Waqf Act Comes into Force, Centre Seeks Supreme Court Hearing Before Orders On Pleas Against It
New Age Islam News Bureau
9 April 2025
· Waqf Act Comes into Force, Centre Seeks Supreme Court Hearing Before Orders On Pleas Against It
· Catholic Activists Differ with Bishops On India’s Muslim Property Law
· Pakistan Supreme Court Curious About Right to Appeal After Military Trials
· Israel Fulfilling ‘None’ Of Its Legal Duties asAn Occupying Power, UN Chief Warns
· Anti-Islamophobia Group Tell Mama Should Face Inquiry, Says Muslim Peer, Shaista Gohir
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India
· Appeasement Politics Brought Congress to Power but Ordinary Muslims Faced Neglect: PM Modi On Waqf Law
· Protests Erupt Across Manipur Over Waqf (Amendment) Act Amid Rising Tensions, Security Beefed Up
· After APCR, Muslim League, SDPI Challenge Waqf Bill in Supreme Court
· UCC Is Next After Waqf Bill, Says BJP MLA Sushil Kumar
· Srinagar: 3 more separatist groups dissociate with Hurriyat, says Amit Shah
· SC to Hear Waqf Pleas On April 15, Govt Files Caveat
· JD(U) Turns toTaj to Woo Back Muslims After Waqf Fallout
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Pakistan
· Clash outside Adiala after Imran’s sisters denied meeting
· PTI yearns for engagement with ‘powerful quarters’
· PM to meet Diamer protest leaders today as sit-in enters 53rd day
· PM Shehbaz urged to form body to address Balochistan crisis
· CTD arrests ‘TTP militant’ in Karachi’s Lee Market
· Maintain unity, do something for those behind bars, Qureshi urges PTI leaders
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Mideast
· Hamas Official Says ‘Necessary To Reach A Ceasefire’ In Gaza
· Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq ‘Ready to Disarm’
· Pro-Turkiye Syria groups reduce presence in Kurdish area
· Jihad condemns Zionist enemy's closure of UNRWA schools in al-Quds
· Al-Quds Governorate Warns of "Biblical Practices" Inside Al-Aqsa Mosque
· US says it is aware of Palestinian American’s killing by Israeli forces in West Bank
· Israel troops shoot dead woman in alleged West Bank knife attack
· Suspected US strikes in Yemen kill at least 6 people, Houthi rebels say
· Palestinian minister appeals to Egyptian counterpart to support Gaza’s education
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Europe
· Will MBA be catalyst to UK Islamic insurance momentum?
· Yob hurled rocks and antagonised protestors while defending mosque
· Muslim group, constituents call for Andrew Lawton's removal as Conservative candidate in southern Ontario
· Claims misinformation about new Barrow mosque shared by far-right groups to 'whip up' tensions
· Manor House: Safety concerns over mosque at high-rise flats
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North America
· CAIR Calls on Leaders to Speak Out Against Hate After Nebraska Students Pose with Nazi Flag
· Muslim Prayer Room at New York University Vandalized with Name of Jewish Fraternity
· Trump Claims Countries ‘Kissing My Ass’ For Tariff Deals
· North Texas faith leaders condemn Abbott's EPIC City investigations
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ArabWorld
· Saudi Deputy Minister and UNRWA Chief Discuss KSA’s Ongoing Support for Palestinians
· RSAF personnel complete training in US missile defense system
· Saudi fund signs $10m loan for renewable energy project in Solomon Islands
· Saudi, Iraqi defense ministers discuss cooperation in phone call
· Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rises to 78.8 years, says health ministry
· Saudi aid agency to support 1,000 orphans in Syria
· Saudi Arabia completes pavilion preparations for Expo 2025
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Africa
· Afenifere Warns against Stoking Religious Conflict in South-west
· Afenifere accuses MURIC of stoking religious war in Ekiti
· ‘Adeleke Deceiving Osun People, Has Paralysed LG Administration’ – Ex-Commissioner Asserts
· Only Military, Police Can Not Solve Insecurity – Police Minister, Gaidam
· Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede named the new interim president of the Tigray region
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Southeast Asia
· Exploring Commonalities of Moderation Concept Between Indonesian Islamic Civilization and Chinese Confucianism
· PAS leader raps ustaz for visiting non-Muslim house of worship
· Police probe possible accidental shooting as officer remains critical in Penang ICU
· Four men charged with extorting RM18,000 from an individual
· Rape and incest reports surge 22% in Kelantan - Police
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South Asia
· Kabul Cracks Down on Expired Food, Hygiene Items
· Pakistan halts detention and deportation of registered Afghan migrants until further notice
· Three Afghan Refugees acquitted of Greece’s Moria Refugee Camp Fire Charges
· Islamic banks may be merged to create two large banks: BB governor
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/waqf-act-supreme-court/d/135106
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Waqf Act Comes into Force, Centre Seeks Supreme Court Hearing Before Orders On Pleas Against It
By HT News Desk
Apr 09, 2025
Centre has reportedly filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, seeking hearing before orders are passed on pleas challenging validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was heavily debated in Parliament before its passage in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the recently concluded Budget Session.
Lawyers privy to the development said the petitions were likely to be listed for hearing before a bench on April 15 though it is not reflected on the apex court website as of now, according to news agency PTI.
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, April 5, gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025. The Waqf (Amendment) Act came into force from Tuesday, the government said in a notification.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was approved by Parliament on Friday after the Rajya Sabha passed the legislation following a marathon 13-hour debate. Opposition parties strongly opposed the Bill, calling it "anti-Muslim" and "unconstitutional," while the government defended it as a "historic reform" aimed at benefiting the minority community.
The Bill passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favor and 95 against. Earlier on Thursday, the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, where 288 members voted in favor and 232 against.
In addition, Parliament approved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill. The Rajya Sabha gave its approval, while the Lok Sabha had already passed the Bill. As a result, the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923, has now been repealed.
Please challenging Waqf Act
Multiple pleas have been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Bill, which is now an Act. Last week, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi moved the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Over 10 petitions, including those by politicians and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, have been filed in the top court challenging the validity of the newly-enacted law, according to PTI.
Jawed’s petition argued that the Bill imposed "arbitrary restrictions" on Waqf properties, undermining the religious autonomy of the Muslim community. He claimed that it discriminated against Muslims by imposing restrictions not present for other religious endowments.
Jawed, the MP from Kishanganj, Bihar, who was a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Bill, also contended that it introduced limitations on creating Waqfs based on religious practice duration.
In a separate plea, Owaisi argued that the Bill stripped Waqfs of protections given to religious and charitable endowments of other religions, which he described as discriminatory and a violation of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan has also approached the Supreme Court, seeking the Bill's declaration as unconstitutional, citing multiple violations of constitutional provisions including Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 300-A.
The Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), an NGO, has also challenged the Bill’s constitutionality in the Supreme Court.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also said it is set to challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court, with Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and party leader Fayaz Ahmed filing a petition on behalf of the party on Monday.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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Catholic Activists Differ with Bishops On India’s Muslim Property Law
Muslims shout slogans at a protest after their Friday prayers in Jalandhar on April 4 against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill (Photo by Shammi MEHRA / AFP)
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Bijay Kumar Minj
April 9, 2025
A group of Catholics has expressed dismay over Indian bishops supporting changes to a law governing properties dedicated to Muslim charity, saying it risks legitimizing government interference in the affairs of religious minorities.
In an April 8 open letter, some 15 Catholic activists and academics said the support from the national bishops’ forum, the highest authority of the Catholic Church in India, raised several “serious issues that merit careful reconsideration.”
They cited a March 31 press statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India that urged all parliamentarians to support the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025.
The amendments introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party were passed in the Indian Parliament on April 4 and received presidential assent a day later.
According to the government, the amendments were necessary to curb the excessive powers of the federal Waqf Board and the state boards overseeing Waqf properties that Muslims have donated for the community’s benefit over centuries.
The amended law stripped the Waqf boards of their authority to make unilateral claims on any property. Besides, it also allows Indian courts and administrative systems to intervene and resolve property disputes.
The central concern in the amendment “is that the legislation infringes on the autonomy of a religious minority’s institutional affairs,” the group of Catholics said.
The group, which included senior priests and nuns, said the bishops’ support “risks legitimizing state intrusion under the guise of reform."
They wanted the bishops’ conference to reconsider its stand, noting the widespread apprehension and opposition from the Muslim community and opposition parties.
“The state interference in the affairs of one minority may well open the door to similar intrusions into the rights and governance of other religious communities, including Christians,” they warned.
The letter said Christian institutions were under increasing scrutiny and pressure from political and state authorities since Modi’s BJP came to power in 2014.
The number of reported incidents of violence and discrimination against Christians has sharply risen, including over 800 documented cases in 2024 alone, it added.
“We must be particularly vigilant in safeguarding the broader principles of minority rights and religious freedom,” the letter stated.
The group alluded that the bishops’ support for the amendment was part of an effort to assist around 600 families, primarily Catholics, in a village in southern India.
The villagers faced eviction after the Kerala state Waqf Board claimed ownership of about 400 acres of land they had purchased more than four decades ago and built homes.
It is a “localized matter” and “should be addressed through legal, negotiated, and conciliatory means,” the group said.
The BJP parliamentarians, while participating in the debate over amendments, referred to the support of bishops, portraying it as the “concerns of the Christian community” in the country over the excess powers of the Muslim board.
Observers say that the amendments were enacted because the Waqf board made unilateral claims over several properties, including government-owned properties, using legal loopholes, resulting in thousands of nationwide disputes.
Federal government records indicate over 21,600 land disputes related to Waqf claims are pending across India. According to the government's Press Information Bureau, among these disputes are 5,977 government properties identified as Waqf properties.
Source: ucanews.com
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Pakistan Supreme Court Curious About Right to Appeal After Military Trials
Supreme Court of Pakistan
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Nasir Iqbal
April 9, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has asked the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) to explain his 2023 statement about granting the right to appeal to those convicted by military courts.
The seven-judge bench issued the directive on Tuesday while hearing a set of 38 appeals against the Oct 23, 2023, judgment of the Supreme Court, nullifying the military trial of civilians accused of violence on May 9.
The statement made by AGP Mansoor Usman Awan before the SC bench in 2023 came up during the hearing of the appeals.
During a hearing on Aug 2, 2023, the AGP had told a five-judge SC bench that the government was working on legislation to give the right of appeal to those convicted of attacking military installations on May 9.
He had told the bench that the government would amend the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) and the Official Secrets Act (OSA) to allow for the convicts’ appeal.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice Musarrat Hilali asked about the status of those amendments.
The judge observed that the Constitution protects the rights of civilians and ensures their enforcement.
When a convict is sentenced by the military court under PAA, they don’t get the right to appeal the decision before any independent forum, the judge observed.
This was unlike the practice in India, where independent forums had been provided for such appeals.
Justice Aminuddin Khan, who was heading the constitutional bench, asked Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Aamir Rehman to convey to the AGP to appear in person and explain his statement.
The AGP will likely be asked to explain his position today (Wednesday) after the Ministry of Defence’s counsel, Khawaja Haris Ahmed, concludes his arguments.
Justice Khan, the constitutional bench head, recalled that the AGP’s statement was also reproduced by Justice Ayesha A. Malik in her detailed reasons explaining why the five-judge bench had nullified the military trial of civilians involved in the May 9 violence.
The AGP had also assured the previous Supreme Court bench that no offence carrying the death penalty or a lengthy sentence would be made against any detained civilian.
The accused will also have the right to appoint private lawyers, while family members and the legal team of the accused will be allowed to attend trial proceedings, AGP Awan had told the court in 2023.
The evidence would be recorded during the trial as per the law and procedure in regular criminal court. Besides, the judgement delivered in the trial of the accused would be supported by reasons, he had said.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar recalled certain points regarding the AGP’s statement on the right to appeal were also mentioned by the bench in its order nullifying the military trial.
What is the guarantee that rights are granted during the military trial of civilians, asked Justice Mazhar.
He referred to the International Court of Justice’s judgement asking Pakistan to ensure counsellor access to Indian spy Commander Kulbushan Sudhir Jadhav.
During the hearing, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail emphasised the need to ensure a free trial.
He said that for a free trial, the accused should be allowed the right to appeal before an independent forum.
The judge also remarked that every offence was against the interest of the State and wondered whether the attack on Jaffar Express last month was against the interest of the state or not.
Justice Mandokhail also questioned the reason for bringing civilians into the ambit of the PAA.
Mr Ahmed, the defence ministry’s counsel, contended the role of the armed forces was to defend the country.
However, they would not be able to maintain discipline among their ranks if distracted through conspiracies or faced with mutiny, he aruged.
The counsel explained that whenever a civilian seduces the personnel of armed forces not to discharge their official duties, they will become subject to army laws and tried through military courts since discipline has to be maintained in armed forces at all cost.
The counsel emphasised that the Constitution, which conferred rights on citizens, also created exceptions in certain cases.
Source: dawn.com
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Israel Fulfilling ‘None’ Of Its Legal Duties asAn Occupying Power, UN Chief Warns
Photo: Arab News
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EPHREM KOSSAIFY
April 08, 2025
NEW YORK CITY: The UN secretary-general evoked several provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention on Tuesday to remind Israeli authorities of an occupying power’s “unequivocal” obligations under international law.
The obligations Antonio Guterres highlighted included ensuring the welfare of the civilian population, the supply of food and medicine, and the maintenance of public health services.
“None of that is happening today,” he said. “No humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza. At the crossing points, food, medicine and shelter supplies are piling up and vital equipment is stuck.”
Speaking in New York to reporters, the UN chief described Gaza’s current path as a dead end that is “totally intolerable” in the eyes of international law and history.
He also warned that the situation in the West Bank could spiral into a similar crisis unless urgent steps are taken to protect civilians, end dehumanization and restore peace.
Guterres called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and full humanitarian access to be restored. It has been more than a month since aid entered the territory, he added, exacerbating an already devastating humanitarian crisis.
“More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza,” he said. “No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies. As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have reopened.”
Guterres condemned proposals by Israeli authorities to introduce “authorization mechanisms” for the delivery of aid that risk further controlling and “callously limiting aid, down to the last calorie and grain of flour.”
He said the UN “will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.”
He warned that “the situation in Gaza has become a killing field” and civilians are trapped in an “endless death loop” as a result of the blockade on food, medicine, fuel and other essential supplies.
“Ceasefires work,” Guterres said. “During that ceasefire (between January and March this year), humanitarian organizations successfully delivered critical aid, including food and medical supplies, to Gaza. Guns fell silent, obstacles were removed, looting ended and we were able to deliver lifesaving supplies to virtually every part of the Gaza Strip.
“That all ended with the shattering of the ceasefire. Hope sank for Palestinian families in Gaza and families of hostages in Israel.”
Guterres expressed deep concern about the continuing detention of hostages by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. He met the families of the hostages on Monday and reiterated his call for their immediate release.
“With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled,” he continued.
He reiterated the declaration made by UN humanitarian organizations on Monday, who said in a joint statement that “assertions that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza are far from the reality on the ground, and commodities are running extremely low.”
Guterres said: “We must stick to our core principles. It is time to end the dehumanization, protect civilians, release the hostages, ensure lifesaving aid and renew the ceasefire.
“The world may be running out of words to describe the situation in Gaza but we will never run away from the truth.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Anti-Islamophobia Group Tell Mama Should Face Inquiry, Says Muslim Peer, Shaista Gohir
Lady Shaista Gohir, the chief executive of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, accused Tell Mama of a ‘lack of transparency’. Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian
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9 April 2025
A leading Muslim peer has called for an inquiry into the Islamophobia monitoring group Tell Mama over concerns about a “lack of transparency” on how it is spending public money.
Shaista Gohir, the chief executive of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, has also accused Tell Mama of failing to provide detailed data on anti-Muslim hate crimes, being “silent” when politicians have targeted Muslims, and questioned whether the Tories used it as a vehicle to monitor extremism.
Tell Mama denied the claims and described the idea it was secretly being used to tackle Muslim extremism as a “slur”. It said it regularly reports “according to the government’s due processes” and that no issues had been raised with the group by officials.
Lady Gohir said the public had a right to know how taxpayers’ money had been spent by Tell Mama. “We need an inquiry because, if you look at the questions, they’re very simple: how much was spent on salaries? How much was spent on consultancy fees?”
Tell Mama has been the government’s key partner in monitoring anti-Muslim hatred for 13 years, but its government funding was abruptly paused earlier this month, leading to fears it would close at a time when anti-Muslim hate incidents have increased.
The faith minister, Wajid Khan, said “ministers do not have concerns about financial, structural or governance issues in respect of Tell Mama”.
Nonetheless, the government said it would launch an “open bidding process” for the contract to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and to support victims, opening Tell Mama up to competition for the first time. It did not answer questions from the Guardian as to why.
Parliamentarians from both houses have privately told the Guardian of their concerns about Tell Mama.
Gohir, a cross-party peer, had been raising questions in parliament and in letters to communities ministers under the previous Conservative administration for more than a year before the funding wrangle.
Sayeeda Warsi, the former chair of the Conservative party who was involved in Tell Mama’s founding, described the group on X as “unfit for purpose”.
But others have rallied to its defence, including the life peer Kishwer Falkner, who raised the issue of its funding in the House of Lords last month, asking for reassurance that “moderate Muslim groups” were worthy of support.
Tell Mama has received £6m in funding since 2012 and has now confirmed that, after extensive negotiations with the government, it has secured funding for work completed in 2024-25, with more offered.
The service is run by a community-interest company, Faith Matters, so it is not bound by the same stringent rules as charities when it comes to publishing an itemised breakdown of its spending.
Tell Mama’s chief executive, Iman Atta, said the organisation would be “happy to cooperate with anybody regarding the use of public funds”.
Faith Matters, founded in 2007 by the former Liberal Democrat councillor Fiyaz Mughal, specialises in interfaith work and conflict resolution. In 2012, it launched the Tell Mama project. Mughal remains Faith Matters’ director.
Atta denied Gohir’s assertion that the organisation was silent when Tories made negative remarks on Muslims, citing past challenges to figures such as Boris Johnson, and insisted Tell Mama did not do any work to tackle Muslim extremism and that it had never received any funding from Prevent, the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it was “committed to providing a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and provide support for victims” and would “soon be opening a call for grant applications to ensure we can meet the challenges communities face today”, to which Tell Mama is welcome to apply.
Atta said: “We hope that whichever organisation is successful in the open-grant process is able to continue this work with urgency, dedication and commitment”, at a time when “far-right movements” and “incidents of anti-Muslim hatred are on the rise”.
Source: yahoo.com
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India
Appeasement Politics Brought Congress To Power But Ordinary Muslims Faced Neglect: PM Modi On Waqf Law
April 08, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) said the new Waqf law was a significant move of his government towards social justice, contending that the previous law, enacted in 2013, was an attempt for appeasement of land mafia and Muslim fundamentalists.
Addressing an event, Mr. Modi said the politics of appeasement was at the root of the debate over the issue of Waqf and it brought the Congress to power and some Muslim fundamentalists became rich.
"But, the moot question is what benefits did the ordinary Muslims get? What did the poor Pasmanda Muslims get? They were only subjected to neglect. They did not get education, they faced unemployment and Muslim women faced injustice like Shah Bano, where their constitutional rights were sacrificed at the altar of fundamentalism," Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister said a similar attitude led to the country's partition in 1947 when Congress leaders did not wipe out the idea of a separate nation that was nursed by "some fundamentalists" and not ordinary Muslims.
He said the Waqf law enacted in 2013 by the Congress-led UPA government created an illusion that the Act was above the Constitution.
"The amendment to the Waqf law in 2013 was an attempt to please Muslim fundamentalists and land mafia. This law created an illusion that it was above the Constitution. The path to justice laid down in the Constitution was narrowed down by the Waqf law," Mr. Modi said.
"This law emboldened land mafia and fundamentalists. In Kerala, the claims of Waqf on the land holdings of Christians; in Haryana, the land of gurdwaras was in dispute; and in Karnataka, there were claims on the lands of farmers," he said.
The Prime Minister said the law meant to deliver justice became a source of fear.
He asserted that the amended Waqf Act was in the interest of society and the Muslim community.
"I congratulate Parliament for enacting a splendid law. Now, the pious intention of Waqf will be upheld and the rights of the poor Pasmanda Muslims, women and children will also be protected," Mr. Modi said.
He said the debate on the Waqf Bill was the second longest in India's parliamentary history.
"Discussions on the bill spanned 16 hours across both Houses, accompanied by 38 meetings of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), totalling 128 hours of deliberations. Nearly one crore suggestions were received from citizens across the country. This underscores that democracy is not limited to the walls of Parliament; it is being enriched and strengthened through active public participation," the Prime Minister said.
He said his government, in the first 100 days of 2025, has opened new doors of possibilities with its policies, asserting that India is going to neither bow nor stop now.
"We have opened up new possibilities through our policies," the Prime Minister said, citing the decision to allow private players in space and nuclear sectors.
He said despite global challenges, India has raced fast and doubled the size of its economy in just a decade.
"People who thought India would move slowly and steadily now see a fast and fearless India," Mr. Modi said.
He said that peace, stability and security were very necessary conditions for fast development and said his government curbed terrorism and Naxalism.
The government has shown strong political will and sensitivity in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Mr. Modi said the aspirations of the youth are reflected in the decisions of his government in these 100 days which have also laid a strong foundation for the future.
Source: thehindu.com
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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-on-waqf-law-appeasement-politics-brought-congress-to-power-but-ordinary-muslims-faced-neglect/article69428637.ece
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Protests erupt across Manipur over Waqf (Amendment) Act amid rising tensions, security beefed up
Umanand Jaiswal
09.04.25
Manipur on Tuesday continued to witness protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in Muslim-majority areas of the state for the third consecutive day, even as the Thoubal administration stepped up security by deploying forces in riot gear in Lilong.
On Tuesday, protests were held in Thoubal, Bishnupur and Imphal East, said Manipur High Court advocate Rabi Khan, who had addressed a rally organised by the Ittihad-ul Uluma at Moijing in Thoubal. After the rally held at the Eidgah Park, a march was also taken out in the vicinity.
Muslim-majority areas of Thoubal have been tense since Sunday night, when a 7,000-plus protesting mob set the house of the BJP's state Minority Morcha president Md Akser Ali ablaze for supporting the amendments.
The growing protests over the waqf issue came amid the ongoing turmoil triggered by the conflict between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zos. Manipur is currently under President's Rule, imposed in February.
Rabi, who is also the spokesperson and vice-chairman of the Manipur PCC legal department, said that he had tried to create awareness about the “unconstitutional and anti-secular” amendments to the bill passed by Parliament last week and secured presidential assent on Saturday.
"It violates both Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which guarantee the freedom of religion. The Centre has removed triple talaq, amended waqf and has also imposed the CAA, all targeting the Muslims," he said.
Reports from Imphal said a massive protest was also held at Kwakta in Bishnupur district, with protesters taking out a 4km rally seeking the withdrawal of the amended Waqf Act as it threatened community-owned properties and communal harmony. A protest was also held at Khurai Khumidok Bazaar in Imphal East district.
Amid the growing tension, the Thoubal SP issued an order stating: “Security forces shall be equipped with anti-riot equipment including tear gas gun shells, canes, body protectors and helmets” and directing Lilong police station in-charge to increase patrolling in vulnerable locations in the town and deploying commando squads wherever required.
Security has also been increased at JDU MLA Md Abdul Nasir's residence in Lilong. Nasir is the chairman of the Manipur waqf board.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/protests-erupt-across-manipur-over-waqf-amendment-act-amid-rising-tensions-security-beefed-up-prnt/cid/2093122
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After APCR, Muslim League, SDPI challenge Waqf Bill in Supreme Court
April 8, 2025
The Indian Muslim League and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on Monday filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Bill 2025.
Criticising the bill, the IUML said that the bill is a move to snatch the rights of minorities. It declared, “The bill changes the creation, governance and protection of Waqf properties dedicated only to Allah for religious or charitable deeds.
The petition mentions, “These amendments passed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha despite severe backlash impose restrictions, state control and deviate from the true essence of Waqf arbitrarily. This is a violation of Articles 14, 15, 25, and 26.
The SDPI’s National President Mohammad Shafi also argues that the Bill violates the articles (14,15, 25, and 26). The party sources confirmed that the party hopes in the Supreme Court to deliver justice to all the Muslims.
Meanwhile, a Sunni body from Kerala, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema is also contemplating moving the Supreme Court against the Bill.
The Waqf Bill which claims to seek regulation on the Waqf properties has found itself in a major controversy with many Muslim bodies seeking to challenge the bill in the Supreme Court. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress Party’s Mohammad Jawed have already filed petitions in the court.
All eyes are on the Supreme Court’s decision as the petitioners hope that the apex court will deliver justice and restore the rights of Muslims.
Source: muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/after-apcr-muslim-league-sdpi-challenge-waqf-bill-in-supreme-court/
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UCC is next after Waqf Bill, says BJP MLA Sushil Kumar
April 8, 2025
Speaking to the media, a BJP MLA from Amritpur in Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh, Sushil Kumar Shakya has claimed that the BJP plans to bring UCC after the Waqf Bill.
Shakya’s remarks come amid the celebrations of BJP’s 46th Foundation Day. He said that the BJP is determined to fulfill the goals for which it was founded. He asserted that the party is all set to present the Uniform Civil Code after the passage of the controversial Waqf Bill.
He praised the party and underlined its development since its establishment in 1980. He mentioned, “BJP never deviated from its mission be it with the construction of Ram temple, the abrogation of Article 370 or the amendment of Waqf Bill. The UCC will come soon too.”
He then highlighted the BJP’s dedication to its core objectives and principles. He said that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the party won for three consecutive terms.
Shakya also mentioned that the BJP workers work dedicatedly to achieve the goals of the party and elevate the country’s position nationally and globally.
At the event, several BJP leaders were also present to mark the Foundation Day by hoisting the party’s flag. The party workers were praised and sweets were distributed.
Source: muslimmirror.com
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Srinagar: 3 more separatist groups dissociate with Hurriyat, says Amit Shah
Apr 09, 2025
Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that three more separatist organisations have severed their ties with the Hurriyat Conference, bringing the total number of such groups to 11.
The announcement came during his visit to Srinagar, where he chaired a review meeting on developmental projects at Raj Bhawan alongside chief minister Omar Abdullah and lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha.
The three groups—Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League and Kashmir Freedom Front—have formally disassociated themselves from the separatist Hurriyat conglomerate.
“It is a prominent demonstration of the people’s trust in the Constitution of India within the valley,” Shah wrote on X. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “united and powerful Bharat” has gained further strength as more groups renounce separatism and express faith in India’s democratic framework.
The move comes amid an intensified crackdown by Jammu and Kashmir Police on individuals linked to separatist activities. Several raids have been conducted across the Valley in recent weeks to collect evidence against such networks.
The latest development follows a series of similar announcements over the past two weeks. On March 25, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM) and Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Political Movement (JKDPM) declared their exit from separatism. Two days later, Tehreeq-i-Isteqlal and Tehreek-i-Istiqamat also cut ties with Hurriyat.
“Under the Modi government, separatism is breathing its last and the triumph of unity is echoing across Kashmir,” Shah said.
Earlier during his visit, the home minister met with the family of slain deputy superintendent of police Humayun Bhat, who lost his life in an anti-militancy operation in Kokernag in 2023.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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SC To Hear Waqf Pleas On April 15, Govt Files Caveat
By Utkarsh Anand
Apr 09, 2025
The Supreme Court is expected to take up on April 15 a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, amid rising political temperatures and growing legal opposition to the controversial law, which came into force on Tuesday.
As per the details available on the apex court’s website, at least three petitions are scheduled for hearing on that day, prompting the Union government to proactively file caveats in two of them to ensure that no interim orders are passed without its side being heard.
The petitions listed include those filed by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani, and the Kerala-based Samastha Kerala Jam’eyyat ul-Ulama. A caveat — a formal request by a party to be notified and heard before any judicial orders are issued in a case — has been submitted by the Centre in the petitions filed by Madani and the Kerala outfit.
The law, which received presidential assent on April 5 after being passed by both the Houses of Parliament earlier that week and was notified on Tuesday, makes sweeping changes to the governance and recognition of Islamic charitable endowments, or waqfs. The Centre has defended the amendments as necessary to curb corruption, enhance transparency and ensure better regulatory oversight. But several political parties, religious organisations and civil society groups have mounted a strong pushback, calling the law a direct infringement on religious autonomy and an unconstitutional imposition on the Muslim community.
The petitions, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, challenge the law on multiple grounds, alleging that it undermines the fundamental rights of Muslims and erodes age-old waqf traditions. Petitioners have particularly targeted provisions such as the removal of “waqf by user” — a principle that historically allowed recognition of religious endowments created through usage or oral tradition — and the invalidation of oral waqfs unless backed by formal deeds. These changes, critics say, jeopardise the status of mosques, graveyards and dargahs that have existed for centuries without written documentation.
To be sure, the new law only does this prospectively, other than in cases where there is an existing dispute with the government.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for some of the petitioners, had a day ago mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna for urgent listing. However, the CJI declined oral mentioning, citing the court’s “robust system” for listing matters.
Among the most strident critics of the law is Madani, whose petition warns that implementation of the amendments could leave thousands of historically valid waqf properties vulnerable to state control or derecognition. His petition, filed through advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi, calls the law “unconstitutional and destructive,” particularly due to its deletion of waqf by user and the stringent new conditions for waqf registration and digitisation.
Similarly, Owaisi’s petition flags the requirement for a waqif — the person creating a waqf — to have practised Islam for at least five years. He argues that this provision is exclusionary, especially for new converts, and lacks any basis in Islamic jurisprudence. Congress MP Mohammed Jawed, who has also filed a separate plea, highlights the discriminatory treatment of Muslim religious institutions compared to Hindu and Sikh bodies, which are exempt from such invasive oversight.
Another provision under intense scrutiny is Section 3(ix)(b), which bars recognition of oral waqfs, and the newly inserted Section 3D, which prohibits waqf declarations over monuments protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Petitioners contend this could lead to derecognition of historical mosques and shrines. Section 3E, which bars Scheduled Tribes from creating waqfs, has also been flagged as discriminatory and constitutionally untenable.
Opposition to the law has also come from prominent political parties. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had earlier passed a resolution in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly seeking withdrawal of the bill, has moved a writ petition in the Supreme Court through its deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP A Raja. The petition, settled by senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson, contends that the Act violates the fundamental rights of nearly five million Muslims in Tamil Nadu and 200 million Muslims across India.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has also filed a separate writ petition under Article 32, describing the 2025 amendment as an “unconstitutional assault on the religious autonomy and personal rights of the Muslim community.” The party has urged the court to stay the enforcement of the law, warning of “irreparable loss” to waqf properties and institutions pending judicial review.
Collectively, the petitions argue that the new law violates the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and proportionality under the Constitution.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which overhauls the framework first established under the 1995 and 2013 versions of the law, was pushed through Parliament in a charged political climate. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha on April 3 and by the Rajya Sabha early the next morning, after a marathon 13.5-hour debate marked by heated exchanges between the government and Opposition members.
On Tuesday, the Union minority affairs ministry notified the Act. “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the Central Government hereby appoints the 8th day of April, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification said.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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JD(U) Turns ToTaj To Woo Back Muslims After Waqf Fallout
By Arun Kumar
Apr 08, 2025
Janata Dal-United is on an overdrive to do the damage control post party’s support to the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, which the Opposition RJD has lapped up to build a strong narrative against it in the run up to Assembly election. On Tuesday, the party organised an Eid Milan programme with Taj Mahal as theme at the residence of MLC Dr Khalid Anwar.
The Eid Milan has been timed after the passage of the Bill so that a strong message could be sent across the state that Muslims are still gathering around the party, especially as the exit of some JD(U) Muslim leaders last week had suggested that the party’s grip among Muslims could loosen. Interestingly, there was no opposition from the Imarat-e-Sharia, most prominent Muslim outfit of the state, that had gave a call to boycott the Iftar dawat hosted by chief minister Nitish Kumar.
Senior JD-U leaders say that the real impact would be visible only during the election, and not through the rhetoric of the Opposition. JD-U Muslim leaders had also held a Press Conference to counter the Opposition narrative built around resignation of some leaders over party’s support to the Waqf Bill.
“The Opposition is trying to build a narrative around Waqf Bill that Nitish Kumar is anti-Muslim and that may harm the JD-U. We are working on a mechanism to counter it effectively, as Kumar’s long tenure has all along been replete with welfare initiatives for all sections of Muslims and most importantly an atmosphere of communal harmony that he has been able to develop in the state. Taj Mahal is a world heritage and a symbol of love and peace and next to its picture is the photo of our leader, who also symbolises the same. He will also be here,” said Anwar.
Admitting that despite all the good work for the Muslims, the JD(U) could not be their first choice in Bihar in voting, he said that despite that the love and respect for Nitish Kumar among the Muslims always remained huge due to the work he has done. “Now, I feel that Opposition is trying to harm the JD(U) by painting it anti-Muslim, which we need to counter effectively and we will do it. This get-together will be an occasion to overcome whatever misgivings Muslims may have about party’s stand on Waqf Bill and there is no other person better than Nitish Kunar to do so,” he added.
Minority welfare minister Jama Khan, who also visited Anwar’s residence, said that whatever apprehensions Muslims might have, Nitish Kumar would try to address their grievances, as he had been doing all through with his work blending development with communal harmony and brotherhood.
Eminent historian and former director of Khuda Baksh Library Prof Imtiyaz Ahmad said it was a misconception that Muslim voted en bloc for the JD(U) or any other party. “The reality is that there is as much fragmentation in Muslim votes as is the case with other communities. It is very difficult to predict who will vote which way. As far as Nitish Kumar is concerned, he has always carried the image of good governance, peace and tolerance. One or two incidents do happen in everyone’s life, but they could not be seen as factors capable of wiping out everything,” he added.
Pasmanda Muslim Samaaj national convenor and Pasmanda Mansuri Development Research Foundation (PMDRF) director Firoz Mansuri said that there was no need for the JD(U) to be defensive, as a large chunk of Pasmanda Muslims would also assess what they had got with Waqf all these years and what had Nitish Kumar done for them despite being aware that JD(U) was not the preferred choice for them.
“Be it 2014, when Nitish Kumar fought the Lok Sabha election on his own, or 2020, when the party fielded 11 Muslim candidates in the state elections, the party never got the support. All the 11 Muslim candidates lost in 2020, while in 2014 the party was reduced to just two seats. Between 2006 and 2014, five Muslims were sent to Rajya Sabha, including four from the Pasmanda community. He worked consistently since 2005 for Pasmanda Muslims, but had to face let down and now is the time for Muslims, especially the backwards among them, to think afresh,” he added.
The data of the CSDS also vouch for it. In 2019 Lok Sabha election, nearly 90% Muslims voted for the RJD-led alliance, even though the JD-U had got 78% Muslim votes when it contested the state polls in alliance with the RJD in 2015 to stop the BJP juggernaut at the peak of Narendra Modi wave.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/jdu-turns-to-taj-to-woo-back-muslims-after-waqf-fallout-101744114300496.html
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Pakistan
Clash outside Adiala after Imran’s sisters denied meeting
Mohammad Asghar | Ikram Junaidi
April 9, 2025
RAWALPINDI: A handful of PTI supporters clashed with police outside the Adiala jail on Tuesday, after the prison administration did not allow the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan to meet him, prompting the police to baton-charge the crowd to disperse them.
The police also took into custody Mr Khan’s sisters Aleema and Uzma Khan, as well as others, ostensibly to prevent a law and order situation and relocated them to a nearby marriage hall before sending them back to Lahore under police protection via motorway.
Prior to this, a hide-and-seek of sorts between PTI supporters and the police continued for some time, as protesters pelted police officials with stones and the latter responded with baton-charge.
The police took some workers, as well as the sisters of the PTI founder, into custody from near the Gorakhpur checkpoint.
The sisters and cousins of Imran Khan were taken to a private marquee, where the women sat on the ground in protest.
A group of PTI supporters also gathered outside the marriage hall and shouted slogans in favour of their leader and demanded his release from the jail. However, the situation was defused and they were sent to their homes via motorway.
PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has condemned the detention of Mr Khan’s family members, calling it illegal and unconstitutional.
Speaking to the media outside the prison, Barrister Gohar said the meeting was the right of Mr Khan’s sisters in light of the high court order.
Despite the directive, the decision to deny them the meeting was incomprehensible, he said.
According to Barrister Gohar, Mr Khan’s sisters have not been allowed to meet their brother the last two times, due to which they had announced a sit-in on Tuesday.
He said that just as Bushra Bibi’s family was allowed to meet her, the family of the PTI founder should have been allowed a meeting as well.
In response to a question, Barrister Gohar claimed that the PTI workers did not hurl stones at the police, nor did the PTI give a call for a sit-in. They had only come to express solidarity with the PTI founder’s sisters.
Later, in a press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Barrister Gohar said Mr Khan’s family had not been allowed to meet him since March 20.
Speaking about the events that transpired outside the prison, the PTI leader said Ms Aleema told the police that she would not leave the premises unless a meeting was arranged with her brother.
After six hours, the police detained the sisters of Mr Khan along with Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said they wanted to arrange a meeting of the Lahore Bar’s office-bearers with Mr Khan, but the jail administration changed the names of the visitors.
He said a list of six persons was shared with the administration for the meeting but the names, finalised by the jail administration, did not exist in the list.
On the other hand, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said police had not arrested the sisters of the former prime minister or any other women.
‘Use of force’
In a statement, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram condemned both the use of force against protesters and the detention of Mr Khan’s sisters and PTI leader Aliya Hamza and party workers, lawyers, and journalists outside the prison.
He criticised jail authorities for defying the IHC orders and urged the courts to ensure the implementation of their orders.
Source: dawn.com
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PTI yearns for engagement with ‘powerful quarters’
April 9, 2025
• Salman Akram Raja says his party available for talks, rules out ‘apology’
• Swati says willingness to talk shouldn’t be construed as ‘deal-seeking’
ISLAMABAD: The PTI continues to yearn for engagement with the corridors of power, insisting that it is ready for talks with the “all-powerful” establishment.
“If we talk, we will talk to the establishment because the government is powerless,” PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said on Tuesday.
In an appearance on DawnNewsTV, he insisted that they were not hiding in tunnels and were ready to come to the table.
“We will negotiate with those who are blocking democracy and the Constitution, but an apology is out of the question,” Mr Raja said, referring to the military’s long-standing demand for an apology over the events of May 9, 2023, when PTI supporters swarmed a number of military installations following the arrest of their party founder, Imran Khan.
Mr Raja maintained that he and his party colleagues would be available for initial engagement, but the talks would proceed under the guidance of their incarcerated party founder.
“All decisions will be taken by Imran Khan, but we are available for initial discussions,” Mr Raja said.
He said that powerful quarters should realise the need for engagement, given the direction the country is heading in. “Look at the situation in Balochistan, it is their job to sit with us and bring stability to the country,” he said.
“We are not looking for a backdoor, nor would we compromise on our principles,” Mr Raja said.
Swati’s new video
Meanwhile, PTI leader Azam Swati, who recently claimed that Mr Khan was ready to negotiate with the establishment, released another video on Tuesday.
In the fresh video, Mr Swati claimed the PTI founder had not closed the doors on talks since 2022, but that his willingness to talk should not be construed as willingness to make a deal.
“In 2022, we convinced Imran Khan for talks and he is still ready. However, do not associate the offer of negotiations with a deal. My leader is happier in jail compared to Zaman Park (his Lahore residence),” Mr Swati claimed.
“We convinced Imran Khan for talks in the best interest of Pakistan. It does not show any weakness; it is for the sake of the country,” he claimed.
Earlier this week, Mr Swati had claimed that he had secured Mr Khan’s blessing to engage in efforts to bring both sides to the table.
Nadir Guramani and Ikram Junaidi in Islamabad contributed to this report
Source: dawn.com
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PM to meet Diamer protest leaders today as sit-in enters 53rd day
Jamil Nagri
April 9, 2025
GILGIT: A federal committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the concerns of people affected by the Diamer Basha Dam on Tuesday vowed to resolve their genuine issues.
The assurance came as the ongoing protest sit-in in Chilas entered its 52nd day.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the protest committee is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today (Wednesday) to seek a comprehensive and amicable resolution to the standoff.
A crucial meeting of the federal committee, chaired by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, was held in Islamabad.
It was attended by Federal Minister for Water Resources Moin Wattoo, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza, Wapda Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani, Secretary for Kashmir Affairs Zafar Hassan, Additional Secretary Kamranur Rehman and Joint Secretary of the GB Council Sudhir Khattak.
The meeting discussed the ongoing protest movement in Chilas, where locals affected by the dam project have continued a sit-in, demanding the implementation of a 31-point charter of demands. The committee expressed commitment to addressing these issues in line with the prime minister’s directives.
Mr Muqam said the development of Gilgit-Baltistan and the fair use of its resources for the well-being of its people remained a top priority for the federal government.
The protest, directed primarily at the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), has focused on compensation, employment opportunities and the regularisation of workers. Protest leaders briefly reopened the Karakoram Highway (KKH) on Monday until negotiations with the federal government but warned that they would intensify the demonstration if their demands remained unmet.
Sources said a deadlock persisted between the protesters and the federal committee despite two rounds of talks. Protest representatives reportedly demanded the resolution of key issues, including compensation for 18,000 acres of acquired land, household assessments based on the 2025 survey, appointments for local people in dam-related jobs, the regularisation of contingent and daily wage employees, and a timeline for addressing all pending issues.
The government’s committee, however, offered to resolve only some issues immediately and sought more time to address the core demands, urging an end to the sit-in. Protest leaders have insisted that the sit-in will not end until major issues are resolved.
A delegation of the protest committee, led by Maulana Hazratullah, left Chilas for Islamabad on Tuesday and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today (Wednesday) to discuss the issue.
Recently, Minister Amir Muqam had claimed that Rs151 billion had already been paid as compensation for land acquisition. However, Maulana Hazratullah rejected this, saying only Rs75bn had been disbursed for land and infrastructure losses.
Source: dawn.com
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PM Shehbaz urged to form body to address Balochistan crisis
April 9, 2025
ISLAMABAD: A lawyers’ delegation on Tuesday met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and urged him to form a high-powered committee comprising senior politicians to initiate negotiations with the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and other protesting political factions.
The delegation comprising Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta, High Court Bar Association of Balochistan President Mir Attaullah Langove and member Balochistan Bar Council Khalil Panezai “requested the prime minister that the federal government play an effective role in improving the law and order situation in Balochistan”.
They briefed the prime minister on governance issues in the province and sought his leadership and guidance in resolving all related challenges.
The SCBA president described the situation as extremely dire, stating that fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 9 (Security of Person), 15 (Freedom of Movement), 16 (Freedom of Assembly), and 19 (Freedom of Speech) “are effectively non-existent”.
Additionally, frequent road closures and the unavailability of mobile networks are further exacerbating the situation, he added.
He also informed the prime minister about his discussions with several key leaders from mainstream political parties, especially those from Balochistan, in an effort to foster a broad national consensus on the challenges facing the province.
He emphasised that the only solution to these very issues lies in negotiation and dialogue. He expressed concern that important ministries of the province were being “controlled from outside the province”.
He urged the PM and the federal government to take an active role in addressing such concerns and suggested the establishment of a high-powered committee with full authority and mandate.
Naming senior politicians such as Dr Abdul Malik, Maulana Abdul Wasay, Nawab Aslam Raisani, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sardar Chandio, Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Aimal Wali Khan and Barrister Gohar, he suggested that the committee be given full mandate to initiate negotiations with the BNP-M and other parties to address their genuine grievances and pressing issues in Balochistan.
The delegation appreciated the prime minister’s commitment to prioritising the development of Balochistan and the federal government’s efforts for the welfare of the people of the province.
The PM promised to continue efforts for uplift of Balochistan and said: “The talented human resource of Balochistan is a valuable asset for Pakistan.”
The delegation praised the initiative of Daanish Schools that provide quality education to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and requested the establishment of such schools in Khanozai and Mangochar (Kalat).
Furthermore, the delegation lauded the hundreds of scholarships previously awarded to Balochistan students for higher education and requested the revival of this program.
The prime minister issued immediate directives to the relevant authorities for implementation on these matters.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar also attended the meeting.
In its recent report, the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think-tank, said terrorism-related deaths in the country surged by 73 per cent in February, compared to the previous month, with nearly 62pc of the total fatalities occurring in Balochistan, highlighting the growing insurgency in the province.
A total of 121 people were killed and 103 others injured in 54 terrorist attacks recorded across the country during the month, it said.
Out of the total 121 casualties recorded during February, as many as 75 occurred in Balochistan.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1903039/pm-shehbaz-urged-to-form-body-to-address-balochistan-crisis
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CTD arrests ‘TTP militant’ in Karachi’s Lee Market
April 9, 2025
KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and an intelligence agency arrested a suspected militant belonging to the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a raid in Lee Market on Tuesday.
The held suspect was identified as Jameel Ahmed, alias Qari, a CTD press released said.
It said he had been in contact with TTP militant Hammad Ansari, who had tasked him with recording videos of sensitive installations in Karachi. The suspect would send the footage to Ansari, who edited and later uploaded it on social media, it added.
Source: dawn.com
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Maintain unity, do something for those behind bars, Qureshi urges PTI leaders
By Shakeel Farman Ali & Web Desk
April 08, 2025
LAHORE: The infighting among the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders has irked incarcerated Shah Mahmood Qureshi and he urged them to stay focused on seeking relief for jailed party leaders and workers by maintaining unity.
Qureshi, during an informal media talk at an accountability court in Lahore, asked PTI leaders to "refrain from delivering statements and criticising each other".
"Those in jail are looking towards the current PTI leadership," he said. He added that PTI's infighting hurts the jailed party leaders and workers.
"There is a difference of opinion but everyone should be treated with respect," Qureshi added.
Regarding cases against him, the former foreign minister reiterated that he was "not involved in any conspiracy, vandalism or any such incident". He claimed that he was facing the same accusations in all cases registered against him.
He went on to say that he secured bail in 14 cases in Rawalpindi and five in Multan, whereas he also got bail in 8 out of 14 cases in Lahore.
When questioned about the Punjab chief minister's performance, Qureshi said that he would prefer to maintain silence on the matter, adding that he would "not ignite fires but put them out".
Gohar steps in as peacemaker
Amid reports of infighting among PTI leaders, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is playing the role of a peacemaker and urged party leaders to make peace, sources told Geo News.
It was learnt that Gohar held discussions with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Atif Khan, and Shahram Tarakai. The sources added that the said leaders showed agreement to end their differences.
Talking to Geo News, Gohar said that he tried to end differences within the party, to which CM Gandapur agreed to resolve the issues.
"All major parties see differences [among leaders], however, it doesn't mean that the entire party is shattered. Party leaders have agreed that differences would increase our problems. We are making efforts to release PTI founder Imran Khan."
In a statement, Atif said that he, Qaiser and Tarakai were ready to end differences with CM Gandapur.
It is pertinent to mention here that a tug-of-war is currently underway between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and former Senator Azam Swati.
Also, former minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra is engaged in a war of words with the party’s internal accountability committee. Local media has also been reporting rifts between KP CM Gandapur and PTI provincial chapter President Junaid Akbar.
Last week, Akbar confirmed that he had differences with CM Gandapur when he was taking over the office of the party's KP president, adding that they buried the hatchet in line with Khan’s directions.
However, rifts within the PTI have intensified, prompting the party leadership to instruct its senior members to refrain from issuing public statements.
PTI MNAs Qaisar, Tarakai, and Atif had demanded an inquiry into Gandapur's statement. Atif said the chief minister's remarks could damage the PTI founder's movement, and the ongoing efforts for his release should not be undermined.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1299255-maintain-unity-do-something-for-those-behind-bars-qureshi-urges-pti-leaders
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Mideast
Hamas official says ‘necessary to reach a ceasefire’ in Gaza
April 09, 2025
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: A Hamas official told AFP on Tuesday that it was “necessary to reach a ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after Israel resumed bombardments on the Palestinian territory.
“This war cannot continue indefinitely, and it is therefore necessary to reach a ceasefire,” Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, told AFP, adding that “communication with the mediators is still ongoing” but that “so far, there are no new proposals.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596358/middle-east
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Iran-backed militias in Iraq ‘ready to disarm’
April 08, 2025
BAGHDAD: Powerful Iran-backed militias in Iraq are ready to disarm to avert the threat of US airstrikes, they said on Tuesday.
The move follows repeated private warnings by US officials to the Iraqi government since Donald Trump took office as US president in January.
They told Baghdad that unless it acted to disband the militias on its soil, America could attack the groups.
“Trump is ready to take the war with us to worse levels, we know that, and we want to avoid such a bad scenario,” said one commander of Kata’ib Hezbollah, the most powerful militia.
The others that have offered to lay down their weapons are Nujabaa, Kata’ib Sayyed Al-Shuhada and Ansarullah Al-Awfiyaa.
Militia leaders said their main ally and patron, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, had told them to do whatever they deemed necessary to avoid being drawn into a potentially ruinous conflict with the US.
The militias are part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, about 10 armed factions with about 50,000 fighters and arsenals that include long-range missiles and anti-aircraft weapons.
They are a key pillar of Iran’s network of regional proxy forces, and have carried out dozens of missile and drone attacks on Israel and US forces in Iraq and Syria since the Gaza war began in 2023.
Iraqi security officials said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani was pressing for disarmament by all militias that declared their allegiance to the Revolutionary Guards or its Quds Force rather than to Baghdad.
Some have already quit their bases and reduced their presence in major cities including Mosul and Anbar for fear of airstrikes.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596349/middle-east
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Pro-Turkiye Syria groups reduce presence in Kurdish area
April 08, 2025
DAMASCUS: Pro-Turkiye Syrian groups have scaled down their military presence in a historically Kurdish-majority area of the country’s north which they have controlled since 2018, a Syrian defense ministry official said on Tuesday.
The move follows an agreement signed last month between Syria’s new authorities and Kurdish officials that provides for the return of displaced Kurds, including tens of thousands who fled the Afrin region in 2018.
The pro-Ankara groups have “reduced their military presence and checkpoints” in Afrin, in Aleppo province, the official told AFP, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Their presence has been “maintained in the region for now,” said the official, adding that authorities wanted to station them in army posts but these had been a regular target of Israeli strikes.
After Islamist-led forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December, the new authorities announced the disbanding of all armed groups and their integration into the new army, a move that should include pro-Turkiye groups who control swathes of northern Syria.
Turkish forces and their Syrian proxies carried out an offensive from January to March 2018 targeting Kurdish fighters in the Afrin area.
The United Nations has estimated that half of the enclave’s 320,000 inhabitants fled during the offensive.
The Kurds and rights groups have accused the pro-Turkiye forces of human rights violations in the area.
Last month, the Kurdish semi-autonomous administration that controls swathes of northern and northeastern Syria struck a deal to integrate its civil and military institutions into those of the central government.
The administration’s de facto army, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), played a key role in the recapture of the last territory held by the Daesh group in Syria in 2019, with backing from a US-led international coalition.
A Kurdish source close to the matter said the people of Afrin were “waiting for all the checkpoints to be removed and for the exit of pro-Turkiye factions.”
Requesting anonymity as the issue is sensitive, the source told AFP that in talks with Damascus, the SDF was pushing for security personnel deployed in Afrin to be from the area.
The SDF is also calling for “international organizations or friendly countries from the international coalition” to supervise collective returns, the source added.
Syria’s new leadership has been seeking to unify the country since the December overthrow of longtime president Bashar Assad after more than 13 years of civil war.
This month, Kurdish fighters withdrew from two neighborhoods of Aleppo as part of the deal.
Syrian Kurdish official Bedran Kurd said on X that the Aleppo city agreement “represents the first phase of a broader plan aimed at ensuring the safe return of the people of Afrin.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Jihad condemns Zionist enemy's closure of UNRWA schools in al-Quds
08 Apr 2025
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine condemned on Tuesday the Israeli enemy authorities' decision to close UNRWA schools in occupied a;-Quds, considering it a new episode in the war of extermination waged by the occupation against the Palestinian people.
In a statement issued Tuesday, it considered "the enemy's decision to close UNRWA schools in occupied al-Quds a flagrant violation of Palestinian children's right to education and of basic human rights."
It stressed that "the Zionist decision not only obstructs the educational process but also represents a systematic attempt to dismantle the Palestinian social fabric, targeting the future of entire generations." It noted that this decision constitutes a new step in the "Nazi" occupation's plan to end UNRWA's work, which deals a blow to the so-called international community and violates UN resolutions.
The Islamic Jihad Movement held the international community, concerned parties, and governments that still maintain relations with the criminal occupation, responsible for turning a blind eye to its crimes.
This morning, the movement stated: On Tuesday, Israeli enemy forces raided UNRWA schools in Shuafat refugee camp, north of occupied al-Quds, and issued them with 30-day closure orders.
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3462681.htm
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Al-Quds Governorate warns of "biblical practices" inside al-Aqsa Mosque
08 Apr 2025
Al-Quds Governorate on Tuesday warned of the intention of extremist "Temple" groups to slaughter the Passover sacrifice inside al-Aqsa Mosque, explaining that this will only lead to an explosion in al-Quds and the entire region, dragging it into waves of violence and possibly a religious war with dire consequences.
The Governorate this a dangerous escalation, coming in the context of persistent and frantic attempts to target Islamic and Christian holy sites, most notably al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a statement, it said that these calls, which coincide with photos and parades published by prominent figures in these settler groups, represent a provocation and a flagrant violation of the feelings of Muslims.
The Governorate considered these biblical practices "an attack on the religious rights of Muslims in one of their holiest sanctities, which represents a purely Islamic site, recognized by all international laws and all UNESCO and UN resolutions."
It also considered this a "serious attack on the historical and legal status quo and constitutes a clear violation and interference in the Hashemite guardianship and the official Jordanian role in managing the Islamic endowments and holy sites in the Holy City, including the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards."
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3462612.htm
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US says it is aware of Palestinian American’s killing by Israeli forces in West Bank
April 09, 2025
WASHINGTON: The US State Department said on Tuesday it was aware of the killing by Israeli forces of a Palestinian American teenager in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and was seeking more information about the incident.
A State Department spokesperson made the comments to reporters when asked about the killing of US citizen Omar Mohammad Rabea, 14, and the shooting of two other teenagers.
“We are certainly aware of that dynamic,” the State Department spokesperson said. “There is an investigation that is going on. We are aware of the reports from the IDF that this was a counterterrorism act, we need to learn more about the nature of what happened on the ground.”
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the weekend incident as an “extra-judicial killing” by Israeli forces during a raid. A local mayor said Rabea was shot along with two other teenagers by an Israeli settler and that the Israeli army pronounced him dead after detaining him.
The Israeli military said it shot a “terrorist” who endangered civilians by hurling rocks.
“We don’t have the complete picture of what was going on on the ground,” the State Department spokesperson added.
Israel has expanded and consolidated settlements in the occupied West Bank as part of the steady integration of these territories into the state of Israel in breach of international law, the UN human rights office said last month.
Settler violence in the West Bank, including incursions into occupied territory and raids, has intensified since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza that has killed over 50,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and led to genocide and war crimes accusations that Israel denies.
The Israeli onslaught in Gaza followed a Hamas attack in October 2023 in which 1,200 were killed and about 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596360/middle-east
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Israel troops shoot dead woman in alleged West Bank knife attack
April 09, 2025
HARES, Palestinian Territories: The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli troops killed a 30-year-old woman near the West Bank city of Salfit on Tuesday after what the army described as an attempted stabbing.
The ministry reported the death of Amana Ibrahim Mohammed Yaqub, 30, “who was shot by (Israeli) forces near Salfit,” south of Nablus.
The Israeli military said it had “neutralized a terrorist who hurled rocks and attempted to stab soldiers adjacent to the Gitai Avisar junction” close to the West Bank village of Hares.
An AFP journalist reported seeing a lifeless body under a foil blanket by the roadside at the scene of the attack.
Yaqub was a lawyer and mother of three from nearby Biddya, the village’s mayor, Ahmed Abu Safiyeh, told AFP.
The Israeli military said Tuesday that Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian event hall overnight in the area of Biddya, and that no injuries were reported.
An AFP journalist reported most of the hall was burned to the ground, and that settlers left graffiti in Hebrew on nearby walls.
The area around Salfit and Biddya is dense with Israeli settlements, including the town of Ariel.
Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, violence has soared in the occupied West Bank. Israeli troops and settlers have killed at least 918 Palestinians in the territory, according to health ministry figures.
Palestinian attacks and clashes during military raids have killed at least 33 Israelis, including soldiers, over the same period, according to Israeli figures.
Source: arabnews.com
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Suspected US strikes in Yemen kill at least 6 people, Houthi rebels say
April 08, 2025
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Suspected US airstrikes pounded the area around Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeida on Tuesday night, killing at least six people, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels said.
The strikes hit around Hodeida’s Al-Hawak district, the rebels said, and wounded 16 people. The area is home to the city’s airport, which the rebels have used in the past to target shipping in the Red Sea.
Since its start, the intense campaign of US airstrikes targeting the rebels over their attacks on shipping in Mideast waters — related to the Israel-Hamas war — has killed at least 79 people, according to casualty figures released by the Houthis.
Footage aired by the rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite news channel showed chaotic scenes of people carrying wounded to waiting ambulances and rescuers searching by the light of their mobile phones. The target appeared in the footage to be a home in a residential neighborhood, likely part of a wider decapitation campaign launched by the Trump administration to kill rebel leaders.
Other strikes targeted Yemen’s mountainous Amran governorate, north of the rebel-held capital of Sanaa. There, the Houthis described American strikes hitting telecommunication equipment. Previous US strikes also targeted telecommunications gear in Amran near Jebel Aswad, or the “Black Mountain.”
Strikes later apparently targeted Jebel Nuqum near Sanaa. Others hit Dhamar and Ibb governorates, wounding three.
The US military’s Central Command, which oversees American military operations, did not immediately acknowledge the strikes. That follows a pattern for the command, which now has authorization from the White House to conduct strikes at will in the campaign that began March 15.
The American military also hasn’t been providing any information on targets hit in the campaign. The White House has said over 200 strikes have been conducted so far.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking in the Oval Office on Monday during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warned that America was “not going to relent” in its campaign targeting the Houthis.
“So we have a lot more options and a lot more pressure to apply,” Hegseth said. “And we know, because we see the reports, how devastating this campaign has been in them. And we will not relent.”
An AP review has found the new US operation against the Houthis under President Donald Trump appears more extensive than those under former President Joe Biden, as Washington moves from solely targeting launch sites to firing at ranking personnel and dropping bombs on cities.
The new campaign of airstrikes started after the rebels threatened to begin targeting “Israeli” ships again over Israel blocking aid entering the Gaza Strip. The rebels have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning many vessels could be targeted.
The Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing four sailors from November 2023 until January of this year. They also launched attacks targeting American warships without success.
The US campaign shows no signs of stopping, as the Trump administration has linked its airstrikes on the Houthis to an effort to pressure Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program as well.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596330/middle-east
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Palestinian minister appeals to Egyptian counterpart to support Gaza’s education
April 08, 2025
LONDON: The education system in the Gaza Strip has lost nearly 95 percent of its operational capacity due to Israeli attacks since October 2023.
Amjad Barham, the Palestinian minister of education, informed his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Abdel-Latif, during a meeting in Cairo on Tuesday about the significant damage sustained by the schooling sector in Gaza.
Barham reported that Israeli actions in Gaza have led to the destruction of 95 percent of schools, either through demolition, bombing, or severe damage, rendering 293 out of 309 schools non-operational.
Over 720,000 students in Gaza have been affected, with approximately 700,000 having no access to adequate education. He added that Gaza’s universities were significantly damaged by the Israeli military attacks, with around 85 percent of their buildings reduced to rubble.
Despite significant challenges, the ministry resumed educational activities through online platforms by creating new virtual classrooms amidst displacement. It also conducted 2024’s final year school exams in Egyptian schools for nearly 1,350 students from Gaza.
Barham appealed to his Egyptian counterpart to continue supporting online education initiatives for Palestinian students, according to Wafa news agency.
He urged opening courses in math, science, and language subjects. He requested that Palestinian teachers residing in Egypt be allowed to work and teach online for students in Gaza and those who have left the territory, Wafa added.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Will MBA be catalyst to UK Islamic insurance momentum?
8 April 2025
The launch of a new executive MBA in Islamic Insurance and Risk Management has delivered a renewed focus on the UK’s efforts to create a sustainable sharia-compliant insurance sector
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and University of Greater Manchester have recently announced the launch a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Islamic insurance, developed in collaboration with the Islamic Insurance Association of London (IIAL) and the Centre for Islamic Finance.
Its launch puts Islamic insurance firmly on the UK agenda. However, this form of insurance has been on the UK’s list of interests for almost a decade, with any form of traction remaining frustratingly elusive.
Islamic insurance, also called takaful, is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global (re)insurance industry – albeit with growth coming from an extremely low base – and it is predicted that Islamic insurance will be worth an estimated £75.2bn by 2030.
Muslims that follow Islamic law, also known as sharia, prohibit themselves from accessing traditional insurance because it is deemed haram – forbidden under sharia.
In Islam, conventional insurance creates three core issue. The first is uncertainty, or gharar, which prohibits excessive uncertainty in commercial transactions. Guaranteed interest, or riba, on money invested is also haram, with most insurers investing premiums paid in ways based on this principle.
Traditional forms of insurance, where a premium is paid based on a chance of an event happening, is also often seen as gambling, known as maisir, which is forbidden in Islam.
Takaful, on the other hand, takes the form of a shared pool that contributors pay into, with no profit making allowed on the risk.
Need for change
The City of London and the wider UK are often seen as one of, if not the, world’s premier finance hubs – but progress on trying to understand the takaful insurance market has been slow.
It is hoped, however, that the launch of this new MBA may accelerate progress.
David Matcham, chief executive officer at the International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) and chair of the Islamic Insurance Association of London (IIAL), said: “The involvement of the Centre for Islamic Finance at the University of Greater Manchester and the Chartered Insurance Institute ensures this course will set the standard for a qualification which we believe will be recognised and valued by employers across the profession.
“We very much hope this will be viewed as an attractive opportunity for students across the world to utilise the MBA in their efforts to pursue a career within Islamic insurance.
It forms a significant part of the Islamic Insurance Association of London’s efforts to promote the establishment of sharia-compliant capacity within the London market.”
CII chief executive Matthew Hill added: “We are delighted to provide this opportunity for professional development, reflecting the societal benefit that Islamic insurance services can bring as part of the global insurance market.”
Global leader
The UK has long sought to establish itself as the leading global provider of Islamic financial services outside of Muslim nations, with the UK stock exchange now having a sharia stock index and serving as home to an increasing number of Islamic investment bonds, known as sukuks.
The UK legal system is deemed to be amongst the best in the world and there are over 20 banks in London alone which offer sharia compliant accounts and funds.
However, the biggest missing piece of the jigsaw has been the insurance sector – a gap that the UK government has been keen to see filled.
The IIAL has spent eight years looking at ways in which London can provide a meaningful level of sharia complaint capacity and has worked with leading scholars to create a set of guiding principles which ensure London’s capacity offering would be fully sharia compliant.
James Bagshawe, partner at Islamic Advisory London Market (IALM) and a founder of the IIAL, told Insurance Times: “There has been huge progress made in creating the environment for London to offer sharia compliant (re)insurance.
“The guiding principles were created to give both Lloyd’s and company market’s underwriters the certainty that they can offer Shari’ah compliant capacity.
“There are numerous ways in which Islamic insurance can be provided. We have worked with some of world’s leading scholars to ensure that given the way in which business is transacted in London the right system was adopted.
”The scholars agree that the ‘windows’ option is the most suitable and it allows (re)insurers to underwriter risks to their fully regulated limits in a Shari’ah way opening the market to significant business opportunities from Muslim nations and Islamic companies across the world.”
Tackling challenges
Despite progress on creating a sharia compliant set of rules for capacity, there are hurdles to overcome in the UK’s journey to becoming one of the globe’s leading Islamic insurance centres.
Bagshawe explained: “The biggest issue has been spreading the message to Islamic businesses that, if they want their risks underwritten in London via a sharia compliant policy, it can be done.
“IALM was formed to create the ability for (re)insures to set up the necessary window to write the business and access the scholars, who can attest that the policies are sharia. We are also working to see if we can support brokers in accessing business that wants to come to London
“However, at present, it remains very much a chicken and egg situation. There is interest from London’s (re)insurers, but they want to see the risks. Brokers want to see the capacity before they will look to engage their Islamic clients on the potential to have all or part of their risk underwritten via a sharia compliant policy. The potential is huge, the structure is now in place and, as a market London, needs to look to grasp the nettle.”
There are more benefits to the UK becoming a centre for takaful, however.
Bagshawe added: ”We often hear that the industry is locked in a war for talent.
“However, by not offering sharia capacity means that we are also missing out on the ability to attract highly skilled and talented Muslims into the industry, as the very premise of conventional insurance goes against Islamic beliefs.
”There is also the question of how this can be viewed when it comes to insurance’s effort to drive greater diversity and inclusion. One third of the world’s population is Muslim, so we cannot say Islamic insurance should be viewed as a niche market.”
Source: insurancetimes.co.uk
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https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/analysis/will-mba-be-catalyst-to-uk-islamic-insurance-momentum/1454895.article
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Yob hurled rocks and antagonised protestors while defending mosque
08 Apr 2025
A balaclava-clad yob hurled rocks and 'goaded' protestors as he defended a Midlands mosque during a violent town centre clash.
Levi Jones had heard a mosque in Hanley, Staffordshire, was coming under attack from members of the far right on August 3, 2024.
The protest in Town Road was organised in the wake of the Southport murders, and the 31-year-old was part of a large group of counter-protesters.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Jones wore a balaclava and could be heard shouting.
The court was told he picked up a large stone and hurled it towards the opposing group and goaded them, StokeonTrentLive reports.
He also broke up large rocks on Potteries Way and threw them towards police.
David Bennett, prosecuting, said: "A large number of police were deployed in an attempt to restore order. A large number of officers also came under attack.
"A number of members of the public and police were injured. A significant amount of damage was caused."
Jones was arrested on October 17, and during the interview, he said his actions were in self-defence.
He denied using violence but accepted throwing stones at other protesters. He also denied throwing anything at the police.
Jones, of Warwick Street, Shelton, later pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Jones received information that protesters were threatening to attack the mosque and possibly cause damage to it.
He added: "He was subject to Islamaphobic insults. He is sorry he failed to exhibit a great deal of self-control and apologises for the lack of self-control."
Judge Graeme Smith sentenced Jones to two years in prison, which will run consecutively to a five-year term he is currently serving for firearms offences.
The judge said: "I accept you initially attended without any intention of violence.
"However, as matters escalated, you did resort to violence. You threw a significant number of missiles in the direction of the protesters.
"That was wholly unnecessary because there was a significant police presence and there was no real risk of those protesters getting near the mosque for any reason.
"Missiles being thrown created a significant risk of injury to the police. It is clear the throwing of missiles antagonised the other side and had the impact of escalating the violence."
Source: birminghammail.co.uk
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/yob-hurled-rocks-antagonised-protestors-31374500
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Muslim group, constituents call for Andrew Lawton's removal as Conservative candidate in southern Ontario
April 9, 2025
An advocacy group that combats Islamophobia is urging the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) to remove a London, Ont.-area candidate from the federal election ballot over his past comments about marginalized groups including the Muslim community, women and 2SLGBTQ+ groups.
Hikma Public Affairs Council, based in London, is calling for an "unequivocal rejection" of Andrew Lawton as a candidate in Elgin–St. Thomas–London South based on his "well-documented pattern of deeply offensive and discriminatory remarks," it said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Including Islamophobic, antisemitic, homophobic, misogynistic and anti-Indigenous commentary, Mr. Lawton has consistently demonstrated conduct fundamentally incompatible with the values of a democratic and inclusive society, especially in London."
Hikma said it's deeply concerned about Lawton's divisive record.
"Public office is not a platform for personal prejudice," the statement said. "It is a public trust. That trust must not be placed in individuals who have repeatedly demonstrated contempt for the very communities they would purport to serve."
When reached for comment Tuesday, Lawton directed CBC News to his March 14 Facebook post, which said that while facing a lengthy battle with mental health challenges, he was "reckless, self-destructive, and said and did things that were deeply hurtful."
"For me, at the time of my illness, social media became an unfortunate and extremely negative outlet. My past comments as a young man have been publicized at length and I remain deeply ashamed of my conduct throughout this period.
"I cannot undo my past, but I can live by example and continue to be the best man I can be," Lawton wrote.
Lawton is a former journalist who hosted a daily radio talk show on 980 CFPL in London and was managing editor of the right-wing online publication True North. He also authored a biography published in May about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's political career.
Lawton recently came under fire for his involvement in a group chat that included leaders of what became the Freedom Convoy during a federal inquiry into the Liberal government's use of the Emergencies Act to end the 2022 protests. The story was first reported Friday by the online news organization PressProgress.
In a statement to CBC News on Friday, CPC spokesperson Sam Lilly said, "As a journalist, Mr. Lawton regularly communicated with a variety of sources through his reporting on the Public Order Emergency Commission.
"Mr. Lawton wrote the only journalistic account of the Freedom Convoy, which was cited in evidence as a factual account of the protests:The Freedom Convoy: The Inside Story of Three Weeks that Shook the World. Mr. Lawton left the group after the commission hearings ended."
Lawton, right, is shown speaking to Poilievre in December 2023. The Conservative candidate published a biography about Poilievre's rise to the party's leadership. (Submitted by Andrew Lawton)
Last July, Lawton sought a CPC nomination in the riding that's been a Tory stronghold for decades, after Karen Vecchio, the MP since 2004, announced she wouldn't be seeking re-election.
Lawton is running against Liberal candidate David Goodwin, the New Democratic Party's Paul Pighin and Oriana Knox of the Green Party.
This isn't the first time Lawton's past has come under scrutiny. He ran in London during the 2018 provincial election but was dropped by Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives after social media comments he made condemning Islam and gay marriage had resurfaced.
Some of these include a post on X, formerly Twitter from 2011, in which he wrote, "I'm thinking of starting an all-Muslim basketball team. They'll be called the Hezballers." In another post from the same year, Lawton wrote, "I left the Anglican Church when they made the decision to allow gay marriage."
At the time, Lawton blamed his struggle with mental illness for the controversial tweets. He is a volunteer on the board of Suicide Prevention Middlesex-London.
However, that justification doesn't cut it for some people in the largely rural riding Lawton is vying to represent this federal election. They said Lawton hasn't made himself available to constituents to explain or express remorse for his past comments.
"I've heard a lot of pushback from the community with people who have also struggled with mental health issues and feel it's quite insulting that this sort of perspective is being relieved of all your past sins online," said Port Stanley resident Christine Rudman.
"He has a very long history of pretty egregious comments and behaviour online in regards to marginalized groups, whether it's women, the Islamic community or the LGBTQ+ community, which is problematic because he's supposed to be representing more than just white [cisgender] men."
Lawton is under fire from some Elgin-St. Thomas-London South constituents and a London-based Muslim advocacy group over his comments about marginalized communities and his involvement in a group chat with organizers of the Freedom Convoy in 2022. (Conservative Party of Canada )
"Elgin County's motto is Progressive by Nature — a proud expression of our region's values of growth, inclusion and forward-thinking leadership," said Devon Church, a member of Elgin County Pride.
"Mr. Lawton's public record and personal views stand in stark contrast to this vision. His ideology does not reflect progress; it reflects regression. Electing him would move us backward, not forward."
Rudman, a retired social worker, is among a group that plans to protest at Lawton's campaign office in St. Thomas on Saturday that she said will help people make an informed decision.
"This isn't about red or blue. In this rural community, people vote blue ... they don't vote for the candidate, they just vote the colour, and I think it's really important now more than ever that people understand the values and ethics of the person they're voting for."
More than half a dozen Liberal and Conservative candidates have been dropped from party tickets in the first two weeks of the campaign leading up to the April 28 vote over their controversial statements. The deadline to replace those candidates ended Monday.
Source: yahoo.com
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/muslim-group-constituents-call-andrew-233258818.html
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Claims misinformation about new Barrow mosque shared by far-right groups to 'whip up' tensions
9 April 2025
Misinformation about a new mosque is being shared by far-right groups to 'whip up tension' in the area, it has been claimed.
Members of Barrow's Muslim community say they are hurt by the crusade which is aiming to close the area's first mosque before it has even been built.
The building was granted planning permission in 2022 without any controversy to provide a place of worship for around 50 Muslim doctors at the Furness General Hospital and their families.
But after far right group Britain First became involved just weeks ago around 70,000 people have now signed a petition calling for that planning permission to be revoked.
They have called it a 'super mosque' in the heart of the Lake District - despite the fact it sits eight miles from the boundary of the national park.
Currently Barrow does not have a mosque, with Muslims praying at the local cricket club, and in a room in the town's hospital.
To visit a mosque they currently have to make a 100 mile round trip to Lancaster.
The community fundraised for the site, in Dalton-in-Furness, themselves, raising money to buy the land, and
Mohammed Ramzan: "It's just the animosity that's been caused, and the misinformation that's been spread around the area.
"Some of those comments have upset me, they've really upset me.
"You think that these people that you've shared bread with, you've gone out with, you've drank with, you've had a life with an all of a sudden these big bad Muslims are coming in, and they're not, we've already been here.
"We're not big and bad, it [the mosque] is for people like myself, my wife, my children."
Tensions have become so bad workers have been hiding their faces, while local suppliers initially pulled out of the site fearing reprisals.
But local residents say it is a small minority, supported by far right groups, and right-leaning broadcaster GB News, whipping up tensions.
The controversy has forced Westmorland and Furness Council, to put out a factsheet - correcting claims by GB News that an application for a children's home, which was dismissed by planners, was on a different site, and addressing concerns about a "mega mosque in the Lake District".
"There has been a great deal of misinformation spread to whip up local tensions around this application," Councillor Matt Brereton said.
"The fact of the matter is the Furness peninsula I know is a really welcoming place.
"It's clear the misinformation being spread online is not being done by local people because anyone who is local knows that Dalton-in-Furness is about a 30 minute drive away from the nearest boundary to the national park."
Refugees who have made Barrow their home say they have been shown nothing but kindness.
Faizudin Ahmedi, 33, was a defence lawyer in Afghanistan forced to flee from the Taliban, and now works at Barrow’s community garage.
He was brought out of the country with help from the British government - and has been granted settled status as a refugee.
"The people in Barrow are very kind," he said. "We are very happy about the mosque."
His boss, Thomas Henderson, supports the mosque, and made a donation to their fundraising campaign.
The Islamic centre still has to raise more than a million pounds, but are confident they’ll reach that target and hope the mosque will be open at the end of 2025.
Michelle Scrogham, Labour's MP for Barrow and Furness, said, “We have always been a community which supports one another, and which will always oppose racism and discrimination of any kind.
“We must stand up to those organisations – like Britain First - who are looking to create division and turn people against each other and I am concerned by the misinformation and rhetoric that is being spread to increase tensions locally.
“This development was given cross-party approval by the members of the local authority planning committee at the end of 2022, and construction is now underway.
“People of any faith deserve somewhere where they can get together to pray and celebrate their faith – and our local Muslim community should be no different. Doctors and nurses at Furness General Hospital, or anyone else, should not have to travel over 100 miles round trip to their place of worship.”
Source: itv.com
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https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2025-04-08/misinformation-about-new-mosque-by-far-right-groups-used-to-whip-up-tension
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Manor House: Safety concerns over mosque at high-rise flats
By Tony Gardner
8th Apr 2025
Plans to open a mosque at a city centre tower block have been withdrawn after safety concerns were raised by police, housing and council officers.
The proposed scheme included operating a prayer room and social centre for up to 80 people at Manor House, in Wakefield.
A planning application submitted to Wakefield Council said the facility was needed as a similar place of worship had been closed nearby.
The 14-storey block of flats, which sits above The Ridings shopping centre, is owned by Wakefield District Housing (WDH).
The social housing provider is currently carrying out essential fire safety works at the building, which is defined as ‘high risk’ under the Building Safety Act 2022.
A letter commenting on the scheme from WDH’s legal team said: “It is vital that these works are not delayed or otherwise negatively impacted by works to, or a change of use of, this property.”
WDH said the application lacked sufficient detail, adding: “As the accountable person for Manor House, we have a statutory duty to consider the impact any changes to connected buildings may have on the fire safety of the block.
“We require further information of all proposed works in order to properly consider this matter”.
The letter also said residential properties were in “very close proximity” to the proposed facility and “potential future noise disruption must be carefully considered”.
A similar place of worship had been in use above a fast food shop opposite Manor House.
It closed after the premises were acquired by the council as part of a major regeneration project planned for the Kirkgate area.
The application for the mosque on the first floor of the flats said: “The proposal is a relocation from the existing mosque that is subject to closure as a result of development.
“The existing facility had a similar first floor location above the takeaway opposite this site.
“The use would cater predominantly for the community that live in the town centre and can only attend on foot.”
Proposed opening hours were 5.30am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday.
Supporting documentation for the scheme stated: “The use would also be a dual purpose as a form of community hub for local residents.
“This use would be on a drop-in basis with facilities for basic food and drinks and is not proposed to provide classes or teaching provision. The use of prayer would generally be informal.
“Currently, outside of Friday prayer, the average attendance is around ten per prayer session. Friday prayer currently attracts around 80 worshippers.”
The council’s highways department said the scheme “did not raise significant issues” for road safety, but added: “The access to the first floor may cause tensions, customer service and amenity issues with the access to the ground floor premises at peak times, such as Friday afternoons when 80 persons could require to reach the first floor within a short space of time.”
West Yorkshire Police requested further details in relation to security and safety at the site, including CCTV camera coverage and external lighting.
The application was withdrawn on April 2, according to the council’s planning portal.
Source: yorkshirepost.co.uk
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https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/manor-house-safety-concerns-over-mosque-at-high-rise-flats-5073053
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North America
CAIR Calls on Leaders to Speak Out Against Hate After Nebraska Students Pose with Nazi Flag
April 8, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and national leaders to speak out against hate after students in Nebraska reportedly posed with a Nazi flag.
Two students were shown on social media posing with the Nazi flag in Aurora High School’s locker room.
“Young people only engage in such bigoted actions if they falsely believe they have the support of their peers and the community,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Local, state and national leaders must speak out against the growing bigotry in our nation so that young people know hate-filled views will not be tolerated or excused.”
He noted that CAIR has repeatedly condemned growing neo-Nazi activity nationwide.
Hooper said Washington, D.C., based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-leaders-to-speak-out-against-hate-after-nebraska-students-pose-with-nazi-flag/
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Muslim Prayer Room at New York University Vandalized with Name of Jewish Fraternity
By Grace Gilson
APRIL 8, 2025
The name of a Jewish fraternity was graffitied in a Muslim prayer room at New York University’s library last week, according to school officials.
A student was visiting the prayer room in Bobst Library last Thursday when they discovered that the room had been vandalized. Its prayer mats were soaked in urine, and a phallic image was drawn on its walls along with the letters “AEPI,” representing the Jewish Fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi.
The New York Police Department’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident along with NYU. The school put out a statement following the incident, writing that those responsible would be “subject to the most serious sanctions.”
“This desecration of a religious space is vile, reprehensible, and utterly unacceptable,” the statement said. “It contravenes every principle of our community, and we condemn this act of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate.”
The fraternity’s global office said that it was not aware of any involvement of its members and condemned the incident. It said its NYU chapter was cooperating with the investigation.
“As an organization, we strongly condemn this vandalism and our Alpha Chapter is fully cooperating with the administration’s investigation,” wrote Jon Pierce, a spokesman for AEPi international, in an emailed statement. “Hopefully, the investigation will find the perpetrator(s) and, when they are found, we believe they should be punished appropriately by the university and proper authorities.”
NYU was home to the first AEPi chapter in the country, founded in 1913. But the school’s AEPI chapter has been suspended for the past decade for hazing, according to a university website, and is not permitted to hold programs at the school.
The incident has sparked outcry on social media from members of NYU’s Muslim community and others who have called on the university to hold the vandals accountable and protect Muslim students. In a post on Instagram, Faiyaz Jaffer, a Muslim chaplain and research scholar for the Islamic Center at NYU, wrote that Muslim students at the school had expressed “fear, anxiety and outrage.”
“This was not simply an act of vandalism; it was a malicious and deeply disrespectful attack driven by anti-Muslim hatred,” Jaffer said in the statement.
A coalition of Muslim student groups called for the university to expel those responsible for the vandalism and to install security cameras at the prayer space.
“We are outraged and disgusted by this blatant attack on Muslim students in our space,” the groups wrote on Instagram. “This is not just an ‘incident’ — it is a hate crime and a direct threat to our safety. How can we feel safe in this university when our safety is almost always at risk?”
Source: jta.org
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https://www.jta.org/2025/04/08/united-states/muslim-prayer-room-at-nyu-vandalized-with-name-of-jewish-fraternity
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Trump Claims Countries ‘Kissing My Ass’ For Tariff Deals
9 Apr, 2025
President Donald Trump has claimed that dozens of countries are scrambling to negotiate trade deals with the US following his sweeping new tariffs, boasting that foreign leaders are begging for exemptions to avoid the full impact of the levies.
Speaking at a National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner on Tuesday night, Trump said his administration is “doing very well” in early negotiations with countries already hit with a baseline 10% tariff last week – and dozens more facing even steeper duties starting Wednesday.
“I’m telling you, these countries are calling us up, kissing my ass,” Trump said. “They are dying to make a deal: ‘Please, please sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything, I’ll do anything sir.’”
The administration previously stated that nearly 70 countries have sought talks to mitigate the impact of the tariffs, as Trump pushes for customized agreements with individual nations. “I call them tailored deals, not off the rack,” he said earlier on Tuesday at an executive order signing event at the White House.
Trump also claimed that the tariff strategy is working well and predicted it would boost the Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections – dismissing critics who say the levies are backfiring on American consumers and investors. He also took aim at GOP lawmakers who supported bipartisan efforts to curb his authority to impose tariffs beyond 60 days without congressional approval.
“We’re going to win the midterm elections, and we’re going to have a tremendous, thundering landslide,” Trump told Republican lawmakers and donors. “And I really think we’re helped a lot by the tariff situation that’s going on, which is a good situation… it’s going to be legendary, you watch.”
The president’s comments came just ahead of his administration’s rollout of higher import duties, including a steep 104% tariff on Chinese goods. The policy, which takes full effect Wednesday, is part of Trump’s broader “reciprocal” trade agenda, aimed at pressuring countries with large trade surpluses to offer better terms to the US.
The White House has said the tariffs are intended to address long-standing trade imbalances and revive domestic manufacturing. Trump insists the measures are already benefiting the US economy, claiming the country is collecting $2 billion a day in tariff revenue.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/615421-trump-tariffs-kissing-deal/
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North Texas faith leaders condemn Abbott's EPIC City investigations
April 8, 2025
By Lori Brown
DALLAS - The Council on American-Islamic Relations is condemning Gov. Greg Abbott’s investigation of EPIC City, a housing development that the East Plano Islamic Center is proposing.
The East Plano Islamic Center, or EPIC, is the organization behind the proposed development in eastern Collin County near Josephine, Texas.
EPIC’s for-profit company, Community Capital Partners, purchased the 402 acres with the goal of building a mosque, along with 1,000 homes, townhomes, and apartments.
A promotional video advertises the development as a place where all are welcome, but Islam is at the forefront of the community.
That seems to be what caught the governor’s attention.
"The project as proposed in the video is not allowed in Texas," he said on the social media platform X.
Gov. Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton launched about a dozen investigations targeting EPIC.
What they're saying:
The director of the Dallas-Fort Worth office for the Council on American-Islamic Relations believes Abbott and Paxton are disseminating hateful misinformation about their Muslim constituents.
"They have chosen to abuse their power by launching groundless investigations against EPIC, blocking funerals, intimidating children and families, and violating their rights to constitutionally protected religious expression," said Mustafaa Carroll, CAIR DFW’s executive director.
"As Jews against racism and hatred in all its forms, we stand steadfast alongside our Muslim siblings and neighbors. Any insult to them is an insult to us," added Deb Armintor with the Dallas-Fort Worth Jewish Voice for Peace.
CAIR’s leaders also decried Abbott’s actions against EPIC’s funeral services.
The Texas Funeral Service Commission sent a cease and desist letter ordering EPIC to stop all illegal funeral service operations.
The commission’s letter accused EPIC of operating a funeral home without a license.
Source: fox4news.com
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https://www.fox4news.com/news/cair-condemns-abbotts-epic-city-investigations
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ArabWorld
Saudi deputy minister and UNRWA chief discuss KSA’s ongoing support for Palestinians
April 08, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Phillipe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, in Riyadh on Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people, according to a post by the Foreign Ministry on X.
The two men also discussed aspects of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNRWA.
Separately, Elkhereiji met with the British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Neil Crompton, and they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well as prominent developments in the regional and international arenas.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596332/saudi-arabia
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RSAF personnel complete training in US missile defense system
April 08, 2025
RIYADH: A second company from the Royal Saudi Air Force graduated this week after completing their training in an American anti-ballistic missile defense system.
The graduation ceremony, held at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, was attended by Maj. Gen. Pilot Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Rabiah, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Institute commander and other representatives from the two countries.
The US-led program involved technical and operational exercises, combat simulations and advanced field training supervised by representatives of the manufacturers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and military experts, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Another company of RSAF graduates completed the program last year as part of the Ministry of Defense’s strategy to enhance the capabilities of its forces through professional training.
The THAAD system is considered one of the most advanced and precise methods to tackle ballistic missile threats and has been adopted by the Kingdom as part of its air defense strategy.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596313/saudi-arabia
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Saudi fund signs $10m loan for renewable energy project in Solomon Islands
April 08, 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development on Tuesday signed a $10 million development loan agreement with the Solomon Islands to support a renewable energy project.
The deal was signed by the fund’s CEO Sultan Al-Marshad and the Solomon Islands’ Finance and Treasury Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The project aims to develop renewable energy infrastructure in the country by establishing solar power plants with a total capacity of 35.5 megawatts and energy storage systems.
This will reduce its reliance on conventional energy and support sustainable development goals for economic and environmental growth, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The loan is the fund’s first to the Solomon Islands and demonstrates its commitment to supporting developing countries and small island states in overcoming economic, social and environmental challenges.
Since its foundation in 1974, the fund has financed more than 800 projects worth more than $21 billion in more than 100 countries.
Through its global initiatives, the fund enhances livelihoods, expands access to services and empowers communities, fostering inclusive growth and creating opportunities worldwide.
On the sidelines of the signing, Al-Marshad and his delegation met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. They discussed the fund’s 50-year development efforts and ways to strengthen cooperation.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596312/saudi-arabia
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Saudi, Iraqi defense ministers discuss cooperation in phone call
April 08, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman received a phone call from his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Al-Abbasi on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two discussed Saudi-Iraqi relations and cooperation between the two countries in the military and defense fields, SPA added.
They also spoke about regional developments and shared efforts to enhance security and stability in the region and beyond.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596319/saudi-arabia
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Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rises to 78.8 years, says health ministry
April 08, 2025
RIYADH: Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rose from 74 years in 2016 to 78.8 years in 2024, the Ministry of Health has said.
It reflects efforts to improve healthcare quality and strengthen preventive measures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The announcement was made on World Health Day, celebrated annually on April 7, this year under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
Saudi public health efforts are part of the Health Sector Transformation Program under Vision 2030, aimed at creating a vibrant society with better health and well-being, the SPA added.
Under the ministry’s supervision, the healthcare system launched targeted initiatives and awareness campaigns to promote healthy habits, encourage walking and support daily wellness practices.
This has contributed to improved public health and quality of life, paving the way toward the goal of raising life expectancy to 80 years by 2030, the SPA reported.
The ministry also implemented health and nutrition reforms in collaboration with various government entities, such as banning hydrogenated oils, reducing salt in foods, and mandating calorie labeling on food products and in restaurants. These measures contribute to better public health and a reduction in chronic diseases.
The ministry continues to enhance preventive and curative healthcare services, expand health education programs, and intensify early screening for diseases and tumors.
This aims to increase life expectancy, reduce chronic illnesses and improve quality of life, paving the way for a healthier, more prosperous and sustainable future.
Meanwhile, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth praised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its health sector and the implementation of health programs, highlighting that societal advancement depends on individual well-being.
The organization said that Vision 2030 prioritizes the health sector, leading to improved medical services, better patient safety and satisfaction, and enhanced recovery through infrastructure development and institutional restructuring.
It also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s support for the global health sector, extending to numerous countries through health programs and medical convoys as part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596292/saudi-arabia
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Saudi aid agency to support 1,000 orphans in Syria
April 08, 2025
RIYADH: The Kingdom's aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to support orphan care and economic empowerment in earthquake-affected areas of northwestern Syria.
The agreement aims to provide monthly cash allowances to 1,000 orphaned children in Jindires town and Aleppo governorate. It will also empower 400 women foster mothers through in-kind grants and vocational training, the SPA reported.
In Jordan, KSrelief organized recreational activities for 1,000 orphaned children from the Syrian refugee and host communities to improve their living conditions and bring joy.
In Yemen, KSrelief delivered more than 45 million liters of drinking and non-potable water to Hajjah and Saada governorates in one month as part of its water and sanitation project.
A mobile medical clinic in Hajjah governorate served 1,691 patients during the same period, the SPA added.
In Lebanon, KSrelief distributed 460 food baskets to vulnerable families in Koura, benefiting 2,300 people, and 6,181 vouchers as part of its clothing project.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596289/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia completes pavilion preparations for Expo 2025
April 09, 2025
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has completed the construction and preparations of its pavilion for Expo 2025, which will open in Osaka on April 13.
Featuring more than 700 events and activities, the pavilion will aim to provide an immersive experience for visitors.
It will highlight Saudi Arabia’s cultural and innovative landscape, while also unveiling new initiatives designed to encourage the Japanese public to explore and connect with the Kingdom.
Over the past two months, the Saudi Pavilion launched a tour of seven Japanese cities that offered local communities and tourists a chance to enjoy Saudi hospitality and explore the Kingdom’s culture.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596382/saudi-arabia
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Africa
Afenifere Warns against Stoking Religious Conflict in South-west
April 9, 2025
Yoruba’s foremost socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has warned all groups and interests against making incendiary statements or introducing unsecular practices that can endanger peaceful coexistence among the residents of Ekiti and other South-West states.
The organisation also called on intelligence agencies, especially the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to put the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola, under check for making comments that can stoke religious conflict in the region.
Afenifere gave this warning on Tuesday in a statement by its Chairman, Ekiti Chapter, Prince Gabriel Alonge following Akintola’s press statement that Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has declared war on Muslims over Mosque Demolition in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti State.
MURIC and Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria had influenced and justified the establishment of an independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in the South-West, which triggered stiff opposition from all strata of the region due to its implications for peace and security.
But in its statement on Monday, Afenifere described Akintola’s comment as unfounded, unguarded and capable of endangering peaceful coexistence among brothers of different religious leanings and stoking the embers of religious conflict in Ekiti State and by extension, the South-West states.
It said: “We read the press statement of Prof. Ishaq Akintola with grave concern. We have also dug deeper into the veracity of his claims that Senator Bamidele declared war on Muslims for demolishing a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area, Ekiti State.
“Our findings revealed that Senator Bamidele facilitated the reconstruction of Alara Modern Market in Aramoko Ekiti. We also found out that the market, comprising 60 open shops and 40 lock-up shops, was inaugurated on the 28th March 2025 and handed over to Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government, the two original owners of the property.
“We found out that Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alfa Raheem Bamigbola offered the opening prayer at the inauguration of the market. Where did Prof. Akintola get his information?
“For us, at Afenifere, this is a deliberate attempt to destabilise Ekiti State shortly after we got over ripples that their plan to establish the Shariah Arbitration Panel in some South-West states had triggered.
“It is quite disappointing that Prof. Akintola can make such a statement that can cause disaffection, even conflict, among brothers and sisters not only in Aramoko and Ekiti State, but also in the region. South-West is the only part of the federation that has enjoyed some level of peace and stability.
“In Yorubaland, we are known for tolerance and not any form of prejudice despite religious diversity. We are known for our spirit of accommodation and not suppressing alternative voices. We are known for constructive engagement and not toxic attacks on politically exposed persons.”
Afenifere, therefore, called on the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services to start profiling every individual making statements that endanger the region’s peaceful coexistence or any group promoting unsecular practices anywhere in the South-West and Nigeria at large.
Source: thisdaylive.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/04/09/afenifere-warns-against-stoking-religious-conflict-in-south-west/
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Afenifere accuses MURIC of stoking religious war in Ekiti
9th April 2025
By Abiodun Nejo
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has warned groups, individuals and interests against making statements or introducing practices and actions that can endanger peaceful coexistence among the residents of Ekiti and other southwest states.
The Ekiti State Chairman of Afenifere, Gabriel Alonge, faulted the statement credited to the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concerns, Prof Ishaq Akintola.
Akintola, in a statement, said the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, had declared war on Muslims over the alleged demolition of a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He accused Bamidele of demolishing a mosque to pave the way for his constituency project, a market, in Aromoko, Ekiti West Local Government.
The MURIC leader stated, “We are surprised that a politician of immense exposure at the federal level in the person of no less a personality as Opeyemi Bamidele, who has risen to the status of Senate Leader in Nigeria, could give the green light to the perpetration of such a dastardly act against a section of his constituents, simply because they are Muslims.”
Alonge, in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, however, described Akintola’s comment as “unfounded, unguided and capable of endangering peaceful co-existence among brothers of different religious leanings and stoking the embers of religious conflict in Ekiti State and by extension south-west states.”
Afenifere called on intelligence agencies, especially the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services “to put Akintola under check for making comments that can stoke religious conflict in the region.
“Consequently, Afenifere called on the police and DSS to start profiling every individual making statements that endanger the region’s peaceful coexistence or any group promoting unsecular practices anywhere in the South-west and Nigeria at large.”
The group stated: “We read the press statement of Prof Ishaq Akintola with grave concerns.
“We have also dug deeper into the veracity of his claims that Senator Bamidele declared war on Muslims for demolishing a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area, Ekiti State.
“Our findings revealed that Senator Bamidele facilitated the reconstruction of Alara Modern Market in Aramoko Ekiti.
“We also found out that the market, comprising 60 open shops and 40 lock-up shops, was inaugurated on the 28th of March 2025 and handed over to Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government, the two original owners of the property.”
Afenifere said it found out that the Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alfa Raheem Bamigbola, offered the opening prayer at the inauguration of the market.
It stated: “Where did Prof Akintola get his information? For us, at Afenifere, this is a deliberate attempt to destabilise Ekiti State shortly after we got over ripples that their plan to establish the Shariah arbitration panel in some southwest states had triggered.
“It is quite disappointing that Prof Akintola can make such a statement that can cause disaffection, even conflict, among brothers and sisters, not only in Aramoko and Ekiti State but also in the region.
“South-west is the only part of the federation that has enjoyed some level of peace and stability. We are completely averse to any move or statement that can undermine our peace and stability in part of the region.”
Also, the Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government, Moses Omojola, dismissed Akintola’s allegations, saying, “We categorically state that this allegation is false, malicious and a gross misrepresentation of the facts.”
Omojola stated that MURIC’s claims were “designed to inflame religious sentiment and undermine the credibility of the federal legislator whose developmental efforts across Ekiti State had been inclusive and community-driven.
“The land used (by Bamidele) for the market project in question was officially allocated to the Senate Leader by the Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government to construct an ultra-modern market to serve the people of Aramoko and surrounding communities.
“The structure claimed by the MURIC Director to be a mosque was, in fact, an unauthorised and incomplete building without any approved building plan or documentation. It was not recognised as a mosque by either the Alara-in-Council or the local government.
“The attempt to label Senator Bamidele’s developmental project as an act of religious hostility is deeply unfortunate and unfounded.
“We urge MURIC and its leadership to refrain from divisive rhetoric and to verify their claims before issuing inflammatory statements. Senator Bamidele remains committed to the service of all, irrespective of faith,” the council boss stated.
Source: punchng.com
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https://punchng.com/afenifere-accuses-muric-of-stoking-religious-war-in-ekiti/
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‘Adeleke Deceiving Osun People, Has Paralysed LG Administration’ – Ex-Commissioner Asserts
April 9, 2025
By Richard Ogunsile
A former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the Adegboyega Oyetola administration, Adebayo Adeleke, has accused Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of undermining the local government system in the state.
He also accused the incumbent Governor of deception with the road projects by his administration.
Naija News reports that Adeleke expressed these views at a media event hosted by the Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) on Tuesday in Osogbo, which was focused on the theme “Digging into Politics, Governance and Dividends.”
In response to inquiries regarding local government autonomy, Adeleke asserted that it is now a permanent feature in Nigeria.
He noted that during his tenure as Commissioner, the previous administration under Governor Adegboyega Oyetola did not interfere with local government allocations, contrasting this with the current situation.
The former commissioner said: “This Government is spending the local government allocations and depriving the grassroots of growth and development.
“That is why the Governor is blocking the reinstatement of the All Progressives Congress local government chairmen from resuming at the councils secretariat/offices.”
He also accused Governor Adeleke of manipulation in the recently concluded local government elections conducted in the state, adding that the state leader cannot support autonomy since he was among state governors that has approached the court over the matter.
“Governor Adeleke is against local government autonomy, that is the reason he did a kangaroo illegal and manipulated elections for the local government.
“Osun State is one of the states in the federation the governor is illegally withholding funds for local governments in their jurisdiction in contravention of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“Governor Adeleke was part of the State Governors who took the Presidency to court over local government autonomy,” he claimed.
The former commissioner also accused the Adeleke-led administration of gross financial mismanagement, citing the sudden jump in the Ministry of Youth and Sports budget from N2 billion in 2022 to N13 billion in 2023.
He also questioned the integrity of road projects like the Old Garage-Lameco Road.
“You are doing big roads to deceive Osun people. We did roads under Oyetola without any fanfare. Now they’re bringing in ex-leaders to commission uncompleted projects,” he said.
Adeleke stressed that Sound residents affected by demolition during road expansions, such as in Lameco and Ilesa, are still crying out for compensation despite assurances from the state government.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/09/adeleke-deceiving-osun-people-has-paralysed-lg-administration-ex-commissioner-asserts/
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Only Military, Police Can Not Solve Insecurity – Police Minister, Gaidam
April 9, 2025
By Udeze Ekene
The Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, has stressed the need to establish a seamless and secure mechanism for real-time intelligence sharing among security agencies.
Naija News reports that Gaidam stated this during an Interagency Security Seminar with a theme: Multiplicity of Operations in Nigeria’s Contemporary Security Landscape: Optimizing Multi-Agency Efforts for Effective Treat Response, organized by the Army War College Nigeria, Course 9/2025, held at the TYB Auditorium, ACWN, Wu Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.
In a statement from the Ministry’s spokesman, Bolaji Kazeem, Gaidam stated that to optimize multi-agency efforts for effective threat response, critical gaps in security architecture must be closed.
“Institutionalizing cross-agency training exercises and scenario-based drills will improve operational interoperability and foster mutual trust. By leveraging modern technologies—such as advanced surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, and digital forensics—we can enhance our operational effectiveness,” he said.
He said Nigeria faces many security challenges, including terrorism, banditry and herdsmen-farmers clash.
“We face a complex web of threats, from insurgency and terrorism in the North-East to banditry and farmer-herder conflicts in the North-West and North-Central regions. Additionally, we grapple with separatist movements in the South-East and organized crime in the South-South and South-West,” he stated.
The Minister blamed hardship, poor governance and porous borders for Nigeria’s security challenges.
“These challenges are compounded by economic disparities, governance deficits, and the increasing sophistication of criminal enterprises that exploit technology, porous borders, and ungoverned spaces,” he noted.
He emphasized the need for all stakeholders to get involved in tackling security challenges affecting the country, noting that the military and police cannot do it alone.
“The traditional view of security—limited to military or law enforcement responses—is no longer adequate. We must embrace an integrated approach that brings together all stakeholders, including military forces, law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and civil society,” he added.
Earlier, the guest lecturer, Major General Babagana Mohammed Monguno (Rtd), stated that globally military operations play a significant role in restoring peace and stability, noting that nations implement security strategies to minimize the security threats to their economic and diplomatic relations.
“With the Nigerian military operations currently being conducted across all geopolitical zones despite the success recorded by the ongoing operations, security threats continue to persist across the country, disrupting daily livelihood and instilling fear among the citizens and there is the need for comprehensive approach to mitigate contemporary security threats across Nigeria,” he stated.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/09/only-military-police-can-not-solve-insecurity-police-minister-gaidam/
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Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede named the new interim president of the Tigray region
April 9, 2025
Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede was named the interim president of the Tigray region on Tuesday, replacing Getachew Reda.
Before his appointment, Tedese acted as the deputy president of Tigray’s interim administration and head of the cabinet secretariat for peace and security.
He has been mandated to ensure the full return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their original homes.
In a one-page document he signed, he is also expected to ensure the swift disarmament and reintegration of former combatants in line with the Pretoria Agreement.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by key dignitaries from the government and the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
There were concerns in the region that the widening political split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) could lead to a full-fledged civil war like the one that ended in 2022 with the signing of a peace agreement.
The party has been calling for the firing of Reda and others since last year, attempting to appoint a new set of its endorsed candidates and removing him and some cabinet members from party membership.
In March, armed soldiers loyal to the party took over the administrations of key towns, including the region’s second biggest city, Adigrat, in what Reda termed as a “coup,” and with escalating conflict, he fled to the capital, Addis Ababa.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/04/08/lt-gen-tadesse-werede-named-the-new-interim-president-of-the-tigray-region/
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Southeast Asia
Exploring Commonalities of Moderation Concept Between Indonesian Islamic Civilization and Chinese Confucianism
April 9, 2025
Indonesia is a multicultural and multi-religious country, where people of different nationalities and beliefs live in harmony and contribute to the prosperity of society. As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia's Islamic civilization exhibits a unique middle-of-the-road character, a philosophy that is deeply embedded not only in religious practice but also in social life.
Interestingly, this idea of “moderation” has many similarities with the “moderation” in Chinese Confucian culture, and the two have developed separately in social history, but they echo each other in the spiritual core, providing rich ideological resources for cross-civilization dialogue.
From 2014 to 2015, I was a reporter for a Chinese-language media outlet in Jakarta in Central Java Province and Yogyakarta, and I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Mosque in Central Java many times.
Java Island is where the largest mosque in Southeast Asia is located and a center for local religious activities and exchanges. As the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) or the Union of Islamic Clergy (NU) has long advocated the three concepts of fairness (Indonesian: adil), balance (Indonesian: seimbang ) and moderation (Indonesian: moderat).
Professor Ali Mufiz, then the director of the Grand Mosque in Central Java, stressed in an interview that moderation is not a negative compromise, but a positive balance and reconciliation aimed at achieving harmony between the individual and society.
In the Indonesian context, moderation is embodied in the tolerance of different beliefs, cultures, and values. In Yogyakarta, for example, Muslims live side by side with Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and Confucians, respecting each other's religious festivals and customs. This inclusiveness is not accidental but is the result of a long-standing push for "moderate Islam" (Islam Wasathiyah) by groups such as NU.
The idea of moderation, which has a wide influence on Indonesian society, opposes extremism and advocates resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, which is in line with the five principles of Indonesia's founding (Pancasila) of "belief in One God, humanitarianism, national unity, democracy, and social justice".
The concept of "moderation" in Confucianism was first put forward by Confucius over 2,000 years ago and later developed by Confucian scholars such as Mencius, becoming one of the core values of Chinese culture. As stated in The Doctrine of the Mean: "Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness -- when not yet manifested, are called 'centrality'; when manifested yet in proper measure, are called 'harmony'." Moderation emphasizes an impartial and appropriate approach to life, opposing both excess and insufficiency.
In Chinese history, the idea of moderation has profoundly influenced social ethics, political governance, and even economic policy. For example, in ancient China, the "ritual system" aimed to reconcile human relations through ceremonial norms, while the idea of "benevolent government" advocated that rulers should govern in a moderate manner and avoid harshness or indulgence. Moderation is not only a kind of personal cultivation, but also a social ideal, that is, to achieve "the great harmony of the world" through balance and harmony.
Although the concept of moderation of Indonesian Islam and the concept of moderation of Chinese Confucianism originate from different cultural backgrounds, they are highly similar in their core connotations, which are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Pursuit of balance and harmony: Based on Indonesian Islamic civilization’s view, moderation means achieving a balance between faith and the secular world, as well as between tradition and modernity. The Confucian pursuit of "attaining central harmony" is a quest for a state of life. Dong Zhongshu, a Confucian scholar in the Han Dynasty, elaborated it as "no virtue is greater than harmony, and no path is more correct than centrality," emphasizing the search for equilibrium in social and personal life.
Opposing extremism and advocating Inclusion: Indonesia's idea of moderation opposes religious extremism, while Confucianism's "excesses" also criticize radicalism. Both believe that radicalization undermines social cohesion and that moderation is the only way to maintain lasting peace and achieve social harmony.
Focusing on practice and practicality: Idea of the moderation is not an empty theory in either Indonesia or China, but it is a practical guide to integrate into daily life. For example, Indonesian Muslims not only observe their religious obligations during Ramadan but also focus on sharing iftar food with their non-Muslim neighbors. The Confucian culture of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" also emphasizes the translation of moral principles into concrete actions.
In today's world, where extremism, xenophobia, and social divisions are becoming increasingly serious, the practical experience of Indonesia and China shows that the idea of moderation can provide valuable lessons for solving these problems.
Indonesia's pluralistic coexistence model proves that moderation can be effective in resolving religious conflicts. China's tradition of "harmony in diversity" also provides inspiration for the governance of multi-ethnic states.
The idea of moderation opposes radical economic policies and advocates steady development. Indonesia's efforts to “maintain rapid economic growth while maintaining social equity” are similar to China's strategy of "seeking progress while maintaining stability" since China's reform and opening up.
In the context of the alignment of China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” and Indonesia's "Global Maritime Fulcrum" strategy, the exchange and mutual learning of the two moderation ideas can provide an ethical basis for cross-cultural cooperation and promote mutual understanding among civilizations.
Although the concept of moderation in Indonesian Islamic civilization and the idea of moderation in Chinese Confucianism are rooted in different soils, they are spiritually similar. The balance, inclusiveness, and harmony emphasized by both are not only the cornerstones of social stability in Indonesia and China but also provide the world with the wisdom to deal with conflict and division.
In the era of globalization, the mutual learning between the two civilizations will help build a more peaceful and prosperous community with a shared future for mankind.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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https://jakartaglobe.id/opinion/exploring-commonalities-of-moderation-concept-between-indonesian-islamic-civilization-and-chinese-confucianism
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PAS leader raps ustaz for visiting non-Muslim house of worship
Apr 8, 2025
A senior PAS Ulama Council member has criticised a Muslim preacher for visiting a non-Muslim house of worship to showcase Islamic tolerance.
Without naming anyone, PAS Central Ulama Council committee member Mokhtar Senik said such actions were unnecessary, as Islam’s teachings on tolerance are already clear in the Quran.
“Did the ustaz not come across Quranic verses that...
Source: malaysiakini.com
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/739524
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Police probe possible accidental shooting as officer remains critical in Penang ICU
09 Apr 2025
GEORGE TOWN, April 9 — A police officer remains in critical condition after sustaining a severe gunshot wound to the head at the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) on Monday afternoon, according to state police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad.
Attached to the commandant camp branch, the 58-year-old corporal, who is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at Penang Hospital, was discovered in the IPK’s security room with a serious head injury at around 6.12pm.
Initial reports suggest the injury may have been caused by the officer accidentally shooting himself and police are exploring various potential leads, including allegations of debts linked to the officer, he said.
When contacted today, he told Bernama that authorities are also awaiting statements from the officer’s relatives, who are en route from Kuala Lumpur.
The incident, which involved a gunshot from the officer’s service weapon, is being investigated under Section 39 of the Arms Act 1960. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/09/police-probe-possible-accidental-shooting-as-officer-remains-critical-in-penang-icu/172452
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Four men charged with extorting RM18,000 from an individual
Bernama
09-04- 2025
GEORGE TOWN: Four men pleaded not guilty in the Magistrates Court today to a charge of extorting RM18,000 from an individual last month.
P Veeran, 36; S Rohan Raj, 22; L Yuvarajan, 21; and S Siva, 22, were jointly charged with committing extortion by intentionally causing fear to the victim through the threat of police arrest at Desa Air Mas, Gelugor, at 12.30 am on March 21.
They were charged under Section 384 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, or a fine, or caning, or any combination of these penalties upon conviction.
Magistrate Mohamad Azlan Basri granted each accused bail of RM7,000 with one surety and prohibited them from contacting the victim pending the disposal of the case. He then fixed April 28 for document submission.
Deputy public prosecutor Syairah Aqilah Khalil appeared for the prosecution, while all four accused were represented by lawyer R. Puran.
In a separate Magistrates Court, Veeran and Rohan Raj also pleaded not guilty to three additional charges of impersonating police officers.
Rohan Raj was additionally charged with possessing a fake firearm, specifically a plastic toy pistol, at Desa Air Mas, Gelugor, at 12.30 am on March 21.
For the first two charges, Veeran and Rohan Raj were charged under Section 170 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum imprisonment of two years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Rohan Raj was charged under Section 36 of the Firearms Act 1960, which is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a maximum fine of RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
Magistrate Nadratul Naim Mohd Saidi granted bail at RM6,000 per charge for each accused and set May 22 for the next case mention.
Deputy public prosecutor M. Darrshini appeared for the prosecution, while both accused were represented by lawyer R. Puran.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/four-men-charged-with-extorting-rm18000-from-an-individual-BK13912298
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Rape and incest reports surge 22% in Kelantan - Police
Bernama
09-04- 2025
KOTA BHARU: The number of rape and incest cases in Kelantan has increased but investigations showed that many were consensual sex, said Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat.
He said 252 cases were reported in 2024 compared to 206 cases in 2023, an increase of 22.3 per cent, and what is more worrying is that some of those involved were as young as 10 years old.
Among the factors contributing to this situation are family conflicts, parental neglect, underage love affairs, and easy accessibility of pornographic materials on mobile phones, he told a press conference here today.
“I want to stress that police alone cannot tackle this issue effectively. It should involve all quarters, including educational institutions, the community, imams, village heads and parents,” he added.
Mohd Yusoff said there were also cases of teenage girls bringing boys home without objection from their parents.
“Many students also keep pornographic photos or videos on their handphones. Some even recorded themselves naked and sent the images to their newfound friends on social media,” he added.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/rape-and-incest-reports-surge-22-in-kelantan-police-HK13912270
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South Asia
Kabul Cracks Down on Expired Food, Hygiene Items
2025-04-08
KABUL(BNA): Municipal authorities incinerated over 32 metric tons of expired and substandard food and hygiene products seized from markets across the Afghan capital, officials confirmed.
The destroyed items—including dairy products, canned goods, snacks, beverages, and cleaning supplies such as expired milk, cream, biscuits, cooking oil, cheese, canned beans, chickpeas, lentils, mushrooms, tomato paste, chips, puffed rice, various soft drinks, and detergents—were hauled to the Gazak landfill for public disposal, said Rahimullah Alokozai, head of Kabul’s Food Control Department.
“We’re enforcing strict market surveillance,” Alokozai told reporters. “Vendors selling compromised goods will face prosecution under public health laws.” The crackdown reflects growing concerns about food safety in Afghanistan’s informal economy.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/kabul-cracks-down-on-expired-food-hygiene-items/
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Pakistan halts detention and deportation of registered Afghan migrants until further notice
By Fidel Rahmati
April 9, 2025
Pakistan has suspended the detention and deportation of registered Afghan migrants until further notice.
Reports from local media outlets in Pakistan reveal that the Peshawar city court has prohibited all law enforcement agencies from taking legal action against Afghan migrants who hold PoR (Proof of Registration) cards. This decision ensures that Afghan migrants with PoR cards can remain in Pakistan until June 30 of this year, enjoying immunity from detention and deportation during this period.
The ruling comes amid a broader crackdown by the Pakistani government on undocumented migrants, particularly focusing on the expulsion of those without proper documentation. The second phase of the deportation process began last week, raising widespread concerns among Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
The human rights organization has called on the Pakistani government to halt the expulsion of Afghan refugees immediately. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the organization emphasized that Pakistan should take corrective measures in accordance with international human rights laws.
Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees, many of whom fled to the country due to ongoing conflict and insecurity in Afghanistan. PoR cardholders are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and are legally allowed to stay in Pakistan.
However, in recent years, political and security pressures have led to increasing calls for the expulsion of undocumented migrants, creating a tense atmosphere for Afghan refugees. This decision by the court offers temporary relief for PoR cardholders, who can continue their lives in Pakistan without fear of immediate deportation.
Despite the court’s ruling, the Pakistani government is under intense pressure, both domestically and internationally, to address the growing issue of undocumented migrants. The situation has prompted various human rights groups to voice concerns over the potential violation of international refugee protection laws.
Some observers have noted that while the court’s order provides temporary protection to PoR cardholders, it does not resolve the long-term uncertainty faced by Afghan refugees. There is growing concern that further actions may be taken against migrants once the immunity period expires.
As the deadline of June 30 approaches, the future of Afghan migrants in Pakistan remains uncertain. The situation could evolve, with the Pakistani government potentially facing difficult choices on how to handle the ongoing refugee crisis.
For now, Afghan refugees with PoR cards can breathe a sigh of relief, but the looming question remains: will Pakistan continue to protect these refugees beyond the end of June, or will the pressure to expel them increase?
This decision underscores the fragile status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, where political instability and security concerns continue to affect the lives of millions. The international community will likely continue to monitor the situation closely.
Meanwhile, the ruling provides immediate relief to PoR cardholders, it is only a temporary measure. The broader issue of refugee protection in Pakistan requires a long-term solution that respects international human rights standards and addresses the underlying political and security challenges facing both Afghan migrants and Pakistan.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/pakistan-halts-detention-and-deportation-of-registered-afghan-migrants-until-further-notice/
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Three Afghan Refugees acquitted of Greece’s Moria Refugee Camp Fire Charges
By Fidel Rahmati
April 9, 2025
Three Afghan refugees were acquitted of charges related to a fire at Greece’s Moria refugee camp, initially sentenced to prison.
Three Afghan refugees have been acquitted by a juvenile court in Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos, Greece, after being accused of starting a fire at a refugee camp. The fire occurred at the Moria camp, which was originally designed for 3,000 people but was housing 12,600 refugees at the time.
The three refugees had initially been tried as adults and sentenced to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the fire. However, after presenting documents showing they were underage, the court decided to drop the charges and acquit them. The prosecution’s case was based solely on statements from another Afghan citizen who never testified in court.
Reports from the Greek media highlight that the refugees had provided evidence of their underage status during the trial, which led to their eventual acquittal. Their defense argued that they were unfairly targeted based on an anonymous accusation without concrete evidence.
With the acquittal, the refugees are now expected to pursue compensation for the time they spent unjustly imprisoned. The case has raised concerns over the treatment of minors and refugees in Greece, especially in overcrowded camps like Moria, where conditions are often harsh.
The Moria camp had been a focal point for protests and criticisms due to its overcrowded conditions. At the time of the fire, it had more than four times its capacity, leading some refugees to set fire to the camp in protest against the dire living conditions.
The acquittal of the three Afghan refugees highlights the legal and human rights challenges faced by minors in refugee camps. It also draws attention to the broader issue of overcrowded and poorly managed refugee camps in Greece, where basic living conditions are often substandard.
This case emphasizes the need for better protection of refugees, especially minors, who are at risk of wrongful accusations and unfair treatment. The Greek authorities are under pressure to improve conditions in their refugee camps and ensure that justice is fairly administered.
As refugees seek justice for the time spent in unjust detention, the international community continues to call for reforms in asylum processes to prevent further violations of refugee rights.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/three-afghan-refugees-acquitted-of-greeces-moria-refugee-camp-fire-charges/
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Islamic banks may be merged to create two large banks: BB governor
Apr 9, 2025
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said today that there is a plan to merge the Islamic banks to form two large banks.
Bangladesh's Islamic banking sector would be completely restructured, as most of the existing Islamic banks are currently in trouble, he said.
The governor made the comments while inaugurating the two-day Annual Banking Conference 2025, organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) at its premises in Mirpur, Dhaka.
He also said the country lacks a proper regulatory framework for Islamic banking and that a legal gap remains in this regard. "We are working on that as well," he added.
The BB governor said efforts are underway in collaboration with foreign organisations to recover laundered money, adding that both legal and ethical steps must be taken in this regard.
"The lives of those who laundered money will be made difficult so that others are discouraged from doing the same in the future," he said.
Mansur pointed out the need for support from all relevant stakeholders to make the recovery efforts successful.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the central bank's autonomy.
"We know there has been a lot of interference and dual governance in the banking sector, and this needs to end. We need a unified regulatory framework for the entire banking system, and we are working towards that," he said.
Bangladesh Bank is also working to strengthen its supervisory capacity and regulatory framework so the central bank's functions can be significantly improved, he said.
"That way, we can detect irregularities without interfering in the banks' day-to-day operations."
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/islamic-banks-may-be-merged-create-two-large-banks-bb-governor-3867206
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/waqf-act-supreme-court/d/135106