'The Satanic Verses' Row: Muslim Bodies Outraged Over Renewed Sale Of Salman Rushdie's Book In India, After Delhi Court Overturned The Ban
New Age Islam News Bureau
26 December 2024
Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie Photo: X/@Bahrisons_books
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· 'The Satanic Verses' Row: Muslim Bodies Outraged Over Renewed Sale Of Salman Rushdie's Book In India, After Delhi Court Overturned The Ban
· Santa Claus Is ‘Fictional Character’ – Senior Russian Muslim ClericUrging Believers To Direct Their Attention To God Instead
· Muted Christmas Mass In Indonesia's Sharia Stronghold
· Creative Writing Program To Train Gifted Saudi Students
· Pakistan’s Development Depends On Protection Of Minorities’ Rights: PM Shehbaz
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India
· RSS Chief Versus RSS Over Temple-Mosque Tussles? Organiser Editorial Differs With Mohan Bhagwat
· Assam STF Says ‘Major Terror Incident’ Averted With Arrest Of 2 Terror Suspects With Al-Qaeda Links
· Amid Row Over Waqf Land, Karnataka Government Officials To Appear Before Parliamentary Panel
· Land grab under ruse of development going on unabated in J&K: Iltija Mufti
· HM lauds CRPF for restoring peace in N-E, J&K
· J&K police scuffle with locals after protests against proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway escalate
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Europe
· Islamist Muslim Brotherhood Aims To Turn France Into CaliphateGoverned By Sharia Law – Intel Chief
· Al Islah Pupils Honoured On Awards Night In Blackburn
· Muslim association distributes festive food to Farnham firefighters
· Dozens survive Kazakhstan passenger plane crash
· Zelensky condemns 'inhumane' Christmas Day attack
· Archbishop's Christmas Sermon 'Empty Words', Bishop Says
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SoutheastAsia
· PAS Youth Leader Defends Public Caning In Terengganu Amid Criticisms, Claims Punishment A Reminder For Fellow Muslims
· Halal compliance a must: Kelantan enforces new licensing rule for F&B outlets
· Wisma Putra: No Malaysians affected by unrest in Mozambique
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Arab World
· Saudi-French Writing Residency Yields ‘Saleeg And Baguette’ Play At Riyadh Theater Festival
· Reconstituted Saudi IP authority’s board of directors approved
· Grand Mosque Authority Announces Free Storage For Umrah Performers
· King Salman, Crown Prince send condolences to Azerbaijan president
· KSrelief chief meets Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia
· Saudi-Qatari security, military committee meeting held in Riyadh
· 176 teams carry out 1.4 million volunteer hours at Prophet's Mosque in 2024
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Pakistan
· PTI negotiation committee 'allowed to meet Imran Khan at Adiala jail today
· Madrassa registration bill likely to be notified in next two days, says JUI-F's Murtaza
· Christmas: PM Shehbaz, COAS Gen Munir felicitate Christian community
· LHC ruling sparks debate over rights of those held for leaking secrets
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Mideast
· Sana'a House Of Representatives Appeals To Arab, Islamic Parliaments To Act Quickly To Save Palestinian People
· Clashes Between Islamists Now In Power In Syria And Assad’s Supporters Kill 6 Fighters
· Turkiye warns Kurdish militia in Syria ‘will be buried’ if they do not lay down arms
· Syrians Protest After Video Showing Attack On Alawite Shrine: Monitor, Witnesses
· Settlers storm Aqsa Mosque
· PM Mikati meets families of Islamist detainees
· At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, medics say
· Israeli airstrike in Bekaa shakes ceasefire 29 days after it came into effect
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Africa
· I Have Christian Friends; Can’t Be An Islamic Extremist: Buhari’s Former Aide
· Araba Agbaiye warns against establishing Sharia Court in South West states
· Wike’s aide urges MURIC director to promote Islam over division
· 2024 Year in Review: Conflict keeps Sudanese trapped in a nightmare without end
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate Summons Pakistani Charge d’Affaires Over Bombing in Paktika
· Islamic Emirate Extends Condolences to Azerbaijan Following Deadly Plane Crash
· Over 70 Public Welfare Projects Completed or Under Construction in Kunduz
· Rizwana mourns death of BCCT MD Rafiqul Islam
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North America
· Panama Canal, Canada, Greenland - Donald Trump's Christmas Wishlist
· Bald eagle officially declared US national bird after 250 years
· Trump mocks opponents in Christmas message
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/row-muslim-delhi-court-india-salman-rushdie/d/134145
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'The Satanic Verses' Row: Muslim Bodies Outraged Over Renewed Sale Of Salman Rushdie's Book In India, After Delhi Court Overturned The Ban
26 December 2024
Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie Photo: X/@Bahrisons_books
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Over a month after Delhi Court overturned the ban on British author Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel, The Satanic Verses in India, a few Muslim organisations in India have strongly condemned the renewed sale of the book while seeking a re-imposition of the ban.
Back in 1988, the content of the book received major backlash as the members of the Muslim community raised objections, claiming that it was blasphemous and offensive to the Islamic faith.
After 36 long years, Rushdie's book returned to Indian market since it was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988. Currently, a limited stock of the book is available at Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR.
Muslim bodies express concern
Expressing serious concern over the book's reappearance in India market following the Delhi HC ruling, Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (AM) said, "If the freedom of expression hurts someone's sentiments, it is a legal offence. 'The Satanic Verses' is a blasphemous book. Selling such a controversial book under the pretext of freedom of expression cannot be accepted in any form. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution."
"The foundation of India's Constitution allows for freedom of expression, but it does not grant anyone the right to hurt sentiments. Resuming the sale of 'The Satanic Verses' is an attempt at provocation. It is the government's responsibility to stop this. If the government allows it, it would amount to shirking its constitutional duties", Rashidi further added.
"We urge the government to protect constitutional values and reinstate the ban on this book as it hurts the sentiments of a large section of the population. The government has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and banning this book is its duty," he said.
Maulana Yasub Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, also criticised the renewed availability of the book, stating, "There is talk of lifting the ban after 36 years. On behalf of the Shia Personal Law Board, I appeal to the Indian government to ensure the ban remains firmly in place."
"The book mocks Islamic views, insults Prophet Muhammad and his companions, and hurts sentiments. Allowing its sale poses a threat to the country's harmony. I urge the prime minister to impose a complete ban on this book in India," he said.
Commenting on the same matter National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi said,"The ban on The Satanic Verses had expired. Now, some publishers are planning to reprint the book in India. Back in 1988, Rajiv Gandhi's government immediately banned it, but now preparations are underway to reintroduce it in India after the expiration of the ban."
"This book insults Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and several Islamic figures. Its content is so offensive that it cannot be repeated. Allowing this book in the market will disturb the nation's atmosphere. No Muslim can tolerate seeing this hateful book on any bookstore shelf," Razvi added.
He demanded that the central government reimpose the ban and warned of significant protests from the Muslim community if the book becomes widely available.
Delhi HC overturns ban on The Satanic Verses
Back in November, the Delhi Court overturned the ban on British author Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel after authorities failed to produce the original notification banning it when hearing a petition challenging the ban. The HC said the notification must hence be presumed non-existent.
In 1988, the Congress government under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had imposed a ban on the import of the book after members of the Muslim community raised objections, claiming that it was blasphemous and offensive to the Islamic faith.
Rushdie had responded to the ban saying the book wasn’t actually about Islam, but about “migration, metamorphosis, divided selves, love, death, London and Bombay.”
The book was also banned in several other countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, and Iran's Supreme Leader at the time, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa ordering Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie.
Source:outlookindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.outlookindia.com/national/the-satanic-verses-row-muslim-bodies-outraged-over-renewed-sale-of-salman-rushdies-book-in-india
Also Read:
Salman Rushdie Controversy: India Too Is Not Immune To Perils Of Islamo-Fascism
Salman Rushdie's Indian Mullah critics, listen to the message of Satanic Verses
Why Are Muslims So Sensitive To Criticism? Don’t They Trust Their Scriptures? Asks Sultan Shahin
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Santa Claus Is ‘Fictional Character’ – Senior Russian Muslim ClericUrging Believers To Direct Their Attention To God Instead
26 Dec, 2024
File Photo. © Aleksandr Piragis / RIA Novosti
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Russia’s equivalent of Santa Claus, DedMoroz, is nothing more than a fictional character, a senior Muslim cleric has said ahead of the New Year’s celebrations, urging believers to direct their attention to God instead.
IldarAlyautdinov, the mufti of Moscow and deputy chairman of the Council of Scholars of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia (DUM), made his comments about DedMoroz (Father Frost) during an interview with RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
“DedMoroz and his granddaughter Snegurochka are fictional characters, which is why devout Muslims associate them with cartoon heroes, nothing more. They don’t have magical powers,” Alyautdinov said.
“You should pray for peace, wellbeing, and good health for yourselves and your loved ones. Your wishes and requests should be directed to God,” he added.
According to Russian tradition, DedMoroz brings presents on New Year’s Eve rather than Christmas. Orthodox Christians, who make up more than 70% of Russia’s population, celebrate Christmas on January 7. Around 10% of Russians are Muslims.
Muslim clerics sparked outrage earlier this month when the Council of Scholars issued a fatwa outlining conditions under which men are allowed to have up to four wives. The fatwa was rescinded following criticism from prominent politicians and rights groups, who noted that polygamy is not recognized by Russian law.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/609961-santa-not-real-muslim-cleric/
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Muted Christmas mass in Indonesia's Sharia stronghold
December 26, 2024
Christians take selfies after the Christmas Eve Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Banda Aceh on December 24, 2024, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami disaster. (Photo: AFP)
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With flickering candles and the sound of organs, hundreds of Catholics held a muted Christmas Eve mass in Indonesia's Aceh province, the only one under ultraconservative Islamic law in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.
Christmas decorations are not allowed on the streets of Aceh -- the only Indonesian province to implement strict Sharia law that includes punishments like flogging -- where 98 percent are Muslim and just 6,000 Catholics live.
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church, built almost 100 years ago by Dutch colonial rulers and the only one in the provincial capital Banda Aceh, was allowed to hold a ceremony Tuesday evening for a crowd of 500 faithful.
"I don't find any difficulty in terms of relationship with believers of other religions. So far, the religious tolerance here is excellent," the church's pastor, Father Agustinus Padang, told AFP.
Aceh has been widely criticised by rights groups for punishments of moral offences under the strict law, such as public canings for alleged adultery.
But the province's special autonomy excludes non-Muslims from those, and Catholicism is one of the nominally secular country's six official religions.
The church, located in the heart of the city and a stone's throw away from the grand mosque, is bare of any Christmas ornaments on its exterior.
A tight security presence of more than a dozen police and soldiers was also visible because of several attacks against Christians in Indonesia in recent years.
But inside the colonial-style church, worshippers celebrated with a tall Christmas tree, fairy lights, and a choir singing the Indonesian version of "Holy Night".
The sound of the Islamic call to prayer echoed around the church while preparations were underway for the Christmas celebration.
'Always feel safe'
Catholics in the city prefer a muted celebration that focuses on self-reflection, so Christmas paraphernalia was only put up 24 hours before the big day, according to church administrator Baron FerrysonPandiangan.
"Catholics in Banda Aceh assimilate well with other religions, despite the rules that Aceh must be managed with Islamic sharia law. It doesn't bother us at all," Pandiangan said.
Despite improvements in religious harmony, being a minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim region is not without challenges.
There are only 19 Catholic churches in Aceh, while Protestants have more than 180 churches.
Catholics mix with believers of other religions in Banda Aceh, partly bonded by the shared trauma of the devastating 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which killed around 60,000 people in the city alone.
Their Sacred Heart church was affected by the giant waves, becoming flooded with thick mud while the initial earthquake destroyed parts of its walls.
Every year on December 26, the churchgoers congregate to mark the tragic event and pray for the victims.
While the Christmas celebration is less festive than in other parts of the world, worshippers still welcome the joy in the church that has become their little oasis.
"I always feel safe and comfortable to worship here because the security is tight," worshipper LisbettyPurba told AFP.
The 35-year-old housewife said when she moved to Banda Aceh four years ago from neighbouring North Sumatra province, where many Christians live, she was worried about the rules she had to follow, but soon realised her worries were unfounded.
"I really love living here, I met good neighbours who are kind to me," she said.
"The key is communication and willingness to share."
Source:ucanews.com
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https://www.ucanews.com/news/muted-christmas-mass-in-indonesias-sharia-stronghold/107401
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Creative writing program to train gifted Saudi students
December 25, 2024
The program aims to nurture literary talent, refine skills and provide hands-on training in writing. (SPA)
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RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has launched the second Generation of Literature program to develop creative writing skills among gifted students.
The program, involving 182 students from across the Kingdom, takes place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, with an e-learning option for broader participation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, the program aims to nurture literary talent, refine skills and provide hands-on training in writing.
Focused on middle school students, the program explores genres such as science fiction, detective stories, children’s stories, short stories and essays.
It enhances linguistic abilities like reading comprehension, language adaptation, metaphor interpretation and artistic imagery creation, the SPA reported.
The program also aims to improve research and investigation skills, including observation, comparison and analysis, while fostering problem-solving, critical thinking and self-confidence.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584296/saudi-arabia
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Pakistan’s Development Depends On Protection Of Minorities’ Rights: PM Shehbaz
December 26, 2024
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Allama Tahir Ashrafi and Bishop Joseph Arshad, and others cut a cake on the occasion of Christmas in Islamabad on Wednesday. — INP
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the country’s fundamental agenda of development and prosperity hinges upon the protection of the rights of Christian community and other minorities.
Addressing an event held in connection with Christmas celebrations here at the PM House, he extended cordial felicitations to the Christian community in the country and the world.
PM Shehbaz Sharif underscored that the day demanded the nation to join its forces for the betterment of mankind.
“The Holy Quran has a revered mention of Hazrat Isa and Hazrat Maryam. Today, the birthplace of Hazrat Isa is tainted in bloodbath and thousands of Palestinians including children, youth, elderly and women have been killed. All Christians and Muslims should unite and join forces to stop this bloodshed and uphold the mission of peace of Hazrat Isa in Palestine’s holy land,” the prime minister said.
He acknowledged that the Christian community rendered indelible contributions in the independence, betterment of the nation’s education, defence, and protection of the motherland in different wars that would be remembered in golden words, adding, “Cecil Chaudhary and Justice Cornelius are known to everyone. “PM Shehbaz noted that he and his elder brother Nawaz Sharif had also graduated from missionary schools whose teachers played a critical role in grooming their personalities.
“We should promote unity, interfaith harmony and tolerance in the society to ensure protection of the rights of the minorities and ensure that they consider themselves as a respected member of the society. Pakistan belongs to all and we should celebrate this day as a more revered occasion as it is the birthday of Jesus Christ, and Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as well,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
Earlier, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar said he was representing 70,000 Christian constituents who supported him with great love and respect in his electoral effort including bishops of various churches.
“Christians have great role in independence, nation building, and sacrifices for the motherland. PM Shehbaz Sharif during his tenure as chief minister Punjab awarded scholarships and laptops and endowment stipends to Christian students on merit without any discrimination,” he said.
Christian athletes, the Sohail sisters, had won 22 medals in different games whereas Brigadier Helen Merry Roberts, the first female christian army officer, were the recognition of their services for the motherland, he said.
Members of Christian Community along with federal ministers and members of the National Assembly joined the prime minister to cut Christmas cake to commence the celebrations which was followed by a group photo with chorus singers who rendered a colorful performance at the start of the event.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1881075/countrys-development-depends-on-protection-of-minorities-rights-pm-shehbaz
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India
RSS chief versus RSS over temple-mosque tussles? Organiser editorial differs with Mohan Bhagwat
26.12.24
Days after Mohan Bhagwat frowned at the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes in the country, the latest issue of an RSS-linked magazine has said from Somnath to Sambhal and beyond, it is a battle for knowing historical truth and seeking "civilisational justice".
Amid a cacophony over who has insulted B R Ambedkar, even though historical records "clearly indicate" how the Congress treated the chairman of the Constitution's drafting committee, recent developments in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal have struck "a chord with the masses", the editorial published in the latest issue of "Organiser" noted.
It said the dispute that started with a petition to survey the Shri Harihar Mandir, "now structured" as the Jama Masjid in the "historic town" of Uttar Pradesh, is opening up a new debate about various constitutional rights given to individuals and communities.
"Instead of limiting the debate to the Hindu-Muslim question from the pseudo-secularist prism, we need a sane and inclusive debate on the quest for civilisational justice based on truthful Itihasa, involving all sections of the society," the editorial penned by PrafullaKetkar, the editor of "Organiser", noted.
"From Somnath to Sambhal and beyond, this battle for knowing the historical truth is not about religious supremacy. It is against the Hindu ethos. It is about reaffirming our national identity and seeking civilisational justice," it said.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Bhagwat expressed concern last week over the resurgence of several temple-mosque disputes in the country and asserted that certain individuals, after the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, seem to believe that they can become "leaders of the Hindus" by raking up such issues.
Delivering a lecture on "India - The Vishwaguru" at the SahjeevanVyakhyanmala (lecture series) in Pune on Thursday, Bhagwat pitched for an inclusive society and said the world needs to be shown that India can live in harmony.
"We have been living in harmony for long. If we want to provide this harmony to the world, we need to create a model of it. After the construction of the Ram mandir, some people think that they can become leaders of the Hindus by raking up similar issues at new places. This is not acceptable," the RSS chief said.
The Ram temple was constructed since it was a matter of faith for all Hindus, he added.
"Every day a new matter (dispute) is being raked up. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue. India needs to show that we can live together," Bhagwat said, without mentioning any particular site.
The editorial in "Organiser" noted that the story of religious identities in India is not very different from the caste question.
"The Congress tried to duck the caste question, delayed the implementation of social justice and exploited the caste identities for electoral gains. The story of religious identities is not very different," it said.
"After the painful partition of the motherland on Islamic lines, instead of striving for civilisational justice by telling the truth about Itihasa (history) and resetting the present for a harmonious future, the Congress and Communist historians chose to whitewash the sins of the invaders," the editorial in the weekly magazine added.
It noted that Ambedkar went to the "root cause" of caste-based discrimination and provided constitutional remedies for it.
"The time is ripe to address this quest for civilisational justice. We need a similar approach to end the religious acrimony and disharmony," it said.
This approach, based on accepting the truth about history, dissociating "Bharatiya Muslims" from the perpetrators of "iconoclasm and religious supremacy", and addressing the quest for civilisational justice, offers hope for peace and harmony, the editorial added.
"Denying such access to justice and the right to know the truth just because some colonised elites and pseudo-intellectuals want to continue with the application of shoddy secularism would encourage radicalism and hostility," it noted.
The weekly magazine, which published a cover story on the Sambhal dispute in its latest issue, alleged that the Congress "cabal", by presenting larger-than-life images of bigoted rulers like Mughal emperors Babar and Aurangzeb, gave a false impression to "Bharatiya Muslims" that they were the rulers here before the British.
"The Muslims of Bharat should realise that they are the inheritors but the victims of barbaric Islamic invasions. Their ancestry is from the diverse sects of Hindus, and therefore, they must reject the ideology of iconoclasm" it added.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rss-chief-versus-rss-over-temple-mosque-tussles-organiser-editorial-differs-with-mohan-bhagwat/cid/2073412
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Assam STF says ‘major terror incident’ averted with arrest of 2 terror suspects with Al-Qaeda links
by SukritaBaruah
December 26, 2024
After the arrest of eight terror suspects, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police Tuesday arrested two more persons with alleged links to Al-Qaeda affiliate Ansarullah Bangla Team.
According to police, a “major terror incident” has been averted with the arrest of two suspects, identified as Abdul Zaher Sheikh and SabbirMirdha, from Kokrajhar district.
On December 19, the Assam police arrested eight people, including a Bangladeshi national from Assam, West Bengal and Kerala. The arrests were made following a tip off from Md Sad Radi, a Bangladeshi national.
Police said that the accused were sent to India under the direction of Jasimuddin Rahmani, Chief of Ansarullah Bangla Team.
Police had stated that the module was working to “establish sleeper cells across the country” especially in Assam and West Bengal to “initiate violent and subversive actions.”
“From our interrogations since December 19 when we had made our last catch, we have found that this is a large conspiracy against the country,” said Asam Special DGP Harmeet Singh.
The recoveries made from a hideout include four handmade rifles and a prepared IED, along with explosive material.
“There was an IED but with it we found circuits of detonators, electronic switches, iron cases for making IEDs, iron pieces and plates which can cause huge destruction when placed in IEDs. Huge numbers of switches, wires and explosives taken out from firecrackers, so a lot of explosives. Handmade grenade, as well as four numbers of handmade rifles which look like AK-47s. Now we are tracing where these handmade rifles are coming from. 34 rounds of live ammunition and 24 rounds of blank cartridges. Finding blank cartridges means that they have practised. So a major terror incident has been averted,” he said.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/assam-stf-says-major-terror-incident-averted-with-arrest-of-2-terror-suspects-with-al-qaeda-links-9744343/
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Amid row over Waqf land, Karnataka government officials to appear before parliamentary panel
25 Dec 2024
NEW DELHI: Amid a row over Waqf land in Karnataka, officials from the state government are scheduled to appear before the parliamentary panel examining the Waqf Amendment Bill on Thursday.
The Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by BJP member Jagadambika Pal, is scheduled to hear views from representatives of the governments of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Delhi in sittings spread over two days beginning Thursday.
Delhi's Food and Supply Minister Imran Hussain is also scheduled to address the committee on Friday, followed by the recording of evidence by the representatives of the Delhi government.
The deposition of officials from the Congress-led Karnataka government comes in the wake of a row over claims by BJP leaders that over 1500 acres of land belonging to farmers in the state were being taken over by the Waqf board.
Pal had visited Karnataka and interacted with the farmers who had received notices from the state government regarding encroachment over properties belonging to the Waqf Board.
The committee had also written to state governments seeking details of Waqf properties occupied by them in an unauthorised manner as per the Sachar panel report.
The UPA government constituted the Sachar Committee in 2005 to study the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community in India.
The parliamentary panel was constituted on August 8, soon after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha.
Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging that they violate the religious rights of Muslims.
The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the waqf boards and make them accountable.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Dec/25/amid-row-over-waqf-land-karnataka-government-officials-to-appear-before-parliamentary-panel
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Land grab under ruse of development going on unabated in J&K: Iltija Mufti
December 26, 2024
Srinagar, Dec 26: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti today expressed concern over acquisition of 5000 kanals of prime agricultural land for establishment of NIT campus in southern Pulwama.
While criticizing the government, she said if education was such a priority why did they introduce lopsided reservation earlier.
“GOIs project to continue grabbing land in Kashmir under the ruse of ‘development’ in J&K continues unabated. Pray tell what’s the need to seize 5000 kanals of prime agricultural land in Pulwama to establish a NIT? If education was such a priority why did they introduce lopsided reservation in the first place?,” Iltija in a post on X said.Jammu and Kashmir tourism
Source:greaterkashmir.com
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https://www.greaterkashmir.com/kashmir/land-grab-under-ruse-of-development-going-on-unabated-in-jk-iltija-mufti/
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HM lauds CRPF for restoring peace in N-E, J&K
Dec 26, 2024
Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday undertook a comprehensive review of the CRPF’s operations and administrative efficiency during a visit at its headquarters in the national capital.
He indicated that the CRPF was playing an important role in ensuring internal security and peace in the country. He said the CRPF had done a commendable job in tackling Naxalism and restoring peace and stability in the North-Eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, Director General, CRPF, Anish Dayal Singh, apprised Shah about various welfare schemes being implemented for the families of martyred jawans, including appointments on compassionate ground in the CRPF. Shah’s review meeting comes more than a month after 10 suspected militants were killed during an encounter with the CRPF personnel in Manipur’s Jiribam.
Shah on Wednesday also inaugurated 10,000 newly established multipurpose primary agricultural credit societies (M-PACS) along with dairy and fisheries cooperative societies. He announced that the goal of creating 2 lakh new PACs in five years, would be completed ahead of schedule.
Shah said after the formation of 2 lakh PACs, it would become easier to take farmers’ produce to global markets through forward-backward linkages. He acknowledged the crucial role of NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB in facilitating the registration of 10,000 PACs.
Source:tribuneindia.com
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https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/hm-lauds-crpf-for-restoring-peace-in-n-e-jk/
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J&K police scuffle with locals after protests against proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway escalate
by Arun Sharma
December 26, 2024
Jammu and Kashmir Police allegedly resorted to lathicharge Wednesday after protests over a proposed ropeway to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine intensified, leading to a 72-hour shut down in Katra town.
Led by the Katra Sangharsh Samiti, the protests are seeing several locals, including shopkeepers, owners of eateries and operator of ponies and palkis, protest against the proposed Rs 300 crore Katra-Sanjichhat ropeway that is meant to bypass the old Katra-Banga-Adi Kunwari route of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.
According to samiti leaders, the protest march was stopped by cops, leading to a scuffle between the two sides. Several protesters were detained, they said.
The protests came after samiti claimed that their talks with the Reasi district administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had failed to lead to conclusive results, with the administration now seeking more time to consult the higher authorities.
On its part, the samiti has accused the administration of “derailing” talks, former minister Jugal Kishore Sharma told The Indian Express.
“The ropeway will adversely affect those people whose livelihoods depend on the pilgrims taking the old route,” a spokesperson from the samiti said.
Local police officials admitted they had to resort to “mild lathicharge” after the protesters insisted on carrying on with their march, “which had the potential to disturb law and order situation”. They, however, said nothing about the alleged detentions.
“The matter pertained to Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board and the proposed ropeway did not fall within the domain of the district administration. It was only facilitating talks between officials of the shrine board and the protestors,” a local police officer said.
Meanwhile, while Katra town wore a deserted look Wednesday, it was business as usual at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, with hotels remaining open to pilgrims.
Sources claimed that samiti has asked hotels to accommodate only those pilgrims that had bookings.
“We have told them not to take new bookings as the agitation may be a long one,” one samiti leader said.
The proposed ropeway aims to reduce the journey time on the 14 km trek to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, and is meant to connect Tarakote, on the outskirts of Katra, with Sanjichhat, located 2.5 km from the shrine.
Source:indianexpress.com
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Europe
Islamist Muslim Brotherhood Aims To Turn France Into CaliphateGoverned By Sharia Law – Intel Chief
25 Dec, 2024
The Islamist movement Muslim Brotherhood has been expanding its influence in France, acting behind the scenes to make the country a caliphate governed by Sharia law, according to the country’s top intelligence official.
Bertrand Chamoulaud, head of the National Directorate for Territorial Intelligence at the French Ministry of the Interior, made the remarks during an interview with Le Monde this week.
He said more than 100,000 worshippers attend mosques run by the Muslim Brotherhood, who spread their ideas through entrenchment and with a “very smooth” discourse rather than resorting to violence.
The movement is effectively using societal tensions to gradually infiltrate some social enterprises and civil society organizations, said Chamoulaud.
“This concerns us because their infiltration affects all sectors: sports, health, education, etc.,” he stressed.
One of their strategy tools is playing a victim role, Chamoulaud said, elaborating that every time a mosque is closed or a separatist imam is expelled, the Islamists denounce a so-called “Islamophobic state.”
The risk is that some moderate Muslims may be convinced by this victim discourse, the intel chief warned.
He cited as an example the non-profit organization Collective against Islamophobia in France (CCIF), which was created in 2003 with a mission to combat discrimination towards Muslims. Dissolved in 2020, the CCIF was repeatedly criticized over its use of the term Islamophobia, and was suspected of having Islamist links.
The CCIF’s ideas, such as the compulsory veil or the rejection of mixed-race groups, are now gradually becoming established in Belgium, Chamoulaud claimed.
The Society of the Muslim Brothers, better known as the Muslim Brotherhood, is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt by an Islamic scholar in 1928. It advocates the application of Islamic law in all aspects of society, and is banned as a terrorist organization by many countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron has launched a crackdown on what he calls Islamist separatism and radical Islam in the country following deadly jihadist attacks in recent years by foreign and homegrown militants. The measures aim to limit foreign influence over Muslim institutions in France.
Nearly seven million Muslims live in France, around 10% of the population, according to data by France’s statistics agency. Islam is the country’s second-largest religion after Catholicism.
Source:rt.com
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Al Islah pupils honoured on awards night in Blackburn
December 26, 2024
Pupils at a Muslim girls’ school were congratulated for their educational and charitable efforts at an annual awards night.
The Al Islah Girls' High School awards at The Ivy Venue in Blackburn celebrated the ‘remarkable academic achievements of students'. It was attended by teachers, students, and their families.
Headteacher, Mrs Nikhat Pardesi, said: “GCSE Honours Night serves as a platform to honour students who have not only excelled in their exams but have also demonstrated the Islamic values of hard work, humility, and gratitude.
“The evening is a testament to how academic achievements can coexist with the nurturing of strong ethical character and spiritual growth. I am proud of all the girls.”
Chair of governor, Hasan Desai, opened the event outlining the school's vision.
Students were recognised for their ‘dedication, discipline, and contribution’ to the school community. The Student of the Year 2024 honour was presented to Aisha Torofdar for her exceptional GCSE grades and for highlighting qualities such as ‘leadership, community service’ throughout the year.
The school said: “GCSE Honours Night is not just about the students; it was also a celebration of the school’s broader community.
"Parents, staff and the community play a pivotal role in the success of students. The event acknowledged the invaluable support provided by parents, who partner with the school to nurture their daughter’s academic and personal growth.
“The presence of parents and members of the local community in the audience served as a reminder that education is a shared responsibility, and the success of each student was a collective achievement”.
Pupils and parents at the Audley Range school also raised £8,805 for Blackburn UK Trust to help those in need.
The school added: “Teaching our girls about charity helps them to understand the struggles of others. It encourages them to step outside their own world and see things from different perspectives.
“Each term the school pupils pick a different charity to support and the charity leaders in school raise funds in a variety of different ways.
"To raise such a huge amount in a matter of a few weeks is incredible and well done to all the pupils and parents who have contributed towards this project.”
Source:lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
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https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24814942.al-islah-pupils-honoured-awards-night-blackburn/
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Muslim association distributes festive food to Farnham firefighters
25th December 2024
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) is marking the festive season by showing appreciation for those who work to keep our communities safe.
On Christmas Day, members of the association will be distributing food and festive treats to the firefighters in Farnham and police officers in Guildford who are on duty.
An AMYA representative said: “In the spirit of gratitude and service, the AMYA is proud to honour the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect and serve during this special time of year.
“While the rest of us celebrate with our families, the police and fire service remain on duty to ensure our safety. This small gesture of kindness is a way for us to show our appreciation for their sacrifices and hard work."
As a community-focussed organisation, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association believes in giving back and supporting local heroes.
The AMYA members will be delivering meals to the police station in Guildford and the fire station in Farnham, ensuring that those working through the holiday season receive a warm meal and a reminder that they are appreciated.
The representative added: "Let us remember to pray for our heroes who are working on the frontlines to keep us safe. This Christmas, we honour their dedication and sacrifice."
This initiative is part of AMYA's ongoing commitment to community service, highlighting the importance of unity, compassion, and respect for all members of society.
Source:wokingnewsandmail.co.uk
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Dozens survive Kazakhstan passenger plane crash
25th December 2024
Dozens of people have survived a crash involving a plane carrying 67 people in Kazakhstan, local officials say.
Kazakh authorities said 38 people were killed in the crash.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 caught fire as it attempted to make an emergency landing near the Kazakh city of Aktau.
The plane was en route to Grozny in Russia but it was diverted due to fog, the airline told the BBC.
Footage shows the aircraft heading towards the ground at high speed with its landing gear down, before bursting into flames as it lands.
The airline said the plane "made an emergency landing" about 3km (1.9 miles) from Aktau.
It took off from the Azerbaijani capital Baku at 03:55 GMT on Wednesday, and crashed around 06:28, data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed.
Unconfirmed reports from Russian media said the aircraft might have collided with a flock of birds before crashing.
Azerbaijan Airlines said flights between Baku and the Russian cities of Grozny and Makhachkala would be cancelled while an investigation into the incident was completed.
Officials said the plane's black box flight recorder had been recovered.
Those on board were mostly Azerbaijani nationals, but there were also some passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
A woman who was travelling to spend the holidays with her children in Chechnya, of which Grozny is the capital, died in the crash. One mother, travelling with medical tests for her sick child, is still missing.
A young woman shared her heartache with the BBC's Azerbaijani service as she desperately tried to find out what happened to her father, who was on the flight.
She explained that her father had been travelling with his son, who survived the crash. The son managed to contact his sister, but there was still no news of their father.
Unverified video footage showed survivors crawling out of the wreckage, some with visible injuries.
Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have launched investigations into the incident. Embraer told the BBC it was "ready to assist all relevant authorities".
The BBC has contacted Azerbaijan Airlines for comment.
Embraer, a Brazilian manufacturer, is a smaller rival to Boeing and Airbus, and has a strong safety record.
Source:bbc.com
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Zelensky condemns 'inhumane' Christmas Day attack
December 26, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia made a "conscious choice" by launching a major overnight attack on his country's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day.
Ukraine's air force said it had detected 184 missiles and drones, but many were shot down or missed their targets.
It said there were casualties from the strikes but gave no figures.
Moscow confirmed the attack and claimed that its goal had been achieved.
The attack led to power cuts across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, where some residents sheltered in metro stations.
Russia's defence confirmed its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on "critical" energy facilities in Ukraine.
It added that the strike had been a success and all targets were hit.
This was the 13th major attack on Ukraine's energy sector this year, the country's largest private energy company, DTEK, said.
Responding to the latest Russian strikes, US President Joe Biden said: "The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people's access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardise the safety of its grid."
Biden - who will be succeeded by Donald Trump on 20 January - also asked the US defence department to continue delivering weapons to Ukraine.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgrn2xxqeno
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Archbishop's Christmas sermon 'empty words', Bishop says
December 26, 2024
The Bishop of Newcastle has criticised the Archbishop of York's Christmas sermon, just weeks before he takes over as leader of the Church of England.
Stephen Cottrell's remarks capped off a turbulent end to the year for the Church, following the release of a report which accused it of covering up sexual abuse.
That prompted the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after he was criticised for not doing enough to stop a prolific abuser.
With Mr Welby opting to break with years of tradition and miss this year's Christmas services at Canterbury Cathedral, Mr Cottrell's remarks were closely watched.
Helen-Ann Hartley, who as Bishop of Newcastle has been a vocal critic of Mr Cottrell, described his sermon as "empty words. I have no words more than that to describe their meaning."
She has previously said he should resign as archbishop.
At York Minster on Christmas morning, the archbishop appeared to address criticism of the church directly.
He spoke of the need not just to talk about justice and love but to "walk the talk". Mr Cottrell also spoke of "the inadequacies of those who talk a good game, but whose words are never embodied in action".
"This Christmas, God's Church itself needs to come again to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. And be changed," he said.
Other bishops have confronted the Church crisis head on in their Christmas messages.
The Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, who has faced his own calls to resign, spoke of "a crisis in confidence in many of our institutions, including in our own Church".
He said Christmas was a time to pause and take stock.
Mr Cottrell, who is set to take over many of the Church's leadership duties on 6 January when Mr Welby leaves his position, has faced calls to step down.
He has been under scrutiny over his handling of a priest in his charge, David Tudor, who had been barred by the Church from being alone with children but who for years remained in his post.
In November, the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned following a report that criticised his handling of John Smyth who abused more than 120 boys and young men.
The Church said Mr Welby would be spending "private time with his family" this Christmas.
The Archbishop of York declined to respond to the Bishop of Newcastle's comments when contacted by the BBC.
Source:bbc.com
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SoutheastAsia
PAS Youth leader defends public caning in Terengganu amid criticisms, claims punishment a reminder for fellow Muslims
By Malay Mail
25 Dec 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 — A PAS Youth leader has defended the proposed public caning in Terengganu for a man convicted of repeated khalwat (close proximity) offences.
According to New Straits Times (NST), the Islamist party's Youth wing strategic communications director Nazrul Nazir stated that public whipping should not be considered a cruel punishment but rather as an educational measure and a reflection of Islamic justice.
“As Muslims, we must understand the true objective of implementing this punishment, which is to safeguard public welfare and prevent greater harm within society,” he was quoted as saying.
Nazrul emphasised that Shariah law is not just about enforcing penalties but also about maintaining social harmony. He added that the punishment serves as a reminder for all to adhere to Islamic teachings and shield families and communities from moral decline.
NST reported that he noted that carrying out such punishments publicly aligns with the Islamic principle of deterrence and education, aiming to raise awareness and discourage others from committing similar acts.
His remarks followed criticism from G25, a group of prominent retired civil servants, who argued that khalwat offences do not pose a threat to national security.
Last week, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) also voiced its opposition to the Terengganu Shariah Court's sentencing of MohdAffendiAwang, a 42-year-old carpenter, to six public lashes for repeated khalwat offences.
The commission described the punishment as a violation of human dignity and human rights and expressed concerns about the legality of public caning under Malaysia’s Federal Constitution and federal law, labelling it a cruel, inhuman, and degrading practice.
Bernama reported that on Friday, MohdAffendiAwang will become the first person in Terengganu to be sentenced to six lashes in public. Police will deploy about 40 officers and personnel at the Al-MuktafiBillah Shah Mosque (Ladang Mosque) to ensure a safe and smooth process of the caning.
Source:malaymail.com
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Halal compliance a must: Kelantan enforces new licensing rule for F&B outlets
26 Dec 2024
KOTA BARU, Dec 26 — The Kelantan state government has made it mandatory for food and beverage outlets in the state to obtain halal certification to renew their business licences.
According to Utusan Malaysia, the state’s committee chairman for Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information, and Regional Relations, MohdAsri Mat Daud, said the initiative will first be implemented by the Kota Baru Municipal Council-Islamic City (MPKB-BRI).
“God willing, other local authorities will follow suit in the near future,” he was quoted as saying earlier today.
MohdAsri also revealed that 453 halal certifications have been issued to businesses in the state from January to this month.
The certifications cover hotels, restaurants, eateries, pharmacies, hair salons, and other establishments.
“Of this number, 405 are Malay-owned businesses, while 48 are non-Muslim-owned premises.
“To obtain halal certification, applicants must meet eight specific requirements, which include not only food and beverages but also kitchen management and the use of halal-certified materials or products.
“We conduct inspections at these premises in collaboration with the Kelantan Department of Islamic Affairs (Jaheaik), the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and local authorities,” he told Utusan.
He added that surprise inspections are conducted annually to ensure business operators comply with rules and regulations.
As reported by Utusan, Kota Baru has the highest number of certified businesses, with nearly 190 establishments, while other districts recorded six to seven certified premises each.
Source:malaymail.com
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Wisma Putra: No Malaysians affected by unrest in Mozambique
26 Dec 2024
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 26 — No Malaysians in Mozambique have been affected by the ongoing unrest, which has predominantly impacted urban areas, including the capital Maputo, said Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra.
Wisma Putra in a statement Thursday said that the High Commission of Malaysia in Pretoria, South Africa maintains regular contact with the 20 Malaysians currently residing in Mozambique through the Honorary Consul.
“None of the Malaysians there have reported being affected by the ongoing situation. However, the High Commission continues to monitor conditions on the ground very closely,” Wisma Putra said.
According to international media reports, a prison riot in Maputo on Wednesday left 33 people dead and 15 injured as civil unrest linked to October’s disputed election continues.
A decision on Monday by Mozambique’s top court confirming ruling party Frelimo’s victory in the election has sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters, who allege the vote was rigged.
Wisma Putra urged Malaysians in Mozambique, or those requiring assistance, to register their presence with the High Commission via E-Konsular and maintain regular communication with the mission.
It added that Malaysians with no urgent need to travel to Mozambique are strongly advised to defer their travel plans at this time.
“The ministry remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Malaysians abroad and will provide updates as necessary,” it said.
For assistance or further information, Malaysians may contact the High Commission of Malaysia in Pretoria at address No. 1007, Francis Baard Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083, via telephone: +27 (12) 342 5990 or email: mwpretoria@kln.gov.my. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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Arab World
Saudi-French writing residency yields ‘Saleeg and Baguette’ play at Riyadh Theater Festival
SAMIA HANIFI
December 25, 2024
RIYADH: The Riyadh Theater Festival, concluding on Dec. 26, has shone a spotlight on “Saleeg and Baguette,” a play that presents a fusion of the cultures of Saudi Arabia and France, and which comments on the financial tribulations of a married couple.
Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the festival is being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The play was among the works selected by a committee of experts for its relevance and artistic merit.
The thought-provoking show was developed by young Saudi playwright GhadaAboud, who received a grant from the French Ministry of Culture to take part in a Franco-Saudi artistic residency at La Chartreuse, the National Centre for Performance Writing.
Aboud told Arab News: “I am a Saudi writer who has dedicated her life to publishing novels, films and plays that help people empathize with themselves and others and reconcile their contradictions, because in the end we are all human.”
The play focuses on the unstable marriage of Rima and Khaled, a young couple facing financial difficulties linked to the hotel Rima inherited from her mother.
Throughout the play, the couple have to overcome the tensions and pressures of their precarious economic situation.
Their story highlights the difficulties inherent in modern relationships, where financial problems can exacerbate conflicts and test the strength of their union.
Through poignant dialogue and tense moments, the writer explores themes of love, responsibility and survival, while reflecting on the expectations and dreams of young couples that are often dashed.
Faced with their own personal problems and frustrations, the characters see the hotel as a miraculous solution to their worries. They believe that by investing in this new venture they will escape their everyday difficulties and make a fresh start.
Speaking about her inspiration for the story, Aboud said: “In the current financial climate, pressures are weighing heavily on individuals, particularly couples.
“This can lead to the breakdown of marriages and families. I chose to test the couple’s bond by exposing them to a financial problem. Will their marriage be strengthened or broken by financial difficulties?”
However, the hotel, instead of solving their problems, exposes new layers of complexity and conflict.
“Writing is about sharing experiences and cultural influences on creativity. My residency at La Chartreuse with Odyssee allowed me to exchange my culture with French theater artists and to experience French theater and culture,” Aboud added.
“It’s important to me to create a narrative that promotes understanding between cultures, particularly France. Given the cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France, I’m looking to show the common human elements between the different nationalities.”
Aboud uses dark humor as a tool to explore the complexities of married life and human relationships. By tackling serious themes in a light-hearted way, she creates a space where the audience can reflect on sensitive subjects without feeling overwhelmed.
“My aim as an author is to make the audience laugh and cry. I try to balance bittersweet and sweet themes through dark comedy. This creates empathy, self-pity, reflection and reconciliation,” she said.
“My dream is to present my work to French audiences,” Aboud added. “I will try to find ways to present it in France and highlight the shared human experiences between Saudi Arabia and France.
“I hope to draw attention to the financial burdens and problems of marriage, as well as the fusion of Saudi and French music.”
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584298/saudi-arabia
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Reconstituted Saudi IP authority’s board of directors approved
December 26, 2024
RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property’s newly-reconstituted Board of Directors was approved for a three-year term, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.
In the reconstituted board, ShihanaAlazzaz, who is an adviser at the Royal Court, will continue to serve as chair. She previously served as the deputy secretary-general of the Council of Ministers and was the first Saudi woman to hold the position.
The approval includes extending the membership of Eng. Haitham Al-Ohali, Eng. Osama Al-Zamil, and Dima Al-Yahya.
Badr Al-Qadi and Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi join the board as new members.
Alazzaz expressed her thanks and gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generous and continuous support for the authority.
She also thanked the previous board members for their efforts and wished the new members success.
The authority’s CEO Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, said that the new formation of the board reflects the continued generous support of the leadership for the authority, wishing the Board success.
Source:arabnews.com
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Grand Mosque authority announces free storage for Umrah performers
December 26, 2024
MAKKAH: Authorities in the holy city of Makkah announced on Wednesday free luggage storage for Umrah performers.
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that free storage facilities are available to the east of the Grand Mosque, near the Makkah Library, and to the west, near Gate 64.
Umrah performers must present their permits through the Nusuk app to access the facilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Umrah performers can store bags, not loose items, weighing up to 7 kilograms for a maximum of four hours. Valuables, prohibited items, food, and medicine are not permitted. A claim ticket must be presented for retrieval.
The authority plans to extend the service to encompass all areas around the Grand Mosque to better assist visitors, the SPA added.
Source:arabnews.com
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King Salman, Crown Prince send condolences to Azerbaijan president
December 26, 2024
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman each sent messages of condolence and sympathy to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday, after the tragic crash of a passenger plane.
The King and the crown prince also extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives onboard the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On Wednesday morning, the passenger plane, traveling from Azerbaijan to Russia, crashed near Aktau, western Kazakhstan, with 62 passengers and five crew members on board.
Kazakh authorities announced that 28 people had survived.
Source:arabnews.com
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KSrelief chief meets Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia
December 25, 2024
RIYADH: The supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, met the Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia MazenGhoneim on Wednesday in Riyadh.
Al-Rabeeah and Ghoneim discussed Saudi humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Ghoneim expressed his gratitude to KSrelief and praised its strong relationship with the Palestinian people, the SPA added.
KSrelief initiated various projects to support Palestinian hospitals and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing Israeli war.
Earlier in December, KSrelief sent 20 fully equipped ambulances to boost the health sector in Gaza.
It also distributed aid and food parcels that benefited nearly 3,500 Palestinians, some of whom were displaced in the Gaza Strip.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi-Qatari security, military committee meeting held in Riyadh
December 25, 2024
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council’s Security and Military Committee in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest, to achieve the aspirations of the two nations’ leaders and people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Saud praised the efforts made by both sides to achieve joint initiatives.
Source:arabnews.com
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176 teams carry out 1.4 million volunteer hours at Prophet's Mosque in 2024
December 25, 2024
MADINAH — The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah announced that 176 volunteer teams have carried out a total of 1,445,982 hours of volunteer service at the Prophet's Mosque during the year 2024. These teams provided essential services to visitors and the faithful so as to ensure a smooth and peaceful prayer experience.
More than 16,000 men and women volunteers at the Prophet's Mosque and its surrounding courtyards undertook over 190 volunteer initiatives, encompassing a wide range of services.
These services included assistance for people with disabilities and the elderly, wayfinding assistance, medical clinic services, iftar meal distribution, shuttle transportation, crowd management, emergency medical support, and umbrella distribution for sun protection.
Source:saudigazette.com.sa
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https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/648131/SAUDI-ARABIA/176-teams-carry-out-14-million-volunteer-hours-at-Prophets-Mosque-in-2024
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Pakistan
PTI negotiation committee 'allowed to meet Imran Khan at Adiala jail today
By Shabbir Dar
December 26, 2024
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) negotiation team has been given a go-ahead to meet the party's incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, at Adiala jail today to discuss the ongoing talks with the government, the sources told Geo News on Thursday.
The insiders revealed that the team will brief the former prime minister on the first round of talks with the government, held on Monday, and consult him on future strategy in the meeting slated for 2pm today.
The development came as Senator Irfan Siddiqui, part of the government's negotiation panel, confirmed on Tuesday that they had approved the PTI's team's demand to consult Khan.
The much-anticipated negotiation process finally began earlier this week in Islamabad, following months of heightened political tensions between the PTI and the government.
The inaugural meeting, on the government's part, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar.
Whereas, the former ruling party was represented by former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
The two sides are set to hold the second session on January 2, when the PTI will present its demands before the government panel in written.
The government-PTI talks are being held in the wake of the former ruling party's announcement of a civil disobedience movement if their demands of release of all political prisoners — including Khan — and the formation of a judicial commission for investigating the May 9 riots and the November 26 incident, go unmet.
The jailed former prime minister had last month called on his supporters to launch the anti-government movement by withholding remittances in the first phase.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Madrassa registration bill likely to be notified in next two days, says JUI-F's Murtaza
By Web Desk
December 25, 2024
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza on Wednesday asserted that the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 that deals with the registration of madrassas would likely to be notified in the next two days as the differences between the government and his party regarding the contentious bill have been resolved.
"A gazette notification of the madrasa registration act passed in light of the 26th Constitutional Amendment likely to be issued in next two days," the JUI-F senator said while speaking to Geo News.
His comments come after the government, following the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, reportedly "accepted all demands of the Ittehad Tanzeemat-e-Madaris Deenia (ITMD)" regarding the contentious madrassa registration bill.
The disputed madrassa bill, which has already been passed by both houses of parliament, became a bone of contention between the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) and the government.
Its enactment was part of an agreement between the government and the religio-political party for supporting the 26th Amendment, Fazl had said previously.
Following its approval from parliament, the bill now requires the president’s assent to become law but President Asif Ali Zardari had returned the bill, citing legal objections. According to the Constitution, the bill must be tabled before a joint sitting after the president refuses to sign.
Article 75 (2) of the Constitution of Pakistan states: “When the President has returned a Bill to the Majlis-e Shoora (Parliament), it shall be reconsidered by the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in joint sitting and, if it is again passed, with or without amendment, by the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), by the votes of the majority of the members of both Houses present and voting, it shall be deemed for the purposes of the Constitution to have been passed by both Houses and shall be presented to the President, and the President shall give his assent within ten days, failing which such assent shall be deemed to have been given.”
The new bill amends the existing procedure for registration of madrassas with the education ministry, stating that the institutions should be affiliated with the industries ministry instead.
Speaking to Geo News today, Senator Murtaza said that he and Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar have finalised the draft of the legislation. "The matter will be completely resolved with the issuance of the notification."
When asked about the objections raised by Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Allama Tahir Ashrafi, the JUI-F senator said it had been decided that another amendment would be made to this act eventually.
"In the new amendment, registration with the Ministry of Education or as per the Society Registration Act will be madrassas' discretion," he said, adding that the move would fulfill the demands of all factions of madrassas.
'Madrassa Act likely to lead to FATF, GSP+ curbs'
As per the sources, the president raised eight objections over the bill Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024, under which madrassas would be registered.
President Zardari expressed fear that if the madrassa bill turns into a law, seminaries will be registered under the Societies Act, which may lead to the imposition of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), and other sanctions on the country.
He highlighted a potential conflict of interest arising from the registration process and expressed concerns about potential negative consequences for Pakistan’s international standing and internal stability.
According to the objections, the registration of religious seminaries under the law would lead to the spread of sectarianism and the establishment of many seminaries in the same society would lead to deterioration of the law and order situation. The president objected that there was a contradiction in the definition of madrassa in various provisions of the new bill.
He objected that by registering madrassas as societies, they could be used for purposes other than education; there was a contradiction in the definition of madrassas in various clauses of the bill.
The registration of madrassas in the society would lead to a conflict of interest and such a conflict of interest would also lead to international criticism, while the approval of the bill could lead to a change in the FATF and other international organisations’ opinions and ratings of Pakistan, the objection by the president said.
The president suggested to the members of the assembly that international issues should be taken into account while drafting a bill related to madrassas.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Christmas: PM Shehbaz, COAS Gen Munir felicitate Christian community
December 25, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Underscoring the spirit of unity and interfaith harmony in the society, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday conveyed their heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community across the nation.
Christmas is being observed nationwide with great enthusiasm and heartfelt devotion, showcasing the vibrant culture of the country's Christian community. Prayer services are being conducted across various cities, bringing together worshippers to offer sincere prayers for the peace, security, and progress of the country.
Addressing an event held in connection with Christmas celebrations at the PM House, PM Shehbaz said the country’s fundamental agenda of development and prosperity hinges upon the protection of the rights of the Christian community and other minorities.
He underscored that the day demanded the nation to join its forces for the betterment of mankind. "The Holy Quran has a revered mention of Prophet Jesus Christ (PBUH) and Hazrat Maryam (PBUH). Today, the birthplace of Prophet Jesus Christ is tainted in a bloodbath and thousands of Palestinians including children, youth, elderly and women have been killed.”
All Christians and Muslims should unite and join forces to stop this bloodshed and uphold the mission of peace of Jesus Christ in Palestine’s holy land, the premier added.
He acknowledged that the Christian community rendered indelible contributions to the independence, betterment of the nation’s education, defence, and protection of the motherland in different wars that would be remembered in golden words, adding, “Cecil Chaudhary and Justice Cornelius are known to everyone.”
PM Shehbaz noted that he and his elder brother Nawaz Sharif had also graduated from missionary schools whose teachers played a critical role in grooming their personalities.
“We should promote unity, interfaith harmony and tolerance in the society to ensure the protection of the rights of the minorities and ensure that they consider themselves as a respected member of the society. Pakistan belongs to all and we should celebrate this day as a more revered occasion as it is the birthday of Jesus Christ, and Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as well,” said the premier.
The prime minister quoted Quaid-e-Azam’s statement saying, “Protection and promotion of minorities' rights has been our top priority. You all are the proud citizens of Pakistan. Your equal development and progress are the basic points of our fundamental agenda. I extend you the felicitations of Christmas and ensure that your protection, security and prosperity are not only dear to us but our responsibility.”
He reiterated that he as prime minister ensured the Christian community to uphold that right with greater responsibility.
COAS joins Christian community for celebrations
COAS General Munir joined the Christian community in celebrating Christmas at St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral Church, Rawalpindi, underscoring the spirit of inclusivity and harmony, read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to the military’s media wing, the congregation extended a warm welcome to the COAS, expressing gratitude for his presence and solidarity during this cherished occasion.
On this festive day, he emphasised that Christmas serves as a profound reminder of the universal values of compassion, generosity, and goodwill — principles that bind our diverse society together.
He further acknowledged the remarkable contributions of minorities and Christian community to Pakistan’s cultural, social, economic and national progress, which remain a source of pride and strength for the nation.
The COAS also paid a solemn tribute to the founder of the nation — Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He highlighted that the Quaid’s visionary leadership, unwavering determination, and steadfast adherence to the principles of faith, unity and discipline not only paved the way for the creation of Pakistan but also provided a timeless blueprint for nation-building.
The army chief remarked that Quaid’s enduring commitment to the ideals of freedom, equality, and religion tolerance continues to inspire and guide the nation in addressing contemporary challenges, from safeguarding territorial integrity to fostering internal stability.
“As we commemorate this festive season, let us reaffirm our collective resolve to transform Pakistan into the peaceful, prosperous nation envisioned by the Quaid,” the COAS concluded, urging all citizens to work tirelessly toward achieving this shared aspiration.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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LHC ruling sparks debate over rights of those held for leaking secrets
Malik Asad
December 26, 2024
ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court’s (LHC) reinterpretation of the applicability of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), noting that suspects arrested under the Act by military authorities no longer need to be presented before a magistrate, has sparked a debate regarding the arrest and trial processes under military jurisdiction.
The case was brought forward by Saima Hassan, wife of retired military officer Hassan Bin Aftab, who has been in custody since Sept 19, 2023.
Represented by Advocate Inamur Rahim, Ms Hassan alleged that her husband, after serving 27 years in the military, was detained under the OSA and the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) without being allowed access to his family or legal counsel.
The petition argued that as per the OSA, the proper procedure for arrest and trial includes presenting the accused before a magistrate. However, Mr Aftab was directly subjected to military court proceedings, bypassing this legal formality.
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan stated that while the OSA originally required suspects to be produced before a magistrate, subsequent amendments to the PAA made this requirement obsolete.
He emphasised that the current legal framework categorises OSA violations triable by the military courts, falling entirely under the jurisdiction of Pakistan Army Act.
The judge also highlighted that this change aligns with practices introduced after the OSA was linked with the PAA, streamlining military trials for alleged breaches of national security.
Advocate Rahim contested the court’s interpretation, asserting that presenting suspects before a magistrate remains a fundamental safeguard against arbitrary detention.
Talking to Dawn, he referenced past cases, including the trial of former prime minister Imran Khan, where proper judicial procedures were observed under similar circumstances.
Mr Khan was tried by an anti-terrorism court, presided by a district and sessions judge under the OSA in the cipher case. His conviction has been set aside in an appeal by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The lawyer also pointed to a petition pending before the Supreme Court, challenging the convictions of 29 civilians tried in military courts during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government.
These individuals were reportedly detained without notification to their families and were tried without being presented before a magistrate, raising concerns about transparency and due process.
The case has reignited debate over amendments to the OSA made by the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). These amendments significantly broadened the scope of the OSA, incorporating modern communication methods and expanding the definition of military documents and installations.
“Documents” now include any written, electronic, digital, or intangible records pertaining to military procurements and capabilities.
Military installations and related activities have been redefined, bringing broader areas under the Act’s jurisdiction.
Critics argue that these changes grant excessive powers to intelligence agencies, raising fears of misuse and lack of accountability.
Advocate Rahim claimed that the lack of transparency and legal oversight in such cases violates fundamental human rights and undermines public trust in the judicial process.
Source:dawn.com
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Mideast
Sana'a House Of Representatives Appeals To Arab, Islamic Parliaments To Act Quickly To Save Palestinian People
25 Dec 2024
The House of Representatives in Sana'a appealed to Arab and Islamic parliaments and the free world to act urgently to save the Palestinian people from the ongoing Zionist crimes, which resulted in the death and injury of more than 145,000 Palestinians in more than 440 days, in addition to the destruction of homes and infrastructure in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
The Council denounced the Arab and Islamic inaction and silence regarding the massacres against the Palestinians and called for the adoption of the Palestinian cause file in international forums and the accountability of Zionist war criminals.
The Council criticized the statements of the Israeli Foreign Minister regarding the classification of supporters of Palestinians as terrorist organizations, pointing out that real terrorism is represented in the crimes of the occupation against children, women, and the elderly. It also called on international parliaments to prosecute the Israeli prime minister and his officials before international justice.
On the other hand, the Council warned of suspicious movements of Western ambassadors with mercenaries of aggression and stressed the importance of national unity to confront any threats that harm Yemen's sovereignty and security. He stressed that Yemen defends its territory and territorial waters and will continue to confront any Israeli, American, or British attacks, considering these attacks a serious breach.
Source:saba.ye
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Clashes between Islamists now in power in Syria and Assad’s supporters kill 6 fighters
December 26, 2024
DAMASCUS, Syria: Clashes between Islamists who took over Syria and supporters of ousted President Bashar Assad’s government killed six Islamic fighters on Wednesday and wounded others, according to a British-based war monitor.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighters were killed while trying to arrest a former official in Assad’s government, accused of issuing execution orders and arbitrary rulings against thousands of prisoners. The fighters were from Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS, which led the stunning offensive that toppled Assad earlier this month.
Syria’s transition has been surprisingly smooth but it’s only been a few weeks since Assad fled the country and his administration and forces melted away. The insurgents who ousted Assad are rooted in fundamentalist Islamist ideology, and though they have vowed to create a pluralist system, it isn’t clear how or whether they plan to share power.
Since Assad’s fall, dozens of Syrians have been killed in acts of revenge, according to activists and monitors, the vast majority of them from the minority Alawite community, an offshoot of Shiite Islam that Assad belongs to.
In the capital, Damascus, Alawite protesters scuffled with Sunni counter-protesters and gunshots were heard. The Associated Press could not confirm details of the shooting.
Alawite protests also took place along the coast of Syria, in the city of Homs and the Hama countryside. Some called for the release of soldiers from the former Syrian army now imprisoned by the HTS. At least one protester was killed and five were wounded in Homs by HTS forces suppressing the demonstration, said the Syrian Observatory. In response to the protests, HTS imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. until 8am.
The Alawite protests were apparently in part sparked by an online video showing the burning of an Alawite shrine. The interim authorities insisted the video was old and not a recent incident.
Sectarian violence has erupted in bursts since Assad’s ouster but nothing close to the level feared after nearly 14 years of civil war that killed an estimated half-million people. The war fractured Syria, creating millions of refugees and displacing tens of thousands throughout the country.
This week, some Syrians who were forcibly displaced, started trickling home, trying to rebuild their lives. Shocked by the devastation, many found that little remains of their houses.
In the northwestern Idlib region, residents were repairing shops and sealing damaged windows on Tuesday, trying to bring back a sense of normalcy.
The city of Idlib and much of the surrounding province has for years been under control of the HTS, led by Ahmad Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed Al-Golani, once aligned with Al-Qaeda, but has been the scene of relentless attacks by the government forces.
Hajjah Zakia Daemessaid, who was forcibly displaced during the war, said coming back to her house in the Idlib countryside was bitter-sweet.
“My husband and I spent 43 years of hard work saving money to build our home, only to find that all of it has gone to waste,” said the 62-year-old.
In the dusty neighborhoods, cars drove by with luggage strapped on top. People stood idly on the streets or sat in empty coffee shops.
In Damascus, Syria’s new authorities raided warehouses on Wednesday, confiscating drugs such as Captagon and cannabis, used by Assad’s forces. A million Captagon pills and hundreds of kilograms (pounds) of cannabis were set ablaze, the interim authorities said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Turkiye warns Kurdish militia in Syria ‘will be buried’ if they do not lay down arms
December 25, 2024
ANKARA: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Kurdish militants in Syria will either lay down their weapons or “be buried,” amid hostilities between Turkiye-backed Syrian fighters and the militants since the fall of Bashar Assad this month.
Following Assad’s departure, Ankara has repeatedly insisted that the Kurdish YPG militia must disband, asserting that the group has no place in Syria’s future. The change in Syria’s leadership has left the country’s main Kurdish factions on the back foot.
“The separatist murderers will either bid farewell to their weapons, or they will be buried in Syrian lands along with their weapons,” Erdogan told lawmakers from his ruling AK Party in parliament.
“We will eradicate the terrorist organization that is trying to weave a wall of blood between us and our Kurdish siblings,” he added.
Turkiye views the Kurdish YPG militia — the main component of the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces — as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party militia, known as the PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.
The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US and the European Union. Ankara has repeatedly called on its NATO ally Washington and others to stop supporting the YPG.
Earlier, Turkiye’s Defense Ministry said the armed forces had killed 21 YPG-PKK militants in northern Syria and Iraq.
Source:arabnews.com
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Syrians protest after video showing attack on Alawite shrine: monitor, witnesses
December 25, 2024
DAMASCUS: Thousands protested Wednesday in several areas of Syria after a video circulated showing an attack on an Alawite shrine in the country’s north, a war monitor and witnesses said.
Syria’s new authorities said the footage was “old” and that “unknown groups” were behind the attack, saying “republishing” the video served to “stir up strife,” a day after hundreds protested in Damascus against the torching of a Christmas tree.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “thousands of people” took to the streets on Wednesday, with major demonstrations in the coastal cities of Tartus and Latakia, provinces that are the heartland of the Alawite minority which deposed ruler Bashar Assad hails from.
The Britain-based Observatory also reported protests in parts of the central city of Homs and other areas including Qardaha, Assad’s hometown.
Witnesses told AFP demonstrations broke out in Tartus, Latakia and nearby Jableh, where images showed large crowds in the streets, some chanting slogans including “Alawite, Sunni, we want peace.”
State news agency SANA said police in central Homs imposed a curfew from 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) until 8:00 am on Thursday, while local authorities in Jableh also announced a nighttime curfew.
The Observatory said the protests erupted after a video began circulating earlier Wednesday showing “an attack by fighters” on an important Alawite shrine in the Maysaloon district of Syria’s second city Aleppo.
It said five workers were killed, adding that the shrine was set ablaze.
Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said the video was filmed early this month, after militants led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) launched a lightning offensive and seized control of major cities including Aleppo on December 1, ousting Assad a week later.
AFP was unable to independently verify the footage or the date of the incident.
The new authorities’ interior ministry also said the footage was “old and dates to the time of the liberation” of the Aleppo this month.
The attack was carried out by “unknown groups,” the ministry statement said, adding that “republishing” the footage served to “stir up strife among the Syrian people at this sensitive stage.”
Protester Ali Daoud said thousands attended the demonstration in Jableh, adding that: “We are calling for those who attacked the shrine to be held to account.”
Images showed a large crowd marching in the streets brandishing the three-star independence-era flag.
“No to burning holy places and religious discrimination, no to sectarianism, yes to a free Syria,” one protest placard read.
In the city of Latakia, protesters decried “violations” against the Alawite community, said protester GhidakMayya, 30.
“For now... we are listening to calls for calm,” he said, warning that too much pressure on the community “risks an explosion.”
Tartus resident and protester, Alaa, 33, expressed concern that the situation could deteriorate, saying that “a single drop of blood risks us back to very bad scenario.”
Assad long presented himself as a protector of minority groups in Sunni Muslim-majority Syria.
Alawites fear backlash against their community both as a minority religious group and because of its long association with Assad’s family.
On Tuesday, hundreds of demonstrators protested in Christian areas of Damascus against the burning of a Christmas tree near central Syria’s Hama, with HTS vowing to restore it promptly.
Source:arabnews.com
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Settlers storm Aqsa Mosque
25 Dec 2024
Dozens of Zionist settlers renewed their storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque today, Wednesday, under the protection of the Zionist enemy police.
Local sources reported, according to the Palestinian News Agency, that dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in successive groups from the Al-Maghariba Gate, and carried out provocative tours, and performed Talmudic rituals in its courtyards, coinciding with the Jewish "Hanukkah" holiday.
Since the beginning of the comprehensive Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, in October 2023, the occupation forces have tightened their measures at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entrances to the Old City.
Source:saba.ye
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PM Mikati meets families of Islamist detainees
2024-12-25
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with a delegation representing the families of Islamist detainees to discuss their ongoing plight, which has persisted for years.
The families urged Mikati to resolve their loved ones' cases and address the prolonged detentions.
Mikati emphasized the importance of reaching a definitive resolution to this longstanding issue. He stated that he had directed Justice Minister Henry Khoury to appoint a team comprising a judge from the Public Prosecution, an Internal Security Forces (ISF) officer, and a representative from the Red Cross to inspect the prisons and monitor necessary actions.
These measures will remain in place until Parliament deliberates on the proposed general amnesty law, with pending legislative drafts expected to move forward.
In parallel, Mikati instructed authorities to expedite trials for detainees who remain not convicted, aiming to uphold justice.
"It is unacceptable for individuals to remain detained for years without trial, with some possibly having served longer than the sentences they might receive," he remarked.
Source:lbcgroup.tv
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At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, medics say
December 26, 2024
At least 10 people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza early on Thursday, medics with the Gaza health authorities said.
Five people were killed and 20 wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City’s Zeitounneighborhood, the medics reported. They warned the death toll could rise as many remained trapped under the rubble.
In a separate incident, five journalists were killed when their vehicle was struck in the vicinity of Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat in central Gaza, the enclave’s health authorities said. The journalists worked for the Al-Quds Al-Youm television channel.
Palestinian media and local reporters said the vehicle was marked as a media van and was used by journalists to report from inside the hospital and Nuseirat camp.
There was no immediate Israeli comment on the reported strikes.
On Wednesday, Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel traded blame over their failure to conclude a ceasefire agreement despite progress reported by both sides in past days.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israeli airstrike in Bekaa shakes ceasefire 29 days after it came into effect
NAJIA HOUSSARI
December 25, 2024
BEIRUT: For the first time since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on Nov. 27, Israel breached the agreement deep inside Lebanese territory.
In the early hours of Wednesday, an Israeli warplane struck the town of Taraya near Baalbek.
A Lebanese security source said the airstrike occurred at 2:45 a.m., targeting a residence and an associated garage in the town of Taraya owned by a member of the Hamieh family. There were no casualties.
The Israeli army claimed that “an Israeli fighter jet attacked a terrorist cell in the Bekaa.”
Taraya is on the eastern slopes of the western Lebanese mountains, approximately 73 kilometers from the capital city of Beirut and 23 kilometers from the city of Baalbek. It was previously targeted by Israeli airstrikes during the extensive war on Lebanon — which lasted for 64 days — under the pretext of targeting sites and weapon depots belonging to Hezbollah.
Israel’s continued flouting of the terms of the ceasefire, which has been in effect for 29 days, were the focal point of a meeting held on Tuesday evening between caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and representatives from the United States, France, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
The attendees included American Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, France’s Gen. Guillaume Ponchin, the commander of the Southern Litani sector of the Lebanese Army, Brig. Gen. Edgar Lowndes, and UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, along with the Lebanese army commander, Brig. Gen. Joseph Aoun.
Mikati called on the committee to “stop the Israeli violations and the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from the border areas.”
He also agreed with the attendees to hold successive meetings with the Lebanese army to discuss the issues raised.
Israeli reconnaissance planes resumed incursions into Lebanese airspace, flying at low altitude over southern Lebanon, Beirut and its southern suburbs, after ceasing operations for two days.
On Wednesday, the Israeli army raised Israeli flags at a vacant Lebanese army post on Awida Hill.
This site, a strategic location, is where the Lebanese army previously established a base. It is adjacent to the villages of KfarKila, Adaisseh, Deir Mimas and Taybeh and overlooks Israeli settlements in Galilee, including KiryatShmona and Hula Valley, extending to Tiberias and deep into the Golan Heights.
Israeli raids on the border village of Taybeh killed two people on Monday.
The Israeli forces that invaded several border villages in southern Lebanon demolished houses and bulldozed roads on the outskirts of Houla, adjacent to Mays Al-Jabal. Lebanese residents are still denied entry to the occupied area, which includes 62 villages.
Israeli artillery shelling on Wednesday targeted TayrHarfa, the outskirts of MajdalZoun, and Maroun Al-Ras. Israeli forces also struck Jebbayn, firing bursts of machine-gun fire toward the town.
Media reports in Beirut reported that “US envoy Amos Hochstein will visit Beirut at the beginning of next year to help implement the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.”
Israeli forces have dragged their heels in the withdrawal from invaded border areas, delaying the Lebanese army’s deployment in the cleared area.
Fears grow that Israeli’s war against Lebanon may restart, because the committee overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire is unable to stop Israeli violations.
The Israeli army is using the 60-day period in the ceasefire agreement for the complete withdrawal of its troops from invaded areas to destroy what is left of Hezbollah’s positions and weapon depots.
Meanwhile, explosions were heard in the Anti-Lebanon mountains separating Lebanon and Syria, apparently caused by the Lebanese army detonating explosive remnants of Israeli operations against Bekaa.
Source:arabnews.com
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Africa
I Have Christian Friends; Can’t Be An Islamic Extremist: Buhari’s Former Aide
DECEMBER 25, 2024
Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s former aide, Bashir Ahmad, has made a U-turn from his recent statement on being an Islamic extremist, saying he has many Christians as friends.
Days ago, Mr Ahmad drew sharp criticism from Nigerians when he tweeted that he was proud to be called an Islamic extremist, after showering praises on Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas, assassinated by Israeli soldiers, in October.
Mr Ahmad’s post on X was oddly timed especially as it came hours after a Saudi-born doctor unleashed terror in Germany, killing five people, including a nine-year-old boy, deepening speculations on the support of some government officials for terrorists in Nigeria.
Clarifying his position in a tweet on Wednesday, Mr Ahmad said he was quoted out of context, expressing his unapologetic condemnation for terrorists and terrorism in the country.
“I am aware that many of you have labeled me as an extremist a very long time ago simply because I hold onto my beliefs firmly and unapologetically. So, the thing you should know is that, if standing uncompromisingly in my faith makes you uncomfortable, so be it. There is absolutely nothing that can be done about it,” he wrote.
Mr Ahmad further described any form of terrorism as contradictory to the principles of justice and respect for human life, alleging religious blackmail from unidentified individuals.
“In my circle, both within and outside this country, I have several Christians, followers of other religions, and even those who don’t believe in any religion. If anyone deserves my explanation, it would be these individuals, and thank God they know me well enough that no explanation is necessary,” he added.
Source:gazettengr.com
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Araba Agbaiye warns against establishing Sharia Court in South West states
December 25, 2024
The Araba Agbaiye, His Eminence, OwolabiAwodotunAworeni has warned those planning to establish Sharia Courts of Law in Oyo town and Yorubaland to retrace their steps.
This is as he also warned that Sharia law, under any guise, would not be tolerated in any part of Yorubaland, comprising Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos States.
The warning came after an Islamic organisation; the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo State chapter) revealed that it was planning to inaugurate a Sharia court in Oyo town on January 11, 2025.
The plan by the organisation, however, met stiff opposition from youths in the South West states.
The opposition led the organisation to call off the proposed inauguration of the Shari’ah Court.
However in a personally signed statement on Wednesday, Araba Aworeni, who is the Oluisese and Supreme leader of traditional religion worshippers worldwide said Yorubaland was renowned as a sanctuary of traditional beliefs from Inception and attempts to establish Sharia Court posed a significant danger to the security of lives and properties across the South West region.
He said, “Yorubaland has been renowned as a sanctuary of traditional beliefs since its inception and is celebrated for its traditional faith, practice, spirituality, and knowledge. The insistence of some dissident groups within the Islamic Council to establish Sharia Courts in Yorubaland on January 11th, 2024, poses a significant danger to the security of lives and property across the South-West states.”
He called on the Federal Government and stakeholders to warn religious fanatics and similar interest groups to stay away from Yorubaland.
He hinted that available evidence has convinced him and the council of Araba that the establishment of Sharia Courts in Yorubaland would have severe negative consequences on the peace of our region.
“In light of this, I have found it extremely necessary to plead with the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, and all stakeholders to warn those Islamic fanatics and similar interest groups to stay away from Yorubaland. Available evidence has convinced me and the council of Arabas that the establishment of Sharia Courts in Yorubaland would have severe negative consequences on the peace of our region.
“As the Supreme Leader Traditional Religion Worshippers strongly oppose plans to introduce Sharia law or establish Sharia Courts in the South-West region of Nigeria. The Sharia Court in Oyo town initiative is divisive, and we will resist any attempt to impose extremist legal systems on Yorubaland.
“We traditionalists will not allow Sharia law or courts in our land. Yoruba traditions and values are distinct, and any attempt to impose foreign systems on us will meet firm resistance. Sharia law is incompatible with our way of life and undermines the principles of harmony and coexistence we cherish.”
While demanding an immediate withdrawal of the proposed plan, he insisted that traditional worshippers were ready to defend the Yoruba ancestral land against any form of destabilisation.
“We are ready to defend Yoruba ancestral land against any form of destabilisation, including efforts to impose Sharia law. We are committed to Yoruba identity, culture, and tradition, and the preservation of our cultural identity remains non-negotiable.
“I warn the Federal Government and Yoruba governors not to create divisions in Yorubaland. Our focus is on Yoruba culture, and we will not allow any external influence to derail our identity.
“On behalf of Traditional Religion Worshippers, I demand the immediate withdrawal of the plans and call on Governor SeyiMakinde of Oyo State, South-West governors, Yoruba monarchs, senators, State Assemblies and other leaders to reject the proposal entirely and safeguard Yoruba cultural heritage. As Sharia law is incompatible with Yoruba values, culture, and way of life as Omoluabi.”
Governor SeyiMakinde of Oyo State has also weighed in on the controversy, warning that any activities must conform to Nigerian law.
“If the initiative abides by the Constitution, that is fine. If not, we will ensure the law prevails,” he asserted.
Source:dailypost.ng
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://dailypost.ng/2024/12/25/araba-agbaiye-warns-against-establishing-sharia-court-in-south-west-states/
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Wike’s aide urges MURIC director to promote Islam over division
December 25, 2024
LereOlayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to NyesomWike, FCT Minister has called on Ishaq Akintola, Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), to focus on advocating for Islam and refrain from sowing religious division among Nigerians.
Olayinka, reacting to Akintola’s statement on the suspension of Shehu Hadi the Executive Secretary, of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) emphasized that the Minister was not leading the FCTA on religious grounds.
The FCT Minister’s spokesperson stated, “Just as the appointing authority is not required to provide reasons for an appointment, the suspending authority is not obligated to disclose the reasons for a suspension, as long as the individual suspended is aware of the cause.”
“Most importantly, the position of the FCDA Executive Secretary is not a family chieftaincy title and the business of the office once occupied by Engr. Shehu Ahmad Hadi is running perfectly.”
While calling the attention of Prof Akintola to Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) position on obedience to authorities, Olayinka said; “I doubt if Prof Akintola is aware that on the authority of Abu Huraira, it was narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said; ‘You must listen to the ruler and obey him in adversity and prosperity, in pleasure and displeasure, and even when another person is given (rather undue) preference over you.’
“If Prof Akintola is aware of this and has imbibed it, he will simply counsel the suspended FCTA Executive Secretary to accept his fate as a Muslim, rather than this seeming sponsorship of media attacks against the Minister and fanning the embers of religious discord.”
Source:businessday.ng
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https://businessday.ng/news/article/wikes-aide-urges-muric-director-to-promote-islam-over-division/
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2024 Year in Review: Conflict keeps Sudanese trapped in a nightmare without end
ROBERT EDWARDS
December 25, 2024
LONDON: Sudan’s descent into chaos, triggered by the outbreak of civil war in April 2023, has created one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century.
Despite its magnitude, the crisis has been overshadowed this year by events in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, leaving millions to endure unimaginable hardship with insufficient international attention or assistance.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has plunged the nation into a spiral of violence, famine, displacement, and suffering.
Over the course of 2024, tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions forced from their homes. Famine now blights swathes of the country, while mass atrocities have taken place in Darfur and other regions.
Essential services, including hospitals, have collapsed, leaving the population dependent on overstretched and underfunded humanitarian aid.
Observers say the crisis, described by the UN as a “living nightmare,” has exposed the failure of the international community to provide adequate support or enforce meaningful accountability.
Hunger is now a fact of life for millions of Sudanese. The crisis has unleashed famine, particularly in Darfur, Kordofan, and neighboring regions, where the fighting has decimated agricultural production and disrupted supply chains.
In August, the Global Famine Review Committee officially declared famine in parts of Sudan, confirming IPC Phase 5 conditions in camps near Al-Fashir in Darfur. More than 25.6 million people face acute food insecurity, while 1.5 million are on the edge of famine.
The outbreak of famine was no accident. Humanitarian agencies say both the SAF and RSF have weaponized hunger by blocking aid routes, looting food supplies, and destroying farmland.
The deliberate targeting of humanitarian convoys has left isolated communities without access to food or clean water, exacerbating the crisis. Children have been the most vulnerable, with malnutrition rates soaring to catastrophic levels in displacement camps.
Malnutrition weakens immune systems, making the population more susceptible to illness. Disease outbreaks, including cholera and malaria, have compounded the misery.
Relief efforts, hampered by funding gaps and logistical challenges, have failed to match the scale of need. Despite repeated warnings from aid organizations, donor pledges have fallen short, leaving millions at risk of starvation.
The conflict has also triggered one of the largest displacement crises in recent history. More than 14 million people have been forced from their homes, with 11 million internally displaced and 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
Khartoum, once the vibrant capital of Sudan, has become an epicenter of displacement. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, and millions of internally displaced persons now live in makeshift shelters, enduring appalling conditions.
Refugees who have sought sanctuary in neighboring countries now find themselves in overcrowded camps, with inadequate provisions and limited access to healthcare.
Host countries, already grappling with their own economic and security challenges, have received insufficient international support to meet the growing needs of these vulnerable populations.
The plight of IDPs is compounded by continued violence. Armed groups frequently attack camps, looting supplies and preying on displaced families. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations face immense challenges in reaching those most in need.
Millions of people lack access to basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, and fuel. The war has crippled the country’s healthcare system, with more than 70 percent of medical facilities destroyed, looted, or knocked out of action.
Humanitarian aid, though vital, has been woefully insufficient. Only half of the $2.7 billion needed for Sudan’s relief operations in 2024 was funded, leaving millions without adequate support.
Aid agencies say the SAF and RSF have systematically obstructed deliveries of relief, targeting warehouses and convoys in an attempt to starve opposition strongholds into submission. As such, despite the efforts of aid workers, the scale of suffering continues to grow.
The toll of Sudan’s civil war is staggering, with estimates indicating more than 150,000 civilians killed since the conflict began in April 2023. These deaths, caused by bombardments, massacres, starvation, and disease, underscore the catastrophic human cost of the war.
A November report by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated more than 61,000 deaths in Khartoum state alone between April 2023 and June 2024.
Medical professionals warned early on that official figures underrepresented the true death toll, as many victims could not access hospitals due to ongoing violence.
In a May US Senate hearing, experts suggested the real casualty figure could be 10 to 15 times higher than earlier estimates.
The appalling extent of the violence plaguing Sudan emerged in October and November amid a spate of massacres in eastern Al-Jazirah state. As of December, up to 7,000 civilians had been killed in a series of brutal attacks reportedly carried out by the RSF, according to local monitors.
Survivors recounted harrowing tales of mass rape, forced displacements, and homes set ablaze. These atrocities are part of a broader pattern of violence that has characterized the conflict across Sudan.
Ethnic and territorial motives have driven these attacks, particularly in non-Arab communities. The RSF has been accused of systematic killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of entire villages in Darfur and other regions.
International condemnation of the massacres has been swift but largely ineffective. Human rights organizations have called for accountability and protection for civilians, but the lack of a functional justice system in Sudan has allowed perpetrators to act with impunity.
The conflict has also been marked by the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence, with harrowing accounts of abuse continuing to emerge.
In July, Human Rights Watch released a report detailing the extent of these atrocities, stating that sexual violence in Khartoum had become “widespread,” particularly at the hands of the RSF.
The report documented numerous cases of rape, gang rape, forced marriages, and sexual slavery, with victims ranging in age from nine to 60.
Women and girls, often displaced and vulnerable, have been subjected to unimaginable suffering. NGOs estimate that as many as 4,400 cases of sexual assault may have occurred during the conflict, though the true number is likely much higher.
In April, Canada’s Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights concluded that atrocities committed in Darfur meet the legal definition of genocide.
The RSF and allied militias have targeted communities, particularly the Masalit people, in what experts describe as a campaign of ethnic cleansing with echoes of the slaughter perpetrated by the RSF’s predecessor, the Janjaweed, in 2003-05.
Mass killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of villages have become hallmarks of the conflict. Survivors have recounted chilling accounts of entire families being executed and homes being razed.
The international community has struggled to respond effectively. While some advocacy groups have called for stronger sanctions and international prosecutions, enforcement mechanisms remain weak.
Many observers believe the international response to Sudan’s crisis has been fragmented and insufficient.
The EU imposed sanctions on individuals and entities linked to activities that undermine Sudan’s stability, including those implicated in atrocities. However, these measures have done little to change the behavior of the warring factions.
The US and the African Union have called for a ceasefire, while Saudi Arabia and others have sought to mediate between the parties. However, peace talks have repeatedly failed.
In August, the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group, which includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, proposed the creation of humanitarian corridors and civilian protection measures. However, ongoing violence has stymied these efforts.
External actors have continued to arm factions in the conflict, further complicating international mediation efforts. The UN Security Council, meanwhile, has faced criticism for its perceived inaction.
As the war continues into another year, Sudan remains a stark reminder of the human cost of indifference and the urgent need for concerted global action.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584290/middle-east
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Summons Pakistani Charge d’Affaires Over Bombing in Paktika
2024-12-26
KABUL(BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul Yesterday, Wednesday, delivering a formal protest note regarding Pakistan’s airstrikes near the Durand Line in the Barmal district of Paktika province.
In a statement, the ministry strongly condemned the aggression by Pakistani forces and declared, “While a representative of Pakistan’s civilian government was engaged in dialogue with Afghan officials in Kabul, the violation of Afghan airspace and the targeting of civilians by the Pakistani military reflects deliberate attempts by certain factions within Pakistan to sow distrust between the two nations.”
The Islamic Emirate emphasized its long standing commitment to defending Afghanistan’s sovereignty against superpowers, declaring it will not tolerate any violation of its airspace. The statement reiterated Afghanistan’s readiness and determination to protect its independence and territorial integrity.
Pakistan was also explicitly warned that safeguarding Afghanistan’s national sovereignty is a “red line” for the Islamic Emirate, and such irresponsible actions will undoubtedly have consequences.
Separately, Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense condemned the bombing in Paktika, describing it as a “barbaric act” that violates international norms and warned it will not go unanswered.
It is noteworthy that Pakistan’s airstrikes in the Barmal district yesterday resulted in 46 casualties and six injuries, with most victims being women and children.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-summons-pakistani-charge-daffaires-over-bombing-in-paktika/
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Islamic Emirate Extends Condolences to Azerbaijan Following Deadly Plane Crash
2024-12-26
KABUL(BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has expressed deep sorrow over the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in Kazakhstan.
In a statement, the ministry conveyed: “We are deeply saddened to learn that an Azerbaijani passenger plane crashed in the ‘Aktau’ region of Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of dozens of lives and injuries to several others.”
The statement extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the government of Azerbaijan, while also wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
According to reports from international media, the crashed aircraft was carrying 70 passengers. Of these, 30 survived, and 22 of them have been transferred to hospital for treatment.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-extends-condolences-to-azerbaijan-following-deadly-plane-crash/
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Over 70 Public Welfare Projects Completed or Under Construction in Kunduz
2024-12-25
KUNDUZ(BNA): The Directorate of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Kunduz has reported the implementation of 50 public welfare projects and the near completion of 26 additional projects over the past nine months in the province’s center and districts.
Hamid Khan Momand, the spokesperson for the department, informed Bakhtar News Agency that in the past nine months of this year, 76 development projects have been initiated in the center and districts of Kunduz. Of these, 50 projects have been completed, while the remaining ones are under progress.
He added that these projects have been financed with a budget of 256 million, 621 thousand, and 345 Afghanis, sourced from the Islamic Emirate’s budget and supported by various partner organizations.
These projects include road repairs and reconstruction in the districts, the construction of small bridges, water dams, water supply networks, and the drilling of wells.
He emphasized that the implementation of these projects has provided essential facilities for the residents of Kunduz’s center and districts, as well as job opportunities for thousands of people in the province.
Meanwhile, citizens of Kunduz have expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development and have called for the continuation of infrastructure projects and the creation of more job opportunities for the people.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/over-70-public-welfare-projects-completed-or-under-construction-in-kunduz/
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Rizwana mourns death of BCCT MD Rafiqul Islam
25 Dec 2024
DHAKA, Dec 25, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today condoled the death of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT) Managing Director Md Rafiqul Islam.
In a condolence message, she said Rafiqul Islam was a good-natured, efficient and responsible officer, while he joined BCCT as the managing director in July this year and was performing his duties with dedication.
The environment adviser prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
In a separate message, Environment Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed also expressed deep shock at the death of Rafiqul.
Rafiqul passed away today, while undergoing treatment at a city hospital.
The BCCT managing director is survived by wife, a son and well-wishers.
He joined the administration cadre in 1999 as a member of the 18th BCS and worked in various capacities.
Source:bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/233351
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North America
Panama Canal, Canada, Greenland - Donald Trump's Christmas Wishlist
Dec 26, 2024
In his Christmas greetings, US President-elect Donald Trump repeated his call to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland and annex Canada. In a series of posts on his social media platform 'Truth Social', Trump fired at "radical Left lunatics" and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He began by addressing the issue of the Panama Canal and making it clear that the US would take control.
"Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly but illegally operating the Panama Canal, where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago, always making certain that the United States puts in billions of dollars in 'repair' money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about anything'," he wrote.
Later in the day, while announcing Kevin Marino Cabrera as the US Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Trump said the country is "ripping" the US off on the Panama Canal, "far beyond their wildest dreams".
Reiterating his idea to make Canada the 51st US state, Trump charged at Trudeau and said that if it were to happen, "their taxes would be cut by more than 60 per cent, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other country anywhere in the World."
Similarly, he gave a message to the people of Greenland, who he thinks wanted the US to be there - "we will".
In another post, he charged at "radical Left lunatics", who are constantly trying to "obstruct our court system and our elections."
He refused to wish a Merry Christmas to those "lucky souls' or "37 most violent criminals", who were given a pardon by Joe Biden. "Instead, will say, GO TO HELL!"
Trump wished his followers a Merry Christmas in an eccentric way-with a GIF featuring the man himself. In the GIF posted on X (formerly Twitter), Trump rides a sledge full of gifts. He is wearing a classic blue suit and a Santa cap. His hands, folded into fist pumps, move front and back, a signature Trump dance move.
Trump's friend and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was quick to respond to the GIF. In the comments section, he left three emoticons - a fire emoji, Santa Claus, and the US flag.
Source:ndtv.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/panama-canal-canada-greenland-donald-trumps-christmas-wishlist-7333225
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Bald eagle officially declared US national bird after 250 years
Madeline Halpert
25 Dec, 2024
The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the US, after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve bestowing the honour upon the white-headed and yellow-beaked bird of prey.
The bird has been a national emblem in the US for years, appearing on the Great Seal of the US - used on US documents - since 1782.
But it had not been officially designated to be the national bird until Congress passed the bill last week, sending it to Biden's desk to be signed.
"For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn't," said Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, in a statement. "But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving."
Not everyone has always agreed about the national status of the bald eagle.
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin objected to the creature being chosen to represent the country, calling it a "bird of bad moral character".
But not all of Congress shared Franklin's sentiments.
Bald eagles, like other eagles worldwide, had been seen by many as symbols of strength, courage, freedom and immortality for generations, according to the US Department of Veteran Affairs. And, unlike other eagles, the bald eagle was indigenous only to North America.
The legislation designating the bald eagle as the national bird was spearheaded by Minnesota lawmakers. The state is home to what Senator Amy Klobuchar described as one of the nation's largest bald eagle populations.
The bald eagle is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which makes it illegal to sell or hunt the creature.
The birds were once on the brink of extinction, but the population has greatly increased since 2009.
The bald eagle bill was one of 50 pieces of legislation that Biden signed into law on Christmas Eve, including a federal anti-hazing law to tackle violence and deaths on university campuses.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23vzkdek4po
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Trump mocks opponents in Christmas message
25 Dec, 2024
US President-elect Donald Trump has posted a Christmas message taking potshots at China, Panama, Canada, Greenland, and his domestic political opponents.
The Republican, who is slated to return to the White House in January, put up two posts on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, wishing “Merry Christmas to all.”
The first on his list were “the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal.” The US controlled the waterway between the Atlantic and the Pacific for almost a century before handing it back to Panama in 1999. The local government has since contracted Chinese companies to operate it.
Trump also sent season’s greetings to “Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, whose citizens’ taxes are far too high,” but would be lowered by 60% “if Canada was to become our 51st state.”
“Likewise, to the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for national security purposes and who want the US to be there, and we will!” Trump added. He has recently revived the idea of US control over Greenland after his offer to buy the self-governed Danish island was rejected in 2019.
“Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics,” Trump continued, accusing the Democrats of trying to obstruct the US courts and elections, while going after him and other Americans.
“They know that their only chance of survival is getting pardons from a man who has absolutely no idea what he is doing,” Trump added, referring to outgoing President Joe Biden. He also brought up the fact that Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 federal inmates to life in prison, saying they should “go to hell” instead.
“We had the greatest election in the history of our country, a bright light is now shining over the USA, and in 26 days we will Make America Great Again,” the president-elect concluded. “Merry Christmas!”
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has already teased a series of “day one” actions, from executive orders on immigration and energy to brokering a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/609958-trump-christmas-message-post/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/row-muslim-delhi-court-india-salman-rushdie/d/134145