Shia Community Takes Out Muharram Procession After Three Decades on Gurubazaar-Dalgate Route in Srinagar

New Age Islam News Bureau

27 July 20123

  

Shia Muslims participate in the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar, on Thursday. PTI Photo

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India

• Don’t Take Action on Notices to Two Delhi Mosques Over Removal Of ‘Encroachment’: HC To Railways

• ‘Clear Pending Petitions Seeking Permission for Renovating Church, Mosque’In Kanyakumari

• 'You Don't Trust Anyone': Allahabad HC to Gyanvapi Mosque Committee

• Gyanvapi Mosque Committee's Plea Against Maintainability of Suit Not Dismissed, Clarifies SC

• Udupi Restroom Video: FIR Filed Against 3 Muslim Students, College Administration

• Over 300 Muslim League members booked for inflammatory ‘anti-Hindu’ slogans at Kerala rally

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South Asia

• Islamic Emirate Says It Does Not Interfere with Aid Operations

• If Seeking Recognition Abroad, Kabul Must Take Action in Afghanistan: Patel

• The meeting of Coordination between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and UN • Organizations was held at the Storai Palace of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Arab World

• Saudi Arabia monitoring events in Niger after coup attempt

• Saudi Arabia participates in 129th IMO council meeting

• Jordan and Gulf countries send condolences to Saudi Arabia after airmen die in fighter jet crash

• Saudi students club in London holds public speaking competition for children

• Women Innovators Fellowship gears up for 2023 cohort

• Uber’s female empowerment initiatives support Saudi goals to grow women’s workforce by 2030

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Europe

• Over 1,000 welcomed to Neeli Mosque for Rochdale Eid Science Extravaganza

• As EU condemns Quran burnings, Sweden says it's falsely blamed for them

• Conservatives suspend Ed Green before Upminster by-election

• Davido video: Wole Soyinka defends Nigerian Afrobeats star in Muslim row

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North America

• Organization of Islamic Cooperation suspends Sweden’s special envoy over desecration of Quran

• US keeps backing Kiev's 'terrorist plans' by its military aid: Russia

• US claims drone damaged by flares from Russian jet over Syria amid escalating tensions

• Syria’s Assad blames US, allies for fomenting ‘global instability’ to harm Russia

• US drone locked weapons on Russian jets – Moscow

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Mideast

• Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque Under Leadership of Extremist Ben Gvir

• Israeli forces prevent Palestinian worshippers from entering Jerusalem's Aqsa Mosque

• Kuwait executes five, including man convicted over ISIS mosque bombing

• Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemns Zionist minister's storming of al-Aqsa Mosque

• Israeli Army Kills 14-Year-Old Palestinian, While Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Storms Al-Aqsa

• Iran Leader attends mourning ceremony for Imam Hossein

• Iraq Urges Denmark Against Offensive Acts to Islam

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Pakistan

• Sindh To Approve Education Policy for Transgender Community

• Three suspects held after Khyber Mosque suicide blast

• Body of Kargil woman found in Gilgit-Baltistan

• Three Suspects Held After Khyber Mosque Suicide Blast

• Foreign elements behind militant attacks, says KP minister

• PM vows to cut govt expenses, smash begging bowl

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Africa

• Civil Societies Condemn Muslim MP’s Attempt to Derail MMDA Reforms

• Keep your Islamic militia away from Southeast – IPOB warns AsariDokubo

• Jaye Lo: Davido’s Aide, Israel DMW Deletes Apology Message to Muslims

• Army Reacts to Alleged Arrest of Muslim Soldier Who Converted to Christianity

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Southeast Asia

• PM Anwar: Bank Negara, Securities Commission beefing up Islamic banking, finance through MIFC

• Philippines President’s Malaysia trip generates US$235m in investment pledges

• KKR issues 35 SST worth RM15.98m for development projects in Kelantan

• Madani Economy: GLCs, GLICs to spur domestic investments - Tengku Zafrul

• VP participates in groundbreaking ceremony for planned Islamic Centre in Addu City Hithadhoo

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:   https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/shia-community-muharram-srinagar/d/130312

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Shia Community Takes Out Muharram Procession After Three Decades on Gurubazaar-Dalgate Route in Srinagar

 

Shia Muslims participate in the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar, on Thursday. PTI Photo

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July 27, 2023 - Srinagar

THE HINDU BUREAU

The Shia mourners praised the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for the decision to allow the procession which was banned in the 1990s when it turned into anti-India demonstration.

July 27, 2023

Hundreds of Shia mourners participated in the traditional Muharram procession from Gurubazar to Dalgate in Srinagar on July 27, as the authorities lifted the ban after more than three decades.

The procession, attended by the young and the old, culminated peacefully around 8 a.m. The Shia mourners praised the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for the decision.

“We have been yearning to hold this procession for 34 years. It was a historic moment for us to hold flags to commemorate Hazrat Imam Hussain,” Amir Jaffar, a mourner, said.

An additional deployment of security personnel was made for the procession. “Officers and personnel were deployed on roads at 2 a.m. to ensure peaceful conduct of the procession. The procession was going on peacefully,” Additional Director General of Police Vijay Kumar said.

Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Muhammad Aijaz Asad praised the mourners for their cooperation.

The procession was banned in the 1990s when it turned into anti-India demonstration.

Source: thehindu.com

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Neckties Are A ‘Sign of The Cross’, Says Senior Afghan Taliban Official

 

Taliban head of the Invitation and Guidance Directorate Mohammad Hashim Shaheed Wror said neckties should be eliminated. – AFP photo

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July 27, 2023

KABUL: Neckties worn by men were a sign of the Christian cross, a senior Afghan Taliban official said on Wednesday, adding they should be eliminated.

“Sometimes, when I go to hospitals and other areas, an Afghan Muslim engineer or doctor uses a necktie,” said Mohammad Hashim Shaheed Wror, head of the Invitation and Guidance Directorate, a department that seeks to guide people along proper Islamic lines.

He said in a speech broadcast by Tolo TV that the symbolism of the tie “is obvious in Islam”.

“What is a tie? It is the cross. It is ordered in Sharia that you should break it and eliminate it,” he said.

Taliban authorities have not imposed any dress rules on men since taking over in August 2021, but women must cover up with a hijab when out in public. Afghan Taliban officials almost all dress the same — shalwar kameez, a waistcoat, and turban.

Casual Western clothes became less common after the Taliban takeover but some professionals still don a collar and tie.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1766959/neckties-are-a-sign-of-the-cross-says-taliban-official

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Saudi Arabia Voiced Its “Total Rejection” Of Coup in Niger

 

Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to President Mohamed Bazoum’s residence and offices in the capital Niamey. (File/AFP)

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July 27, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Thursday voiced its “total rejection” of the attempt to overthrow Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum.

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry called on the parties behind the coup to release the president and enable him to restore his constitutional powers, while ensuring his safety and wellbeing.

The Kingdom reiterated its call to prioritize the interest of the people of Niger to avoid political turmoil that could put lives and national resources at risk.

Saudi Arabia had earlier issued a statement, expressing its “great concern” about the developments in Niger, after presidential guards held Bazoum inside his palace in the capital, Niamey.

Regional and global leaders called for the release of Bazoum, who entered office two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful transition of power since independence.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2345096/saudi-arabia

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Terrorism Threat: Sweden Says It’s The Target Of ‘Damaging’ Russia-Backed Info Campaign Over Quran Burnings

 

Hezbollah supporters chant slogans as they burn representations of the Swedish flag at a rally denouncing the desecration of the Koran, after Friday prayers in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon, on Friday.CREDIT:AP

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Simon Johnson

July 27, 2023

Stockholm: Sweden is the target of a disinformation campaign by “Russia-backed actors” intended to hurt the image of the NATO-candidate country by implying it supported recent burnings of the Quran, its Minister for Civil Defence said on Wednesday.

Sweden’s bid to join NATO after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put it in the international spotlight, while a number of demonstrations at which protesters have burnt copies of the Muslim holy book have angered Muslims around the world.

“Sweden is the target of a disinformation campaign supported by state and state-like actors with the aim of damaging Swedish interests and ... Swedish citizens,” the minister, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, told reporters at a press conference.

“We can see how Russia-backed actors are amplifying incorrect statements such as that the Swedish state is behind the desecration of holy scriptures,” he said.

“That is, naturally, completely false,” Bohlin said, adding that such state actors tried to “create division and weaken Sweden’s international standing”.

There was no immediate reply from the Russian embassy in Stockholm to a request for comment about the minister’s remarks.

Mikael Ostlund, a spokesman for Sweden’s Psychological Defence Agency, said: “Russia is using these opportunities to promote its agenda in the media and the message there aims, of course, at splitting us in the West and at creating increased concern and division here in Sweden.”

“Obviously, one such ambition from Russia’s side is to be able to complicate our joining NATO.”

In a statement earlier this month, Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said the desecration of holy texts was “offensive and disrespectful”.

“Expressions of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in Sweden or in Europe,” he said.

Copies of the Quran have been burnt at several demonstrations in Sweden and Denmark this northern summer, causing outrage among Muslims and prompting protesters to storm and vandalise the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. Protests have also been held in Lebanon, Pakistan and Iran.

Denmark and Sweden have said they deplore the burning of the Quran but cannot prevent it under rules protecting free speech.

Turkey, which holds a veto over Swedish NATO membership, has condemned the protests and called on Stockholm to act against the perpetrators.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sweden’s security service, SAPO, warned that the country’s security situation had worsened as a result of the recent controversy over freedom of speech.

“The image of Sweden has changed. We have gone from being seen as a tolerant country to being a land that is anti-Muslim - that’s how we are seen ... mainly [in] the Muslim parts of the world,” Susanna Trehorning, Deputy Head of the Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Subversion Unit at SAPO, told Swedish state broadcaster SVT.

Sweden’s security-alert level has not been changed, however, and is currently at 3 on a scale of 5, indicating “heightened risk”. Five is the highest level of threat.

Source: theage.com.au

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https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/sweden-says-it-s-target-of-damaging-russia-backed-campaign-over-Quran-burnings-20230727-p5drlb.html

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Nigel Farage Row: When It Comes to Bank Access, Muslims Are Less Equal Than Others

 

A general view of the Finsbury Park Mosque in North London, Britain on 19 June, 2017 (Reuters)

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Mohamed Kozbar

26 July 2023

In a society that proclaims its commitment to justice, equality and freedom of speech, recent events have brought to light a troubling double standard.

When our Finsbury Park mosque’s bank account was unjustly closed in 2014, there was little public concern or acknowledgement, even though we tried everything to highlight the issue.

But when Nigel Farage, a figure known for his divisive views on British Muslims and other minorities, faced a similar fate, it sparked a national uproar, raising questions about political bias and the unequal treatment of individuals.

The issue is not whether one agrees or disagrees with Farage’s views, but rather the fundamental principle of equal treatment under the law for all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs or religious identity.

Bank accounts should never be weaponised to punish people based on their opinions, religious affiliations or political stances, as long as those expressions are lawful.

Let’s also take a moment to highlight the countless individuals and organisations, particularly within the Muslim community, who have faced similar injustices and had their bank accounts closed with little acknowledgement. Their stories deserve to be heard, and their rights demand protection.

The closure of our mosque’s bank account had severe and far-reaching consequences. Financial operations became an uphill battle, as we struggled to maintain our day-to-day operations. Paying staff salaries became a challenge, and the disruption of standing-order donations resulted in a significant loss of much-needed income.

Mounting challenges

The ability to conduct transactions and pay essential bills, such as utilities, was brought to a standstill. This disruption added to the mounting challenges faced by our mosque, hampering our efforts to serve the community effectively.

We successfully challenged the decision legally, and we were awarded an apology and compensation from Thomson Reuters for its inaccurate and opaque assessment of us, which contributed to the decision to close our account. (World-Check, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters, had compiled a global database that inaccurately linked the mosque to terrorism.)

Beyond the financial strain, the closure of our bank account dealt a blow to our reputation for no justifiable reason. It caused unwarranted damage to the image of the mosque, undermining the efforts we had tirelessly invested in rebuilding and repositioning ourselves as not just a place of worship, but a community centre for all.

Despite our hard work to change perceptions and foster positive engagement, the closure of our bank account reinstated negative stereotypes and misconceptions.

Yet, despite these challenges, we persevered. The mosque community rallied together to address the financial setbacks, seeking alternative solutions to keep our doors open and services running. Through resilience and determination, we managed to rebuild our reputation and reestablish the mosque as a vital community hub.

Lingering effects

But the scars left behind were not easily erased. The damage caused by the closure of our bank account lingered, affecting our relationships with other institutions, and making it exceptionally difficult to open a bank account with reputable high-street banks. The lasting repercussions have been a constant reminder of the injustice and unequal treatment we faced.

As we reflect on the contrasting reactions to the closure of Farage’s account and our mosque’s account, it becomes evident that the media and political establishment have perpetuated a double standard. While Farage’s situation garnered national attention and support, our struggles were largely ignored.

This disparity lays bare the pervasive Islamophobia that still exists in our society. It is a call to action for policymakers, financial institutions, media and society to confront these injustices and demand equal protection under the law for all, irrespective of political views or religious identity.

We must learn from such incidents, recognising the real-life consequences of discriminatory actions and the lasting impacts they can have on individuals and communities. Through empathy with the struggles faced by minority groups, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society that upholds justice and equality.

It is time to address these double standards head-on, holding all parties accountable to ensure that justice prevails. In this way, we can work towards creating a society that truly embraces its diversity and ensures that every individual, regardless of their faith or political beliefs, is treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

Only then can we genuinely claim to uphold the values of justice, equality and freedom of speech for all.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.

Source: middleeasteye.net

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https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/uk-nigel-farage-row-bank-access-muslims-less-equal-than-others

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India

Don’t take action on notices to two Delhi mosques over removal of ‘encroachment’: HC to Railways

The Board, in its plea filed by advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, has said the Bengali Market Mosque is approximately 250 years old and the Tilak Marg Mosque is 400 years old.

July 27, 2023

delhi high court, Delhi mosques, encroachment notices to two Delhi mosques, Delhi news, New Delhi, Indian Express, current affairsThe high court granted time to the Centre's counsel to take instructions on whether the notices were issued by the Railways in their current form or not. The matter is next listed on August 3.

The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the Railways not to take any action with regard to its notices pasted on two mosques in the city pertaining to removal of “unauthorised encroachment” allegedly built on railway land.

A single-judge bench of Justice Prateek Jalan granted time to the central government counsel to take instructions on the plea moved by the Delhi Waqf Board, which claimed that the notices were “generic” and the two mosques — Masjid Takia Babbar Shah near Railway Bridge on Tilak Marg and Masjid Bachchu Shah on Babar Road (also known as Bengali Market Mosque) – were neither unauthorised structures and nor did the land belong to the Railways.

The court noted that the notices are “unsigned, undated and do not bear out the authority under which they are issued”. It thereafter said, “For the moment, no action will be taken pursuant to these notices”.

The high court granted time to the Centre’s counsel to take instructions on whether the notices were issued by the Railways in their current form or not. The matter is next listed on August 3.

The Board, in its plea filed by advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, has said that the Bengali Market Mosque is approximately 250 years old while the Tilak Marg Mosque is 400 years old.

“Both the mosques have been in existence for centuries and there are two duly registered agreements of 1945 between the Governor General in Council through its agent – Chief Commissioner of Delhi and the Sunni Majlis Auqaf in respect of both the mosques transferring management of those mosques to the Sunni Majlis Auqaf [petitioner’s (board) predecessor] without any limitation as to tenure. The said document shows that the Mosques were in existence and were operational in 1945 also,” according to the plea.

The plea further stated that notices were found affixed on the two “mosques/waqf properties” on “July 19/20” issued by the railways administration, northern railways.

It stated that the Railways, in their notices, has said that the mosques be removed from the land within 15 days, adding that the failure to comply with the notice will lead to action by railway administration to reclaim the land.

“Thus, the very existence of the aforesaid waqf property is in jeopardy because of the unwarranted, arbitrary and unreasonable impugned action of the respondents,” the plea stated.

The plea stated that there is a “clear and present apprehension” that since the notices are unsigned and undated and have not been sent to the board but to the “waqf properties”, the “design is to demolish the mosques/waqf properties somehow”.

The plea stated that this has happened despite the HC’s April 26 order passed in the board’s plea against the Centre’s decision absolving it of 123 properties wherein the HC said that “pending the final decision” of the plea, Centre can inspect the properties while ensuring minimal disruption in the day-to-day administration of the properties by the latter.

Source: indianexpress.com

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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/hc-dont-take-action-on-encroachment-notices-to-two-delhi-mosques-8862236/

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‘Clear Pending Petitions Seeking Permission for Renovating Church, Mosque’ In Kanyakumari

July 26, 2023

Permission for renovating churches and constructing new churches in Kanyakumari should be given at the earliest without violating norms stipulated by the government, chairman of Tamil Nadu State Minorities Welfare Commissioner S. Peter Alphonse has said.

Chairing a meeting held here on Wednesday to review implementation of the schemes for the welfare of minority communities and look into their problems, Mr. Alphonse said officials, instead of allowing the minorities’ pleas to gather dust, should clear the applications for renovating the churches or mosques based on the norms laid by the Tamil Nadu government. If the application is submitted for constructing a new church or a mosque, the officials should decide such petitions on merit without violating any of the existing rules stipulated by the State government.

When combined prayers are conducted in the houses without public address system, there is no need for getting prior permission from the police and other officials, who should not disturb such religious events. At the same time, these combined prayers should not disturb the neighbours, he said.

He discussed with the officials about the status of petitions seeking permission for constructing churches and mosques, buying land for burial ground, assistance for pilgrimage to Holy Land, etc. He also disbursed welfare measures to the needy.

 Minister for Dairy Development T. Mano Thangaraj; Member Secretary of the Commission V. Sampath; Collector P.N. Sridhar; Corporation Commissioner Anand Mohan; Superintendent of Police Hari Kiran Prasad; Sub-Collector of Padmanabhapuram H.R. Koushik; MP Vijay Vasanth; MLAs J.G. Prince and Rajesh Kumar; Mayor R. Mahesh; and Assistant Collectors (Training) Kunal Yadhav and Rajat participated in the meeting.

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/clear-pending-petitions-seeking-permission-for-renovating-church-mosque/article67123759.ece

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'You don't trust anyone': Allahabad HC to Gyanvapi Mosque committee

Written by

Ayushi Goswami

July 26, 2023

The management committee of Varanasi's Gyanvapi Mosque on Wednesday told the Allahabad High Court that it is afraid of the historic structure falling.

Notably, the committee is seeking a stay on the survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the site.

In a sharp response, the court asked how the committee will trust the ruling if it can't trust ASI's safety assurances.

Why does this story matter?

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Varanasi District Court order to conduct an ASI survey of the mosque.

The Gyanvapi Mosque is one of several mosques that Hindu right-wing groups claim were built by Muslim invaders after destroying Hindu temples.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly fanned the issue after its formation decades ago, presenting it as a reclamation project for Hindus.

Temple under Gyanvapi Mosque is fictional: Committee

Raising concerns about the survey on the second day of the hearing of its plea, the committee said the mosque has been standing next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple for 1,000 years now.

"The talk of a temple under Gyanvapi mosque is fictional," the petitioners' counsel said.

The committee further said the circumstances in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi case were different from this case.

Hindu side has no evidence of deities: Petitioners

Furthermore, the committee alleged that the Hindu women, who sought permission to worship the deities inside mosque premises, told the lower court that they did not have any evidence and instead asked ASI to gather it.

"This cannot be allowed. You cannot ask someone else to gather proof. This is illegal," the mosque committee said, challenging the lower court's decision to allow the survey.

Hindu side says ASI survey would be expert opinion

On the other hand, the Hindu side told the court that it had proof and that an ASI survey can be seen as an expert opinion.

Asked if the excavation was necessary, the Hindu side said, "Yes, but this won't be inside the mosque. ASI will do radar mapping. Excavation will also be conducted if circumstances demand, that too in the last stage."

Court has doubts about ASI survey

Meanwhile, the court cast doubts on the ASI's survey techniques.

Chief Justice PritinkerDiwaker asked the ASI, "Are you going to drill or is it like a vacuum cleaner? Have you ever done this work earlier?"

When the ASI said yes, Diwaker sought photographs of such projects, adding, "The court is putting strong doubts to the work to be carried out by you."

Source: newsbytesapp.com

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https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/assam-engineer-s-covid-19-lockdown-love-story-ends-in-triple-murder/story

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Gyanvapi Mosque Committee's Plea Against Maintainability of Suit Not Dismissed, Clarifies SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 26, rectified an inadvertent error by which it had on Monday, July 24, disposed of a plea on maintainability of a suit related to Gyanvapi mosque and Kashi Vishwanath temple at Varanasi.

The top court had then halted the survey of the mosque until 5 pm on Wednesday, July 26, ordered by the Varanasi district court. The survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was ordered to ascertain whether the mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple.

The error was pointed out by Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia of the Gyanvapi mosque, that the court had inadvertently disposed of the main plea instead of the interlocutory application, which only sought a stay on the ASI survey. The main plea referred to a special leave petition filed by the Committee challenging the Allahabad high court’s dismissal of its Order 7 Rule 11 CPC (Code of Civil Procedure) plea against the maintainability of the Hindu Worshippers’ suit.

According to Livelaw, Ahmadi said, “There is a correction needed in the Monday order. Your Lordships accidentally disposed the SLP. We had moved for the IA [interlocutory application]. The only problem is that the matter is going on before the Allahabad high court on a day-to-day basis. The SLP (special leave petition) is against an Order 7 Rule 11 issue…that has been disposed of but we never argued on that. We only argued on the ASI survey point. Now before the Allahabad HC, it can be argued that our appeal has been dismissed.”

After hearing Ahmadi’s explanation, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud promptly corrected the order, clarifying that what was disposed of was the interlocutory petition and not the special leave petition as assumed earlier. He then ordered the court staff to delete Paragraph 10 of the order, which led to confusion.

In October 2022, the Masjid Committee had moved the Allahabad high court challenging the maintainability of a suit filed by five Hindu women, who sought the right to worship inside the Gyanvapi mosque compound. The plea was filed under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC. In fact, the Masjid Committee had to move the high court because the same plea was turned down by the Varanasi district court. The district court held that the Hindu petitioners cannot be barred from worshipping rights under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, The Waqf Act 1995, and the Uttar Pradesh Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Act, 1983.

The high court then dismissed Masjid Committee’s petition, upholding the Varanasi district court’s order.

Meanwhile, the Hindu petitioners filed an application before a trial court requesting a survey of the mosque by the ASI, which was allowed on July 21. The Supreme Court then stayed the trial court order, stating that the survey will be on hold until 5 pm on July 26 to allow the Masjid committee to challenge the survey order.

Source: thewire.in

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https://thewire.in/law/gyanvapi-mosque-committees-plea-against-maintainability-of-suit-not-dismissed-clarifies-sc

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Udupi Restroom Video: FIR Filed Against 3 Muslim Students, College Administration

July 26, 2023

Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Wednesday dubbed the filming of a girl student in the restroom by fellow female students in a Udupi college as "a small incident blown out of proportion". According to him, it has happened in the past but "no one did politics then" but now the BJP has indulged in "petty politics". “That is a small incident. Reports say it happened amongst friends. Should it be blown out of proportion and given a political colour,” Parameshwara asked while speaking to reporters.

He was reacting to an incident in which three girls allegedly videographed their classmate, who is from another community, at a paramedical college last Wednesday in the coastal district headquarters town of Udupi. Police have filed an FIR against the three girl students. The accused girls were suspended from the college the very next day of the incident.

If a criminal activity has taken place beyond it and if a complaint has been given then it will come under the jurisdiction of the police department, the minister said. However, there is neither complaint "nor anything else," he added. Hitting out at the BJP, he said they should stop blowing up these "small issues" simply for political reasons. They should keep in mind that there should be peace in society.

“Weren’t these things happening in the past? Weren’t these things happening in the past in colleges and universities? No one did politics then, why are they doing it now? There are many other works but they (BJP) never speak on them. They did not speak about drought, floods. BJP is doing petty politics. They should have other works. Now it appears that they don’t have any other work,” Parameshwara said. Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai slammed the home minister for "taking it lightly". “If that was a small case, then why an FIR was registered and what about the confessional letter by the accused girls? Why were those girls suspended? He (Parameshwara) should answer these questions,” Bommai told reporters here. The BJP leader alleged that the college administration tried to hush up the case. If the student had not tweeted, no one would have known about it. “How many cases will you (government) cover up? How many girls’ modesty would have been at stake with these videos? Such forces should be punished severely. Police should function independently without succumbing to any pressure," Bommai said, demanding that "the officers who are at fault in the case should be punished." He said making videos of girls in a restroom is a "heinous and condemnable act". However, police going to the residence of the girl who brought out the incident to the fore, in a manner to investigate her antecedents, shows under what compulsion they are functioning, Bommai claimed.

He alleged that the police were not functioning as per law and it was becoming clear that they were succumbing to the pressure of those in power. “Police should seize the phone and recover the videos. Will the college administration suspend the girls without any reason? Why did the girls give a confessional letter? Police give statements as if nothing happened in the college. The confessional letter itself is sufficient to register a case against them,” Bommai said. "Police going to the residence of the girl and giving a statement that she has not given any complaint. If that becomes a parameter, 'certain forces’ will be emboldened to resort to all kinds of illegalities and violence believing that anything can be done here. Police will lose its trust among people", Bommai charged.

Source: oneindia.com

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https://www.oneindia.com/india/udupi-restroom-video-fir-filed-against-3-muslim-students-college-administration-3594133.html

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Over 300 Muslim League members booked for inflammatory ‘anti-Hindu’ slogans at Kerala rally

July 26, 2023

Over 300 members of the youth wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), part of the Congress-led UPA alliance, were booked on Wednesday for allegedly raising provocative slogans during a march in this northern Kerala district, PTI reported.

At a protest rally being held against the Manipur violence in Kanhangad under the Kasaragod district, members of the Muslim League raised slogans like “will hang Hindus in front of temples and burn them alive”.

A controversy erupted over the protest rally for the provocative sloganeering by a section of protesters.

Youth League State General Secretary P K Firoz said the worker who raised the provocative slogan has been expelled from the organisation. He also said the worker shouted slogans deviating from the printed version given to the workers for raising during the march.

“It is an unpardonable mistake,” said the Muslim Youth League in a statement.

300 Muslim League leaders booked

An officer of the Hosdurg police station said the cases were registered against 300 persons who participated in the Youth League march based on a complaint filed by the BJP Kanhangad mandala president, PTI reported.

They have been booked under Section 153A of the IPC, which deals with promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony.

‘Are Hindus & Christians safe in Kerala?’ asks BJP

BJP leader Amit Malviya shared the video of the rally where the provocative slogans were raised and questioned if the “Hindus and Christians are safe in Kerala?”

“Youth wing of the Indian Union Muslim League, an ally of the Congress, held a rally in Kerala’s Kasaragod, and raised vile anti-Hindu slogans, threatening to hang them (Hindus) in front of Temples and burn them alive…,” the BJP leader said.

Hitting out at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Malviya said, “They wouldn’t have dared to go this far had the Pinarayi government not been supporting them. Are Hindus and Christians now safe in Kerala?”

Condemning the incident, Kerala BJP said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi must be held accountable for the actions of the party he calls ‘secular’.

The protest rally was carried out over the violence in Manipur which erupted on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Source: financialexpress.com

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South Asia

 

Islamic Emirate Says It Does Not Interfere With Aid Operations

The deputy minister of economy, Abdul Latif Nazari, said that the ministry keeps an eye on how foreign aid is distributed to ensure transparency and fairness.

According to Nazari, these claim were made for political reasons.

"We provide facilities for them, we removed the bureaucracy and we cooperate with them. But interference is never in our policy,” Nazari noted.

Earlier, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said in a report that the current Afghan government interferes in the process of distributing humanitarian aid.

Foreign Policy magazine, which published this report, said that USAID found that the current Afghan government is trying to lead and monetize humanitarian aid.

"They make excuses, and in reality, they have started making excuses, and they use particular pressures on the Taliban in order to achieve certain aims,” said Sayed Masoud, an economist.

It was noted in the USAID May report that humanitarian aid donors were hesitant to continue aiding Afghanistan because of "Taliban" interference in the process.

The deputy minister of economy also talked about the reduction of humanitarian aid compared to last year.

“The aid is not as much as we expected at the moment, but our diplomacy and consultation are continuing in order to attract more aid,” Abdul Latif Nazari noted.

According to economists, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan now more than ever requires a seamless flow of help to people.

“Given the urgency and need that the people of Afghanistan currently have for the aid of the UN, it is necessary to consider complete transparency in the distribution of aid," said Shahir Bashiri, an economist.

This comes as the US special inspector for Afghanistan's reconstruction announced last week that the US House of Representatives had approved a law restricting Washington's assistance to Afghanistan.

According to SIGAR, this law will prohibit the US State Department and American donor organizations from sending aid to the current government of Afghanistan.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184373

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If Seeking Recognition Abroad, Kabul Must Take Action in Afghanistan: Patel

The deputy spokesman for the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, said that if the Taliban intends to seek international recognition, they need to "start directly with the actions and the policies they choose to undertake in Afghanistan."

Speaking at a press conference in Washington DC, Patel said that the US is “going to be watching very closely and will continue to take appropriate actions as needed.”

“As it relates to the United States and Taliban, we have been incredibly clear, quite regularly condemning the clear backsliding that we are seeing in Afghanistan, the egregious human rights abuses, the marginalization of women and girls,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate said that ensuring the rights of women is an internal issue and no country should interfere in this regard.

“The Islamic Emirate has its own rules in issues of values and women—whatever the Islamic Sharia allows and whatever is ensured is based on Shariah. The Americans and other countries should not interfere in the internal issues of Afghanistan,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

This comes as political analysts said that the issue of recognition is linked to the formation of an inclusive government, and the fulfillment of the international community’s wishes.

If the interim Afghan government does not take “some of the rules and procedures on the international level to recognize the government and doesn’t take practical actions to eliminate restrictions against them, it will not be recognized by the international community, particularly the US,” said Najib Rahman Shamal, political analyst.

“The main content and the fundamental issue is a change in the current political government of Afghanistan,” said WaisNaseri, political analyst.

This comes as acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani at a gathering in Logar said that the Islamic Emirate does not need recognition of other countries as it has the support of the people of Afghanistan.

Source: tolonews.com

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The meeting of Coordination between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and UN Organizations was held at the Storai Palace of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In this meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, along with the Deputy ministers and directors of the Ministry of Interior, Ministery of Finance, Ministry Public Health and Ministry of Economy, and on the behalf of the United Nations, the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs and Assistant of UNAMA, Mr. Daniel Andres, and Directors of OCHA, UNICEF, FAO and IOM participated in the meeting.

In the meeting, Mr. Daniel discussed new strategic plan of the United Nations for Afghanistan, the current situation of Afghanistan and the international aid.

Reiterating his commitment to help the people of Afghanistan, he said that the economic situation of Afghanistan has improved since the last meeting, adding that the objective of the new plan of UN is to bring about coordination between the efforts of humanitarian and infrastructural wings, by taking the long-term needs of Afghanistan and the principle of sustainability of aid into account.

Later, FM Muttaqi said that the request of the Islamic Emirate is to oversee the future aid to Afghanistan by turning it into creating opportunities so that people can benefit from it continuously and the country gradually can move towards self-dependability.

In the end, the both sides agreed to resolve problems and strengthen mutual understanding and coordination through these meetings.

Source: mfa.gov.af

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Arab World

 

Saudi Arabia monitoring events in Niger after coup attempt

July 26, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said it is following with “great concern” the developments in Niger, after presidential guards held President Mohamed Bazoum inside his palace in the capital, Niamey.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness for Niger’s security, stability, and the integrity of its institutions.

It also affirmed “full solidarity with the people of Niger, and called on everyone to give priority to the voice of reason, wisdom and supreme national interest,” the ministry said in a statement.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Arabia participates in 129th IMO council meeting

July 27, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia participated recently in the 129th Session of the 40-member International Maritime Organization council meeting in London, held to discuss its work and budget, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Kingdom was represented by Dr.Rumaih Al-Rumaih, deputy minister of transport and logistics services and the acting president of the Transport General Authority.

The ministries of foreign affairs and energy, and NEOM Co. also represented the Kingdom at the meeting held from July 17 to 21.

The council is the executive body of the organization and is responsible for overseeing its work, budget, and coordination with other entities.

During the meeting, Arsenio Dominguez was elected as the IMO’s secretary-general, and delegates discussed the outcomes of the Women in Maritime Biofouling Management workshop that was held in Jeddah.

They also discussed the organization’s strategic plan for 2024 to 2029.

Source: arabnews.com

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Jordan and Gulf countries send condolences to Saudi Arabia after airmen die in fighter jet crash

July 27, 2023

RIYADH: Authorities in Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Jordan offered their condolences to the government and people of Saudi Arabia after two crewmen died when a Royal Saudi Air Force fighter jet crashed during a training mission in Khamis Mushait on Wednesday.

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a message of sympathy for the families of the victims.

Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said he “prayed to Allah, the Almighty, to lodge the martyrs in paradise and grant their families patience and solace.”

In a statement on Thursday, the UAE’s foreign ministry expressed “its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Saudi Arabia, and to the families of the victims of this tragedy.”

Bahrain’s foreign ministry also issued a statement, reaffirming “the sympathy and solidarity of Bahrain” with the Kingdom following the crash.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi students club in London holds public speaking competition for children

July 26, 2023

LONDON: The Saudi Students Club in London recently concluded a public speaking competition organized for the children of the Kingdom’s scholarship students residing in the UK.

The “Little Speaker” contest, which was sponsored by the Saudi cultural attache in the UK, saw around 40 children aged 8 to 12 take part. They had the option to deliver the same speech on the Kingdom’s development and Vision 2030 plan, in either English or Arabic.

The children had one month to prepare for the competition via weekly sessions that trained them in different aspects of public speaking, with the deadline for submissions on June 20, said Reem Kharji, president of the Saudi Students Club in London.

The contestants from across the UK were shortlisted to 15 at the end of June. They passed through to the final stage and delivered their speeches at a ceremony in the capital last week, where the five winners were also announced. The first-place winner received £200 ($258), the second received £150, while winners three to five received £100 each.

“Saudi students in the UK are the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia in the UK, so we are trying to raise this in the younger generation to be proud of our country,” Kharji told Arab News.

She added that there are around 30 Saudi student clubs across Britain which hold regular events at universities, where members can talk about their country and its culture.

“One of these events is starting to prepare the younger generation to be speakers in the future, because we know the importance of these kinds of events to raise the confidence of these children to be representatives in the future,” Kharji said.

The Saudi cultural attache in the UK, Dr. Amal bint Jameel Fatani, said: “I’m responsible for all our scholarship recipients, which are about 12,000 students, but they all come with their families and it’s very important to the government and to myself that we not only help them to get their degrees but support them while they’re away from their families, support their children, and help their elderly.”

Fatani said it was important for Saudi students to get the “utmost experiences” from their presence in the UK, so they are “experiencing both the knowledge that they have gained while abroad and also the experience of their family as a unit.”

Fatani said they hold multiple events for children, including one in Newcastle that taught them how to code, and are looking to hold more in the future. There would soon be a symposium held with sessions and workshops organized by children for children, she added.

“I just want them to feel that whether they win today or not, they still have something to look forward to because with that age, it’s not easy to face that I did not win and you really don’t want to break their spirits,” Fatani said.

The children were evaluated by a specialized judging committee, according to five criteria — diversity of tone of voice, hand movement, use of pauses, looking at the camera, and soundness of language. The committee was made up of five students studying different subjects at various UK universities.

“It’s not an easy job to decide who can win the first or the second position in this competition, but we are proud of all of them and they are doing a great job,” said Abdulaziz Alothman, one of the judges.

“We hope and wish to see them in the near future also doing something amazing for Saudi Arabia around the world,” added Alothman, who is president of the Saudi Students Club in Leeds and studying medical education at Leeds University.

He added that one of the key advantages of holding such events is that it brings together children and members of the Saudi student community from across the UK, which allows them to network and learn from each other.

 Twelve-year-old Yazeed Alharbi, who moved to Nottingham from Madinah in 2016, won third place for his performance and strong elocution.

“I talked about Saudi Arabia in general and all the projects which aim to make Saudi Arabia richer, more popular, and make people want to go and see Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Alharbi, who has previously taken part in drawing and Qur’an competitions in the UK, also highlighted the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, which he said has been set up by the Saudi government and aims to promote tourism and “improve the economy globally.”

He added: “I’d like my country to become very popular (and) in school I always talk about Saudi Arabia and my teacher is like, OK, I really want to go there.”

The first prize went to 9-year-old Jumanah Alharbi, who moved from Riyadh to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, four years ago.

“I feel really (overjoyed) because I’ve won first place and I needed to practice a lot to win first place. And I needed to work hard and make sure that I pronounced the words correctly,” she said.

Alharbi, who aspires to be a space scientist because she wants to know if life exists beyond Earth, said that in her first presentation she spoke about how the government has set up Vision 2030 which will make her country “better and smarter.”

In her second presentation, she spoke about imagination, friendship, kindness and that anything is possible, she said.

“They tell you that dreams don’t just come true on their own and it takes hard work and it takes the importance of friendship as well.

“Just dream big and let your curiosity guide you, but don’t let anyone stop you and believe in yourself.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Women Innovators Fellowship gears up for 2023 cohort

July 26, 2023

RIYADH: The WIn (Women Innovators) Fellowship has returned with its second cohort, as part of PepsiCo’s commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region.

First launched in Saudi Arabia, the fellowship was established in 2022 through a partnership between the Atlantic Council and Georgetown University, with support from the US Embassy in Riyadh, and PepsiCo.

PepsiCo held an in-depth panel discussion on the evolving landscape of the Kingdom’s private sector during a recent event, “The Rising Female Workforce in Saudi Arabia and its Impact on the Private Sector.”

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar commended last year’s inaugural program during her opening remarks, and said: “Judging by the women who were selected for this year’s program, I’m sure this will be another great year.”

She thanked the collaborators for their support on the fellowship program and for “helping shape the leaders of tomorrow.”

She added: “Support like this for women entrepreneurship is just so important and not just for the women who are here today, but for all of us in the future.

“Half of the world’s population are women, and yet we still make up a fraction of leadership positions, of business owners, of middle management, and still too small a part of the overall workforce. That needs to change because when women succeed, we all succeed.”

She added that a “more inclusive and equitable society” would result in actual advancement, and spoke about the multiplier effect women’s leadership participation had on leading economic and societal gains.

Building on the success of the inaugural cohort in Saudi Arabia, the fellowship has expanded to Bahrain and the UAE, focusing on the rising prominence of female talent and leadership.

Princess Reema noted that the Kingdom is undergoing a substantial socioeconomic transformation under Vision 2030, and that women’s empowerment is a cornerstone of today’s changes.

US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney said: “The idea was to have 30 percent female workforce participation by 2030 in Saudi Arabia. Now, in 2023, the Kingdom is already at 37 percent with a third of the tech sector comprised of women, which is higher than that of Silicon Valley.”

The exceptional upsurge of Saudi women’s participation in the labor force has signaled a significant shift in government policies to foster rather than hinder their involvement.

Dena Elkhatib, the general counsel for Riyadh Air, shed light on the integration of women in the aviation sector as she has been an expert in the industry for the past 20 years.

She said: “The aviation sector is a male-dominated industry worldwide, not just in the Kingdom. Today we have engineers, pilots, and air traffic controllers.”

Hattan Ahmed, entrepreneurship director at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, said that women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics was significant.

He said: “Our female concentration of the student body at the university’s graduate level is around 39 percent, which is way above the global average in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.”

He said there was much work to accomplish, and women had delivered amazing stories in their move forward.

He added: “From there, if we cascade to entrepreneurship, we also see staggering records in terms of women’s engagement in different flagship programs.”

Ahmed added that in one of the university’s accelerator programs in partnership with a Saudi British bank: “We see 49 percent female founders engaging into the portfolio that we run into those kinds of programs, with 55 to 60 per cent engagement outperforming that of men in those activities.”

Elkhatib spoke of looking beyond genders and advocating for more involvement from women, with male support.

She said: “Allyship is anybody who can be your ally, whether it’s somebody you know, a different gender, different nationality, younger or older. It is about opening your mindset.”

She added that it was all about creating friendships and breaking boundaries to lift each other, despite gender.

Elkhatib also explained that it was crucial to witness allyship and mentorship without gender, adding: “It’s crucial to think of that person at the table as being just a person, and not being gender specific.”

The fellowship believes in substantially increasing women’s economic participation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, which will contribute toward positive consequences for the overall economic prosperity of the region.

The year-long program, from June 2023 to March 2024, will give the opportunity to 34 Saudi women entrepreneurs to extend their networks, gain practical knowledge, and develop meaningful US-Saudi relationships and business ties.

Its goal is to assist them in scaling their businesses at local, regional, and global levels.

Source: arabnews.com

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Uber’s female empowerment initiatives support Saudi goals to grow women’s workforce by 2030

July 26, 2023

RIYADH: Uber — which provides UberTaxi service in Saudi Arabia — has revealed insights from female drivers in the Kingdom, with financial independence and safety as key issues.

Data shows an optimistic outcome of female empowerment in the Kingdom with more than 76 percent of participants citing financial independence as the reason they drive using Uber.

These numbers follow a survey shared by Uber among female drivers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

More than 56 percent of participants mentioned using Uber to financially support their families, with 46.89 percent of drivers successfully increasing financial stability.

A large majority highlighted the sense of community it helped build, with 77 percent of respondents saying they felt safe driving with Uber.

Localized features such as the “women preferred view” — a product Uber built explicitly for Saudi Arabia before expanding to other markets — allow female drivers a choice to be connected to women riders.

More than half of the participants want to continue their journey with Uber and progress professionally.

In line with its commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, Uber continues to connect with, empower and support the advancement of women in Saudi Arabia by providing financial opportunities, flexibility and advanced safety measures for female drivers.

Wusool, the subsidized women empowerment program Uber launched in 2017, has supported more than 120,000 women taking 20 million trips to and from their workplace by 2021.

This has played a critical role in driving forward Saudi Arabia’s female labor participation, which has risen to 37 percent in mid-2022.

Mohammad Al-Juraish, general manager at Uber Saudi Arabia, said: “We are proud to play a key role in supporting female financial independence and empowerment in the Kingdom. We see that female drivers’ ages range from 21-46, showcasing the diversity of driver profiles who drive using the Uber app, whether for self-empowerment, exceeding cultural barriers or financial support.”

“We hope to continue creating innovative solutions and build locally using our global experience, to bridge mobility concerns for our riders,” he said.

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

 

Over 1,000 welcomed to Neeli Mosque for Rochdale Eid Science Extravaganza

26 July 2023

The Rochdale Eid Science Extravaganza welcomed more than a thousand visitors to Neeli Mosque on Sunday (23 July), despite extensive rain throughout the day.

espite a Met Office-issued yellow weather warning, Rochdale Science Initiative CIC went ahead with the Rochdale Eid Science Extravaganza – and the continuous downpour of rain did not hinder the 1,068 visitors who attended and experienced wide variety of science and art activities, celebrating a fusion of South Asian culture and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Maths).

The theme for the event was climate change and sustainability, and visitors could take part in 18 activities, including exploring water and flood defence, electronic waste, learning about acidity of Manchester's rainwater, and pH testing, how faith can inspire climate action, fun activities around reduce, reuse and recycle, and how our brain and body works.

Visitors also enjoyed the mobile petting zoo, the immersive planetarium, and the Blair Project's STEM Truck, including activities in 3D printing & CAD demonstration, electric go kart demonstration, wind tunnel table, and snap circuit table.

The highly commended local artist Rahela Khan led a series of workshops on mindful colouring inspired by mandalas and minarets.

The Great Imagining was on hand to engage people in writing articles around climate science, biodiversity, habitat loss, and other overlapping subjects.

The event also brought local VCFSE organisations, Bangladesh Association Community Project, Jolly Josh, Springhill Hospice, Get Up and Grow CIC, and Andalucia Learning Centre.

In addition, there was a variety of 19 stalls outdoors, ranging from food, desserts and mocktails, clothing, floral boutique, bric-a-brac, and henna painting.

The event was a first of its kind for a mosque environment in Rochdale, and for many of the visitors, it was a first in visiting a mosque.

Keeping within the spirit of Eid, it was a joyous occasion for neighbours, families, and friends, creating a feeling of good will and communal unity.

 Mohammad Rahman, founding executive director of Rochdale Science Initiative thanked Neeli Mosque for hosting the event and all its volunteers, saying: "Thank you very much to Neeli Mosque for facilitating the first-ever Rochdale Eid Science Extravaganza and thank you to all the presenters and both the Rochdale Science Initiative and Neeli Mosque volunteers for the immeasurably valuable work they have done for this event.

“We cannot thank you enough and want to let you know that your dedication is essential to the work that we do. We cannot do it without you."

Imran Ahmed, a senior member of Neeli Mosque, said: "Thanks to Mohammed Rahman for allowing us to host Rochdale Science Initiative CIC and his team. May Allah (God) accept everyone’s efforts today to make the event a success. It gave people of Rochdale and beyond an opportunity to see science, the Muslim community, and our mosque in all its glory."

Samar Mushtaq, headteacher at Neeli Mosque, said: "I was delighted to see so many people, young and old, enjoying and being inspired by STEM practitioners from all backgrounds. This event was a wonderful combination of science and culture that paves the way for STEM enthusiasts."

The Science Extravaganza was a free to attend event made possible thanks to The Ogden Trust, Royal Society of Chemistry, The Great Imagining, Immersive Experiences, Action Together, TJ Refrigeration, Arif Grocers and Sahara Grill.

Source: rochdaleonline.co.uk

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As EU condemns Quran burnings, Sweden says it's falsely blamed for them

JULY 26, 2023

July 26 (UPI) -- The European Union is condemning Quran burnings as Swedish Minister of Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin said Wednesday a disinformation campaign is "perpetuating false claims that the Swedish state is behind the desecration of copies of holy scriptures."

EU High Representative For Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said in a statement Wednesday, "The EU reiterates its strong and determined rejection of any form of incitement to religious hatred and intolerance ... The desecration of the Quran, or of any other book considered holy, is offensive, disrespectful and a clear provocation. Expressions of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in the European Union."

The Swedish government is urging that everyone be vigilant against rumors and disinformation on the Quran burnings.

"There is a risk that the current disinformation campaigns against Sweden could jeopardize the situation of Swedish citizens and companies abroad, and pose a threat to national security. In light of this, the government wishes to clarify that we all have a responsibility to not spread information and messages that are clearly incorrect," Bohlin said in a statement following a press briefing.

According to the government, Sweden "has been a target for Islamist information influence activities" that started in 2021. The government said it is the most extensive campaign of its kind against Sweden.

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani expelled Sweden's ambassador Thursday after protesters stormed the Swedish embassy over Quran burnings.

The prime minister's office said it was a response to "Swedish government's repeated permission for burning the Holy Quran, insulting Islam and burning Iraqi flag."

A Quran was burned Tuesday by far-right protesters at the Copenhagen embassies of Turkey and Egypt.

The Quran burnings in Sweden have harmed relations with Turkey.

After opposing Sweden's entry into NATO for over a year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan relented July 10, agreeing to advance Sweden's admission to NATO.

After a June Quran burning in Sweden, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan said on Twitter, "It is unacceptable to allow these anti-Islamic actions under the pretext of freedom of expression. To turn a blind eye to such heinous acts is to be complicit in them."

Source: upi.com

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https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/07/26/5301690392268/

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Conservatives suspend Ed Green before Upminster by-election

26th July

The Conservatives have suspended their candidate in an upcoming Havering Council by-election following a Romford Recorder investigation.

Ed Green was suspended by Conservative Party’s national headquarters after concerns were raised over his social media activity.

Havering Islamic Cultural Centre had called for his deselection over “Islamophobic” material posted on Facebook.

Mr Green’s posts included an image of a Muslim woman, edited to give her a black eye and a missing tooth, which said: “I did not want a hijab, then my husband convinced me.”

He also shared a post about two Muslim men being charged with offences, captioned: “Import Muhammad; gets Muhammad.”

Other posts included offensive caricatures of Muslim men and repeated messages linking Muslim men to rape and paedophilia.

Tahir Sharif, from the Havering Islamic Cultural Centre in Romford, said: “It’s an indictment of the selection process of the Conservative Party.”

Suspended

The posts came to light on the same day that the author of a report on Islamophobia in the Conservative Party said the party was taking “forever” to tackle the problem.

Conservative headquarters acted swiftly when the Recorder asked questions about Mr Green’s selection for next month’s Upminster by-election, following the death of councillor Linda Hawthorn.

He was immediately “suspended from the party pending investigation”.

It was too late to remove him from the ballot paper, but if elected he will not be allowed to sit as a Conservative councillor.

“I think it’s abhorrent that somebody with his views can be selected,” said Mr Sharif. “I can’t understand the screening process that would let that happen.

“Our concern is that this is a changing borough. How is he going to represent us all if those are his views?”

Gillian Ford, deputy leader of Havering Council, echoed those concerns, saying: “We have different groups within the workforce. I’m not sure how this would sit with them, hearing these sort of comments and having to work with the person who made them.”

The Hornchurch and Upminster Conservative Association did not respond to the Recorder’s questions about its vetting processes.

All mention of Mr Green has disappeared from its website, but he was listed in December as the association's “deputy chairman political”.

“It’s not just Islamophobia,” said Mr Sharif.

“The Conservative Party suspended an MP for his views on Covid, so how can the same party let somebody like this stand for election?”

Mr Green has repeatedly posted in opposition to the Covid-19 vaccination.

When Tory MP Andrew Bridgen had the whip removed for spreading Covid misinformation, Mr Green shared a “Justice for Andrew Bridgen” petition.

He said most people hospitalised with Covid-19 were to blame because they were “fat and lazy”, adding that it was “more flan-demic than pandemic”.

Source: thisislocallondon.co.uk

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Davido video: Wole Soyinka defends Nigerian Afrobeats star in Muslim row

Nigerian Nobel-Prize winning writer Wole Soyinka has defended Afrobeats star Davido over a controversial music video which offended some Muslims.

Davido shared a video by another singer signed to his label, which reportedly showed men dancing outside a mosque.

This caused outrage in some Muslim circles, with people tearing down Davido posters, local media report.

Davido has since deleted the video but 89-year-old Soyinka urged him not to apologise.

"I have not seen the clip, but I insist on the right of the artiste to deploy dance in a religious setting as a fundamental given," Soyinka said.

Several high-profile figures have condemned the video, including former lawmaker Shehu Sani, who tweeted that Davido should apologise because fans were "offended" by the video.

Bashir Ahmad, an adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, wrote to his 1.6 million followers that the content was "absolutely disrespectful hurtful and offensive".

"We Muslims don't mix our religion with jokes in any way," he wrote, especially anything to do with prayers.

On Wednesday morning, two Nigerian media outlets reported that Davido's manager, Israel Afeare, had apologised on Instagram over the controversial video.

However, the reported apology no longer appears on his Instagram account.

Neither Davido himself, nor Logos Olori, the artist whose song Jaye Lo was promoted in the video, have commented.

Who is Logos Olori?

Logos Olori, whose real name is Olalekan Emeka Taiwo, was announced as a new member of Davido's record label in March.

"He's a born star, born hitmaker," Davido said about Logos Olori in an interview in May with Turntable Charts.

"I can't wait for the world to hear him," Davido added.

Logos Olori also featured on Davido's latest album, Timeless, collaborating on a track called PICASSO.

Source: bbc.com

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

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66312002

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North America

 

Organization of Islamic Cooperation suspends Sweden’s special envoy over desecration of Quran

July 26, 2023

BEIRUT (AP) — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has suspended the status of Sweden’s special envoy over a string of Quran burnings in Stockholm that sparked anger and mass protests in a number of Muslim countries.

The organization comprised of 57 Muslim-majority nations said Sunday that the suspension was due to the “ granting by the Swedish authorities of licenses that enabled the repeated abuse of the sanctity of the Holy Quran and Islamic symbols.”

The Islamic holy book was burned or defaced during recent public demonstrations in the Swedish capital. An Iraqi man of Christian origin living in Sweden as a self-proclaimed atheist announced plans to burn the Quran in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm on Thursday.

Demonstrators In Iraq stormed the Swedish Embassy and the Iraqi government cut off diplomatic relations with Sweden. In the end, the man in Sweden kicked and stepped on the Islamic holy book but stopped short of setting it ablaze.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s decision came after the bloc’s executive committee held a July 2 meeting following an earlier Quran-burning incident.

The committee asked the secretary-general to consider suspending the status of the special envoy from “any country in which copies of the Holy Qur’an or other Islamic values and symbols are desecrated with the consent of the authorities concerned,” according to Sunday’s statement.

The organization said it had sent a letter to Sweden’s foreign minister conveying the decision.

A public burning of the Quran in Denmark on Friday sparked more protests in Iraq, some of them violent. Protesters clashed with police as they attempted to storm the Green Zone in Baghdad where the Danish embassy is located, and in Basra, demonstrators torched facilities belonging to a demining project of the Danish Refugee Council.

Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday condemned the burning of the Quran.

“Burning of holy texts and other religious symbols is a shameful act that disrespects the religion of others,” it said. “It is a provocative act that hurts many people and creates division between different religions and cultures.”

It added, however, that “freedom of expression and freedom of assembly must be respected.”

While many countries around the world still have laws criminalizing blasphemy, Sweden and Denmark do not, and burning of holy texts is not specifically prohibited by law.

Source: religionnews.com

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

https://religionnews.com/2023/07/26/organization-of-islamic-cooperation-suspends-swedens-special-envoy-over-desecration-of-quran/

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US keeps backing Kiev's 'terrorist plans' by its military aid: Russia

26 July 2023

The US government keeps sponsoring the "terrorist plans" of Kiev by sending military aid to the ex-soviet country, causing more death and suffering, Russia's ambassador to Washington has reiterated.

"The actions by Washington, which continues to pump its Ukrainian puppets with weapons, are beyond morality and common sense," Anatoly Antonov insisted in a post on the Russian embassy's official Telegram channel as quoted in a TASS report on Wednesday.

"The United States seeks to present itself as a selfless benefactor of Ukraine. It hypocritically talks about ‘helping’ the republic. It manipulates public opinion, hiding the true goals of its policy," the Russian diplomat further emphasized.

Referring to US plans to send another $400 million package of military aid to Kiev, Antonov added: "The only thing the United States strives for is more human suffering and deaths. One can be sure that missiles and munitions, paid for with billions of dollars from the pockets of American taxpayers, will ruin cities, litter fields with unexploded ammunition, maim and mutilate."

He also emphasized that the United States is trying more for human casualties and the country is destroying and killing with the billions of dollars it receives from its taxpayers.

The statement came as the US government announced on Tuesday that it will send another package of military aid worth 400 million dollars to Ukraine.

The package will include additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as 32 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin and other anti-armor systems and rockets, Hydra-70 aircraft rockets, Hornet Unmanned Aerial Systems and over 28 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades.

Ukraine's Western-backed president has repeatedly called on its Western allies to speed up the pace of supplying weapons to his country.

In May, the Ukrainian president pressed allies to send more weapons as his military geared up for the planned counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Russia has warned that the flow of Western arms will only escalate tensions and prolong the war.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/07/26/707766/US-keeps-backing-Kiev-s--terrorist-plans--by-its-military-aid--Russia

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US claims drone damaged by flares from Russian jet over Syria amid escalating tensions

26 July 2023

A Russian jet fighter flew recently within a few meters of an occupying US spy drone over Syria and fired flares at it, striking the illegally flying American aircraft and damaging it, the US military has claimed amid multiple encounters between the rival military powers over Syrian air space in recent weeks.

“One of the Russian flares struck the US MQ-9, severely damaging its propeller,” Chief of US Air Force Central Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich claimed in a statement on Tuesday as quoted in an AP report. "We call upon the Russian forces in Syria to put an immediate end to this reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behavior.”

Grynkewich further claimed that the move on Sunday was an attempt by the Russians to knock the MQ-9 Reaper drone out of the sky and came just a week after a Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a US spying aircraft carrying a crew in the region, “jeopardizing the lives of the four American crew members.

This is while American military forces are operating in Syria illegally and the occupying forces are engaged in plundering the country’s oil resources and transporting them to their military bases in neighboring Iraq. The invading US forces are also maintaining a military presence in the Arab country while collaborating with groups of anti-Damascus militants and terrorist groups.

According to the report, the Sunday incident marks the latest in a series of encounters between Russian fighter jets and American war planes flying over Syria. In one incident nearly a week ago a Russian Su-35 jet few close to a US MC-12 surveillance aircraft with a crew, forcing it to experience a strong turbulence.

US officials at the time described the encounter as a significant escalation in the persisting string of encounters between American and Russian aircraft that could have resulted in an accident or loss of life.

The development came less than two weeks after a senior Pentagon official was cited as saying that the US is considering military options to address “Russian aggression in the skies over Syria” while expressing rising fears about “growing ties between Iran, Russia and Syria across the Middle East.”

“The Russian military activity, which has increased in frequency and aggression since March, stems from growing cooperation and coordination between Moscow, Tehran and the Syrian government to try to pressure the US to leave Syria,” said an American “senior defense official” who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters on July 14, the unnamed American official went on to further claim that “Russia is beholden to Iran for its support in the war in Ukraine, and Tehran wants the US out of Syria” to extend aid to Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement “and threaten Israel.”

“US has seen more cooperation, collaboration, planning and intelligence sharing, largely between mid-level Russian and Iranian Quds force leaders in Syria, to pressure the US to remove troops from Syria,” the official also claimed as cited in the report.

In early July, three Russian jets launched parachute flares at an American drone, forcing the aircraft to conduct “evasive maneuvers.” The incident was quickly followed by two others in the next two days.

Moscow said the US-led military coalition’s fighter jets had violated Syria’s airspace in the strategic al-Tanf region several times.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/07/26/707751/US-claims-drone-damaged-by-flares-from-Russian-jet-over-Syria

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Syria’s Assad blames US, allies for fomenting ‘global instability’ to harm Russia

26 July 2023

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has blamed the US for fomenting global crises, saying Washington and its Western allies have generated “a state of global instability” in efforts to weaken rival Russia.

The United States and its Western allies "have fabricated a global political and economic crisis and caused a state of global instability with the aim of undermining Russia's position and its international presence," Assad said during a meeting in Damascus with visiting Russian presidential envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday.

“They used Ukraine as an instrument to push such objectives, but the repercussions of the crisis began unfold in their respective countries in terms of living conditions, as well as social and economic life,” President Assad further told Lavrentiev and his accompanying delegation.

He also pointed out that Moscow’s firm position toward the West and the United States remains one of the most important factors leading to the emerging establishment of a multi-polar world.

The Syrian president further discussed regional issues with the Russian envoy, including matters such as the return of the Syrian refugees and the need for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria.

Lavrentiev, for his part, conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s greetings to Assad, stressing Moscow’s support for the Damascus government to enhance the security and stability of the Syrian nation.

The senior Russian diplomat also underlined the need for closer cooperation between the two countries to secure a decent return of Syrian refugees to their motherland.

He noted that Russia and Syria are committed to the humanitarian dimension of the Syrian refugee crisis, and categorically reject all attempts to politicize the matter.

The development came a week after a senior Russian diplomat lashed out at the persisting illegal presence of US forces in Syria, demanding immediate end to the American illegitimate military occupation of the Arab nation's energy- and mineral-rich regions.

“Washington uses the pretext of combating terrorism to be present east of the Euphrates in economically important areas, where crude oil and strategic natural reserves are abundant" said Russian president’s special representative for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, who also serves Moscow as deputy foreign minister, in an interview published last week by al-Arabiya television news network.

"At the same time," he further pointed out, "its troops are deployed at al-Tanf area in southern Syria,” blasting the practice as a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

Bogdanov also censured US support in the terror-ravaged country for the anti-Damascus Kurdish-led militants affiliated with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/07/26/707746/Syria-Assad-US-allies-destabilized-world-undermine-Russia

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US drone locked weapons on Russian jets – Moscow

27 Jul, 2023

A US MQ-9 Reaper surveillance and attack drone flew “dangerously close” to a pair of Russian Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets in Syria on Wednesday, Moscow said. It was the second such incident in less than a week.

According to Rear Admiral Oleg Gurinov, the deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, the incident occurred shortly after 7:30 am local time over the northwestern Aleppo Province. He said the Russian planes automatically fired decoy flares after their radars showed that the Reaper had locked its weapons on them.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre offered a different account of the event, stating that the Russian aircraft were “flying dangerously close to our drone,” which was part of a mission against Islamic extremists.

The Pentagon said earlier that a Russian jet flew within meters of an MQ-9 during a separate incident on Sunday, damaging the drone’s propeller with flares. Addressing Sunday’s altercation, Gurinov said the Reaper was flying in a reckless manner, and collision was narrowly avoided thanks to “the high level of professionalism” of the Russian pilots.

Moscow and Washington have frequently accused each other of risky maneuvers and unprofessional behavior in Syrian airspace. Gurinov told reporters that Russian planes were conducting flights strictly in accordance with existing agreements between Russia and the US, aimed at preventing incidents involving military aircraft.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/russia/580369-reaper-locks-russian-jets/

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Mideast

 

Settlers storm al-Aqsa Mosque under leadership of extremist Ben Gvir

[27/July/2023]

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS July 27. 2023 (Saba) - Zionist settlers, led by extremist Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir on Thursday stormed the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque, under heavy security from the Zionist enemy's police.

The Palestinian News Agency stated that dozens of settlers, led by the extremist Zionist Minister of National Security, stormed al-Aqsa Mosque in groups, in memory of what they call the alleged "destruction of the Temple", from Mughrabi Gate, and performed racist Talmudic rituals in its courtyards.

The enemy police deployed special units in the courtyards of al-Aqsa to provide guards for the raiders as well as to keep the Palestinians away from the path of the incursions.

Source: saba.ye

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

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3254222.htm

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Israeli forces prevent Palestinian worshippers from entering Jerusalem's Aqsa Mosque

JERUSALEM, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Thursday prevented Palestinian Muslim worshippers from entering al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem during a raid by hundreds of settlers to the holy site compounds.

According to the Islamic Waqf, Israeli forces prevented worshippers from entering the Mosque and forced those inside to leave it.

Earlier today, Israeli Jewish supremacist Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Thursday stormed the compounds of the mosque, along with dozens of other extremist settlers, under heavy protection from the Israeli forces.

Last night, the settlers went on provocative tours in the vicinity of the mosque and inside Jerusalem's Old Town.

Source: english.wafa.ps

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https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/136931

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Kuwait executes five, including man convicted over ISIS mosque bombing

Ismaeel Naar

Jul 27, 2023

Kuwait on Thursday executed five people, including a man convicted of involvement in a 2015 ISIS suicide bombing that killed 27.

The Public Prosecution said one Kuwaiti, two Bidoons, an Egyptian and Sri Lankan were hanged.

One of the two members of the Bidoon stateless minority group to be executed was identified as Abdulrahman Sabah Eidan Saud. He had been sentenced to death in 2015 on murder and terror charges for his involvement in the suicide bombing on the Shia Imam Al Sadeq mosque in Kuwait that killed at least 27 people and left more than 200 injured.

The other men executed were convicted in cases of murder and drug trafficking.

The sole Kuwaiti executed on Thursday was identified by the Public Prosecution as Abdulaziz Al Mutairi, who was sentenced in 2015 for premeditated murder.

The executions are the second since January 25, 2017, when Kuwait hanged seven people, including a member of the royal family.

Death sentences in Kuwait are carried out only after approval by the Emir.

Kuwait has executed dozens of people since it introduced the death penalty in the mid-1960s. Most of the executions have been for murder or drug trafficking.

The first death sentence was carried out in Kuwait on May 17, 1964. Before Thursday’s decision, 84 people had been executed, including 20 Kuwaitis and 15 Pakistanis.

Source: thenationalnews.com

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https://www.thenationalnews.com/gulf-news/2023/07/27/kuwait-executes-five-including-man-convicted-over-isis-mosque-bombing/

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Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemns Zionist minister's storming of al-Aqsa Mosque

[27/July/2023]

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS July 27. 2023 (Saba) - The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Thursday extremist Zionist Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir's storming of al-Aqsa Mosque.

In a press statement, the Ministry considered this storming an official Zionist cover for the continuous incursions and the plans to Judaize al-Aqsa Mosque, and the imposition of forced changes on its existing historical and legal reality, as an integral part of the Judaization of al-Quds, changing its identity, and emptying it of its original owners.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry held Benjamin Netanyahu fully and directly responsible for this provocative incursion, calling for urgent international intervention to protect al-Quds and its sanctities, foremost of which is al-Aqsa Mosque and the US administration to translate its positions into actions that force the enemy state to stop its illegal unilateral measures.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3254223.htm

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Israeli army kills 14-year-old Palestinian, while Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir storms Al-Aqsa

 27 July, 2023

The Israeli military killed a 14-year-old Palestinian in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said on Thursday, 27 July, as an extremist Israeli minister stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque compound with hundreds of illegal settlers.

Itamar Ben-Gvir's storming to the hilltop compound came as a year-and-a-half-long escalation of violence by Israeli forces showed no signs of abating.

Also, early Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said 14-year-old Fares Sharhabil Abu Samra was killed by Israeli fire in the occupied West Bank town of Qalqilya. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Israeli forces have killed more than 200 Palestinians and arrested more than 3,900 since the beginning of 2023, according to reports by the Palestinian health ministry, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club and human rights groups.

Ben-Gvir was joining hundreds of Jewish settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to mark the Jewish holiday of TishaB'Avv, a day of mourning and repentance when Jews reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, critical events in Jewish history.

"This is the most critical place for the people of Israel, which we must return to and show our rule," Ben-Gvir said in a video released by his office, with the golden Dome of the Rock in the background.

Ben-Gvir, a former occupied West Bank settler leader and far-right fanatic who years ago was convicted of incitement and supporting a Jewish terror group, now serves as Israel's national security minister, overseeing the country's police force.

Thursday was Ben-Gvir's third known storming to the site  - the third-holiest in Islam - since becoming a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government.

Source: newarab.com

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https://www.newarab.com/news/itamar-ben-gvir-settlers-storms-al-aqsa-mosque-again

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Iran Leader attends mourning ceremony for Imam Hossein

July 27, 2023

On the eve of Tasu’a, the ninth day of the holy month of Muharram, a mourning ceremony was held at the Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh, with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in attendance.

Source: ifpnews.com

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https://ifpnews.com/iran-leader-mourning-ceremony-imam-hossein/

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Iraq Urges Denmark Against Offensive Acts to Islam

27th Jul 2023

ERBIL — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Wednesday held a phone call with his Danish counterpart, emphasizing the importance of preventing the recurrence of offensive acts directed towards Islam and the Holy Quran.

During the phone call with Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who, in return, affirmed the Danish government's rejection of any anti-Islamic actions, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Hussein conveyed the strong condemnation and denunciation of the government and people of Iraq for the recent incidents of burning and desecration of the Quran and the Iraqi flag in Denmark. He stressed that while freedom of expression is a vital right, it should not infringe upon other freedoms or violate human dignity and rights.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister urged the Danish government to take measures to prevent the repetition of such offensive and repeated acts against Islam and the Holy Qur'an. He highlighted that such provocative actions incite violence, hatred, racism, and extremism, and therefore, should not be considered within the scope of freedoms.

Hussein also welcomed the United Nations General Assembly's decision to promote dialogue and tolerance between religions and cultures as a means to counter hate speech.

The Iraqi minister further emphasized Iraq's commitment to ensuring the security and safety of diplomatic missions in Baghdad, while respecting freedom of expression within the bounds of constitutional and legal standards, without offending religions or beliefs.

In response, Rasmussen expressed his country's condemnation of the offensive act. He also stressed that the Danish government strongly rejects any anti-Islamic actions and does not endorse the anti-Islamic views expressed by the individual involved in the incident.

He reaffirmed the Danish government's commitment to protecting the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, underscoring the importance of maintaining peaceful and respectful relations between nations.

Source: basnews.com

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https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/817126

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Pakistan

 

Sindh to approve education policy for transgender community

July 26, 2023

KARACHI: In a first, the Sindh government is set to approve the Transgender Education Policy, confirmed provincial education and culture minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah.

The announcement, according to a statement from the education department, was made during a meeting held in Karachi, where the Transgender Education Policy draft and its implementation plan were discussed with key stakeholders.

Deputy Chief Advisor JICA Abid Gul, Chief Advisor Curriculum of School Education Department Dr Fozia Khan, and other officials attended the meeting.

During the meeting, extensive deliberations took place on the Transgender Education Policy, "and valuable feedback from the community was taken into account to shape the final policy", the statement mentioned.

Speaking about the challenges faced by the transgender community in accessing education, Education Minister Shah emphasised the importance of integrating them into the educational landscape to eliminate societal prejudices.

To ensure this, the government plans to establish Transgender Schools in each divisional headquarters initially, he said, adding that these schools would be strategically located in areas with a significant transgender population.

The minister acknowledged that due to social biases and lack of proper education, transgender individuals often miss out on employment opportunities.

He stressed that it is the state's responsibility to provide equal educational opportunities to every citizen under Article 25-A of the Constitution.

"Just like any other citizens, transgender individuals are an integral part of the nation, and it is imperative to empower them with quality education and protection of their rights."

Highlighting the inclusivity of the Transgender Education Policy, the minister said that besides formal education, non-formal and technical education will also be integral components of the policy.

The minister informed the meeting that the policy formulation has been a consultative process, and the valuable suggestions and recommendations from the transgender community have been incorporated.

After the policy's approval, further collaboration with the community will take place to ensure effective implementation. This collaboration will pave the way for a society where transgender individuals can confidently claim their rights and enjoy the privileges accorded to all citizens.

"The Transgender Education Policy marks a significant step towards a more inclusive and equal society in Sindh."

Source: thenews.com.pk

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

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1094379-sindh-to-approve-education-policy-for-transgender-community

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Three suspects held after Khyber Mosque suicide blast

July 27, 2023

KHYBER: The police and intelligence authorities claimed to have arrested three suspects during an intelligence-based operation in LandiKotal late on Tuesday night.

Officials said that raids were conducted in Sultankhel and Nekkikhel localities on the information received from a suspect, who was arrested soon after the Tuesday’s suicide blast inside a mosque in the Ali Masjid area.

A police official, Adnan Afridi, had lost his life in the blast. The sources said that besides apprehending three suspects, two from Sultankhel and one from Nekkikhel, a suicide jacket was also recovered from a house.

The arrested men were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

The officials said that the Tuesday night raids were conducted on the basis of secret information they had received during interrogation of the suspect, who was arrested while trying to flee after the suicide blast, which also razed the newly-built mosque.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1767052/three-suspects-held-after-khyber-mosque-suicide-blast

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Foreign elements behind militant attacks, says KP minister

July 27, 2023

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa information minister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel on Wednesday claimed that “foreign elements” were involved in the recent militant attacks in the province.

“It is too early to name foreign elements behind acts of militancy as things are being investigated,” the minister told Dawn.

He, however, said the government would share details of the probe into militant attacks with the media in “near future”.

Earlier, the minister told a presser here that militants wanted to destroy peace in the province, according to an official statement.

CM says special steps should be taken to improve law and order

He said the police had rendered countless sacrifices in the fight against militancy and their morale was high.

Mr Kakakhel said additional station house officer Adnan Afridi was martyred as he tried to stop a suicide bomber from entering a Jamrud mosque.

He said several militant attacks took place in the past but the police continued to crack down on militancy vigorously.

The minister insisted that foreigners were involved in the militant attack on the Jamrud mosque as they wanted to destroy national security.

He said a coordinated effort was being made to check militant attacks.

“Militants have started targeting mosques. They cannot be called Muslims,” he said.

Mr Kakakhel said though neighbouring countries were fighting militancy, “some elements” were opposed to Pakistan’s development and wanted instability in the country.

He said 46 checkpoints and seven police stations had been established in the province’s tribal districts to improve security, while 8,000 personnel were trained by the armed forces and 325 surveillance cameras were installed in the provincial capital.

The minister said the armed forces provided 25 armoured vehicles to the police.

He said law-enforcement agencies were ready to counter militant attacks.

“Details of the meeting on border control and entry of suicide bombers into the country will be shared with media in the next few days,” he said.

Home and tribal affairs secretary Abid Majeed, who was also in attendance, highlighted the law and order situation in the province and security measures for Muharram and said the police and other law-enforcement agencies won’t make any compromise on security.

“A separate meeting has been held on border control. Public representatives and personnel of law-enforcement agencies have shared their input. All that will be shared with the media soon,” he said.

The secretary said authorities had received specific terror threats for two districts of the province.

Also in the day, a meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s House to examine the overall law and order situation in the province.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan, who chaired the meeting, expressed concerns over the recent militant attacks in the province and said special measures were required to be taken improve the law and order situation, according to a statement issued by the CM House.

“Maintaining law and order during Muharram should be our top most priority. All stakeholders will have to play a proactive role for it,” he said.

The chief minister directed authorities to pay special attention to security of the most sensitive places in the province during the month.

He paid tribute to the martyred police and security personnel and said those officials had laid down their lives for the security of the province and their sacrifices would be remembered forever.

Source: dawn.com

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

https://www.dawn.com/news/1767058/foreign-elements-behind-militant-attacks-says-kp-minister

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PM vows to cut govt expenses, smash begging bowl

July 26, 2023

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed to break the begging bowl by curtailing the government’s expenses.

The premier made the remarks while addressing an inaugural and groundbreaking ceremony of eight development projects in the energy and communication sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday.

A day earlier, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir had also underscored the need for making the country’s economy self-reliant to end dependence on foreign loans, saying: “All Pakistanis must throw out the begging bowl.”

Addressing the event, PM Shehbaz said despite history’s most difficult period, the coalition government had steered the country out of the economic crisis.

“During the last 16 months, the incumbent government faced the most difficult challenges like the devastating flood that hit the country soon after it took charge of the office,” he added.

The premier said, “We faced the devastating flood on one side, and inflation, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) pressure, and political crisis on the other. Such challenging problems have never been faced by me in my whole life.”

He said all the coalition government parties had unanimously decided to ensure economic stability at all costs, including their politics. Such a resolve on their part helped the government to bring the country out of the crisis, the PM said, adding that there was record wheat production in a decade, which saved billions of dollars.

‘Opposition had wished for the country’s default’

Berating the PTI, the premier said that Imran Khan exploited his own created situation which he used for political gains at the country’s cost.

The PM said political opponents had wished for the country’s default, which by the blessings of the Almighty Allah reverted due to the efforts of the incumbent government.

PM Shehbaz said that had the former regimes fully utilised the country’s rich resources such as hydro power the country might have had affordable and clean energy, and stressed overhaul of the faulty power transmission system causing over Rs400 billion annual losses to the national exchequer.

A comprehensive plan of the Pakistan Green Initiative had been undertaken to take the country to new heights of development and prosperity, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman thanked the prime minister for his personal interest in ensuring the development of the area.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had laid the foundation of many mega projects, which the PTI government seized hampering economic development, he added.

Fazl said industrial estates being established in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan would change the fate of the people of the area.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1094088-pm-vows-to-cut-govt-expenses-smash-begging-bowl

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Africa

 

Civil societies condemn Muslim MP’s attempt to derail MMDA reforms

27 July 2023

The recommendations by MPs exclude Muslim women and girls from being constitutionally guaranteed rights enjoyed by all other Sri Lankan citizens

Women and Media Collective (WMC) releasing a press statement has condemned the demands made by the Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs) seeking to block crucial reforms proposed to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) of Sri Lanka. These demands have been made through a letter dated 8th June 2023 and addressed to the Minister of Justice.

The letter, signed by 17 Muslim MPs, endorses discriminatory and harmful practices, which Muslim women have long sought redress for.

The MPs recommendations ignore decades of overwhelming evidence of discrimination and suffering of Muslim women and girls. The recommendations will deny justice, equality and dignity of Muslim women and girls in Sri Lanka. The recommendations by MPs exclude Muslim women and girls from being constitutionally guaranteed rights enjoyed by all other Sri Lankan citizens. The positions also categorically detract from Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations including those that come under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The CEDAW Committee has after concluding observations previously, and again in 2017, recommended that the Government of Sri Lanka amends all personal laws, including the MMDA, as a priority ‘Follow-Up Issue’.

WMC stands firmly with Muslim women and all those supporting progressive MMDA reforms. “As a civil society, we support women’s voices in governance and lawmaking, and the securing of constitutional equality, equal protection of the law and access to justice. We have always stood for the rights of all women in Sri Lanka. When these rights are denied to some women it is denied to all women in this country. When these rights are denied to some citizens of this country it is denied to all of us,” the statement states.

WMC calls on the Minister of Justice and all elected Members of Parliament to uphold the constitutional guarantee of equality and non-discrimination that are due to Muslim women citizens of Sri Lanka.

“We call on the Muslim Members of Parliament endorsing the highly problematic recommendations to examine their commitment to the wellbeing of Sri Lankan Muslim communities coping with contemporary economic and social challenges and reconsider their endorsements. We call on our fellow citizens to extend their support and solidarity to Muslim women and support in advocating progressive reforms and positive social changes in Sri Lanka. Our solidarity stems from the common goal of securing the wellbeing and dignity of all Sri Lankans, and in this instance for Muslim families and communities,” the statement further states.

Source: dailymirror.lk

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https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Civil-societies-condemn-Muslim-MPs-attempt-to-derail-MMDA-reforms/172-263979

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Keep your Islamic militia away from Southeast – IPOB warns AsariDokubo

July 26, 2023

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that former Niger Delta militant leader AsariDokubo is raising an Islamic militia.

IPOB further warned the Islamic militia led by Dokubo to stay away from the Southeast.

The group vowed to ensure that the Eastern Security Network (ESN) confronts Dokubo and his militia if they encroach into the Southeast.

In a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group said ESN should not be blamed for confronting Dokubo’s militia.

IPOB noted that the Nigerian government was behind the insecurity in the Southeast.

The statement titled “Pro-Government Islamic Militia Under AsariDokubo Should Stay Away From Southeast Region” reads: “We are calling on the Nigerian government to stop funding and fueling insecurity in Biafraland, particularly the Southeast Region.

“It is unfortunate that Nigerian media and Igbo political leaders are mute over the formation of a pro-government Islamic militia headed by Alhaji AsariDukubo, which is among the groups causing mayhem that is sweeping across Igboland.

“When IPOB launched ESN in December 2020 to protect our bushes and forests from Fulani terrorists, the Nigerian media and some Igbo politicians were against our self-defence project.

“Most of our people did not foresee what we saw then but were deceived to downgrade the danger facing our region from Fulani herdsmen with the connivance of Nigerian Security Agents. But today, ESN has managed to secure our bushes and forests for our people to go back to farms, which was hitherto impossible due to the Fulani massacre.

“We in IPOB have nothing against anyone forming any militia to provide security as long as such a militia group does not target peaceful IPOB members and the Biafra restoration agenda.

“They must know their limits like IPOB and ESN know theirs. We are keenly watching as their agenda unfolds, and we will not hesitate to confront any group contracted to destabilise our land.”

Source: dailypost.ng

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https://dailypost.ng/2023/07/26/keep-your-islamic-militia-away-from-southeast-ipob-warns-asari-dokubo/

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Jaye Lo: Davido’s Aide, Israel DMW Deletes Apology Message To Muslims

26 July 2023

Davido’s logistics manager, IsrealAfeare, better known as Israel DMW, has deleted an apology message he addressed to the Muslim community earlier over a controversial music video shared by his boss.

Naija News reported that David Adeleke [Davido] took to his Twitter page last Friday morning to post a music video in an attempt to promote his music artiste, Logos Olori.

The ‘Jaye Lo’ music video, which featured scenes of some persons praying and dancing in a building which has the semblance of a mosque, was, however, found offensive by some Muslims, who described it as disrespect to their religion.

Davido, however, has since deleted the video on his page after a series of backlash and appeals. The singer, though, has refused to comment further on the controversies trailing the 45 seconds video clip.

Subsequently, Isreal DMW took to his Instagram page to apologize to Muslims on behalf of Davido, saying that the music was purely for entertainment.

While Davido has kept mum over the issue, Isreal DMW, in the now-deleted post via his verified Instagram stories, wrote: “Let me especially apologise to my Muslim brothers and sisters, on the video my oga posted, as a result of him wanting to lift up somebody, which is one of his hubbies. It was purely an entertainment effort wrongly presented. Make una no vex. Love you all.”(sic)

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2023/07/26/jaye-lo-davidos-aide-israel-dmw-deletes-apology-message-to-muslims/

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Army Reacts to Alleged Arrest of Muslim Soldier Who Converted to Christianity

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy! The spokesperson of the Army, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 25, disclosed that Adamu was arrested for violating the statutory provision of the armed forces act.

He stated that Adamu absconded from duty when he was invited for questioning and other investigation on the allegation against him.

It was gathered that Adamu had absconded for six and a half months, which forced the army to declare him as a soldier on absence without official leave (AWOL). Army freezes Adamu's salary account Nwachukwu said his action violates "... section 58 (a) (b) obstruction of provost officers and section 59 (a) (b) absence without leave." He added: “It must be clarified, that once a personnel is absent from his unit for seven days without any justification, he will be declared on AWOL. This automatically triggers the freezing of his salary account, until the personnel returns to the unit and is arraigned and sanctioned." The army spokesperson said rules and regulations guide their day-to-day activities in the Nigerian army. He said irrespective of one's age, status or religious faith, the statutory obligation of the force is to enforce a sanction on the offender.

In another development, troops of the Nigerian Army in Doma Command, Nasarawa State, have arrested suspected rail track vandals. According to the spokesperson of the command, Maj. Joseph Afolasade, at least 12 persons were apprehended and gave confessional statements. It was gathered that the suspects tried to bribe the troops the sum of N5 million, which was rejected.

Source: legit.ng

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https://www.legit.ng/nigeria/1546001-army-reacts-alleged-arrest-muslim-soldier-converted-christianity/

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Southeast Asia

 

PM Anwar: Bank Negara, Securities Commission beefing up Islamic banking, finance through MIFC

Thursday, 27 Jul 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission (SC) have been taking steps to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the Islamic finance system by raising the standards to not only halal, but also ‘halalanthoyyiban’ (lawful and good).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said BNM and the SC have charted the course towards halalanthoyyiban via the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre through collaborations with the industry and the Islamic finance ecosystem, including zakat and waqf boards, the banking system, Islamic stock market and sukuk.

This is done by focusing on equity financing, including venture capital, equity crowdfunding and the Islamic digital economy, Islamic social finance (including zakat, waqf and sadaqah), as well as the ‘blended finance’ methods that use funds from a wider range of sources.

“Insya-Allah (God willing), these efforts will help to enhance the Islamic financial system in Malaysia and further strengthen our position as a leader in the global Islamic economy," he said at the launch of the Madani Economy: Empowering the People, here, today.

He added that this would also help to boost the growth of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) funds globally.

“A holistic and Madani national development effort cannot be achieved without a financial system that is fair, just and based on Maqasid Sharia (the objectives and purposes behind Islamic rulings),” he said.

The prime minister said that Malaysia has a holistic Islamic finance ecosystem, adding that after the establishment of Bank Islam 40 years ago and Lembaga Tabung Haji 60 years ago, Malaysia’s Islamic finance system has been recognised as the world’s best by independent analysts.

“Today, the Islamic banking’s share of the financing market is at 44.5 per cent (RM974.1 billion), and the Islamic capital market remains the main component of the Malaysian capital market, accounting for 64.3 per cent (RM2.32 trillion),” he added. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2023/07/27/pm-anwar-bank-negara-securities-commission-beefing-up-islamic-banking-finance-through-mifc/81997

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Philippines President’s Malaysia trip generates US$235m in investment pledges

27-07- 2023

MANILA: The Philippines secured about US$235 million worth of investment pledges from Malaysia’s business sector, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.

“The investment commitments that we have received thus far are valued at around US$235 million, which is a good indication that there is a strong interest from Malaysia to invest in the Philippines,“ the Philippine News Agency (PNA) quoted Marcos as saying during a Philippine Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur.

Marcos expressed elation over the “very interesting” engagements with Malaysian companies and business leaders which could provide mutual benefit outcomes for the private sector from both countries.

“At present, Malaysian investments already provide a valuable contribution to the Philippines and its economic development, particularly in terms of the administration’s food security, in terms of infrastructure development, job generation for our Filipinos,” said Marcos, who is in his inaugural three-day state visit to Malaysia.

“It’s time that with the new transformation, this provides many new opportunities and that will give us the chance to increase that level of trade that we have been achieving over the past many years,” he added.

Marcos assured the Malaysian business community that the Philippines is showing “healthy signs of recovery” from the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic.

Marcos hoped that the two nations would explore the immense potential to achieve breakthrough growth and greater productivity, higher savings rate and increased creativity.

“I look forward to the Malaysian business community coming to the Philippines and working together with their Filipino counterparts,” Marcos said.

Malaysia is ranked as the Philippines’ 10th trading partner and 22nd source of approved investments in 2022. It also ranks 20th in terms of source of tourist arrivals in 2023.

On another note, Communications Secretary CheloyGarafil in a statement said Malaysian dairy firm Farm Fresh Berhad is working with the Philippine government for its planned investment of US$20 million for cattle breeding intended for milk production.

Garafil said Farm Fresh is currently looking for a viable area with a land requirement of 200 to 400 hectares of contiguous farmland to lease to raise 2,000 milking cows.

Garafil further noted that Farm Fresh’s investment will set up processing facilities for imported milk ingredients from Kyabram facility (in Australia) and will focus on the chilled ready-to-drink market initially in Metro Manila.

A fully vertically integrated dairy producer operating across Malaysia and Australia, Farm Fresh is currently in the process of registering with the Board of Investment. Its Philippine subsidiary is Farm Fresh Milk Inc.

Farm Fresh operates five dairy farms in Malaysia and one in Australia. It also maintains two processing facilities in Malaysia and one in Australia. –Bernama

Source: thesundaily.my

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/philippines-president-s-malaysia-trip-generates-us-235m-in-investment-pledges-FL11290137

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KKR issues 35 SST worth RM15.98m for development projects in Kelantan

27-07- 2023

GUA MUSANG: The Works Ministry (KKR) has issued 35 Letters of Acceptance (SST), worth RM15.98 million, to selected construction companies for the purpose of implementing development projects involving buildings, infrastructure and services in Kelantan.

Its deputy secretary-general for Development and Policy, Datuk Zahrul Hakim Abdullah said the submission of the SST involved 35 contractors who had successfully secured the tenders for these 35 projects.

“A total of 35 SST, valued at RM15.98 million, were issued to contractors in Kelantan to include building maintenance programmes and road safety programmes,“ he said.

“Two other projects involve the construction of an open hall for the Civil Defence Force (APM) in the Gua Musang district and the other is the upgrading of the infrastructure of the Jeli branch of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK),“ he said.

He told this to reporters after the SST handing over ceremony for projects in Kelantan at the Gua Musang district APM office today.

Zahrul Hakim said from the total value of nearly RM16 million, the highest allocation totalling RM6.06 million went to UMK Jeli branch infrastructure upgrading project, followed by RM1.68 million.to the Gua Musang APM open hall construction project.

He said the other development projects involve RM1.3 million for eight streetlight installation works at accident-prone or high-risk areas due to roads in dark areas, apart from 25 projects involving maintenance works around the districts in the states.

According to him, all contractors have been advised to find initiatives using latest technology to raise the quality of work as well as to speed up the implementation period of projects entrusted to them.

“The issue of delayed project submission should not arise. This matter can give rise to various negativity and complaints from the public.

“KKR aims to issue a total of 270 SST nationwide until the end of the year. I hope all contractors can complete these project within the stipulated period,“ he added.

In other developments, he said that the ministry had also implemented a progamme, with an allocation amounting to RM241.5 million, to upgrade infrastructure around the country for road safety. –Bernama

Source: thesundaily.my

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/kkr-issues-35-sst-worth-rm1598m-for-development-projects-in-kelantan-FL11290225

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Madani Economy: GLCs, GLICs to spur domestic investments - Tengku Zafrul

27-07- 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) are expected to drive domestic direct investments (DDIs) and support the development of local vendors in strategic sectors, such as electrical and electronics (E&E), digital economy and aerospace.

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (pix) said his ministry is pleased that DDI will become one of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) because “nothing spells confidence in our investment policies better than our own domestic investors ploughing their money back into their country.”

The Madani Economy: Rakyat Empowerment Framework launched today will address the structural reforms required to stop the country’s dangerous economic cycle of high cost, low salary, low profit and less competitive value. Admittedly several of these issues were made worse by the pandemic.

“The government will focus on encouraging both DDI and foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing Malaysia as a leading economy in Asia and ensuring that there will be positive economic spillover to the people,” he said at the strategic collaboration signing ceremony between CitaglobalBhd and MASDAR here today.

Some of the key initiatives announced under the Madani Economy that are directly under MITI’s purview are the establishment of a special financial zone in Johor to attract global investors and knowledge workers to reside in Malaysia.

Second, a RM100 million initial allocation for upgrading existing industrial infrastructure to be ‘greener’ as well as enhancing human capital development to meet investors’ needs. Target areas include the petrochemical sector in Kerteh, Terengganu, data centres in Sedenak, Johor and the downstream rubber industry in Kuala Nerang, Kedah.

Third, Penang will be nurtured to move beyond lower value Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) and to focus more on high-value semiconductor industries such as IC design.

Four, the government will allocate RM1 billion to finance, cultivate and internationalise startups and local SMEs to spur export growth. This RM1 billion will be matched by private funds to support local startups and promote technopreneurs.

“Five, the government will also implement state-focused industrial policies to reduce the development gap between developed and underdeveloped states, such as strengthening the O&G downstream industry in Sabah and Terengganu; or increasing value-added activities in the E&E sector in Kulim and Bayan Lepas.

“There will also be tax breaks for firms creating high-income jobs in this country, as well as a review of existing investment incentives to ensure a better win-win situation for both our people/businesses and investors.”

All these measures, and more, aim to make Malaysia among the top 12 economies in the world in terms of competitiveness and investors’ ease of doing business, as well as to be in the top-30 economies globally in the medium to longer-term,” he said. –Bernama

Source: thesundaily.my

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/madani-economy-glcs-glics-to-spur-domestic-investments-tengku-zafrul-HL11290052

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VP participates in groundbreaking ceremony for planned Islamic Centre in Addu City Hithadhoo

Vice President Faisal Naseem has attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the planned Islamic Centre in Addu City, Hithadhoo.

The ceremony was held on Wednesday. The project was contracted to FEDO Pvt. Ltd.

During the ceremony, the Vice President emphasized on the administration’s commitment to address religious issues, especially among young people. He stated that in recent years, the administration has implemented numerous religious awareness programmes, with a particular focus on outer atolls.

These programmes include Quran recitation competitions, Ihya forums, religious counselling, and imam training, all of which have been conducted at an unprecedented level.

The Islamic Centre features a prayer hall with a capacity of 1,500 people, a multipurpose hall that can accommodate 450 people, four classrooms, two seminar rooms, an administrative office, and a library.

The Vice President visited Addu City to attend the event commemorating the 58th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence.

Source: raajje.mv

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https://raajje.mv/139502

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