RSS Chief Jabs Aspiring 'Leaders Of Hindus' Over Temple-Mosque Disputes, Bhagwat Says - India Should Be An Example Of Inclusivity And Harmony
New Age Islam News Bureau
20 December 2024
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat
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India
· Resolve Mosque Controversies With Talks:Badrinath Shankaracharya
· Muslim Man’s 3rd Marriage Registration Denied Again, Bombay HC Raps Registrar
· And Kashmir Hizb Chief Among 5 Militants Gunned Down
· SC Rejects Plea Against Dharam Sansad Calling For 'Muslim Genocide', SC Says, " This Does Not Mean We Are Avoiding The Issue"
· Threat FIR on Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq after Sambhal charge
· Honeymoon Over Mecca? Angry Dad-In-Law Flings Acid At Man
· Shah vows dominance over J&K terrorism
· Munambam dispute fuelling Christian-Muslim divide in Kerala. Leaving it unchecked is risky
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North America
· US diplomats in Syria to meet new authorities
· Lord Mandelson expected to be named as UK ambassador to US
· Musk joins Bezos and Trump dinner at Mar-a-Lago
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South Asia
· Hasina among 58 sued at ICT over Pilkhana BDR carnage
· Aug 21 grenade attack case: Expert agency should probe it
· Internet was shut down on Hasina’s orders
· Ministry of National Defense Repaired 11 Russian Tanks
· 182 Million AFN Invested in 334 Development Projects Across Ghazni
· Message of Condolences from the Islamic Emirate Regarding the Casualties in Two Traffic Accidents on the Kabul-Kandahar Highway
· Islamic Emirate Offers Condolences Over Casualties in Kabul-Kandahar Traffic Accidents
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Pakistan
· Qureshi calls for dialogue instead of confrontation as PTI-govt talks in limbo
· Qureshi, Gandapur among other PTI leaders indicted in GHQ attack case
· Pakistan reports eighth case of mpox in 2024
· How India’s Exploitation Of US Sanctions Hurts Pakistani Businesses
· Pakistani to sit on BRI ‘green network’ panel
· CM Murad asks Sindh police to remain neutral
· SHC CJ asks lawyers to settle litigants’ issues through mediation to lighten court’s load
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Mideast
· ‘New Syria’ Offers Historic Moment Of Hope But Also Threats And Uncertainty, Says UN Chief
· Islamic Jihad condemns Zionist aggression on Yemen
· The warm Turkish welcome for refugees is ending and Syrians are worried
· Lawsuit alleges US failed to evacuate Palestinian Americans trapped in Gaza
· At Cairo summit, Muslim leaders envision Syria free of ethnic tensions, and of Israel
· Bahrain All Share Index lower, Islamic Index closes higher
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Arab World
· How Saudi Arabia Can Protect Its Digital Transformation With Robust Cybersecurity Tools
· Qassim University celebrates World Arabic Language Day
· Students briefed on counter-terrorism efforts
· UN Internet Governance Forum concludes in Riyadh
· Princess Nourah University launches ‘Itar’ exhibition to highlight student filmmaking projects
· Saudi Shoura Council speaker holds talks with Pakistani National Assembly counterpart
· UAE publishers take part in Jeddah Book Fair
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Europe
· Defendants Face Judgement For Actions That Led To Beheading Of French Teacher
· Azerbaijan Hosts Seminar In Pakistan Highlighting Shusha As 2024 Islamic Cultural Capital
· Nottingham doctor given warning after 'unacceptable' comments about Muslim patients
· Welsh Lamb has bright future in Muslim markets, expert says
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Africa
· Blinken Announces $200m In Humanitarian Aid For Sudan At UN Security Council
· Deadly Crush At Christmas Funfair In Nigeria Leaves 35 Children Dead
· Muslim lawyers association unveils Kogi branch
· GIMPA Muslim students hold prayer service
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Southeast Asia
· Two Malaysians Repatriated From Guantanamo Bay To Undergo Reintegration Programme - Saifuddin Nasution
· PAS spiritual leader urges Muhyiddin to rethink leadership roles in Perikatan, citing Bersatu dominance
· Son of former Al-Arqam leader and wife plead not guilty to charges of insulting Islam
· Kajang security guard jailed for terrorism-related offences involving Islamic State materials
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/rss-chief-hindus-temple-mosque-india/d/134087
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RSS Chief Jabs Aspiring 'Leaders Of Hindus' Over Temple-Mosque Disputes, Bhagwat Says - India Should Be An Example Of Inclusivity And Harmony
Dec 20, 2024
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat
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RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday took a jibe at aspiring Hindu leaders for stirring up "Ram-temple-like" disputes at various places across India.
He said that India should be set as an example of inclusivity and harmony.
Calling attention to India's pluralistic society, the RSS chief said that Christmas is observed in Swami Ramakrishnan Mission, emphasising that "only we can do this because we are Hindus”.
“We have been living in harmony for a long time. 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 they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. This is not acceptable,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI in its report.
He said that Ayodhya's Ram temple was built since it was a matter of faith for all Hindus, shunning any political motivation.
Without naming any sites, he said, “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."
Speaking in Pune as a part of a lecture series on the "Vishwaguru Bharat" theme, the RSS Chief said that Indians should learn from previous mistakes and work towards making their country a role model for the world.
Recently, several demands for surveys of mosques to uncover hidden temples have been brought before the courts, although Bhagwat did not specify any in his lecture.
He also said that certain external groups have brought with them a firm resolve, seeking to restore their former rule.
“But now the country runs as per the Constitution. In this setup, people choose their representatives who run the government. The days of hegemony are gone,” he said.
Drawing two parallel examples from the Mughal Empire, the RSS Chief said that though Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was identified by his unyielding adherence, however, his descendant Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857 prohibited cow slaughter.
“It was decided that Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should be given to Hindus, but the British sensed it and created a rift between the two communities. Since then, this sense of ‘algavwad’ (separatism) came into being. As a result, Pakistan came into existence,” he said.
The RSS chief questioned the "language of dominance," saying, What is its purpose if everyone identifies themselves as Indians?
“Who is a minority, and who is a majority? Everyone is equal here. The tradition of this nation is that all can follow their own forms of worship. The only requirement is to live in harmony and abide by rules and laws,” he said.
Source: indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-jabs-at-aspiring-leaders-of-hindus-over-temple-mosque-disputes-2652716-2024-12-20
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White House official says Pakistan long-range missiles can target US
By Reuters & Web Desk
December 20, 2024
Pakistani military personnel stand beside short-range Surface to Surface Missile NASR during Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 23, 2017. — Reuters
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WASHINGTON: A day after the United States imposed sanctions over Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, a senior White House official on Thursday said that the country is developing missiles that eventually could strike targets outside of South Asia, including the United States.
Deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said Islamabad's conduct raised "real questions" about its intentions.
"Candidly, it's hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States," Finer said in a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The latest statement comes only a day after the US State Department said it was imposing additional sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile programme, targeting four entities that it said were contributing to the proliferation or delivery of such weapons.
The statement, issued on the State Department's website, said that the decision was taken “in light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development”.
It added that the four entities were being designated for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targeted proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
"Pakistan’s National Development Complex – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and has worked to acquire items to advance Pakistan’s long range ballistic missile program – and Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise – which have worked to supply equipment and missile‐applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long range missile program – are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 Section 1(a)(ii) for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by Pakistan," read the statement.
However, Islamabad reacted strongly to the development, terming the the decision as "biased" and stressing that the step from the US has "dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond".
"Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond," Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement.
The Foreign Office stressed that the county's strategic programme is a sacred trust bestowed by 240 million people upon its leadership, adding that the sanctity of this trust, held in the highest esteem across the entire political spectrum, cannot be compromised.
In September this year, Washington targeted five entities and one individual with sanctions, which were involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles and controlling missile equipment and technology to Pakistan.
Department spokesperson Matthew Miller alleged that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems.
However, Pakistan categorically dismissed "unilateral" US sanctions on technology companies allegedly linked to the country's ballistic missile programme, calling them "unfair, unfounded, and uncalled-for".
"Pakistan considers this action as biased and politically-motivated. Similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere suspicion; involved items not listed under any export control regime and yet were considered sensitive under broad, catch-all provisions," said Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) had said.
Similarly, the US — in October 2023 — imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan.
The sanctions also affected China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co. Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national were sanctioned for knowingly transferring equipment under missile technology restrictions.
Source: .thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1263331-top-us-official-says-pakistani-missiles-can-strike-targets-in-united-states
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600 Soldiers Complete Professional and Ideological Training in Kunduz
2024-12-19
KUNDUZ(BNA): A total of 600 personnel from the 207th Omari Army Corps in Kunduz have graduated after completing a three month professional and ideological training program. The personnel have been deployed to various parts of the country to serve.
The spokesperson for the corps, Mawlawi Ajmir Afghan, stated that the graduates received training in military tactics, technical skills, intellectual development, and ideological principles.
A ceremony marking the occasion was attended by Kunduz Governor Mohammad Khan Dawat, Commander of the 207 Omari Corps Major General Mawlawi Amanuddin Mansoor, Commander of the 209 Al-Fath Corps Mullah Rahmatullah Aka, as well as civil and military officials from the northeastern zone, scholars, and a large number of mujahideen.
Officials emphasized that the graduates are committed to safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity, upholding national values, and ensuring the security of citizens.
It is worth mentioning that thousands of personnel have previously graduated from the training center of the 217 Omari Army Corps, equipped with professional and ideological skills, and have been deployed to serve the nation.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/600-soldiers-complete-professional-and-ideological-training-in-kunduz/
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Pakistan’s Punjab Increases Penalty For Child Begging To 10 Years
December 20, 2024
Photo via Reuters
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LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Thursday approved sending medicines and other goods for the people of Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also decided to send a mobile healthcare unit to Parachinar.
“The people of Parachinar are our own as we cannot leave them alone in trouble and difficulty,” the CM said.
The provincial cabinet also accorded approval to the completion of Pakistan’s first green building project. The CM directed the authorities concerned to introduce a farmer-friendly wheat release policy for the year.
The cabinet approved 2024-25 Sugarcane (development) cess rates maintained in crushing season 2024-25.
It was briefed that agricultural inputs worth Rs30 billion had been purchased using the Kisan Card. It was also apprised that 100 per cent wheat cultivation target in Punjab had been achieved.
The meeting was told that 4,500 tractors had been procured under the Green Tractor Scheme and 1,000 of them delivered.
For the first time, DAP fertiliser rates had neither increased nor decreased in Punjab, it was briefed.
The cabinet also approved funds for free medicines in hospitals and the promotion of shrimp farming and aquaculture in Punjab, besides the approval of terms and conditions for leasing the government land.
The CM directed the relevant authorities to take vigorous steps for the promotion and export of shrimp farming across Punjab.
The cabinet approved amendment to Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance 1958, under which punishment for begging children has been increased from one to 10 years.
It also approved funds for Phase-III of ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme.’
The CM directed not to stop funds for the programme and gave approval of the scheme to install latest automatic umbrellas in the courtyard of Data Darbar.
The cabinet approved recruitment in Special Monitoring Unit of I&C on vacant posts, and approved relaxation of restriction for recruitment against posts of Directorate of Monitoring of Home Department.
It also gave approval of relaxation in recruitment rules of Rescue 1122 emergency staff. The CM also directed to further expand the scope of rescue emergency services.
The cabinet gave approval of Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority, besides the approval to develop Qila Kahna Qasim Bagh, Multan, for the promotion of tourism and protection of cultural heritage.
It also approved amendments to Punjab Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 for effective implementation of axle load management regime in Punjab.
The relevant authorities were directed to take steps to provide furniture in government schools, besides approving the School Management Council Policy 2024.
The cabinet decided to increase financial authority to Rs2.5 million for hundreds of toilet blocks constructed under School Management Council in Punjab.
It was briefed that 1,100 new rooms were being built under the School Management Council across Punjab.
The cabinet also approved Constitutional Amendment Bill 2024 to include nutrition in basic human rights.
It also approved the establishment of Advisory Committee for Laboratory Certification under Punjab Environment Protection Act.
Approval of reconstitution of Protected Areas Management Board, and the reconstitution of Punjab Wildlife Management Board was also given by the cabinet. It also approved Council of Rights of Persons with Disability.
The CM told the cabinet about her China visit and said, “China’s development is an example to be emulated, we too can achieve all that by working hard.”
She said not even a single piece of paper was seen lying in schools, hospitals and on roads of China.
“The attitude of the Chinese people to recognise authority is worthy of imitation. There is an indescribable degree of harmony in the thoughts of Chinese people,” she said and wished Punjab to develop like China. She said representatives of 60 prominent and large Chinese companies expressed their willingness to invest in Punjab.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1879817/punjab-increases-penalty-for-child-begging-to-10-years#:~:text=The%20cabinet-,approved,-amendment%20to%20Punjab
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UN votes overwhelmingly for ICJ probe of Israeli role in Gaza’s ‘dystopian humanitarian nightmare’
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
December 20, 2024
People inspect the damage following an Israeli strike on a home in the Al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City. (Reuters)
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The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to adopt a resolution calling on the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on Israel’s humanitarian obligations to ensure and facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid necessary for the survival of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The resolution, drafted by Norway, was adopted with 137 member states voting in favor. Israel, the US and 10 other countries voted against it, and 22 abstained.
Israel’s parliament passed laws in October banning the UN’s aid agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, from operating inside Israel and East Jerusalem. Israel alleges that the agency, which has provided critical support for Palestinian refugees for seven decades, has been infiltrated by Hamas but has consistently failed to provide evidence to support the accusation.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, Israel has maintained strict control over the aid that enters the besieged territory. On Thursday, Human Rights Watch became the latest international organization to accuse Israeli authorities of carrying out acts of extermination and genocide against Palestinians by deliberately restricting access to water.
Georgios Petropoulos, the head of the UN’s humanitarian office in Gaza, said on Thursday that Israel was weaponizing the aid system, which is severely limiting the ability to provide assistance to civilians.
“Every day as an aid worker in Gaza, you’re forced to make horrible decisions,” he said. “Should I let people die of starvation or of the cold? Do we bring in more food to ease hunger, or more plastic sheets or some shelter from the rain at night? Do I cut back on hygiene supplies or do I bring in more painkillers for the sick and injured?”
Israeli support for humanitarian operations is “almost zero,” Petropoulos added.
“As the occupying power, it imposes blanket prohibitions on nearly everything. Commercial imports are being banned. Humanitarian equipment and supplies for Gaza are consistently blocked, and our own movements inside the Gaza Strip are most often denied in most areas.”
The resolution adopted by the UN on Thursday, which was co-sponsored by several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Spain, expresses “grave concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” and “calls upon Israel to uphold and comply with its obligations not to impede the Palestinian people from exercising its right to self-determination.”
The International Court of Justice is the UN’s highest judicial body. But while its advisory opinions hold legal and political significance, they are not legally binding. The court, based in The Hague, lacks the power to enforce its opinions if they are disregarded.
Norway’s deputy foreign minister, Andreas Kravik, said after the vote that the resolution follows several months during which the world has watched a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza turn into “a dystopian nightmare.”
He added: “45,000 Palestinians have been killed — many more, probably, if you include those under the rubble — and we have an obligation, as representatives of the international community, to respond and to react, and that is what we did today with this resolution.”
While he said there was no lack of willingness among many countries and the UN to step up their humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Kravik lamented the lack of access to the territory as “the fundamental problem” they face.
“Israel is not collaborating,” he said. “Israel is not facilitating humanitarian access. (So) today, the international community has said, ‘Enough is enough.’
“Israel is claiming that they have a right to do what they’re doing. We are now seeking guidance from the highest court of the world, the ICJ, to punctuate this argument. We want clarity on the legal issues.
“We are determined. We are clear-eyed about Israel’s obligations. Israel, under international law, has an obligation to provide assistance, to collaborate with UN humanitarian organizations and third states and let them help those who are suffering.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583686/middle-east
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India
Resolve mosque controversies with talks:Badrinath Shankaracharya
December 19, 2024
Shankaracharya and head of the renowned Badarinath- based Jyotish Peeth (seat) Avimukteshwaranand, known for his controversial statements, on Thursday said Uttarakashi and other mosque controversies must be resolved amicably through talks and not fighting against each other. He said both majoroty and minority communities are not happy with these developments across the country.
“Both Hindus and Muslims are unhappy by the mosque disputes. Fights and quarrels will not resolve this issue. People having evidences must sit together and mosque controversies be resolved as per the proofs. Final status of the mosques must be finalised on the basis of the evidences emerging authentically.
Avimukteshwaranand said this in Uttarkashi during his visit to the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple as a part of his winter Char Dhami Yatra. Expressing his views on mosque disputes croping up across the country ,including that of Uttarkashi, Avimukteshwaranand said “Religious sentiments of Hindus are hurt when it comes to the light that mosques were built demolishing temples. At the same time, Muslims are pained with the thought if their ancestors were oppressors. They also think that lies are being spread about them. We want that these controversies must not lead to the fight between the communities. Rather, those having evidences should sit together and resolve the matter amicably and in an authentic way.”
Resolving controversies amicably is the need of a civilised society” said Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya adding that this will also protect the ethos of social plurality of the nation.
Avimukteshwaranand is known for his controversial statements. Earlier he raised the bogey of 200 kilograms of gold plating scam in Kedarnath Sanctum Sanctorum.
Source: thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/resolve-mosque-controversies-with-talksbadrinath-shankaracharya-1503377674.html
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Muslim man’s 3rd marriage registration denied again, Bombay HC raps registrar
Dec 19, 2024,
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court rapped the registrar of marriages at Thane Municipal Corporation for once again rejecting a Muslim man’s application to register his third marriage. It set aside the order and directed the marriage to be registered within a week.
“We make it clear that if our directions are not complied with, we will not hesitate to haul up this registrar for contempt of court,” said Justices Burgess Colabawalla and Somasekhar Sundaresan on Tuesday.
The man and his third wife, an Algerian, moved the HC after their Feb 2023 application for a marriage certificate was rejected in March 2023 for not furnishing relevant documents and particularly because the Maharashtra Regulation of Marriage Bureaus and Registration of Marriages Act, 1998, contemplates only a single marriage.
On Oct 15, the HC noted that there is nothing in the Act that precludes a Muslim man from registering a third marriage, when a section specifically contemplates that the registrar has to ensure that the marriage between the parties is performed in accordance with their personal laws. The HC then had noted that ironically, these very authorities registered the man’s marriage with his second wife, a Moroccan citizen. It set aside the impugned order and directed the deputy registrar to grant them a personal hearing and pass a reasoned order.
On Tuesday, the couple’s advocates, Mutahhar Khan and Hafeezur Rehman, informed that on Nov 29, the registrar once again rejected their application, contending that only one marriage can be registered under the Act and registering this marriage would amount to polygamy.
The judges noted that the registrar “embarked on a journey of reinterpreting the word ‘marriage’ and completely ignored the HC’s Oct 15 order that there is nothing in the Act that precludes a Muslim from having four wives at any given point in time. “Once this was the finding given by this court, it was not open to the registrar to embark upon the journey of reinterpreting the provisions of the Act and that too contrary to what is stated in our order,” they added.
The judges said it appears the registrar felt that she could do it despite HC’s order, adding: “This practice is highly deprecated.” Considering these facts, the judges said they had no option but to set aside the registrar’s Nov 29 order “here and now, as it is directly contrary to the law laid down” by the Oct 15 order.
They posted the matter on Jan 2 for reporting compliance and extended protection to the Algerian woman from deportation.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/muslim-mans-3rd-marriage-registration-denied-again-bombay-hc-raps-registrar/articleshow/116459130.cms
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Jammu and Kashmir Hizb chief among 5 militants gunned down
Muzaffar Raina
20.12.24
Security forces on Thursday said they had gunned down five top Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commanders, including the group’s Jammu and Kashmir chief Farooq Ahmad Bhat, during a six-hour operation in Kulgam.
Two soldiers were injured and have been admitted to the army hospital in Srinagar where their condition is stated to be stable.
These are the biggest militant casualties in a single operation in months.
The forces said Bhat was the longest surviving militant in Jammu and Kashmir and was named in 37 FIRs in different police stations across Kashmir.
Police sources said Bhat was an associate of Hizb poster boy Burhan Wani, who was killed in 2016. Wani’s killing had triggered a months-long unrest that left around 100 dead in firing by security forces.
Brigadier Anirudh Chouhan, Commander 2 Sector of the Rashtriya Rifles, said they had been tracking the movements of the group for the past two months and the breakthrough came on Wednesday evening after inputs suggested the militants were in the Kaddir area of Kulgam in south Kashmir.
Brigadier Chouhan said the operation was launched at 3.30am, which took the militants by surprise.
“After around 20 minutes, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire from multiple locations. Our jawans responded to the fire. They (the militants) were pinned down completely and their attempt to escape was aborted,” the officer told a media conference.
The brigadier said they had to tread cautiously to ensure there was no collateral damage. He said civilians were safely evacuated before the final assault was launched.
He said all five militants were top commanders and had been active for years.
The DIG of south Kashmir, Javaid Mattu, who was also present at the media conference, said Bhat had joined the Hizb in 2015 and was an accused in 37 FIRs.
“It tells you about his involvement (in militancy) and how dangerous he was,” Mattu said.
The other militants killed in the operation were identified as Adil Hussain, Mushtaq Ahmad Itoo, Irfan Yaqoob, Aadil Hajam and Yasir Javed.
The police and the army called the operation a big setback for militants, particularly for the Hizb.
Brigadier Chouhan said it had wiped the Hizb out of Kulgam and Shopian districts.
The army, police and the CRPF were part of the operation.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-hizb-chief-among-5-militants-gunned-down/cid/2071966
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SC Rejects Plea Against Dharam Sansad Calling For 'Muslim Genocide', SC Says, " This Does Not Mean We Are Avoiding The Issue"
ByChanshimla Varah
Dec 19, 2024
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday declined to entertain a contempt petition accusing Uttar Pradesh Police of inaction against the Dharam Sansad scheduled to be held by Yati Narasinghanand and others in Ghaziabad this week.
The contempt of court petition was moved by a group of civil society members, including former bureaucrats.
The case was heard by a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar.
Court's suggestion
SC advises petitioners to approach High Court
The Supreme Court advised the petitioners to approach the high court instead.
"There are other matters which are equally serious. We will be flooded if we entertain this. You have to approach the high court," it said.
However, it also cautioned Uttar Pradesh authorities to monitor and record the event on video.
"Just because we are not entertaining this does not mean we are avoiding the issue," it added.
Bail issue
SC suggests High Court for bail cancelation
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, emphasized that Narsinghanand was out on bail with conditions prohibiting hate speech.
The SC then advised them to approach the high court for bail cancelation.
"We...also reiterated earlier order to maintain law and order and...officers should ensure compliance of law," the court said.
Bhushan had earlier stated that an open call for the genocide of Muslims had been issued, and the appeal required an immediate hearing because the sansad will begin on Tuesday.
Petitioners' profile
Petitioners include retired bureaucrats and activists
The petitioners, including retired bureaucrats and activists such as Aruna Roy, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Deb Mukarji, Navrekha Sharma, Syeda Hameed Vijayan MJ, had approached the court, alleging violation of directions issued by the top court in 2022 for suo motu action in cases of hate speech.
They alleged Narsinghanand repeatedly delivered hate speeches against Muslims.
"The website and the advertisements for this Sansad include several communal statements against the followers of Islam," their plea said.
Source: newsbytesapp.com
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https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/supreme-court-refuses-to-entertain-plea-against-narsinghanands-dharam-sansad/story
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Threat FIR on Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq after Sambhal charge
Piyush Srivastava
20.12.24
Sambhal police on Thursday booked Samajwadi MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, an accused in the Shahi Jama Masjid violence, and his father Mamlook-ur-Rahman on the charge of intimidating electricity department officers when they had visited the local legislator’s residence to disconnect the supply for drawing excess power.
An engineer of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) had filed an FIR at Nakhasa Thana against the MP and his father for “stealing” power and intimidating him and other department employees.
V.K. Gangal and Ajay Sharma, two junior engineers of the UPPCL who had gone to disconnect the power supply at the lawmaker’s residence at Deepa Sarai in Sambhal, said that when they were doing their job, Mamlook told them that soon the government would change and he would take revenge on them.
Gangal said: “While the MP had taken a 2KV connection, he was drawing over 16KV power through illegal means. While we were checking the equipment in use on the second floor of the MP’s house, Mamlook said he was recording everything and wouldn’t spare us when the government changes.”
Barq told reporters that the Yogi Adityanath government was targeting him because he had raised the issue of the “murder of four Muslims during the survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24”.
A mob had clashed with the police that day during a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid to find out whether the mosque was built by razing a temple during the rule of Mughal emperor Babur. Four persons had died and scores were injured. Burq is among those named in an FIR on the charge of instigation. The MP has denied the allegation.
“I was not in Sambhal that day but the police booked me for instigating the mob. I have moved Allahabad High Court against the FIR. But the government filed one more FIR against me. There is no power theft in my house. The allegation is false and motivated,” Barq said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/threat-fir-on-samajwadi-party-mp-zia-ur-rahman-barq-after-sambhal-charge/cid/2071965
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Honeymoon Over Mecca? Angry Dad-In-Law Flings Acid At Man
Dec 20, 2024
MUMBAI: A newly wed man was injured after his father-in-law allegedly attacked him with an acid-like chemical at Agra Road in Kalyan on Wednesday night, following a dispute over honeymoon plans. The Bazarpeth police have registered a case against the father-in-law and are searching for him.
Senior police inspector Sureshsingh Gaud of the Bazarpeth police station said that the son-in-law, identified as Ibad Falke, married the daughter of the accused around a month back. He had decided to go to Kashmir for honeymoon, but the accused - his father-in-law Zaki Khotal - insisted that he should first visit Mecca–Medina for pilgrimage.
Ibad, however, remained firm on his plans because of which there were tensions between the two, the police officer said. On Wednesday night, when Ibad was returning home, the accused intercepted him at Agra Road in Kalyan and started arguing with him. While the arguments were going on, the accused suddenly attacked Ibad with an acid-like chemical from a plastic bottle.
Ibad was injured in the attack and was admitted to Apex Hospital in Kalyan. After receiving information about the incident, the Bazarpeth police registered a case against the father-in-law and started searching for him.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/newly-wed-man-injured-in-acid-attack-by-fatherinlaw-101734635470509.html
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Shah vows dominance over J&K terrorism
Mukesh Ranjan
20 Dec 2024
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. This was his first such review since the recent assembly elections that brought a National Conference-led government to power under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
According to officials, the meeting, which was attended by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, senior officials from the Army, paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, focused on the security roadmap for 2025.
They said Shah emphasised on the implementation of ‘Area Domination Plan’ and ‘Zero Terror Plan’ in mission mode. He directed all the security agencies operating in the Union Territory to continue working in a coordinated manner to eliminate terrorism.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement, “The home minister noted that due to the sustained and coordinated efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, the ecosystem of terrorism in J&K has almost ended.”
Lauding the unprecedented participation of people of the Union Territory in the recently held assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Shah said these showed that they have full faith in the democracy. He also appreciated the efforts of the security agencies for a major decline in terrorist incidents, infiltration and recruitment of youth in terror organisations.
Shah asserted that the Centre, with the joint efforts of all security forces, “is committed to establish complete dominance over terrorism in J&K”.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of J&K in 2019 into two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh — law and order has remained under the purview of the Central government.
Official data, however, indicates a decline in violence, with 142 terrorists killed in 2019 compared to around 45 so far this year. Civilian deaths also dropped significantly, from 50 in 2019 to 14 by early November this year.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day J&K CM Abdullah also met the Union Home Minister and apprised him about the prevailing situation in the state and the experience he gathered in the past three month following assuming power in the Union Territory.
After the meeting, while speaking to reporters outside the North Block Abdullah said, “The meeting with the Home Minister was regarding the situation in J&K and restoration of statehood, as there were talks over the issue and also there is hope that it will be restored.”
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/20/shah-vows-dominance-over-jk-terrorism
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Munambam dispute fuelling Christian-Muslim divide in Kerala. Leaving it unchecked is risky
ANAND KOCHUKUDY
19 December, 2024
Let’s start a pork farm here…that should drive away the Waqf Board – someone declared to loud cheers as protesters disbursed for the day. They had been sitting on a relay hunger strike at the precincts of Our Lady of Velankanni church in Kerala’s Munambam.
The comment demonstrates how much of a communal wedge the Munambam land dispute has driven between Christians and Muslims in Kerala. And the matter isn’t even close to being resolved.
The Munambam issue is a land dispute between the Latin Christian fisherfolk living on a parcel of land near Kochi, and the Kerala Waqf Board.
The land, endowed to Farook College in 1950, was purchased by its original inhabitants through 280 title deeds between 1989 and 1993. In 2008, in response to complaints about illegal takeovers of Waqf land, the VS Achuthanandan government appointed a commission to investigate the matter. By 2009, the commission found that 600 acres of Waqf land, including Munambam, had been encroached upon.
Identifying Munambam as the “most affected” of all areas, it accused Farook College of approving the sale without the Waqf Board’s consent, and recommended that appropriate steps be taken for recovery. Then, in 2019, the board declared Munambam as waqf property under Sections 40 and 41 of the 1995 Waqf Act.
Now, the Pinarayi Vijayan government has constituted another judicial commission to untie the knots. The politicians and their proxies have since left the scene of the agitation, but this may just be the calm before another storm.
History of Munambam dispute
Munambam is located at the northern tip of the Vypin island, connected to mainland Kochi through a series of bridges. A piece of land originally measuring 404 acres and 76 cents was leased by Abdul Sathar Moosa Sait – a Kutchi Memon trader who had settled in Mattancherry – from the Travancore kingdom in 1902. His son-in-law and successor Mohammed Siddeeq Sait got the land registered in his name in 1948, and decided to hand over the property to Farook College, established that year in Kozhikode.
On 1 November 1950, a deed was registered at the Edappally sub-registrar’s office, wherein Sait transferred the property to Farook College’s president. This deed had the word ‘Waqf’ inserted into it. When Sait handed over the property to Farook College in 1950, the land area had already shrunk after the great floods of 1924 and the persistent phenomenon of sea erosion. It also already had several inhabitants with occupancy certificates predating the handover.
Issues between the original residents and Farook College over property rights reached the sub-court of Paravur, and subsequently the Kerala High Court. Both ruled in favour of the College in 1971 and 1975 respectively. The confusion might have arisen in the first place because the Paravur sub-court classified the title deed as a “Waqf”, whereas the subsequent high court order changed that to “gift deed”.
The inhabitants of the land formed a lay group to fight the case, till an out-of-court settlement was finally reached when Farook College sold the land to them at a premium – now measuring 114 acres after the erection of a seawall in 1984 – and the issue seemed to end there. The college, located some 150 km away from Munambam in Kozhikode, bought another parcel of land from the proceeds of the sale (Rs 33 lakh) and established a Teachers Training College there. It was named ‘Munambam Estate’ (later called Seethi Sahib College).
The matter became more complicated after the Kerala Waqf Board entered the scene in 2007 following a court complaint by Nassir Manayil and TM Abdul Salam, secretary and president of the Kerala Waqf Protection Forum alleging encroachment of Waqf property in Munambam. It was after this, in 2008, that the Achuthanandan government appointed a commission led by retired district judge MA Nissar to look into the matter.
Instead of conducting an independent inquiry to determine the issue of jurisdiction as specifically directed by the court, the Nissar Commission erroneously relied on an order by the CEO of the state Waqf Board, which simply declared the property to be the Waqf’s. The recommendations of this commission formed the very basis of subsequent proceedings – and the present crisis.
The present timeline
As of today, over 600 families reportedly reside in the disputed land in Munambam. According to protesters and Velankanni Church authorities who spoke to me, 442 of them are Latin Christians. The rest are made up of Ezhavas, Dheevaras and Kudumbis from the Hindu OBC community, and most of them are engaged in fishing and allied activities.
In 2022, the Kochi Tehsildar issued an order to collect land tax from residents of Munambam, following a letter from Waqf Board CEO BM Jamal, which asserted that the land was Waqf property. Residents’ rights were restored later that year after a local MLA and Waqf minister intervened – only to be challenged and revoked earlier this year.
Against the backdrop of the Centre introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on 8 August and, consequent to it being forwarded to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (after opposition protests), the Munambam issue began to heat up once again.
Thrissur Major Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, in his capacity as the Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), shot off a letter to the joint secretary of the Lok Sabha secretariat a couple of days later, which was prominently displayed by minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on X on 28 September.
It wasn’t until the Kerala Assembly was set to pass a unanimous resolution against the Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill on 14 October that the residents of the disputed land in Munambam came together in the precincts of the church to kick off their relay hunger strike on 13 October.
The protests seemed to reach a crescendo in the run-up to the by-elections in Palakkad, Chelakkara, and Wayanad.
C Krishnakumar, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Palakkad, visited the protest site. And it became a political issue when the Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church Raphael Thattil declared that the lay people have no compulsion to vote for the usual political parties this time around. With Christians having a nominal presence in Palakkad, the impact of such calls may have gone unregistered.
Muslim politicians and community leaders swearing allegiance to the Left too waded in later.
Immediately after the by-elections, the state government appointed the CN Ramachandran Nair judicial commission to find a “permanent solution” to the dispute within three months. The Centre’s decision to not introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was announced the same week, thereby setting the stage for a thaw.
Munambam and community pride
It didn’t take long for the issue to flare up again. A peace mission undertaken by Congress’ Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan to Munambam only ended up betraying conflicting positions on the issue within the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
Speaking to the protesters, Satheesan emphasised how the disputed land wasn’t Waqf property, and how it wasn’t linked to the Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Satheesan’s idea was to try and win back the trust of the Christian community, a section of whom seemed to veer toward the BJP’s stance on the Waqf issue. His position earned him plaudits in general, although it was now the turn of ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)’s state secretary KM Shaji to publicly refute the LoP.
Shaji went on to declare that the Munambam land was indeed Waqf property, and found backing from the likes of Malappuram MP ET Mohammed Basheer. The IUML resorted to damage control when its state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Thangal issued a gag order on party workers. But the damage was already done.
The IUML has historically acted as a safety valve against communalism in Kerala by keeping the Islamists at bay while also striving to advance the cause of the Muslim community. Its position on Munambam has electoral repercussions, and indeed on communal harmony in the state.
The Munambam issue has also marked a division between the moderates and hardliners within the larger Muslim community, with some attaching community pride to the issue and even likening it to the Babri Masjid case.
The IUML understands how any statement by it claiming that the disputed land in Munambam is Waqf property would only serve to increase the polarisation between Christian and Muslim communities. A prominent IUML leader told me how taking a soft stand on Munambam could earn Muslims the goodwill of the Christian community (and vice versa) when it came to the Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Congress veteran and former minister KC Joseph – who hails from the Christian belt of Kottayam – concurred with that view. Even the Christian clergy has been broadly taking the view that their position on the Centre’s bill will be dictated by the developments on Munambam.
Political calculations
The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) calculation is that any polarisation between the two communities will eventually help it win an unprecedented third term for Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Vijayan government, too, is in no hurry to fix the issue anytime soon – it’ll try and reap benefits in the local body polls and the assembly election to follow. The judicial commission has already indicated that three months is not sufficient to examine all documents and provide a conclusive report.
Political implications aside, the Munambam issue has already exacerbated the underlying tensions between the Muslim and Christian minorities in Kerala. If left unchecked, this friction would go on to forever damage the state’s reputation as a haven of communal amity and harmony.
Source: theprint.in
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https://theprint.in/opinion/kerala-konnect/munambam-dispute-fuelling-christian-muslim-divide-in-kerala-leaving-it-unchecked-is-risky/2410331/
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North America
US diplomats in Syria to meet new authorities
20 Dec, 2024
US diplomats are in the Syrian capital Damascus where they plan to meet representatives from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group now in charge but which Washington still designates as a terrorist organisation.
The visit follows those of delegations in recent days from the UN and other countries including the UK, France and Germany.
This is the first formal American diplomatic appearance in Damascus in more than a decade.
It is a further sign of the dramatic shifts under way in Syria since the fall of the President Bashar al-Assad's regime more than a week ago, and the speed of efforts by the US and Europe, also leaning on Arab countries, to try to influence its emerging governance.
The delegation of senior officials includes Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, Roger Carstens, who is US President Joe Biden's hostage envoy and Daniel Rubinstein, senior adviser in the Bureau of Near East Affairs.
"They will be engaging directly with the Syrian people, including members of civil society, activists, members of different communities, and other Syrian voices about their vision for the future of their country and how the United States can help support them," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.
They plan to meet representatives from HTS, in a show of readiness to deal with the group the US still designates as a terrorist organisation, but building pressure for it to transition to inclusive, non-sectarian government.
Washington is effectively laying down a set of conditions before it would consider delisting the group - a critical step which could help ease the path towards sanctions relief that Damascus desperately needs.
The officials are seeking further information to help find the American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Damascus in 2012.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07gv3j818ko
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Lord Mandelson expected to be named as UK ambassador to US
20 Dec, 2024
Lord Mandelson is expected to be named as the UK's next ambassador to the US.
The Labour grandee, who served in multiple ministerial roles under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown before taking up a life peerage in the Lords, was considered to be one of the frontrunners for the position.
He will replace Dame Karen Pierce, whose term in Washington DC is due to end in early 2025.
An architect of New Labour, Lord Mandelson was seen as a key adviser to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the run-up to the 2024 election.
During that election, he was among the hosts of the How To Win An Election podcast for the Times, while also serving as a trustee of the Design Museum and chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University.
His name was linked to the chancellorship of the University of Oxford, where he once studied, but it ultimately went to former Conservative leader Lord William Hague.
Sir David Manning, who served as the UK's ambassador to the US between 2003 and 2007, told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight programme that Lord Mandelson was a "very articulate, highly intelligent, extremely experienced operator".
However, he cautioned that the role would see him coming up against "all sorts of issues that will be contentious and difficult" including climate change, dealing with China and the situation in the Middle East.
Lord Mandelson, 71, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme in November that nobody had actually spoken to him about the ambassador post.
But he said he was "more in favour of a new relationship rather than a special one" with the US, and "would be very interested indeed in giving advice about trade to whoever is appointed".
His appointment comes ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on 20 January.
Trump has pledged to impose wide-ranging tariffs on his first day in office, which experts say could cost the UK £22bn.
Sir Keir said on Thursday the UK would "have to make sure that we avoid tariffs" when asked about Trump's comments, and reiterated that he wanted to improve trade with Washington.
A government source said: "The fact the prime minister has chosen to make a political appointment and sent Lord Mandelson to Washington shows just how importantly we see our relationship with the Trump administration.
"We're sending someone close to the prime minister with unrivalled political and policy experience, particularly on the crucial issue of trade. He's the ideal candidate to represent the UK's economic and security interests in the USA."
Both the White House and Trump campaign were notified of the appointment in advance.
Speaking to the News Agents podcast in November, Lord Mandelson said the new Trump presidency was going to have a profound impact on the security and economic stability of the rest of world.
"It's absolutely essential that we establish a relationship with President Trump that enables us not only to understand and interpret what he's doing but to influence it", he said.
He added that the Labour government should try to "reconnect" with Trump's ally and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been critical of Sir Keir's government and has been appointed head of new advisory team the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
Lord Mandelson was the Labour MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004, during which time he served as Northern Ireland secretary and business secretary under Blair. He stood down as an MP in 2004 to become a European Commissioner.
He also resigned twice as a minister - once for failing to declare a home loan from a cabinet colleague, and a second time over accusations of using his position to influence a passport application.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvnlxxp8jko
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Musk joins Bezos and Trump dinner at Mar-a-Lago
20 Dec, 2024
Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos has become the latest billionaire to meet Donald Trump at his Florida resort.
He was seen entering Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday night on his way to dinner with the president-elect, in video posted on social media.
US media reported that Elon Musk joined the pair. Mr Musk later tweeted "it was a great conversation".
Mr Bezos has pledged $1m (£780,000) to Trump's inauguration fund, one of a number of donations pledged by tech bosses.
Mr Bezos has large business interests with the US government through several of his companies, including Amazon's cloud computing division and Blue Origin, his space exploration company.
Others who have travelled to Mar-a-Lago recently include Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI's Sam Altman, TikTok's Shou Zi Chew and Apple's Tim Cook.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai is also scheduled to meet Trump on Thursday.
The meetings come as Trump has both threatened and praised tech companies, accusing some of censorship and threatening to crack down on some of their business practices.
Amazon will stream Trump's 20 January inauguration on its Prime Video service, which will count as another $1m donation in-kind to his inauguration fund, according to CBS News, the BBC's US news partner.
Mr Zuckerberg of Meta – the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – has pledged $1m to the fund, as has OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman.
Mr Musk funnelled more than $250m to election efforts backing Trump, according to public records.
Trump has picked Mr Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head an effort to slash government spending. In the 2024 budget year, Mr Musk's SpaceX has US government contracts worth $3.8bn, according to government database USASpending.gov.
Mr Bezos also has significant business with the government.
Amazon Web Services was awarded a 10-year, $10bn contract with the National Security Agency in 2021. In 2023, Nasa announced a $3.4bn contract with Blue Origin to build a lunar lander for a planned mission to the moon.
Just days before the November election, the Washington Post announced that it would not be endorsing a candidate for the first time in decades.
Mr Bezos explained the decision by saying endorsements create a perception of bias.
"Ending them is a principled decision, and it's the right one," he wrote in the Post.
Mr Musk and other business leaders such as financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald's CEO Howard Lutnick – Trump's pick for commerce secretary - have been part of Trump's inner circle since before the election.
But other tech leaders and billionaires have had a more distant relationship.
Trump was suspended from Facebook after the Capitol riot following his loss in the 2020 election, and later reinstated.
This time around, Mr Zuckerberg appears to have changed tack.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ygvjpxn17o
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South Asia
Hasina among 58 sued at ICT over Pilkhana BDR carnage
Dec 20, 2024
The family members of 20 army officers who lost their lives in the 2009 BDR massacre lodged a complaint against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 57 others with the International Crimes Tribunal yesterday.
The complaint was submitted to ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam over the killings that took place at the headquarters of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh) in the capital's Pilkhana on February 25, 2009.
Apart from Hasina, her former defence adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and ex-army chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed have also been named in the complaint, said lawyer SM Tasmirul Islam, who assisted the victims' families.
Speaking to the media after filing the complaint, the families called for the release of the innocent ex-BDR soldiers who have been imprisoned for years.
"Fifty-seven unarmed army officers were killed because of their patriotism, honesty, and skill. This massacre was a deliberate and planned attempt to destroy the Armed Forces and the BDR, and prolong Sheikh Hasina's autocratic regime. The bodies of the victims were burned. Such brutal killings are consistent with crimes against humanity," said Tasmirul.
Nehreen Ferdousi, wife of late Col Mujibul Hoque, requested all not to call the 2009 incident a mutiny. "It was a killing and part of a planned conspiracy."
Advocate Sakib Rahman, son of late Col Quadrat Elahi, shared, "I studied law only to avenge my father's murder. I will fight against my father's killers."
Rakin Ahmed Bhuiyan, son of late Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed, said the 2009 incident was a conspiracy to kill the skilled army officers, destroy the army and BDR, and undermine the country's sovereignty.
"It pains me deeply to speak of how they murdered my parents. When I asked an officer if I could see their bodies, he advised me against it, warning that I wouldn't be able to bear it.
"Why were they killed? They were killed because they loved and defended their country. They were targeted and killed as part of a conspiracy. We demand justice. You cannot fathom how I have been living alone since then."
A press release issued by the complainants alleged that Sheikh Hasina identified officers who might stand in the way of her autocratic rule, and planned a massacre to strengthen her grip on power.
The ICT is scrutinising the complaint to assess whether the accusations against the 58 individuals fall under the purview of the International Crimes Tribunal Act, Abdullah Al Noman, a prosecutor of the tribunal, told The Daily Star.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/hasina-among-58-sued-ict-over-pilkhana-bdr-carnage-3780106
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Aug 21 grenade attack case: Expert agency should probe it
Dec 20, 2024
The High Court in the full text of its verdict in the August 21 grenade attack cases has observed that the cases should be referred to the home ministry for a fresh probe by a proper and expert investigation agency.
"It is a heinous tragic incident in the history of this country, where a lot of people, including Ivy Rahman, then Awami League leader, lost their lives. This killing needs to be investigated properly and independently in order to have a fair justice for the departed soul, which has totally been absent till date in this case," the HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain said in the 79-page full text of the verdict released yesterday.
On December 1, the bench delivered its verdict clearing BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar and all the others convicts in two cases filed over the gruesome August 21, 2004, grenade attack.
The Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 of Dhaka delivered the verdicts in the two cases on October 10, 2018, sentencing 19 people, including Babar, to death. Tarique, now in London, and 18 others were handed life imprisonment while 11 others got prison sentences of different terms.
In the full text of the judgement released yesterday, the HC bench observed, "In view of the above factual aspect of this case, it can safely be said that the impugned conviction was based mainly on a mere presumption without having any legal or corroborative evidence."
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/aug-21-grenade-attack-case-expert-agency-should-probe-it-3780726
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Internet was shut down on Hasina’s orders
Dec 20, 2024
Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology, has confessed to deliberately shutting down the internet nationwide during the July uprising on former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's orders.
His testimony was recorded by the International Crime Tribunal's investigation agency following a questioning session held on Wednesday, said Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam while addressing journalists at the tribunal yesterday.
"They [Hasina and Awami League lawmakers] wanted to ensure that Bangladesh was disconnected from the rest of the world to hide the instances of mass killings during the protests," Tajul said.
According to the chief prosecutor, Palak also said he had lied by saying that the internet blackout was caused by a fire incident in data centres in Dhaka's Mohakhali and destruction of telecommunication infrastructure by protesters.
"A WhatsApp group was created with International Internet Gateway service providers. A direct order was communicated through this group to shut down the internet immediately. They were asked to confirm after completion of the order," said Tajul.
Tajul said the interrogation was done in the full presence of lawyers. "There was a glass partition between Palak and the investigation agency, and his lawyers. This is as per the international standard. There is no scope for torture or coercion."
The prosecution was expected to submit a probe report against several government officials, including Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan, yesterday, but the bench granted them an additional two months.
The bench, led by tribunal chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder and members Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury, passed the order.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/internet-was-shut-down-hasinas-orders-3779981
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Ministry of National Defense Repaired 11 Russian Tanks
2024-12-19
KABUL(BNA): The Ministry of National Defense has announced the repair and reactivation of 11 Russian combat and artillery tanks.
According to a statement from the ministry, the technical and professional teams of the 207th Al-Farooq Army Corps successfully repaired and prepared 11 Russian tanks for operational use.
The statement further noted that, to date, the ministry’s technical and professional teams have repaired and reactivated 48 Russian tanks. Additionally, the technical management department has repaired 59 tanks over the past three years.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/ministry-of-national-defense-repaired-11-russian-tanks/
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182 Million AFN Invested in 334 Development Projects Across Ghazni
2024-12-19
GHAZNI(BNA): The Directorate of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Ghazni has announced the completion of 334 projects since the beginning of the current year, with financial support from international organizations. These projects were implemented at a cost of 182.33 million afghanis.
Engineer Noor Habib Noor, General Manager of Engineering Services at the Directorate, told Bakhtar News Agency that the projects include drinking water supply networks, irrigation systems, and road construction initiatives. The projects have been carried out across all districts of Ghazni province.
Officials further stated that an additional 322 projects are currently underway, funded by partner organizations at a cost of $1,099,975. These projects have provided employment opportunities for 9,055 individuals.
The successful implementation of these projects has brought significant improvements to local communities, creating various facilities that are expected to enhance the daily lives of residents.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/182-million-afn-invested-in-334-development-projects-across-ghazni/
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Message of Condolences from the Islamic Emirate Regarding the Casualties in Two Traffic Accidents on the Kabul-Kandahar Highway
December 19, 2024
It is with profound sadness that we have received the news of two tragic traffic accidents on the Kabul-Kandahar highway, resulting in the martyrdom of 52 of our fellow compatriots and injuring 65 others.
Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him, we return. These incidents have deeply disturbed and saddened us. We pray for the martyrs of these accidents to be granted the highest place in paradise (Jannat al-Firdous), and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured. We deeply sympathize with the grieving families and extend our sincere condolences to them.
We urge the relevant authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into both incidents, identify the causes, and take necessary actions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/message-of-condolences-from-the-islamic-emirate-regarding-the-casualties-in-two-traffic-accidents-on-the-kabul-kandahar-highway/
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Islamic Emirate Offers Condolences Over Casualties in Kabul-Kandahar Traffic Accidents
2024-12-19
KABUL(BNA): With deep sorrow, we have received the tragic news of two devastating traffic accidents on the Kabul-Kandahar highway, resulting in the martyrdom of 52 citizens and injuries to 65 others.
Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him, we shall return.
These incidents have caused profound grief and sadness. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and stand with them in this time of sorrow. We pray for eternal peace for the martyrs and a swift recovery for the injured.
The relevant authorities are directed to immediately investigate these incidents, ascertain their causes, and take effective measures to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-offers-condolences-over-casualties-in-kabul-kandahar-traffic-accidents/
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Pakistan
Qureshi calls for dialogue instead of confrontation as PTI-govt talks in limbo
By Shabbir Dar
December 19, 2024
RAWALPINDI: As the incumbent government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf yet to agree on holding talks, senior party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi has favoured dialogue over "confrontation", stressing that Pakistan needs political stability under current circumstances.
"Issues should be resolved through mutual consensus," the former foreign minister said while speaking to journalists after meeting PTI leadership in Adiala Jail.
"Pakistan needs political stability at this time...political stability is vital for economic stability," the former foreign minister said while speaking to journalists in Adiala Jail on Thursday.
The remarks come against the backdrop of prevailing ambiguity surrounding the PTI-government dialogue which has been the talk of the town ever since the party's founder, Imran Khan, a negotiation committee.
The committee comprising NA Opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser has been mandated to demand the release of "political prisoners" facing trial and the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9, 2023 and a late-night crackdown on the PTI protesters on November 26.
The former ruling party had even announced launching a civil disobedience movement — which now has been deferred by party founder Imran Khan for a "few days" on the "PTI leaders' request".
Speaking to reporters today, Qureshi said that his party was being subjected to political vengeance, noting that he was in Karachi when the May 9 events took place.
He pointed out that in his last meeting with the PTI founder, he suggested postponing the civil disobedience movement to "gauge the seriousness of the government for negotiations".
Furthermore, the PTI leader asked the government to hold talks if the rulers were serious about it. "The government, earlier, sought a conducive environment for talks from PTI," he said, adding that now when his party has constituted a committee, "they are not showing seriousness".
"Political dialogue is the only way out under the current circumstances," he added.
In response to a question regarding his meeting with PTI's current leadership, Qureshi said that he has conveyed his point of view to the leadership, adding that they should get a chance for negotiations.
"I have 40 years of political experience," he said, adding that he has asked the party leadership to pay heed to his advice too.
Gandapur hints at 'positive progress' by Dec 21
Meanwhile, KP CM Gandapur hinted at "positive progress" from both sides, the opposition and the government, by Saturday (December 21) on the matter of talks.
Speaking to journalists outside the makeshift court in Adiala Jail, the chief minister said that 200 PTI workers were missing, but now the numbers have reached 54 only.
"Under the circumstances that have arisen, we are forced to think for Pakistan," he said, hoping that the political parties will think carefully and find a solution. "If those who are in power give a signal, a positive response will also come," he added.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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Qureshi, Gandapur among other PTI leaders indicted in GHQ attack case
By Shabbir Dar
December 19, 2024
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur were indicted along with 12 others in a case concerning the attack on General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi during May 9 protest last year.
An anti-terrorism (ATC) court on Thursday also indicted other PTI leaders including Kanwal Shauzab, Shehryar Afridi and Shibli Faraz for their alleged involvement in the case related to May 9 violent protests which broke out in the country last year.
A total of 113 suspects have been indicted in the case so far while the court also summoned the other six accused named in the case on December 21 (Saturday).
Following the indictment, Qureshi, Shozab and the KP chief minister filed a petition seeking acquittal in the case which will be heard by the ATC judge tomorrow.
During the hearing today, PTI founder Imran Khan, Qureshi, Sheikh Rashid, Fawad Chaudhry, Faraz, Shehryar Afridi and Gandapur were present in the courtroom.
After the indictment, the judge adjourned the hearing till December 21.
Earlier this week, the court had indicted nine suspects including Shireen Mazari, PTI leaders Rashid Hafiz, Khadim Hussain Khokhar, Zakirullah, Azeemullah, Tahir Sadiq, Mehar Javed, Chaudhry Asif and Munir in the case.
The development came days after Khan was formally charged for his involvement in the arson and vandalism at the GHQ in Rawalpindi during the May 9 mayhem.
At least 70 PTI leaders were accused of planning the May 9 events and inciting the workers and supporters to attack military and government installations following the arrest of the ousted prime minister by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
During the protests, the miscreants targeted the civil and military installations including — Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9 "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.
The PTI founder, however, blames the “agencies men” for arson and shooting in some areas during the May 9 violent protests.
The then-government as well as the one currently ruling have time and again blamed the PTI founder and the party's senior leadership for engineering allegedly "organised" attacks on military installations.
Despite securing relief in major cases, the former premier still faces a number of cases related to the May 9 incidents which are being heard by different anti-terrorism courts.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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Pakistan reports eighth case of mpox in 2024
Ikram Junaidi
December 20, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday reported the year’s eighth case of mpox in a passenger who arrived from Saudi Arabia.
The 30-year-old labourer, who landed at the Islamabad Airport on Wednesday, showed fever and other symptoms of the virus.
He was shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, where he was confirmed as a positive case of mpox, an official of the National Institute of Health said.
The patient, a resident of Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was out of danger and admitted to the isolation ward, the official added.
“We have started contact tracing passengers who were sitting near the patient. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has also been informed to trace people where the labourer used to reside and work.”
All cases of mpox reported so far in passengers have been detected in passengers who arrived from abroad. There have been no cases of local transmission of the virus, according to officials.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the mpox an emergency of international concern on August 14.
The virus is categorised into two primary clades: Clade I and Clade II. The recent global outbreak from 2022 to 2023 was predominantly linked to Clade II, which is known to cause milder symptoms compared to Clade I.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was primarily associated with Clade Ib. As of now, there have been no reported cases of Clade I in Pakistan, the official said.
According to an NIH document, mpox — which spreads via close contact and tends to cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions — is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
Source: dawn.com
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How India’s exploitation of US sanctions hurts Pakistani businesses
Imran Ayub
December 20, 2024
PAKISTAN’S contention that unilateral US sanctions against companies suspected of having links with its weapons programme could have “dangerous implications for the strategic stability of our region” is not simply rhetoric, but rooted in precedent.
Indeed, these designations have been used as an excuse by arch-rival India to arbitrarily harass Pakistani and Chinese commercial firms engaged in documented trade and industrial activities.
Consider the case of Cosmos Engineering, a Karachi-based manufacturer of automobile parts and home appliances.
In March of this year, Indian customs officials had intercepted a Malta-flagged merchant ship, the CMA CGM Attila, which was en route to Karachi. The allegation was that it was carrying a dual-use military-grade cargo, which Indian authorities claimed could be used by Islamabad for its weapons programme.
Indian customs officials claimed to have found an Italian-made computer numerical control (CNC) machine within the consignment, alleging its potential utility in nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and subsequently confiscated it.
Although New Delhi claimed the interception, and subsequent seizure, of the cargo was made on the basis of “specific intelligence”, no evidence supporting the claim was ever publicly released, and despite the passage of several months, the Indian government has yet to substantiate its allegations.
Chinese exasperation
The Chinese supplier of the machinery, as well as their Pakistani partners, told Dawn earlier this year that they intended to pursue legal action against the Indian government “to return our goods” as well as securing “maximum compensation”.
“I have reported the entire situation to our government departments and am waiting for their reply,” Andy Qiao of China’s Taiyuan Mining Import and Export had told Dawn in March, in response to a written query.
He also mentioned that his firm was enlisting the help of lawyers specialising in international law to gather evidence and prepare legal action against the Indian government.
Andy claimed that the Indian claims were “fabricated”, and normal commercial machinery was being portrayed as being “dual-use technology” for weapons systems. He also accused the Indians of virtually “stealing the equipment” by force without notifying them.
“When we tried to contact them to ask about the basis for the seizure, they didn’t answer our calls. They didn’t respond to our emails,” he said.
Andy maintained that their contract with the Pakistani company and all the products shipped between them met legal export declaration requirements and were fully documented, in line with international trade laws.
“The Indian government’s actions are extremely irresponsible. They always want to play the role of world police, arbitrarily seize other people’s products, and wantonly violate international law and international trade rules,” Andy said.
Diplomatic outrage
Although Pakistan’s Foreign Office had issued a sharp rebuke to the Indian actions at the time, Cosmos Engineering claims that there has been no progress on the issue and their seized shipment, as well as legal efforts to clear their name, remain in limbo.
“Pakistan condemns India’s high-handedness in seizure of commercial goods. This disruption of free trade underscores the dangers inherent in the arbitrary assumption of policing roles by states with dubious credentials,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch had said at the time.
Referring to the CNC machine found in the consignment, Ms Baloch clarified that the item in question was “a commercial lathe machine”.
“Specifications of the equipment clearly indicate its purely commercial use. The transaction was being conducted through transparent banking channels with all the relevant documentation,” she said.
Open doors at Cosmos
For most countries, anything related to weapons production is kept a closely guarded secret. But Cosmos Engineering allowed Dawn wide-ranging access to its facility in the North Karachi Industrial Area, where this correspondent was allowed to meet workers and management, as well as inspect the facility to get an idea of the kind of work that went on there.
“We are one of leading manufacturers of the country specialising in parts, tools and dies, jigs and fixtures for a number of reputed industrial organisations,” Cosmos Engineering CEO Asim Farooqi told Dawn.
In a wide-ranging discussion, he rejected the accusations leveled by Indian authorities, saying that the CNC machine was an essential industrial tool, widely utilised across diverse sectors, including automotive, home appliance, and textile industries.
“Cosmos Engineering vehemently asserts its non-involvement in any defense-related activities or missile programmes,” he said.
“We have demanded the immediate release of our CNC machine held by Indian authorities. Any further delay poses a significant risk to our operations and undermines our hard-earned reputation,” he told Dawn.
When asked how far their efforts to secure legal relief had progressed, Mr Farooqi told Dawn on Thursday that his company had approached the Sindh High Court to seek the release of their consignment, and that the court had issued notices to both the shipper and the cargo insurance agent.
“Our Chinese partner has also sought help of the local court in Shanghai,” he said, adding that Chinese customs authorities had sought details of the shipment.
Source: dawn.com
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Pakistani to sit on BRI ‘green network’ panel
December 20, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Executive Director of the Pakistan-China Institute Mustafa Hyder Sayed has been appointed as a member of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Green and Low-Carbon Expert Network.
According to a press statement, Mustafa Sayed’s appointment on the panel was announced during GLEN’s launching ceremony in Beijing.
The panel is being supported by China’s Ministry of Ecology. The launch event featured Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister of the Chinese ministry, and Erik Solheim, Vice President of the BRI International Green Development Coalition Governing Board.
Source: dawn.com
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CM Murad asks Sindh police to remain neutral
Tahir Siddiqui
December 20, 2024
KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday asked the police force to ensure neutrality and discipline to strengthen governance within the force.
Addressing the Association of Former Inspectors General of Police Annual Conference on the topic of ‘Police Reforms: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities’ at Central Police Office, the chief minister said instead of reforms, the police needed governance, capacity building, and community policing methods and attitudes.
However, he highlighted the necessity of oversight, noting that supervision was vital because the police were a service, not a force.
“Accountability ensures that wrongful actions are scrutinised,” he added.
The chief minister stressed the importance of keeping the police free from external pressures — whether political, financial, or religious.
He said that there was urgent need for governance within the police force to ensure justice, neutrality, public service, and on top of its community policing.
“There is a dire need to align police operations with Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of discipline, impartiality, and service to the nation instead of bringing drastic reforms,” he added.
Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, forty retired IGPs, serving senior police officers, and members of civil society were in attendance.
The CM invited former IGs for further discussions over tea to deliberate on bridging gaps in the police system.
He added that former officers could contribute to policy discussions, but the ultimate responsibility rests with the government.
He acknowledged that reforms in the Police Act were essential, stating that if everything was perfect, “we wouldn’t be working on reforms today”.
Regarding policymaking and operational freedom, Murad Ali Shah clarified that policymaking was the government’s responsibility, while day-to-day operations should remain with the police.
President AFIGP Afzal Shigri in his written remarks urged the government to implement necessary reforms where required.
CM meets British envoy
The chief minister met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott at CM House and discussed climate change, post-flood rehabilitation, education, and other critical issues.
Discussing the challenges faced by Sindh, the British High Commissioner said that rehabilitation after the devastating floods was one of the biggest challenges for the Sindh government.
Source: dawn.com
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SHC CJ asks lawyers to settle litigants’ issues through mediation to lighten court’s load
December 20, 2024
LARKANA: Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui of the Sindh High Court has said that a mediation hall would be established within the Larkana circuit building, and advised the legal fraternity to opt for settling rival litigants’ disputes through mediation instead of encouraging them to move court.
This, he said, would not only minimise the piling up cases in the high court but could also help advocates avoid their practice getting affected.
The CJ was addressing a reception hosted in his honour by the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) after inaugurating accounts & record branch in the building on Thursday.
“We have found a solution to the piling up of cases through mediation, which is in practice globally,” he said.
The chief justice hinted that the cases which could more likely be settled through mediation might be those between a couple, among siblings or they might pertain to child custody, partnership etc.
Requirement of more judges
CJ Siddiqui welcomed the suggestion put forward by the Bar President, Ghulam Dastagir Shahani, regarding increase in the number of judges at the Larkana circuit. “You have asked for three judges to sit here but I am planning to have four,” said the chief justice.
Therefore, three judges would be here at Larkana seat, he said, and explained that he had planned to have one division bench and two other benches — one for civil and the other for criminal cases — to work here regularly. “We are trying to raise the strength of judges [at the SHC] to 40 and hopefully three or four judges would be here,” he said.
He also announced that the vacant seats of the anti-corruption court and anti-terrorism court would be filled after [winter] vacation or soon after his return to Karachi.
“This land has produced best judges; and presently two learned judges are sitting before you; Inshallah four judges would be here amongst you,” he said.
Chief Justice Siddiqui exhorted lawyers to prepare their cases finely and assist the judiciary.
In his opening remarks, the CJ said: “This land is mine and I shall give time to it. After elevation as a judge in 2012, my first roster was at Larkana; and I’m happy to have seen a peaceful and harmonious Bar here. I acknowledge whatever love I had received here, is no less than I had from the Karachi Bar … I proudly say this is my Bar,” the CJ remarked.
More facilities pledged
The chief justice announced that a modern consultation hall and a canteen would be made available here if space was identified. A car parking area would also be built at the building, he added.
Regarding the ongoing work on a court being set up in Dokri, he said the civil work would be completed within a month’s time. He said advocates would be provided facility of online study in library through the PLD subscription so that they could read online instead of turning book leaves.
The reception was attended among others by Justices Muhammed Saleem Jessar, Shamsuddin Abbasi, Zulfikar Sangi, Larkana District and Sessions Judge Simkan Hussain Mughal, District Bar Association President Habibullah Ghouri, members of the lower judiciary and senior advocates, besides office-bearers of SHCBA and DBAs.
SHCBA President Ghulam Dastagir Shahani presented the traditional gifts of Ajrak and Topi to the chief justice and other judges.
Source: dawn.com
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Mideast
‘New Syria’ offers historic moment of hope but also threats and uncertainty, says UN chief
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
December 19, 2024
NEW YORK CITY: While recent developments in Syria offer a long-awaited opportunity for Syrians to realize their aspirations for freedom “there is a real risk that progress could unravel” if the situation is not managed carefully, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday.
Long-time dictator Bashar Assad fled the country on Dec. 8 following a swift offensive by a group of rebels. Their operation, which lasted less than two weeks, met little resistance.
Guterres noted that the end of more than five decades of “brutal, dictatorial rule” by the Assad family offers a long-sought opportunity for all Syrians to fulfill the aspirations that sparked their peaceful movement for change in 2011. The slogan that echoed across the country, “The Syrian people are one,” has never been more relevant, he added.
“It holds great promise for a country so rich in diversity, history and culture, along with its deep-rooted traditions of generosity, which I witnessed first-hand as high commissioner for refugees when the Syrian people welcomed millions of displaced Iraqis,” Guterres said.
However, he stressed that “nothing is guaranteed” and warned: “If the ongoing situation is not managed carefully by Syrians themselves, with the support of the international community, there is a real risk that progress could unravel.”
Guterres emphasized that “all communities must be fully integrated into the new Syria,” and “the rights of women and girls must be fully respected.” He also reiterated the importance of ensuring the process is guided by the principles outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Adopted in 2015, the resolution calls for a ceasefire agreement and political settlement in Syria, and sets out a road map for the country’s transition, including “free and fair” elections.
Although some parts of Syria are relatively stable following the fall of Assad, Guterres warned that the conflict is far from over and civilians continue to be killed, injured and displaced. Daesh remains a threat in some areas, while Israel continues to target the country with extensive airstrikes.
“These are violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Guterres said. “They must stop.”
In the Golan Heights, he said, the UN’s Disengagement Observer Force has reported an ongoing Israeli military presence in several locations within the Area of Separation, despite long-standing agreements prohibiting such deployments.
The peacekeeping mission has also observed Israeli personnel and equipment in at least one place inside the Area of Limitation. The 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria stipulates that this area must remain free of military forces.
Guterres called on Israel and Syria to fully comply with the terms of the agreement, which “remains in full force.”
He added: “Let me be clear: There should be no military forces in the Area of Separation other than UN peacekeepers, period. Syria’s sovereignty, territorial unity and integrity must be fully restored, and all acts of aggression must come to an immediate end.”
Neighboring country Turkiye has “a very important role” to play in convincing parties in Syria of the need for inclusive dialogue, Guterres said. However, he also stressed the need to establish a permanent ceasefire in northeastern Syria, and to stem the activities of Daesh in the area.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in the country remains one of the worst in the world, with the recent escalation further exacerbating the needs of people nationwide. Guterres stressed the urgent need to ensure humanitarian and recovery efforts receive adequate funding. The UN’s humanitarian chief has already warned that the appeal for aid to Syria, one of the largest in the world, remains severely underfunded.
Describing the current moment in Syria as one of “hope and history” but also “great uncertainty,” Guterres said: “Some will try to exploit the situation for their own narrow interests. But it is the obligation of the international community to stand with the people of Syria, who have suffered so much.
“Syria’s future must be shaped by its people, for its people, with the support of all of us.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Islamic Jihad condemns Zionist aggression on Yemen
19 Dec 2024
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric aggression that targeted Yemeni sites and facilities in the capital Sana'a and the port of Hodeidah.
The movement said in a statement on Thursday: "The arrogance and brutality practiced by the enemy against the peoples of our nation and region, from Palestine to Yemen, passing through Lebanon and Syria, confirms that this entity is the real danger to the peoples of our nation and the future of our homelands."
It added: "We, in the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, as we praise the heroism recorded by the brotherly Yemeni people and their brave steadfastness in confronting the Zionist aggression and American arrogance and their continued strikes against the brutal Zionist entity, adhering to their religious, national and humanitarian duty to defend the security of our nation and its peoples, we call on all Arab peoples to unite to put an end to the continuing Zionist aggression."
Source: saba.ye
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The warm Turkish welcome for refugees is ending and Syrians are worried
December 20, 2024
GAZIANTEP, Turkiye: Turkiye gained renown as a haven for refugees by welcoming more than 3 million Syrians fleeing violence between forces from Bashar Assad ‘s government and a patchwork of rebel groups.
But the Syrian president’s ouster this month has led many in Turkiye to argue that the refugees have no reason to stay, part of the global backlash against migration. Some Syrians are panicking about returning to a devastated nation.
“There’s no work, electricity, or water. There is no leader. Who will it be? I have no idea,” said Mahmut Cabuli, who fled airstrikes by Syrian government forces and violence by rebel groups in his hometown Aleppo a decade ago. “I’m scared and don’t know what the authorities will do.”
‘My children were born here’
Cabuli spent several years in a refugee camp before he found a job at a textile factory in Gaziantep, a southern Turkish city near the Syrian border. After he met another Syrian refugee, they married and had two children.
“My children were born here,” he said. “I am working, thank God. I am happy here. I don’t want to go back now.”
Many Turks baselessly accuse Syrians of taking their jobs and straining health care and other public services. Riots have damaged Syrian-owned shops, homes or cars, including one in July in the central city of Kayseri following allegations that a Syrian refugee sexually assaulted a child. The riots sparked counterprotests in northern Syria.
Turkish authorities said that the alleged perpetrator was arrested and the victim placed under state protection.
“A spark between Syrians and Turkish citizens can immediately cause a big fire, a big flame,” said Umit Yılmaz, the mayor of Sehitkamil, which hosts 450,000 Syrians.
“The Syrians need to be reunited with their homeland immediately,” he said. “I have come to a point where I am even willing to get in my own car and take them away if necessary.”
Was staying in Turkiye temporary or for good?
In 2014, Turkish authorities gave Syrians universal access to health care, education and the right to work by granting them a legal status known as temporary protection.
As a result, Turkiye has taken in more Syrian refugees than any other nation — more than 3.8 million at its peak in 2022, or roughly 60 percent of all the Syrians logged by UN refugee agency UNHCR.
But more recently, anti-refugee sentiment has surged as Turkiye has grappled with problems including persistent inflation — particularly in food and housing — and with high youth unemployment.
“This prolonged stay under temporary protection must end,” said Azmi Mahmutoglu, spokesman for the Victory Party, a right-wing party that has opposed the presence of Syrians in Turkiye and called for their repatriation.
Hundreds of Syrians have gathered at border gates along Turkiye’s 911-kilometer (566 mile) frontier with Syria since Assad’s fall and the returns are expected to accelerate if Syria becomes stable.
Metin Corabatir, director of the Ankara-based Research Center on Asylum and Migration, said most of the departures so far appear to be Syrians checking the situation back in Syria before deciding whether to move their families back.
Muhammed Nur Cuneyt, a 24-year-old Syrian who arrived in 2011 from the northern town of Azaz, was eagerly waiting at one gate on Dec. 10, saying he was grateful to Turkiye for granting refuge but resented hearing anti-Syrian sentiment as his people fought Assad.
“Some were saying ‘Why are the Syrians here? Why don’t you go back and fight with your nation?’” he said.
Are they voluntary returns?
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sought ways to encourage the refugees’ voluntary returns — including building housing in Syria close to the Turkish border after Syrian migration helped weaken support for his Justice and Development party.
Erdogan has four more years in office but the main opposition party has a slight lead in polls.
One refugee who returned to Syria said that he had signed a document ending his protected refugee status under Turkish law.
“Would they be allowed to come back to Turkiye? Corabatir said. “Our hope is that it will continue.”
This week, UNHCR said it does not believe that conditions to end Syrian’s refugee status have been met and it still thinks they need protection.
But for Huseyin Basut, the Turkish owner of a pet shop in Gaziantep, Turkiye has done all that it can for the Syrians.
“We did all we could as a country and as citizens,” said Bayut, 52. “Since the war is over, they should return to their homes, build their homes or whatever they need to do and may God help them.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Lawsuit alleges US failed to evacuate Palestinian Americans trapped in Gaza
December 20, 2024
WASHINGTON: Nine Palestinian Americans sued the US government on Thursday, alleging that it had failed to rescue them or members of their families who were trapped in Gaza where Israel’s war has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.
The lawsuit accuses the State Department of discriminating against Americans of Palestinian origin by abandoning them in a war zone and not making the same effort that it would to promptly evacuate and protect Americans of different origins in similar situations.
It was the second case against the US government this week after Palestinian families sued the US State Department on Tuesday over Washington’s support for Israel’s military.
A US State Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on pending litigation, while adding the safety and security of American citizens around the world is a “top priority.”
Thursday’s lawsuit was announced by advocacy group Council on American Islamic Relations and attorney Maria Kari, and filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The suit alleges the plaintiffs’ right to equal protection under the US Constitution has been violated by depriving them “of the normal and typical evacuation efforts the federal government extends to Americans who are not Palestinians.”
It mentions comparable instances of the US government evacuating its citizens from conflict zones such as in Afghanistan, Lebanon and Sudan and names President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as defendants.
The State Department spokesperson said the US has evacuated Americans from unsafe areas around the world, including Gaza.
Israel’s war has killed over 45,000 people, according to the Gaza health ministry while also sparking accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies. The military assault has displaced nearly Gaza’s entire 2.3 million population and caused a hunger crisis.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Source: arabnews.com
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At Cairo summit, Muslim leaders envision Syria free of ethnic tensions, and of Israel
19 December 2024
The leaders of Turkey and Iran called on Thursday for unity in Syria and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged that Israel be punished as the heads of eight Muslim-majority countries met in Cairo for the D-8 summit, following the ouster of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad.
Turkey historically backed Assad’s opponents, while Iran supported his rule.
The gathering of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as the Developing-8, was being held against a backdrop of regional turmoil including the conflict in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and unrest in Syria.
In a speech at the summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for reconciliation in Syria and the restoration of the country’s “territorial integrity and unity.”
He also voiced hope for “the establishment of a Syria free of terrorism,” where “all religious sects and ethnic groups live side by side in peace.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also called for “the participation of all [Syrian] groups in the future government… as well as respect for different beliefs and religions.”
He added that “for more than 14 months, the Middle East region, in particular Gaza and southern Lebanon, and now… Syria, has been the target of massive attacks” by Israel.
“It is our religious, legal and human duty to prevent further harm” to those suffering in the conflict zones, he said.
Pezeshkian is the first Iranian president to visit Egypt since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2013.
Relations between Egypt and Iran have been strained for decades, but diplomatic contacts have intensified since Cairo became a mediator in the war in Gaza.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Egypt in October, while his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty traveled to Tehran in July to attend Pezeshkian’s inauguration.
PA President Abbas, speaking at a special session on Gaza and Lebanon, said the international community should adopt “a single standard of justice” and ensure Israel “is held accountable and punished for violations of international law” in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Abbas called for the adoption of a political plan he presented at a November summit in Riyadh, which includes a ceasefire, Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and full UN membership for Palestine.
Iran’s president expressed support for any agreement backed by all Palestinian factions.
“The right to self-determination of the Palestinian people must be respected,” said Pezeshkian.
He called on the international community to pressure Israel to implement a ceasefire in Gaza, end attacks on Lebanon and Syria and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire deal last month which is slated to see the full withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces troops from Lebanon by the end of next month.
The Cairo summit also hosted a meeting between Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but split in a brutal 1971 war, with Bangladesh then drawing closer to Pakistan’s arch-rival India. Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus said he had “agreed to strengthen relations” with Pakistan, a move likely to further test his country’s frosty relations with India.
Established in 1997, the D-8 aims to foster cooperation among member states, spanning regions from Southeast Asia to Africa. The organization includes Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia as member states.
Source: timesofisrael.com
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Bahrain All Share Index lower, Islamic Index closes higher
19 Dec 2024
Manama, Dec. 19 (BNA): Bahrain All Share Index has closed at 2,000.61 points, marking a decrease of 4.71 points below the previous closing.
This decrease was due to a drop in the communication services sector and financials sector.
Bahrain Islamic Index has closed at 782.38 points, marking an increase of 2.90 points above the previous closing.
Results indicated that 77 equity transactions took place with a volume of 1,457,365 worth BD 981,686.
Investors traded mainly in the materials sector, representing 60.14% of the total value of securities traded.
Source: bna.bh
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Arab World
How Saudi Arabia can protect its digital transformation with robust cybersecurity tools
MANAL AL-BARAKATI
December 19, 2024
RIYADH: In today’s hyper-connected world, mobile apps have become the gateway to almost every service and business interaction. But as businesses race to deliver convenience, they inadvertently expose themselves — and their users — to growing cyber threats.
With security breaches rising at an alarming rate, mobile apps are often the weakest link. Developers face a two-fold challenge — balancing security without sacrificing speed or innovation.
This pressing issue was the catalyst for Appknox, a mobile app security platform established in Bangalore, India, and now making inroads in Saudi Arabia, which was designed to make securing apps faster, smarter, and more efficient.
“Mobile apps are no longer just tools — they’re business-critical systems,” Subho Halder, co-founder of Appknox, told Arab News. “Yet securing them has remained cumbersome, complex, and, often, reactive.”
At its core, Appknox simplifies security testing by integrating into the development pipeline, helping businesses identify and fix vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle.
By removing friction and leveraging advanced technology like AI and machine learning, Appknox bridges the gap between speed and security — two critical elements for businesses operating in the digital economy.
The demand for mobile apps has exploded, but so too have cyberattacks targeting them. For developers, traditional security solutions have long been a source of frustration.
Tools relying on source code access raise privacy concerns, while outdated systems generate high false positives, leaving teams chasing ghosts rather than fixing real problems. The result? Security becomes an afterthought — patched hastily or worse, ignored entirely.
“Developers want to ship quickly, but every delay costs businesses money,” said Halder. “The problem is that skipping security leaves apps vulnerable to breaches that are far more expensive to fix later.”
For businesses operating in highly regulated industries like fintech, banking, or government, the stakes are even higher. Regulations such as those enforced by the Saudi Central Bank, for instance, require stringent compliance with data protection standards.
Failing to meet those standards not only risks fines but can erode user trust — a death knell in industries where reliability is everything.
What makes Appknox stand out is its ability to tackle these challenges without complicating the developer workflow. It uses a binary-based scanning approach, meaning the platform does not require access to the app’s source code.
Instead, it scans compiled binaries to uncover runtime vulnerabilities, ensuring confidentiality while delivering deeper, more actionable insights.
The platform combines static analysis, dynamic analysis, and application programming interface testing, giving developers a unified view of their security posture.
Appknox’s launch in Saudi Arabia comes at a time when the Kingdom is undergoing a dramatic digital transformation. Under Vision 2030, sectors like fintech, open banking, and e-commerce are expanding rapidly. But with this growth comes increased vulnerability.
“The digital infrastructure being built in Saudi Arabia is world-class,” said Halder. “But world-class innovation demands world-class security.”
For fintech players in particular, API security has become a priority as the Kingdom embraces open banking initiatives. APIs, while critical for enabling seamless financial transactions, are also prime targets for cyberattacks.
One of the most significant breakthroughs Appknox brings to mobile security is its ability to cut through the noise.
High false positives — a common complaint in traditional tools — are minimized using AI-driven analysis. The platform’s machine learning models are trained on vast datasets of vulnerabilities, ensuring smarter detection that focuses on real, exploitable risks.
But Halder stresses that AI alone is not enough. To ensure accuracy, Appknox combines automation with human validation. “Automation gets you speed, but human experts provide context,” he said. “It’s this balance that gives teams confidence to act on the results.”
Moreover, the AI behind Appknox continuously evolves. Every scan, every vulnerability patched, and every piece of user feedback helps improve detection accuracy over time. This adaptability is critical as new threats, such as zero-day vulnerabilities, emerge at an increasing rate.
The impact of Appknox’s solutions is already being felt across industries. In one notable case, a large Middle Eastern enterprise managing over 50 mobile applications struggled with delayed vulnerability remediation and fragmented oversight.
With Appknox, they streamlined their security processes through automated scanning, real-time monitoring, and a centralized security dashboard.
“The result was transformative,” said Halder. “They cut remediation times significantly and moved from a reactive approach to proactive security. That’s the kind of impact businesses need to stay competitive.”
As cyber threats evolve, Halder believes security tools must become predictive rather than reactive. AI will play a central role in this shift, enabling platforms like Appknox to anticipate vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
In markets like Saudi Arabia, where digital transformation is reshaping the economy, this kind of innovation is not optional — it is essential. Businesses need to secure their apps not just to comply with regulations, but to earn and maintain user trust.
“Mobile apps are the face of your business,” said Halder. “If they’re not secure, neither is your reputation. Our mission is simple: to make sure security is never the reason a business can’t grow.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583674/saudi-arabia
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Qassim University celebrates World Arabic Language Day
December 19, 2024
BURAIDAH: Qassim University on Thursday celebrated World Arabic Language Day with an event attended by the president of the university, Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Sharikh, under the title “We Take Pride in it.”
The commemorative day, which falls on Dec. 18 each year, included an exhibition, panel discussions, lectures and competitions, with the participation of students and the presence of the university’s vice presidents.
Al-Sharikh inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, which highlighted the history of the Arabic language, the Kingdom’s efforts in preserving it and the university’s role in serving the sciences of the Arabic language.
The exhibition used “corners” to display various scientific and research activities and student projects. These included a corner about the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, a corner dedicated to the university and the college, and another corner for prominent national figures who contributed to enriching the language with knowledge, writings and translations. In addition, the exhibition featured corners dedicated to Arabic calligraphy, competitions, paintings, book distribution, a scientific exhibition and brochures about World Arabic Language Day.
The college also held a lecture titled: “Arabic: Its Contemporary Reality and Role in Identity and Development,” which addressed the contemporary cultural reality of the Arabic language, the key features of its revival, the challenges it faces and its relationship with human and social identity.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583672/saudi-arabia
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Students briefed on counter-terrorism efforts
December 19, 2024
RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, or IMCTC, hosted students from Saudi Arabia’s National Defense University at its Riyadh headquarters on Thursday, providing insights into its global operations.
The delegation, comprising students from the university’s executive diploma program in national security, was welcomed by the IMCTC’s Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, who highlighted the coalition’s multi-faceted approach to combating terrorism.
The delegation received a detailed briefing on the coalition’s key counter-terrorism initiatives and strategic approaches. The presentation highlighted the coalition’s role in countering extremist ideology and coordinating anti-terrorism efforts across four main domains: intellectual, media, counter-terrorism financing, and military operations. The briefing also outlined the coalition’s work in strengthening cooperation among its member states.
Source: arabnews.com
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UN Internet Governance Forum concludes in Riyadh
December 20, 2024
RIYADH: The UN Internet Governance Forum concluded its 19th edition on Thursday at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
The forum’s organizers said that the global event had focused on internet governance policies and emerging digital challenges. It had achieved the highest attendance in the history of the forum, surpassing 11,000 participants.
The forum also witnessed the launch of the Riyadh Declaration, a document which aims at strengthening international partnerships in artificial intelligence and digital technologies to serve humanity.
The event featured experts and specialists in internet technology and policy from 170 countries, with more than 1,000 international speakers contributing to over 300 sessions and workshops, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It revolved around four main topics: innovation and risk in the digital space; development and sustainability; promoting human rights and inclusiveness; and improving the digital governance of the internet, the SPA added.
Source: arabnews.com
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Princess Nourah University launches ‘Itar’ exhibition to highlight student filmmaking projects
December 19, 2024
RIYADH: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, represented by the College of Design and Arts, has launched the “Itar Exhibition 2024” to feature the graduation projects of 26 students from the film production and animation program.
The exhibition, which is part of the Department of Film and Theater Arts’ graduation project course, features seven short films, each with distinct themes drawn from the cultural identity of the Kingdom.
The exhibition highlights the cognitive, technical, and creative skills developed by the graduates through their film projects, demonstrating their proficiency in applying creative and critical thinking methodologies.
The exhibition provides a platform for interaction and collaboration among graduates, university students, employers, industry professionals, researchers, partners, the business sector, and the broader community. It also prepares graduates to compete in the job market and venture into entrepreneurship.
Haya Al-Rashoud, head of the Department of Film and Theater Arts at PNU, said that the exhibition is part of the College of Design and Arts’ commitment to developing national talent. It aims to foster a supportive and inspiring environment for creativity, expertise, and specialized scientific skills, while aligning with the evolving demands of the labor market, particularly in the film industry.
The “Itar Exhibition 2024” at the College of Design and Arts reflects the objectives of PNU’s 2025 strategic plan, aiming to cultivate competitive talent and empower female students. It creates an educational environment that inspires creativity, enriches cultural and artistic expression, and promotes learning, research, and innovation.
Additionally, it underscores the university’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership in driving development and progress.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Shoura Council speaker holds talks with Pakistani National Assembly counterpart
December 19, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Shoura Council Speaker Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh held official talks with Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Islamabad. The talks were part of Al-Sheikh’s current official visit to Pakistan.
During the meeting, both parties went over fraternal relations and ways to strengthen the bonds between the two countries and their fraternal peoples.
They also discussed ways to boost bilateral parliamentary relations and enhance mutual cooperation between the Saudi Shoura Council and Pakistan’s National Assembly in a way that contributes to increasing parliamentary cooperation toward broader perspectives, and serving common interests.
They also touched on a number of topics and issues of common interest in all areas.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583663/saudi-arabia
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UAE publishers take part in Jeddah Book Fair
December 19, 2024
JEDDAH: Over 20 Emirati publishing houses are taking part in the Jeddah Book Fair 2024, which features almost 1,000 publishers from 22 countries.
The Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission is hosting the fair in the Jeddah Superdome until Dec. 21.
UAE publishers have made a significant presence at the fair, with publications in literature, science, children’s stories, and comics, the WAM reported.
Emirati publishers said that the Jeddah Book Fair is one of the most important events in the Arab cultural calendar, praised for its high public turnout and the diversity of publications available in fiction and self-development genres, according to WAM.
The fair includes lectures, seminars, and workshops by nearly 170 speakers, writers, and experts from Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Emirati writers signed their books and communicated directly with readers at the fair, WAM added.
The fair has also dedicated a special area for children featuring educational and interactive writing and animation industry activities.
More than 450 pavilions and a cultural program with more than 100 events have been organized as part of the fair.
It is the third book fair organized by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission in 2024 after the Riyadh International Book Fair and Madinah Book Fair.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583656/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Defendants face judgement for actions that led to beheading of French teacher
20 DEC 2024
Eight people accused of abetting the jihadist murder of French teacher Samuel Paty are to learn their fate after a six-week trial in a Paris court.
They include the father of a schoolgirl whose lie about Paty's alleged discrimination against Muslims in the classroom set in chain the events leading to his beheading on a street in October 2020.
Also on trial are a Muslim activist who led an online campaign against Paty, two boyhood friends of Chechen-born killer Abdoullakh Anzorov who allegedly helped him acquire weapons, and four radicalised men with whom he exchanged messages on social media.
Anzorov was shot dead by police minutes after killing the 47 year-old history-geography teacher outside his secondary school in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Saint-Honorine.
He was fired up by claims circulating on the internet that a few days earlier Paty had ordered Muslims to leave his class of 13-year-olds before revealing obscene pictures of the prophet Muhammad.
In fact Paty had been conducting a lesson on freedom of speech, and before showing one of the controversial images first published by Charlie Hebdo magazine, he advised pupils to avert their eyes if they feared being offended.
The schoolgirl, named as Z. Chnina, had not even been in class when this happened, but told her father she had been punished for raising an objection.
The trial has centred on legal arguments over whether people who in advance had no knowledge of the attack – or in some cases even of its perpetrator – could by their words nonetheless be guilty of "terrorist association".
Summing up in court this week, prosecution lawyers asked for jail terms of between 18 months suspended and 16 years for the accused, saying their actions had indirectly led to the atrocity.
However, the prosecution had also angered members of Paty's family by refusing to push for maximum sentences, and by downgrading the qualification of some of the imputed crimes.
During the trial, the court heard the first public testimony from the girl, Z. Chnina, now aged 17.
A year ago she was given a short suspended sentence for slander by a juvenile court, whose hearings were conducted behind closed doors.
"I want to apologise to all the [Paty family] because were it not for my lies they would not be here today," she said, in sobs.
"And I want to apologise to my father because when he made the video it was partly because of my lie."
In the days following Paty's freedom-of-speech class, her father Brahim Chnina made videos denouncing the teacher by name. He also enlisted the help of activist Abdelhakim Sefrioui to spread the campaign through his social media network.
Chnina and Sefrioui never called for action against Paty, and they were unaware of the existence of Anzorov until the killing took place.
But for the prosecution they were nonetheless guilty of "terrorist association", because they knew of the possible consequences of their campaign.
"No-one is saying they wanted the death of Samuel Paty, but in lighting 1,000 digital fuses they knew that one of them would lead to jihadist violence against the teacher," according to prosecution's submission.
The context in October 2020 was one of heightened tensions over jihadist violence, after Charlie Hebdo republished some of the controversial Muhammad cartoons. Five years earlier most of the staff of the magazine had been murdered in a jihadist gun attack at their Paris office.
This week in court the longest jail terms were requested for the two friends of Anzorov who accompanied him when he bought a knife and a fake gun. One of them also drove Anzorov to the school on the afternoon of the attack.
Neither of these defendants is a radicalised Muslim, and it was not established in court that they knew of Anzorov's plans.
That was why the prosecution downgraded the charge against them from "complicity in a terrorist attack" which carries a possible life sentence.
The four other accused are people with whom Anzorov conversed on chatlines, again without him ever revealing his intention to kill Paty.
One of these, a convert to Islam called Priscilla Mangel, admitted making "provocative" remarks online about the Paty case but said she would never have made them had she known Anzorov's intentions.
"For me this was an anodyne discussion with an anonymous person."
For defence lawyers, none of the accused would have faced criminal proceedings for what they said, had it not been for the murder of Paty.
So the key legal question facing the court is whether utterances can become illegal depending on what follows.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjdmjxvvvvo
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Azerbaijan hosts seminar in Pakistan highlighting Shusha as 2024 islamic cultural capital
20 December 2024
The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Muslim Institute of Pakistan, organized a seminar titled "Shusha – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024: A Testament to the Rich Heritage of the Muslim World."
The event took place at the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad, Caliber.Az reports via local media.
It featured speakers including Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, Director of the Muslim Institute of Pakistan, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, and other diplomats.
The speakers highlighted that the Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) had declared Shusha the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024.
This prestigious title underscores Shusha’s profound cultural significance and its notable contribution to the rich heritage of the Muslim world.
Participants emphasized the importance of preserving Islamic heritage and fostering cultural exchange among Muslim countries.
It was also noted that Shusha holds significant potential as a source of inspiration for future generations and as a contributor to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. This is particularly vital in light of the threats facing Islamic cultural heritage globally.
Note that, the historic city of Shusha, often called the "temple of Azerbaijani music," has reclaimed its place as a cultural and strategic centre following Azerbaijan's military operation to end decades-long occupation.
Founded in the 18th century by Panahali Khan, ruler of the Azerbaijani Karabakh khanate, Shusha was strategically built atop the Karabakh mountains at 1,600 metres above sea level. The city quickly became a hub of commerce and culture, renowned for its role in carpet weaving and trade, with goods exported to Europe, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire.
Shusha holds immense significance in Azerbaijani music and literature, producing luminaries such as composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli and poets Molla Panah Vagif and Khurshudbanu Natavan. Often compared to Vienna for music and Naples for culture, Shusha is regarded as Azerbaijan’s artistic heart.
During the Karabakh conflict in the 1990s, Shusha was occupied by Armenian forces, resulting in the displacement of its Azerbaijani population. The city remained under Armenian occupation until Azerbaijani armed forces liberated it on November 8, 2020, during a 44-day war that ended with a ceasefire agreement.
The liberation of Shusha marked a turning point, contributing to the cessation of hostilities and Azerbaijan’s recovery of additional territories. Now restored to Azerbaijani sovereignty, Shusha is undergoing revitalization efforts, aimed at preserving its historical legacy while symbolizing the resilience and cultural pride of Azerbaijan.
Source: caliber.az
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https://caliber.az/en/post/azerbaijan-hosts-seminar-in-pakistan-highlighting-shusha-as-2024-islamic-cultural-capital
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Nottingham doctor given warning after 'unacceptable' comments about Muslim patients
19 DEC 2024
ByJoel Moore
A Nottingham doctor will be able to carry on practising after making "derogatory and unacceptable" comments about two Muslim patients. Dr Balvinder Mehat, a GP partner at Bakersfield Medical Centre, made the vile remarks on a voicemail to a patient he forgot to hang up in 2021.
A Medical Practitioners Tribunal heard he described two "problem patients" with offensive insults, which Nottinghamshire Live has chosen not to publish. The recording was circulated on social media two years later and "caused some concern amongst the Muslim population", which makes up 20 per cent of the doctor's patients.
Dr Mehat, who is Sikh and grew up in India, previously told the hearing he was "truly embarrassed and ashamed". The tribunal found his actions "demonstrated hostility based on race/religion". However it said his words were not motivated by racial/religious hostility.
It ruled his behaviour amounted to serious misconduct but found his practice was not impaired, meaning he will avoid any sanction such as a suspension. At the conclusion of the tribunal on December 18, the panel decided to place a warning on the doctor's record.
"The tribunal anticipates that the warning will act as a deterrent and reminder to Dr Mehat and the profession as a whole that his conduct fell below the standard expected and that a repetition is likely to result in a finding of impaired fitness to practise," the decision reads.
On July 8, 2021, Dr Mehat, a GP at the practice for more than 30 years, tried to make a phone call to a patient and left a voicemail. However, he failed to disconnect the call and began discussing "problem patients" with the practice manager. During his outburst, he made the derogatory comments and referred to "these Muslims".
In a statement read out to the tribunal, Dr Mehat said he was referring to the two patients, who he said had verbally abused practice staff, and not Muslims in general. The tribunal accepted the conversation was a "flashpoint" but said the language was "inappropriate and unacceptable".
"[The] Tribunal concluded that Dr Mehat’s conduct fell so far short of the standards of conduct reasonably to be expected of a doctor as to amount to serious misconduct," the judgement reads.
The General Medical Council (GMC) argued that a finding of impairment was "necessary to maintain and promote proper professional standards within the profession". But the tribunal said Dr Mehat had shown considerable remorse which it accepted was genuine.
It also noted he had taken action to remediate his misconduct, including taking courses on anger management and unconscious bias, apologising to local Muslim community leaders and donating money to a mosque.
"[The tribunal] could not see anything more Dr Mehat could have done to remediate for his conduct," it said, pointing out there had been not other complaints in the three years since the recording was made.
Source: nottinghampost.com
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https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-doctor-given-warning-after-9806023
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Welsh Lamb has bright future in Muslim markets, expert says
19th December
Welsh Lamb has a bright future in Muslim markets, both international and domestic, according an expert has told a Powys conference.
Dr Awal Fuseini, Halal sector senior manager at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), shared insights with Welsh agricultural representatives at the Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) annual conference in Builth Wells.
He highlighted the significant demand for lamb meat within the Muslim community.
Dr Fuseini stated: "Looking at the United Kingdom alone, there are 3.9 million Muslims and our research suggests that 80 per cent of them will eat lamb at least once a week."
He compared this trend with the general UK public's consumption pattern, noting that only six per cent buy lamb weekly.
While the overall consumption of lamb is decreasing amongst the wider public, it is steadily increasing within the Muslim community.
This indicates a promising opportunity to bolster lamb sales.
In addition to the domestic market, he identified several international markets with high potential, including France, the USA, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
These regions, he stated, are not yet fully exploited by British produce but are rapidly expanding.
He urged the industry to take the Middle East market 'really seriously,' describing it as a 'premium market,' where consumers are willing to pay up to three times more for top-grade meat.
Dr Fuseini also mentioned that immediate opportunities exist within the UK market.
He said: "In the UK, processors have the opportunity to maximise profits because the Muslim customer is interested in product from all parts of the carcase."
He found it surprising that the major route to consumers is currently through independent outlets, rather than multiple retailers.
The supply of lamb isn't an issue, as approximately 70 per cent of the UK supply meets Halal standards.
However, Dr Fuseini suggested that more could be done to highlight the assurances that come with the food, to meet the expectations of the Muslim community.
He noted: "The supply chain must make sure that the assurances surrounding the supply meet all of the Muslim community’s expectations and, especially where the younger consumer is purchasing, that it meets the environmental credentials they hold dear."
Dr Fuseini sees the biggest single opportunity in the Saudi market, citing the region's tourism and wealth as factors contributing to its potential.
Source: countytimes.co.uk
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https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/24803818.welsh-lamb-bright-future-muslim-markets-expert-says/
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Africa
Blinken announces $200m in humanitarian aid for Sudan at UN Security Council
December 19, 2024
NEW YORK: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday announced $200 million in additional aid for Sudan at a United Nations Security Council meeting.
The package will include food, shelter, and healthcare, in response to the ongoing conflict that has caused tens of thousands of deaths and the world’s largest displacement crisis.
During the session, Blinken emphasized the need for aid to be delivered safely and quickly to those in need.
He also pledged to use all available tools, including sanctions, to prevent abuses in Sudan and hold perpetrators accountable, urging others to adopt similar measures.
The UN says that nearly 25 million people in Sudan require aid, with famine affecting displacement camps.
Since the war began in April 2023, amid a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), 11 million people have been displaced, including 3 million who fled to other countries.
Also on Thursday, the World Food Program warned that Sudan risked becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis in recent history, and the only place globally currently where famine has been confirmed.
A spokesperson said some 4.7 million children under age of five were suffering from severe malnutrition in the country.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583671/middle-east
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Deadly crush at Christmas funfair in Nigeria leaves 35 children dead
19 December 2024
Thirty-five children died, and six others were hospitalized in a crush at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Nigeria, after a massive crowd gathered for promised cash handouts and food.
Over 5,000 children attended the event, which turned deadly when organizers arrived.
The police have arrested eight people, including the main organizer, Naomi Silekunola. President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to the victims' families and called for an investigation.
Authorities urged parents to check hospitals, where medics reported several fatalities.
Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis has led to similar deadly crowd surges this year, with incidents in Nasarawa, Bauchi, and Lagos claiming multiple lives.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/12/19/deadly-crush-at-christmas-funfair-in-nigeria-leaves-35-children-dead/
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Muslim lawyers association unveils Kogi branch
By Murtala Adewale, Kano
19 December 2024
The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) reiterated its commitment to promoting policies that foster peace and progress among members across the country.
MULAN President, Saidu Muhd Tudun-Wada, gave the assurance on Wednesday while unveiling the Kogi State branch of the body in Lokoja.
Barrister Tudun-Wada expressed satisfaction over the progressive expansion of the body across the Federation and added that steps are being taken to initiate programs that will bring about prosperity.
He applauded the Muslim lawyers in Kogi State for pulling the strength that finally saw the dream of floating the state branch of MULAN become a reality.
“At the national level of this great association, we have the resolve and we are resolute in our desire for a new MULAN. Let me reaffirm that we will summon every will to initiate policies and programs that will bring about peace, progress, and prosperity in our association,” he said.
The president saluted the courage, determination, and doggedness of “Muslim colleagues” who, despite the very lean resources available to MULAN, have kept faith with their vision of seeing to the creation of the new branch. He therefore congratulated every Kogi indigene, especially the Muslims, on the achievement.
According to him, the national body will continue to collaborate with every branch and any individual, group, or agency whose aim is the advancement of MULAN, our Islamic norms, ideals, principles, and values.
He, however, urged members to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the branch through active participation in different committees and programs of the branch towards raising the lustre of the branch in the community of MULAN.
The MULAN president reminded members that it is necessary for the new branch to always uphold the constitution and the enabling by-laws of MULAN and to implement programs that will bring about massive developmental impacts to the affairs of the branch, especially the welfare of members.
Source: guardian.ng
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https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/muslim-lawyers-association-unveils-kogi-branch/
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GIMPA Muslim students hold prayer service
Dec - 19 - 2024
The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) branch of the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA) has held a prayer service to raise awareness about the association's activities in the institution.
This was the maiden formal prayers organised for members of the association after its launch in 2017.
The essence of the service was to enhance efforts at making the association visible and also foster healthy relationships with the school’s management, promote inter-religious dialogue and build partnerships with industry and employers.
Support
The Patron of the association, Dr Gamel Abdul-Nasser Salifu, a lecturer in the Department of Economics and Applied Mathematics, said it was important to ensure the association becomes a formidable body to enable students, especially Muslims, to receive the necessary support such as grants and industrial opportunities to further their education and also get the needed experience.
“There are international organisations such as the Islamic Development Bank that offer scholarships to Women in Mathematics and Women in Information Technology, among others, and to Muslim students in various universities.
“However, GIMPA students do not benefit because the university does not meet the requirements for application,” he said.
Dr Salifu, therefore, urged the management of the university to show proper records of the school's Muslim population and programmes to enable them to apply for grants from international bodies.
That, he said, would enable Muslim students, just like those in other universities, to also receive support for their education.
Guidance and counselling
Additionally, Dr Salifu called for the establishment of a guidance and counselling unit to help students deal with their social or behavioural needs.
He said that Muslims are close to nine per cent of the student population, including international students in the university.
Various concerns of the students were responded to at the event. There were also recitations of the Quran.
Advice
The Chief Imam of the Bawaleshi Mosque, Sheikh Muqtar Iddrisu, urged the students to take a keen interest in the activities of the association for it to have a positive impact on the lives and communities they come from.
“Whatever contributions you make here to improve the lives of your Muslim community will attract blessings to you.
“Contribute to every Islam activity, so that Allah will hear your prayers,” he said.
For his part, Emmanuel Kra Arthur, vice-president of the university's Students’ Representative Council (SRC), pledged the council’s commitment to securing a common place of worship for Muslim students on campus.
Source: graphic.com.gh
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Southeast Asia
Two Malaysians repatriated from Guantanamo Bay to undergo reintegration programme - Saifuddin Nasution
BERNAMA
20-12- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The two Malaysians who were repatriated by the United States Department of Defence after being detained at Guantanamo Bay for the past 18 years will undergo a comprehensive reintegration plan to ensure their well-being, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a social media post today, Saifuddin Nasution said that the plan was designed to ensure holistic rehabilitation and facilitate their reintegration into society.
“The Malaysia MADANI Unity Government is compassionate and mindful of the welfare of the two Malaysian citizens who have returned from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp.
“This programme is meticulously structured into three main phases, each balancing individual rehabilitation and social harmony. Complementing this plan, a strict monitoring mechanism has also been outlined to ensure its effectiveness,“ he said.
Saifuddin Nasution noted that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) would conduct continuous monitoring, including regular visits, to assess the progress of their rehabilitation and ensure their welfare remained safeguarded.
This approach, he said, not only reflected the government’s commitment to the well-being of all citizens but also underscored the Malaysia MADANI values, which prioritised second chances and social justice.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed that the United States had repatriated Mohammed Farik Amin, 48, also known as Zaid (Zubair), and Mohammed Nazir Lep, 47, also known as Bashir Lep (Lillie), who had been detained at Guantanamo Bay since 2006 over alleged involvement with militant groups Jemaah Islamiah and Al-Qaeda.
On Aug 30, 2021, Mohammed Farik and Mohammed Nazir were brought before the United States Naval Base Court at Guantanamo Bay in connection with the 2002 Bali bombing incident in Indonesia.
Source: thesun.my
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PAS spiritual leader urges Muhyiddin to rethink leadership roles in Perikatan, citing Bersatu dominance
20 Dec 2024
PETALING JAYA, Dec 20 — PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin has urged Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to redistribute leadership roles within the coalition, warning that Bersatu’s dominance in key positions could lead to divisions.
According to Utusan Malaysia, Hashim emphasised that PAS, which governs four states and has strong grassroots support nationwide, deserves more significant roles in PN.
He called for careful consideration in appointing leaders to key positions, expressing hope that changes could be made to “satisfy all parties”.
“I believe PAS members are also not entirely pleased with the current situation, where key PN positions are dominated by Bersatu.
“For example, if the PN chairman is from Bersatu, the deputy chairmanship should be given to PAS, but even this has not happened,” he was quoted as saying.
Hashim also questioned the assumption that Muhyiddin should remain PN’s prime ministerial candidate, arguing that a PAS leader should lead the coalition, citing the party’s stronger grassroots network and larger parliamentary presence.
Free Malaysia Today reported that Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, in a Facebook post, clarified that the party had never marginalised PAS or any other member in the assignment of key positions within PN.
He stated that Muhyiddin had personally discussed the matter with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, demonstrating Bersatu’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of all coalition members.
“Before the PN Supreme Council meeting, there was a one-on-one discussion between the Bersatu president and the PAS president,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that discussions were held to address issues related to PAS, including the allocation of key positions within PN and the relationship between the two parties.
Last week, PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar resigned as PN’s treasurer-general, denying that his resignation was linked to any rift within the political coalition.
Source: malaymail.com
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Son of former Al-Arqam leader and wife plead not guilty to charges of insulting Islam
19 Dec 2024
MELAKA, Dec 19 — A son of As’aari Muhammad or ‘Abuya, the former leader of the outlawed Al-Arqam movement, and his wife pleaded not guilty in the Syariah High Court here on charges of insulting Islam.
Muhammad ‘Athoullah As’aari, 39, was charged with possession of documents such as a book, with the title Politik Islam Membawa Kasih Sayang, Pendidikan Rasulullah and a framed picture of As’aari.
The offence was allegedly committed in a house at Jalan Ayer Molek Perdana 10, Taman Ayer Molek Perdana, Kuala Sungai Baru in the Alor Gajah district, at about 1.15 pm last Sept 21.
The charge, under Section 63 of the Syariah Offences Enactment (State of Melaka) 1991 for attempting to insult Islam by insulting a fatwa (edict) issued by the Mufti through a Gazette dated Aug 11, 1994, and another Gazette dated Aug 2, 2007.
His wife, Ummu Habibah Raihan, 41, was charged with abetting him by keeping the documents at the same location, date and time.
They face a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to 36 months or both upon conviction.
The prosecution, represented by Chief Syarie Prosecutor of the Malacca Syariah Prosecution Department Atras Mohamad Zin proposed the bail of RM1,000 on Muhammad ‘Athoullah be maintained.
He proposed bail of RM3,000 with two sureties on Ummu Habibah.
Shariah lawyers Mohd Hafizuddin Ahmad Mispha and Mohd Faizal Mohamad, representing both the accused, did not object.
Judge Syarie Mohd Yunus Mohamad Zin allowed the prosecution’s proposal and set Feb 13, 2025, for mention.
Meanwhile, the court postponed to Feb 13 to charge five others on a similar charge. They are two other sons of Abuya, aged 42 and 45, and their spouses. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Kajang security guard jailed for terrorism-related offences involving Islamic State materials
19 Dec 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — A security guard was sentenced to a total of six years in jail by the High Court here today after pleading guilty to four terrorism-related charges.
Judge K. Muniandy handed down the sentence on Muhamad Norulaini Supardi, 34, who was sentenced to one year and six months in jail on each count.
However, the court ordered the prison sentence for all four charges to be served concurrently from the date of arrest on June 23 this year, meaning Muhamad Norulaini will only be in jail for one year and six months.
According to the first to the third charges, he was charged with possessing three books, a drawing of a flag and two videos associated with the Daesh group on his mobile phone at a house in Kajang at 9.25 am last June 23.
The charge, framed under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code, provides a maximum prison sentence of seven years or with a fine and shall also be liable to forfeiture of the items involved, upon conviction.
He was also charged under Section 130JB(1)(b) of the same law Penal Code with providing an article associated with the Daesh group at the same place, date and time.
According to an expert report that was read in court, the materials owned and prepared by the accused have subversive elements or have a tendency to generate hatred towards individuals, governments or leaders and can threaten the well-being of the country.
The materials were found to support the ideology of the Daesh militant group and could incite feelings of hatred and extreme discontent, where support for this ideology is seen as dangerous because it can trigger racial tension and undermine national harmony, thereby affecting the country’s stability.
In mitigation, Muhamad Norulaini, unrepresented, told the court that he had five children and a wife to support.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Ainaa Ridzwan. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/rss-chief-hindus-temple-mosque-india/d/134087