RSS Leader Appeals To Muslims To Say "Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram" at Mosques, Dargahs And Madrassas During Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony
New Age Islam News Bureau
1st January 2024
Carved stones at Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas 'karyashala', in Ayodhya | Photo:
PTI
------
·
RSS Leader Appeals To Muslims To Say "Shri
Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram" at Mosques, Dargahs And Madrassas During Ram
Temple Consecration Ceremony
·
Afghanistan
Ranked Among The Most Dangerous Countries For Journalists
·
German
Police Thwart Suspected Islamist Attack On Cologne Cathedral On New Year’s Eve
·
CAIR Calls
on Biden Admin to Repudiate Senior Israeli Official’s ‘Open Call for the Ethnic
Cleansing of Gaza’
·
'No, It's
Not Us Who Came To Commit Genocide, It's Hamas'- Israeli PM Responds To South
Africa
------
India
·
Gyanvapi Mosque: Most Fish In Sealed WazuKhana
Tank Dead, AIMC Writes To DM
·
Kerala
Muslims Will Not Be Hurt No Matter Who Attends Ram Temple, Says Samastha
·
‘Pulwama
was projected in 2019 to get votes, and now Lord Ram’
------
South Asia
·
BNP Urges
UN To Take Steps To ‘Restore Democracy’
·
Global
Population To Reach 8 Billion On First Day Of 2024
·
Afghan
Economic Development in 2023 Reviewed
·
WFP to
increase food ration from $8 to $10 for Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar
·
Afghanistan
receives $53 million fund in 2023 for affected communities: OCHA
------
Europe
·
Berlin
demonstrators skip New Year's celebrations in solidarity with Gaza
·
UK
preparing to launch attacks on Yemen's Houthi group: Report
·
Pope
Francis tells Rome to clean up its act before 2025 Holy Year
·
Russia
Won’t Remove Taliban From Banned Groups List: Kabulov
-----
North America
·
US Muslims
Expand Campaign Launched Against Biden over Gaza War
·
US
senators criticise unilateral arms transfers to Israel
·
US Sinks 3
Ships, Kills 10 After Houthi Red Sea Attack
------
Mideast
·
Israel’s
Friends Are Planning For Post-Israel Era: Iranian FM
·
West Bank
Protests Remember Gaza Martyrs As Israeli Bombardments Mark 2024
·
Jihad
strongly condemns US aggression against Yemen
·
After
months of war, young Israelis hope for ‘new beginning’ in 2024
·
Israel
pounds Gaza, Hamas fires rockets as Netanyahu indicates long war
·
Israel
ready to let ships deliver aid to war-ravaged Gaza Strip 'immediately'
·
Iran's
president hopes for end to Israeli massacre in Gaza in 2024
·
Hamas
slams Israeli minister’s call for migration of Gazans as ‘war crime’
·
Palestinian
FM condemns Israel's ethnic cleansing, calls for Gaza ceasefire in New Year
message
----
Africa
·
Street Begging Tarnishes Islam’s Image – Hisbah
Board Commander
·
Leader Of
Nigeria’s Islamic Movement Advocates For Inspiration From Iran’s Islamic
Revolution
·
Mahama
vows to grant Muslims additional Eid holiday
·
Hajj
commission refunds Zamfara intending pilgrims N747m
·
ECOWAS
Condemns Arrest, Detention Of Political, Civil Society Figures By Burkina Faso
Transitional Government
------
Arab World
·
Total
Donations Collected During Saudi Campaign to Aid Palestinians in Gaza Exceed
SAR600 Million
·
Saudi
Calligraphy Maestro’s Skills Captivate Festival Visitors
·
Makkah
deputy emir inspects progress of work of Third Saudi Expansion of Grand Mosque
·
Qatar
Charity supports media centre of Islamic society in Bosnia
·
Islamic Affairs
Ministry Spreads 5.7 Million Educational Messages among Visitors to the Grand
Mosque
·
Yemen's
Armed Forces: US Responsible For Consequences Of Attack On Yemeni Boats In Red
Sea
·
16 Saudi
relief trucks cross Rafah border on Friday
-----
Southeast Asia
·
Police
Still Obtaining Statements From ‘Kepung Demi Palestin’ Organisers
·
No New
Year’s Eve celebrations in Negeri Sembilan - MB
·
BKSAP
highlights need for world's concrete action on Rohingya issue
·
Group of
Muslim Clerics, Students Vows Support for Prabowo’s Presidential Bid
·
'Kepung
Demi Palestin' protesters call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza as 2024 rolls in
·
More
Myanmar Rohingya refugees arrive in Indonesia despite rejection from local
people
·
MADANI
Govt has proven its ability to unite, focus on people - Fahmi
·
Number of
flood victims in three states drops to 1,675 tonight - NADMA
-----
Pakistan
·
Hafiz
Tahir Ashrafi Reiterates Demand For Penalising May 9 Rioters
·
In New
Year Message, Army Expresses Resolve For ‘National Security And Development’
·
Gen Ayub
Khan’s Legacy Sprouts Again: The Four Pillars Of Gen Asim Munir’s New Green
Revolution
·
Maulana
Haideri Condemns ‘Attack’ On Fazl’s Convoy
·
TTP using
the weapons abandoned by US: analysts
·
President
for taking steps towards stopping genocide in Gaza
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/rss-ram-temple-consecration-mosque-dargah/d/131434
-----
RSS
Leader Appeals To Muslims To Say "Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram" at
Mosques, Dargahs And Madrassas During Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony
Carved stones at Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas 'karyashala', in Ayodhya | Photo:
PTI
------
01.01.24
RSS
national executive member Indresh Kumar on Sunday appealed to Muslims to chant
"Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram" at mosques, Dargahs and madrassas on
the occasion of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.
Speaking
at an event here, he said "about 99 percent" of Muslims and other
non-Hindus in India belong to the country. "They will continue to be so
because we have common ancestors. They have changed their religion, not the
country."
The RSS
leader appealed to the people practising Islam, Christianity, Sikhism or any
other faith to join the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya by offering prayers at
their respective religious places for "peace, harmony and
brotherhood".
He was
addressing an event organised here to release book: "Ram Mandir, Rashtra
Mandir - A Common Heritage".
Kumar,
who is also the chief patron of RSS-linked Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), said,
"We have common ancestors, common faces and a common dream identity. We
all belong to this country, we have nothing to do with foreigners."
"The MRM has appealed, and I am reiterating today, that chant 'Shri Ram
Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram' 11 times at Dargahs, Maktabs, Madrassas and masjid, 11
times. For the rest you follow your way of worship," he said.
"I
appeal to Gurdwaras, churches and all religious places that they magnificently
decorate their Ibadat Gah and prayer halls on January 22, between 11-2 pm, and
watch this (consecration ceremony at Ram Temple) event on TV.
"Pray
for peace, harmony and brotherhood in India and across the world," he said
and urged all the non-Hindus to consider lighting "Chirag" (Diyas)as
well in the evening.
The RSS
leader also took potshots at National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah's
reported remark that Lord Ram does not only belong to Hindus alone but everyone
in the world.
"He
said Ram belongs to everyone, not just Hindus. When did we say that it is not
so?" Kumar said, and asked Abdullah to make "people in the group he
is in" understand that Lord Ram belongs to "them as well".
"He
should tell the INDIA alliance also that Ram belongs to everyone. Hence, there
is no need to get an invitation (to attend consecration ceremony)," the
RSS leader added.
Addressing
the event, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said India's "Gyan
Parampara" is full of teachings that seek to convey that "only a petty
mind" would carry thoughts such as "this is mine and that is
yours".
"To
those who have a big heart and a broad mind, the entire world is their own
qunba (family). Gyan Parampara, on which India's culture is based, is full of
this teaching," he added.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rashtriya-swayamsevak-sangh-leader-indresh-kumar-appeals-to-muslims-to-say-jai-shri-ram-during-ram-temple-consecration-ceremony/cid/1990730
------
Afghanistan
Ranked Among The Most Dangerous Countries For Journalists
Photo: Khaama Press
-----
Fidel
Rahmati
January
1, 2024
Reporters
Without Borders, in its latest report, has assessed Vietnam, Russia, and
Afghanistan as the most dangerous countries for journalists.
The
report was published on Sunday, stating that free media in Afghanistan under
the rule of the Taliban have faced severe suppression, and the Taliban are
arresting journalists on charges of espionage.
Reporters
Without Borders has documented at least 21 cases of journalist arrests in
Afghanistan in 2023, stating that at least three journalists are still in
‘Taliban prison’.
According
to the report, which is prepared based on indicators such as freedom and
independence of media, tolerance of the power base, security of journalists,
and the environment for revealing critical content, countries like Vietnam,
Russia, and Afghanistan are at the top of the list of countries that are
dangerous for journalists.
In 2023,
a total of 779 journalists have been detained for at least a short period; of
these, 547 journalists are still in prison in various countries worldwide.
The
Afghanistan Journalists Center has also stated in its annual report on the
situation of journalists in Afghanistan that in 2023, it registered 168 cases
of journalists’ rights violations in Afghanistan.
The
cases registered at this centre include death, injury, threats, and arrests of
journalists in Afghanistan. In addition, at least 8 cases of media activity
bans have also been registered in 2023.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-ranked-among-the-most-dangerous-countries-for-journalists/
-------
German Police
Thwart Suspected Islamist Attack On Cologne Cathedral On New Year’s Eve
Policemen stand in front of the Cologne Cathedral on December 24, 2023.
(INA FASSBENDER/AFP)
------
31
December 2023
German
police arrested three people on Sunday over an alleged attack plot targeting
the cathedral in Cologne on New Year’s Eve.
The
“alleged means of attack” is a car, said police in the western city, adding
that security measures have been stepped up around the site.
The
three suspects are believed to be linked to a Tajik who was arrested on
Christmas Eve, said Cologne police chief Johannes Hermann.
The
Tajik was detained by German police on the same day, as Austria announced the
arrests of another three suspects in Vienna.
Bild
Daily had reported then that the four suspects were all Tajiks who allegedly
wanted to carry out attacks for Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), an ISIS offshoot
in Afghanistan.
“Islamist
people and groups” are “more active than ever at the moment,” warned Herbert
Reul, interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state, where Cologne is
located.
Investigations
following the Tajik’s arrest a week back had found that there was a plot to
deploy a car as a means of attack, but “in which way is not known to us,” said
Frank Wissbaum of Cologne police.
Officers
had deployed sniffer dogs to search the underground parking of the cathedral
for explosives, but they have not yet turned up anything suspicious.
Nevertheless,
protective measures have been significantly stepped up, with around 1,000
police officers deployed since this afternoon to “protect the cathedral and the
population in Cologne city center.”
Reul
voiced confidence that New Year’s festivities can go ahead.
“I think
that people can celebrate calmly in Cologne today,” he said.
Germany
on high alert
Germany
has been on high alert in recent weeks over possible Islamist attacks, with the
country’s domestic intelligence chief warning in late November that the risk of
such assaults is “real, and higher than it has been for a long time” because of
the Israel-Hamas war.
In late
November, a report released by a federal agency found that Germany has seen
antisemitic incidents surge 320 percent since Hamas attacked Israel on October
7.
The
report recorded three cases of “extreme violence,” including an attack on
October 18 in which two Molotov cocktails were thrown at a Jewish community
center.
The
deadliest attack by Islamist extremists in Germany was carried out by an ISIS
supporter who rammed a truck into a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016,
killing 12 people.
Germany
issued a ban on Hamas activities and organizations linked to the group in the
wake of the terror group’s brutal assault on Israel on October 7.
Source: timesofisrael.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.timesofisrael.com/german-police-thwart-suspected-islamist-attack-on-cologne-cathedral-on-new-years-eve/
------
CAIR Calls
on Biden Admin to Repudiate Senior Israeli Official’s ‘Open Call for the Ethnic
Cleansing of Gaza’
Photo: CAIR.com
-----
Ibrahim
Hooper
December
31, 2023
The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy organization, today demanded that the Biden administration
repudiate the “latest open call for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza” by a senior
Israeli official.
CAIR
urged all Americans to contact the White House to demand action to end the
ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza.
Finance
Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a senior figure in Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s
far-right coalition, called on Palestinian residents of Gaza to leave and make
way for Israelis settlers.
According
to Reuters, Smotrich said: “What needs to be done in the Gaza Strip is to
encourage emigration. If there are 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza and not 2
million Arabs, the entire discussion on the day after will be totally
different.”
Other
media outlets quote him saying: “To have security we must control the
territory. In order to control the territory militarily for a long time, we
need a civilian presence.”
[NOTE:
Last year, CAIR called on the Biden administration to condemn and refuse to
work with expected ministers from far-right, racist Israeli political parties
in Benjamin Netanyahu’s apartheid government.]
In a
statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“The
Biden administration must repudiate this latest open call for the ethnic
cleansing of Gaza by a senior Israeli official. Our nation’s leaders must
finally acknowledge what has long been known and demonstrated daily by Israel’s
genocidal actions – that Israel’s racist government seeks to ethnically cleanse
Gaza by slaughtering tens of thousands of civilians and making it unlivable for
those it does not kill.
“It has
always been the Israeli government’s plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza. Smotrich
just made it official.
“The
Biden’s administration failure to explicitly condemn such genocidal rhetoric
has emboldened Israeli leaders to escalate their genocidal words into genocidal
actions. President Biden must demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and
accountability for all those who have committed war crimes.”
Yesterday,
CAIR said the Biden administration is “ignoring the American people and
enabling genocide” after the president again bypassed Congressional approval to
send more weapons to Israel’s far-right government for its genocidal campaign
of ethnic cleansing in Gaza. CAIR also welcomed the launch of a case by South
Africa in the United Nations’ top court accusing Israel of genocide against
Palestinians in Gaza.
Earlier
this month, CAIR condemned the Biden administration’s previous use of emergency
authority to allow the sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel without
congressional review as an “affront to democracy and an act of moral insanity.”
There is
growing domestic and international outrage over Israel’s mass killing of almost
30,000 people in Gaza – mostly women and children – including hundreds of UN
workers, journalists and medical personnel.
[NOTE:
More than 115,000 Americans have used CAIR’s action alert to contact their
members of Congress and call for an end to the violence and the renewal of
U.S.-led efforts to end the occupation. SEE: Urge Your Members of Congress to
Address Root Cause of Mideast Violence]
ISRAELI
WAR CRIMES:
CAIR
called on the Biden administration to demand an end to violence by the
far-right Israeli government and illegal Israeli settlers in the West bank
following attacks on Christian clergy and the release of a U.N. report
outlining the “rapid deterioration” of Palestinian rights in the occupied West
Bank.
Earlier
this week, CAIR condemned the far-right Israeli government’s killing of more
than 100 journalists since Oct. 7.
CAIR
also called for an international probe of online images showing hundreds of
Palestinians civilians including the disabled, women, the elderly, and even a
baby, most stripped to their underwear and paraded in a captured Gaza
stadium.
CAIR
condemned what it called the latest “Israeli war crimes of the day” after media
reports that Israel killed at least 70 people in a strike on Gaza’s Maghazi
refugee camp and murdered a number of pregnant women.
CAIR
called on Americans of all backgrounds to demand that the Biden administration
act to “end the slaughter, starvation and ethnic cleansing” after reports that
forces of the far-right Israeli government massacred 76 members of an extended
family in Gaza, that Israeli-imposed famine is widespread and that bodies are
decaying in the streets and are being dug up by Israeli bulldozers.
CAIR
called on the Biden administration to stop sending what it called “genocide
bombs” to the far-right Israeli government after the New York Times revealed
that U.S.-supplied 2,000-pound bombs were “routinely” used against Palestinian
civilians in so-called “safe areas” in Gaza.
CAIR
said the Biden administration must stop “justifying war crimes” the Israeli
government has perpetrated against hospitals after an investigation by the
Washington Post debunked claims by the Netanyahu government’s “evidence” that
Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital had to be attacked because it was a military command
center.
CAIR
also called on the State Department and FBI to investigate the shooting and
detention of a 13-year-old Palestinian-American boy by Israeli forces in the
West Bank.
CAIR
said Israel’s new ethnic cleansing order, the bulldozing of bodies in a Gaza
cemetery and the forced starvation of Palestinian children are the latest
“Israeli car crimes of the day.”
CAIR
joined calls for a United Nations investigation of the latest “Israeli war
crime of the day” – allegations that Israeli forces in Gaza carried our summary
executions of unarmed Palestinian men in front of their family members.
Eyewitnesses are now coming forward to confirm these allegations.
CAIR
condemned other “war crimes of the day,” including the reported mass killing of
a Palestinian grandfather’s family in front of his eyes, vandalism of West Bank
homes by Israeli forces, the deaths and alleged torture of Palestinian
detainees, and more massacres in refugee camps and residential areas of
Gaza.
CAIR
condemned a deadly Israeli strikes on a Gaza maternity hospital and other
medical facilities, the killing of more than 100 people in a refugee camp and
the killing of two Christians seeking shelter in a besieged church.
Pope
Francis condemned Israel’s killing of two Christian women sheltering at a
Catholic parish in Gaza, noting that “unarmed civilians are targets for bombs
and gunfire.”
At least
110 people were killed in Israel’s bombing of Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp.
CAIR
called for United Nations to investigate reports that Israeli forces in Gaza
bulldozed medical tents with injured Palestinians inside, allegedly burying
civilians alive and said that the Israeli military’s killing of three unarmed,
shirtless Israelis waving a white flag is further proof that Israeli troops are
“wantonly killing Palestinian civilians.”
CAIR
said that the Israeli military’s killing of three unarmed, shirtless Israelis
waving a white flag is further proof that Israeli troops are “wantonly killing
Palestinian civilians.”
CAIR
called on the Biden administration to respond to reports that Israel forces
shot women, children and babies “execution-style” after they sought refuge in a
school in Gaza.
CAIR
condemned the attempted assassination of an Al Jazeera journalist (and the
ultimate death of another) by Israeli forces, the desecration of Gaza
cemeteries by Israeli troops in Gaza, and a deadly airstrike targeting a UN
school in Gaza.
A new US
intelligence assessment concluded that nearly half of the air-to-ground
munitions that Israel has used in Gaza have been unguided, also known as “dumb
bombs.” Unguided munitions are typically less precise and can pose a greater
threat to civilians.
CAIR
condemned the Israeli government’s celebration of IDF troops who took over and
desecrated a mosque in the West Bank as an “attack on Islam.”
CAIR
said the far-right Israeli government’s controlled demolition of a U.N. school
in Gaza is “further evidence of the ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing.”
Video
posted online shows a man, reportedly with special needs, being detained by
Israeli soldiers and then shot at point-blank range.
CAIR
condemned an Israeli attack on another hospital in Gaza and said the Biden
administration is actively participating in Israel’s “ethnic cleansing and
genocide of the Palestinian people.”
CAIR
condemned another “war crime of the day” – the slaughter of at least 50
civilians in airstrikes on two UN-run schools sheltering displaced Palestinians
in Gaza.
CAIR
recently called on the Biden administration to address reporting that the U.S. supplied
the Israeli government with white phosphorus used in attacks on civilian
areas.
The
Israeli government’s extremist leaders have declared that there are no innocent
civilians in Gaza, justified cutting off water, electricity and other basic necessities
because Palestinians are ‘human animals,’ embraced an ancient biblical verse
about the mass slaughter of an entire city from animals to infants, demanded a
million residents of northern Gaza leave their homes or face death, and
announced that the aim of the bombing in Gaza was destruction rather than
accuracy.
CAIR
said a new report by Heritage for Peace detailing Israel’s ongoing destruction
of Palestinian cultural sites shows its desire to entirely “eliminate
Palestinian existence.”
Washington,
D.C., based CAIR questioned whether Western leaders even regard Palestinians as
“human” after more than 700 women, children and men were massacred by Israel
within just the last 24 hours.
CAIR
condemned the “Israeli war crime of the day” after more than 100 men, women and
children were killed in the bombing of residential buildings hosting displaced
families in Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp.
CAIR’s
mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote
justice, and empower American Muslims.
La
misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del
Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a
losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-biden-admin-to-repudiate-senior-israeli-officials-open-call-for-the-ethnic-cleansing-of-gaza/
-----
'No,
It's Not Us Who Came To Commit Genocide, It's Hamas'- Israeli PM Responds To South
Africa
Photo: Africa News
-----
December
31, 2023
Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised South Africa’s submission to the
United Nations’ top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in
Gaza.
"Where
were you be when millions were murdered and displaced from their homes in
Syria, Yemen?” Netanyahu asked, adding that Hamas “would kill us all if it
could".
South
Africa launched a case Friday asking the court to order Israel to halt its
attacks — the first such challenge made at the court over the current war.
Israel
swiftly rejected the filing “with disgust.”
South
Africa has been a fierce critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Many
there, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have compared Israel’s policies
regarding Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with South Africa’s past
apartheid regime of racial segregation.
Israel
rejects such allegations.
The
Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that more than 21,600 Palestinians have
been killed in Israel's unprecedented air and ground offensive since the deadly
October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.
The
ministry, which does not distinguish between the deaths of civilians and
combatants, said 165 Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours.
It has
said about 70% of those killed have been women and children.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.africanews.com/2023/12/31/no-its-not-us-who-came-to-commit-genocide-its-hamas-israeli-pm-responds-to-south-africa/
------
India
Gyanvapi
Mosque: Most Fish In Sealed WazuKhana Tank Dead, AIMC Writes To DM
01 JAN
2024
The
Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC), overseeing Gyanvapi Mosque, has
communicated to the Varanasi district magistrate via a letter that that most of
the fish in a tank (Hauz) located in the WazuKhana of Gyanvapi Mosque are dead.
The
Gyanvapi Mosque is situated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Following
a Supreme Court directive in May 2022, the 'wazukhana,' serving as an ablution
area at the Gyanvapi mosque, was sealed. This section accommodates the disputed
reservoir, claimed as a shivling by the Hindu side and a fountain by the Muslim
side.
The
letter, authored by Mufti-e-Banaras and Anjuman Intejamia Masjid's secretary,
Abdul Batin NomanI reads, “As the water
tank is in the sealed portion, it has not been cleaned, nor water drained. . As
a result, most of the fish have died and foul smell is spreading around which
lead to spread of a disease. If disease spreads it may affect the CRPF jawans
deployed there, worshippers and visitors to the Vishwanath temple as well,”
read
Before
the sealing, AIMC ensured regular water changes in the hauz and daily feeding
of fish, according to Yasin. AIMC has appealed to the district magistrate to
promptly arrange for the proper cleaning of the tank and drainage.
The
legal dispute revolves around the historical claim that a Hindu temple was
demolished in the past, and a mosque was constructed at the same site.
In
August 2021, four Hindu devotees filed a petition seeking the right to perform
daily prayers in front of Hindu idols on the outer walls of the Gyanvapi
mosque.
On the
order a local court, on May 16, the wazukhana was sealed. On May 17, 2022, the
Supreme Court ordered to protect the portion of the mosque, where the Shivling
was claimed to have been found.
On
August 3, the Allahabad High Court granted permission for the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a "scientific survey/excavation" of
the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Source: outlookindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.outlookindia.com/national/gyanvapi-mosque-most-fish-sealed-wazukhana-tank-dead-aimc-news-340059
-----
Kerala
Muslims will not be hurt no matter who attends Ram Temple, says Samastha
Dec 31,
2023
Thiruvananthapuram
: The Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, an association of eminent Sunni
scholars with the highest support base among Kerala Muslims, clarified on
Saturday that the community’s sentiments would not be hurt regardless of who
attends the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.
The
clarification from the organisation, widely known as Samastha, came in response
to an uproar in the state over an editorial in its mouthpiece that criticised
the Congress party for its indecisiveness about attending the ceremony on
January 22.
JiffryMuthukoyaThangal,
the supreme head of the organisation, said that Samastha’s position would be
articulated by its responsible members and not by the newspaper.
“Each
political party can accept or decline the invitation according to their
political policy. No matter who attends even if it is the Congress there is no
problem with the sentiments of the community. We will take care of the
sentiments of the community,” Thangal told reporters in Kozhikode.
Earlier,
the editorial in ‘Suprabhatham,’ the mouthpiece of Samastha, accused the
Congress of having a soft-Hindutva stance.
Meanwhile,
Congress leaders said the KPCC executive meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram did
not discuss about the Ram Temple invitation.
AICC
General Secretary (in-charge Kerala) Deepa Dasmunshi, who attended the meeting,
said the party’s stance on the matter would be announced by the AICC
headquarters.
The
Congress has not revealed whether its key leaders, including President
Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, and Lok Sabha leader Adhir
Ranjan Chowdhury, would attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in
Ayodhya.
Despite
receiving invitations, the party has not disclosed its stance on the matter but
expressed gratitude for the invitations. ( With PTI inputs )
Source: muslimmirror.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://muslimmirror.com/eng/kerala-muslims-will-not-be-hurt-no-matter-who-attends-ram-temple-says-samastha/
------
‘Pulwama
was projected in 2019 to get votes, and now Lord Ram’
31st
December 2023
Sameer
Khan
Bengaluru:
Karnataka Minister for Planning and Statistics, D. Sudhakar on Saturday said
that “to get votes in the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government
projected the Pulwama terror attack, and this time, Lord Ram is being
projected”.
“Ram
Mandir’s inauguration is a stunt. People are not fools. We have been made fools
twice. I am confident that we won’t be fooled for the third time,” he told
reporters.
“Ram
Mandir is being inaugurated ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. I and Congress
MLA Raghu Murthy contributed to Ram Mandir. We have also donated bricks. Lord
Ram is for everyone. The inauguration of the temple is a gimmick during the
time of the election,” Sudhakar said.
The
minister further said that the BJP was using religious beliefs to garner votes.
“Where
was Ram Mandir during the last Lok Sabha elections?” he questioned.
Source: siasat.com
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https://www.siasat.com/pulwama-was-projected-in-2019-to-get-votes-and-now-lord-ram-2945659/
-----
South Asia
BNP
urges UN to take steps to ‘restore democracy’
Jan 1,
2024
The BNP
has written to the UN urging it to take effective steps to foster the
restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.
"…At
this critical juncture, the citizens of Bangladesh greatly appreciate the moral
and diplomatic support of the international community. In line with the
principles of universal human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the
pro-democracy people urge the United Nations to take effective action to foster
the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh," the letter read.
Senior
Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi addressing a virtual press briefing
yesterday, confirmed that the party had sent a letter to the UN.
The
letter dated December 28 was addressed to United Nations Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres, where the party presented its views on the country's overall
political and electoral situation.
"…Much
like its predecessors, the lead-up to this so-called dummy election is marred
by state-sponsored violence against pro-democracy activists, as well as
targeted assaults on public and private establishments, causing the loss of
lives and damage to assets," the letter read.
Regarding
the violence surrounding the elections and arson attacks, the party presented
some incidents and it blamed the ruling party for those.
"We
believe that the ongoing anarchy, jointly implemented by the AL and the police
in a series of sabotage acts, should never serve as a strategy to undermine
democracy and reinforce fascism," the letter also read.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-urges-un-take-steps-restore-democracy-3507666
-----
Global
population to reach 8 billion on First Day of 2024
Fidel
Rahmati
December
31, 2023
According
to statistics from the United States Census Bureau, the global population is
projected to surpass eight billion on the first day of the year 2024. The
recent report highlights a significant milestone in global demographics,
marking an increase of 75 million people this year alone. Despite this surge,
the global growth rate for the year has been slightly under one percent.
Drilling
down into the details, the Bureau’s data anticipates an average of 4.3 births
and two deaths every second worldwide starting from 2024. This figure
underscores the varying birth and mortality rates across different regions,
contributing to the dynamic shifts in the global population.
In the
United States, the population growth rate for this year stood at 0.53 percent,
adding 1.7 million people to the nation’s demographic fabric. This brings the
anticipated population of America to 335.8 million people by the start of 2024.
The country is expected to witness one birth every 9 seconds and one death
every 9.5 seconds from the beginning of 2024. However, the Census Bureau notes
that migration from other countries will play a critical role in sustaining the
American population, offsetting any potential declines.
This
global population increase comes at a time when countries like India are poised
to overtake China as the most populous nation. India’s burgeoning population,
driven by higher birth rates and a younger demographic, contrasts with China’s
aging population and lower birth rates, a legacy of its previous one-child
policy.
Countries
worldwide are adopting various measures to manage population growth. These
include comprehensive family planning programs, economic incentives for smaller
families, raising legal marriage ages, promoting women’s education and
empowerment, and enhancing healthcare accessibility. Such strategies are
crucial for ensuring sustainable development and balancing the demands of a
growing population with environmental and resource considerations.
As we
approach 2024, these demographic trends and policies will not only shape
national agendas but also influence global socio-economic dynamics, emphasizing
the need for coordinated international efforts in addressing the challenges of
a rapidly changing world population landscape.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/global-population-to-reach-8-billion-on-first-day-of-2024/
----
Afghan
Economic Development in 2023 Reviewed
December
31, 2023
Bibi
Amina Hakimi
The
start of construction of the 2nd phase of the Qush Tepa canal, the
reconstruction of the Salang highway and contracts worth billions of dollars
are considered to be the main economic projects under focus in 2023.
However,
according to the UN agencies' reports, poverty and economic hardship has
remained an unabated problem for Afghans over the last year.
The
Ministry of Economy (MoE) said that 179 projects worth over 27 billion Afs have
been completed this year.
“Currently,
all facilities which are under the focus of the government including the
projects and infrastructure are being supported through our national revenue.
This is the achievement of the Islamic Emirate,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, the
Deputy Minister of Economy.
Speaking
at the inauguration ceremony of the start of work on the second phase of the Qush-Tepa
canal, the acting Defense Minister, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, pledged
security of the Qosh Tepa Canal project, saying that they will not allow anyone
to create obstacles to this project.
“All of
us, especially the national and Islamic armies of the Defense Ministry, are
behind the implementation of such projects, and they will support it with all
their power,” Yaqoob Mujahid said.
The
acting Minister of Interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani at the same ceremony said that
the Afghans are a zealous nation and stand by their commitments and promises.
“We do
not exceed our limits and we defend our rights,” he said then.
Since
the start of 2023, senior officials of the Islamic Emirate including the Deputy
Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and acting
ministers of industry and commerce, transport and civilian aviation, energy and
water and foreign affairs traveled to various regional countries such as
Turkey, China, Iran, Russian, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan in a bid to improve
the country’s economic ties.
On May
18, 2023, speaking at the 14th Russian Islamic World "Kazanforum,"
the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, called on
regional countries to invest in various sectors of Afghanistan, saying that the
country has the capacity to become an industrial country.
“Thousands
of domestic and foreign investors have recently shown an interest in investment
in different sectors in Afghanistan. They received licenses and they are in
contact with various organizations to start their businesses,” he said.
On
November 11, 2023, Baradar, who then returned to Kabul from Iran, announced the
signing of several memorandums of understanding with government officials and
the private sector of Iran.
Baradar
told reporters at the Kabul International Airport that the signing of these
memorandums is a great achievement for the two countries, which can provide
better business opportunities between Tehran and Kabul.
“We
signed several memorandums of understanding with government officials and the
private sector, which, if Allah willing, will be a great achievement for Iran
and Afghanistan,” said Baradar.
The
representatives of several other countries such as Russia, Iran, US, Uzbekistan
have arrived in Afghanistan to discuss the economic issues with the officials
in Kabul.
On
October 29, 2023, JamshidKuchkarov, the Deputy PM– Minister of Economy and
Finance of Uzbekistan, called for peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying it
is important for the region, and he pledged that his country will cooperate in
the transit, trade and agriculture sectors of Afghanistan.
“The
ministers of agriculture and water resources of Uzbekistan are among the
delegation and want to use their experiences in Afghanistan,” Kuchkarov told a
gathering held at the Arg at that time.
On
October 11, 2023, Iran’s economic delegation reached an agreement with Islamic
Emirate officials and private sector representatives of Afghanistan on some
issues in the areas of trade development.
Iran's
Ambassador to Kabul Hassan KazemiQomi, said they agreed to create an
Iran-Afghanistan chamber, trade development, to provide facilities in the
transit sector and investment in the agricultural sector.
The
creation of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber is one of the ways for introducing
the capabilities and relative economic benefits of the two nations. The Chamber
of Commerce of the two countries is responsible for the introduction of
companies and entrepreneurship of economic banks. This is one of the things we
agreed on,” Qomi noted.
The
officials within the Ministry of Transportation and Civilian Aviation, have
repeatedly urged the international airlines to resume flights to Afghanistan.
On May
24, 2023, direct flights between Kabul and Urumqi of China began, while on
November 15, Fly Dubai, a UAE-based airline, resumed flights.
Haji
Obaidullah SaderKhail, head of the Afghan Business Council in the UAE, told
TOLOnews that the company will increase its flights, and soon another airline,
Air Arabia, will also start flights to Kabul.
“Today,
I’m very delighted that after two years and four months Flydubai started its
flights to Afghanistan, and I myself came on its first flight. We have worked a
lot on this, and we succeeded today as Fly Dubai’s flight landed in Kabul
airport safely,” SaderKhail said then.
Many
exhibitions of Afghan products were held throughout the year inside and outside
the country.
On
August 3, an exhibition was held where 70 stalls were dedicated to the Afghan
traders.
In
November this year, a seven-days exhibition of Khadija-tul Kubra was held where
more than 800 businesswomen from 34 provinces displayed their products and
creations.
Source: tolonews.com
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https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-186754
----
WFP to
increase food ration from $8 to $10 for Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar
Dec 31,
2023
The
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is gearing up to restore its critical
food assistance for the entire Rohingya population in Cox's Bazar.
Starting
tomorrow, WFP will increase the food ration from $8 to $10 per person per
month, and gradually add locally fortified rice to its food assistance package.
"The
year 2023 was a tumultuous one for the Rohingya in Bangladesh, who lived
through multiple fire outbreaks, cyclones, and, for the first time, ration
cuts. The rapid deterioration of the food and nutrition situation in the camps
is extremely worrying. Through all this, the donor community stood with the Rohingya
-- it's all thanks to its generous contributions we can now have this increase
and also add locally fortified rice to WFP's food assistance package,"
said Dom Scalpelli, WFP country director in Bangladesh.
A sharp
decline in resources led to a reduction in the Rohingya's food entitlement in
2023. In March, the food voucher value for the entire population in the Cox's
Bazar camps was reduced from $12 to $10, and in June, to $8 per person per
month.
Even
before the ration cut, 40 percent of children under five were chronically
malnourished and 12 percent were acutely malnourished.
Since
then, WFP's monitoring has shown a sharp decrease in food consumption and an
increase in negative coping mechanisms among the population.
By
November, 90 percent of the population did not have adequate food consumption,
up from 79 percent in June. Even more worrying is the fast deterioration of the
nutrition status among children.
The
preliminary results of the latest nutrition survey show that global acute
malnutrition (GAM) has risen to 15.1 percent -- the highest since the onset of
the 2017 influx, exceeding the emergency threshold of 15 percent, according to
WHO emergency classification.
In 2023,
the refugees again endured multiple fire hazards and cyclones, monsoon floods
and landslides. Their vulnerability has further deepened due to the rising
violence and insecurity in the camps, as well as human trafficking. As of
November 30, 3,468 Rohingya had embarked on risky boat journeys, almost half
are women and children.
In addition
to increasing the ration, WFP will begin the distribution of locally fortified
rice to the Rohingya population. This will commence in one or two camps and
gradually extend to all camps in Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char island.
"We
remain fully committed to the Rohingya while supporting vulnerable Bangladeshis
who have so generously hosted the Rohingya over the years. We are immensely
grateful to all our donors for their unwavering support, and we count on them
to step up even further to ensure we can provide the Rohingya with a full and
nutritious ration in 2024," added Scalpelli.
WFP
currently has a funding gap of $61 million to increase the food ration to the
full amount, now $12.5, with locally fortified rice added.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/wfp-increase-food-ration-8-10-rohingyas-coxs-bazar-3507226
------
Afghanistan
receives $53 million fund in 2023 for affected communities: OCHA
December
31, 2023
In 2023,
Afghanistan received $53 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund
(CERF), making it the second-highest recipient of CERF funding globally, OCHA
said in a report.
According
to the report, OCHA-managed Pooled Funds, CERF and the Afghanistan Humanitarian
Fund (AHF) work in complementarity to maximize effectiveness and strengthen
ways to deliver results for affected communities.
In
March, amid some of the world’s highest levels of hunger, Afghanistan received
$18 million from CERF’s Rapid Response window. At the time, a staggering 17.2
million people in Afghanistan did not know where their next meal would come
from. They included 3.8 million people experiencing emergency levels of food
insecurity, read the report.
With
this funding, almost 390,000 people across Badghis, Daikundi, Ghor and Uruzgan
provinces received in-kind and cash assistance to meet their immediate food
needs and emergency resilience and livelihoods support. This helped families
meet the required intake of 2,100 kilocalories per person per day, preventing a
worsening of food security and malnutrition, the report added.
Since
the CERF funding was disbursed, the food security outlook in Afghanistan has
slightly improved; the number of people projected to experience acute hunger
between November 2023 and March 2024 is down from an estimated 18.3 million to
15.8 million. The number of people enduring emergency levels of food insecurity
also decreased, from 5.1 million to 3.5 million, according to the report.
In
parallel with the CERF allocation, the AHF released $12.9 million to empower
and build national NGOs’ capacity to deliver assistance. This makes the AHF the
first Country-Based Pooled Fund to initiate an allocation dedicated to
localization.
The report
stated that in September 2023, with winter rapidly approaching and many
programs facing disruption due to severe funding shortages, Afghanistan
received a crucial $20 million allocation from CERF’s Underfunded Emergencies
window.
It
proved life-saving, as it helped Afghan families living in substandard and
inadequate shelters, and it mitigated the heightened risks of exposure-related
illnesses, including hypothermia and acute respiratory infections.
It also
complemented the AHF’s largest allocation in 2023 of $109 million, released in
August for multisector activities to prepare for harsh winter weather. The
allocation reinforced ongoing efforts to avert the risk of famine during winter
and improve people’s food security, thereby preserving the improvements made in
hunger and nutrition since August 2021 due to the humanitarian system’s
scale-up.
In
October, a series of 6.3-magnitude earthquakes struck Herat Province in
Afghanistan’s western region, killing several thousand people and injuring scores
more.
The
earthquakes affected some 275,000 people, with more than 40,000 homes either
destroyed and significantly or moderately damaged.
To
kick-start initial relief efforts, CERF allocated $5 million through its Rapid
Response window. This served as a top-up to a $5 million emergency reserve
allocation from the AHF that was released to partners within 24 hours of the
first earthquake. This expedited allocation was pivotal in quickly delivering
essential humanitarian aid to families who had lost their homes and
livelihoods.
These
funds enabled humanitarian partners to provide vital assistance. To date, they
have reached more than 242,000 people, including 146,700 people with emergency
shelter (tents), non-food items (blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen sets), cash
assistance, food and nutrition items, drinkable water, protection services and
winterization items, such as plastic sheets and warm winter clothes.
Following
the Government of Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners Deportation Plan” decree,
which came into effect on 1 November 2023, the UN in Afghanistan has observed a
marked increase in the arrival of Afghans from Pakistan. At one point in early
November, the daily influx exceeded 17,000 people, a stark contrast to the
previous daily average of 260 people.
More
than 80 percent of those returning are women and children.
In
response, CERF provided $10 million to improve the response to people arriving
at the border, providing registration services, health services, aid
distribution, family unification support, child protection, psychosocial
support and legal aid. These services are vital, as families endure harrowing
and traumatic journeys back to Afghanistan. Many returnees have not lived there
for several decades, and they have limited or no familial ties in the areas
they’re returning to.
CERF’s
Rapid Response and Underfunded Emergencies windows are crucial in providing
essential funding to critical operations and life-saving programs across
Afghanistan. They contribute to famine prevention, easing additional burdens on
women and girls—from mental health risks to gender-based violence—and they
support activities such as mine surveillance and clearance, emergency shelter,
education and access to clean water. For thousands of families, this support is
their only protection from a freezing winter.
So far
this year, the Pooled Funds have allocated $188 million (CERF: $53 million;
AHF: $135 million) to support and enable time-critical humanitarian action in
Afghanistan, including to people affected by natural disasters and sudden-onset
crises.
Source: ariananews.af
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------
Europe
Berlin
demonstrators skip New Year's celebrations in solidarity with Gaza
01
January 2024
Thousands
of pro-Palestine activists gathered in Berlin on Sunday for a solidarity rally
in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip ahead of the New Year's Eve.
The
demonstrators held a symbolic protest choosing not to celebrate the New Year as
a sign of solidarity with the people in Gaza.
One
protester emphasized the humanitarian aspect of the Gaza war, stating, "We
are here because we have compassion.... We don't celebrate the New Year's Eve
and we won't tolerate others celebrating the New Year's Eve either."
The
protest's motto was "No New Year's Eve for Gaza," reflecting the
participants' commitment to expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
The
demonstrators chanted and holding placards reading in German, "Israel
bombarding, Germany financing."
The
demonstration unfolded peacefully accompanied by a significant police presence.
Berlin
police had previously banned another pro-Palestinian demonstration in the
Neukolln neighborhood due to security concerns.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/01/717390/Berlin-rally-Gaza-solidarity
-----
UK
preparing to launch attacks on Yemen's Houthi group: Report
BurakBir
31.12.2023
Britain
is reportedly preparing to launch a wave of air strikes against Houthi rebels
in Yemen amid targeting vessels in the Red Sea, according to a media report on
Sunday.
Under
the plans, the UK would join with the US and possibly another European country
to unleash a salvo of missiles against preplanned targets, either in the sea or
in Yemen itself, British newspaper The Times reported.
A
government source said the coordinated strikes could involve Royal Air Force
(RAF) warplanes for the first time or the HMS Diamond destroyer.
The
Times reported that the UK and US are expected to release an
"unprecedented statement" that will "warn the Houthis to stop
attacking commercial vessels or face the military might of the West."
Early on
Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron held a phone call with his Iranian
counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea which
Cameron said "threaten innocent lives and the global economy."
Separately,
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said on Sunday that Houthi attacks on
international shipping in and around the Red Sea had increased by 500%.
"This
is unacceptable as it damages world trade by illegally blocking Freedom of
Navigation at Sea. These attacks must therefore stop," he wrote on X.
Later,
he said the Houthis "must end their illegal campaign against merchant
shipping and stop all violent attacks immediately."
Iran-backed
Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the
current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting what they say are Israel-bound
vessels in the southern Red Sea. It said the attacks aim to support
Palestinians under Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.
The Red
Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel
shipments.
Source: aa.com.tr
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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-preparing-to-launch-attacks-on-yemens-houthi-group-report/3097110
-----
Pope
Francis tells Rome to clean up its act before 2025 Holy Year
01 Jan
2024
VATICAN
CITY, Jan 1 — Pope Francis on Sunday said the city of Rome has to improve its
basic services for residents and visitors before the start of the 2025 Holy
Year that is expected to draw tens of millions of pilgrims.
Francis
made his comments at the Vatican’s traditional year-end vespers of
thanksgiving, known as the Te Deum, about six hours before the start of the New
Year.
“Are we
working, each in his own way, to make this city a sign of hope for those who
live here and those who visit?” he asked in his homily in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Roberto
Gualtieri, the mayor of the city that is plagued by inefficient public
transport, overflowing garbage bins and traffic congestion, was sitting in the
first row. The pope later shook his hand.
Francis,
87, said the city in particular needs to become more user friendly for the
elderly and those with mobility problems.
In most
neighbourhoods, particularly outside the centre, wheelchair users and the
elderly have to navigate their way around cars parked on sidewalks or blocking
mobility ramps, usually with impunity for their owners.
Francis
said the city needs “simple decorum and normal functionality” because a “more
liveable city for its residents is also more welcoming for everyone.”
Rome
hosts a Holy Year, also known as a Jubilee Year, at least every 25 years.
Pilgrims flock to the city to pray at its many holy sites and receive special
blessings.
The
city’s notorious traffic has been made even worse recently because of
construction sites in preparation for the 2025 Holy Year, including road
underpasses and overdue extensions to its small subway system. — Reuters
Source: malaymail.com
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-----
Russia
won’t remove Taliban from banned groups list: Kabulov
Fidel
Rahmati
December
31, 2023
ZamirKabulov,
Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan, stated that while he respects
Kazakhstan’s decision to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorist groups,
Moscow has no intention of doing the same.
Russia’s
special representative for Afghanistan recently made these remarks in an
interview with Russian NCA radio.
Mr.
Kabulov emphasized that the Taliban has not changed, and Russia is not
negotiating the removal of the Taliban from the list of banned groups.
The
special representative of the President of Russia for Afghanistan has
articulated Russia’s stance on the Taliban administration at a time when
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry unexpectedly removed the Taliban from its list of
banned terrorist groups.
The
ministry’s announcement was published on Friday, stating that Kazakhstan’s
decision to remove the Taliban from the terrorist groups’ list was in
accordance with a United Nations Security Council resolution.
The
Kazakh Foreign Ministry stated, “The Republic of Kazakhstan periodically
reviews its national list of banned terrorist organizations to update it. As
part of this process, it was decided to remove the Taliban group in accordance
with the practices of the United Nations.”
However,
ZamirKabulov, Russia’s special envoy, commented, “This is the sovereign right
of Kazakhstan. We understand and respect this decision. However, we continue to
view the Taliban movement as it was, with no current changes.”
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/russia-wont-remove-taliban-from-banned-groups-list-kabulov/
-----
North America
US
Muslims Expand Campaign Launched Against Biden over Gaza War
2023-December-31
TEHRAN
(FNA)- American Muslim leaders expanded a campaign launched earlier this month
against President Joe Biden over his handling of the Gaza conflict.
#AbandonBiden
campaign was first launched by Muslim leaders from Michigan, Minnesota,
Arizona, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania, Anadolu news
agency reported.
Saturday's
plan to actively campaign against Biden in all 50 US states was announced in
Chicago, Illinois at the end of a national convention organized by the Muslim
American Society (MAS) and Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA).
The
leaders intend to guarantee Biden's loss in the upcoming 2024 election over his
refusal to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have killed
more than 21,000 people.
"Biden’s
abandoning of Muslim Americans compels Muslim leaders to abandon Biden,"
the campaign organizers say on their website.
Speaking
at a press briefing during the announcement of the nationwide plan, Hassan
Abdel Salam, the spokesperson for the campaign, stated, "The idea here is that
we will actively, actively campaign against and ensure that he loses his 2024
election."
"The
president betrayed us because he violated the value of dignity and life,"
Salam said, adding, "What's the point of voting for you when you deny 2.2
million (in Gaza) people water?"
Council
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Minnesota representative Jaylani Hussein,
for his part, said the organization demands Biden be "sensitive and
consistent" regarding Gaza.
During
his interview with Anadolu this month, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR's national
deputy executive director, said there is “intense disappointment” among Muslim
Americans regarding Biden’s “policy on Israel and Palestine, especially the
ongoing slaughter in Gaza".
“It is
very clear to everyone that (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu is not
accidentally killing civilians while targeting a terrorist group. He is
deliberately targeting civilians,” added the civil rights attorney.
Source: farsnews.ir
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https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14021010000478/US-Mslims-Expand-Campaign-Lanched-Agains-Biden-ver-Gaza-War
----
US
senators criticise unilateral arms transfers to Israel
January
1, 2024
Anwar
Iqbal
WASHINGTON:
US lawmakers have expressed concern over the Biden administration’s decision to
transfer weapons to Israel without congressional oversight, urging Washington
to review its policies towards the Middle East.
Senator
Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate
Armed Services Committee, said in a statement on Saturday that Congress should
not be prevented from playing its supervisory role in matters of war and peace,
and demanded full visibility into weapons transfers to any nation.
“Just as
Congress has a crucial role to play in all matters of war and peace, Congress
should have full visibility over the weapons we transfer to any other nation,”
he said. “Unnecessarily bypassing Congress means keeping the American people in
the dark. We need a public explanation of the rationale behind this decision —
the second such decision this month.”
Senator
Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, echoed Kaine’s sentiments, criticising
the administration’s repeated bypassing of congressional review in arms sales.
Van Hollen argued that this decision undermines transparency and weakens
accountability, especially given the already quick time frame for congressional
review.
Kaine is
a vocal advocate for a deliberate congressional process in decisions related to
war and peace. Earlier this year, the Senate voted to pass Kaine’s bipartisan
legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorisations of Military Force,
formally ending the Gulf and Iraq wars.
The
senators’ critique reflects broader concerns within the Senate Democratic
caucus regarding the Biden administration’s approach to arms sales without
adequate congressional scrutiny.
As
debates continue, these developments shed light on the ongoing tension between
the executive and legislative branches over the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Last
week, a group of 12 US Senators, led by Chairman of the Senate Select Committee
on Intelligence Mark R. Warner, sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him
to prioritise the resumption of a longstanding agreement between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority.
The
agreement requires Israel to release the funds that help fund critical civil
administration and security needs. The agreement has been disrupted by Israel’s
decision to withhold a significant portion of tax revenues meant for the
Palestinian Authority.
Senators
expressed deep concern about the economic deterioration in the West Bank and
the rise in violent acts by extremist Israeli settlers. The letter highlighted
the impact of various factors, including the revocation of work permits for
thousands of Palestinians, leading to the closure of numerous businesses and an
80 per cent reduction in the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues since Oct 7.
The
senators underscored the importance of Israel taking immediate steps to address
the growing instability in the West Bank. They emphasised the need for ensuring
that the Palestinian Security Forces can effectively protect innocent Palestinian
civilians and prevent further destabilisation, which could potentially escalate
the conflict.
A
significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax
revenues, which according to a longstanding agreement, the Israeli government
collects on their behalf, and then transfers to the PA. “We are concerned that
the Israeli government’s decision to withhold a significant portion of these
revenues is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West
Bank,” the senators wrote.
The
letter also highlighted the adverse effects on the well-being of Palestinians,
stating, “Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the
Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full.”
The
senators warned that unpaid employees could be exploited by militant groups
attempting to step in and financially coerce their services. “This represents a
significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this
conflict,” the senators wrote.
The
senators stressed that a commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full
allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to preventing a
significant rise in instability and would represent a crucial step towards
deescalating tensions in the West Bank.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1802231/us-senators-criticise-unilateral-arms-transfers-to-israel
----
US sinks
3 ships, kills 10 after Houthi Red Sea attack
Jan 1, 2024
US
helicopters successfully thwarted an attack by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels on a
Maersk container ship in the Red Sea, resulting in the sinking of three rebel
ships and the death of 10 militants, as confirmed by American, Maersk, and
Houthi representatives on Sunday.
The
maritime clash took place at approximately 0330 GMT on Sunday when the Houthis
attempted to board the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou. In response to a
distress call, helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely, along with
the vessel's security team, repulsed the attackers, as reported by Maersk and
the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Following
the incident, Maersk announced a 48-hour suspension of its Red Sea operations.
A Houthi
spokesperson acknowledged their involvement in the attack, citing the ship's
crew's disregard for their warnings. He reported that 10 Houthi naval members
were either killed or missing following the U.S. counteraction in the Red Sea.
This
naval engagement highlights the potential for regional conflict escalation,
particularly in the context of Israel's ongoing airstrikes in response to a
surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli towns on October 7, which resulted in 1,200
deaths and 240 hostages. The Israeli response has led to over 21,800
fatalities, as per Gazan health authorities.
The Houthis
have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea since November in solidarity with
Hamas, compelling major shipping firms to opt for the lengthier and more
expensive route around Cape of Good Hope instead of the Suez Canal. The Red Sea
is a crucial entry point to the Suez Canal, which is vital for Asia-Europe
trade, handling around 12% of global commerce.
On
December 19, the United States initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian with
participation from over 20 countries to ensure maritime security near Yemen in
the Red Sea.
Despite
Maersk's decision to resume Red Sea operations on December 24, ongoing attacks
and limited coalition support have persisted, with many allies hesitant to
publicly declare their involvement.
The
recent failed boarding attempt on the Maersk Hangzhou marks the second such
attack within two days. The vessel, transporting 14,000 containers from
Singapore, had previously been struck by a missile near Al Hodeidah, Yemen.
Maersk confirmed the crew's safety and reported no fire on board, with the ship
proceeding towards the Suez Canal.
In
response to inquiries about potential U.S. actions against the Houthis, White
House National Security spokesperson John Kirby emphasized the seriousness with
which the U.S. views these threats, without detailing specific strategies.
British
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, in a Daily Telegraph article, expressed the
UK's readiness for direct action to safeguard Red Sea navigation, warning the
Houthis against underestimating their resolve.
British
Foreign Secretary David Cameron urged Iran in a conversation with Iranian
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to intervene in stopping Houthi
attacks in the Red Sea.
The
BIMCO shipping association, condemning the attacks, expressed gratitude for the
efforts of the U.S., France, and the UK, and called for broader state support
and diplomatic pressure on the Houthis and their backers. Jakob Larsen, head of
maritime safety and security at BIMCO, communicated this stance to Reuters.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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the full text of the original
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-sinks-3-ships-kills-10-after-houthi-red-sea-attack/articleshow/106430170.cms
-----
Mideast
Israel’s
friends are planning for post-Israel era: Iranian FM
Jan 1,
2024
TEHRAN,
Jan. 01 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has told
members of Parliament that the Israeli regime is in such a precarious situation
that even its closest allies are planning for a “post-Israel era".
During a
briefing session on Sunday, Amir-Abdollahian provided members of the National
Security and Foreign Policy Commission with a comprehensive report on the
latest developments in the region arising from the Israeli regime’s war of
aggression against the Gaza Strip.
Zahra
Elahian, a committee member, told IRNA that the foreign minister said the
Al-Aqsa Storm operation, launched by the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas
on October 7, was a “turning point” for the Resistance front in the region.
“Today,
the Zionist regime is in such a state that even its friends do not hold hope
for it and are thinking about a post-Israel era,” Elahian quoted the top
Iranian diplomat as saying.
The
foreign minister also pointed out that the United States is currently facing
unprecedented pressure at home and abroad over its support for the Israeli
regime, she added.
Elahian
said that Amir-Abdollahian also provided lawmakers with a detailed report on
the ongoing diplomatic efforts to support the Palestinian people, including
negotiations with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan.
Source: mehrnews.com
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the full text of the original
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/210158/Israel-s-friends-are-planning-for-post-Israel-era-Iranian-FM
-----
West
Bank protests remember Gaza martyrs as Israeli bombardments mark 2024
01
January 2024
Palestinians
have held mass rallies in the occupied West Bank to remember Palestinians who
lost their lives in the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza and to voice their
support for resistance groups and the Gaza Strip.
The
marches took place in the cities of Ramallah and Jenin on New Year’s Eve as
Israel’s devastating war on Gaza entered its 87th day.
In
Ramallah, the protesters chanted slogans in solidarity with al-Qassam Brigades
and Saraya al-Quds, the military wings of the Gaza-based Hamas and Islamic
Jihad resistance groups.
The
demonstrators cried, “The masses want the Al-Qassam Brigades!” “Let us see
their body parts! These are the actions of Saraya! Saraya, O Saraya!”
Waving
Palestinian flags, they also carried a long banner filled with the names of
thousands of Palestinians, who were killed in the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza.
“We say
to you, our sons, we are with you, united. We remain united in the field and do
not submit. This long night will end with the dawn of freedom and
independence,” said Father Abdullah Yulio of the Melkite Catholic church.
Early on
Monday, as the world was celebrating a new year with fireworks and festivities,
Israeli warplanes bombarded central Gaza.
There
were also reports of street fighting between the occupation troops and
Palestinian resistance fighters in the besieged territory’s central and southern
cities.
'1,825
massacres in past 85 days in Gaza'
The Gaza
government’s media office said Israeli attacks left a total of 28,822 people
killed or missing, including 9,100 children.
It added
that Israel had committed 1,825 massacres in Gaza since October 7, after Israel
waged the devastating war on Gaza.
The
regime has further stepped up its violent raids across the West Bank since the
beginning of the Gaza war, killing at least 315 Palestinians.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/01/717396/Palestinians-rally-West-Bank-solidarity-Gaza-resistance
------
Jihad
strongly condemns US aggression against Yemen
[01/January/2024]
GAZA
January 01. 2024 (Saba) - The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine has condemned
in the strongest terms the American aggression against Yemeni forces in the
waters of the Red Sea.
In a
statement, Jihad said “The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine condemns in the
strongest terms the American aggression against the Yemeni forces, in a new
attack on an Arab and Muslim country, after it wreaked havoc and murder against
the peoples of our nation in other countries, which confirms that the American
administration is the one managing regional wars and bear full responsibility
for the massacres in our region."
The
statement added American administration, which is waging the war against our
people in Gaza, has become militarily involved in the war on the side of the
Zionist entity and aims to punish the Yemeni people for the courageous stances
in confronting the siege on Gaza by imposing a siege on Zionist ships.
It
mourned the martyrs of the armed forces and the Yemeni people, express our full
solidarity with the brotherly and dear Yemeni people, and call on the people of
the Arab and Islamic nation to confront the American aggression against Yemen
by all possible means.
Source: saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3292544.htm
-----
After
months of war, young Israelis hope for ‘new beginning’ in 2024
January
01, 2024
TEL
AVIV: Seconds after ringing in the new year on a lively street in Tel Aviv,
some young Israelis found themselves running for cover while others kept the
party going with a shrug as missile defense systems intercepted a barrage of
rockets overhead.
The
attack at the stroke of midnight, just as many were trying to forget about the
war in the Gaza Strip, seemed to underscore the fatigue at the ongoing fighting
expressed by many of the young revellers gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
“We were
all afraid on the corners... my heart was pounding,” Gabriel Zemelman, 26, said
in front of a bar after the rocket fire.
“It’s
not like the usual life you imagine, even me who was born here,” he added.
“It’s terrifying. You just saw the life we live, it’s crazy.”
The
Ezzedine Al-QassamBridages, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for
the attack in a video published on social media, saying they had fired M90
rockets in “response to the massacres of civilians” carried out by Israel.
The
Israeli army confirmed the attack, without initially reporting any casualties
or damage.
The
street in Tel Aviv was crowded with partiers on Sunday night in spite of the
ongoing war in Gaza, which has dragged on for nearly three months.
Gelerenter,
a 17-year-old student, said she had initially been “afraid” to come out, but
ultimately decided to join her friends to celebrate “a new beginning” for 2024.
Musician
Boaz Bates said he was “praying for peace, for people to stop hating each other
and come together.”
The
25-year-old was sharply critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s
government, noting that “at the end of the day, it’s not them who are on the
ground fighting.”
IdoHurvitz
had come out for dinner at a restaurant before going to a private party to ring
in the new year. He said he hoped “we can learn to live together, because most
of us want peace.”
Despite
the festive atmosphere, the 24-year-old technology student said his own
feelings were lukewarm: “Our country is at war, but we have to get on with our
lives, that’s our way of winning.”
Beside
him, 24-year-old reservist ShirTaitou, also had mixed feelings, explaining that
she had wanted to come out, but was “sad” that some of her friends were
mobilized in Gaza.
The war
was triggered by Hamas’s bloody October 7 attacks on Israel, which left around
1,140 people dead, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on
official figures. Militants also took around 250 people hostage, most of whom
remain in Gaza.
In
response, Israel launched a devastating offensive in the Gaza Strip, reducing
vast areas of Gaza to a ruined wasteland and killing at least 21,822 people,
mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
In front
of one Tel Aviv bar, people danced in the street to blaring techno music under
a large sign that read “Bring them home now!” — a reference to the hostages.
Some
didn’t have the heart to party, like server Ran Stahl, 24, who opted to work
the New Year’s party.
“I
dressed well tonight because I need to get my head above water,” he said,
explaining that one of his friends was among those killed on October 7 at the
Supernova music festival.
Since
then, he hasn’t felt “allowed” to have fun, he said.
“The
minute I start to dance, I feel guilty — the sadness and mourning come back.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2434626/middle-east
------
Israel
pounds Gaza, Hamas fires rockets as Netanyahu indicates long war
January
01, 2024
CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM:
Israeli jets intensified attacks on central Gaza on Sunday, residents and
medics said, as battles raged through the rubble of towns and refugee camps in
a war Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would take “many more
months” to end.
Netanyahu’s
comments signal no let-up in a campaign that has killed many thousands and
levelled much of Gaza, while his vow to restore Israeli control over the
enclave’s border with Egypt raises new questions over an eventual two-state
solution.
The
Israeli military will release some reservists who were called up to fight Hamas
in Gaza, a move it said on Sunday would help the economy as the country
prepares for a prolonged war.
Air
strikes pounded Al-Maghazi and Al-Bureij in the center of Gaza, killing 10
people in one house and driving more to flee to Rafah on the border with Egypt
from front lines where Israeli tanks are battling Hamas fighters.
Rockets
fired from Gaza raced toward central Israel overnight, triggering sirens
throughout the central and southern parts of the country. Israeli media carried
footage of numerous interceptions. There were no reports of any direct hits.
Hamas’
armed wing said the barrage was in response to “massacres against civilians” in
Gaza.
A Red
Crescent video published on Sunday showed rescuers working in the dark to carry
an injured child from smoking rubble in central Gaza. Six people died in a
strike on the village of Al-Mughraqa outside Gaza City, health officials said.
A separate strike on a house in Khan Younis killed one person and wounded
others, they added.
As 2023
drew to a close, Palestinians in Gaza prayed for a cease-fire but had little
hope the new year would be better.
“Tonight
the sky in world countries will be lit by firecrackers, and joyful laughs will
fill the air. In Gaza our skies are now filled with Israeli missiles and tank
shells that land on innocent, homeless civilians,” said Zainab Khalil, 57, a
resident from northern Gaza now in Rafah.
The
stated goal of Israel’s military is to eliminate Hamas, the Palestinian
militant group that launched a surprise cross-border assault on Israeli towns
on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and grabbing 240 hostages.
Israel’s
air and artillery bombardment has killed more than 21,800 people according to
health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza, with many more feared dead in the rubble,
and pushed nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes.
Palestinian
health ministry casualty figures do not differentiate between fighters and
civilians but the ministry has said that 70 percent of Gaza’s dead are women
and people under 18. Israel disputes Palestinian casualty figures and says it
has killed 8,000 fighters.
Israel
blockaded most food, fuel and medicine after the Oct. 7 attack. It said on
Sunday that it was ready to let ships from some Western countries deliver aid
directly to Gaza’s shores after security checks in Cyprus.
Gemma
Connell, an official with the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, said that many of
the tens of thousands of people fleeing to Rafah had no possessions and nowhere
to sleep.
“I just
am so fearful that the amount of deaths that we’ve been seeing is going to
increase exponentially both because of this renewed offensive but also because
of these conditions which are literally unbelievable,” she said.
’WHERE
WILL PEOPLE GO?’
The
United States, Israel’s main ally, has urged it to scale down the war and
European states have signalled alarm at the extent of Palestinian civilian
suffering.
However
Netanyahu’s comments on Saturday, when he said he would not resign despite
opinion polls showing his government is broadly unpopular and defended his
security record despite the Oct. 7 attack, indicate that there will be no
easing anytime soon.
Netanyahu
said the “the war is at its height” and Israel would have to retake control of
Gaza’s border with Egypt, an area now crammed with civilians who have fled the
carnage across the rest of the enclave.
Retaking
the border could also constitute a de facto reversal of Israel’s 2005
withdrawal from Gaza, raising new questions over the future of the enclave and
prospects for a Palestinian state.
Washington
said Israel should allow a Palestinian government to control Gaza when the
conflict is over.
“We just
take a fundamentally different view here in terms of what post-conflict Gaza
needs to look like,” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said
on ABC television.
Israel’s
hard-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich fueled concerns about the
offensive’s aims on Sunday by calling for Palestinians to leave Gaza and make
way for Israelis who could “make the desert bloom.”
That
clashed with the official Israeli government position that Gazans will be able
to return to their homes. Smotrich and other hard-line coalition ministers have
been excluded from the core war cabinet but have pushed to take part in
decisions about the conflict.
In his
last comments as Israeli foreign minister before switching to the energy
portfolio on Sunday, Eli Cohen said the border was the likely source of
weaponry Hamas had obtained over recent years.
Senior
Palestinian Authority official Hussein Al-Sheikh in the Israeli-occupied West
Bank said via social media that Israel taking over the border was evidence of a
decision “to completely return the occupation.”
“We
moved here from Khan Younis on the basis that Rafah was a safe place. There is
no space in Rafah as it is overcrowded with displaced,” said Umm Mohammed, 45,
a displaced Palestinian woman sheltering by the border.
“If they
control the border, where will people go?” she asked, saying that would be “a
disaster.”
MAERSK
CARGO SHIP ATTACKED
The war
risks morphing into a wider regional conflict involving Hamas ally Iran and
groups Tehran supports across the Middle East.
Israel
and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah have exchanged regular cross-border fire,
with the Israeli military saying it struck targets in Lebanon on Sunday. Israel
has hit Iran-linked targets in Syria. And Iran-backed groups have attacked US
targets in Iraq.
Yemen’s
Iran-aligned Houthi group, which has been attacking shipping in the Red Sea for
weeks in what it calls a response to Israel’s war in Gaza, attacked a Maersk
cargo ship, the US military said.
US naval
helicopters sank three of the four small boats the Houthis had used in Sunday’s
attack and drove the fourth back to shore, the military said.
Israel
says 174 of its military personnel have been killed in the Gaza fighting but
that its operations are making progress, including by destroying some Hamas
tunnels under the enclave.
Hamas
and Islamic Jihad — both sworn to Israel’s destruction — have said that they
continue to target Israeli forces operating in the enclave.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2434596/middle-east
------
Israel
ready to let ships deliver aid to war-ravaged Gaza Strip 'immediately'
01.01.24
Israel
is prepared to let ships deliver aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip
“immediately” as part of a proposed sea corridor from Cyprus, the Israeli
foreign minister said on Sunday, naming four European countries as potential
participants.
Under
the arrangement first suggested by Nicosia in November, cargo would undergo
security inspection in the Cypriot port of Larnaca before being ferried to the
Gaza coast, 370km away, rather than through neighbouring Egypt or Israel.
If the
plan goes ahead, it would mark the first easing of an Israeli naval blockade
imposed on Gaza in 2007 after militant Hamas Islamists seized control of the
Palestinian enclave.
Israel
has described the corridor as a means of ending its civilian ties to Gaza,
where it has been waging a 12-week-old offensive in retaliation for a
cross-border killing and kidnapping spree by Hamas gunmen.
With
hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians displaced, the idea may also go
some way toward meeting a UN Security Council resolution of December 22 calling
for expanded humanitarian relief mechanisms.
“It can
start immediately,” foreign minister Eli Cohen told Tel Aviv radio station 103
FM when asked about the Mediterranean corridor.
He said
Britain, France, Greece and the Netherlands were among the countries with
vessels able to land directly on the shores of Gaza, which lacks a deep-water
port. He appeared to suggest he expected them to do that rather than offload
aid in Israel.
“They
requested of us that the equipment come via (the Israeli port of) Ashdod. The
answer is no. It won’t come via Ashdod. It won’t come via Israel. We want
disengagement, with security control. That’s the goal of this process,” Cohen
said.
The
Dutch defence ministry said it had received no request regarding the plan yet.
“One of
our ships is in the region and we are ready to start at short notice,” ministry
spokesman Laurens Bos said. “But for now, this is not the case.” There was no
immediate response from London, Paris or Athens.
Britain
and Greece have previously expressed support for the Cypriot initiative, with
Britain offering shallow-bottomed vessels to approach the Gaza coast, a senior
Cypriot official told Reuters.
Greek
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has also backed the Cypriot plan, which
would involve Israeli security agents taking part in the Larnaca inspections.
“As of
now there is a maritime blockade, and if such an (aid) ship comes from Larnaca,
it will be with our approval,” Cohen said. “It will of course be a secured
corridor, as we have no intention of endangering a British or French ship
coming in coordination with us.”
Several
European and Arab donor countries have been sending aid to Gaza through the
nearby Egyptian coastal town of Al Arish. Israel has been involved in
monitoring those shipments, in what some humanitarian relief agencies say
creates lags.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/israel-ready-to-let-ships-deliver-aid-to-war-ravaged-gaza-strip-immediately/cid/1990663
------
Iran's
president hopes for end to Israeli massacre in Gaza in 2024
31
December 2023
Iranian
President Ebrahim Raeisi says he hopes the international community takes urgent
action in the New Year to put an end to Israel's massacre against the
Palestinian people in Gaza.
In
separate messages on Sunday, Raeisi extended his congratulations to the leaders
and people of Christian countries on the arrival of the New Year.
He
prayed to God Almighty for a year full of peace and health for the peoples
across the world.
Raeisi
said the killing of innocent people in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli regime is
one of the biggest crises currently facing the human society.
The
president expressed hope that on the eve of 2024 and in light of the joint
efforts by the world leaders, the international community would take an
immediate action to stop Israel's massacre in Gaza, eradicate oppression and
hegemony, and establish lasting peace and security around the globe.
The UN
agency for Palestinian refugees warns that 40 percent of Gaza’s population are
facing a “risk of famine,” amid Israel’s war on Gaza.
Israel
waged the US-backed war on Gaza after Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups
conducted the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in
response to its decades-long campaign of death and destruction in Palestine.
Israel
has killed a total of 21,822 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and
56,451 individuals have been wounded while many bodies remain trapped under
rubble.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/12/31/717375/Iran-president-Ebrahim-Raeisi-Gaza-Israel-New-Year-congratulations-massacre-Christians-
-----
Hamas
slams Israeli minister’s call for migration of Gazans as ‘war crime’
01
January 2024
The
Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has denounced as “a war crime accompanied
by criminal aggression” the latest call by an Israeli minister for Palestinian
residents of Gaza to leave the besieged region in order for extremist settlers
to return to the area after the war.
Hamas,
in a statement on Sunday night, censured Israeli finance minister Bezalel
Smotrich’s call to displace two million Palestinians and keep about 200,000 in
Gaza as “vile mockery” and a war crime in the company of the ongoing criminal
onslaught against the coastal sliver.
The
group added that the international community and the United Nations must take
decisive actions to stop the Israeli regime’s crimes and hold its leaders
accountable for what they have done to the Palestinian people.
“Our
people have declared their position. They will stand firmly and steadfastly in
the face of all attempts to displace them from their land and homes, until full
liberation of the occupied territories and return of all refugees,” the
statement read.
Earlier
on Sunday, Smotrich called for encouraging the “emigration” of Palestinians in
the Gaza Strip.
“We need
to encourage emigration from there. If there were 100,000-200,000 Arabs in the
strip and not two million, the whole conversation about the day after [the war]
would be completely different,” he told Israeli Army Radio.
The
Israeli regime is trying to ‘deport the majority of the civilian population en
masse’ as part of its plan to ‘permanently alter’ the composition of Gaza’s
population, a UN expert has warned.
“They
want to leave. They have been living in a ghetto for 75 years and are in need,”
Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism Party, added.
Abbas:
Palestinians will not accept displacement
Meanwhile,
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that Palestinians will remain
steadfast in defense of their legitimate rights, and will not accept
displacement from their land at all.
“Today,
our steadfast Palestinian people are subjected to an all-out war of
extermination in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and al-Quds, with the aim of
liquidating our national cause and downplaying it as a humanitarian cause,”
Abbas said on Sunday.
“But we
tell them, the more your aggression and terrorism increase, the stronger, more
determined, and more resolute our people will become in adherence to their land
and legitimate national rights,” the Palestinian leader added.
Abbas
stressed that the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza “will not break Palestinians’
will. We will remain steadfast on our land and continue the struggle until we
achieve victory and independence.”
The West
Bank and the Gaza Strip are one indivisible geographical unit, the Palestinian
president noted.
Most
Palestinians displaced from their homeland after the Nakba (Catastrophe), when
Israel proclaimed its illegal existence on May 15, 1948, have ended up in
neighboring Arab states.
Arab
leaders have maintained that any latter-day move aimed at forced expulsion of
Palestinians would be absolutely unacceptable.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/01/717399/Hamas-slams-Israeli-minister-call-for-migration-Gazans-war-crime
----
Palestinian
FM condemns Israel's ethnic cleansing, calls for Gaza ceasefire in New Year
message
31
December 2023
The
Palestinian foreign minister has issued a New Year message calling for an
immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli regime has been waging
a genocidal war for more than two months.
The call
was made through a Sunday post on the official account of the Palestinian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on X social media platform.
At the
beginning of his message, Riad al-Malki welcomed the New Year and "the
59th anniversary of the start of the Palestinian revolution."
"...the
wounds of our people are bleeding due to #Israeli war machine's persistence in
the war of #genocide, destruction, and #displacement," Malki said.
He
added, "...killings, destruction, displacement, #starvation, the spread of
epidemics, invasions, arrests, and torture, all of which are crimes of
#ethnic_cleansing, [are] dominating the daily lives of Palestinian
citizens."
"We
reaffirm our demand at the beginning of this year for an immediate
ceasefire," the top diplomat asserted.
Malki
concluded his message by hoping for the upcoming year "to be the year when
the Palestinian people obtain their fair and legitimate national rights to
return, self-determination, and the embodiment of the Palestinian state on the
ground" with East al-Quds as its capital.
The
Palestinian health ministry says 150 have been killed in the past 24 hours in
the besieged strip.
His call
came as a global grassroots campaign has been launched to press for turning the
traditional New Year's countdown across the globe into a countdown to immediate
ceasefire in Gaza.
As the
death toll keeps mounting in the coastal territory due to Israel's relentless
attacks, Countdown2Ceasefire has called for global countdown events, from
Southeast Asia to Latin America, in support of an immediate and permanent
ceasefire in Gaza , .
The
Israeli regime launched its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 following an
operation by the territory's resistance movements, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa
Storm. Close to 22,000 people, most of them women and children, have been
killed in the regime's military campaign so far.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/12/31/717387/Palestine-Israel-foreign-minister-Malki-ceasefire-Gaza-war
----
Africa
Street
Begging Tarnishes Islam’s Image – Hisbah BoardCommander
1st
January 2024
The
Katsina State Hisbah Board has reiterated its commitment towards stopping
street begging across the 34 local government areas of the state.
The
Hisbah Commander-General of the board in Katsina, Aminu Usman, stated this in
an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday.
According
to him, the state government is doing everything possible to sanitise the state
from all forms of immorality.
“The
state government is making efforts to stop street begging across the state
because it’s not part of our religion.
“Begging
only tarnishes the image of our religion and society.
“The law
establishing the Hisbah board allows us to comb all nooks and crannies in the
state, to search for street beggars and screen them.
“We
screen them to find out those that are truly in need of support and we hand
them over to the Zakat and Waqaf board for assistance,” he explained.
Usman
said the state governor, DikkoRadda, established the Zakka and Waqafi board
purposely to support those in need of help.
He,
however, after the screening, street beggars from other states would be sent
back to their states.
He
appealed to parents and community members to watch over their children, because
the government will no longer tolerate immorality.
The
board, he said, would not allow the youths, who are prospective leaders of
tomorrow, to continue to be involved in drug abuse and other social vices.
“No
parent wishes to see the youths involved in drug abuse, therefore parents
should cooperate with us towards making better days for the youths in the
state.
“I also appeal
to religious and other community leaders, to support us towards achieving the
government agenda in this aspect.”
The
Hisbah Commander also appealed to residents to always expose places in their
communities where immoralities are being perpetrated.
Source: punchng.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://punchng.com/street-begging-tarnishes-islams-image-hisbah-commander/
------
Leader
of Nigeria’s Islamic Movement advocates for inspiration from Iran’s Islamic revolution
2023/12/31
OsonduNwachukwu
Sheikh
Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of Nigeria’s Islamic Movement, has advocated
drawing inspiration from Iran’s Islamic Revolution, asserting that Africa
should look to Iran as a model for ideological guidance.
Zakzaky,
currently in Iran, emphasized the continuation of the Islamic Revolution under
the leadership of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.
In a
recent meeting with AlirezaAraafi, director of religious seminaries in Iran,
Zakzaky highlighted the enduring impact of the Islamic Revolution and its
global influence.
He
emphasized the expansion of the Islamic Movement in regions including Africa,
Europe, and North America, mobilizing Shiite communities worldwide.
Often
referred to as Nigeria’s Ayatollah, Zakzaky leads the Islamic Movement in
Nigeria, a movement deeply inspired by the Iranian Revolution and opposing the
Nigerian government’s authority.
He
presently faces imprisonment on various charges, with the government aiming to
curb the movement’s revolutionary activities.
During a
previous meeting held in October, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressed
solidarity with Zakzaky, acknowledging the growth of the Islamic Movement in
various continents.
Khamenei’s
support extends to Nigeria’s Shiite community and includes recent discussions
centred on energy cooperation to address Nigeria’s energy challenges.
The
support is evident in recent energy talks, focusing on cooperation to address
energy challenges and seeking the Nigerian government’s collaboration.
Source: news.ng
Please click the following URL to read
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https://news.ng/leader-of-nigerias-islamic-movement-advocates-for-inspiration-from-irans-islamic-revolution/
-----
Mahama
vows to grant Muslims additional Eid holiday
December
31, 2023
REYMOND
AWUSEI JOHNSON
This
commitment reflects the former president's dedication to promoting religious
harmony and ensuring that all faith communities feel equally represented.
He
voiced his worry over certain Muslims being excluded from the public holiday
after Ramadan due to the 29 or 30-day rule for moon sightings.
Addressing
the 63rd Annual National Conference of the Ghana Muslim Mission in Kumasi on
Friday, December 29, Mr. Mahama expressed his commitment to ensuring that this
adjustment does not negatively impact productivity.
He
underscored the intention to amend the Public Holidays Act to maintain the
consistent number of public holidays per year in Ghana.
“We aim
to address the issue where some of our Muslim community members are unable to
enjoy the public holiday at the end of Ramadan due to the 29 or 30-day rule for
sighting the moon.”
“To do
this, we will introduce an additional holiday to the celebration of
Eid-ul-Fitr. We will, however, ensure that this does not affect productivity by
modifying the Public Holidays Act so that Ghana continues to have the same
number of public holidays per year.”
Former
President Mahama is cognizant of the importance of acknowledging and
celebrating this diversity, promoting a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
Source: pulse.com.gh
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/mahama-vows-to-grant-muslims-additional-eid-holiday/1r1hm7h
-----
Hajj
commission refunds Zamfara intending pilgrims N747m
1st
January 2024
The
Zamfara Hajj Commission has commenced the refund of N747m to 504 people who
deposited their money for Hajj between 2019 and 2023.
The
Executive Chairman of the commission, Musa Mallaha, stated this at a press briefing
in Gusau on Saturday.
He said
Governor DaudaLawal had approved the release of N218m each month for payment of
the money in installments from December to February.
Mallaha
said that the commission would add N92m to the amount approved by the governor
for the refund.
“The
governor has approved the refund of N747m to the beneficiaries in three
installments between December 2023 and February 2024.
“As I am
speaking to you now, the governor has already released N218m for the month of
December as the first installment.
“The
money has already been remitted to the commission’s account.
“We
would give priority to beneficiaries who indicated interest in performing the
2024 Hajj exercise, particularly those that deposited some amount with the
commission,” Mallaha said.
He
pledged to ensure transparency and accountability in carrying out the exercise
and appreciated the governor for his support to the commission.
Source: punchng.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://punchng.com/hajj-commission-refunds-zamfara-intending-pilgrims-n747m/
-----
ECOWAS
Condemns Arrest, Detention Of Political, Civil Society Figures By Burkina Faso
Transitional Government
December
31, 2023
The
Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has
expressed concern over the arrest and detention of political and civil society
figures in Burkina Faso.
In a
communique dated December 30, 2023, the regional bloc said the political and
civil society figures were arrested and detained by the transitional
authorities in the West African country.
“The
ECOWAS Commission denounces this illegal and arbitrary requisition procedure
intended to repress all freedom of expression in the country.
“It
launches an urgent appeal to the transitional authorities for the immediate
release of all those arrested in the context of this procedure.
“The
ECOWAS Commission reiterates its concern about the deterioration of the
security situation in the country and reaffirms its constant availability to
support the Burkinabè authorities in their efforts to restore peace and
security throughout the national territory.
“It
calls on the transitional authorities to take all urgent measures with a view
to a rapid return to constitutional order,’ it said.
Source: saharareporters.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://saharareporters.com/2023/12/31/ecowas-condemns-arrest-detention-political-civil-society-figures-burkina-faso
-----
Arab World
Total
Donations Collected During Saudi Campaign to Aid Palestinians in Gaza Exceed
SAR600 Million
31 Dec,
2023
Total
donations collected during the Saudi campaign to aid the Palestinians in the
Gaza Strip has exceeded SAR600 million, with over 350,000 donors. The King
Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) launched the donation
campaign following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Donations can be made through the
"Sahem" platform or directly to the campaign's bank account
(SA5580000504608018899998) at Al Rajhi Bank. The "Sahem" app can be
downloaded from the Apple and Google Play stores via this link: https://sahem.ksrelief.org/Gaza.
Source: alriyadhdaily.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/6f622a21fb0b4c10807b2595e332889a
-----
Saudi calligraphy
maestro’s skills captivate festival visitors
December
31, 2023
MAKKAH:
Saudi calligrapher Siraj Al-Omari’s skills have captivated thousands as his
style has impacted audiences “whether in the southern region, across the
Kingdom, the Arab world and the entire globe.”
At the
Al-Majaridah Winter Festival — taking place in the Al-Majaridah Governorate of
the Asir region until Feb. 22 — Al-Omari is encouraging a new generation of
Saudis to embrace the ancient art of writing.
Al-Omari
highlighted the universal allure of Arabic calligraphy, transcending language
barriers to captivate those who do not speak or understand Arabic.
He
described its impact as beautiful and enchanting, adding that Arabic
calligraphy is an art form governed by angles, points, and direction — a skill
that requires learning rather than solely relying on innate talent.
“The
foundations equally attract dedicated practitioners in Turkey, Persia and
Kurdistan,” he said. Al-Omari gives live online tutorials to followers in
Europe, North Africa, Pakistan and China.
Reflecting
on his journey, Al-Omari told Arab News: “My connection with calligraphy
predates formal education, with the first inklings of my bond with these
beautiful letters emerging. I eagerly awaited my older brother’s return from
school to appraise my scribbles.”
He
fondly recalls the moment his passion for calligraphy was sparked at a young
age. “One day, my older brother surprised me by gifting me a Parker 21 pen. It
was the best gift I had ever received — my entry point into the world of
calligraphy,” he said.
“With
that pen, I could translate my fascination with letters into tangible works of
beauty and precision. I loved that pen so much that I still have it to this
day. It carries memories of childhood inspiration that set me on this path.”
Recalling
the early stages of replicating characters from textbooks, Al-Omari underscored
how this endeavor fortified his reading and writing skills. His pre-grade one
immersion in calligraphy and achievement of complete literacy before starting
formal education surprised teachers on his very first day of school.
I feel
the talent I have does not belong to me but is a right for everyone to learn
from and benefit.
Siraj
Al-Omari, Saudi calligrapher
Al-Omari,
who will soon turn 60, reminisced about his time in the fourth grade at Saad
Ibn Abi Waqqas School in the village of Al-Muqbil. Teachers would ask him to
inscribe notes in his elegant handwriting. Having mastered the graceful curves
and dots of Arabic letters, his skill earned admiration and cemented his
reputation as a model student.
The
prominent calligrapher, who hails from Al-Namas city in Asir region, said the
local environment of mountains and forests filled his imagination, adding that
the interplay of shapes and colors in nature translated into creative
inspiration. “When you live among valleys and mountains, you are prepared for
writing and creativity,” he said.
Al-Omari
added: “Drawing is an advanced art that must amaze others, and Arabic
calligraphy serves as its foundation. The better the foundation, the better the
calligraphy, leading to captivating artwork that resonates with others.”
His
foray into professionalism took shape under the guidance of Mokhtar Alam, a
renowned calligrapher celebrated for his work on the kiswa (covering) of the
Kaaba.
Despite
lacking formal education in calligraphy, Al-Omari’s encounter with Alam in
Jazan left a lasting impact, fostering a strong bond.
Regular
visits to Makkah and direct interactions with prominent calligraphers like
Ibrahim Al-Iraqi and Nasser Al-Maymoun led to licenses in various calligraphy
styles, namely Diwani, Farisi and JaliDiwani.
Rather
than keep his rare gift to himself, Al-Omari’s calling has always been to share
his talent without restraint. “I feel the talent I have does not belong to me
but is a right for everyone to learn from and benefit,” he said.
Al-Omari
sees Arabic calligraphy as a practice intertwined with excellence in language
and academics. The dedication required to master calligraphy demands focus and
artistic vision. “When you devote your life to calligraphy, you practice
writing and thus excel in spelling,” he said.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2434536/saudi-arabia
------
Makkah
deputy emir inspects progress of work of Third Saudi Expansion of Grand Mosque
January
01, 2024
RIYADH —
Prince Saud bin Mishaal, the newly appointed deputy emir of the Makkah region,
began his duties with a field visit to the expansion works of the Grand Mosque
in Makkah on Sunday.
During
the visit, he inspected the Third Saudi Expansion of the holy mosque and was
briefed on the progress of the ongoing works. He was accompanied by Dr. Tawfiq
Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah, and chairman of the Board of Directors
of the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s
Mosque Affairs.
Speaking
on the occasion, Prince Saud said that his visit comes in implementation of the
directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince and
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and with the follow-up of the Advisor to
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Emir of the Makkah region Prince Khalid
Al-Faisal to inspect the progress of the largest ever expansion of the Grand
Mosque so as to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and
comfort.
The
visit of the deputy emir began with an inspection of the new doors of the Grand
Mosque and he listened to a briefing on the development work that was carried
out on a number of gates, including the Al-Fath Gate, the Umrah Gate, and the
King Abdulaziz Gate, which was made of steel and the highest types of break-resistant
iron, in addition to the walls that were made of high-quality stainless steel
with a layer of bronze and plated with pure gold, as well as the installation
of the two crescents for the two minarets of King Abdulaziz Gate. The minarets
are 130 meters long while the height of the two crescents is approximately nine
meters and the base is two meters wide for each crescent. They were made of
carbon fiber, which is considered as highly durable, and they were coated with
gilded glass.
After
that, Prince Saud inspected the suspended ceilings overlooking the mataf, and
listened to a briefing on the work to expand the Saudi Corridor of mataf which
was implemented to provide space for worshipers according to high-quality
engineering standards and to support it with technical services and modern
sound and lighting systems. The total expansion area covers 12,350 square
meters with the capacity to accommodate 107000 people per hour.
The
deputy emir visited the exhibition of the General Authority for the Care of the
Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Affairs, which introduces visitors to the
services provided at the Two Holy Mosques and the efforts made by the Kingdom
to serve the guests of God. He then headed to the eastern corridor, listening
to details about the facilities of the Third Saudi Expansion, which has a total
building area of 320,000 square meters and can accommodate approximately
300,000 worshipers.
Prince
Saud also visited the external squares that contain water fountains and places
for ablution, with a total area of 180,000 square meters. He reviewed the
services project, whose building area is 625,000 square meters, and includes
prayer terraces on an area of 130,000 square meters. It accommodates 33,000
worshipers and contains a restroom, an emergency hospital, 272 escalators, 60
elevators, and offices for government agencies.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/639222/SAUDI-ARABIA/Makkah-deputy-emir-inspects-progress-of-work-of-Third-Saudi-Expansion-of-Grand-Mosque
-----
Qatar
Charity supports media centre of Islamic society in Bosnia
JANUARY
01, 2024
A
delegation from Qatar Charity handed over a donation to equip the media centre
of the Islamic Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the organisation’s
qualitative cultural and development programmes.
Qatar
Charity officials based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hassan Mohamed al-Nuaimi,
general supervisor, and Mohamed Omar Oushan, office director, presented a
donation to Dr Hussein Kavazovic, the chief scholar and head of the highest
religious authority in Bosnia.
The
donation also aims to spread moderate religious awareness, tolerance of the
teachings of the Islamic religion, and preserving the cultural identity of
Muslims in Bosnia and its neighbouring countries, and in communities in other
countries.
The
media centre will house the latest modern media equipment and devices for the
production of television programmes and the establishment of a radio station
and a print newspaper, in addition to supporting multiple interactive platforms
via the Internet.
This
media centre will cater to Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring
countries, such as Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and Montenegro, as well as the
Bosnian community in several countries of Europe, the US and Australia.
It will
broadcast programmes on religion, advocacy, education, and learning, as well as
economics, science, culture, history, and heritage. The media centre is
expected to have a positive impact on all Muslim residents of the region
through facilitating access to moderate Islamic content and the correct faith
education, in addition to providing entertainment and cultural programmes.
The
centre, with its various media and platforms, was established to be a link
between the Islamic sheikhdom in Bosnia and Herzegovina and society, where the
sheikhdom works to provide the correct interpretation of Islamic rulings and
their applications through direct communication with the public.
On this
occasion, Kavazovic thanked the Qatar Charity delegation for the donation,
which enriches Qatar Charity’s balance in providing permanent support and
assistance to the projects of the Islamic sheikhdom.
The
cultural and awareness projects of the Islamic sheikhdom in Bosnia are gaining
great importance due to their positive impact on raising awareness and
preserving Islamic identity through purposeful and sober awareness programmes
that highlight the tolerance of Islam, and the possibility of its coexistence
with different races and cultures in peace and harmony.
It is
worth noting that Qatar Charity has completed many qualitative projects in
Bosnia, most notably the ‘Orphan Care and Rehabilitation Centre’ project, which
was implemented with a generous donation from His Highness the Amir Sheikh
Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. Qatar Charity will
work during the coming period to support several areas, such as sponsorships
and sustainable development, in addition to projects on public benefit,
education, reconstruction, and health.
Source: gulf-times.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.gulf-times.com/article/674612/qatar/qatar-charity-supports-media-centre-of-islamic-society-in-bosnia
-----
Islamic
Affairs Ministry Spreads 5.7 Million Educational Messages among Visitors to the
Grand Mosque
31 Dec,
2023
The
Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance has broadcast 5,720,064
educational and awareness-raising messages over electronic screens in the area
surrounding the holy Grand Mosque in Makkah. These messages, in more than 10
languages, aim to educate and guide Umrah performers and visitors to the Grand
Mosque.
Since the beginning of the current Umrah season,
1445 Hijri, 2,025,000 individuals have seen these messages, which include
explanations about the Umrah rituals, raise awareness and emphasize the need to
comply with the laws and regulations set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the
safety and security of visitors.
Numerous Umrah performers and visitors have
praised the great efforts made by the Kingdom's leadership, represented by the
Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, to disseminate accurate
religious knowledge, and for its contribution to educating and guiding visitors
to the holy Grand Mosque through modern technology and new media.
Source: alriyadhdaily.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/6773f44d1b1548d087abe29ea5a9ce42
----
Yemen's
Armed Forces: US responsible for consequences of attack on Yemeni boats in Red
Sea
01
January 2024
Yemen's
Armed Forces have issued a stern warning to the United States, saying
Washington bears full responsibility for the consequences of a deadly attack by
US Navy on Yemeni boats in the Red Sea.
The
warning came through a Sunday statement after earlier the same day US Navy
helicopters attacked four boats belonging to the Yemeni Naval Forces, sinking
three of them and killing at least 10 Yemeni servicemen.
The
statement, which was read out by Yemeni Armed Forces' spokesman Brigadier
General Yahya Saree, said the attack took place as Yemen's boats "were
carrying out their routine official duties in reinforcing security and stability,
and protecting maritime navigation" in the Red Sea.
He added
that the attack also took place while Yemeni forces were "fulfilling their
humanitarian and ethical duty...in prohibiting Israeli ships or those heading
to the ports of the occupied Palestine from passing through the Red Sea in
solidarity with and support of the Palestinian people."
"The
American enemy bears responsibility for the consequences and repercussions of
this crime, and that its military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli
ships will not prevent Yemen from fulfilling its religious, ethical, and
humanitarian duty in support and aid of the oppressed [people] in Palestine and
Gaza," the statement said.
Elsewhere
in their statement, the Yemeni Armed Forces once again advised all countries
"not to be drawn into American plans aimed at igniting conflict in the Red
Sea," affirming that they "will not hesitate to confront any
aggression against our country and our people."
Ansarullah
insists that the international waterways are secure, except for Israeli ships
or those heading towards the occupied territories.
Yemen's
Armed Forces have been staging missile and drone attacks against vessels
heading to Israeli ports in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which
has been under an unrelenting genocidal war by the Israeli regime for more than
two months now.
Close to
22,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed during the war,
which the regime launched on October 7 following an operation by Gaza's
resistance movements, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm.
The
Yemeni forces have vowed to keep up their strikes until the regime stops the
war and lifts a concomitant siege that it has been imposing on Gaza.
In
reaction, the United States has announced formation of an American-led naval
coalition of Washington's allies aimed at heading off the Yemeni attacks.
Washington
has already admitted to the failure of the multinational task force.
The
United States’ military has admitted to the failure of a Washington-led
multinational task force.
Vice
Admiral Brad Cooper, the top commander of US naval forces in West Asia, said in
a Saturday interview with the Associated Press that Yemen’s Armed Forces show
no signs of ending their “reckless” attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea
even as more nations join the international maritime mission to protect vessels
in the vital waterway.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/01/717388/Yemen-warning-United-States-attack-Red-Sea-Israel-Gaza-war
-------
16 Saudi
relief trucks cross Rafah border on Friday
December
31, 2023
RIYADH/RAFAH
— Sixteen new Saudi relief trucks, dispatched by the King Salman Humanitarian
Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) crossed the Rafah Border Crossing, headed to
the Gaza Strip on Friday.
The
trucks carried food, medical and shelter aid, as part of the popular campaign
to provide relief supplies to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
It is
noteworthy that the total number of Saudi relief trucks that have crossed the
Rafah border so far reached 172 trucks carrying various relief aid on board.
This
comes within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s historic and well-known role in
standing with the Palestinian people during their crisis period.
The
KSrelief launched the donation campaign on Nov. 2 following the directives of
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime
Minister Mohammed Bin Salman to contribute to alleviating the suffering of the
Palestinian families caused by the Israeli aggression.
Donations
can be made through the Sahem platform or directly to the campaign’s bank
account (SA5580000504608018899998) at Al-Rajhi Bank.
The
Sahem app can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play stores via the link:
https://sahem.ksrelief.org/Gaza.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/639217/SAUDI-ARABIA/16-Saudi-relief-trucks-cross-Rafah-border-on-Friday
----
Southeast Asia
Police
still obtaining statements from ‘Kepung Demi Palestin’ organisers
01 Jan 2024
KUALA
LUMPUR, Jan 1 — Police are still in the process of obtaining statements from
the organisers of the ‘AksiBertindak: Kepung Demi Palestin’ rally to assist in
the investigation under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Kuala
Lumpur police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said that once the
statement-taking process is completed, the investigation papers will be
finalised before being handed over to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for
further action.
“The
rally, which lasted for six days, overall, was conducted in a controlled
manner, and the organisers cooperated with the police,” he said when contacted
by Bernama today.
Previously,
Allaudeen said that the police sympathise with the struggle of the Palestinian
people, but they are responsible for ensuring public order and the safety of
foreign diplomats in the country.
He added
that the ‘AksiBertindak: Kepung Demi Palestin’ rally is subject to the Peaceful
Assembly Act 2012, and it is the responsibility of the police to ensure the
safety of the rally.
The
rally is an initiative by concerned Malaysian citizens regarding the crisis in
Gaza, which has resulted in the sacrifice of approximately 21,822 Palestinian
lives as of Dec 31. It is also a symbol of solidarity and a demonstration of
love for peace.
The gathering
near the United States Embassy is symbolic of the blockade on Gaza. It aims to
demand an end to the killings of Palestinians and urges for an immediate
ceasefire.
The
rally involves 48 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), comprising community organisations,
youth and student associations, as well as political groups from various
spectrums.
Some of
the participating NGOs include the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic
Organisations (MAPIM), Viva Palestina Malaysia, Al-Quds Malaysia Foundation,
Suara Rakyat Malaysia and Malaysian Women’s Coalition for Al-Quds and
Palestine. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/01/01/police-still-obtaining-statements-from-kepung-demi-palestin-organisers/110104
-----
No New
Year’s Eve celebrations in Negeri Sembilan - MB
31-12-
2023
SEREMBAN:
The Negeri Sembilan state government will not be organising any official 2024
New Year’s Eve celebrations in line with the federal government’s decision as a
sign of solidarity with the Palestinian people and out of respect for the
victims of the ongoing floods in several states, MenteriBesar Datuk Seri
Aminuddin Harun said.
He said
that programmes to mark the end of 2023 planned by non-government organisers
could carry on, taking into consideration the current sensitivities and in
compliance with established etiquette.
“May the
New Year 2024 bring good (tidings) to all the people of Negeri Sembilan,“ he
said in a statement today as he reminded the public to remain vigilant against
COVID-19 and take precautionary measures in crowded places.
The
public should also be aware of unpredictable weather conditions in various
places in the state that could lead to floods or flash floods, he said.
“If
there are warnings about floods in your area, please follow the instructions of
the authorities to ensure safety is prioritised, and always be aware of the
current situation,“ he added.–Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local_news/no-new-year-s-eve-celebrations-in-negeri-sembilan-mb-CL11927498
----
BKSAP
highlights need for world's concrete action on Rohingya issue
31-12-
2023
Jakarta
(ANTARA) - Deputy head of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of
the House of Representatives (DPR), AchmadHafiszThohir, stated the world,
especially ASEAN countries, must take concrete action for the Myanmar and
Rohingya issues.
"Myanmar
could be isolated from various world forums, be subject to an arms and economic
embargo, freeze their passports and visas, and take the perpetrators of
genocide there to the International Court of Justice," he said in a DPR
statement uploaded on Saturday.
Thohir
noted that the Myanmar regime, which is currently in power, no longer takes
care of the Rohingya people and does not even hesitate to carry out massacres.
This
neglect, he said, makes the fate of the Rohingya people even more unclear
because there is no sense of responsibility from the authorities there, and
basic human rights are no longer fulfilled.
"The
regime felt that it had no obligations and even acted arbitrarily, was
repressive, and carried out murders; the people of Rohingya were massacred and
expelled," he said.
In
regard to the current situation, he assessed that all people in ASEAN must do
more to stop the Myanmar regime from doing violence and genocide against the
Rohingya people.
"We
are witnessing the suffering (of Rohingya people) and violence carried out by
the Junta against the Rohingya ethnic group, even though the Rohingya people
have existed in Rakhine since 1055 and were once prosperous in Myanmar,"
he remarked.
Earlier,
the Ministry of Law and Human Rights' Director General of Human Rights, Dhahana
Putra, stated that the handling of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia prioritizes
universal humanitarian aspects while still considering the interests of local
communities.
Putra
stated that the non-refoulement principle under international human rights law
prohibits countries from returning or expelling refugees to their country of
origin or other countries where they are at risk of facing torture.
Source: antaranews.com
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-----
Group of
Muslim Clerics, Students Vows Support for Prabowo’s Presidential Bid
Ahmad
Shoim
December
31, 2023
Jakarta.
The Muslim Clerics and Students National Network (JKSN) has vowed to throw its
weight behind the presidential and vice-presidential candidacy of
PrabowoSubianto and Gibran RakabumingRaka.
"Muslim
clerics and students from various regions of Indonesia affiliated with JKSN
will reach out to diverse layers of society to advocate for Prabowo and
Gibran," said AsepSyaifuddinChalim, a member of the group's advisory
council, after attending the consolidation event in Surabaya, East Java on
Saturday.
KH
AsepSyaifuddin said that JKSN currently boasts millions of members spread
throughout Indonesia, instilling confidence in the potential one-round victory
for Prabowo and Gibran.
"We
are optimistic about securing a one-round victory. There are two crucial
factors in one round: firstly, related to cost savings for the election, and
secondly, minimizing friction," he explained.
Meanwhile,
Emil ElestiantoDardak, the spokesperson for vice-presidential candidate Gibran,
expressed gratitude to JKSN for their tireless campaign for Prabowo-Gibran.
With JKSN's unwavering support, Emil believes that the pair can clinch victory
in the 2024 Presidential Election.
"We
are all striving for the triumph of Prabowo-Gibran. JKSN embodies the spirit to
carry on President Joko Widodo's legacy. This spirit unifies all Muslim clerics
in their endeavors to secure victory for Prabowo and Gibran," Emil said.
The most
recent surveys reveal that Prabowo is leading in electability. According to the
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) survey, 43.7 percent of
respondents prefer Prabowo, while 26.1 percent support AniesBaswedan, and 19.4
percent back GanjarPrabowo.
In
addition, the IndikatorPolitik survey indicates that the electability of
Prabowo-Gibran has improved from 45.6 percent to 46.7 percent following the
last two presidential and vice-presidential debates. Anies' electability stands
at 21 percent, and Ganjar's is at 24.5 percent.
In a
separate event, Muslim preacher Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman, known as Gus
Miftah, convened with thousands of nyai (female Muslim leaders) from Central
Java to support Prabowo-Gibran.
"People
who are consistently close to Muslim students and the community, especially
mothers, play a crucial role. We also understand that kiai, such as ourselves,
can succeed because of their support. Therefore, the existence of their female
counterparts should not be underestimated; on the contrary, they must be the
mainstay for the victory of the pair with ballot number 2," said Gus
Miftah in Semarang on Saturday.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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-----
'Kepung
Demi Palestin' protesters call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza as 2024 rolls in
01 Jan
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: As the clock struck midnight, calls for a permanent ceasefire for the
conflict in the Gaza Strip rang out among the "Kepung Demi Palestin"
protesters at the US Embassy here.
The
group's spokesperson - former PKR vice president Chua Tian Chang - ended the
night by reading a declaration urging for four demands to be met.
The
“Kepung Demi Palestin” protestors had been picketing at the US Embassy since
Dec 26 to call for a permanent end to the violence in Gaza, and have been
saying that the United States has played a big role in prolonging the fight.
Their
demands included the end to the apartheid system throughout Palestine, and a
fair, peaceful and lasting solution for all in Palestine.
"Starting
today, Jan 1 2024, and every day after, we stand together in solidarity with
the Palestinian people," he said.
A
candlelight vigil preceded the declaration, before the crowd broke into songs
and most were seen leaving peacefully at around 1am under the watchful eye of
the police.
Earlier
in the night, speakers such as former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu called for a
permanent end to the violence.
For the
last six days protestors had "occupied" the areas near the US embassy
in a symbolic representation of the occupation in Palestine.
Source: thestar.com.my
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/01/039kepung-demi-palestin039-protesters-call-for-permanent-ceasefire-in-gaza-as-2024-rolls-in
-----
More
Myanmar Rohingya refugees arrive in Indonesia despite rejection from local
people
01 Jan 2024
MEDAN,
Indonesia (AP): Nearly 150 Rohingya refugees, mostly hungry and weak women and
children, have reached a beach in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province after
weeks at sea, officials said on Sunday.
The
group of 53 men, 39 women and 55 children arrived on KarangGadih beach in
Langkat district late Saturday, said the village head, Muhammad Amiruddin. A
rickety, leaky wooden boat that brought them from Bangladesh was moored on a
lighthouse island not far from the village, he said.
Five
among the refugees were sick after the long journey and residents gave them
food and water while they waited for instructions from immigration and local
officials to decide where to take them. Residents do not want the refugees in
their communities, however, and last week many protested the recent Rohingya
arrivals.
"We
helped them as they look very weak from hunger and dehydration,” Amiruddin
said. "But many residents cannot accept them to live in our village
because they will only bring problems later.”
He said
that one of the refugees told authorities that they sailed from the Cox Bazar
refugee camp in Bangladesh to Indonesia and became stranded on a lighthouse
island.
About
740,000 Rohingya were resettled in Bangladesh after fleeing their homes in
Myanmar to escape a brutal counterinsurgency campaign by security forces. But
the camps in Bangladesh are squalid, with surging gang violence and rampant
hunger, leading many to flee again.
A mob of
Indonesian students on Wednesday attacked the basement of a local community
hall in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province, where 137 Rohingya were
taking shelter. The incident drew an outcry from human rights group and the
U.N. refugee agency, which said the attack left the refugees shocked and
traumatized.
Indonesia’s
navy said Thursday that it forcibly pushed a boat packed with refugees back to
international waters after it approached the shores of Aceh province.
It’s
unclear whether the refugees who arrived late Saturday in neighboring North
Sumatra province were from the same boat that was pushed away by the navy.
Indonesia
has appealed to the international community for help and intensified patrols of
its waters due to a sharp rise in Rohingya refugees leaving overcrowded camps
in Bangladesh since November. Over 1,500 Rohingya have arrived in Aceh and
faced some hostility from fellow Muslims.
Indonesia,
like Thailand and Malaysia, is not a signatory to the United Nations’ 1951
Refugee Convention so is not obligated to accept the Rohingya. So far, refugees
in distress have received at least temporary accommodation. – AP
Source: thestar.com.my
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/01/01/more-myanmar-rohingya-refugees-arrive-in-indonesia-despite-rejection-from-local-people
------
MADANI
Govt has proven its ability to unite, focus on people - Fahmi
01-01-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: The government has successfully demonstrated its ability to unite,
carry out its duties and focus on helping the people despite ‘tales and myths’
concocted by certain parties throughout 2023, including claims that the MADANI
government would be unstable and engage in internal conflicts, said Communications
Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said
this year, the MADANI Government successfully formulated five historically
significant policies for the people and country due to the strength and
stability of that unity.
Fahmi
said the MADANI Economy framework has boosted the economy of the country and
its people. At the same time, the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 (NIMP 2030) is
capable of drawing investments and increasing new high-paying jobs focused on
key industries.
“At the
same time, the government is also reviewing the remuneration scheme for civil
servants, which is an effort to raise the productivity of the public servants.
Besides that, the government is working to increase the salary of private
sector workers across Malaysia by introducing the Progressive Wage Policy.
“In
2023, the government also introduced the Energy Transition Policy due to the
urgent need for the country to shift to new energy sources,” he said on his
Facebook page tonight.
At the
ministry level, he said he was grateful for successfully implementing multiple
new initiatives, including reducing internet prices seven times and bringing
together all telco companies to the negotiating table, leading to their
agreement to offer the 5G services.
“Areas
facing frequent internet issues, such as Orang Asli villages and remote areas,
can now utiliseStarlink. Meanwhile, the salary for managers and assistant
managers at the Digital Economic Centres nationwide have been increased by
RM500 per month,” he said.
He said
this year also witnessed new job opportunities for young people in the digital
economic sector increased by 23 per cent compared to the previous year.
Fahmi
hopes that the positive start for the MADANI Government in 2023 can continue
and wishes for a better year for everyone in 2024.
Meanwhile,
Communications Deputy Minister TeoNieChing in her New Year’s Day greetings that
she posted on Facebook, expressed hope that all dreams and aspirations can be
achieved and fulfilled with positive outcomes in the new year.–Bernama
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
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https://thesun.my/local_news/madani-govt-has-proven-its-ability-to-unite-focus-on-people-fahmi-JL11928010
-----
Number
of flood victims in three states drops to 1,675 tonight - NADMA
31-12-
2023
KUALA
LUMPUR: The number of flood victims in three states has decreased to 1,675
people in 16 temporary relief centres tonight from 3,681 people in 20 centres
earlier this evening.
Based on
the latest reports issued by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA),
the number of evacuees in Kelantan continued to decrease to 1,587 in 12 relief
centres compared to 3,593 people in 16 relief centres this evening.
According
to the report, Kelantan has two relief centres in Pasir Mas district housing
365 people, eight in Tumpat with 1,191 individuals, and two in Kuala Krai with
31 people.
In
Pahang, the number stands at 34 individuals, seeking refuge in two relief
centres in Maran district, while 87 landslide victims in Cameron Highlands
continue to seek shelter in a relief centre in the district.
The
number of flood victims in Johor remains unchanged, with 54 individuals still
housed in two relief centres in Segamat district tonight.
Meanwhile,
a survey of the situation by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage found
that four rivers are at dangerous levels.
Sungai
Pulai in Johor Bahru, Johor, recorded 4.41 metres (m) with a decreasing trend;
Sungai Golok in Pasir Mas, Kelantan (9.47m with a decreasing trend); Sungai
Perak in Hulu Perak, Perak (111.9m with an increasing trend); and Sungai Arau
in Arau, Perlis (23.79m with an increasing trend).
In
addition, the report indicates that 35 roads are closed due to floods, bridge
damage, and landslides.
Among
the affected roads are JalanJabi-Bukit Tempurung in Segamat, Johor; Jalan Kota
Bharu-Pasir Mas-RantauPanjang in Kelantan; JalanMarang-WakafTapai in
Terengganu; Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Bentong (Old Bentong Road) in Pahang; and Jalan
Bukit Jugra in Selangor.–Bernama
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
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https://thesun.my/local_news/number-of-flood-victims-in-three-states-drops-to-1675-tonight-nadma-NL11927903
-----
Pakistan
Hafiz
Tahir Ashrafi reiterates demand for penalising May 9 rioters
January
1, 2024
LAHORE:
PM’s special representative on Middle East and Pakistan Ulema Council chairman
Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi has reiterated his demand for taking to task the accused
involved in May 9 attacks on military installations and monuments.
Speaking
at a ceremony here on Sunday, he said that those found to be involved in the
May 9 incidents must be penalised.
“Those
who went against the homeland and the nation could not be let go scot free.”
He said
that fake news and factories churning out rumours were damaging homes and these
must be stopped at once.
Referring
to the increasing ratio of divorce and separation between married couples, he
said it was a matter of deep concern that the cases of divorces were on the
rise with every passing year breaking the social fabric and traumatising the
children of the unfortunate couples.
He said
the growing trend would ruin the psychology of the coming generations as
children of the broken families lose self-esteem and self-confidence.
About
the rising graph of poverty in the country, Hafiz Ashrafi said that if the well-off
people paid their full Zakat, none in the country would sleep hungry.
Talking
about the ban on the New Year celebrations by the federal government, the PM’s
adviser said that the step was taken to show solidarity with the oppressed
Palestinians suffering casualties on a daily basis at the hands of oppressor
Israeli forces.
Source: dawn.com
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-----
In New
Year message, army expresses resolve for ‘national security and development’
January
01, 2024
RAWALPINDI:
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir expressed Pakistan Army’s
resolve to contribute to the cause of national security and development in his
message on New Year’s Eve, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on
Sunday.
The army
chief felicitated the nation at the beginning of the New Year 2024. He also said, “A challenging yet momentous year
of 2023 is over.’
The
Pakistan Armed Forces wish a happy New Year to the proud and honourable people
of Pakistan, General Munir said, adding that the year 2024 has "immense
significance for Pakistan both internally and externally".
Gen
Munir further said the Armed Forces reinforce the patriotic spirit of serving
the motherland, a land of immeasurable "bounties and countless
opportunities".
"Undoubtedly,
our great nation will rise, in line with the dreams of our forefathers and
aspirations of the people of Pakistan. Surely a bright future for the coming
generations awaits us, InshaAllah.”
“In line
with the directive of the honourable PM of Pakistan, we stand with and pray for
the resilient people of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and
Kashmir [IIOJK] and hope that the New Year will bring relief in their
sufferings from tyrannical regimes,” the ISPR quoted General Munir as saying.
Caretaker
Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday announced that all celebrations
related to the New Year would be banned across the country as the nation stands
in solidarity with Palestinians who have been facing the worst Israeli
brutality since October 7.
“The
Pakistan Army as a national army will leave no stone unturned to contribute to
the cause of national security and development. We take pride in our unwavering
commitment to the people of Pakistan. No one can defeat the spirit of
Pakistan,” the army chief added.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1143593-in-new-year-message-army-expresses-resolve-for-national-security-and-development
-----
Gen Ayub
Khan’s legacy sprouts again: The four pillars of Gen Asim Munir’s New Green
Revolution
January
01, 2024
By
Farrukh Saleem
In 1960,
our wheat production stood at 3.35 million tonnes. The advent of Ayub Khan’s
Green Revolution marked a transformative era. By 1982, our wheat output
quadrupled, reaching an impressive 12 million tonnes. Similarly, in 1960, rice
production amounted to 2.24 million tonnes.
With the
introduction of Ayub Khan’s ‘Green Revolution’, our rice production experienced
a remarkable surge. By 1982, it had increased by 140%, reaching a substantial
5.37 million tonnes.
Here are
the four key drivers behind Ayub Khan’s Green Revolution: High-Yielding
Varieties (HYVs), fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. HYVs produced more
grains per plant and the use of fertilizers significantly boosted the growth
and productivity of wheat and rice crops.
Chemical
pesticides were introduced and effective control of pests and diseases
contributed to the overall increase in wheat and rice production. Improved
irrigation practices, including the construction of dams, canal systems and
tube wells played a crucial role in enhancing water availability for wheat and
rice cultivation.
General
Asim Munir has expressed his desire for a ‘New Green Revolution’. Drawing on
lessons from the first Green Revolution under General Ayub Khan and considering
Pakistan’s current agricultural landscape, here are crucial facts General Asim
Munir would likely need to address: biotechnology and genomics, digital
agriculture, smart water management and organic and regenerative agriculture.
A ‘New
Green Revolution’ is unattainable without the utilization of genomics tools,
essential for identifying genes associated with drought tolerance, heat stress
resistance and disease resistance. A ‘New Green Revolution’ is going to need
digital agriculture technologies, including sensors, drones and data analytics.
We would have to enable our farmers to monitor real-time data on soil health,
water levels, precise and targeted applications of fertilizers, water and
pesticides, minimizing waste and optimizing the use of resources.
Smart
water management is poised to be the primary catalyst for Pakistan’s upcoming
Green Revolution. The essential components include precision irrigation,
characterized by targeted water application, alongside rainwater harvesting and
water reuse – forming the foundational prerequisites for the ‘New Green
Revolution’. Organic practices and regenerative techniques hold substantial
promise for ushering in a New Green Revolution.
These
approaches not only foster enhanced yields but also contribute to bolstering
food security. General Ayub Khan’s Green Revolution was a monumental leap. With
fertile minds and cutting-edge tools, General Asim Munir’s ‘New Green
Revolution’ can be a quantum jump. Imagine drones sowing climate-resistant
seeds, sensors whispering to crops, and water dancing to a digital tune.
Pakistan’s fields are thirsty for progress. Pakistan’s fields will bloom with
abundance. Pakistan’s fields will nourish not just bellies, but a nation’s
dreams.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1143726-gen-ayub-khan-s-legacy-sprouts-again-the-four-pillars-of-gen-asim-munir-s-new-green-revolution
-----
Maulana
Haideri condemns ‘attack’ on Fazl’s convoy
January
01, 2024
ISLAMABAD:
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) Central Secretary General Senator Maulana
Abdul Ghafoor Haideri on Sunday strongly condemned the alleged attack on the
convoy of JUIF chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. “The attack on Maulana Fazlur
Rehman’s convoy is a question mark for the state. We kept on saying that
Maulana Fazlur Rehman has many security threats and continued to call upon the
government to provide him foolproof security. But the government has not taken
any action in this regard,” said Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri in his message
on X.
“The
government only informs that terrorists are attacking and also tells the name
and dresses of terrorists, but does not take any action,” he said.
The JUIF
leader said, “We kept on saying that under these circumstances, when the
situation of law and order is like this, how are elections possible?”
Haideri
said that neither the judges took notice nor the Election Commission of
Pakistan took the security issues into consideration while announcing the
election schedule. He said the JUIF would decide the future course of action
after consultation within the party.
“Thank
God Maulana Fazlur Rehman remained safe in this cowardly attack. Workers across
the country should offer thanks and wait for the future action plan.”
Meanwhile,
Regional Police Officer (RPO), DI Khan, Nasir Mehmood, Sunday clarified that a
police check-post at Yarak toll plaza in DI Khan was fired upon and the target
was not the JUIF chief Fazlur Rehman. He said that Fazl was not there at the
time of the incident.
In a
brief statement, he said the police personnel responded to the firing, causing
the attackers to escape.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1143724-maulana-haideri-condemns-attack-on-fazl-s-convoy
------
TTP
using the weapons abandoned by US: analysts
2024-01-01
ISLAMABAD:
The weapons left over by the US forces in Afghanistan are being used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) in cross-border terrorist activities against Pakistan.
It was
evident from the recent terror attacks by the TTP from the Afghan soil in
Pakistan that its terrorists were blatantly using the weapons left behind by
the foreign forces in Afghanistan to damage peace and security in the region,
the well-informed political and defence analysts said on Sunday.
They
said the Pakistan Army had been fighting the war against the TTP for the last
two decades. However, it was a known fact that its terrorists had full access
to the weapons, which the US and NATO forces had left behind after facing
humiliating defeat in the so-called war against terror. It had significantly
damaged the security of the region, particularly in Pakistan, which had seen an
surge in terrorist activities since the fallout of Afghan defence forces.
An
intelligence-based operation was conducted against terrorists in Mir Ali area
of North Waziristan district on December 29, 2023. At least, five terrorists,
including their commander RahzaibKhurray, were killed in the exchange of fire
during the operation.
Foreign
weapons, including M4 Carbine and Ak-47 along with ammunition were recovered
from the terrorists. Such type of foreign arms had been used in many terrorist
attacks in Pakistan in the past also.
The
Baloch Liberation Army, which attacked FC camps in Nowshki and Panjgur
districts in February, 2022, was also using the same weapons.
The
attack on the Zhob Garrison on July 12, 2023 also involved the use of American
weapons by the TTP. On September 6, 2023, the TTP terrorists armed with the
latest American weapons attacked two army check posts in Chitral.
The
weapons recovered from the terrorists in the November 4 Mianwali Air Base
attack were foreign-made, including RPG-7, AK-74, M-4 and M-16/A4.
Moreover,
the night vision goggles and American rifles were also used by terrorists in
the terrorist attack in Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan on December 12.
In the
terrorist incident in Tank on December 15, modern American weapons used. Three
policemen were martyred and five terrorists were killed. The terrorists used
M16/A2, HE Grenades, and AK-47.
On
December 13, Customs and security forces recovered modern American weapons from
onion sacks from a vehicle coming from Afghanistan to Pakistan. The weapons
included modern American made M4, American rifle, and grenades.
The
smuggling of advanced foreign weapons from Afghanistan into Pakistan and the
TTP’s use of the American weapons against the security forces and the people of
Pakistan are a big question mark on the claims of the Afghan Interim Government
of not allowing the use of its land against Pakistan.
The
Eurasian Times also claimed that the US-made weapons were used by the TTP
terrorists in their terror acts on the Pakistani soil.
The US
had delivered a total of 427,300 combat weapons to the Afghan military, with
300,000 remaining at the time of its withdrawal, the Pentagon said. However,
due to the massive arsenal, the region witnessed a massive increase in
terrorism during the last two years.
The
United States provided equipment worth $18.6 billion to the Afghan National
Defence and Security Forces between 2005 and August 2021, the Pentagon said.
After
the US withdrawal, those weapons helped the TTP carry out cross-border
terrorist attacks. It all shows that the Afghan regime is not only arming the
TTP but also providing a safe haven to it and other terrorist organizations.
Source: brecorder.com
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-------
President
for taking steps towards stopping genocide in Gaza
2024-01-01
ISLAMABAD:
President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the international community to take urgent
steps for stopping genocide in Gaza and work for just and lasting peace in
Palestine. In his message on the beginning of New Year, 2024, the president
also extend led his heartfelt felicitations to the entire Pakistani nation, the
Muslim Ummah and the international community.
“As we
bid farewell to the passing year and welcome the dawn of a New Year, I pray to
Allah Almighty that may the coming year bring prosperity, political and
economic stability for Pakistan as well as the entire world,” he said.
At the
beginning of the New Year, he added that we should not forget our brothers and
sisters in Palestine who continue to face the brutal and barbaric attacks at
the hands of the Israeli forces.
“I urge
the international community to take urgent steps for stopping genocide in Gaza
and work for just and lasting peace in Palestine,” he said.
Similarly,
he added that his thoughts are with the people of the Indian Illegally Occupied
Jammu & Kashmir, who have been enduring atrocities and the longest siege by
the Indian Occupation Forces. “It is essential that the international community
should take practical measures to resolve these long-standing disputes in
accordance with the UN resolutions to promote global peace and security,” Dr
Alvi said. He also prayed for the entire Muslim ummah to foster unity and
harmony, and work collectively to address the challenges being faced by the
Muslim Ummah.
“As we
envision a prosperous future, I wish for economic development, interfaith
harmony, forgiveness, tolerance and mutual respect in Pakistan.
May 2024
be a year of positive transformations, not only for Pakistan but for the entire
global community,” he said. “Let us welcome the coming year with the hope and
determination to build a world where there are no conflicts and wars and where
justice, peace, prosperity and compassion prevail,” he added.
Source: brecorder.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40281437/president-for-taking-steps-towards-stopping-genocide-in-gaza
-----
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/rss-ram-temple-consecration-mosque-dargah/d/131434