'Temple, Gurudwara, Dargah Or Mosques, They Have To Go': Indian SC On Encroachment And Bulldozer Justice
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 Oct 2024
The Supreme Court of India
-----
· 'Temple, Gurudwara, Dargah Or Mosques, They Have To Go': Indian SC On Encroachment And Bulldozer Justice
· Dr Zakir Naik Asks Nations to Unite In The Light Of The Holy Quran And Sunnah, At The Pakistan Parliament House
· Boko Haram Slaughter Farmers In Borno Hours After President, Governor Assured Of Security
· AlUla Archaeology Conference To Explore Challenges, Future Of Nomadic Societies
· US Election: Will The Muslim Vote Prove Make-Or-Break For Trump And Harris?
--------
India
· BJP Focuses On Assembly Seats Where Muslims Voted en Bloc In Recent Maharashtra LS Polls
· BJP’s Muslim Membership Doubles In A Decade In Uttar Pradesh
· Maharashtra Congress President Asks Dy. CM To Apologise For Vote Jihad Comment
· Bihar: Seven kids injured in suspected bomb blast in Bhagalpur city
· Delhi court extends interim bail to J&K MP Rashid Engineer till Oct 12
----
Pakistan
· Struggle For Constitutional Courts Not For Sake Of Current CJP: Bilawal
· CJP Isa pokes holes in earlier opinion on Article 63A
· Visually-impaired protesters, cops injured in clashes on The Mall
· Governor praises PM for bold stance at UNGA on Muslim issues
--------
Africa
· ‘We Are Not Afraid Of Death’ – Terrorist Turji Gives Conditions For Peace
· Buhari Defeated Boko Haram, Not Jonathan – Ahmad Replies Ndume
· UN extends Haiti security mission mandate for another year
· I can swear with Qur’an I never stole as Kaduna Governor — El-Rufai
--------
Arab World
· Riyadh International Book Fair Fostering China, Saudi Arabia Cultural Exchange
· Talal Foundation, Saudi Human Rights Commission Unite To Support Women, Children
· Minister meets newly appointed Dominican ambassador to Saudi Arabia
· Attorney general leads Saudi delegation at international prosecutors’ conference in Azerbaijan
· Saudi Arabia updates regulations for temporary work visas for Hajj and Umrah services
· Saudi Arabia, Kuwait sign MoU to boost cultural cooperation
--------
North America
· How Michigan Muslim Group Uncommitted Movement’s Failure to Endorse Kamala Harris Could Alter Election
· Statement by Minister Khera and Special Representative Amira Elghawaby on Canadian Islamic History Month
· Coca-Cola Allows Satan, Allah and Kamala on Personalized Cans, But Not Jesus or Trump?
· US says it helped Israel shoot down Iran missiles
--------
Europe
· Austria Embraces Far-Right Party With Nazi Roots, Anti-Muslim Stance
· Man ‘attempts to burn down Muslim home in Manchester’
· Temporary mosque plan approved in Yorkshire while new building constructed
· Shipley MP Anna Dixon's visits for Visit My Mosque weekend
--------
Mideast
· Iraqi Paramilitary Commander Says Iraqi Resistance Possess Advanced Weaponry, Hints At Use In Israel Conflict
· Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘whoever attacks us, we attack them’
· US Bases Would Be Target If US Joins Any Response Against Iran, Iraqi Armed Groups Say
· Yemen Extends Congratulations To Iran For Its Valiant Response To Israeli Enemy
· Enemies Of Islam To Be Wiped Out Of World Map Soon: IRGC
· OIC members discussing establishment of joint monetary channel among Islamic nations
· Hezbollah says clashed with Israeli troops who tried to ‘infiltrate’ into Lebanon
· Prayers and applause: two sides of Jerusalem react to Iran missiles
· Iran calls on UN to prevent further escalation in Middle East tensions
· Iraq reopens airspace after closure due to Iranian strikes on Israel
· US condemns Iran’s attack as significant escalation
--------
Southeast Asia
· As Israel Pounds Neighbours, PM Anwar Warns Of ‘Dangerous Cycle Of Action And Reaction’ That Could Pull More Nations Into Middle East Conflict
· Oracle to invest more than US$6.5 billion in AI and cloud computing in Malaysia
· Mental health time bomb: 40,000 civil servants at risk of psychological disorders, says JPA chief
---------
South Asia
· Former PM Sheikh Hasina's 'Tk 400cr Peon' Laundered Most Of His Wealth Abroad: CID
· Afghans never trust former failed politicians
· Cabinet Meeting Greenlights Strategic Urban Development Plans for Kabul
· Kunar-Nuristan Highway Reconstruction Commences with AFN 600 Million Investment
· Marco Polo Sheep population declining in Badakhshan, Afghanistan
· Thomas West steps down as US envoy for Afghanistan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
--------
'Temple, Gurudwara, Dargah Or Mosques, They Have To Go': Indian Sc On Encroachment And Bulldozer Justice
The Supreme Court of India
-----
Oct 01, 2024,
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (Oct 1) said any religious structure, be it a temple or Dargah (mosque), must go if it encroaches on roads or railway tracks, adding that public safety was paramount.
The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas alleging that properties, including of those accused of crime, were being demolished in several states.
"We are a secular country and our direction will be for all, irrespective of religion or community. If there is any religious structure in the middle of the road, be it Gurudwara or Dargah or temple, it cannot obstruct the public," the two-judge bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan said.
Justice Gavai declared that the court would not intervene in the case of encroachments into public lands, streets and roads. He clarified that the SC has no intention to protect encroachments on public roads, streets, or footpaths.
The court has long maintained that no property should be demolished without its approval, except in cases where the structures are illegal and located on public roads or footpaths.
It also extended its previous stay on demolitions and reserved the judgment. Last month, the court, issuing a stern warning to state government said that even a single case of unlawful demolition goes against the principles of the Indian Constitution.
Bulldozer justice
The case came to light after state governments across the country indulged in 'bulldozer justice' where properties belonging to people accused of crimes were destroyed even before they had gone through the legal system.
Justice Gavai made it clear that somebody being an accused or convict is no ground to demolish their home.
“We make it clear that there should be proper notice, chance of hearing in case somebody is found to be in violation of building laws,” he said.
Justice Viswanathan added that even in unauthorised structures, 10 to 15 days should be given for the occupants to find an alternative home.
The judge suggested videographing the demolition so that the jurisdictional court would later on know whether the measure was proportionate.
Source:wionews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.wionews.com/india-news/temple-or-mosques-they-have-to-go-indian-sc-on-encroachment-and-bulldozer-justice-763443
----------
Dr Zakir Naik Asks Nations to Unite In The Light Of The Holy Quran And Sunnah, At The Pakistan Parliament House
Islamic Scholar Dr Zakir Naik
-----
October 02, 2024
ISLAMABAD - Prominent religious scholar Dr Zakir Naik yesterday emphasized on the Muslim countries to shun their differences and unite in the light of the Holy Quran and Sunnah to confront the challenges being faced by the Muslim Ummah. He made these remarks in meeting with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, at the Parliament House, on Tuesday.
The Speaker welcomed Dr Zakir Naik and expressed his delight over his visit to Pakistan. During the meeting, matters pertaining to the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah, interfaith harmony, and other important issues were deliberated. Dr Zakir Naik praised the love and hospitality of the Pakistani people, stating that “the people of Pakistan are very loving and caring”. Dr Zakir Naik stated that Islam is a religion of peace, love, and brotherhood, and his missionary work aims to highlight the true message of peace and love in Islam across the world. He praised Pakistan’s role in promoting the true teachings of Islam and fostering unity among Muslims.
On this occasion, the Speaker NA stated that Islam is a complete code of life that promotes peace, tolerance, and love. Moreover, the Speaker urged the Muslim Ummah to come together and work in unity so that Islam’s true message can be projected across the world. The Speaker lauded the services rendered by Dr Zakir Naik’s in spreading the message of peace and love of Islam around the world. He further said that the Constitution of Pakistan provides equal rights to all citizens and that the rights of minorities are fully protected in the country. The Speaker stressed that the solution to the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah lies in unity and solidarity. Later on, Dr Zakir Naik, accompanied by the Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, visited the National Assembly Hall.
Source:nation.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.nation.com.pk/02-Oct-2024/zakir-naik-stresses-muslim-states-to-shun-differences
---------
Boko Haram Slaughter Farmers In Borno Hours After President, Governor Assured Of Security
2 October 2024
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Five farmers were slaughtered by Boko Haram terrorists at Ngoshe Community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, just hours after President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum delivered Independence Day messages promising enhanced security measures for farmers.
The attack, which occurred recently, has underscored the persistent threat posed by the terrorist group despite ongoing efforts to secure vulnerable communities.
Sources close to the situation told Vanguard that the victims were among several individuals abducted by the terrorists during the raid.
Additionally, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Jubril Zarana, who was known for his active participation with security forces in countering such attacks, was also killed in the confrontation.
A reliable source said, “We sorrowfully announce the abduction of about 15 farmers, including children, women, young and elderly, by Boko Haram terrorists in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA.
“The attack also resulted in the death of CJTF member, Jubril Zarana, and five other civilians. The terrorists ambushed the farmers while they were busy on their farms.
”The security agents ( Army and CJTF) tried their best to protect the people but they could not hold them for long.
“Jubril Dada Zarana was killed while defending his people, while the other victims were abducted alive.
“After terrorists took the victims to their base, they mercilessly slaughtered five people, including Isa Musa Moh’d Diyara, Doglas, Salawuddin Suleman Dauda Lawan, Maryam Gwambran, Matan Kaka Mobil Aga and Baba Amos.
“The Boko Haram terrorists later released three women captives. The released women stated that the other victims were held hostage by the terrorists, including Anna Andrew Gadzawaga, Hauwa Braga and two little unidentified boys.
“Moreover, some of the missing victims are Babawo Kanin Shagari, Ummi Trabos and Babson Yaron Teacher, among others.
“Dear Gwoza concerned citizens, please include our people in your prayers as they endure this helpless situation.
“It is an Independence Day, a day of celebration of freedom, human rights, progress and unity but for our people, its a day of sorrow, despair, helplessness and total dilemma.
“Our people are severely suffering due to lack of essential life supports but they have chosen to remain in their fatherland because of the love they have for it.
“Neither government nor NGOs are providing them with food supplies. The little farming they do to survive, they have to put their lives on the line in order to harvest what they have planted.”
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2024/10/02/boko-haram-slaughter-farmers-in-borno-hours-after-tinubu-zulum-assured-of-security/
----------
AlUla Archaeology Conference To Explore Challenges, Future Of Nomadic Societies
The conference, set to alternate with the AlUla World Archaeology Summit year after year, will bring together researchers and experts in archaeology and cultural heritage from around the world. (SPA)
-----
October 01, 2024
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla will host a global archaeology conference addressing the future of archaeology and the heritage of nomadic societies on Oct. 30-31.
The conference, set to alternate with the AlUla World Archaeology Summit year after year, will bring together researchers and experts in archaeology and cultural heritage from around the world.
Held at Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building, nestled amid the striking landscape of AlUla, the event will consist of presentations, dialogues, workshops and case studies. It will showcase a collection of archaeological artifacts discovered in AlUla.
The conference will highlight the essential role of mobility in shaping the world today.
Since prehistoric times, mobility has been the means to access new opportunities, improve living conditions, explore and address environmental challenges, and escape natural disasters and social and political instabilities.
While mobility remains challenging for some, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s movement restrictions at the time, the conference provides an opportunity to shed light on aspects of mobility and nomadic societies, challenging traditional assumptions about mobility in the past and present.
The conference will focus on the fundamental role of prehistoric mobility, when movement was the primary means to reach areas with new opportunities and seek life chances. Caravan mobility served as a means to address environmental challenges and natural disasters.
At a time when mobility remains a challenge, the conference offers an opportunity to illuminate different facets of mobility and nomadic societies.
Royal Commission for AlUla Vice President of Culture Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani said that the conference aimed to provide an advanced and pioneering platform for dialogue and collaboration, and would alternate with the summit the following year.
The commission, he said, sought to maintain the momentum generated by the summit last year through the conference, while preparing for AlUla World Archaeology Summit in 2025.
Alsuhaibani said that AlUla was one of the most active regions in the world for archaeological exploration, with more than 30,000 archaeological sites identified and 12 search projects in its rich cultural landscape.
“AlUla has held a unique position for thousands of years as a crossroads for civilizations, serving as a beacon for cultural and intellectual exchange,” Alsuhaibani said.
Key speakers at the conference include Professor Willeke Wendrich from the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles, archaeology Professor Stefano Biagetti from the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, and Peter Debrine, leader of Sustainable Tourism Programme at UNESCO World Heritage Center in Paris.
Research overseen by the Royal Commission for AlUla by Saudi and international archaeologists has shed light on various highlights of AlUla’s history through the ages, including the massive stone structures known as “mustatil” (rectangle in Arabic).
Among the wonders are the ancient stone-built traps for animals, known as “desert kites,” the long “funerary avenues” that connected oases and pastures through corridors lined with tombs, and the dwellings known as the “standing stone circles.”
Studies indicate that early societies in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula were more complex and interconnected with the broader region than previously believed.
The conference is anticipated to host the first global exhibition featuring archaeological pieces from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples in Italy.
The agenda also includes field visits to prominent archaeological sites in AlUla and surrounding areas of note, including Tayma and Khaybar.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573486/saudi-arabia
----------
How Michigan Muslim Group Uncommitted Movement’s Failure to Endorse Kamala Harris Could Alter Election
Vice President Kamala Harris
------
October 2, 2024
by David B. Grinberg Leave a Comment
In case you missed it last week, a Michigan-based national pro-Palestinian group announced it would not endorse Kamala Harris for president due to policy disagreements over the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.
The Uncommitted Movement has outsized political influence in Michigan due to the state’s large percentage of Muslim and Arab Americans. No Democrat in recent times has won the presidency without winning Michigan in the Electoral College.
Michigan alone could prove decisive by swinging a very close election to a win for either Vice President Harris or former president Trump.
In justifying the non-endorsement, the left-wing progressive Uncommitted Movement said Harris’ rejection of an arms embargo against Israel was central to its decision — despite the potential political repercussions regarding the U.S. election outcome.
“Harris’s unwillingness to shift on unconditional weapons policy…has made it impossible for us to endorse her,” the group stated.
But leaders of the Uncommitted Movement should have asked themselves one consequential question about the community it represents in America before refusing to endorse Harris:
How would Muslim Americans, Arab Americans and Palestinian Americans fare under a second Trump presidency?
The short answer: Badly.
Freedom and democracy are on the line for the Muslim and Arab American community — plus every American community — because if Trump wins again, there’s a good chance that neither will exist.
Why Michigan Matters
For those who are unaware, Michigan is one of three “Blue Wall” states which are essential for Harris to claim victory in the Electoral College (the others are Pennsylvania and Wisconsin).
“The movement began in Michigan when over 100,000 voters marked “Uncommitted,” in the state’s Democratic primary.”
“The state is home to the nation’s largest concentration of Arab Americans, making them an important electoral group as each presidential candidate attempts to win the crucial battleground state.”
“Last month, Harris met with the mayor of Dearborn, the nation’s largest Arab American community, while on Tuesday, Trump sat down with the mayor of Hamtramck, a majority-Muslim city in metro Detroit, seeking his endorsement.”
In response to the group’s consequential failure to endorse Harris, her campaign said the following:
“She will continue working to bring the war in Gaza to an end in a way where Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.”
The Uncommitted Movement’s failure to endorse Harris may depress voter turnout by Muslim and Arab Americans in Michigan, a state which could determine the election.
Muslim Ban & More
Unfortunately, the Uncommitted Movement did not think long and hard enough about the dangers a second Trump presidency would pose to the Muslim and Arab American community it represents — not to mention the Palestinian people in Gaza whose cause it champions.
Interestingly, on the same day the group’s non-endorsement was made public, Trump promised to reinstitute the so-called “Muslim Ban” on travel if he wins the election.
Trump also hinted at the possibility of deporting Muslim and Arab Americans he may deem as terrorist sympathizers or political enemies.
Trump said the following Thursday night (9/19) in a speech to a Jewish organization in Washington, DC:
“We will bring back the travel ban — you remember the famous travel ban.”
“We didn’t take people from certain areas of the world because I didn’t want to have people ripping down and burning our shopping centers and killing people.”
“We will deport the foreign Jihad sympathizers and Hamas supporters from our midst. We will get them out of our country.”
“I will ban refugee resettlement from terror-infested areas like the Gaza Strip and we will seal our border.” — Donald Trump
An Unrestrained Trump
What harm might an unrestrained President Trump cause to Muslim and Arab Americans in Michigan and across the country?
The Uncommitted Movement should have given more serious consideration to the fact that Trump will have unfettered immunity from prosecution during a second presidency, thanks to a recent highly controversial Supreme Court decision.
Trump’s actions toward Muslim and Arab Americans could be devasting during a second presidency. To wit:
Trump has already promised mass deportations of illegal immigrants generally. But he could also use that as a pretext to round up and deport whatever group of people he chooses.
Trump has already promised to crack down on political dissent he finds objectionable, without specifying who would be affected. That means civil rights protections would be eviscerated.
Trump has already promised a campaign of vengeance and retribution against his political enemies, without specifying who would be included.
Trump could include Muslim and Arab Americans in his unprecedented immigrant deportation plan by deeming them political enemies, if he so chooses.
Trump and Gaza
In the Middle East, a second Trump presidency would likely be terrible for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip — which is contrary to the primary mission of the Uncommitted Movement.
Trump could further empower Israel to take all military actions necessary to safeguard its national security based on the decisions of hardline right-wing Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Trump could also provide Israel with weapons even more lethal than the ones already being used by the Israeli Defense Force.
That means that Israel would most likely take over the Gaza Strip again. This was the case before the Iran-backed Hamas terrorists took control and held it for years.
Another Trump presidency would likely mean the aspirations of Palestinians for a sovereign state won’t happen any time soon.
An unrestrained Trump might even support a military occupation by Israel of the entire Gaza Strip and West Bank, or even annexation of those historically disputed territories by the Jewish State.
How would any number of potentially hostile policies by Trump benefit Muslim and Arab Americans domestically or Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank?
Final Thoughts
By failing to endorse Vice President Harris, the Uncommitted Movement demonstrated that bad policy decisions can be made when pure emotion to a singular cause drives the political calculus.
The group’s Middle East policy agenda of ending the war in Gaza and establishing a sovereign Palestinian state would fare much worse under Trump.
That’s why it would have been a smart and politically savvy move to endorse Harris. Such an endorsement would have been in the best interest of the communities represented by the Uncommitted Movement at home and abroad.
Did the group forget that Trump is an unwavering supporter of Israel and its hardline right-wing prime minister?
Trump also said in his speech Thursday night:
“In less than three weeks, October 7 marks the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. What a horrible time, unthinkable. We pray Israel will redeem their deaths with the ultimate victory.”
While Harris did not acquiesce to all the demands of the Uncommitted Movement— particularly regarding an arms embargo against Israel — a Harris-Walz presidency would clearly be much better for Muslim and Arab Americans than would a Trump-Vance presidency.
Another Trump presidency would be utterly disastrous for Muslim and Arab Americans in the United States, in addition to the Palestinian people in Gaza.
That’s why the Uncommitted Movement should have had the foresight and wisdom to fully endorse Harris. The group should not have sacrificed the good for the perfect.
Source:goodmenproject.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/how-michigan-muslim-groups-failure-to-endorse-kamala-harris-could-alter-election/
-----------
India
BJP Focuses On Assembly Seats Where Muslims Voted en Bloc In Recent Maharashtra LS Polls
By Shrinivas Deshpande
Oct 02, 2024
Pune: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has turned its attention to assembly seats falling under the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies where Mahayuti candidates were defeated due to what the party described as en masse voting by Muslims. The saffron party is taking up the issue while attempting to galvanise non-Muslim voters in and around the minority community-dominated constituencies for the upcoming assembly polls.
Speaking in Kolhapur on Monday, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis raised the issue, alleging what he called “vote jihad” was evident during the Lok Sabha elections. He cited Dhule as an example, where the BJP candidate lost due to voting patterns in Malegaon Central, a Muslim-majority area, despite leading in five other assembly segments in the constituency.
“Vote jihad was seen in the Lok Sabha election. In Dhule, the BJP candidate was leading by 1.90 lakh votes in five assembly segments. However, in Malegaon Central, where Muslims are in majority, we trailed by 1.94 lakh votes, leading to a defeat by just 4,000 votes,” Fadnavis said.
Despite the electoral defeat, Fadnavis expressed concern about the growing confidence among some groups, saying, “Some people believe that by voting in large numbers, they can defeat the Hindutva forces, even though they are a minority. This is the time for us to awaken.”
He said, “Of 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, 14 seats witnessed vote jihad. Hinduism has always respected other faiths; tolerance is in our blood. But if people are voting to elect anti-Hindu leaders, we need to awaken Hindutva.”
According to leaders part of BJP’s poll strategy core group, Muslim-dominated assembly constituencies in areas such as Amravati, Dhule, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Thane, and Bhiwandi were crucial for the party’s prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
A senior BJP leader, on condition of anonymity, said that despite “vote jihad” and “fake narratives”, the party only received 2.75% fewer votes than the MVA alliance, and even managed to gain 3.10 lakh more votes in Mumbai compared to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). “This shows that despite everything, people are with the BJP, and we will win the upcoming assembly elections and form the government,” said the leader.
The concept of analysing these voting patterns was initially presented by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who made a detailed presentation and published a booklet on the topic during a recent party meeting.
Somaiya said that in Dhule, the BJP candidate led by 1.91 lakh votes across five assembly segments—Dhule Rural, Sindhkheda, Malegaon Rural, Baglan, and Dhule. However, in Malegaon Central, the BJP received only 4,542 votes, while the Congress candidate secured 198,879 votes, resulting in a loss by 3,831 votes.
He pointed to Mumbai North-East, where BJP candidate Mihir Kotecha led in five assembly segments but trailed in the Mankhurd assembly constituency, where the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) candidate received 116,072 votes compared to Kotecha’s 28,101 votes. This led to a defeat by 29,831 votes.
In Mumbai North-Central, Somaiya said that BJP candidate Ujjal Nikam was leading until the 18th round of counting. However, once counting started in areas like Kurla and Vandre East, which includes Kureshinagar, Kasaiwada, Behrampada, and Navpada, the Congress candidate garnered 36,223 out of 36,814 votes, while the BJP received only 591, leading to Congress victory.
The BJP believes that the “vote jihad” strategy will not impact them in the upcoming assembly elections. “We are leading in most assembly segments. We have addressed issues faced by onion, soybean, and cotton farmers. Our schemes like Ladki Bahin are very popular, and we expect to increase our voter turnout by 8-10%,” said a party source.
Somaiya said that in constituencies like Dhule, where the BJP is leading in five out of six assembly segments, they are confident of victory. “Due to ‘vote jihad’ and the Dharavi issue, Hindu voters are realising what’s happening. Uddhav Thackeray has been exposed, and we expect a decrease in MVA’s Hindu Marathi voter base, particularly in Mumbai’s MMR region,” he said.
In response to Fadnavis’ comments, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said that the BJP leader should recognise the contribution of Muslim warriors in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army. “Fadnavis seems to have a weak grasp of history. There were indeed Muslim warriors in Shivaji Maharaj’s forces, and he should apologise,” he said.
Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra Assembly, said that the deputy chief minister’s statements were politically motivated. “The BJP continually focuses on issues like jihad, mosques, Hindu-Muslim relations, and Bharat-Pakistan. If they don’t mention these topics, they will not get votes and may lose their deposits in elections,” he said.
Source:hindustantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/bjp-focuses-on-assembly-seats-where-muslims-voted-en-bloc-in-recent-polls-101727811104089.html
----------
BJP’s Muslim membership doubles in a decade in Uttar Pradesh
Oct 2, 2024,
LUCKNOW: In a key political development indicating the saffron outfit's outreach towards the minority community, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has managed to almost double its membership from the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh in a decade.
Muslims in BJP accounted for around 1.25 lakh members after the drive which was conducted in 2014 when the party stormed to power with an overwhelming majority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Latest figures (updated till Sep 24) show that Muslim membership in BJP – during the first phase of the membership drive – has touched 2.35 lakh, which is almost 90% higher than its previous membership drive.
The surge, experts said, reflected a shift in political dynamics, especially considering the BJP's Hindutva pitch and its traditional voter base.
Data show that the maximum enrolment has come from politically crucial west UP region where at least 81,677 Muslims have taken the primary membership of the party.
This was significant since Muslims formed the most vital electoral bloc that has traditionally consolidated behind the opposition parties, primarily the Samajwadi Party and the Congress.
UP BJP Muslim Morcha president Kunwar Basit Ali said that the membership was expected to breach the 2.5 lakh mark in the next few days. He said that the current enrollment estimates were based on membership through referral links.
"We will now reach the Muslim households to ramp up the campaign," he told TOI. BJP's membership campaign has already entered its second phase which would continue till Oct 15.
Data show that the Braj region recorded the second highest Muslim membership of 37,857, followed by Awadh (31,631), Kashi (31,461) and Kanpur (28,634). The Gorakhpur region accounted for the lowest Muslim membership count of 25,963.
The BJP had roped in the minority morcha to step up its outreach campaign amongst Muslims from Sep 17. This includes organizing events in and around ‘madrassas' and ‘dargahs' (shrines) while reaching out to minority educational institutions and influential Sufi leaders.
The party had taken the help of Jamaat Ulema e Hind (JUH) and Ulama Foundation (UF) which have been supportive of the saffron outfit in the process.
This outreach strategy, sources said, represented a significant shift in the BJP's engagement with Muslim communities, historically perceived as distant from the party's core support base. The involvement of religious and community leaders like JUH and UF was also perceived as helping the party in broadening its appeal among Muslims, especially ahead of upcoming by-elections on 10 assembly seats.
The development evoked a sharp reaction from the Samajwadi Party. SP national spokesperson Abdul Hafiz Gandhi said it was nothing but a "data play" by the BJP. "The BJP should first spell out its plan for the welfare of Muslims. The community has been subjected to atrocious measures under the BJP govt. The community has been the biggest victim of their bulldozer politics," he said.
Significantly, the BJP brass has been maintaining that the Muslim community was one of the biggest beneficiaries of various welfare measures wheeled out by the dispensation. Analysts said that by improving its image among Muslim voters, the BJP aimed to blunt the opposition's aggressive positioning besides broadening its support base while addressing their perception of "exclusion" and projecting an inclusive political stance.
Source:indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/bjp-doubles-muslim-membership-in-uttar-pradesh-a-shift-in-political-dynamics/articleshow/113861934.cms
-----------
Maharashtra Congress President Asks Dy. CMTo Apologise For Vote Jihad Comment
Oct 1, 2024,
Mumbai: MPCC president Nana Patole on Tuesday asked deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to tender an unconditional apology for his comments on love jihad and vote jihad.
"At a recent public meeting, Fadnavis was speaking in his capacity as home minister and not in his personal capacity. He has blatantly undermined the value of equality," Patole said.
Patole said that social reformers like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Mahatma Phule had given a message of equality and the home minister of the same state commented on love and vote jihad.
"If incidents of love jihad have been reported, he must take stern action against errant persons. In our opinion, since the Mahayuti govt has failed on all fronts, Fadnavis is creating confusion in the minds of the people," Patole said.
On the Ladki Bahin scheme, Patole said the govt has launched a scheme with an eye on the ensuing assembly elections but the CM and both Dy CMs had maintained a discreet silence on 64,000 missing women. "We have been raising the issue of missing women on the floor of the house, but there is no response from the govt," Patole said.
Source:indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mpcc-president-demands-apology-from-fadnavis-over-vote-jihad-remarks/articleshow/113860884.cms
----------
Bihar: Seven kids injured in suspected bomb blast in Bhagalpur city
Dev Raj
02.10.24
At least seven children were injured, three of them seriously, in a suspected bomb blast in Bhagalpur city of Bihar, around 250km southeast of the state capital on Tuesday. The victims have been admitted to a government hospital.
The incident occurred at Khilafat Nagar locality under Habibpur police station in the city when the kids were playing in a field. The explosive device was kept at a garbage dump nearby and they supposedly fiddled with it.
“It seems that the blast occurred when the children inadvertently handled the explosive substance. Seven of them were injured and have been admitted to a hospital. All of them are out of danger. We are investigating the case and trying to ascertain the type of device and explosive used in it,” Bhagalpur senior superintendent of police Anand Kumar said.
The police said that the bomb could have been a country-made one, but all the children suffered shrapnel injuries, which could have come from iron nails and similar objects packed inside it.
The forensic team of the police was called to gather evidence from the place of occurrence.
Meanwhile, Habibpur station house officer Pankaj Kumar said that the injured children were giving two versions of the incident.
“Some of them are saying that the bomb was planted there and it exploded when they started playing with it. The others are asserting that a stranger came and threw the bomb at them. We are further investigating the matter,” Pankaj said.
Source:telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/bihar-seven-kids-injured-in-suspected-bomb-blast-in-bhagalpur-city/cid/2052430
----------
Delhi court extends interim bail to J&K MP Rashid Engineer till Oct 12
01.10.24
A Delhi court on Tuesday extended till October 12 the interim bail granted to Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid in terror funding case.
Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh directed Rashid to surrender before jail concerned on October 13.
The judge had on September 10 granted interim bail till October 2 to Rashid.
Source:telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-court-extends-interim-bail-to-jk-mp-rashid-engineer-till-oct-12/cid/2052354
----------
Pakistan
Struggle for constitutional courts not for sake of current CJP: Bilawal
Saleem Shahid
October 2, 2024 '
QUETTA: In an attempt to put all speculations regarding a purported extension for Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa to rest, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday said his struggle for constitutional courts was not for the sake of one individual rather aimed at arresting delays in the delivery of justice.
The PPP chairman also made it clear that his demand for constitutional courts was not new, pointing out that the creation of such a court would allow the judiciary to pay attention to constitutional matters without compromising on the cases of the common man.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari, who was on a two-day visit to Quetta, expressed these views while addressing the Balochistan High Court Bar.
History was witness to the fact that judges did not allow parliament to draft laws concerning the judiciary, but looked the other way when military rulers amended the constitution, he said, explaining that the judicial reforms would also ensure accountability within the legal community.
Pakistan needed constitutional courts at federal and provincial levels, he said, highlighting the need to put an end to the concept of ‘sacred cows’ within the judicial and military systems. He warned that discussions about setting up of military courts would resurface if the judicial system did not improve. Military courts were proposed when the judiciary was deemed incapable of bringing terrorists to justice, he added.
In this situation, the demand for constitutional courts was not an attempt to target one specific judge but a necessary reform that the country needed, the PPP chairman said, adding that the goal was to ensure a judiciary that functions independently and provides justice efficiently.
“PPP is committed to seeing these reforms through and will continue its struggle to ensure that justice and democracy prevail in Pakistan,” he said.
Lauding the sacrifices and struggle of lawyers in Balochistan for strengthening the democracy, he said the judiciary should be free from the influence of any entity that wears a uniform or wields a weapon.
He said he had a deep connection with the lawyers of Balochistan and recalled that he visited Quetta for condolence after the terrorist attack on lawyers but his tears were met with ridicule at that time.
He reminded them that his party’s journey did not begin with the toppling of Imran Khan’s puppet regime in a constitutional way through a no-confidence motion, but the untiring efforts by three generations of his family and party workers were all aimed at strengthening parliament. This struggle was not a quick revolution achieved in a day or a year rather a persistent fight, he remarked.
He said Benazir Bhutto struggled for over 30 years to restore the 1973 Constitution in its true spirit, though she could not see it happen in her life. Through the Charter of Democracy, she signed, the PPP later succeeded in restoring the 1973 Constitution via 18th Amendment, he added.
While sharing the hardships his family and party workers endured for the sake of democracy, Mr Bhutto-Zardari recounted the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, imprisonment of Benazir Bhutto, workers of the PPP and other democratic parties. He, his sibling and mother had to wait outside jail in extreme heat in order to meet his imprisoned father, he recalled, expressing disbelief at the PTI claims that they understood Bhuttos’ struggle better than he did.
He blamed the judiciary, military, and intelligence leadership of that time for conspiring behind the scenes fearing that the restoration of the constitution would reduce their influence over the democratic system.
He acknowledged the difficult times Pakistan was facing at present, but reminded the lawyers that the situation was equally dire during the era of a dictator who could not be spoken against.
He criticised the misuse of contempt laws to silence criticism of the judiciary and condemned how courts allowed military rulers to make unconstitutional amendments but denied elected representatives the same powers.
While arguing for judicial accountability and reforms in the appointment process of judges, he spoke against the ongoing interference in parliamentary matters by other institutions. He said it a matter of concern that the judicial reforms were being undermined and questioned whether delays in reforms would lead to decisions similar to Article 63(A) and further restrictions on constitutional amendments.
Source:dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1862490/struggle-for-constitutional-courts-not-for-sake-of-current-cjp-bilawal
----------
CJP Isa pokes holes in earlier opinion on Article 63A
Nasir Iqbal
October 2, 2024
ISLAMABAD: After much ado, the Supreme Court finally commenced hearing the Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA) review petition against the May 17, 2022, short order on the defection clause under Article 63A, after Justice Munib Akhtar and senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah successively chose not to sit on the larger bench.
After Justice Munib Akhtar reiterated his stance of not sitting on the bench, despite a request by the court, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa called a meeting of the three-judge committee under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Ordinance early Tuesday morning to consider his substitute and proposed the name of Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah.
After Justice Mansoor did not attend the meeting, his secretary Sadaqat Hussain was contacted. The secretary said that the judge would not be participating in the meeting and would not sit on the bench, either. Consequently, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan was added to the bench.
During the hearing, the CJP poked holes in the opinion rendered by the previous larger bench on the presidential reference and wondered how two constitutional jurisdictions could be merged. The CJP was alluding to the larger bench’s decision to hear the presidential reference under Article 186 (advisory jurisdiction) along with a petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.
“Are these jurisdictions different or the same; how could they be clubbed together,” the CJP wondered, explaining that under the presidential references, the court was supposed to give its opinion, whereas Article 184(3) provided the apex court jurisdiction under Article 199 for the enforcement of fundamental rights.
The CJP highlighted that the president could not be arraigned for contempt for not implementing the court opinion under the presidential reference but the same could be done for not implementing its orders under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. He was also surprised at how the PTI simultaneously moved the reference as well as the petition.
In its opinion of May 17, 2022, the Supreme Court held by a majority of three to two that Article 63A ensured the fundamental rights of a parliamentary party rather than the individual member; therefore, the vote polled contrary to the party lines should not be counted.
‘Rewrote the Constitution’
When SCBA President Shahzad Shaukat read out four questions put to the Supreme Court by former president Dr Arif Alvi through the presidential reference, the CJP wondered whether these questions were general questions in nature or loaded questions.
The counsel read out the four questions one by one, as well as the opinion rendered by the court and stressed that the majority judgement went on to rewrite the constitution through the opinion it rendered. Citing a number of judgements, the counsel argued that the previous judgements had held that Article 63A of the Constitution was perfectly a valid piece of legislation.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Chaudhry Aamir Rehman, who opposed the opinion on the presidential reference on behalf of the federal government, explained that disqualification was left to the discretion of the party head.
The CJP observed that if a vote against the party line was not going to be counted as per the opinion, then wouldn’t it negate Article 95 (no-confidence motion) of the Constitution? He further asked about the purpose of balloting if a vote was not to be counted. The situation after the judgement is that now the party is stuck with the whims of the party head in perpetuity, he observed.
He observed the matter of conscientious objector could be adjudicated upon, but what would be the gauge to determine it? The CJP also cited the example of the United Kingdom to substantiate his point, where several prime ministers had been removed by the party members.
The Supreme Court, however, asked the counsel to come prepared to the next hearing about practices in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia, especially how the party members behaved if they were not happy with the direction of the party head.
The court also ignored the request of Syed Ali Zafar, representing Imran Khan, to issue notice, saying the case was a widely reported case where no adversarial proceedings were taking place or the rights of any individual had been affected.
Even former President Dr Arif Alvi could join the proceedings if it suits him since he had filed the reference, the CJP observed, adding the court would hear anyone wanting to assist the court.
However, it did not allow Ali Zafar to raise his objection on the composition of the bench, saying the court would hear his opposition on his turn.
Source:dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1862492/cjp-isa-pokes-holes-in-earlier-opinion-on-article-63a
----------
Visually-impaired protesters, cops injured in clashes on The Mall
October 2, 2024
LAHORE: A number of protesting visually-impaired persons were allegedly injured on Tuesday in clashes with police on The Mall as they attempted to march towards the Chief Minister House.
Police claimed that some of the policemen were also injured in these clashes, which disrupted traffic on The Mall, resulting in congestion on other city arteries in the area, including Lytton Road, Fane Road, Temple Road etc.
The protesters, who have been staging a sit-in at Charing Cross, were intercepted by the police near Lawrence Garden, when they attempted to remove barriers placed on the road to block their movement towards the CM House.
Despite the police’s efforts to disperse them, the determined protesters continued their sit-in near the Governor House, leading to further clashes.
As a result, several visually-impaired protesters sustained injuries.
Given the intensity of the protest, deployment of police personnel was increased and additional barriers were placed on the roads leading to the Chief Minister House and Governor House.
One of the protesters, Abdul Shakoor, a resident of Lahore, claimed that as many as 40 people were injured in the clashes with police and were admitted to different hospitals, including Services and Sir Ganga Ram.
He said they had been protesting for the last nine days and were demanding lifting of the ban on the jobs for differently-abled persons.
He said the police also baton-charged the protesters to disperse them, but still 600 to 700 of them were sitting outside the CM House.
He said there were 7,000 seats meant for differently-abled persons lying vacant in 40 departments of the provincial government, while there were only 1,500 applicants for these slots.
He said around 600 differently-abled persons had been given daily-wage jobs, demanding they should be provided permanent jobs.
He said the government had been assuring them of lifting the ban on jobs after every protest in the past, but no step was taken in this regard.
He said some of the protesters have also been admitted to hospital with dengue fever.
A Lahore police spokesperson claimed police were showing restraint and not using force against the visually-impaired protesters. However, he added, necessary measures were taken to maintain law and order.
He said some police officials were also injured when they tried to stop the protesters from approaching the CM House.
He said the injured policemen include Lytton Road SHO Mr Waqas, Civil Lines official Nauman Maqsood, Sheharyar of Anti-Riot Force (ARF), Qurban Lines,Tahir of ARF Special Squad, Saggian, Sufyan and Arslan of ARF, besides constables Emmanuel, Daniyal Ahmed and Aziz.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of the protest by the visually-impaired persons and directed the police to show restraint and not to take any strict action against them.
She also directed Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman to resolve the issues of the visually-impaired persons through a dialogue.
She expressed her sympathies for the police personnel injured during the clashes with the protesters.
Source:dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1862423/visually-impaired-protesters-cops-injured-in-clashes-on-the-mall
----------
Governor praises PM for bold stance at unga on Muslim issues
October 01, 2024
Attock - Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haidar Khan has said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, during his address at the UN General Assembly, played the role of a true Muslim leader by boldly highlighting the brutalities against Muslims in Palestine, Gaza, and Indian-occupied Kashmir. He stated this while addressing a gathering in village Kot Chajji of Attock district after laying the foundation stone for a 9.6 km long carpet road, which will be completed at the cost of Rs 158 million.
The governor praised Premier Shehbaz Sharif and urged other Muslim leaders to follow his example. He emphasized the need for Islamic countries to unite and play their role. Sardar Saleem Haidar added that Pakistan cannot live in isolation and must continue advocating for the oppressed Muslim communities.
Discussing internal politics, the governor urged all political parties to work together for the country’s development, stressing the importance of utilizing the nation’s abundant resources effectively. He highlighted the government’s efforts to bring Jand tehsil of Attock district on par with developed areas, mentioning the ongoing formalities for establishing an Engineering University campus in Jand and the upcoming opening of a Dialysis Center at THQ Hospital in Pindigheb.
The governor also inaugurated a water supply scheme for village Uchhri, to be completed at a cost of Rs 3 million. He called on local leadership to unite for the district’s progress. Sardar Saleem Haidar reflected on his tenure as an MNA, noting that he provided gas facilities to 55 villages. He thanked President Asif Zardari for the opportunity to serve Punjab and expressed confidence that Bilawal Bhutto would become the next Prime Minister. He also stressed that vice-chancellors in Punjab’s universities would be appointed on merit.
Governor Haidar criticized politicians, stating they were responsible for the country’s current condition. Upon his arrival, the governor received a warm welcome.
Source:nation.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.nation.com.pk/01-Oct-2024/governor-praises-pm-for-bold-stance-at-unga-on-muslim-issues
-----------
Africa
‘We Are Not Afraid Of Death’ – Terrorist Turji Gives Conditions For Peace
1 October 2024
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
A notorious figure associated with terrorism activities, Bello Turji, has accused both the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, of politicizing the state’s insecurity issues.
Turji, who is believed to have fled Zamfara following intensified military actions against terrorist groups, shared these accusations in a newly released video.
In the video, Turji, seated on a brand-new motorcycle and armed, sets conditions for restoring peace in Zamfara. He demanded that security forces and vigilante groups cease their attacks and killings of Fulanis in the state and other areas.
He asserts that the actions of these local security entities exacerbate the ongoing conflict and violence.
Turji also criticized the ongoing blame game between Governor Lawal and Matawalle, labelling it as political maneuvering that overlooks the welfare of the local people.
According to Turji, both leaders are not acting in the best interests of their constituents, using the state’s security crisis to advance their political agendas.
Turji said, “Governor Dauda Lawal and Bello Matawalle labelling each other as terrorists (sponsors) will not help. I want the people of Zamfara to understand that they are just politicians without the interest of the people of Zamfara in their hearts.
“When (Mr) Matawalle was the governor who was sponsoring us? Similarly, when Abdulaziz Yari was the governor who was sponsoring us? Nobody is sponsoring us except God.”
He said the armed conflict in Zamfara predated both Messrs Dauda and Matawalle and was happening since the time of former governor Ahmed Yerima.
“It was during the administration of Yerima that the government sold out the grazing reserve and legalised the killing of the Fulanis. When Muhmud Shinkafi came on board, he tried unsuccessfully to address the problem. Abdulaziz Yari came and empowered the vigilante, but we are still struggling,” Turji said.
He said Mr Matawalle administered the state for four years, and Governor Dauda has been in office for just two years, but only God, not the governors, can stop the conflict.
“This is why we are calling on all of you to come and collaborate with us for peace to reign and stop the bloodbath in Zamfara. Gun and airstrike will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” Mr Turji said.
Turji, who also confirmed the killing of Halilu Sububu, whom he described in the video as his master, said the killing only emboldened the younger generation among them to carry on with the deadly attacks on the people.
He added, “Kachallah Halilu Sububu is not the first person to be killed; several others were killed. The killing of Halilu Sububu will not deter us from doing what we are doing unless you stop killing our brothers in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger states.
“Your only plan is to exterminate the Fulani race while God has been protecting us. Even if you kill us, it’s God who ordained that to happen, but it’s not by your power.”
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2024/10/01/we-are-not-afraid-of-death-terrorist-turji-gives-conditions-for-peace/
-----------
Buhari Defeated Boko Haram, Not Jonathan – Ahmad Replies Ndume
1 October 2024
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
A former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has stated that Boko Haram was largely and technically defeated by the time President Buhari left office.
Ahmad made these comments in response to claims by Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South, who credited former President Goodluck Jonathan with significant strides in combating the extremist group.
According to Ahmad, when Buhari assumed office, Boko Haram had control over 17 local government areas in Borno State, showcasing the severity of the insurgency at the time.
He emphasized that during Buhari’s presidency, major parts of Borno, along with areas in Adamawa and Yobe States, were initially inaccessible due to terrorism activities.
He said, “It is hilarious when I read a report in the Daily Trust where Sen. Ali Ndume from Borno attempted to credit former President Jonathan for defeating Boko Haram.
“While history is often one of the easiest things to be rewritten in Nigeria, this particular one will be very difficult to change.
“It’s well-documented that when President Buhari took office in 2015, 17 local government areas in Borno were under full control of the terrorist group.
“Large parts of the state including the Senator’s hometown, with areas in Yobe and Adamawa, were inaccessible even by the security at the time.
“Critical infrastructure like airports, schools, hospitals, markets, and many government facilities were all shut down. By the time President Buhari left office in 2023, Boko Haram had largely been defeated and technically became a thing of the past.”
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2024/10/01/buhari-defeated-boko-haram-not-jonathan-ahmad-replies-ndume/
----------
UN extends Haiti security mission mandate for another year
1 October 2024
The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Monday to extend the mandate of the Kenya-led multinational force helping to tackle gang violence in Haiti, after brushing off a call from Haiti to start talks on transforming it into a U.N. peacekeeping mission.
According to the final draft obtained by The Associated Press, China and Russia succeeded in eliminating the paragraph in the resolution that acknowledged the call by the president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council at the U.N. General Assembly “to start a discussion” on moving to a U.N. peacekeeping force.
Last Thursday’s call by Edgard Leblanc Fils was the first public announcement of support by a government official since the United States proposed a UN peacekeeping mission in early September as a way to secure more resources for the Kenya-led mission.
Nearly 400 Kenyan officers are now in Haiti, joined by nearly two dozen police officers and soldiers from Jamaica. The officers fall significantly short of the 2,500 pledged by various countries, including Chad, Benin, Bangladesh and Barbados for the mission. It is also seriously short of funding.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council that the 15-0 vote “sends a strong message to the people of Haiti: The world is standing with you. And we are unwavering in our efforts to help restore security and stability and put the country on the path to peace and stability.”
She said additional financial contributions are urgently needed for the multinational force and also called on council members to heed Haiti’s call for a U.N.-funded peacekeeping operation.
A senior U.S. official said adoption of the resolution will trigger a U.S. effort to work with Haitian authorities and partners to transform the operation into a peacekeeping force. Those who oppose a U.N. force will have to explain why they're against a call from the Haitian government, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with rules set by the Biden administration.
China’s deputy U.N. ambassador Geng Shuang countered that “The U.N. has sent multiple peacekeeping operations in Haiti, but the results have never been satisfactory, and the lessons learned have been extremely profound.”
He called for the implementation of the mandate of the Kenya-led force, stressing that discussing other options now will only interfere with its operation, and adding that peacekeeping operations are not “a panacea.”
“Haiti does not have the conditions for the deployment of peacekeeping operations right now,” Geng told the council after the vote.
Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky echoed his Chinese ally, saying only three months have passed since the deployment of the Kenyan officers and Russia expects the multinational force to expand its presence.
“Until this happens, we believe it is premature to plan any transformation to the international presence or any changes thereof,” he said.
Source:africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/10/01/un-extends-haiti-security-mission-mandate-for-another-year/
-----------
I can swear with Qur’an I never stole as Kaduna Governor — El-Rufai
October 1, 2024
Former Kaduna Governor Malam Nasiru El-Rufai has said he can swear by the Holy Qur’an that he did not steal public funds while in office, challenging his predecessors and other leaders to do the same.
He also announced plans to return to politic in 2027 after he must have finished his studies.
Speaking in Hausa during a live programme on Freedom Radio Kaduna, El-Rufai stated that he joined politics to serve the people and not to enrich himself.
He insisted he was financially content before becoming Governor.
“I did not go into politics to steal money. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor. I am ready to swear with the Qur’an to prove my innocence if other former governors and current leaders would do the same,” he said.
El-Rufai, who served as Governor between 2015 and 2023, claimed that his administration has been accused without evidence of misappropriation.
He alleged his aides were being targeted by anti-corruption agencies as part of a smear campaign.
“My aides are being invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. However, there is no evidence showing where money went missing or who took it,” he added.
The former Governor said he has left everything to Allah’s judgment and has prayed for guidance in all his actions.
He also disclosed he has directed his lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing his name.
I am not worried. I know I never took money that belonged to the people, and I will remain focused on my personal activities, like reading and writing,” El-Rufai said.
He further announced plans to return to politics in 2027 after completing his studies, reaffirming that his focus remains on serving the people.
“There is no retirement in politics. By the will of Allah, we will return and continue serving the people,” he concluded.
Source:thenationonlineng.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thenationonlineng.net/i-can-swear-with-quan-i-never-stole-as-kaduna-governor-el-rufai/#google_vignette
----------
Arab World
Riyadh International Book Fair fostering China, Saudi Arabia cultural exchange
RAHAF JAMBI
October 01, 2024
RIYADH: Publishers are seeing a growing demand from readers in Saudi Arabia for Chinese literature as the two nations continue to strengthen cultural and political ties.
The Riyadh International Book Fair, which opened on Thursday, serves as a vital platform for connecting Saudi Arabia with the global community.
The event emphasizes the importance of translating international works into Arabic to foster cultural exchange, particularly with China.
A leading participant at the book fair is Bayt El-Hekma, an organization which specializes in translating Chinese literature into Arabic. It has already translated classics including “The Art of War” and “Three Kingdoms.”
Amr Moghith, the editorial manager of Bayt El-Hekma, said: “I see a demand from Saudis to learn the Chinese language. With every year, the demand for Chinese books increases.”
He added: “When the House of Wisdom Cultural Group was established, it was with the aim of building bridges between the Chinese and Arab cultures.
“This has been achieved cumulatively. Initially, the demand for Chinese literature was somewhat weak, although people were curious about Chinese culture, which has a rich history extending back over 5,000 years.”
Moghith said that while there are significant differences in the cultures of the Chinese and Arab worlds, the recent translations, both ways, have led to a surge in interest.
“The demand has become greater, especially since it brings together the Chinese and Arab cultures, which have had longstanding relations since the Silk Road,” he explained, referencing the ancient trade route.
He said Chinese was now being taught in Saudi schools. “This is an important step that helps many Saudis learn about Chinese culture.
“China wants to convey that it is not just a manufacturing or trading country, but a civilization with deep historical roots.
“It seeks to communicate with countries in the East and the Middle East, particularly given the old relations.”
In addition, Bayt El-Hekma, which was established in Egypt in 2011, aims to enrich the understanding of Chinese culture among Arabic speakers and operates an academy for those eager to learn the language.
Saudi Arabia has organized several events to boost relations with China.
For instance, on Sept. 26, the Museums Commission inaugurated the exhibition “The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow” at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax.
This event marks the first showcase of contemporary Chinese artists in Saudi Arabia.
It highlights the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission to enhance cultural exchange.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573546/saudi-arabia
----------
Talal Foundation, Saudi Human Rights Commission Unite To Support Women, Children
October 01, 2024
RIYADH: The Talal Foundation and the Saudi Human Rights Commission have signed a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen efforts in protecting the rights of women and children.
The partnership aims to safeguard the legal rights of women and children, conduct studies on maternal and childcare needs, and launch community initiatives to support victims of violence and family breakdown across the Kingdom, in coordination with the non-profit sector.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal, secretary-general of Talal Endowment, welcomed the memorandum’s signing and expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their commitment to the human rights system in the Kingdom and their dedication to strengthening the legal framework and empowering authorities to protect these rights.
“At Talal Foundation, we are committed to advancing human rights. We seek to collaborate with relevant organizations to achieve these goals and strongly believe in the nonprofit sector’s role in promoting legal awareness and ensuring a decent life for women, children, and all individuals whose rights are guaranteed by Sharia and the law,” Prince Abdulaziz said.
He highlighted the significant progress made in legal reforms, women’s empowerment, children’s rights, and combating human trafficking.
Prince Abdulaziz also thanked Hala Al-Tuwaijri, president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, and the commission’s staff for their ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with the non-profit sector.
“I commend the commission’s efforts and the strides it is making to uphold human dignity and rights. Its strategic plans and strong presence in international forums reflect true dedication,” he noted.
“We ask God for guidance and continued success and hope that Talal Endowment can be a supportive partner in serving our society and country,” he added.
The agreement focuses on enhancing maternal and childcare, supporting victims of violence, and addressing family disintegration through community-driven initiatives, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573498/saudi-arabia
----------
Minister meets newly appointed Dominican ambassador to Saudi Arabia
October 01, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati met on Tuesday with the newly appointed ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Saudi Arabia, Andy Rodriguez Duran.
Al-Sati welcomed him to the Kingdom and wished him success in his new duties. The two also discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest.
Also on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs Ali Al-Yousef received the Algerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sherif Walid. They discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and consular topics of shared concern.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573544/saudi-arabia
----------
Attorney general leads Saudi delegation at international prosecutors’ conference in Azerbaijan
October 01, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s attorney general, Sheikh Saud Al-Mojeb, is leading a high-level delegation from the Kingdom at the 29th International Association of Prosecutors Conference, which began on Tuesday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In addition to prosecutors from around the world, the participants at the three-day event include representatives of international organizations that combat terrorism, human trafficking and other transnational crime.
The Saudi delegation, which includes officials from the Public Prosecution and the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, will take part in global discussions about mutual legal assistance, extradition procedures, and the exchange of information to help enhance international cooperation in the field of criminal justice.
On the opening day of the conference, Al-Mojeb took part in meetings with counterparts from Austria, Croatia, Turkiye, Georgia, Malta, Kenya and Nepal. They discussed the importance of developing cooperative frameworks to address common challenges related to cross-border crime and criminal justice, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Saudi delegation also met a high-level team from South Korea’s Public Prosecution Office, during which they exchanged insights about the use of technology in criminal investigations, and discussed opportunities for further collaboration in justice-related fields.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573535/saudi-arabia
----------
Saudi Arabia updates regulations for temporary work visas for Hajj and Umrah services
October 01, 2024
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced on Tuesday updates to the regulations governing temporary work visas for Hajj and Umrah services, Saudi Press Agency reported.
These changes, approved by the Saudi Cabinet in its session on Tuesday, will aim to provide more flexibility for the private sector, allowing businesses to better align visa needs with labor market demands and contribute to creating a more attractive work environment, SPA added.
One of the updates is the renaming of the seasonal work visa to the “temporary work visa for Hajj and Umrah services,” and extending the grace period for these visas from Shaban 15 until the end of Muharram (around Feb. 14 to July 25).
The new regulations will also address the needs of establishments operating during the Umrah season, by expanding their eligibility for temporary work visas.
The updated regulations outline clear timeframes required to complete visa-related procedures, enhancing governance and transparency.
In addition, the ministry emphasized the protection of both employers and employees by mandating that a signed employment contract be provided to both parties, and requiring medical insurance as a prerequisite for obtaining a visa through Saudi embassies and consulates abroad.
The new regulations will also introduce penalties aimed at preventing misuse of temporary work visas.
Businesses will now enjoy greater flexibility, with the option to extend visas for an additional 90 days and will no longer require endorsement when issuing temporary visas, streamlining the process.
These amendments are set to take effect 180 days after their approval, offering businesses time to adapt to the new system while ensuring that operations during the Hajj and Umrah seasons run smoothly.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573523/saudi-arabia
-----------
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait sign MoU to boost cultural cooperation
October 01, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Kuwait’s Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman bin Bedah Al-Mutairi met at the Riyadh International Book Fair.
They emphasized the strong historical ties between the two countries and the importance of cultural collaboration under the Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council.
The ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature.
The MoU covers collaboration in heritage, architecture, design, museums, visual arts, theater, literature, publishing, translation, fashion, culinary arts and film, as well as sharing expertise, participating in festivals and cultural events.
As UNESCO members, they will coordinate agreements and contribute to strategic cultural projects, establish artistic residencies, and implement heritage preservation projects.
Kuwait’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Sabah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, also attended the meeting.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573476/saudi-arabia
----------
North America
Statement by Minister Khera and Special Representative Amira Elghawaby on Canadian Islamic History Month
October 1, 2024
Today marks the beginning of Canadian Islamic History Month. It’s a chance for all Canadians to learn more about the history and contributions of Canadian Muslims.
Muslim communities have played an immense role in shaping our country. With ancestry from more than 50 countries around the world, Muslims in Canada represent a variety of racialized and ethnocultural groups. More than 1.8 million Muslims call Canada home, comprising nearly five percent of our country’s population.
Muslim communities contribute to all parts of our society, excelling in the arts and literature, finance, medicine, law, academia, engineering, entrepreneurship, education, communications, science, sports and more.
This year, Canadian Islamic History Month comes at a particularly challenging time, as the humanitarian crises in the Middle East and other areas in the world continue to unfold. We continue to call for peace and de-escalation of tensions across the Middle East.
As Muslim communities observe this important commemorative month, we must also recognize the systemic barriers and devastating effects of Islamophobia here at home. It is our collective duty to stand against Islamophobia, racism, and hate in all their forms, wherever and whenever they occur. The federal government is committed to protecting everyone living in Canada and combatting all forms of hate and racism.
The federal government recently announced Canada’s first-ever Action Plan on Combatting Hate, which includes additional funding to support the work of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia as well as the new Canada Community Security Program, introduced to replace and enhance the work undertaken through the Security Infrastructure Program. In addition, with Canada’s newly launched Anti-Racism Strategy, the federal government is taking a comprehensive approach to tackling systemic racism and discrimination in Canada and building a safer, fairer and more inclusive society for everyone.
It is also essential to celebrate and remember the significant contributions of Muslim communities in Canada. That is why, through Budget 2022, the federal government invested $4 million to support the Muslims in Canada Archive. Through its work, Muslims in Canada Archive helps acquire, organize, preserve and make accessible records of and about Muslim people and organizations in Canada.
We invite all Canadians to take part in the activities taking place across the country to get to know their Muslim friends, neighbours, colleagues and community members better. Happy Canadian Islamic History Month!
Source:canada.ca
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2024/09/statement-by-minister-khera-and-special-representative-amira-elghawaby-on-canadian-islamic-history-month.html
-----------
Coca-Cola Allows Satan, Allah and Kamala on Personalized Cans, But Not Jesus or Trump?
Oct. 1, 2024
Nikki Dobrin
Coca-Cola has been accused of blocking certain names and phrases, such as "Jesus" and "Trump 2024," from its personalized can service while allowing others, such as "Satan" and "Harris Walz 2024," to be used. These allegations have sparked calls to boycott the iconic beverage brand.
On Sept. 24, 2024, one X user criticized Coca-Cola for the alleged decision, saying it discriminated against Christians. That post had amassed more than 7.9 million views as of this writing.
Many social media users condemned the apparent name restrictions, with one person writing: "You block Jesus but allow every other deity including Satan! Welcome to Bud Lights legacy. You were the number one cola. You're dead to Christians!"
Another said: "This is outrageous! Coca-Cola censoring political and religious speech to fit their own agenda is the very definition of election interference. It's time we hit back where it hurts—their wallets."One popular X account wrote: "@CocaCola's custom can website allows you to use 'Harris Walz 2024' but restricts you from using 'Trump 2024' because it's 'political in nature' or 'offensive.' Care to explain @CocaCola?"
Snopes contacted Coca-Cola for an explanation regarding the names that are and are not permitted. We will update this article if the company responds. However, its public guidelines were clear about restrictions on controversial names.
According to Coca-Cola's personalization tool, the platform follows strict guidelines, preventing the names of religious figures, political slogans, and potentially offensive content. For example, adding the name "Pope" triggered the following message:
What Happens When You Enter 'Jesus' or 'Trump 2024'?
Several of the clips shared to X featured interactions with Coca-Cola's digital vending machines in public retail settings. However, Snopes conducted independent tests using the official online Coca-Cola Store for creating a "Personalized 12 fl oz. Can of Coca-Cola."
Here's what we found when we attempted to include the names mentioned in the above posts:
Jesus: Coca-Cola returned the same message we posted above, which stated: "Looks like the name you requested is not approved. Names and phrases may not be approved if they are trademarked, political in nature, names of countries, celebrities, religious figures, as well as anything that could be considered offensive for other reasons. Oftentimes, a name might be accepted if you add a last name to the submission."
Satan: Contrary to the social media claims, the same message appeared as above.
Allah: Also contradicting several social media claims, this name was also blocked, likely for religious reasons.
Adding last names to religious names: Due to the automatic message that popped up suggesting that "a name might be accepted if you add a last name to the submission," we added common last names to those of a religious nature, including "Jesus Johnson," "Satan Jones," "Allah Wong," and "Buddha Cohen." Each time, we received the same automatic message, similar to the one above, saying the "phrase you've submitted is not recognized and requires further review."
Biblical names: Snopes tested multiple names from the Bible. Of those, we found the following biblical names were not permitted: "Moses," "Judah," "Judas," and "Bathsheba." However, the following, among many other older names, were allowed, pending review: "Barack," "Abraham," "Abijah," "Levi," "Ahab," and "Job."
Trump 2024 and Harris Walz 2024: We also tested the political names mentioned in the X posts. Both "Trump 2024" and "Harris Walz 2024" were restricted, citing the company's policy against content that is political in nature.
Political names: Names like "The Donald" or "Donald Trump" were not permitted, but "Donald" was. Meanwhile, "Kamala" and "Harris" were not allowed. The name "Tim" was allowed, while "Walz" was not. Lastly, while both "JD" and "J.D." were acceptable, the name "Vance" was rejected.
Celebrity names: While the automatic message warned that names and phrases may not be approved if they were trademarked or the names of celebrities, we tested several names of famous people that could be common among the populace, and several that may be less common. We found that while celebrity names at the more common end of the spectrum, like "Jason Alexander," "Daniel Craig" and "Jennifer Lopez," were all accepted, pending review, other names that may be less common, like "Jason Momoa," "Daniel Radcliffe" and "Jennifer Aniston," were not accepted.
In sum, Coca-Cola's personalized can service uses an automated system to filter out names and phrases deemed political, religious or potentially offensive. Both "Jesus" and "Trump 2024" fell into categories that triggered restrictions, according to the corporation's public guidelines.
Claims that names like "Satan" or "Harris Walz 2024" are permitted, while others like "Trump 2024" and "Jesus" are not, were inconsistent with our findings, which showed that political and religious names were uniformly restricted regardless of affiliation or nature.
However, we cannot account for individual experiences that users may have had with Coca-Cola's service, particularly those involving temporary glitches, updates or retroactive changes following social media backlash. For these reasons, we have chosen not to provide a definitive rating on this occasion and will continue to monitor the situation for any developments
Snopes has previously addressed claims regarding Coca-Cola, including the truth that yellow caps on Coke bottles have a special meaning, and the claim that Coca-Cola used to contain cocaine.
Source:snopes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.snopes.com/news/2024/10/01/coca-cola-personalized-can-names-allowed/
-----------
US says it helped Israel shoot down Iran missiles
02.10.2024
The US fired about a dozen interceptors at Tuesday's barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles fired at Israel, the Pentagon says.
US President Joe Biden said the US "actively" supported Israel's defence at his direction. He said he had spent the morning in the Situation Room - the White House hub for handling serious national security issues.
The Israeli military said about 180 missiles were fired at Israel, most of which were intercepted.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has defended the attack, calling it a "decisive" response "in defence of Iranian interests and citizens".
In a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday, Maj Gen Patrick Ryder said two US Navy destroyers fired the interceptors at the missiles, which the US believed were all launched from Iran.
He did not confirm whether they hit any of the Iranian missiles used in the attack - adding that this information was yet to be determined.
Iran launched around 180 missiles towards Israel, the Israeli military said. That would make it slightly larger than a barrage in April when Tehran launched about 110 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles fired towards Israel.
Maj Gen Ryder added that the Pentagon was not aware of any warning for the attack.
President Biden said the US was "fully supportive" of Israel after Wednesday's assault.
"Today, at my direction, the United States military actively supported the defence of Israel, and we're still assessing the impact," he said.
"But based on what we know now, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective. And this is testament to the Israeli military capability and the US military."
Asked by reporters what the response towards Iran would be, Biden said: "That's in active discussion right now. That remains to be seen."
He said he would be talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his message "would depend on what we finally conclude is needed".
The region is now well into a further sharp cycle of escalation, precisely the scenario Biden has spent months trying to avert - attempting to stem the Gaza war engulfing the rest of the region, while keeping up an almost continuous supply of arms to Israel.
Earlier, White House national security spokesman Jake Sullivan described Iran's attack as a "significant escalation".
He told reporters: "We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case."
Mr Sullivan did not specify what such consequences might be, but he did not urge restraint by Israel as the US did after April's attack by Iran.
US state department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington had attempted to use both deterrence and diplomacy to de-escalate the region.
Pressed by the BBC on whether it was still taking this approach when working with the Israelis on the response to Iran, he said of course - they were always using both deterrence and diplomacy.
Iran's armed forces warned against any direct military intervention in support of Israel.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that the attacks were in response to Israel's killing of a top IRGC commander and leaders of Iran-backed militias in the region.
It mentioned the killings of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan in Lebanon last weekend.
It also referred to the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
While Israel has not admitted involvement in Haniyeh's death, it is widely believed to be responsible.
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyv0ne41pzo
-----------
Europe
Austria embraces far-right party with Nazi roots, anti-Muslim stance
1st Oct 2024,
The far-right in Europe received another boost on Sunday with Austria’s Freedom Party (FPO) securing a “historic parliamentary election victory”.
The success of the EU-sceptic party in Austria follows recent electoral gains by far-right parties in Dutch, French, German and European Union elections.
FPO leader Herbert Kickle is both anti-immigration and anti-Islam. His electoral programme called “Fortress Austria” seeks to end political asylum entirely—a promise that breaches EU rules.
But what sets the FPO apart from many other far-right European parties is the apparent reluctance of its leadership to completely break away from its Nazi past.
For the first time in the Second Republic, which is another name for modern Austria that emerged as an independent country following its annexation by Germany during World War II, the far-right FPO is likely to lead the coalition government at the federal level.
Successor of the Nazi Party
The FPO was established in 1956 by Anton Reinthaller, a former officer of the dreaded SS—Schutzstaffel, or the Protection Squads—the elite corps of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party.
It is also an “indirect successor” of the Austrian Nazi party NSDAP, wrote Dr Walter Manoschek in his book titled The Haider Phenomenon in Austria, a compilation of scholarly work on the FPO’s long-time leader Jorg Haider.
Reinthaller served as minister of agriculture as well as an SS member following the incorporation of Austria into Germany in March 1938.
The close association of the FPO’s top leadership with the Nazis didn’t end with the demise of Reinthaller. The three candidates for the election of the second FPO chairman were all diehard Nazis.
For example, Hermann Neubacher served as mayor of Vienna in the Nazi era. Similarly, Lothar Rendulic was a former general of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945.
Friedrich Peter, who ultimately replaced Reinthaller, held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the SS hierarchy.
Peter was later revealed as a former member of the First SS Brigade, a unit responsible for the murder of thousands of civilians in the Soviet Union.
“All candidates, therefore, had a strong Nazi past,” said Dr Manoschek, a professor of political science at the University of Vienna.
He writes that the party extended support to a minority government in 1970 and, as a result, had as many as four former members of the Austrian Nazi party NSDAP appointed to key ministerial posts.
The FPO gained further prominence under the leadership of Haider who led the outfit from 1986 to 2000. He “manoeuvred skilfully between suggestions and plain speaking” with respect to the Nazi past of Austria.
With regard to the members of Waffen-SS, the combat branch of the Nazi Party’s paramilitary organisation, the FPO leader commented that they were “decent individuals with character who stick to their beliefs despite strong opposition”.
Waffen-SS was condemned as a criminal organisation at the Nuremberg Trials, which were held in 1945-46 to indict former Nazi leaders as war criminals.
According to Dr Manoschek, Haider admired the “strength of character” and ideological loyalty of Waffen-SS members, insisting that Nazi concentration camps were, in fact, labour camps.
“[Haider’s] views are shared and supported by the FPO as a whole,” Dr Manoschek wrote.
Haider was far from the only FPO leader with an apparent tilt towards Nazism.
As for Nazi gas chambers, John Gudenus, another FPO leader and a member of the upper house of Austrian parliament, said: “Gas chambers? I am not going to get involved in that!”
Yet another FPO leader, Reinhard Gaugg, defined the letters in the word Nazi as “new, attractive, single-minded and ingenious.”
Anti-Muslim rhetoric
Central to the FPO’s identity in recent years has been its overt opposition to Islam and Muslim immigration.
The party's anti-Muslim rhetoric seems to have played a major role in its electoral success as the sentiment resonates with segments of the Austrian electorate concerned about cultural identity, national sovereignty and social cohesion.
On average, four anti-Muslim racist cases a day were documented in Austria during 2023, according to Dokustelle Austria, a civil society group that monitors racism against Muslims in the EU nation.
The number of hate crimes against Muslims in the last three months of 2023 was more than the combined figure for the January-September period. The civil rights monitor attributed the sharp increase in the number of cases to the “local impact of global phenomena” such as Israel's indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, which has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
Muslim immigrants became central targets of the FPO post-9/11, while the refugee crisis and growing concerns about terrorism and security in Europe also cemented the party’s anti-Muslim position.
The Freedom Party stated in a position paper released in 2008 that the legal recognition of Islam be restricted to the Bosnian white Muslims who had been a part of Austria for a long time while other, newer immigrants should not have similar rights.
By the 2000s, the FPO began focusing more explicitly on Islam, portraying it as inherently incompatible with Western values and Austrian culture. The FPO capitalised on fears of cultural displacement and security concerns, framing Muslim immigration as a threat to Austria's social fabric.
One of the FPO's most significant moves in this regard was the successful push for a ban on full-face veils, which was implemented in Austria in 2017. The law, officially framed as a measure to promote integration and public security, was widely seen as targeting Muslim women. The FPO has also called for restrictions on the public funding of Islamic organisations and for increased surveillance of mosques and Muslim associations, arguing that they are breeding grounds for extremism.
The party has also taken a “hard-line position” against Türkiye’s bid for EU membership.
Against immigration
The FPO has played a main role in shaping Austria’s national discourse on immigration, positioning itself as a defender of Austrian identity and sovereignty in the face of what it portrays as an existential threat posed by immigration.
During the 1990s, Austria faced an influx of immigrants from the Balkans due to the Yugoslav wars. That was when the FPO started framing immigration as a threat to Austrian jobs, social services and cultural values.
Austria is one of the countries that receive the most refugees per capita within the EU. But the far right is promising to “stop the right of asylum” and brandishing the racist theory of the “great replacement”.
One of the FPO’s most potent themes is defending Austria’s national and cultural identity. Party leaders frequently invoke the idea that Austria’s identity is rooted in its “Christian heritage” and European traditions which, they argue, are threatened by immigration from countries with different religious and cultural backgrounds.
The FPO has also successfully linked immigration to concerns about national security and crime. Its rhetoric intensified during the refugee crisis of 2015, when Austria, like many other European countries, saw a significant influx of asylum seekers, many of whom were fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
EU sanctions
In 2000, the FPO entered Austria’s federal government for the first time as a coalition partner with the Austrian People's Party (OVP), provoking international outrage.
The European Union imposed diplomatic sanctions on Austria for bringing a far-right party into the coalition government.
While the FPO was careful not to openly endorse anti-Semitism, its use of coded language and dog whistles resonated with elements of the far-right sections of Austrian society.
After Haider’s departure from the FPO in 2005, Heinz-Christian Strache took over as the party’s leader. Strache himself was dogged by controversy. In 2012, photos surfaced of him attending a gathering where he wore a blue cornflower, a symbol associated with Austrian Nazis.
In 2018, Udo Landbauer, an FPO politician, resigned after it was revealed that a fraternity he belonged to had distributed songbooks containing anti-Semitic lyrics.
In 2017, the FPO entered into another coalition government with the OVP party. But the coalition once again reignited global concerns about the normalisation of far-right politics in Austria.
The FPO’s second stint in government was cut short in 2019 over corruption allegations.
Source:trtworld.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/austria-embraces-far-right-party-with-nazi-roots-anti-muslim-stance-18214410
-----------
Man ‘attempts to burn down Muslim home in Manchester’
By 5Pillars (RMS)
-1st October 2024
A man is alleged to have attempted to set fire to a Muslim home in Longsight, Manchester, in the early hours of Saturday by using a bin filled with flammable materials.
Witnesses described the incident as an “Islamophobic-inspired” hate crime.
The suspect, who police have not named, was visiting his brother at a house neighbouring a Muslim family, 5Pillars understands.
Eyewitnesses told us that at approximately 12:20 am, shouting was heard as the man approached the Muslim family’s home. The man reportedly gathered pieces of wood and a broken desk, igniting them alongside a bin trolley with the intent to inflict serious harm.
The man is later alleged to have confessed to wanting to “spread the fire more quickly.”
When confronted, he is alleged to have claimed that he “hates how these Islamic people always try to convert him to Islam.” He further claimed to have schizophrenia as well as mental health problems.
Community members quickly alerted fire services and attempted to extinguish the flames with water bottles. The suspect was shortly afterwards taken into custody.
Greater Manchester Police, said: “We were called at 12.24am on Saturday 28 September to reports of a fire on Duncan Road, Longsight. Officers and other emergency services attended and put out the fire. One man was arrested on suspicion of arson.
“If you have any information, please call police on 101 quoting log 82 of 28/09/24. Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
According to local residents: “If the fire hadn’t been spotted earlier, the family’s lives would have been at serious risk.”
Despite no injuries, the young family, who wish to remain anonymous, described feeling “extremely unsettled, unsafe, and unwelcome” in their own home.
We understand the suspect’s brother later apologised for the assailant’s actions.
But a local community member told 5Pillars that the damage had been done and that “little kids will be growing up traumatised in their own neighbourhoods.”
This incident comes amid a troubling rise in Islamophobia across the UK, following the summer’s far-right riots targeting British Muslims.
According to the most recent Home Office statistics, there were nearly 3,500 hate crimes perpetrated against Muslims in England and Wales last year, accounting for 39% of all hate crimes.
The Home Office recorded 3,452 attacks against Muslims in the year ending March 2023.
Source:5pillarsuk.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://5pillarsuk.com/2024/10/01/man-attempts-to-burn-down-muslim-home-in-manchester/
-----------
Temporary mosque plan approved in Yorkshire while new building constructed
By Tony Gardner
1st Oct 2024,
Plans have been approved for a temporary mosque to be installed while a new permanent place of worship is rebuilt in Wakefield.
Wakefield Council has already approved an application for Jamia Masjid Swafia, on Park Hill Lane, Eastmoor, to be demolished.
It was the city’s first purpose-built mosque when it opened in the early 1980s.
Planning officers gave the go-ahead in April 2023 for a new two-storey mosque to be constructed which would double the space available at the site.
Plans have been approved for a temporary mosque to be installed while a new permanent place of worship is rebuilt in Wakefield. Wakefield Council has already approved an application for Jamia Masjid Swafia, on Park Hill Lane, Eastmoor, to be demolis
A further application to install temporary buildings on the car park was this week given the green light while building work is completed.
A report said the temporary facilities would reduce the number of car parking spaces at the site from 40 to 28.
A council highways development officer said the reduction was “unlikely to result in a material increase in traffic generation or parking demand.”
According to the mosque website, the new building will more than double the available floor space when completed and will include classrooms, a new kitchen and office space.
Nearly 250 students currently attend after school classes run by 15 full time teachers.
It says: “The Masjid has always been run, maintained and funded for by the local Wakefield Muslim community.
“The largest proportion of Muslims in Wakefield are of Pakistani origin.
“However, in recent years the local Muslim community has become more diverse with Muslims from Europe and Africa settling in Wakefield.
“As the community has grown and the needs have increased, we now need to think about the future.”
The mosque committee and trustees initially considered building an extension
but it was “deemed more cost effective” to knock it down and build a replacement.
The statement adds: “The dream is not to just create a Masjid, but to create a ‘hub’ where our community can come to learn about Islam, seek help and advice, a place where young people can come and escape from the societal problems that are affecting the youth of today.
“Moving forward, we need to think about how the Masjid can grow and benefit the future generations and the wider community for many years to come.”
Source:yorkshirepost.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/temporary-mosque-plan-approved-in-yorkshire-while-new-building-constructed-4805094
-----------
Shipley MP Anna Dixon's visits for Visit My Mosque weekend
By Will Abbott
Shipley MP Anna Dixon visited two mosques last weekend as part of The Muslim Council of Britain’s Visit My Mosque initiative.
Ms Dixon attended Masjid Al-Furqaan and Masjid Ayesha, meeting with Imams and community members to discuss interfaith relationships and how to stand together in the face of Islamophobia, antisemitism, and racism.
The open days, which welcomed everyone, were aimed at educating the public about the Muslim faith and what happens at a mosque.
Ms Dixon said: "Particularly after the horrendous riots we saw over the summer in other parts of the country, it is good to be able to celebrate the diversity of Shipley constituency.
"I want to thank everyone at the Masjid Al-Furqaan and Masjid Ayesha mosques for their generous hospitality and for organising such fantastic events."
The open days were also attended by West Yorkshire Police representatives.
Source:thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24621531.shipley-mp-anna-dixons-visits-visit-mosque-weekend/
----------
Mideast
Iraqi paramilitary commander says Iraqi Resistance possess advanced weaponry, hints at use in Israel conflict
2024-10-01
Shafaq News/ A leader Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, part of the broader resistance factions, said on Tuesday that it has advanced military capabilities which have yet to be deployed in its conflict with Israel.
Ali al-Fatlawi, a senior leader of the group, told Shafaq News Agency, "Iraqi factions possess highly advanced military capabilities, but they have not been used in the fight against the Zionist entity so far."
He indicated that these capabilities could be utilized in the near future if Israel intensifies its ground operations in southern Lebanon. "The deployment of these weapons depends on developments in Lebanon," al-Fatlawi said, adding that such weapons could "significantly alter the balance of power" if introduced into the conflict.
Iraqi resistance factions have frequently claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli ports and critical infrastructure in recent months, citing retaliation for Israeli strikes on Gaza and more recently on Lebanon.
Al-Fatlawi emphasized that any decision to use the advanced weaponry lies with the military and security leadership of the factions and stressed that there is "ongoing coordination among all forces within the resistance axis."
Source:shafaq.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-s-parliament-speaker-vote-delayed-due-to-Lebanon-conflict-says-Sunni-lawmaker
---------
Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘whoever attacks us, we attack them’
October 02, 2024
JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday called Iran’s massive missile attack on Israel “a big mistake” and vowed to make Tehran “pay for it.”
“Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it,” said Netanyahu hours after the attack, and warned: “Whoever attacks us, we attack them.”
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573555/middle-east
----------
US bases would be target if US joins any response against Iran, Iraqi armed groups say
October 01, 2024
DUBAI: US bases in Iraq and the region will be targets if the United States joins any response to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel uses Iraqi airspace against Tehran, Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups said on Tuesday.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573549/middle-east
-----------
Yemen Extends Congratulations To Iran For Its Valiant Response To Israeli Enemy
01 Oct 2024
Sana'a - Saba: The Yemeni government has commended the Islamic Republic of Iran for its bold response to Israel, emphasizing Iran's and the nation's legitimate right to self-defence against the aggression of the Zionist entity.
In a statement, the Government strongly condemned the heinous crimes committed by the Israeli enemy against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, stressing that the Republic of Yemen will continue to support the Palestinian people until the aggression and siege on Gaza ceases, and will stand by the Lebanese people against oppression and brutal aggression against them by the Israeli enemy, which is carried out with clear American participation.
It reiterated that the Yemeni armed forces will continue to punish the American and Israeli enemy with every aggression against our country and people.
It also stressed that the Yemeni people, who were overwhelmed with great joy at the Iranian response to the Israeli enemy, will continue to stand by their oppressed brothers and the Islamic resistance movements in the region as a firm and unshakable position.
The government called on all Arab and Islamic countries to build on the Iranian response to overcome the state of silence and fear and take practical positions against the Israeli enemy.
It also called on the peoples of the Arab Islamic Ummah and all the free people of the world to express effectively and in various ways the importance and necessity of deterring American-Israeli terrorism, which commits war crimes and crimes against humanity in shameful silence by the international community.
Source:saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3378858.htm
----------
Enemies Of Islam To Be Wiped Out Of World Map Soon: IRGC
Oct 1, 2024,
The lead commander of the IRGC made the comments on a visit to a hospital in Tehran where some of the Lebanese injured in the recent Israeli cyberterrorism were being treated.
"The situation, God Willing, will get better as time passes. The divine promises always materialize," Major General Salami said.
He added that "God willing, the enemies of Islam will soon be wiped of the world map."
He further said that the Lebanese people who were injured in the Zionist regime's terrorism have high morale and are determined to continue the path of Resistance.
Source:mehrnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/222257/Enemies-of-Islam-to-be-wiped-out-of-world-map-soon
----------
OIC members discussing establishment of joint monetary channel among Islamic nations
October 1, 2024
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the sixth meeting of the governors of the central banks of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries in Istanbul on Monday, Farzin said: “Using new methods to facilitate money transfer for tourists and businessmen, creating a common financial channel among Islamic countries, and using national currencies in commercial transactions were the main focus of negotiations in this summit.”
Source:tehrantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/504385/OIC-members-discussing-establishment-of-joint-monetary-channel
----------
Hezbollah says clashed with Israeli troops who tried to ‘infiltrate’ into Lebanon
October 02, 2024
BEIRUT: Hezbollah said Wednesday it clashed with Israeli soldiers who tried to infiltrate into Lebanon, and also targeted Israeli troops across the border, according to statements from the Iran-backed Lebanese group.
Hezbollah fighters confronted “an Israeli enemy infantry force that tried to infiltrate into the village of Adaysseh... and clashed with them,” a statement said, adding separately that Hezbollah fighters also targeted Israeli forces at three different points across the border with rockets and artillery.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573587/middle-east
---------
Prayers and applause: two sides of Jerusalem react to Iran missiles
October 02, 2024
JERUSALEM: Depending on where you were in Jerusalem on Tuesday night, Iran’s missile attack on Israel provoked either fervent prayers or cries of joy.
Jewish prayers in an underground car park in west Jerusalem; expressions of joy in Palestinian districts in the Israeli-annexed east of the city.
When the air raid sirens wailed, hundreds of people in the central bus station in the west heeded the military’s calls and headed underground to take shelter.
Some of those who gathered in the car park read from religious texts as others stayed glued to their phones.
The dull sound of explosions came from above as Israeli air defenses intercepted incoming missiles fired from Iran.
Outside in the open, the dark sky was streaked with light trails from the east, amid the boom of blasts echoing over the Holy City.
In a shelter in Musrara district in west Jerusalem, residents called friends and relatives elsewhere in Israel to exchange news of what was happening.
One man who preferred not to be identified by name told AFP: “We can put things into perspective, but the kids can’t.”
He gave out sweets to young ones in the car park, “so they don’t have bad memories” of the situation.
Children were crying, however, and families continued to arrive amid the wave of alerts.
Some even expressed surprise as they had not heard of the threat, despite repeated warnings broadcast by the authorities for more than an hour.
On the other side of Jerusalem is the Palestinian quarter of Silwan in the east of the city, which Israel seized in the 1967 war and later annexed.
One resident told AFP of the reaction in Silwan when the warnings sounded.
“As soon as the Palestinians heard the first sirens, there were whistles and applause, and there were cries of ‘Allahu Akbar!’ (God is Greatest),” said one resident of the moment the streaks of fire appeared in the night sky.
She said people did not go to shelters because they don’t have any. Instead they went out into the streets or onto roofs to see what was happening.
Back in west Jerusalem, after the all clear, 17-year-old Alon returned to his small DIY shop.
“It’s been six months since I’ve heard the alert in Jerusalem,” he said of the first time Israel’s arch-enemy Iran attacked with drones and missiles on the night of April 13-14.
“I wasn’t afraid,” he added.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573558/middle-east
----------
Iran calls on UN to prevent further escalation in Middle East tensions
October 02, 2024
DUBAI: Iran’s foreign ministry called on the United Nations Security Council to take “meaningful action” to prevent threats against regional peace and security, after Tehran launched a salvo of missiles against Israel on Tuesday.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said the assault was in retaliation for recent Israeli killings of militant leaders and aggression in Gaza and Lebanon. Lebanese Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guards deputy Commander Abbas Nilforoushan were killed in Beirut last week.
“Our defensive operation is in line with international law and the right to self defense ... we only targeted military and security facilities,” the foreign ministry said in its statement regarding the missile attack on Israel.
In an earlier post on X, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran’s action was “in defense of Iranian interests and citizens,” adding that his country was not looking for war but would “firmly stand against any threat.”
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573554/middle-east
----------
Iraq reopens airspace after closure due to Iranian strikes on Israel
October 01, 2024
BAGHDAD, Iraq: CAIRO: Iraq’s transport ministry announced the reopening of Iraqi airspace to incoming and outgoing civilian flights at Iraqi airports, state media reported on Tuesday, after a brief closure due to Iranian strikes on Israel.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573550/middle-east
----------
US condemns Iran’s attack as significant escalation
October 01, 2024
WASHINGTON: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday condemned Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel as a significant escalation, adding Israel appeared to have defeated the attack without loss of life.
“This is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event, and it is equally significant that we were able to step up with Israel and create a situation in which no one was killed in this attack in Israel,” Sullivan told reporters at the White House.
“We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case,” he said.
Sullivan said President Biden’s administration was still monitoring the situation and consulting with the Israelis on next steps in terms of a response. He also said that the administration was tracking the reported death of a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573542/middle-east
----------
Southeast Asia
As Israel pounds neighbours, PM Anwar warns of ‘dangerous cycle of action and reaction’ that could pull more nations into Middle East conflict
02 Oct 2024'
By Malay Mail
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on all parties in the Middle East to urgently end their hostilities threatening regional stability.
He condemned Israel’s recent military actions in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen as deliberate distractions from its atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Israel’s aggression is not just a regional issue; it has global implications,” he said in a statement.
“We must urgently prevent a dangerous cycle of action and reaction, which threatens to draw even more parties into the conflict, further deepening instability and broadening the scale of destruction,” he added.
He said the current violence serves to protect failing political leadership at the expense of innocent lives.
Anwar joined other world leaders in urging immediate steps to reduce hostilities, stressing the need for conditions that would prevent a wider regional conflict.
Iran launched missiles towards Israel in response to the killings of Tehran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas Palestinian leaders, drawing retaliation from the Zionist government, prompting fears of a region-wide conflagration after almost a year of war in Gaza.
The military actions have also affected global markets, resulting in lower trade and shares to sink this morning.
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry is preparing to evacuate 15 more citizens and three foreign spouses from Lebanon following the deteriorating security situation there.
The embassy in Beirut said it will remain in operation with four Malaysian staff members until further notice.
Nine Malaysians have already left the country voluntarily while four Malaysians have decided to stay on.
Source:malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/10/02/as-israel-pounds-neighbours-pm-anwar-warns-of-dangerous-cycle-of-action-and-reaction-that-could-pull-more-nations-into-middle-east-conflict/152334
-----------
Oracle to invest more than US$6.5 billion in AI and cloud computing in Malaysia
BERNAMA
02-10- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Oracle today announced that it plans to invest more than US$6.5 billion (US$1 = RM4.15) to open a public cloud region in Malaysia to meet the rapidly growing demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud services here.
In a statement today, Oracle said that the upcoming cloud region will enable its customers and partners in Malaysia to leverage AI infrastructure and services and migrate mission-critical workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
It quoted Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who said, “We warmly welcome Oracle’s US$6.5 billion investment in Malaysia, which represents yet another expansion of their 36-year footprint in Malaysia.
“This investment will empower Malaysian entities, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, with innovative and cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies to enhance their global competitiveness.
Zafrul said the investment is also a significant step towards realising the country’s New Industrial Master Plan’s ambitious vision of creating 3,000 smart factories by 2030.
“Oracle’s decision to establish a public cloud region in Malaysia underscores Malaysia’s infrastructure readiness and its growing position as a premier Southeast Asian destination for digital investments,” he added.
Meanwhile, Oracle executive vice-president and general manager of Japan and Asia Pacific, Garrett Ilg, said Malaysia offers unique growth opportunities for organisations looking to accelerate their expansion with the latest digital technologies.
“Our multi-billion dollar investment affirms our commitment to Malaysia as a regional gateway for cloud infrastructure as well as a comprehensive suite of SaaS applications deployed within Malaysia,” he said.
IDC vice-president of cloud, data centre and future digital infrastructure, Asia Pacific, Franco Chiam, said the upcoming Oracle cloud region in Malaysia signals the country’s potential to become a hub for technological innovation and growth in Southeast Asia.
Oracle said the planned public cloud region will help organisations in Malaysia modernise their applications, migrate all types of workloads to the cloud, and innovate with data, analytics, and AI.
It said customers could have access to, among others, Oracle’s OCI Generative AI Agents with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) capabilities as well as accelerated computing and generative AI services to help keep sovereign AI models within country borders.
“Additionally, over 150 services, including Oracle Autonomous Database and Oracle Cloud VMware Solution, will also be available, offering customers infrastructure, platform, or software as a service (SaaS) services,” Oracle added.
Source:thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/oracle-to-invest-more-than-us-65-billion-in-ai-and-cloud-computing-in-malaysia-FE13067736
-----------
Mental health time bomb: 40,000 civil servants at risk of psychological disorders, says JPA chief
02 Oct 2024
KUCHING, Oct 2 — More than 40,000 civil servants in the country are at high risk of experiencing psychological health issues that require immediate intervention to avoid mental disorders, said Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
He said this was based on research done through the Civil Servant Psychological Health Digital Profiling System (MyPsyD) which was created on March 1 as one of the government’s latest initiatives to improve risk behaviour prevention programmes.
“It (the study) has covered almost one million civil servants who have successfully completed the MyPsyD Profile,” he said when speaking at the launching ceremony of the International Conference on Psychological Well-Being 2024 (ICOPW2024) here yesterday.
According to him, the MyPsyD Profile is important because it acts as an indicator of public officials and organisations so that they are more accurate in formulating strategies through self-development, prevention, and intervention to upkeep their well-being and remain prudent in providing services.
He said in addition, the results of the Malaysian Psychological Well-Being Index (IKPM) study, conducted in the civil service, showed that the level of psychological well-being among civil servants was still at a moderate level.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan said prioritising mental health is indeed the government’s agenda in ensuring mental and physical health, to support the increase in productivity of civil servants to an optimal level.
He said this is in line with the intention of the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar to create Guidelines for the Cultivation of Enjoyment at Work in the Public Service, in line with the Culture of Enjoyment at Work as a Reform Success Strategy 4 (SKR4) in the Public Service Reform Agenda 2024-2030.
“Happiness at work will help employees do their work efficiently and improve the performance of the organisation,” he said.
According to him, ICOPW2024 is expected to be the best platform for civil servants and citizens in supporting the agenda of the 12th Malaysia Plan, Madani Pillars and Madani Economy to build well-being, as well as achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
“This conference will be able to form a better mental health landscape and it is also hoped to make a significant contribution towards producing excellent, caring and balanced civil servants from a psychological and spiritual perspective,” he added. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/10/02/mental-health-time-bomb-40000-civil-servants-at-risk-of-psychological-disorders-says-jpa-chief/152315
----------
South Asia
Former PMSheikh Hasina's 'Tk 400cr Peon' Laundered Most Of His Wealth Abroad: CID
Oct 1, 2024
Jahangir Alam, an ex-staffer at former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's residence, has siphoned off a large part of his over Tk 400 crore fortune abroad, Criminal Investigation Department found in primary investigation.
Not only did Jahangir amass a fortune, his wife Kamrun Nahar also had property worth over Tk 7 crore in her name, the officials found.
The CID has decided to carry out an investigation under the Money Laundering Act in this regard, Azad Rahman, special superintendent (media) of CID, told The Daily Star today.
A top CID official said Jahangir is the owner of a developer company named AK Real Estate Limited and has laundered huge amounts of money to the US and other countries through hundi.
"We have already written to Bangladesh Bank about this matter and will also reach out to the relevant authorities abroad involved in tracking the money flow," the official said, requesting anonymity.
The wealth of Jahangir came to light on July 14 when the then PM Hasina said she has taken action against a former "peon" of her own house who amassed Tk 400 crore in wealth.
"He worked in my house. He was a peon and now he has Tk 400 crore in wealth. He can't go places without a helicopter. It's true. How did he make so much money?" Hasina said while addressing a press conference.
The CID officials said Jahangir was appointed as a staffer of Sudha Sadan, the residence of Hasina. His job was to supply drinking water to Sudha Sadan. That is why he was named "Pani Jahangir".
After Hasina became the PM, he started introducing himself as the PM's personal assistant. Using this fake identity, Jahangir took money in exchange for giving party posts, job appointments and arranging transfers of government officials.
CID came to know that through fraudulent means, Jahangir amassed over Tk 400 crore and became the owner of multiple cars and houses.
Jahangir has land worth Tk 4 crore in his own name, two shops in Mohammadpur and New Market, a seven-storey building and two flats in Mirpur, and one-storey building, four-storey and eight-storey buildings in Noakhali, CID officials said.
His wife Kamrun has assets worth Tk 7.3 crore including a 2,360-square-foot flat in Dhanmondi, a car, various business capital worth Tk 73 lakh and deposits of Tk 1.17 crore in different banks.
Jahangir, hailing from Chatkhil of Noakhali, worked for the former PM during her first two tenures from January 2009 to December 2018.
He was dismissed at the beginning of the PM's third term in January 2019.
Despite losing his job, Jahangir continued to leverage his former position, prompting the Prime Minister's Office to issue a circular to media warning about his illegal activities.
He was denied the AL nomination for the Noakhali-1 constituency in both the 2018 and 2024 national elections.
Jahangir used his influence to get his brother elected chairman three times in Khilpara union of Chatkhil and helped one of his followers, Mohammadullah, get elected as Chatkhil municipality mayor, according to local sources.
Source:thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/ex-mp-salam-murshedy-arrested-3717421
----------
Afghans never trust former failed politicians
October 2, 2024
The people of Afghanistan have experienced a lot of ups and downs during the past forty years of invasion, aggression, and imposed wars. They [Islamic Emirate] have made countless sacrifices in the way of freedom and independence until they reached the highest of victory and witnessed the shameful defeat of the world’s largest military power led by the U.S. in their country. But after the victory and the establishment of countrywide peace, a number of failed countries, especially the United States, instead of accepting their defeat and resuming interaction and cooperation with the Afghan people, they first blocked the national assets of the Afghan people and then under different pretexts, some certain countries backed by the west, started to punish the destitute Afghans by imposing sanctions on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in order to challenge the Islamic system to cover their shameful defeat. But the wise Afghan nation who has reached political maturity, distinguished between good and bad better than ever. They, not only took an active part in providing security but also participated in the realization and implementation of national and regional projects, the clear example of which is the construction of the largest Qush Tepa water canal, the realization of which had turned into a dream years ago. Fortunately, with the restoration of the Islamic system in the country, its practical work has begun and with the completion of its first phase, work on its second phase has started and going on rapidly. Also, practical work on the largest gas pipeline project (TAPI), which will be transferred from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan, will also begin. With the completion and implementation of the project, not only ground will be provided for thousands of job-seeking people, but also huge profits will pour into the country’s treasury. Besides that, other big projects in the region will be implemented, which undoubtedly, in the medium-term, will help the people of Afghanistan climb the steps of progress, development, and prosperity one after the other. But unfortunately, a number of malicious countries are trying to bring the former failed people (who have earlier been experienced), once again to power. No one can impose the former regime’s failed individuals on the Afghans and the ruling Islamic system in the name of the government in exile. They gathered in their safe asylum to conspire against the Islamic system and disturb the public minds of the Afghan people with their malicious theory. After news about their effort went viral on social media, the Afghan people reacted and urged them not to once again struggle for power as they have long been tasted and the people of Afghanistan never trust in them and they can do nothing with the Afghans nor their country. So, the countries that are trying to create problems for Afghanistan, should know that the Muslim people of Afghanistan will no longer come close to the hole from which they have once been many times nibbled and they will not be deceived by them. Therefore, those who are still thirsty of power and social position should change their views and participate in rebuilding the ruins of the war and strengthening the foundations of a free, independent, and proud Afghanistan, so that they do not be able to reach power at the behest of foreigners and for the interest of aliens.
Source:thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/afghans-never-trust-former-failed-politicians/
---------
Cabinet Meeting Greenlights Strategic Urban Development Plans for Kabul
2024-10-01
KABUL(BNA): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan held its seventh regular cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund. The meeting focused on several significant national issues, resulting in important decisions regarding infrastructure development and public services.
According to an official statement from the ARG, discussions revolved around facilitating construction activities and streamlining the process of granting work permits across the country. The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, in collaboration with relevant authorities, was tasked with preparing a strategic plan to simplify construction procedures, ensuring that citizens can obtain ownership documentation and work permits in a timely and efficient manner.
Furthermore, the cabinet endorsed the findings of a delegation regarding the land acquisition process for the fourth section of the first phase of the Khaf-Herat railway project, authorizing the commencement of construction work. The expropriation of 30 kilometers of land for the Aqina-Andkhoy railway’s first phase was also approved, with the Ministry of Public Works instructed to expedite the necessary actions.
In a major decision, the cabinet approved the Kabul City Development Plan, which had been jointly prepared by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing and the Kabul Municipality.
The plan aims to enhance the city’s infrastructure and urban planning. The Kabul Municipality has been directed to implement the plan in accordance with the approved guidelines to drive forward the capital’s development and modernization efforts.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/cabinet-meeting-greenlights-strategic-urban-development-plans-for-kabul/
---------
Kunar-Nuristan Highway Reconstruction Commences with AFN 600 Million Investment
2024-10-01
KABUL(BNA): Local authorities in Nuristan province have officially launched the extensive reconstruction of the Kunar-Nuristan highway, a significant infrastructure project with a budget of 600 million Afghanis.
Qari Zain-ul-Abideen Abid, the Governor of Kunar, informed Bakhtar News Agency that this critical project, backed financially by the Ministry of Public Works, will span 22 kilometers in length and 9 meters in width.
The reconstruction aims to establish a durable and modern roadway, enhancing connectivity between Kunar and Nuristan provinces. The project’s inauguration was marked by a ceremony attended by several local officials.
Residents of the area welcomed the initiative, expressing their appreciation for the Islamic Emirate’s efforts and urging for the implementation of more developmental projects in the future to promote regional growth and improve transportation infrastructure.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/kunar-nuristan-highway-reconstruction-commences-with-afn-600-million-investment/
-----------
Marco Polo Sheep population declining in Badakhshan, Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
October 2, 2024
Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of Badakhshan province have reported a decline in the population of the Marco Polo sheep and the Ibex, based on a survey conducted in the country’s second national park.
This survey highlights the risk of these species facing a significant population decrease.
Amanullah Hasan, the head of the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Badakhshan, stated that the survey was conducted in the Big Pamir region of Wakhan district to assess the living conditions of these animals.
Mr. Hasan added that the survey covered valleys such as Gharbin, Kandor, Nakhsher Sheet, Manjilaq, Jalmasir, Alisu, Dida Spoon, Jin Ali, Moristan, and the hunting grounds of Big Pamir in Wakhan district, Badakhshan. The team used binoculars to monitor herds of Marco Polo sheep and Ibex at altitudes higher than 4,000 meters above sea level.
According to the observations, the technical team found that, compared to the 2021 data from WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), the population of these rare animals has decreased due to habitat overcrowding and living conditions. The increasing human population and environmental challenges are contributing factors.
The head of Badakhshan’s Department of Agriculture also pointed out that hunting and livestock encroachment on the habitat of these rare animals are the primary causes of the population decline.
The Marco Polo sheep is considered one of the rarest animals globally, and its presence in the Pamir region of Wakhan, Badakhshan, has historically attracted international tourists.
These sheep roam the border areas of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and China. However, their population decline threatens not only the region’s biodiversity but also the local tourism industry. Immediate conservation efforts are necessary to protect these endangered species and their habitats.
Source:khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/marco-polo-sheep-population-declining-in-badakhshan/
-----------
Thomas West steps down as US envoy for Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
October 2, 2024
Thomas West, announcing his resignation as Washington’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people. West mentioned that the “resilience and courage” of Afghans have given him hope for the country’s future.
A few hours earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that West had been appointed as the acting head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. State Department.
Karen Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri, the U.S. envoy for Afghanistan’s women, and another official will now take over West’s duties.
It remains unclear whether the U.S. government will appoint a new special envoy to replace West or if the politically driven role will be eliminated.
West wrote that he “led U.S. diplomacy toward Afghanistan during a very challenging period” and reflected positively on his accomplishments over the past three years.
West has faced many critics, primarily due to his approach toward the Taliban. He was known for distancing himself from anti-Taliban groups and maintaining a softer tone in his dealings with the Taliban.
West stated that the “resilience and courage of countless Afghan journalists and human rights activists” have been a source of hope for him.
During his tenure, West made several trips to neighboring countries but was unsuccessful in convincing those nations to use their influence to change the Taliban’s policies and behavior.
Thomas West’s departure leaves questions about the future of U.S. diplomacy towards Afghanistan. The ongoing challenges in engaging with the Taliban and securing meaningful change in the region highlight the difficulties in shaping Afghanistan’s political landscape post-West.
Whether a new envoy will be appointed remains to be seen, but the need for continued support for Afghanistan’s civil society and human rights remains paramount.
Source:khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/thomas-west-steps-down-as-us-envoy-for-afghanistan/
----------