Archaeological Survey of India: According to 1951 Gazette Notification, Vijay Surya Mandir in MP’s Vidisha Is ‘Bijamandal Mosque’
New Age Islam News Bureau
09 Aug 2024
Hindu groups sought permission to hold puja inside
the site on August 9, but ASI cited a 1951....
--------------
·
Archaeological Survey of India: According to
1951 Gazette Notification, Vijay Surya Mandir in MP’s Vidisha Is ‘Bijamandal
Mosque’
·
19-Year-Old Taylor Swift Concert Plotter,
Radicalized by Islamic State, Wanted To 'Kill As Many People As Possible':
Police
·
London Mayor Sadiq Khan Says He Does Not Feel
Safe as A Muslim Following Far-Right Riots
·
Iranian Police Officer’s ‘Knee On the Neck’ Of
Afghan Teen Sparks Outrage
·
Saudi Cabinet Can Convene Even If King or Crown
Prince Are Absent: Royal Decree
India
·
NIA Charge SheetsTwo Kerala Men Suspected to Be
Part of Conspiracy to Establish Islamic Rule in Indiaby 2047
·
Waqf Amendment Bill To Be Referred To Joint
Parliamentary Committee After Oppn Calls It ‘Anti-Muslim’
·
Mumbai: Islamic Scholars, Clerics and
Law-Makers Join Hands to Demand Muslim Reservation
·
Pak-based terrorist among four named in NIA
chargesheet for ‘killing’ 2 in Kashmir
·
Ensure safety of Hindus, all other minorities:
PM Modi to Bangladesh’s Yunus
--------
Australia
·
Iraqi Teen Detained In Vienna After Taylor
Swift Attack Plot Foiled
·
UN Experts Urge Australia To Compensate Afghan
War Crime Victims
-----
Europe
·
Birmingham mosques issue 8-point plan for
city’s Muslims amid unrest
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Glasgow's Islamic community 'grateful for
support' following riots
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As A Lesbian Muslim, I Know The Far Right
Violence Didn’t Just Begin Last Week
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Leaders of NI’s mosques urge police to ‘stand
strong’ against far-right extremism
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NI Muslim leaders speak out on "false
& dangerous narrative" over Muslim gangs
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Welsh Conservative Senedd leader
"Islamophobic race-baiting", says Muslim group
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Liverpool’s Muslims feel unsafe, shocked by UK
racist riots
--------
South Asia
·
Rising Threat: UN warns of strengthening ISIS-K
capabilities and expanding influence
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US Bar Association calls for recognition of
Hazara Genocide in Afghanistan
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Former MP Allah Gul Mujahid’s Trial Continues
in Taliban Court Without Clear Charges
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Iran issues ultimatum for illegal migrants to
leave by year-end
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Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Refutes SIGAR
Report on Narcotics Trade
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Dozens Rehabilitated at Kunduz Drug Center
Return to Families
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Arab World
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Red Sea International Film Festival Fund Opens
Registration for Post-Production Grants
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Refugees
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high-tech AI jobs of the future
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Insurance policies for cultural assets to be
launched in Saudi Arabia
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Why young Saudis should consider a career in
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Saudi Arabia’s representative to Arab League
receives Arab Parliament speaker
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Heritage Commission launches Al-Baha’s Bin
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Mideast
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Israel Bans Imam of Al-Aqsa Ekrema Sabri from
Entering Mosque for Six Months After He Eulogised Ismail Haniyeh
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Anti-Muslim Crimes – Israel’s Hand in
Instigating the Racist UK Riots
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Israel vows to fight ‘aggression’ from
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Had Muslims Nations Supported Gazans They Would
Not Have Been Killed: – Iranian FM Spokesman
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Marches Of "Battle Of Jihad And One Axis, With Gaza Until Victory"
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Malkiyeh and Al-Raheb Occupation Sites
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Israel agrees to resume Gaza truce talks next
week
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Israel’s Western allies slam Israeli minister’s
remark that Gaza starvation may be justified
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US, UK ‘reconnaissance’ planes hit Houthi
targets in Hodeidah
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Pakistan
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Military Backs Peaceful Protests, Warns Against
Resorting To Violence
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Jamaat-e-Islami 'postpones' protest sit-in
after negotiations with govt
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Baloch Yakjehti Committee calls off protests
after talks with govt bear fruit
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govt: interior minister
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Bilawal says judiciary responsible for current
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Pakistan hopes to start era of goodwill with
Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster: defence minister
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Imran, Bushra's physical remand extended by 11
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US, UK jets attack Yemen's Hudaydah in support
of Israel
-------
Africa
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109 Persons Killed In Six Months By B’Haram,
ISWAP – Report
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NAF jet strikes Boko Haram IED factory, gun trucks
in Borno
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DR Congo president accuses former leader of
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Nigeria detains students for allegedly
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Justice – Gov Sani
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Demands Investigation
--------
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PM Anwar: Tesla Backing Off Asean Expansion Not
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for the nation
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Verify information received on social media
before sharing - Mohamed Azam
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Archaeological
Survey of India: According to 1951 Gazette Notification, Vijay Surya Mandir in
MP’s Vidisha Is ‘Bijamandal Mosque’
Aug 9,
2024
Hindu
groups sought permission to hold puja inside the site on August 9, but ASI
cited a 1951....
-------------
BHOPAL:
After Bhojshala, a new controversy has emerged in Madhya Pradesh, this time
around the ancient Vijay Surya Mandir in MP’s Vidisha that is managed by
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Pictures of this temple had gone viral
some time ago for its uncanny resemblance to the new Parliament building. For
decades, Hindu devotees have observed religious rituals outside the site on Nag
Panchami.
This
year, however, Hindu groups sought permission to enter the premises and hold
puja on Aug 9. District collector Buddesh Vaishya forwarded their request to
ASI, which responded by citing a 1951 gazette notification categorizing the
site as ‘Bijamandal Mosque’. The collector then denied permission for worship,
sparking outrage among Hindu groups.
They
oppose ASI’s classification of the site as a mosque, asserting that it has been
a place of Hindu worship since 1972. The Vijay Surya Mandir / Bijamandal mosque
site — around 60km from Bhopal and barely 10km from Sanchi Stupa — has had a
tumultuous history. The ASI-Bhopal circle website says the mosque was
constructed on ruins of a Hindu Temple. It is believed to have been built in
the 11th-12th Century to honour the Sun God. The temple suffered significant
damage during Mughal rule, particularly under the reign of Aurangzeb, after
which it was repurposed as a mosque in the 17th Century. However, under Maratha
rule, the mosque was relocated, and the site fell into disrepair, say locals.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/asi-statement-sparks-mandir-masjid-row/articleshow/112385063.cms
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19-year-old
Taylor Swift concert plotter, radicalized by Islamic State, wanted to 'kill as
many people as possible': Police
AUGUST
08, 2024
Photo by
Thomas Niedermueller/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
-------------
The
arrested 19-year-old Taylor Swift concert plotter was radicalized by the
Islamic State, "thinks it is right to kill infidels," and confessed
he wanted to "kill as many people as possible," the Associated Press
reported, citing Austrian authorities.
Swift's
shows scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion
in Vienna were canceled Wednesday for safety reasons.
Officials
said the 19-year-old Austrian suspect began working on his terror plot in July
and just a few weeks ago uploaded to the internet an oath of allegiance to the
leader of the Islamic State group militia, the AP said.
He was
“clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is
right to kill infidels,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate of
State Security and Intelligence, according to the outlet.
The
suspect "wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium,
killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive
devices he had made," Haijawi-Pirchner added to the AP.
Concert
organizers told the outlet they were expecting up to 65,000 Swift fans inside
the stadium at each show — and as many as 30,000 onlookers outside the stadium.
The
foiled attack was planned for Thursday or Friday, Austria’s interior minister,
Gerhard Karner, told the AP. The outlet added that neither the 19-year-old
suspect nor a second suspect, a 17-year-old, appeared to have a ticket to any of
Swift's shows.
Karner
said no other suspects are being sought, the outlet noted, although police
interrogated a 15-year-old who had been in contact with both suspects.
The AP
said Swift and her team haven't publicly addressed the plot or canceled shows.
The
outlet in its story referenced the deadly July 29 mass stabbing at a Taylor
Swift-themed children's dance class in Southport, England, during which a
17-year-old male was accused of killing three and injuring numerous other
victims. Swift at the time said she was ‘’completely in shock’’ over the
attack, the AP reported.
Officials
initially said there was no evidence that terrorism was a motive in the
Southport knife attack, which angered many who accused the government of
covering up evidence. Police identified suspect Axel Rudakubana and charged him
with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. Officials
identified him as being from Cardiff but also noted that his parents are
Rwandan.
Unrest
and violence erupted the day after the stabbings and have spread across the
United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the violence and blamed
"far-right thuggery."
Radio
host Glenn Beck, co-founder of Blaze Media, on Tuesday opined that
"two-tier justice" — in which police more or less ignore Muslim
immigrant crime but come down hard on non-Muslims — has been laid bare in the
U.K. in the wake of the deadly knife attack.
ISIS
took credit for a 2017 bombing attack at an Ariana Grande concert in
Manchester, England, that killed 22. Suicide bomber Salman Abedi set up a
knapsack bomb in Manchester Arena at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands
of young fans were leaving, the AP said, adding that more than 100 were injured
and Abedi died in the explosion.
An
official inquiry concluded that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5,
didn’t act fast enough on key intelligence and missed a chance to prevent the
bombing, the AP added.
Swift is
expected to perform five concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium between Aug. 15
and 20 to close the European leg of her Eras Tour, the AP said.
Source: theblaze.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.theblaze.com/news/19-year-old-taylor-swift-concert-plotter-radicalized-by-islamic-state-wanted-to-kill-as-many-people-as-possible-police
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London
Mayor Sadiq Khan Says He Does Not Feel Safe As A Muslim Following Far-Right
Riots
Millie
Cooke, Helen Corbett
9 August
2024
Sadiq
Khan has said he does not feel safe as an openly Muslim politician (PA Wire)
----------------
Sadiq
Khan has said he does not feel safe as an openly Muslim politician following
riots that have rocked the UK over the last week – and that he has been left
heartbroken for his children.
Hundreds
of people have been arrested during disorder linked to the far-right, which
began following the killing of three young girls in Southport after social
media posts falsely claimed the suspect was a Muslim immigrant.
“Like a
lot of people of my generation, I felt triggered by the events of the last
couple of weeks in particular”, the London mayor told The Guardian.
“It’s
difficult to explain the ripples when you’ve been targeted because of your
religion or colour of your skin and you can’t change either of those things.
And whether you’re seeing physical acts of violence taking place in the North
West or the North East, you feel it in London.
“What’s
heartbreaking to me is my children’s generation had never experienced what I
had. And they, for the first time, were scared. I thought I’d be the last
generation to be scared, simply for who I am. And it breaks my heart.”
There
appeared to some level of de-escalation to the disorder on Wednesday evening,
when the large-scale violence that was expected failed to materialise as
thousands of counter-protesters turned up. But Sir Keir Starmer has said it is
important that police do not “let up” on tackling the disorder.
Home
secretary Yvette Cooper said she expects social media companies to take
responsibility for violent protests organised online.
The
Russian-owned messaging app Telegram, in particular, has been central to the
promotion of riots by far-right activists.
Mr Khan
has urged the government to revisit new social media rules, saying that the
disorder of the last week shows that regulations due to come into force are
“not fit for purpose”.
New
regulation of social media platforms – the Online Safety Act – became law in
the UK last year but has not yet fully come into effect.
Once in
place, it will require platforms to take “robust action” against illegal
content and activity, including around offences such as inciting violence.
Mr Khan
said the rioting over the last week, which came after misinformation about the
suspected Southport attacker spread on social media, showed that reform of the
regulation was necessary.
“The way
the algorithms work, the way that misinformation can spread very quickly and disinformation
… that’s a cause to be concerned, we’ve seen a direct consequence of this,” he
said.
“I think
what the government should do very quickly is check whether the Online Safety
Act is fit for purpose; I think it’s not fit for purpose.”
After
the stabbings in Southport on July 29, an incorrect name and a false story
around the background of the suspected perpetrator spread online.
In
recent days Elon Musk, the owner of X, has been heavily criticised for posts
about the disorder in the wake of the Southport stabbings.
The
billionaire was called “deeply irresponsible” by Justice Secretary Heidi
Alexander for posting that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK.
He also
reposted an image of a fake news headline about the UK’s response to riots.
The
Online Safety Act will, for the first time, make firms legally responsible for
keeping users safe when they use their services.
It will
require platforms to put in place clear and proportionate safety measures to
prevent illegal and other harmful content from appearing and spreading on their
sites.
The
biggest platforms could face billions of pounds in fines if they do not comply.
Named
managers could be held criminally liable in some instances, and sites may face
having their access limited in the most severe cases.
Ofcom,
which will oversee the new laws, on Wednesday urged social media companies to
do more to deal with content stirring up hatred or provoking violence on
Britain’s streets.
The
watchdog said: “In a few months, new safety duties under the Online Safety Act
will be in place, but you can act now – there is no need to wait to make your
sites and apps safer for users.”
Source: independent.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sadiq-khan-riots-far-right-muslim-london-mayor-b2593740.html
---------
Iranian
Police Officer’s ‘Knee on the Neck’ of Afghan teen sparks outrage
August
8, 2024
In
response to the “inhumane” treatment of an Afghan teenager by an Iranian law
enforcement officer, Afghan citizens have launched a campaign on social media
using the hashtags “#GetYourKneeOffMyNeck” and “#ICantBreathe.”
The
“#GetYourKneeOffMyNeck” campaign was initiated on social media after a video of
the arrest of an Afghan teenager in the Damavand area of Tehran was circulated.
The video shows at least two Iranian law enforcement officers torturing the
Afghan teenager.
One of
the officers is seen holding the teenager’s leg while another officer places
his knee on the victim’s neck, resembling the tragic death of George Floyd in
the United States caused by a police officer’s knee. Reports claim that the
Afghan teenager’s neck was broken due to the pressure, and he was taken to the
hospital.
The law
enforcement officer tortures the Afghan teenager by placing his knee on the
teenager’s neck while the victim is lying face down on the ground, with his
legs held by another officer, rendering him unable to resist. Viewers, in
response to this scene of torture, have joined the campaign with the hashtag
“#ICantBreathe.”
“#ICantBreathe”
was one of the main slogans of the protests that erupted after George Floyd’s
death in the United States. George Floyd was killed in a manner very similar to
the incident in Damavand, Tehran, leading to widespread international protests
in many countries.
As of
now, the identity of the person who tortured the Afghan teenager by placing his
knee on his neck has not been determined.
The
social media campaign by Afghan citizens underscores the universal call for
justice and the end of police brutality.
The
disturbing similarities between the incidents in Tehran and the death of George
Floyd highlight the pervasive issue of excessive force used by law enforcement.
The international community must address these human rights violations and
ensure accountability to prevent such tragic events from recurring.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/iranian-police-officers-knee-on-the-neck-of-afghan-teen-sparks-outrage/
--------
Saudi
cabinet can convene even if king or crown prince are absent: royal decree
August
08, 2024
Saudi
Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
--------------
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued a royal
decree that allows the Cabinet to convene even if he or Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman do not chair it, Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.
In the
absence of the king, the crown prince or his deputies, the cabinet would be
chaired by the eldest member of the cabinet who is a descendent of the
Kingdom’s founding father King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud.
Cabinet
decisions issued during the meeting would be signed by the chairman, the royal
decree added.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2564946/saudi-arabia
--------
India
NIA
Charge SheetsTwo Kerala Men Suspected to Be Part of Conspiracy to Establish
Islamic Rule in Indiaby 2047
August
8, 2024
The
National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charge sheeted two more accused for
their alleged role in radicalising youths in Kerala as part of a conspiracy
aimed at establishing the Islamic rule in India by 2047, an official statement
issued on Thursday said.
This
takes the total number of accused charge sheeted in the case to 63, including
one Abdul Naser who died on January 2, 2023.
So far,
61 of the 71 accused identified in the case have been arrested and a hunt is on
for the 10 still absconding.
The NIA
has charge sheeted “two more accused in a Kerala PFI radicalisation and arms
training conspiracy aimed at establishing Islamic rule in India by 2047”, said
the statement issued by the probe agency.
The
accused named in the supplementary charge sheet filed on Wednesday before a
special court in Kochi are Jaffar B and Shafeekh, who were arrested in February
and March this year, respectively.
“While
Jaffar was a master arms trainer and a member of the hit squad of the
proscribed Popular Front of India (PFI), Shafeekh had undergone arms training
and had harboured other accused persons. Jaffar was also involved in 20 other
criminal cases,” the NIA said.
Through
the supplementary charge sheet, the NIA has also invoked additional charges
against Noushad (already in jail), who was also a harbourer and had
participated in the conspiracy meeting held for the killing of RSS leader
Srinivasan on April 16, 2022 at Melamuri, Palakkad.
“NIA is
continuing with its investigations in the case, registered in September 2022 to
investigate the PFI criminal conspiracy to spread jehad and violent extremism
in India,” the anti-terror agency said.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nia-charge-sheets-two-men-suspected-to-be-part-of-conspiracy-to-establish-islamic-rule-in-india-9503494/
--------
Waqf
Amendment Bill to be referred to joint parliamentary committee after Oppn calls
it ‘anti-Muslim’
MOUSHUMI
DAS GUPTA
08
August, 2024
New
Delhi: Calling the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 “unconstitutional”, “anti-Muslim”
and “divisive”, a united Opposition came down heavily on the Centre Thursday
for introducing it in Lok Sabha, forcing the House to refer the Bill to a
parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.
The Bill
proposes sweeping changes to the Waqf Act of 1995, including redefining ‘waqf’,
curtailing the power of waqf boards, giving the Centre the power to frame
rules, allowing inclusion of non-Muslim members in waqf boards, among others.
Some 44 amendments have been proposed in the Waqf Act, 1995.
Minority
Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the Bill in Lok Sabha, said the
government is open to consultation on it and a joint committee will be
constituted soon with members from across parties to discuss the provisions of
the Bill. However, he vociferously rejected the Opposition’s charge that the
Bill is “anti-constitutional, “anti-Muslim” and that the Centre does not have
the legislative competence to bring amendments on issues related to waqf
boards.
Barring
NDA allies Shiv Sena, JD(U) and TDP, opposition MPs led by the Congress
attacked the government demanding that the Bill be either withdrawn or referred
to a parliamentary committee. Congress’s K.C. Venugopal said the Bill is a
“fundamental attack” on the Constitution. “We are Hindus but at the same time,
we respect the faith of other religions…it’s a direct attack on rights to
religion and violates Article 26 (of the Constitution, which pertains to
freedom to manage religious affairs),” he said.
‘Were
non-Hindus part of Ram temple committee?’
Venugopal
further said that the Bill, through amendments, proposes to make non-Muslims
members of the governing body of state waqf boards and the Central Waqf
Council.
“I would
like to ask a question. Supreme Court constituted the board of Ayodhya (Shri
Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra), whether anybody can think that non-Hindu can
be part of the Ayodhya mandir board,” he said, alleging that the Bill had been
brought with an eye on Haryana and Maharashtra elections.
“You do
not understand that last time the people of India clearly taught you a
lesson…this kind of divisive politics, India will not accept. It’s an attack on
the federal system, freedom of religion…,” he added.
Sudip
Bandyopadhyay of the Trinamool Congress said the Bill violates Article 14 of
the Constitution that mandates that the state shall not deny any person
equality before the law.
The
DMK’s Kanimozhi said it’s a sad day in Parliament as many members in the House
who took oath with the Constitution in hand are today going against it. She
questioned the provision of allowing non-Muslims to be part of waqf boards.
“Would you allow non-Hindus to be part of a Hindu committee…Is it not unfair,
against the law of natural justice?” she asked
She
further said: “…It is a direct violation of Article 30 which allows minorities
to administer their institutions. This Bill targets a particular religious
group…It will destroy what our forefathers dreamt for this country.”
NCP’s
Supriya Sule charged the government with leaking the Bill to the media before
introducing it in Parliament. “The MPs found out about the Waqf Amendment
(Bill) from the media, not the Parliament. Is this the new way to introduce
Bills? This should not be a pattern.”
Akhilesh
Yadav, head of the Samajwadi Party, the second largest opposition party in Lok
Sabha after Congress, alleged that the BJP has brought the Bill to appease
their hardline supporters after the setback in the Lok Sabha elections.
“When
there is a democratic process for election, why nominate people? No person from
outside the community is part of other religious bodies. What is the point of
including non-Muslims in waqf bodies?” he asked.
Yadav’s
remark that the government is out to curtail not only the rights of the
Opposition but also the Speaker led to a face-off with Union Home Minister Amit
Shah, who called it an insult of the Chair.
“…The
rights of the Speaker do not belong to the Opposition, but to the whole House.
Don’t speak in a roundabout way. You are not the protector of the Speaker’s
rights,” Shah said.
Among
the two NDA allies – JD(U) and TDP – who supported the bill, Union minister and
JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan Singh said those calling the amendments anti-Muslim
do not understand the difference between mandirs (temple) and boards. “… there
is no attempt being made to tinker with mosques,” he said.
Adding
that the bill is aimed at bringing transparency in the functioning of waqf
boards, Singh alleged that the Opposition is trying to mislead the people on
this issue. A minister in the Union government, he also referred to the 1984
anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of the then Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi and said it is ironic that those who indulged in killing
thousands of Sikhs are calling the bill “anti-Muslim.”
Supporting
the bill, TDP’s G.M. Harish (Balayogi) said registration of waqf properties
will help poor Muslims, especially women, and bring transparency. He added that
if wider consultations are needed to allay misconceptions, and to educate the
Muslim community about this bill, “we have no problem (in it) being sent to the
select committee”.
Revolutionary
Socialist Party (RSP) MP N.K. Premachandran accused the government of trying to
disempower the waqf board and the waqf council through the amendments. “…You
are dismantling the system. It is against the principles of the Constitution,”
he said, cautioning the government that if the Bill goes for judicial scrutiny,
it would be struck down on constitutional grounds.
All
India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the
government does not have the legislative competence to bring the Bill.
Owaisi
said the Bill violates the principles of Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the
Constitution. He said waqf management of a property is an essential religious
practice for Muslims, adding that denying it legal recognition amounts to
severely curtailing how Muslims manage their waqf properties.
“You are
enemy of Muslims and this Bill is proof of that,” Owaisi added.
Defending
the Bill, Rijiju said it aims at giving rights to those who never got them. He
blamed the Opposition for misleading the people about the intention of the
proposed Bill.
Rijiju
said the government had to bring the amendments as the previous Congress governments
could not do it. He said extensive consultations had happened prior to
introducing the bill.
“The
consultations on the bill started in 2015…,” he said.
Bill
brought to give justice to ordinary Muslims, says Rijiju
Rijiju
further said that the Sachar committee, which was constituted by the UPA had in
its report recommended that the present waqf board should be broad-based and
poor women and children should be empowered.
The
minority affairs minister said the government had received several complaints
about the misuse of waqf properties. He cited the example of the Surat
Municipal Corporation headquarters. The entire property was declared as waqf
property, he said.
“In
Karnataka, in 2012, a report of the Karnataka Minorities Commission said the Karnataka
Waqf Board converted 29,000 acres to commercial land. “Can you do it? Everybody
knows that waqf properties are used for religious, charitable and pious
purposes.”
Rijiju
said the Bill has been brought to give justice to ordinary Muslims. He claimed
that many leaders in the Opposition had privately told him that state waqf
boards had turned into mafia. “I won’t take their names and destroy their
political careers,” he added.
(Edited
by Gitanjali Das)
Source: theprint.in
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://theprint.in/india/waqf-amendment-bill-to-be-referred-to-joint-parliamentary-committee-after-oppn-calls-it-anti-muslim/2214596/
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Mumbai:
Islamic scholars, clerics and law-makers join hands to demand Muslim
reservation
09
August 2024
Mumbai:
In a mega initiative, leading Islamic scholars, clerics and law-makers will
come together under one umbrella in Mumbai to further the demand for
reservation of Muslims in education and jobs and spearhead the cause of
political reservation for...
With 30
to 40 MPs and MLAs - cutting across party lines joining hands - the event would
mark a red-letter day for taking up the burning issues of Muslims.
The
Muslim Leadership Summit 2024, being hosted by Muslim Welfare Association, on
August 10, 2024, Saturday, would be an important event as it comes just after
the Lok Sabha polls and ahead of a series of assembly elections.
This
significant event will serve as a platform for comprehensive discussions on
critical issues affecting the Muslim community, including welfare, reservation,
safety, and security,” said Saleem Sarang, the founder of Muslim Welfare
Association.
The
summit would be addressed and guided by internationally-renowned Islamic
scholar Khalil-ur-Rahman Sajjad Nomani Sahab - who is a pillar of the All India
Muslim Personal Law Board and Janab Tauqeer Raza Khan Sahab.
There
would be panel discussions on issues like the need for strong Muslim leadership
to take up the causes of the community, political representation of Muslims in
the upcoming Assembly elections in four states and addressing the burning issue
of Mu...
“We
would be debating the current reservation policies and advocating for equitable
representation in various sectors. This is an important issue. In the matter of
education, the Muslim community is still backward due to economic constraints
and figu...
Source: deccanherald.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/mumbai-islamic-scholars-cleric-and-law-makers-join-hands-to-demand-muslim-reservation-3143852
--------
Pak-based
terrorist among four named in NIA chargesheet for ‘killing’ 2 in Kashmir
Adil
Manzoor Langoo, Ahran Rasool Dar alias Tota, Dawood and their Pakistan-based
handler Jahangeer alias Peer Sahab have been charge-sheeted under the IPC and
the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, it said.
August
9, 2024
NIA
chargesheet, Pakistan-based terrorist, terrorist, National Investigation Agency
(NIA), Indian express news, current affairsNIA said its probe has revealed that
Langoo, who joined LeT last year, had been motivated by Pakistani handlers to
boost its activities in Srinagar.
The
National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charge-sheeted four people, including a
Pakistan-based terrorist, for their involvement in the killing of two civilians
in Kashmir this year, an official statement issued on Thursday said.
Adil
Manzoor Langoo, Ahran Rasool Dar alias Tota, Dawood and their Pakistan-based
handler Jahangeer alias Peer Sahab have been charge-sheeted under the IPC and
the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, it said.
The NIA
Wednesday chargesheeted the four people for the killing of two non-local
civilians by the Lashkar-e-Taiba and its offshoot The Resistance Front on
February 7 in Karfali Mohalla in Srinagar’s Shala Kadal, its statement said.
NIA said its probe has revealed that Langoo, who joined LeT last year, had been
motivated by Pakistani handlers to boost its activities in Srinagar.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pak-based-terrorist-among-four-named-in-nia-chargesheet-for-killing-2-in-kashmir-9503711/
--------
Ensure
safety of Hindus, all other minorities: PM Modi to Bangladesh’s Yunus
Jaishankar,
UK’s Lammy holds talks as ousted Sheikh Hasina waits in Delhi
Written
by Shubhajit Roy
August
9, 2024
Modi,
Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interin government, Narendra Modi, MEA
spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, india bangladesh ties, india bangladesh
relations, bangladesh latest newsBangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin
administers oath to Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka. (Reuters)
As Nobel
laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the interim
government in Bangladesh Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his
best wishes to Yunus and urged him to ensure “the safety and protection of
Hindus and all other minority communities” who have come under attack following
the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.
This
direct reference to the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh
underlines Delhi’s expectations from the new players in Dhaka.
In a
post on X, Modi said, “My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the
assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to
normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority
communities.”
“India
remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations
of both our peoples for peace, security and development,” he said.
Yunus,
84, returned to Dhaka Thursday afternoon and was received at the airport by
Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman. Yunus called for an end to
attacks, saying his task is to restore law and order.
Earlier
in the day, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs,
said, “Regarding attacks and minorities’ situation, this particular issue was
also addressed by External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) in his suo motu
statement (in Parliament). We are also monitoring the situation… with regard to
the status of minorities. There are also reports that various initiatives have
been taken by groups and organisations to ensure the protection and well-being
of the minorities. I would like to reiterate what the External Affairs Minister
had said in Parliament. We welcome these steps but will naturally remain deeply
concerned till law and order is visibly restored.”
“We also
want to make it clear that it is the responsibility of every government to
ensure the well-being of all its citizens. We hope for early restoration of law
and order in Bangladesh. This is both in the interest of the country itself and
for the region as a whole or the larger region as a whole,” Jaiswal said.
He said
“the aspirations and interests of the people there are foremost for us, for
both India and its people. We will work with this objective in mind.”
Responding
to a question on the possible involvement of foreign powers and governments,
the MEA spokesperson said, “We are closely analysing all aspects of recent
developments in Bangladesh.”
He said
India is in touch with authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and
security of Indian missions, the personnel working there and Indians residing
in that country.
The
Indian High Commission has temporarily suspended visa operations until the law
and order situation improves.
It is
learnt that the Indian High Commission, in coordination with Bangladesh Army
and authorities, has facilitated safe passage of Indian nationals to the
border. The Indian mission has advised on transport and movement issues and
also coordinated with airport and airlines for flights, and the mission control
room has attended to over 350 calls in the past two days.
It has
also facilitated movement of Indian nationals including project personnel
across the land borders. Some of these situations were life-threatening. They
facilitated travel of members of IRCON
Khulna, L&T, RITES, Tata Projects, Afcons and Transrail Sirajganj via land
borders.
On
Thursday, three days after the ousted Sheikh Hasina reached India with plans to
travel to the UK that have since run into a technical roadblock, Jaishankar
discussed the unfolding situation in Bangladesh with British Foreign Secretary
David Lammy.
In a
post on X, Jaishankar said he “received a call” from Lammy and they “discussed
the situation in Bangladesh and West Asia”.
The
phone call between Jaishankar and Lammy took place amid the complication
regarding Hasina’s plan to seek asylum in the UK.
Hasina
was planning to travel to London. Her sister Sheikh Rehana’s daughter Tulip
Siddiq is a member of the British Parliament. Tulip is Economic Secretary to
the Treasury and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate.
The
“technical” challenge emanates from UK’s Immigration rules which have no
provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the country to seek asylum or
temporary refuge.
It is
not possible to apply for asylum from outside the UK. Once in the UK, a person
can seek asylum. But since she doesn’t have a valid visa – she doesn’t have a
diplomatic or an official passport anymore – Hasina needs a visa to enter the
UK, and then seek asylum.
Once an
asylum request is made, each asylum claim is carefully considered on its
individual merits on a case-by-case basis.
Hasina
wants to seek asylum or temporary refuge as she wants protection from political
persecution. She fears she will be called in as part of investigations against
her by the rivals in the new government in Dhaka.
For the
time being, her best bet is that she stays in India where she is “safe”.
Asked
when Hasina would leave India, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said: “We don’t have an
update on her plans. It is for her to take things forward. As far as other
members that you talked about, of course they have their own…They are
responsible for themselves and I also again don’t have an update on their
plans. It is for them to take forward what they think is in their best
interest.”
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/modi-congratulates-muhammad-yunus-oath-chief-adviser-bangladesh-interim-government-9503388/
--------
Australia
Iraqi
Teen Detained InVienna After Taylor Swift Attack Plot Foiled
August
09, 2024
BERLIN:
An 18-year-old Iraqi national was detained in Vienna in connection with
investigations into an alleged plot to strike a Taylor Swift concert in the
Austrian capital, the interior ministry said on Friday.
The
Iraqi national is said to have come from the same circle as the main suspect, a
19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots, according to the ministry.
The main
suspect, who had vowed loyalty to Daesh, was planning a lethal assault among
the estimated 20,000 “Swiftie” fans set to gather outside Vienna’s Ernst Happel
Stadium.
The US
popstar had planned concerts in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. All
three were canceled late Wednesday over security concerns.
Two
other Austrian youths aged 17 and 15 were detained on Wednesday over the
reported plot.
The
15-year-old has meanwhile been released and is being treated as a witness, the
Kurier newspaper reported on Friday.
The
Iraqi suspect is reported to have sworn allegiance to IS on Aug. 6, but it
remains unclear whether he had anything to do with the planned attack, the
newspaper reported
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565481/world
--------
UN
experts urge Australia to compensate Afghan war crime victims
August
8, 2024
In a
joint statement released on Wednesday, August 7th, these experts highlighted
the findings of investigations into war crimes committed by Australian soldiers
in Afghanistan.
They called
on the Australian government to “fulfill its duty under international human
rights and humanitarian law” to compensate “victims of executions and torture.”
According
to the statement, Australian soldiers killed 39 civilian detainees in
Afghanistan. It is “unacceptable” that some of these “crimes” occurred 12 years
ago, yet no process ensuring immediate compensation has been established.
The UN
experts emphasized the need for compensation for war crime victims in
Afghanistan, noting that the Australian government introduced mechanisms in
July of this year to facilitate the compensation process. However, the UN
experts believe that the Australian government activated these mechanisms at
the “discretion of its military” rather than as a legal right of the victims.
It is
noteworthy that in the case of civilian killings by Australian forces between
2005 and 2016, at least 39 unlawful civilian deaths by Australian forces in
Afghanistan have been confirmed.
The call
from UN experts highlights the urgent need for the Australian government to
take concrete and immediate actions to compensate the victims of war crimes in
Afghanistan.
Despite
the recent introduction of facilitation mechanisms, the delay in providing
justice and reparations is a significant concern. The international community
must hold Australia accountable to ensure that the victims receive the
compensation they deserve and that such atrocities are not repeated in the
future.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/un-experts-urge-australia-to-compensate-afghan-war-crime-victims/
--------
Europe
Birmingham
mosques issue 8 point plan for city’s Muslims amid unrest
8 AUG
2024
Muslims
across Birmingham have been offered 'eight points' of advice amid the unrest
across the city and nationwide. Mosques across the region came together to urge
people to show restraint, take off the balaclavas and let police "do their
job."
Earlier
this week, unfounded rumours of a far-right appearance sparked concerns in the
Bordesley Green community, with around 1,000 people coming out in force to
'protect' their neighbourhood. Many were seen wearing masks in what was largely
a peaceful counter action, though the other side did not turn up.
Pockets
of disorder did erupt between small numbers, with police now investigating five
offences from Monday evening. Last night, after another anti-immigration march
failed to materialise in the Jewellery Quarter, guidance was issued by faith
leaders.
Their
message was clear throughout: "Be responsible and conduct yourselves in
the best manner that epitomises our faith." They also urged those joining
counter protests not to wear masks, as this could "cause
aggravation."
Faith
leaders added: "If your sincere intention is to protect and defend, then
there is no need to hide your face." Their message, which condemned the
behaviour of the far-right, was backed by dozens of mosques from the Green Lane
Masjid and Community Centre to the Abrahamic Foundation Birmingham and
Sandwell.
They
wrote: "The undersigned mosques in Birmingham express our gratitude to
local authorities and the law enforcement agencies for making efforts to
restore peace in our communities. It is completely unacceptable that far right
extremists feel emboldened to terrorise our streets, places of worship, asylum
and refugee centres.
"We
commend those nationwide who have called this out for what it is –
Islamophobic, extremist and racist crimes. We also ask our community to place
your trust in Allah the Most Just and the Giver of Peace."
Their
advice was listed as follows:
Remember
your greatest strength is dua and should always be our first point of action.
Allow
West Midlands Police to do their job, they must be at the frontline and given
the space to tackle the extremists and bring charges forth.
Should
you participate in counter protests, do not wear face coverings that insinuate
you are looking for trouble. Balaclavas only portray negative connotations and
cause aggravation. If your sincere intention is to protect and defend, then
there is no need to hide your face.
All eyes
are on Muslims, some media as well as far right extremists are waiting for one
Muslim to fall for the bait and commit a crime so that it can be amplified
across the country. Therefore, be responsible and conduct yourselves in the
best of manner that epitomises our faith.
Show
patience and restraint “And be patient, and your patience is not but through
Allāh. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they
conspire.” (Qur’an 16:127)
Be
mindful of the misinformation and fake news that is seeping into all social
media platforms. Again, this is bait designed to either install fear, disturb
our lives or cause our community to react violently. Wait for verified information
before reacting in a lawful manner or sharing news.
Should
you, your business or family be a victim of Islamophobic or racial hate, you
should call 999 if in danger or 101 to report the incident, no matter how small
you think it may be. We must build accuracy in the stats and cases of hatred
towards us.
Practice
common sense, women are the greatest victims of physical Islamophobic assaults
so, whether today or a year from now, protect those that are vulnerable.
The
message was backed by a number of mosques in the city including: Abrahamic
Foundation Birmingham & Sandwell, Al-Hijrah Masjid, Amanah Masjid, Green
Lane Masjid and Community Centre, Huda Masjid & Community Centre, Jami
Mosque and Islamic Centre, Coventry Road, Birmingham. Mahmudsabir Masjid, Masjid
Al Falaah, Masjid Attarbiya and Kowneyn’s community centre, Masjid Ēsa Ibn
Maryam, Masjid Sulayman Bin Dawūd, Muslim Association of Britain - West
Midlands Branch, Muslim Student House Masjid & Community Centre, Sparkbrook
Islamic centre and Sultan Bahu Trust - Birmingham.
Source: birminghammail.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-mosques-issue-8-point-29704873
--------
Glasgow's
Islamic community 'grateful for support' following riots
8th
August
Glasgow
Central Mosque (GCM) has released a community reassurance statement following
speculation online that a far-right hate march was set to take place on George
Square on Wednesday, August 7.
We
previously reported Police Scotland said there was "no intelligence"
to suggest any such protest would take and urged the public to exercise caution
about what they read on social media.
GCM the
community was "deeply saddened" to hear of the tragic murders of Bebe
King (six), Elsie Dot Stancombe (seven) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (nine) who
were killed on Monday, July 29 in Southport while attending a Taylor Swift
themed dance class.
They
also said they were "shocked to witness the riots that ensued, and terror,
Islamophobia and racism spread to other parts of England".
A
17-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the deaths and disorder
broke out across England after misinformation spread online that the suspect
was an asylum seeker.
GCM said
they have been engaging closely with Police Scotland and have been
"grateful for their ongoing support" and reiterated their message
that people should be cautious about what they read online and not share
"unverified information or unsubstantiated rumours".
The
community reassurance statement continued: "GCM is proud to be at the
heart of Glasgow's diverse communities.
"Over
the years, we have worked tirelessly to help people of all faiths and none and
we are here to anyone who needs support.
"We
are grateful to have received messages of support and solidarity from across
civil society, faith groups and ordinary Glaswegians.
"Look
out for one another, check in on your neighbours and the vulnerable, and let's
reject the peddlers of hate who wish to divide our society."
The
Madrasa Taleem ul Islam, a mosque located in Pollokshields, also said they were
"touched and grateful for the warm words of solidarity from our
neighbours" following "shocking" scenes in England.
A post
shared on Facebook read: "Pollokshields is one of the most diverse areas
in Scotland.
"Here
at Madrasa, we love opening our doors to the wider community, and supporting
the wider community when we can.
"Our
diversity and unity is our greatest strength, and renowned across the country.
"We
stood united against the far right before.
"We
stood united against the SDL [Scottish Defence League].
"We
stood united at Kenmure Street.
"We
stand united every year to oppose anti-social behaviour during fireworks
season.
"So
keep looking out for one another, be vigilant but not alarmed, and call the
Police if you feel threatened or see anything suspicious.
"This
is Pollokshields. We reject the hate peddlers and will stand united to oppose
anyone who tries to divide us, or target our communities."
Anyone
who feels threatened or sees anything suspicious is urged to report it to
police via 999 in an emergency or 101 for a non-emergency.
The
Glasgow Times previously reported a protest is set to take place in Glasgow
this weekend to "push back the fascists".
Stand Up
To Racism has organised a national day of protest called Stop The Far Right
which is set to take place on George Square on Saturday, August 10 at 11am.
In a
post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, the campaign group wrote:
"This Saturday, we’re calling for mass anti racist resistance in every
town and city to push back the fascists."
A number
of similar protests have been planned for towns and cities across the UK on
Saturday, including in Dundee and Edinburgh.
Source: glasgowtimes.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/24505261.glasgows-islamic-community-grateful-support-following-riots/
--------
As A
Lesbian Muslim, I Know The Far Right Violence Didn’t Just Begin Last Week
8th
August 2024
The
televised scenes of destruction and burning mosques, alongside the distraught
families and communities in their wake, are leaving me feeling devastated. The
Muslim communities targeted in small Northern towns mirror those in my home of
East London, and imagining their destruction is filling me with profound
dismay.
I can’t
help but think that my community could be next. The images of innocent elderly
men standing amidst the ruins on the news are truly impactful. I can tell these
men have worked tirelessly to contribute to the country and provide for their
families. They remind me of my late grandfather.
I feel
fear for the women who wear their traditional dresses and headscarves with so
much pride even during these unprecedented times, their strength reminds me of
my mum and grandmother. What’s happening in these northern areas could happen
next in London; there are more marches planned so it’s not so far removed from
reality.
As a
queer Muslim, I know full well that the far-right protests did not just start
last weekend. Racism and Islamophobia did not begin last week either. This is
the result of decades of violence, and harmful narratives perpetuated against
South Asians and Muslims.
What’s
happening now is reminiscent of the experiences my grandparents and dad shared
with me when they first arrived in the UK in the 1960s from Pakistan. This was
the time when members of the National Front targeted individuals who appeared
to look South Asian, subjecting them to violent attacks, resulting in numerous
fatalities. They referred to this dehumanising behaviour as ‘P*** bashing’.
During this time, my father, his brothers, and their friends, who were all
school-aged children, used to run home from school because skinheads would
throw bricks at them. People of colour couldn’t set foot in areas like Canning
Town without encountering violence. It feels like very little has changed since
then. I know that my family’s experience isn’t unique; many people my age have
heard the same stories from their parents or grandparents.
Historically,
racism against South Asian people has always been downplayed, and we have
always been the face of racist stereotypes and victims of micro-aggressions.
We’re often expected not to complain because we’re seen as the model ethnic
minority.
Right
now, I feel prouder to be visibly Muslim more than ever. As a
masculine-presenting lesbian woman of the Muslim faith, I have found myself in
a unique position when it comes to perceptions of safety and identity.
Walking
through different parts of East London at night, I have often felt safer in
areas with a predominantly Muslim population than in predominantly white
neighbourhoods—a sentiment that challenges prevailing stereotypes. Having lived
most of my life in a predominantly South Asian community, I have experienced
the occasional stares, yet I have never felt verbally or physically threatened.
This starkly contradicts the prevailing narrative that all Muslims are
inherently violent or pose a threat to others—a misconception perpetuated by
certain segments of the media.
The
mainstream media’s portrayal of Muslims as solely violent, backward, and
ignorant has only served to perpetuate damaging stereotypes. This becomes
particularly evident in the current climate, with many Western and LGBTQ+ media
failing to acknowledge the rising racism and Islamophobia fuelled by far-right
marches.
It’s
important to acknowledge that failing to address racism and Islamophobia
excludes queer and trans Muslim individuals, as well as anyone who may be
perceived as being Muslim. It seems like a part of the LGBTQIA+ community is
being silenced and told that they are not welcome. This is something I have
personally experienced.
I’ve
always felt that the white queer community couldn’t see past my race and
religion to accept me fully. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been
reminded that religion has no place in the LGBTQIA+ community because it is
oppressive and outdated.
I’ve
also received unsolicited advice from other LGBTQIA+ people who said they could
never date a Muslim because they are too extreme and have backward families.
Comments like these make many Muslims feel excluded from the community, causing
further alienation. It’s not just LGBTQ+ Muslims that are being isolated. It’s
a whole population. It’s the Muslims you work with, your Muslim neighbours, and
local business owners.
The only
thing I have left to say right now is that it’s important to check in on your
Muslim and South Asian friends. Offer your support.
It’s time
to strive for a better understanding and to be a strong ally to the Muslim
community. If you have a platform, it’s crucial to use it to demonstrate
support for Muslims and speak out against racism and Islamophobia.
Source: gaytimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.gaytimes.com/life/far-right-violence-uk-queer-muslim-experience/
--------
Leaders
of NI’s mosques urge police to ‘stand strong’ against far-right extremism
The
leaders of Northern Ireland’s mosques have expressed “profound sadness” at
anti-immigration disorder in Belfast, as they hit out at false information
circulating on social media.
They
said families are “suffering unjustly at the hands of ignorance and hatred”
after businesses and homes were attacked in recent days.
They
were speaking in a joint statement released by the Northern Ireland Muslim
Council, through the Belfast Telegraph, in conjunction with 11 NI Islamic
groups.
"The
Northern Ireland Muslim Council expresses profound sadness in response to the
recent surge of violence and assaults directed at Muslim-owned establishments
in Belfast and other urban centres,” it said.
"Families
who have invested their hard work into their businesses are now suffering
unjustly at the hands of ignorance and hatred.”
The
leaders of the mosques also hit out at “extremist factions” who are “exploiting
incidents to propagate hatred and false narratives about the Muslim community.”
Learn
more
"The
vast majority of the violence has been whipped up and fuelled by deliberate
misinformation and disinformation on social media.
“We are
aware of a false and dangerous narrative circulating at present, alleging that
Muslim gangs are on the streets of Belfast. This information is entirely false
and a blatant falsehood that people were armed. Muslims constitute a small
minority in Northern Ireland, and these false narratives have seen several
individuals targeted and their properties vandalised."
They
also said security at the Belfast Islamic Centre has been increased following
the disorder, which 17 people have been arrested in total in connection with.
On
Saturday, an anti-immigration protest which begun at Belfast City Hall
attempted to march to the Islamic Centre, which was blocked by police.
There
was further disorder on Wednesday night, with police coming under attack in
east Belfast.
“In
light of recent threats, security at the Belfast Islamic Centre has been
enhanced,” they added.
“Recently,
individuals from diverse backgrounds within the community peacefully gathered
outside the centre in response to provocations; it is important to note that no
one from the community was either armed or engaged in any violent behaviour.
"We,
as a council, condemn, in the strongest terms, any kind of violence; this is
not in our name.
“We call
upon law enforcement agencies to take a strong stand against the threat of
far-right extremism and ensure the safety and protection of all communities. In
times like these, it is crucial for us to come together in unity and solidarity.
“We must
not allow these divisive acts and information to tear us apart; rather, we must
strive towards bridge-building and understanding. We urge everyone to embrace
diversity and inclusion as the bedrock of a peaceful and harmonious society.”
After the
Executive was recalled in the wake of the disorder, First Minister Michelle
O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Chief Constable Jon
Boutcher stood shoulder to shoulder to speak to media.
Ms
O'Neill said ministers are "unequivocally collective in our determination
to say no to racism, and stand firmly united in terms of what we see unfolding
in front of us".
"There
is no place in our society for racism in any of its forms," she said.
"The
racist attacks on people, on businesses and homes are absolutely wrong, and
have created such a deep fear. A fear that I think perhaps none of us have ever
seen before among many parts of our community.”
Source: belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/leaders-of-nis-mosques-urge-police-to-stand-strong-against-far-right-extremism/a2025662694.html
--------
NI
Muslim leaders speak out on "false & dangerous narrative" over
Muslim gangs
8 AUG 2024
Northern
Irish Muslim leaders have expressed "profound sadness" in the wake of
racist attacks and assaults on their community and have hit out at the
"false and dangerous narrative circulating at present".
The
Northern Ireland Muslim Council has issued a statement condemning the attacks
on their community in recent days, saying that hard-working families are having
their lives and businesses destroyed unjustly "at the hands of ignorance
and hatred".
It has
also said that a lot of the violence has been caused by "deliberate mis-
and disinformation on social media".
The
council has urged the PSNI to take a strong stance against far-right extremism
and ensure the protection of all communities in Northern Ireland.
It has
also encouraged "everyone to embrace diversity and inclusion as the
bedrock of a peaceful and harmonious society".
The
statement said: "The Northern Ireland Muslim Council expresses profound
sadness in response to the recent surge of violence and assaults directed at
Muslim-owned establishments in Belfast and other urban centres. Families who
have invested their hard work into their businesses are now suffering unjustly
at the hands of ignorance and hatred.
"It
is disconcerting to witness how extremist factions exploit incidents to
propagate hatred and false narratives about the Muslim community. The vast
majority of the violence has been whipped up and fuelled by deliberate mis- and
disinformation on social media.
"We
are aware of a false and dangerous narrative circulating at present, alleging
that Muslim gangs are on the streets of Belfast. This information is entirely
FALSE and a blatant falsehood that people were armed. Muslims constitute a
small minority in Northern Ireland, and these false narratives have seen
several individuals targeted and their properties vandalised.
"In
light of recent threats, security at the Belfast Islamic Centre has been
enhanced. Recently, individuals from diverse backgrounds within the community
peacefully gathered outside the centre in response to provocations; it is
important to note that no one from the community was either armed or engaged in
any violent behaviour. We, as a council, condemn, in the strongest terms, any
kind of violence; this is not in our name.
"We
call upon law enforcement agencies to take a strong stand against the threat of
far-right extremism and ensure the safety and protection of all communities. In
times like these, it is crucial for us to come together in unity and
solidarity.
"We
must not allow these divisive acts and information to tear us apart; rather, we
must strive towards bridge-building and understanding. We urge everyone to
embrace diversity and inclusion as the bedrock of a peaceful and harmonious
society."
Source: belfastlive.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/ni-muslim-leaders-speak-out-29703440
--------
Welsh
Conservative Senedd leader "Islamophobic race-baiting", says Muslim
group
9 August
2024
The
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader has been accused of engaging in
"Islamophobic race-baiting" by a Muslim group.
Andrew
RT Davies wrote "children should not be forced to eat halal school
lunches", in an article for GB News, after a constituent alleged she was
told non-halal meat was not available at her daughter's school in Cowbridge,
Vale of Glamorgan.
The
school said on social media "the statement that all meat options are halal
only is incorrect".
The
Muslim Council of Wales has accused Mr Davies' of "ham-fisted attempts at
dog-whistle racism" which have "real consequences on our
streets". Mr Davies has said he "entirely" rejects the
criticism.
The
article was posted on X, formerly Twitter, by controversial far-right activist
and convicted criminal Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and
was widely shared.
In the
GB News article, Mr Davies said: "Children shouldn’t be forced to have to
eat halal school lunches, but in the era of conformity, this common sense call
is derided."
The
Muslim Council of Wales has released a strongly-worded response, saying:
"Andrew RT Davies is engaging in Islamophobic race-baiting, at a time when
we require politicians to be the voice of reason and show moral
leadership."
It
added: "The ham-fisted attempts at dog-whistle racism may lead to more
engagement online for Mr Davies, but have real consequences on our streets and
in our mosques."
"Many
Muslim children face bullying and discrimination in schools, and Mr Davies'
public and misleading campaign on halal meat will undoubtedly have an impact on
returning Muslim pupils in September."
South
Wales East Senedd member Natasha Asghar, a member of Mr Davies' shadow cabinet,
told BBC Wales she had raised concerns with him.
She is
one of two Muslims in the Conservative group in Cardiff Bay.
"As
a member of the Conservative Party since 2010, I can categorically say that the
party is not Islamophobic," she said.
"Anybody
with any concerns of any kind can reach out to myself or any other members of
the Senedd, we are not inapproachable.
"Right
now I am striving for peace and on working tirelessly to create community
cohesion and peace on our streets for everyone."
How has
Mr Davies responded?
In a
statement, Mr Davies said he had contacted the local authority on behalf of his
constituent asking for assurances that the choice of a non-halal meat option
would be provided.
"These
were legitimate questions and as an elected member, I fulfilled my
responsibilities by asking them," he said.
"Attempts
to equate those legitimate concerns with the disorder we’ve seen on our streets
is particularly irresponsible.
"Just
as the thuggery we’ve seen cannot be justified by legitimate concerns on
political issues, those same concerns must not be ignored by political leaders.
"Doing
so risks leaving the field clear for extremists to exploit for their own,
dangerous ends."
He
added: "For my part, I will continue to engage with a broad range of
individuals and organisations across all religious and community groups.
"This
includes the Sikh constituents who welcomed the clarification I sought on
school meals, as for religious reasons Sikhs cannot consume meat that has been
ritually slaughtered.
"As
a politician it is my job to take forward concerns raised by constituents, and
I will continue to do so."
How
secure is his leadership?
Some
members of the Conservative Senedd group have expressed concerns privately
about Mr Davies' social media posts.
One said
his posts were becoming increasingly "difficult to defend", adding
that if things continue as they are then his position would become “untenable”
and he could face a leadership challenge.
It
follows a post this week asking whether the Senedd should be abolished?
Several
senior party Senedd members, past and present, disagreed publicly with the post
and asked why the question was being posed.
Mr
Davies's predecessor as leader, Paul Davies, said on X: "The Conservative
Party is clear - it is not party policy to abolish the Senedd so not sure why
this question is even being asked."
Former
group leader Lord Nick Bourne, said: "It has NEVER been the policy of the
Welsh Conservative Party to abolish the assembly/Senedd. Why pose this
question?"
Senedd
members Natasha Asghar and Tom Giffard also posted their disagreement.
Despite
widespread unhappiness within the Senedd group, it is not thought that a
challenge to his leadership is imminent, largely because there is no obvious
candidate to replace him.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gx010pk7no
--------
Liverpool’s
Muslims feel unsafe, shocked by UK racist riots
08/08/2024
LIVERPOOL,
England –
For
Liverpool’s biggest mosque, it’s been a week of firsts.
Most
entrances have been blocked, men in high-vis jackets have been taking turns to
patrol and a handful of worshippers have been sleeping inside at night, all
necessary precautions, say officials at the Al-Rahma Mosque, during the UK’s
worst riots in years.
The
increased vigilance comes as some Muslims and ethnic minorities in Liverpool
say they feel unsafe amid widespread violent, racist protests targeting
mosques, immigration centres and hotels that have not spared the famously
left-leaning city in the north of England.
Both
mosque officials and other Muslims in Liverpool described feeling shocked,
after two mosques further north in England were targeted by violent mobs and
hundreds of anti-immigration protesters and counterprotesters clashed in
central Liverpool. Shops were looted and some police were injured.
A second
mosque in Liverpool, the Abdullah Quilliam, which describes itself as Britain’s
first, has temporarily closed due to the violence, which was fuelled by a false
narrative spread online that the killer of three girls in nearby Southport last
week was an Islamist migrant.
“I was
born here, I was raised here. So seeing this, it just doesn’t feel like home,”
said Abdulwase Sufian, a 20-year-old student who helps at the Al-Rahma,
referring to himself as a “Scouser,” the colloquial term for someone from
Liverpool.
“Seeing
what’s happened, it’s gotten me scared, not just for myself, but for the
future,” he said, the yellow dome and pink-and-yellow minarets of the Al-Rahma
behind him as dozens of men finished afternoon prayers and left.
Sufian
added that the separate female entrance for the mosque, which serves a wide
range of Muslims from ethnic Yemeni to Pakistani, had been closed to discourage
women from visiting in the evenings, out of safety concerns.
He
himself hasn’t stepped outside his immediate neighbourhood out of fears for his
safety, Sufian said, a sentiment echoed by others in the community.
Feeling
terrified
Saba
Ahmed, a community worker and another Liverpudlian Muslim, said she had felt
“terrified” in recent days, and her 15-year-old son was preferring to spend his
summer holidays indoors on his PlayStation.
Still,
many of Ahmed’s white English friends had been supportive, she said, with some
neighbours offering to do the grocery shopping for her so she could remain safe
at home.
“That’s
our people in Liverpool, that’s our fellow neighbours here,” she said.
Others
have been less fortunate.
Farmanullah
Nasiri, a taxi driver, described being assaulted after picking up two
passengers from Aigburth Road, Liverpool, in the early hours of Tuesday.
One of
them, a woman, punched him on the face and broke his dashcam as she left his
silver Ford Focus, after starting an argument over the fare and after abusing
him once she learnt he was an ethnic Afghan, Nasiri said.
Nasiri,
28, says he did not file a police complaint.
A video
shot at 0120 GMT on his iPhone showed a broken dashcam and blood above his
right eye.
“This is
kind of a racism … Been here for more than 10 years in Liverpool. Everybody’s
friendly. There’s no issue like this before. This is the first time,” Nasiri
said.
Tell
MAMA, a group which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, has received over 500 calls
and online reports of anti-Muslim behaviour from across the UK in the past
week, a five-fold increase from the week before, its director Iman Atta said,
describing Muslim communities as “terrorised.”
Anti-Muslim
hate has been growing in the UK even before the start of the riots, and
particularly after the start of the conflict in Gaza last year, the group says.
Over one
in four in a survey of 550 British Muslims last month said they had faced an
anti-Muslim hate incident in the last year, Tell MAMA said.
‘Not
just Muslims’
Amid all
the tension, Muslim community leaders are advising calm, at a time when many
young men in the community might feel tempted to respond.
Footage
from Sky News earlier this week showed a large group of mostly Asian men with
Palestinian flags gathering in an area of Birmingham following rumours of a
far-right protest at the site, which did not materialise. Police said a man was
assaulted and a pub window was smashed, and have charged one man for possession
of an offensive weapon.
The
rival, counter protests have included both White and non-White people
describing themselves as anti-racist, anti-fascist or pro-Palestinian.
Sometimes extreme left-wing anarchists have also taken part.
Community
leaders are discouraging such gatherings.
“We
don’t want these counter protests or these large groups of young people turning
up because that’s the spark that we don’t need … so we need to be very
careful,” said Sajjad Amin, trustee of the UKIM Khizra Mosque in Manchester, 30
miles (50 km) from Liverpool.
Some
Muslim leaders recounted tensions being defused.
Adam
Kelwick, an imam at the temporarily-closed Abdullah Quilliam mosque, said it
had been “prepared for the worst” when anti-immigration demonstrators gathered
outside last week, but protesters calmed down after offers of food and
dialogue.
“All it
took was a few burgers and some chips and some genuine intention from our
side,” he said, speaking from near the chained up gates of the Victorian-era
mosque.
The
Muslim population in England and Wales stood at 3.9 million people, or 6.5
percent of the total, as of 2021.
The
heightened tension has unnerved both that community and others. On Tuesday
evening rumours of a far-right gathering prompted shops on Lawrence Road to
down their shutters early.
Local
resident Santhosh Thomas, an ethnic Indian, helped chain up two large metal
road signs to the fence of a nearby church, to discourage their use as weapons.
He said
his brown skin made him a target, regardless of his religion. “It’s not just
Muslims … everyone is scared,” Thomas said, as a police van arrived on Lawrence
Road.
Source: thearabweekly.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thearabweekly.com/liverpools-muslims-feel-unsafe-shocked-uk-racist-riots
--------
South Asia
Rising
Threat: UN warns of strengthening ISIS-K capabilities and expanding influence
August
9, 2024
The UN
Deputy Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism reported to the Security Council
on Thursday that in the past six months, the financial and logistical
capabilities of ISIS-Khorasan have significantly improved.
Vladimir
Voronkov warned that a large portion of Africa could potentially fall under the
control of ISIS and its affiliated branches.
Voronkov
emphasized that ISIS-Khorasan has demonstrated its intent for international
attacks by claiming responsibility for assaults in various parts of the world.
ISIS-Khorasan
is based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to a UN Security Council
report, the group has infiltrated Taliban security institutions and is
expanding its influence into Central Asia.
The
Security Council’s assessment indicates that the Taliban have been unable to
control and contain ISIS. The Taliban, however, have claimed that ISIS does not
pose a threat to Afghanistan.
Voronkov
informed the Security Council that ISIS branches have expanded and solidified
their operational areas in West Africa and the Sahel region.
He added
that if their influence continues to grow, a vast territory stretching from
Mali to northern Nigeria could come under their control.
The UN
Deputy Secretary-General noted that in parts of Mozambique, Somalia, and the
Democratic Republic of Congo, there has been a “significant increase in
terrorist attacks,” resulting in the deaths of many civilians.
The
growing strength and influence of ISIS-Khorasan and its affiliates pose a
serious threat not only to Afghanistan and Pakistan but also to a broader
region, including parts of Africa.
The
international community must take coordinated and decisive actions to prevent
these extremist groups from gaining further control and to protect the lives of
innocent civilians.
As the
situation continues to escalate, it is crucial for global powers and regional
stakeholders to collaborate in countering the spread of ISIS, ensuring that
vulnerable regions do not fall into the hands of these terrorist organizations.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/rising-threat-un-warns-of-strengthening-isis-k-capabilities-and-expanding-influence/
---------
US Bar
Association calls for recognition of Hazara Genocide in Afghanistan
August
9, 2024
The
American Bar Association has adopted a resolution urging countries to recognize
the “genocide of Hazaras” in Afghanistan.
The
association specifically called on the U.S. Congress and State Department to
fulfill their international responsibilities by recognizing this genocide to prevent
its recurrence.
The
resolution was passed on Tuesday, August 6th, during the association’s annual
meeting in Chicago.
The
American Bar Association released a twelve-page report identifying the mass
killings of Hazaras as genocide and urging nations to take action to stop
further genocidal acts against the Hazara people in Afghanistan and other
vulnerable groups.
The
association urged the U.S. Congress and State Department to take serious
measures to end the impunity for genocide in Afghanistan by ensuring justice
and accountability for those responsible.
The
American Bar Association stated that the Hazara people have been victims of
mass killings and indescribable violence by various Afghan rulers since the
late 19th century.
The
association highlighted several major events in Afghanistan that demonstrate
the dire situation of the Hazara people and constitute genocide.
The
association recalled the massacre of Hazaras by Abdul Rahman Khan, as well as
the massacres in Afshar and Mazar-i-Sharif, noting that the international
community did nothing to prevent these atrocities.
According
to the association, the first documented massacre of Hazaras occurred during
the reign of Abdul Rahman Khan from 1880 to 1901, during which approximately
60% of the Hazara population was killed or forcibly displaced to neighboring
countries.
The
American Bar Association reported that Abdul Rahman Khan classified Hazaras as
“infidels” and carried out a campaign of rape and murder to cleanse central
Afghanistan of Hazaras, allowing Pashtun nomads to seize Hazara lands.
The
association emphasized that Abdul Rahman Khan’s policies of “discrimination and
dehumanization” led to severe persecution of the Hazara people.
The
report noted that the Taliban, during their first regime in the 1990s, resumed
Abdul Rahman Khan’s policies against the Hazaras.
The
association reported that between 1992 and late 2021, the Hazaras experienced
at least ten massacres, nine of which were perpetrated by the Taliban.
From
2001 to 2022, an estimated 294 incidents of mass killings of Hazaras occurred
in Afghanistan, according to the association.
The
association highlighted that since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the
forced displacement of Hazaras has become a common practice, with thousands
being forcibly evicted from their homes in various provinces.
The
American Bar Association’s resolution underscores the urgent need for
international recognition and action to address the ongoing genocide against
the Hazara people in Afghanistan.
The
documented history of mass killings, systemic persecution, and forced
displacement highlights a prolonged pattern of violence and discrimination that
continues to threaten the existence of this vulnerable community. The call for
justice and accountability is not only a moral imperative but also a necessary
step to prevent further atrocities and to ensure that the Hazara people receive
the protection and rights they deserve.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/us-bar-association-calls-for-recognition-of-hazara-genocide-in-afghanistan/
---------
Former
MP Allah Gul Mujahid’s trial continues in Taliban court without clear charges
August
9, 2024
Reports
indicate that the trial of Allah-Gul Mujahid, a former member of the Afghan
Parliament, by the Taliban is ongoing, with no final verdict issued yet.
Allah-Gul
Mujahid returned to Kabul in July of last year and was subsequently arrested
and imprisoned.
According
to reports, Mujahid stated that the Taliban arrested him with “political
motives.”
On May
13, the Taliban’s police command spokesperson announced that Mujahid is
suspected of killing a person named “Qari Saeedullah” and will remain in
custody.
Despite
the statements from the Taliban’s police spokesperson, sources close to Mujahid
said that the charges against him are unclear and that he was arrested “without
reason and with political motives.”
Taliban
members in Kabul controversially arrested Mujahid in November 2021 and later
left Afghanistan.
At that
time, a video of Mujahid’s arrest by the Taliban was circulated, which many
described as “humiliating.”
Allah-Gul
Mujahid had returned to Afghanistan at the invitation of the Taliban’s
Commission for Contact with Political Figures.
The
ongoing trial of Allah-Gul Mujahid, marked by political tension and
uncertainty, reflects the complex and often opaque legal processes under the
Taliban’s rule.
The lack
of a clear verdict and the accusations of political motivation behind his
arrest have raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the judicial
proceedings in Afghanistan.
As
Mujahid remains in custody, the situation highlights broader issues of
political repression and the targeting of former political figures by the
Taliban.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/former-mp-allah-gul-mujahids-trial-continues-in-taliban-court-without-clear-charges/
--------
Iran
issues ultimatum for illegal migrants to leave by year-end
August
8, 2024
On
Wednesday, August 7, IRNA news agency, quoting Ahmad Reza Radan, the Chief
Commander of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, reported that “unauthorized”
migrants must leave the country and return to their homeland by the end of the
year.
He
stated that the policy and plan are based on the return of all “unauthorized
individuals” and stressed that “if they move towards the borders, they will be
arrested and transferred to camps.”
This
comes as a video showing the arrest and torture of an Afghan migrant teenager
by Iranian security forces has sparked widespread reactions.
Recently,
a video circulating on social media showed a teenager being beaten and tortured
by Iranian police on a road.
Previously,
the Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Republic had issued a statement
emphasizing the expulsion of Afghan migrants, stating that “there is no
capacity to accept Afghans in the country, and organizing those who are
authorized to stay temporarily is necessary.”
It is
worth noting that despite international calls to halt the expulsion of Afghan
migrants from Iran and Pakistan, this process continues, with hundreds of
individuals entering Afghanistan daily.
The
ongoing expulsion of Afghan migrants from Iran, amid reports of mistreatment
and torture, underscores a significant humanitarian crisis.
The
Iranian government’s stringent policies and the recent viral video have drawn
widespread condemnation and highlight the urgent need for international
intervention.
Despite
calls for halting deportations, the relentless return of Afghan migrants
continues, posing severe challenges for the individuals affected and their home
countries. The global community must advocate for the protection of migrant
rights and address the underlying causes of this migration crisis.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/iran-issues-ultimatum-for-illegal-migrants-to-leave-by-year-end/
---------
Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan Refutes SIGAR Report on Narcotics Trade
2024-08-08
KABUL(BNA):
The Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has issued a
statement in response to a recent report by the U.S. Special Inspector General
for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). The SIGAR report alleged that the
narcotics trade in Afghanistan continues and accused the Islamic Emirate of
being ineffective in combating this issue.
The
Ministry highlighted that one of the primary actions taken by the Islamic
Emirate following its victory was a serious and decisive fight against
narcotics. A decree issued by the esteemed Supreme Leader of the Islamic
Emirate, mandated the eradication of narcotics from Afghanistan. The Ministry
of Interior prioritized this directive and began implementing practical measures
to eliminate narcotics.
The
statement emphasized that there are no exceptions in the fight against the
cultivation, trafficking, production, importation, hoarding, and storage of
narcotics in Afghanistan. The police are committed to combating this issue
decisively.
The
Ministry noted that, for the first time in several decades, narcotics have been
eradicated from Afghanistan. Addicts have been collected and treated from all
cities across the country, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Islamic Emirate’s
efforts.
The
statement also criticized the past two decades, during which substantial funds
were allocated to projects under the name of combating narcotics. Despite the
presence of numerous foreign countries, narcotics continued to thrive, turning
Afghanistan into a hub for drug trade and production.
The
Ministry dismissed concerns from some institutions and foreign countries about
the resurgence of narcotics in Afghanistan as unfounded. It affirmed that the
Islamic Emirate, having eradicated the narcotics problem with limited resources
and without external assistance, will ensure that Afghanistan does not revert
to a hub for narcotics trade and trafficking as it was in the past.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-refutes-sigar-report-on-narcotics-trade/
--------
Dozens
Rehabilitated at Kunduz Drug Center Return to Families
2024-08-08
KUNDUZ(BNA):
Dozens of individuals have been discharged to their families after completing
their treatment and recovery at the Kunduz Drug Rehabilitation Center.
Abdul
Aziz Khyber, Director of the Anti-Drug Campaign at the Kunduz Police
Headquarters, informed the Bakhtar News Agency that out of the 500 drug addicts
admitted for treatment from Takhar, Baghlan, and Kunduz provinces, 85 have been
successfully rehabilitated and returned to their families.
Khyber
highlighted that, over the past three years, the center has successfully
rehabilitated 2,600 drug addicts, who have since reintegrated into their
communities.
Several
individuals who completed their treatment at the center expressed gratitude for
the support provided and called on authorities to take legal action against
drug dealers to prevent further addiction among the youth.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/dozens-rehabilitated-at-kunduz-drug-center-return-to-families/
--------
Arab World
Red Sea
International Film Festival Fund Opens Registration For Post-Production Grants
August
07, 2024
RIYADH:
The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened registration for the fourth
phase of the Red Sea Fund, which supports post-production film projects.
The registration
period runs until Aug. 21, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The fund
supports films needing final touches after filming. It seeks to attract works
in the region from the documentary, fiction, animation, episodic, short, and
feature film genres.
The fund
accepts applications from directors of Arab and African origin, while the works
are required to have a minimum duration of 60 minutes.
The Red
Sea Fund has supported more than 250 films, initiated industry support
programs, helped to celebrate women, and funded graduation films since its
inception in 2021.
It also
collaborates with international festivals and provides awards for exceptional
projects.
Interested
applicants who wish to register for the fourth phase should access redseafilmfest.com/en/red-sea-fund-2/.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2564611/saudi-arabia
--------
Saudi
Arabia to host donor conference for refugees
August
08, 2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host a donor conference to support displaced
persons and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region.
The
event will be held on Oct. 26 in Jeddah.
Hosting
the conference underscores the Kingdom’s leading role in supporting global
communities in need, alleviating their suffering and helping them meet basic
needs.
It also
reflects its commitment to supporting international humanitarian relief
efforts.
The
Sahel and Lake Chad region in Africa has witnessed conflicts between warring
groups, extreme poverty, underdevelopment and a changing climate.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2564966/saudi-arabia
--------
How
Saudi Arabia is preparing students for the high-tech AI jobs of the future
August
09, 2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia’s education sector is undergoing a strategic transformation as it
shifts its focus toward specialized fields like artificial intelligence,
robotics and nuclear energy.
Driven
by the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, this marks a decisive step in
equipping the Kingdom’s future workforce with the high-demand skills needed to
secure the jobs of tomorrow.
Mansoor
Ahmed, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa region at
Colliers, the Canada-based professional services and management company, says
the shift towards AI and technology is creating new job opportunities and
driving higher education reforms.
“Graduates
with expertise in these areas will fill high-demand roles, helping to reduce
youth unemployment,” Ahmed told Arab News.
Saudi
Arabia’s National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, launched in
2020, seeks to attract $20 billion in investments by 2030 and cultivate a
workforce of 20,000 AI and data specialists.
Ahmed
says the emergence of this highly skilled tech workforce will in turn help
attract foreign investment, “positioning Saudi Arabia as a potential leader in
innovation.”
AI could
add more than $320 billion to the Middle East economy. A PWC analysis predicts
Saudi Arabia is expected to have the largest gains in absolute terms, worth
$135.2 billion, and the UAE will see the largest overall impact at 14 percent
of its anticipated 2030 gross domestic product.
“The
development of nuclear power plants and the integration of AI across various
sectors will generate specialized roles in engineering, data analysis and
machine learning,” said Ahmed. “This underscores the need to prioritize
education in technology, AI, robotics and nuclear energy.”
Saudi
Arabia has affirmed its commitment to future tech by becoming a hub for global
events and forums such as LEAP, the Global AI Summit, and the International
Exhibition and Conference for Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing.
However,
if the Kingdom hopes to lead in these specialized fields, it must first close
the gap between market demand and educational output.
A report
produced by Colliers found the current enrollment distribution in the Kingdom’s
public universities “lacks alignment with the employee market,” with students
still favoring humanities and Islamic studies.
That is
now changing. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has an
Artificial Intelligence Initiative focused on research and graduate level
education, while KAUST Academy focuses on talent development in AI with
programs targeting outside learners.
“KAUST
aims to address this gap by offering specialized training and development
programs in areas that are in high demand, helping students transition from
traditional fields of study to more market-aligned disciplines,” Sultan
Albarakati, director of KAUST Academy, told Arab News.
“We are
focusing on upskilling a broad range of undergraduate students to prepare them
for future job markets.”
Supported
by the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, the KAUST
Academy’s AI program covers the entire field, from essentials to advanced
level, with projects allowing students to demonstrate the knowledge they
acquire.
The
program focuses on improving skills in key areas such as deep learning
libraries, optimization, linear algebra, machine learning, computer vision,
artificial intelligence applications, Python programming and large-scale deep
learning.
To
support AI research in Saudi Arabia, Silicon Valley tech giant Google recently
awarded five seed grants to KAUST faculty members. The grants, which total
$100,000, will fund projects focused on multilingual, multimodal machine
learning, specifically generative and large language models.
Ahmed
says the Kingdom’s investment in AI spans multiple sectors, integrating into
healthcare, robotics, manufacturing, and service industries — introducing new
roles that require a blend of technical and analytical skills.
“This
cross-industry application will significantly expand job opportunities for
graduates,” he said.
AI is
expected to transform the world of work over the coming years. Some 23 percent
of jobs are expected to change by 2027, with 69 million new jobs created and 83
million eliminated, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs
Report 2023.
To
ensure alignment of educational outputs with labor market needs, Saudi Arabia’s
Human Capability Development Program has set out to review higher education
degrees based on their recent and expected employability results.
“Training
in these high-demand skills will equip Saudi citizens for success in a
tech-driven economy, with the HCDP emphasizing critical thinking,
problem-solving and technical expertise,” said Ahmed.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565281/saudi-arabia
--------
Insurance
policies for cultural assets to be launched in Saudi Arabia
August
08, 2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture will be introducing a financial product that
will allow the owners of artworks and other cultural assets to insure their
belongings for loss or damage.
The
matter will be discussed at a conference, in collaboration with the Insurance
Authority, at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter next Tuesday.
The
conference will bring together government officials and representatives of the
insurance industry for discussions on the issue, the Saudi Press Agency
reported on Thursday.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565191/saudi-arabia
--------
Why
young Saudis should consider a career in consulting
August
08, 2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia is undergoing an ambitious transformation, thanks to Saudi Vision
2030. The initiative has boosted the growth of the consulting industry,
creating new opportunities in areas such as digital transformation,
sustainability, infrastructure development, and economic diversification.
As a
result, consulting has become an increasingly attractive career for young Saudi
graduates, who recognize the opportunities in this field.
Mohammed
Al-Abdullah, a young consultant at Jacobs, is advising fresh graduates to
consider the route for their careers. “Working as a consultant in Saudi Arabia
offers a unique set of experiences and opportunities compared to other
countries or regions,” he said.
“In
Saudi Arabia, the business environment is highly relationship-oriented, and
building trust and strong personal relationships with clients is critical.”
Al-Abdullah,
who previously worked in the US, returned to Saudi Arabia in 2021 to contribute
to the ongoing transformation. During his time as a process manufacturing
manager at a steel company in Riyadh, he collaborated with consulting giants
McKinsey to oversee an Industry 4.0 transition, which sparked his excitement
about consulting and digital transformation.
He
subsequently joined Jacobs’ strategic consulting advisory team and the smart
city team, while also taking on the role of Riyadh office lead. “The consulting
industry in Saudi Arabia has seen significant evolution in recent years,
creating numerous opportunities for young professionals,” Al Abdullah said.
Jacobs,
for example, has a graduate development program that helps young Saudis
interested in consulting to develop the essential skills and knowledge they
need. It provides them with practical experience, exposure to the industry, and
guidance from experienced consultants.
According
to Al-Abdullah, success as an engineering consultant requires a blend of
technical expertise and soft skills such as engineering knowledge, project
management, analytical skills, technical writing, effective communication,
client management and teamwork. These can be developed through education,
training, internships, graduate programs, networking and mentorship.
With the
rapid growth of the consulting industry in Saudi Arabia and the opportunities
presented by Saudi Vision 2030, young Saudi graduates would do well to consider
a career there.
Hashim
Jambi, a 26-year-old technology consultant at PwC, is an expert in
organizational technology, including digital transformation, cybersecurity and
IT.
“What I
enjoy most is staying current with emerging technologies that can enhance an
organization’s daily workflow. Additionally, the opportunity to interact with
experts in the field provides valuable insights into best practices and market
improvements,” said Jambi.
“The
initial learning curve is particularly steep, allowing for fast knowledge
acquisition and significant professional growth. Moreover, you develop strong
networking skills by meeting diverse professionals who can have a substantial
impact on your career.”
Jambi
believes a career in consulting offers young Saudis valuable developmental
experiences at the start of their professional journeys.
“As a
consultant, you'll have the opportunity to interact with high-level executives
and experts across various fields, learning from them in a way that provides an
excellent foundation for your career,” he explained.
Jambi
said other benefits included exposure to diverse industries, networking
opportunities, early responsibility and continuous learning experiences. These
helped young consultants to “develop critical adaptability and strategic
thinking skills, equipping them to become successful leaders at a young age.”
The
variety of experiences and challenges also “builds resilience and innovation,
further preparing them for future leadership roles and a successful career
path,” he said.
Another
successful Saudi consultant is Mala Alahmadi, who leads Jacobs’ strategic
consulting social value advisory group in the Middle East region. Alahmadi
started her career as a civil and environmental engineer on projects with
nonprofit organizations, then transitioned to roles with government and
international organizations.
Throughout
her diverse experience, Alahmadi has led transformational initiatives and
projects to achieve sustainable outcomes, solved critical natural resources
issues, and developed strategies, policies and action plans in several
countries.
She has
also delivered sustainable and climate-resilient solutions for development
projects, organizations, businesses and developing countries, using her skills
to improve communities’ quality of life and help mitigate climate change.
Alahmadi
holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Kansas
and a master’s degree from Stanford University. At Jacobs, she leads a team
focused on “enhancing social value across our work in the built environment,
planning and economics, and sectors such as the health, housing, education,
transportation, and infrastructure.”
When
asked what advice she would give young Saudis considering a career in
consulting, she said: “Be your authentic self, connect with others, ask
questions, and stay focused on your vision and the higher purpose. Always push
your boundaries to learn and grow.”
Sadeem
Safar Al-Sofyani also shared her experience in the consulting field. “In 2019,
I joined Boston Consulting Group as a business analyst, a decision that has
paved the way for my success,” said the 27-year-old. “The experience was
challenging but rewarding, as I quickly learned key consulting skills like
problem-solving, communication, and delivering solutions.”
She
found the networking opportunities invaluable, boosting her professional
reputation and opening doors: “Consulting firms are recognized for preparing
graduates for any situation, as the work focuses on problem-solving and
analysis across diverse fields.”
Al-Sofyani
added: “I encourage young Saudi students to consider starting their careers in
consulting as it provides unparalleled experience, even if it’s not a lifelong
commitment.”
The
exposure to diverse industries and the opportunity to work with high-level
executives and subject matter experts were among the significant benefits, she
said: “The steep learning curve allows for rapid skill development and
professional growth, which can set young professionals up for success, whether
they choose to remain in consulting or pursue other paths.”
Al-Sofyani’s
experience highlights the value that a consulting role can provide. The
transferable skills, networking opportunities, and exposure to a wide range of
industries make it an attractive option, even if it is not a long-term career
choice.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565151/saudi-arabia
--------
Saudi
Arabia’s representative to Arab League receives Arab Parliament speaker
August
08, 2024
CAIRO:
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Abdulaziz
bin Abdullah Al-Matar welcomed in Cairo on Thursday the Speaker of the Arab
Parliament Adel bin Abdulrahman Al-Asoumi.
The
parties looked at existing cooperation between the Kingdom and the Arab
Parliament, discussing collaborative efforts in the parliamentary field while
exploring a range of additional topics.
Al-Asoumi
met Abdulaziz Al-Mulla, the executive director of the World Bank, last month,
along with representatives of several Arab countries. The meeting focused on
the mechanism of the World Bank’s operations.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565141/saudi-arabia
--------
Heritage
Commission launches Al-Baha’s Bin Raqoush Palace events
August
08, 2024
RIYADH:
The Heritage Commission’s cultural events were launched on Thursday at Bin
Raqoush Palace, a historic monument in Al-Baha.
The
seven-day program is part of the heritage and cultural series of events
organized by the commission.
The
events are designed to raise awareness of the history, culture and heritage of
the Kingdom.
The
program, which starts at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 11:30 p.m., is open to all.
The
venue comprises a reception area and a welcome area, the heritage council, the
deer pavilion, the camel products pavilion, 3D displays, cultural heritage
displays and the World Heritage sites exhibition.
Many
visitors attended the event to view the heritage displays, which included
crafts such as textiles, Arabic calligraphy, collectibles, decoration and
heritage design patterns made by Al-Baha residents.
Craftspeople
also enjoyed interacting with visitors.
The
heritage villages across the governorates of Al-Baha province are a window into
cultural, historical and archaeological tourism, as well as providing an
economic benefit, as they attract small business families specializing in
preparing popular dishes.
The
streets of these heritage villages saw visitors performing folk dances and
recording these events.
The
alleys of these villages are witness to the past and to ancient history,
reflecting the rich cultural and historical identity of the region.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565131/saudi-arabia
--------
Mideast
Israel
bans Imam of Al-Aqsa Ekrema Sabri from entering mosque for six months after he
eulogised Ismail Haniyeh
08
August, 2024
Israeli
police have issued a six-month ban on Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, the Imam of Al-Aqsa
Mosque, Islam's third holiest site in occupied Jerusalem. The ban would stop
him from entering the mosque compound and its surrounding courtyards.
The
decision, announced on Thursday morning, was confirmed by Sheikh Sabri’s
lawyer, Khaled Zabarqa, in a press statement. The ban follows Sheikh Sabri's
arrest last Friday after delivering a sermon at Al-Aqsa Mosque, during which he
mourned the death of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.
Although
he was released shortly after, the ban was formally imposed today.
The
Council of Islamic Endowments and Holy Sites in Jerusalem has strongly
condemned the ban. In a press release, the council criticised the Israeli
authorities for slapping the ban on Dr. Ekrema Sabri, a member of the council
and a prominent figure, from entering the mosque for six months.
The
council reaffirmed its position that Muslims hold exclusive rights to Al-Aqsa
Mosque, including its entire 144-dunam area, all its places of worship,
buildings, courtyards, walls, and access routes. It emphasized that no
authority has the right to prevent any Muslim from accessing the mosque to pray
and fulfill their religious obligations.
The
Council of Islamic Endowments underscored that these measures against its
members will not deter them from their duty to defend and protect Al-Aqsa
Mosque.
The
council reiterated that the mosque is an exclusively Islamic holy site for
Muslims, under the guardianship of King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, who
oversees the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Israel
has occupied Palestine's West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967.
Palestinians
fear that Israeli officials will eventually try to either replace the mosque
with a Jewish temple or divide the holy place between Muslims and Jews in terms
of time and space available.
Israel
settlers and authorities have long sought to transform East Jerusalem from a
Palestinian Muslim and Christian area into a Jewish area.
Threats
to the sanctity of Al-Aqsa are a major issue for many Palestinians and Muslims
around the world.
Source: newarab.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-bans-imam-al-aqsa-entering-mosque-six-months
--------
Anti-Muslim
Crimes – Israel’s Hand in Instigating the Racist UK Riots
August
8, 2024
The
United Kingdom’s recent social unrest has grabbed international headlines, as
horrifying videos went viral of White British mobs rioting, committing arson,
attacking police officers, burning down businesses, breaking into homes
suspected to belong to Muslims and assaulting random people.
However,
an aspect that almost no one has focused on is how the far-right influencers
who motivated these race riots are trying to link the anti-immigrant cause to
Israel and how most of them are paid advocates for the Israeli war on Gaza.
Although
anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiments have been high since the West’s “war on
terror” began in the early 2000s, especially in the wake of the September 11
terrorist attacks, over the past few years this rhetoric seemed to have been
toned down a notch. However, following the Hamas-led October 7 offensive
against Israel, the uptick in anti-Islamic rhetoric went off the charts.
According
to the Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR), the number of complaints
received over Islamaphobic incidents in 2023 – most of which came after October
7 – was the largest ever in the civil rights group’s 30-year history.
According
to the statistics provided for this year, Islamophobic incidents are up by a
whopping 70% in the first half of 2024. In the United Kingdom, the rise in
Islamophobia is much worse as Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) data indicates a
365% rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes following October 7.
What
this data tells us is that there is a significant increase in anti-Muslim
sentiment that is directly tied to coverage related to the war between Gaza and
Israel, whether that be on social media or in the corporate press. While there
have been various studies demonstrating the biases of the corporate media, the
majority of hardline opinions today appear to be shaped online.
At the
center of the ongoing racist riots that are taking place in the United Kingdom
is the anti-Muslim campaigner Tommy Robinson. He contributed to sharing a
made-up Muslim name for a 17-year-old British-born Christian who stabbed 3
children to death in an area called Southport, claiming that he was an asylum
seeker.
It
wasn’t long before the fake name released and promoted as if it was evidence of
a problem with violent Muslim Asylum seekers in the UK, was proven false, yet
this key piece of disinformation was the catalyst for the riots that were to
come.
After
stirring up tensions, attaching a horrible mass stabbing event to “illegal
immigration” and urging something to be done about it, the likes of Tommy
Robinson quickly jumped online to distance themselves from violence, but
justified the riots. Interestingly, the first point that Robinson made in his video
addressing the riots was not about illegal immigration, but about Hamas.
Tommy
Robinson offers the following opening explanation for the racist anti-immigrant
riots:
‘Why are
people angry? I’ll tell you why they’re angry – Cos’ Hamas were allowed to
overtake London. Over take our capital city. Every week flying ISIS flags,
Hamas flags. Calling for Jihad. The
police did nothing. Nothing. Instead they arrested me.”
He then
went on to say that “your actions in the last three weeks or since October 7th,
you’ve created thousands of Tommy Robinsons”.
This
comes from a man who was taken on an Israeli military tour, posed for photos in
Israeli army t-shirts and on top of tanks operating on occupied territory, he
even once remarked that he would fight in a war for Israel. But why is the
self-described “English patriot” so obsessed with making every issue about
Israel and October 7?
Tommy
Robinson rose to infamy when he co-founded the explicitly anti-Islam ‘English
Defence League’ (EDL), known for racist riots and marches. However, it is
little mentioned that the co-founder of the EDL was a man named Paul Ray, who
had worked for Israeli intelligence to infiltrate and spy on the International
Solidarity Movement (ISM).
In a
thread posted to X (formerly Twitter), well-known rapper Lowkey details the
EDL’s connections to the Zionist movement, noting that “the EDL English Defence
League LTD was registered on the companies house (UK government website) by
former Israeli soldier Roberta Moore. She was head of the EDL’s Jewish Unit,
which had around 100 members. When asked whether the EDL was exploiting the
Zionist Movement, she retorted, “If anything, we are exploiting them”.”
In
February 2013, Roberta Moore changed the name of the EDL on companies house to
the Jewish Defence League UK. Moore has been pictured with the leader of the
Jewish Defence League (JDL) in Canada, Meir Weinstein.
The JDL
was once proscribed as a terrorist organization in the United States and is
widely understood to be the armed wing of the Kach Party of far-right Israeli
former Knesset member Meir Kahane. When the EDL was first formed, a featured
speaker at their rallies was also a former Israeli military trainer Rabbi
Nachum Shifren.
According
to a former Tommy Robinson employee, Lucy Brown, the far-right media
personality was being paid £10,000 a month by the Zionist Billionaire Robert
Shillman.
This, as
an investigative piece published by The Guardian found that with funding from
Shillman, the Canadian right-wing media outlet called ‘Rebel News’ paid Tommy
Robinson a salary of £5,000 per month. In addition to this, it was also
revealed that the Philadelphia-based think tank called the Zionist ‘Middle East
Forum’ (MEF) acknowledged paying Robinson at least $60,000.
It
suffices to say that Tommy Robinson has a long history of receiving funds from
Zionists, on top of the fact that extremist Kahanists are directly linked to
the racist EDL and he was even invited on a trip to hang out with the Israeli
military.
It
therefore comes as no surprise that he is injecting irrelevant anti-Palestinian
rhetoric into his commentary on the riots he helped encourage, while continuing
to justify, despite being careful not to endorse violence.
If we
also look at the range of other far-right figures that have recently popped up
in a major way in the wake of October 7, stirring anti-Muslim sentiments, they
always manage to link Israel to whatever anti-immigrant points they espouse.
Take the
example of Douglas Murray, who was instantly flown out to Tel Aviv and became a
prominent apologist for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, while promoting October 7
propaganda hoaxes. Murray popped up out of nowhere, emerging to present neatly
packaged propaganda about the Middle East, Muslims, Asylum Seekers and
so-called Western values. Despite his lack of relevance, he even stepped in to
host Piers Morgan uncensored when the show host took a break.
If we
take others, such as Katie Hopkins, who also went on a trip to Israel and
posted photos of herself wearing Israeli army t-shirts, they too package their
anti-Islam and anti-immigrant messages with pro-Israel talking points.
None of
this is by accident and Israel’s role in propping up Islamophobic media
figures, or using right-wing influencers to espouse anti-Palestinian talking
points is part of a long campaign to whip up hatred for Muslims and Asylum
Seekers while attaching this hatred for support of Israel.
While
the racist riots in the UK may not be directly triggered by the Zionist Lobby’s
financing of far-right figures, these individuals exist due to the considerable
financial backing they receive in the first place. There is also a reason why
Tommy Robinson is trying to suggest that the riots are happening because of
Hamas taking over London, by which he means peaceful pro-Palestinian
protesters, as this actually has little to do with why the racist riots are
happening at all.
By
adding the disinformation that pro-Palestinian protesters are all Hamas and
that they were also holding ISIS flags, this adds fuel to the fire and helps
direct hatred toward Palestinians and support for Israel.
Whipping
up Islamophobia amongst people who are already clearly racists, directing that
anger towards Palestinians, is clearly part of an agenda and despite the
obvious ties of the far-right to Israel, there is almost complete silence in
the corporate media concerning this issue.
Source: palestinechronicle.com
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https://www.palestinechronicle.com/anti-muslim-crimes-israels-hand-in-instigating-the-racist-uk-riots/
--------
Israel
vows to fight ‘aggression’ from Hezbollah ‘with all its might’
August
08, 2024
JERUSALEM:
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel would fight
Hezbollah “with all its might” if the Lebanese armed group continued its
“aggression” across the border.
“We will
not allow the Hezbollah militia to destabilize the border and the region. If
Hezbollah continues its aggression, Israel will fight it, with all its might,”
Gallant said in a message addressed to the people of Lebanon, according to a
statement from his office.
Hezbollah
has traded near-daily fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since
the Palestinian militant group’s October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in
Gaza.
Fears of
all-out war have mounted after Israel killed Hezbollah’s top military commander
Fuad Shukr in an air strike in a Beirut suburb last week.
Reminding
the people of Lebanon of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Gallant
warned Lebanon to “learn the lesson of the past so as not to fall into a
dangerous scenario in August 2024.”
The
devastating 34-day war in July-August 2006 killed more than 1,200 people in
Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565121/middle-east
--------
Zionist
regime is a threat to Islamic Ummah: Iran
Aug 9,
2024
Tehran,
IRNA – Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has stated that the
Israeli regime poses a threat not only to the Palestinian people but also to
the entire Islamic Ummah.
Bagheri
Kani met and held talks with his Somalian counterpart Ahmed Moalim Fiqi on the
sidelines of the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Welcoming
the initiative of the Somalian government to lay the ground for the restoration
of relations between the two countries, Bagheri Kani stressed, “We believe that
Islamic countries should strengthen their relations in line with its shared
interests and dealing with the enemies of the Islamic world, so we see no
limits to the development and expansion of relations with the African
countries.”
The top
Iranian diplomat referred to the heinous crimes committed by the Zionist enemy
in the past ten months in massacring the innocent Palestinian people with the
most advanced and sophisticated American weapons, highlighting, “Experience
shows that Israel not only is a threat to the Palestinian people, but also a
threat to the whole Islamic Ummah, and the Islamic countries must take
practical steps against the Zionist regime.”
Meanwhile,
Ahmed Moalim Fiqi expressed his satisfaction with his meeting with the Iranian
counterpart and condemned the Israeli aggressions against the territorial
integrity, sovereignty, and stability of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He added
that Somalia hails the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in supporting
Palestine and defending the rights of the oppressed Palestinian nation.
While
thanking Iran's support for the stability and security of Somalia in dealing
with the sinister phenomenon of terrorism, he emphasized that his country seeks
to develop and deepen the relations between Mogadishu and Tehran.
Source: en.irna.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://en.irna.ir/news/85562738/Zionist-regime-is-a-threat-to-Islamic-Ummah-Iran
--------
Had
Muslims Nations Supported Gazans They Would Not Have Been Killed: – Iranian FMSpokesman
Aug 9,
2024
TEHRAN,
Aug. 09 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that If the Islamic
governments and Muslim nations had supported the people of Gaza according to
their Islamic duty, the Palestinian citizens would not have been killed by the
criminals.
In a
post on his X account, Spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nasser
Kan’ani wrote, “According to media reports, the mayor of Nagasaki in Japan
announced that he will not invite Israel's ambassador to Japan to participate
in the annual ceremony of the atomic bombing of this city. The ambassadors of
the United States, Group of Seven (G-7) and some western countries also
announced that they would boycott this ceremony and will not participate in it
because of not inviting the ambassador of the Zionist regime.”
If the
Islamic governments and Muslim nations, according to their Islamic,
humanitarian and legal duty, had supported the oppressed Palestinian nation and
the defenseless residents of Gaza practically, Palestinian citizens, children
and women would not have been slaughtered by the murderous and child-killing
tribe, he emphasized.
Israel’s
war on Gaza, which has been raging for more than ten months, has destroyed
large swaths of the besieged territory. Israeli occupation forces have,
particularly targeted schools, colleges, universities, and hospitals.
Nearly
40,000 people have been killed, the great majority of them women and children.
Thousands more are missing or presumed to be dead under the rubble.
Source: en.mehrnews.com
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the text of the original Story
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/219213/Had-Muslims-supported-Gazans-they-would-not-have-been-killed
--------
Al-Aqsa
Support Committee Determines Arenas Of Marches Of "Battle Of Jihad And One
Axis, With Gaza Until Victory"
08 Aug
2024
SANA'A
August 8. 2024 (Saba) - The Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified the gathering
squares in the capital Sana'a and the Governorates in marches" a battle of
Jihad and one axis. with Gaza until victory" on Friday.
In the
capital Sana'a, the Al-Aqsa Support Committee has identified Al Sabeen Square
as a place for the two million people to march in a march of Jihad and one
axis. with Gaza until victory" on Friday afternoon.
In the
governorate of Sa'ada, the committee identified 22 squares for the two million
people to go out in marches, "a battle of jihad and one axis... with Gaza
until victory" on Friday, with the Prophet's Birthday Square west of the
city designated the venue for the central march at 10:00 a.m.
In
Hodeida governorate, the Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified 30 squares for
the two million people to go out in marches "a battle of jihad and one
axis... with Gaza until victory" on Friday afternoon.
The
Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified 57 squares for the two million people to
go out in marches, "a battle of jihad and one axis... with Gaza until
victory" on Friday in Ibb province.
In Taiz
governorate, the Al-Aqsa Support Committee has identified 11 squares for the
two million people to go out in marches" a battle of jihad and one axis.
with Gaza until victory" on Friday.
The
Committee for the Support of Al-Aqsa identified the tour of the martyr Samad in
Al-Hajar as a place for the popular exit in the march "a battle of jihad
and one axis... with Gaza until victory" on Friday afternoon in Lahj
province.
In
Al-Bayda governorate, the Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified the market
square in Al-Bayda, the main street in Al-Sawadiyah, Al-Amal Street in Radaa
and district centers as places for popular gathering in a march "a battle
of jihad and one axis... with Gaza until victory" after Friday prayers.
The
Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified 22 squares for the million-man exit in
Raymah governorate in marches "a battle of jihad and one axis. with Gaza
until victory" on Friday morning.
In
Dhamar province, the Al-Aqsa Support Committee called for a mass gathering on
Al-Manzil Street next to Al-Nasr School in the city and Dauran and Wesab
Al-Aali squares on Friday afternoon.
The
Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified 25 squares for the two million exit in
Al-Jawf Governorate in marches, "a battle of jihad and one axis. with Gaza
until victory" on Friday.
In Marib
governorate, the Al-Aqsa Support Committee designated Al-Juba Square as a place
to gather tomorrow afternoon, Friday, and the squares of Sirwah, Majazar and
Harib Al-Qaramish, Al-Abdiya, Bidbadh and Al-Amoud in Mahlia in the morning,
Qaniya after Friday prayers.
The
Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified 42 squares for the million-man exit in Amran
governorate in marches, "a battle of jihad and one axis. with Gaza until
victory" on Friday.
In
Hajjah governorate, the Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified 32 squares for the
two million people to go out in marches "a battle of jihad and one axis...
with Gaza until victory" on Friday.
Source: saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3357211.htm
--------
Videos
Show Islamic Resistance Attacks on Malkiyeh and Al-Raheb Occupation Sites
August
8, 2024
Hezbollah
Military Media released on Thursday two videos which show the Islamic
Resistance attacks on Israeli occupation sites near Lebanon border.
The
following video shows the Islamic Resistance attack on anti-drone system at
Malkiyeh occupation site.
The
following video displays the Islamic Resistance fighters attacking Al-Raheb
occupation site.
The
Islamic Resistance continued on Thursday striking the Israeli occupation posts
near Lebanon southern borders in response to the Zionist aggression on South
Lebanon and support of Gaza.
Source: english.almanar.com.lb
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--------
Israel
agrees to resume Gaza truce talks next week
August
09, 2024
GAZA
STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Aug 8, 2024 Agence France Presse: Israel has
agreed to resume Gaza ceasefire talks on August 15 at the demand of US, Qatari
and Egyptian mediators, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on
Thursday, as regional tensions skyrocket over the war.
Gaza’s
Hamas-controlled civil defense agency said Israeli bombardment killed more than
18 people in strikes on two schools on Thursday, as Iran accused Israel of
wanting to spread war in the Middle East.
After a
week-long pause in November, US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have endeavoured
to secure a second truce in the 10-month-old war sparked by Hamas’s
unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel.
In a
joint statement on Thursday, the three countries’ leaders invited the warring
parties to resume talks on August 15 in Doha or Cairo “to close all remaining
gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay.”
A
framework agreement was “now on the table, with only the details of
implementation” left to conclude, and the mediators were “prepared to present a
final bridging proposal” to resolve remaining issues, they said.
Netanyahu’s
office said later Thursday Israel would send a negotiating team on August 15
“to the agreed place to conclude the details of implementing a deal.”
A
prospective cessation of hostilities also involving the release of hostages
held in Gaza and scaled-up aid deliveries has centered around a phased deal
beginning with an initial truce.
Recent
discussions have focused on a framework outlined by US President Joe Biden in
late May which he said had been proposed by Israel.
“It’s
not like the agreement’s going to be ready to sign on Thursday. There’s still a
significant amount of work to do,” a senior Biden administration official said
of the talks that come after calls between Biden and the Egyptian and Qatari
leaders this week.
Israel
had been “very receptive” to the idea of the talks, the official told reporters
on condition of anonymity, rejecting suggestions that Netanyahu was stalling on
a deal.
The
announcement of the talks came after Hamas named Yahya Sinwar — the alleged
mastermind of the October 7 attack — as its new leader, sparking fears the
torturous negotiations have become even more difficult.
On the
ground in Gaza, the Hamas-controlled civil defense agency said Israeli strikes
hit Al-Zahra and Abdel Fattah Hamoud schools in Gaza City, killing more than 18
people.
Senior
agency official Mohammad Al-Mughayyir said 60 people were wounded and more than
40 still missing.
“This is
a clear targeting of schools and safe civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip,”
he said.
The
Israeli military said the schools housed Hamas command centers.
At least
13 people were killed elsewhere in Gaza, rescuers and medics reported, as the
Israeli military issued its latest evacuation order, for parts of the main
southern city of Khan Yunis.
Diplomats
pressed efforts to defuse tensions in the region, sky-high after the killing of
two top militant leaders in attacks blamed on Israel that the militants and
their Iranian backers have vowed to avenge.
Iran’s
acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, told AFP that Israel had committed “a
strategic mistake” by killing Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran
last week — hours after the assassination in Beirut of Hezbollah’s military
chief.
Although
Israel has not admitted to killing Haniyeh, Iran and its allies have vowed to
retaliate.
Israel
seeks “to expand tension, war and conflict to other countries,” but has neither
“the capacity nor the strength” to fight Iran, Bagheri said.
Netanyahu,
speaking at a military base on Wednesday, said Israel was “prepared both
defensively and offensively” and “determined” to defend itself.
Officials
in the Middle East and beyond have called for calm, with Britain’s minister for
international development, Anneliese Dodds, telling AFP on a visit to Jordan:
“We must see a de-escalation.”
The
United States, which has sent extra warships and jets to the region, has urged
both Iran and Israel to avoid an escalation.
France’s
President Emmanuel Macron spoke Wednesday with his Iranian counterpart Masoud
Pezeshkian and later with Israel’s Netanyahu, telling both to “avoid a cycle of
reprisals,” according to the French presidency.
The
Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip has already drawn in Tehran-aligned
militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.
Lebanese
Hamas ally Hezbollah, which has traded near-daily cross-border fire with
Israeli troops throughout the Gaza war, has vowed retaliation for military
chief Fuad Shukr’s killing.
The
unprecedented Hamas attack that triggered the war in Gaza resulted in the
deaths of 1,198 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on
Israeli official figures.
Palestinian
militants seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 39
the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel’s
retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 39,699 people,
according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, which does not give
details of civilian and militant deaths.
Netanyahu,
who has resisted making an apology for security failures over Israel’s
worst-ever attack, said in an interview published Thursday that he was “sorry,
deeply, that something like this happened.”
“You
always look back and you say, ‘Could we have done things that would have
prevented it?’” Netanyahu told Time magazine.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Israel’s
Western allies slam Israeli minister’s remark that Gaza starvation may be
justified
August
08, 2024
JERUSALEM:
Israel’s Western allies have condemned remarks by the country’s far-right
finance minister who suggested that the starvation of Gaza’s population of more
than 2 million Palestinians “might be just and moral” until hostages captured
in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel are returned home.
Finance
Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in a speech on Monday that Israel had no choice
but to send humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“It’s
not possible in today’s global reality to manage a war — no one will allow us
to starve 2 million people, even though that might be just and moral until they
return the hostages,” he said at a conference in support of Jewish settlements.
Smotrich,
a key partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition,
supports the reoccupation of Gaza, the rebuilding of Jewish settlements that
were removed in 2005, and what he describes as the voluntary migration of large
numbers of Palestinians out of the territory.
The
European Union on Wednesday condemned his remarks, noting that the “deliberate
starvation of civilians is a war crime.”
EU
foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the remarks “beyond ignominious,”
saying “it demonstrates, once again, his contempt for international law and for
basic principles of humanity.”
David
Lammy, Britain’s new foreign secretary, said “there can be no justification for
Minister Smotrich’s remarks.”
“We
expect the wider Israeli government to retract and condemn them,” he wrote on
the social media platform X.
Germany’s
ambassador to Israel, Steffen Siebert, called the remarks “unacceptable and
appalling.”
“It is a
principle of international law and of humanity to protect civilians in a war
and to give them access to water and food,” he wrote on X.
Egypt’s
foreign ministry on Thursday also condemned Smotrich’s remarks, describing them
as “shameful statements unacceptable in form and substance” and a violation of
international humanitarian law. Such “irresponsible statements” create
incitement against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the ministry added.
The
ongoing war sparked by Hamas’ attack has plunged Gaza into a humanitarian
catastrophe. The vast majority of its population has been displaced within the
blockaded territory, often multiple times, and hundreds of thousands are packed
into squalid tent camps. The leading international authority on the severity of
hunger crises, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, said in June
that Gaza was at “high risk” of famine.
Aid
organizations say efforts to deliver food and other assistance have been
hindered by Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and
order. Israel says it allows unlimited humanitarian aid to enter and blames UN
agencies for failing to promptly deliver it.
Hamas-led
militants killed about 1,200 people in the surprise attack into Israel that
triggered the war and took around 250 hostages. Some 110 hostages are still
being held in Gaza, though Israel believes that about a third of them are dead.
Most of the rest were released during a weeklong November ceasefire.
Israel’s
ongoing offensive has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s
Health Ministry, and has caused widespread devastation.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565116/middle-east
---------
US, UK
‘reconnaissance’ planes hit Houthi targets in Hodeidah
August
08, 2024
AL-MUKALLA:
The US and UK military on Thursday attacked Houthi targets in Yemen’s western
province of Hodeidah for a second time in 24 hours.
The
Houthi-run Al-Masirah said “reconnaissance” aircraft carried out two strikes on
the Al-Jabanah area of Hodeidah. It did not name specific sites or say if there
were any casualties or damage to property.
The
attacks came a day after US and UK forces targeted Houthi sites in Taiz
province.
The US
Central Command said on Thursday morning that its forces had destroyed two
Houthi drones, a ground control station and three anti-ship cruise missiles in
areas controlled by the militia. It added that Houthi weapons posed a threat to
US-led marine coalition ships as well as other naval and commercial vessels in
international waters.
“This
reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten
regional stability and security,” it said.
In
response to the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and other waterways in
the region that began in November, the US formed a coalition of marine task
forces to protect vessels. It also designated the Houthis as a terrorist
organization and launched strikes on Sanaa, Hodeidah, Saada and other areas
held by the group, targeting missile and drone launchers, drone boats preparing
to launch and other locations.
The Houthis
have disregarded the strikes and international demands for de-escalation in the
Red Sea, extending their campaign to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean and
pledging to continue assaulting ships until Israel ends its war in the Gaza
Strip.
On
Wednesday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said militia forces fired
drones and ballistic missiles at the US Navy destroyers USS Cole and USS Laboon
in the Gulf of Aden and attacked the merchant vessel Contship Ono with
ballistic missiles and drones.
According
to the Marinetraffic website, the Contship Ono is a container ship that was
traveling under the Liberian flag in the Red Sea on Thursday after arriving at
Jeddah Port. The Houthis claimed it was targeted because its parent company
allowed its vessels to sail to Israeli ports.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565041/middle-east
--------
Pakistan
Military
backs peaceful protests, warns against resorting to violence
August
08, 2024
Chief of
Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has said that the people have the right to
stage protests while remaining peaceful as he warned the nation to stay
vigilant of those trying to spread anarchy through social media.
Addressing
the National Convention of Scholars on Thursday, the army chief said that the
"anarchy is spread through social media, but pledged not to allow anyone
to spread chaos in the country.
"The
greatest sin in the sight of the Almighty Allah is creating chaos in the land.
Whoever doesn't adhere to the Shariah and the Constitution, we don't consider
them Pakistanis," he said, adding that the Pakistan Army was working to
eradicate the anarchy and other forms of corruption in the country.
"If
anyone tried to spread chaos in Pakistan, by God, we [army] will stand against
them."
Gen
Munir said that criminal and smuggling mafias are providing patronage to
terrorism, he added.
Pakistan,
the COAS said, had shown hospitality towards millions of Afghans for over the
last 40 years.
"We
are trying to convince them [Afghanistan] to not oppose its neighbour,
brotherly Islamic country and longtime friend [Pakistan] for the sake of the
'Fitna al-Khawarij' [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan]. The Khwarij are a big [fitna]
mischief.
"Our
Pakhtoon brothers and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have made various sacrifices
in the war against terrorism. We appreciate their efforts and stand with
them," he said.
Speaking
about extremism, Gen Munir further said that Islam doesn't preach coercion.
"No power can harm Pakistan because this country came into being to
continue to exist."
He said
that if anyone wants to know the importance of a state, they should ask about
Iraq, Syria and Libya.
"Where
are those who used to say that 'the two-nation theory has been drowned in the
Bay of Bengal... Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of the Partition of the
subcontinent," he said.
The army
chief also expressed regret over the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
"Palestine gives us the lesson that we have to protect ourselves and
strengthen Pakistan."
Source: thenews.com.pk
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--------
Jamaat-e-Islami
'postpones' protest sit-in after negotiations with govt
August
09, 2024
The
Jamaat-e-Islami has announced postponing its protest sit-in after successful
negotiations, claiming that the government has accepted their demands including
reviewing agreements with independent power producers (IPPs).
The
announcement came late Thursday after the conclusion of the fifth round of
talks with the government's negotiation team at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.
"We
are deferring and not ending the sit-in," announced JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur
Rehman, adding that he would formally announce the decision to defer the
protest demonstration today (Friday) at a rally.
The JI
chief warned that his party would stage a sit-in again if the government failed
to implement on the party's demands.
Hafiz
Naeem said the JI would hold a rally on Islamabad highway today where he said
future course of action would be announced.
The
agreements with the IPPs are under the spotlight as people are paying hefty
bills, including capacity payments being made to power producers. The JI had
staged its sit-in against inflation and agreements with the IPPs, which was
also held in Karachi since Saturday.
Addressing
the sit-in participants, Deputy Emir of JI Liaquat Baloch said that the government
agreed to the Jammat's demand to impose taxes on land-owners, adding the
government also consented to reducing the tax on the salaried class in stages.
Baloch
said that Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Interior Minister Moshin
Naqvi, signed the agreement on the party's demands.
The two
sides were in harmony in today's meeting that the government will hold scrutiny
of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), Baloch said, adding that
a task force to be formed for the purpose which will table its report before
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within a month.
The JI's
second-in-command said that the two sides agreed that the matters related to
IPPs and the energy sector would be monitored.
The
federal and provincial governments will jointly work to impose income tax on
landlords, he said.
The per
unit power price of electricity will be reduced over the next one and a half
months, he said, adding that power bills will be slashed at all costs.
Baloch
further said that a committee will be constituted to address the reservations
of traders and the committees of the government and the Jamaat will continue
meeting in this regard.
Interior
Minister Naqvi announced that the power tariff will scale down soon, adding,
"All of us intend to provide relief to people. We have pledged that the
power tariff will be reduced in any form which will be visible to you."
Tarar
said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed regarding the provision of
relief to people. The government gave a subsidy worth Rs50 billion to consumers
using 200 units, he said.
PM
Shehbaz, while commenting on the outcry over sky-high electricity prices, said
last week that the coalition government's agenda is to reduce electricity
bills, stressing that it should not be politicised as protests continue in
different parts of the country against the high cost of power.
"We
do not believe in politics for the sake of politics," the prime minister
said during a cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Friday.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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--------
Baloch
Yakjehti Committee calls off protests after talks with govt bear fruit
August
9, 2024
GWADAR:
The leadership of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has called off its sit-in
in Gwadar and other areas of Balochistan, following a marathon round of talks
with government officials that concluded late on Thursday night.
The
negotiations were held in Gwadar, with senior minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi
leading the government delegation and Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen
representing the BYC.
Officials
confirmed that all issues between the government and the BYC were resolved
during the final round of discussions, which lasted several hours.
Dr
Mahrang then announced the decision to call off the protests in Gwadar and
other regions.
“After
ending our sit-in in the port city, the BYC convoy will leave for Turbat where
a public gathering will be held,” she stated.
The
convoy is set to depart for Turbat at 10am, with a public rally planned for the
afternoon.
Makran
Commissioner Dawood Khiliji, Gwadar DC Hamoodur Rehman, SSP Najeeb Paindran,
and National Party leader Hussain Ashraf were also part of the talks.
Source: dawn.com
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--------
Peace in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa top priority of govt: interior minister
August
9, 2024
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that establishing
peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the top priority of the federal government.
He made
the remarks in a meeting with KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who called on
Mr Naqvi at the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad. They also discussed the law
and order situation in KP, including the situation in Kurram.
The
interior minister and the KP governor expressed their grave concern over the
Kurram incident and agreed to formulate a multi-faceted joint strategy to
prevent such incidents in future.
They
expressed deep grief over the loss of precious human lives due to a land
dispute in Kurram and noted that some elements gave a wrong perception of the
clash between the two groups, which increased the tension in the area.
Mr Naqvi
said that he met dignitaries of the area led by MNA Hamid Hussain of
Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen and took immediate steps to normalise the
situation. He said that security forces also took effective measures in view of
the situation.
He held
out an assurance to the governor that every possible effort was being made to
improve the law and order situation in KP, including Kurram.
He
stated that the role of external elements in sabotaging peace efforts in the
area cannot be ruled out.
The KP
governor thanked the interior minister for his cooperation in efforts to
establish peace in the province.
Source: dawn.com
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--------
Bilawal
says judiciary responsible for current political crisis
August
09, 2024
Placing
the responsibility of the country's current political crisis on the judiciary,
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Friday said that
it was through a court decision that a dead political party was resurrected.
Addressing
a session of the National Assembly today, the PPP politician's statement was
directed at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the court's verdict
stripping it off the bat symbol ahead of the February 8 general elections.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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--------
Pakistan
hopes to start era of goodwill with Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster: defence
minister
August
08, 2024
ISLAMABAD:
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday termed the change of
government in Bangladesh as a welcome opportunity for the two nations to start
a new era of goodwill.
The
minister's remarks came as Nobel peace prize winning economist Muhammad Yunus
was sworn in as the head of the country's caretaker setup earlier today.
Former
Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 and fled the country,
following a month of protests that saw over 300 deaths in the worst violence
since the birth of the South Asian nation more than five decades ago.
Army
chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Hasina's resignation in a televised
address to the nation.
The
defence minister termed the change in Bangladesh an opportunity to start a new
era of goodwill between the two nations. He also underscored the importance of
working towards mending past tensions and fostering a positive relationship
with Bangladesh.
Speaking
to a private news channel today, the PML-N leader noted that India’s influence
was significant in Bangladesh during the 15-year tenure of Sheikh Hasina,
stating that her ouster marked the end of an “Indian-backed government” in
Bangladesh.
Answering
a question regarding the current crisis in Pakistan, the minister affirmed that
there is complete harmony between state institutions in addressing the
challenges facing the country.
He
stressed that economic difficulties would be overcome soon, with the nation
progressing in an upward direction.
Asif
also spoke on the May 9 events and described them as a "deliberate
coup" attempt against Pakistan. He said that national assets were
destroyed and the martyrs' monuments were dishonoured on this dark day.
“Imran
Khan was the leader and scriptwriter behind the rebellious actions of that
day,” he added.
The PTI
chief, who has been incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail for around a year
now, has time and again distanced his party from the May 9 protests, alleging
that the riots were pre-planned and staged to launch a crackdown on the
opposition party.
Lately,
the PTI founder has offered a conditional apology over the May 9 riots provided
that the alleged involvement of his party activists is ascertained through a
CCTV footage.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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--------
Imran,
Bushra's physical remand extended by 11 days in new Toshakhana case
August
08, 2024
An accountability
court on Thursday extended physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi by 11 days in a new Toshakhana
case.
The
couple was produced in the makeshift courtroom setup at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail
today after the lapse of their ten-day physical remand in the case.
Deputy
Director National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Mohsin Haroon accompanied
Prosecutor General Muzaffar Abbasi before the court of judge Nasir Javed Rana,
praying the court to grant a 14-day remand of the PTI founder and his spouse.
However,
the court approved the 11-day physical remand and adjourned the hearing until
August 19.
A NAB
team led by Assistant Director Umar Wasim on August 6 interrogated Imran Khan
and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case at the Adiala facility, jail
sources had told The News, adding that later, NAB official Haroon, along with
his colleagues, also joined the investigation. The two teams of the NAB
officials remained at the jail for six hours probing the new reference against
the former first couple.
The
couple was arrested in the new Toshakhana case after a district and sessions
court of Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka on July 13 acquitted them in the iddat
case — also known as the un-Islamic nikah case
The pair
had been sentenced to seven years in prison and awarded a fine of Rs500,000
each, in February earlier this year after a trial court found their nikah to be
fraudulent as Khawar Maneka, Bushra's ex-husband, moved the court against the
couple's marriage.
Just
hours after their conviction was overturned, two teams of the Lahore police and
the anti-corruption watchdog headed by Deputy Director Mohsin Haroon appeared
at the Adiala Jail and "declared them arrested".
According
to them, the NAB launched against them a new reference regarding the alleged
"misuse of power for acquiring Toshakhana gifts".
A day
later on July 14, the accountability court approved an eight-day physical
remand of both of them in the new reference.
Separately,
the same court led by judge Nasir Javed Rana heard the 190 million pound
reference against the embattled PTI founder and his wife. However, the judge
adjourned the hearing till August 12 as the couple's counsels did not appear
for the proceedings.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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--------
Dar
urges diplomats to play role in protecting country's interest
August
09, 2024
Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged Pakistan's diplomatic
missions and diplomats to play their active role in projecting and protecting
the country's interest.
Addressing
the Graduation Ceremony of 43rd Specialized Diplomatic Course in Islamabad
today, he also urged the former diplomats to give their input on existing
foreign policy with a view to review, adapt and recalibrate it in accordance
with the prevalent strategic, political and economic trends.
The
Minister stressed for maintaining high standards of the training imparted to
the new entrance into the Foreign Service to tackle the challenges faced on the
diplomatic front.
He said
in the trainings, the focus should be made in contemporary disciplines such as international
law, international politics, foreign trade, economics and public diplomacy.
Ishaq
Dar said modern diplomacy is currently experiencing fundamental changes,
affecting the different aspects of domestic and international politics that
were once of no great concern to diplomacy.
The
Minister stressed that new trends, reflecting general societal developments,
need to be absorbed by diplomacy as part of state governance.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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--------
PM vows
to promote Pak-Turkiye trade ties
August
09, 2024
Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed Pakistan's desire to promote trade
relations with Turkiye.
Talking
to a high level delegation of leading Turkish businessmen led by Turkiye's
Minister for Customs & Trade Omer Bolat in Islamabad, he said steps are
being taken on a priority basis to bring the trade volume to five billion
dollars annually as was agreed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The
Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to provide all kinds of
facilities to Turkish investors for investment in Pakistan.
Shehbaz
Sharif said Pakistan and Turkiye have ideal fraternal relations spanning
centuries. He reiterated his invitation
to President Recep Tayyip Erodgan to visit Pakistan saying Pakistani people are
awaiting his visit.
Turkiye's
Minister for Customs & Trade said the current investment volume of fifty
four Turkish investment companies in Pakistan is 3.5 billion dollars.
The
Turkish investors expressed satisfaction over political and economic stability
in Pakistan.
The
Turkish delegation thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan's assistance to the affected Turkish people in the 2023
earthquake.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/09-08-2024/pm-vows-to-promote-pak-turkiye-trade-ties
--------
North America
CAIR
Welcomes Reintroduction of NO BAN Act to Prevent Future ‘Muslim Ban’
August
8, 2024
The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the U.S. House and Senate
reintroduction of the “National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for
Nonimmigrants Act” also known as the “NO BAN Act” and the “Access to Counsel
Act.”
CAIR is
urging all Americans who opposed the Trump administration’s discriminatory
Muslim and African travel bans and harassment of travelers at the U.S. border
based on their race, color, religion, or nationality to urge their members of
Congress to co-sponsor and support these acts today.
Championed
by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), the act is a
preventative response to former President Donald Trump’s proclamations banning
travel or immigration by nationals of several, mostly Muslim, countries. Trump
had said the bans were necessary for security and counterterrorism. In April
2021, CAIR applauded the House’s passage of the NO BAN Act.
The
Access to Counsel Act, championed by Senator Padilla (D-CA) and Representative
Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), guarantees that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and
valid visa holders can consult with an attorney, family member, or other
interested party if detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at airports
or other ports of entry.
About
the NO BAN ACT
Under
the bill, admission to the U.S. could be blocked or otherwise restricted only
when “specific and credible facts” support a determination by DHS that entry
would undermine U.S. security or public safety, human rights, democratic
processes, or international stability.
Before a
restriction could take effect, the State and Homeland Security departments
would have to provide evidence for the determination to Congress. They also
would have to provide a briefing and report within 48 hours of issuing
restrictions, or else they would automatically end. An unclassified version of
the report would have to be published in the Federal Register.
An
additional report would have to be provided to Congress every 30 days while the
restrictions are in effect, or they would automatically terminate, and a final
report would be due 30 days after the restrictions are lifted. The reports
would have to be publicly available online.
Executive
actions to limit entry would have to specify a duration and use the least
restrictive means to address the concern. Waivers would be available,
specifically for family-based and humanitarian concerns.
The
measure would allow private suits, including class actions, by anyone present
in the U.S. who is harmed by a violation of the limits imposed by the bill.
The bill
would also transfer to DHS the Justice Department’s existing authority to block
entry by noncitizens traveling on a commercial airline that hasn’t complied
with rules related to detecting fraudulent documents.
About
the Access to Counsel Act
Requires
the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that people with valid travel
documents who present themselves at the border, airports, or other points of
interaction can communicate with counsel and other interested parties if they
are subjected to prolonged inspection by CBP.
Allows
counsel or a covered interested party the ability to advocate on behalf of the
individual by providing information or documentation in support of the
individual.
Invalidates
any effort by CBP to persuade someone to relinquish their legal status (by
executing an I-407 or Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident
Status) if that person has been denied access to counsel.
The NO
BAN Act and Access to Counsel Act are two of the twenty-five measures supported
in CAIR’s report “CAIR Congressional
Legislative Priorities in the 118th Congress.”
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-reintroduction-of-no-ban-act-prevent-future-muslim-ban/
--------
Museum
of Islamic Art presents landmark exhibition surveying the Islamic artistic
traditions of Morocco
DOHA,
QATAR.- This November, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) will present Splendours
of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage, a major exhibition taking
visitors on a journey through the legacies of Morocco, revealing the forces
that have shaped the country’s unique identity. Organized as part of the
Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, the exhibition presents more than 200
objects including artifacts, manuscripts, instruments, jewelry pieces, and photographs
to tell a multifaceted story of Moroccan history, society, artistic
expressions, and how they continue to animate the nation’s cultures today.
Splendours
of the Atlas includes loans from Moroccan institutions such as the National
Foundation of Museums and the National Library of Rabat that have never before
been shown in Qatar. Previously unseen works from the collections of Qatar
Museums, MIA, and the future Lusail Museum will also be on display. Splendours
of the Atlas is curated by Dr. Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya, MIA Deputy Director of
Curatorial Affairs.
Her
Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Years of Culture
and Qatar Museums Chairperson, said, “We are extraordinarily fortunate to
partner with institutions across Morocco for our Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of
Culture, which will greatly expand the ability of Qataris and those living in
Qatar to gain insight into the grand Islamic traditions of our neighbor in
North Africa. Our shared commitment to scholarship, scientific discovery, and
artistic excellence has created a fertile basis for this year’s rich Year of
Culture program.”
Necklace
(lebba). Morocco, Rabat, Fez or Meknes. Alawite period, 18th-19th century CE.
Gem-set enamelled gold with diamonds, rubies, sapphires. Museum of Islamic Art,
Doha, JE.3.1997
The
Years of Culture initiative spearheads long-lasting cultural partnerships
between Qatar and other nations. It exists to promote respect and understanding
among diverse cultures and serves as a catalyst for bringing people together.
MIA
Director Shaika Al-Nassr, “I can think of no better venue for this remarkable
presentation than MIA, which is dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and
publishing on the Islamic cultures of the world. When designing the exhibition,
we sought to illuminate the intricate layers of Morocco's cultural identity,
offering visitors a chance to explore its rich heritage. This exhibition serves
as a bridge connecting past and present, inviting audiences to immerse
themselves in the timeless beauty of Moroccan culture and its enduring global
legacy.”
Organized
thematically into five sections, Splendours of the Atlas highlights Morocco’s
diverse and interconnected cultures and their lasting influence on contemporary
life. The sections include:
•
"Faces of Morocco: Landscapes and Society," an introductory gallery
that will immerse visitors in a mosaic of photographs by Bruno Barbey, Irving
Penn, Lalla Essaydi, Mous Lamrabat, and Mounir Raji. The pictures, which depict
Morocco’s ecologically diverse landscape and its contemporary inhabitants,
offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of Arab and Amazigh communities and the
terrains they navigate.
•
"The Soul of Morocco: Kings, Saints, and Scholars” delves into Moroccan
dynastic history, which cultivated theological scholarship and scientific
advances in the cities of Fez and Marrakech, two major centers of learning. The
section demonstrates how Morocco’s rulers, whose lineage stems directly from
the descendants of the Prophet Muhammed, created fertile ground for pursuits in
astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, among other fields. Special attention is
paid to institutions of higher learning, such as the famed University of Al
Qarawiyyin, founded by the female scholar Fatima al-Fihri in 859 and regarded as
the world’s oldest continuously operating degree-granting university.
•
"Threads of Tradition: Morocco’s Artisanal Mastery"—the largest
section in the show—explores the pivotal role of crafts in Morocco's many
cultures, showcasing the leather, textile, carpet, ceramic, jewelry, and
woodwork industries that have thrived in the country for generations. Ceramic
works will illustrate Morocco’s Islamic—particularly Amazigh and
Andalusian—heritage, while woven tapestries will reveal the country as a
crossroads of civilizations, where influences from Africa, Europe, and the
Middle East converge. Finally, costumes and jewelry, including traditional
garments such as bridal kaftans, will showcase how designers and artisans have
preserved customs and adapted them to contemporary needs. The gallery design
will be informed by artisanal workshops and Moroccan markets, creating an
immersive experience.
Necklace
(tikhursin ugelnin) of the Ida Ou Gnadif tribe. Morocco, Anti-Atlas. Alawite
period, late 19th - early 20th century CE. Nielloed silver with glass
cabochons. Qatar Museums, General Collection, PJM.ET.4026 and PJM.ET.3952 AB
•
“Traditional Sounds of Morocco” presents musical instruments—highlighted by
objects from the Dar Jama’I Museum in Meknes—that are used to create everything
from the Andalusian melodies of the cities to the gnawa music of the South.
Videos accompanying the objects will provide a sense of the distinct musical
traditions of different regions.
• The
final section of the exhibition is an ode to contemporary Moroccan
craftsmanship. Featuring seven commissioned works by Moroccan artist Noureddine
Amir, the objects respond to traditional crafts while reinventing them for
bold, new abstract works that will hang from the gallery’s ceiling and a light
installation that evokes the feel of traditional crafts’ textures and
techniques.
The
exhibition will be accompanied by a publication with short essays on each of
the show’s key themes. Photographs and detailed object entries of each work in
the show will also be included. Notably, many of the objects on view from Qatar
Museums’ collections will be published for the first time.
Years of
Culture
The
Years of Culture initiative, chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, spearheads long-lasting cultural partnerships
between Qatar and other nations. It exists to promote respect and understanding
among diverse cultures and serves as a catalyst for bringing people together,
nurturing connections, encouraging dialogue, and deepening understanding.
Though formal programming spans one year, the lasting impact continues through
legacy projects.
The
Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture is developed in collaboration with leading
organizations in Qatar with counterparts in Morocco and with assistance from
the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Qatar’s Embassy in
Morocco, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Qatar.
Previous
Years of Culture have included: Qatar-Japan 2012, Qatar-UK 2013, Qatar-Brazil
2014, Qatar-Türkiye 2015, Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Germany 2017, Qatar-Russia
2018, Qatar-India 2019, Qatar-France 2020, Qatar-USA 2021, Qatar-MENASA 2022,
and Qatar-Indonesia 2023.
Source: artdaily.cc
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://artdaily.cc/index.asp?int_new=172859&int_sec=11
--------
Top UN
official tells Security Council that Islamic State group, affiliates gaining
power in Africa
August
8, 2024
UNITED
NATIONS (AP) — A top U.N. counterterrorism official told the Security Council
on Thursday that a vast stretch of Africa could fall under the control of the
Islamic State group and affiliated terrorist organizations.
There
was no known link between an alleged plot to attack Taylor Swift shows in
Vienna and the group or its affiliates elsewhere in the world, but both
suspects appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida,
Austrian authorities said Thursday.
In a
regular report to the council, Vladimir Voronkov, the undersecretary for
counterterrorism, told members that IS group affiliates have “expanded and
consolidated their area of operations” in West Africa and the Sahel.
A “vast
territory stretching from Mali to northern Nigeria could fall under their
effective control” if their influence continues, Voronkov said.
He said
that IS group affiliates have also expanded operations in other parts of the
continent, including parts of Mozambique, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, which saw a “dramatic increase in terrorist attacks” that killed
large numbers of civilians.
Voronkov
told the council that ISIS-K, the group’s Afghanistan affiliate, has “improved
its financial and logistical capabilities” in the last six months and increased
recruitment efforts. He said IS has demonstrated its global intent by claiming
responsibility for ISIS-K attacks and increasing operations in Iraq and Syria.
Source: apnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-taylor-swift-islamic-state-alqaida-africa-4584c9d514d022d7af97406fbb745738
--------
Islamic
State’s genocide of Yazidis, Christians and other communities erased their
heritage
August
8, 2024
(The
Conversation) — August 2024 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Islamic State
group’s genocide, in which thousands of people from Iraq’s marginalized
communities, including Yazidis, Christians and Shiite Muslims, were killed in
Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul, and the surrounding areas.
The
Yazidis, who follow a monotheistic religion, in which the Peacock Angel is
chief among seven divine beings, and have been persecuted periodically in the
past, suffered gravely. From 2014 to 2017, at least 5,000 were brutally killed,
while 6,000 women and children were enslaved; hundreds of thousands were
displaced from Sinjar and the Nineveh Plains, near Mosul.
Iraq’s
Assyrian Christians, who belong to a native Mesopotamian community consisting
of early converts to a Syriac form of Eastern Christianity, also suffered under
IS. In Mosul, IS marked Christian homes and forced them to either pay jizya, a
tax historically levied upon non-Muslims, leave or be killed.
Even
Muslims, particularly Shiites, whom IS deemed heretical for their adherence to
forms of Islam beyond the narrow version of Sunni Islam the group espoused,
were killed. While Shiite Muslims are a majority in Iraq, they are a minority
in Mosul and the north, which is dominated by Sunni Muslims.
Iraq is
the land where I was born. During a visit in the summer of 2016, I was able to
see IS men from an ancient monastery atop a mountain near Mosul, which was
especially troubling. Although IS was mostly defeated by Iraqi forces, in
combination with a broader international coalition led by the United States,
the consequences of the genocidal violence it perpetrated are ongoing.
In
particular, Yazidis and Christians continue to suffer marginalization, the
regions they inhabit remain unstable, and their heritage is subject to ongoing
destruction. As a scholar of Iraq, I have a particular concern about the loss
of intangible heritage such as prayers, songs and historic narratives – which I
am now working to preserve.
Historical
significance
Since
the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, political parties in power have operated on
a sectarian basis to marginalize minorities such as Christians and Yazidis.
The
number of Christians in this area has dwindled from 1.5 million in 2003 to a
few hundred thousand today. Other Islamic fundamentalist groups such as
al-Qaida also targeted Christians, before IS did. The Alliance for Iraqi
Minorities, a nonprofit based in Iraq, reported that 1,200 Christians were
killed from 2003 to 2014.
Part of
the reason for their suffering is that the region they have historically
occupied, especially the Nineveh Plains, is coveted for its resources. It is
rich in oil and also holds some of the most significant heritage of Iraq’s
early, pre-Islamic cultures.
Yet, it
also holds special value for Iraq’s Assyrian Christians. Nineveh and
surrounding areas such as Nimrud and Alqosh have important artifacts,
monasteries and church complexes, which date to Christianity’s earliest
periods. These areas were once part of Mesopotamia, a crucible of civilization,
and contain a rich legacy of medieval literature, preserved in valuable
manuscripts dating as far back as the fifth century.
Also
adjacent to the Nineveh Plains is Lalish, the holiest sanctuary of the Yazidis.
Within it lies the 12th-century shrine of Sheikh Adi, who is revered as an
influential holy figure in the Yazidi faith.
These
communities draw their cultural identity from this history. For the Assyrians
Christians, the ancient Mesopotamian inheritance, including Christianity, is
intertwined with a unique oral heritage that includes songs, folktales, recipes
and tools for crafts preserved for centuries by local villagers as part of
their now endangered Aramaic language and culture.
The
language of farming used by these communities retains some influences from the
Akkadian language used by the ancient Mesopotamian empires. For instance, in
the dialect of the town of Baghdeda, in the Nineveh Plains, the word for
storeroom of grains is “bakhshima” in Aramaic, which is a close descendant of
the “bet hashiimi” in Akkadian for barn.
Preserving
heritage
Even
before the emergence of IS, rural and ethno-religious communities that did not
occupy a central position of power were subject to the state’s neglect and
inadequate preservation of their heritage. In particular, Arab nationalist
governments such as the Ba’ath, which held power in Iraq from 1968 to 2003,
destroyed the villages of Assyrian Christians, forcing their displacement to
large urban majority centers in Iraq. The Yazidis were similarly targeted.
Throughout
the 20th century, Iraq’s national libraries and museums have shown scant
interest in representing the heritage of provincial and rural communities.
IS
brought more destruction. Churches and shrines, cultural institutions and
ancient heritage – including the city of Nimrod – were destroyed by IS. Those
charged with preserving the heritage, along with other community members, were
displaced from their towns and villages or killed. Some 400,000 Yazidis and
about 200,000 Christians were expelled from the region between 2014 and 2017.
In the
process, IS also erased memories of communities that would be passed to future
generations. The damage was particularly severe for the Yazidi community, as it
lacks textual scriptures; and for both communities, many traditions were passed
down orally by men and women – often themselves illiterate – in the many languages
of the region.
The aim
of IS, as my colleagues and I found, was to erase not only these communities
themselves but also the forms of intercommunal coexistence that had
characterized northern Iraq historically. Many of the religious sites IS targeted
were revered by multiple religions. For instance, Mosul’s Mosque of Nabi Yunis
was built on the site of a Christian church believed to be the shrine of the
biblical Prophet Jonah. According to the Bible, Jonah was instructed by God to
save the Ninevites. IS’s destruction of this site revealed an Assyrian palace
underneath the church-turned-mosque, which was dedicated to Jonah.
The path
forward
Our
current project documents the intangible and textual heritage of both Yazidis
and Christians. The oral heritage often uses ancient languages and dialects –
especially the endangered Near Eastern neo-Aramaic dialects spoken by
Christians. We also document the Kurmanji version of Kurdish spoken by Yazidis.
The
memories and narratives are significant not only for Yazidis and Christians but
for the pluralistic history of the northern region and of Iraq as a whole. One
example is “Dazike Batzmie,” or the “Blessing of the String” – a sacred
white-and-red string spun from wool and worn by Yazidis for good luck.
Another is
the pokhin – a mixture made from seven grains plus salt, eaten during the
conclusion of the “Rogation of Ninevites,” a fast by Assyrian Christians in
remembrance of Jonah and their repentance before God. It is believed that those
who fast will have prophetic dreams, and the salty pokhin mixture will help
thirsty single people to dream of their future soulmates.
Such
rituals are passed down from elders and associated with the lands these
communities connect to.
Today,
these communities remain dispersed, and their suffering continues. Many of the
locals involved in our project, including colleagues who have acted as
defenders of their culture, have given up – often leaving the region,
preferring to become refugees in unfamiliar lands with unknown futures. Younger
generations may not appreciate the depth of connections between religious
practices and community legends that oral history ties together.
The
intense political and economic pressures and the insecurity they continue to
feel are behind their reasons to leave. But as someone who knows the region
deeply, I believe ensuring the continuation of the region’s traditions and
cultural diversity through preservation efforts can give hope and provide a
path forward.
(Alda
Benjamen, Assistant Professor of Middle East History, University of Dayton. The
views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion
News Service.)
Source: religionnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://religionnews.com/2024/08/08/islamic-states-genocide-of-yazidis-christians-and-other-communities-erased-their-heritage/
--------
Aide
rejects report about Harris intention to discuss Israel arms embargo
09
August 2024
A top
aide to US Vice President Harris Kamala Harris says the Democratic presidential
nominee does not support an arms embargo on the Israeli regime, denying an
assertion by a pro-Palestinian group organization that she is open to
discussing the issue.
Harris
"does not support an arms embargo on Israel,” Phil Gordon, Harris’s
national security adviser, wrote on X on Thursday.
She has
been "clear" in that she will "always ensure Israel is able to
defend itself," added the adviser.
The
remarks came a day after the Uncommitted National Movement – which is critical
of US President Joe Biden’s support for Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza
Strip – said its co-founders had spoken with Harris at her campaign rally in
the city of Detroit, home to many Muslim and Arab-American voters, in Michigan
state.
Layla
Elabed and Abbas Alawieh, it added, shared their concerns about the US
"supplying weapons for Israel's war and occupation against Palestine” and
requested a meeting with Harris to discuss an arms embargo on the usurping
regime and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
"The
Vice President shared her sympathies and expressed an openness to a meeting
with the Uncommitted leaders to discuss an arms embargo," the group
further said.
Gordon,
however, rejected the report, sparking a response from the Uncommitted National
Movement.
“It’s
exactly because the current White House policy allows bombs to flow to
Netanyahu unconditionally that he has been emboldened to kill tens of thousands
of civilians,” the group said in a statement.
“We
found hope in Vice President Harris expressing an openness to meeting about an
arms embargo, and we are eager to continue engaging because people we love are
being killed with American bombs.”
Israel
waged its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7 following a historic operation by
the Palestinian Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity in
retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.
So far,
the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 39,699 Palestinians, mostly women and
children, and injured 91,722 others.
The US
remains Israel’s most important ally and biggest supplier of arms. It has
provided Israel with weapons and intelligence support during the Gaza war and
blocked UN resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged
Palestinian territory.
Last
month, Harris drew attention to Palestinians’ plight in Gaza, in a move that
some analysts believed was a rhetorical departure from Biden’s pro-Israel
statements.
“The
images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety —
sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time — we cannot look away
in the face of these tragedies,” she told reporters after a meeting with
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
“We
cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and I will not be
silent.”
However,
the remarks from Harris’s adviser suggested that she would not support a
complete halt in arms transfers.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/08/09/731006/US-Harris-Israel-arms-embargo
--------
US, UK
jets attack Yemen's Hudaydah in support of Israel
08
August 2024
US and
British warplanes have bombed Yemen’s western coastal province of Hudaydah as
part of their bid to stop Yemeni maritime operations against Israeli-affiliated
vessels in the Red Sea.
Yemen's
official Saba news agency, citing a security source speaking on condition of
anonymity, reported that the aerial assaults targeted the al-Jabbaneh district
on Thursday evening.
There
were no immediate reports about the extent of damage caused. The US-British
coalition has yet to comment on the strike.
The
development came two days after US and British forces carried out two
airstrikes on Yemen's southwestern province of Ta’izz.
Yemenis
have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli
occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7
after the territory’s Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise
retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying
entity.
The
Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won’t stop their attacks until
unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end.
The Tel
Aviv regime has so far killed at least 39,699 Palestinians, mostly women and
children, and injured 91,722 others, according to the Gaza-based health
ministry.
The
occupying entity has also imposed a “complete siege” on the territory, cutting
off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million
Palestinians living there.
Leader
of the Ansarullah resistance movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said it is “a
great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly.”
The
attacks have forced some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to
suspend transit through one of the world’s most important maritime trade
routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping
routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the
Suez Canal.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/08/08/730984/US-British-coalition-conducts-new-attack-against-Yemen,-targets-Hudaydah-district
--------
Africa
109
persons killed in six months by B’Haram, ISWAP – Report
9th
August 2024
After
both the Federal and Borno State Governments have boasted to winning the war
against extremism in the North-East, Nextier has recently released a brazen
fact that insurgency recorded 109 deaths arising from 19 violent incidents,
perpetrated by the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province insurgents in the first half of 2024.
Arewa
PUNCH notes that the report ‘Nigeria’s North-East Belt of Insurgency and the
Challenge of Refugees,’ called on the
Federal Government to collaborate with neighbouring countries and regional
bodies to boost joint border surveillance.
The report
was written by an Associate Consultant at Nextier and a Lecturer at the
Political Science Department of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria,
Dr Chukwuma Okoli, and a Managing Partner at Nextier and an Honorary Fellow at
the School of Government at the University of Birmingham, UK, Dr Ndu Nwokolo.
The
report partly read, “They identified the ‘Northeast Belt of Insurgency’ to
consist of about 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) – 10 in Borno State (Bama,
Baga, Biu, Chibok, Gwoza, Kukawa, Kaga, Marte, Mongonu, Ngala); five LGAs in
Adamawa State (Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha); and three
LGAs in Yobe State (Damaturu, Gujba, Geidam); all of which run round Nigeria’s
borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger and cuts through Borno State’s borders
with Yobe and Adamawa states.
“The
difficult topography of most of the communities in the North-east Belt of
Insurgency makes access difficult for both the Nigerian military and
humanitarian aid agencies. This has become an advantage for the insurgents who
hibernate in those communities from where they launch attacks on the military
and civilians.”
“Data
from the NextierViolent Conflict Database show that this Belt of Insurgency
recorded 109 deaths arising from 19 violent incidents perpetrated by the Boko
Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province insurgents in the first half of
2024 alone.
“The
Nigerian government should collaborate with its neighbours under the auspices
of regional bodies like the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Multinational
Joint Task Force to enhance border management through joint border patrol and
surveillance.”
While urging the FG to also identify and
profile refugees entering the region, Nextier recommended the use of local
vigilantes and hunters to combat insurgents.
It
equally urged the government to support security forces by ensuring a regular
and adequate supply of required state-of-the-art ammunition
“The
Nigerian government, together with development partners, should enhance the
technical capacity of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and
Internally Displaced Persons in the area of identification and profiling of
refugees flowing into the Northeast. This will enable proper treatment of
refugees in line with relevant international conventions and protocols.
“The
government at all levels, in collaboration with development partners, should
identify what makes communities in the Northeast Belt of Insurgency resilient.
Mechanisms such as local informal businesses such as trading and the use of local
vigilantes and hunters to combat insurgents should be strengthened.
“The
state security forces should be supported by ensuring a regular and adequate
supply of required state-of-the-art ammunition. The morale of the personnel on
the war front should also be boosted through improved welfare packages.
“This
will enable the security agencies to cover more ground and decimate the
insurgents still hibernating in hard-to-reach areas.
“Set up
a subregionalhumanitarian response mechanism involving Nigeria, Niger, Chad,
and Cameroon to be coordinated by the United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“This
will ensure persons in need have fair access to humanitarian aid without
crossing national borders,” the report stressed.
Meanwhile,
efforts made by Arewa PUNCH through text and calls to the Borno State
Commissioner for Information and Security, Professor Usman Tar, to get the state’s position on the report,
proved abortive as at the time of filing this news story.
Source: punchng.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://punchng.com/109-persons-killed-in-six-months-by-bharam-iswap-report/#google_vignette
---------
NAF jet
strikes Boko Haram IED factory, gun trucks in Borno
8th
August, 2024
By Hamza
Suleiman
The
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said that its air strikes has effectively destroyed
suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory, two gun trucks, and
neutralised several terrorists in Grazah, Mandara mountains, Borno.
Air Vice
Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF,
stated this in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri.
He said
that the operation was carried out on Au. 2, in response to intelligence
reports of a possible IED factory and logistics storage area in the location.
Gabkwet
said that the factory was believed to have been relocated from Gwoza to
Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa forest and finally to Grazah in the Mandara hills.
He said
that the location had been under surveillance for weeks, with various
installations and armed terrorist activities observed.
“The
operation is part of the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai’s mandate to
combat recent attacks on innocent civilians in Borno, using IEDs and suicide
bombers.
“The NAF
has assured that the combined efforts of the entire security apparatus of
Operation Hadin Kai will continue to target and destroy terrorist enclaves and
logistics,”he said.
Source: pmnewsnigeria.com
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DR Congo
president accuses former leader of backing rebel movement
Democratic
Republic of Congo president, Felix Tshisekedi, has accused his predecessor and estranged
ally, Joseph Kabila, of “preparing an insurrection”.
In an
interview on a private radio station on Tuesday, he said Kabila was backing the
political-military movement known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo.
Tshisekedi
did not provide any evidence to support his claim, which comes after the United
States last month announced sanctions against the group.
Washington
accuses the alliance of seeking to overthrow Congo’s government and fuelling
conflict in the east of the country.
And
noted that the alliance’s main member, the M23 militant group, was already
under US sanctions.
Tshisekedi’s
statement was the first time a Congolese official has accused Kabila of siding
with the rebels.
Kabila,
who ruled the DRC between 2001 and 2018,
has not responded to the accusation.
The
eastern part of the country has struggled for decades with armed violence as
more than 120 groups fight for power, land, and valuable mineral resources.
Source: africanews.com
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Police
in Nairobi clash with protesters demanding President William Ruto's resignation
Police
hurled tear gas at protesters calling for President William Ruto's resignation
in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Thursday.
Businesses
in the city were closed and public transport vehicles remained out of the
central business district where they normally operate.
The
demonstrations, organised by activists upset with Ruto, came as a new cabinet
was sworn in.
Following
weeks of similar pro-reform protests, the president had scrapped planned tax
hikes and overhauled his cabinet to include opposition members.
But
although this was a victory for activists and protesters who had demanded
sweeping changes, it appears this was not enough for some.
Protester,
Nicole Awuori, said she was there for "for the people we lost during the
march, who were asking the government for accountability”.
“I am
protesting for the people who have missed out on so many opportunities because
of broken systems.”
The
demonstrations started on 18 June, with
initial calls for legislators to vote against the controversial finance bill
that included the tax hikes.
On 25
June, demonstrators stormed parliament after legislators voted to pass the
bill, leading Ruto to say he would withdraw it.
More
than 50 people have died since the protests started, according to the Kenya
National Commission on Human Rights.
But on
Thursday, major towns and cities remained calm with some residents saying they
were not protesting because of the incorporation of opposition figures into the
new cabinet.
Ruto has
condemned the protests and urged Kenyans to stay away from them, saying those
who want change can vote him out in 2027 elections.
Source: africanews.com
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Nigeria
detains students for allegedly displaying Russian flags during protest
Nigerian
security forces have detained seven Polish nations, including six students and
a lecturer, for allegedly displaying Russian flags during protests against
economic hardship in the West African nation, Nigerian and Polish authorities
said Wednesday.
The
Poles were arrested Monday in the northern Kano state “because of where they
were found during the protests and for displaying foreign flags,” said Peter
Afunanya, a spokesman for the Nigeria secret service, at a meeting of diplomats
hosted by Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry in the capital, Abuja.
Afunanya
did not say if the Poles being detained were participating in the protests when
they were arrested, nor was there any evidence of their involvement presented
at the meeting.
According
to the Polish state news agency PAP, the University of Warsaw confirmed those
detained were students and a lecturer who were in Nigeria for a study trip
organized by the university.
The
students “found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Polish Deputy
Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna told PAP. The Poles were not carrying any
flags, Szejna said, but added, “It seems they were taking photos and this had
been interpreted in this way.”
The
Polish foreign affairs ministry said on X that its officials in Nigeria are
establishing “the exact circumstances” of the incident with Nigerian
authorities.
Thousands
of mostly young Nigerians had poured onto the streets across the country to
protest against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and
against alleged bad governance that has stifled the country’s development
despite being a top oil producer.
In
several northern states, a few protesters were seen waving Russian flags, a
trend that until now was only common in Africa in coup-hit countries where
pro-Russian sentiments are growing off the back of coups by militaries severing
ties with the West.
In
response to a question by a Polish diplomat about their whereabouts, the
Nigerian secret service spokesman said the agency was open to working with
Poland on the issue.
“It is
not a targeted operation at Polish citizens,” Afunanya said, although he didn't
elaborate on the next steps in the case.
The
Nigerian secret service had said Monday that it had arrested the tailors sewing
the Russian flags as well as those “sponsoring” them.
Analysts
have said the trends of waving Russian flags during protests, seen for the
first time in Nigeria, could be dangerous and shows just how far anti-Western
and pro-Russian sentiments have grown in parts of Africa.
In one
viral video from Kano state, a protester who looked to be in his teenage years
held a Russian flag beside a placard that read: “Russia come and help us.”
Russia has denied any involvement in the use of its flags in the protests.
Nigeria’s
military chief Christopher Musa said such acts constitute treason, which is
punishable by death in the country and is defined by Nigerian laws as any act
that among other things “instigate(s) any foreigner to invade Nigeria with an
armed force.”
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/08/08/nigeria-detains-students-for-allegedly-displaying-russian-flags-during-protest/
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Ismail
Killed By Soldier In Zaria Must Get Justice – Gov Sani
9 August
2024
Governor
of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has said he will ensure that late Ismail Muhammad,
killed by a soldier in Zaria during the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest,
gets justice.
Naija
News reported that Army Spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu admitted that
Ismail was hit by a bullet from a warning shot fired by one of the soldiers
sent to Zaria to enforce curfew imposed by the state government.
Nwachukwu
also disclosed that the soldier was arrested and detained for further
investigation.
On
Thursday, Governor Sani said he sent a delegation to condole with the family of
late Ismail. He assured that he would ensure no stone is left unturned until
justice is served.
A
statement published on his X handle on Thursday read: “Today (Thursday), I
dispatched a high-powered delegation made up of top government officials and
heads of security agencies to condole with the family of the teenager, Ismail
Muhammad who was killed when troops of the Nigerian Army mobilised to disperse
a mob in Samaru area of Sabon Gari LG during the last protest. The team was led
by the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan.
“While
the team was with the family, I spoke on the phone with the Father of the
deceased, Muhammad Hussaini and expressed our deepest condolences. I told him
that we are deeply pained by the unfortunate incident and will leave no stone
unturned to ensure that justice is served. A full and thorough investigation
will be conducted and the culprit will be brought to book.
“I will
stay in close contact with the family of the deceased in these trying times. I
pray to Almighty Allah to comfort them. May Almighty Allah forgive Ismail’s
shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdausi.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/08/09/ismail-killed-by-soldier-in-zaria-must-get-justice-gov-sani/
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TUC
Condemns Security Invasion Of NLC Office, Demands Investigation
9 August
2024
The
President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo, has
condemned the recent invasion of the Labour House, the Nigeria Labour Congress
(NLC) headquarters in Abuja, by security operatives.
Naija
News, on Thursday reported that security operatives raided the headquarters,
under the guise of searching for materials connected to the “End Bad
Governance” campaign.
Osifo in
a statement released on Friday, said the TUC condemned the raid as a breach of
fundamental rights, including the rights to freedom of speech and expression.
He
contended that the raid represented an overreach by security forces,
compromising the democratic principles that uphold peaceful dissent and the
right to access information.
Osifo
charged the Federal Government to initiate a prompt and comprehensive
investigation into the incident.
Additionally,
he requested that those responsible for authorizing and conducting the
operation return all confiscated materials to the NLC library and provide a
justification for their actions.
The TUC
President stressed the need for Nigerians to have confidence that their rights
are protected and that security agencies operate within the legal framework
established by the Constitution.
He
added, “We consider this invasion a direct attack on the rights of Nigerian
citizens to freely express their views and to access information.”
Source: naijanews.com
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---------
Southeast Asia
PM
Anwar: Tesla backing off Asean expansion not because of Malaysia
09 Aug
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR, Aug 9 — Tesla Inc’s decision to defer its planned expansion in the
region was not a result of Malaysia’s performance or polices, said Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Instead,
he said it was down to fierce competition to the US electric vehicle (EV) from
Chinese rivals.
Anwar
also cited Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengki Zafrul
Tengku Abdul Aziz’s earlier clarification that Tesla’s decision had no material
effect on Malaysia, as there were no factories planned here.
“Because
they (Tesla) have suffered losses and not being able to compete with China's
EVs.
“Their
operation in Thailand is big, we are just about to start,” Anwar told reporters
after launching the federal statutory bodies management and governance
guidelines here today.
During
an earnings call last month, Tesla told investors that its profits have nearly
halved due to extreme competition from other EV makers.
On
Wednesday, Thai news portal The Nation published a report saying that Tesla was
halting plans for factories in the region including in Malaysia, Thailand, and
Indonesia.
This
caused confusion here as Tesla did not previously commit to such a factory, but
rather to developing the firm’s supercharger network.
Today,
Tengku Zafrul also noted this, and said previous agreements with Tesla were for
investments here.
Source: malaymail.com
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Malaysia’s
economic policies, political stability key factors for Infineon’s additional
RM30.1b investment, says PM Anwar
09 Aug
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR, Aug 9 — The country’s clear economic policies and political stability
were key factors that prompted global semiconductor company Infineon
Technologies AG (Infineon) to announce an additional investment of RM30.1
billion yesterday, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He added
that the nation’s energy transition and digitalisation, as well as the New
Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) also played a role in the company’s
decision.
The
RM30.1 billion investment will fund Phase 2 of Infineon’s 200-millimeter
silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor fabrication facility in Kulim, Kedah,
which is also the world’s largest.
Speaking
at the launch of the Guidelines on the Management and Governance of Federal
Statutory Bodies today, Anwar said the investment is set to create 4,000 jobs,
including in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) engineering and the
semiconductor sector.
To this
end, the prime minister emphasised the need for universities to ensure a
sufficient supply of skilled talent.
“Universities
need to be mobilised towards this goal because there is a shortage of engineers
and we lack the skills in advanced digital fields and AI. These are areas we
need to address,” he said.
At the
same time, Malaysia should also compare its performance with those of its
regional peers to enhance business facilitation and competitiveness, said
Anwar, noting that the country is still lagging in certain areas such as
investment approvals.
He added
that investors frequently express concerns about the approval processes, noting
that countries like Vietnam currently outperform Malaysia in this area.
On
another note, the prime minister highlighted that according to advanced
estimates by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the country’s economy is
projected to grow by 5.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2024 (2Q 2024), the
highest growth rate in Asia.
The
economy grew by 4.2 per cent in 1Q 2024, up from 2.9 per cent in the previous
quarter, driven by increased household consumption and a recovery in exports
due to higher external demand.
Bank
Negara Malaysia is expected to announce 2Q 2024’s economic figures next Friday.
— Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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T'ganu
ghost festival organiser warns Muslims away with banners
Aug 9,
2024
The
organiser of the Hungry Ghost Festival in Kemaman, Terengganu, has put up
banners prohibiting Muslims from entering the venue.
This is
after a temple in Kuala Terengganu was not granted an exemption for women to
perform at a celebration event for the festival due to it being in an open
space.
Source: malaysiakini.com
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/714984
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Halal in
Singapore, halal in Indonesia: Neighbours in early deal to share certification
09 Aug
2024
SINGAPORE,
Aug 9 — Singapore and Indonesia’s halal authorities have signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) for the mutual recognition of each other’s halal
certifications and logos.
The
Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on Facebook said the MoU, signed yesterday,
will come into force on Oct 17.
The
agreement was signed by Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) chief executive
Kadir Maideen and Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH)
chairman Muhammad Aqil Irham.
It was
witnessed by Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli
and the Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore Suryo Pratomo.
Muis
said the MoU will facilitate trade of halal-certified products between
Singapore and Indonesia, a significant step in strengthening the partnership
between the halal certification authorities of both countries.
“This
ensures that halal products are consistently certified to the highest
standards, providing greater confidence in their authenticity and quality, as
well as ensuring a wider variety of halal products available to consumers,” it
said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile,
Masagos stated that Singapore is the third country, following Saudi Arabia and
Malaysia, to sign this agreement ahead of Indonesia’s mandatory halal
certification, which is set to begin in October 2024.
He said
with Indonesia being the largest Muslim-majority country and Singapore a global
hub for trade and commerce, this collaboration will undoubtedly boost the halal
market, expanding opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.
“This
also signals an expansion of opportunities for our businesses, especially our
food and additives manufacturers, to bring their products into Indonesia and
avoid any trade disruptions,” he said on Facebook. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Jiwa
Malaysia Concert: Youth expression of love for the nation
09-08-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: The Jiwa Malaysia Concert, scheduled for Sept 7, is intended to serve
as a platform for young Malaysians to express their love for the nation through
a variety of musical performances.
Malaysia
Stadium Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Iliyas Jamil, said that the corporation
is co-organising the concert as part of its social responsibility to the
country in conjunction with the National Month and Malaysia Day celebrations.
“Malaysia
Stadium Corporation manages several venues such as Axiata Arena, the National
Stadium, and the National Hockey Stadium, which host various concert events
every year.
“So far,
we have only provided venues, but this time we are going beyond that by acting
as organisers as a gift to Malaysians through the concert that is fitting for
the National Month and Malaysia Day,“ he told a press conference here
yesterday.
The
concert, which will be held at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, will
feature legendary bands such as Spider and popular bands like Hujan, Ruffedge,
Bunkface, Dolla, Insomniacks, as well as a singer from Sabah, Bella Astillah.
Iliyas
said that it is targeting an audience of 15,000 people from various
generations, both old and new, to attend the concert.
“The
concert is not merely entertainment; it embodies noble values designed to
ignite the spirit of independence through performances with patriotic themes,“
he said.
Meanwhile,
Spider band vocalist Rustam Mustafah, better known as Tam, said that the song
selection for the concert is still in the early stages, and they might perform
seven or eight songs.
“In
addition to Spider’s hit songs, we will also perform solid Malay songs that can
boost the patriotic spirit among the younger generation,“ he said.
Those
interested in attending the concert can purchase tickets through https://ilassotickets.com,
with early bird prices starting as low as RM50.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local-news/jiwa-malaysia-concert-youth-expression-of-love-for-the-nation-OI12837292#google_vignette
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Verify
information received on social media before sharing - Mohamed Azam
09-08-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) director-general
Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil has advised social media users to
verify any news on such platforms to ensure its authenticity before sharing.
He said
that ensuring the accuracy of any information received on social media and not
hastily forwarding it was crucial to respecting the sensitivities of others and
avoiding misunderstandings that could lead to riots like those currently
occurring in the United Kingdom (UK).
At the
same time, he said that absolute freedom of speech should not be allowed in a
country with various races and religions, as any unreasonable slander could
divide them.
“Expressing
feelings needs to have limits. In Malaysia, we have our limitations and
boundaries. If we allow absolute freedom as in the West, in a multi-ethnic and
religious environment, it could lead to an uncontrollable situation if a slight
misunderstanding occurs.
“That is
why we have restrictions in terms of laws and acts. We want to maintain harmony
in the country,“ he said during an appearance on the ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme
produced by Bernama TV here today.
Additionally,
he advised social media influencers to be responsible by only sharing positive
content without inciting controversy or hatred among others.
“Sometimes,
there are a few irresponsible influencers or those used by certain parties, who
comment on an issue as if they are experts in all matters,“ he said.
Previously,
Bernama reported that the spread of false information on social media was one
of the main factors behind the ongoing riots in several cities in the UK, which
have sparked violent clashes over the past few weeks.
Following
this, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan advised Malaysians to avoid
areas expected to become targets and to stay in touch with the High Commission
in the country.
Media
outlets previously reported that UK authorities were under pressure to end
England’s worst riots in 13 years following a stabbing incident in Southport on
July 29.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local-news/verify-information-received-on-social-media-before-sharing-mohamed-azam-KI12836682
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/survey-india1951-gazette-bijamandal-mosque/d/132902