Rishi Sunak’s Islamophobia Advisor Frontrunner Fiyaz Mughal Drops Out of Race after Threats from Islamists
New Age Islam News Bureau
11 March 2024
Fiyaz Mughal, who was
poised to be UK PM Rishi Sunak’s Islamophobia advisor, stepped out of the race
after he received threats from Islamists. (Image: X/Reuters)
-------
·
Rishi Sunak’s Islamophobia
Advisor Frontrunner Fiyaz Mughal Drops Out of Race after Threats from Islamists
·
In His Ramzan Message, US
President Joe Biden Pledges To Work Towards 6-Week Ceasefire In Gaza
·
Taliban’s Indifference To
Militants Poses Threat To Central Asian Security: US General
·
Hamas Says Truce Talks
Failed Because Israel Wouldn’t Promise End To War
·
How An 18th Century Mosque
In Daryaganj Came To Be Named After A Mughal Princess Zeenat-un-Nisa
---
Europe
·
UK government pledges extra
cash for Muslims' security
·
UK anti-Islamophobia body
‘on pause’ despite surge in hate crimes
·
EU envoy reaffirms
commitment to long-term solutions in Gaza
·
Imam of Florence to lead
Ramadan prayer for Gaza
----
North America
·
US charity demands
independent probe into staff member's killing by Israel in Gaza
·
Muslims in New York welcome
holy month of Ramadan
·
US dispatches ship to
Mediterranean to build temporary port off Gaza
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South Asia
·
Islamic Emirate:
Disagreement Exists in US Over Afghan Policy
·
Will Form A Cell For Global
Recognition Of 1971 Genocide: Bangladesh FM
·
2 Afghan citizens shot dead
in Pakistan’s Karachi
·
Mujahid: Afghanistan Needs
Good Relations with Pakistan
·
'60,000' Ancient Artifacts
at National Museum: Officials
·
Muslims In 40 Chandpur
Villages Start Ramadan Fasting In Accord With Saudi Arabia
·
2011 violence case: BNP
leader Hafiz granted bail
·
BNP failed to understand
the pulse of people: Quader
·
Bangladesh Coast Guard to
be transformed into three-dimensional force: PM
-----
Mideast
·
Zionists Obstruct
Worshipers From Reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque In 1st Day Night Of Ramadan
·
Turkey: Mosque Loudspeakers
Used For Broadcasting Ruling AKP's Election Propaganda
·
Netanyahu Says At Least
13,000 ‘Terrorists’ Among Palestinians Killed
·
3 more Hezbollah fighters
killed in cross-border clashes with Israel
·
Palestinians prepare for
Ramadan in the shadow of Gaza war
·
Hezbollah targets different
Israeli army sites at border
-------
India
·
UP Chief Of Muslim Personal
Law Board Arrested After His Remarks Over Yogi Government’s Crackdown On Madrassas
·
Gujarat: Dargah Demolished
Overnight Amid Heavy Police Deployment
-------
Arab World
·
Saudi King Calls For End to
'Heinous Crimes' In Gaza In Ramadan Message
·
Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch
says leader dead, in unclear circumstances
·
Revolution Leader : We will
enter Ramadan in state of jihad in support of Palestinians
·
General Authority for the
Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Exerts Great Efforts to Spread the Message of
Islam in Various Languages
·
General Authority for the
Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque Prepared for Ramadan 1445 Hijri
·
King Salman calls on
international community to stop crimes against Palestinians
----
Pakistan
·
Jamaat-i-Islami Plans
‘Million March’ Against Israeli Atrocities
·
Pakistan committed for
equality, justice in int’l affairs, as per UN Charter: Envoy
·
Justice Naeem Afghan sworn
in as Supreme Court judge
·
Zardari takes oath as 14th
President of Pakistan: China ready to work with President Zardari: Xi
·
Majority court decision
didn’t speak about Article 6: Alvi
----
Southeast Asia
·
Malay Religious Affairs
Minister: Ramadan-Related Events Must Comply With Religious Authorities’
Regulations
·
Cherok Tokun Bawah Jamek
Mosque Revives Tradition Of Beating ‘Beduk’ During Ramadan
·
MUI and Baznas involve 11
Palestinian clerics in Ramadan Safari
·
S'pore's RLAF Raises Over S$8
Million For Gaza Fundraiser, Another Fundraising Round To Take Place During Ramadan
----
Africa
·
Sudan Army General Rules
Out Ramadan Truce Unless Rapid Support Forces Leaves Civilian Sites
·
South Africa's ICJ case
against Israel
·
Haiti: Gang violence
spreads as Caribbean leaders race to stem situation
·
Ramadan: Katsina To Feed Muslims
With N10bn Grains
Compiled by New Age
Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/sunak-islamophobia-fiyaz-mughal-islamists/d/131893
------
Rishi Sunak’s Islamophobia Advisor Frontrunner Fiyaz
Mughal Drops Out of Race after Threats from Islamists
Fiyaz Mughal, who was
poised to be UK PM Rishi Sunak’s Islamophobia advisor, stepped out of the race
after he received threats from Islamists. (Image: X/Reuters)
-------
MARCH 11, 2024
Fiyaz Mughal, who was poised to become the UK government
first anti-Muslim hatred tsar, dropped out of the race following threats from
extremists. Mughal was the frontrunner to be Rishi Sunak’s Islamophobia advisor
but on Sunday he stepped aside after the far-right and the Islamists called
Mughal a “sell out”.
“I have suffered for more than a decade with abuse from
extremist groups. I couldn’t take it anymore,” Mughal said. He further told
UK-based news agencies that he was left “drained” by the level of attacks
Mughal also accused some UK civil servants of having
sympathies towards these groups. “They have civil servants who have sympathies
to these groups,” he said.
His exit comes as Rishi Sunak’s health secretary Victoria
Atkins warned that extremist views must not be allowed to “percolate through
society”. Michael Gove who is the levelling up and communities secretary is
currently hardening up the UK government’s definition of extremism.
Atkins also said that the new approach would be a
“balancing act” between “freedom of speech, but also the right of citizens to
go about their daily lives”.
“There are some people, sadly, who hold views that are
contrary to the values that we hold as a country. We should not allow those
views to percolate through our society,” she was quoted as saying by Sky News.
Organisations falling under the new classification could
face blacklisting by government ministers and public institutions, leading to
the termination of public funding and involvement.
Gove will share with the public the new definition in the
coming week amid a rise in extremist threats triggered by the war in Gaza. Gove
said that his action will allow “good-hearted protesters decide whether to join
pro-Palestine marches”.
“If we’re clear about the nature of extremist
organisations, then I think some of the people — and there are good-hearted
people who go on these marches, I don’t agree with them, but they’re moved by
suffering and they want peace — but it may help them question who are
organising some of these events,” Gove was quoted as saying by Sunday
Telegraph.
Source: news18.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.news18.com/world/rishi-sunaks-islamophobia-advisor-frontrunner-fiyaz-mughal-drops-out-of-race-after-threats-from-islamists-8810774.html
---
In his Ramzan message, US President Joe Biden pledges to
work towards 6-week ceasefire in Gaza
US President Joe Biden
------
11.03.24
Greeting Muslims across the world on the start of Ramzan,
US President Joe Biden has recognised the suffering of the Palestinian people
and pledged to lead international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza
and work non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at
least six weeks there.
Biden said that more than 30,000 Palestinians were
estimated to have been killed during the operation in Gaza, which Israel
launched in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants that left
approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and about 250 taken hostage.
“Tonight—as the new crescent moon marks the beginning of
the Islamic holy month of Ramzan —Jill and I extend our best wishes and prayers
to Muslims across our country and around the world,” Biden wrote in the
statement on Sunday.
“The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal.
This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted
terrible suffering on the Palestinian people,” he added.
As Muslims gather around the world over the coming days
and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be
front of mind for many, he said.
"It is front of mind for me,” said the US president.
Some of the Palestinians killed in Gaza “are family
members of American Muslims, who are deeply grieving their lost loved ones
today,” Biden said.
He also said that nearly 2 million Palestinians are
estimated to be displaced and in need of food, water, medicine and shelter.
“While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United
States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained
ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages.
"And we will continue building toward a long-term
future of stability, security, and peace. That includes a two-state solution to
ensure Palestinians and Israelis share equal measures of freedom, dignity,
security, and prosperity. That is the only path toward an enduring peace,”
Biden said.
The US will continue to lead international efforts to get
more humanitarian assistance into Gaza by land, air, and sea, he said.
“Earlier this week, I directed our military to lead an
emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that can
receive large shipments of aid. We are carrying out airdrops of aid, in
coordination with our international partners, including Jordan. And we’ll
continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it
facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people,”
Biden said.
Biden noted that in the US they have seen an
"appalling resurgence" of hate and violence towards Muslim Americans.
Islamophobia has absolutely no place in the United
States, a country founded on freedom of worship and built on the contributions
of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants, Biden said.
“My administration is developing the first-ever National
Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination,
to take on hate against Muslims, Sikhs, South Asians, and Arab American
communities, wherever it occurs. No one should ever fear being targeted at
school, at work, on the street, or in their community because of their
background or beliefs,” he said.
“To Muslims across our country, please know that you are
deeply valued members of our American family. To those who are grieving during
this time of war, I hear you, I see you, and I pray you find solace in your
faith, family, and community. And to all who are marking the beginning of
Ramzan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramzan kareem,”
Biden said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/united-states-will-work-towards-six-week-ceasefire-in-gaza-says-us-president-joe-biden/cid/2006056
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Taliban’s Indifference To Militants Poses Threat To Central
Asian Security: US General
Photo: Khaama Press
------
Fidel Rahmati
March 11, 2024
The commander of the United States Central Command
(CENTCOM) in the Middle East stated that although the Tehreek-i-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) is “a serious threat” to the stability of Pakistan’s border
regions, the Afghan Taliban show no inclination to act against this group.
General Michael Kurilla mentioned, “The inability or
unwillingness of the Taliban to contain extremist groups destabilizes Central
and South Asia.”
According to the Express Tribune, General Michael
Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander, said on Sunday in the US Senate, “The Taliban
have little to no interest in exerting pressure on the Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan in terms of combating terrorist groups. This is while the TTP poses a
serious threat to the border regions of Pakistan.”
General Kurilla added that the existence of safe havens
in Afghanistan for extremist militant groups increases the risk of their
activities escalating and could lead to regional conflicts.
He stated, “Extremist organizations killed 2,300
Pakistanis in 2023. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban carried out 881 attacks in
Pakistan, which is a high figure in the last five years.”
“The inability or reluctance of the Afghan Taliban to
control extremist groups could destabilize Central and South Asia,” he
continued.
The CENTCOM commander in the US Senate mentioned that
terrorist groups take advantage of the “weak economic situation, not so serious
governance in Afghanistan, and an advanced network of recruitment.”
The Pakistani Taliban has carried out bloody attacks
against the army and police forces in Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province. Meanwhile, the escalation of these attacks has also deteriorated the
relationship between the Taliban and Islamabad.
Islamabad expelled more than half a million Afghan
refugees from its territory and openly criticized and threatened the Taliban to
pressure the Afghan Taliban to cooperate in containing the TTP.
Following that, the attacks by the Pakistani Taliban
decreased, and once again, the topic of negotiations between the Pakistani
Taliban and Islamabad has been brought up.
The security landscape in Afghanistan and its surrounding
countries remains precarious, deeply influenced by the actions and policies of
the Afghan Taliban. Since their return to power, the Taliban’s approach towards
extremist groups within their borders has had significant implications for
regional stability. Their reluctance to combat or limit the activities of
groups like the TTP not only fuels insurgency in Pakistan but also raises
concerns for Central Asian countries wary of the spillover effects of terrorism
and radicalization.
However, the complex nexus of geopolitical interests,
historical ties, and the varying capacities of these countries to influence the
situation in Afghanistan presents a challenging puzzle for regional security
dynamics.
The international community, particularly key players
like the United States, Russia, China, and regional stakeholders, are
recalibrating their strategies in response to the evolving security landscape
in Afghanistan and its ripple effects on neighbouring countries.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.khaama.com/talibans-indifference-to-militants-poses-threat-to-central-asian-security-us-general/
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Hamas Says Truce Talks Failed Because Israel Wouldn’t Promise
End To War
Qatar-based Hamas
leader Ismail Haniyeh delivers a recorded speech, March 10, 2024. (Screenshot,
X; Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
-------
11 March 2024
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Sunday that pre-Ramadan
truce negotiations had failed because Israel refused to promise a permanent
ceasefire, as Israel’s war cabinet huddled to discuss ongoing but seemingly
stalled attempts to reach a deal to pause the war and release the hostages.
In a recorded speech, the Qatar-based leader of the
terror organization said that Israel “evaded giving clear guarantees regarding
the ceasefire, the withdrawal of its forces or the guarantees for the return of
the displaced Gazans.”
The comments came a day after Israel’s Mossad
intelligence service issued a rare statement blaming Hamas for the impasse,
claiming that the terror group was stiffening its demands and uninterested in
reaching a deal, preferring to foment unrest over Ramadan instead.
Haniyeh claimed Hamas “showed positivity and
responsibility in the course of the negotiations.” But he said that the terror
group would not accept an agreement “that does not end the war or expel the
enemy from Gaza.”
Israel has rejected Hamas’s conditioning of further
hostage releases on an Israeli commitment to end the war as “delusional,”
vowing to resume the campaign as soon as any hostages-for-truce deal is carried
out.
In Israel, the war cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and minister Benny Gantz met Sunday
evening on the moribund truce talks, an Israeli official told The Times of
Israel.
Among the other issues on the agenda were preparations
for Ramadan and humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Haniyeh said Hamas was in support of keeping talks going.
“I say clearly that the one who bears responsibility for not reaching an
agreement is [Israel],” Haniyeh said. “However, I say that we are open to
continuing negotiations.”
Haniyeh thanked the “resistance fronts” – Hezbollah in
Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, as well as other Iran-backed forces – for
supporting the terror group’s fight against Israel. Hamas avowedly seeks
Israel’s destruction.
Egyptian security sources told the Saudi news channel
al-Arabiya on Sunday that the country had been in contact with senior Hamas and
Israeli figures in an effort to restart the negotiations for a truce during the
first week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins Monday in some parts
of the Muslim world.
US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators have been scrambling to
secure a six-week truce in the five-month-old war in Gaza based on a framework
reached in Paris last month.
The Paris framework, thus far rejected by Hamas, would
see 40 children, women, elderly and sick hostages released in the first phase
of some six weeks, in exchange for some 400 Palestinian security prisoners,
with the possibility of further releases to be negotiated.
Israel did not send a delegation to the latest round of
truce talks in Cairo, after Hamas refused to provide a list of living hostages,
and a Hamas delegation left the Egyptian capital on Thursday after expressing
frustration with Israel’s positions, heading to Qatar for consultation with the
group’s leadership.
An unnamed senior Israeli source close to the
negotiations was quoted by Channel 12 on Saturday saying that Hamas leader in
Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, “believes that the more his [Gaza] public suffers, the
greater the pressure on Israel and the better the terms he’ll get in
negotiations [on a hostage deal]. A deal takes two sides, and right now the
other side doesn’t want one.”
Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Haniyeh
and Sinwar were at odds over the conditions Hamas should accept for a deal with
Israel.
According to the report, the prevailing dynamic within
Hamas has flipped, with the terrorist organization’s chief in Gaza, Sinwar,
backing a temporary truce while its leaders outside of the Strip are pushing
for further Israeli concessions, a permanent ceasefire, and a plan to rebuild
Gaza.
Officials briefed on the talks told The New York Times
Thursday that Hamas has “backed away” from the proposed agreement in Paris and,
in addition to a permanent ceasefire, is also demanding the withdrawal of
Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, the return of displaced Gazans to their
homes in the northern part of the enclave, and “provisions” for Gazans.
Israel had already agreed to the Paris principles,
including a temporary truce of six weeks, a “redeployment” of Israeli troops
within Gaza — but not a complete withdrawal — and for Israel to enable the
return of Palestinian women and children to northern Gaza, from where hundreds
of thousands evacuated during the fighting, and which Israel has kept cut off from
the rest of the enclave.
Meanwhile, Qatar has reportedly threatened to expel
Hamas’s leaders from the country if they don’t agree to a hostage deal, The
Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, citing an unnamed Hamas official and
Egyptian officials. Qatar, a key mediator between Israel and the terror group,
hosts Hamas’s political bureau chief Haniyeh.
Husam Badran, a senior official of the terror group who
is based in Doha, denied the claim. He told the WSJ that without a deal,
violence will escalate during Ramadan, set to begin Monday morning in much of
the Muslim world.
“We didn’t declare negotiations have been stopped. We are
the party most keen to stop this war,” he said.
Hamas and Israel have been fighting a war that was
triggered by the Palestinian terror group’s unprecedented shock onslaught on
October 7, which saw terrorists kill about 1,200 people, mostly civilians
slaughtered amid horrific brutality and sexual assault, and take 253 hostages.
The ensuing Israeli offensive against Hamas in Gaza has
killed over 31,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
These numbers cannot be independently verified and do not differentiate between
civilians and Hamas operatives. Israel says it has killed over 13,000
operatives since the beginning of the war in Gaza and 1,000 inside Israel on
October 7.
Over 100 hostages were released in November as part of a
temporary truce deal. Some 130 are believed to still be held by Palestinian
terror groups, not all of them alive.
Source: timesofisrael.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-leader-blames-israel-for-truce-talks-collapse-as-war-cabinet-meets/
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How An 18th Century Mosque In Daryaganj Came To Be Named
After A Mughal Princess Zeenat-un-Nisa
Princess Zeenat-un-Nisa
commissioned the mosque in 1707 and named it Zeenat-ul-Masajid. (Express Photo
by Tashi Tobgyal)
------
March 11, 2024
Vidheesha Kuntamalla
Situated a stone’s throw away from Delhi’s iconic Jama
Masjid is an 18th-century structure that could easily pass off as its replica —
albeit a smaller version — at first glance. Built on the Khairati Ghat in Darya
Ganj, in a time when the Yamuna used to flow past, Zeenat-ul-Masajid (beauty
among mosques), or Ghata Masjid (cloud mosque) as it is also known, was turned
into a bakery during British rule and even housed a school for a short time.
It was in 1707 that the red sandstone and marble domed
structure was commissioned by its namesake, Princess Zeenat-un-Nisa, the second
daughter of Emperor Aurangzeb and his wife Dilras Begum.
In its description of the mosque, the National Mission on
Monuments and Antiquities website states that the structure is “built on an
elevated platform and can be approached by a lofty staircase. It has three
bulbous ribbed domes with a pinnacle on top. The main entrance has an inverted
lotus design. The gateway has a multi-foliated arch, which is crowned by a
battlement parapet and two minarets with an upturned floral pattern and pillar
supporting cupola with eves… There is also a colonnaded verandah with foliated
arch openings and majestic turrets with angular designs”.
Speaking to The Indian Express, author Sohail Hashmi
explained how the masjid came to be known by two names. “Princess Zeenat
commissioned this mosque and named it Zeenat-ul-Masajid. Her name meant beauty
among women and she called this mosque, the beauty among mosques. (The plural
of masjid is masajid). It is also known as the Ghata Masjid, a reference to its
dome which has alternating bands of black and white like the monsoon clouds.”
“In 1857, when the British recaptured Delhi after
crushing the rebellion, the mosque was converted into a bakery for British
officers…,” he added.
Hashmi also spoke about his personal connection to the
mosque: “There used to be a school in this masjid… many of these mosques were
used as madrasas… My great-grandfather used to live near Akbarabadi mosque…
after it was demolished, his family shifted to Zeenatul Masajid and he used to
teach Urdu and Persian to the children of the poor in this mosque. Much later,
in the 1960s, a primary school began operating here which later shifted to
Humayun’s Tomb.”
In her book, Shahjahanabad: The Living City of Old Delhi,
Rana Safvi wrote that Zeenat-un-Nisa, “like her elder sister, princess
Zeb-un-Nisa” chose to stay single as no suitable match had been found for her.
“The Princess was buried in the north of the mosque in a tomb built by her in
her own lifetime but demolished by the British after the Uprising in 1857…,”
Safi wrote.
On its unique structure, she said: “This mosque has seven
arches, with a large one in the centre… The mosque itself is 150×60 feet and
stands on a plinth of 4 feet from the courtyard. It has seven scalloped arched
entrances in which are seven arched doorways facing the east. Over each
doorway, except the middle one, are marble slabs– they are empty, but were
probably meant for inscriptions…”
The mosque, she added, “occupied a unique location as its
two lofty minarets could be seen from the river and it was the only mosque that
came close to Jama Masjid. However, now it’s surrounded by buildings and has
lost its uniqueness and much of its beauty too.”
Her book further stated that “Maulvi Zafar Hasan (
assistant superintendent with ASI) calls it Masjid Ghat because of its
proximity to Khairati Ghat. It is possible the name got corrupted along with
its connotations once the river shifted course… It is built completely of red
sandstone and has three marble domes with black stone stripes in them.
According to Sir Sayyid, the black stripes… are meant to ward off the evil eye
and the shining golden finials on the domes seem to compete with the brightness
of the sun..”
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/how-an-18th-century-mosque-in-daryaganj-came-to-be-named-after-a-mughal-princess-9206998/
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UK government pledges extra cash for Muslims' security
Mar 11, 2024
The British government on Monday pledged 117 million
pounds ($150 million) towards protecting Muslim communities amid a rise in
Islamophobia as it promises more action to tackle extremism.
The new funding, announced just over a week after extra
cash was promised to enhance security for Jewish groups amid soaring
anti-Semitism, will be used to protect mosques, Muslim faith schools and other
community centres, the government said.
Tell Mama, a group which monitors anti-Muslim incidents,
said last month there had been a 335% increase in cases since the Oct. 7 attack
by Hamas on Israel.
"Anti-Muslim hatred has absolutely no place in our
society. We will not let events in the Middle East be used as an excuse to
justify abuse against British Muslims," Home Secretary (interior minister)
James Cleverly said.
However, the announcement comes amid repeated accusations
of Islamophobia among Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's own governing Conservatives
who last month suspended one lawmaker after he said the Muslim mayor of London,
Sadiq Khan, was under the control of Islamists.
While Sunak said the comments were unacceptable, there
was criticism that neither he nor other ministers would call them racist or
Islamophobic. A survey conducted earlier in February found that 29% of Britons
believed the Conservatives had a problem with Islamophobia.
"The prime minister has made clear that we stand
with Muslims in the UK," Cleverly said. "That is exactly why we have
committed to this funding."
Last month, Sunak warned that Britain's multi-ethnic
democracy was being deliberately undermined by Islamist and far-right
extremists.
The government is planning to unveil a new official
definition of extremism to ensure groups which promote unacceptable views do
not receive any state funding or support.
Communities minister Michael Gove, who will set out the
new definition, said some recent pro-Palestinian marches in central London had
been organised by "extremist organisations".
"That doesn't mean that people who have gone on them
are extremist, quite the opposite," Gove told the Sunday Telegraph.
"But it means that you can begin to question, do you really want to be
lending credence to this organisation?"
However, more than 50 survivors or relatives of victims
of Islamist attacks in Britain have signed a letter accusing some politicians
of "equating being Muslim with being an extremist" and so playing
into the hands of militants.
"It is the height of irresponsibility," their
letter said.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/uk/news/uk-government-pledges-extra-cash-muslims-security-3564111
----
UK anti-Islamophobia body ‘on pause’ despite surge in
hate crimes
11 March 2024
Concerns are rising in the UK as the government’s
anti-Muslim hatred working group (AMHWG) has been “on pause” since 2020,
despite a drastic surge in hate crimes.
Members of the AMHWG expressed their concern over the
failure of Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and
Communities, to restart the group that last met in January 2020 and tackle the
sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Reports showed a 335% increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes
in the UK since Palestinian resistance movements launched Operation Al-Aqsa
Storm against the Israeli regime in early October in retaliation for its
intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.
“At this time of heightened fear, anxiety and tensions,
the government should be doing its utmost to fulfill its statutory obligations
and responsibilities towards all communities,” Akeela Ahmed, chair of the
AMHWG, said.
“Yet when it comes to British Muslims, this simply isn’t
happening. Since Theresa May’s premiership, the government’s reluctance to
address Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred has become increasingly outlandish.
Even when condemning the MP Lee Anderson for his remarks about the mayor of
London, Sadiq Khan, Rishi Sunak was unable to name either,” she added.
AMHWG was formed during the tenure of Prime Minister
David Cameron in 2012. It aims to address anti-Muslim hatred and monitor hate
crime and the police forces’ records of it, as well as examine initiatives to
prevent it.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/03/11/721661/UK-anti-Islamophobia-body-on-pause-surge-hate-crimes
----
EU envoy reaffirms commitment to long-term solutions in
Gaza
March 10, 2024
LAMA ALHAMAWI
RIYADH: Christophe Farnaud, the EU ambassador to Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, outlined the bloc’s three priorities regarding the
Gaza crisis: humanitarian assistance, joint action, and the search for a
long-term solution.
“We do have to face it and find a collective solution …
It would be up to the parties in the end to decide, but we around them have to
be committed as much as possible to find a solution,” Farnaud said in an
interview with Arab News.
“Which means for us (the EU) three things, and we’ve been
very clear collectively on that.”
He described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe”
and a “tragedy,” adding that the EU must “stand by the innocent civilian
Palestinians.”
He said: “No doubt that this crisis is one of the key
challenges, not just for the Palestinians and the Israelis themselves, not just
for you, as their direct neighbors, but also for us and for the world in
general.
No doubt that this crisis is one of the key challenges,
not just for the Palestinians and the Israelis themselves, not just for you, as
their direct neighbors, but also for us and for the world in general.
Christophe Farnaud, EU ambassador
“Food aid is key, of course, because we know that
especially for families, for children … there’s a risk of starvation, which is
not acceptable.
“We definitely must do all that we can for that. And we
know that so far, it’s not enough. It’s not enough. But we also are working on
providing the basic needs of the population.”
A joint solution resulting in stability must be found,
Farnaud said, adding that the EU “has been very much committed to it from the
start.”
The envoy said: “We’ve been doing it through providing
aid to the Palestinians directly. And so for 2024, it will be €125
million ($137 million) that has been announced.”
The EU is providing aid to Palestinians in the broader
region through the UN Relief and Works Agency, Farnaud explained.
“And I can say that UNWRA for us remains a key player for
the support for Palestinians,” he added, specifying that the cumulative amount
of aid provided by the EU, including regional assistance in partnership with
the UNWRA, totals €150 million.
The ambassador stressed that the EU would continue
providing aid.
“You could see in the last days that we’ve been pushing
for better humanitarian access by land to the Palestinian population. That is
key,” he said.
“We must keep pressure on that to get results.”
EU member states are trying to provide aid by air,
Farnaud said. “It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.”
The ambassador also spoke on the newly announced maritime
corridor from Cyprus to Gaza delivering food.
On Thursday, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades
announced a proposal to establish a maritime corridor to deliver aid to Gaza.
A joint communique from the EU, US, Britain, and the UAE
stated that “the delivery of humanitarian assistance directly to Gaza by sea
will be complex,” but they will adjust their efforts to ensure the aid is
delivered as effectively as possible.
Farnaud detailed the EU’s second stance on the crises in
Palestine, stressing that joint action is key: “We must work together — all
together — to avoid regional spillover. We can see that tensions have grown in
the north of Israel and south Lebanon with other events in the region.”
The third key point the EU ambassador underlined was the
need to work on long-term solutions to the conflicts.
“It’s not just about what’s happening now; it is also
finding the root causes of the current crisis … “We’ve been very clear
condemning what Hamas did on Oct. 7 and we’ve been clearly calling for the
immediate release of the hostages.
“On the other hand, we must also make sure that what’s
happening in Gaza now stops. There must be a cessation of hostilities or
violence leading to (a) sustainable cease-fire.”
Farnaud stressed that this will be the first step in
working toward a long-term solution, “and this implies a collective commitment
to the two-state solution,” he added.
“It’s the best way to facilitate and ensure that both the
Palestinians and Israel will enjoy a future of security and stability in this
region.”
The EU envoy also highlighted the bilateral ties between
the Kingdom and the EU. “I think it’s a strategic partnership for both sides …
It’s long-standing,” he said.
Referencing a 2018 speech made by Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman during the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh,
Farnaud said: “I remember that there’s a famous sentence in Arabic that was
uttered by the crown prince. He said: ‘I believe the new Europe is the Middle
East.’ I think (this) is very interesting because clearly it shows that the
project here is to make the new renaissance happen in Saudi Arabia in a way.
“But it also shows that Europe remains a model. And so
that implies a dialog and a further partnership.”
The ambassador detailed the extensive cooperation —
economic, political and cultural — between Saudi Arabia and the EU: “The
Kingdom is undergoing an incredible transformation … And it is important for us
as the European Union to be still a key partner for these transformations and
beyond.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2474456/saudi-arabia
----
Imam of Florence to lead Ramadan prayer for Gaza
March 10, 2024
ROME: As Roman Catholic bishops from all over Italy send
messages of good wishes to Muslims for Ramadan, the imam of the city of
Florence has said he will lead a special prayer on Sunday night “especially for
a ceasefire and peace in Gaza.”
The former president of the Union of Islamic Communities
of Italy, Izzedin Elzir originally comes from the Palestinian city of Hebron
and has been living in Italy since 1991.
“We demand the release of both hostages and political
prisoners detained in Israel,” he said. “Only Allah knows whether or not we
will reach a ceasefire soon, but even though it is difficult, we have faith in
humanity. Those who value human life must not cease working for peace and
justice.
“Ramadan is a time of meditation, peace and spirituality.
In this time, we certainly cannot forget the situation in Gaza and Palestine
and all the victims of the world. We remember them all in our prayers.”
The mayor of Florence and representatives of the city’s
archdiocese have been invited to the prayer.
Meanwhile, several Italian bishops have shared the call
for “justice and peace, starting from the Holy Land,” expressed on Saturday by
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the archbishop of Bologna who presides over the
Episcopal Conference of Italy.
And Piero Magro, delegate for inter-religious dialogue of
the archbishop of Palermo, held a common prayer on Saturday with Badri
El-Madan, the imam of the Sicilian capital. They prayed together for peace in
Palestine and the world.
“We do this in Palermo, a city where Muslims and
Catholics have always lived together in peace and work together,” they said.
Muslim communities nationwide are organizing charitable
activities to mark Ramadan. A donation of baby food and pediatric medications
for needy families has been organized by the Misericordia Islamic Cultural
Center in Fabriano in the Marche region. All items will be donated to the local
center for families in need.
“We could not be more grateful for this initiative by the
Islamic center in Fabriano,” said Maria Teresa Valentini, a representative of
the city council. “This is another sign of the great role played in Fabriano by
the Muslim community.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2474306/world
----
North America
EU envoy reaffirms commitment to long-term solutions in
Gaza
March 10, 2024
LAMA ALHAMAWI
RIYADH: Christophe Farnaud, the EU ambassador to Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, outlined the bloc’s three priorities regarding the
Gaza crisis: humanitarian assistance, joint action, and the search for a
long-term solution.
“We do have to face it and find a collective solution …
It would be up to the parties in the end to decide, but we around them have to
be committed as much as possible to find a solution,” Farnaud said in an
interview with Arab News.
“Which means for us (the EU) three things, and we’ve been
very clear collectively on that.”
He described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian
catastrophe” and a “tragedy,” adding that the EU must “stand by the innocent
civilian Palestinians.”
He said: “No doubt that this crisis is one of the key
challenges, not just for the Palestinians and the Israelis themselves, not just
for you, as their direct neighbors, but also for us and for the world in
general.
No doubt that this crisis is one of the key challenges,
not just for the Palestinians and the Israelis themselves, not just for you, as
their direct neighbors, but also for us and for the world in general.
Christophe Farnaud, EU ambassador
“Food aid is key, of course, because we know that
especially for families, for children … there’s a risk of starvation, which is
not acceptable.
“We definitely must do all that we can for that. And we
know that so far, it’s not enough. It’s not enough. But we also are working on
providing the basic needs of the population.”
A joint solution resulting in stability must be found,
Farnaud said, adding that the EU “has been very much committed to it from the
start.”
The envoy said: “We’ve been doing it through providing
aid to the Palestinians directly. And so for 2024, it will be €125
million ($137 million) that has been announced.”
The EU is providing aid to Palestinians in the broader
region through the UN Relief and Works Agency, Farnaud explained.
“And I can say that UNWRA for us remains a key player for
the support for Palestinians,” he added, specifying that the cumulative amount
of aid provided by the EU, including regional assistance in partnership with
the UNWRA, totals €150 million.
The ambassador stressed that the EU would continue
providing aid.
“You could see in the last days that we’ve been pushing
for better humanitarian access by land to the Palestinian population. That is
key,” he said.
“We must keep pressure on that to get results.”
EU member states are trying to provide aid by air,
Farnaud said. “It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.”
The ambassador also spoke on the newly announced maritime
corridor from Cyprus to Gaza delivering food.
On Thursday, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades
announced a proposal to establish a maritime corridor to deliver aid to Gaza.
A joint communique from the EU, US, Britain, and the UAE
stated that “the delivery of humanitarian assistance directly to Gaza by sea
will be complex,” but they will adjust their efforts to ensure the aid is
delivered as effectively as possible.
Farnaud detailed the EU’s second stance on the crises in
Palestine, stressing that joint action is key: “We must work together — all
together — to avoid regional spillover. We can see that tensions have grown in
the north of Israel and south Lebanon with other events in the region.”
The third key point the EU ambassador underlined was the
need to work on long-term solutions to the conflicts.
“It’s not just about what’s happening now; it is also
finding the root causes of the current crisis … “We’ve been very clear
condemning what Hamas did on Oct. 7 and we’ve been clearly calling for the
immediate release of the hostages.
“On the other hand, we must also make sure that what’s
happening in Gaza now stops. There must be a cessation of hostilities or
violence leading to (a) sustainable cease-fire.”
Farnaud stressed that this will be the first step in
working toward a long-term solution, “and this implies a collective commitment
to the two-state solution,” he added.
“It’s the best way to facilitate and ensure that both the
Palestinians and Israel will enjoy a future of security and stability in this
region.”
The EU envoy also highlighted the bilateral ties between
the Kingdom and the EU. “I think it’s a strategic partnership for both sides …
It’s long-standing,” he said.
Referencing a 2018 speech made by Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman during the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh,
Farnaud said: “I remember that there’s a famous sentence in Arabic that was
uttered by the crown prince. He said: ‘I believe the new Europe is the Middle
East.’ I think (this) is very interesting because clearly it shows that the
project here is to make the new renaissance happen in Saudi Arabia in a way.
“But it also shows that Europe remains a model. And so
that implies a dialog and a further partnership.”
The ambassador detailed the extensive cooperation —
economic, political and cultural — between Saudi Arabia and the EU: “The
Kingdom is undergoing an incredible transformation … And it is important for us
as the European Union to be still a key partner for these transformations and
beyond.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2474456/saudi-arabia
----
Imam of Florence to lead Ramadan prayer for Gaza
March 10, 2024
ROME: As Roman Catholic bishops from all over Italy send
messages of good wishes to Muslims for Ramadan, the imam of the city of
Florence has said he will lead a special prayer on Sunday night “especially for
a ceasefire and peace in Gaza.”
The former president of the Union of Islamic Communities
of Italy, Izzedin Elzir originally comes from the Palestinian city of Hebron
and has been living in Italy since 1991.
“We demand the release of both hostages and political
prisoners detained in Israel,” he said. “Only Allah knows whether or not we
will reach a ceasefire soon, but even though it is difficult, we have faith in
humanity. Those who value human life must not cease working for peace and
justice.
“Ramadan is a time of meditation, peace and spirituality.
In this time, we certainly cannot forget the situation in Gaza and Palestine
and all the victims of the world. We remember them all in our prayers.”
The mayor of Florence and representatives of the city’s
archdiocese have been invited to the prayer.
Meanwhile, several Italian bishops have shared the call
for “justice and peace, starting from the Holy Land,” expressed on Saturday by
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the archbishop of Bologna who presides over the
Episcopal Conference of Italy.
And Piero Magro, delegate for inter-religious dialogue of
the archbishop of Palermo, held a common prayer on Saturday with Badri
El-Madan, the imam of the Sicilian capital. They prayed together for peace in
Palestine and the world.
“We do this in Palermo, a city where Muslims and
Catholics have always lived together in peace and work together,” they said.
Muslim communities nationwide are organizing charitable
activities to mark Ramadan. A donation of baby food and pediatric medications
for needy families has been organized by the Misericordia Islamic Cultural
Center in Fabriano in the Marche region. All items will be donated to the local
center for families in need.
“We could not be more grateful for this initiative by the
Islamic center in Fabriano,” said Maria Teresa Valentini, a representative of
the city council. “This is another sign of the great role played in Fabriano by
the Muslim community.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2474306/world
----
US dispatches ship to Mediterranean to build temporary
port off Gaza
Ikrame Imane Kouachi
10.03.2024
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Sunday that it
had dispatched a ship carrying the necessary materials to build a temporary
port off the coast of the Gaza Strip.
“On March 9, 2024, U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank
S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd
Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, departed Joint Base
Langley-Eustis en route to the Eastern Mediterranean,” CENTCOM said in a
statement.
It added that the vessel had sailed “less than 36 hours
after President (Joe) Biden announced the U.S. would provide humanitarian
assistance to Gaza by sea.”
“Besson, a logistics support vessel, is carrying the
first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian
supplies,” it added.
US Department of Defense spokesman Air Force Maj. Gen.
Pat Ryder announced on Saturday that the construction of the temporary pier that
the US plans to establish may take 60 days.
Ryder explained that the establishment of the temporary
pier in Gaza will take place with allies and partners in the region, noting
that soldiers from seven transportation brigades in the state of Virginia have
been allocated for this purpose.
In his State of the Union address on Friday, Biden
announced that the US would construct a temporary pier on Gaza's shoreline to
facilitate more aid deliveries.
Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza
Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which some 1,200
people were killed.
Nearly 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children,
have since been killed in Gaza, and over 72,500 others injured amid mass
destruction and shortages of necessities.
The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into
internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water, and
medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or
destroyed, according to the UN.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International
Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop
genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is
provided to civilians in Gaza.
Source: aa.com.tr
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-dispatches-ship-to-mediterranean-to-build-temporary-port-off-gaza/3160639
----
South Asia
Islamic Emirate: Disagreement Exists in US Over Afghan
Policy
March 10, 2024
The Islamic Emirate, referencing remarks by the chair of
the US House Foreign Affairs Committee and the US Chargé d'Affaires for
Afghanistan about interaction with the interim government, said that these
statements stem from a difference of opinion among US officials regarding
Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic
Emirate, stated that good relations between Kabul and Washington are in the
interest of both countries.
"In America, there is a difference of opinion or
disagreement about Afghanistan. Michael (McCaul) may be one of those who
supported the war in Afghanistan. After America's disgraceful defeat, they
might have been affected and now want to express hostility and animosity
towards all of Afghanistan and its people; but this is not the solution."
Michael McCaul, the chair of the US House Foreign Affairs
Committee, reacted to recent statements by Karen Decker, the Chargé d'Affaires
of the US Embassy for Afghanistan, about supporting Afghans' "political
roadmap and engagement with the Taliban," saying that any suggestion of
engaging with the "Taliban" is a slap in the face to the people of
Afghanistan.
In a statement published by the US House Foreign Affairs
Committee, McCaul urged President Joe Biden not to encourage anyone to engage
with the “Taliban."
"Suggesting any form of engagement with the Taliban
is a slap in the face to the Afghan people who are victims of the Taliban
regime. The administration should not encourage engagement with the Taliban
under any circumstances," the statement reads.
"They want to change the atmosphere and use pressure
as a means to achieve their own benefits. If they get a positive response, they
say there is a good path and an opening; if not, it means there's a negative
opening as well," Aziz Maarij, a political analyst, said.
However, some political analysts said that the dichotomy
in America's foreign policy towards the caretaker government is influenced by
the 2024 elections in the country.
"Differences emerge for them at critical times,
especially during various elections they have, the most important being the
presidential election," said Sayed Hashem Balkhabi, a political analyst.
Previously, the US Chargé d'Affaires for Afghanistan
stated that Afghan civil society in Istanbul supports the reintegration process
of Afghanistan led by the United Nations and a political roadmap for engagement
with the Islamic Emirate.
Source: tolonews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-187773
----
Will Form A Cell For Global Recognition Of 1971 Genocide:
Bangladesh FM
Mar 11, 2024
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said he would
form a cell at the Foreign Ministry to make coordinated efforts to get global
recognition of the genocide committed by Pakistani occupation forces during
Bangladesh's liberation war in 1971.
"I will form
a cell to coordinate with all, including the intellectuals who have been
working on it [to get the genocide recognition]," he said.
He was addressing
a seminar, "1971 Bangladesh Genocide: Seeking International Recognition
& Reparation," held by Diplomatic Correspondent Association of
Bangladesh at Jatiya Press Club.
Coordination is needed among the Prime Minister's Office,
foreign and Liberation War affairs ministries and civil society members to
advance efforts to get such recognition, he said.
The foreign minister said that Bangladesh's 71 genocide
was yet to get global recognition as, after 1975, BNP had started doing
politics with the anti-liberation quarter like Jamaat-e-Islami.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/will-form-cell-global-recognition-1971-genocide-3563941
-----
2 Afghan citizens shot dead in Pakistan’s Karachi
Fidel Rahmati
March 10, 2024
Two Afghan brothers were shot dead in Karachi, Pakistan,
in what police believe was a deliberate attack. According to police reports,
Jamal Deen and Hayatullah were ruthlessly gunned down while inspecting a
vehicle for a family celebration.
Central SSP Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqi shed light on the
incident, revealing that the brothers, residing in Sohrab Goth, were ambushed
by unknown assailants in the bustling streets of Karachi. The brutal nature of
the attack has left authorities grappling for answers.
Contrary to a mere robbery, investigators are inclined to
believe that the perpetrators had a specific target in mind, ruling out
financial motives. Initial findings suggest that the assailants, who arrived on
a motorbike, had been tailing the victims, indicating a premeditated assault.
Eyewitness testimonies further compounded the mystery, as
some claimed the attackers were also of Afghan descent. This revelation has
stirred concerns within both the Afghan and Pakistani communities, heightening
tensions and prompting fears of reprisal attacks.
Amidst the anguish and uncertainty surrounding the tragic
deaths, suspicions of personal vendettas have surfaced as a plausible motive.
However, the complexities of the case demand a thorough investigation to
unearth the truth behind this heinous crime.
Beyond the immediate ramifications of this incident, the
plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan casts a grim shadow over the nation. With
thousands seeking asylum from the turmoil in Afghanistan, many find themselves
vulnerable to violence and discrimination, struggling to carve out a semblance
of normalcy in their adopted homeland.
Furthermore, for those who dare to return to Afghanistan,
the challenges are equally daunting. The uncertain security landscape, coupled
with economic instability, paints a bleak picture for returnees seeking to
rebuild their lives amidst the chaos and uncertainty plaguing their war-torn
homeland.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.khaama.com/2-afghan-citizens-shot-dead-in-pakistans-karachi/
----
Mujahid: Afghanistan Needs Good Relations with Pakistan
Mitra Majeedy
March 10, 2024
The Islamic Emirate said maintaining relations between
Kabul and Islamabad is a necessity and stated its desire to improve relations
with all neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic
Emirate, urged the new Pakistani government to show flexibility regarding the
deportation of Afghan refugees.
"First, the Islamic Emirate has always sought good
relations with all its neighbors, including Pakistan, where a new government
has emerged. Afghanistan also needs good relations with Pakistan. We want
Pakistan to make good progress in various sectors with Afghanistan and ask the
future government to solve all its problems," he said.
The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate also called for
Pakistan's attention to various issues, including expanding relations,
addressing challenges faced by Afghan traders, and matters related to the
Durand Line.
"Regarding migrants, we ask them to be flexible.
They have hosted migrants for many years, and from now on, they should consider
Afghanistan's relations with Pakistan until the migrants return,"
Zabihullah Mujahid said.
This comes as a coalition government recently formed in
Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.
However, the question remains whether the new government
in Pakistan will resolve the existing problems between the two countries.
"The new Pakistani government is weak; therefore,
its foreign policy will mostly be under military supervision, and the Pakistani
security forces believe that accusing Afghanistan of being a terrorism hub is
in their interest," said Waheed Faqiri, a political analyst.
"The new Pakistani government is expected not to
forcibly expel Afghan refugees and to regard trade between the two countries as
important," Tariq Farhadi, another political analyst, told TOLOnews.
In nearly six months of governance in Pakistan, the
interim government has deported more than 800,000 Afghan refugees since early
November, a decision that has always been referred to by officials of the
Islamic Emirate as a pressure tool on the caretaker government in Afghanistan.
Source: tolonews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-187769
----
'60,000' Ancient Artifacts at National Museum: Officials
Naweed Samadi
March 10, 2024
On International Day for the Preservation of Cultural
Heritage, the Ministry of Information and Culture said that the National Museum
houses over sixty thousand artifacts from various decades.
Atiqullah Azizi, the Deputy Minister of Information and
Culture, during a ceremony marking the day, stated that in the past year, they
have successfully discovered and transferred hundreds of ancient and cultural
artifacts from different provinces to the National Museum.
"According to the data, there are more than sixty
thousand artifacts in the National Museum of Afghanistan," he said.
Sibghatullah Abed, the director of the National Museum,
said that some individuals and countries have strived for years to destroy the
country's culture and ancient artifacts.
According to Sibghatullah Abid, they are endeavoring to
keep Afghan culture alive and protect it.
"Our enemies have tried hard to bury and destroy our
culture and history. To combat this, we must all strive to ensure that our
country's culture does not disappear," he added.
Meanwhile, Hayatullah Mahajer Farahi, the Deputy Minister
of Publications at the Ministry of Information and Culture, said that the
leader of the Islamic Emirate has ordered measures to prevent the trafficking
and sale of ancient and cultural artifacts in the country.
"We do not allow anyone to destroy and smuggle our
historical artifacts as in the past," said Hayatullah Mahajer Farahi.
"The Ministry of Information and Culture has had
very good achievements in all sectors. Any country that loses its culture will
be destroyed," said Wali Gul Jawad, the Cultural Head of Kabul
Municipality.
According to officials of the Ministry of Information and
Culture, in the past year, fourteen hundred sites have been discovered in more
than ten provinces by the Department of Archeology and Artifact Recognition of
this Ministry.
The ministry said that a draft law on cultural heritage
has been prepared by the ministry and sent for approval to the leader of the
Islamic Emirate.
Source: tolonews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-187776
----
Muslims in 40 Chandpur villages start Ramadan fasting in
accord with Saudi Arabia
Mar 11, 2024
In a tradition supposedly upheld since 1928, Muslims
across 40 villages in Chandpur district initiated their Ramadan fasting today,
aligning with the commencement of the holy month in Saudi Arabia.
The local mosques held Taraweeh prayers on Sunday
evening, and villagers had sehri before dawn, marking the beginning of the
fasting period.
This practice, rooted in the rituals of Sadra Darbar
Sharif in Sadra village, Hajiganj upazila, adheres to the moon sighting in
Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, shared Pirjada Bakibillah
Mishkat Chowdhury.
Approximately 40 villages in the district follow this
custom not only for Ramadan fasting but also for celebrating the two Eids on
the same dates observed in Saudi Arabia.
These villages span across various upazilas including
Sameshpur, Alipur, Balakhal, Monihar, Protapur, and Basara in Hajiganj upazila;
Kamta, Laxmipur, Gallak, Bholacho, Sonacho, Ubharampur, Uttoli, Munshirhat,
Kaitara, Mulpara, Badarpur, Aitpara, Surangachail, Balithuba, Paikpara, Nurpur,
Sachonmegh, Sholla Hasha, and Gobindapur in Faridganj upazila. Additionally,
Dashani, Mohonpur, Pachani, and Chataki in Matlab North upazila, along with
select villages in Kachua and Shahrasti upazilas, partake in this observance.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/muslims-40-chandpur-villages-start-ramadan-fasting-accord-saudi-arabia-3564156
---
2011 violence case: BNP leader Hafiz granted bail
Mar 11, 2024
A Dhaka court yesterday granted bail to BNP Vice-Chairman
Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in a 2011 political violence case, in which he was
convicted in December last year.
Judge Mohammed Ash-Shams Joglul Hossain of Dhaka's
Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order after the defence filed a
bail petition with the court, state lawyer Tapash Kumar Pal told The Daily
Star.
On March 5, another Dhaka court sent Hafiz to jail after
rejecting his bail petition in the same case. He surrendered before the court
in the case that day.
On December 28 last year, Hafiz, BNP Vice-Chairman Air
Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, and six others were jailed for
different terms in the case filed with Gulshan Police Station.
Altaf, Hafiz, and Maj (retd) Md Hanif were sentenced to
21 months imprisonment, while five others were jailed for 42 months for
illegally gathering and torching vehicles.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/2011-violence-case-bnp-leader-hafiz-granted-bail-3563911
----
BNP failed to understand the pulse of people: Quader
Mar 10, 2024
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and
Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP has become isolated from the people
in politics after failing to read the pulse of people.
"It has been proved in Bangladesh's politics that
the country's democracy is safe at the hands of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She understands the people," he told a press conference held at AL President
Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka.
Quader said as long as Sheikh Hasina remains in power,
the country will never lose its path.
Regarding the recent report of the EU over the 12th
National Election, the AL general secretary said the EU follows some policy as
they maintain alliance with the western world.
The EU's report is similar to the remarks made by the US
over the polls in Bangladesh, he said.
"But we will put importance on the letters written
by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron to Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They expressed their eagerness to work closely
with Bangladesh," he said.
About Mymensingh and Cumilla city polls, the minister
said elections were held to 231 local government bodies, including Mymensingh
and Cumilla cities, yesterday which saw voter's turnout around 60pc on an
average.
The polls were held in free and fair manner and the
government didn't interfere in the polls, he added.
He extended thanks to the Election Commission, law
enforcement agencies and all concerned for holding the elections in a free,
fair, and peaceful manner. He also congratulated the winners of those
elections.
Quader said BNP leaders contested the polls in different
places and some leaders have also been elected.
There was no party's symbol in the polls, he said.
After the end of those polls, there is no logical ground
for BNP to criticise the government, he said.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-failed-understand-the-pulse-people-quader-3563736
----
Bangladesh Coast Guard to be transformed into
three-dimensional force: PM
Mar 10, 2024
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government
will transform the Bangladesh Coast Guard into a three-dimensional force by
inducting new technology and modern equipment.
"We have already given in-principle approval for the
formation of an Aviation Wing with the purchase of two helicopters which will
make the Coast Guard a three-dimensional force," she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing the 29th
founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard at the BCG headquarters at
Agargaon in the city.
She said the government has recently approved a new
project to build nine replacement ships for the coast guard.
Besides, she said, approval was given for the procurement
of four more OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels), two maritime version helicopters
for deep sea patrolling by the Coast Guard for the safety of the public engaged
in sea-based professions and waterways.
"In order to modernise and strengthen the Bangladesh
Coast Guard, advanced technology ships, maritime surveillance systems,
hovercrafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very
soon," she said.
The prime minister expressed her optimism that through
the addition of all these ships with modern technology and the development of
communication systems, this force will acquire more capabilities to face the
challenges of the 21st century and will play a significant role in building a
smart Bangladesh.
In addition, she said, plans have been adopted to
increase the current strength to 15,000 manpower gradually as per Vision 2030
and Vision 2041 to modernise the force to provide blue economy and security at
sea.
"To build Smart Bangladesh I believe that this force
will play a special role," she said.
Hasina said a dockyard was also being built at Gazaria in
Munshiganj for the construction, repair and maintenance of the force's vessels
and ships.
She mentioned that some 16 vessels, including four OPVs,
and 138 boats have been inducted in the BCG fleet.
Stating that the Awami League government has always been
directly involved in the formation and development of Bangladesh Coast Guard,
she said it had emerged as a force in context of a bill brought by AL in the
Jatiya Sangsad in 1994 as the then opposition party.
After assuming power in 1996, the AL government took a
massive initiative in expanding the Coast Guard's activities in the country's
coastal areas by providing land for its various zones, different types of
vessels and building infrastructure, she said.
Since 2009, various infrastructure including coastal
crisis management centres, accommodation of officers and sailors of bases,
officers' messes, sailors' quarters and administrative buildings have been
constructed at coast guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of
the country, she added.
Recalling the initiative of Bangladesh's founding father
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said Bangabandhu framed "The Territorial
Waters and Maritime Zone Act" in 1974 to establish citizen's legal rights
over the sea and marine resources.
She said that even the United Nations (UN) formulated
such a law in 1982.
Until adoption of the law by the UN, the cases, not only
in the region but also in Europe and other places across the globe, would have
been settled following the law enacted by Bangabandhu, she said.
The prime minister said her government has established
the country's rights on a vast maritime area after winning legal battles with
neighbouring India and Myanmar while maintaining friendly relations.
She also reiterated her vow to transform Bangladesh into
a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
Hasina also inaugurated Bangladesh Coast Guard Vsatnet
Communication System and newly constructed six physical infrastructures at the
BCG stations at Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Mirsarai, Sandwip, Nidraskina and
Shahpari Outpost.
The PM also conferred 10 Bangladesh Coast Guard Medals,
10 Bangladesh Coast Guard (Service) Medals, 10 President Coast Guard Medals and
10 President Coast Guard (Service) Medals to at least 40 BCG officers, sailors
and civilians for their bravery.
The theme of this year's founding anniversary is
"Smart Bangladesh, Smart Coast Guard".
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Public Security Division
Secretary of the Home Ministry Md Mustafizur Rahman and BCG Director General
Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali were present at the function.
At the outset of the programme, a smartly turned out
contingent of the Bangladesh Coast Guard also gave a state-salute to the prime
minister.
A short documentary on Coast Guard Vsatnet System was
screened. Later, the prime minister enjoyed a cultural programme.
Source: thedailystar.net
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original Story
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-----
Mideast
Zionists obstruct worshipers from reaching al-Aqsa Mosque
in 1st day night of Ramadan
[11/March/2024]
OCCUPIED AL-QUDS March 11. 2024 (Saba) - The Zionist
enemy forces have obstructed the entry of hundreds of worshipers into the
blessed al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Tarawih prayers on the first night of the
blessed month of Ramadan.
The Palestinian Information Center quoted eyewitnesses as
saying “The occupation forces detained worshipers at the gates of al-Aqsa
Mosque and obstructed their access to it.”
The eyewitnesses added the Zionist enemy imposed
restrictions on young men entering al-Aqsa to perform Tarawih, and allowed
women, who are 40s to access.
Thousands of Palestinians performed Tarawih prayers in
the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of al-Quds on the eve of the
first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
Thousands of Palestinians flocked into the courtyards of
al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Tarawih prayers, despite the restrictions imposed by
the enemy in the vicinity of the mosque and the Old City.
Source: saba.ye
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original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3312064.htm
----
Turkey: Mosque Loudspeakers Used For Broadcasting Ruling
AKP's Election Propaganda
March 10 2024
The election meeting to be attended by ruling Justice and
Development Party’s (AKP) metropolitan municipality and district mayor
candidates was announced through the mosque loudspeakers in two neighbourhoods
of Bozdogan district in western Aydin province, the main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) Aydin Deputy Süleyman Bülbül revealed.
According to the statement made by Bülbül, mosques
announced, "AKP Aydin metropolitan mayor candidate, AKP Bozdogan district
mayor candidate and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) provincial chair will
attend the consultation meeting planned to be held in the neighborhood. For
citizens who want to attend, shuttles will be available from Eymir."
MP Bülbül highlighted AKP's exploitation of religion for
political purposes and noted, "The ruling party's desperation has become
evident as it faces the prospect of losing the elections. It is unacceptable to
attempt to convert places of worship into election offices by leveraging
religion for political gain."
Before the local elections in 2019, an AKP flag was hung
on the minaret of the a mosque in Bozdogan district of Aydin.
Turkey will held local elections on March 31. According
to the Article 50 and 51 of the Law On Basic Provisions of Elections and Voter
Registers, verbal propaganda is not permitted in sanctuaries.
Nonetheless, AKP politicians including President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has often used mosques to give political speeches, particularly
ahead of elections.
Source: duvarenglish.com
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-----
Netanyahu says at least 13,000 ‘terrorists’ among
Palestinians killed
March 11, 2024
FRANKFURT: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
on Sunday that at least 13,000 “terrorists” were among Palestinians killed
during Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and vowed to press ahead with
an offensive in the south of the enclave — a move US President Joe Biden has
described as his “red line.”
Nearly 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza
during the five month long war, that began after Hamas militants attacked
Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to
Israeli tallies.
The Gaza health ministry does not break down the death
toll between civilians and Hamas militants but has said that 72 percent of
those killed were women and children. Hamas dismisses Israel’s toll for
militants as attempts to portray “fake victories.”
Netanyahu told German media company Axel Springer, which
owns Politico and Germany’s Bild newspaper and broadcaster Welt TV, that
extending Israel’s offensive into Rafah in southern Gaza was key to defeating
Hamas.
“We are very close to victory ... Once we begin military
action against the remaining terror battalions in Rafah, it is only a question
of weeks” until the intensive phase of fighting is concluded, Bild newspaper
quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Biden and his aides have urged Netanyahu in strong terms
not to launch a major offensive in Rafah until Israel crafts a plan for mass
evacuation of civilians. More than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are
sheltering in the Rafah area.
Asked by MSNBC on Saturday whether an invasion of Rafah
would be a red line, Biden said: “It is a red line but I’m never going to leave
Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical. So there’s no red line (in
which) I’m going to cut off all weapons so they don’t have the Iron Dome to
protect them.”
Politico quoted Netanyahu as saying on Sunday that
Israeli forces would push into Rafah, adding: “You know, I have a red line. You
know what the red line is, that October 7 doesn’t happen again. Never happens again.”
Three quarters of Hamas battalions had been destroyed and
halting the offensive now would only allow them to regroup, Bild quoted
Netanyahu as saying.
Source: arabnews.com
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original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2474526/middle-east
----
3 more Hezbollah fighters killed in cross-border clashes
with Israel
Ikrame Imane Kouachi
10.03.2024
Lebanese group Hezbollah has said three of its fighters
were killed in cross-border clashes with Israeli forces.
The slain fighters are identified as Jaafar Ali Marji,
Ali Jaafar Marji, and Hassan Jaafar Marji, a Hezbollah statement released on
Saturday said.
Hezbollah did not provide further details.
With the latest fatalities, the total number of Hezbollah
fighters killed in clashes with Israeli forces since Oct. 8 has risen to 239.
Tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and
Israel amid intermittent exchanges of weapons fire between Israeli forces and
Hezbollah, in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war
in 2006.
The tension comes amid an Israeli military offensive in
the Gaza Strip that has killed nearly 31,000 victims following a Hamas attack
on Oct. 7.
Source: aa.com.tr
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original Story
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/3-more-hezbollah-fighters-killed-in-cross-border-clashes-with-israel/3160578
----
Palestinians prepare for Ramadan in the shadow of Gaza
war
March 11, 2024
JERUSALEM/CAIRO/RAFAH, Gaza: Palestinians prepared for
Ramadan in somber mood with heightened security measures by Israeli police and
the spectre of war and hunger in Gaza overshadowing the normally festive Muslim
holy month as talks to secure a ceasefire stalled.
Thousands of police have been deployed around the narrow
streets of the Old City in Jerusalem, where tens of thousands of worshippers
are expected every day at the Al Aqsa mosque compound, one of the holiest sites
in Islam.
The area, considered the most sacred place by Jews who
know it as Temple Mount, has been a longstanding flashpoint for trouble and was
one of the starting points of the last war in 2021 between Israel and Hamas,
the Islamist movement that controls Gaza.
This picture taken from a position in northern Israel shows
an Israeli Air Force fighter jet flying over the border area with south Lebanon
on March 10, 2024, amid increasing cross-border tensions between Lebanon's
Hezbollah and Israel as fighting continues with Hamas militants in the Gaza
Strip. (AFP)
That 10-day conflict has been dwarfed by the current war,
which is now in its sixth month. It began on Oct. 7 when thousands of Hamas
fighters stormed into Israel, killing some 1,200 people, by Israeli tallies.
Israel’s relentless campaign in Gaza has caused increasing
alarm across the world as the growing risk of famine threatens to add to a
death toll that has already passed 31,000.
After some confusion last month when hard-right Security
Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he wanted restrictions on worshippers at Al Aqsa,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the numbers admitted would be similar to
last year.
Children play at a camp for displaced Palestinians in
Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on the eve of the Muslim holy fasting month
of Ramadan on March 10, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the
militant group Hamas. (AFP)
“This is our mosque and we must take care of it,” said
Azzam Al-Khatib, director general of the Jerusalem Waqf, the religious
foundation that oversees Al Aqsa. “We must protect the presence of Muslims at
this mosque, who should be able to enter in big numbers peacefully and safely.”
The start of Ramadan depends on lunar observations — for
Palestinians it will begin on Monday, while it will start on Tuesday in some
Arab and Muslim countries.
In contrast to previous years, the usual decorations
around the Old City have not been put up and there was a similar somber tone in
towns across the occupied West Bank, where around 400 Palestinians have been
killed in clashes with security forces or Jewish settlers since the start of
the Gaza war.
“We decided this year that the Old City of Jerusalem
won’t be decorated out of respect for the blood of our children and the elders
and the martyrs,” said Ammar Sider, a community leader in the Old City.
Destruction left by the Israeli offensive on Khan Younis,
Gaza Strip, is seen Friday, March 8, 2024. (AP)
Police said they were working to ensure a peaceful
Ramadan and had taken extra measures to crack down on what they described as
provocative and distorted information on social media networks and had arrested
20 people suspected of incitement to terrorism.
“The Israel Police will continue to act and allow for the
observance of Ramadan prayers safely on the Temple Mount, while maintaining
security and safety in the area,” police said in a statement.
For the rest of the Muslim world, Israel’s policing of Al
Aqsa has long been among the most bitterly resented issues and last month,
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinians to march to the mosque at
the start of Ramadan.
Last year, clashes that erupted when police entered the
mosque compound drew condemnation from the Arab League as well as Saudi Arabia,
with which Israel had been seeking to normalize diplomatic ties, extending its
push to build ties with regional powers including the United Arab Emirates.
CEASEFIRE HOPES
Hopes for a ceasefire, which would have allowed Ramadan
to pass peacefully and enabled the return of at least some of the 134 Israeli
hostages held in Gaza, appear to have been disappointed with talks in Cairo
apparently stalled.
A Hamas official told Reuters the group was open to more
negotiations but, as far as he knew, no dates had been set for further meetings
with mediators in Cairo.
In the ruins of Gaza itself, where half the 2.3 million
population is squeezed into the southern city of Rafah, many living under
plastic tents and facing a severe shortage of food, the mood was
correspondingly sombre.
“We made no preparations to welcome Ramadan because we
have been fasting for five months now,” said Maha, a mother of five, who would
normally have filled her home with decorations and stocked her refrigerator
with supplies for the evening Iftar celebrations when people break their fast.
“There is no food, we only have some canned food and
rice, most of the food items are being sold for imaginary high prices,” she
said via chat app from Rafah, where she is sheltering with her family.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian refugee
agency UNRWA, said in a post on X that the month of Ramadan should “bring a
ceasefire for those who have suffered the most” but instead for Gazans “it
comes as extreme hunger spreads, displacement continues & fear + anxiety
prevail amid threats of a military operation on #Rafah.”
In the southern Gaza town of Al-Mawasi, Palestinian
health officials said 13 people were killed in an Israeli military strike on a
tented area where thousands of displaced people were taking shelter.
There was no immediate Israeli comment.
In the West Bank, which has seen record violence for more
than two years and a further surge since the war in Gaza, the stakes are also
high, with Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus and other volatile towns braced for further
clashes.
In Israel, fears of car ramming or stabbing attacks by
Palestinians have also led to heightened security preparations.
For many Gazans, there is little alternative but to hope
for peace.
“Ramadan is a blessed month despite the fact this year is
not like every year, but we are steadfast and patient, and we will welcome the
month of Ramadan as usual, with decorations, songs, with prayers, fasting,”
said Nehad El-Jed, who was displaced with her family in Gaza.
“Next Ramadan, we wish for Gaza to come back, hopefully
all the destruction and the siege in Gaza will change, and all will come back
in a better condition.”
Source: arabnews.com
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original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2474531/middle-east
----
Hezbollah targets different Israeli army sites at border
Mar 10, 2024
TEHRAN, Mar. 10 (MNA) – The Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance
Movement hit at least three different Israeli regime's military positions ear
the Leabese border on Sunday, the movement's media office said.
Islamic ResistanceHezbollah forces fired Burkan missiles
at Al-Raheb site and a gathering of Israeli occupation soldiers in its
vicinity, inflicting direct hits, the first statement by the movement said on
Monday
Hezbollah forces targeted Ma’aleh Golan barracks with
rocket weapons, achieving a direct hit, the second statement said.
Hezbollah fighters struke Al-Ramtha and Al-Sammaqa
occupation sites in the occupied Lebanese Kfarshuba Hills with rocket weapons,
achieving a direct hits the third and the latest statement said.
The Lebanese Resistance movement's attacks come in
support of Palestinian people who are facing a genocidal war in the Gaza Strip
by the Zionist regime.;
Source: mehrnews.com
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----
India
UP Chief Of Muslim Personal Law Board Arrested After His
Remarks Over Yogi Government’s Crackdown On
Madrassas
11.03.24
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested Hafiz Noor
Ahmed Raza Azhari, the state chief of All India Muslim Personal Law Board on
Sunday. His arrest came after his remarks over the Yogi government’s action
against madrassas.
The arrest of Hafiz Noor Ahmed Raza Azhari by the Uttar
Pradesh Police in Pilibhit has sparked controversy and debate across the state.
Azhari’s detainment comes in the wake of his inflammatory remarks concerning
the Yogi government’s crackdown on
madrassas.
In a social media post two days prior to his arrest,
Azhari vehemently criticized the government’s actions, alleging a targeted
campaign against mosques and madrassas. He accused the authorities of
attempting to demolish these religious institutions and propagating fear among
the Muslim community. Azhari claimed that the government’s purported agenda was
to discourage people from attending madrassas, thereby impeding the religious
education of Muslims.
The remarks made by Azhari have ignited a firestorm of
controversy, with various factions expressing divergent opinions on the matter.
Supporters of the Muslim leader argue that his statements merely reflect
legitimate concerns regarding religious freedom and the rights of minority
communities. They contend that the government’s actions constitute an
infringement upon these fundamental liberties and must be condemned.
The arrest of Azhari underscores the broader tensions
surrounding religious freedom and government intervention in Uttar Pradesh. The
state, with its diverse religious landscape, has often been a crucible for such
contentious issues. The Yogi government’s policies regarding religious
institutions have frequently been met with criticism, reflecting the complex
interplay between governance, religion, and civil liberties.
Source: muslimmirror.com
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Story
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----
Gujarat: Dargah Demolished Overnight Amid Heavy Police
Deployment
10th March 2024
In yet another bulldozer action against minorities’
religious places in BJP-ruled states, a Dargah was demolished late Saturday
night, March 9, in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, amid a heavy police deployment
of over 1,000 personnel.
According to reports, a two-decade-old Dargah near
Majwadi Gate was demolished after being declared as illegal encroachment. A
earlier attempt to demolish the Dargah was made in June last year. However,
following protests, the demolition was stopped.
The demolition took place between 2 am and 5 am.
Barricades were placed 300-400 meters from the dargah to prevent people from
visiting during the demolition.
Soon after the demolition, security was beefed up to
prevent any communal clashes.
Besides Dargah, two temples built at different places in
Junagadh were also removed during the anti-encroachment drive, officials said.
Source: siasat.com
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----
Arab World
Saudi King Calls For End to 'Heinous Crimes' In Gaza In
Ramadan Message
MARCH 11, 2024
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has called in his Ramadan
message for the international community to bring an end to the “heinous crimes”
taking place in Gaza, where Israel’s war with Hamas has been raging for more
than five months.
Speaking as custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, King
Salman gave thanks on Sunday for the “blessings bestowed upon the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia”, but noted the war in besieged Gaza would cast a shadow over the
holy month of fasting and prayer.
“As we witness the arrival of Ramadan this year, our
hearts are heavy with sorrow for the ongoing suffering of our Palestinian
brothers facing relentless aggression,” he said.
Displaced Palestinians Prepare For "Different"
Ramadan Amid War
“We call upon the international community to uphold its
responsibilities to put an end to these heinous crimes and ensure the
establishment of safe humanitarian and relief corridors.” Gaza is in the midst
of a spiralling humanitarian crisis after months of war sparked by Hamas’s
unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel.
Aid groups say only a fraction of the supplies required
to meet basic humanitarian needs have been allowed into the territory since
Israel placed it under a near-total siege.
Source: news18.com
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original Story
https://www.news18.com/world/saudi-king-calls-for-end-to-heinous-crimes-in-gaza-in-ramadan-message-8810652.html
----
Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch says leader dead, in unclear
circumstances
MARCH 11, 2024
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The leader of Yemen’s
branch of al-Qaeda is dead, the terror group announced late Sunday, without
giving details.
Khalid al-Batarfi had a $5 million bounty on his head
from the US government over leading the group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
over years that saw him imprisoned, freed in a jailbreak, and governing forces
in Yemen amid that country’s grinding war.
Though believed to be weakened in recent years due to
infighting and suspected US drone strikes killing its leaders, the group known
by the acronym AQAP has long been considered the most dangerous branch of the
extremist group still operating after the killing of founder Osama bin Laden.
Al-Qaeda released a video showing al-Batarfi wrapped in a
white funeral shroud and al-Qaeda’s black-and-white flag.
Terrorists offered no details on the cause of his death
and there was no clear sign of trauma visible on his face. Al-Batarfi was
believed to be in his early 40s.
“Allah took his soul while he patiently sought his reward
and stood firm, immigrated, garrisoned, and waged jihad for His sake,” the
terrorists said in the video, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.
The group made the announcement on the eve of Ramadan,
the Muslim holy fasting month that Yemen will begin Monday.
In the announcement, the group said Saad bin Atef
al-Awlaki would take over as its leader. The US has a $6 million bounty on him,
saying al-Awlaki “has publicly called for attacks against the United States and
its allies.”
The Yemen branch of al-Qaeda has been seen by Washington
as the terror network’s most dangerous branch ever since its attempt in 2009 to
bomb a commercial airliner over the United States. It claimed responsibility
for the 2015 deadly attack in Paris on the French satirical weekly Charlie
Hebdo. But its overseas operations have waned in recent years.
“Although in decline, AQAP remains the most effective
terrorist group in Yemen with intent to conduct operations in the region and
beyond,” a recent United Nations report on al-Qaeda said.
Estimates provided to the UN put AQAP’s total forces as
numbering between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members. The
group raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as
smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies, and ransom operations, according
to the UN.
Al-Batarfi took over as the head of the branch in
February 2020. He succeeded leader Qassim al-Rimi, who was killed by a US drone
strike ordered by then-US president Donald Trump. Al-Rimi had claimed
responsibility for the 2019 attack at the US Naval Air Station Pensacola in
which a Saudi aviation trainee killed three American sailors.
Under al-Batarfi, AQAP fell further under the influence
of al-Qaeda fighter Saif al-Adel, now believed to lead the terror group after
the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in a US drone strike in Afghanistan in 2022.
That came as Yemen has been locked in a war between the Houthi rebels, who hold
the capital, Sanaa, and a Saudi-led coalition backing the country’s exiled
government based in Aden.
“Since 2020, Saif al-Adel has been able to convince
al-Batarfi of his strategic approach, focused on confronting Western states and
their allies in Yemen — the Saudi-led coalition, the Aden-based government, the
United Arab Emirates and its allies — rather than confronting the
Iranian-backed Houthi movement,” a 2023 report by the Sanaa Center for
Strategic Studies said.
Al-Adel is believed to be in Iran, part of a longtime
al-Qaeda presence in the Islamic Republic. That’s long been denied by Tehran
but backed up by documents seized in the 2011 US raid in Pakistan that killed
bin Laden, who orchestrated the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US.
Al-Batarfi’s ties to al-Adel had strained relations in
AQAP, experts say. However, it has seen the terrorists become armed with
bomb-carrying drones — something the Houthis now use to target shipping in the
Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
AQAP “developed unmanned aerial systems capabilities,
establishing a specialized drone unit, with operational training from the
Houthis,” a UN report from January says. “It prioritizes liberating its
prisoners to replenish ranks; in September, the Houthis released several AQAP
members and explosives experts.”
The Shiite Zaydi Houthis have previously denied working
with AQAP, a Sunni extremist group. However, AQAP targeting of the Houthis has
dropped in recent years while the terrorists continue to attack Saudi-led coalition
forces.
Yemen’s history and tribal structure long has seen
alliances rapidly shift, something its late strongman President Ali Abdullah
Saleh referred to as “dancing on the heads of snakes.”
Al-Batarfi, born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, traveled to
Afghanistan in 1999 and fought alongside the Taliban during the US-led
invasion. He joined AQAP in 2010 and led forces in taking over Yemen’s Abyan
province, according to the US.
In 2015, he was freed after an AQAP raid that saw the
terrorists capture Mukalla, the capital of Yemen’s largest province, Hadramawt,
amid the chaos of the war. A photo at the time showed al-Awlaki with a
Kalashnikov rifle, posing inside a government palace there.
AQAP was later pushed out of Mukalla but has continued
attacks and been the target of a US drone strike campaign since the
administration of then-president George W. Bush.
In 2020, there had been claims that al-Bartafi had been
detained, which later were denied. In 2021, he appeared in a video by the
terror group and referred to the January 6 riot at the US Capitol as “only the
tip of the iceberg of what will come to them, God willing.”
Source: timesofisrael.com
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original Story
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----
Revolution Leader : We will enter Ramadan in state of
jihad in support of Palestinians
[10/March/2024]
SANA'A March 10. 2024 (Saba) -The Revolution Leader,
Sayyed Abdul Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, congratulated the Yemeni people,
their heroic mujahideen, and members of the armed and security forces on the
occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan.
In his speech today,Sunday, during an expanded meeting
attended by scholars and leaders of the state, welcoming the holy month of
Ramadan at the People’s Mosque in the capital, Sana’a, the Revolution Leader
extended his congratulations and blessings to the Islamic nation, first and
foremost the oppressed and patient fighting Palestinian people.
He touched on the educational contribution of the
hypothesis of fasting in that it helps to adhere to piety, perform
responsibilities, willpower, patience and endurance, and one of the most
important things in Islam is that it educates on willpower.
He also pointed out that a nation that possesses
willpower is strong and effective in facing major challenges.
Sayyed Abdulmalik Al-Houthi warned against neglecting the
obligation of fasting and the importance of committing to piety, stressing the
need to focus on other aspects of responsibilities during the month of Ramadan.
He also pointed out the importance of a person setting
his priorities during the month of Ramadan, at the forefront of which is
fasting, and taking greater care of the Holy Qur’an through its recitation and
listening to its recitation with contemplation and understanding of what
benefits a person and paying attention to God’s guidance from the culture of
the Holy Qur’an.
Al-Sayyed pointed out the importance of contributing to
spreading God’s guidance, reminding people of it, and benefiting from Ramadan
programme, and its popularity and understanding.
He urged avoiding wasting Ramadan time watching series
and electronic games, stressing the importance of educating children and
warning them of the evils of these games and benefiting from the blessings of
this holy month.
The leader stressed the necessity of paying attention to
supplication and benefiting from the well-known supplications, which include
the important aspects that a person needs, the most important of which are the
supplications of Holy Qur’an.
He indicated that supplication is a great act of worship
and a person needs God in everything.
He stated that supplication is of great importance in
bringing goodness, averting evil from man, and restoring judgment. People
should pray for salvation and forgiveness from God Almighty, to grant victory
to the mujahideen, and to renew repentance to get rid of sins and
transgressions.
He pointed out that supplication is not a substitute for
action and that people must take into account the reasons for responding...
explaining that supplication for victory requires responding to God in jihad
and spending in His cause.
The leader also touched on the importance, greatness,
virtue, and importance of the Night of Destiny, which exceeds the level of what
a human being can imagine or comprehend, and represents a major shift and
change in the course of life for those who invested in this night, took
advantage of it, and was destined for good in it.
He stressed the importance of a person taking advantage
of the month of Ramadan for mental and psychological preparation, getting
closer to God, and getting rid of sins... urging attention to the last ten days
of Ramadan, which the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his
family, urged.
Sayyed Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi also warned
against neglecting to fast the month of Ramadan unless there is a legitimate
excuse such as illness, travel, etc., stressing the importance of night prayer
because of its great merit, goodness, and blessing with the Lord, Blessed and
Most High.
He stated that among the priorities in this holy month
are benevolence, giving, and sympathy to the poor , needy, and maintaining
family ties as much as a person can, as well as taking care to pay the
obligatory zakat.
He said, "One of the most important things about the
month of Ramadan is that it is not only for acts of worship on a spiritual
level, voluntary acts, etc., but rather it is one of the most important seasons
for jihad for the sake of God, and the reward for jihadist deeds in the holy
month is beyond what a person can imagine."
The revolution leader stated that jihad during the month
of Ramadan was not a holiday, and that is why it was the Great Battle of Badr
that separated Islam from tyranny... indicating that the conquest of Mecca
occurred at the time when God imposed fasting, and it was a historical
achievement and a major change in the reality of the nation.
He added, "By God's grace, we will enter the blessed
month in a state of jihad for the sake of God, in support of the Palestinians,
and standing by their side with everything we can, with winged and ballistic
missiles and drones, with fighting, with money, and with broad popular
action."
He continued, "I do not rule out that many people
may be bored, especially with going out weekly, even though it is one of the
simplest tasks." Pointing out that going out for two hours in Al-Sabeen
Square a week means that you are moving in a great position, and let your going
out be part of your effort in the most important stages.
Sayyed Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi pointed out that if a person
had reached the point of not having any contribution, position, or action
towards the criminal aggression in Gaza, this would be one of the greatest breaches
of piety.
He explained that many of the people of the nation
responded to the calls of the people of Gaza with deafness, and whoever does
not go out for two hours a week has reached a declining level in the spirit of
faith , jihad and in sensing the importance of this position and this work.
He said, “The issue is not just demonstrations, as the
demonstrations are completely linked to the missile position with Fighting with
drones.”
The leader stated that when the American missile and
drone come to his battleships at sea, he sees that behind them is this flood of
interactive human beings... stressing that popular interaction forces the enemy
to work to obstruct direct military combat action by manipulating the internal
situation and diverting attention to simple matters.
He added, "Our people today, with God's grace, are
at the forefront of the Islamic peoples in freedom, pride, dignity, and
strength. You come out with all pride, freedom, and pride to chant and scream
clearly in the face of America, the Great Satan, and against the Israeli enemy.
This is a position that is not available to many peoples."
He added, "This is a blessing and a virtue for our
people to be a mujahid who carries the concerns of his nation and senses what
his nation is suffering and the terrible oppression of the Palestinians, which
no human being can reach the point of not caring about."
He wondered, "What cruelty and what negligence leads
a person to ignore a great and terrible tragedy , crimes of genocide, and the
cries of children and women and the nation of two billion Muslims are deafened
and ignored?!"
The revolution leader pointed out that if the situation
comes to the point that the Islamic world and the peoples remain silent and
that they no longer have a voice, no movement, no position, and no financial
cooperation, then this is a dangerous situation with consequences and
penalties.
He said, “The Islamic nation will be punished for its
negligence and its great negligence regarding what is happening in Gaza.”
He pointed out that a person's salvation, victory, honor,
and even humanity, is to remain a person with a heart, feeling, and conscience,
so you move , go out, and a person should not, under the pretext of fasting,
write off this issue from his concerns, but rather from the core of piety.
He explained, "One of the most important things
about piety is that we remain concerned with fearing God in very big matters,
and any neglect of them will face great danger."
The revolution leader also confirmed that what is
happening in Gaza is part of targeting the entire nation. He said, “We are a
targeted nation, and if we are not in a state of vigilance , do not carry the
banner of jihad, we are concerned about the affairs of Muslims and we are part
of this nation, then it is a very dangerous situation.”
He pointed out that a person may die in a religion other
than Islam as a result of his negligence in fearing God Almighty in the face of
the threat of enemies to his religion and his nation... indicating that “if
certain developments arise in the month of Ramadan, we will keep up with them,
God willing, with what we sense and hope for from God’s grace in what we have
to do.”
Sayyed Abdul Malik Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi reiterated,
"Our operations will continue, God willing, our activities will continue
for the most part, and there are basic and necessary activities that should
continue."
He added, "For God's sake, and from the core of our
religion and faith, O Yemen of faith, that attention to developments and events
remain among our greatest priorities."
Source: saba.ye
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original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3312006.htm
-----
General Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques
Exerts Great Efforts to Spread the Message of Islam in Various Languages
10 Mar, 2024
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the
Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque exerts great efforts to spread the
moderate message of Islam from the Grand Mosque to the whole Islamic world in
many languages.
The authority
broadcasts all sermons of the Grand Mosque via the Manarat Al-Haramain
platform; it provides simultaneous translation to Friday, Istisqa
(rain-seeking), Eclipse, Arafah Day, Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr sermons, and
translates the religious lessons and lectures held in the Grand Mosque. It also
saves and uploads all the sermons after ensuring audio quality on the Manarat
Al-Haramain platform.
It also guides
worshippers and visitors in and around the Grand Mosque in more than 50 languages,
including English, French, Malay, Persian, Urdu, Russian, Chinese, Hausa,
Turkish and Bengali.
Furthermore, the
authority teams provide worshippers and visitors with times of prayer, lessons,
lectures, and cultural and historical information reworded for clarity related
to the Grand Mosque. They distribute wireless headphones to those who benefit
from live broadcast services for sermons and lessons.
Source: alriyadhdaily.com
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original Story
http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/cfa1d574f2654c67bbcfc2ab685fb137
-----
General Authority for the Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque
Prepared for Ramadan 1445 Hijri
10 Mar, 2024
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the
Prophet's Mosque has adopted a comprehensive plan in preparation for Ramadan,
with the aim of providing the best services and care for worshippers and
visitors, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the aspirations of the country’s
leadership.
The authority's
plan entails some 3,000 employees of various specializations, and personnel
from other entities, working at the Prophet's Mosque. Field operations are
bolstered by 9,000 volunteers who take part in 49 volunteer initiatives.
The authority, in
collaboration with security authorities, seeks to ensure smooth movement of
crowds within the Prophet's Mosque and in its courtyards, taking into
consideration the expected high turnout rates during Ramadan.
The authority has
allocated 26 special prayer areas at the Prophet's Mosque and its courtyards
for the elderly and people with disabilities. The areas offer all necessary
services. Electric carts (golf carts) and wheelchairs have been provided at
gates 309 and 340 to facilitate movement for these people in the mosque and on
its premises.
It also
intensifies efforts to provide Zamzam water to worshippers and fasting people
through dispensers in the Prophet's Mosque, Zamzam containers, and backpack
dispensers; the expected daily consumption is of 400,000 liters of Zamzam water
during Ramadan.
The authority
attaches utmost importance to Iftar at the Prophet's Mosque, ensuring that
specific standards for meals served there are met by the catering companies, to
ensure the safety and cleanliness of meals and the mosque.
The authority has
provided 25,000 carpets for the Prophet's Mosque, its courtyards, and
facilities; these carpets are cleaned around the clock.
The authority also
intensifies cleaning programs throughout the mosque and its premises,
especially during peak times, such as for Iftar and Taraweeh prayers.
Source: alriyadhdaily.com
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original Story
http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/4698dadc8b92474b840337edadfd2e20
---
King Salman calls on international community to stop
crimes against Palestinians
March 10, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman called on the
international community to assume its responsibilities and stop brutal Israeli
crimes against Palestinians on Sunday.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of
Media Salman Al-Dosari ahead of Ramadan, King Salman said the suffering of the
Palestinians pained him, stressing the need for safe humanitarian corridors.
The king thanked God for blessing the Kingdom with the
Two Holy Mosques and allowing it to take care of the holy sites, expand them,
and serve visitors and pilgrims who flock to them.
He thanked Saudi soldiers stationed at the borders, all
military and security personnel, and all state sector employees for their
dedication to serving their country.
The king also prayed that God bestow peace and blessings
on the Muslim nation and the entire world during the holy month.
Source: arabnews.com
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original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2474351/saudi-arabia
---
Pakistan
Jamaat-i-Islami Plans ‘Million March’ Against Israeli
Atrocities
March 11, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq on
Sunday announced that his party will carry out a ‘million march’ on the Gaza
situation on the 27th of Ramazan towards the US embassy to express solidarity
with the Palestinian people.
During a function, Mr Haq said that the JI working
committee discussed the prevailing political situation and the war in Gaza.
He stated that the Islamabad march would stretch from Aabpara
Chowk to the US embassy, aiming to pressure Washington to cease its support for
Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
Mr Haq lamented that the newly elected Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif did not express any support for the Palestinian brothers during
his maiden speech. Mr Haq pledged to stand by the Gaza people against the
atrocities committed by the Israeli forces.
“More than a million people will stage a march towards
the US embassy on Friday, the 27th day of Ramazan,” he said.
However, it is yet to be confirmed whether the 27th day
of Ramazan will fall on Friday.
The JI chief said that if the government does not raise
the issue of the killing of about 30,000 innocent Palestinians by the brutal
Israeli forces, the party will have no option but to surround the US embassy.
He said two political parties — PML-N and PPP — had ruled
Pakistan mostly, and they had looted its wealth.
Mr Haq said both PML-N and PPP were responsible for the
unprecedented price hikes in the country and warned them of dire consequences
if the electricity bills for the month of March would be charged to the
consumers of less than 300 units, as they had already promised the people that
they would give 300 electricity units free of cost after coming into power.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1820611/ji-plans-million-march-against-israeli-atrocities
----
Pakistan committed for equality, justice in int’l
affairs, as per UN Charter: Envoy
March 11, 2024
Ambassador of Pakistan to Belarus Sajjad Haider Khan has
reaffirmed country's commitment to the principles of equality, justice and
non-alignment in international affairs, as enshrined in the UN Charter.
He was addressing a reception at the Embassy of Pakistan
in Belarus on the occasion of 30th anniversary of the establishment of
Pakistan-Belarus Diplomatic Relations.
He underscored Pakistan's active participation in
multilateral and regional organizations, advocating for peace, cooperation, and
regional development.
Turning to the bilateral relations between Pakistan and
Belarus, Sajjad Haider Khan highlighted the development of the partnership over
the past three decades, characterized by mutual respect and cooperation.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/11-03-2024/pakistan-committed-for-equality-justice-in-intl-affairs-as-per-un-charter-envoy
----
Justice Naeem Afghan sworn in as Supreme Court judge
March 11, 2024
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa Monday
administered the oath to Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan as a Supreme Court judge
in an oath-taking ceremony held in Islamabad.
Justice Afghan's appointment as an apex court judge
follows ex-president Arif Alvi's approval under Article 175(A) of the
Constitution last week.
Separately, Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar is poised
to become acting chief justice of the Balochistan High Court (BHC), under
Article 196 of the Constitution following Alvi's approval, The News reported last
week.
On Friday Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan was also sworn
in as the Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice following the ex-president's
approval.
With Afghan's elevation as a supreme court judge, the
number of judges of the apex court stands at 14 with a further three vacant
posts in the apex court.
He has joined CJP Isa, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice
Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din, Justice Jamal Khan
Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A Malik, Justice Athar
Minallah, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Mussarat
Hilali and Justice Irfan Khan.
Who is Justice Afghan?
Born in 1963, Justice Afghan is the son of a retired
government servant and holds a degree in Economics and Statistics and an LLB
from Degree College Quetta and University Law College Quetta, respectively.
Enrolled as an advocate of BHC in 1989 and an advocate of
the SC in 2001.
As per the judge's profile on the SC website, Afghan
"practised law for 21 years before the subordinate courts, BHC, Federal
Shariat Court and the apex court during which he conducted innumerable
criminal, civil, and constitutional cases which have been reported in law
journals."
In 2011, he was elevated as an Additional Judge of the
BHC followed by his appointment as a judge in 2012 and eventually as the
province's top court's chief justice in 2021.
He has previously served in various capacities and roles
such as a member of the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee, chairman
of the Building Committee, chairman of the Committee for Utilization of Funds
under the Provincial Judicial Development Fund (PJDF), member of the National
Judicial Automation committee and others.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1166922-justice-naeem-afghan-sworn-in-as-supreme-court-judge
----
Zardari takes oath as 14th President of Pakistan: China
ready to work with President Zardari: Xi
March 11, 2024
ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: In a sign of massive support to
Pakistan as always, Chinese President Xi Jinping Sunday greeted Asif Ali
Zardari on his oath-taking as the 14th President of Pakistan and said he was
ready to work with him to carry forward the traditional friendship between the
two countries.
In a message, President Xi said China and Pakistan were
good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers.
He said the two countries had achieved fruitful results
in the construction of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintained a
high level of development of bilateral relations.
Zardari, the PPP Co-chairman, took oath for the second
time as the President of Pakistan in a ceremony held at the President House
here. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa administered him the oath.
Zardari, a joint candidate of the six-party ruling
coalition, secured 411 electoral votes against the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad
presidential candidate and PKMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai who got 181 votes.
Zardari, 68, first assumed the office of the president in 2008 and completed
the term in 2013 during which he rolled back the powers of the president to the
prime minister.
Outgoing President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Muhammad
Shehbaz Sharif, former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Governor
Punjab Engineer Balighur Rehman, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam
Muhammad, Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah,
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
Committee General Sahir Shamshad, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir,
Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief
Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, newly elected members of the National
Assembly and foreign diplomats attended the ceremony.
PMLN supremo and former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and
Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari along with her husband, Zardari’s sister Faryal
Talpur, PPP’s former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Senator Sherry Rehman,
Syed Naveed Qamar, Faisal Karim Kundi and leaders of PMLN and allied parties
were also in attendance. However, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur did not attend the
oath-taking ceremony.
Soon after the oath-taking ceremony, the Aiwan-e-Sadr
echoed with the PPP’s traditional slogans. The Cabinet Division notified Asif
Ali Zardari’s accession to the office of the president on March 10, 2024.
The notification said, “Asif Ali Zardari has, on this
day, the 10th of March, 2024, taken the oath of Office of the President under
the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and assumed the Office of
the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
The oath-taking ceremony started with the permission of
the outgoing President Dr Arif Alvi and concluded with the permission of
President Asif Ali Zardari.
Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
Sikandar Sultan Raja, who was returning officer for the presidential elections,
issued Form-VII according to which out of a total of 1,044 votes polled in both
the house of parliament — the Senate and National Assembly and all the four
provincial assemblies — 1,035 were declared valid and nine invalid.
Out of the 374 valid votes polled in the Senate and
National Assembly, Zardari got 255 votes, while Mehmood Khan Achakzai got 119
votes.
In the Punjab Assembly, a total of 352 votes were polled
out of which 346 votes were declared valid and six invalid. Out of 346 valid
votes, Zardari got 246 votes calculating to 43 electoral votes, while Mehmood
Khan Achakzai got 100 votes, which was calculated to 18 electoral votes.
In the Sindh Assembly, a total of 161 votes were polled
out of which 160 were declared valid and one invalid. Out of 160 valid votes,
Zardari obtained 160 votes which calculated to 58 electoral votes while Mehmood
Khan Achakzai obtained nine votes calculating to three electoral votes.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, 109 votes were polled out
of which 108 were declared valid and one invalid. Zardari obtained 17 votes
calculating to 8 electoral votes, while Achakzai obtained 91 votes which
calculated to 41 electoral votes.
In Balochistan Assembly, a total of 47 votes were polled
out of which Zardari obtained all the valid votes while Mehmood Khan Achakzai
did not get a single vote.
Out of the total valid votes of 1,035 from both the
Senate and National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies, Zardari
obtained 716 votes, which calculated to 411 electoral votes while Achakzai
obtained 319 votes, calculating to 181 electoral votes.
Meanwhile, congratulations also poured in from other
countries following Zardari’s accession to the office of president.
In a message, President of Iran Syed Ebrahim Raeesi congratulated
Asif Ali Zardari on his election as the president of Pakistan.
President Raeesi expressed hope that during his
presidency, the relations between the two countries, having historical,
cultural and religious history, will develop more and deepen than before.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1166712-zardari-takes-oath-as-14th-president-of-pakistan-s-slug
----
Majority court decision didn’t speak about Article 6:
Alvi
March 11, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Former president Dr. Arif Alvi Sunday said he
did everything appropriate for the defence of the constitution.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi after stepping
down from the presidency, Alvi asserted his commitment to accountability,
democratic principles, and the party’s anti-corruption stance.
Alvi emphasized that he remained steadfast on upholding
the principles of his party concerning corruption.
He expressed concern over the economic downturn over the
past two to three years and the country facing instability.
He called for respecting the public mandate and stated
that his efforts focused on ending divisions and uniting the nation.
Alvi mentioned that he was under oath to not disclose any
secrets without the prime minister’s permission, as the prime minister had
taken oath to reveal them if it benefitted the public.
He said majority decisions of court did not speak about
Article 6 and if they wanted to try him under it, they should do it. Alvi spoke
about the importance of connecting the political figures and the establishment
to stabilize the country for progress.
He proposed resolving the issue of reserved seats first
and then convening the assembly session.
Responding to a question, he advised questioning about
the theft of mandate in localities, Alvi highlighted that placing the IMF
director in Pakistan was crucial for economic improvement.
He revealed his decision to prevent the assembly
dissolution, emphasizing his readiness to meet Imran Khan based on his lawyers’
advice. Alvi praised Imran Khan as an honest and trustworthy leader who united
the nation, stating that there was no leader like him in the world.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1166865-majority-court-decision-didn-t-speak-about-article-6-alvi
----
Southeast Asia
Malay Religious Affairs Minister: Ramadan-Related Events
Must Comply With Religious Authorities’ Regulations
11-03- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The organising of knowledge-sharing or
religious events during Ramadan must be made in compliance with the regulations
set by state religious authorities, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
(Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said.
He said this in a statement to remind all accredited
Islamic preachers in the country to respect and uphold the sanctity of the holy
month of Ramadan, while at the same time, luring Muslims to enliven the mosques
and surau with religious activities.
“The holy and blessed month of Ramadan should be filled
with activities to build faith and cultivate a sense of accountability to
Allah.
“Let us enliven this Ramadan by fasting, performing
Qiyam, Solat Tarawih and zikr, reading the Quran, giving alms and infaq, to
strengthen our iman and taqwa and seeking forgiveness from Allah,” he said.
Mohd Na’im also called on Muslims to intensify prayers,
perform solat hajat and recite Qunut Nazilah for the Palestinian people to be
liberated from the grip of the Zionist regime of Israel, which has now killed
more than 30,000 lives and injured more than 72,000 Muslims in Gaza.
“I would also like to remind Muslims in the country to
practice moderation and avoid wasting food during iftar,” he added.
Yesterday, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Tan Sri Syed
Danial Syed Ahmad announced that Muslims in Malaysia will start Ramadan fasting
tomorrow. -Bernama
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://thesun.my/local_news/mohd-na-im-ramadan-related-events-must-comply-with-religious-authorities-regulations-FB12202546#google_vignette
-----
Cherok Tokun Bawah Jamek Mosque revives tradition of
beating ‘beduk’ during Ramadan
11 Mar 2024
BUKIT MERTAJAM, March 11 — The tradition of beating the
“beduk”( a type of drum) at Cherok Tokun Bawah Jamek Mosque, here, during
Ramadan will be practised again to enliven the fasting month.
The “beduk”, also known as “tabuh”, is more than 40 years
old and weighs almost 70 kilogrammes. It is made of Merbau wood and cowhide.
It has been in the mosque since the 1980s, but the
traditional practice of beating it during Ramadan was only revived about 10
years ago.
Youth Head of the mosque committee, Mohd Rostam Rahim
said the drum had to be repaired first before they could revive the tradition
because it had been left idle for too long.
He said the decision to revive the tradition was to
reminisce the nostalgic atmosphere of celebrating Ramadan.
“The beduk is brought out every Ramadan for use three
times daily. It is beaten to indicate the time for sahur, the breaking of fast
and after the tarawih prayer,” he told Bernama recently.
According to Mohd Rostam, even though the mosque is
equipped with loudspeakers and microphones, the practice of beating the drums
during Ramadan is continued so that the young people get to know the tradition
as well as experience the fasting month during the time of their elders.
“We are trying to revive the tradition of beating the
beduk to the younger generation because we don’t want it to disappear with the
times.
“Usually the ones who beat the beduk are the young
people. They have been taught by the elders how to properly beat the drum
because the beduk is not like beating other drums,” he said.
According to Mohd Rostam, since the tradition was revived
more than 10 years ago, the beduk has been repaired four times due to several
damages.
“Recently, we had to send it to Kuala Kangsar, Perak, to
be repaired because the person who used to repair the beduk passed away We also
ordered a new drumstick for this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Rostam said that in preparation for this
year’s Ramadan, the mosque’s committee organised a gotong-royong to clean the
mosque.
He said various programmes and activities had also been
outlined for Ramadan to attract the youth group to come to the mosque.
“Besides cooking lambuk porridge, and helping the asnaf
(tithe recipients), we will also organise mass breaking of fast and
distribution of food to the homeless.
“After the tarawih prayer, we will have people taking
care of the traffic considering that we expect about 800 people to come for the
prayer every night at the mosque,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2024/03/11/cherok-tokun-bawah-jamek-mosque-revives-tradition-of-beating-beduk-during-ramadan/122711
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MUI and Baznas involve 11 Palestinian clerics in Ramadan
Safari
March 10, 2024
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ulema Council and
Baznas (National Alms Agency) organize a Ramadan Safari entitled "Mending
Palestine's Wounds" that involves 11 clerics from Palestine who will
preach in nine provinces in Indonesia.
"The presence of Palestinian imams and religious
figures here is expected to encourage us to further solidify our unity to
support Palestine," MUI Deputy for Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim remarked in Jakarta on Sunday.
The 11 Palestinian clerics will visit a plethora of
mosques in nine provinces to preach and inform locals about the current
situations in Palestine's Gaza Strip and West Bank amid Israeli aggression.
Hakim expressed hope that the planned visits of the
clerics would draw more people to take part in supporting the Palestinian
nation by donating.
"Hopefully, the visits of Palestinian sheikhs would
result in more people of Indonesia donating for Palestine," he stated.
He further remarked that the Indonesian government, MUI,
and other agencies and institutions would not waver in supporting Palestinian
people in their struggle for independence from Israeli occupation forces.
"Let us hope that the Almighty God will help us with
our holy mission in Ramadan month. Hopefully, help for Palestinians will soon
arrive," he said.
Meanwhile, Baznas Deputy for Collection Rizaludin
Kurniawan informed that each of the 11 clerics would visit around 60 mosques in
nine provinces within 20 days.
He added that the clerics would pay a visit to three
mosques every day, accompanied by interpreters and teams from Baznas.
"We expect each mosque to donate Rp25 million
(US$1.6 thousand), so that Rp75 million (US$4.8 thousand) of donation will be
received every day. The clerics will be visiting mosques until the 20th day of
Ramadan," he pointed out.
In detail, the 11 Palestinian clerics will visit mosques
in the provinces of Jakarta, Riau, Central Java, South Sulawesi, Banten, West
Java, Riau Islands, East Java, South Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan.
Source: antaranews.com
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S'pore's RLAF raises over S$8 million for Gaza
fundraiser, another fundraising round to take place during Ramadan
March 10, 2024
Amber Tay
Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) has collected a
total sum of S$8,114,422 for the Humanitarian Relief for Gaza campaign, the
non-governmental organisation announced in a Facebook post on Mar. 9, 2024.
The campaign ran from Oct. 19 to Nov. 17, 2023.
RLAF will conduct another round of fundraising during
Ramadan
RLAF is a non-governmental organisation set up by MUIS
(Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) in 2005 for the Singaporean Muslim
community to render compassion to the poor, needy and victims of disaster
regardless of faith or race.
In the post, RLAF thanked all individuals and groups who
have come forward to generously contribute to provide aid in the form of
health, relief and shelter for communities affected in Gaza.
It also said the funds collected have been audited, with
the audit report has been submitted to the Commissioner of Charities (CoC), in
compliance with regulations and as part of good governance and accountability.
The foundation also added it has been monitoring and
working closely with its partners on updates about delivery of aid to the
beneficiaries in Gaza, including organising sessions where their partners can
provide updates and respond to questions via a video call.
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli
said RLAF will conduct another round of humanitarian fundraising appeal for
Gaza during Ramadan.
"As we welcome the blessed month of Ramadan next
week, let us also intensify our prayers for peace and protection - not only for
the people in Gaza, but also elsewhere in the world and here at home," he
said.
Masagos said the campaign is slated to take place from
Mar. 20 to 26, 2024, as reported by The Straits Times.
Singapore working with other countries to send aid
Former Singapore president Halimah Yacob lamented the
"degradation of the human soul" on the Gaza crisis on Feb. 26, 2024,
and called for the public to "stand on the side of humanity".
On Feb. 29, 2024, Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs
Vivian Balakrishnan shared Singapore will be donating a third tranche of aid
for Gaza via Jordan.
Mothership and its teammates had previously contributed
S$53,000 to the Singapore Red Cross to support the efforts.
Since the terror attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, nearly
31,000 people in Gaza have been killed and over 72,000 injured in Israeli
attacks, reported Al Jazeera.
The death toll in Israel from the Oct. 7 terror attacks
by Hamas stands at 1,139, with over 200 abducted and held hostage. Dozens
continue to be held captive.
Source: mothership.sg
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original Story
https://mothership.sg/2024/03/rlaf-8-million-gaza-fundraiser/
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Africa
Sudan Army General Rules Out Ramadan Truce Unless Rapid
Support Forces Leaves Civilian Sites
10.03.24
There would be no truce in Sudan in the Islamic holy
month of Ramadan unless the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group
leaves the homes and sites of civilians, senior Sudanese armed forces General
Yasser al Atta said.
The statement follows an appeal by the United Nations
Security Council for a truce during Ramadan, which begins this week. The
paramilitary RSF said it welcomed the ceasefire call.
Al Atta's statement, issued on the army's official
Telegram channel, cited recent military advances by the army in Omdurman, part
of Sudan's wider capital.
It said there could be no Ramadan ceasefire unless the
RSF complied with a commitment made in May last year at Saudi and US-mediated
talks in Jeddah to withdraw from civilian homes and public facilities.
It also said there should be no role for Mohamed Hamdan
Dagalo, the RSF leader commonly known as Hemetti, in Sudan's future politics or
military.
Dire need of humanitarian assistance
The war between Sudan's army and the RSF erupted in
mid-April 2023 amid tensions over a plan for transition to civilian rule. The
two factions staged a coup in 2021 that derailed a previous transition
following the 2019 overthrow of former leader Omar al Bashir.
The army has been on the back foot militarily for much of
the conflict. The RSF occupied large swathes of the capital in the first days
of fighting.
The UN says nearly 25 million people — half Sudan's
population— need aid, some 8 million have fled their homes and hunger is
rising.
Source: trtworld.com
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https://www.trtworld.com/africa/sudan-army-general-rules-out-ramadan-truce-unless-rsf-leaves-civilian-sites-17302855
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South Africa's ICJ case against Israel
11 March 2024
In late 2023, South Africa filed a case at the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Israeli apartheid regime's
genocidal war on Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
South Africa stated that the Tel Aviv regime has failed
to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention. It filed the
lawsuit against Israel at the end of December, noting that Israel's actions in
Gaza since last October have been genocidal in character because they are
intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the
Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.
In its interim ruling on January 26, the UN court ruled
that South Africa's claims are plausible. It ordered provisional measures,
saying that the Israeli regime must implement steps to prevent genocidal acts
and allow humanitarian aid flow into Gaza.
South Africa has been an outspoken critic of the Israeli
regime's genocidal war on Palestinians and has led some initiatives to hold
Israel accountable for its crimes in Gaza. So, what are the main factors behind
South Africa's longstanding solidarity with Palestine?
Source: presstv.ir
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original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/03/11/721654/SA-ICJ-Case-against-Israel
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Haiti: Gang violence spreads as Caribbean leaders race to
stem situation
10.03.24
Signs of a battle between gangs near the National Palace
were everywhere in downtown Port-au-Prince Haiti's capital while families fled
the city in terror.
On Saturday, a woman was lying in the street with a
gunshot wound to her leg.
She was hit by a stray bullet while police exchanged
gunfire with gang members to clear the neighbourhood.
Police armed with assault rifles nervously patrolled the
area in armoured vehicles on streets covered with bullet shells from the
previous night’s battle on Champ de Mars where the National Palace and many
government buildings are located.
In another nearby neighbourhood, Carrefour Feuillie, the
few remaining families hurried to leave their homes after last night’s battle.
They are taking their children and what they can, carrying
plastic bags to join another 15,000 people displaced since violence intensified
on the 29th of February.
They will head to shelters in schools or any other safe
place to spend the day and likely many more days and nights as there doesn’t
seem to be an end to the violence soon.
Meanwhile, Caribbean leaders have called for an emergency
meeting in Jamaica with the United States, Canada, and France on Monday to seek
a way out of spiralling gang violence in Haiti.
Members of the CARICOM regional trade bloc have been
trying for months to get political actors in Haiti to agree to form an umbrella
transitional unity government.
Representatives from Brazil and the U.N. have also been
invited to Monday’s emergency meeting.
In a statement by the Guyanese president Irfaan Ali,
acting as chairman of the Caribbean Community, said that “the situation on the
ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us”.
It is unclear whether Haiti's PM Ariel Henry will be in
Jamaica.
Henry had travelled to Kenya to push for the U.N.-backed
deployment of a police force from the East African country to fight gangs in
Haiti.
Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a
transitional council, remains unable to return home.
He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after failing to
land in the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti.
Widespread gang violence has plagued Haiti for nearly
three years, particularly after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in
July 2021 deepened political instability in the Caribbean nation.
Source: africanews.com
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original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/10/haiti-gangs-violence-spreads-as-caribbean-leaders-race-to-stem-situation/
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Ramadan: Katsina to feed Muslims with N10bn grains
11th March 2024
Olaide Oyelude
The Katsina State Government, in partnership with the 34
local governments, has allocated over N10bn for the purchase of grains for
distribution to vulnerable residents during Ramadan.
The Muslims’30-day Ramadan fast begins today (Monday),
according to the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
Governor Dikko Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim
Mohammed, disclosed the government’s plan to purchase N10bn worth of grains in
a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, the governor has inaugurated
committees, at both state and local government levels, to oversee the
distribution of the foodstuffs.
THE LOUNGE: What Would You Do If Your Mother-In-Law Takes
Over Your Kitchen0:00 / 1:01
At the moment in the country, Nigerians are grappling
with high costs of foodstuffs over the all-time high inflation.
The Katsina governor said the state aimed to feed about
72,200 people each day of Ramadan, which, he said, translated to providing food
assistance to approximately 2.1 million residents throughout the period.
Besides, the governor said the state would subsidise the
prices of maize, millet, and guinea corn to N20,000 per bag.
He said to ensure even distribution, the subsidised
grains would be sold at 10 measures per buyer.
He said 33,000 elderly and vulnerable families selected
from across the state would “receive free of charge, food items along with some
cash donations.”
According to the statement, the governor emphasised the
importance of accountability in the distribution process, directing local
government committees to remit proceeds from grain sales to the state committee
for deposit into government accounts.
Source: punchng.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original Story
https://punchng.com/ramadan-katsina-to-feed-muslims-with-n10bn-grains/
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