US Department of State-Designate India as A 'Country of Particular Concern' For Engaging in Systematic, Ongoing and Egregious Violations Of Religious Freedom
New Age Islam News Bureau
03 Oct 2024
Photo: The Hindu
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· US Department of State-Designate India as A 'Country of Particular Concern' For Engaging In Systematic, Ongoing And Egregious Violations Of Religious Freedom
· Media Professionals in Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan ‘Humiliated’ As Abuses Rise
· Maine State Prison Pilots Program to Give Muslim Inmates a Faith-Based Path to Rehabilitation
· From Mosque to Massacre: How The Tel Aviv Attack Unfolded
· Pakistan PM Shehbaz Commends Dr Zakir Naik for Promoting Islam Worldwide
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India
· Bareilly Court Hands Muslim Man Life Term in Sex Assault Case Citing ‘Love Jihad’
· ED Summons Former India Cricket Captain Mohammad Azharuddin In Money Laundering Case
· Jammu & Kashmir: Congress holds out olive branch to ‘like-minded’ parties for govt formation
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South Asia
· Bangladesh’s Political Transition Viewed As Opportunity By Islamic State And Al-Qaeda
· Exiled Opposition Does Not Represent Panjshir, Assert Provincial Elders
· Deputy Minister for Drug Control Engages with Turkish Coordinator on Drug Trafficking Efforts
· Washington states Afghanistan remains US Foreign Policy priority
· Islamic Emirate Calls for End to Israeli Military Attacks in the Region
· Nasa group chairman Nazrul Islam placed on seven-day remand
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North America
· 8 In 10 Washingtonian Muslims Experienced Discrimination in Past Year, CAIR-WA Report Says
· Kamala Harris Adviser, Phil Gordan, Meets US Muslim, Arab Leaders Angry at Support for Israel
· Muslim Parents, Students In Colorado School District Raise Concerns Of Bullying
· CAIR-Ohio Welcomes Mayor of Solon’s Statement on Anti-Muslim Petition
· Dozens charged in case against California neo-Nazi gang
· Biden Won’t Support a Strike On Iran Nuclear Sites As Israel Weighs Response To Iran Missile Attack
· Trump 'resorted to crimes' to overturn 2020 election, prosecutors say
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Mideast
· Zionist Entity Targeted the Islamic Health Society Center With Internationally Banned Phosphorous Bombs: Lebanese News Agency
· Arab Conference calls for opening Arab, Islamic airspace & fronts to resistance forces
· Settler groups anew storm Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards
· Lebanon’s Health Ministry raises death toll to 6 from airstrike near central Beirut
· Lebanese factions revive bid to fill presidency as Israel attacks
· Hamas claims Tel Aviv shooting attack that killed seven
· Israel strike on Syria capital kills three: war monitor
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Pakistan
· Security forces gun down six BLA terrorists in Harnai
· 6 boys rescued from abuse by Lahore police
· ‘Curfew-like situation’ created in Punjab to foil protests, claims PTI
· 'You reap what you sow,' Nawaz tells Imran in fiery speech
· PML-N senator says proposed judicial package not aimed at any individual
· Central bank revises criteria for conversion of conventional banking branches into Islamic
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Africa
· Focus On Issues That Will Bring Development, Not Division – Ibadan-Based ClericTells Islamic Groups
· Muslim Clerics Appeal for Calm, Urge Trust in Tinubu’s Economic Reform
· Islamic police raid betting shops in northern Nigeria
· In music and dance, Sudanese performers transport refugee audiences back home
· Compensate Muslims In Cabinet Reshuffle – MURIC Tells Tinubu
· Two boats carrying migrants sink in the Red Sea off Djibouti's coast killing 45
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Southeast Asia
· Indonesian Government Calls On Mosques to Boost Climate Awareness Efforts
· GISBH: Islamic religious councils take action focusing on Syariah crimes
· High Court orders controversial Muslim preacher Firdaus Wong to remove conversion video for minors from TikTok pending trial
· Selangor Sultan to be briefed on Fatwa Committee’s ruling on GISBH tomorrow
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Arab World
· 2-State Solution the Only Viable Path to Lasting Peace in Middle East, Says Saudi FM
· Madinah hosts forum on mass gatherings, emergency medicine
· Remote Thabhloten in Empty Quarter has rich history, compelling beauty
· Riyadh forum to fuel SMEs, startups in Kingdom
· Al-Mawaddah joins World Family Organization to share Saudi expertise on global stage
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Europe
· Russian Man Jailed for Burning QuranCharged with Treason
· German publisher showcases rare manuscripts at Riyadh book fair
· Russians claim key city of Vuhledar in Ukraine's east
· Four people killed in Ukrainian attacks on Russian region – governor
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/uscirf-india-religious-freedom-violations/d/133352
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US Department of State-Designate India as A 'Country of Particular Concern' For Engaging In Systematic, Ongoing And Egregious Violations Of Religious Freedom
Photo: The Hindu
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PTI
03 Oct 2024
WASHINGTON: A US federal government commission has flagged the alleged worsening of religious freedom in India and called for it to be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern".
Authored by senior policy analyst Sema Hasan, the section on India describes the use of misinformation and disinformation -- including hate speech by government officials -- to incite violent attacks against religious minorities and their places of worship, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in a statement.
In its annual report, the USCIRF also recommended that the US Department of State designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" for engaging in systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.
The state department has so far refrained from accepting the recommendations.
"This report highlights how, throughout 2024, individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested, and homes and places of worship have been demolished.
A US federal government commission has flagged the alleged worsening of religious freedom in India
These events constitute particularly severe violations of religious freedom," the USCIRF said.
Beginning with the previous Manmohan Singh-led government, India has consistently denied visas to USCIRF members to visit the country, citing "interference" in its internal affairs, it added.
India and several Indian-American groups have in the past accused the USCIRF of biased, unscientific and agenda-driven reporting to malign the country.
"It (the report) further describes changes to and enforcement of India's legal framework to target and disenfranchise religious minorities, including the Citizenship Amendment Act, a uniform civil code, and several state-level anti-conversion and cow slaughter laws," the USCIRF said.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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Media Professionals in Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan ‘Humiliated’ As Abuses Rise
A member of the Taliban keeps guard during an event at the office of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association in Kabul. | Photo Credit: AFP
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October 03, 2024
Afghan journalists have reported hundreds of cases of abuses by government officials, including torture and arbitrary detention, as well as tightening censorship since the Taliban authorities returned to power.
Presspersons said they were frequently rounded up for covering attacks by militant groups or writing about the discrimination of women, and some reported being locked up in the same cell as Islamic State fighters.
“No other profession has been so humiliated,” said a journalist from the north who was recently detained and beaten.
Taliban say no one faces discrimination in Afghanistan
“Me and my friends no longer want to continue in this profession. Day after day new restrictions are announced,” he said, asking not to be named for security reasons.
“If we cover (attacks) or topics related to women, we expose ourselves to threats by phone, a summons or detention.”
When the Taliban authorities seized power in 2021 after a two-decade-long insurgency against foreign-backed governments, Afghanistan had 8,400 media employees, including 1,700 women.
Only 5,100 remain in the profession, including 560 women, according to media industry sources.
“We have recorded around 450 cases of violations against journalists since the collapse, including arrests, threats, arbitrary detention, physical violence, torture,” said Samiullah, an official at a journalists’ association in Afghanistan, whose name has been changed for his protection.
The Taliban authorities have not responded to several requests for comment on the reports.
However, Hayatullah Muhajir Farahi, the deputy Minister of Information, recently said in a statement that media were allowed to work in Afghanistan on condition that they respect “Islamic values, the higher interest of the country, its culture and traditions”.
New regulations
In September, new regulations were slapped on political talk shows, media executives said.
Guests must be selected from a Taliban-approved list, the themes sanctioned and criticism of the government prohibited.
Shows must not be aired live, allowing for recordings to be checked and “weak points” to be removed.
The state radio and television station RTA no longer allows women to work as journalists, according to an employee within the organisation who asked not to be named.
In southern Helmand province, women’s voices are banned from television and radio.
Surveillance of journalists continues on social networks and the press survives through self-censorship.
The London-based Afghanistan International channel, for which no Afghan is allowed to work anymore, accused Kabul in September of jamming its frequencies.
A recent law on the “promotion of virtue and prevention of vice” which formalises the strict interpretation of Islamic law has further worried journalists.
The law prohibits taking pictures of living beings and women from speaking loudly in public.
Another law being prepared is intended to regulate the functioning of the media, according to the Information and Culture Ministry.
“Journalists are very afraid,” Samiullah said “They feel alone, lost, defenceless.”
Afghanistan has slipped from 122nd place to 178th out of 180 countries in a press freedom ranking compiled by Reporters Without Borders.
Source:thehindu.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Storyhttps://www.thehindu.com/news/international/media-professionals-in-taliban-ruled-afghanistan-humiliated-as-abuses-rise/article68712104.ece
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Maine State Prison Pilots Program to Give Muslim Inmates a Faith-Based Path to Rehabilitation
Maine State Prison
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By Ari Snider
October 2, 2024
On a summer afternoon at the Maine State Prison in Warren, a few dozen residents were seated in a community room, discussing a core tenet of Islam: Always telling the truth.
In theory, everyone was onboard. But one man — who said he grew up in an interfaith family — pointed out that adults lie all the time to their kids about certain popular myths.
"Santa Claus is real, Easter Bunny is real, all this stuff is real. So that's lying to your kid," said the man, whose name we're withholding in accordance with the prison's media policy.
"That's institutionalized lying. That's like cultural lying," replied instructor Matthew Wilkinson.
"But why lie at all though, if Muslims are not supposed to lie?" the resident asked.
The discussion session was part of a new program called Prison-based Interventions for Muslim Offenders, or PRIMO, for short. Developed in the U.K., it aims to reduce conflict and help Muslim inmates develop a healthy and productive relationship with faith.
Researchers brought PRIMO to the U.S. for the first time this summer, offering instruction for staff, chaplains, and residents at the Maine State Prison.
The question about lying to kids didn't settle on an easy answer. But the man who asked said these debates and conversations have offered him new tools to manage his emotions and defuse conflict.
"It gives me the chance to help understand others. If someone says something foul to me, I can stop and be like, 'Why did you say it?'" he said. "It's not just always aggression anymore. Now it's like, if you understand that person, y'all will never have an issue."
t it's core, the premise of PRIMO is simple.
"How to understand what Islam is, what Islam isn't, and how the values and practices of Islam can feed into helping incarcerated individuals make a productive sentence," said Matthew Wilkinson, a professor of religion in public life at Cardiff University, in Wales, who spearheads the program.
He said the curriculum for prison residents centers around the idea of the Muslim steward. Based on religious teachings and Wilkinson’s own research, it offers a layered approach to reshaping personal interactions.
"The innermost core of stewardship is reflecting on life, being able to take a step back, reflecting on one's core values, reflecting on what one's done right and what one's done wrong," Wilkinson said.
The outer layers involve worshipping god, building healthy relationships, and caring for the Earth. Wilkinson said the practice of building and sustaining relationships is especially important in learning to manage one’s sentence, and preparing to reenter life outside of prison.
"Society often doesn't make space for returning citizens, so they have to be skillful in that," Wilkinson said.
The population of incarcerated Muslims in Maine is relatively small, about 140 people across eight facilities, according to Department of Corrections Commissioner Randy Liberty.
But Liberty said he wants staff to be familiar with Islam, and the role it plays in the lives of those residents.
"So they have a good understanding of how important these practices are to individuals, and there'll be no misunderstanding or disrespect of their practices," Liberty said.
Liberty said PRIMO fits with the department’s years-long goal of creating what’s known as a “normative” environment. Based on the Nordic model for prisons, he said the goal is to create supportive, non-adversarial conditions.
In 2017, when the push toward normalization began, Liberty said the prison registered 87 assaults on staff. Last year, he said, there were only seven.
"So not only does it benefit the residents to have a more normal environment, where it's therapeutic, and they can heal and redeem, but it also provides a better work environment for the staff that are working in these situations," Liberty said.
Liberty said the PRIMO pilot was a success, and his department is now looking at how to expand the program to other facilities.
Abdi Awad is one of two residents serving as mentors through PRIMO.
He’s also the unofficial prison imam, a role he describes as a personal responsibility, at a time when Muslim faith leaders are in short supply in prisons across the country.
"[A] responsibility for me, responsibility for my religion and responsibility for my community. So it's almost like, if I don't do it, who will?" Awad said.
Awad said he’s reconnected with faith during his sentence, while also pursuing higher education, including, most recently, a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine.
And he said he hopes PRIMO participants can take the model of the Muslim steward, with its attentiveness, responsibility, and reflection, to heart.
"That will help you not to return to prison or even change your behavior while you're incarcerated," he said.
Awad said that had his younger self followed the principles of faith to which he now subscribes, he likely wouldn’t have ended up in prison in the first place.
Source:mainepublic.org
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https://www.mainepublic.org/courts-and-crime/2024-10-02/maine-state-prison-pilots-new-program-aimed-at-giving-muslim-inmates-a-faith-based-path-to-rehabilitation
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From Mosque to Massacre: How The Tel Aviv Attack Unfolded
The attack took place on Friday night in Tel Aviv after the car swerved off the road [Nir Elias/Reuters]
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October 02, 2024
New information has surfaced regarding Tuesday's terror attack in Tel Aviv, where seven people were murdered. It has been revealed that the two Palestinian gunmen entered the Al-Nuzha Mosque in the city's Predominantly-Arab Jaffa quarter minutes before the shooting began.
The attackers, who had illegally crossed into Israel, threatened worshippers in the mosque, saying, "No one leaves the mosque; whoever leaves, risks their own head."
One of the mosque attendees, identified as D., recounted that the gunmen carried large backpacks, hid them near the restrooms and drew weapons, including an M-16 rifle and a knife. "They threatened us not to leave and then headed west. From afar, they saw the train stop and began shooting people at point-blank range. I saw it myself because I ran after them. People fell on the spot. They murdered Jews, they murdered Arabs," D. recalled.
Ali, the mosque official, said one of the terrorists entered the mosque with an M-16 rifle, warning, "No one will leave, whoever does will be responsible for their deaths." After issuing the threat, the attackers left. "We immediately closed the doors, called the police, and then heard the gunfire," Ali said.
In response to the attack, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would consider demolishing the mosque if it was found that the attackers used it to hide or escape. However, a police investigation cleared the worshippers of any involvement.
Ali condemned Ben-Gvir's remarks, saying, "We've lived together for 70 years. Is he here to create hate between Arabs and Jews? He should stay in his place."
After leaving the mosque, the terrorists ran down Jaffa's main street and entered a light rail car, where they shot passengers at close range. The attackers continued their rampage along Jerusalem Boulevard, shooting passersby before being neutralized by security forces.
The attackers, identified as Mohammed Mesek, 19, and Ahmad Himouni, 25, were armed with M-16 rifles, magazines and a knife. Mesek was killed at the scene, while Haimouni was seriously wounded. The two had crossed from the West Bank into Israel, though it remains unclear exactly when.
A joint investigation by the Shin Bet and Israeli Police revealed that the two terrorists had no prior arrests, though one was involved in a public disturbance incident.
Following the attack, the IDF imposed a closure on Hebron and conducted overnight raids on Haimouni's home. Several family members, including his father and brothers, were arrested on suspicion of aiding the terrorists by providing weapons and facilitating their entry into Israel. They were transferred to Shin Bet custody for further questioning.
Source:ynetnews.com
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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Commends Dr Zakir Naik for Promoting Islam Worldwide
Pakistan PM Shehbaz
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October 02, 2024
Ummah proud of Dr Zakir for projecting Islam across the world: PM.
Says he had personally benefited from esteemed scholar's lectures.
“The success lies in following the Islamic teachings.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday lauded eminent scholar Dr Zakir Naik’s exceptional efforts in spreading the true teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadith, besides promoting Islamic values worldwide.
The prime minister warmly welcomed Dr Naik, expressing his admiration for his scholarly work.
He said the entire Ummah was proud of him for projecting the real image of Islam across the world. It was heartening to note that a vast majority of youth listened to his lectures.
PM Shehbaz said that he had personally benefited from the eminent scholar's lectures, enriching himself with the valuable teachings of Islam.
He said that the people of Pakistan fully admired Dr Naik's great personality and were happy about his presence in the country.
The premier noted that Dr Naik was in good health and added that he was happy to know that his (the scholar) son was also following his footsteps and serving Islam.
He also recalled his past meeting with Dr Zakir in 2006.
The scholar, in his remarks, said that Pakistan was the only country in the world which was founded on Islamic principles.
He said that Islam was the religion which offered comprehensive guidance to the entire humanity encompassing every aspect of their lives.
He reiterated his commitment to continuing efforts to spread the message of Islam globally, saying: “The success lies in following the Islamic teachings”.
Recalling that he had last visited Pakistan in 1991, he said he still had fond memories of that tour. He added that he would also visit Karachi and Lahore.
Prior to his meeting with premier, the Islamic scholar met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at the Parliament House and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad a day ago.
The renowned religious scholar along with his son Shaikh Fariq Naik had arrived in Pakistan at the invitation of the government two days ago and will hold public gatherings in multiple cities.
As per the schedule shared by Dr Naik, he will address public talks in Karachi on October 5 and 6, followed by those in Lahore set to take place on October 12 and 13.
Meanwhile, the scholar will address public gatherings in Islamabad on October 19 and 20.
Source:geo.tv
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India
Bareilly court hands Muslim man life term in sex assault case citing ‘love jihad’
Scroll Staff
03.10.24
A district court in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly on Monday sentenced a 26-year-old Muslim man to life imprisonment and fined him Rs 1 lakh for sexually assaulting a 23-year-old Hindu woman, despite the woman admitting that she had filed the case under pressure from Hindutva groups and her parents.
Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar also cited the case as an example of “love jihad”.
“Love jihad” is a conspiracy theory that accuses Muslim men of being part of an organised plot to trick unsuspecting Hindu women into romantic relationships to ultimately convert them to Islam.
The Union Home Ministry has told Parliament that Indian law has no provision defining such a term.
The woman had lodged a case against the man in 2023 but retracted her allegations during the trial.
“People from Hindu organisation came to her house and pressured her parents, saying that this is a Muslim boy and your daughter cannot go to his house,” read the judgement, paraphrasing the woman’s statement during cross-examination. “This case was filed only under pressure from Hindu organisations and the parents.”
Diwakar, however, refused to believe the woman and argued that she had made the statement under pressure from the man, Mohammad Aalim.
Diwakar reiterated the woman’s initial claim that Aalim had taken explicit photos and videos of her without consent and threatened to make them public if she spoke out against the abuse. Aalim used this ploy to pressure the woman to visit him in prison, the judge held.
Diwakar also argued that Aalim had been able to manipulate the woman as she “is not living with her parents and is living alone in a rented house”.
“Where she is getting the money to live alone in the house, to eat and drink, to wear clothes, to talk on the mobile, is a matter of mystery,” read the judgement. “Certainly, the plaintiff/victim is being helped in the above case in the form of money and this money is being provided by the accused and the above case is a case of illegal conversion through love jihad.”
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2020, usually governs cases dubbed as “love jihad” in the state. However, Aalim was not booked under the provisions of this act.
Scroll reported earlier this week on the trend of Hindutva right-wing groups forcing Hindu women in interfaith relationships to file cases against their Muslim partners. The parents of the women are often involved.
The first information reports in such cases typically mention that the men took explicit photos and videos of the women and threatened to release them if they spoke out.
In Uttarakhand, however, courts have set a different precedent.
Last year, a woman in Dehradun who had accused a 23-year-old Muslim man of assaulting her told the police that she filed the case under pressure from Hindutva group Bajrang Dal and her parents.
The man was granted bail by the Dehradun district court, which noted that “the victim has not supported the statements of the prosecution case in her main examination and cross-examination”.
In another case in Nainital district, a 19-year-old Muslim man accused of similar offences told the court that the complainant – a minor – was “tutored by her family” to file a sexual assault case against him.
The Uttarakhand High Court eventually ruled that “it appears that the parties were in a relationship”. The man was granted bail.
Source:scroll.in
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https://scroll.in/latest/1074005/bareilly-court-hands-muslim-man-life-term-in-sex-assault-case-citing-love-jihad
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ED summons former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin in money laundering case
03.10.24
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned former India captain and Congress politician Mohammad Azharuddin for questioning in a money laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association, official sources said Thursday.
The 61-year-old former Member of Parliament (MP) has been asked to depose before the federal agency at its office here on October 3, the sources said.
The probe is related to alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad cricket association in which the ED had conducted searches in November last year.
The money laundering case stems from three FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Telangana anti-corruption bureau (ACB) for alleged criminal misappropriation of the funds of the HCA to the tune of Rs 20 crore.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mohammad-azharuddin-summoned-by-enforcement-directorate-in-money-laundering-case/cid/2052780
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Jammu & Kashmir: Congress holds out olive branch to ‘like-minded’ parties for govt formation
Muzaffar Raina
03.10.24
Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday held out an olive branch to “like-minded” parties for government formation, saying they were open to take support in case the need arises.
Karra was apparently hinting at an alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party, which is part of the INDIA bloc but was kept out of a pre-poll tie-up at the instance of the National Conference.
The NC and the Congress are alliance partners and Karra’s offer suggests they might need the backing of other parties. The Congress-NC and the PDP had engaged in a bitter campaign against each other.
“What is apparent is that the people have voted in favour of the alliance or to keep the BJP out of the power corridors, which is a good thing,” Karra told reporters in Srinagar. “But if the need arises, our doors are open for all like-minded people, forces, parties and even individuals. We can discuss this with our alliance partner (NC) so that we can talk to such people if there is a need.”
Asked whether the PDP was a “like-minded party”, the Congress leader said he would not like to pigeonhole anyone. “I have said like-minded, on the same page against the BJP’s repressive, oppressive policies,” he said.
While seeking the support of other parties, Karra insisted that the high turnout in the just-concluded Assembly polls would definitely go in favour of the alliance.
The Pradesh Congress Committee leader minced no words about the “Independent” factor in the elections, saying they had been fielded to fragment the votes and play spoilers. He was asked whether the Independents could play kingmakers.
The Centre had allowed the separatist Jamaat-e-Islami and Sheikh Abdul Rashid-led Awami Ittehad Party, in addition to several others with a separatist past, to contest the polls as Independents.
Karra said the “Independent factor” did not exist in Jammu but was encouraged in the Valley to disempower Kashmiris.
The Congress leader said when the Centre realised that all its experiments and formulas were failing, it implemented “a novel way to fragment votes” in Kashmir by fielding Independents.
“Their only aim is to disempower Kashmiris and in their own way propel all Mir Qasims and Mir Jaffars (collaborators). This phenomenon of fielding Independents is part of their nefarious design,” Karra said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief said there was also “a nefarious design” behind the process of the lieutenant governor nominating five MLAs to the Assembly.
Asked if the Independent candidates could emerge as the kingmakers after the poll results are announced on October 8, Karra said they saw such nominees as “spoilers”.
Karra claimed there was no “actual peace” in Jammu and Kashmir but an atmosphere of fear and oppression had been created to silence people. “Jammu and Kashmir is being run through a jackboot policy,” he said.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-congress-sheds-scorn-for-allies-open-to-take-support-in-case-need-arises/cid/2052678
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South Asia
Bangladesh’s Political Transition Viewed As Opportunity By Islamic State And Al-Qaeda
October 2, 2024
By Sean McCafferty and Marjuka Binte Afzal
Bangladesh’s recent political turmoil has sparked interest from Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda (AQ), both seeing the regime change as a strategic opportunity. With the government in transition, security reforms needed, and jihadist propaganda targeting Bangladesh, there is a risk of increased jihadist activity during the country’s democratic transition.
On July 16, 2024, the killing of 25-year-old university student Abu Sayeed by police became a galvanising symbol of widespread protest in Bangladesh. Standing defiantly with his arms open in front of a line of police, Sayeed was shot multiple times and fell to the ground, dying moments later. Footage of his defiant protest went viral, sparking outrage at government violence.
The protest movement began after a controversial June 5 ruling by the Bangladeshi High Court, which reinstated a quota system1 reserving 30% of public jobs for descendants of veterans of the 1971 Liberation War.2 The controversial policy had been previously abolished in 2018 following widespread protests. Protests against the renewed quota policy erupted in July, led by student movements. It quickly grew to mass support across the country. Throughout July the sustained protests were met with violence, with over 300 Bangladeshi’s killed by government forces and loyalists. Footage of the protests and government violence spread through social media and group chats, including evidence of security forces subjecting protesters to beatings, tear gas, rubber bullets, as well as use of live ammunition.
The protests remained resilient in the face of escalating government violence and on the 5th of August Prime Minister Sheik Hasina fled with her sister to India. The Bangladeshi military announced the establishment of an interim government, following negotiations with the leaders of the protest movements and political opposition groups.
Calls for Jihad in Bangladesh
The current political transition in Bangladesh appears to be being viewed as an opportunity by IS and al-Qaeda, with official propaganda and supporters of both groups targeting the country. On Tuesday the 20th of August, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) primary propaganda wing, As-Sahab Subcontinent, published a 14-page statement by Usama Mahmood,3 the Emir of AQIS, titled “Bangladesh – The Emerging Hope of Supporting Islam For the Muslim masses of Bangladesh on the occasion of the current public uprising”. The statement celebrates the regime change in Bangladesh and draws on a wide range of grievances linking the plight of Palestinians in Gaza to historic grievances in Bangladesh. It claims that “the atrocities that transpired in Bangladesh are but one link of the chain of atrocities and brutalities of this same Zionist-Hindutva alliance”.4 The statement ends with a call for supporters to act so that Bangladesh “shall become a centre and a preparatory ground for the Mujahideen of Islam, by the permission of Allah.”5
AQIS has a history of targeting its propaganda towards a Bangladeshi audience and leveraging regional grievances, particularly the treatment of Muslims in India and the forced displacement of the Rohingya in Myanmar. Their main target has primarily been the large youth population, vulnerable due to factors such as lack of religious knowledge, economic issues, cultural factors, identity crises, and a sense of Muslim victimisation. Middle-class youths with urban and secular backgrounds are increasingly targeted for radicalisation by al-Qaeda and other groups, driven by disillusionment with the state, personal grievances, and the allure of propaganda.
Pro-Islamic State At-Tamkeen Media has long acted as a hub for Bengali translations of official material and pro-IS content. Amid an increase in Bengali language content IS supporters have called for Jihad and Hijrah6 to Bangladesh. A new pro-IS channel with a focus on Bangladesh was established on Rocketchat on the 9th of May, with four Telegram channels set up by the group since then. To date, the channel has a limited number of members with only 10 prolific users interacting in the channel. This small group has focused since its inception on producing Bengali language content in support of IS, calling for Jihad and Hijrah in response to the regime change in Bangladesh. The group’s propaganda is shared in their channel, through their Telegram channels, and hosted on five different file-sharing sites and paste-sites to reach a larger audience. Following efforts by IS supporters, official Islamic State propaganda followed. On the 19th of September, IS published an editorial in the group’s an-Naba magazine, addressing political change in Bangladesh. The editorial, titled “Bangladesh and Shari’ah Rule,” compared the political changes in Bangladesh to the Arab Spring, suggesting that the regime change will ultimately fail. Islamic State propagandists claim that “ideological and methodological disruptions”7 in the faith of Bangladeshis will prevent the establishment of Shari’ah. They argue that Bangladeshis must correct their course, asserting that this “cannot be done without Jihad.”8
Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have had limited presence in Bangladesh in recent years. The last major attack the siege at the Holey Bakery in 2016, carried out by a group with links to Neo-Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) which claimed allegiance to IS. Both IS and al-Qaeda operate in Bangladesh through a complex relationship with Bangladeshi groups such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Neo-JMB, and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT). The rising ambition of jihadist groups globally following the October 7th attacks and the growing capability of Islamic State to stage attacks outside of areas of territorial influence represents a potential threat to Bangladesh.
Counterterrorism and reform in Bangladesh
Bangladesh under Sheik Hasina’s Awami League has consistently denied that jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda have a domestic presence. Bangladesh has been hailed as a counterterrorism success story in South-Asia limiting the influence of transnational jihadist groups, engaging in regional cooperation and establishing security reforms following the 2016 Holey Bakery attack. However, Bangladesh’s security forces are marked by violent and repressive tactics. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), founded in 2004 as the Rapid Action Team (RAT), was set up as a specialised counterterrorism unit yet has been implicated in a series of extra-judicial killings, torture, forced disappearances and political violence often using counterterrorism as a justification. The establishment of the new interim government will lead to reflections on the regime’s authoritarian past and the use violence in response to the July protests and as a part of Bangladeshi politics.
The new interim government must seek to move on from the legacy of violence from the security forces and will face challenges in establishing an effective counterterrorism approach of its own. Right now, the interim government is concentrating on addressing human rights concerns (with a new 5-committee membered commission to investigate enforced disappearances between January 2010 to August 2024), reconciliating political divisions among communities, promoting economic development, and strengthening democratic institutions. The threats issued by al-Qaeda and Islamic State may represent a serious threat of a spike in jihadist activity in Bangladesh during the democratic transition. The new government will face a myriad of challenges as they undergo an inquisition of the misconduct of the security forces by the previous regime. While they initiate this process it is key that they remain alert to the potential increase in activity by Islamic State and al-Qaeda cells, who seek to take advantage of the evolving political situation.
Bangladesh had instated a quota system through which 56% of public posts and government jobs were reserved for various categories, 30% for the descendants of veterans of the 1971 Liberation War. ↩︎
The 1971 Liberation War was fought as a war of independence that established Bangladesh as an independent nation after being a part of Pakistan following the British partition of India. ↩︎
Usama Mahmood is the Emir of al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent he is an influential member of al-Qaeda often shaping the groups propaganda and narratives in South Asia. ↩︎
As-Sahab Subcontinent Statement. ↩︎
As-Sahab Subcontinent Statement. ↩︎
Hijrah is a religious term initially describing the migration of the prophet Muhamad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, jihadist ideology reinterprets Hijrah as a duty to leave lands they consider un-Islamic or hostile to Islam (Dar al-Kufr) and move to areas where they can engage in jihad (Dar al-Islam). ↩︎
an-Naba 461 ↩︎
an-Naba 461 ↩︎
Sean McCafferty is a Research Assistant in the School of Law at Dublin City University and a member of the Cyber Threats Research Centre (CYTREC) at Swansea University. His research focuses on open-source intelligence (OSINT), terrorism, propaganda, and technology. He is a graduate from the Erasmus Mundus International Master’s in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS) jointly delivered by Glasgow University, Dublin City University, and Charles University.
Marjuka Binte Afzal is a lecturer in the Department of Peace, Conflict, and Human Rights at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her research interests include radicalisation, Islamist extremism, hybrid warfare, and influence operations. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science at Florida State University (FSU).
Source:voxpol.eu
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Exiled Opposition Does Not Represent Panjshir, Assert Provincial Elders
2024-10-02
PANJSHIR(BNA): Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, met with Panjshir’s religious scholars, elders, and former Jihadi commanders, where the leaders expressed their support for the Islamic Emirate and reaffirmed their commitment to its stability.
The elders stated that those opposing the Islamic Emirate from abroad do not represent Panjshir or Afghanistan, emphasizing that external propaganda has no impact on the province’s residents. They also shared requests for infrastructure improvements, including road construction and project resumptions.
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir praised Panjshir’s Mujahideen for their role in resisting the Soviet invasion and reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s dedication to balanced development without discrimination. He assured that their proposals would be reviewed and forwarded to the leadership.
Senior officials, including Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense, pledged to address the concerns raised by Panjshir’s leaders.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Deputy Minister for Drug Control Engages with Turkish Coordinator on Drug Trafficking Efforts
2024-10-02
KABUL(BNA): Mawlawi Abdul Haq Hamkar, Deputy Minister for Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior, met with Fazil Akin Erdogan, the Turkish Cooperation Coordinator for Afghanistan.
According to the Ministry of Interior press release, In this meeting, both sides engaged in discussions focusing on strategies for combating drug trafficking, promoting alternative livelihoods for farmers, and providing treatment and support for individuals affected by drug addiction.
The Turkish Cooperation Coordinator reaffirmed further Turkey’s commitment to assist in these vital areas, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to address the pressing drug-related challenges facing Afghanistan.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Washington states Afghanistan remains US Foreign Policy priority
By Fidel Rahmati
October 2, 2024
The U.S. State Department spokesperson has stated that Afghanistan remains a priority in U.S. foreign policy. Matthew Miller mentioned that Afghanistan-related matters are being handled by the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, the U.S. Special Envoy for Women in Afghanistan, and the U.S. State Department.
On Tuesday, October 1, during a press briefing, Miller was asked if Afghanistan continues to be a priority for U.S. foreign policy, to which he replied, “Of course, it is.”
Matthew Miller added that currently, Karen Decker, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Envoy for Women in Afghanistan, and Mark Pommersheim at the U.S. State Department are leading efforts on issues related to Afghanistan.
These statements come as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Thomas West, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, will be stepping down from his role.
According to Blinken, Thomas West will now become the head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. State Department.
In a statement on Tuesday, the U.S. Secretary of State praised Thomas West for his contributions over the past four years, noting that he effectively implemented U.S. policies regarding Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan continues to face a dire humanitarian crisis under the current regime’s suppressive policies. The Taliban has banned education for girls beyond the sixth grade and restricted employment opportunities for women, leaving many families in poverty and despair.
The international community has expressed deep concern over these regressive measures, which have worsened living conditions for Afghan women and children. With limited access to education and employment, the country’s long-term development prospects remain bleak, and humanitarian aid is urgently needed to address these critical challenges.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/washington-states-afghanistan-remains-us-foreign-policy-priority/
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Islamic Emirate Calls for End to Israeli Military Attacks in the Region
2024-10-02
KABUL(BNA): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has strongly condemned the recent air and ground attacks carried out by the Israeli regime against Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen, labeling them as inhumane actions that violate internationally accepted principles and moral standards.
The Islamic Emirate expressed its deep concern over the lack of decisive global action in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the expanding assaults by the Israeli regime on other nations in the region.
It called on all responsible regional and international parties to jointly intervene and take decisive steps to halt the Israeli attacks and work towards a fundamental resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Nasa group chairman Nazrul Islam placed on seven-day remand
02 Oct 2024
DHAKA, Oct 02, 2024 (BSS) – Chairman of Nasa group Nazrul Islam Majumder was placed on a seven-day remand today in connection with Emon murder case under Jatrabari Thana.
Nazrul Islam Majumder, also the former chairman of Exim Bank limited, was produced before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Anisur Rahman with a prayer for granting him 10 days police remand. The court after hearing both the sides granted him seven days police remand.
Nazrul Islam Majumder was arrested by the detective branch (DB) of police from city’s Gulshan area on Tuesday night.
Emon Hossain Gazi, a youth of Jatrabari area was shot dead by police during the anti-discrimination students’ movement on August 5.
Md Anwar Hossain, a brother of Emon, filed a murder case with Jatrabari Thana accusing a total of 85 people, including Nazrul Islam Majumder on August 28.
Source:bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/213623
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North America
8 In 10 Washingtonian Muslims Experienced Discrimination in Past Year, CAIR-WAReport Says
Oct. 2, 2024
SEATTLE – More than 8 in 10 Muslim Washingtonians over 13 years old reported experiencing Islamophobic discrimination or bias in the past year, an issue nearly 40% of survey respondents said has become worse since the Israel-Hamas conflict began last October, according to a new report by Muslim civil rights organization CAIR-WA.
Respondents to a survey this spring by the state’s branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations showed some Muslims living in Washington often don’t feel safe due to their personal characteristics (34.4%) or around law enforcement (15.3%), and also face discrimination at work or school or in public places (69.2%) and when seeking medical care (28.3%), according to a report on the survey released in late September.
The results, while grim, did not surprise CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi, who said they confirmed what many Muslims in Washington describe facing on a day-to-day basis – especially in the past year.
“Anecdotally, we know this to be the experience of our community,” Siddiqi said in a phone call Tuesday. “But it’s obviously eye-opening to see that distributed amongst such a broad sample size.”
More than 540 people completed the 44-question online survey between April 2 and May 1. The survey asked about respondents’ demographic information, experiences with discrimination and political engagement. The survey was advertised in emails, flyers and at Muslim community events, and it was launched during Ramadan to take advantage of greater traffic in mosques, according to the report.
Nearly 92% of respondents reported experiencing Islamophobic discrimination or bias in their lifetime, with slightly fewer – 82.5% – reporting experiencing either in the last year.
Younger and less-educated Muslims reported enduring more discrimination. Muslim women and people who wore traditional religious or cultural attire, such as a hijab, niqab or kufi, were more likely to report feeling unsafe, according to the report.
For some, the discrimination was chronic and pervasive, with 22% reporting being targeted by anti-Muslim remarks at least a few times per month.
About 25% of people said “yes” when asked if people act as if they’re afraid of them, and about 30% reported receiving worse service than other people at restaurants and stores, the report states.
The discrimination also interfered at work and home, with 24% saying they had been unfairly fired from a job and nearly 18% saying a landlord or real estate agent refused to rent or sell them a space, according to the report.
And more than a quarter of respondents reported being treated differently than other people during interactions with law enforcement officers, or being unfairly stopped, searched or questioned, the report found.
“It’s surprising and also not surprising at the same time,” said Basima Sisemore, a senior researcher for the Othering & Belonging Institute at University of California, Berkeley, who focuses on Islamophobia and human rights. “A lot of it is unfortunate and reaffirms the reality of discrimination and Islamophobia that Muslim-Americans face, specifically within Washington state.”
Across the U.S., the Council on American-Islamic Relations received 4,951 bias complaints from January to June, a 69% increase from the 2,937 it recorded in the same period in 2023, according to a July news release. And CAIR’s 2024 civil rights report showed it had received 8,061 complaints in 2023, the highest number of complaints in the organization’s 30-year history.
Nearly half of the complaints in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year, coinciding with a fierce increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war almost one year ago, the organization said in an April news release.
Reports of discrimination against Jewish Americans also rose in the wake of the conflict.
A similar report by the Anti-Defamation League documented roughly 8,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. last year, a 140% increase from 2022. Washington saw the 15th-highest number of incidents in the nation.
People and organizations in Washington and the U.S. can take steps to combat the increasing anti-Muslim discrimination, Siddiqi said. He pointed to the state’s passage of Senate Bill 5427 this year, establishing a nonpolice hotline to assist people who have been targeted with a hate crime or bias incident. The hotline is expected to be operating by July , according to the state Office of the Attorney General.
Elected officials, Siddiqi said, should be willing to speak out more strongly against Islamophobia and “more on the pulse” of the difficulties Muslim-Americans face.
Better data about the experiences of U.S. Muslims is key to fighting discrimination, according to Sisemore.
“All of this can be used in advocacy efforts to challenge policy that impacts Muslims (and) shift the narrative around Muslims,” she said. “And it can be a blueprint for other states and organizations to replicate.”
Source:spokesman.com
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https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/oct/02/8-in-10-wa-muslims-experienced-discrimination-in-p/
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Kamala Harris Adviser, Phil Gordan, Meets US Muslim, Arab Leaders Angry at Support for Israel
By REUTERS
OCTOBER 3, 2024
A senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris met American Muslim and Arab leaders on Wednesday as Harris' presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at US support for Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
Harris' national security adviser, Phil Gordan, told the community leaders in the virtual meeting that the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the West Bank, the vice president's office said.
Ali Dagher, a Lebanese-American attorney and community leader, said the outreach from Harris' office was not enough. "It's too little, too late," said Dagher, who did not participate in the meeting.
Seeking the Arab vote
Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former President Donald Trump on Nov. 5 in what polls show to be a tight presidential race.
President Joe Biden won most of the 2020 Muslim and Arab votes, but their backing of Democrats has fallen sharply during nearly a year that Israel has been fighting Hamas in Gaza. Activists say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel's military campaign in the Palestinian enclave.
The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has allegedly killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims. Israel was responding to an Oct. 7, 2023 incursion by Hamas terrorists, who killed over 1,200 people and abducted 250 hostages. Gaza has suffered a humanitarian crisis with nearly all its 2 million people displaced and widespread hunger in the enclave.
In Lebanon more than 1,900 people have been killed and 9,000 wounded during almost a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, with most of the deaths in the past two weeks, according to Lebanese government statistics.
Emgage, a Muslim-American advocacy group, recently endorsed Harris, while others have urged supporters to shun her. While they have not supported Trump, their choice not to vote or to vote for third-party candidates could hurt Harris, analysts say.
US support for Israel has led to large protests, especially in hotly contested swing states like Michigan that could decide the election. Harris has offered no substantive policy differences on Israel from Biden, who stepped aside as presidential candidate in July.
Source:jpost.com
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https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-823057
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Muslim parents, students in Colorado school district raise concerns of bullying
October 2, 2024
By Michael Abeyta
A group of Muslim parents and students in Cherry Creek Schools are sharing their personal stories of what they consider biased-motivated bullying.
"The worst was 'terrorist'," said parent Reema Wahdan. "Second 'Twin Towers,' Arab this Arab that. 'Go blow yourself up.'"
"It does kind of make them a little bit hesitant when they're heading to school because they're wondering, 'am I next?'," said parent Shadhaa Ramadan.
They say the district has failed to help them.
"I had an incident where I was being called slurs by kids at the local middle school, and when I reported it, after a week I followed up, it was like it never even happened," said 2024 Overland High School graduate Nour Idris.
"We are speaking up against that type of quiet, complicity to be saying that we are not allowing this to go any further," said Wahdan.
Everything came to a head this year when a teacher at Campus Middle School showed what the district calls "an inappropriate and unapproved" video about the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11th, 2001, in a class. The video contained what some view as outdated and offensive ideas about Islam.
The district put that teacher on leave, but it was too late for one of the students, who says she'd been the victim of Islamophobia bullying at least twice before.
In a statement, her mother told CBS News Colorado: Over the past three years, my daughter has been subjected to consistent harassment in middle school, rooted in cultural and religious differences. These incidents have been made equally by peers and trusted adults in the same building, they had a profound and lasting impact on her well-being. Despite reporting the issues multiple times, the responses from the system have been inadequate, leaving the problems to persist. The inaction has made her feel as though her identity is unwelcome, and her rights do not matter in this space.
The harassment has ranged from stereotyping and cultural insensitivity to direct bullying both by peers and adults. The emotional toll this has taken on her cannot be overstated. She has had to strip away parts of herself each day before entering school to avoid further victimization. Tragically, this has reached a point where she felt that our lives would be better without her, highlighting the severe impact this has had on her mental health.
Our family has gone through an incredibly difficult experience with repeated harassment The incidents across multiple years seem to show a pattern of both peer bullying and teacher insensitivity, all centered around her religion and cultural background. Despite multiple attempts to address the situation—through reports to the administration, emails from the parents, and even a re-entry meeting—the school has repeatedly failed to protect the student or educate the community about religious tolerance.
The escalation from microaggressions in sixth grade, to direct bullying and Islamophobic remarks in seventh grade, followed by further insensitivity in eighth grade from a teacher who showed Islamophobic material, demonstrates a systemic issue that wasn't handled properly. The impact on the student's mental health, leading to depression and suicidal thoughts, reflects the serious harm caused by these actions.
We have taken significant steps to advocate for her well-being, including involving therapists and seeking support from the school district. Unfortunately, it seems the school hasn't taken effective action to address the harassment or to implement necessary changes in the curriculum and classroom environment to prevent further harm.
The Cherry Creek School District held a meeting with some Muslim parents and students on Monday to discuss the issue.
The school district released this statement: We do not tolerate hate-motivated behavior of any kind in our schools. Whenever we receive a report of discriminatory behavior, we thoroughly investigate the incident and take appropriate disciplinary action against the student or staff member found to be responsible."
We have had conversations with parents and student leaders at multiple schools to work collaboratively to address incidents of racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and homophobia that filter into our schools from our greater society. We value our parent and student partnerships in helping to keep our schools safe.
The Muslim parents and students say they want the bullying to end, and they still have faith that the district can support them and their students.
"It's a good district. It can be better. That's why we're talking about it," said Idris.
Source:cbsnews.com
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https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/muslim-parents-students-cherry-creek-schools-raise-concerns-bullying/
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CAIR-Ohio Welcomes Mayor of Solon’s Statement on Anti-Muslim Petition
October 2, 2024
The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OH) welcomes the Mayor of Solon, Edward H. Kraus’ statement denouncing hate against the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center (CVIC).
The petition was created by a Solon resident currently serving overseas in the Israeli military. The petition’s goal was to halt activities from the mosque.
Mayor Kraus’ stated, “An attack on one faith is an attack on all.” “As the proud Jewish Mayor of this city, I am deeply troubled by a recent petition that casts a negative light on the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center (CVIC). The CVIC has been a wonderful addition to the rich tapestry of faiths that make up our community.”
CAIR-Ohio Cleveland, Executive Director, Faten Husni Odeh stated, “The incitement of hatred for the Muslim community by misconstruing the words of individuals and attempting to shut down the only place of worship for Muslims in Solon is un-American as it is our First Amendment right to freedom of religion. CAIR-Ohio welcomes Mayor Kraus’s act of unity against all forms of bigotry.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
Source: cair.com
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Dozens charged in case against California neo-Nazi gang
October 3, 2024
Christal Hayes
Federal authorities have charged 68 members of a California-based white supremist street gang with crimes in an attempt to dismantle the organisation.
At least 42 members of the SFV Peckerwoods, which is based in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, have been arrested so far.
The 76-count indictment includes charges of racketeering activity, drug trafficking – including fentanyl – possessing illegal firearms, and engaging in fraudulent Covid-19 benefits and loan fraud.
The US justice department says the Peckerwoods gang takes orders at times from the Aryan Brotherhood, a neo-Nazi gang based in California's prisons, and has an alliance with the Mexican Mafia prison gang, which controls most Latino street gangs in California.
The Peckerwoods are accused of trafficking fentanyl and other drugs in the area, as well as committing robberies and financial fraud to fund their activities and help the Aryan Brotherhood, said US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday.
Members used iconography and tattoos, including that of swastikas, the symbol 88, which is code for “Heil Hitler”, and images of Nazi aircraft, to denote their ideology, the justice department says.
US Attorney Martin Estrada said the group was a "grave menace to our community" and a "destructive force".
Federal prosecutors say the group primarily trafficked narcotics that include fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine. Members in the Hollywood area are accused of maintaining so-called stash houses where drugs were stored.
Several members are also facing charges of allegedly submitting false applications for the Payment Protection Program, a Covid-19 initiative that offered loans - many of which were forgivable - to keep small businesses afloat.
The justice department says the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
Source:bbc.com
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Biden won’t support a strike on Iran nuclear sites as Israel weighs response to Iran missile attack
October 02, 2024
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden said Wednesday he will not support an Israeli strike on sites related to Tehran’s nuclear program in response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
“The answer is no,” Biden told reporters when asked if he would support such retaliation after Iran fired about 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday.
Biden’s comments came after he and fellow Group of Seven leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom spoke by telephone about coordinating new sanctions against Iran.
The US and allies are scrambling to keep the Mideast conflict — sparked by Iran-backed Hamas militants’ in Gaza’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel— from spreading further. They are urging Israel to show restraint as it weighs retaliation against Iran for Tuesday’s attack.
Israel is now carrying out what it has described as limited ground operations across its northern border with Lebanon to dig out Hezbollah, another Iran-backed group, after carrying out a series of massive air strikes that killed the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and decimated its leadership.
Last month, thousands of explosives hidden in pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah detonated, killing dozens of people and maiming thousands, including many civilians. Israel is widely believed to be behind the attack
Biden stated his opposition to Israel hitting Iranian nuclear facilities as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighed a range of options in how to respond to Tuesday’s attack. It was the second such attack by Iran on Israel in less than six months.
Israel’s choices range from a largely symbolic strike— similar to how Israel responded after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and attack drones in April— to hitting oil facilities and other infrastructure.
Targeting Iran’s controversial nuclear program is seen as perhaps the most provocative action that Israel could take. It’s one that the Democratic president believes could further enflame a Mideast conflict that he already worries could develop into a broader regional conflict.
The White House said in a statement that G7 leaders “unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel” and that Biden reaffirmed America’s “full solidarity and support to Israel and its people.”
Biden added that he supports Israel’s right to defend itself and “there are things that have to be done” in response to the Iranian barrage. He said he expected sanctions from the G7 nations to be announced soon.
“We will be discussing with the Israelis what they are going to do,” Biden told reporters before heading to the Carolinas to see the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. “All seven of us agree that they have a right to respond.”
The office of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said in a statement that the leaders expressed “strong concern for the escalation of these last hours” and emphasized that “a conflict on a regional scale is in no one’s interest.” Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 group of industrialized democracies.
Biden said that he planned to speak with Netanyahu “relatively soon.”
Biden’s administration has signaled that it is urging Israel to display restraint in how it responds to Iran’s missile attack, which Biden said was “ineffective and defeated.”
The US military helped Israel defend against the attack that Iran carried out in retaliation for the killing of Tehran-backed leaders of Lebanese Hezbollah.
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said there “must be a return message” to Iran. He said the US and Israel officials continue to discuss their response.
“At the same time, I think we recognize as important as the response of some kind should be, there is a recognition that the region is really balancing on a knife’s edge,” Campbell said at forum hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington think tank.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Wednesday with his counterparts Britain, France, Germany, and Italy to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573693/middle-east
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Trump 'resorted to crimes' to overturn 2020 election, prosecutors say
October 3, 2024
Madeline Halpert
Donald Trump "resorted to crimes" in an effort to overturn his 2020 election defeat, prosecutors allege in a new court filing that argues the former president is not immune from charges.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor appointed to lead the election interference case against Trump, submitted the filing, which was publicly released on Wednesday.
The filing challenges Trump's claim that he is protected by a landmark Supreme Court ruling this summer that grants broad immunity from prosecution for official acts conducted while in office.
Since there will be no trial before Trump, a Republican, vies with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris for the White House in next month's election, the 165-page court document may be the last chance for prosecutors to outline their case.
In Wednesday's filing, prosecutors allege Trump was not always acting in an official capacity and instead engaged in a "private criminal effort" to overturn the 2020 results.
The document is an effort by prosecutors to advance the criminal case against Trump following the Supreme Court ruling in July.
It prompted prosecutors to narrow the scope of their indictment. That is because the ruling did not apply immunity to unofficial acts, leading prosecutors to argue that while Trump may still have been in office some of his alleged efforts to overturn the election were related to his campaign and his life as a private citizen.
The court should "determine that the defendant must stand trial for his private crimes as he would any other citizen," Mr Smith wrote in the new filing.
The case has been frequently delayed since charges were filed by the Department of Justice more than a year ago accusing Trump, who denies wrongdoing, of seeking to illegally block the certification of President Joe Biden's victory.
The filing lays out several instances in which Trump's Vice-President, Mike Pence, expressed doubt about his boss's voter fraud claims and tried to persuade him to accept he lost the election.
In the court document, prosecutors say Trump was not upset when he learned his vice-president had been rushed to a secure location as rioters stormed the Capitol on 6 January 2021. "So what?" he allegedly said, when informed of the scenes.
Pence would later go public about his falling out with Trump in the wake of the storming of Congress, when some rioters shouted "Hang Mike Pence" because the vice-president refused to obstruct the certification of election results.
Trump's lawyers fought to keep the latest filing sealed, and campaign spokesman Steven Cheung called it "falsehood-ridden" and "unconstitutional".
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump called it a "hit job" and said it "should not have been released right before the election".
He accused prosecutors of "egregious" misconduct.
The filing offers new evidence and presents the clearest view yet of how prosecutors would seek to present their case against Trump at trial.
It alleges that he always planned to declare victory no matter the result, and laid the groundwork for this long before election day. It also accuses him of knowingly spreading false claims about the vote that he himself deemed "crazy".
Mr Smith also provides several new details about the Trump campaign's alleged role in sowing chaos in battleground states, where a large number of mail-in ballots were being counted in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the Democratic stronghold of Detroit, Michigan, when a large batch of ballots seemed to be in favour of Biden, a Trump campaign operative allegedly told his colleague to "find a reason" that something was wrong with the ballots to give him "options to file litigation".
The filing also claims that Trump and his allies, including lawyer Rudy Giuliani, sought to "exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol" on 6 January 2021 to delay the election certification. They allegedly did this by calling senators and leaving voicemails that asked them to object to the state electors.
Trump said on Wednesday that the case would end with his "complete victory". A trial date has not been set.
Source:bbc.com
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Mideast
Zionist Entity Targeted TheIslamic Health Society Center With Internationally Banned Phosphorous Bombs: Lebanese News Agency
OCTOBER 2, 2024
The Lebanese News Agency reported that "the Islamic Health Society center was struck with phosphorous bombs that are prohibited by international law."
The Zionist entity previously targeted health facilities amid residential neighborhoods in Beirut, continuing its aggression in several areas of the southern suburbs.
The correspondent for the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that "the Zionist aggression bombed the heart of Beirut for the third time during the current conflict," noting that "there is ongoing shelling in the southern suburbs."
He added that "the Zionist entity targeted the Islamic Health Society center in the heart of the Lebanese capital and continues its assault on several areas of the southern suburbs," emphasizing that "the occupation has targeted health facilities in the midst of residential neighborhoods."
The correspondent pointed out that "the occupation bombed the health center from naval vessels."
Source:ina.iq
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Arab Conference calls for opening Arab, Islamic airspace & fronts to resistance forces
02 Oct 2024
Occupied Al-Quds – Saba: The General Arab Conference called on Wednesday to open all Arab airspace for the passage of Arab and Islamic missiles directed at the sites of the Zionist enemy and its military gatherings, to pressure it to stop the aggression against Palestine and Lebanon, and to consider any objection to it as participation in the aggression against Palestine and Lebanon.
The General Arab Congress said in a statement on Wednesday: "We salute the Iranian response to the Zionist aggression as we salute the heroism of the resistance in Palestine, Lebanon and the arenas of support of the resistance."
The statement called for the establishment of an Arab, Islamic and UN coalition to use all means to stop the aggression on Gaza, as it considered that "Tehran has the right to defend its sovereignty," and "the resistance forces have the right to fight to stop the Zionist aggression on Gaza."
The statement also dealt with the Yemeni support operation carried out by the Yemeni armed forces, through the launch of missiles, which it said "penetrated all means of Zionist, American, Western and some Arab air defense," in addition to "Iraqi missiles that confirmed the unity of the resistance arenas in general."
The statement said that this "important and expected development in the level of confrontations with the enemy, which was expected after the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, with his brothers in the Haret Hreik massacre a few days ago, requires upgrading the level of the Arab, Islamic and UN response to the Zionist aggression that has been going on for a year against Gaza and all of Palestine," which comes "as a continuation of the ongoing aggression against the nation, which continues to this day on Lebanon and Syria."
The statement of the General Arab Congress called for "broad popular movements in all Arab and Islamic countries in support of the resistance and condemning the Zionist aggression and its supporters in Washington and the capitals of the colonial West."
Source:saba.ye
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Settler groups anew storm Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards
02 Oct 2024
Occupied Quds - Saba: Zionist settler herds on Wednesday renewed their storming of the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Quds, under the protection of the Zionist enemy forces.
The Palestinian "Wafa" Agency said that dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, in successive groups, and performed Talmudic rituals, and provocative tours in its courtyards.
The Zionist enemy forces have continued their siege of Al-Aqsa Mosque since October 7, 2023, by restricting the entry of Muslim worshipers to it, and by tightening their procedures at its gates, placing iron barriers, stopping those coming to it, and obstructing their entry.
Source:saba.ye
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Lebanon’s Health Ministry raises death toll to 6 from airstrike near central Beirut
October 03, 2024
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM: At least six people were killed in an Israeli air raid on a Hezbollah rescue facility in the heart of Beirut late Wednesday, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The Israeli strike in the early hours of Thursday came after its forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes against Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
Israel said it conducted a precise air strike on Beirut. Witnesses reported hearing a massive blast, and a security source said it targeted a building in central Beirut’s Bachoura neighborhood close to parliament, the nearest Israeli strikes have come to Lebanon’s seat of government.
Seven people were also wounded, Lebanese health officials said. A photo being circulated on Lebanese WhatsApp groups showed a heavily damaged building with its first floor on fire.
Three missiles also hit the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week, and loud explosions were heard, Lebanese security officials said. The southern suburbs came under more than a dozen Israeli strikes on Wednesday.
A day after Iran fired more than 180 missiles into Israel, Israel said on Wednesday eight soldiers were killed in ground combat in south Lebanon as its forces thrust into its northern neighbor.
The Israeli military said regular infantry and armored units joined its ground operations in Lebanon on Wednesday as Iran’s missile attack and Israel’s promise of retaliation raised concerns that the oil-producing Middle East could be caught up in a wider conflict.
Hezbollah said its fighters engaged Israeli forces inside Lebanon. The movement reported ground clashes for the first time since Israeli forces pushed over the border on Monday. Hezbollah said it had destroyed three Israeli Merkava tanks with rockets near the border town of Maroun El Ras.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a condolence video, said: “We are at the height of a difficult war against Iran’s Axis of Evil, which wants to destroy us.
“This will not happen because we will stand together and with God’s help, we will win together,” he said.
Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli air raids killed at least 46 people in the south and center of the country over the past 24 hours.
Iran said on Wednesday its missile volley — its biggest ever assault on Israel — was over barring further provocation, but Israel and the United States promised to hit back hard.
US President Joe Biden said he would not support any Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites
in response to its ballistic missile attack and urged Israel to act “proportionally” against its regional arch-foe.
Biden joined a call with Group of Seven major power leaders on Wednesday to coordinate a response, including new sanctions against Tehran, the White House said.
G7 leaders voiced “strong concern” over the Middle East crisis but said a diplomatic solution was still viable and a region-wide conflict was in no one’s interest, a statement said.
Hezbollah said it repelled Israeli forces near several border towns and also fired rockets at military posts inside Israel.
The paramilitary group’s media chief Mohammad Afif said those battles were only “the first round” and that Hezbollah had enough fighters, weapons and ammunition to push back Israel.
Israel’s addition of infantry and armored troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade and 6th Infantry Brigade, suggested that the operation might expand beyond limited commando raids.
The military has said its incursion is largely aimed at destroying tunnels and other infrastructure on the border and there were no plans for a wider operation targeting the Lebanese capital Beirut to the north or major cities in the south.
1.2 million Lebanese displaced
Nevertheless, it issued new evacuation orders for around two dozen towns along the southern border, instructing inhabitants to head north of the Awali River, which flows east to west some 60 km (37 miles) north of the Israeli frontier.
More than 1,900 people have been killed and over 9,000 wounded in Lebanon in almost a year of cross-border fighting, with most of the deaths occurring in the past two weeks, according to Lebanese government statistics.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that about 1.2 million Lebanese had been displaced by Israeli attacks.
Malika Joumaa, from Sudan, was forced to take shelter in Saint Joseph’s church in Beirut after being forced from her house near Sidon in coastal south Lebanon with her husband and two children.
“It’s good that the church offered its help. We were going to stay in the streets; where would we have gone?“
Iran described Tuesday’s missile assault as a response to Israeli killings of militant leaders, including Nasrallah, attacks in Lebanon against the group and Israel’s war against Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.
There were no casualties from the missile onslaught in Israel, but one person was killed in the occupied West Bank.
Source:arabnews.com
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Lebanese factions revive bid to fill presidency as Israel attacks
October 03, 2024
BEIRUT: Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon has prompted a renewed bid by some leading Lebanese politicians to fill a two-year-long presidential vacuum, an effort to revive the paralyzed state as it grapples with an escalating conflict.
Lebanon has not had a president or a fully empowered cabinet since October 2022 due to a power struggle in which Hezbollah has played a big part. Along with its allies, the heavily armed Shiite Muslim group has insisted the post, reserved for a Maronite Christian, go to their Christian ally Suleiman Frangieh.
With Hezbollah reeling from the killing of its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the presidency came into renewed focus this week when Shiite Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally, indicated flexibility on the matter, telling Prime Minister Najib Mikati he supported the election of a president who doesn’t represent “a challenge” to anyone.
A Hezbollah official told Reuters the group had delegated Berri to negotiate on its behalf over the presidency.
The presidency is decided by a vote in Lebanon’s 128-seat parliament. No single political alliance has enough seats to impose its choice, meaning an understanding among rival blocs is needed to secure the election of a candidate.
Following a meeting on Wednesday with Berri and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, Mikati — a Sunni Muslim — read a joint statement calling for the election of a “consensus president who will reassure everyone and dispel their concerns.”
The statement did not name any candidates.
Israel is waging a major offensive against Hezbollah which has killed more than 1,000 people in Lebanon since Sept. 16 and uprooted one million.
Wael Abu Faour, a senior lawmaker from Jumblatt’s faction, told Reuters the election of a consensus president would send “a message to the outside world that there is a strong government in the country ready to negotiate” over a ceasefire.
He said the meeting of the three leaders did not represent the formation of a new alliance and that factions including Christian parties were being engaged in discussions on the presidency.
The Lebanese Forces party, a major Christian faction and fierce Hezbollah opponent, on Monday called for the election of a president, saying this was the only way for “the state to assume its responsibilities on its own” — implicit criticism of Hezbollah over its possession of a massive arsenal of weapons.
Lebanon’s last president, Michel Aoun, was a former army commander and a political ally of Hezbollah.
A senior Western diplomat who did not wish to be named said Western and Arab nations had been urging Lebanon’s politicians to elect a president, adding that it was also in the interest of Hezbollah for the political conundrum to be resolved so the state could take more of the “weight” of the Israel crisis.
Abu Faour said the three leaders also discussed avoiding internal tensions in Lebanon as a result of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from Hezbollah-controlled areas into other parts of the country.
Source:arabnews.com
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Hamas claims Tel Aviv shooting attack that killed seven
October 02, 2024
JERUSALEM: Hamas’s armed wing claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the killing of seven people in a shooting and stabbing attack in Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv the previous day.
The attack — one of the deadliest in the country since the October 7 Hamas onslaught — came as Iran fired about 200 missiles at Israel, sending hundreds of thousands of people into public shelters.
“The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades takes responsibility for the heroic Jaffa operation carried out by the fighters from the (occupied West Bank) city of Hebron,” the group said in a statement, referring to the attack near the Tel Aviv light rail station in Jaffa on Tuesday.
“The attack coincided with the painful strikes in the heart of the entity (Israel)... executed by Iran,” it said, referring to Tuesday evening’s missile barrage.
The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades named the attackers as Mohammed Misk and Ahmed Al-Haimoni, who managed to “infiltrate into our occupied lands.”
Israel and Hamas have been at war in Gaza since October 7 when the Palestinian militant group carried out its attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 41,689 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The United Nations has said the figures are reliable.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli police said seven people had been killed in the Jaffa attack, with one of the victims succumbing to his wounds overnight.
On Tuesday, Israeli police said 17 others had been wounded.
Police said the alleged assailants “began their killing spree when they entered the carriage of the light rail train that stopped at the station and fired at passengers.”
They were armed with an assault rifle and a knife, and continued on foot until police “neutralized” them, it added.
One of the attackers was shot dead and the other was seriously wounded, police added.
Overnight, the Israeli security agency and the army arrested several suspects in Hebron and Jerusalem believed to have aided the suspects.
Israeli media identified three of the dead as Israelis and one as Georgian. The others were Greek and Moldovan, their governments said.
The identity of the seventh victim has not been released.
Palestinian militants have carried out several attacks on Israelis since October 7, killing at least 23, according to Israeli official figures.
Violence in the West Bank has also surged. Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 682 people in raids or attacks in the territory since October 7, according to Palestinian health ministry figures.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and its troops regularly make incursions into Palestinian towns and cities, which often result in heavy clashes.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israel strike on Syria capital kills three: war monitor
October 02, 2024
BEIRUT: An Israeli air strike killed three people in Damascus Wednesday, a monitor said, in the second strike in as many days on a neighborhood that is home to security headquarters and embassies.
“An Israeli air strike targeted a flat in a residential building in the Mazzeh neighborhood frequented by Hezbollah leaders and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards,” the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
It killed at least three people, two of them foreigners, the monitor said.
State news agency SANA quoted a military source as saying that that “the Israeli enemy launched an air strike... targeting one of the residential buildings in the Mazzeh neighborhood.”
The source said three civilians were killed and three wounded.
Wednesday’s strike hit around 500 meters (yards) from Tuesday’s strike.
The Observatory said the earlier strike killed six people — three civilians including a television anchor and three Iran-backed fighters, one of them from Hezbollah.
Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since the country’s civil war erupted in 2011, mainly targeting army positions and Iran-backed fighters, including those of Hezbollah.
Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes but have said repeatedly they will not allow arch-enemy Iran to expand its presence in Syria.
The strikes have intensified in recent days, including in areas near the border with Lebanon.
Source:arabnews.com
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Pakistan
Security forces gun down six BLA terrorists in Harnai
By Zarmeen Zehra
October 02, 2024
RAWALPINDI: Security forces have gunned down at least six Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists during a joint operation in Balochistan's Harnai district, Geo News learnt from security sources on Wednesday.
According to the sources, the operation was conducted on secret information in the northeastern district of the restive province where forces successfully eliminated hideouts of the outlawed terror outfit.
Shafu Samalani alias Tadin, Sarmad Khan alias Dasteen, Muhammad Gul Mari alias Wahid Baloch, Ghulam Qadir Mari alias Anjir Baloch, Ubaid Baloch alias Fida, and Taj Muhammad alias Babul were among the terrorists killed by the security forces, added the sources.
The terrorists, the security sources added, were involved in direct attacks on security forces and innocent people.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for the conducting a successful intelligence-based operation against the outlawed BLA in Harnai.
Security forces once again carried out a successful operation and sent six terrorists to hell, said the minister, congratulating the forces for foiling the nefarious intentions of the terrorists.
"The security forces brought the terrorists to a terrible end by taking timely action. [We] salute the bravery of the security forces," said Naqvi.
The interior minister added that the nation is proud of the professional skills of the brave security forces.
"Terrorists and facilitators are the burden of the earth and with the support of the nation we will wipe the terrorists out of it," he said, sharing the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.
He maintained that the entire nation is with the security forces to crush the terrorists. "Will go to the last extent for peace in Balochistan."
The security development was reported as Pakistan continues to witness a spike in terror-related incidents with most attacks reported in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reported a sharp increase in fatalities of terrorist violence and counter-terrorism campaigns with a 90% surge in violence in the third quarter of 2024.
According to their report, total fatalities surpassed the total fatalities recorded for the entire 2023. A total of 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, while 615 others were wounded in as many as 328 incidents recorded during the period under review.
Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan — marking the highest percentage in a decade, and over 92% of these incidents of terror attacks and security forces’ operations were recorded in the same provinces.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), on the other, documented a 7% reduction in militant attacks, alongside a significant 56% drop in fatalities.
According to the PICSS database, militants carried out 77 attacks across Pakistan in September 2024, resulting in 77 fatalities including those of 38 security personnel, 23 civilians, and 16 militants. Additionally, 132 people were injured, comprising 78 civilians and 54 security personnel.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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6 boys rescued from abuse by Lahore police
Imran Gabol
October 2, 2024
Six boys were rescued from abuse by the Lahore police on Wednesday while a suspect was arrested as well.
A statement from the police spokesperson said the Data Darbar station house officer (SHO) conducted the search operation with the police team and rescued the underage boys, who were being molested in a private inn, while also arresting a suspect.
City Superintendent of Police Captain retired Qazi Ali Raza said the suspect drugged the children and then filmed illicit footage of them. He added that raids were under way to arrest the accomplices and a case was registered the suspect.
“In the light of the orders of Punjab chief minister, there is a zero-tolerance policy against those who abuse and sexually exploit children and women,” he said.
The police statement added that a certificate of appreciation was also announced for the Data Darbar SHO and his team on the successful operation.
Earlier this year, data compiled by Sahil, an NGO working for children’s rights, showed that 11 children were abused every day in 2023, with mostly acquaintances and relatives involved in the heinous act.
The report said that in 2023, a total number of 4,213 child abuse cases had been reported from all four provinces as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The total number of cases included reported cases of child sexual abuse, cases of abduction, cases of missing children, and child marriages.
A gender-divide analysis of the data showed that out of the total reported cases, 2,251 (53 per cent) of victims were girls and 1,962 (47pc) were boys. The reported age showed that children were most vulnerable to abuse in the age group of 6-15 years, in which more cases of boys than girls were reported.
Moreover, children as young as 0-5 years were also sexually abused. The abuser’s category in the report indicated that acquaintances were still the most involved in child sexual abuse, along with relatives, family members, strangers and women abettors.
The report also showed that out of the total 4,213 reported cases, 75pc were reported from Punjab, 13pc cases from Sindh, 7pc cases from Islamabad capital territory, 3pc cases from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 2pc cases from Balochistan, AJK and GB.
Source:dawn.com
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‘Curfew-like situation’ created in Punjab to foil protests, claims PTI
Mansoor Malik | Ikram Junaidi
October 3, 2024
LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: Opposition PTI on Wednesday alleged that the Punjab government had created a curfew-like situation in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Mianwali following its announcement to hold protests against inflation and for independence of judiciary and release of party founder Imran Khan.
Talking to media persons at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, party’s central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram claimed that PTI’s call for protests had panicked the government which is why it was sealing the cities.
He said the government had already sealed the Red Zone in the federal capital and was taking similar measures in other cities to stop PTI workers from holding protests and public meetings.
It may be recalled that the Punjab government had imposed Section 144 in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Mianwali and Chiniot, and banned all kinds of political assemblies, gatherings, rallies and protests on Wednesday (today) and Thursday.
In Mianwali, Section 144 was imposed on Tuesday for seven days.
PTI leaders claimed that despite the restriction party workers including women took to the streets, managed to cross hurdles and survived tear-gas shelling to stage rallies in different cities.
The Punjab police deployed heavy contingents of police and put in place containers on the entry and exit points of all cities to stop the protesters’ movement.
Chiding IGP Punjab Dr Usman Anwar for allegedly converting different cities into containeristan, PTI provincial Information Secretary Shaukat Basra called upon the chief police officer to step down.
He said that containers placed at various points in the respective districts had also cut off links between several cities and travellers were forced to stay back at their homes.
“The selected districts were turned into no-go areas for the residents of Punjab and those inside the cities were not allowed to go out,” he regretted.
The PTI also uploaded footage of protests held in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Mianwali.
Mr Basra claimed that the police had picked up some 500 party workers during protests.
Sheikh Waqqas also claimed that party workers had been arrested in the three cities and added that houses of workers were also raided.
In reply to a question, he said Punjab police department was being used against PTI and special task had been given to the IGP to humiliate the people of Punjab.
Sheikh Waqqas said the government had overreacted to PTI’s call for protest.
“Since Tuesday Red Zone in Islamabad has been lying sealed so that PTI cannot hold its protest there,” he deplored.
Source:dawn.com
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'You reap what you sow,' Nawaz tells Imran in fiery speech
By Web Desk
October 02, 2024
LAHORE: Without naming the incarcerated PTI founder, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif castigated Imran Khan for prioritising violence over development as the former ruling party continues its anti-government campaign.
“You reap what you sow,” the three-time former prime minister said to jailed PTI founder while addressing a ceremony related to “Apna Ghar Apni Chat” Scheme announced by the Punjab government.
His statement came as PTI continues its anti-government campaign, with party workers and supporters staging protests in different areas of Punjab today (Wednesday).
Without naming the PTI, the ruling party president said the ruling party of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not interested in the development of the province.
“They come Punjab with tear gas shells,” the PML-N chief said hinting at PTI protesters.
Nawaz also asked which of the “tall promises” the PTI had fulfilled. “Their performance is zero and they stage protest whenever they get a chance,” he added.
“I think such elements should be dealt with strictly.”
Moreover, the former premier also expressed disappointment with his supporters and voters, stating that they never raised their voice against his ouster from power in 2017.
"You never asked that so many good things are taking so why Nawaz Sharif is being removed [from power]," the PML-N chief said adding that proud and dignified nations always raise their voices against any injustice.
Recalling the Panama scandal that led to the ouster of the ex-premier, Nawaz lamented that the then Supreme Court judges disqualified him from holding public office merely for not taking salary from his son.
“Where is the Billion Tree [programme], where are the 350 dams […] They [PTI] claimed to build 5 million houses. Still, they could not provide a single one,” the PML-N president questioned as he accused the Imran Khan-founded party of promoting “violence, bloodshed and politics of protests” in the country.
Pointing out the development work carried out in his tenures, the former premier said that his government laid the network of motorways and highways and metro bus services, eliminated terrorism, made Pakistan a nuclear power, overcame energy crisis, ended loadshedding and stabled the rupee.
“We even said goodbye to the IMF [International Monetary Fund], but our opponents brought it back,” the ex-premier noted, adding: “Had the momentum of my 1990 government continued, the world would have been watching the country’s development with envy today.”
“Name any other party that has carried out this much development in the country,” he challenged.
Nawaz also expressed his discontent over his ousters, which he believes deterred the country’s progress significantly. “We were not allowed to complete any of our tenure,” he regretted, referring to the abrupt end to his tenure in 1992, 1999 and 2017.
Recalling the Panama scandal that led to his recent ouster, Nawaz lamented that the then Supreme Court judges disqualified him from holding public office merely for not taking salary from his son. “Five judges ousted a prime minister of 250 million people […] Where are they now,” he asked.
Nawaz said that he possess an audio of the then-chief justice, wherein the latter said: “We have to keep Nawaz and Maryam in jail and bring Imran into power.”
Lambasting Imran Khan’s “double standards”, he said he visited Bani Gala after securing victory in 2013 general elections. “But then you [PTI founder] went to London and hatched a protest plan.”
“You [Imran] staged a four-month-long protest in Islamabad,” he said, claiming that his then military secretary asked him to leave for Lahore amid “dangerous circumstances”.
“The one who claimed to tie a noose around Nawaz Sharif’s neck is currently incarcerated,” he said, asking the PTI founder to learn humility and refrain from making tall claims.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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PML-N senator says proposed judicial package not aimed at any individual
By Web Desk
October 02, 2024
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui stressed on Wednesday that the federal government's proposed constitutional amendments are not aimed at any specific individual.
Speaking to media persons after meeting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Senator Siddiqui said: "Any constitutional amendment has nothing to do with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa or Justice Mansoor Ali Shah."
The government pushed the constitutional package amid speculation about a potential extension in the tenure of CJP Isa, who is set to retire this month, following the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) request last month for the early issuance of a notification regarding the appointment of the next top judge.
The PML-N, despite having the support of its allies such as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and others, had postponed introducing the constitutional amendments in the parliament while claiming to have secured the "magic number" earlier.
However, deferment came after JUI-F refused to lend its support to the ruling coalition, short of 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate as the said legislation requires a two-thirds majority in both houses.
Speaking on the said matter, Senator Siddiqui said that the issue surrounding the constitutional amendments will be clarified in the next two weeks.
The PML-N leader further said that the JUI-F chief backed the formation of constitutional court, however, he said Fazl did not want anything in the proposed judiciary centric constitutional package that is against the Constitution.
"Things will improve in the next two weeks," Siddiqui said, stressing that Fazl does not have reservations over the amendments and he only has reservations on a few minor matters which are being looked into by his team.
He said that the constitutional amendments will be passed if the ruling coalition secured two-thirds majority in parliament. "There is no pressure regarding the amendments as this is an 18-year-old agenda," he added.
Following the "non-political" meeting with Fazl, Senator Siddiqui admitted that the government cannot pass the constitutional amendments without the JUI-F chief's approval.
"We want Maulana Fazlur Rehman to support us and if he satisfies the PTI then we will have no objection," said the senior PML-N leader.
A day earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that so far, his party had agreed to the government’s proposal for the formation of a federal constitutional court.
Bilawal said his struggle for the constitutional amendment was not for the current chief justice, Qazi Faez Isa. "Your agenda could be a person-specific, not mine," he added.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1236077-pml-n-senator-says-proposed-judicial-package-not-aimed-at-any-individual
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Central bank revises criteria for conversion of conventional banking branches into Islamic
By Our Correspondent
October 03, 2024
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan amended its requirements on Wednesday for converting conventional banking branches into Islamic banking branches in light of the needs of the sector and recurring problems.
“All conventional banks having Islamic operations or those who intend to start Islamic banking operations shall be eligible to apply for conversion of its existing conventional branches into Islamic,” the SBP said in a circular.
“No licensing fee shall be applicable on the conversion of conventional branches into Islamic,” it added.The updated requirements cover disclosures for account conversions, using digital channels and methods to get customers’ approval for conversions, converting current accounts from conventional to Islamic after using every possible way to get customers’ consent, and more.
The bank will take some steps including the provision of mandatory information and disclosures to the customers. The bank shall inform the general public and account holders about the conversion of its respective conventional branches into Islamic at least three and a half months before the conversion, said the circular.The bank may use a deemed acceptance approach for conversion of current accounts of individuals with the approval of its Sharia board and clearance from the bank’s legal counsel, it said.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1236158-central-bank-revises-criteria-for-conversion-of-conventional-banking-branches-into-islamic
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Africa
Focus On Issues That Will Bring Development, Not Division – Ibadan-Based Clerictells Islamic Groups
October 2, 2024
By Musliudeen Adebayo
An Ibadan-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold has advised Islamic organisations in the South West geopolitical zone to concentrate on issues that will attract positive development instead of focusing on issues that will cause division among Muslims in the zone.
Akewugbagold made this declaration while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan during a press conference.
He said it is incumbent upon various Islamic organisations in the region to foster and strengthen Islamic unity rather than causing confusion and destabilising the polity.
He said considering the extent to which religion is drifting Nigerians apart, especially in the South West, there is a need to have a stakeholders meeting in which some matters would be resolved urgently.
He used the opportunity to call on various Islamic organisations in the region to concentrate on issues that will enhance meaningful development and not issues that will create more problems.
Akewugbagold said religion should be practised in a way that will bring development to the community and urged President Bola Tinubu to move the country from being a consuming country to a productive one for the country to witness development and be self-dependent.
He said, “Religion, as a way of life, should be practised in such a way that brings development to the Yoruba race and Nigeria in general. There is a need to foster Islamic unity within various sects since we believe we are worshipping one God (Allah) to bring progress to the Yoruba race.
“It is incumbent upon various Islamic organisations to foster and strengthen Islamic unity rather than causing confusion and destabilising the polity since their reference point is the Quran and Hadith of the prophet Muhammed, SAW. We plan to use the conference to bridge the gap between all Muslim kings in the south-west, Islamic scholars and Imams in the region”.
Source:dailypost.ng
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https://dailypost.ng/2024/10/02/focus-on-issues-that-will-bring-development-not-division-cleric-tells-islamic-groups/
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Muslim clerics appeal for calm, urge trust in Tinubu’s economic reform
October 2, 2024
by Segun Showunmi, Ibadan
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta has called on Nigerians to stay calm and have faith in President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, despite the current challenges facing the country.
The Islamic leaders encouraged citizens to remain patient and understanding, emphasizing that the President’s economic policies are aimed at fostering growth and prosperity.
Speaking in Ibadan ahead of a three-day Conference of Muslim Monarchs, Imams, and Islamic Scholars scheduled for October 7 to 9 in Ijebu-Ode, the conference’s media committee head, Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold, along with the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Imam Yunus Ayilara, acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians are experiencing but expressed confidence in Tinubu’s ability to steer the nation through these tough times.
In his remarks, Ayilara highlighted that Islam teaches perseverance and trust in leadership. He urged Nigerians to pray for President Tinubu and his administration, seeking divine guidance and wisdom.
He also called on Muslims to support the government’s efforts to rebuild the economy, emphasizing that national progress depends on collective responsibility and cooperation.
He said: “We should be patient, we should realise that Rome was not built in a day, this government began in one year and some months ago, the government still has more than two years in office, let us trust the capacity of President Tinubu.
“When he was a governor of Lagos State, the situation was not easy then, in fact, some people didn’t understand his policies, but today, the state is enjoying the foundation he laid down. Let’s be patient with him and understand that he is also a human being like us, I believe there will be solutions to all the economic challenges
“Though we believe and have trust that President Tinubu has policies capable of ameliorating sufferings of Nigerians, he should review some of those policies to cushion hardship in the nation.”
Speaking about the forthcoming Conference, Akewugbagold said the conference will bridge the gap between all Muslims Kings in the Southwest, Islamic scholars, and Imams across the country, adding that it will also dissect immediate and remote causes of crises within and among various sects of Islamic organisation with a view in finding a solution to several indifferences.
He noted that the conference will also look into ways to protect the honors and legacies of the past and present greater Islamic scholars living and dead for their contributions towards the development of Islam, adding that the conference will also organise special prayer for Tinubu for guardiance towards restoring the country lost glory and peace.
He lamented the extent to which religion is drifting people in Southwest apart, saying religion as a way of life should be practised in such a way that will bring development to the Yoruba race in particular and Nigeria in general.
He stated that there is a need to foster Islamic unity within various sects as they believe in worshipping one God, (Allah) with a view of bringing progress to the entire Yoruba race.
“We appeal to various sects within Islamic organisations to apply the reference points in fostering and strengthening Islamic unity, particularly within Yoruba race rather than applying same in causing confusion, chaos and destabilizing the polity.”
Source:thenationonlineng.net
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https://thenationonlineng.net/muslim-clerics-appeal-for-calm-urge-trust-in-tinubus-economic-reform/
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Islamic police raid betting shops in northern Nigeria
Mansur Abubakar
October 2, 2024
Islamic police in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have started closing down sports betting shops, which they say are operating illegally.
“As you know betting is forbidden in Islam,” Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy chief of the Sharia police force, known as the Hisbah, told the BBC.
The crackdown was prompted by complaints from community leaders and parents, worried about the growing number of gambling addicts, he said.
On the first day of raids, 30 shops were closed in one suburb alone and their owners sent home with a warning, the Sharia officer said.
But Mr Aminudeen warned that now that the public was aware that the Hisbah was clamping down on gambling, those flouting the rules would be arrested.
Kano city is the capital of Kano state, which has a majority Muslim population and operates the Islamic legal system - Sharia - alongside secular law.
A football fan explores the dark side of sports betting in Africa
Big winners, big losers: Kenya's addiction to gambling
Bookmakers and bars tend to be allowed to operate in Kano's Christian neighbourhoods, though they too can face action if the Hisbah thinks Muslims are frequenting them.
However, the current crackdown is focused on Muslim areas of Kano, a sprawling city and the economic hub of northern Nigeria.
Sports betting shops can be found all over the city - most have televisions screens with customers watching the outcome of international football matches or horse races on which they have staked money.
Mr Aminudeen said such bookmakers had been able to operate under the radar as they had opened under false pretences.
“They don’t have licences to operate as they were given permission to run video games centres, which they later converted to betting shops," he said.
The sports betting industry has expanded dramatically in recent years across the West African nation, which is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and a largely Christian south.
Many people go to bookmakers - to enjoy the camaraderie of other gamblers - though mobile apps are also popular to wager on the outcome of events and teams.
Nigeria's crippling economic crisis has also meant people are willing to risk a small amount in the hope of winning big.
But this had led to widespread addiction and parents were even complaining that children were dropping out of school to gamble, Mr Aminudeen said.
“These economic issues we are facing in Nigeria is God telling us to change our ways by stopping sins," he said.
The raids on Tuesday had focused on Munjibir, considered a resort area in the north-east of the city - with visitors flocking there at weekends.
“I am advising those running those betting shops to either shut down or we’ll arrest them and take them to [a Sharia] court,” Mr Aminudeen said.
It is not clear what punishment they would face - often such infringements carry a fine.
Sharia was introduced in Kano in 2000 - as it was in 11 other Muslim-majority northern states - and prostitution, gambling and the consumption of alcohol were banned.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4zle3j10mo
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In music and dance, Sudanese performers transport refugee audiences back home
October 02, 2024
CAIRO: As the performers took the stage and the traditional drum beat gained momentum, Sudanese refugees sitting in the audience were moved to tears. Hadia Moussa said the melody reminded her of the country’s Nuba Mountains, her family’s ancestral home.
“Performances like this help people mentally affected by the war. It reminds us of the Sudanese folklore and our culture,” she said.
Sudan has been engulfed by violence since April 2023, when war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces broke out across the country.
The conflict has turned the capital, Khartoum, into an urban battlefield and displaced 4.6 million people, according to the UN migration agency, including more than 419,000 people who fled to Egypt.
A band with 12 Sudanese members now lives with thousands of refugees in Egypt. The troupe, called “Camirata,” includes researchers, singers and poets who are determined to preserve the knowledge of traditional Sudanese folk music and dance to keep it from being lost in the ruinous war.
Founded in 1997, the band rose to popularity in Khartoum before it began traveling to different states, enlisting diverse musicians, dancers and styles.
They sing in 25 different Sudanese languages. Founder Dafallah El-Hag said the band’s members started relocating to Egypt in recently, as Sudan struggled through a difficult economic and political transition after a 2019 popular uprising unseated longtime ruler Omar Bashir. Others followed after the violence began. El-Hag arrived late last year.
The band uses a variety of local musical instruments on stage. El-Hag says audiences are often surprised to see instruments such as the tanbour, a stringed instrument, being played with the nuggara drums, combined with tunes of the banimbo, a wooden xylophone.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573705/middle-east
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Compensate Muslims In Cabinet Reshuffle – MURIC Tells Tinubu
By Popoola Yaqoub
Oct 2, 2024
As the nation awaits the reshuffling of the cabinet by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reminded the president of the need to compensate Nigerian Muslims who were shortchanged in the first appointment of ministers.
The reminder was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday 2nd October, 2024 by the Founder and Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
He said:
“Reports of an imminent cabinet reshuffle have been rife in the past few days. It has brought excitement to various Nigerian circles, particularly the political and religious terrains.
“MURIC recalls the disappointment felt by the Nigerian Muslim community when ministerial appointments were first made early in the tenure of the Tinubu administration. As expected we lodged complaints but nothing was done to address our grievance.
“Those who called the Tinubu administration a Muslim-Muslim ticket know the raison d’etre for giving it that nomenclature. They know those who worked viciously against the duo of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. They know those who cursed them and those who prayed for them.
“Expectedly, the Muslims who stood behind the duo like the rock of Gibraltar, taking all the risks and insults became infuriated at harvest time when all the juicy posts went the other way. Meanwhile, those who cursed and threatened Tinubu and Shettima started praising them when the low-hanging fruits started falling in their laps. It was a paradoxical scenario.
“Political maturity led MURIC to continue to appeal to Muslims for patience even as we received bashing from the home front on many occasions in the past two years or so.
“As we all wait for the coming cabinet rearrangement, we remind President Tinubu of the need to compensate Nigerian Muslims who were shortchanged in the first round of appointments. While we cannot dictate numbers for the president, we have the Allah-given right to demand adequate representation for Nigerian Muslims in the coming cabinet reorganization.
“We demand that the Muslim figure should be higher than any other slot as commensurate to its demographic percentage. The injustice done to Muslims in the South West was particularly inexplicable under a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“To date, Yoruba Muslims have no effective channel of communication to reach their Yoruba president. It became a double tragedy as they continued to suffer the same marginalization dished out to them in pre-Tinubu times. The president may not hear this from official Muslim circles, but it is in his best interest to take it as an authentic feeler from the Muslim masses (young and old) in the region.
“Yet his policies have not been quite favorable to the North in general from where he got humongous votes even more than he got from the South West.
“As at today, the North is yet to come to terms with Tinubu’s neglect of Muslims in the scheme of things after the 2023 presidential election while the embarrassment caused to major stakeholders from the North is igniting ripples.
“We affirm that skills and talents abound in all faiths. Expertise is not the exclusive preserve of Christians. For example, Nigerians are yet to see any performance in the Christian appointed to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Planning compared to the dynamism introduced by his Muslim predecessor. We can also beat our chests today that no federal agency has been better manned than the one headed by a Muslim professor of Islamic studies.
“We have every cassu belli, therefore, to ask for the parameter used in selecting majorly Christian appointees to the detriment of skilled Muslims. We put it to the presidency that whoever cannot find endowed individuals among Muslims is looking the wrong way. For the avoidance of blackmail and misunderstanding, we assert that our demand is for qualified Muslims, not for members of our organization.
“It is not in the character of MURIC to issue threats, heat the polity, or utter controversial declarations, but suffice it to say that it is high time we spoke some truth to power. It may be bitter but the truth must be spoken. Nigerian Muslims are generally unhappy at present. What we as stakeholders have done so far is to ensure that we do not rock the boat or join those who are trying to do so because it is our boat. It is still a Muslim-Muslim ticket. It must survive every storm.
“Therefore the success or otherwise of the present administration and, ostensibly, the Muslim-Muslim ticket and its future will be determined largely by the extent of justice for, and fairness to the aggrieved Muslims injected into the disposition of this administration as well as its good recourse to its medulla oblongata.
“Those who cannot identify their true friends and those who forget where they are coming from cannot escape the verdict of history. Many receive admonition, only the wise benefit from it.”
Source:independent.ng
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https://independent.ng/compensate-muslims-in-cabinet-reshuffle-muric-tells-tinubu/
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Two boats carrying migrants sink in the Red Sea off Djibouti's coast killing 45
2 October 2024
Two vessels carrying migrants from Africa sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Djibouti, killing 45 people, the U.N. migration agency said Tuesday.
The boats had departed from Yemen carrying 310 people, the International Organization for Migration said.
Thousands of migrants from African, Middle Eastern and South Asian countries seeking a better life in Europe attempt irregular migration every year. Smugglers pack vessels full of desperate people willing to risk their lives to reach continental Europe.
The U.N. agency, which was assisting search and rescue efforts, said on the social media platform X that 32 survivors were rescued.
Djibouti’s coast guard said the tragedy struck some 150 meters (about 500 feet) off a beach near the northwest Khor Angar region. It said a joint rescue effort was under way, which began early Monday. It said 115 survivors were rescued.
“We remain committed to finding the missing persons and ensuring the safety of the survivors,” the agency said in a statement posted on social media, with images of white body bags.
"We would like the support of not only the communities but also the donors to continue to support our migrant response plan," said IOM Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa, Frantz Celestin.
"That would not only reduce the the likelihood of these migrants, these young women and men leaving, but also when they need us to be there for them, for us to provide that shelter, for us to provide the healthcare and some food and non-food items," he added.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/10/02/two-boats-carrying-migrants-sink-in-the-red-sea-off-djiboutis-coast-killing-45/
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Southeast Asia
Indonesian Government Calls On Mosques to Boost Climate Awareness Efforts
October 2, 2024
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs has called on mosque operators across Indonesia to actively participate in addressing the increasingly severe effects of climate change.
"Although environmental fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) is not a new concept, it has yet to be widely promoted by our religious leaders and government officials," said Kamaruddin Amin, the ministry's Director General of Islamic Community Guidance, in a statement on Wednesday.
Speaking at the opening of the International Symposium on Innovative Mosques (ISIM) 2024 on Tuesday, he noted that the government is committed to supporting mosques in developing innovations to combat climate change threats.
At the event, held in Solo, Central Java, Amin highlighted that mosques have vast potential and occupy a strategic position to spread religious messages to a wide audience.
However, he stressed the need for increased efforts to raise environmental awareness through religious teachings.
"Mosques must continue to innovate," he stated. "To support them, we are organizing ISIM and the Model and Friendly Mosque Award."
Amin expressed hope that Indonesian mosques would make even greater contributions to enhancing the quality of life in the country.
Meanwhile, the ministry's Acting Director of Islamic Affairs, Ahmad Zayadi, pointed out that the symposium's theme, "Eco-friendly Mosque, Climate Change, and Future Generations," underscores the critical role of religion in environmental conservation and mitigating global warming.
"Religious figures and institutions play a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental issues, especially within houses of worship," he said.
The international symposium has drawn around 300 participants, including speakers, academics, and representatives from the ministry's regional offices, regional governments, and mosques nominated for the Model and Friendly Mosque Award. Approximately 750 participants have registered online.
Source:antaranews.com
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https://en.antaranews.com/news/328119/indonesian-govt-calls-on-mosques-to-boost-climate-awareness-efforts
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GISBH: Islamic religious councils take action focusing on Syariah crimes
BERNAMA
03-10- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The Islamic Religious Councils in several states have taken action against followers of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) suspected of committing various criminal offences.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) announced in a statement today that it has so far detained 108 individuals suspected to be involved with GISBH believed to have committed syariah crimes involving matters of faith, collecting donations without permission and marriage issues.
JAIS director Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the arrests would continue involving suspected and identified individuals based on intelligence, complaints and information received by the department.
He said investigations revealed that several facts of the suspects’ practices and beliefs contradicted enforced fatwa(edicts).
Mohd Shahzihan said JAIS also found that the members’ marriages and divorces were arranged by the group leaders, who also dictated the marriage solemnisation process, in addition to the lack of valid documentation or registration of marriages.
JAIS also found that divorces and polygamous marriages within the group were done without the permission of the relevant authorities and Syariah Court, he added.
In the meantime, the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) has established a Special Committee for the Rehabilitation of Followers of GISBH, tasked with developing initiatives for restoring religious faith (aqidah).
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the committee would also coordinate educational needs, housing, and assistance for the children of GISBH followers.
He added that MAINJ would also use existing enactments and work with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to review and make determinations regarding GISBH’s status.
Meanwhile, the Terengganu state government will adopt a more cautious approach in the sealing of business premises owned by the group.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar stated that the process would take some time as consultations with religious and legal authorities will be necessary before deciding on the next steps.
Ahmad Samsuri previously indicated that decisions on cancelling or suspending the licence would depend on the outcomes of the recent National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) Muzakarah Committee meeting.
In early September, the Royal Malaysia Police launched Op Global. They raided charity homes across Peninsular Malaysia linked to GISBH, suspected of being involved in the exploitation of children and religion.
The raids resulted in the rescue of 572 victims and the arrest of 359 GISBH followers, including the group’s top management.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local-news/gisbh-islamic-religious-councils-take-action-focusing-on-syariah-crimes-JF13075286
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High Court orders controversial Muslim preacher Firdaus Wong to remove conversion video for minors from TikTok pending trial
03 Oct 2024
By Malay Mail
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Controversial Chinese Muslim preacher Firdaus Wong was today ordered by the High Court here to temporarily take down a TikTok video said to provide advice to minors on how to embrace Islam without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh ruled on the ex-parte injunction that had been filed by several non-Muslim parents to maintain the status quo during ongoing legal proceedings, news portal Malaysiakini reported this morning.
“The court has set Oct 17 for inter parte hearing,” lawyer M. Visvanathan, representing the non-Muslim parents, was quoted as saying.
He added that the interim ruling is to allow the preacher who goes by the moniker “Bro Firdaus Wong” on social media, the opportunity to respond to the injunction.
According to Malaysiakini, the court has yet to set a date for a full hearing regarding the merits of the case that was filed on July 18.
The case dates back to June when Firdaus allegedly posted a video in which he advised a man on handling requests for conversion from non-Muslim teenagers who purportedly wished to embrace Islam without their parents finding out.
Firdaus reportedly suggested that such teens who want to become Muslims should do so discreetly without registering their conversions, which triggered uproar among non-Muslims as the Federal Court had previously set the precedent that the conversion of minors requires the knowledge and consent of both parents.
Malaysiakini reported one concerned parent expressing their fears about the potential secret conversion of their children in the affidavit.
“I emphasise that this is due to the risk of our underaged children’s religion being changed without our knowledge as parents of non-Muslim underaged children.”
The parent further argued that failing to prevent such covert proselytisation could pose risks to the physical and mental well-being of their children, and might disrupt national harmony.
Through the lawsuit, the non-Muslim parents seek to prevent Firdaus from advising underaged non-Muslim children on converting to Islam.
They had sought the removal of the controversial TikTok video.
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/10/03/high-court-orders-controversial-muslim-preacher-firdaus-wong-to-remove-conversion-video-for-minors-from-tiktok-pending-trial/152435
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Selangor Sultan to be briefed on Fatwa Committee’s ruling on GISBH tomorrow
02 Oct 2024
SHAH ALAM, Oct 2 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, will be briefed on the decision reached during a special meeting of the State Fatwa Committee regarding GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), tomorrow.
This was disclosed by state Islamic Affairs and Cultural Innovation Committee chairman Mohammad Fahmi Ngah to reporters today.
“The decision (regarding GISBH) was finalised during yesterday’s meeting, and we will seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor tomorrow before it is gazetted,” he said.
On Monday, the Selangor Mufti Department convened to make a decision regarding GISBH in the state, while the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) also reviewed a report on GISBH presented by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) on September 24.
On September 21, Sultan Sharafuddin expressed his disappointment regarding the issues surrounding GISBH and its network, which are linked to criminal activities and are currently under police investigation.
The Ruler subsequently decreed that all charity homes and Islamic schools under the control of GISBH and its network, which are not registered or suspected of involvement in criminal activities, including syariah offences, must be immediately shut down and barred from operating within Selangor.
This preventive measure is aimed at protecting children involved from further mistreatment. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/10/02/selangor-sultan-to-be-briefed-on-fatwa-committees-ruling-on-gisbh-tomorrow/152385
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Arab World
2-state solution the only viable path to lasting peace in Middle East, says Saudi foreign minister
October 03, 2024
LONDON: Now is the time to embark on an irreversible path to resolving the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians that culminates in the establishment of two independent states in which the peoples can live side by side in peace, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said.
In an op-ed published in the Financial Times on Wednesday, Prince Faisal bin Farhan wrote that a two-state solution is the only viable way to ensure the long-term security of Palestine, Israel and the wider region.
The Kingdom will work tirelessly to help create an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until this happens, he added. His comments echoed a reaffirmation of the Saudi stance by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a recent address to the Shoura Council.
Prince Faisal said an independent Palestinian state would deliver the dividends the Kingdom seeks: regional stability, integration and prosperity. His op-ed follows a sharp escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon in recent weeks, and an Iranian missile attack against Israel on Tuesday.
“It is essential to understand that the true obstacles to peace are not the Palestinians and Israelis, who yearn for stability and coexistence, but rather the radicals and warmongers on both sides who reject a just resolution and seek to spread this conflict across our region and beyond,” he wrote.
“These extremists should not dictate the future of our peoples or force war upon them. The voices of moderation must rise above the din of conflict, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they are heard.”
Prince Faisal said self-determination is a right the Palestinian people deserve and are entitled to, and Saudi Arabia and other countries are working to secure global recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state. He encouraged those nations that have privately expressed a willingness to do this to do so publicly, because now is the “time to stand on the right side of history.”
He continued: “Merely recognizing Palestine is not enough. We must demand more accountability, in line with International Court of Justice opinions. This includes the implementation of UN resolutions, the imposition of punitive measures against those that work to undermine Palestinian statehood, and incentives for those who support it.”
He said the continuing assault on Gaza, expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and imposition of restrictions on movement by Israeli authorities “creates a reality that diminishes prospects for a sovereign Palestinian state.”
Israeli “intransigence only exacerbates tensions and erodes trust, making diplomatic negotiations increasingly difficult, prolonging the suffering of both sides and pushing the region ever closer to wider war,” he added.
The prince called for support of the Palestinian Authority, which he said has shown perseverance “in maintaining calm in the occupied West Bank despite unrelenting obstacles.”
He continued: “Its commitment to non-violence and cooperation must be supported. A lasting resolution cannot be achieved without both Gaza and the occupied West Bank being under PA control.
“Palestinian statehood is a prerequisite for peace, rather than its by-product. This is the only path that can lead us out of this cycle of violence and into a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, with security and mutual respect. Let us not delay any longer.”
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573709/saudi-arabia
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Madinah hosts forum on mass gatherings, emergency medicine
October 02, 2024
RIYADH: The second International Conference on Mass Gatherings and Emergency Medicine brings together doctors, health care practitioners and medical students to discuss recent developments and challenges in mass gatherings and emergency medicine.
The conference is organized by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce.
Conference chairman and pediatric emergency medicine consultant at Alfaisal University, Dr. Mohammad Alfaifi, said that the three-day conference, ending on Thursday, features sessions dedicated to papers and research presented by speakers from the Kingdom and abroad.
Among the speakers is Professor Abdo Khoury, who discussed preparations and challenges during the Paris Olympics. Dr. Muna Al-Musleh, a consultant in emergency medicine from Qatar, addressed her country’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research presented a paper on using AI in crowd management during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Alfaifi emphasized the conference’s role in enhancing the expertise of medical staff in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s upcoming international events, including the World Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup.
He highlighted that such gatherings provided opportunities to discuss and address crowd management challenges, suggesting optimal solutions and best practices, while showcasing Saudi Arabia’s extensive experience in managing crowds during Hajj and Umrah.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573675/saudi-arabia
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Remote Thabhloten in Empty Quarter has rich history, compelling beauty
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
October 02, 2024
MAKKAH: Thabhloten Center, part of Al-Ahsa governorate in the Eastern Province and over 1,500 km from Riyadh and 1,200 km from Al-Ahsa, is Saudi Arabia’s most remote village.
Thabhloten, considered the largest sand basin in the world, is characterized by towering sand dunes on all sides, rich natural resources, and lakes in the middle.
It is the most remote village in Saudi Arabia, with few paved roads and connections to cities in the Kingdom.
Mubarak bin Klot, a resident of Thabhloten, said that the locals speak Arabic, contrary to the misconception that they converse in Mehri.
He said people have lived in the area for generations and have a connection to the land. “We grew up on its hills and were shaped by its vast landscape.”
He also spoke fondly of the first documented journey across the Empty Quarter in 1930, which included British travelers and explorers.
This included Thomas Bertram, with the support of Sheikh Saleh bin Klot Al-Rashidi.
This historic expedition took place during the reign of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the Kingdom.
He continued: “Seventeen years later, the journey was undertaken once again by Wilfred Thesiger, whom the Bedouins called Mubarak bin London.
“He crossed the Empty Quarter with my grandfather, Mohammed bin Saleh bin Klot, traveling from Manukh to the Emirates, then to Oman, and finally to Mukalla, successfully traversing the entire Empty Quarter alongside three companions from the same tribe.
“These remarkable journeys were thoroughly documented in Britain, and we have copies of the records.”
He added that Thabhloten is the only village in the Empty Quarter, with around 436 properties and a population of just 400 people, all from the Al-Rashid tribe.
The villagers are primarily Bedouins, whose lives are shaped by the natural elements, relying on the weather, grazing lands, water sources, and livestock.
He said the village has produced several educated individuals, with many having graduated from various universities.
Bin Klot said that he completed his initial education in the village before pursuing a degree in political science in Jordan.
He chose to return to his village, driven by a strong sense of attachment and the deep significance the village holds for its people.
Bin Klot said the nearest city where residents can access supplies, medical care, and essential goods is Al-Ahsa. Members of the community face significant challenges to cover these distances.
He said the roads leading to and from the village are challenging, unpaved, and often impassable.
Despite this, he said there was a strong community spirit, with people sharing resources.
Bin Klot said the government supplies the village with fuel to ensure electricity is provided to all its residents.
He said people prefer to live in the area because of its mild winters and compelling natural beauty.
When asked about children leaving for opportunities elsewhere, he said these decisions were up to their guardians.
Some families have moved to cities in the Kingdom, while others preferred to stay.
Source:arabnews.com
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Riyadh forum to fuel SMEs, startups in Kingdom
October 02, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha’at, will host the Biban 24 forum, themed “Global Destination for Opportunities,” from Nov. 5-9 in Riyadh.
The event will gather over 250 speakers and 1,350 exhibitors, representing local and international entrepreneurs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The forum aims to boost entrepreneurial growth, promote competitiveness, and increase the number of startups.
It also seeks to identify investment opportunities in the public and private sectors and introduce youths to innovative ideas and strategies aligned with Vision 2030, which emphasizes small and medium enterprises’ contribution to the gross domestic product.
Sami Al-Husseini, Monsha’at's governor, said the forum provides a “platform for entrepreneurs to explore opportunities, promote SME growth, and foster innovation and collaboration between local and global entrepreneurs.”
He added that the forum also offers “a space for interaction among changemakers and supporters of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, contributing to a prosperous future.”
More than 150 entities from the public and private sectors, supporting SMEs in areas such as capacity building and e-commerce, will participate to help address challenges hindering business growth.
The forum will host the finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup, with participants from 151 countries competing for up to $1 million in cash prizes. Saudi Arabia will host the final qualifiers and closing ceremony.
Around 420 training workshops, expected to benefit over 19,000 participants, will cover topics supporting entrepreneurship and SME growth.
The forum will feature nine sections tailored to different SME needs, including start, enablement, e-commerce, funding, innovation, startups, franchising, fast-growing enterprises, and market access.
It will also see several launches and agreements aimed at fostering SME investment and growth through diverse financing solutions.
Source:arabnews.com
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Al-Mawaddah joins World Family Organization to share Saudi expertise on global stage
October 02, 2024
RIYADH: Al-Mawaddah Association for Family Development has joined the World Family Organization with the unanimous approval of the organization’s board of directors, becoming the first Saudi association to do so since the Kingdom’s membership 50 years ago.
Al-Mawaddah’s general manager, Mohammed Al-Radhi, said that the move marks a significant step toward achieving a sustainable global impact in family development.
He emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences and fostering international cooperation, positioning the association’s national expertise on a global stage.
Al-Mawaddah will host the World Family Summit 2024, providing a platform for developing strategies to empower families worldwide, Al-Radhi said.
He added that the association was also working on a unified global index to measure family stability, aiming to address challenges and propose solutions while showcasing Islamic values and national culture.
Al-Radhi said that joining the organization aligned with the association’s strategy for global transformation, under the guidance of Saudi authorities.
Faisal Al-Samanoudi, chairman of Al-Mawaddah’s board, highlighted the leadership’s commitment to empowering the nonprofit sector and supporting its globalization.
Since its foundation in 2003, Al-Mawaddah has supported more than 700,000 families through protection, training and awareness initiatives, and has trained more than 5,000 family practitioners in line with international standards.
The association has won 14 awards for institutional, digital and social excellence, implemented 32 government competitions, and facilitated knowledge transfer to more than 200 charitable organizations.
The World Family Organization, founded in 1947, serves as an international platform for sharing best practices in family development.
Source:arabnews.com
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Europe
Russian man jailed for burning Quran charged with treason
October 3, 2024
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian man jailed in February for burning the Quran has been charged with treason by prosecutors who accuse him of passing video footage of military movements to Ukraine.
In a statement, Russia's prosecutor general's office said that 20-year-old Nikita Zhuravel was accused of sending footage of a freight train carrying warplanes, and information about the movements of a car linked to a Russian military base to a representative of Ukrainian intelligence.
It said Zhuravel had volunteered himself to send the Ukrainian intelligence officer the data.
Reuters was not immediately able to identify a lawyer representing Zhuravel in the treason case.
Zhuravel is serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence after being convicted under Russia's law against offending religious believers, for publicly burning a Quran in his home city of Volgograd.
His case drew international attention last year when Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov published a video in which his son Adam was shown beating and kicking the defendant while he was in prison awaiting trial.
Russian investigators had earlier transferred his case to Chechnya. The Investigative Committee, which handles serious crimes, said this was because they received many messages from residents of the heavily Muslim region asking to be designated injured parties.
(Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Source:.yahoo.com
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German publisher showcases rare manuscripts at Riyadh book fair
RAHAF JAMBI
October 02, 2024
RIYADH: German publishing house Mueller and Schindler is participating in the Riyadh International Book Fair for the third consecutive year with a showcase of rare manuscripts and books.
The annual gathering’s literary treasures are a major attraction for book lovers and academics.
Mueller and Schindler specialize in creating high-quality replicas of historic texts that are typically inaccessible to the public.
Among their remarkable offerings are the famed notes of Leonardo da Vinci, and a selection of Arabic works, including the renowned Blue Qur’an.
Their exhibit at the fair highlights not only the beauty of these manuscripts but also their historical significance.
The owner and CEO of Mueller and Schindler, Charlotte Kramer, elaborating on their mission, told Arab News: “We provide facsimiles, which derive from the Latin term ‘fac simile,’ meaning ‘make it similar.’”
A facsimile is a faithful reproduction of a manuscript or printed book, capturing all the visible characteristics of the original — vibrant colors, gold and silver embellishments, as well as age marks and irregularities.
Their facsimile editions are published in limited quantities, combining technical precision with the spirit of the original work.
Highlighting the uniqueness of their offerings, Kramer noted: “One of our notable replicas is Katta Langar Qur’an, which dates back over 1,200 years, making it one of the oldest Qur’anic fragments. This fragment, written in Hijazi calligraphy, is significant for the development of the Qur’anic text.”
In addition to the Katta Langar Qur’an manuscript, Mueller and Schindler showcased a Moroccan Qur’an, comprised of 50 volumes, meticulously crafted in Kufic script.
They also presented manuscripts containing prayers of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as scientific Arabic texts, including Al-Sufi’s “Book of the Fixed Stars.”
The enthusiasm of the Saudi audience has made a lasting impression on the team.
“We are thrilled to be here for the third time. The people are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely interested in our work. They engage with us, asking insightful questions and listening intently to our explanations,” Kramer said.
The fair concludes on Saturday.
Source:arabnews.com
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Russians claim key city of Vuhledar in Ukraine's east
2rd Oct 2024,
Russian troops have taken complete control of the eastern city of Vuhledar, which Ukrainian forces have been defending since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion two and a half years ago.
Ukraine's eastern military command confirmed on Wednesday that they had told the troops still fighting in parts of the Vuhledar to pull back to avoid becoming surrounded.
For more than two years Russia has been trying to take this city in order to advance further north and reach regional transportation hubs such as Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.
Pro-Kremlin military bloggers had posted several videos the day before showing Russian soldiers with flags on rooftops of different buildings in Vuhledar.
Donetsk regional authorities confirmed on Tuesday that Russian troops had almost reached the city centre, and some reports said Ukrainian forces are still hanging on in some districts.
The BBC has spoken to two soldiers from the 72nd brigade who managed to leave the city before the final assault and take up new positions in the same area. They claim that their troops have withdrawn from the city.
Over the past few days Ukrainian soldiers had to find their own way out of Vuhledar by foot as it was impossible to evacuate them otherwise, a machine-gunner who wished to remain anonymous said.
Many were wounded and killed by Russian drones and artillery as they tried to leave, another soldier, Roman, says. Many more are still missing.
Moscow has launched numerous attacks to seize the city since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, but they all failed up until now. One of the biggest tank battles took place there last year.
Instead of launching frontal assaults, the Russian army recently switched to its favourite tactic – advancing along the flanks to surround the target. Last month they seized the village of Prechystivka to the west and Vodyane to the east to complete a pincer movement.
Moscow’s enormous advantage in weapons and troops - some soldiers have estimated the ratio of forces as seven to one - enabled them to break through Ukrainian defence lines along the flanks and approach Vuhledar.
Source:bbc.com
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Four people killed in Ukrainian attacks on Russian region – governor
3 Oct, 2024
Four people were killed and 24 others wounded in Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region on Wednesday, local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has said.
Kiev’s troops targeted around a dozen settlements with artillery and drones, according to the governor.
“Yesterday was a terrible day for the whole of Belgorod Region,” Gladkov wrote in a post on Telegram on Thursday morning.
Throughout Wednesday, the governor reported Ukrainian strikes across the region via his channel.
In the afternoon, one person was killed and four others wounded, including a teenager and a three-year-old child, in an attack on the village of Krapivnoe.
A few hours later, Kiev’s forces shelled a farm in the village of Yasnye Zori, leaving one person dead and 13 wounded.
Source:rt.com
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/uscirf-india-religious-freedom-violations/d/133352