Terrorists Targeted Male Tourists in Pahalgam After Asking Their Religion, Says Victim's Kin: 'He Couldn't Recite Islamic Verse, They Shot Him in Head'
New Age Islam News Bureau
23 April 2025
· Terrorists Targeted Male Tourists in Pahalgam After Asking Their Religion, Says Victim's Kin: 'He Couldn't Recite Islamic Verse, They Shot Him in Head'
· Outpouring of Grief Over Pope Francis' Death In Largest Muslim-Majority Country Indonesia
· Oldham: Islamic Street Preachers, known as 'Dawah', Want to 'Dispel Myths' About Islam
· Morgan Hill Man Charged for Assaulting Muslim Worshippers; 15th Santa Clara Co. Hate Crime of 2025
· Israel Shares, Then Deletes, Condolences Over Pope’s Death
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India
· Lucknow Court Dismisses Defamation Case Against UP CM Adityanath for Alleged Anti-Muslim Slur
· Rioter Tag, Muslim Migrant Workers from Bengal 'Thrashed' In Odisha and Uttar Pradesh
· Terrorists cursed Modi, asked my father to recite Islamic verse before shooting him: Daughter
· Dargah Brought Down in The Silence of Night in Uttarakhand Under The Banner Of Highway Widening Project
· Push Govt to Repeal Waqf Act or Face Muslim Backlash: AIMPLB to BJP Allies
· ‘Ask The Crown Prince, If Madina Is Built On Waqf Land’ Owaisi’s Dig at PM Modi’s Saudi Visit
· JD(U) suffers setback in Seemanchal as Mujahid Alam quits over endorsement of waqf act amendments
· Congress MLA Rafeek Khan moves SC against Waqf (Amendment) Act
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Southeast Asia
· Kedah takes watchful approach on unapproved non-Islamic houses of worship, state assembly told
· Malaysia on track with Haj preparations, visa issuance at 45pc, says religious affairs minister
· Kelantan ranks second safest state in Malaysia, behind Sabah, says deputy MB
· DPM Zahid: Malaysia, Indonesia align halal strategies to tap US$5t global market
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Europe
· Response to damage of Muslim graves 'appalling'
· Azerbaijan, Algeria hold second round of political consultations
· Mixed-use development in Bedford under review after mosque and HMO built without permission
· Prince William to attend funeral of Pope Francis
· Who will be the next Pope? Key candidates in an unpredictable contest
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North America
· CAIR Welcomes Philippine Law Ensuring Muslims’ Right to Islamic Funerals
· Lawmakers Visit Students Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk as They Face Deportation
· Vance Calls for Stronger India-US Relations as Trade Talks Progress
· Early turnout shatters record in Canada polls with 7.3m ballots cast
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Mideast
· Palestinian Islamic Jihad Mourns Islamic Group Leader Hussein Atwi
· Trump’s return boosts Israel’s pro-settlement right: experts
· For Iraqi Christians, pope’s visit was a rare moment of hope
· Jordan’s prime minister warns against threat of ‘political opportunism’ and external loyalties
· IRGC symbol of resistance, national pride: FM spox
· 47th Islamic Book Fair Kicks Off in Kuwait
· Hezbollah condemned assassination of Islamic Group leader Hussein Atwi
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South Asia
· “We Are Obligated to Seek Pleasure of Allah in All Affairs,” Says IEA Leader
· Muhammad Yunus Hopes for Rohingya Return by Next Eid, But Rakhine Unrest Clouds Repatriation Plans
· Islamic Emirate wants positive engagement with world based on bilateral interests
· ICT prosecution to submit charge sheet in Chankharpul massacre case within 4 weeks
· Mawlavi Kabir, UNAMA official discuss Afghan migrants issue
· Dmitry Zhirnov invites IEA delegation to attend upcoming Kazan Economic Forum
· National Islamic Culture Conference Opens in Kandahar in Presence of Amir-ul-Mu’minin
· Islamic Emirate Forces Recover 33 Light and Heavy Weapons in Clearance Operations
· Over 740 Afghan Migrant Families Return Home from Pakistan, Iran
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Pakistan
· Pakistan Expresses Concern, Extends Condolences to Victims' FamiliesOver the Deadly Attack On Tourists In The Pahalgam
· US Congressman Bergman reaffirms call for Imran’s release
· Sisters denied meeting with Imran again, despite assurances
· Gen Mirza seeks reciprocal steps from India for N-risk reduction
· SC adjourns seniority case after petitioners seek time for rebuttal
· Supreme Court says dowry should be ‘free from coercion’
· Court proceedings suspended across Sindh amid lawyers’ strike call
· Govt urged to issue permits to skilled Afghan workers
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Arab World
· Saudi Minister in China to Explore Education, Research Cooperation
· Tarjama Launches Arabic.AI Based On Model That Outperforms GPT-4o In Arabic
· KFUPM launches research project to improve green hydrogen feasibility
· Red Sea Global unveils Botanica, its first guest experience dedicated to regenerative tourism
· Laheq: New era of residential island living in Saudi Arabia
· Dance of the dolphins steals the show at Farasan Islands
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Africa
· Fear and Panic Grip Kwara Communities as New Terror Group Intensifies Attacks
· Those Attacking Benue State Do Not Bear The Nigerian Look – Alia
· National Chief Imam Mourns Pope Francis, Lauds His Interfaith Legacy
· Protesters Storm AGF’s Office, Seek Judicial Review Of NNPCL Deals Under Mele Kyari
· Mahmuda: How New Terrorist Group Emerged; Senate Warned In 2022
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/terrorists-targeted-tourists-pahalgam-religion/d/135279
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Terrorists Targeted Male Tourists in Pahalgam After Asking Their Religion, Says Victim's Kin: 'He Couldn't Recite Islamic Verse, They Shot Him in Head'
Apr 23, 2025
NEW DELHI: In one of the most brutal terror strikes in recent memory, 28 tourists were gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday, among them, two businessmen from Pune whose families are now shattered.
For 26-year-old Asavari Jagdale, what began as a summer escape to the stunning valleys of Kashmir turned into a nightmare that ended with the cold-blooded murder of her father, Santosh Jagdale, and her uncle, Kaustubh Ganbote. Both men were among a group of five tourists from Pune who had travelled to the idyllic 'Mini Switzerland' in Betaab Valley.
But it wasn’t just random violence. Asavari said the terrorists “specifically targeted male tourists after asking whether they were Hindu or Muslim.”
"They said, 'Chaudhari tu bahar aa ja'," she recalled, words that have now etched themselves in her memory forever.
What followed was pure horror.
Dressed like local police, the gunmen stormed the area, descending from the hills as tourists scrambled for cover. Asavari and her group ran for a nearby tent. Inside, they lay flat, praying the crossfire would end. But there was no crossfire, only execution.
First, the attackers opened fire on another tent. Then they came for Santosh.
“They asked my father to come out. Then accused us of supporting Prime Minister Modi. They claimed they don't kill innocent people (women, children) as if to justify what they were about to do,” she said.
When Santosh failed to recite an Islamic verse, what Asavari believes was the Kalma, they shot him three times: once in the head, once behind the ear, and once in the back.
Her uncle Kaustubh, crouched next to her, was riddled with bullets next.
“There was nobody to help. No police, no army, they arrived 20 minutes too late,” she said. “Even some locals nearby began reciting Islamic verses aloud.”
Two foreigners, one from the UAE and another from Nepal, also died in the massacre, along with two local residents. More than a dozen others were wounded in what is now being seen as a calculated and religiously targeted terror attack.
Asavari, her mother Pragati, and another female relative were spared. Local pony handlers helped them flee and later, Indian Army personnel evacuated them to safety.
“We were taken to Pahalgam Club after a medical check-up. But nothing can erase what we saw,” Asavari said.
What was supposed to be a family vacation has now become a memory scarred by loss, rage, and unanswered questions.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Outpouring of grief over Pope Francis' death in largest Muslim-majority country Indonesia
APR 22, 2025
JAKARTA - Pope Francis's death has elicited an outpouring of grief in Indonesia, with tributes in the world's largest Muslim-majority country praising the pontiff's commitment to interfaith harmony and his stance on Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
Prominent Islamic groups in Indonesia, where around 90% of the 280 million population is Muslim, and the general public praised the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in public statements and social media posts.
"His demands to stop the (Gaza) genocide, his ideas on peace, and his great desire for human fraternity - they are all in line with the council's values," said Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, an official at Indonesia's highest council of clerics.
In his last Easter Sunday message, a day before he died after suffering a stroke, Francis, 88, reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Francis had been ramping up criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave "very serious and shameful" in January.
Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Islamic organisation of roughly 40 million members, considered to be one of the largest in the world, sent its condolences.
"Pope Francis was tireless in his efforts to turn the Catholic church into the caretaker and defender of humanity," chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf said.
Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Muslim group, also joined the chorus of grief.
"I hope the inspiration and steps that Pope Francis has taken for humanity and peace can become a push for massive global peace and order," chairman Haedar Nashir said in a statement.
Francis arrived in Jakarta last year with a message of interfaith harmony, telling Indonesia's political leaders that the Catholic Church would increase its efforts toward inter-religious dialogue in hopes of helping tamp down extremism.
The message is consistent with Francis' stance, having said equating Islam with violence was wrong in 2014.
Muhammad, a 20-year-old Muslim university student, who visited Jakarta's Cathedral on Tuesday to pay his respects, said Francis always brought a message of harmony, despite the occasional inter-religious friction.
"With his presence, we can take the example that we should be tolerant, with Indonesia being a diverse country," he said.
There was an outpouring by Indonesian social media users, too, with "Paus Fransiskus" - as Francis is referred to in Indonesian - trending in the country on social media platform X.
Instagram user @sarasaure wrote hearing the pope say Islamic greeting "Assalamualaikum", or peace be upon you, made her teary.
"He stood by Palestine until the very end. This is what real faith should look like - borderless compassion for humanity, for the oppressed". REUTERS
Source: straitstimes.com
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Oldham: Islamic Street Preachers, known as 'Dawah', Want to 'Dispel Myths' About Islam
22ND APRIL
The team has grown to include five dedicated team members who meet every Saturday morning to speak to passing shoppers (Image: David Paul Morris, Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Over the past year Oldham Town Centre has seen the establishment of grassroots Islamic street preaching known as 'Dawah' by two Muslims.
The team has grown to include five dedicated team members who meet every Saturday morning to convey the message of Islam to atheists, agnostics, Christians and those of no faith.
Waseem Tahir, Abdul Hakeem, Muhammad Khan, Jamie Murphy (Yusuf) and Zeeshan Khan have bonded as a collective with a shared purpose.
Their mission, they say includes 'bridging the divide between Oldham’s diverse communities and removing the prejudice that exists about Muslims and Islam'.
In the past year alone they have spoken to well over 150 people with the objective of 'educating people and counteracting ignorance about Islam'. They have received positive feedback from Oldhamers of all backgrounds.
The team includes Yusuf, a convert to Islam, who is also involved with Dawah initiatives in Manchester.
He researched Islam online and decided to embrace the religion. People who were friendly with him before he became Muslim now laugh at him and give him suspicious looks when they see him in his robe and hat on his way to the mosque.
The 22-year-old is passionate about spreading the peaceful message of Islam and is undeterred by hostility.
He said: “As Muslims living in a non-Muslim country it's an obligation and a duty upon us to spread the truth, and make people aware of the beautiful message of Islam, and the reward for doing so is massive.
“I cannot emphasise the importance of Dawah enough. Take a look at society today as it drifts further and further from religion, and the moral guidelines that it brings. We see the family system falling apart, due to drugs, alcohol, debt and gambling.
“Just imagine the positive impact it would have if even just 1% of approximately 40,000 Muslims in Oldham dedicated themselves to the noble cause of Dawah.
“Embracing Islam can seem like an overwhelming step to take. However in reality it just requires the declaration of faith (Shahada).
“Often, I face hostility from non-Muslims, not just necessarily physical hostility.
“When walking to the gym in the morning wearing my robe I greet people but they look at me as if I have just slandered them."
He said at times he feels like a stranger in his home country and town. His life has changed drastically in ways he could have never imagined after accepting Islam.
“In our dawah we aim to remove many of the misconceptions about Muslims and Islam and give people the perfect message and guidance of Islam," he added.
Dawah team member, Muhammad Khan, emphasised the importance of calling others to Islam: "Street Dawah is so important because it is a way of educating everyday people about the beautiful message of Islam.
"There is a need to pass on the message of our noble faith. We have spoken to so many good, open-minded and polite people since we started.
"People are genuinely curious about Islam but due to ignorance they believe so many misconceptions about the faith, including that Muslims are terrorists, that Muslims oppress women, that Muslims are harsh and violent and that Islam is a cruel religion.
Muhammad added that they have faced hostility from some "aggressive" Christian preachers but on the whole the response has been "positive".
"We have faced hostility from some people who make allegations about the Quran and Islam, but our Prophet taught us to be gentle with people and speak with softness and wisdom," Muhammad said.
Another member of the Dawah team is Zeeshan, who said: “I am a student of knowledge, and I want to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (saw). I find it interesting to be challenged by questions from people. I also want to increase and build my knowledge to understand our religion deeply and precisely.
Zeeshan is an aspiring caller to Islam as he has completed his Dawah training then joined the Oldham Dawah on Saturdays.
He completed the memorisation of the Quran at the age of ten as he had great teachers who supported him.
“I am truly blessed with this trust which I have to pass on to others," he said. “When I think of non-muslims who are heading toward hell I feel sad and concerned. I hope to equip myself with the tools, techniques and experience to become an impactful caller to Islam."
He added: “It is a blessing from Allah that I met my Dawah brothers as they are so passionate. They are friendly, supportive and knowledgeable.
“Every time I see them I add to my knowledge and skills."
Source: asianimage.co.uk
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Morgan Hill man charged for assaulting Muslim worshippers; 15th Santa Clara Co. hate crime of 2025
ByDustin Dorsey
April 23, 2025
An alleged hate crime targeting an elderly Muslim community member in Morgan Hill has local leaders and allies calling for an end to Islamophobia.
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MORGAN HILL, Calif. (KGO) -- The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has charged a Morgan Hill man with a hate crime after verbally and physically assaulting a group of Muslim worshippers during Ramadan.
The Bay Area is one of the most culturally diverse communities in the country - yet hate is still very much present.
And it's leading to attacks on people of different races and religions, including the Muslim community, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations of the Bay Area.
"There's definitely been a lot of fear and a lot of discrimination," CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Attorney Bismah Jaffer said. "We know the stereotypes against us and they're just amplified now. So, there is a general sense of is it safe to say you're a Muslim, to go to prayer and then incidents like this happen."
In March during the holy time of Ramadan, a man in Morgan Hill brought that fear to life.
After prayer at the Community and Cultural Center, a group of worshippers were allegedly confronted by the man shouting Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian slurs before he shoved an elderly Muslim man.
Given the apparent motivation of bias due to religion, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office charged the suspect with a hate crime.
"These charges demonstrate that man's behavior was completely unacceptable," Jaffer said.
"Somebody might say, 'hey, why are you taking this so seriously? It's just a shove. It's just a guy that had a few drinks and he shoved somebody else,'" Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. "Well, no, it's much more serious than that."
Rosen says hate crimes impact victims, the community and our American values.
Yet this year, he's had to charge 15 cases as hate crimes - a rapid pace he says he hasn't seen in many years.
"It's shocking in a bad way," Rosen said. "It's shocking in a concerning way."
He knows hate crimes are often underreported due to fear.
But Rosen hopes this charge, and others like it, show how seriously this county takes acts of hate.
"We're trying to reassure the victim and everyone in that community that the law stands behind you," Rosen said. "We're trying to send a message to perpetrators that this is not tolerated here. And, number three, we're trying to remind everyone in our community of what our values are."
For a safer, more accepting and better Bay Area for all.
Source: abc7news.com
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Israel shares, then deletes, condolences over pope’s death
April 22, 2025
Pope Francis prays at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in East Jerusalem's Old City. (File/AFP)
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JERUSALEM: The Israeli government shared and then deleted a social media post offering condolences over the death of Pope Francis, without saying why, though an Israeli newspaper linked the decision to the late pontiff’s criticism of the war in Gaza.
The verified @Israel account had posted on Monday a message on social media platform X that read: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing,” alongside an image of the pope visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem Post quoted officials at the foreign ministry as saying that the pope had made “statements against Israel” and that the social media post had been published in “error.”
The foreign ministry, which social media platform X states on its website is linked to the verified @Israel account, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, suggested last November that the global community should study whether Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel’s conduct in its war with Hamas that began in Oct. 2023.
In January the pope also called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “shameful,” prompting criticism from Rome’s chief Jewish rabbi who accused Francis of “selective indignation.”
Israel says accusations of genocide in its Gaza campaign are baseless and that it is solely hunting down Hamas and other armed groups.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads a far-right coalition of religious and nationalist parties, has not commented on the pope’s death.
However, Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday sent a message of condolence to Christians in the Holy Land and around the world, describing Francis as “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion.”
Relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism have improved in recent decades, after centuries of animosity.
Pope Francis was usually careful during his 12-year pontificate about taking sides in conflicts, and he condemned the growth of antisemitic groups, while also speaking by phone with Gaza’s tiny Christian community every evening during the war.
Francis in 2014 visited the Western Wall — the most sacred prayer site in Judaism — and also prayed at a section of a wall built by Israel in the occupied West Bank dividing Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Source: arabnews.com
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India
Lucknow Court Dismisses Defamation Case Against UP CM Adityanath For Alleged Anti-Muslim Slur
Scroll Staff
April 23, 2025
A Lucknow court has dismissed a defamation complaint filed against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath for using an allegedly abusive term against Muslims during a speech in the Legislative Council in February, Bar and Bench reported on Wednesday.
Additional Civil Judge Alok Verma said that the comment made by Adityanath in the Upper House of the state Legislature cannot be challenged in a court because it was protected under Article 194 of the Constitution.
The article, which is about the privileges and immunities of members of state legislatures, guarantees them freedom of speech within the Houses.
Adityanath had used the word while saying that socialists had become two-faced because they send their children to English-medium schools, but tell others to study Urdu “to turn them into maulvis”, Bar and Bench reported.
The complaint was filed by Amitabh Thakur, a former Indian Police Services officer and the chief of the political party Azad Adhikar Sena.
Thakur alleged that the chief minister’s remarks had incited hostility and hatred among sections of society based on caste, religion, place of birth, residence, language and community, thereby disturbing social harmony.
The complainant alleged that the remark had hurt Muslim sentiments and defamed the community.
The court said that only the person affected by the alleged defamatory remark can file such a complaint. As Thakur was not an aggrieved person in this matter, he cannot maintain the case, Bar and Bench reported.
The Lucknow court also said that defamation complaints against high-ranking officials such as a minister can only be filed following prior sanction from the government through a public prosecutor. Thakur had not complied with the requirement, the court observed.
Source: scroll.in
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Rioter tag, Muslim migrant workers from Bengal 'thrashed' in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh
Alamgir Hossain
23.04.25
The fallout of the Samserganj riots reached BJP-ruled Odisha and Uttar Pradesh on Monday when around 70 migrant labourers of the minority community from Murshidabad and Malda were allegedly assaulted and sent home when they reached those states to resume work.
Some 50 workers from Murshidabad had left for Keonjhar, Odisha, on Sunday, after their Eid break. They had to return home late Monday night in the same bus arranged by a labour contractor after being attacked allegedly by Hindutva activists who accused them of attacking a particular community in riot-hit Murshidabad.
Similarly, 24 migrant workers from Sujapur in Malda, who had been working in a garments factory in Jamalpur in Uttar Pradesh, were also allegedly beaten up and forced back.
The violence, which erupted over protests against the amended waqf law, had spread in pockets of Murshidabad, leaving three dead and damaging homes and property.
The “forced returns” have sparked fear among migrant workers from Murshidabad and Malda, many of whom were now worried about their survival.
On Monday, a Special Investigating Team (SIT) formed by the Bengal government arrested 12 migrant labourers from Jharsuguda in Odisha for their alleged role in the Murshidabad riots.
However, these migrant workers who were attacked and forced to return home, claimed they were not involved in violence but were paying the price of perception.
Momin Miyan, a labour contractor from Suti, who had arranged the Odisha-bound trip, said: “We just came home for a small break which coincided with the anti-waqf Act protests. We didn’t take part in it.”
Momin, who has been recruiting labourers for 12 years, said he had arranged a bus for workers to Keonjhar as usual. “Around 5.30am on Monday, a group of youths with Bajrang Dal flags stopped our bus at Jashipur More in Mayurbhanj. We were dragged out and beaten up.... They accused us of attacking their community. They warned us that the bus would be set on fire if we didn’t leave,” said Momin.
One of the 24 migrant workers from Sujapur in Malda who had been working in Jamalpur, Uttar Pradesh, for seven years, said a group of youths with saffron flags in their hands attacked them when they were working. “They accused us of attacking a community and asked us to leave, saying we would not be allowed to work there. Some of us were beaten up severely,” he said.
Monirul Khan of Sujapur, who returned from UP, said when they went to the police, they were detained and were released “only after paying a bribe of ?30,000”.
"We have been working in UP for seven years. There was no problem earlier. But the scenario changed after the Murshidabad violence. Now it has become a question of our survival since we are not feeling secure to return there,” he said.
When the Sujapur workers were detained at Jamalpur Kotwali police station, Fatema Khatun, wife of migrant worker Shariful Khan, lodged a complaint with the Kaliachak police in Malda. The issue was taken up by the Migrant Workers’ Unity Forum. Its general secretary, Asif Farooq, wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah, urging him to ensure the safety and rights of migrant workers across states.
Jangipur SDO Ekam J. Singh professed ignorance. “If I get any complaint, I will report it to the state government,” he said.
The CPM said that TMC MP Abu Taher’s comment about the role of migrant workers in the riots was also to blame. “Abu Taher’s comment was amplified by BJP leader Tarunjyoti Tewari on social media. Within hours, attacks were unleashed in Odisha and UP. The Centre has also abrogated its responsibility to protect migrant workers...,” said CPM state secretary Md Salim and added that his party units in the two states were alerted to help Bengal workers.
Samirul Islam, chairman of West Bengal Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board and TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP, blamed the BJP. “Such attacks on migrant workers are not new in BJP-ruled states. Wherever they find Bengali-speaking Muslim migrant workers, they always find an issue to torture them,” he said.
Samik Bhattacharya, the BJP Rajya Sabha MP, argued that such incidents were the result of suspicion after states like Tamil Nadu found many Bengali-speaking people with fake Indian documents, who are Bangladeshi infiltrators. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu was not a BJP-ruled state.
"Tamil Nadu government, which is not run by the BJP, was the first to conduct a combing operation and discovered many such migrant workers with fake identities. After that, they stopped allowing Bengali migrant workers to work in their state. The allegations that came from other states are likely to be the result of such suspicion," said Bhattacharya.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Terrorists cursed Modi, asked my father to recite Islamic verse before shooting him: Daughter
April 23, 2025
The family was cowering in fear inside a tent when terrorists came. They asked Santosh Jagdale, 54, to come out and recite an Islamic verse. When he couldn't, they shot him thrice: once in the head, then behind the ear and then his back.
The 26-year-old daughter of the Pune businessman recounted to PTI the terror the family went through in the horrific attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday (April 22, 2025).
After her father fell to the ground, the gunmen turned on her uncle who was lying next to her and shot him several times in the back.
"We were a group of five people, including my parents. We were in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam and were at a spot called Mini Switzerland when the firing began," Asavari Jagdale told PTI in a telephonic interview five hours after the shooting.
According to officials, a total of 26 people were killed and several injured, most of them tourists in the deadliest terrorist attack in Kashmir in recent years.
Ms. Asavari does not know if her father and uncle are alive or among the dead.
She, her mother and another female relative were spared, and locals and security forces evacuated them to Pahalgam Club where they remain clueless about the fate of the two men.
Ms. Asavari, 26, a human resource professional in Pune, said the family was on a vacation at the idyllic spot when they heard firing from "people who wore clothes similar to those of local police" descending from the nearby hill.
"We immediately rushed to a nearby tent for protection. So did six to seven others (tourists). We all lay down on the ground as protection against the firing which we then assumed was between the terrorists and security personnel," Ms. Asavari said.
She said the group of terrorists first came to a nearby tent and opened fire.
"Then they came to our tent and asked my father to come out," she said.
Then the terrorists blamed them for supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after which they made some statements to deny that Kashmiri militants kill innocent people, women and children, she said.
"They then asked my father to recite an Islamic verse (probably the Kalma). When he failed to do so, they pumped three bullets into him, one on the head, one behind the ear and another in the back," she said.
"My uncle was next to me. The terrorists fired four to five bullets into him.
They shot several other males who were at the spot. There was nobody to help. No police or army, who reached 20 minutes later. Even the locals there were reciting the Islamic verse.
"The people who took us to the spot on ponies helped us— three women, including myself and my mother— make the return journey. Later we underwent medical examination to check for injuries and were then shifted to Pahalgam Club.
"The firing happened around 3:30 p.m. It has been five hours and there has been no update on my father's and uncle's medical condition," Ms. Asavari said.
Source: thehindu.com
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Dargah brought down in the silence of night in Uttarakhand under the banner of highway widening project
April 22, 2025
A Dargah was reportedly demolished around 3:00 a.m. in Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur by local administration under the banner of a highway widening project.
The video of the demolition went viral on social media sparking a controversy. According to the local administration, the Dargah was allegedly built on encroached government land and a notice was also served by the authorities.
Similar demolition was carried out by the municipal corporation in Haryana Faridabad district of 50 year old mosque Aqsa Masjid was levelled to ground level despite the case still in the supreme court.
The incident took place on April 15 sparking public outcry. Locals accused the district administration of acting arbitrary when the case of alleged encroachment was yet to be proven
Source: muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/dargah-brought-down-in-the-silence-of-night-in-uttarakhand-under-the-banner-of-highway-widening-project/
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Push govt to repeal Waqf Act or face Muslim backlash: AIMPLB to BJP allies
by Lalmani Verma
April 23, 2025
Castigating the ruling BJP’s NDA allies for “stabbing Muslims in the back” by supporting the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday asked them to push the government to withdraw the contentious law or be ready to face the community’s opposition everywhere.
A slew of leaders from several leading Muslim organisations as well as the Opposition parties attended the “Save Waqf” conference organised by the AIMPLB at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi. Interestingly, Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad, who has been a BJP supporter for several years, was also present at the event.
Noting that JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan, NCP president Ajit Pawar, and HAM (S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi had backed the Waqf Bill in Parliament, AIMPLB general secretary Mohammad Fazlur Rahim told the conclave: “They have stabbed Muslims in the back. I appeal to all Muslims and justice-loving citizens to identify these parties, which stand in opposition to the Constitution… They should either force the government to withdraw the Act or get ready to face opposition from us everywhere.” He also cautioned Muslims about the Centre’s alleged attempts to create Mir Jaffars (traitors) within the community.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s move to defer the hearing on the pleas challenging the Waqf Amendment Act to May 5 after recording the Centre’s assurance that it would neither denotify the waqf properties, including waqf-by-user, nor make any appointments to the Waqf Boards and the Council, Rahim said the community should not be content with such an interim relief as their demand is the repeal of the law. “We will continue this fight till our last breath,” he said, urging the Hindu community as well as other non-Muslims to come together and join the fight against the allegedly discriminatory law.
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dharmendra Yadav echoed Rahim’s views. “Be it Deve Gowda in Karnataka, Nitish or Jayant (Chaudhary), you should pledge to teach them a lesson through politics… Start with the Bihar elections so that they will not dare to fight against anybody’s rights,” he told the gathering, assuring the AIMPLB of the party’s support.
Claiming that the fight was not confined to Muslims and that “every Indian was rallying behind them”, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha expressed gratitude to the apex court for giving “some relief on three-four issues”. “However, there are several clauses, sections and sub-sections on which we want clarity,” he said.
Former BSP MP Salim Ansari urged the AIMPLB to hold programmes against the law in Uttar Pradesh.
Slamming the Centre over a BJP MP’s remarks questioning the existence of Waqfs in Muslim countries, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, to enquire about the matter with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. “The concept of Waqf exists in every Muslim country, be it a democracy or monarchy,” he said.
Calling the BJP’s claims in its 16-page booklet and four-page pamphlet on the Waqf Act a “bunch of lies”, Owaisi alleged that the Centre had brought the legislation “not to protect Waqf but to make Waqf land-grabbers into their owners”.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/waqf-act-muslim-backlash-aimplb-bjp-allies-9960012/
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‘Ask The Crown Prince, If Madina Is Built On Waqf Land’ Owaisi’s Dig at PM Modi’s Saudi Visit
April 22, 2025
AIMIM chief Assaduddin Owaisi, on Tuesday, took a jibe at PM Modi over his Saudi Arabia visit, saying the prime minister should ask the Crown Prince if “Medina is built on Waqf land”.
The comment was made by the Hyderabad MP during an address at the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) ‘Waqf Bachao Sammelan’ at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.
“PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia, where he will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, warmly exchanging greetings like ‘Ya-Habibi’. Upon returning to India, he will urge the people to identify Muslims by their clothing,” he said addressing the gathering.
The AIMIM chief also claimed that Waqf exists in all Muslim countries, be it a “kingdom or democracy”, and that the BJP’s assertion that Waqf provisions did not exist in the Muslim nation was a “lie”. “Someone from the BJP said in the Parliament that this particular Muslim country does not have Waqf… I want to tell PM Narendra Modi that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he should ask the crown prince if Medina is built on Waqf land. Waqf exists in every Muslim country, be it a democracy or a kingdom,” he said.
The convention was attended by Muslim clerics as well as leaders of various parties with many wearing black bands on their shoulders as a mark of protest against the Waqf Amendment Act.
There were sharp reactions to the new Waqf law in the conference with many speakers calling it an attack on the rights of the Muslim community. They called for a united opposition against the legislation.
Source: thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/if-madina-is-built-on-waqf-land-owaisis-dig-at-pm-modis-saudi-visit-1503423469.html
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JD(U) suffers setback in Seemanchal as Mujahid Alam quits over endorsement of waqf act amendments
MAYANK KUMAR
22 April, 2025
New Delhi: Nearly a fortnight after the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into effect, the law continues to haunt the Janata Dal (United). The party’s face in Bihar’s Muslim-dominated Seemanchal area—Mujahid Alam—has quit JD(U), accusing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of compromising on secularism.
Mujahid Alam’s move comes amid a growing rebellion within the JD(U), starting with the resignation of party leader Mohammad Kasim Ansari. After Ansari, other prominent Muslim faces such as JD(U)’s minority cell state secretary Mohammad Shahnawaz Mallik, West Champaran vice president Nadeem Akhtar, minority cell state general secretary Mohammad Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, and Mohammad Dilshan Rayeen also resigned from the party.
After the resignation of Mujahid Alam, the district JD(U) office, which had been operating out of his private property, was closed.
Mujahid Alam said the JD(U) leadership had assured leaders such as him that objections to the inclusion of non-Muslims in Central Waqf Council and state waqf boards would not be part of the final Act. “However, the gazette notification had all the provisions that we had flagged to the party leadership, who then assured us of their removal,” Alam told ThePrint.
“When we had studied the bill moved by the government in August last year, I flagged my objections to the party leadership. With this law, more than four lakh properties belonging to the waqf will cease to be its properties,” Mujahid Alam said. “All Muslim organisations and stakeholders received the [Nitish Kumar-led government’s] assurance that our concerns had reached the central government and the joint parliamentary committee.”
On the contrary, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said the party had sought five amendments to the law, and the Centre and the joint parliamentary committee had accepted the same. “JD(U) has never compromised on its secular credentials while running the government. It is not good to have a political comment on a personal decision taken by him [Mujahid Alam],” the spokesperson said.
Mujahid Alam is the latest leader to quit Bihar’s ruling party within three weeks of JD(U) supporting the waqf amendment law in Parliament. Hours after the bill’s passage, Ansari ditched the party, with the other Muslim leaders following him over the next couple of days.
While the party described earlier resignations as immaterial, considering the leaders were “insignificant” leaders, spokesperson Neeraj Kumar conceded that Mujahid Alam was a “considerably” important face in the party—specifically in the Seemanchal region.
Mujahid Alam was the party’s candidate from Kishanganj in the 2024 general elections, running against Mohammad Jawed of the Congress and Akhtarul Iman of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. He came second in the stiff triangular contest. Alam was also an MLA from the Kochadhaman assembly constituency between 2015 and 2020 before AIMIM leader Muhammad Izhar Asfi defeated him in the 2020 assembly election.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, introduced in Parliament in August 2024, was passed by both Houses earlier this month. The Ministry of Minority Affairs released a gazette notification on 8 April this year, making the bill a law.
Then, the JD(U), with its Lok Sabha MPs, and three voting members in the Rajya Sabha, played a crucial role in helping the Narendra Modi-led coalition government pass the waqf bill in Parliament.
‘Nitish 2010 is unidentifiable with Nitish 2025’
A government school teacher for nearly 16 years after he qualified the Bihar Public Service Commission, Mujahid Alam quit to join the JD(U) at the peak of the party’s might in 2010.
Speaking to ThePrint, Mujahid Alam said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had never compromised on his principles such as secularism in the past, but the CM ended that legacy by supporting the waqf amendment Act.
In a reference to prove his point that Nitish Kumar earlier did not compromise, Mujahid Alam said the CM was strong enough to take action against ex-Union cabinet minister Ashwini Choubey’s son after his alleged acts to challenge communal harmony in the state.
Bihar Police arrested Choubey’s son Arijit Shashwat over his alleged involvement in the March 2018 communal clashes in Bhagalpur. The CM purportedly paved the way for police to charge Shashwat for the violence, which left several injured in the intense stone pelting.
“Taking such strong action against a Union minister’s son while being in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party was the reflection of Nitish not compromising on his principle of secularism and communal harmony at any cost,” Mujahid Alam said.
“This Nitish Kumar is unidentifiable from Nitish Kumar of old from 2010, when I had joined the party after quitting service,” Alam added.
Countering his assertions, spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said the track record of the Nitish Kumar-led government on the issue of waqf included a Rs 110 crore allocation after the constitution of the Waqf Development Board, and the work done for the development of waqf properties such as the Anjuman Islamia hall in Patna.
“Has he [Mujahid Alam] not contested the 2024 general elections from this JD(U) only? It was undoubtedly not the JD(U) of 2010. In the 2024 election, he secured over three lakh votes just for Nitish Kumar, who has given Alam respect and helped him win the 2015 elections,” Neeraj Kumar said. “He can have his reasons to quit the party, but attributing it to a change in Nitish Kumar’s credentials is grossly wrong.”
Source: theprint.in
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https://theprint.in/politics/jdu-suffers-setback-in-seemanchal-as-mujahid-alam-quits-over-endorsement-of-waqf-act-amendments/2598809/
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Congress MLA Rafeek Khan moves SC against Waqf (Amendment) Act
Apr 23, 2025
Jaipur: Congress MLA from Adarsh Nagar constituency, Rafeek Khan, who is also a member of the Waqf board in Rajasthan, Tuesday filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The petition states that the new legislation violates Muslims' rights to equality under Articles 14, 15 and 19, right to practise and manage their religion and religious activities under Articles 25 and 26, and protection of rights of minorities under Article 29.
"We have said that by amending the structure of the Waqf Board and the Central Waqf Council, it has been made mandatory to include non-Muslim members in Waqf administrative bodies. Doing so is an unreasonable interference in religious governance. In contrast, other religious trusts are managed under various state acts and by other religions. This selective interference has been done without imposing similar conditions on other religious institutions" said Khan.
Earlier, Mumbai-based social activist Mohammad Jameel Merchant, Maulana Arshad Madani of Jamiatul Ulema-e-Hind, Mohammed Fazlurrahim, general secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, MLA of Manipur National People's Party, and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi have all filed petitions before the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/congress-mla-rafeek-khan-moves-sc-against-waqf-act/articleshow/120529141.cms
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Southeast Asia
Kedah takes watchful approach on unapproved non-Islamic houses of worship, state assembly told
22 Apr 2025
ALOR SETAR, April 22 — The Kedah government is monitoring and taking action against the construction of illegal non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI).
State Human Resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese Communities and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said this needed to be done carefully as it involved racial sensitivities and existing laws.
“Non-Islamic houses of worship built without approval are being monitored by the local authorities in Kedah.
“Among the districts with the highest number of applications for non-Islamic houses of worship are Kuala Muda and Kulim. There is no denying that there are several illegal non-Islamic houses of worship in these two districts,” he told the Kedah State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
He said the state government, in addressing issues related to existing non-Islamic houses of worship, does not directly take stern actions but, instead, offers space for negotiations and solutions in a good and orderly manner.
He said the state government also emphasises the construction of new non-Islamic houses of worship which fully comply with the stipulated guidelines and regulations to ensure a balance between physical development and social harmony in the state.
Wong said that as proof of its commitment, the state government approved five applications for government land sites for non-Islamic houses of worship in the Kuala Muda district at the RIBI committee meeting on April 13.
Meanwhile, on the issue regarding the Sri Veerama Kaliaman Temple at the Tongkang Yard JKR Quarters here, Wong said the temple would be relocated to a more suitable site.
This, he said, was to ensure comfort and safety as well as meet the needs of more structured land planning.
“Several proposed locations have been presented by the temple committee and the Kota Setar District land administrator is evaluating them in terms of suitability. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/22/kedah-takes-watchful-approach-on-unapproved-non-islamic-houses-of-worship-state-assembly-told/174091
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Malaysia on track with Haj preparations, visa issuance at 45pc, says religious affairs minister
23 Apr 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — The process of issuing visas for Malaysian pilgrims for the 1446H/2025 haj season by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has reached 45 per cent, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He said the visa issuance was part of the annual process managed by TH to ensure smooth preparations for this year’s haj operations.
“TH is also fully prepared for this year’s hajj operations, with readiness at nearly 100 per cent. This year, TH is deploying 632 haj personnel, comprising welfare staff, medical staff, and external agencies involved,” he said.
He spoke to reporters after a visit and engagement session at the Haj Visa Processing Unit to inspect preparations for the management of haj pilgrims’ visas for the 1446H/2025 season, which was attended by TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and TH chief executive officer Datuk Syed Hamadah Syed Othman.
At the same time, Mohd Na’im also expressed appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its efficiency in issuing visas and improving the Nusuk card system.
This is a huge recognition from the Saudi Government of the efficiency of our country’s haj management system and the result of long-standing close and strategic relations between TH and the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah.
“It is also the result of teamwork between TH and Masyariq Masiah, the provider of facilities and services for Malaysian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for the past three decades,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im said Malaysia would be the first country in the world to distribute the Nusuk card to pilgrims while still in their home country for this haj season.
“This card is a token of appreciation from the Government of Saudi Arabia, which has given Malaysia priority as a pioneer country for the domestic distribution of the Nusuk card, besides those on the Makkah route,” he added.
He said TH would distribute the Nusuk cards at the main departure hall at Movenpick Hotel and Convention Centre KLIA (MHCC) before pilgrims head to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for their journey to the Holy Land.
He said last year, the Nusuk cards were handed out in Makkah before the Wukuf ritual, but this year, it would be distributed earlier to ease the pilgrims’ movement.
“If we succeed in managing the distribution of the Nusuk card domestically, the initiative will be expanded to other Muslim countries. Insya-Allah, this success will continue to drive TH’s efforts in providing the best services to Malaysian pilgrims,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Kelantan ranks second safest state in Malaysia, behind Sabah, says deputy MB
22 Apr 2025
KOTA BARU, April 22 — Kelantan, with its low crime index, has been ranked as the second safest state in Malaysia after Sabah, said Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohamed Fadzli Hassan.
He said the ranking is based on the latest report on crime index rates by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
“The report was issued based on the crime index rate, which includes murder, assault, property theft, rape and robbery.
“Kelantan recorded the second-lowest crime index with a score of 96 per 100,000 population, making it the second safest state in the country after Sabah, which scored 95 per 100,000 population,” he said.
He said this in response to a supplementary question from Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim (BN-Galas) regarding the state government’s achievements in embodying the “Membangun Bersama Islam” (Developing Through Islam) philosophy during the State Legislative Assembly sitting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex today.
Elaborating, Mohamed Fadzli said the state government hoped that the issue of drug abuse in Kelantan would not be politicised, as it is also a problem faced by other states.
“For example, during the tenure of the late Tan Sri Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat as Kelantan Menteri Besar, the state recorded the highest consumption of pil kuda (amphetamine pills), which came as a shock to many.
“So we called in the head of the Kelantan Narcotics Division to discuss the matter. He explained that while Kelantan recorded high pil kuda usage, other states had higher rates of ketum juice consumption. Every state has its record,” he said.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had previously stated that Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah recorded the highest drug abuse rates.
Mohamed Fadzli said that, in response, state government took several initiatives to curb social ills and rising crime rates, including introducing new enactments, closing down gambling outlets and regulating alcohol sales.
“We have also actively campaigned for prayer observance, modest dressing, established entertainment control enactments and made adjustments to traditional Kelantanese cultural elements that contradict Islamic teachings such as Mak Yong, wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) and others,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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DPM Zahid: Malaysia, Indonesia align halal strategies to tap US$5t global market
22 Apr 2025
JAKARTA, April 22 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Tuesday led the Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Industry Collaboration Roundtable, a strategic platform underscoring both nations’ shared commitment to regional cooperation and inclusive growth within the global halal economy.
The discussions focused on tackling trade-related challenges, exploring investment opportunities, and promoting joint ventures between Malaysian and Indonesian businesses.
The roundtable also aimed to strengthen Asean-wide halal cooperation, positioning the region to tap into the projected US$5 trillion (US$1=RM4.383) global halal market by 2030.
“The session emphasised actionable strategies to sustain and grow bilateral trade flows while capitalising on each country’s comparative advantages,” he said in a statement today.
Ahmad Zahid emphasised that both nations will drive inclusive growth and create complementary value for the respective halal economies by aligning Malaysia’s Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030) and Indonesia’s halal economy roadmap.
The roundtable, organised by the Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC), an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), continues its mission to strengthen Malaysia’s footprint in the halal industry.
The roundtable also emphasised Malaysia’s globally recognised halal ecosystem and its crucial role as Asean chair in 2025, while bringing together key stakeholders from Malaysia and Indonesia.
“Malaysia is advancing a cooperative halal agenda that balances economic opportunity with values-based trade, showing the region’s growing influence in shaping the global halal landscape,” said the deputy minister.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that Malaysia and Indonesia share a long-standing partnership in the halal sector, steered by mutual objectives to complement standards and enhance trade flows.
In June 2023, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and Indonesia’s Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH) signed a cooperation agreement on mutual recognition of halal certificates.
The agreement has streamlined market access by eliminating redundant certification processes, simplifying cross-border trade for certified products in both countries.
Trade figures underscore the significance of Malaysia-Indonesia economic ties in the halal industry, with Malaysia exporting RM7.77 billion worth of halal-certified products to Indonesia between 2021 and 2023.
The roundtable meeting featured participation from prominent entities, including JAKIM, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), BPJPH, Komite Nasional Ekonomi dan Keuangan Syariah (KNEKS), and Kamar Dagang dan Industri Indonesia (KADIN). — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/04/22/dpm-zahid-malaysia-indonesia-align-halal-strategies-to-tap-us5t-global-market/174114
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Europe
Response to damage of Muslim graves 'appalling'
April 23, 2025
A man whose parents are buried at a cemetery where Muslim graves and plaques were vandalised has described the response of a council and the police as "appalling".
The damage in the Muslim section of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Hertfordshire is being treated as an Islamophobic hate crime.
But Asim Masud, 51, from the Friends Of Carpenders Park Cemetery, said Brent Council had not tidied up and the promise of more police patrols had not been kept.
Brent Council said it would repair the damage as quickly as possible and the police said there had been extra patrols every day since the vandalism on 13 April.
Mr Masud said as well as his parents, other family members and friends were buried at the cemetery in Watford and he went there regularly.
"When I visited yesterday I was quite appalled that the damaged graves were all exactly the same [as they were last week] and in the same state.
"There was no clean-up and there has been no dignity shown to the graves and I just think it is appalling the way they have responded," he said.
"They've told us it is an important issue, that it was hate crime and that they want to protect the community and show some dignity, but they need to do what they say."
Mr Masud added: "It is our responsibility to make sure we give them some kind of dignity in their rest.
"But unfortunately I have had to clear up the graves to make it look a little bit more presentable – again, I am doing the job of Brent Council."
Muhammed Butt, the Labour leader of Brent Council, the site's owner, said it would reinstate the damaged name plaques and return the cemetery to a "peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible".
He added: "For it to be in the Muslim children's section makes it even more hurtful for the families and their loved ones.
"We in Brent Council continue to work closely with the police and we want to support the families affected to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
"The council's team is at hand to support any family impacted."
Chief Supt Jon Simpson, of Hertfordshire Police, said: "We can confirm that increased patrols have been carried out at the cemetery every day since the graves were damaged and officers have been speaking with families to provide reassurance and advice."
He added: "We are also continuing our efforts to contact all those whose loved ones' graves have been affected by this crime."
The force wants to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area between 13:00 BST on 11 April and 17:00 on Saturday 12 April.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgqvedzyvvno
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Azerbaijan, Algeria hold second round of political consultations
22.04.2025
Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on Monday hosted the second round of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and Algeria.
The consultations were led by Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, and Lounes Magramane, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria.
The discussions focused on the current state and future prospects of bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade, and interparliamentary spheres. Both sides emphasized the excellent opportunities for cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as well as in renewable energy.
The meeting also addressed the enhancement of collaboration in multilateral formats, particularly within international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The upcoming Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to be held in Azerbaijan in 2026, was highlighted as a landmark event. Both sides expressed confidence in Azerbaijan’s ability to organize the summit successfully, citing the country’s rich experience in hosting major international events.
Deputy Minister Rafiyev informed the Algerian side about post-conflict regional developments, ongoing efforts toward normalization with Armenia, reconstruction and demining activities in the liberated territories, and initiatives aimed at enabling the return of displaced Azerbaijani citizens to their ancestral lands.
The consultations also covered regional and international issues of mutual interest.
During the visit, the Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister was received by Ahmed Attaf, Algeria’s Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs. The meeting praised the dynamic development of bilateral political relations and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and investment.
As part of his visit, Deputy Minister Rafiyev also toured the National Museum of Moudjahid, where he was briefed on the Algerian people’s resistance movement against colonialism.
Source: azertag.az
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https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijan_algeria_hold_second_round_of_political_consultations-3517379
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Mixed-use development in Bedford under review after mosque and HMO built without permission
22.04.2025
A former gym and martial arts centre in Bedford has already been redeveloped into a place of worship and shared housing, and now the applicant is seeking retrospective planning permission.
The application for 5 Melbourne Street, submitted under reference 25/00595/S73A, proposes the retention of the site as a mixed-use development comprising a five-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and a mosque with support facilities.
According to documents submitted to Bedford Borough Council, the front building has been converted into five en-suite rooms with communal living and kitchen areas.
The rear building is already being used as a mosque, with the first floor serving as the main prayer space and the ground floor housing a staff room, kitchen, imam’s office, and an additional prayer area.
The application states that the mosque and HMO have separate entrances and that measures such as acoustic insulation and fencing have been installed to minimise noise and ensure privacy.
Only one on-site parking space is provided (for mosque leadership), and the applicant states that HMO tenants will be “explicitly selected based on possession of a car parking permit or having no car, to promote sustainable transport options”.
The applicant argues that the redevelopment brings a vacant commercial site back into active use, supporting local housing and community needs.
Source: bedfordindependent.co.uk
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https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/mixed-use-development-in-bedford-under-review-after-mosque-and-hmo-built-without-permission/
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Prince William to attend funeral of Pope Francis
April 23, 2025
The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, Kensington Palace has announced.
Prince William will represent the King and will join world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump and France's President Macron, at the funeral service at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were among the last high-profile figures to hold a meeting with the Pope.
The private meeting, which took place two weeks ago during the royal visit to Italy, was held at the Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis died on Monday morning.
Representing the Royal Family at the Vatican funeral will be the latest high-profile international event for Prince William, following a meeting with US President Trump in France last year.
The King was Prince of Wales when he attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
His attendance at the funeral meant his wedding to Camilla was delayed to 9 April and the King and Queen's 20-minute private meeting with Pope Francis fell on their 20th wedding anniversary.
In what was described by Palace officials as having been a very moving encounter, the Pope gave them his best wishes for their anniversary.
Buckingham Palace said the meeting with the Pope had been a highlight of the couple's trip to Italy, describing it as a "very significant and special moment".
There had originally been plans for a state visit to the Vatican, but the Pope's serious health problems meant that it had been cancelled.
The couple had been praying for the Pope's recovery - and Pope Francis in turn wished King Charles well with his own health problems, as the King continues to be treated for cancer.
King Charles has been a great advocate of building links between different faiths and the planned state visit to the Vatican would have seen symbolic moments such as an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel.
The King has spoken of the "devastating loss" at the Pope's death and praised his compassion in a statement issued by the Palace - and flags were flown at half mast on royal residences.
In another sign of respect for Pope Francis, the King wore a black tie when he met the New Zealand prime minister in Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Downing Street said the prime minister would also attend the Pope's funeral.
Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer would be there, his spokesperson said the prime minister had paid tribute to the Pope's leadership "in a complex and challenging time" and that it was "right, like other world leaders, that he pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral".
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg41ed60gp5o
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Who will be the next Pope? Key candidates in an unpredictable contest
April 23, 2025
Who will be the next pope? The decision could have a profound impact on the Catholic Church and the world's 1.4 billion baptised Roman Catholics.
It also promises to be a highly unpredictable and open process for a host of reasons.
The College of Cardinals will meet in conclave in the Sistine Chapel to debate and then vote for their preferred candidates until a single name prevails.
With 80% of the cardinals appointed by Pope Francis himself, they are not only electing a pope for the first time, but will offer a broad global perspective.
For the first time in history, fewer than half of those given a vote will be European.
And although the college may be dominated by his appointments, they were not exclusively "progressive" or "traditionalist".
For those reasons, it is harder than ever to predict who will be elected the next Pope.
Could the cardinals elect an African or an Asian Pope, or might they favour one of the old hands of the Vatican administration?
Here is a selection of names being mentioned as Francis's potential successor, and we expect more to emerge in the coming days.
Softly spoken Italian Cardinal Parolin was the Vatican's secretary of state under Pope Francis – making him the Pope's chief adviser. The secretary of state also heads the Roman Curia, the Church's central administration.
Having acted effectively as deputy pope, he could be considered a frontrunner.
He is viewed by some as more likely to prioritise diplomacy and a global outlook than the purity of Catholic dogma. His critics consider that a problem, while his supporters see a strength.
But he has been critical of the legalisation of same-sex marriage around the world, calling a landmark 2015 vote in favour in the Republic of Ireland "a defeat for humanity".
The bookmakers may back him but Cardinal Parolin will be well aware of an old Italian saying that stresses the uncertainty of the pope-picking process: "He who enters a conclave as a pope, leaves it as a cardinal."
Some 213 of the previous 266 popes have been Italian and even though there has not been an Italian pope in 40 years, the pivot of the upper echelons of the Church away from Italy and Europe may mean there may not be another for now.
Could the next pope come from Asia?
Cardinal Tagle has decades of pastoral experience – meaning he has been an active Church leader among the people as opposed to a diplomat for the Vatican or cloistered expert on Church law.
The Church is massively influential in the Philippines, where about 80% of the population is Catholic. The country currently has a record five members of the College of Cardinals – which could make for a significant lobbying faction if they all back Cardinal Tagle.
He is considered a moderate within the Catholic definition, and has been dubbed the "Asian Francis" because of a dedication to social issues and sympathy for migrants that he shared with the late pope.
He has opposed abortion rights, calling them "a form of murder" – a position in line with the Church's broader stance that life begins at conception. He has also spoken against euthanasia.
But in 2015 when he was Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Tagle called for the Church to reassess its "severe" stance towards gay people, divorcees and single mothers, saying past harshness had done lasting harm and left people feeling "branded", and that each individual deserved compassion and respect.
The cardinal was considered a candidate to be pope as far back as the 2013 conclave in which Francis was elected.
Asked a decade ago how he viewed suggestions he could be next, he replied: "I treat it like a joke! It's funny."
It's very possible the next Pope could be from Africa, where the Catholic Church continues to add millions of members. Cardinal Ambongo is a leading candidate, hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He has been Archbishop of Kinshasa for seven years, and was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis.
He is a cultural conservative, opposing blessings for same-sex marriage, stating that "unions of persons of the same sex are considered contradictory to cultural norms and intrinsically evil".
Though Christianity is the majority religion in the DRC, Christians there have faced death and persecution at the hands of jihadist group Islamic State and associated rebels. Against that backdrop, Cardinal Ambongo is viewed as a fierce advocate for the Church.
But in a 2020 interview, he spoke in favour of religious plurality, saying: "Let Protestants be Protestants and Muslims be Muslims. We are going to work with them. But everyone has to keep their own identity."
Such comments could lead some cardinals to wonder if he fully embraces their sense of mission - in which Catholics hope to spread the Church's word throughout the world.
If chosen by his peers, the influential Cardinal Turkson would likewise have the distinction of being the first African pope for 1,500 years.
Like Cardinal Ambongo, he has claimed not to want the job. "I'm not sure whether anyone does aspire to become a Pope," he told the BBC in 2013.
Asked if Africa had a good case to provide the next Pope based on the Church's growth on the continent, he said he felt the Pope shouldn't be chosen based on statistics, because "those types of considerations tend to muddy the waters".
He was the first Ghanaian to be made a cardinal, back in 2003 under Pope John Paul II.
Like Cardinal Tagle, Cardinal Turkson was considered a potential Pope a decade later, when Francis was chosen. In fact, bookmakers made him the favourite ahead of voting.
A guitarist who once played in a funk band, Cardinal Turkson is known for his energetic presence.
Like many cardinals from Africa, he leans conservative. However, he has opposed the criminalisation of gay relationships in African countries including his native Ghana.
In a BBC interview in 2023, while Ghana's parliament was discussing a bill imposing harsh penalties on LGBTQ+ people, Turkson said he felt homosexuality should not be treated as an offence.
Back in 2012, he was accused of making fear-mongering predictions over the spread of Islam in Europe at a Vatican conference of bishops, for which he later apologised.
Source: bbc.com
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North America
CAIR Welcomes Philippine Law Ensuring Muslims’ Right to Islamic Funerals
April 22, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the passage of a law in the Philippines that ensures the right of Muslims to receive Islamic funeral rites.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure that requires the proper and immediate burial of Filipino Muslims in line with Islamic traditions, local media reported Tuesday. Under the new law, burials must be done as soon as possible, even without a death certificate.
“We welcome the passage of this law ensuring the religious right of Muslims to Islamic funeral rites,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. “We encourage the Philippine government to continue taking measures to ensure the rights of Muslims in the country.”
He noted that the Philippine government has previously been guilty of crimes against the Muslim Moro people during the conflict in Mindanao, which ended in 2019.
CAIR has previously opposed Islamophobia and anti-Muslim policies in India, China, Myanmar, and other countries.
Source: cair.com
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Lawmakers Visit Students Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk as They Face Deportation
April 23, 2025
A team of Democratic lawmakers have met two foreign students who are currently in immigration detention in Louisiana as the White House seeks to deport them.
The group visited two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) facilities where former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk, a graduate student at Tufts University in Massachusetts, are being held.
The two students, who participated in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, were detained separately in March by immigration officers.
Their arrests form part of the White House's crackdown on what it has classified as antisemitism on US college campuses.
The Democratic group included: representatives Cleo Fields and Troy Carter, both of Louisiana; Bennie Thompson of Mississippi; Ayana Pressley of Massachusetts; and Sen Edward J Markey, also of Massachusetts.
The visit was "to let them know we stand firm with them, in support of free speech" Rep Carter told reporters after the meeting. He said the facilities seemed "clean", but that multiple detainees complained about cold room temperatures.
Sen Markey noted that neither student has been charged with any crime. He accused the White House of sending them to a Republican-led state in an effort to "circumscribe the constitutional rights of Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil".
Ms Öztürk has suffered multiple asthma attacks while in custody, he said, adding that she and other detainees inside the facility are "not getting the medical attention which they need and deserve".
Mahmoud Khalil has been at the Louisiana detention centre since 8 March, when immigration officers told him he was being deported for taking part in protests against the war in Gaza.
The 30-year-old, who lives in New York, was a student negotiator at Columbia University during pro-Palestinian protests in 2024.
The Trump administration cited a 1952 law empowering the government to deport someone if their presence in the country posed unfavourable consequences for American foreign policy.
A judge in Louisiana said the Trump administration was allowed to move forward with its effort to deport Mr Khalil because the argument of "adverse foreign policy consequences" for the US is "facially reasonable".
In a recent open letter, Mr Khalil urged the US public to see that the country was "a democracy of convenience, and rights are granted to those who align with power."
His lawyers have told the BBC that they will continue to seek bail, as well as a preliminary injunction, to free him from custody.
His wife, Noor Abdalla, gave birth to their first child on Monday. She said Mr Khalil's application for a temporary release from the detention centre to attend the birth was declined.
"This was a purposeful decision by Ice to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer," Ms Abdalla said.
Ms Öztürk, a Turkish citizen, was detained on 25 March outside Boston, as she was walking to an Iftar meal to celebrate Ramadan. Masked, plain-clothes officers handcuffed and lead her to an unmarked car. The PhD student participated in pro-Palestinian protests as a legal US resident.
Last week the US District Court for the District of Vermont ruled that her challenge to her detention by Ice should continue in Vermont and the government should transfer her back to a facility in Vermont no later than 1 May. The court also set a bail hearing for 9 May.
The two students are among the most high-profile detainees to be arrested since Trump returned to office. The congressional delegation that visited the Louisiana facility also spoke of other detainees, including Wendy Brito, a New Orleans mother who has lived in the US for over 15 years, and another woman who they said was six months pregnant.
Legal teams for both students allege that choosing a Louisiana jail was a deliberate attempt to keep them away from their homes.
A statement Tuesday from the Democrats accuses the Trump administration of "ripping individuals from their communities and shipping them to jurisdictions more favorable to the Trump administration's deportation agenda".
They argue that the government moved Ms Öztürk to Louisiana in "an attempt to hand-pick the courts that will decide her case", instead of lack of bed space in her home state as it claimed.
The statement demands that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and the acting director of Ice, Todd Lyons, answer questions about the decision to move her.
Source: bbc.com
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Vance calls for stronger India-US relations as trade talks progress
April 23, 2025
India and the US need to work together successfully for a "prosperous and peaceful" 21st Century, US Vice-President JD Vance said in a speech calling for closer ties between the countries across sectors.
Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India, was speaking at a programme in the western city of Jaipur.
"But I also believe that if we fail to work together successfully, the 21st Century could be a very dark time for all of humanity," he added.
The vice-president's remarks came a day after he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both countries said they had made progress in negotiating a bilateral trade deal which Delhi hopes will help it avoid higher tariffs.
India is among a number of countries rushing to negotiate trade deals with the US during President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on higher tariffs, which ends on 9 July.
India was set to face 27% US tariffs before the pause was announced. Since then, Delhi and Washington have been working towards an early conclusion of trade negotiations.
In his speech in Jaipur, Vance said that the two countries had finalised the terms of reference for the negotiation.
"This is a vital step toward realising President Trump and Prime Minister Modi's vision because it sets a roadmap toward a final deal between our nations," Vance said.
He also called Modi a "tough negotiator" and someone "who drives a hard bargain", drawing applause from the audience.
Modi and Trump share a warm personal relationship: the Indian prime minister was among the first global leaders to visit Trump after his second term began. But the US president has repeatedly taken aim at India's high tariffs, branding it a "tariff king" and a "big abuser" of trade ties.
Even in the statement issued on Monday after Vance's meeting with Modi, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer highlighted the "serious lack of reciprocity in the trade relationship with India".
India has already cut tariffs on a number of goods in the past few months and is reportedly considering more wide-ranging cuts to pacify Trump. But sectors like agriculture - where Washington wants greater access, but India fiercely protects - are still sticking points.
Vance also said in Jaipur that the US is seeking to sell more energy and defence equipment to Delhi. On Monday, in addition to trade, the two leaders had also discussed cooperation in defence, strategic technologies and energy.
The Indian prime minister also said after the meeting that he was looking forward to welcoming Trump to India this year. Delhi is hosting the Quad summit later this year and the US president is expected to attend it.
The bilateral meeting was followed by delegation-level talks and a dinner hosted by Modi for Vance and his family.
Vance arrived in India on Monday morning, accompanied by his wife Usha and their three children. Usha Vance's parents migrated to the US from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, and some media reports have said that Vance and his wife are keen to introduce their children to their Indian heritage.
Photographs of the three children wearing Indian-style outfits - the two boys in kurta-pyjamas and three-year-old Mirabel wearing a lehenga - on their arrival in India were splashed across Indian newspapers and websites.
The rest of Vance's visit is largely personal. After the meeting with Modi, the family visited Jaipur city, where they visited the historic Amer Fort on Tuesday.
The family is also set to visit the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra city on Wednesday before flying to the US the next day.
Source: bbc.com
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Early turnout shatters record in Canada polls with 7.3m ballots cast
April 23, 2025
More than 7 million Canadians have cast their ballots in advance, setting a new record for early voter turnout, Elections Canada says.
Advance polling stations were open across the country for four days, from Friday to Monday, over the Easter long weekend. Poll workers reported long lines, with two million people casting their ballots last Friday alone.
With less than one week to go before election day on 28 April, federal leaders are now in the final stretch of campaigning.
Voters will consider which party should govern the country amid an ongoing trade war with the US and President Donald Trump's repeated comments about making Canada the 51st US state.
Elections Canada, the organisation which runs federal elections, said 7.3 million Canadians - about a quarter of eligible voters - had cast their ballots, marking a 25% increase from early votes in the previous 2021 election.
Mail-in voting is up as well, with over 754,000 returning their special ballots to the federal agency. That is more than the 660,000 that did so in 2021.
Latest polling suggests Liberals have a 5-point lead over the main opposition Conservative party, as campaigning enters its last stretch.
Liberal leader Mark Carney held events in Prince Edward Island and Quebec, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre had a rally in Vaughan, a suburb of Toronto, on Tuesday evening.
Carney, the former central banker of Canada and the UK, has touted his party as the best option to deal with Trump and his tariffs.
"Pierre Poilievre has no plan to stand up to President Trump," Carney told supporters on Tuesday.
The US president has implemented blanket 25% tariffs on goods from Canada, with an exemption on products covered by the USMCA - a North American free trade deal.
Canada is also hit with global US tariffs on steel and aluminium, and cars.
The northern country does a majority of its trade with the US, and the tariffs have already resulted in thousands of temporary layoffs in Canada's auto sector.
A win for the Liberals would mark a dramatic reversal of fortune for the party, which had been polling at just 20% when former Liberal leader and prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation in late January.
Their main rivals, the Conservatives, have focused their campaigning on Canadians' desire for change following nine years of leadership under Trudeau.
At rallies and events across the country, Poilievre has honed in on issues like housing, crime and the high cost of living, while criticising the Liberals for government overspending.
"It's time for the government to start pinching pennies," Poilievre said on Tuesday as he unveiled his party's platform, before adding: "We can choose change. We can choose hope. We can choose our future."
Polls suggest the Bloc Quebecois, a party advocating for Quebec separatism that only runs candidates in the French-speaking province, is in third place, with the left-leaning New Democratic Party trailing behind in fourth.
Source: bbc.com
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Mideast
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Mourns Islamic Group Leader Hussein Atwi
22 Apr 2025
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement mourned on Tuesday the death of Sheikh Hussein Atwi, a leader in the Islamic Group in Lebanon, who was martyred following an attack on his car on the Baaourta road in the Mount Lebanon area.
In a condolence statement, the movement expressed "pride and deep sorrow," extending heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the leadership, members, and supporters of the Islamic Group over Dr. Atwi’s martyrdom.
The movement praised the martyr, affirming that "he was a steadfast fighter who dedicated years of his life resisting the enemy in southern Lebanon and near our occupied land."
The statement added: "He devoted his knowledge, efforts, and struggle for the sake of pleasing God and supporting the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine."
Islamic Jihad emphasized that "Martyr Atwi will remain alive in the memory of fighters for his unwavering stance against falsehood, his heroic perseverance in times of danger, and his great sacrifices for the dignity of his people and nation."
Source: saba.ye
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Trump’s return boosts Israel’s pro-settlement right: experts
April 23, 2025
JERUSALEM: US President Donald Trump’s return to power has emboldened Israeli leaders’ push to increase military presence in Gaza and reinvigorated right-wing ambitions to annex the occupied West Bank, experts say.
After a phone call Tuesday with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said on social media: “We are on the same side of every issue.”
In Gaza, where the war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel has raged for more than 18 months, Trump’s comeback meant “big changes” for Israel, said Asher Fredman, director of Israeli think-tank Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy.
“The arms embargo imposed by (former President Joe) Biden’s administration has essentially been lifted,” Fredman said.
“That, together with the fact the northern front (Lebanon and Syria) now is quiet and we have a new defense minister and a new (army) chief of staff, is allowing Israel to move forward in achieving its military goals in Gaza.”
Fredman said Trump has a good grasp of the situation in Gaza and understands Israel’s fight against Hamas.
“If Israel decides to stop the war and have a ceasefire with Hamas, he’ll support it... but he also listened closely to released hostages who told him how terrible Hamas treated them, and his instinct is to get rid of Hamas,” Fredman said.
Trump has made clear statements on Gaza, demanding the release of Israeli hostages and making plans for the territory, but he has remained silent on Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, which have escalated since the war in Gaza began.
Just days after taking office, Trump proposed removing Gaza’s 2.4 million Palestinian residents to Jordan or Egypt, drawing international outrage.
Although he has since appeared to backtrack, the remarks emboldened Netanyahu and Israeli far-right ministers who continue to advocate implementing the plan.
Analysts say Trump’s silence on the West Bank has encouraged hard-line ministers who openly dream of annexing the territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967 and Palestinians see as part of their future state.
In March, Israel’s cabinet approved the construction of a road project near the Maale Adumim settlement that would separate traffic for Israelis and Palestinians, a move Israeli NGO Peace Now likened to “apartheid.”
Shortly afterward, in a joint statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described Palestinian construction in the West Bank as a “strategic threat to the settlements.”
Smotrich, calling the area by its biblical name, hailed a record year for “demolishing illegal Arab construction in Judea and Samaria” and said the government was working to expand Israeli settlements — which are illegal under international law.
“Since Trump’s election in November, we’ve started to hear more and more rhetoric about annexation in the West Bank, and seen more and more actions on the ground,” said Mairav Zonszein, an analyst from the International Crisis Group.
It is a “combination of Trump’s specific approach and the people that he’s chosen to be around him that have led Smotrich, Katz and others in the Israeli right to be confident that they can move forward with annexation,” she told AFP, mentioning for example the new US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who has openly backed Israeli settlements.
Sanam Vakil of Chatham House said that while Trump “has said he wants to end conflicts, there’s not one plan underway. I think there’s maybe multiple conflicting agendas.”
“There’s no criticism, there’s no condemnation of Israel’s activities, and I think that gives it free rein and confidence to continue its expansionist agenda” in the West Bank, Vakil said.
On Gaza, Vakil said Trump was “giving Netanyahu and his hard-liners a very long runway to get the job done.”
Israel says it now controls 30 percent of Gaza’s territory, while AFP’s calculations based on maps provided by the military, suggests it controls more than 50 percent.
While Trump and his administration have openly supported many of Israel’s policies, particularly regarding the Palestinians, sharp differences are emerging on another key issue, Iran.
Vakil said that by being flexible on the Palestinian issue, Trump was likely “trying to buy himself some room to manage the Iran file.”
The Trump administration has been engaged in indirect talks with Israel’s arch-foe Iran on its nuclear program, a clear departure from Netanyahu’s long-standing policy, calling to address the threat through military means.
“The president is making it clear that the military strategy isn’t going to be the first way to address the Iran crisis,” Vakil said, adding this has Israelis deeply worried.
On Saturday, Netanyahu appeared to push back against Trump’s diplomatic initiative, saying in a statement that he remained “committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.”
Source: arabnews.com
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For Iraqi Christians, pope’s visit was a rare moment of hope
April 22, 2025
BAGHDAD: The death of Pope Francis has sent shockwaves through Iraq’s Christian community, where his presence once brought hope after one of the darkest chapters in the country’s recent history.
His 2021 visit to Iraq, the first ever by a pope, came after years of conflict and displacement. Just a few years before that, many Iraqi Christians had fled their homes as Daesh militants swept across the country.
Christian communities in Iraq, once numbering over a million, had already been reduced to a fraction of their former number by decades of conflict and mass emigration.
In Mosul, the site of some of the fiercest battles between Iraqi security forces and Daesh, Chaldean Archbishop Najeeb Moussa Michaeel recalled the pope’s visit to the battle-scarred city at a time when many visitors were still afraid to come as a moment of joy, “like a wedding for the people of Mosul.”
“He broke this barrier and stood firm in the devastated city of Mosul, proclaiming a message of love, brotherhood, and peaceful coexistence,” Michaeel said.
As Francis delivered a speech in the city’s Al-Midan area, which had been almost completely reduced to rubble, the archbishop said, he saw tears falling from the pope’s eyes.
Sa’dullah Rassam, who was among the Christians who fled from Mosul in 2014 in the face of the Daesh offensive, was also crying as he watched the pope leave the church in Midan that day.
Rassam had spent years displaced in Irbil, the seat of northern Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region, but was among the first Christians to return to Mosul, where he lives in a small house next to the church that Francis had visited.
As the pope’s convoy was leaving the church, Rassam stood outside watching.
“It was the best day of my life,” Rassam said.
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Jordan’s prime minister warns against threat of ‘political opportunism’ and external loyalties
April 22, 2025
LONDON: Jordan’s Prime Minister Jafar Hassan cautioned on Tuesday against acts of “political opportunism” and any activities that might undermine public safety.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting in Ajloun, he said: “The Jordanian state’s forbearance cannot be subjected to testing, nor can any entity prevail against it through performative displays or populist demagoguery, or jeopardize public welfare for any cause whatsoever,” the Jordan News Agency reported.
“Nothing transcends Jordan’s interests” and there is “no space for external loyalties or subversive elements seeking to propagate instability and impede national progress,” he added.
“Within Jordan’s borders, sovereignty is exclusively vested in constitutional legitimacy, with authority concentrated solely in state institutions and our independent judiciary.”
The prime minister’s comments came a week after Jordanian authorities said they foiled a series of plots that threatened the country’s national security. They arrested 16 people accused of planning acts of chaos and sabotage, and seized weapons including missiles, explosives and firearms.
Hassan said national unity is essential to the country’s strength and any attempt to compromise it “constitutes direct opposition to Jordan’s national interests and its citizenry.”
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IRGC symbol of resistance, national pride: FM spox
Apr 22, 2025
In a post on his X account on the occasion of April 22, which marks the establishment anniversary of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he wrote, “On the anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, we express our gratitude for the bravery and self-sacrifice of the nation’s defenders.”
The IRGC steadfastly safeguards the security and dignity of Islamic Iran, serving as a symbol of resistance, strength, and the pride of a nation that bows to neither threats nor coercion, he added.
The IRGC plays a central role in Iran’s national security architecture, projecting both domestic stability and regional influence, Baghaei noted.
Earlier on Tuesday, Spokesman of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini said that any aggression from the enemies against the country will receive a strong and remorseful response.
Source: mehrnews.com
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47th Islamic Book Fair Kicks Off in Kuwait
22 Apr 2025
The 47th edition of the Islamic Book Fair officially opened on Monday in Kuwait City.
Siham Al-Azmi, Director General of the National Library, stated that the fair boasts a proud 47-year history of success in fulfilling its mission to enlighten both heart and mind, and to promote conscious reading among the public, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
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Hezbollah condemned assassination of Islamic Group leader Hussein Atwi
22 Apr 2025
Hezbollah condemned the heinous crime committed by the Zionist enemy in assassinating Islamic Group leader Sheikh Hussein Atwi
The party's Islamic Relations official, Sheikh Abdul-Majid Ammar, stressed that this cowardly crime comes within the context of the enemy's ongoing arrogance and violation of Lebanese sovereignty, targeting the resistance in all its forms
He noted that the enemy's continued crimes occur with clear American encouragement due to the international community's failure and the negligence of the ceasefire agreement sponsors
He called on the Lebanese state to abandon its spectator position and take practical, effective steps to confront these aggressions instead of limiting itself to condemnation statements that have failed to deter the enemy
The Zionist enemy assassinated Sheikh Hussein Atwi earlier today by targeting his car in Baourta, Mount Lebanon
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South Asia
“We are obligated to seek pleasure of Allah in all affairs,” says IEA leader
April 23, 2025
KABUL: Shaikh Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, said that everyone is obligated to seek the pleasure of Allah in all affairs.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Higher Education on Tuesday, the supreme leader made the remarks, during the inauguration of a four-day National Conference titled “Teaching, Value, and Impacts of Islamic Culture Subjects” which organized by the Nangarhar University under the leadership of the Ministry of Higher Education, at the Kandahar University, the statement said.
The conference was attended by high-ranking government officials including the acting Minister of Higher Education, Shaikh Neda Mohammad Nadeem, chairman of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, head of the Central Dar ul Iftah, chief of police of the Kandahar province, head of the Ulama Council (religious scholars) of Helmand province, the central directors of the Ministry of Higher Education, the chancellors of the universities, the deputies of the academic research and magazines, the deans and lecturers of the faculties of the Sharia and Islamic Culture, and the preachers of the of the department of the Guidance and Invitation.
Addressing the conference, Shaikh Hebatullah said that such gatherings and conferences strengthen faith, and these assemblies are organized to benefit the religion.
He also emphasized the value of knowledge and said, “Knowledge and scholars are like the sun. A scholar must spread knowledge just as the sun spreads light to all.”
“We are obligated to seek the pleasure of Allah in all affairs.
There is no good in pleasing people if it results in the displeasure of Allah. Therefore, the Afghan people waged jihad for twenty years for the sake of Allah’s pleasure and the establishment of the Islamic system.
Now, they must not grow weary even if implementing this system requires a hundred more years of sacrifice,” he said.
Also, he added that the disbelievers have been defeated in military jihad, and now they have started a propaganda war.
“I wish for you what I wish for myself. If you also wish for me what you wish for yourselves, then no enemy will find an opportunity to create discord among us, and the system will not face any challenges,” the leader further added.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Muhammad Yunus hopes for Rohingya return by next eid, but Rakhine unrest clouds repatriation plans
Deutsche Welle
22.04.25
The head of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has told Rohingya Muslims who fled from neighboring Myanmar that, "may we pray to Allah, that next Eid, you can celebrate in your own homes in Myanmar."
Bangladesh has been taking in fellow Muslims from Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state since a bloody 2017 army crackdown forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee their homeland.
Myanmar's military junta has ruled since a February 2021 coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Since then, fighting between ethnic rebel groups and the military has pushed more Rohingya to seek refuge in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh currently hosts over 1 million Rohingya Muslims in sprawling refugee camps in Cox's Bazar and on the offshore island of Bhasan Char.
Myanmar's government confirmed earlier this month that 180,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh are eligible to return to Myanmar. This followed talks between representatives of both nations in the Thai capital, Bangkok.
The 180,000 names were part of a list of 800,000 Rohingya that Bangladesh submitted to Myanmar in six batches between 2018 and 2020. Myanmar also indicated that the verification of others on the list is ongoing.
"While this is an important progress, it is not enough to start repatriation. Rohingyas have always insisted on a safe and dignified return," according to Azad Majumder, a press officer to the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's interim administration.
Majumder added that until Rakhine State is considered safe, "repatriation is unlikely to begin."
About 70,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2024 during a surge in fighting between the ruling junta and the Arakan Army (AA) rebel group, which wants more autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine people, a population that is accused of aiding the military in their expulsion of the Rohingya.
The AA is the well-armed military arm of the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political organization of the Buddhist people in western Rakhine state.
The AA and the ULA seek an autonomous region in Rakhine state inclusive of both Muslims and Buddhist Rakhine.
UN mulls Bangladesh-Myanmar humanitarian corridor
Last month, Yunus hosted UN chief Antonio Guterres, who traveled to Cox's Bazar to witness the hardships faced by the Rohingya community, all of whom rely on humanitarian assistance.
Guterres said the UN is exploring the possibility of a humanitarian aid channel from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
"We need to intensify humanitarian aid inside Myanmar to create a condition for that return [of the Rohingya] to be successful," Guterres said during a press briefing in Dhaka during his visit.
He suggested that under the right circumstances, having a "humanitarian channel" from Bangladesh would facilitate the return of the Rohingya community, but said it would require "authorization and cooperation."
Asked if dialogue with the AA was essential for the repatriation of Rohingyas, Guterres said: "The Arakan Army is a reality in which we live."
He acknowledged that in the past relations with the AA have been difficult but said, "necessary dialogue must take place," noting that sanctions against the group would require UN Security Council approval, which could prove difficult to obtain.
"It's essential to increase pressure from all the neighbors in order to guarantee that fighting ends and the way towards democracy finally established," Guterres said.
Khalilur Rahman, high representative on Rohingya issues for Bangladesh's interim leader, confirmed that his government is engaged in dialogues with the AA.
"Under the 2018 bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, verification has been ongoing," Khalilur Rahman told reporters in Dhaka earlier this month.
"While Rakhine is a sovereign region of Myanmar, we have also engaged in dialogue with the Arakan Army, which publicly affirmed in September that repatriating the Rohingya is a key position for them. They reiterated this stance unequivocally during our discussions."
"We believe arrangements can be made to return these 180,000 individuals," Rahman added. "While this won't happen overnight, we are striving to expedite the process with all stakeholders involved."
Will refugees return to Rakhine under AA?
The Rohingya ethnic group faces discrimination and statelessness as they are denied citizenship and other rights in Myanmar.
John Quinley, director of Fortify Rights, an organization that investigates human rights violations, says that the Rohingya Rohingya are unlikely to return without citizenship and equal rights — their core demands.
"Many Rohingya refugees don't trust the Arakan Army who now controls the vast majority of Rakhine State," Quinley told DW.
"Rohingya are indigenous to Arakan known as Rakhine and should be able to return home," he added.
"That being said, there must be safety, restored citizenship rights, and accountability for ongoing crimes by the junta and Arakan Army," Quinley said.
"I worry that repatriating Rohingya now would be akin to refoulement. They are at real risk from both Arakan Army and Myanmar junta."
Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, suggested that if the Myanmar junta truly wants the refugees to return, it must make stronger commitments, including public assurances that it will not conduct airstrikes or use artillery on the Rohingya community.
"For the Rohingya or others to rebuild their lives in Arakan, they may need some form of permission or documentation from the Arakan Army while also requiring official citizenship from Myanmar," he told DW.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh continues to build global consciousness on Rohingya repatriation, with the UN General Assembly backing a high-level conference on the plight of the community later this year.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Islamic Emirate wants positive engagement with world based on bilateral interests
April 23, 2025
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, since its establishment more than three years ago, has sought a win-win engagement and positive relations with the world’s countries.
Relations — either politics or economic — between Afghanistan and a certain country does not mean opposing another.
Since, years of expanding economic and trade ties, between the Islamic Emirate and the People’s Republic of China or other nations, no evidence has so far been witnessed that Afghanistan has taken a single step against others, but vice versa continued to strengthen political and commercial cooperation with the entire world countries.
In a meeting with the Chinese ambassador, Mohammad Naeem, deputy minister for finance and administration for the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the Islamic Emirate, based on its foreign policy, was seeking positive engagement with all countries, including China.
“The Islamic Emirate’s policy is to pursue positive and beneficial relations based on our values, interests, and national priorities and the Islamic Emirate has achieved considerable success in this area,” this is what the Mohammad Naeem discussed with Mr. Zhao Xing in Kabul with the ambassador noting that political relations between China and Afghanistan have grown since the Islamic Emirate power resumption.
It’s obvious that China has done more for Afghanistan and its people in line with the two countries’ national interests, and considering mutual respect and the economically affected Afghans’ situation over the last long years under any system.
The friendly country recently eliminated customs tariffs on Afghan goods, and the ambassador Zhao Xing called it a “turning point” in the economic relationship between the two nations. China announced last year that it would bring import tariffs on Afghan goods to zero, while the United States, which claims support for the impoverished nation, imposed tariffs that not only affected China–Afghanistan trade but also harmed global trade.
Hasty decisions about imposing tariffs on other countries products and remarks about the annexation of some territories such as Greenland or Canada to his country with ultimately facing failure and withdrawal from many of them due to the resistance and denial of these independent nations, plummeted his (Donald Trump) approval among his nation and caused nationwide protests against his administration. The world expected that the new U.S. leadership, in joint cooperation with China, as the world’s second-largest economy, would do its best for economically prosperous world countries.
But, contrary, the goal was not reached, and the U.S. new administration did what it wanted but mostly in vain.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/islamic-emirate-wants-positive-engagement-with-world-based-on-bilateral-interests/
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ICT prosecution to submit charge sheet in Chankharpul massacre case within 4 weeks
22 Apr 2025
DHAKA, April 22, 2025 (BSS) - The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) will file a formal charge sheet within four weeks in Chankharpul massacre case, where six innocents were gunned down during the July-August mass uprising.
Confirming this to tribunal, ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam today pleaded for four weeks time to go through the probe report filed by the investigation agency on April 20 and to prepare the formal charge.
Allowing the prosecution plea, Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, chairman of the three-judge panel of the tribunal adjourned the hearing till May 25.
The ICT investigation agency, since it was reconstituted on September 18, 2024, filed its maiden probe report, implicating eight people including former commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Habibur Rahman in the case. Of the eight, Inspector Arshad, constables Md Suzon, Imaz Hossain Emon and Nasirul Islam have been arrested and are now behind the bars.
"The investigation agency prepared the 90-page probe report in six months and 13 days. Testimonies of 79 witnesses have been recorded, 19 video footages, 11 news paper reports, two audio files, 11 books or reports and six death certificates were attached with the report," Muhammad Tajul Islam told newsmen on April 21.
Shahriar Khan Anas, Mahdi Hasan Zunaid, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Miah were brutally killed in police firing in Chankharpul area during the mass uprising.
Source: bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/law-and-court/265538
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Mawlavi Kabir, UNAMA official discuss Afghan migrants issue
April 23, 2025
KABUL: Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriations, in a technical meeting with Indrika Ratwatte, the deputy head of UNAMA in Kabul, discussed addressing refugees’ challenges, the ministry said in a statement the other day.
Discussing addressing the issues and challenges faced by Afghan refugees and internally displaced Afghans, Mawlavi Kabir emphasized the critical need for assistance to both refugees and displaced families, according to the statement.
Highlighting the deep impact of decades of conflicts in Afghanistan, which has resulted in millions of Afghans being displaced or forced to migrate, he also condemned the forced expulsion of Afghan refugees by the Pakistani government.
Meanwhile, Indrika Ratwatte emphasized their ongoing commitment to support refugee-related issues.
“The United Nations and other relevant agencies spent $183 million on humanitarian assistance last year,” Indrika Ratwatte said, assuring continued assistance to Afghans.
UNAMA’s cooperation in addressing the challenges of Afghan returnees is essential for ensuring that their return is managed in a sustainable and human-centered manner.
By providing humanitarian assistance, advocating for rights, supporting reintegration, and fostering regional cooperation, UNAMA helps mitigate the difficulties faced by returnees and promotes their successful reintegration into Afghan society.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/mawlavi-kabir-unama-official-discuss-afghan-migrants-issue/
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Dmitry Zhirnov invites IEA delegation to attend upcoming Kazan Economic Forum
April 23, 2025
KABUL: Dmitry Zhirnov, the Russian Ambassador to Kabul, met with Mullah Abdul Latif Mansour, the acting Minister of Energy and Water of the Islamic Emirate, inviting him to attend the upcoming Kazan Economic Forum in Russia, the ministry said in a statement the other day.
Accepting the invitation, Mullah Mansour urged Russian state-owned companies and private businesses to invest in Afghanistan’s water and energy projects, particularly the project aimed at transferring water from Panjshir province to Kabul, dam construction in Takhar, Baghlan, Herat, and Ghazni provinces, and electricity generation projects utilizing coal, wind, solar, and gas resources, according to the statement.
He also appreciated Russia’s recent decision to remove the Islamic Emirate from its list of banned organizations and said: “This action would significantly boost economic and trade relations between the two nations.”
Meanwhile, Dmitry Zhirnov assured that he would facilitate the exchange of essential information with Russian state and private entities regarding potential investments in Afghanistan’s water and energy projects.
The Russian government officially delisted the Islamic Emirate as a banned group a few days ago, a move that experts believe will pave the way for the expansion of cooperation between Kabul and Moscow across various sectors.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/dmitry-zhirnov-invites-iea-delegation-to-attend-upcoming-kazan-economic-forum/
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National Islamic Culture Conference Opens in Kandahar in Presence of Amir-ul-Mu’minin
2025-04-23
KABUL(BNA): A four-day national conference titled “Teaching, Importance, and Impact of Islamic Culture Subjects” officially opened today at Kandahar University, under the leadership of the Ministry of Higher Education and in collaboration with Nangarhar University.
The event commenced in the presence of the esteemed Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Amir-ul-Mu’minin Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada (Hafizahullah), along with the Minister of Higher Education Sheikh Nida Mohammad Nadim, the General Director of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, the Head of the Central Dar al-Ifta, university professors, imams from the Department of Preaching and Guidance, preachers, and a large number of other high-ranking officials.
In his address to the conference, Amir-ul-Mu’minin emphasized that gatherings and conferences like these serve to strengthen faith and are held with the sincere intent of benefiting and upholding the religion of Islam.
He also highlighted the value of knowledge and scholars, stating:
“Knowledge and scholars are like the sun. Just as the sun brings light to all, a scholar should strive to bring enlightenment to everyone around him.”
Addressing the officials present, the Supreme Leader urged them to serve in universities in a manner that enables students to become sources of both material and spiritual strength for society. He advised Islamic scholars to spread their knowledge among the people, quoting a narration from the Prophet Muhammad ï·º which favors the gatherings of those who seek knowledge over all other types of assemblies.
Amir-ul-Mu’minin (Hafizahullah) further stated:
“The Afghan people struggled for twenty years in jihad for the pleasure of Allah and the implementation of Islamic law. Now, even if it takes a hundred years of sacrifice to put this system into full practice, we must not waver or become weary.”
He then warned of new threats following the military defeat of foreign forces in Afghanistan.
“The disbelievers have failed militarily in Afghanistan and are now engaged in a propaganda war. We must all unite and launch a firm resistance against this ideological and media assault,” he said.
Speaking directly to the conference participants, the Leader expressed a message of solidarity and mutual care, saying:
“I wish for you what I wish for myself. And if you, in turn, wish for me what you wish for yourselves, then no enemy will ever find an opportunity to sow discord among us, nor will our system face disunity or disruption.”
At the conclusion of the opening session, around 2,600 attendees enthusiastically renewed their allegiance (bay’ah) to Amir-ul-Mu’minin Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada with love and fervor.
It is noteworthy that during the four days of this conference, a total of 104 scholarly and research papers focusing on Sharia and Islamic cultural studies are scheduled to be presented.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/national-islamic-culture-conference-opens-in-kandahar-in-presence-of-amir-ul-muminin/
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Islamic Emirate Forces Recover 33 Light and Heavy Weapons in Clearance Operations
2025-04-22
KABUL(BNA): Personnel of the 201st Khalid bin Walid Army Corps have successfully discovered and seized a large cache of light and heavy weapons, along with various munitions, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
In a statement released today, the ministry reported that, acting on intelligence gathered by the Corps’ Directorate of Intelligence, several coordinated clearance operations were carried out across multiple areas in the eastern zone. As a result of these operations, a total of 33 pieces of light and heavy weaponry and accompanying ammunition were recovered.
The seized arsenal includes PK machine guns, Kalashnikov rifles, M16 and M4 rifles, pistols, grenades, and rockets. Additionally, authorities confiscated two missile launchers, seven hand grenades, and 640 rounds of various types of ammunition used in light and heavy weaponry.
The statement further urged all citizens: Anyone in possession of government-owned weapons, vehicles, or equipment is strongly encouraged to hand them over to the authorities voluntarily. In case of non-compliance, security operations will be conducted without prior warning, and violators will forfeit any right to file complaints thereafter.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-forces-recover-33-light-and-heavy-weapons-in-clearance-operations/
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Over 740 Afghan Migrant Families Return Home from Pakistan, Iran
2025-04-23
KABUL(BNA): Over 740 Afghan migrant families have returned to Afghanistan in recent days, following their departure from Pakistan and Iran.
The High Commission for Addressing Migrants reported that a total of 747 families, comprising 5,115 individuals, have been forcibly repatriated through various border crossings, including Torkham in Nangarhar, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Islam Qala in Herat, and Abrisham in Nimruz.
The commission has actively facilitated the return process by providing essential services to the migrants. This includes registration, verification, reception, transportation, financial management, health services, and telecommunications support.
On their return, the migrants underwent biometric registration, which involved fingerprinting. Following this process, they were provided with cash assistance and SIM cards, as well as transportation arrangements to help them reach their respective provinces.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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Pakistan
Pakistan Expresses Concern, Extends Condolences To Victims' FamiliesOver The Deadly Attack On Tourists In The Pahalgam
By Azaz Syed
April 23, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed concern over the deadly attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir's (IIOJK) Anantnag district, resulting in dozens of casualties.
Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan was saddened by the incident and expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased.
"We are concerned at the loss of tourists' lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir," the spokesperson said.
"We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery."
At least 26 people, including an Indian Navy officer, were killed and 17 were injured when gunmen opened fire at tourists in the IIOJK in the worst such attack in the region in nearly two decades.
According to police, the attack took place on Tuesday in the popular destination of Pahalgam — a renowned site for tourists in summer some 90 kilometres away from Srinagar.
The attack occurred in an off-the-road meadow and the dead included 25 Indians and one Nepalese national, police said.
A little-known group, the "Kashmir Resistance," claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media message. It expressed discontent that more than 85,000 "outsiders" had been sett
India revoked Kashmir's special status in 2019, splitting the state into two federally administered territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The move allowed local authorities to issue domicile rights to outsiders, allowing them to get jobs and buy land in the disputed Himalayan territory. That led to a deterioration of ties with Pakistan. The dispute has spurred bitter animosity and military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Attacks targeting tourists in IIOJK have been rare. The last deadly incident took place in June 2024 when at least nine people were killed and 33 injured after an attack caused a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims to plunge into a deep gorge.
Reacting to the incident, PM Modi said: "Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger."
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump called Modi to quickly offer "full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack".
Other foreign leaders, including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the attack.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1304298-iiojk-attack-pakistan-expresses-concern-extends-condolences-to-victims-families
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US Congressman Bergman reaffirms call for Imran’s release
April 23, 2025
WASHINGTON: Republican US Congressman Jack Bergman has renewed his call for the release of PTI founder and ex-premier Imran Khan, following a recent visit to Islamabad where he met the civilian and military leadership.
“After my Pakistan visit, engaging with leaders & communities there & in the US, I reaffirm my call for Imran Khan’s release,” Mr Bergman wrote on social media. “A strong US-Pakistan partnership thrives on shared values — democracy, human rights, & economic prosperity. Let’s work together for freedom & stability.”
A retired general of the US Marine Corps, Mr Bergman currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee.
He visited Pakistan last week as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation that included Democrat Representatives Thomas Suozzi and Jonathan Jackson.
The delegation held a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In Islamabad, they met Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir to discuss regional security and defence ties.
According to official statements, the meetings emphasised the importance of deepening and diversifying the US-Pakistan relationship based on mutual respect.
The lawmakers also met Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal to explore economic cooperation, educational initiatives, and climate resilience.
Additionally, they held talks with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch on expanding collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
However, during these engagements, the delegation did not express any interest in Pakistan’s domestic politics or in meeting Imran Khan. No official statements or gestures suggested they raised the issue of his incarceration while in Pakistan.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1906059/us-congressman-bergman-reaffirms-call-for-imrans-release
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Sisters denied meeting with Imran again, despite assurances
Ikram Junaidi
April 23, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Despite assurances from the Adiala Jail administration, founding chairman Imran Khan’s sisters and other party leaders were not allowed to meet him, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) said on Tuesday.
The party announced it would write a letter to the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to report the jail administration’s failure to comply with court orders, which allow PTI leaders and family members to meet Imran Khan twice a week.
Although Aleema Khan was informed in advance that she would not be allowed to meet her brother, the other two sisters were asked to wait outside the jail on Tuesday with the assurance that they would be allowed entry. However, after a two-hour wait, they were told the visiting hours had expired.
Speaking to the media, Noreen Khan, sister of the former prime minister, informed PTI founder’s sister and cousin Qasim Khan were denied access. “The jail administration kept us waiting at the entrance for two hours and then told us that the time was over,” she said.
On the other hand, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja rejected rumours that Imran Khan had met with a US delegation in jail. “Our party was not involved in any such meeting, and we do not believe in backdoor negotiations,” he said.
Speaking later at a press conference at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Mr Raja said a letter would be submitted to the chief justice of the IHC on Wednesday to formally raise the issue.
Mr Raja criticised the authorities for failing to implement court directives. “The establishment is confused and is acting in a childish manner by violating court orders,” he told reporters.
He said Pakistan’s history has shown that such systems eventually collapse. “PTI was not allowed to campaign during the general elections, yet the people gave us a two-thirds majority,” he said.
Mr Raja alleged that the judicial system had collapsed following the 26th Constitutional Amendment. He expressed concern over the deteriorating security and claimed that Afghan nationals could have been repatriated more effectively. He added that foreign investment had declined and that the country could not function without economic stability.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1905974/sisters-denied-meeting-with-imran-again-despite-assurances
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Gen Mirza seeks reciprocal steps from India for N-risk reduction
Baqir Sajjad Syed
April 23, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, on Tuesday called upon India to take reciprocal nuclear risk reduction measures and emphasised the need for maintaining geostrategic equilibrium.
“Peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through reciprocal measures for nuclear risk reduction and instituting a balance in a wider geostrategic construct,” Gen Mirza said in his keynote address at a two-day international conference, ‘Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Emerging Technologies’.
The event has been organised by the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.
Pakistan has in the past made several proposals aimed at nuclear risk reduction with India, focusing on enhancing mutual trust, transparency, and crisis communication.
Notable proposals include those from 2012 and a broader Strategic Restraint Regime (SRR) since the 1990s covering nuclear restraint, missile race prevention, and risk reduction.
India has consistently dismissed these proposals, citing its differing strategic priorities and claiming China as “the primary threat”.
Gen Mirza said Pakistan was committed to dialogue and cooperation with global stakeholders on the challenges posed by the adoption of new technologies in the military domain.
Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, executive director of CISS, warned that the proliferation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, and autonomous systems threatens to destabilise the global security order.
“These technologies, particularly when integrated into military systems, risk eroding the delicate balance that has prevented nuclear conflict for decades,” Mr Naqvi said.
He noted that the increasing reliance on unmanned vehicles and AI-enhanced surveillance introduce a host of ethical, legal and humanitarian challenges.
“Emerging technologies are not only transforming conflict at the tactical level,” Mr Naqvi added, “but are also eroding present deterrence frameworks.”
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1905968/gen-mirza-seeks-reciprocal-steps-from-india-for-n-risk-reduction
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SC adjourns seniority case after petitioners seek time for rebuttal
Nasir Iqbal
April 23, 2025
• SHC registrar submits concise statement
• Five IHC judges challenge legality of judicial transfers without fresh oath
ISLAMABAD: Senior counsel Muneer A. Malik, representing five Islamabad High Court judges, informed the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court that he intended to file a rejoinder to rebut the federal government’s position as stated in its concise statement submitted before the court.
“I will file a rebuttal and a concise statement in a couple of days after examining all the replies and concise statements,” said Mr Malik, the counsel for justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Saman Rafat Imtiaz.
These judges have petitioned the Constitutional Bench, requesting that three judges transferred to the IHC not be treated as its sitting judges until they take a fresh oath under Article 194, read in conjunction with Schedule III of the Constitution.
Consequently, the five-judge CB adjourned the proceedings until April 29, allowing time for the petitioners to submit their rebuttal.
The bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, is seized with a set of petitions concerning the inter-se seniority of five IHC judges.
During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan informed the court about the concise statement filed by the federal government, along with the complete record related to the initiation of the transfer process for three judges to the IHC. He also referred to concise statements submitted by the registrars of the Supreme Court and various high courts, the secretary of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), and additional grounds presented by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA).
SHC’s concise statement
Meanwhile, Sindh High Court registrar Suhail Muhammad Laghari submitted a concise statement on Tuesday, explaining that the process for the transfer of Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro to the IHC was initiated through a letter from the law ministry dated January 31 under Article 200 of the Constitution. The letter was placed before the SHC chief justice, and a reply confirming concurrence — along with Justice Soomro’s consent — was sent the same day.
The law ministry’s letter explained that Section 3 of the Islamabad High Court Act, 2010 provides for the appointment of judges from different provinces and territories of Pakistan in accordance with the Constitution. Since no judge from Sindh was serving in the IHC at the time, the summary stated that the president had authorised the initiation of consultations for a transfer.
Earlier, the federal government submitted to the Constitutional Bench the complete record of the transfer process, including the summary initiated by the government and the consents provided by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and the chief justices of the respective high courts.
The government had previously argued before the court that the actual power to transfer a judge from one high court to another rests with the CJP, the chief justices of the high courts concerned, and the transferee judge. Under Article 200(1) of the Constitution, the president holds only limited authority in such matters.
The government also contended that the IHC must function as a representative court, and its current composition reflects the federal character of the judiciary. Presently, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir hails from Balochistan, Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz from Sindh (urban), and the then chief justice, Justice Amer Farooq, represents Punjab.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1906062/sc-adjourns-seniority-case-after-petitioners-seek-time-for-rebuttal
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Supreme Court says dowry should be ‘free from coercion’
Nasir Iqbal
April 23, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stressed that society must strive to abandon regressive dowry practices and instead, promote a model of marriage rooted in simplicity, mutual dignity, and the groom’s financial responsibility through “Mehr”.
“Dowry, unless given voluntarily and free from coercion or social pressure, perpetuates inequality and exploitation, running contrary to the ideals of an equitable marriage enshrined in both constitutional and Islamic frameworks,” observed Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah while heading a two-judge bench.
The bench had taken up an appeal by Muhammad Sajid against an Oct 17, 2022, Lahore High Court (LHC) order.
The seven-page order explained that the present ruling must serve as a firm reminder that any property received by the bride remains exclusively hers and is not subject to claim or appropriation by the groom or his family.
“No misplaced expectations or entitlements should arise in this regard,” emphasised Justice Shah, adding that as a matter of policy, any gift or contribution made by the bride’s family should be entirely voluntary and given without societal pressure.
This would preserve familial dignity and reaffirm the constitutional commitment to equality and human dignity, Justice Shah said.
Dowry, if given out of social pressures, can exert a severe burden on families, especially those with limited financial resources, the Supreme Court observed.
In contrast, Islam designates Mehr as the sole obligatory provision, an unconditional gift from the groom to the bride, intending to secure her financial autonomy without burdening her family.
The controversy at hand revolved around the marriage between Muhammad Sajid (petitioner) and Shamsa Asghar (respondent), which was solemnised on Feb 5, 2018. However, the relationship between the parties became strained, ultimately culminating in a divorce.
The respondent instituted a suit for recovery of maintenance allowance and dowry before a trial court. The suit was partially decreed to the extent of dowry and maintenance through a judgement on March 10, 2022.
Both parties file appeals
Aggrieved by the quantum of the decree, both parties filed appeals before an additional district judge in Sialkot. The petitioner filed an appeal for reduction of the maintenance allowance while the respondent filed an appeal for increasing the quantum of dowry specified in the decree.
The appeals were partially allowed and, more importantly, the valuation of dowry was raised while the claim for maintenance was dismissed on Sept 19, 2022. Subsequently, the petitioner preferred a civil revision before the LHC, but the appeal was dismissed on Oct 17.
In the appeal filed before the Supreme Court by Muhammad Sajid, the primary legal question was whether the dowry claimed by the bride includes presents given to the groom or his family.
At the time of the marriage, the bride’s parents had provided her with dowry.
The Supreme Court, while noting that the list provided by the respondent (bride) shows that certain items given to the groom’s family fall outside the scope of dowry and pass as presents, set aside the LHC
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1906058/supreme-court-says-dowry-should-be-free-from-coercion
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Court proceedings suspended across Sindh amid lawyers’ strike call
Sumair Abdullah
April 23, 2025
KARACHI: Legal proceedings at subordinate judiciary across the province remained suspended on Tuesday due to the boycott of courts by lawyers protesting against the controversial canals project.
The courts in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Naushahro Feroze and other districts wore a deserted look throughout the day due to the lawyers’ boycott.
However, hearing of cases at the Sindh High Court remained unaffected.
Lawyers held rallies in their respective cities and towns to express solidarity with their colleagues holding a prolonged sit-in at Babarloi Bypass against the controversial canals project.
In Karachi, the legal fraternity observed a full-day strike and closed the doors of district courts for an indefinite period.
In a statement, KBA acting general secretary Imran Aziz announced that the boycott of judicial proceedings will continue for an indefinite period in solidarity with the protesters at the Babarloi bypass.
He stated that during this period only lawyers would be allowed to enter the City Courts premises.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Aziz said that a widely attended meeting of the All Sindh Lawyers Action Committee had resolved that the ongoing sit-in at the Babarloi Bypass would be extended to additional three locations — Kamo Shaheed, Kashmore Dera Mor and Karachi.
“This protest is a continuation of the struggle to oppose the construction of six canals on the River Indus, and unconstitutional corporate farming,” he said.
Mr Aziz reiterated their stance that the association stood firm in its commitment to the cause and declared that there would be no compromise until the illegal acts and schemes threatening the rights, land and water of Sindh were completely revoked.
He also announced that a sit-in would be held outside the Malir court; however, he later informed the journalists that the protest location had been changed to Bin Qasim Link Road in Gulshan-i-Hadeed.
He urged members of the legal fraternity and civil society to join this “historic movement in defence of River Indus” and the future of Sindh.
Source: dawn.com
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Govt urged to issue permits to skilled Afghan workers
Saleem Shahid
April 23, 2025
QUETTA: The Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Quetta, has appealed to the federal government to issue work permits to skilled Afghan refugees working in the mining, agriculture and other sectors in the province under the guarantee of local stakeholders.
Haji Akhtar Kakar, the vice president of the chamber of commerce and industry, made the request while pointing out that the existing shortage of skilled labour could worsen further if the issue was not addressed promptly.
During a recent meeting with farmers, industrialists, and mine owners from various regions of Balochistan, Haji Akhtar said the province had historically relied on skilled labour from other provinces.
However, due to deteriorating security conditions, skilled workers from some other provinces were not willing to come to Balochistan. As a result, local farmers, industrialists, and mine owners have had to depend on Afghan workers.
He added that the decision to expel Afghan refugees had severely impacted the agriculture, mining, and industrial sectors in Balochistan, as a significant portion of the workforce came from Afghanistan.
Source: dawn.com
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Arab World
Saudi minister in China to explore education, research cooperation
April 22, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan met leaders from various universities, institutes and research centers in China, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
He was accompanied by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi and Ministry of Education Undersecretary for International Cooperation Nasser Al-Aqeeli.
The meeting, part of the minister’s visit to Beijing, aimed to explore new avenues for cooperation to enhance the educational and research systems in both countries.
The minister discussed promising investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s public and private education sectors through the “Invest Saudi” platform.
The meeting also highlighted the Saudi government’s scholarship program for Chinese students via the “Study in Saudi” platform, along with efforts to expand admission opportunities for Saudi scholarship recipients in Chinese graduate programs.
The Saudi and Chinese education ministries signed two memoranda of cooperation to exchange expertise in advanced curricula and provide scholarship programs for Saudi students in China.
One memorandum secures seats for Saudi students in top Chinese universities, enhances scholarship programs, and increases opportunities for Saudi students in high-demand fields. The China Scholarship Council represented the Chinese Ministry of Education in the signing.
The second memorandum, signed with the Chinese ministry’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation, introduces Chinese language education in Saudi public schools starting this academic year. Experts from both nations will collaborate to develop a comprehensive curriculum.
The Saudi minister also met Chinese counterpart Huai Jinpeng to discuss enhancing cooperation in general and higher education, exploring new opportunities, and exchanging expertise.
The meeting reviewed expanding partnerships between Saudi and Chinese universities and research centers in scientific research, graduate studies, scholarships, and medical education and training.
They explored investment opportunities for Chinese investors in the Saudi education sector, along with key opportunities in Chinese language education, e-learning, research, and innovation.
Source: arabnews.com
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Tarjama launches Arabic.AI based on model that outperforms GPT-4o in Arabic
WAAD HUSSAIN
April 22, 2025
RIYADH: In a market saturated with English-first large language models, Tarjama is flipping the narrative.
The UAE-based technology company today launched its Arabic.AI platform, based on the Pronoia V2 Arabic-first large language model that it claims has outscored industry leaders ChatGPT, DeepSeek and Cohere on key Arabic benchmarks.
Designed to process Arabic with near-human understanding, Pronoia touts itself as a tool for a range of uses including legal analysis, translation and proposal writing.
“It was a big surprise for us that this small model for specific niche tasks, can be better than (ChatGPT) 4o,” Andrii Klyman, senior AI product manager at Tarjama, told Arab News at a recent event in Riyadh.
Founder Nour Al-Hassan in a statement: “For too long, Arabic has remained an afterthought in the global AI landscape,
“We’ve built something fundamentally different—an autonomous system that actually understands the nuances of Arabic across multiple dialects and contexts.”
In testing, Pronoia V2 achieved an average score of 76.8 percent across Arabic language benchmarks, outperforming GPT-4o by more than 18 percentage points.
While the model can handle multilingual text, its strength lies in high-context Arabic. Tarjama has already developed several applications on top of it, including a spell-checker, legal contract analyzer, and its most recent interface, Arabic.AI — a tool for business users.
In one live demo, the system restructured an Arabic contract and highlighted risks based on local law.
In another, a user uploaded a PowerPoint file, and the system not only translated the slides but reversed their direction — adapting layout and language simultaneously.
A third version, Pronoia V3, is now in testing. Tarjama says it will deliver even stronger performance across Arabic dialects and achieve a COMET score above 94 — a key benchmark for translation quality.
Tarjama’s push to dominate Arabic AI is both technical and cultural. For years, the Arabic language has been underserved by leading AI tools, which often fail to understand its grammar, dialects, or even its script direction. Pronoia, by contrast, was purpose-built to fill that gap.
Source: arabnews.com
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KFUPM launches research project to improve green hydrogen feasibility
April 22, 2025
RIYADH: A research project to improve the feasibility of green hydrogen production has been launched by the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
Led by Prof. Mohammed Gondal, the project aims to reduce the cost of producing the element to make the process more economically viable.
It uses a portable solar panel to power a process known as water splitting, which separates the hydrogen atoms from oxygen in water.
This setup has several advantages: It operates at a lower energy input compared to traditional electrochemical water splitting, produces valuable byproducts, and utilizes the abundant solar energy available across Saudi Arabia.
The project also uses methanol, the oxidation of which traditionally results in hydrogen and CO2 emissions.
However, KFUPM’s method focuses on selectively converting methanol into valuable chemicals without CO2 emissions, significantly boosting the overall efficiency of the process.
Electrochemical water splitting carries some environmental challenges, as a large amount of energy is required for the reaction and there is a risk of mixing the two gases, hydrogen and oxygen.
Through the project, Gondal was able to overcome major challenges faced in hydrogen production, improving the output and quality of the byproducts such as formate and formic acid.
Looking forward, the project aims to scale up production by interlinking multiple cells, demonstrating the feasibility of industrial-scale green hydrogen generation using locally synthesized materials.
Hydrogen holds potential value as a fuel source for shipping, aviation and the automotive industry.
It can also be used to decarbonize heavy industries, including steel production.
Saudi Arabia is making a significant push into the production of green hydrogen, or hydrogen produced from completely sustainable sources.
It is building one of the world’s largest green hydrogen plants at the megacity of NEOM, powered by solar and wind energy.
Source: arabnews.com
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Red Sea Global unveils Botanica, its first guest experience dedicated to regenerative tourism
April 22, 2025
RIYADH: Red Sea Global, the developer behind the flagship regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, announced on Tuesday the rebranding of its latest brand, Botanica.
Previously known as The Red Sea Landscape Nursery, Botanica is dedicated not only to supplying sustainable greenery across RSG’s developments but also to offering guests immersive, nature-based experiences.
Operational since 2020, Botanica has already grown and supplied more than 7 million plants to landscape RSG’s destinations, with ambitions to deliver 30 million plants by 2030.
From this month, it opens its doors to guests at The Red Sea, AMAALA, and beyond, offering a new way for visitors to engage with the natural environment.
“Botanica is more than just a nursery, it’s a step toward regenerating Saudi Arabia’s rich biodiversity,” said John Pagano, group CEO of RSG.
“After providing us with more than 7 million plants for landscaping our destinations, the nursery now becomes our first guest experience that caters uniquely to the RSG DNA of regenerative tourism. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy immersive, hands-on experiences that reconnect them with nature,” he added.
Guests visiting Botanica can explore the nursery through guided tours, participate in planting their own flora, and enjoy refreshments at the Botanica Cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch.
They can also visit a garden shop and a tropical area.
Covering over 1.8 million square meters, Botanica is the largest landscape nursery in the region. The nursery also plays a significant role in supporting the local economy, with around 400 people employed on site, 25 percent of whom come from nearby communities.
Botanica becomes the latest offering at The Red Sea, following the launch of WAMA, specializing in water sports; Galaxea, offering underwater adventures; and Akun, which delivers land-based exploration experiences.
The Red Sea welcomed its first guests in 2023 and currently has five hotels open.
Upon full completion in 2030, the destination will feature 50 resorts, providing up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties spread across 22 islands and six inland sites.
The development will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment venues, dining, and leisure facilities.
Source: arabnews.com
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Laheq: New era of residential island living in Saudi Arabia
NADA HAMEED
April 22, 2025
JEDDAH: Unveiled by Red Sea Global, Laheq is the first island focused on residences rather than tourism, bringing resort-style living and homeownership to Saudi Arabia.
Located off Saudi Arabia’s western coast, Laheq Island is part of an archipelago of 92 untouched islands that are home to over 2,000 marine species, many of which are found nowhere else.
Out of all the locations, RSG selected the island for its intimate scale and natural beauty which is shaped by coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and calm lagoons.
Ahmad Darwish, group chief administrative officer at RSG, told Arab News: “Spanning over 400 hectares, the island is designed for everyday living, not just holidays. It offers a unique opportunity to own a private island home in a destination globally known for regenerative tourism and barefoot luxury.”
Laheq’s proximity to Shura Island, the main hub of the Red Sea, ensures seamless connectivity to the mainland, making it ideal for a close-knit year-round community.
Darwish added: “It is designed by Foster and Partners, whose vision is grounded in its natural beauty. Their ‘Forever Gardens’ concept creates a regenerative, sensory-rich island shaped by greenery and architectural harmony.”
Lissoni and Partners crafted the villa interiors, offering two palettes: light (with ivory, cream, and airy tones) and dark (with rich woods and earthy textures), to reflect different expressions of “barefoot luxury.”
At its heart lies The Ring, an 800-meter circular structure of luxury apartments, hotels, and shops surrounding the island’s central lagoon and white sands.
Laheq is designed to support all generations, offering everything from beach clubs and wellness sanctuaries to family spaces and cultural programs.
Highlights include two luxury hotels, one focused on wellness and the other on social energy. There’s also a 115-berth marina with sailing and watersports schools, an 18-hole championship golf course, several beach clubs, and clubs for men and women.
A retail and dining souq caters to both everyday needs and luxury experiences. North Park features sports facilities like tennis, padel, basketball, football, a gym, and a lap pool. The island also includes cultural programming, a mosque, and curated events for residents.
Laheq embodies RSG’s sustainability ethos, and Darwish said: “Residences are intentionally placed to maximize privacy (with) natural views, and solar orientation, while the entire island operates on 100 percent renewable energy and adheres to Red Sea Global’s pioneering environmental commitments.”
The “Forever Gardens” philosophy ensures that buildings blend with nature, using reclaimed materials, prioritizing solar orientation, and protecting mangroves and coral reefs.
Laheq will also contribute to economic diversification, job creation, and tourism growth.
Darwish added: “It also shows RSG’s evolution, from a destination developer to a vertically integrated real estate company delivering enduring value through real estate, hospitality, and sustainability.”
Laheq is scheduled for completion in 2028, with sales now officially underway. Development is set to begin shortly, marking a new chapter in exclusive island living.
Darwish said: “It appeals to those seeking second homes or primary residences in a private island setting, as well as intergenerational families looking to create meaningful shared experiences. The development also resonates with eco-conscious buyers who value sustainability and timeless design.”
RSG is working to plant 50 million mangroves and improve their natural habitats, while also protecting and restoring coral reefs in the Red Sea and nearby areas.
The developer is also on track to finish all 16 hotels in phase one of The Red Sea. By 2030 the full project will include 50 resorts with up to 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 homes spread across 22 islands and six inland locations, with Red Sea International Airport ensuring easy access.
Source: arabnews.com
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Dance of the dolphins steals the show at Farasan Islands
April 22, 2025
RIYADH: Sightings of more than five dolphin species have cemented the Farasan Islands’ reputation as a must-visit haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Among the species spotted, bottlenose and spinner dolphins steal the show. Spinner dolphins, known for their playful nature, often approach recreational cruises, delighting people with their charm.
Saudi Arabia fisherman Mohammed Fursani, who has navigated the waters for a long time, sees a deeper connection.
“Dolphins, like us, understand and cherish the sea, finding joy in it. This deep-rooted relationship highlights the local community’s awareness of the importance of coexisting with and protecting marine life,” he told the SPA.
Beyond these charismatic dolphins, the Farasan Islands are a vital sanctuary of biodiversity. Their pristine, pollution-free waters teem with fish, providing abundant food for these marine mammals to thrive and reproduce.
The area’s marine ecosystem supports 230 fish species and endangered species including green and hawksbill turtles, as well as whales and sharks that are spotted occasionally.
The sight of dolphins adds to the islands’ growing appeal as an ecotourism hotspot, supported by Saudi Arabia’s wildlife preservation efforts.
Designated a nature reserve in 1996, the islands benefit from ongoing conservation efforts by the National Center for Wildlife Development to preserve their natural heritage.
Located 50 km off Jazan’s coast and spanning 1,050 sq. km across more than 84 coral islands, this destination welcomes over 150,000 visitors annually.
Authorities are planning over 20 hotels and resorts to accommodate this surge while prioritizing sustainability at the Farasan Islands.
Source: arabnews.com
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Africa
Fear And Panic Grip Kwara Communities As New Terror Group Intensifies Attacks
April 23, 2025
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
A new terrorist group, Mahmuda, has escalated its attacks across Kwara and Niger States, raising alarm in several communities.
On Sunday night, suspected members of the group launched an assault on Ilesha Baruba and Kemaanji, Baruten, and Kaiama local government areas in Kwara State, leaving several dead and others wounded. The violence comes just days after more than 50 farmers were killed in similar attacks in Ukum and Logo local councils.
Reports suggest the assailants, dressed in military camouflage and riding motorcycles, stormed a market square at 9:30 p.m. and opened fire on residents before fleeing the scene. Among the casualties were four Fulani individuals, a vigilante, and a 19-year-old who was hit by a stray bullet. The attack is believed to be part of a series of reprisal attacks by the terrorists targeting local vigilantes.
According to Daily Trust, residents suspect that the motive behind the attacks is to displace local farmers and occupy their land. One local source described how the attackers fired at the Fulani individuals at close range, particularly targeting the vigilante who was armed with a dane gun. The violence also spread to Kaiama, where another vigilante was killed in a similar assault.
Terrorist Group Mahmuda’s Growing Influence
The Mahmuda group has been linked to an increasing number of violent incidents across the region, including kidnapping and killings in villages such as Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, and Nanu in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, as well as in parts of Yashikira District of Baruten Local Government Area. The group’s activities have extended into the Babana and Wawa districts of Borgu LGA in Niger State, prompting concerns over the spread of terrorism within these areas.
Despite previous claims from the federal government about successes in containing the violence, security experts believe the rise of Mahmuda suggests that more needs to be done to combat terrorism. Some experts have criticized the country’s intelligence system for failing to anticipate and prevent the emergence of such a group.
Governor AbdulRazaq Leads Delegation to Assess Situation
In response to the worsening situation, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq led a high-level delegation that included military and intelligence chiefs to visit Kaiama and assess the security concerns. The delegation held a “strategic security interface” with the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar, and other key stakeholders. During the meeting, the governor confirmed that the recent attacks were a reprisal targeting vigilantes.
Governor AbdulRazaq assured the public that the state government is collaborating with the military and other relevant agencies to bring peace to the affected communities and dismantle the terrorist group. He expressed confidence that the ongoing efforts will lead to a resolution of the security challenges.
In the wake of the attacks, the Kwara State Police Command reassured residents that adequate security measures were in place to prevent further violence. Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi urged citizens to go about their lawful activities while remaining vigilant and cooperating with law enforcement. She warned that any individual or group attempting to destabilize the community would be dealt with decisively.
Fear and Tensions in Affected Communities
The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umaru Seriki, expressed growing concern for the safety of his subjects, who are living in fear of the frequent attacks by the Mahmuda group. The violence is not confined to Kwara alone but has spilled over into neighboring Niger State, with incidents like the recent destruction of a security vehicle purchased by locals for vigilante operations.
Experts, including Abdullahi Garba, an intelligence and counter-terrorism specialist, have questioned the failure of Nigeria’s security agencies to anticipate the rise of the Mahmuda group. Garba pointed to the need for more proactive intelligence gathering, urging the Department of State Services (DSS), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to better address emerging threats.
Speaking to Daily Trust, Garba said, “I think the DSS, DIA, and NIA have questions to answer regarding how the new terror group penetrated the country. Why do we have intelligence agencies if we can’t determine this type of scenario in our country?” He emphasized that countering terrorism effectively requires intelligence agencies to be more proactive and thorough in their efforts.
Security Agencies’ Response
While the police spokesperson directed inquiries to the military, a source within the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) confirmed that both the police and DSS are working around the clock to curb the activities of the Mahmuda group.
The source stated, “It is not an external threat; it is already an internal issue, and the police as the lead agency in maintaining internal security have taken over. The results will be obvious soon.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/23/fear-and-panic-grip-kwara-communities-as-new-terror-group-intensifies-attacks/
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Those Attacking Benue State Do Not Bear The Nigerian Look – Alia
April 23, 2025
By Justina Otio
The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia has disclosed that those behind the massacre across the state are foreigners.
Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television, Alia stated those responsible for the attack speak unfamiliar language.
There has been an uptick in attacks across the country in recent times, especially in Benue and Plateau states.
On April 16, many residents were killed when gunmen invaded Otobi-Akpa and Emichi in Otukpo LGA, and Utonkon in Ado LGA of Benue.
Speaking on the incessant killings, Alia said residents have reported that the attackers speak dialects not associated with local communities and are believed to be foreigners.
When asked about the identity of the attackers, the governor said it was important to clarify the threat before making conclusions.
He said, “Let’s have the narrative very correct. We know Nigerians—by our ethnicities, we can identify a Fulani man, a Yoruba man, a Hausa man—we know them.
“Even the regular traditional herders, we know them. They work with cows, herding them with sticks
“But these folks [the attackers] are coming in fully armed with AK-47s and 49s. They do not bear the Nigerian look. They don’t speak like we do. Even the Hausa
“It’s not the normal Hausa we Nigerians speak. So it is with the Fulani they speak. There is a trend in the language they speak, and some of our people who understand what they speak give it names.
“They say they are Malians and different from our people. But they are not Nigerians—believe it.”
Alia said the state is facing a more dangerous threat than the traditional clashes with herders previously seen in the region.
“This is the second phase we are seeing. The initial ones were with the traditional herders. The traditional herders—we had fewer troubles with them. What we are experiencing has a new, different, strange face, and it’s now alarming,” he said.
Source: naijanews.com
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National Chief Imam mourns Pope Francis, lauds his interfaith legacy
Apr - 22 - 2025
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, describing the late pontiff as a towering figure in global interfaith harmony and a moral beacon for the world.
In a message of condolence to the leadership of the Catholic Church in Ghana and the Vatican, the revered Muslim cleric acknowledged the deep impact Pope Francis had on the Abrahamic religious fraternity and the broader international community. The message dated April 22, 2025, was signed by Dr. Mohammed Marzuq Abubakari Azindoo, Personal Assistant to the National Chief Imam.
“The passing of the Pontiff is a great loss to the global interfaith community, particularly the Abrahamic fraternity,” the Chief Imam stated.
“The world would, forever, remember an icon whose voice helped shape international order in many areas of life: from moral leadership to human rights championship.”
The Chief Imam commended Pope Francis for his unwavering advocacy for the marginalised, noting that his final public statements included a plea for peace and an end to the atrocities in Gaza.
“Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis stood for the marginalised. It was, therefore, not surprising that on the eve of his departure to eternity, he called for an end to the atrocities in Gaza,” the statement read.
The Chief Imam also highlighted the Pope’s unique ability to bridge the divide between religious orthodoxy and modernity, praising him for “striking a reasonable balance between orthodoxy in service to God and modernity in service to humanity.”
The Chief Imam further expressed hope that Pope Francis’ dedication to environmental sustainability would continue to inspire global efforts in combating the climate crisis, describing his ecological message as one rooted in faith and justice.
The National Chief Imam also prayed for a peaceful and divinely guided Papal Conclave, one that will “produce a successor of equal honour.”
Source: graphic.com.gh
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https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/national-chief-imam-mourns-pope-francis-lauds-his-interfaith-legacy.html
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Protesters Storm AGF’s Office, Seek Judicial Review Of NNPCL Deals Under Mele Kyari
April 22, 2025
By Ikenna Ngere
A group of anti-corruption advocates, operating under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday at the premises of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice in Abuja.
Naija News gathered that their mission was to press for the prosecution of the recently dismissed Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
The activists demanded a full-scale investigation into the financial dealings of NNPCL over the past five years. Leading the group was Comrade Kabir Matazu, who voiced discontent over the federal government’s silence following the removal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025.
Despite this high-profile shake-up, the protesters noted, no effort has been made to scrutinize the tenure of Kyari or probe into the corruption allegations that had shadowed his leadership.
During the protest, the group drew attention to multiple troubling developments, especially the alleged financial mismanagement related to the refurbishment and reactivation of the country’s state-owned refineries. Billions of dollars, they claimed, have been expended without adequate public accountability.
They further referenced a puzzling financial entanglement in which NNPCL is said to owe Matrix Energy over $2 billion. According to the group, this debt is being repaid through daily allocations of crude oil — a process that lacks transparency.
Matazu stated: “It is on record that this sack of the erstwhile corrupt leadership of the NNPCL drew applause from Nigerians, especially groups like ours, which had been at the forefront of demanding accountability and transparency in the running of institutions.”
He continued: “It is also of note that in Mele Kyari leadership of the NNPCL was plagued with countless and endless allegations of corruption due to what was described as lack of transparency.
“Nigerians are disenchanted that Mr President has only stopped at removing the former leadership without taking steps to investigate how the Kyari and his team ran the organisation.”
Referring to the contentious refinery overhaul, he added: “In this regard, a sore point is the alleged fraud surrounding the rehabilitation and the restreaming of the government owned refineries. The figures and the facts are simply not adding up.”
Matazu also flagged conflicting financial claims: “In addition to the billions of dollars that the Kyari-led administration claimed to have spent on fixing the refineries, it also claimed that a oil company, Matrix Energy Limited invested $400 million in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery. This is even as the Federal Executive Council had approved $1.5 billion for the repairs of the same facility.”
He noted further complications: “But there are even more perplexing issues emerging. The NNPCL is now reportedly owing Matrix Energy more than $2 billion. This debt is being serviced through daily crude oil allocations to Matrix Energy that are not being paid for.”
He then raised pressing questions: “There are consequently posers that require urgent clarifications. Why and how is the Federal Government through the NNPCL owing Matrix Oil $2 billion? Why is the debt being paid with daily supply of crude oil? Who were the parties to the negotiations of this deal? Why are Nigerians being kept in the dark?”
The group asserted that uncovering the truth is essential for Nigeria’s future: “The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption strongly believes that getting to the root of this matter will help the Federal Government to account for how public resources were spent on the controversial refineries’ repairs undertaken under the Kyari leadership.
“An investigation into the questionable transactions would also point the government in the direction of what funds to recover and from whom, which is sorely needed now considering Nigeria’s economic condition.
“Furthermore, investigating all that transpired will set the stage for holding even the current leadership accountable while equally identifying potential pitfalls for those who are now in charge so that Nigeria is not caught in a loop of repeating the same mistakes.”
The group urged immediate action: “In view of the foregoing, the Concerned Citizens Against Corruption calls on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to immediately review all agreements entered by the NNPCL under the Mele Kyari administration.
“This investigation should find out how much the Federal Government has lost to such agreements and recommendations on to recover identified funds. We demand for an immediate judicial review.”
They also called for a formal commission of inquiry to be set up by the federal government to examine the NNPCL’s operations during Kyari’s leadership, particularly concerning the refinery rehabilitation schemes.
The protesters pledged to persist in their advocacy for transparency and accountability in public institutions, stressing that Nigerians have the right to know the truth about how their national assets have been managed.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/22/protesters-storm-agfs-office-seek-judicial-review-of-nnpcl-deals-under-mele-kyari/
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Mahmuda: How New Terrorist Group Emerged; Senate Warned In 2022
April 23, 2025
The new terrorist group, known as Mahmuda, reportedly migrated from Mokwa in Niger State and took control of the Kainji Lake National Park over five years ago.
The group allegedly raided the park, forcing out the Range Guards.
According to Daily Trust, some sources suggest that Mahmuda is a splinter faction of the Shekau-led Boko Haram, but with a “moderate” ideology and links to groups in Benin and Niger Republic. The group refers to itself as the Mahmuda Group, named after its leader, Mallam.
However, the Kwara State Police Command has denied the existence of the Mahmuda group and dismissed reports of the killing of 15 vigilantes by the group.
In a statement, police spokeswoman Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi stated, “Our comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in these areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity, coordinated terrorist formations, or mass casualty incidents as described. The claim of 15 vigilantes being killed is entirely false and devoid of any factual basis.”
Residents in Kwara State claim that the Mahmuda terrorist group has been operating in the Yashikira district of Baruten, including communities like Kemaanji, Wajibe, and Nuku in Kaiama, for over five years.
According to locals, the group initially began as a religious body promoting its interpretation of Islam. Over time, the group reportedly attracted many teenagers, who became fighters and informants.
Alhaji Haruna Idirissa, a local resident, shared, “Before now, we had called the attention of the authorities and security operatives to their growing influence, and it was only recently that the military led a major onslaught against them, which included aerial bombardments, killing many of them.”
In 2022, the Senate issued an alert regarding the presence of terrorist hideouts in communities across three local government areas in Kwara and Niger States.
The Senate urged the military to launch a detailed operation against bandits and criminal elements within the Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding areas.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Sadiq Umar, representing Kwara North, and co-sponsored by Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, representing Niger North.
Last month, a security expert, Zagazola Makama, reported that a detained militant arrested by vigilante forces in Kaima provided key intelligence about the group’s movements and operational structure.
Source: naijanews.com
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