Over 1000 Muslims Perform 1st Ever Ramazan Tarawih Prayer In New York City’s iconic Times Square
New
Age Islam News Bureau
05
April 2022
New York City’s iconic Times Square hosted over
1,000 Muslims who broke their fast and attended the “first-ever” Tarawih
prayers on Saturday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
----
•
Forum For Muslim Studies And Analysis Urges People To Stand By Each Other; Slams
AIMPLB’s ‘Communal’ Statement
•
MoHE, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Not To Allow Female Professors To Attend
Male Professors’ Meetings
•
Marine Le Pen ,Far-Right Presidential Candidate Wants Total Ban On Muslim
Headscarf In France
•
No-Confidence Motion Cannot Be Rejected: Pakistan Chief Justice
North America
•
New York attorney general urges Justice Department to probe anti-Muslim group
•
Washington provided Saudi Arabia, UAE with ‘appropriate military sales’: US envoy
•
Turkiye, US launch joint strategic mechanism to expand bilateral cooperation
•
US customs, border agency to create position to address Arab, Muslim complaints
•
Meet the US family going all out for Ramazan
--------
India
•
‘Bhajans To Counter Azaan’: Sri Ram Sene Takes Cue From MNS, Wants Mosque
Loudspeakers Banned
•
After Meat Row, Outfits In Karnataka Want Ban On Loudspeakers For Azaan
•
'Hindu Mahapanchayat': FIR Over Scribe's Twitter Posts, News Portal Where
Several Journalists Had Accused A Crowd Of Assaulting Them
•
Terror angle in attack by IIT graduate in UP?
•
Stop Loudspeakers In Mosques, But Not By Force: Minister
•
Pakistan intruder shot dead at LoC in J&K’s Nowshera, weapons recovered
•
79 foreign terrorists active in J&K: Army
•
Terrorist hideout busted in Poonch, arms & ammo recovered
--------
South
Asia
•
China Agrees To Accept Credentials Of Taliban Diplomats: Afghan FM
•
More than half of Afghan population desiring to leave country: Gallup poll
•
Taliban Claims Of Restraining Islamic State's Violent Activities In Afghanistan
•
US welcomes outlawing narcotics in Afghanistan
•
Humanitarian crisis casts shadow over first Ramazan in Afghanistan since
Taliban takeover
--------
Europe
•
US Sought To Punish 'Disobedient' Imran Khan, Says Russia
•
France demands probe of killings in Mali with Kremlin-backed Wagner group
•
Muslims in Italy offer Zakat for Ukraine conflict
•
Arab food chain in Berlin thrives
--------
Pakistan
•
Pakistani Philosopher Dr Israr Ahmed’s YouTube Channel Deleted; Outrage Follows
•
Pakistan Supreme Court to resume hearing on dismissal of no-trust vote against
PM, dissolution of Parliament
•
Pakistan's NSA resigns amid ongoing political crisis
•
Shahbaz Sharif accuses Imran Khan of imposing civil martial law in Pakistan
•
Justice Baqar deplores exclusion of senior judges from important cases
•
Farah Khan ‘flees country’ after corruption allegations
•
Fazlur Rehman says ‘must uphold constitution first, move towards polls later’
--------
Southeast
Asia
•
Indonesia Court Sentences Islamic School Teacher To Death For Raping 13
Students
•
The significance of Qingming to the Chinese community
•
Is Malaysia heading the way of crisis-ridden Sri Lanka?
•
Bazaar cooked food prices beyond govt control, says PM
--------
Arab
World
•
‘Scent Of Speech’ Makes Saudi Arabia A Global Destination For Talented Qur’an Reciters
•
Egypt FM says Arab countries willing to mediate between Russia, Ukraine
•
Egypt, ADQ agreement includes stakes in listed and unlisted companies: Report
•
UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
•
Iraq digs up mass grave in Najaf
•
Expert reveals Saudi regions that break its fast first and last during Ramazan
•
Regime shelling kills 3 children in Syria’s Idlib
•
80 New Prayer Halls Open For Ramazan At Makkah’s Grand Mosque As Part Of Third
Phase Of Expansion
--------
Mideast
•
Dozens Of Extremist Jewish Settlers Defile Aqsa Mosque Under Police Guard
•
Iran says US has no compassion for Muslim nations
•
Iran Blames US for Procrastinating Vienna Talks
•
Iran Condemns Terrorist Attack in Afghanistan
•
Following Yemen truce, first fuel ships enter Houthi-held Hodeidah port
•
UN Security Council urges Houthis to abide by terms of truce
•
Oldest muezzin in Gaza Strip finds comfort in oldest mosque of Palestine
--------
Africa
•
Somalia's Intelligence Agency Warns Of Al Shabaab Threat Against Top Leaders
•
U.S. blacklists six Nigerians for financing Boko Haram
•
10 Boko Haram fighters ‘surrender to troops’ in Borno
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/ramazan-tarawih-prayer-new-york-times-square/d/126729
--------
Over 1000 Muslims Perform 1st Ever Ramazan Tarawih Prayer In New York City’s iconic Times Square
New York City’s iconic Times Square hosted over
1,000 Muslims who broke their fast and attended the “first-ever” Tarawih
prayers on Saturday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
----
April
5, 2022
New
York City’s iconic Times Square hosted over 1,000 Muslims who broke their fast
and attended the “first-ever” Tarawih prayers on Saturday, the first day of the
Muslim holy month of Ramazan.
Organizers
of the event distributed 1,500 meals to those who attended the event, from
across the U.S. and even as far as Montreal, Canada. They also recited verses
from the Holy Quran and spoke about the significance of the month.
"We're
here to explain our religion to all those that don't know what Islam is all
about," the organizer, identified as SQ, told CBS news. "Islam is a
religion of peace."
Ramazan
is also a time of prayers, during which Muslims converge in large numbers at
mosques, especially at night.
The
Eid al-Fitr holiday marks the end of the holy month.
Ramazan
is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims worldwide mark the
time with fasting as they abstain from eating and drinking. Qur'an recitation,
doing charity work are highly recommended during the month.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Forum
For Muslim Studies And Analysis Urges People To Stand By Each Other; Slams
AIMPLB’s ‘Communal’ Statement
Apr
5, 2022
Lucknow:
The i (FMSA), a group based in Aligarh and Delhi, on Monday condemned the
statement by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that Muslims are in a
more pressing time than in 1857 and 1947. FMSA secretary general Prof Jasim
Mohammad said any propaganda and false narrative based on communal agenda
should be condemned.
“The
AIMPLB statement is unwarranted and instills fear among the Muslim community.
Any public opinion by respected community leaders that divides communities
should be called out/(challenged). There is a growing problem of inciting
communal hatred against communities but that should not be the ground for any
kind of further violence or unrest,” he said.
FMSA
urged people to stand by each other and refrain from giving in to any false or
one-sided narrative.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
MoHE,
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Not To Allow Female Professors To Attend Male
Professors’ Meetings
Photo:
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA)
-----
05
Apr 2022
Ministry
of Higher Education of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in an official letter
asked all private and public universities not to allow female professors to
attend male professors’ meetings.
The
letter reads female university students, lecturers, and graduates are no longer
allowed to attend mixed meetings with male lecturers.
Meanwhile,
the Afghan universities are urged to arrange separate meetings for male
students and professors where male ones are not allowed to take part either.
Further,
the letter reads those female graduates shall hold their graduation ceremony
observing Islamic hijab as no video and photo should be shared on social media.
The
new instructions come as secondary schools for Afghan girls are yet to be
reopened which has left over one million girls out of schools across
Afghanistan.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/co-meetings-of-university-lecturers-banned-mohe-576596987/
--------
Marine
Le Pen ,Far-Right Presidential Candidate Wants Total Ban On Muslim Headscarf In
France
Marine Le Pen ,Far-Right Presidential Candidate
Wants Total Ban On Muslim Headscarf In France
----
Shweta
Desai
04.04.2022
PARIS
Right-wing
candidate Marine Le Pen has pledged to impose a total ban on the wearing of the
Muslim headscarf in public places if elected France's next president.
The
leader of the National Rally party, who is currently leading second in polls
after President Emmanuel Macron, told BFMTV news on Sunday that she aims to ban
the veil or the headscarf worn by Muslim females.
“In
reality, I want to extend the law prohibiting the wearing of the veil at school
so that it affects the entire public domain,” she said during the interview.
A
2004 law prohibits the wearing or open display of religious symbols in all
French schools, but the wearing of the headscarf is not banned in universities
or government offices.
While
many Muslim women don the hijab and modest pieces of Islamic clothing, several
towns in France have local laws prohibiting the wearing of burkinis (fully
covered swimming costumes) at the beach or public swimming pools.
Le
Pen claimed that she wants to fight against a “totalitarian” ideology, its
recruitment, development, and funding.
Her
statement on banning the headscarf, which she considers “Islamist clothing”, is
part of the National Rally’s proposed “anti-Islamist” bill unveiled last year.
Le
Pen has toyed with Islamophobia and is known for anti-Islamic views to garner
popularity. She was accused – and acquitted in 2015 – of inciting religious
hatred after she compared Muslims praying in the streets to Nazi occupation.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
No-Confidence
Motion Cannot Be Rejected: Pakistan Chief Justice
Pakistan PM Imran Khan
----
Apr
5, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjourned Monday without ruling on the
dissolution of parliament that has led to the ongoing political and
constitutional crisis in the country.
A
five-member bench resumed hearing on the case filed a day earlier when the
Pakistani lawmakers were prevented from voting on the no-trust motion.
Pakistan
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that even if the speaker of the National
Assembly cites Article 5 of the Constitution, the no-confidence motion cannot
be rejected.
"Does
the speaker not have any option to reject the no-trust motion? Are you saying
that the speaker dishonestly rejected the no-confidence motion?" Bandial
was quoted as saying by The News International newspaper.
Pakistan
Justice Chief made the remarks while hearing the suo moto case related to the
prevailing crisis in the country.
"The
speaker cannot reject the no-confidence motion even if he refers to Article 5 of
the constitution," he said.
Justice
Bandial further added that his fellow judges had expressed concern over the
constitutional crisis the country was facing.
On
Sunday, Pakistani President Arif Alvi dissolved the Pakistani parliament
following Khan's advice. Imran Khan made the proposal minutes after
parliament's deputy speaker rejected a motion of no confidence in him as
"unconstitutional."
The
decision to cancel the no-confidence vote angered opposition parties, who said
they would appeal the decision in court. Pakistani Information Minister Fawad
Hussain had said a snap parliamentary election will be held within 90 days.
Pakistan
media has criticised the dissolution of the National Assembly in the country,
saying that whatever happened on Sunday violated all rules governing
proceedings in the House, particularly those dealing with the motion of
no-confidence.
In
an editorial published on Monday, the Dawn newspaper said that Imran Khan could
have played the political game like a true sportsperson and still emerged
stronger from the loss given the sharp narrative he had spun leading up to the
vote.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
North
America
New
York attorney general urges Justice Department to probe anti-Muslim group
By
Zainab Iqbal
4
April 2022
New
York's attorney general has called on the US Justice Department to investigate
whether an anti-Muslim group violated federal, criminal, and civil rights laws
by spying on American Muslim groups.
In
a letter to the Justice Department on Friday, attorney General Letitia James
requested a probe into possible discriminatory surveillance by Steven Emerson
and the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) on Muslim communities in New
York.
"As
we enter the holy month of Ramazan, it's more important than ever that we show
our support for our Muslim communities and stand up to Islamophobia and hate of
any and every kind," James said.
"Let
me be clear: we will not bow to hate, we will not enable bias, and we will not
empower Islamophobia."
The
IPT has been labelled an anti-Muslim group by the Islamophobia Network, a
project by the Center for American Progress that tracks anti-Muslim groups and
donors.
According
to Georgetown University's Bridge Initiative, IPT's Emerson has a "history
of promoting falsified information and conspiracy theories about Islam and
Muslims".
In
her letter, James added that the surveillance of Muslims had "raised the
legitimate fear that Muslims can no longer practice their faith in peace".
"IPT's
private espionage campaign reportedly targeted high-profile Muslim religious
leaders, a Muslim member of Congress, and nearly every prominent Muslim
advocacy group in the United States."
In
a separate cease-and-desist letter, James directed Emerson and the IPT to stop
any unlawful and discriminatory surveillance of Muslim communities in New York.
"You
are advised that such conduct could violate the New York Civil Rights Law and
other state and federal laws. You are hereby instructed to cease and desist any
ongoing or contemplated unlawful espionage operations against Muslims and
Muslim organizations within the State of New York," she said.
'Spying
on Muslims accepted and justified'
When
asked about James' remarks, Emerson told Middle East Eye that he would not
comment until he received the letters by mail.
"Both
letters state they were mailed to the IPT via the US Postal service, though we
have yet to receive them," he said.
IPT
has previously denied claims that it spied on Muslim communities.
The
letters come just a few months after more than 80 Muslim organisations,
including rights groups, mosques and charities, called on the Justice
Department to launch an investigation into the IPT.
The
request came after the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) alleged
that the chapter's executive director had been recording meetings and
conversations and then sending those materials to the IPT.
Later
that same month, Cair said the IPT reportedly paid more than $100,000 to
Virginia resident Tariq Nelson, an active member of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic
Center in Virginia, to record confidential conversations.
Lamiya
Khandaker, the project manager at Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council
of New York, told Middle East Eye that her organisation welcomed any
investigation into the IPT.
"Investigating
the IPT is long overdue, and we hope that the Department of Justice takes this
seriously."
Sumayyah
Waheed, policy consultant for the civil rights group Muslim Advocates, told MEE
that "for far too long, illegal spying on American Muslims has been
accepted and justified by public officials at the highest levels despite the
clear harms this has on our communities."
Source:
Middle East Eye
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-new-york-attorney-general-investigate-anti-muslim-group-spying
--------
Washington
provided Saudi Arabia, UAE with ‘appropriate military sales’: US envoy
04
April ,2022
A
senior US diplomat said Monday that Washington had provided Saudi Arabia and
the UAE with “appropriate military sales” to prevent more attacks from Yemen
and the Iran-backed Houthis.
The
relationship between Washington and its Gulf allies, specifically Riyadh and
Abu Dhabi, has been hampered by the Biden administration’s efforts to
“recalibrate” ties.
“The
US has provided very strong assurances,” US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim
Lenderking told Bloomberg TV.
Lenderking
added that this was “backed up by appropriate defensive military sales and that
should serve as a strong deterrent for further attacks from Yemen.”
Calling
the US moves “a very strong positive for the region,” Lenderking said: “I think
this step on Yemen definitely solidifies even further the US relationship with
Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and I think that’s a very important dimension.”
Lenderking
was recently in the region and took part in the peace talks between warring
factions in Yemen, which led to a two-month ceasefire.
Shortly
after taking office, US President Joe Biden and his top officials repeatedly
called Saudi Arabia a “pariah” state, removed the Houthis from the terror
blacklist, and froze arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Biden
said he was considering re-designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization
after the group targeted the UAE and ramped up its attacks on civilian targets
in Saudi Arabia and on Saudi Aramco.
In
recent months, the US president has dispatched senior officials to Saudi Arabia
and the UAE, imploring Riyadh to increase oil output due to soaring energy prices
in the US and across Europe.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkiye,
US launch joint strategic mechanism to expand bilateral cooperation
Burak
Bir
04.04.2022
With
a top US diplomat visiting the Turkish capital, Turkiye and the US on Monday
launched a strategic mechanism to further expand the countries’ bilateral
cooperation, according to a joint statement.
"In
keeping with the commitment made by Presidents (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan and (Joe)
Biden during their meeting in Rome in October 2021, Turkiye and the United
States launched the Turkiye-U.S. Strategic Mechanism on April 4 in
Ankara," said a joint press release issued the day Turkish Deputy Foreign
Minister Sedat Onal received US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in
Ankara.
During
their meeting, the top diplomats reviewed topics of mutual interest, including
economic and defense cooperation, counterterrorism, and key areas of shared
regional and global interest.
The
US welcomes Turkiye's efforts "to facilitate a just, negotiated diplomatic
solution" to end the war in Ukraine, said the statement.
The
two sides also stressed their shared commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity.
"U.S.
Department of Commerce Under Secretary Marisa Lago will visit Ankara on April
5-6 to advance the economic and trade cooperation goals of the Strategic
Mechanism," it added.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US
customs, border agency to create position to address Arab, Muslim complaints
April
04, 2022
ATLANTA:
US Customs and Border Protection has announced the establishment of a
Detroit-based community relations position within the Department of Homeland
Security that will be tasked with building trust and working with Arab and
Muslim communities in the state of Michigan.
Those
communities have long complained of violations of their civil rights and
liberties via racial profiling, Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism by federal
agencies, especially at points of entry into the US by CBP agents.
Michigan’s
Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who is chairman of the Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Committee in the US Senate, had convened a meeting between
leaders of the Arab and Muslim communities in Michigan and Homeland Security
Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas to address their concerns.
The
senator released a statement to Arab News saying the new position is in
response to that meeting.
An
aide of his told Arab News: “This is a new position, so we don’t have all the
specifics besides the fact that the person will report to the DHS / CBP about
the communities’ concerns, and that the position is in response to concerns the
secretary heard during the meeting Sen. Peters hosted in Dearborn.”
Peters
said in the statement: “Community leaders have long raised serious concerns
about experiences with the travel screening process, and this new role will be
a vital link between these communities and CBP officials to help address these
concerns and other important civil rights issues.”
He
added: “This is a key step to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security
and its component agencies are effectively serving all of our communities.”
Abdullah
Hammoud, mayor of the city of Dearborn who participated in discussions with
Peters and the DHS leadership, released a statement to Arab News in which he
said: “It’s no secret that over the last two decades, DHS programs and tactics
have effectively criminalized Arab and Muslim identity.
“I
was encouraged to hear Secretary Mayorkas acknowledge the failure of these
approaches, and the importance of engaging our community with interest rather
than suspicion.
“This
position is a positive first step to establishing a medium for accountability
so that members of the community no longer feel there is an asterisk next to
their place in this nation.”
The
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the nation’s oldest Arab-American
civil rights organization, commended the efforts of the community in Michigan.
Chris
Habiby, ADC’s legislative and policy coordinator, told Arab News: “I’m glad to
see that Secretary Mayorkas actually listened to community members when he
visited Dearborn.
“Having
been present at the meeting, it was clear that Customs and Border Protection
has an overwhelming issue with how they treat Arab Americans.
“This
new community relations position is a positive step towards building trust
between our community and the government.”
The
US House Judiciary Committee held a groundbreaking hearing last month about
racism and discrimination against Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056746/world
--------
Meet
the US family going all out for Ramazan
April
04, 2022
LOS
ANGELES: Like billions of their fellow Muslims around the world, families in
the US are revelling in an observation of Ramazan without strict COVID-19
restrictions.
During
the holy month, Syrian father Faisal Al-Sawaf and his Egyptian wife Hana
Al-Sawaf go all out to keep the spirit of Ramazan alive for their five American
children.
While
observing the previous two Ramazans for the Al-Sawaf family has been muted due
to COVID-19 restrictions, this year they are hosting bonding activities,
marking traditions, and have set up a large, classically styled tent in their
garden.
“We
had to arrange with a couple of friends and family back in Saudi Arabia, we
bought it from a city called Hafr Al-Batin,” Faisal explained to Arab News.
“It’s
a family gathering, we always like to have friends, people, family, neighbors,
the tent, it actually solved a big problem for us as it's hard to host
everybody in one place in the house,” he added.
The
tent is the dazzling centerpiece of a house already decorated with lanterns,
stickers and signs and where the Al-Sawafs have been crafting ornate wooden
boxes filled with desserts to give to their loved ones.
“We
customized certain boxes that we got engraved with an Arabic message,” Hana
told Arab News. “And within, it has a lot of traditional Arabic sweets,
desserts, chocolates, dates, so we spent a lot of time preparng the boxes. Each
box has something different, something new.”
She
continued: “We just composed it together, and we plan on when we go see the
families, and when we’re going to go give them.”
It
may not be the typical way to observe the Holy Month, but for families so far
from their cultural community, it's a way to stay connected. And with everyone
gathered under the same canvas, that sense of connection can be shared.
One
of the Al-Sawaf daughters, Dana, explained to Arab News what the holy month
means to her.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056691/world
--------
India
‘Bhajans
to counter azaan’: Sri Ram Sene takes cue from MNS, wants mosque loudspeakers
banned
ANUSHA
RAVI SOOD
4
April, 2022
Bengaluru:
After calls to ban and boycott Muslim businesses at temple fairs, and the
campaign against halal meat, Hindutva organisations in Karnataka are demanding
a ban on loudpseakers in mosques.
Taking
a cue from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, Sri Ram Sene
chief Pramod Muthalik has urged the government to prohibit loudspeakers at
mosques.
Loudspeakers
are used for the azaan, or the Muslim call to prayer, made five times a day.
In
a video statement issued to members of the Sri Ram Sene, Muthalik said “we
completely back Raj Thackeray’s stand”, referring to the MNS chief’s Gudi Padwa
address last week where he said if the practice of loudspeakers at mosques “is
not stopped, there will be speakers outside mosques playing Hanuman Chalisa at
a higher volume”.
Muthalik
said despite “multiple memorandums to the district administration” from Sri Ram
Sene workers, “this coward, spineless government has refused to crack down on
loudspeakers in mosques”.
“We,
too, will start playing bhajans on loudspeakers at 5 am at every temple and
every mutt,” Muthalik added, saying the loudspeakers were violating norms in
‘silent zones’ around premises like schools, hospitals and government
utilities.
The
Sri Ram Sene’s warning of countering the azaan with bhajans comes at a time
when the state government has refused to initiate action against Hindutva
organisations’ calls to boycott Muslim businesses at temple fairs, and
establishments selling halal meat during Ugadi.
Communal
tensions in the state have been on a high since the months-long row triggered
by the ban on hijabs issued by certain government educational institutions in
the state.
‘Onus
on Muslims to resolve matter’
The
Sri Ram Sene’s demand to prohibit loudspeakers at mosques found partial backing
from Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa.
“For
many years now, we have been hearing complaints about how loudspeakers from
mosques are disturbing students, elderly people. They have to be removed but
with the consent of Muslim community. It is disturbing their children too,”
Eshwarappa told reporters Monday.
Saying
it wasn’t a competition between the azaan and bhajans, Eshwarappa put the onus
of resolving the matter on the Muslim community.
“You
are blaring on the loudspeaker but what will happen if Hindus start playing
loud bhajans in temples or in front of your mosques tomorrow or Christians also
start using loudspeakers?” he added. “It will only disrupt harmony and hence
the community should resolve it.”
Source:
The Print
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
After
meat row, outfits in Karnataka want ban on loudspeakers for azaan
Apr
5, 2022
BENGALURU/KARWAR:
Days after a drive against allowing Muslim traders to set up stalls on temple
premises followed by the anti-halal meat campaign in Karnataka, right-wing
organisations led by Bajrang Dal and Sri Ram Sena are now seeking a ban on
loudspeakers in mosques.
Some
Hindu groups are planning to broadcast ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, ‘Jai Shri Ram’,
‘Hanuman Chalisa’ recitals and other devotional prayers during azaan. The state
government has directed police to boost security arrangements keeping the
sensitivity of the issue.
Senior
BJP functionary and state minister KS Eshwarappa said any solution to the issue
can be found only by taking the Muslim community into confidence. He said the
community has for long been following the tradition of using loudspeakers to
call for prayer, but it is disturbing students, children and patients.
Senior
BJP functionary Eshwarappa added that "this is not a competition for us to
play 'Hanuman Chalisa' loudly. I have no objections to you (Muslims) offering
prayer, but if prayers are offered at temples and churches also through
loudspeaker in a similar way, it will lead to conflict between communities,"
he said.
Eshwarappa's
Cabinet colleague C N Ashwath Narayan said the government has not brought any
new law with regard to azaan. "We are functioning as per the rules
specified in the laws. We are not working in favour or against anyone."
Bajrang
Dal member Bharath Shetty said the campaign against loudspeakers in mosques
would start in the Anjaneya temple in Bengaluru, and would be subsequently
conducted across the state.
Sri
Ram Sena led by Pramod Muthalik said it had submitted a request to authorities
for stopping the use of loudspeakers at 5am but the tehsildar in Belagavi
district and the pollution control board did not take any action on it.
"We don't oppose their prayers. But we oppose the use of loudspeakers...
We'll play bhajan every morning if the loudspeakers from mosques are not
removed," he said. He also said the Supreme Court has prohibited usage of
loudspeakers from 10pm to 6am every day.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
'Hindu
Mahapanchayat': FIR Over Scribe's Twitter Posts, News Portal Where Several
Journalists Had Accused A Crowd Of Assaulting Them
Imran
Ahmed Siddiqui
05.04.22
Delhi
police on Monday registered an FIR against two Twitter handles belonging to a
journalist and a news portal in connection with a “Hindu Mahapanchayat” where
several journalists had accused a crowd of assaulting them on Sunday.
The
action came hours after Delhi police registered FIRs against controversial priest
Yati Narasinghanand Saraswati and other speakers at the “Hindu Mahapanchayat”
in the capital’s Burari ground where hate speeches were allegedly delivered
against Muslims.
The
FIRs have been registered for going ahead with the event despite denial of police
permission and also for assaulting journalists. No arrests had been made till
Monday evening, police sources said.
Sadhus
and Hindutva activists made up the 700-800 people who were present at the
venue. Seven journalists covering the Mahapanchayat were attacked by
participants. While all seven were pushed and shoved, three Muslim journalists
were alleged punched and kicked when the crowd learnt their identities.
A
police officer said the fourth FIR was registered over two tweets relating to
the Mahapanchayat.
“An
FIR under Section 505(2) of the IPC has been registered against the Twitter
handles for content which could incite enmity, hatred and ill-will between two
communal groups, and an investigation has been taken up,” the officer said.
The
FIR was filed against two tweets — one by journalist Meer Faisal, who was among
the seven scribes who complained of the attack on Sunday — and another by the
news portal Article 14.
The
police said Faisal had tweeted that he and a fellow journalist were beaten up because
of their “Muslim identity by Hindu mob”.
“I
and @mdmeharban03 were beaten up because of our Muslim identity by Hindu mob.
Communal slurs were shouted on me at Hindu mahapanchayat at Burari ground in
New Delhi. We had gone there to cover the event. We were called jihadis and
attacked for being Muslims,” Faisal had said in a tweet on Sunday.
Article
14 had also tweeted on Sunday: “5 journalists, 4 of them Muslim, 1 on
assignment for @Artcile14live, have been taken by police to the Mukherjee Nagar
police station in Delhi after a mob at #Hindu #dharamsansad (for which the
police had declined permission) discovered their religion, attacked them &
deleted videos.”
The
police had denied that the journalists were detained.
Deputy
commissioner (North West Delhi) Usha Rangnani tweeted on Sunday that no
reporter was detained and due police protection was provided to them.
Rangnani
had said: “Some of the reporters, willingly on their free will, to evade the
crowd which was getting agitated by their presence, sat in PCR van stationed at
the venue and opted to proceed for police station for security reasons. No one
was detained. Due police protection was provided.”
A
former IPS officer who had served in Delhi police said it was strange that the
police had acted against a journalist who was allegedly attacked by the crowd.
“It
is very strange that police have filed an FIR against a journalist who was
assaulted by the mob and also a news portal for tweeting on the incident. This
is nothing but an intimidation tactic,” he said.
“Instead
of arresting Yati Narasinghanand who is seen in several videos giving open hate
speeches against Muslims, the police are now intimidating journalists. What has
stopped them from arresting Narasinghanand and the organiser of the event for which
the police had declined permission?” asked the former IPS officer.
Referring
to the three other FIRs, a police officer said the first related to organising
the event despite refusal of permission and delivering provocative speeches.
In
a statement, the police said they had received a request in North West district
from Preet Singh, president of the Save India Foundation, seeking permission to
organise the event.
“The
request was denied on the ground that the organiser had no permission from the
land-owning agency — the Delhi Development Authority — for organising the event
at the Burari ground. Despite the denial by Delhi police, on Sunday, organiser
Preet Singh reached the ground with his supporters in the morning and started
organising the Hindu Mahapanchayat sabha. Around 700-800 people gathered at the
event and the invitees of the organiser started delivering speeches from the
stage,” the statement said.
Narasinghanand
had been arrested in January after he had organised a “Dharma Sansad” in
Haridwar where calls for genocide against Muslims had been issued. He had been
booked by Uttarakhand police on the lesser charge of making objectionable
remarks against women of a particular religion and he obtained bail within a
few days.
Preet
Singh had been arrested by Delhi police last year for organising an event
similar to Sunday’s Mahapanchayat at Jantar Mantar where slogans calling for
violence against Muslims were allegedly chanted. He is out on bail.
The
police have registered a second FIR based on a complaint from two journalists
of a news portal.
“The
complainants alleged that around 1.30pm on Sunday when they were rushing
towards the exit, they were manhandled and assaulted by a group of people who
also tried to snatch their mobile phones and I-cards,” a police officer said.
Source:
Telegraph India
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Terror
angle in attack by IIT graduate in UP?
Apr
5, 2022
LUCKNOW/GORAKHPUR:
A day after an IIT Bombay graduate armed with a sickle attacked two Provincial
Armed Constabulary (PAC) sentries at the gate to UP's Gorakhnath temple, state
investigative agencies said on Monday they weren't ruling out a terror
conspiracy.
Security
at prominent places of worship across the state was beefed up as teams from the
police's Anti-Terrorism Squad and Special Task Force jointly started probing
what was initially suspected to be a "lone wolf attack". Additional
chief security Awanish Awasthi of the home department said the possibility of
the arrested assailant, unemployed chemical engineer Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi,
being associated with any terror group hadn't been ruled out yet.
CM
Yogi Adityanath visited the injured PAC sentries, Gopal Gaur and Anil Paswan,
at BRD Medical College and announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh to them for foiling
the attack.
Murtaza
had allegedly attacked them without provocation and tried to enter the temple.
The Gorakhpur resident shouted religious slogans while lunging at the duo, only
to be overpowered. He suffered some injuries, too. Two FIRs were filed against
him. Murtaza was quoted as telling interrogators that he visited Nepal recently
and bought the sickle found on him from Maharajganj, a border village in that
country, during his return journey.
Source:
Times Of India
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Stop
Loudspeakers In Mosques, But Not By Force: Minister
05th
April 2022
GOKARNA:
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa, who is known for
making sensational comments, on Monday surprised everyone by singing a tune of
communal harmony.
Speaking
to reporters after the inauguration of a water project here, he said use of
loud speakers by mosques should be stopped, but by taking into confidence the
Muslim community and not by force.
“The
Sri Ram Sena, like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, has called upon people to
chant Hanuman Chalisa through loudspeakers whenever there are calls for Azaan.
But this is wrong to do so. We need to take the Muslim community into
confidence,” he said.
Source:
New Indian Express
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Pakistan
intruder shot dead at LoC in J&K’s Nowshera, weapons recovered
Apr
5, 2022
JAMMU:
An infiltrator from Pakistan was shot dead by Army personnel along the Line of
Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of J&K’s Rajouri district early Monday. A
cache of arms and ammunition — including an AK-47 with magazine, a pistol with
magazine, pistol and AK-47 ammunition, and one knife — was recovered along with
the terrorist’s body from the spot.
“On
the intervening night of April 3 and 4, Indian Army successfully foiled an
infiltration bid by neutralising a Pakistani terrorist along the LoC in
Nowshera sector,” Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand
confirmed.
Source:
Times Of India
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79
foreign terrorists active in J&K: Army
Apr
5, 2022
JAMMU:
A total of 172 terrorists are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir, of whom 79
are foreigners, according to data compiled by the Indian Army. In the first
three months of 2022 (January-March), there have been 28 terror attacks against
security forces and eight against civilians. As many as 15 Kashmiri youths have
taken up arms during this period while 23 incidents of weapon recovery have
been recorded.
Source:
Times Of India
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--------
Terrorist
hideout busted in Poonch, arms & ammo recovered
Apr
5, 2022
JAMMU:
Security forces busted a terrorist hideout in a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s
Poonch district near the Line of Control (LoC) and recovered a huge cache of
arms and ammunition. “The recovery included two AK-47 rifles with magazines,
one 223 Bore AK-shape gun with handgrip along with its two magazines, a Chinese
pistol, one Chinese pistol magazine, 63 AK-47 rounds, 20 rounds of 223 bore AK
Shape gun and four Chinese pistol rounds,” said Jammu-based defence
spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand on Monday.
“On
specific intelligence inputs, Army’s Poonch Brigade personnel under the aegis
of White Knight Corps and J&K Police’s special operation group launched a
search operation on Sunday in Noorkote village of Haveli tehsil along the LoC,”
Lt Col Anand said, adding that during the searches, the troops busted the
hideout and seized the arms and ammunition.
Source:
Times Of India
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--------
South
Asia
China
agrees to accept credentials of Taliban diplomats: Afghan FM
04
Apr 2022
Acting
Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi said
that China has agreed to accept the credentials of Afghan diplomats sent to
Afghanistan’s embassy in China by the Taliban.
Talking
to journalists in China, Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed gratitude for China’s
humanitarian assistance and allowing Afghan crops and products to the country
while thanking the country for hosting a meeting of Afghanistan’s Foreign
Ministers.
The
Foreign Minister added that Afghanistan will turn into an economic hub and a
connecting geography between central and southern Asia as the insecurity and
instability of the past two decades have ended in the country.
“We
are committed to providing conducive ground for Afghan traders to invest inside
the country and work for the prosperity of their country. We will have a
prosperous and developed country where we will have no economic refugee.” Said
Muttaqi.
Further,
Amir Khan Muttaqi said that ISIS-K was capable of operations despite a 20-year
US presence in Afghanistan adding that the terror groups have been suppressed
and eliminated in the first four months of the Taliban’s rule.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
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https://www.khaama.com/china-agrees-to-accept-credentials-of-taliban-diplomats-afghan-fm-435634745/
--------
More
than half of Afghan population desiring to leave country: Gallup poll
05
Apr 2022
As
the global attention has shifted from Afghanistan to the Ukraine crisis and the
refugees of the country, Afghanistan has showcased a shocking number with 53
percent of the population desiring to leave their own country and seek refuge
elsewhere.
Gallup
survey that was conducted in August and September last year showed 53% of
Afghans willing to leave the country was a record-high but the percentage is
believed to be higher now as more people are suffering from poverty and a
crippled economy.
According
to the survey, men are among the most willing people who would like to leave
with 56% in 2021 compared to 35% in 2018 while the percentage of outgoing women
rose only three percent from 47% in 2018.
Turkey,
Canada, Germany, and the US remained top of the countries where Afghans are
most willing to move.
The
survey has also asked people about their economic situation and if it is getting
better or worse.
The
polling has found that 89% of Afghans responded that their economic situation
getting worse whereas only one percent responded positively.
In
the meantime, 75% of the Afghan population was found not to be able to find
enough food with 58% being unable to find shelter.
Source: Khaama Press
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--------
Taliban
claims of restraining Islamic State’s violent activities in Afghanistan
5
April, 2022
Kabul
[Afghanistan], April 5 (ANI): The Taliban on Monday claimed that it has
restrained the violent activities of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Afghanistan.
The
claims were made to the Chinese media by acting Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Amir Khan Muttaqi, who said that ISIS has not been able to conduct any attack
in the country in recent months, reported Tolo News.
He
also said that Afghan soil will not be a threat to any other country.
“Daesh
had no operations in the last four months. We could say that Afghanistan is a
secure country right now and we are committed to the pledges we made to the
world, the pledge that Afghanistan’s soil would not be used against any
country,” he said.
China
reportedly has good ties with the current Afghan government. The diplomats of
the Taliban have been accepted by the Chinese government; however, Beijing has
yet to formally recognize the Taliban.
Muttaqi
called his recent visit to China constructive. In late March a delegation of
the Taliban, led by acting Minister Muttaqi visited China, where they held
several rounds of talks with top diplomats and envoys of foreign countries,
reported Tolo News.
“The
meeting was positive and fruitful. We hope such meetings will bring good
outcomes and the Afghans can hear good news,” Muttaqi said.
He
also reiterated Taliban calls for economic policy to facilitate investment in
Afghanistan, reported Tolo News.
Source: The Print
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US
welcomes outlawing narcotics in Afghanistan
05
Apr 2022
The
United States Charge’ d’Affaires for Afghanistan Ian McCary has welcomed the
announcement by the supreme leader of the Taliban Mullah Hebtullah Akhundzada
banning the cultivation, use, production, selling, buying, import, and export
of poppies in Afghanistan.
Ian
McCary said outlawing the production of narcotics in Afghanistan is a positive
first step adding implementing the commandment will be key.
The
US diplomat in his Twitter post wrote that legitimate and healthy agriculture
will benefit Afghanistan and the Afghan people.
“Having
a healthy and licit agricultural sector will help Afghanistan’s economy and
ultimately the Afghan people.” Reads the Tweet.
Source:
Khaama Press
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/us-welcomes-outlawing-narcotics-in-afghanistan-548756/
--------
Humanitarian
crisis casts shadow over first Ramazan in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover
MODASER
ISLAMI
April
04, 2022
KABUL:
Rising prices, food shortages and a looming famine across Afghanistan have cast
a shadow this year over the holy month of Ramazan, the first since the Taliban
seized control of the country last year.
This
year’s Ramazan marks the first peaceful holy month for many young Afghans who
were born after the US-led occupation in 2001. But it also coincides with a
humanitarian situation that has “deteriorated alarmingly” since the Taliban
takeover in August, with the economy facing near collapse. UN agencies estimate
that more than 24.4 million Afghans, over half of the population, require
humanitarian assistance to survive.
“With
increasing poverty, lack of income and roaring prices, even more people won’t
have the ability to provide food for their families every day this Ramazan,”
Osman Hamim, a development worker and economic expert, told Arab News.
The
Taliban interim government, which has yet to be recognized by the international
community and has no access to the country’s foreign reserves, has said it will
assist needy Afghans during Ramazan.
“The
era of oppression, corruption and usurpation has ended. For economic
development, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has plans inside the country
and is in talks with neighboring and other countries,” Bilal Karimi, the
Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, told Arab News.
“In
Ramazan, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is distributing assistance to
vulnerable families. The assistance is provided from internal sources and from
abroad.”
Many
Afghans hope the promise of aid will be fulfilled. They also hope for peace in
a month in which violence has typically escalated in the country over the past
two decades.
One
of the worst attacks in Kabul took place during Ramazan in June 2017, when an
explosion killed more than 150 people and wounded more than 300 others.
This
year too, on the first day of Ramazan, a blast hit the money exchange hub in
Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, killing one person and injuring dozens.
Even
so, Mirwais Azizi, 28, said he was thankful that security in Kabul had markedly
improved.
“There
are still small incidents taking place in Kabul and some other cities but
thanks to God we are not witnessing everyday bomb explosions and insurgent
attacks like in the past,” Azizi told Arab News.
In
the months since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Kandahar-based aid
worker Ahmad Shah Nekzad said he has been able to access remote areas and
witness communities across the country enjoying a relative sense of security.
But
feeding the people remained a major challenge this Ramazan, Nekzad added.
“More
and more people ask for help every day. We are not able to reach all,” he told
Arab News. “In the absence of war, we must also provide food for the needy.
This year, Ramazan is going to be very difficult for millions of Afghan
families.”
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056776/world
--------
Europe
US
sought to punish 'disobedient' Imran Khan, says Russia
April
5, 2022
Russia
has lambasted "another attempt of shameless interference" by the
United States in the internal affairs of Pakistan, adding that it sought to
punish a "disobedient" Imran Khan.
In
a statement, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova
said Russia had noted that President Dr Arif Alvi dissolved the National
Assembly on April 3 on the prime minister's advice as well as the events
preceding it.
"Immediately
after the announcement of the working visit of Imran Khan to Moscow on February
23-24 this year, the Americans and their Western associates began to exert rude
pressure on the prime minister, demanding an ultimatum to cancel the
trip," she said.
"When
he nevertheless came to us, [Lu] called the Pakistani ambassador in Washington
and demanded that the visit be immediately interrupted, which was also
rejected," she stated.
"According
to the Pakistani media, on March 7 this year, in a conversation with Pakistani
Ambassador Asad Majid, a high-ranking American official (presumably the same
Donald Lu) sharply condemned the balanced reaction of the Pakistani leadership
to the events in Ukraine and made it clear that partnerships with the United
States are possible only if Imran Khan is removed from power," Zakharova
said.
The
Russian official said that further development of the situation left no doubt
that the US "decided to punish the 'disobedient' Imran Khan", noting
how lawmakers from within the PTI switched sides to the opposition while the
no-confidence vote was submitted to Parliament.
"This
is another attempt of shameless US interference in the internal affairs of an
independent state for its own selfish purposes. The above facts eloquently
testify to this," Zakharova said.
"The
[Pakistan] prime minister himself has repeatedly stated that the conspiracy
against him was inspired and financed from abroad. We hope that Pakistani
voters will be informed about these circumstances when they come to the
elections, which should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the
National Assembly," she said.
The
statement from Russia's foreign ministry comes after PM Imran named US
Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia Donald Lu as the
official who made "threatening remarks" about his regime in a letter,
which the premier had brandished during a public rally in Islamabad last month.
Last
month, the National Security Committee, which includes all services chiefs, had
decided to issue a "strong demarche" over the letter, terming it
"blatant interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan".
Imran
has alleged that the no-confidence motion against him is part of the
"foreign conspiracy" to oust him from power.
On
April 3, NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri had thrown out the no-trust motion
against Imran, declaring that “circumstances show there is a nexus between the
no-confidence motion, foreign intervention and the activities of the state’s
representatives deputed to Pakistan”.
PM
Imran had visited Moscow in February on a two-day trip which focused primarily
on energy cooperation. During his trip, he had conveyed to Russian President Vladimir
Putin that he regretted the situation developing between Russia and Ukraine,
adding that Islamabad had hoped that military conflict could be averted through
a diplomatic solution.
In
pictures: PM Imran's trip to Russia
Source:
Dawn
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1683565/us-sought-to-punish-disobedient-imran-khan-says-russia
--------
France
demands probe of killings in Mali with Kremlin-backed Wagner group
Shweta
Desai
04.04.2022
PARIS
France
on Tuesday demanded an investigation over reports of mass killings in central
Mali allegedly committed by the Malian army along with Russian Wagner Group
mercenaries.
A
Foreign Ministry statement asserted that elements of the Malian armed forces
accompanied by Russian mercenaries allegedly caused the death of hundreds of
civilians in the village of Moura.
Mali's
military on April 1 said it had killed 203 combatants in a large-scale air and
land operation on March 23-31 in Moura, which it said had been a “stronghold of
terrorists for several years.”
Unlike
the French statement, the Malian armed forces official statement made no
mention of the participation of the Wagner Group in the operation, conducted
400 kilometers (250 miles) northeast of the capital, Bamako.
Investigation
of Wagner involvement
The
US also expressed concern over human rights violations, saying many reports
suggested the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group and the Malian Armed Forces have
targeted elements of known violent extremist groups.
A
Radio France International (RFI) report said that testimonies from local
villagers confirmed Wagner mercenaries were deployed in “very large numbers”
and even outnumbered Malian soldiers in the operation.
The
ministry has called for national authorities and the UN Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to open investigations to
“establish responsibility for these acts and bring their perpetrators to
justice.”
France
claimed there has been a rise in the incidents of violence with impunity in
central Mali since the beginning of this year. “The fight against terrorist
groups operating in the Sahel can in no way justify violations of human rights.
Indiscriminate violence against civilian populations only reinforces these
groups,” the statement said.
France
and other European countries last year decried Mali’s decision to deploy the
Wagner Group while demanding European military forces withdraw from the
country.
Turkiye
in 2019 criticized the Wager Group for supporting putschists in Libya.
Paris
last June announced the end of its flagship anti-terrorism operation Barkhane
and the closing of military bases in Mali amid growing local opposition and
political mistrust following a coup.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Muslims
in Italy offer Zakat for Ukraine conflict
April
04, 2022
ROME:
Muslims in the Italian province of Pordenone have decided to donate Zakat —
alms — this Ramazan to people most affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Mustafa
Nadif, a representative of the Moroccan community in the province, which has
taken in refugees from Ukraine in recent weeks, told Arab News that the
initiative aims to provide a “concrete token of solidarity with those who are
suffering.”
He
added: “Our solidarity and closeness goes out to all those suffering from wars
or forgotten conflicts, especially during this holy period for Muslims
worldwide.”
Yassine
Lafram, president of the Union of Islamic Communities of Italy, said after
meeting the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bologna Cardinal Matteo Zuppi: “The
prayers of the Islamic community will be not only for Ukraine, but for all the
forgotten wars of the world. We will pray for the people killed, wounded, for
oppressed peoples deprived of their liberty.”
Zuppi,
who is considered one of the most influential Catholic figures in terms of
interreligious dialogue with Muslim communities in Italy, expressed his “best
wishes for Holy Ramazan to all our Muslim brothers.”’
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056711/world
--------
Arab
food chain in Berlin thrives
April
04, 2022
BERLIN:
Customers from all over the world are queueing in front of cashiers, menus of
chicken and fries are omnipresent over their heads, and the sounds of fryers
fill the room — a scene that appears typical for a restaurant in Berlin.
Yet
this two-story eatery opposite the railway station of Zoologischer Garten is
different: The smell of exotic spices hangs in the air, and Arabic dishes such
as hummus fill the menu photos and trays.
Osman
remembers how RISA Chicken began. “There were a lot of food places in Germany
that served chicken, yet this was the first to sell both fried and grilled
chicken in Arab style,” he told Arab News.
Osman
said he spoke personally with founder Khalil Jawad, “congratulated him on the
new business and wished him the best of luck.”
Jawad,
a German of Lebanese descent, was no rookie in the food business. He once ran a
successful steakhouse in Berlin that he later sold to find new opportunities.
A
pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah unexpectedly inspired the pious Muslim to open
a new place at home that would provide customers with fried and grilled
chicken.
He
founded a restaurant of his own in 2004. Jawad branded it Rizqa, meaning
blessing in Arabic, but changed the spelling for German customers.
The
coincidental meeting between he and Osman was to be fateful for both. “We were
in loose contact for a couple of years,” said the latter. “In 2012, we began to
meet more frequently and became friends.”
At
the time, RISA Chicken had already opened two new branches in Berlin and was no
longer a local district restaurant.
Jawad
found Osman’s ideas inspiring, and in 2013 made him an offer. The banker became
Jawad’s managing director.
RISA
Chicken is now well-known across Berlin, with seven branches. But it was in
2013 that Osman began to change the business concept. Food production was
centralized, and some concepts regarding food were changed.
“There’s
never a day in which I don’t think about what we could improve,” Osman said.
“There can never be a status quo!”
In
2016, he had an idea that would ultimately change the face of the chain:
Opening a two-story branch opposite the railway station of Zoologischer Garten.
Osman
was convinced that the profits would be worth the risks, though the building’s
landlords doubted whether he knew what he was doing.
When
asked, his answer was blunt: “I told them either it’s the chickens that get
grilled or me.” His optimism prevailed.
In
2017, the new and largest branch opened and was an immediate success. What
started as a small family business that mainly served immigrants from the
Middle East, or German customers hankering for Arabic food, changed its face.
“Now our customers are from Berlin or coming to visit Berlin,” said Osman.
During
the holy month, things are different for RISA Chicken. Banners wishing visitors
a happy Ramazan in Arabic and German are put up across the restaurants.
Large
groups and families order bigger amounts of food in advance to break their
fast, either holding their iftar at the restaurants or getting home delivery.
“Charity
is one of the major aspects of Ramazan,” Osman said. RISA Chicken donates large
meals to mosques, cultural associations and homeless shelters across Berlin.
“During the holy month, charity must always come first, revenue second.”
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056586/world
--------
Pakistan
Pakistani
philosopher Dr Israr Ahmed’s YouTube channel deleted; outrage follows
4th
April 2022
Usama
Hazari
The
official YouTube channel of late Pakistani Islamic scholar and philosopher, Dr
Israr Ahmed with 2.9 million subscribers has been terminated by YouTube for
alleged anti-Semitic content. Tanzeem-e-Islami, a movement founded by Dr Israr
Ahmed, tweeted out to YouTube calling the move a blatant act of Islamophobia.
Tanzeem-e-Islami
also stated that it has commenced a robust legal and procedural action in
response to YouTube’s termination of the channel.
Dr
Israr Ahmed passed away in 2010 in Lahore at the age of 77. He migrated to
Pakistan from Haryana after the partition in 1947. Initially, he was a member
of the Jamaat-e-Islami but in 1957, when the party decided to participate in
electoral politics, he resigned because he believed that it was irreconcilable
with the revolutionary methodology adopted by the Jamaat in the pre-1947
period.
Apart
from being known for his monumental series of lectures on the Quran called
“Bayan-ul-Quran,” he is also remembered for popularizing the idea of reviving
the Islamic Caliphate and the Prophetic Revolution (a revolution inspired by
the struggle of Prophet Muhammed).
Public
outrage on social media
Source:
Siasat Daily
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Pakistan
Supreme Court to resume hearing on dismissal of no-trust vote against PM,
dissolution of Parliament
Apr
5, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's Supreme Court will resume the hearing on Tuesday on the dismissal of
a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan and the dissolution of
Parliament by the President on the advice of the embattled premier, a day after
adjourning the proceedings after promising to give a "reasonable
order" in the high-profile case.
The
apex court had taken a suo motu cognizance of the current political situation
in the country.
President
Arif Alvi had dissolved the National Assembly (NA) on the advice of Prime
Minister Khan, minutes after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri rejected a no-confidence
motion against the premier, who had effectively lost the majority in the
342-member lower house of Parliament on Sunday.
Chief
Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that all orders and actions initiated by the
prime minister and the president regarding the dissolution of the National
Assembly will be subject to the court's order.
On
Monday, a larger bench of the apex court - comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata
Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Munib
Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail - took up the matter after Deputy Speaker
Suri rejected the move to dislodge the prime minister by declaring the no-trust
motion unmaintainable due to its link with a so-called foreign conspiracy.
President
Alvi, the Supreme Court Bar Association and all political parties have been
made respondents in the case.
Lawyers
from the government and opposition presented their argument regarding the
ruling by the deputy speaker.
During
the arguments, Chief Justice Bandial said that even if the Speaker of the
National Assembly cites Article 5 of the Constitution, the no-confidence motion
cannot be rejected, Geo News reported.
If
Khan gets a favourable ruling, elections will take place within 90 days. If the
court rules against the deputy speaker, the parliament will reconvene and hold
the no-confidence vote against Khan, experts said.
Chief
Justice Bandial had earlier in the day said the court would issue a
"reasonable order" on the issue on Monday.
During
the proceedings, Justice Ahsan noted that there were violations in the
proceedings of the no-trust resolution, Dawn reported.
Justice
Bandial observed that a debate before voting on the no-confidence motion had
been clearly mentioned in the law but didn't take place.
Meanwhile,
Justice Akhtar expressed dubiousness over the deputy speaker's constitutional
authority to pass such a ruling, the paper said.
"In
my opinion," he said, "only the speaker had the right to pass the
ruling. "The deputy speaker chairs the session on the non-availability of
the speaker."
Justice
Bandial also observed that the deputy speaker's ruling mentioned the meeting of
the parliamentary committee for security. "The opposition deliberately
didn't attend the meeting," he said.
Farooq
H Naek, who was representing the joint opposition, pleaded with the court to
issue a verdict on the matter on Monday.
But
Justice Ahsan said it was impossible to pass the verdict on Monday, adding that
the apex court's decision will have far reaching outcomes.
"We
can't pass a decision in the air," Justice Bandial said, adjourning the
hearing till 12pm on Tuesday.
He
also rejected the opposition's plea for a full bench.
"The
court will hear all representatives of the parties before concluding the
hearing," the chief justice said during the hearing.
The
decision of the court would also determine the legality of the presidential
order to dissolve the National Assembly.
However,
opposition parties rejected both the ruling of deputy speaker and dissolution
of the parliament, and not only challenged it in the court but also fought
tooth and nail outside the Supreme Court.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Pakistan's
NSA resigns amid ongoing political crisis
Apr
5, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's national security (NSA) adviser Moeed Yusuf resigned on Monday amid
the ongoing constitutional and political crisis in the country.
"Today,
I leave extremely satisfied and content, most of all because I know that the
NSA's office and the NSD are vibrant institutions with an exceptional team that
will continue to make Pakistan proud," he tweeted.
Yusuf
thanked Imran Khan for allowing him to do justice to his role as the NSA.
"Thanks
also to all others who allowed the Office of the National Security Adviser and
the National Security Division/Strategic Policy Planning Cell to contribute to
the national cause," he added.
On
Sunday, Pakistani President Arif Alvi dissolved the Pakistani parliament
following Khan's advice. Imran Khan made the proposal minutes after
parliament's deputy speaker rejected a motion of no confidence in him as
"unconstitutional."
The
decision to cancel the no-confidence vote angered opposition parties and they
have appealed the decision in court. Pakistani information minister Fawad
Hussain had said a snap parliamentary election will be held within 90 days.
Pakistan
media has criticised the dissolution of the National Assembly in the country,
saying that whatever happened on Sunday violated all rules governing
proceedings in the House, particularly those dealing with the motion of
no-confidence.
Pakistan
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Monday said that even if the speaker of the
National Assembly cites Article 5 of the Constitution, the no-confidence motion
cannot be rejected.
"Does
the speaker not have any option to reject the no-trust motion? Are you saying
that the speaker dishonestly rejected the no-confidence motion?" Bandial
was quoted as saying by the News International newspaper.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Shahbaz
Sharif accuses Imran Khan of imposing civil martial law in Pakistan
4
April, 2022
Islamabad
[Pakistan], April 4 (ANI): Refering to Imran Khan’s claim of threat by the US,
Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Shahbaz Sharif on Monday said that a
no-confidence motion was submitted on March 8 and if there was a threat why
wasn’t it raised before March 24.
Addressing
a press conference today the PML-N chief said that Imran Khan along with his
party members has blatantly challenged the Constitution of Pakistan.
“Constitution
was violated yesterday by Imran Khan Niazi and his group. Motion
(No-Confidence) was submitted on March 8, if some message had come from the US
while they claim that it was received on March 7, why did they not raise it on
March 24?” he said.
Reacting
to the dissolution of the National Assembly and rejection of the no-confidence
motion, he said that Khan has imposed a “civil martial law” in the country.
He
was accompanied by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal
Bhutto-Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Asad Mehmood,
Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan MQM-(P) convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui,
Balochistan National Party, Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal and others in
Islamabad.
“In
violation of the court’s orders, the (then) Prime Minister and the President
have taken extra-Constitutional steps,” he said during the presser.
The
PML-N leader also said that it is true that no one could challenge the
proceedings of the House but if the Constitution is violated there then will it
not be protected?
Referring
to the dramatic turn of events in the Lower House yesterday, plunging the
country into a Constitutional crisis, he said Fawad Chaudhry and the Speaker
read out the written letters.
The
National Assembly of Pakistan was dissolved on Sunday. In a development that is
likely to worsen the political crisis in the country, Pakistan President Arif
Alvi has said that Imran Khan will continue as Prime Minister till the
appointment of a caretaker PM under Article 224 A of the Pakistan Constitution.
“Mr.
Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, shall continue as Prime Minister till the appointment
of caretaker Prime Minister under Article 224 A (4) of the Constitution of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” Alvi said in a tweet.
This
comes after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was de-notified
as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. A statement was issued in this regard from
the country’s Cabinet Division after the dissolution of the National Assembly,
Geo News reported.
The
de-notification comes after the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (NA)
Qasim Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion against the PTI chairman and
termed it “unconstitutional”.
Source:
The Print
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Justice
Baqar deplores exclusion of senior judges from important cases
Nasir
Iqbal
April
5, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The exclusion of certain judges from hearings of sensitive cases on account of
their independent and impartial views has an adverse effect on the impartiality
of judges and tarnishes perceptions about the judiciary’s integrity, Justice
Maqbool Baqar of the Supreme Court said on Monday.
The
assignment of cases has a serious bearing on the independence, impartiality and
integrity of the judiciary, emphasised Justice Baqar in his speech at a full
court reference held in his honour on reaching superannuation.
Chief
Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial described his speech as a poetic message
to all the judges, adding that he would try to find out the facts.
“But
Justice Baqar never raised these issues with me after I became the Chief
Justice,” the CJP said.
Legal
experts believe Justice Baqar made the observation against the backdrop of
non-inclusion of senior judges like Justice Qazi Faez Isa in important cases.
Justice
Baqar emphasised that this practice tends to affect the morale of those judges
who are assigned to less significant benches and fosters “feelings of
estrangement” amongst members of the judiciary.
Justice
Baqar pointed out that there was a tradition that judges refer to those who
give a different ruling in a particular case as their ‘learned brother’,
implying that notwithstanding their disagreement on the interpretation of legal
provisions, the other judges’ views deserved respect.
“Nonetheless,
the manner in which we have referred to one another while differing with each
other’s views in the recent past should cause immense discomfort to all of us,”
Justice Baqar regretted.
“Could
this country expect us to be temperate, balanced, and respectful when we were
incapable of displaying the most common of civility and courtesy to our own
colleagues,” the judge wondered.
Justice
Baqar referred to a growing perception that judicial appointments and disciplinary
proceedings were influenced by extraneous considerations. “Notwithstanding the
merit of such claims, the gravity of this perception cannot be overstated.
“We
must evolve an objective criterion for appointments and also make proceedings
before the Supreme Judicial Council more transparent,” Justice Baqar stressed.
He
said it would be unfortunate if the tenure of a judge were made subject to the
‘acceptability’ of his judgements, and career prospects jeopardised if his
decisions do not go down well with those in power.
Experience
suggests that unbridled discretion, particularly when vested in non-elected
institutions, results in rewarding loyalists and those amenable to the diktat
of authority at the expense of merit and fairness, the judge observed.
“This
retards the growth of democratic institutions.”
Justice
Baqar regretted that the judiciary had fallen short of expectations. Delays and
pendency remain at an all-time high across all courts in the country. The
reality ought to be disconcerting for all stakeholders, he added.
“It
is imperative that we remove impediments in the path of expeditious and
inexpensive justice and build dams against unnecessary delays in adjudication
with sincerity of commitment and a single-minded focus on fulfilling our
constitutional role,” the outgoing judge said.
“Unbridled
judicial activism spells the death of the rule of law,” he sounded a note of
caution. Justice Baqar said it was regrettable that the judiciary remains
silent on incidents like kidnapping of journalists. “Abdication of
responsibilities by courts emboldens those who trample fundamental rights and
muzzle free speech.”
It
also hurts the nation’s confidence in the judicial order’s ability to dispense
justice without fear or favour, Justice Maqbool Baqar said.
In
a democracy governed by the rule of law under a written constitution, he added,
the judiciary is expected to protect fundamental rights and to be evenhanded.
The rise of social media has promoted the right to democratic expression by
improving access to platforms where information may be shared and received.
“But
recent attempts to control these platforms and use instruments like the archaic
sedition law to muzzle dissent may be a foretaste of things to come.”
The
courts ought to jealously safeguard fundamental rights, Justice Baqar stressed.
In
his address, Attorney General (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan regretted that today many
invoke Article 6 with an air of casualness that tempers its severity and treat
it as a mere tool against political opponents.
Source:
Dawn
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Farah
Khan ‘flees country’ after corruption allegations
April
5, 2022
LAHORE:
Farah Khan, a close friend of prime minister’s wife Bushra Bibi, has left the
country amid serious allegations of corruption levelled against her by the
opposition.
According
to sources, Ms Khan had left for Dubai on Sunday after the dissolution of the
National Assembly in the wake of the no-trust move against Prime Minister Imran
Khan. Her husband had reportedly left the country already.
PML-N
Vice President Maryam Nawaz had alleged that a friend of prime minister’s wife
received a huge sum of money for getting officers transferred and posted
according to their choice, calling her the ‘mother of all scandals’ amounting
to Rs6 billion.
“I
dare to name Farah, a friend of Bushra Bibi who is involved in receiving
millions of rupees in transfers and postings and these are directly connected
to Banigala (residence of Prime Minister Khan),” Ms Nawaz said.
She
claimed once the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government was sent home the
mind-boggling stories of corruption of Imran Khan and the company would come to
the fore.
“The
mother of all scandals of transfers and postings amounting to Rs6bn is related
to Banigala. In the coming days, startling evidence will surface. Imran Khan
has fears that once he is out of power his ‘thefts’ will be exposed,” Maryam
Nawaz said.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1683489/farah-khan-flees-country-after-corruption-allegations
--------
Fazlur
Rehman says ‘must uphold constitution first, move towards polls later’
April
4, 2022
Pakistan
Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Fazlur Rehman said Monday that the Opposition
could move toward elections once the Constitution has been upheld in the
country.
Fazl’s
comments came after Deputy Speaker National Assembly Qasim Suri dismissed the
no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, saying it was
backed by “foreign powers”.
Following
this, the prime minister was quick to address the nation and congratulate them
for “their success” as he asked Pakistanis to gear up for the elections.
The
storm had not settled yet but the prime minister went ahead and advised
President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly, who within a short time,
followed suit and dissolved it. The matter is in the Supreme Court.
In
his press conference today, a charged Fazil said in 1988, Balochistan’s
assembly was dissolved but the court restored it. “The court should take action
against the recent violation of the Constitution and not delay it.”
The
PDM chief lashed out at the deputy speaker for not taking the Opposition’s
input while making the decision and censured the president for obeying the
prime minister’s directives without asking any questions.
“The
entire country has been pushed into a crisis […] our only demand is that the
deputy speaker’s ruling is declared illegal,” Fazl said, terming Suri’s
decision as “controversial and unconstitutional”.
The
PDM chief said the deputy speaker issued a “controversial” decision based on a
“controversial letter” as he warned the PTI and the prime minister that the
Opposition would “not back down”.
“All
of these unconstitutional moves are being made to come into power again —
illegally,” the PDM chief said, adding that the prime minister has sought a
safe exit by dissolving the assemblies.
Source:
Pakistan Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Southeast
Asia
Indonesia
court sentences Islamic school teacher to death for raping 13 students
April
5, 2022
Jakarta,
IndonesiaAn Indonesian court handed down a death sentence on Monday to a
teacher for raping 13 girls at an Islamic school, upholding an appeal by
prosecutors for the death penalty after he had initially received a sentence of
life in prison.
The
case of teacher Herry Wirawan has shocked Indonesia and shone a spotlight on
the need to protect children from sexual violence in the country's religious
boarding schools.
After
he was sentenced to life in jail by a court in the city of Bandung in February,
prosecutors who had called for the death penalty filed an appeal.
"(We)
hereby punish the defendant with the death penalty," the judge said in a
statement on Monday posted on the Bandung High Court's website.
Ira
Mambo, Herry's lawyer, declined to comment on whether there would be an appeal,
citing a need to see the full ruling from the court.
A
spokesperson for the local prosecutor's office also said it would wait to
receive the final ruling before commenting.
Between
2016 and 2021, Herry sexually groomed the 13 girls, who were between 12 and 16
years old, and impregnated eight of his victims, a judge said in February. Some
suffered injuries from his rape.
Indonesian
officials, including the country's child protection minister, had also backed
calls for the death penalty, though the nation's human rights commission, which
opposes the death penalty, said it was not appropriate.
Source:
CNN
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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The
significance of Qingming to the Chinese community
April
5, 2022
For
many Chinese families in Malaysia and overseas, the festival of Qingming is a
significant event in the cultural calendar.
Celebrated
15 days after the Spring Equinox, this holiday tends to fall somewhere in early
April. This year, Qingming is today.
During
this time, families who practise ancestral worship gather at the graves of
loved ones, keeping them neat and tidy before leaving offerings to the
deceased.
The
origins of Qingming can be traced back to the Hanshi, or Cold Food, Festival,
which commemorated the deeds of one Jie Zitui, a Jin nobleman from the 7th
century under the Zhou dynasty.
The
traditions of that festival – which is rarely celebrated although still
observable in China, Vietnam and South Korea – ended up being conflated with
those of Qingming.
Qingming
is also referred to as the Tomb Sweeping Festival, highlighting the most
important activity of the day in a culture that places emphasis on filial piety
and ancestor worship.
Usually,
traditional Chinese families bury their dead close to one another. And, just as
how one’s financial status makes all the difference in life, the wealth of
one’s family affects one’s burial.
Wealthy
families tend to have elaborate tombs for their deceased members; if you find a
grave with an impressive burial mound, it likely belongs to a wealthy person.
Some of these can be quite elaborate, with a raised cement wall acting as a
tombstone with details about the person’s life, achievements, and family.
Thus,
cleaning these tombs is a sign of showing respect to one’s ancestors. It can be
quite the undertaking, with underbrush often having to be cleared and hacked
away with shears or parang.
These
days, it is common for modern tombs to have burial mounds covered with cement,
simplifying the cleaning process. Indeed, given how modern cemeteries are
nowadays, grave maintenance is a lot easier than it used to be.
After
cleaning up the grave, it is time to place offerings. Traditionally, a bowl of
rice, some wine, and a few dishes are left as food for the deceased.
Afterwards,
incense and paper hell money are offered, with family members burning them in
the hope of ensuring a pleasant afterlife.
Nowadays,
modern comforts are also provided for the dead, with paper offerings in the
form of cars, houses, clothes, and jewellery being commonplace.
In
the vein of contemporary western funerals, many families also leave flowers on
graves. To chase away evil spirits from the resting place of their loved ones,
some even light firecrackers, hoping the noise would scare these malevolent
entities away.
In
some regions, it is common practice to go for a nature walk after paying one’s
respects, since Qingming tends to coincide with one of the year’s warmest
periods.
And,
while not commonly practised in Malaysia, kite-flying is a popular activity
among certain families during this time. Some are attached with coloured
lanterns, providing people on the ground quite the spectacle when these kites
soar through the sky.
Some
people believe they will be blessed by letting their kites fly away – thus,
instead of reeling them in, they let their kites go, symbolising bad luck being
carried away into the wind.
Like
most Chinese celebrations, food is a big part of the festivities. As suggested
by the aforementioned Cold Food Festival, families would traditionally eat
uncooked dishes during this time.
In
China, round, sticky and green dumplings are often served: they are called
Qingtuan, and are usually filled with sweet red-bean paste.
For
some families, a deep-fried salty dough twist called “sanzi” is the meal of the
day, served cold and seasoned with sesame seeds.
Other
traditional Qingming dishes include peach-blossom porridge, crispy cakes,
snails, and eggs; they are usually cooked a day ahead in observance of cold
food.
Hot
or cold, eating is an activity enjoyed during this ancient festival that has
survived across centuries and is celebrated by the Chinese community all over
the world.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Is
Malaysia heading the way of crisis-ridden Sri Lanka?
A.
Kathirasen
April
4, 2022
I’ve
never visited Sri Lanka but I’ve heard that it’s a beautiful place and every
year, before the Covid-19 pandemic, more than a million people visited it.
According
to Sri Lankan tourism department figures, 1.9 million people visited the island
in 2019, earning it US$3.6 billion in revenue. In 2018, 2.3 million visitors
helped it earn US$4.4 billion in foreign exchange.
It
is often touted by proud Sri Lankans as “paradise” and “pearl of the orient”.
But
no more. For Sri Lanka is now drowning in its worst ever economic crisis and is
pleading for help from other nations to enable its people to stay afloat.
Following
a 70% drop in foreign exchange reserves since January 2020, Sri Lanka has been
struggling to even pay for essential imports such as food and fuel. It’s
foreign currency reserves fell to US$2.31 billion in February, a fall of US$779
million just from December 2021 through January 2022.
The
nation is reeling from food shortages and skyrocketing prices of food and fuel.
Some reports say many are eating only one meal a day, and rationing has been
introduced to cope with the shortages. For example, a Sri Lankan can now buy
only 400gm of milk a day.
Residents
have to put up with daily power cuts of up to 13 hours.
On
March 20, several reports said Sri Lanka had cancelled examinations for
millions of students because it had run out of printing paper and could not pay
for imports. And on March 26, it was reported that two of Sri Lanka’s major
newspapers – The Island, an English daily, and its sister Sinhala paper
Divayina – had suspended print publication because of the escalating price of
newsprint and shortage in supply, not because of falling circulation.
People
have been forced to queue for hours for fuel, and petrol for buses and lorries
has been rationed. AFP quoted officials on March 20 as saying that at least two
people died while waiting in long queues for fuel at petrol stations.
It’s
not surprising, therefore, that the anger and frustration that has been
building up led to protests by the public and a declaration of a 36-hour
nationwide curfew on April 2 by the government of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Reuters
reported that hundreds of protesters clashed on Thursday with police and the
military outside Rajapaksa’s residence. Several police and army vehicles were
torched and 53 people arrested. In recent days, the call for Rajapaksa to go is
growing louder.
Yesterday,
it was reported that Sri Lanka had even imposed a social media blackout amid
the curfew and protests. The situation is expected to get worse in the next few
days and weeks.
How
did paradise become hell for most, if not all, Sri Lankans?
As
I read more about the situation and what led to the present crisis, I couldn’t
help noticing parallels between the political and economic situation in Sri
Lanka and Malaysia. Sri Lanka, it seems to me, is showing us where we could be
headed if we don’t address our own similar structural problems.
But
before I get to the lessons for us, let me first write about the situation and
the reasons for this tragedy that is afflicting “paradise”.
Briefly,
the Sri Lankan rupee has fallen by almost 45% against the US dollar since the
beginning of March. And essential food prices rose by 30.1% while overall
inflation hit 18.7% in March.
The
International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in early March that Sri Lanka’s public
debt rose from 94% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 to 119% of its GDP
in 2021. Real GDP, it said, contracted by 3.6% in 2020, due to a loss of
tourism receipts and the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown measures. Sri Lanka lost
access to the international sovereign bond market at the onset of the pandemic.
The
IMF said annual fiscal deficits exceeded 10% of GDP in 2020 and 2021, due to
pre-pandemic tax cuts, weak revenue performance in the wake of the pandemic and
expenditure measures to combat the pandemic. Also, limited availability of
external financing for the government resulted in a large amount of central
bank direct financing of the budget.
“The
economic outlook is constrained by Sri Lanka’s debt overhang as well as
persistently large fiscal and balance-of-payments financing needs. GDP growth
is projected to be negatively affected by the impact of foreign exchange
shortage and macroeconomic imbalances on economic activities and business
confidence.”
The
IMF added: “The outlook is subject to large uncertainties with risks tilted to
the downside. Unless the fiscal and balance-of-payments financing needs are
met, the country could experience significant contractions in imports and
private credit growth, or monetary instability in case of further central bank
financing of fiscal deficits. Additional downside risks include a Covid-19
resurgence, rising commodity prices, worse-than-expected agricultural
production, a potential deterioration in banks’ asset quality, and extreme
weather events. Upside risks include a faster-than-expected tourism recovery
and stronger-than-projected FDI inflows.”
Sri
Lanka is now seeking – perhaps “begging” is the proper word – aid from the IMF
and other countries. “The Sri Lankan authorities have expressed interest in an
IMF-supported financial programme,” Reuters quoted IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice
as saying on March 31. “We plan to initiate those programme discussions with
the Sri Lankan authorities… pretty much in the coming days.”
When
the IMF comes in, Sri Lankans won’t be in full control of their economic
destiny and the leadership will have to agree to various conditions.
Sri
Lanka has already asked China to restructure its debt payments and for credit
support. It has also sought a credit line of US$1.5 billion from India to
import essential items such as food, fuel and medicine. This amount is in
addition to the US$1 billion extended by India in February.
Indian
traders, in fact, started loading 40,000 tonnes of rice for shipment to Sri
Lanka on April 2 as part of the credit line.
Many
reasons have been offered as to why Sri Lanka is in dire straits. The most
obvious reason is the Covid-19 pandemic which has hit its economy hard. Also,
the war in Ukraine has made it worse for fuel prices and supply.
But
there are many others, some of them going back decades, even to the costly war
against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which sucked up much of the
nation’s financial reserves. Political manoeuvring is one reason the country
can’t get back on track. Importantly, successive governments have failed to
reset deep-rooted structural economic problems.
The
Week quoted K Don Vimanga, policy analyst at Advocata Institute, a think-tank
in Colombo, as saying: “The origins of the crisis go back to the trade
liberalisation in 1977. The major problem is macroeconomic instability, tax
cuts and large budget deficits financed by printing more money. Subsequent debt
downgrades shut Sri Lanka out of the capital markets. The country could not
refinance maturing debts or finance the current account deficit that was
growing rapidly due to fiscal expansion. They then tried to fix the exchange
rate and control imports, which have led to the shortages.”
Many
blame the government’s “reckless and mismanaged economic policies” for
exaggerating the crisis.
Some
economists say instead of introducing structural changes, successive
governments took the easier route by borrowing, resulting in debt and interest
payments amounting to almost US$12 billion. This year, it has to make US$4
billion in such payment. One report said it was expected to spend another US$25
billion between 2023 and 2026 on servicing its loans.
Some
say pre-pandemic populist tax policy changes by the Rajapaksa government,
including slashing the VAT rate, set off a decline in revenue at a time when
public finances were already low.
On
March 14, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, W A
Wijewardena, wrote in the Colombo Telegraph: “The source of all these economic
issues can be traced back to three policy errors made by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa
administration. One is the offering of an unsolicited attractive tax concession
to income taxpayers and value-added taxpayers causing an unrecoverable loss in
tax revenues. The second is the attempt at converting the country’s agriculture
to organic farming amidst wise counsel by scientists against it. The third is
the refusal to seek assistance from the IMF to overcome the mounting external
sector crisis and, instead, relying on an illusive ‘home-grown policy’ for the
same.”
Commenters
on online Sri Lanka newspapers and social media have offered many reasons too,
one of them being the law of karma which posits that you reap what you sow.
Some of them say the present crop of politicians and the majority Sinhalese are
paying for the injustices against minorities over the years.
Some
referred to UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s recent report
on Sri Lanka which highlighted these injustices. For instance, it speaks about
the sufferings of the families of those – mostly Tamils – who simply
disappeared during and after the war with the LTTE, and called on the
government to “acknowledge their sufferings, urgently determine the fate or
whereabouts of victims, provide reparations, and bring perpetrators to
justice”.
The
report said there was a trend toward militarisation and ethno-religious
nationalism that “undermine democratic institutions, increase the anxiety of
minorities, and impede reconciliation”.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Bazaar
cooked food prices beyond govt control, says PM
April
4, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: The prices of cooked food sold at Ramazan bazaars are beyond the control
of the government, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
“I
understand that there are no guidelines for controlling the prices of cooked
food, but I hope traders will not charge exorbitant prices,” Ismail said after
a visit to a Ramazan bazaar in Putrajaya.
He
said the government can only monitor the prices of controlled goods including
eggs, poultry, and cooking oil.
“I
leave it to the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry to monitor the
prices of food so that the people will not be burdened,” he said
Earlier
today, one bazaar visitor had been quoted by FMT as complaining that prices had
gone up. Noor Azeem said: “Everything is expensive, especially the food. A packed
rice meal is almost RM10 now.”
He
said he realised that prices of items such as eggs and bread had gone up “but
this is too much”. He said consumers were made victims because traders pass on
the costs in order to sustain their business.
The
prime minister also urged parents to be cautious when bringing their children
to Ramazan bazaars and to avoid crowded places.
He
said visitors and stall owners at the Putrajaya bazaar had generally followed
Covid-19 rules.
During
his walkabout at the bazaar, he exchanged greetings and chatted with a number
of visitors and traders there while also buying stuff like kuih seri muka,
sugarcane juice and coconut water for breaking of fast.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Arab
World
‘Scent
of Speech’ makes Saudi Arabia a global destination for talented Qur’an reciters
April
05, 2022
RIYADH
— With its valuable prizes, exceptional jury and the combination of Qur’an
recitation and call to prayer, “Scent of Speech”, the international Holy Qur’an
and call to prayer competition organized by the General Entertainment Authority
(GEA), has contributed to making Saudi Arabia a destination for talented people
in reciting the Qur’an and raising the call to prayer from all over the world.
More
than 40,000 contestants from 80 countries participated to reach the final round
of the competition in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
To
participate in the final round, 36 contestants who won various qualifying
rounds, came to the Kingdom, hoping to win one of the prizes, which totaled
SR12 million ($3.2 million).
The
competition, which allowed the participation of contestants from different
nationalities, is an international stage for balancing the beauty of the voice
and the perfection of pronunciation of the verses of the Holy Qur’an and the
sentences of the call to prayer. The international jury plays its role in
applying the necessary standards to control the performance of the participants
and introducing viewers to the best methods of Qur’an recitation and call to
prayer in the best manner.
The
GEA had made it possible for contestants from all over the world to participate
in the competition through easy registration procedures using modern technology
that did not require travel. The number of participants in the two branches of
the competition reached more than 40,000.
Source:
Saudi Gazette
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Egypt
FM says Arab countries willing to mediate between Russia, Ukraine
04
April ,2022
Egypt’s
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed on Monday the “need to resort to
peaceful solutions to the Ukraine crisis,” at a press conference by Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Arab mediation delegation.
Shoukry
affirmed the readiness of the Arab mediation delegation to carry out mediation
efforts to support the negotiation track between Russia and Ukraine.
Shoukry
said that the mediation efforts aim to reach an urgent cessation of military
operations and discuss a number of confidence-building measures.
He
added that the meeting discussed with Lavrov ways to end the fighting, noting
that the group would go to Poland to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister
Dmytro Kuleba as part of Arab efforts to contain the crisis.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“Our
move comes from our awareness of the seriousness of the crisis in Ukraine and
its negative repercussions on various economic levels, such as global energy
and food security,” the Egyptian foreign minister added.
“We
called on all parties of the conflict to stop the escalation and stressed the
need to resort to peaceful solutions based on dialogue,” he said.
Sputnik
news agency quoted Lavrov as saying that he discussed with the Arab ministerial
group the files of Yemen, Libya and Syria, and the possibility of Damascus
returning to the Arab League.
The
Arab delegation included the foreign ministers of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and
Sudan, in addition to the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Egypt,
ADQ agreement includes stakes in listed and unlisted companies: Report
04
April ,2022
The
CEO of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) said that the agreement with Abu
Dhabi Development Holding Company (ADQ) includes stakes in listed and unlisted
companies, adding that details will be disclosed within days, Al Arabiya
reported on Monday.
TSFE
and ADQ launched a strategic investment platform with a value of $20 billion in
2019.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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UN
Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
05
April ,2022
The
United Nations Security Council in a press statement on Monday condemned recent
attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
The
group expressed its “expectation and demand that the Houthis abide by the
truce” that began on Saturday, coinciding with the holy month of Ramazan.
It
also highlighted obligations underlined in international law, specifically
those related to the protection of civilians and civilian objects.
Houthis
launched strikes on Saudi oil facilities on March 20 and 25.
The
Sunday, March 20 attack targeted an Aramco petroleum products distribution
plant in Jeddah, causing a “limited fire,” authorities said.
Earlier
that day, 106 explosive-laden boats targeting Red Sea shipping routes were
intercepted by the Arab Coalition fighting in Yemen, a coalition spokesperson
said.
A
Jeddah Aramco plant was also attacked on Friday, March 25, causing a plume of
smoke that could be seen by viewers of the nearby Formula One Grand Prix.
Houthis
and coalition leaders agreed a Ramazan ceasefire that began on Saturday.
The
truce will allow 18 fuel ships to access the port of Hodeidah, and two
commercial flights a week in and out of the capital’s Sanaa airport, both under
the Houthis’ control.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Iraq
digs up mass grave in Najaf
Ali
Jawad
04.04.2022
BAGHDAD
A
mass grave believed to be of opponents of the Saddam Hussein regime was found
in Iraq’s southern Najaf province, according to local authorities on Monday.
“The
grave was discovered near one of the complexes under construction in Najaf,”
the Najaf governor’s office said in a statement.
The
statement said the grave is believed to include the remains of protesters
executed by the former regime in the 1990s.
A
popular uprising broke out in southern Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War, and
spread to the outskirts of the capital, Baghdad, to which the Saddam Hussein
regime responded by using force to quell the protests.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-digs-up-mass-grave-in-najaf/2554812
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Expert
reveals Saudi regions that break its fast first and last during Ramazan
April
04, 2022
RIYADH
— The first region in Saudi Arabia which breaks its fast during the holy month
of Ramdan is the Umm Alzamool Border Crossing, Dr. Abdullah Al-Misnad, founder
and chairman of the Committee for Naming the Distinctive Climate Cases said on
Monday on his Twitter account.
Al-Misnad
clarified that the people fasting at the Umm Alzamool Border Crossing, which is
located southeast of the Empty Quarter and connects through it directly between
Saudi Arabia and Oman, are the first to break their fast at approximately 05:34
p.m.
This
region is administratively affiliated to Al-Ahsa Governorate in the Eastern
Province,
Al-Misnad
said that the last people who break their fast in the Kingdom at 07:01 p.m. are
in the Ras Alsheikh Hamid in northwest Saudi Arabia, which is located between
the start of the Gulf of Aqaba and the end of the Red Sea and belongs to the
Tabuk region.
Between
the Umm Alzamool Border Crossing and the Ras Alsheikh Hamid there’s a distance
of 2,200 km horizontally, with a time difference of about 01:27, Al-Misnad
confirmed.
Source:
Saudi Gazette
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Regime
shelling kills 3 children in Syria’s Idlib
Ahmed
Karaahmet and Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu
04.04.2022
IDLIB,
Syria
Three
children were killed on Monday in an attack by the Bashar al-Assad regime and
Iran-affiliated terror groups, in violation of a truce in Syria’s northwestern
Idlib de-escalation zone, according to civil defense forces.
Regime
forces and allied Iranian militias shelled the village of Maarat Naasan in
northwestern Idlib province, the sources said.
Three
children were killed in the attack, they added.
Monday’s
attack coincided with four airstrikes by Russian warplanes in southern Idlib,
according to local sources.
Idlib
falls within a de-escalation zone forged under an agreement between Turkey and
Russia in March 2020. The regime, however, has consistently violated the terms,
launching frequent attacks inside the de-escalation zone.
Syria
has been mired in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime
cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/regime-shelling-kills-3-children-in-syria-s-idlib/2554726
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80
new prayer halls open for Ramazan at Makkah’s Grand Mosque as part of third
phase of expansion
April
05, 2022
MAKKAH:
Eighty new prayer halls that form part of the third phase of expansion at the
Grand Mosque in Makkah have opened to worshipers for the first time during Ramazan
this year, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the
Prophet’s Mosque announced.
Walid
Al-Masoudi, director of the General Administration of the Third Saudi Expansion
at the Grand Mosque, said the new halls are on the ground and first floors and
the first and second mezzanine levels of the mosque. Worshipers can access them
through a number of entrances on the northern, western and eastern sides of the
mosque, as well as the main gate.
The
new facilities represent 95 percent of the total capacity of prayer halls
inside the section of the mosque that houses them, which can now accommodate up
to 300,000 worshipers. If these interior halls are full, the northern
courtyards can hold an additional 280,000 worshipers and there is space for
even more in the western courtyards.
Al-Masoudi
said the number of worshipers at the mosque increases during Ramazan and teams
are in place to ensure that they can move around, locate the new prayer halls
and enter and leave easily and safely.
He
added that all the work is carried out under the direct supervision of Mohammed
Al-Jabri, the under-secretary-general for services, field affairs and
environmental protection at the General Presidency, under the direction its
president, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, in line with the objectives of the
Kingdom’s leadership to provide the best quality of services for visitors to
the Two Holy Mosques.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056961/saudi-arabia
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Mideast
Dozens
of extremist Jewish settlers defile Aqsa Mosque under police guard
April
5, 2022
Hordes
of Jewish settlers desecrated the Aqsa Mosque in Occupied al-Quds (Jerusalem)
under tight police protection on Monday morning.
According
to local sources, 73 settlers entered the Mosque in different groups through
its Maghariba Gate and toured its courtyards.
During
their tours at the Islamic holy site, the settlers received lectures from
rabbis about the alleged temple mount and a number of them provocatively
performed Talmudic prayers.
Meanwhile,
the Israeli occupation police imposed movement restrictions on Muslim
worshipers at the Aqsa Mosque’s entrances and gates on the third day of the
holy month of Ramazan.
Local
sources also said that a number of extremist rabbis and settlers from Jewish
institutes held a preparatory tour of the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards in the
morning to prepare for massive settler desecration of the Islamic holy site
during the upcoming Jewish Passover holiday, which starts on April 15 and ends
on April 23.
Those
rabbis and settlers toured the Mosque’s courtyards while discussing the
Talmudic rituals which settlers would perform at the holy site and how they
would walk around in groups.
Source: ABNA24
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Iran
says US has no compassion for Muslim nations
4th
April 2022
Tehran:
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Sunday that the United States has by no
means any compassion toward Muslim nations in the region, according to the
president’s official website.
Making
the remarks in a phone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih,
Raisi said it has become evident that the external power only seeks its own
interests and hegemonic goals.
Raisi
said Iran supports Iraq in promoting its unity, independence, security and
regional and international position, noting any insecurity in Iraq will be
detrimental to the entire region.
The
scope of “brotherly and friendly” relations between Iran and Iraq goes beyond
that of merely two neighbours, the Iranian president told Salih.
Meanwhile,
the Iraqi president emphasized the need for enhancing bilateral cooperation
with Iran to overcome regional challenges, according to high priority to
stability and security in the region.
Source:
Siasat Daily
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https://www.siasat.com/iran-says-us-has-no-compassion-for-muslim-nations-2302543/
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Iran
Blames US for Procrastinating Vienna Talks
2022-April-4
Amir
Abdollahian made the remarks in a phone conversation with his Omani counterpart
Sayyid Badr Albusaidi on Sunday.
During
the phone talk, Amirabdollahian blasted the US for imposing new sanctions
against the Iranian individuals and entities.
The
Iranian foreign minister highlighted the importance of full removal of the
blockade against Yemeni people alongside continuation of the ceasefire, as well
as providing humanitarian aid for Yemenis.
Albusaidi,
for his part, praised Iran's role in establishing the truce in Yemen and
expressed the hope that it could pave the way for a dialogue between all Yemeni
sides and reopening of the country’s borders.
During
the phone conversation, the two sides also discussed bilateral, regional, and
international developments, including the ceasefire in Yemen and the Vienna talks
on removal of unlawful sanctions imposed against Iran.
In
a relevant development on Sunday, Amir Abdollahian renewed his country's
support for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Yemen, and said that the
Islamic Republic also backs the ceasefire in the war-ravaged country.
Amir
Abdollahian made the remarks in a Sunday phone conversation with Secretary
General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres.
During
the phone talk, Amir Abdollahian and Guterres discussed the latest developments
in Yemen, including a ceasefire to halt the Saudi-led raids on the impoverished
country and the Yemeni armed forces' retaliatory attacks.
The
Iranian foreign minister welcomed the establishment of the ceasefire in Yemen
and thanked the secretary general for the role he played in this regard.
"The
time has come for taking key steps towards the establishment of peace and
stability in Yemen, specially toward the full removal of humanitarian sanctions
on the country," he said.
Amir
Abdollahian further said Iran would continue to support a settlement to the
Yemeni crisis and end the war in the country, adding, "We hope, in time
with the establishment of truce, the full blockade on the people of Yemen is
also halted, so that this important opportunity does not go to waste."
He
also underlined the need for dispatching humanitarian aid to the people of
Yemen.
Guterres,
for his part, expressed his congratulations on the establishment of the
ceasefire, calling it a "joint success and victory" that was achieved
through the efforts of all sides.
UN
special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg announced on Friday that the two warring
sides had agreed to a ceasefire that went into effect on Saturday.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010115000748/Iran-Blames-US-fr-Prcrasinaing-Vienna-Talks
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Iran
Condemns Terrorist Attack in Afghanistan
2022-April-4
The
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman sympathized with the families of the victims
and prayed for the immediate recovery of those injured in the incident.
The
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman urged the Afghan ruling group to shoulder responsibility
to step up security measures so as to ensure the security of the citizens.
The
terrorist attack in a recreation area in Herat province on Saturday left dozens
of peope killed and injured. '
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010115000555/Iran-Cndemns-Terrris-Aack-in-Afghanisan
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Following
Yemen truce, first fuel ships enter Houthi-held Hodeidah port
04
April ,2022
Two
fuel ships have entered war-torn Yemen’s port of Hodeidah, the first shipment
in months, the militia who control the city said Monday, after a UN-brokered
truce went into effect.
Yemen
has been embroiled in conflict between the government, supported by an Arab
coalition, and the Iran-backed Houthi militia since 2014, when the insurgents
seized the capital Sanaa.
Since
2016, the coalition has enforced an air and sea blockade, with exemptions for
aid flights, accusing Tehran of smuggling weapons to the Houthi militia. Iran
denies the claims.
“The
fuel ship, Ceasar, has now arrived to the port of Hodeidah after being held up
for 32 days,” the Yemen Petroleum Company (YPC), which is under Houthi militia
control, said in a statement.
On
Sunday, it announced the arrival of the first boat after it had been “held up
for 88 days.”
Areas
under Houthi militia control -- which include much of the country’s north and
parts of the west -- have suffered a fuel crisis for months, with the Houthis
accusing the coalition of detaining oil ships since the start of January.
But
a two-month truce took effect on Saturday, the first day of the Muslim holy
month of Ramazan, bringing a glimmer of hope.
Essam
al-Moutawakel, a spokesman for the YPC, told AFP that the latest fuel shipments
“will not end the fuel crisis, as the demand is very high... but it could
alleviate its severity.”
Under
the UN-brokered agreement, all ground, air, and naval military operations,
including cross-border attacks, should cease.
In
addition, 18 fuel ships are to be allowed into Hodeidah port, a lifeline for
Yemen, and two commercial flights a week can resume in and out of Houthi-held
Sanaa airport.
David
Gressly, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said he welcomed the
commitment to allow fuel ships through the ports of Hodeidah province.
“These
ports are critical entry points for fuel, food, and other essential commodities
into Yemen,” he said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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UN
Security Council urges Houthis to abide by terms of truce
April
04, 2022
NEW
YORK: The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned the cross-border
terrorist attacks by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia last month.
The
Iranian-backed Houthis struck critical civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom
on March 20 and 25.
The
Security Council expressed its expectation and demand that the Houthis abide by
the terms of a “welcomed” truce, which came into effect on April 2, and
immediately cease all cross-border attacks.
They
further recalled the Houthis’ obligations under international law, including
those related to the protection of civilians and civilian objects.
During
a session on Monday, the members of the Security Council also underscored the
opportunity the truce affords to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of
Yemenis and improve regional stability.
The
members urged the building of confidence through measures such as, but not
limited to, the re-opening of Taiz road and the regular flow of fuel
deliveries, goods, and flights, in accordance with the agreed truce.
The
Security Council called on all parties to seize the opportunity provided by the
truce and work with the UN Special Envoy to make progress towards a
comprehensive ceasefire and an inclusive political settlement.
It
also expressed full support for the UN Special Envoy’s political consultation
efforts, reiterated the urgency of an inclusive Yemeni-led, Yemeni-owned
process, under UN auspices, and underscored the importance of a minimum 30 per
cent participation in them by women in line with the Outcomes of the National
Dialogue Conference as recalled by resolution 2624 (2022).
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056766/world
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Oldest
muezzin in Gaza Strip finds comfort in oldest mosque of Palestine
April
04, 2022
GAZA
CITY: The name of the Palestinian Abu Husam Haniyeh has been associated with
the muezzin of the Great Omari Mosque in Gaza City, the second oldest mosque in
Palestine after Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, for half a century.
Haniyeh,
85, began his journey with the call to prayer as a volunteer. Now he is the
oldest muezzin in the Gaza Strip, according to data from the Ministry of Waqfs
and Religious Affairs.
“When
I started as a muezzin, I did not expect that my life would extend for all
these years and my name would become associated with this great ancient
mosque,” he said.
Haniyeh
recalls, many decades ago, the first time he took to the microphone at the
Omari Mosque and shouted the call to prayer, after he sought permission from
the former authorized muezzin.
“It
was a wonderful experience that I will never forget, and after the death of Abu
Al-Said I succeeded him as the authorized muezzin.”
Haniyeh
remained a volunteer, raising the call to prayer for the five daily prayers,
until the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, and his reliance
on the records of muezzins in the Ministry of Waqfs, for about $155.
“I
do not look for the reward of this life, for the reward of the muezzin is with
God and his reward is great on the Day of Resurrection . . . We are the
muezzins, the voice of God on earth, we call people to worship and leave the
pleasures of this life,” he said.
The
muezzin stays at the Omari Mosque, which is adjacent to his house in the
ancient neighborhood of Al-Daraj in old Gaza, all hours of the day, and he does
not leave except for limited times that
he spends with his family.
He
finds comfort inside the mosque, especially during the month of Ramazan, where
he reads the Qur’an and exchanges conversations with others of his generation,
recalling memories of the past.
Haniyeh
comes from a refugee family who was forced to leave Jaffa during the Nakba in
1948.
He
did not return to school after the Nakba, and his family sought refuge in Gaza
City. Haniyeh later worked as a carpenter, was married and had three sons and
three daughters.
“I
wish to return to Jaffa, and to raise the call to prayer in the blessed Al-Aqsa
Mosque,” he said.
“I
remember everything from the days when I was in Jaffa, the house we used to
live in, my father’s journey by train to Egypt and from there to Saudi Arabia
to perform the Hajj, the iftar cannon, and the many friends we used to have. We
had fun and played together in alleys and on the beach,” he said.
Haniyeh’s
association with the Omari Mosque over many decades has made him an expert on
the history of the mosque. It is the second oldest mosque in historical
Palestine after the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the third in size after Al-Aqsa and
Ahmed Pasha Al-Jazzar Mosque in the city of Acre.
The
mosque can accommodate about 5,000 worshipers, reaching a peak in Ramazan,
especially during the last ten nights of this month.
The
area of the Omari Mosque is 4,100 square meters. The first building erected on
this site, as a pagan temple, dates back about 3,700 years. It remained so
until the Romans established the “Porphyrios Church” on its ruins after their
occupation of the Levant in 407 AD.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2056891/middle-east
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Africa
Somalia's
intelligence agency warns of al Shabaab threat against top leaders
April
5, 2022
MOGADISHU,
April 5 (Reuters) - The al Shabaab group linked to al Qaeda plans to target
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein
Roble, the country's intelligence agency warned on Tuesday.
Violence
by the group, which aims to topple the central government and impose its own
severe version of Islamic law, has been an impediment to parliamentary
elections taking place since November.
"We
informed the key government officials of a plot in which al Shabaab mafia wants
to target the president and prime minister," the National Intelligence and
Security Agency said on Twitter. "Mohamed Mahir, senior al Shabaab member,
is conducting the plot."
The
agency gave no further details. Spokespeople at the offices of President
Mohamed and Prime Minister Roble were not immediately available to comment.
Al
Shabaab's spokespeople were not immediately available to comment.
The
group frequently attacks civilians and government officials and installations.
In February, it attacked election delegates in the capital, Mogadishu. The
delegates were unharmed but six bystanders were killed. read more
Late
last month, al Shabaab killed 48 people in Beledweyne, around 300 km (185
miles) north of Mogadishu, including traders, clerics, officials and civilians.
Source:
Reuters
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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U.S.
blacklists six Nigerians for financing Boko Haram
March
26, 2022
The
United States Friday added six Nigerians to the List of Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons due to their support of Boko Haram.
According
to a statement by Ned Price, spokesperson of the U.S. department of state, “the
U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has
added Nigerian nationals Abdurrahman Musa, Salihu Adamu, Bashir Yusuf, Muhammed
Isa, Ibrahim Alhassan, and Surajo Muhammad to the List of Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons.”
The
six Nigerians were blacklisted for financing the activities of the terrorist
group, Boko Haram, who have in atleast the past 10 years been responsible for
insecurity in Northeastern Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries..
The
group’s activities have caused over 100,000 deaths in Northern Nigeria since
2009, according to official figures.
“Pursuant
to Executive Order 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted,
sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or
goods or services to or in support of, Boko Haram,” Mr Price said.
He
noted that the U.S. action follows the United Arab Emirates’ prosecution and
conviction of the individuals for supporting terrorism.
The
Department of State designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
and Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organisation on November 14, 2013.
According
to a Daily Trust report, the six persons were convicted by an Abu Dhabi Federal
Court of Appeal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over alleged funding of the
terrorist group.
Source:
Premium Time Sng
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
10
Boko Haram fighters ‘surrender to troops’ in Borno
April
04, 2022
Ten
suspected Boko Haram members have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in
Borno, military sources have told TheCable.
Apart
from the 10 male insurgents who surrendered, five children were also said to
have surrendered to the troops.
Sources
said the insurgents came out from their enclaves around Jango village and
Mandara Mountain in Gwoza.
The
insurgents were said to have surrendered to troops of the army’s 151 battalion
in Banki, Bama LGA on Sunday.
TheCable
understands that the insurgents who surrendered were part of those loyal to
Bakura Salaba, a factional leader of Boko Haram who was recently killed.
Sources
said the insurgents dropped their arms owing to sustained aerial bombardment
and aggressive intensive clearance operation by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.
According
to one of the sources, “two AK 47 riffles, one G3 riffle 1 X FN riffle, 1 X PKT
gun, 120 Rounds of 7.62MM Nato, 31 RDS X 7.62MM special, 3 AK 47 extra magazines,
3 X G3 extra magazines, 1, 36 HG, 2, knives and the sum of N600,000 was handed
over to the troops by the insurgents”.
TheCable
understands that the suspects and their family members would receive medical
care at a military medical facility, after which they would undergo profiling
and investigation.
Since
2018, hundreds of the insurgents have surrendered to the troops.
In
August 2021, top Boko Haram commanders surrendered and asked Nigerians to
forgive them.
Source:
The Cable
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.thecable.ng/10-boko-haram-fighters-surrender-to-troops-in-borno
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