Allahabad High Court Rejects PIL Seeking Recognition Of Mathura’s Shahi Idgah Masjid As Krishna Janmabhoomi

New Age Islam News Bureau

12 October 2023

 

The Krishna Janmasthan temple and Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura

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India

·         Karnataka: Authorities Urged To Allow Muslims To Do Business On Temple Premises

·         Palestine march: Uttar Pradesh police book four students of Aligarh Muslim University

·         Gaza crisis rattles India’s poll-bound states, law enforcement on high alert

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North America

·         CAIR Issues Guidance for Students Targeted Due to Islamophobia, Palestine Rights Advocacy

·         CAIR-NJ, NJ Mosques and Partners Publish Open Letter Urging New Jersey Elected Officials to Act on Palestine and Address Root Cause of Violence

·         White House Backtracks On Biden's 'Beheaded Babies' Claim

·         How a US ‘peace plan’ brought war to Israel’s doorstep

·         Muslim Groups That Advised The Biden Admin On Fighting ‘Hate’ Now Blaming Israel For Hamas Attacks

·         Mayor of America’s First Muslim Majority City Council Declares ‘No Peace’ With Israel

·         Blinken visits Israel to stress US support for war on Hamas

·         Donald Trump attacks President Biden on foreign policy as Israel-Hamas war rages

·         Trump Faults Israeli PM Netanyahu For Not Being ‘Prepared,’ Says He Once Let U.S. Down Amid Conflict With Hamas

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Mideast

·         Israeli Army Denies Having Confirmation Of Widely Circulated Claim That Hamas Beheaded Babies

·         No Order To Yield Results Without Palestinian Rights: Iranian President

·         Gaza faces catastrophic situation with dwindling food, water supplies

·         Over 338,000 Palestinians displaced in Gaza: UN agency

·         Israel cutting off Gaza’s water, electricity amounts to collective punishment, systematic war crime: FM Amir-Abdollahian

·         Israel targets elite Hamas unit in Gaza strikes as Blinken heads to region

·         Iran, Syria presidents call for unity on Palestinian support

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Arab World

·         Saudi Crown Prince, Iranian President Discuss Military Escalation In Gaza

·         Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza situation

·         Saudi crown prince, Turkish president discuss military escalation in Gaza

·         Saudi Arabia to Host Ninth Conference of Environment Ministers in The Islamic World in Jeddah

·         Iraq is guest of honour at ‘Made in Saudi’ expo

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Europe

·         Iraqi PM Asks Putin To Help Resolve Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

·         EU Asks Musk To Censor Info Not Conforming To Western Narrative Over Israel’s War In Gaza

·         Support not ‘indefinite,’ White House tells Ukraine

·         Vladimir Putin reveals Russian position on Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Pakistan

·         Cabinet Condemns Israeli Bombardment Of Gaza

·         2016 Pathankot Attack Mastermind Shahid Latif Killed In Pakistan Mosque

·         Two More Afghan Settlements Bulldozed In Islamabad

·         Three die in targeted attack on Daska mosque

·         Pakistan demands immediate stop of bombardment in Gaza

·         Paragon Housing Society: NAB finds Khawaja brothers innocent in case

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South Asia

·         11 Cases Against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia: Charge Framing Hearing On November 13

·         Dy FM Of Taliban Accuses Pakistan Of Employing Political Pressure By Deporting Afghan Refugees

·         Iran Reaches Agreements With Afghanistan in Trade Development

·         Taliban blocks Pakistani Medical Plane’s aid to Herat earthquake victims

·         Latest Earthquake in Herat Severely Damaged More Than 20 Villages

·         Kazakh Diplomat Arrives in Herat with Aid Shipment for Earthquake Survivors

·         Man arrested for raping 7-yr-old girl in Dhaka

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Southeast Asia

·         PM Anwar Says Unity Govt Still Willing To Talk With PAS, But Warns Against Religious Zealotry

·         Grab Singapore suspends driver who allegedly made racist comments to passenger, asked him to ‘get out’ of car

·         Zambry urges any Malaysians in or around Gaza to contact Wisma Putra

·         Two dead, six injured as car carrying illegal migrants crashes in Hungary

·         2 enforcement officers among 3 arrested for allegedly soliciting RM1,500 bribe

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Africa

·         Kenyan Publisher Withdraws Controversial School Book Depicting Prophet Muhammad

·         Hundreds Of South Africans Show Solidarity For Palestinians

·         Nigeria halts all Christian pilgrimages to Israel

·         Israel-Hamas war: Nigeria repatriates 310 pilgrims to Jerusalem

·         Nigerian govt declares commitment to press freedom

·         Nigeria’s prominent Shia cleric arrives in Iran

·         Don’t treat us as aliens, Delta Muslims beg Oborevwori

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:    https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/shahi-idgah-masjid-krishna-janmabhoomi/d/130886

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Allahabad High Court Rejects PIL Seeking Recognition Of Mathura’s Shahi Idgah Masjid As Krishna Janmabhoomi

 

The Krishna Janmasthan temple and Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura

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Oct 12, 2023

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court on Wednesday dismissed a PIL seeking recognition of Mathura’s Shahi Idgah Masjid as Krishna Janmabhoomi.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice PritinkerDiwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava passed the order while dismissing a PIL filed by Mahek Maheshwari, an advocate.

Gyanvapi mosque body files SLP in Supreme Court against Allahabad HC order transferring its plea

Earlier, this court had reserved its verdict in the matter last month. Though the court pronounced the order of dismissal today (on Wednesday), a detailed judgment is still awaited.

This PIL was separate from the title suit and the hearing on a bunch of petitions related to Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute will continue in the high court.

In May this year, the HC had transferred the cases being heard in the lower court in Mathura to itself. It was contended in the PIL that various texts had recorded the site in question as Krishna Janmbhoomi land. It was further pleaded that the structure there was not a proper mosque, as the same was built by forcibly acquiring the land in question.

The petitioner had emphasized that it was not a proper mosque because as per the Islamic jurisprudence, a mosque cannot be built on forcibly acquired land. On the other hand, as per Hindu jurisprudence, a temple is a temple even if it is in ruins.

Therefore, the petitioner pleaded that the temple’s land should be handed over to Hindus and a proper trust for Krishna Janmabhoomi janmasthan be formed for building the temple.

An additional prayer in this PIL, which was filed in 2020, was that a court-monitored GPRS-based survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the disputed structure should be done.

In the plea, it was also argued that a mosque is not an essential part of Islam and hence, the disputed land should be handed over to Hindus for the exercise of their right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Earlier, PIL had sought transfer of Shahi Idgah land to Hindus

The judges had reserved their verdict on the plea at the previous hearing. In May, the HC took over the cases that were being heard in a Mathura court. The mosque committee of the Shahi Idgah Masjid thereafter filed a special leave petition challenging this order in the SC.

On July 21, the apex court said it would be better if the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah mosque dispute is adjudicated by the high court,

which should also decide the preliminary objection to the maintainability of the suit.

It said the “multiplicity and prolongation of litigation in such cases could create disquiet one way or the other, as history has shown”.

In his plea, Maheshwari had asked for the land to be handed over to the Hindu side for a shrine to be built under the supervision of a trust.

As in the Shringar Gauri case centring on the Gyanvapi mosque site, the PIL also sought a court-monitored ground penetrating radar (GPR) excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India of the structure allegedly built at Krishna’s “Janmasthan”.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/high-court-rejects-pil-seeking-recognition-of-mosque-as-krishna-janmabhoomi/articleshow/104352210.cms

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Shia Ulema hold special meeting in Delhi to express support for Palestine

 

Photo: Muslim Mirror

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October 11, 2023

In a gathering of the Shia Ulema Assembly, the quarterly session convened at Jamia Ahl Bayt in Okhla, Delhi, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The assembly brought together elected members of the Majlis Khas from various regions across India, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh.

The session commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Maulana Syed Namdar Abbas Sahib. Under the leadership of the meeting’s president, discussions centered around the primary agenda, emphasizing the importance of the gathering and the key issues at hand.

One of the noteworthy aspects of the assembly was the focus on provincial representation. Elected members selected one to three representatives from prominent cities across the country with significant Shia populations. These representatives aimed to introduce the Shia Ulema Assembly and elucidate its objectives and goals to the general public.

A prevalent theme during this special assembly was the resolute defense of their homeland. The Shia Ulema Assembly voiced its support for the oppressed Palestinian people, particularly lauding the valiant efforts of organizations such as Hamas in their ongoing struggle against the oppressive Israeli government.

In a show of solidarity and commitment, a video was released during the session, explicitly condemning the actions of Israel and offering fervent prayers for the ultimate success of the Palestinian people in their fight against oppression.

Source: muslimmirror.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://muslimmirror.com/eng/shia-ulema-hold-special-meeting-in-delhi-express-support-for-palestine/

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US CEOs Urge Blacklisting Of Harvard Students Who Signed Anti-Israeli Statement

 

 

11 October 2023

CEOs running a whole host of American business giants have urged the blacklisting of the Harvard University students, who recently signed a statement calling out Israel for the developments that have been unfolding across the occupied territories and the Gaza Strip over the past several days.

The CEOs, who run a whole host of American business giants, demanded the witch-hunt, two days after the issuance of the statement by a coalition of 34 Harvard student organizations.

The students said they “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.”

A coalition of 34 student organizations condemned Israel’s bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip.

Calling up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists, the Israeli regime has declared a "long" war on Gaza in response to Operation al-Aqsa Storm. Gaza's resistance movements initiated the operation on Saturday in response to the occupying regime's decades-long campaign of bloodshed and destruction against Palestinians.

The Israeli war has so far killed at least 1,100 Palestinians, including 326 children, and injured 5,339 others.

At least 1,100 Palestinians have been killed in more than five days of Israeli bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip.

The military campaign has seen the regime leveling entire districts and featured its use of banned white phosphorous munitions against densely populated neighborhoods.

The health ministry in Gaza, which has come under an all-out Israeli war, confirms the regime

The students' statement said, “The apartheid regime is the only one to blame” for the developments.

Moving ahead of the others, billionaire hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman demanded that Harvard University release the names of the students.

If the members support the letter, the names of the signatories “should be made public so their views are publicly known,” Ackman said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management said he wanted to ensure his company and others would not “inadvertently hire” the signatories.

Multiple other business leaders, including the CEOs of shopping club FabFitFun, health tech startupEasyHealth, and Dovehill Capital Management supported the call from Ackman.

“I would like to know so I know never to hire these people,” Jonathan Neman, CEO of restaurant chain Sweetgreen, said on X.

Source: presstv.ir

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/10/11/712548/Palestine-Israel-United-States-Harvard-University-students-statement

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Islamic Jihad Resistance Movement In West Bank Vows To Join Al-Aqsa Storm Operation, Says, The Battle With The Occupiers Is No Longer Limited To The Gaza Strip

 

Photo: Mehr News Agency

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Oct 12, 2023

TEHRAN, Oct. 12 (MNA) – Abu Hamza, the spokesman of Saraya al-Quds, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement, announced early Thursday that the battle with the occupiers is no longer limited to the Gaza Strip.

In an audio message, Abu Hamza said, "We announce the official entry of the West Bank into the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation, and the battle may soon spill into across the occupied territories."

Addressing the Zionist temporary regime, he warned, "We are preparing for you outside of Palestine, as we are preparing in Palestine, and you will see what happened in the Gaza Strip in other areas."

The spokesperson of Saraya al-Quds further stated that the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation has also spread to the West Bank and southern Lebanon, and explained, "The point of fire is expanding and what happened in southern Lebanon is only a small sign of what awaits you."

Abu Hamza also stated about the brutal attacks of the Zionist terrorist regime on the Gaza Strip: "The enemy was not able to face the Resistance, so it targeted its anger at women and children."

After the launch of the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation by the Hamas resistance movement against the Zionist terrorist regime on Saturday, which has so far resulted in the death of at least 1,300 Zionists and the wounding of 2,500 of them, the cabinet of the occupying regime issued the order to begin large-scale attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Yoav Gallant, Tel Aviv regime's war minister, ordered an all-out blockade against the Gaza Strip, prohibiting the supply of any food, medicine, fuel, electricity and even water into the region.

Source: mehrnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/207022/Islamic-Jihad-in-West-Bank-vows-to-join-Al-Aqsa-Storm-op

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Saudi Arabia 'Making Unremitting Efforts' To Reduce Gaza Tensions: Crown Prince

 

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud

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Oct 12, 2023

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed in a phone call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that the kingdom is "making unremitting efforts" regionally and internationally to stop the intensification of the Israeli-Hamas war, the Saudi state news agency reported on Wednesday.

In a statement, the crown prince asserted the need to stop any Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, the agency said. Saudi Arabia firmly supported the Palestinian cause and attempts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace, it said.

Erdogan on Wednesday told bin Salman that Turkey had started work to get humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the war, the Turkish presidency said.

Turkey has offered to mediate the latest conflict, which began on Saturday when gunmen of the Palestinian militant group Hamas rampaged through Israeli towns, killing 1,200 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza.

Israel has retaliated with air strikes that have killed more than 1,100 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Saturday's assault, the biggest incursion into Israel in decades, coincides with U.S.-backed moves to push Saudi Arabia towards normalising ties with Israel in return for a defence deal between Washington and Riyadh.

Gaza, a tiny coastal strip of land wedged between Israel in the north and east and Egypt to the southwest, is home to some 2.3 million people who have been living under a blockade since Hamas took control there in 2007.

Source: thedailystar.net

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/israel-hamas-war/news/saudi-arabia-making-unremitting-efforts-reduce-gaza-tensions-crown-prince-3441211

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India

Karnataka: Authorities urged to allow Muslims to do business on temple premises

12th October 2023

Dakshina Kannada: The sticky issue of the boycott of Muslim traders doing business on the premises of temples has come to the forefront again in Karnataka.

The Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts Religious Fair Businessmen’s Coordination Committee is demanding that Muslims be allowed to carry on their trade on the premises of temples, while temple managements have continued to impose restrictions on them in the communally sensitive coastal districts.

The committee members had submitted a complaint regarding the boycott of Muslim traders in the Navaratri fare at the historical Mangaladevi Temple in Mangaluru city in Dakshina Kannada district.

The Mangaladevi Temple comes under the Muzarai department of the government and the Navaratri fair will be held between October 15 and October 24.

The temple management had taken a decision not to allow Muslim traders to participate in the fair and initiated the process of allotting stalls to businessmen on the Rathabeedi Street opposite the temple that belongs to the Mangaluru City Corporation. However, for years, the temple management has been organising its fairs here.

Following the hijab row, a boycott call was given by Hindu organisations after Muslim bodies staged a protest against the court order banning the hijab in classrooms.

The BJP government that was in power at that time upheld the right of the temple management to ban Muslim traders from religious fares and temple premises.

Now, with the Congress government assuming power in the state, it remains to be seen how the issue will be sorted.

The committee submitted a complaint against the boycott to the District Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada on Thursday.

Source: siasat.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://www.siasat.com/karnataka-authorities-urged-to-allow-muslims-to-do-business-on-temple-premises-2719728/

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Palestine march: Uttar Pradesh police book four students of Aligarh Muslim University

12.10.23

Piyush Srivastava

Uttar Pradesh police have registered an FIR against four students of Aligarh Muslim University for taking out a procession on campus in support of Palestine in the war against Israel.

Azhar Hasan, the in-charge of the Medical Police Outpost, said on Wednesday: “The students had taken out a rally on Sunday night and raised slogans that could disturb social harmony. I registered a complaint and the case was filed today. We are in possession of a video of the rally and have identified the students who were present.”

“The students marched without having formal permission from the university administration. We are taking a legal view on the matter before taking further action against the students,” said Mrigank Shekhar Pathak, the superintendent of police of Aligarh city.

Carrying placards with “Support Palestine” written on them, the students had organised the procession from Dak Point to Bab-e-Sayd Gate on the campus. Those named in the FIR are postgraduate students Naved Chaudhary, Mohammad Kamran, Mohammad Khalid and Mohammad Atif.

They have been booked for creating hatred between different groups (IPC Section 153A), breach of peace (IPC 505) and disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant (IPC 188).

Hamza Jamshed, a student leader of AMU, said: “AMU is located in a democratic country where we have the right to have ideological leanings and faith. The procession was not meant for any religion but was in the interest of democratic norms. You cannot suppress the voice of the students as it would amount to the suppression of the future.”

Tahir Hussain, an undergraduate student, said: “Palestine is a victim of America. Raising our voice for a genuine cause is our right. We don’t care if the police and the government turn vindictive against us without knowing the history of the creation of Israel.”

S. Nawaz Zaidi, the AMU proctor, said four students had been “booked for organising a procession in support of Palestine. We are keeping a watch on the development.”

Reacting to the police case on the students, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Shafiq-ur-Rahman Barq told reporters in Moradabad: “The present (BJP) dispensation doesn’t like AMU because it is one of the best universities in the world. The students took out a procession to express their views and didn’t go to Gaza.”

Asim Arun, Uttar Pradesh minister of state for social welfare, said “those who support Hamas, a terrorist organisation, must not be spared”.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared India’s support to Israel and every Indian must follow it. I have written to the university administration to take action against

the students,” said Satish Kumar Gautam, the BJP MP of Aligarh.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/palestine-march-uttar-pradesh-police-book-four-students-of-aligarh-muslim-university/cid/1972744

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Gaza crisis rattles India’s poll-bound states, law enforcement on high alert

12th October 2023

 Mir Alamgir

Hyderabad: Reports of death and destruction emerging from the on-going airstrikes and bombardment by Israel on Palestinian people in Gaza following the Hamas attack, has been robbing the Indian security agencies of their sleep, especially in the poll-bound states.

One major concern for security agencies is the increased politicisation of the Israel-Hamas war by political parties in India. The ruling BJP is openly supporting Israel, while other political parties, like the Congress, are showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. This stark divide is leading to harsh verbal exchanges between supporters of each side on social media.

The contrasting stances on this issue are causing disputes. The top security officials feel it may not take a long time for people to take to the streets to support or denounce the actions of either party.

Of the five India states going to polls next month, at least three have a significant Muslim population. As Muslims consider Israel an enemy of Islam, security agencies feel there could be some, if not huge, impact on campaigning.

The police in several communally sensitive cities across the country, including Hyderabad, are watching the developments closely to maintain law and order.

Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for protests across the Muslim world on Friday in support of the Palestinians, and asked people from neighbouring countries to join the fight against Israel, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

This announcement has alerted the law enforcement agencies, who have a tough task ahead of them in ensuring law and order in the wake of elections.

In Telangana, where AIMIM and Congress are at loggerheads, AIMIM party president Asaduddin Owaisi had said that for a long time India was supporting the Palestine cause. Asaduddin said that India historically stood with Palestine. He further claimed the shift in India’s policy (towards the Palestinian cause) changed because of Congress.

He referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s old video in which he spoke in favour of the Palestinian cause, Owaisi has said, “A late BJP leader once said about Palestine that land worth billions has been acquired. We had released a post stamp in solidarity with Palestine. This changed when Congress came into power.”

The police are concerned that any major incident related to the Israel-Palestine conflict might provoke public condemnation, leading to large-scale protests amid the ongoing use of this conflict as a campaign issue by political parties.

Source: siasat.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://www.siasat.com/gaza-crisis-rattles-indias-poll-bound-states-law-enforcement-on-high-alert-2719575/

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North America

 

CAIR Issues Guidance for Students Targeted Due to Islamophobia, Palestine Rights Advocacy

Ismail Allison

October 11, 2023

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/11/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is issuing guidance to students being targeted for advocating on behalf of Palestinian rights or because of their Muslim faith. Today’s guidance focuses on speech rights in educational settings and addressing any bullying that may result.

“Students have the right to visibly practice their faith and peacefully advocate for human rights without facing harassment, threats or punishment,” said CAIR Research & Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “We encourage K-12 schools, colleges and universities to address this sudden surge in reports of abusive and discriminatory behavior and express support for students of all backgrounds, including Muslims and Palestinians. We encourage students impacted to report any incidents of abuse and seek assistance. We are here to help.”

CAIR has seen and received multiple reports of students harassed online and at school due to advocacy for Palestinian human rights in recent days, including reports of bullying against visibly Muslim students and disciplinary action in public school settings and instances of threatening messages targeting college students online.

The organization encourages all students experiencing interference or suppression of their free speech in educational settings or harassment due to their faith to document the incident and contact CAIR promptly. CAIR asks the same in instances of anti-Muslim or anti-Palestinian bullying or harassment in school.

CAIR’s Legal Team offers the following core tips to students asserting their free speech rights in educational settings. (Note: This does not constitute legal advice.)

1.      Students in all levels of education are afforded free speech within the public school setting, with two caveats: 1) offensive speech is afforded less protection in the public school system (outside the school setting this would be fully protected); 2) hate speech is not protected in public schools despite having at least partial protection in most other settings.

2.      You have the right to speak out, hand out flyers and petitions, and wear expressive clothing in school — as long as you don’t cause a disruption or violate the school’s content-neutral policies. Speech cannot incite people to violence (ever- not in or out of school)

3.      Schools can only limit students’ expression if they can reasonably predict that it will create a substantial disruption or material interference in school activities or invade the rights of others. The school disagreeing with your position or believing that your position is controversial does not necessarily mean that the speech is disruptive. Whether the speech is disruptive will depend on the circumstances.

4.      The Supreme Court has held that school authorities must respect students’ rights to express themselves outside of school, including their right to express dissenting or unpopular views. Schools do not have the same authority to punish students for speech outside of school as they do in school contexts.

5.      The First Amendment also prohibits “viewpoint discrimination” – government action (which includes action by public university officials) that burdens or suppresses speech based on viewpoint. This means that if a student or a group is punished because administrators don’t like their message, the university may be held accountable for violating students’ constitutional rights.

6.      Free speech protections do not extend to defamation, obscenity, “true threats” or speech that incites imminent violence or law-breaking.

7.      Students cannot be punished for publishing content on social media in most circumstances, unless it is threatening to the school, or members of the school- threats are never protected speech.

The team at Palestine Legal has prepared resources for students who are “advocating for justice in Palestine on campus.”

Similarly, the National Lawyers Guild team prepared a guide focused on law enforcement overreach targeting protestors.

We also recognize that various forms of doxxing, a form of intimidation intended to silence speech by putting a person’s private information online, may be occurring. The team at ReThink Media presented a best practices training for advocates on this issue which is reshared here.

CAIR also urges students in public school settings to read our recent guide offering practical steps for youth experiencing bullying in school and their families.

It includes advice such as how students can develop a plan to advocate for themselves in response to bullying, as well as step-by-step guidance for parents who seek to report incidents of bullying to school authorities.

The follow tips apply if you are experiencing bullying due to pro-Palestine advocacy:

Take Care of Yourself and Your Peers

1.      Experiencing bullying due to Palestine advocacy efforts can be difficult and scary. Maintain connections with peers and members of student organizations who can be a shoulder to lean on during challenging times.

2.      If you have a connection to a trusted university official (faculty member, staff member, etc.), ask them for support and, if you do not feel comfortable leaving your dorm, a letter to excuse you from attending class.

3.      If you are a leader or on the board of a student organization, consider hosting an event where affected students can share their experiences and feel supported. Also consider holding another event to invite a trusted university official (faculty member, staff member, etc.) who can listen to student concerns and recommend concrete actions for support.

Document and Report Incidents of Bullying

1.      Document everything. Take detailed notes of what you experienced and pictures if applicable. These can be shared with attorneys if legal action is possible.

2.      Identify and review school policies on bullying and discrimination. If comfortable, follow any channels to reporting incidents of bullying to university officials.

If university officials have been unresponsive and/or ineffective, contact outside organizations, such as Palestine Legal and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

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/community-alert-cair-issues-guidance-for-students-targeted-due-to-islamophobia-palestine-rights-advocacy/

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CAIR-NJ, NJ Mosques and Partners Publish Open Letter Urging New Jersey Elected Officials to Act on Palestine and Address Root Cause of Violence

Ismail Allison

October 11, 2023

(Newark, NJ, 10/11/2023) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today disseminated an open letter to New Jersey elected officials calling on them to respond to the calls of Palestinian civil society and to act in response to Israel’s war on Gaza.

The letter states, in part: 

The Muslim community has long called for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation, Palestinians’ right to return to their ancestral lands, and the right to self-determination. This remains our call.

We write to you today as a consolidation from within your constituency. The undersigned community organizations further urge your respected offices to take the following actions: 

1.      Address Israel’s heightened levels of violence and settlement expansions as of late; 

2.      Review Israel’s continued harassment of Palestinians and Palestinian Americans especially who seek to visit their homelands especially in light of Israel’s admission to the U.S. visa waiver program; 

3.      And to meet with our community to take lead and introduce you to medical and legal experts on Israeli state oppression. 

The Palestinian American Community Center and American Muslims for Palestine co-authored the letter. It was signed onto by fourteen local mosques across the state. 

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director SelaedinMaksut said:

We continue to stand firmly against Israeli occupation and in opposition to Israel’s relentless bombing of civilian infrastructure including hospitals and humanitarian aid, and its ongoing siege and blockade of the 25-mile-long strip. 

Our solidarity and support are unwaveringly with our sisters and brothers in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. 

Palestinians and Muslim Americans make up a thriving segment of New Jersey’s population. They — we — are committed businesspeople, medical and legal professionals, educators, engineers, elected officials, and much more, and it is entirely unacceptable for elected officials to completely overlook our pain — which is why we are reaching out and reiterating our asks, as we have been over the last week. 

The American Muslim community expects support from our elected leaders and hope to see that in the days to come.

We wish no harm on any innocent soul, especially no women, or child neither and we mourn the lives lost. Israel and only Israel bears responsibility for the calamities that we have been witnessing for that is the natural result of their oppression. 

CAIR-NJ also called on members of the public to write to their representatives, calling on them to address Israel’s belligerency in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank, which the UN calls a “substantial obstacle to peace.”

Source: cair.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-nj-nj-mosques-and-partners-publish-open-letter-urging-new-jersey-elected-officials-to-act-on-palestine-and-address-root-cause-of-violence/

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White House backtracks on Biden's 'beheaded babies' claim

12 Oct, 2023

US officials have backtracked after President Joe Biden claimed to have seen “confirmed pictures” of Palestinian militants “beheading children” in Israel, explaining that he had seen no images and was merely relaying claims from the Israeli government and media reports.

While Biden declared in an address tio Jewish leaders on Wednesday that he was shocked by photos depicting brutal acts against Israeli babies, a White House spokesperson later told the Washington Post that officials were unaware of the pictures the president claimed to have seen. They added that they had no independent confirmation of reports that children were beheaded during a Hamas attack on Israel last weekend, despite Biden’s claim of having seen “confirmed” images.

“The president based his comments about the alleged atrocities on the claims from [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s spokesman and media reports from Israel,” the Post reported, citing the White House.

US updates death toll of citizens killed in Israel-Palestinian escalationREAD MORE: US updates death toll of citizens killed in Israel-Palestinian escalation

Asked about the claim by The Intercept, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it could not “confirm it officially,” but stressed that “you can assume it happened and believe the report.”

“Women, children, toddlers, and elderly were brutally butchered in an ISIS way of action and we are aware of the heinous acts Hamas is capable of,” an IDF spokesperson told the outlet.

A number of similar allegations have made the rounds following the surprise attack by Palestinian armed groups last Saturday, including claims that fighters had raped Israeli women. Biden also echoed those charges earlier this week, saying that women had been “raped, assaulted [and] paraded as trophies.” The accusation also remains unverified, with the Los Angeles Times appending an editor’s note to a recent op-ed noting that “such reports have not been substantiated.”

The IDF has launched waves of airstrikes on Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led assault, pounding residential areas and leveling entire apartment blocks in some raids. According to local officials, around 1,200 people have been killed in Israel since Saturday, and at least 1,100 in Gaza, where more than 5,000 were also reported wounded. Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza has also been tightened in recent days, after the government declared a “complete siege” to halt the flow of food, fuel, and medicine into the densely populated territory.

Source: rt.com

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How a US ‘peace plan’ brought war to Israel’s doorstep

11 Oct, 2023

Timur Fomenko

On Saturday morning, Jihadist group Hamas made the decision to attack Israel on an unprecedented scale, bombarding it with rockets and launching a ground invasion. Carnage, death and destruction ensued, with hundreds dead and thousands injured on both sides, including civilians, as Israel responded with a full-scale declaration of war and relentless bombardment of the Gaza strip.

Conflict between Israel and Palestine is about as common as the sun rising in the East, but this time it is different, not only because of the frightening number of victims on both sides over just a few days, but because such conflicts have not constituted a formal war since 1973, and the legally recognized territory of Israel has not been invaded by an enemy since 1948. The stakes are huge, but one might question, how exactly did it come to this? Why is this happening now? And how does it relate to the broader context of not only the Middle East, but the world?

Two words: Abraham Accords. The United States’ push to create a one-sided, unbalanced and effective appeasement of Israel’s actions, coupled with an attempt to use such to isolate Iran, has led to the calculation by Hamas that the only way to salvage its cause is to unleash a full-scale armed struggle. In doing so, the militants’ goal is not to destroy Israel head on, because we must acknowledge that such an outcome is not possible. Rather, it is to turn the diplomatic and political tide in the region against Israel and the US in the name of a new Jihad.

The Abraham Accords are a peace initiative started in 2020 by the Trump administration that seeks to get Arab countries to unilaterally recognize the State of Israel, without West Jerusalem itself making any concessions regarding the issue of Palestinian statehood. Through the accords, driven by the pro-Israel fanaticism of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the US was successful in getting the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Morocco, and Bahrain to open up diplomatic relations with Israel. The US typically incentivized this by making unilateral concessions to these countries as part of a deal, such as removing Sudan from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list or recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara.

The Abraham Accords were not a serious peace initiative because all they did was bribe countries to effectively side with Israel and abandon Palestine, instead of seeking peace in one of the most prominent simmering conflicts in the region. Moreover, the accords’ true geopolitical intention was to facilitate the diplomatic isolation of Iran by weakening and splitting the anti-Zionist cause. The grander strategy, by extension, was to facilitate American hegemony over the Middle East, given Israel’s very close relations with the US. Opposition to the US in the region has always gone hand-in-hand with opposition to Israel, be it through Arab nationalism (Syria, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and, historically, Gamal Abdel Nasser’s Egypt) or Islamic fundamentalism (Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas).

In line with this, the US hoped that, by diplomatically isolating Iran, imposing tough sanctions on it and attempting to force it to capitulate on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Washington could sustain its order over the Middle East and maintain its favourable security relationships in the region. The Abraham Accords, to this end, encouraged appeasement of Israel, rather than making a mutually acceptable compromise which sought to move towards a two-state solution. In promoting this, the US was happy to allow Israel under Netanyahu to continually move the goalposts towards a “one-state solution” and to effectively ignore Palestinian resistance, which it now describes as “unprovoked.”

However, this strategy has failed on numerous counts. First, the changes in the global geopolitical landscape since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, as well as US competition with China, has made Iran stronger, as it has gained political space for itself to avert sanctions and more readily develop its military capabilities without pushback, therefore giving it the opportunity to exert greater support to Hamas and Hezbollah. The US is still using unipolar-era sanction policies that are strategically redundant. Then, secondly, the US seems to have failed to account for how attempting to arbitrarily change the status quo in Israel’s favor would culminate in armed resistance because Palestinians are effectively backed into a corner. These factors combined mean that the soil was fertile for a multipolar-era military conflict to emerge. Hamas calculates that by forcing Israel’s hand towards a full-scale war, it can rip the Abraham Accords to shreds and force the Arab world to tilt back to supporting Palestine, which in turn weakens the influence of the US in the Middle East and therefore forces it to engage more directly, consequently promoting a greater radicalization of Muslims all over the world.

The end result will be a proxy war with the US backing Israel, while Iran, among others, backs Hezbollah and Hamas. While there have been many instances of such proxy wars before, be it in Syria or Yemen, the difference in this one is that it is against Israel itself, therefore, the US does not have the privilege of wielding other Arab states in support of its cause. Thus, the Palestinian cause will also wage a propaganda war that will force an ‘us vs. them’ binary on the region. This ultimately makes a quagmire for the US, whose position will take increasing damage the longer this goes on, especially as its military resources are overstretched with the conflict in Ukraine too.

In conclusion, the Abraham Accords were a strategic mistake by the US that did not bring peace to the Middle East but fundamentally destabilized it and led to the biggest war Israel has been involved in since 1973.
Source: rt.com

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Muslim Groups That Advised The Biden Admin On Fighting ‘Hate’ Now Blaming Israel For Hamas Attacks

October 11, 2023

KATE ANDERSON

Multiple Muslim organizations, who have been tapped by the White House to fight antisemitism and Islamophobia, issued statements over the past few days blaming Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel.

Two members of these groups, Dilawar Syed and RamziKassem, were appointed to positions in the Small Business Administration and as a National Security adviser, respectively.

“To truly understand what is happening, we must look to the source of the problem; an ongoing occupation in violation of international human rights law that has left the Palestinian people, in particular Gazans, stripped of their basic rights and human dignity,” the Muslim Public Affairs Council wrote in a statement.

Several Muslim organizations that advised President Joe Biden’s administration have released statements over the past several days condemning Israel for the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Israel was invaded Saturday by Hamas operatives, who launched rocket attacks and killed, raped and captured Israeli civilians and soldiers, resulting in the death of over 1,200 Israelis with 2,700 more injured, according to CBS News. The Biden administration condemned the attacks and pledged support for Israel, but multiple groups that have worked with the White House released statements placing the blame on the Jewish state, according to press releases and social media posts reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation. (RELATED: Biden Goes Radio Silent, Announces Early Lid As War Ravages Israel, Gaza)

The White House hosted a “Listening Session on Islamophobia” in May and invited representatives from Muslim and other religious groups to speak on the issue. One of the participants was the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), which put out a statement on Oct. 7 accusing the Israeli “occupation” of being the “source of the problem.”

“To truly understand what is happening, we must look to the source of the problem; an ongoing occupation in violation of international human rights law that has left the Palestinian people, in particular Gazans, stripped of their basic rights and human dignity,” the press release reads. “By actively, and often violently, preventing their pursuit of a self-defined identity, national autonomy, and global recognition, Israeli occupation and the world’s continued silence has offered Hamas and other groups the political vacuum needed to propel themselves into positions of leadership and justify their violent attacks.”

MPAC further argued that the Jewish state would use Hamas attacks over the weekend to “justify” a “disproportionate” assault on Palestinians, while purposely targeting “civilian areas,” according to the press release. MPAC demanded that the U.S. “end the occupation” and “protect the rights” of Palestinians.

The White House also included MPAC in its “National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism” as part of the “Interagency Group to Counter Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Related Forms of Discrimination and Bias,” according to a May press release. An MPAC spokesperson told the DCNF that it condemns the innocent lives taken by both Israel and Hamas and that the Jewish state’s “occupation of Gaza and the West Bank” must end.

Empowering Engaged Muslim Americans (EMGAGE), another group that attended the listening session, published a statement on the attacks on Oct. 9. EMGAGE initially condemned “all attacks on civilians” but blamed the “root” of the issue on Israel.

“Our common goal is peace and safety for all. To achieve this, we must address the issue at its root and end the occupation that has oppressed millions of Palestinians for decades,” the statement reads. “Palestinians in Gaza have endured Israel’s brutal siege for over 15 years. Israel’s repeated large-scale military attacks on Gaza have taken thousands of Palestinian civilian lives, including hundreds of children.”

The Biden administration appointed Dilawar Syed, a former EMGAGE board member, as the deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration in 2021, according to Politico. The decision was criticized by Jewish Americans who were concerned about his previous ties with EMGAGE, which has been known for taking anti-Israel positions in the past.

The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign (SSC) also commented on the conflict by quoting a portion of a Vox article that claimed the “only solution” was to end the “apartheid” in Israel, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“The only solution, as it has always been, is to bring an end of apartheid, occupation, and siege, and promote a future based on justice and equality for all of us. It is not in spite of the horror that we have to change course — it is exactly because of it,” the article reads.

The group took part in the Biden administration’s 2022 “United We Stand” summit, according to a statement from the White House, and said that they were privileged to help counter “discrimination and hate-fueled violence at all levels of society.” SSC also reposted MPAC’s statement on the Hamas attacks.

Biden appointed RamziKassem, a City University of New York (CUNY) professor and the founder of CUNY’s Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) group, as a senior policy adviser on immigration in 2022. CLEAR claimed that New York protesters were fighting for Palestinian liberation following the Hamas attacks in an X post on Oct. 8.

“New Yorkers have the right to protest for Palestinian rights,” CLEAR wrote. “They did today, they will tomorrow, and they’ll continue on until Palestine is liberated. And we’ll make sure they’re protected.”

The protest, led by the New York Democratic Socialists, was held in Times Square and garnered over 700 attendees, some of whom could be heard shouting “Israel go to hell” and “NYC stands with Gaza,” according to The Times of Israel. CLEAR also posted tips for protesters if they are arrested or questioned by law enforcement to “keep your movements safe.”

The White House, Syed, Kassem, EMGAGE, CLEAR and SSC did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Source: dailycaller.com

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Mayor of America’s First Muslim Majority City Council Declares ‘No Peace’ With Israel.

October 12, 2023

The Mayor of Hamtramck – America’s first Muslim-majority city council – Amer Ghalib, responded to the past week’s events in the Middle East with a pro-Hamas message insisting: “Peace can never coexist with occupation and injustice, anywhere and at anytime، no matter how strong the oppressor or how weak the oppressed is!” Mayor Ghalib, who became the Hamtramck’s first mayor without a Polish background for a century in 2021, added there “are enough lessons from history for some people to learn this principle.” The Michigan city has undergone a radical demographic transformation due to mass migration – Ghalib is himself a Yemeni migrant. Like Ghalib, most of the city councilmen have a history of posting anti-Israel or outright anti-Semitic content online. Councilman Khalil Refai, for example, has referred to Israelis as “Zionist criminals” and called on Allah to help Muslims “plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people” in Israel. Councilman Mohammed Hassan, meanwhile, has shared images depicting Jewish people as monkeys, and denounced Israel as “the real terrorist!!!” There are similar issues elsewhere in Michigan, with Dearborn’s Mayor Abdullah Hammoud responding to the Hamas attack with a long social media post suggesting the mass murder of Israeli civilians was the “inevitable” consequence of the “occupation”.

Source: thenationalpulse.com

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Blinken visits Israel to stress US support for war on Hamas

October 12, 2023

JERUSALEM: Israel and Hamas traded more heavy fire Thursday in the Gaza war that has killed thousands as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited to stress strong solidarity but also urge restraint to protect Palestinian civilians.

Israel’s army has hammered Hamas with thousands of strikes ahead of what is widely expected to be a ground invasion of the crowded territory, after Hamas gunmen killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took about 150 hostages.

More than 1,200 Palestinians have died in Gaza as Israel has levelled entire city blocks and destroyed thousands of buildings in the six days since Hamas launched their unprecedented attack, the bloodiest in Israeli history.

“Every Hamas member is a dead man,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the traumatized nation after forming a wartime government Wednesday, likening Hamas to the Daesh group and vowing to “crush them and destroy them.”

US President Joe Biden — who has strongly backed Israel and started sending military aid — also cautioned on Wednesday that Israel must, despite “all the anger and frustration ... operate by the rules of war.”

Fears have grown for Gaza’s 2.4 million residents now enduring the fifth war in 15 years in the long-blockaded territory, which has also seen seen Israel cut off water, food and power supplies.

Palestinian officials reported over 1,200 people killed in Israel’s uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes, while the UN said more than 338,000 people have been displaced. (AFP)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern about the “supercharged cycle of violence and horror.” He urged the release of all hostages and the lifting of the siege and stressed that “civilians must be protected at all times.”

There have been calls for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow Palestinians to escape ahead of a possible Israeli ground invasion that would spell brutal urban combat and house to house fighting.

Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz vowed Thursday the total siege of Gaza would continue until the hostages are freed.

“Humanitarian aid to Gaza?” he wrote in a statement. “No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home.”

SURPRISE ATTACK

Israel has called up 300,000 reservists and rushed forces, tanks and heavy armor to the southern desert areas around Gaza from where Hamas launched their unprecedented attack on October 7.

Israeli soldiers have since then cleared the southern towns and kibbutz communities and killed 1,500 of the militants, while making ever more shocking discoveries of large numbers of dead civilians, including children.

“I would never have been able to imagine .. something like this,” DoronSpielman, an Israeli army spokesman, said at one gated community where more than 100 residents were killed.

“It looks like... an atomic bomb just landed here.”

Netanyahu has said the Hamas onslaught was of a level of “savagery... we have not seen since the Holocaust.”

Israeli outrage has been fueled by Hamas’s capture of at least 150 hostages — mostly Israelis but also foreign and dual nationals — now being held in Gaza.

“I know he’s out there somewhere,” one of the affected Israelis, Ausa Meir, said of her brother Michael, who is among the captives. “It’s very, very painful.”

Hamas has threatened to kill hostages if Israel bombs Gaza civilian targets without advance warning — deepening the anger and fear in shell-shocked Israel.

Palestinians evacuate the area following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City. (AFP)

“Everybody is impacted in Israel,” said Joana Ouisman, 38, a finance executive. “I’ve been watching TV all day for the past three to four days. All I do is cry.”

Israel’s war now flaring in the south is further complicated by a threat from the north, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group based in Lebanon.

Israel has massed tanks on the northern border after repeated clashes with Hezbollah in recent days, including cross-border rockets and shelling.

The United States has deployed an aircraft carrier battle group to the eastern Mediterranean in a show of support and warned Israel’s other enemies not to enter the conflict.

Israel’s arch foe Iran has long financially and militarily backed Hamas but insists it had no involvement in Saturday’s assault.

Demonstrators rally and march through downtown to show support for the Palestinian people in Chicago, Illinois. (AFP)

Unrest has also flared in the occupied West Bank, where protests have been held in solidarity with Gaza and 27 Palestinians have been killed in clashes since Saturday.

The conflict has prompted Netanyahu to set aside for now his political differences and form an emergency government including centrist former defense minister Benny Gantz for the duration of the crisis.

“Israel before anything else,” Gantz wrote in a social media post Wednesday, while the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote that he “welcomes the unity, now we must win.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Donald Trump attacks President Biden on foreign policy as Israel-Hamas war rages

October 12, 2023

MIAMI: Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his record governing the nation for four years without any new wars, and criticized President Joe Biden’s foreign policy as the world watches a war that has already claimed 2,300 lives unfold in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ attack on Israel.

Trump and other Republicans have tried to lay blame on the Biden administration, particularly citing the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen assets to Iran, a supporter of Hamas. Administration officials insist that money has not been spent.

“With crooked Joe Biden, you have chaos, bloodshed, war, terror and death. Look what’s happening today,” Trump told a crowd of supporters in a speech that lasted more than an hour and a half at a convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The Biden campaign said Trump has been pushing dangerous misinformation about the crisis in Israel at a time when the country should stand together.

“While Trump continues to lie about his record, President Biden is laser-focused on providing steadfast support for Israel and leading on the global stage,” Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz said.

Trump spoke to his supporters at the venue near Mar-a-Lago as he campaigns as the front-runner in the 2024 Republican primary race for the White House, despite four criminal cases against him.

Rep. Matt Gaetz appeared at the event but did not speak. Gaetz is a Florida congressional ally who, with other hard-right conservatives, engineered the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The unprecedented action has kept Congress partly shuttered.

Trump has tried to use the power vacuum to underline his lingering influence over the Republican Party, backing Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan to replace McCarthy. However, Republicans on Wednesday nominated House majority leader Steve Scalize to take over the job.

Jordan formed a close alliance with the former president, particularly during the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Biden. Two of the cases against Trump, in Washington and Georgia, are over his efforts to overturn the results.

Trump has continued to travel to early primary states and has been spending much of his time focused on the four criminal indictments and several civil cases he is facing.

He has put pressure on his Republican challengers to drop out of the 2024 primary race to help him defeat Biden. On Tuesday, he criticized GOP candidates for meeting with donors in an event hosted by Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, who unsuccessfully challenged then-President Barack Obama in 2012 as the Republican presidential nominee, and Paul Ryan, a former congressman who was the House speaker between 2015 and 2019.

“These failed candidates should have started by campaigning effectively, which they didn’t because they don’t have the skill or the talent,” Trump said on his Truth Social site.

Among those 10 Republicans challenging him are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once a strong ally; Mike Pence, his former vice president; and Nikki Haley, who served as United Nations ambassador under Trump.

Source: arabnews.com

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Trump Faults Israeli PM Netanyahu For Not Being ‘Prepared,’ Says He Once Let U.S. Down Amid Conflict With Hamas

October 12, 2023

Former president Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called Hezbollah terrorist attackers “very smart” as Israel recovers from the deadliest attack it has suffered in 50 years.

“He has been hurt very badly because of what’s happened here,” Trump said of Netanyahu in an excerpt of an interview with Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade that aired Wednesday night. “He was not prepared. He was not prepared and Israel was not prepared.”

Israeli has declared a state of war and called up 360,000 reservists after a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Saturday killed at least 1,200 people and wounded more than 2,700.

Later on Wednesday, Trump, the clear polling leader in the Republican presidential race, complimented the intelligence of Hezbollah, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States. The Iran-aligned group, based in Lebanon, exchanged fire with Israeli forces on the country’s northern border Wednesday.

“You know, Hezbollah is very smart,” Trump said. “They’re all very smart.”

That remark drew condemnation from one of his Republican rivals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“It is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah terrorists as ‘very smart,’” DeSantis said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In the same breath, Trump acknowledged that his remark about Hezbollah could be controversial, immediately adding, “The press doesn’t like when they say it.” He went on to repeat that he views Xi as a “very smart man” because “1.4 billion people, he controls it with an iron fist.”

“They kill me the next day — ‘I said he was smart,’ ” Trump mocked. “What am I going to say? But Hezbollah, they’re very smart.”

He added, speaking again of Israel’s enemies, “They’re vicious and they’re smart and boy, are they vicious.”

According to the Washington Post, elsewhere in Wednesday’s speech, delivered to an auditorium of supporters in West Palm Beach, Fla., Trump elaborated that he had “a bad experience with Israel as president,” telling a story about the U.S. operation to assassinate Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

In Trump’s account, Israeli intelligence helped the U.S. locate Soleimani and plan the drone strike that killed him, but on the eve of the operation withdrew its participation.

The accuracy of Trump’s account could not immediately be confirmed. At the time of the assassination, the Israeli government reacted with restraint to avoid fanning tensions with Iran. In 2021, a retired Israeli military officer acknowledged that his country’s intelligence contributed to the U.S. airstrike.

“I’ll never forget that Bibi Netanyahu let us down. That was a very terrible thing,” Trump said in Wednesday’s speech. “So we were disappointed by that. Very disappointed. But we did the job ourself. It was absolute precision, magnificent, beautiful job. And then Bibi tried to take credit for it. That didn’t make me feel too good. But that’s all right.”

As Trump told the story, he suggested he was recounting it publicly for the first time, and that it possibly included classified information. He was indicted in June by special counsel Jack Smith on 40 counts arising from allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House.

“I don’t think this has ever been told,” Trump said in the speech. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, it’s classified information.’ Well, maybe it is, but I don’t think so.”

Source: saharareporters.com

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Mideast

 

Israeli army denies having confirmation of widely circulated claim that Hamas beheaded babies

October 11, 2023

The Israeli army has denied having any confirmation of allegations that Hamas fighters beheaded babies in Kfar Aza kibbutz region during the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on Saturday — a claim that was widely circulated on social media and even carried by some mainstream news websites.

The allegation, which has been used to condemn Hamas’ armed offensive against Israel, first came to light on Tuesday when the official government @Israel account on X published a video from i24NEWS reporter Nicole Zedek about the devastation at the Kfar Aza kibbutz.

The video came with the caption: “40 babies murdered”.

In another video, the reporter said: “No one could expect that it would be like this, the horrors I’m hearing from these soldiers.”

Several websites, including CBS and the Times of India, also featured stories alleging the beheadings of more than three dozen babies.

CBS quoted the Israel Defence Forces spokesperson Maj. Libby Weiss as saying that more than one of the Israeli soldiers reported finding “beheaded children of varying ages, ranging from babies to slightly older children,” along with adults who had also been dismembered in Kfar Aza.

However, Anadolu Agency has since quoted an Israeli army spokesperson as clarifying that it had no confirmation of the claim.

The report did not reveal the identity of the spokesperson and did not mention whether it was a different spokesperson of the Israeli army going against Maj Weiss’ earlier remarks or was it Maj Weiss herself retracting her claim.

“We have seen the news, but we do not have any details or confirmation about that,” the unnamed spokesperson told the agency.

Journalist Oren Ziv, affiliated with the independent news outlet 972 mag, also addressed the topic, saying: “During the tour [of the site of the attack] we didn’t see any evidence of this (beheading of babies), and the army spokesperson or commanders also didn’t mention any such incidents.”

Source: dawn.com

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No Order To Yield Results Without Palestinian Rights: Iranian President

Oct 12, 2023

TEHRAN, Oct. 12 (MNA) – The Iranian President called for Muslim countries' integration against the Zionist Israeli regime and in support of Palestine, stressing that no world order will take shape without taking into account Palestinian rights.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in a phone conversation on Wednesday called for convergence and cooperation between Muslim and Arab countries in supporting the Palestinian nation.

Condemning the Israeli regime's huge crimes against Palestine, Raeisi said that the Zionists, contrary to all international treaties, have completely besieged Gaza and the false claimants of human rights are also using double standards to replace the oppressor with the oppressed,

"Today, all the Islamic and Arab countries and all the freedom-seeking people of the world must reach a serious convergence and cooperation in the path of stopping the crimes of the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian nation. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran will try to achieve that coordination as soon as possible by contacting the leaders of the Islamic countries," the Iranian president stressed.

"No new order in the region will yield results without taking the rights of the Palestinians into account," he continued, adding that the Tel Aviv regime now is in its weakest position.

Assad, for his part, said that today, the most important issue is that all Arab and Islamic countries must agree on a united and clear position to support the rights of the Palestinian nation and the oppressed people of Gaza.

He also called for speeding up the process of reaching the consensus because "haste in regard will urge the Zionist regime to commit more crimes against the oppressed people of Gaza and Palestinians."

Source: mehrnews.com

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Gaza faces catastrophic situation with dwindling food, water supplies

October 12, 2023

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, as food, water and electricity supplies in the besieged city continue to dwindle.

According to a statement, spokesperson for World Food Program said Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer as the only power plant remains out of service due to lack of fuel.

In a separate statement, Hamas' spokesman said that 535 residential buildings have been destroyed in Israeli air strikes, leaving around two hundred and fifty thousand people homeless.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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Over 338,000 Palestinians displaced in Gaza: UN agency

October 12, 2023

GAZA: The United Nations has released a harrowing report on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, revealing that over 338,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip.

The UN's humanitarian agency, OCHA, described the situation as a "mass displacement" as heavy Israeli bombardments continue to pound the densely populated Palestinian enclave.

The crisis deepened as Israel intensified its attacks on Hamas targets in response to the militants' surprise Saturday assault. Israeli forces reported that approximately 1,200 people, the majority of them civilians, have tragically lost their lives during this devastating onslaught, marking it as one of the most severe in the country's history.

In Gaza, officials reported over 1,000 casualties due to Israel's sustained campaign of air and artillery strikes.

OCHA's statement highlighted that nearly 220,000 of the displaced individuals, which make up two-thirds of the total, have sought refuge in schools run by the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

Meanwhile, around 15,000 people have sought shelter in schools run by the Palestinian Authority, and over 100,000 are being sheltered by relatives, neighbours, and various other facilities within Gaza City.

The report also disclosed that approximately 3,000 people had been displaced within the Gaza Strip even before Saturday's attack, reflecting the longstanding turmoil in the region.

The bombardment has inflicted extensive damage to Gaza's housing infrastructure, with at least 2,540 housing units rendered uninhabitable. Additionally, another 22,850 housing units suffered moderate to minor damage.

Furthermore, the UN agency expressed alarm at the substantial destruction of civilian infrastructure, including sewage facilities that serve more than a million people, resulting from air strikes.

The damaged sewage facilities have led to solid waste accumulating in the streets, posing a grave health hazard to the population.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Israel cutting off Gaza’s water, electricity amounts to collective punishment, systematic war crime: FM Amir-Abdollahian

12 October 2023

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Israel's move to cut off water and electricity supplies to the already besieged Gaza Strip amounts to collective punishment and systematic war crime.

"The continuation of and an increase in war crimes in Gaza, its blockade and targeting of residential areas, hospitals and schools, as well as cutting off its water and electricity, amount to collective punishment and a systematic war crime," Amir-Abdollahian said in a phone call with his Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday.

He warned that the persistence of such a situation would further complicate the conflict, adding that the Israeli regime is accountable for the ensuing consequences.

Israeli energy minister Israel Katz said on Monday that he had instructed authorities to cut the water supply to the Gaza Strip.

“All the water supply pipes from Israel to the Gaza Strip have been disconnected,” he added.

The top Iranian diplomat censured Israel's war crimes in Gaza and the regime’s tightening of the siege, urging Muslim and Arab countries to support the Palestinian people.

Pointing to Israel's indiscriminate attacks on Gaza, which have killed and wounded many Palestinians, the top Iranian diplomat reiterated Iran's call for an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The resistance groups in the besieged Gaza Strip launched large-scale Operation al-Aqsa Storm against Israel on Saturday. According to Israeli media outlets, the death toll from the Hamas attacks has risen to 1,300 while the number of those injured exceeds 3,300.

The Emirati minister, for his part, stressed the importance of unanimous support for the Palestinian people and civilians in Gaza in the face of Israel's brutal attacks.

Nahyan said the United Nations and the International Red Cross should fulfill their duties to support the people of Gaza and create safe passage of the wounded out of the territory.

He noted that he would raise the issue of an OIC emergency session with Arab countries.

Iran’s FM holds Israel accountable for the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

In another telephone conversation with Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian held Israel accountable for the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip as trapped residents are cut off from food, water and electricity, voicing Iran’s readiness to send humanitarian aid to the region.

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,200, with around 5,600 wounded, Palestinian media reported earlier, citing Gaza's health ministry.

Source: presstv.ir/

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Israel targets elite Hamas unit in Gaza strikes as Blinken heads to region

October 12, 2023

WASHINGTON: Israel bombed Gaza overnight, saying it had targeted an elite Hamas unit that led the deadly weekend attacks, while the US Secretary of State headed to the Middle East to show solidarity with Israel and meet Arab leaders including Palestinians.

Israel has unleashed the most powerful bombing campaign in the 75-year history of its conflict with the Palestinians, vowing to annihilate the Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip in retribution for the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

Hundreds of Hamas gunmen poured across the barrier fence and rampaged through Israeli towns on Saturday, killing at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians gunned down in their homes or on the streets. They carried scores of hostages back to Gaza.

Israel has put the enclave, home to 2.3 million people, under total siege and has so far killed around 1,200 people in a bombing campaign that has obliterated entire neighborhoods.

It has called up hundreds of thousands of reservists and formed a unity war cabinet, in preparation for what could be a ground assault on Gaza.

No decision on a ground assault had been made “but we’re preparing for it,” military spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said early on Thursday.

The latest strikes overnight were focused on Hamas’s “Nukhba Force”, which spearheaded Saturday’s attacks, Hecht told reporters. Palestinian gunmen were still trying to infiltrate Israel by sea and the military was still working to secure the Gaza fence, Hecht said.

Hamas media said 15 Palestinians had been killed and several wounded in the latest Israeli air strikes. Eyewitnesses reported Israeli aircraft heavily bombarding Gaza city and Gazan authorities also reported an air strike on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Gaza hospitals have been overrun with wounded and dead and are fast running out of supplies with just days left of fuel for their generators.

Biden dispatched his top diplomat to the Middle East to show Washington’s enduring support for Israel, seek to secure the release of captives, including Americans, and prevent war from spreading.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive on Thursday and will also visit Jordan. Hussein Al-Sheikh, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said on social media platform X, that Blinken will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday.

Abbas’s Palestinian Authority has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas, an Islamist militant group backed by Iran, in 2007.

MESSAGE TO IRAN

Speaking to a roundtable of Jewish community leaders in Washington, Biden said 22 Americans were among the dead in what he described as acts of “sheer evil” by Hamas.

“This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty — not just hate, but pure cruelty — against the Jewish people,” he said, describing it as “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.”

The war has overturned the plans of diplomats in the region, coming just as Israel was preparing to reach an agreement to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia, the richest Arab power, and months after Riyadh resumed ties with its regional rival Iran, sponsor of Hamas.

Tehran has celebrated the Hamas attacks but denied being behind them.

Biden said his deployment of military ships and aircraft closer to Israel should be seen as a signal to Iran, which backs Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.

“We made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful,” Biden said.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the conflict on Wednesday, in the first telephone call between the two leaders since the China-brokered deal between Tehran and Riyadh to resume ties.

‘WE ARE ALL SOLDIERS OF ISRAEL’

Israel’s leaders on Wednesday formed a unity government, promising to put bitter political divisions aside to focus on the fight against Hamas.

Former defense minister Benny Gantz, a centrist opposition leader, spoke live on Israeli television alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after forming a war cabinet focused entirely on the conflict.

“Our partnership is not political, it is a shared fate,” said Gantz. “At this time we are all the soldiers of Israel.”

Netanyahu said the people of Israel and its leadership were united. “We have put aside all differences because the fate of our state is on the line,” he said.

With Palestinian rescue workers overwhelmed, others in the crowded coastal strip searched for bodies in the rubble.

“I was sleeping here when the house collapsed on top of me,” one man cried as he and others used flashlights on the stairs of a building hit by missiles to find anyone trapped.

Some 340,000 of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been displaced due to the war, and around 65 percent of them have sought safety at shelters or schools, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the enclave.

Israel has deployed formations of tanks and armored vehicles near Gaza in possible preparation for a ground offensive into the enclave.

Israel withdrew its troops and settlers Gaza in 2005 after 38 years of occupation. Hamas seized power in the enclave in 2007 and Israel and Egypt have subjected the territory to a blockade ever since that has created conditions which Palestinians say are intolerable.

Washington said it was talking with Israel and Egypt about safe passage for civilians from Gaza, with food in short supply.

Source: arabnews.com

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Iran, Syria presidents call for unity on Palestinian support

October 12, 2023

DUBAI: The presidents of Iran and Syria have urged Islamic countries to reach an agreement on a position in support of Palestinians, a news agency linked to Iran’s top security agency, Nournews, reported on Thursday.

“Islamic and Arab countries as well all free people of the world must reach a single position to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian people,” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told his Syrian counterpart over the telephone, Nournews reported.

On Wednesday, Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the first telephone call between them since their countries agreed in a March deal, brokered by China, to resume ties.

Iran and Syria are long-time allies in the Middle East.

Iran’s economic influence in war-torn Syria has grown in recent years, supplying the government of President Bashar Assad with credit lines and winning lucrative business contracts.

Source: arabnews.com

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Arab World

 

Saudi crown prince, Iranian president discuss military escalation in Gaza

October 12, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The pair discussed the ongoing military escalation in Gaza and its surrounding areas.

The crown prince reiterated that the Kingdom is exerting all possible efforts in communicating with all international and regional parties to halt the escalation.

He stressed Saudi Arabia’s position rejecting targeting of civilians and taking innocent lives, emphasizing the need to take into account the principles of international humanitarian law, noting the grave concern about the seriousness of the humanitarian conditions in Gaza Strip.

The crown prince stressed Kingdom’s firm position towards supporting the Palestinian cause and efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and just peace that guarantees the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi crown prince, French president discuss Gaza situation

October 12, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation in Gaza during a call, the Saudi Press Agency said Thursday.

The crown prince stressed the need to discuss ways to stop the military operations that claimed the lives of innocent people.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s keenness to work to calm the situation, stop the ongoing escalation, respect international humanitarian law, including lifting the siege on Gaza, and work to create suitable conditions for the return of stability to ensure that the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights and achieve just and lasting peace.

The crown prince emphasized the Kingdom’s rejection of targeting civilians in any way or disrupting infrastructure and vital interests that affect their daily lives.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi crown prince, Turkish president discuss military escalation in Gaza

October 11, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.

During the phone call, the two officials discussed the current military escalation in Gaza and its surroundings.

The crown prince confirmed that the Kingdom is making unremitting efforts regionally and internationally with the aim of joint coordination to stop the ongoing escalation.

He also affirmed that the Kingdom rejects the targeting of civilians in any way and taking the lives of innocent people, stressed the need to observe the principles of international humanitarian law, and emphasized the need to stop the attack on the Gaza Strip.

Crown Prince Mohammed also highlighted the Kingdom’s firm position supporting the Palestinian cause and efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and just peace that guarantees the Palestinian people access to their legitimate rights.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Arabia to Host Ninth Conference of Environment Ministers in The Islamic World in Jeddah

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to host and preside over the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World. The conference, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), will take place in Jeddah from October 18th to 19th. A total of 52 countries and 30 regional and international organizations dedicated to environmental matters will participate in the event.

 The conference program will include several scientific sessions. The first session will address the concept of green transformation within the Islamic world, examining both the challenges and opportunities it presents. The second session will focus on the role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in achieving sustainable development goals. Finally, the closing session will conclude the conference.

 Coinciding with the conference, the Sixth Meeting of the Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment will convene, bringing together the nine member states of the Executive Bureau, as well as numerous regional and international organizations. Additionally, an exhibition will be held concurrently with the conference.

 During the ministerial meeting, elections will be held to select members of the Islamic Executive Bureau for the Environment. Furthermore, decisions regarding the location and date of the tenth conference session will be made.

 One of the main highlights of the conference will be the presentation of the third edition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management. This prestigious award will recognize 21 winners from 18 Islamic nations for their outstanding contributions to environmental management.

 By hosting this conference, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development within the Islamic world.

Source: alriyadhdaily.com

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Iraq is guest of honor at ‘Made in Saudi’ expo

October 12, 2023

RIYADH: Iraq is the guest of honor — which includes 24 of the country’s companies — at the second edition of the “Made in Saudi” exhibition.

The event takes place from Oct. 16 to 19 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center and features over 100 national companies, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Iraq’s selection demonstrates the strong and growing economic relations between the two countries. It is hoped that the event will attract significant local and international buyers, the SPA reported.

From 2018-2022, non-oil exports from the Kingdom to Iraq totaled SR14.8 billion ($3.9 billion).

The construction-materials industry emerged as the top exporting sector, at SR4.42 billion.

Trade in all sectors were boosted by the establishment of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council in 2017.

The “Made in Saudi Arabia” exhibition aims to promote local products and services as part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the SPA stated.

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

 

Iraqi PM asks Putin to help resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict

11 Oct, 2023

Russia can use its position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to help resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani suggested during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. 

In his speech at the plenary session of Russian Energy Week in Moscow, the Iraqi leader stressed that “the forces of good should unite” and personally appealed to Putin to propose an initiative for a ceasefire and “real” solution to the “Palestinian problem.”

Al-Sudani claimed that the consequences of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are now hard to predict as the Islamic world is “seething” amid the recent escalation.

During the meeting, Putin argued that the conflict in Gaza ultimately stems from the fact that when the state of Israel was created, there was also a promise to establish a sovereign Palestinian state. 

“Israel, as we know, was created, but Palestine, as an independent and sovereign state, was never created,” Putin said. He added that over the years, Israel has also occupied parts of historically Palestinian territories, mainly with the use of military force.

According to the Russian president, the Palestinian problem is currently “within the heart” of every person in the Middle East, and everything that has happened over the past several decades is perceived as a “manifestation of injustice raised to some incredible degree.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in an interview on Wednesday that Russia can and will continue to play a role in settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and will maintain dialogue and an “equal distance” with both sides.

Previously, Putin stated that the recent escalation in Gaza, which started with a surprise attack on Israeli territory by Hamas militants on Saturday, was ultimately down to failed US policies in the Middle East.

“[The US] tried to monopolize the peace settlement, but unfortunately paid no attention to searching for compromises that would be acceptable for both parties,” the Russian president said. He claimed that Washington had put pressure on both sides in an attempt to impose its own solutions to the issue, without ever taking into account the core interests of the Palestinian people.

Hamas, a Palestinian militant group which controls much of Gaza, launched ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’ on Saturday, firing rockets and sending commandos deep into Israeli territory. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) responded by bombing Gaza and cutting off all of its utilities, as Israel made an official declaration of war.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Israel had recorded at least 1,200 dead and 2,900 injured among its citizens. The Palestinian authorities in Gaza have recorded at least 1,055 dead and over 5,000 wounded since the outbreak of hostilities.

Source: rt.com

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EU asks Musk to censor info not conforming to Western narrative over Israel’s war in Gaza

11 October 2023

The European Union is asking Elon Musk to censor information not conforming to the Western narrative over Israel’s war of aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.

The EU called on Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media website X, to curb the spread of what it called “disinformation” on X, formerly known as Twitter, about Israel's aggression against the Palestinians. 

In a letter to Musk shared on social media on Tuesday, EU industry chief Thierry Breton claimed that he had indications that X was purportedly being employed to disseminate what he called illegal content and disinformation in the European bloc.

The EU senior official stressed that “violent and terrorist content” had not been taken down, despite warnings as is required by EU law.

“I therefore invite you to urgently ensure that your systems are effective, and report on the crisis measures taken to my team,” Breton said in his letter to Musk, reminding the X’s owner that he needed to have “proportionate and effective mitigation measures to tackle the risks to public security and civic discourse stemming from disinformation.”

As a platform subject to Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA), X could face billions in fines if regulators conclude that violations have occurred.

Breton further strongly urged Musk to send “a prompt, accurate and complete response to this request within the next 24 hours.”

In an exchange on X, Musk was quick to respond, telling Breton, “Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them.”

Breton on Wednesday replied, telling Musk, “You are well aware of your users’ — and authorities’— reports on fake content and glorification of violence.”

“Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk. My team remains at your disposal to ensure DSA compliance, which the EU will continue to enforce rigorously,” Breton added.

"We take our actions in the open. No back room deals. Please post your concerns explicitly on this platform," Musk responded.

Earlier, the BBC came under immense pressure for using the term fighter for members of Hamas, according to a report.

A Tuesday report published by the Daily Express said that members of the British parliament as well as pro-Israeli media outlets and politicians in Britain have been criticizing the BBC for refusing to refer to Hamas members as “terrorists,” instead calling them “fighters” and “militants.”

It said critics believe the BBC should comply with a proscription issued by the British government which designates Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The report indicated that hard-line pro-Israeli politicians view BBC’s use of the words fighter and militant as a way of giving legitimacy to Hamas while claiming that the practice is anti-Semitic.

Source: presstv.ir

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Support not ‘indefinite,’ White House tells Ukraine

12 Oct, 2023

The US is running out of money for Ukraine unless Congress approves additional funding, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday.

“In the near term, we’ve got appropriations and authorities for both Ukraine and for Israel,” Kirby said during the daily press briefing. “But you don’t want to be trying to bake in long-term support when you’re at the end of the rope.”

“And in Ukraine, on the Ukraine funding, we’re coming near to the end of the rope,” he added. “Today we announced $200 million, and we’ll keep that aid going as long as we can, but it’s not going to be indefinite.”

Asked to define “near term,” Kirby said he could not point to a specific date, because that depends on how quickly Ukraine and Israel expend their equipment and ammunition “or what the need is and what our ability to do it is.”

On Tuesday, a Pentagon spokesperson assured reporters that the US has the ability to “continue our support both to Ukraine, Israel, and maintain our own global readiness.”

Kirby, however, admitted that the money previously appropriated for Ukraine by Congress is “not going to last forever” and that lawmakers need to approve more and soon.

“The sooner there’s a speaker of the House, obviously, the more comfortable we’ll all be in terms of being able to support Israel and Ukraine,” he said.

The House of Representatives has not had a speaker since last Tuesday, when Kevin McCarthy became the first-ever speaker to be ousted in a House vote, over an alleged secret deal with the White House to approve more Ukraine funding. Several Republicans led the charge against their California colleague, backed by all of the minority Democrats. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the Republican nominee to succeed McCarthy, has been supportive of funding Ukraine in the past.

Since February 2022, when the conflict with Russia escalated, the US has channeled almost $44 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine, as well as billions more in cash, humanitarian, and economic assistance.

Source: rt.com

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Vladimir Putin reveals Russian position on Israeli-Palestinian conflict

October 12, 2023

Amid the fierce Israeli attacks on the crowded Palestinian enclave, grounding residential blocks in the Gaza Strip, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the combating parties to resolve their issues by initiating talks, as countries are voicing concerns about the conflict's potential to escalate.

Putin also hoped that the current situation would not expand, which was started Saturday last week with the powerful response by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas to Israeli decades-old brutality.

More than 1,000 Palestinians were martyred by the Israeli strikes in Gaza — ruled by Hamas — with the death toll on the occupied forces side reaching 1,200.

"It is necessary to avoid the expansion of the conflict at all cost because if it happens it will have an impact on the international situation," Russian President Putin said Wednesday.

"Parties need to return to a negotiation process that should be acceptable to all sides, including to the Palestinians," the 71-year-old leader said.

He also said it was "necessary to engage in diplomacy rather than with the military side [of the conflict] to find solutions to stop the fighting."

Russia has a history of maintaining friendly relations with both Palestinians and Israeli authorities — though ties with Jerusalem have been strained by Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine which commenced in February last year.

While the West condemned Palestinian attacks, Russia has so far carefully denounced violence from both sides.

Russia also believed that the current situation in the Middle Eastern region is the direct result of the US foreign policy "failure."

Russia "could contribute to the settlement process," Putin said while making an offer to mediate in the current situation. He also added that any mediation effort would be difficult given the gravity of the situation.

A day earlier Putin called for "the creation of an independent sovereign Palestinian state."

Turkey in mediation for hostages

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan initiated talks with Hamas to secure the release of Israeli hostages taken into custody in a recent attack by the Palestinian resistance group.

According to media reports, President Erdogan has given the go-ahead in the negotiations.

Turkey, which has had historical ties with Hamas, is now actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to mediate the conflict arising from the recent surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.

Turkey earlier conveyed its mediation offer and asserted to facilitate the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian situation during Erdogan's recent exchanges with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Algerian President AbdelmadjidTebboune.

Several reports noted that "Turkey is conducting negotiations concerning the civilian prisoners held by Hamas," without any further information about the discussions on the matter.

Turkey has been vocal about the Palestinian cause and urged a two-state solution since the Israelis encroached upon the Palestinian land turning the country a living hell for the innocent Muslims of the country.

Citing fears of escalation, Ankara called for restraint, emphasising the need to protect civilians on both sides. It also expressed that the key to regional peace lies in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Pakistan

 

Cabinet condemns Israeli bombardment of Gaza

October 12, 2023

ISLAMABAD:The federal cabinet on Wednesday strongly condemned the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip and demanded an immediate cessation of air raids and the lifting of the blockade to facilitate the delivery of essential relief items to the civilians.

The cabinet, which met here with Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar in the chair, approved the appointment of former Lahore High Court (LHC) judge Sohail Nasir as deputy chairman and Syed Ehtsham Qadir Shah as prosecutor general, accountability, of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Speaking at a post-meeting news conference, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said that the ministers also approved a proposal for hiring the Consortium for Financial Advisory for the privatisation of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

The information minister said that the federal cabinet called for an immediate halt to Israeli bombardment of civilian areas of Gaza, and demanded lifting of the blockade of the enclave for the provision of relief items to the civilians.

“The forum strongly condemned Israel's bombardment, particularly targeting civilians in Gaza besides expressing concern over the volatile situation stemming from Israel’s illegal occupation, oppression of Palestinians for decades and blatant violations of the Security Council resolutions,” Solangi said.

During the cabinet meeting, the prime minister directed all the federal ministers to undertake only essential foreign visits. Solangi said that the prime minister directed the ministers not to undertake any foreign visit that was unnecessary.

Among the decisions taken during the meeting, Solangi said, the cabinet approved the appointments of Justice (retd) Sohail Nasir as NAB deputy chairman and Syed Ehtesham Qadir as NAB prosecutor general accountability.

The cabinet approved the receipt of the ‘PLA Commemorative Award Medal’ awarded by China to Brig Shahid Amir. The ministers also approved the extradition of two Pakistani citizens, who were wanted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait.

Read more: Polls expected before end of Jan, date pending

Besides, Solangi said, the cabinet ratified the decisions taken in an Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting on October 3 and a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on January 21 and 28.

Responding to a question, Solangi said that no action was being taken against those Afghan citizens who had Proof of Registration (POR) Cards, those residing in Pakistan for the last 40 years and those who had Afghan citizen cards, which had been verified by the previous Afghan government.

“The deadline of October 31 for voluntary return is only applicable to those individuals who did not possess any legal document,” the minister said, adding that thousands of illegal residents had started returning to their countries.

Responding to another query, he said that elections would be held as per the schedule to be issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He added that the elections history of the country suggested that polls were held in extreme cold and hot weather.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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2016 Pathankot attack mastermind Shahid Latif killed in Pakistan mosque

12.10.23

Muzaffar Raina

A Jaish-e-Mohammad militant, who was named as an accused in the 2016 Pathankot attack, and his associate were killed in an attack by unknown gunmen in Pakistan’s Sialkot early on Wednesday.

Sialkot police have called it a “terrorist” attack.

Reports said three unidentified gunmen barged into a mosque where worshippers were offering pre-dawn prayers and opened fire at Jaish militant Shahid Latif and his associate Hashim. They were killed while another person was injured.

Over half a dozen militants linked to Kashmir jihad and Khalistan have been killed in a spate of attacks in Pakistan in recent months, leading to speculation of a “shifting battleground” against the militants.

The fresh killings have come weeks after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed to have evidence about India’s involvement in the June killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”.

Sialkot police chief Hasan Iqbal told reporters on Wednesday that Latif and Hashim were killed inside Noor Masjid in MandaikiGoraya village at Daska in Punjab’s Sialkot district during Fajr prayers.

“Unknown gunmen opened fire (inside the mosque). It is definitely a target killing. We are treating it as terrorism,” he said.

“Shahid sahab was facing a security threat. He would position himself based on that.”

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had named Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and three others, including Latif, as accused in the attack on the Indian Air Force base in Punjab’s Pathankot in June 2016.

Seven security force personnel and a civilian were killed in that attack, which lasted for days. Four militants involved in the attack were also killed.

The NIA claimed Latif and his associate Kashif Jan had guided, equipped and launched the four militants who carried out the attack.

Latif was a resident of Pakistan’s Gurjanwala. He was arrested in 1994 in Jammu and Kashmir in a militancy case, put on trial and eventually jailed. Jaish had reportedly sought his release, along with some others, in 1999 after they hijacked the Indian Airlines flight IC-814. The Vajpayee government had released Jaish chief Azhar and some other militants in exchange for the hostages but Latif’s release did not fructify.

Former Jammu and Kashmir police chief S.P. Vaid said Pakistan, a “once safe haven for terrorists”, had become their “graveyard”. Vaid said Latif had infiltrated into Kashmir in 1993 and was arrested in 1994. “He was undergoing sentence in KotBalwal with other terrorists, including Jaish chief Azhar Masood, whose release I had personally supervised during ‘99 hijacked Flight IC-814 in Kandahar,” Vaid posted on X.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Two more Afghan settlements bulldozed in Islamabad

October 12, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday demolished two settlements of Afghans in I-12/2 and Margalla Town Phase 2.

A press release issued by the civic body on Wednesday stated that the CDA’s enforcement directorate conducted an operation against the illegal settlements built near Nust.

The CDA staff razed scores of rooms and a number of livestock farms with heavy machinery. As a result of the operation, land measuring 250 kanals was retrieved, which was later handed over for sector development.

Besides, another operation with the assistance of police and the local administration was conducted in Margalla Town Phase 2.

The settlement was established there long ago and dozens of houses and livestock farms were razed during the operation and state land retrieved.

Another operation was conducted at Mandi Mor in response to a complaint against encroachment. During the operation, encroachments were removed from both sides of the roads.

Meanwhile, the capital police arrested four more ‘illegal’ Afghan immigrants from different places and registered separate cases against them under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

Aabpara police arrested four ‘illegal’ immigrants from Aabpara Chowk after they failed to produce any legal traveling documents. Similarly, Shalimar police arrested an ‘illegal’ Afghan immigrant from F-10/2 for lacking necessary documents.

Source: dawn.com

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Three die in targeted attack on Daska mosque

 October 12, 2023

NAROWAL: In what believed to be a targeted attack on a Daska mosque during Fajr prayers on Wednesday, a prayer leader, a religious activist belonging to an outlawed outfit and his security guard were killed.

Quoting Zulfikar Ali, another security guard of Maulana Shahid Latif, police said six unknown people reached the Noori-e-Madina Masjid in MandikeGuraya Chowk on motorbikes and three of them joined the prayers. He said soon some gunshots were heard and within seconds the assailants fled the scene. He said they fired a shot on him as well but he remained unhurt.

Police said prayer leader Maulana Ahad, Maulana Muhammad Latif and his security guard Hashim Ali were seriously injured in the firing. Police said Maulana Latif died on the spot due to a head injury while Maulana Ahad and the security guard were immediately shifted to the Daska Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition.

Police said the guard succumbed to bullet wounds while Maulana Ahad was shifted to a hospital in Gujranwala where he also expired.

Sialkot District Police Officer Muhammad Hasan Iqbal along with a heavy contingent of police reached the mosque and ordered blocking of all entry and exit routes of the district.

The DPO formed five teams for the immediate arrest of the accused.

Eyewitnesses Qamar Abbas and Salim Warik, also offering prayers, said all worshippers ran away due to the sudden fire in the mosque. He said the ages of the suspects were between 20 and 25 years.

On the complaint of ASI Amjad Javed, Daska Saddar police registered an FIR against six unknown suspects on murder and terrorism charges.

The DPO said this could be called a target killing and an incident of terrorism. He said that the police investigation teams had obtained all the evidence and statements of local people from the spot. He said CCTV footages might help police trace the culprits.

To a question, the DPO confirmed Muhammad Shahid Latif had been a Jaish-e-Muhammad activist.

Indian news website NDTV claimed Latif had guided four terrorists who carried out a terror attack at the Pathankot airbase in 2016. It said seven Indian Air Force personnel were killed when four JeM terrorists sneaked into the Pathankot Air Force Station. The encounter went on for three days.

The NDTV further said Latif was arrested in India in 1994 on terror charges. He was then put on trial and eventually jailed. He completed his sentence in 2010, after which he was deported to Pakistan.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1780582/three-die-in-targeted-attack-on-daska-mosque

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Pakistan demands immediate stop of bombardment in Gaza

October 11, 2023

The Caretaker Federal Cabinet has demanded immediate cessation of bombardment in Gaza and ending of illegal siege of the territory, allowing international assistance to reach victims.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi, along with Minister for Privatization Fawad Hassan Fawad, was briefing media about Federal Cabinet's decisions in Islamabad this evening. The Federal Cabinet was met in the federal capital today with Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in the chair.

Murtaza Solangi said the cabinet strongly condemned Israeli bombardment against the innocent and unarmed Palestinians. It also expressed serious concerns about the shortage of food and water in Gaza.

The Information Minister said the cabinet unanimously emphasized that recent tension is a result of Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories for the last two decades, oppression against innocent Palestinians and open violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

The Cabinet reiterated Pakistan's principled stance that a viable, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine should be established on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital in light of the UN resolutions and will of the people of Palestine.

Murtaza Solangi said the Prime Minister also directed the federal ministers to only undertake necessary foreign trips.

He said the cabinet also approved appointment of Justice retired Sohail Nasir as Deputy Chairman and Syed Ehtisham Qadir Shah as Prosecutor General of the National Accountability Bureau.  He said it was also decided to hire services of a Financial Advisory Consortium for the privatization of the Pakistan International Airlines. 

Responding to questions, Caretaker Minister for Privatization Fawad Hassan Fawad said the purpose of privatization of State Owned Enterprises is to make these entities profitable and add value to their services for the people.

He said privatization of PIA will open up Pakistan's aviation sector for international investment.

The Minister said the entity is facing a loss of 50 crore rupees daily. He said out of total 34 planes, 15 are grounded and 19 operating, which having lapsed their age, go out of order, creating problems for passengers. He categorically stated government's clear stance that no employee of the 'to be privatized' state enterprises will be rendered jobless during this process of privatization.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/11-10-2023/federal-cabinet-demands-immediate-cessation-of-bombardment-in-gaza

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Paragon Housing Society: NAB finds Khawaja brothers innocent in case

October 12, 2023

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has declared Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Khawaja Salman Rafiq innocent in the Paragon Housing Society Reference.

The NAB, in its report, stated that no evidence of corruption was found against Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Salman Rafiq, so there was no need to take further action on the reference against the Khawaja brothers. The report stated the Paragon Housing Society has been approved by Aziz Bhatti Town, but not by the LDA. So LDA, as a regulator, should address minor complaints.

The NAB requested that Paragon Reference be sent to LDA. The Accountability Court of Lahore sent the reference to the LDA on the request of NAB.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1118313-paragon-housing-society-nab-finds-khawaja-brothers-innocent-in-case

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South Asia

 

11 Cases Against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia: Charge Framing Hearing On November 13

Oct 12, 2023

A Dhaka court today fixed November 13 for hearing on charge framing of 11 cases, including a sedition case, filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Judge Md Asaduzzaman of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court set up at Keraniganj Central Jail adjourned today's hearing and set the new date, said Additional Public Prosecutor Tapash Kumar Pal.

The adjournment came following petitions submitted by the defence, citing different reasons.

Khaleda, who is out of jail following an executive order from the government, are undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.

Among the 11 cases, 10 were filed in the first three months of 2015 over arson attacks, while the other one was filed with a Dhaka court on charge of making seditious comments on freedom fighters and martyrs of the Liberation War.

Three other corruption cases against Khaleda -- Gatco, Niko and Boropukuria coalmine -- are now pending with three other special courts in Dhaka.

Two more cases are pending with the Second Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/dinajpur-mayor-jailed-month-derogatory-comments-judge-3441226

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Dy FM Of TalibanAccuses Pakistan Of Employing Political Pressure By Deporting Afghan Refugees

October 11, 2023

 Fidel Rahmati

On Wednesday, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the political deputy foreign minister of the Taliban administration, issued a plea to both Islamabad and Tehran, urging them to halt the deportation of Afghan refugees.

During the inauguration of the second phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal project, Stanikzai expressed concerns that Pakistan is employing economic and political pressure tactics on the current administration through the deportation of Afghan migrants.

His remarks shed light on the belief that the deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan is perceived as a means for Pakistan to exert economic and political leverage on the interim government of Afghanistan.

Stanikzai also noted that despite these challenges, the Taliban caretaker administration is actively expanding its political relations with foreign countries, with plans to establish ties with many countries shortly.

Simultaneously, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, Asif Ali Durrani, clarified during the 74th meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Executive Committee that Pakistan’s deportations are not exclusive to illegal Afghans but encompass all illegal immigrants.

Durrani acknowledged Pakistan’s historical role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees and expressed gratitude for the UNHCR’s support.

“The order of deportation of migrants taken by our government is for those migrants who have entered the country illegally or whose visas have expired because Pakistan has hosted immigrants for four decades, and the international community has not helped them. The country has faced many economic problems and is still facing insecurity,” Durrani said.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/stanikzai-accuses-pakistan-of-employing-political-pressure-by-deporting-afghan-refugees/

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Iran Reaches Agreements With Afghanistan in Trade Development

Bibi Amina Hakimi,

Iran’s economic delegation has reached an agreement with Islamic Emirate’s 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 have agreed to create an Iran-Afghanistan chamber, trade development, to provide of 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.

Meanwhile, the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, said that the ministry is trying to boost the level of exports with Iran.

"There has always been a big difference in Afghanistan's trade balance. Our export was about twenty million dollars, and from Iran it was about $2 billion,” Azizi noted.

"We are trying to find the characteristic of each soil of each province and use it according to its characteristic and use the modified eggs and researched eggs from Iran,” the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Ataullah Omari, said.

According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the cost of transporting goods through Iran is high, and Afghans urged that attention should be paid to reducing the prices.

In the meantime, the Afghanistan Railway Authority wrote on social media that on Tuesday the authority signed an agreement with the Iranian Railway Consortium for the use of the Khawaf-Herat railway.

The authority wrote that, based on the agreement, Iran will send 100,000 tons of goods by this route in the first year and this level will increase by 100,000 tons every year.

At the signing of the agreement ceremony, the head of the Afghanistan Railway Authority, Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat, said that the construction of the first phase of the fourth section of the Khawaf-Herat line will start next week.

This comes as acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in a meeting with Sardar Yaqub Ali Nazari, the governor of Iran's Khorasan Razavi province, emphasized the need for bilateral cooperation between Kabul and Tehran.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on social media that Muttaqi in the meeting said that now security in the country, and commercial and economic cooperation are better than in the past.

Balkhi wrote that in the meeting Yaqub Ali Nazari called for the creation of special teams for work and expertise coordination between the ministries of the two countries as a new step for further cooperation and development.

On Sunday, over 80 Iranian businessmen came to Afghanistan to provide facilities for businessmen and to boost trade between the two countries.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/business-185501

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Taliban blocks Pakistani Medical Plane’s aid to Herat earthquake victims

Fidel Rahmati-

October 11, 2023

According to sources, the Taliban did not allow a team of ten Pakistani doctors to land at Herat Airport.

A team of ten Pakistani doctors was denied entry to Herat Airport by the Taliban, preventing them from providing crucial medical assistance to earthquake victims in the city. Afghanistan International News Agency reported that the team included general surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, and paramedics.

The Taliban has not issued any official statement or comment regarding the matter.

Iran was among the first countries to send its relief workers to the earthquake-stricken area. The Iranian Red Crescent announced on Tuesday that it is ready to send more medical aid to the earthquake-affected areas of Herat.

Afghanistan’s healthcare system, which heavily relies on international aid, is facing a shortage of financial resources and healthcare personnel, especially in emergencies, two years after the Taliban took control and many international aid flows stopped.

The earthquake, which occurred on Saturday, has tragically claimed the lives of over 2,400 individuals and laid waste to at least 20 villages. The repeated occurrence of such a devastating calamity has left the local population deeply traumatized and urgently needed assistance.

The World Health Organization has stated that most victims are women and children.

Additionally, on Wednesday, another earthquake of a similar magnitude struck western Afghanistan. According to local sources, dozens of injured individuals from this Wednesday’s earthquake were transported to a nearby hospital in the Herat region, with two reported fatalities.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/taliban-blocks-pakistani-medical-planes-aid-to-herat-earthquake-victims/

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Latest Earthquake in Herat Severely Damaged More Than 20 Villages

Nasir Ahmad Salehi

Over twenty villages in several districts of Herat province have been seriously damaged in three recent strong earthquakes on in the province on Wednesday.

In these earthquakes, one person was killed and over 150 people were injured.

The earthquakes completely devastated the village of Chawak in Herat's Injil district.

Fewer people have been hurt by these earthquakes because residents of the province fled their homes out of fear of the earthquakes, which started on Saturday.

"We have been outside since Sunday. Our houses were cracked in the earthquake. Most of our clothes are at home,” said Shir Ahmad, the victim.

“I was awake when I felt todays’ earthquake. I was confused. My daughters called me to get out and somehow, I got out,” said Naz Bibi, another victim of the earthquake.

The rescue teams have not come to this village and because of this, the residents are trying to get their property out from under the ruins.

Shah Sawar, a local resident, whose house was destroyed by the earthquake wants to get his carpet out of the rubbles.

“I have lost everything, but this one did not have causalities. Everything is under rubble,” he told a TOLOnews reporter.

"We had blankets, wheat, rice, and oil, all of them were buried under the rubble. Everything we had, we only took enough on the first day of the earthquake that helped us in these two days, and we thought we would return to our homes,” said Adam Khan, another resident of Herat who suffered due to the earthquake.

Three strong earthquakes shook part of western Afghanistan on Wednesday morning after an earlier quake killed more than 2,000 and flattened whole villages.

The latest 6.3-magnitude earthquake was about 28 kilometers (17 miles) outside Herat, the capital of Herat province, and 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

With the continuation of earthquakes, the operation of evacuating the victims of last Saturday's earthquake continues in Zindehjan district of Herat province.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-185495

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Kazakh Diplomat Arrives in Herat with Aid Shipment for Earthquake Survivors

2023-10-11

HERAT (BNA): Bakhtiar Sarsinbai, the Deputy Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Afghanistan, arrived in Herat province with a rescue team and aid cargo to assist survivors of the recent earthquake.

During his visit, Sarsinbai met with Sheikh Mawlana Nur Ahmad Islam Jar, the Governor of Herat, and expressed his sympathy for the devastating disaster that resulted in thousands of casualties.

Sarsinbai affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to cooperate in any way necessary to assist the people affected by the earthquake in this province.

The Governor of Herat expressed his gratitude for Kazakhstan’s assistance, stating that it will help address some of the needs of the earthquake victims.

Tomorrow, Kazakhstan’s relief team, along with the Deputy Ambassador, is scheduled to visit the earthquake site.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://bakhtarnews.af/en/kazakh-diplomat-arrives-in-herat-with-aid-shipment-for-earthquake-survivors/

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Man arrested for raping 7-yr-old girl in Dhaka

 Oct 12, 2023

Rab today arrested a 46-year-old man on charge of raping a seven-year-old girl in Dhaka's Rupnagar area on October 6.

The arrestee was identified as Ibrahim Molla, a neighbour of the victim.

A team of Rab arrested him from Birulia area in Savar early today, Shihab Karim, assistant director of Rab-2, told The Daily Star.

The Rab official said as the child got caught in the rain outside their home on that day, Ibrahim Molla lured her by offering toys and food. He gave her Tk 20 and took the girl in his room and raped her.

The family members along with the neighbours rescued the girl after Ibrahim fled, he said.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/man-arrested-raping-7-yr-old-girl-dhaka-3441301

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Southeast Asia

 

PM Anwar says unity govt still willing to talk with PAS, but warns against religious zealotry

By Julia Chan

12 Oct 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reportedly said that his administration is still willing to conduct talks with Islamist party PAS, but must draw a line when it comes to religious zealotry.

Speaking to Time magazine, he pointed to the rise of conservative rhetoric among Malaysians that stemmed from the current political environment and PAS' increasingly hardline stance.

“On whether we are prepared to engage with them, of course we do. We must. And I’ve sent [an invitation] to them ... Yes, I have been open to the idea from the beginning. After all, this is a unity government and we do what is best for our country,” he was quoted saying.

“But of course, we are going to draw a line. Islam is the religion of the federation, but this is a multi-religious country and I want every single citizen in this country, of all religious persuasions, to know that they have a place in this country.

“No one should be discriminated against, marginalised, or ignored,” he reportedly added.

However, Anwar told Time he has yet to receive a clear rejection or positive response from PAS so far.

“The political climate is still a bit heated, so we’ll let it cool off for some time,” he reportedly said.

To combat the rising racial and religious tensions, Anwar said his strategy is to bring economic development, and then education to emphasise that Malaysia's plural identity.

Anwar also said that education is key to dispelling any form of racism, extremism and religious bigotry which tend to breed easily among the more ignorant segment of the population.

“When I say ignorant, I don’t mean you’re not qualified, you don’t go to university. I mean the lack of understanding of the total message of a religion dependent on some of the mullahs and sheikhs, with their very narrow, obscure interpretation.

“Although it is a predominantly Muslim country, it is a multiracial country. And we have survived hundreds of years with the presence of Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians. And there is no reason why you should upset this and cause enmity,” he said.

After taking power in November last year, Anwar said his coalition government would uphold the tenets of the Federal Constitution, namely the status of the Bumiputera, the Malay language, the religion of Islam, and the Malay rulers.

However he stressed that this should not come at the expense of the rights, citizenship, and opportunities of every race, religion and region in the country, no Malaysian should be left to feel ignored or marginalised.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/10/12/pm-anwar-says-unity-govt-still-willing-to-talk-with-pas-but-warns-against-religious-zealotry/95795

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Grab Singapore suspends driver who allegedly made racist comments to passenger, asked him to ‘get out’ of car

 11 Oct 2023

SINGAPORE — A male Grab driver who allegedly made racist comments towards his passenger and then asked him to get out of the vehicle has since been suspended, the ride-hailing company said.

On Tuesday, a video clip of the alleged incident was posted by someone named “lanjiolover” on the Singapore Happenings subreddit page of online forum Reddit, showing the altercation between the two parties.

The driver was seen calling the passenger “a rubbish Indian” after claiming that the latter made him wait for a long time during pick-up and then telling him what route to take.

The passenger then responded by saying that “it doesn’t matter” since the Grab application would charge him extra for being late.

The driver kept asking the passenger to “get down” though he continued driving.

The passenger went on to ask why the driver was “being racial”, to which he denied at first. When the passenger insisted that the driver was so, the driver replied that Indians tend to be late based on his knowledge.

After further heated exchanges, the clip ends with the driver raising his voice and telling the passenger to “get out” of the vehicle.

In response to TODAY’s queries, Grab said that its driver-partners are expected to treat passengers fairly and not discriminate against them in any way.

“This is in line with our code of conduct.

“We take a strong stance against discriminatory behaviour and language on our platform and have since suspended the driver-partner,” it added.

Just two weeks ago, a private-hire driver from ride-hailing company Tada was suspended for a similar incident that was captured on video, where the driver called his passenger “Indian” and “the very worst” customer.

In response, Tada said that the driver’s remarks that insinuated racial differences were “completely unacceptable” with the platform’s community guidelines and ethos. — TODAY

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2023/10/11/grab-singapore-suspends-driver-who-allegedly-made-racist-comments-to-passenger-asked-him-to-get-out-of-car/95722

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Zambry urges any Malaysians in or around Gaza to contact Wisma Putra

12 Oct 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: Aside from the five Malaysians who are currently in the process of being repatriated, Wisma Putra is calling for other Malaysians who may be in or around Gaza to contact the ministry as soon as possible.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said at press time, Wisma Putra has been able to contact the five Malaysians who were previously trapped in the West Bank and Gaza, adding that they are currently safe.

According to Zambry, Wisma Putra was informed of the condition of the five Malaysians through the Malaysian Embassies in Amman, Jordan and Cairo, Egypt. They consist of a doctor with her three children and another Malaysian who went there for a holiday with her husband.

They are Dr Nurul Ain Latiff and her three children who were previously trapped in the West Bank and have been taken out of the area, while Nurul Ain Haron and her Palestinian husband are still trapped in Gaza.

“We have contacted our embassy in Amman and we managed to talk to them and they are currently safe and we are making plans to take them out of Gaza.

“There are only five people who have registered with us. Wisma Putra appeals to all Malaysians to let us know if they are living there (in Gaza) and to register and let us know of their whereabouts.

“So far, we only have this information, that there are five Malaysians there,” he said during a press conference at the Parliament lobby here Thursday (Oct 12).

Earlier, Zambry had also addressed the Dewan Rakyat and notified the House of the current updates of the five Malaysians who are currently being rescued.

Zambry said Malaysia is also seeking help for the evacuation process through the Philippines government.

“In times of crisis like this, we will take help from whichever embassy that can extend help to us. Right now, we are getting (help) from the Philippines because they (their embassy) are nearest to the (affected) area.

“This is similar to the situation during the Sudan crisis where Malaysia extended help to other nationalities. This is in the spirit of working together.”

On the 23 Malaysians and Singaporeans who were previously stuck around the embattled region, Zambry gave his assurances that they had left the embattled zone.

“All 23 of them have safely crossed into Egypt on Oct 10,” he said.

As one of the countries that strongly supports the Palestinian cause, Zambry said Malaysia will continue to condemn the cruelty of the Zionist regime.

He said this is especially following worldwide reports saying that the regime is targeting ambulances, hospitals, schools and mosques, adding that the massive air campaign by the Israeli regime is leaving Palestinians helpless without food, water and electricity.

“The cruelty to the Israeli regime is too much,” he added.

As part of an effort to help the struggling Palestinians in Gaza, Zambry said RM1mil in donations has been collected and will be channeled to the Palestinians.

“We are handing over the RM1mil and other aid, which will continuously be given by Malaysians. We hope that this could alleviate the burden of the Palestinians who are currently living in pain.”

Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia, Walid Abu Ali, who was present during the media conference expressed his gratitude for the donation, as well as Malaysia’s contributions to the Palestinian struggles in the last few decades.

“Malaysia's ongoing support for our Palestinian people has never been questioned. Malaysians have always shown their support and solidarity to our cause locally, regionally and internationally.

“On behalf of the Palestinian government and the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, Al-Quds and the Palestinian diaspora, we are grateful to Malaysia and we highly appreciate the support.

“We pray Malaysia stays safe, united and secured. We look forward to the day when we could all welcome you and host you in al-Aqsa,” he said.

Source: thestar.com.my

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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/10/12/zambry-urges-any-malaysians-in-or-around-gaza-to-contact-wisma-putra

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Two dead, six injured as car carrying illegal migrants crashes in Hungary

12 Oct 2023

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Two people died and six were injured in southern Hungary near the Serbian border on Thursday when a car carrying illegal migrants hit a tree and turned over, Hungarian police said.

The car, which had a French number plate and was driven by a smuggler, according to a police statement, did not stop for police checks but accelerated before the accident happened near Kiskunmajsa. Police did not say how many illegal migrants were in the vehicle.

Police figures have shown a jump in illegal migrant crossings on Hungary's southern border with Serbia in the past months, from where they head for Slovakia or Austria.

The migrants, predominantly young men from the Middle East and Afghanistan, arrive via the so-called Balkan route, entering Hungary from Serbia despite a steel fence that Prime Minister Viktor Orban had built after the 2015 migration crisis that rocked Europe.

Hungary pushes migrants back to Serbia - which is not in the EU - but they make repeated attempts to climb or cut through the fence, and many make it with the help of gangs of smugglers who then ferry them north, largely to the border with Slovakia.

On Wednesday, Slovakia's caretaker government approved extending temporary controls on its border with Hungary until Nov. 3 as it seeks to clamp down on heightened illegal migration.

The small central European country installed the border controls on Oct. 5 for a period of 10 days, following neighbours Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria, which had earlier tightened their own frontiers with Slovakia.

In September alone, illegal migration to Slovakia was as high as in all of 2022.

(Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Source: thestar.com.my

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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2023/10/12/two-dead-six-injured-as-car-carrying-illegal-migrants-crashes-in-hungary

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2 enforcement officers among 3 arrested for allegedly soliciting RM1,500 bribe

October 12, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: Three people, including two enforcement officers, were arrested on suspicion of soliciting a RM1,500 bribe in exchange for turning a blind eye to a motorist who was "in possession of a trade vehicle licence plate"

A source said the three men aged between 36 and 37, were detained at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office here between 5pm and 7pm yesterday.

"The two enforcement officers on motorcycles were believed to have flagged down a four-wheel drive vehicle using a company's trade plate at about 9.30am yesterday.

"The officers then told the driver that the trade plate displayed on the vehicle was fake," he said.

He said one of them asked for RM1,500 in exchange for not taking any action against the driver.

Following the arrests, the trio, which included a man that acted as a runner, was brought to the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court this morning for remand.

Magistrate IlliMarisqaKhalizan ordered a six-day remand starting from today.

KL MACC director Datuk Mohamad FauziHusin confirmed the arrests of the men, with investigation conducted under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

Source: nst.com.my

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https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2023/10/966199/2-enforcement-officers-among-3-arrested-allegedly-soliciting-rm1500

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Africa

 

Kenyan Publisher Withdraws Controversial School Book Depicting Prophet Muhammad

 11 Oct 2023

A Kenyan publishing company has withdrawn a text book that featured an image of Prophet Muhammad, following protests by Muslim leaders and parents.

The Muslim community had expressed their concerns about the blasphemous nature of depicting the Prophet and the request for students to colour in the illustration.

Mentor Publishing Company acknowledged the gravity of their mistake, regretting the inclusion of the controversial drawing in their book on Islamic studies designed for second-year primary school pupils.

In Kenya, where about 11% of the population adheres to Islam, this move holds significant importance, as it addresses a sensitive religious matter.

Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad are a deeply sensitive issue for Muslims, as they contravene traditional Islamic beliefs that explicitly forbid visual representations of both the Prophet and Allah (God).

Sheikh Rishard Rajab Ramadhan, a Muslim scholar from the coastal city of Mombasa, described the book's content as "dangerous" for young children and emphasized that such depictions could even lead to conflict.

In a letter addressed to the Muslim community, Mentor Publishing Company acknowledged the sacrilegious nature of the content in their book, known as the "Mentor Encyclopaedia Grade 2". The drawing in question had been inadvertently inserted into the book and mistakenly identified as an image of Prophet Muhammad.

Josephine Wanjuki, the director of Mentor, offered a sincere and wholehearted apology for this error and pledged to prevent such mistakes from recurring. Additionally, the publisher confirmed that the offensive drawing would be removed from all future editions, and they have committed to collaborating with the Muslim Education Council to review their entire catalog of books.

All teachers, students, and school administrators in possession of the book have been advised to return it to the publisher. Sheikh Ramadhan praised this decision to recall the books but urged publishers to consult with Muslim leaders before releasing any materials related to Islamic studies.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/11/kenyan-publisher-withdraws-controversial-school-book-depicting-prophet-muhammad/

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Hundreds of South Africans show solidarity for Palestinians

 11 Oct 2023

A cross-section of South Africans took to the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday in support of the people of Palestine, as the deadly conflict between Israel and the militant group, Hamas, continues.

Some people said they were joining in the protest to show solidarity with Palestinians who have faced decades of oppression.

“I did more and more research and I came to the conclusion that not only have I been lied to, and spreading myself, but my religion was being used to undermine the rights of the Palestinian people,” said protester Pamela Ngubane.

Demonstrators outside the United States consulate criticised Washington's decision to send weapons to Israel and called for the Israeli ambassador to South Africa to be expelled.

A similar protest was held in Cape Town with people calling for an end to violence.

The demonstrations were organised by pro-Palestine group BDS (Boycott, Disinvest, Sanctions) which continues to call for the boycott of Israeli products, disinvestments, and sanctions against the country.

They were held as the Jewish community in South Africa also announced plans to hold prayer sessions and solidarity events this week in support of Israel.

South Africa’s government on Sunday called for an immediate cessation of violence between Israel and Palestine.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/11/hundreds-of-south-africans-show-solidarity-for-palestinians/

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Nigeria halts all Christian pilgrimages to Israel

 11 Oct 2023

Nigeria has temporarily halted all pilgrimages to Israel. This move follows a surge in deadly hostilities over the weekend, disrupting the plans of eager Easter pilgrims.

Originally scheduled to depart for Israel and Jordan on Tuesday, the pilgrimage for a group of committed Christians has now been canceled until further notice. The Nigerian government's Christian Pilgrim Commission has confirmed this decision, emphasizing the prevailing uncertainty caused by the ongoing conflict.

Sunny Udeh, the commission's Director for Mobilization and Sensitization, shared his thoughts on the matter, stating, "The war has created uncertainties in our planning for the main pilgrimage in December... we do hope the hostilities will end before the end of the year." It is a sentiment that underscores the desire for peace in the region.

On average, approximately 18,000 Christian pilgrims from Nigeria embark on journeys to holy sites in Israel and Jordan each year. The commission's commitment to ensuring the safety of these Nigerian pilgrims remains unwavering, prompting them to closely monitor the situation in Israel.

The recent escalation in violence stems from an attack launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas against Israel last Saturday. Tragically, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 1,200 Israelis, with retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip from Tel Aviv resulting in the deaths of at least 1,000 Palestinians.

The Nigerian government has called for an end to hostilities and a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters. Their stance prioritizes a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue.

It's worth noting that, despite the ongoing chaos in the region, commercial flights from Nigeria to Tel Aviv remain unaffected. The situation continues to be closely monitored, with hope for a swift return to normalcy and peace in the region.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/11/nigeria-halts-all-christian-pilgrimages-to-israel/

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Israel-Hamas war: Nigeria repatriates 310 pilgrims to Jerusalem

 11 Oct 2023

Nigeria has repatriated 310 of its nationals who were in Jordan after leaving Israel by road, where they were on a Christian pilgrimage, the Lagos State government announced on Tuesday.

“I am happy to announce that we have managed to repatriate by plane all 310 citizens who had gone on pilgrimage to Jerusalem,” Lagos State Governor BabajideSanwo declared on X (ex-Twitter). -Olu.

These pilgrims were traveling from Bethlehem to Nazareth when they learned that an attack was underway in southern Israel, said BukolaAdeleke, special adviser for Christian affairs in that state and one of the leaders of the band.

“We were scared and everyone wanted to return to Nigeria, no one wants to die,” he told AFP after the group returned Tuesday morning.

The group - who were in Israel as part of a twice-yearly pilgrimage organized by the Lagos State government - and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission organized their road trip to Jordan, from where they took off for Lagos on a specially chartered plane.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is divided almost evenly between the predominantly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south.

Israel announced on Tuesday that it had partially regained control of its border with the Gaza Strip, placed in a state of siege, after four days of a war against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which has already left more than 3,000 dead.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/11/israel-hamas-war-nigeria-repatriates-310-pilgrims-to-jerusalem/

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Nigerian govt declares commitment to press freedom

 October 12, 2023

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized the importance of a free and vibrant media landscape to the success of democracy, expressing the government’s commitment to ensuring press freedom. He stated this while receiving executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at his office on Tuesday.

He recognized the challenges journalists and media organizations face, including press freedom, access to information, and journalist safety.

The minister noted that the Nigerian Union of Journalists plays a vital role in sustaining our democracy and urged practitioners and regulators to work together as partners in progress.

“The Ministry of Information and National Orientation is here to provide oversight and create a level playing field for all journalists, our goal being to ensure that journalists feel safe and encouraged to practice their profession”.

He observed that while press freedom is valued, it is also crucial for practitioners to be responsible and provide accurate information to the Nigerian public.

He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had shown commitment to press freedom and creating a conducive environment for the Nigerian press to operate, and therefore charged practitioners to take advantage of this commitment and collaborate in repositioning and reorienting Nigerians for the benefit of our country’s development, peace, and unity.

“As the Minister of Information and National Orientation, I am committed to working collaboratively with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to address the challenges bedevilling the industry and promote a vibrant and responsible media landscape.”

Together, he noted, the principles that define the journalism profession and ensure press freedom, access to information, and the safety of journalists would be safeguarded.

Finally, the minister re-echoed his strong dedication to nurturing a flourishing media environment with the backing of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and other stakeholders

In his remarks, Chris Isiguzo, the president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, acknowledged the challenges faced by the media industry, including press freedom, access to information, journalist safety, and economic burdens. The NUJ, he said, sees the minister as a major stakeholder and an ally in addressing these challenges and fostering a vibrant, independent, and responsible media landscape in Nigeria. He further said that the Nigerian Union of Journalists envisions a collaborative alliance with the ministry, built on shared commitment and optimism for the future.

Source: premiumtimesng.com

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https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/632915-nigerian-govt-declares-commitment-to-press-freedom.html

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Nigeria’s prominent Shia cleric arrives in Iran

October 11, 2023

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky has arrived in Tehran as part of his second foreign visit after the termination of his home arrest by the Nigerian government.

Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, MalamaZeenah Ibrahim, arrived at Imam Khomeini International Airport in the capital Tehran on Wednesday and were warmly received by the Iranian people as well as their supporters and followers upon arrival.

The participants, in their hundreds, held placards and waved Iranian national flags as well as portraits of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and late anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in support of the prominent Nigerian Muslim cleric.

“I am very happy that such a crowd supports the resistance today, and I have nothing to say but to thank you dear ones,” Sheikh Zakzaky said in an address at the airport.

Pointing to the divine promise of the victory of truth over falsehood, he stated, “We are all under a great test, and it is hoped that the Islamic Revolution will bring about change in the whole world, including in the US and Europe, to set the ground for the emergence of the last Shia Imam, Imam Mahdi (PBUH).”

Sheikh Zakzaky, the founder of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, is scheduled to attend an official ceremony held in the University of Tehran on Saturday in recognition of his self-effacing character and distinguished sacrifices in promoting Islam in the African continent.

In December 2015, Nigerian army troops attacked Sheikh Zakzaky’s residence and a place of worship belonging to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, killing over three hundred and forty of his supporters in Zaria, Kaduna state.

Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife have lost their six sons, three of whom were killed during the Zaria Massacre.

He had remained under state detention in the Nigerian capital pending his release, which was ordered in late 2016. In 2019, a court in Kaduna state granted him and his wife bail to seek treatment abroad but they returned from India after three days due to unfair treatment and tough restrictions by security operatives deployed to the medical facility.

Last year, the Kaduna state higher court exonerated him from any charges and ordered his immediate release after 2,055 days of illegal detention.

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria will mark the eighth anniversary of the Zaria Massacre this year. Remembering the massacre has become an annual event where members pray for those who were killed and injured by the security forces.

Source: ifpnews.com

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https://ifpnews.com/nigeria-prominent-shia-cleric-iran/

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Don’t treat us as aliens, Delta Muslims beg Oborevwori

October 11, 2023

 Emma Amaize

Muslims in Delta State have entreated the State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, not to shut them out in the affairs of the state.

They made the request in a communique issued a

an emergency meeting of Muslim stakeholders, yesterday, in Ovwian, Udu local government area of the state.

AlhajiMumakaiUnagha, who read the communique, said, “The governor should not shut us out in the affairs of the state. Delta state is not a singular religious state.”

” Indigenous muslims of the state are entitled to a representation in the government for equity, fairness, and justice.

Delta muslims are optimistic that the governor will not close his ears to our appeal.

“We assure him of our preparedness to partner with him in socio politica, l and economic development of the state.

“The truth, however, is that over a period of time, they have neglected and sidelined Muslims, despite several appeals through correspondences.

Source: vanguardngr.com

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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/10/dont-treat-us-as-aliens-delta-muslims-beg-oborevwori/

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