for their struggle against forced displacement
in East Jerusalem.
Despite the family’s relentless efforts
to protect their home, the settlers ultimately succeeded in seizing the
property, triggering widespread protests denouncing the injustice and
condemning the settlers as thieves.
Source: daysofpalestine.ps
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https://daysofpalestine.ps/jerusalem-israeli-settlers-seize-sab-laban-familys-home-near-al-aqsa-mosque/
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Southeast Asia
KL High Court frees former radio DJ
Ismahalil of drug trafficking charge
Monday, 17 Jul 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Former radio
presenter Ismahalil Hamzah wept and performed the ‘sujud syukur’ or prostration
of gratitude after the High Court today acquitted and discharged him of a drug
trafficking charge.
Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin made
the ruling after finding that the defence had succeeded in raising reasonable
doubt at the end of the defence case.
“The prosecution failed to prove that
the accused (Ismahalil) had control and possession of drugs in a bag that was
in a room in his rented house.
“The prosecution also failed to prove
beyond reasonable doubt on its case that the accused had trafficked the drugs,”
said the judge.
Ismahalil, 50, had pleaded not guilty to
a charge of trafficking cannabis weighing an estimated 374.6g at a house in
JalanSemarak, WangsaMaju here, at 5.35pm on August 27, 2021.
Ismahalil was charged under Section
39B(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B(2)
of the same act which provides the death penalty, if found guilty.
In his judgement, Muhammad Jamil said
the fourth prosecution witness (investigating officer) did not investigate who
had access to a room in the rental house and did not know that the room was the
room of radio presenters.
“I accepted the accused’s testimony that
the room was accessible to other radio presenters, crew and guests of Bapakku
FM (which operates in the house). The testimony of the accused was supported by
the testimony of four defence witnesses.
“It is not only the accused who has
access to the room but other individuals also have access to the room. So, it
is not only the accused who has custody and control over the drugs found in the
room, other individuals also have custody and control over the drugs in the
room,” he said.
According to Muhammad Jamil, the fifth
prosecution witness (police officer) also confirmed that there were no personal
belongings of the accused in the bag containing drugs and there was no evidence
to show that the bag had anything to do with the accused.
“The defence and the testimony of four
defence witnesses have raised reasonable doubts regarding the custody and
control of the accused over the drugs,” he said.
At today’s proceedings, deputy public
prosecutor Noor Dayana Mohamad prosecuted, while Ismahalil was represented by
lawyers Datuk Ahmad ZaharilMuhaiyar and AdiZulkarnainZulkafli. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Muslim travel intent trends up, hitting
record high
17 July, 2023
Throughout the survey periods, the MTIT
scores have demonstrated a positive upward trend. The initial round of monthly
surveys conducted from August 2021 to January 2022 revealed a gradual increase
in travel intent, with scores ranging from 65.7 to 77.7. Notably, December 2021
recorded the highest score of 77.7, indicating a growing desire among
respondents to engage in travel activities during the latter months.
The subsequent period from February 2023
to July 2023 showcased even higher MTIT scores, ranging from 71.2 to 82.7. The
surge in travel intent during June and July, represented by the July 2023 score
of 82.7, signifies a huge increase in the willingness to travel among Muslim
consumers. These findings underline a positive shift in travel behavior
post-pandemic and present promising prospects for the travel industry,
particularly within the Muslim travel market.
The MTIT survey responses provide a
comprehensive understanding of travel intent across different time frames.
Notably, the intent to travel in the current month ranged from 40.5% to 62.2%,
with December 2021 exhibiting the highest percentage. The intent percentages
for the subsequent time frames, such as one month up to 3 months and three
months up to 6 months, ranged from 11.1% to 24.7% and 6.0% to 21.4%,
respectively. The respondents displayed a steady interest in future travel
plans, highlighting the evolving preferences of Muslim travelers.
Additionally, the survey responses shed
light on the destination preferences of Muslim travelers. Saudi Arabia emerged
as a prominent choice, reflecting the strong desire to perform Hajj and Umrah,
as witnessed by the increased numbers in 2022. Other destinations mentioned
frequently include the UK, Spain, Japan, the US, Australia, and Canada.
The MTIT serves as a valuable tool for
industry stakeholders, offering insights into the evolving needs and
preferences of Muslim travelers. By tracking and publishing the MTIT score on a
monthly basis, HalalTrip aims to keep industry professionals informed about
current trends, anticipate future demand, and identify growth opportunities in
the Muslim travel market.
Source: ttgasia.com
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Arab World
Saudi students compete in prestigious
chemistry Olympiad
July 16, 2023
JEDDAH: A Saudi team is participating in
the International Chemistry Olympiad, which is being held in Switzerland from
July 16-25.
The team is participating with the
support of the Saudi Education Ministry and the King Abdulaziz and His
Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba.
On Sunday, the team embarked on its
journey with the aim of achieving success and recognition while representing
the Kingdom on a global platform.
Saudi Arabia has accumulated a
commendable track record in previous editions of the Olympiad, securing 10
silver medals, 25 bronze medals and two certificates of appreciation.
This year, the Saudi team’s
participation is also intended to familiarize members with the organizational
aspects of the event in preparation for hosting it next year.
Following the Olympiad’s conclusion, the
Kingdom will receive the flag symbolizing its role as host of the 56th edition,
scheduled to take place in Riyadh from July 22 to Aug. 1, 2024.
Badr Al-Majrathi, manager of the
Competitions Department at Mawhiba, said the Saudi team went through a rigorous
journey of training and qualification through forums and camps.
These activities were conducted under
the guidance of a team of Saudi and international coaches, with the aim of
competing for top positions and securing prizes at the competition. A recent
training camp took place in Budapest, Hungary.
The Olympiad is an annual competition
for high school students that occurs at the end of the academic year and spans
10 days.
It consists of two exams — one
theoretical and one practical — each lasting five hours. The host country is responsible
for organizing and preparing the questions.
Each participating country forms a team
of up to four students, with participants being under the age of 20 and not yet
enrolled in university.
The Olympiad’s primary goals are to
foster communication and collaboration among students, and facilitate the
exchange of educational and scientific experiences between nations.
The concept originated in Czechoslovakia
in 1968, when chemistry Olympiads were integrated into the secondary education
system across Soviet bloc countries. Initially, only countries from the bloc
were invited to participate.
Source: arabnews.com
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Training program targets Saudi
entertainment entrepreneurs
July 16, 2023
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General
Entertainment Authority has opened registration for the second Entertainment
Business Accelerator, which will run from July 24 until the end of October.
The program will cater to entrepreneurs
with emerging projects in the entertainment industry.
It will offer developmental benefits to
many sectors in the entertainment industry such as technical solutions, support
services, event organization, facility operations and development of artistic
talents in the Kingdom.
The accelerator program involves three
phases, beginning with registration, which closes on July 20. The second phase
is a training camp from July 24 to July 26.
The third phase is the launch of the
accelerator on Aug. 3, which will conclude at the end of October.
Selected trainees will be enrolled in a
specialized training program instructed by a group of professionals in the
entertainment sector.
According to a report by the Saudi Press
Agency, the accelerator will include training camps, orientation sessions,
consulting services and workshops to help increase the effectiveness of
investment in the entertainment industry.
In the first launch, the authority saw
the registration of 260 projects, of which 60 qualified for the initial
interviews. In the next stage, 22 projects were nominated for presentation to
the jury. The process concluded with the approval of 14 projects.
Those interested in taking part in the
Entertainment Business Accelerator can register at ent.accelerator.sa.
Source: arabnews.com
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Video goes viral after Saudis add
Ronaldo’s ‘Siuu’ move to traditional dance
July 16, 2023
MAKKAH: Revellers in Taif who combined
international footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s well-known “Siuu” goal celebration
with a traditional dance known as “majroor” have seen the resulting video go
viral on social media.
One of the organizers, Fahd Al-Qurashi,
also known as Sawt Al-Hejaz (the Voice of Hejaz), told Arab News that the group
was honoring a member of the tribe in Taif who had received recognition for
service to the nation.
After dinner, they decided to revive
Taif’s heritage, the majroor dance, with its beautiful movements, and energetic
and melodic musical rhythms, he said.
“Some performers decided to conclude the
final moves of the performance, known as Al-Qafla, in the style of Saudi
Arabia’s Al-Nassr football player Ronaldo, and his ‘Siuu’ celebration.
“As a singer of this art form, I found
that the rhythm of Al-Qafla is quite similar to Ronaldo’s celebration. So, we
decided to merge them, especially since it was an intimate celebration within
the tribe with no external guests.”
Al-Qurashi expressed surprise at
people’s reaction, saying that the video went viral not only in the Kingdom but
also internationally, with some clips gaining millions of views.
He said nobody expected that a small and
simple celebration in Taif would reach people around the world, and generate
such interest in the combination of folkloric dance and the signature
celebration of one football’s greatest players.
Taif is home to various authentic folk
arts, including majroor, which is characterized by unique rhythms that have
made it highly popular in the Makkah region as well.
“The people of Taif have excelled in
this art, and the name of majroor has become closely associated with them to
the point where some of its melodies are now referred to as the ‘Taifimajroor.’
It is one of the ancient arts in the Arabian Peninsula,” Al-Qurashi said.
Another performer, Safwan Al-Qurashi,
said that the idea behind the video was innovative and unconventional.
“The majroor is one of the most
important folk arts in Taif, where two rows face each other and sing a poetic
verse to the beat of the drum, harmoniously creating a special artistic
performance distinct from other folk arts,” he said.
“It has become a tradition for any
occasion or festival in Taif to feature the majroor dance.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Kishida aide describes PM’s visit as
‘precious opportunity’ to deepen Saudi-Japan ties
July 16, 2023
JEDDAH: Japan hopes a visit by its prime
minister to Saudi Arabia will help accelerate bilateral cooperation in several
fields, Noriyuki Shikata, Cabinet secretary for public affairs to the prime
minister of Japan, told Arab News Japan on Sunday.
Shikata also said he is aware of the
reforms happening in Saudi Arabia, which has recently surpassed Japan when it
comes to closing the gender gap, according to recent figures released by the
World Economic Forum.
Japan is aware of its need to do more
with regards to gender equality, Shikata said, adding that the two countries
can learn from each other.
“As Saudi Arabia introduces new policy
measures related to gender equality, we can learn from each other,” he said.
Shikata’s comments came as Japan’s Prime
Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Jeddah on Sunday afternoon.
He was joined by a Japanese delegation
of businesspeople, ready to explore a Saudi Arabia brimming with investment and
cooperation opportunities.
Later on Sunday, Kishida, who is on a
tour of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, attended the Saudi-Japan Roundtable
Meeting along with Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.
The main objective of the event was to
strengthen economic and investment ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Shikata described Kishida’s visit as a
“precious opportunity” to deepen ties between the two nations. “In Jeddah,
Kishida is discussing how we can grow our cooperation, including in economic
areas,” he said.
“Saudi Arabia has been working hard on
Vision 2030 for the reform of (the) Saudi economy and diversification of its
industries.”
Shikata explained that Japan has been
dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil imports, but the plan is to build on it. “We
wish to move on to new areas of decarbonized energy, including hydrogen or ammonia.
We see Saudi Arabia as a great opportunity for producing either green or blue
energy for the future,” he said.
“We are hoping this visit would
accelerate exchanges between the two countries.”
According to Shikata, one of Kishida’s
major topics of discussion is the transition to clean energy, a field Japan
wants to further collaborate on with Saudi Arabia.
“We need to encourage growth in green
energy. Some of the Japanese companies currently visiting Jeddah are looking to
develop new solutions for green transition,” he said.
“We think if more Japanese people,
including businesspeople, visit Saudi Arabia, they will find more opportunities
for cooperation.”
Shikata said Kishida planned to propose
a “global green energy hub.”
He added: “This global green energy
journey could include hydrogen in the supply chain or green materials, like
green steel and all that is related to the supply chain.
“We hope to reach agreements on this
topic. We are hopeful Kishida is likely to propose this idea.”
Shikata believes the relationship
between the Kingdom and Japan stands on the cusp of a transformation. He put it
this way: Japan has been importing much of its oil from Saudi Arabia, but in 10
to 20 years’ time, the energy supply chain composition could be different.
“Since Japan is so dependent on the
Kingdom for energy, we think this close partnership could be a great basis for
future plans,” he said.
In terms of regional security and peace,
Shikata said Japan “welcomes” the new agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
“We have diplomatic ties with Iran, so
when better relations emerged between the two nations, that was good news for
the region,” he said
Japan has been proactive in ensuring
peace and security in the region, especially with regard to the
Israel-Palestine conflict.
“Japan has been trying to be
constructive in the Middle East peace process and we are against any change in
the status quo from any parties,” Shikata said.
“Japan has been proactive in providing
humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees. We are hopeful that there will
be peaceful settlement of issues. We wish to be supportive.”
He added that Japan is aware of Saudi
Arabia’s stance on the situation, and the Asian country is “eager” to support
the Kingdom’s efforts.
Japan is also engaging in some recovery
projects in Yemen through the UN and hoping to promote peace there as well.
Moving on to the other geopolitical
topics, Shikata pointed out that Kishida has imposed sanctions against Russia
since its invasion of Ukraine in February of last year.
“Because Japan has suffered from a
nuclear power-plant disaster in 2011, there has been expectation from the
Ukrainian side to support recovery and reconstruction of the country after a
ceasefire,” Shikata said.
As Japan and Saudi Arabia cooperate on fields
such as renewable energy, Shikata told Arab News Japan that cultural
developments are important as well.
“I understand that Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman is a big fan of anime,” he said, pointing out that the Saudi
sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, has made “investments in the
entertainment industry,” one of them being “a substantial one in Nintendo.”
Elaborating on the topic, Shikata said:
“Given this appreciation of Saudi people for Japanese pop culture or anime, I
think there’s room for young Saudi students to come to Japan and start studying
Japanese because they are interested in anime.”
He added that appreciation for the hit
anime “Captain Tsubasa,” or “Captain Majid,” in the Arab world can be an
opportunity for cultural exchanges.
As Saudi Arabia aims to host the World
Expo in 2030, several countries have voiced their support for its bid ahead of
the final vote in November.
“Saudi Arabia is a very good candidate,
and we hope that at the Osaka, Kansai Expo 2025, the Saudi pavilion will be
very popular,” Shikata said.
“I’m sure Saudi (Arabia) will be a very
competitive candidate in terms of hosting such events.”
Kishida will travel to the UAE and Qatar
to continue his first trip to the Middle East since assuming office in 2021.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi crown prince receives Japan PM in
Jeddah
July 16, 2023
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman received Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Al-Salam
Palace in Jeddah on Sunday.
An official reception ceremony was held
in honour of the prime minister and the two leaders held a session of
discussions.
Kishida started a three-day visit to the
Middle East on Sunday and he will subsequently travel to the UAE and Qatar.
Saudi Arabia and Japan are expected to
diversify their long-standing trade relations in the energy sector as both
countries work together to pursue goals of common interest, Saudi Energy
Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said as Kishida’s visit got underway.
Source: arabnews.com
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Makkah municipality honors Chinese
pilgrims
July 16, 2023
MAKKAH: Makkah municipality leaders have
hailed a group of Chinese pilgrims for keeping their camps at Arafat clean and
picking up trash from a tunnel during Hajj.
Honoring the worshippers at his office, the
deputy mayor of Makkah, Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, thanked the pilgrims for their
efforts in helping to keep the holy sites tidy, work recorded in a video that
went viral on several social media platforms.
Mahmoud Damanhori, a member of the board
of directors of Mashariq Co., responsible for overseeing the Chinese pilgrims
this year, lauded the China Hajj Affairs office and its officials for their
exceptional organization, coordination, leadership, and cooperation with
service providers.
He told Arab News: “They left a lasting
impression on everyone they interacted with. Before departing from Arafat to
Muzdalifah, they ensured the camp was spotless, neatly arranging the mattresses
to the side and thoroughly cleaning the area they occupied in Arafat.
“Through their actions, they set a
wonderful example for everyone, demonstrating their refined behavior,” he said.
Around 9,770 Chinese pilgrims performed
the spiritual journey this year.
Damanhori noted that Islam promoted
cleanliness and high ethical standards, and the Chinese pilgrims had adhered to
the principles without being prompted.
Musa Boi Long, secretary-general of the
China Hajj affairs office, thanked the CEO of Mashariq, Waheed Murad, for the
services provided to the Chinese pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Islamic minister meets president
of Islamic Sheikhdom of Montenegro
July 16, 2023
RIYADH: Saudi Islamic Minister Sheikh
Abdullatif Al-Asheikh met with the President of the Islamic Sheikhdom and Grand
Mufti of Montenegro, RifaatVizic, in Podgorica, the Saudi Press Agency reported
on Sunday.
Al-Asheikh said that the Kingdom, under
the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, provides
great services to Muslims in various countries.
He added that the Kingdom is keen to
build bridges of communication with other countries, stemming from its moral
and religious duty, and relentless pursuit to serve Islam and Muslims
everywhere.
Vizic thanked the Saudi government for
its effort to serve Muslims around the world, particularly Muslims in
Montenegro, adding that his country is keen to boost cooperation with the
Kingdom and benefit from its pioneering experience.
The meeting was attended by the Saudi
Ambassador to Albania, non-resident in Montenegro, Faisal bin Ghazi Hefzi.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi authorities announce new strategy
for pilgrim service system
July 16, 2023
JEDDAH: Sheikh Abdurrahman Al-Sudais,
head of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, has announced that the
presidency’s service system will adopt a new strategy and modern identity.
“With the beginning of the new year 1445
AH, the presidency will witness a new strategy … enriching the experience of
(pilgrims and worshippers) and … empowering young men and women in line with
the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he said in a statement.
The strategy is set to be implemented at
the beginning of the new Islamic year on Wednesday, July 19, the authority
said.
Al-Sudais noted the significant
developments in the agency’s system of services in recent years and emphasized
the need for the presidency to continue to prioritize the convenience and
comfort of pilgrims.
Source: arabnews.com
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North America
Proposal For Private Muslim CemeteryIn
Oldham Voted Down
16 July 2023
A Conservative proposal to create a
private Muslim cemetery in Oldham has been voted down following a debate in
which councillors branded the motion ‘divisive’ and ‘scaremongering’.
One of the three new Tory Councillors
for Hollinwood ward, Kamran Ghafoor, had moved a motion at full council on
Wednesday entitled ‘Request for Land to build a Muslim Cemetery’.
It called on the council to ask the
chief executive to identify land in the borough to be used as graveyard for
Muslims and that this be donated to the Oldham Muslim Cemetery Committee.
However, leading Labour councillors,
including council leader Arooj Shah, said the motion was causing needless
anxiety within Oldham’s Muslim community as the existing cemeteries – including
Chadderton which contains a Muslim section – had enough capacity for the next
five years.
Addressing councillors, Councillor
Ghafoor said a dedicated cemetery would also address other issues, such as
delays to burials which went against Islamic principles under which a person
needed to be buried as soon as possible.
He told the meeting it was of ‘utmost
importance to the community and reflects the values of inclusivity, diversity
and respect’.
“We propose that a voluntary charitable
organisation take over the running of its own cemetery,” he said.
“The reasoning behind this is simple –
for the Muslim community to be able to bury their loved ones in the Islamic
way.
“When a loved one passes it is the
intention of every Muslim to bury them as soon as possible.
"If this charitable organisation
that I propose that runs the new cemetery had control of the burials we could
bury until the late evening, this is a real issue that we face here today.”
The motion was seconded by Saddleworth
North councillor Pam Byrne, who said she had spoken to people and carried
research into the issue, which convinced her to support it.
“This motion covers more than just
burials, but certain rights such as burials within 24 hours,” she added.
“We cannot deny considerations at the
end of life for 25 pc of our Oldham residents.
“That their end is with dignity and
expectation of burial according to their faith.
"I expect that as a
forward-thinking borough in these matters we have some plans for the next 50 years and hope that the
proposals in this motion can be considered.”
An amendment was tabled by independent
councillor Marc Hince, who represents Shaw ward, which wanted to change the
motion to state that the council would commit to finding a new plot of land for
a cemetery for residents of all faiths, with provision for Muslim sections in
all existing council-run cemeteries.
He said: “Everybody knows Oldham’s
biggest ongoing challenge is community cohesion, bringing communities together
despite their religion, creed or sex.
“I believe that at the very least in
death, the divisiveness that existed in our lives no longer hung over us as
anyone who existed in this town could be buried at any one of the borough’s
seven existing cemeteries as equals irrespective of the religious or
non-religious path they choose.”
“If we continue on this dangerous path
we might as well build a wall across the town and have done with it,” he added.
However, his comments during the meeting
also courted controversy, as he alleged the motion was more about ‘making
profit’ than religion.
Seconding the amendment, Failsworth
Independent Party leader CounHobin said: “To me the very idea of this is
divisive,” he says.
“This really smacks of dealing with one
part of the community to the detriment of others.
"We’re all struggling for land,
we’re all struggling to bury our dead.
“It’s not of the rule of this council to
be providing land or to be giving charitable status to anybody doing it for a
certain section of the community."
Werneth Labour CounShoab Akhtar said the
motion contained ‘fundamental misinformation’ about Oldham’s cemeteries and
policies.
“The council has seven cemeteries across
the borough and there is capacity in all of those cemeteries for burials at
present,” he added.
“We have a further five to ten years
capacity in the Muslim section and that could be extended even further.
“There’s expansion opportunities not
only at Chadderton but at the remaining six cemeteries as well.
"There are no restrictions of who
can be buried or where at any of our sites.”
Fellow Werneth ward Coun Nyla Ibrahim
(above) said it was ‘clearly an important topic’ but told the meeting she was
‘disappointed’ that it had ‘come before full council in this way’.
“There has been an attempt to
scaremonger the community into thinking there is no capacity in Oldham
cemeteries for Muslims,” she said.
“This is categorically not true.
“I’ve had residents reach out to me
worried that if any of their family members ‘dropped dead this week’ that they
would have to bury them out of the borough and away from their loved ones.
"This is just not true and our
residents deserve better than this.
"They shouldn’t try and create a
frenzy that makes our residents needlessly anxious.”
She added two sites for new cemeteries
were being identified in Oldham’s local plan which would give another 30 years
of burial capacity.
Coun Shah said: “I really do empathise
with community concerns and I know members of my group have been lobbied
strongly about this as it’s a really sensitive and emotive issue for people of
all faiths and none.
“Asking the chief executive to identify
a piece of land to donate to a group is a very, very tall order.
"The council isn’t in the business
of donating land and can not commit to do so.
“The motion and the campaign around it
has caused a considerable amount of tension in the community with people now
worried there is no burial capacity in the borough.
"We do have a duty to tell the
truth to residents and not whip up that unnecessary fear.”
She said they were speaking to different
communities and faith leaders about current cemetery fees and access.
However, Coun Ghafoor responded: “We’re
not scaremongering people at all. We’ve been told by the council officers that
there are five years remaining.
"My residents, the people who voted
for me, have asked for this.”
Following a recorded vote, the motion
was defeated by a majority of councillors.
Source: oldham-chronicle.co.uk
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US Sees India As ‘Indispensable Partner’
– Treasury ChiefJanet Yellen
16 Jul, 2023
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has
claimed that India is a key ally under Washington’s so-called “friendshoring”
strategy of relying increasingly on friendly countries for raw materials and
other trade to create more stable supply chains.
“Friendshoring is an important
foundation of our approach to increasing the resilience of our supply chains,
and we see India as an indispensable partner in that,” Yellen told reporters on
Sunday during her visit to Gandhinagar, India, for a meeting of G20 finance
ministers and central bank governors. She added that she hoped to use her trip
to deepen the already significant “friendshoring” relationship between
Washington and New Delhi.
The US has sought to boost economic ties
with “trusted partners” such as India and Vietnam amid rising tensions with
China. Yellen, who held talks with Chinese officials earlier this month in
Beijing, has visited India three times in the past nine months, and is
scheduled to make a stop in Hanoi later this week.
Washington and its allies have sought to
block advances in China’s semiconductor industry by restricting exports of
advanced equipment and technology. China responded earlier this month,
announcing new controls on its exports of key raw materials used in chipmaking
and other electronics. Those materials include gallium, a metal that the US
hasn’t produced for decades and imports primarily from China.
“De-risking and friendshoring is an
important priority for the United States, and it’s something that we’re
promoting here in India, and we will be discussing in Vietnam in the next leg
of our trip,” Yellen said. She added that the US is India’s largest export
market, and that the two countries reached an all-time high in trade volumes
with each other last year.
While friendshoring has been billed by
the International Monetary Fund as relying more on countries that share
“similar values,” some have questioned whether the US and India have such a
match. US President Joe Biden was criticized last month for hosting a visit by
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi without publicly condemning his guest’s
handling of human rights and “democratic values.” At least six Democrat
lawmakers boycotted Modi’s speech to Congress, saying: “We must never sacrifice
human rights at the altar of political expediency.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/579806-us-india-economic-ties-indispensable-yellen-says/
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Trump outlines ‘24 hour’ Ukraine peace
plan
16 Jul, 2023
After repeatedly claiming that he could
end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours if elected US president again
in 2024, former commander-in-chief Donald Trump has outlined his plan for
bringing about a negotiated peace agreement.
Trump, currently the leading candidate
for the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination, argued that he has
enough influence with Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Vladimir Zelensky
of Ukraine to stop the bloodshed. With the right prodding from the White House,
the two leaders would see no point in continuing the conflict, he said on
Sunday in a Fox News interview.
“I know Zelensky very well, and I know
Putin very well, even better,” Trump told Fox host Maria Bartiromo. “And I had
a good relationship, very good with both of them. I would tell Zelensky, no
more, you got to make a deal. I would tell Putin, if you don’t make a deal,
we’re going to give him a lot. We’re going to give them more than they ever got
if we have to. I will have the deal done in one day – one day.”
Trump argued that his successor,
President Joe Biden, is being outsmarted and outmaneuvered by world leaders
such as Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and French President Emmanuel
Macron. “These people are sharp, tough and generally vicious, they’re vicious,
and they’re at the top of their game. We have a man who has no clue what’s
happening. It’s the most dangerous time in the history of our country.”
The former president reiterated his
claim that the Russia-Ukraine conflict wouldn’t have happened had he remained
in office.
Meaningful negotiations between Moscow
and Kiev broke down in the spring of 2022, with both sides blaming each other.
No progress has been made since, apart from semi-regular prisoner swaps.
Kiev has repeatedly insisted that there
is no point in negotiating with Moscow as long as it refuses to surrender
Crimea and four other regions that voted to join Russia in 2014 and 2022,
respectively. Moscow has said that such terms are absolutely unacceptable.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/579810-trump-outlines-ukraine-peace-plan/
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Africa
Sultan directs Muslims to look out for
new moon of Muharram
July 16, 2023
By Muhammad Nasir
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad
Abubakar III, on Sunday directed Muslims to look out for the new moon of
Muharram from Monday.
The Sultan, who is also the President
General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), gave the
directive in a statement issued by the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs
Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
The statement said: “This is to inform
the Muslim Ummah that Monday July 17, which is equivalent to 29th day of
Dhul-Qadah 1444 AH (Islamic Calender) shall be the day to look for the new moon
of Muharram 1445 AH.
“Muslims are, therefore, requested to
start looking for the new moon of Muharram 1445 AH on Monday and report its
sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to
the Sultan,” it said.
The Sultan prayed Allah to help all
Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports
that Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and identified as one
of the four sacred months of the year. (NAN)
Source: newsdiaryonline.com
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https://newsdiaryonline.com/sultan-directs-muslims-to-look-out-for-new-moon-of-muharram/
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Osun Muslims Back Gov. Adeleke On
Appointment Of Commissioners
16 July 2023
The Muslim community in Osun State under
the umbrella of the Osun State Muslim Community (OSMC) says Governor AdemolaAdeleke
has not marginalized Muslims in the appointment of cabinet members in his
administration.
The OSMC rather applauded the Governor
for maintaining balance in the appointments made so far.
The group in a statement by its
president, Sheikh Mustapha Olayiwola as part of the one week event to mark the
1445 Hijrah Calendar advised that more Muslims should be involved in politics.
His words; “The Governor had first
appointed his kitchen cabinet who are all Muslims. His Chief of Staff, the
Secretary to the State Government and his Spokesperson are all Muslims and
powerful members of the administration.
“Besides, appointment of commissioners
is not an exclusive duty of the governor, so many factors are considered in
reaching a conclusion, but so far, we believe the governor has done well and
has not marginalized the Muslims in the state. Many appointments would still be
done and more Muslims would be appointed.
“Our advise is that more Muslims should
be involved in politics rather than staying away from it under the guise that
it is a dirty game”.
Olayiwola also commended the move by the
state government to conduct a staff audit but urged that Friday be excluded
from the days for the exercise so civil servants can attend the Jumat prayers.
Source: naijanews.com
Please
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https://www.naijanews.com/2023/07/16/osun-muslims-back-gov-adeleke-on-appointment-of-commissioners/
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Muslim students tell Tinubu to prevent
ASUU strike during his tenure
JULY 17, 2023
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria
(MSSN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to make as one of its priorities a
determination never to allow the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
and other education unions to embark on strike again.
MiftaudeenThanni, immediate past Amir of
MSSN in Lagos, made the call on Sunday during its Annual Conference, which was
held on Sunday at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos.
“We are reminding President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu to prioritise education, youth empowerment, security of lives and
property, economic and infrastructural development,” Mr Thanni noted.
According to him, investing in the
education sector is not a luxury but a necessity.
“As we move into a new dispensation of
‘Renewed Hope’ in our national polity, we are urging the federal government to
pay more attention and improve on the education investment. We don’t want
strikes again, and this can be achieved by investing more in education,” stated
Mr Thanni.
He added, “It’s a way to invest in
peace, as educated individuals are more likely to embrace dialogue, reject
extremism, and work towards resolving conflicts through peaceful means.”
Niyi Yusuf, chairman of Nigeria Economic
Summit Group (NESG), stressed that as youths, the time had “come for us to stop
taking the back seat in leadership positions because are still very young, some
of our prophets were still very young when they started contributing to Islam.”
The chairman advised the MSS members to
be united, pay serious attention to education as part of efforts to revive the
good old days of Islam, referred them to read the ‘Golden Age of Islam’, which
according to him, talked about when Muslims were the leaders of the world.
Source: gazettengr.com
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https://gazettengr.com/muslim-students-tell-tinubu-to-prevent-asuu-strike-during-his-tenure/
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Hajj Board Chair visits Ghanaian
Pilgrims in Mecca, promises improvements for future experiences
Jul - 16 - 2023
Approximately 50% of the Ghanaian
pilgrims from the northern region have already returned home, and the remaining
individuals are scheduled to arrive in Accra on Monday, July 16, 2023.
On Sunday evening, Ben Abdallah Banda,
accompanied by several board members, paid a visit to the various Ghanaian
camps in Mecca to engage with the pilgrims.
During these interactions, he provided
the pilgrims with updates regarding their transportation arrangements for the journey
back to Ghana, while also discussing the overall Hajj operations for the year.
Recognizing that the Hajj Board, as a
human institution, may not have met all the expectations of the pilgrims, he
apologized on behalf of the board for any inconvenience caused throughout the
process.
He assured the pilgrims that the board
is committed to making changes to address these challenges and improve the
quality of Hajj services.
"Ghana Hajj Board is a human
institution, and surely, we could not have had everything right," he
stated. "I want to take this opportunity to apologize to you all, on
behalf of the board, for any inconvenience our actions or inactions may have
caused you throughout this process."
To prevent the repetition of mistakes,
he emphasized that necessary changes would be implemented to ensure an enhanced
Hajj experience for Ghanaians.
"The status quo is not going to
remain. In shaa Allah, things will change, and we will witness a marked
improvement in our operations."
The first flight carrying pilgrims back
to Accra is scheduled to depart on Monday, followed by four additional daily
flights. Around two thousand pilgrims from the northern sector of Ghana have
already returned home via Tamale.
This year's Hajj marks the first time
that Saudi authorities have allowed a full Hajj without restrictions since the
outbreak of COVID-19.
Accompanying the Board Chairman were
several board members, including Abdul Aziz HarunaFuta, Chief SaddiqueJimala,
AlhajiYunusah Osman, Sheikh Amin Bonsu, Dr. Zakaria Seidu, and Ahmed Abdulai
Abu.
Source: graphic.com.gh
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original
https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/hajj-board-chair-visits-ghanaian-pilgrims-in-mecca-promises-improvements-for-future-experiences.html
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URL:
https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/polarisation-jamaat-islami-hind-ucc/d/130232