Middle East Press On: Zionism, Epstein to Greater Israel, Turkey Signals to Us-Iran, Trump, Hezbollah, Gulf Questioning Us-Israeli War on Iran, New Age Islam's Selection, 07 March 2026
New Age Islam News Bureau
07 March 2026
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s representative in India Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi at the Iran Culture House in Delhi. (Express photo)
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· ‘We are attacking US bases, not neighbours; India-Iran relations deep’: Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s representative in India
· Iran’s UN envoy says 1,332 Iranian civilians killed in war
· Saudi, Pakistan defence chiefs discuss ‘measures needed to halt’ Iranian attacks on Kingdom
· No justification for US-Israeli war on Iran – Moscow
· US State Department approves emergency sale of heavy bombs to Israel
· 'Massive' numbers killed by gunmen in latest Nigeria attack, senator tells BBC
· Indonesia will quit Trump’s Board of Peace if it does not benefit Palestinians, Prabowo says
· Urgent Need for Peace Between Two Neighbours, Afghanistan and Pakistan
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India
· Shia group approaches Mumbai police against derogatory Khamenei post, seeks registration of FIR
· Shia cleric threatens of massive protest against US-Israel attack on Iran
· Authorities lift curbs in Kashmir as protests over Khamenei killing subside
· Despite high court stay, Muslim vendors again not given stall permission at Madhi festival
· Owaisi alleges Centre funded group calling for ‘scrapping Constitution’
· Dozen devotees injured as balcony of mosque collapsed in Jaipur
· BJP does not see ‘Miya’ Muslims as enemies, says Himanta Biswa Sarma
Mideast
· Iranian missiles flying over Israel and the West Bank
· Israel announces new wave of ‘broad-scale’ strikes on Tehran
· Hezbollah says fighters clash with Israeli troops on Lebanon-Syria border
· Israeli military says unintentionally struck UN agency truck in Gaza
· Lebanese authorities arrest journalist at Hezbollah-run channel
· Drones downed over Iraq’s Irbil, debris fell near hotel: security forces
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Arab World
· Saudi crown prince discusses Mideast situation with Turkish, British, Cypriot leaders
· Saudi air defences deter drone attacks on Aramco’s Shayba field, missile threat on air base
· Saudia resumes some flights to Dubai from Riyadh and Jeddah
· Al-Fash Mosque a vital station for visitors in Madinah
· Saudi deputy FM meets Indian ambassador in Riyadh
· Islamic affairs ministry conducts more than 176,000 field visits in first half of Ramadan
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Europe
· Police say they “will not tolerate any form of hate crime” as man arrested over alleged attack on Muslim men
· Armed robots take to the battlefield in Ukraine war
· Government set to unveil plans for new Islamophobia tsar as part of social cohesion strategy
· Azerbaijan foils alleged IRGC terror plot targeting strategic infrastructure near Baku
· West Melbourne mosque shut after suspicious package discovered during Ramadan, police investigating
· Reading College held its first Iftar meal for Ramadan
· British Muslims embrace technology to navigate Ramadan
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North America
· Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’ from Iran
· Trump claims 'Shariah courts' enforce UK laws. Don't believe it
· Welsh man supported Islamic State and had whole library of terrorist material
· Minneapolis mosque recognizes ICE observers for helping its community
· CAIR Calls on U.S. to Demand China Stop Targeting Uyghurs Fasting in Ramadan
· CAIR-Texas, CAIR Action Texas Fact Check Texas Legislature’s ‘Anti-Sharia’ Caucus
· CAIR-Philadelphia Condemns Sens. Fetterman, McCormick for Refusing to Seek Justice for Slain Philadelphia-Born American
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Africa
· 15 soldiers killed in jihadist attack in northern Benin
· Tunisia arrests pro-Palestinian flotilla organisers: activists
· Israeli envoy accuses Iran of sponsoring Islamic movements to spread terror in Nigeria
· Libya says identified three suspects in killing of Qaddafi’s son
· Ethiopia does not want war: PM
· UN report says Ugandan troops helped South Sudan with deadly airstrikes
· President Tinubu Mourns, Issues Fresh Directive After Terrorist Attack In Borno
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Southeast Asia
· Police confirm arrest of six Malaysian youths, three minors, in Islamic State‑linked extremist crackdown
· Anwar conveys Malaysia’s support to UAE amid Iran-Israel-US tensions
· Cabinet Ministers extend Nuzul Quran greetings
· Ahmad Zahid: Malaysia’s sympathy for Muslim nations not defiance against major powers
· Egyptian imam’s soulful Quran recitations remain a beloved Ramadan tradition after more than 20 years of service in Malaysia
· Putrajaya tightens governance framework, inter‑agency coordination on non‑Islamic houses of worship, say deputy ministers
· Saifuddin Nasution: 1,050 certified Quran copies cleared for printing and distribution nationwide
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South Asia
· We were not consulted before US deal: Jamaat in Bangladesh
· Govt will pursue deregulation, ease of doing business: Bangladesh PM says at iftar with diplomats
· UN rights chief warns over Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes
· UN says preparing assistance for Afghan returnees from Iran
· Pakistani Military Regime’s Airstrikes Martyred Over 100 Civilians, Fitrat Says
· Health Ministry Signs $7.7 Million Contract with MSIA to Expand Services in Provinces
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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‘We are attacking US bases, not neighbours; India-Iran relations deep’: Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s representative in India
Asad Rehman
Mar 7, 2026
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s representative in India Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi at the Iran Culture House in Delhi. (Express photo)
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Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s representative in India Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi speaks to Asad Rehman on the scenario in West Asia since the US-Israel combine attacked Iran and killed its supreme leader. He gives an insight into the ground situation in Iran, what’s in store for the people and how he sees India’s response to the situation. Edited excerpts:
What can you tell us about the situation in Iran…
The martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei has moved people across the world – Asia, Europe, America, Africa… Some people were telling us it is like resurrection or the day of judgement. As soon as people heard about the martyrdom, they started demonstrations against the US…asking for the reason. Everyone was shocked … an 86-year-old man was killed without any reason, he didn’t commit any sin or injustice.
What is the scale of devastation in Iran due to the US-Israel combine’s strikes since March 1?
Since Sunday (March 1) until now, those who came out on the streets have not gone back. They are demanding retaliation for the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei. The second thing is that unfortunately our enemies don’t have any humanity or morals. They attacked a primary school and killed girls aged between 7 and 12. When the bodies were being gathered, they again attacked the school … twice they attacked the same school. Two days ago, they attacked many schools, hospitals, universities, research centres … None of these places were military bases or housed police … all of them were civilian spaces. I received news from my relatives that people were killed in their shops, in schools, hospitals … We do expect this from them … we will be surprised seeing humanity and morals from their side.
What was the reason for the attack?
The US had attacked Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and now Iran. They attacked Lebanon, Libya and very soon, they will attack some other countries. This is preparation for something they see happening – the power will shift away from the US… Russia will gain power, so will India and China. America doesn’t want partnership in power in the world. America wants to be the only power centre in the world.
What is happening with regard to the anointment of the new Supreme Leader in Iran? Is the delay tactical considering the US has already said that it will go after whoever becomes the next supreme leader?
According to our Constitution, when the supreme leader dies or isn’t qualified to lead the country, a group of 88 elected experts and jurists choose the next leader. In the current circumstances, they couldn’t gather in one place to vote for a new supreme leader. By next week, they will nominate someone and if the US wants to kill the new supreme leader, then we will choose another one … and then another one. You can’t kill 90 million people. Because 90 million people are ready to be killed for their dignity, country and for humanity. They will not submit themselves to the US or Trump … In the absence of a supreme leader, there is a council of three leaders who lead the country. The group of (88 leaders) have to gather to choose the next leader and that hasn’t happened because the US and Israel can attack them. These are sensitive times, hence the delay.
Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi with Maulana Taqi Naqvi at the Iran Culture Centre. Express Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi with Maulana Taqi Naqvi at the Iran Culture Centre. (Express photo)
How do you defend the attacks by Iran on its neighbours in West Asia?
You know America isn’t our neighbour. There is a distance of more than 6,000 miles between America and Iran. If the US wants to attack Iran, it needs bases. America establishes bases in the Persian Gulf countries – Arab countries. The US uses these bases to attack Iran. Before this war, Iran wrote to the countries that they shouldn’t support America to attack us. Before his martyrdom, Ayatollah Khamenei mentioned that if the war occurs, it will not be Iran’s alone, it will span the region. So, we were attacked by the US but its aircraft take off from where? Not from America … but from the bases in our neighbourhood. When attacked, what could Iran do? It had two options: first to submit to the US; let them divide the country into five parts, let them steal our wealth and kill the majority of our people. The second was to defend till the last drop of blood. Iran chose the second option and attacked the US bases in the neighbourhood. The neighbours should respect Iran and not let the US use their land against Iran. We are attacking the US bases, not our neighbours. We don’t have a choice.
How do you view India’s response to the ongoing conflict?
The response of Indians was overwhelming. As soon as the news of the martyrdom of the supreme leader spread, I received a lot of Indians in my office who expressed solidarity; and they were not just Muslims. Regarding the Indian government, I haven’t checked the statement of the Indian government. I don’t know about it as I have been busy. On the first night [of the attack], I know that the Indian Foreign minister had called his counterpart in Iran.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the book of condolence at the Iranian embassy on Thursday. The Opposition parties in India have accused the government of a delayed response. Do you agree?
No, it wasn’t late. Because yesterday was the first day when the condolence book was opened. I appreciate it. It was very good. The relationship between India and Iran is very deep. I am sure it will continue like that. Ayatollah Khamenei loved India very much and was supporting India.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/attacking-us-bases-not-neighbours-india-iran-relations-deep-abdul-majid-hakim-elahi-ayatollah-interview-ali-hosseini-khamenei-10569418/
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Iran’s UN envoy says 1,332 Iranian civilians killed in war
March 07, 2026
Iran's UN representative Amir Saeid Iravani speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict at the UN headquarters in New York on June 20, 2025. (AFP)
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UNITED NATIONS, The United Stations: Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said on Friday that at least 1,332 Iranian civilians have died so far in the ?conflict with Israel and the US, and that thousands more have been injured.
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations in New York, Iravani asserted that the US and Israel had deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, while Iran had targeted military sites, not civilians.
The US and Israel have said the opposite is the ?case.
Iravani said ?Iran was also not targeting ?the ?interests ?of neighboring ?states and ?was investigating allegations that it had struck non-military sites.
“Our initial assessment indicate that some of these incidents may have resulted from the interceptions or interference by the United States defense system, which could have diverted from intended military targets,” he said.
US President Donald Trump demanded ?Iran’s “unconditional surrender” on Friday and said its ?new supreme leader must ?be “acceptable,” after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was ?killed on the war’s first ?day. Trump told Reuters in an interview ?on Thursday that he must have a say in the selection.
Iravani called Trump’s statement “a clear violation of the principles of non interference in the internal affairs of states, as enshrined in ?the Charter of the United Nations.”
“The selection of Iran’s leadership will take ?place strictly in ?accordance with our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people without any foreign interference,” he added.
Hours after Trump’s comments, Iran’s president announced that unspecified countries had begun mediation efforts, one of the first signals of any diplomatic initiative to end the conflict.
Two US officials told Reuters US investigators believe it is likely US forces were responsible for an apparent strike on an Iranian girls’ school that ?killed scores of children on ?Saturday, but have not yet reached a final conclusion.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635538/middle-east
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Saudi, Pakistan defense chiefs discuss ‘measures needed to halt’ Iranian attacks on Kingdom
March 07, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Asim Munir discussed Iran’s attacks on the Kingdom, amid the escalating military conflict in the Middle East.
“We discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defense Agreement,” Prince Khalid wrote on social media early on Saturday.
“We stressed that such actions undermine regional security and stability and expressed hope that the Iranian side will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation.”
The US and Israel began a large-scale military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran has since attacked a number of sites across the Gulf.
Tehran has also attacked US and Israeli military assets as the war as escalated, impacting lives in the peaceful Arabian Gulf peninsula and risked shaking the global economy as Iran continued restricting energy shipping along the Strait of Hormuz.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said a number of drones had been shot down that were targeting the Shayba oil field in the Empty Quarter on Saturday.
A drone attacked the US embassy in Riyadh on Tuesday causing a minor fire, but no one was hurt in the incident.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” in September, pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both.
Separately, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, the Saudi interior minister, received a call from his Pakistani counterpart Raza Naqvi, who condemned the blatant attacks targeting the Kingdom and affirmed his country’s solidarity in confronting any threats to the Kingdom’s security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635549/saudi-arabia
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No justification for US-Israeli war on Iran – Moscow
6 Mar, 2026
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. © Sputnik / Sergey Guneev
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There is no justification for the ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran as the Islamic Republic posed no threat to either nation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.
Washington and West Jerusalem have framed their attacks on Iran as preemptive measures aimed at destroying its uranium enrichment and ballistic missile programs. The Islamic Republic insists that its nuclear program is peaceful and has denounced the strikes as entirely unprovoked.
Speaking to RIA Novosti on Wednesday, Zakharova stated that “although we are hearing claims from the US and Israel that they are even supposedly defending themselves… no one attacked them, no one threatened them.” The Russian diplomat noted that Iran had always been willing to engage in negotiations with the West.
Moscow previously condemned the US-Israeli strikes as a “premeditated and unprovoked act of aggression” aimed at toppling a government that “refused to yield to the dictates of force and hegemonic pressure.”
Commenting on the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the first wave of attacks unleashed last Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin characterized it as a “cynical violation of every norm of morality and international law.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry has similarly denounced the “practice of political assassinations and the ‘hunting’ of leaders of sovereign states.”
According to Iranian authorities, aside from Khamenei and a number of senior commanders, at least 168 children, as well as teachers and staff, were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of an elementary school in the southern Iranian town of Minab on Saturday.
While the Pentagon has said it is investigating the incident, the New York Times, citing newly released satellite imagery, verified social media posts and geolocated videos, reported on Thursday that American forces were likely responsible for the attack. According to the newspaper, the US military was targeting an adjacent naval base belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/634021-iran-posed-no-threat-us-israel-moscow-zakharova/
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US State Department approves emergency sale of heavy bombs to Israel
March 07, 2026
Smoke rises from the Mehrabad International Airport on March 7, 2026 after Israel said it had launched “broad-scale” strikes on targets in Tehran. (AFP)
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WASHINGTON: The US State Department approved the “emergency” sale of 12,000 bomb casings to Israel on Friday as the countries engage Iran in an escalating Middle East war.
The requested sale of 1,000-pound (450-kilogram) bomb casings, worth an estimated $151.8 million, was approved by the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, according to a press release.
“The proposed sale will improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats,” the bureau said in a statement.
In addition to the munitions, the sale will include US government and contract engineering, logistics and technical support services, according to the release.
Major US defense companies have agreed to quadruple production of advanced weapons, President Donald Trump said in a social media post Friday, a week after the US and Israel first launched strikes on Iran.
While US arms sales typically require approval by Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a waiver bypassing the approval, to the consternation of some elected officials.
“The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel of the above defense articles and defense services is in the national security interests of the United States,” the State Department said, citing the Arms Export Control Act.
Congressman Gregory Meeks, a Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said bypassing congressional review of the arms sale “exposes a stark contradiction at the heart of this administration’s case for war.”
“The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted it was fully prepared for this war,” Meeks said in a statement. “Rushing to invoke emergency authority to circumvent Congress tells a different story.”
“This is an emergency of the Trump administration’s own creation.”
Source: arabnews.com
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'Massive' numbers killed by gunmen in latest Nigeria attack, senator tells BBC
7 Mar, 2026
Makuochi Okafor
A Nigerian senator has told the BBC that "massive" numbers of civilians were killed by armed men who attacked their village in Borno state on Wednesday, although he did not have the precise figure.
"The number of people killed actually is very massive but we don't know the exact number, because I rely on the information from the chairman of the local government and the locals there," said Nigerian lawmaker Mohammed Ali Ndume of the attack in the remote village of Ngoshe.
Ngoshe is a mainly Muslim community and the attack reportedly took place in the evening, while many people were breaking their Ramadan fast.
The BBC has contacted the Nigerian military for comment.
Local media report that suspected Islamist militants abducted more than 100 women and children during the attack - also targeting a nearby military base and camp for displaced people, killing several soldiers and civilians, including the village's chief cleric and some community elders.
Senator Ndume told BBC Hausa the suspected militants had seized control of the village for two days before being forced out by the military, which used air strikes as well as ground troops to dislodge them.
Not since the heyday of Islamist group Boko Haram over a decade ago, when it controlled many parts of Borno including Ngoshe, has the area seen such a "devastating attack", he said.
He also suggested that the attackers may have escaped with weapons stolen from the military base which could "reinforce them to attack the next location or target", saying this was a pattern in previous similar attacks.
Umaru Yakubu Kirawa, a local journalist in Borno, told the BBC that residents had confirmed that many people had been killed and hundreds abducted.
He said residents told him they were "calling for [security] reinforcement. They are fasting - some of them were able to break their fast, and unfortunately some could not" before the armed men attacked.
Kirawa said the village is very remote and that residents had previously been displaced due to insecurity in Borno state, but "this is the first attack there after their resettlement by the government".
For many years, Borno state has been the epicentre of Nigeria's Islamist insurgency, with repeated attacks by Boko Haram and fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap).
Boko Haram gained global notoriety in 2014 after abducting more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in the state.
Although lawmaker Ndume is from the same party as President Bola Tinubu, he has frequently criticised the government's handling of the security situation in the area.
He told the BBC that since the authorities had declared a "state of emergency on security, they should walk the talk.
"The major challenge that the Nigerian armed forces are facing is still lack of equipment, lack of ammunition, and lack of motivation on the part of the government."
The government has for some time been promising tougher action on insecurity.
From 2024 to 2025 it almost doubled its defence budget, analysts say. Yet this has not stopped the many waves of attacks on civilians.
The police spokesperson in Borno state, Nahum Daso Kenneth, told the BBC on Friday that the attack had happened on Wednesday night but said he could not yet confirm the number of people affected.
"I can confirm that there was an unfortunate incident and, due to the efforts of security personnel, we were able to repel the insurgents," he said, adding that a search and rescue operation was under way.
A spokesperson for Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said he had met survivors on Friday, offering food and other supplies, while promising them "we will do everything possible" to rescue the kidnapped and restore order.
More BBC stories from Nigeria:
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1d69z3p9g2o
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Indonesia will quit Trump’s Board of Peace if it does not benefit Palestinians, Prabowo says
7 Mar 2026
Prabowo will withdraw from the board if it does not benefit Palestinian and Indonesian interests, the statement quoted Hanif Alatas of the Islamic Brotherhood Front as saying.
JAKARTA/WASHINGTON: Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto said he will withdraw from U.S. President Donald Trump’s”Board of Peace” if it does not benefit Palestinians, according to a government statement on Friday, after the Iran war deepened doubts over his country’s involvement.
Prabowo, who leads the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, had come under criticism from domestic Muslim groups for agreeing to join the board and provide troops to a Gaza stabilization force, under a Trump-brokered ceasefire deal that ended the two-year Israel-Hamas war.
A U.S. official on Friday confirmed that the security situation in the Middle East could affect the timing of deployments to the international stabilization force, which was authorized by the U.N. Security Council with Indonesia as a leading contributor.
“While some ISF deployment timelines may shift due to the situation on the ground, discussions with our Indonesian partners continue,” a Trump administration official told Reuters when asked about doubts over Indonesia’s role.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said on Tuesday that all discussions about the Board of Peace, which will oversee the creation of the stabilization force, had been halted due to the Iran war.
Prabowo gathered leaders of local Islamic groups for a meeting on Thursday evening where he reiterated his reasoning behind joining the board, according to a statement put out by the government communication office.
Prabowo will withdraw from the board if it does not benefit Palestinian and Indonesian interests, the statement quoted Hanif Alatas of the Islamic Brotherhood Front as saying.
“The president said that if he sees that there is no longer any benefit for Palestine … and that it is not in line with Indonesia’s national interests, he will withdraw,” Hanif said in the statement. The U.S. commander of the stabilization force, which is meant to help rebuild the Palestinian territory, said last month that his deputy would be Indonesian. The Indonesian Ulema Council, a leading clerical body, had previously called for Indonesia to exit the board due to the U.S. role in the Iran war. Critics have said Indonesia’s participation also compromises its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim group, said Indonesia’s government could use its role on the board to encourage de-escalation in the Middle East. “Indonesia could declare that the (board’s) agenda is on hold until there are talks on de-escalation and peace from the American-Israeli war against Iran,” the group’s chief, Yahya Cholil Staquf, said in a statement issued by Prabowo’s office late on Thursday.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/world-news/asia/indonesia-will-quit-if-it-does-not-benefit-palestinians/
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Urgent Need for Peace Between Two Neighbours, Afghanistan and Pakistan
March 7, 2026
Rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again drawn regional and international attention. Reports of thousands of young volunteers in Afghanistan registering to defend their country reflect a strong sense of national solidarity and determination to protect territorial integrity. While such mobilization demonstrates the willingness of citizens to stand alongside national defense and security forces, it also highlights the seriousness of the current situation and the potential consequences if hostilities continue.
In recent weeks, the escalation of military exchanges between the two neighboring countries has increased concerns about broader instability in the region. Afghanistan, under the Islamic Emirate, has emphasized that it has the ability and determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The readiness of thousands of young people from different provinces to join the ranks of the country’s defense and security forces to defend the country against the invading Pakistani military regime shows that many citizens view the defense of their homeland as a shared responsibility.
At the same time, many countries around the world have called for restraint, dialogue, and an immediate ceasefire between the twoneighbors. The international community understands that conflict between the two countries caused heavy economic losses and undermined trade and transit for the two nations and deepened mistrust.
Indeed, any prolongation of war can weaken regional stability, and deepens political tensions that could otherwise be addressed through diplomacy and mutual understanding.
War carries heavy costs that go far beyond the battlefield. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan are nations whose populations already face economic challenges and development needs. Continued military confrontation risks diverting valuable resources away from economic growth, infrastructure development, education, and social services. In times when both societies need stability and economic progress, prolonged conflict threatens to slow recovery and deepen hardship for ordinary citizens.
The economic consequences of war can be severe for both sides. Trade routes may be disrupted, cross-border commerce may decline, and investor confidence may weaken. Border communities, which often depend on trade and cooperation between the two countries, are usually the first to suffer when tensions rise. These realities make it clear that sustained peace would benefit not only governments but also millions of ordinary people living on both sides of the border.
Afghanistan has repeatedly stated that it seeks to safeguard its territorial integrity and national sovereignty. The growing number of volunteers ready to defend the country reflects a deep commitment among many citizens to protect these principles. However, the true strength of any nation also lies in its ability to pursue peace while maintaining its capacity for defense.
For both Afghanistan and Pakistan, the path forward should prioritize dialogue, mutual respect, and mechanisms that prevent further escalation. Neighboring countries share geography, history, and many cultural and economic ties. These shared connections should serve as reasons to avoid prolonged conflict rather than deepen it.
Ultimately, stability between Afghanistan and Pakistan is not only a bilateral matter but also a key factor for peace in the wider region. While nations have the right to defend their sovereignty, lasting security is far more likely to emerge from diplomacy than from continued confrontation. A ceasefire and renewed diplomatic engagement would provide both countries with an opportunity to address their concerns while preventing further economic and human losses.
Peace between neighbors is always more beneficial than war. For the people of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, the hope remains that wisdom, restraint, and dialogue will prevail over continued conflict.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/urgent-need-for-peace-between-two-neighbors/
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India
Shia group approaches Mumbai police against derogatory Khamenei post, seeks registration of FIR
Mar 6, 2026
Members of the Shia community have approached the Mumbai police, urging them to take action against an alleged objectionable post regarding Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian leader who was recently killed in an attack by US-Israeli forces.
A formal complaint handed over to the police Thursday mentions a social media account purportedly from Gujarat that put up a video where the person is seen disrespecting the Ayatollah’s photo.
A Mumbai police officer said the office of the joint commissioner (Law and Order) has received the letter, and necessary action will be taken in the matter.
The letter by Mumbai Shia Youth Brigade president Abid Abbas Sayyed is addressed to the Maharashtra DGP, the Mumbai police commissioner, and the joint commissioner (Law and Order), among others.
In his letter, Sayyed said an individual identified as Vishal Goyal uploaded a video on social media with a photograph of the Ayatollah, which he said was disrespectful. Sayyed also mentioned a Gujarat registration plate of the Mercedes-Benz vehicle that purportedly belongs to Goyal and is seen in the video.
Sayyed said Khamenei is widely regarded by millions of Shia Muslims across the world, including a large population in India. “Any abusive remarks directed against such a revered religious personality are perceived as a direct attack upon the religious beliefs, dignity and sentiments of the Shia Muslim Community,” he said.
He requested the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the person on charges of outraging religious sentiments and causing enmity between communities.
The Mumbai police have been scanning social media platforms to ensure any content that could lead to law-and-order problems, considering the Iran–US Israel dispute, is taken down.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-shia-complaint-ayatollah-khamenei-social-media-10568328/
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Shia cleric threatens of massive protest against US-Israel attack on Iran
March 6, 2026
Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad, while strongly condemning the US-Israel attack on Iran, has announced that if the aggression does not stop, a massive protest will be held in Lucknow next Friday.
After the Friday prayers at the Asifi Mosque, Maulana Kalbe Jawad strongly condemned the actions of the US and Israel. He offered prayers for the safety and peace of Iran.
The cleric also announced that, given the current circumstances, Eid celebrations are being held with simplicity this year. He urged people to avoid extravagant spending and help those in need.
He warned that if these attacks continue, they will raise their voices from here. A large number of worshippers were present during the prayers today in a heavy police presence for security within the mosque premises.
In his statement, Maulana Kalbe Jawad said that the attack on Iran is against international law and humanity. He blamed the US and Israel for the entire incident, saying that this action will increase instability in the region.
He said that it is extremely unfortunate if countries that advocate for peace and justice in the world themselves take such steps. He added that such actions could further escalate global tensions.
Maulana Kalbe Jawad also questioned India’s silence on the Iran issue. He said that India has always advocated for peace and justice, and therefore, it should take a clear stand on this matter.
He said that the voice of a big democratic country like India is important on the events happening at the international level, hence the government should clarify its position on this issue.
During Friday prayers at the Asifi Mosque, a special prayer was offered for the well-being of Iran and its people. The cleric said that prayers were offered for peace in the world and that innocent people should not face any kind of violence.
After the prayers, some people also raised slogans against the US and Israel and condemned the attack.
Maulana Kalbe Jawad said that if the situation does not improve, a large demonstration will be held next Friday against the US and Israeli actions. He said that this demonstration will be peaceful and a large number of people can participate.
Source: thestatesman.com
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Authorities lift curbs in Kashmir as protests over Khamenei killing subside
07.03.26
Life returned to normal across Kashmir on Saturday as authorities lifted restrictions which were in effect the whole week in the wake of protests in many parts of the valley following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"Restrictions have been lifted from all parts of the valley and the situation is normal," officials said.
They said security forces have removed barricades that were put up at some places, including the Lal Chowk city centre here, to prevent the assembly of people.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar at the Lal Chowk had been sealed with barricades erected all around it after it witnessed massive protests on Sunday after Khamenei's killing in a joint strike by the US and Israel.
Officials said shops and other business establishments reopened on Saturday morning in the Lal Chowk and other areas of the city and both public and private transport was plying normally.
Restrictions on mobile internet, which were imposed on Monday, and prepaid SIM card services were restored on Friday evening. However, educational institutions continued to remain shut and are scheduled to reopen on March 9.
Officials said while barricades and most of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been removed from across the city here, the situation is being closely monitored.
Authorities had on Monday imposed severe restrictions on the movement and assembly of people in parts of Kashmir where massive street protests were witnessed.
Kashmir, which has about 15 lakh Shias, saw major protests at Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama immediately after news of Khamenei's killing spread.
The protesters were seen beating their chests as they shouted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
While the protests were by and large peaceful, a few places saw minor clashes between the security forces and protestors. Security forces had to use minor force to maintain law and order.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/authorities-lift-kashmir-curbs-as-protests-over-khamenei-killing-subside/cid/2150243
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Despite high court stay, Muslim vendors again not given stall permission at Madhi festival
Soham Shah
Mar 7, 2026
In a repeat of the events of the previous year, Muslim vendors have again not been given permission to set up stalls at the Kanifnath Yatra in Madhi, Ahilyanagar, by former sarpanch and current administrator of the village, Sanjay Markad. Despite a High Court stay on the 2025 gram sabha resolution that banned Muslim vendors, many of who have been serving the festival for decades, Markad has remained firm in his opposition to giving them permission.
The Maharashtra government has decided that sarpanchs whose terms have ended will serve as administrators.
The Indian Express spoke to three such vendors who said they had visited the village to get permission to set up stalls in the festival but were denied. Two others said that they did not visit the village to obtain permission because they knew the effort would be futile.
The Kanifnath yatra takes place every year during Holi at Madhi in Pathardi taluka of Ahilyanagar. The Kanifnath shrine present at the village is revered by both Hindus and Muslims since centuries. The yatra attracts vendors from various towns. In February 2025, the Madhi gram sabha, under BJP’s sarpanch Markad, passed a resolution banning Muslim shopkeepers from setting up stalls. The Bombay High Court bench at Aurangabad stayed the resolution after it was challenged by local Muslims. Hindu residents of the village and even panchayat samiti members belonging to the BJP like Chandrabhan Pakhre had told The Indian Express that they opposed the decision of the sarpanch to discriminate against Muslim vendors.
On being asked if he had allowed Muslims to set up stalls this time, Markad told The Indian Express, “Absolutely not. We have 1,200 stalls this time and we are not giving permission to them. We got just one application from a Muslim vendor and that was rejected as well.”
A vendor from the community in Madhi said that the 20-25 stalls of Muslims residents of the village are present throughout the year, but any Muslims who come from other villages are not being given permission. Nasir Shaikh, Pathardi taluka president of the Congress, said, “We spoke to the sarpanch but he has outright denied giving permissions to Muslims.”
Another Muslim vendor from a neighbouring village who was denied permission said, “I am 61 years old and I have come to this yatra all my life. My father and my grandfather also set up shop here, for at least 100 years now. We set up our shop selling haldi, kumkum, lungi, and other such material. What have we done wrong? We are people from normal families just trying to earn a living. We were told if we try to set up our shops there they will be destroyed. We have all lived peacefully with all communities all our life. There was never any problem in Madhi.”
Pathardi Block Development Officer Sangeeta Palve told The Indian Express, “I had spoken to the gram sevak earlier and Muslims residing in the village have set up stalls there. I have not got complaints from any Muslims from outside the village. If we get complaints we will investigate.” District Collector Dr Pankaj Ashiya did not respond to calls for a comment.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/despite-high-court-stay-muslim-vendors-again-not-given-stall-permission-at-madhi-festival-10569595/
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Owaisi alleges Centre funded group calling for ‘scrapping Constitution’
Mar 7, 2026
Hyderabad: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday accused the BJP-led central govt of supporting organisations that allegedly speak against the Constitution and target Muslims, while also demanding clarity from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported sinking of an Iranian warship by US forces.
Addressing a Jalsa-e-Youm-ul-Quran meeting at a mosque in Talab Katta in the Old City, Owaisi alleged that the Centre had given ₹63 lakh to an organisation he identified as ‘Sanatan Samstha' for a programme attended by Union and state ministers.
"The speeches at the event included calls to do away with the present form of the Constitution, convert Muslims, and transform India into a ‘Hindu rashtra'. The participants reportedly spoke of deporting Muslims. They also discussed that fear of the govt should be instilled in the community so that they quit Islam," Owaisi alleged.
He criticised the use of public funds for such programmes, saying the govt claimed it lacked money for welfare schemes like mid-day meals. Referring to allegations against the organisation, Owaisi said no power in the world could remove Muslims from Hindustan and stressed that the rule of law must prevail.
The Hyderabad MP also targeted the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, alleging that they frequently raise anti-Muslim issues but remain silent on former US President Donald Trump.
Owaisi further questioned the circumstances surrounding the reported torpedoing of the Iranian frigate ‘IRIS Dena' by US forces near Sri Lanka after it had earlier docked at Visakhapatnam.
‘Onus is on PM'
"It is the PM's constitutional responsibility to inform the country what happened. We are with America in the QUAD. How did the US come so close to our country and sink that vessel that had no weapons, and which came on our invitation?" he asked.
He said the PM should address the nation and work to de-escalate tensions in West Asia as millions of Indian expatriates in Gulf countries could be affected by any escalation.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/owaisi-alleges-centre-funded-group-calling-for-scrapping-constitution/articleshowprint/129174657.cms
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Dozen devotees injured as balcony of mosque collapsed in Jaipur
March 6, 2026
Around a dozen worshippers sustained injuries when a portion of Firdaus Masjid balcony here collapsed during Friday prayers here this afternoon.
A fair number of devotees gathered at the mosque in the Bhatta Basti area of the Shastri Nagar for the Jumma namaz in the holy month of Ramadan when the mishap occurred. The debris of the balcony fell on the worshippers.
Police personnel and onlookers swung into action and rescued 15 persons from the debris. The injured were taken to the nearby Kanwantia Government Hospital. Six seriously injured victims of the mishap were referred to the SMS Hospital while eight others were discharged after first-aid at the Kanwatia Hospital.
Source: thestatesman.com
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BJP does not see ‘Miya’ Muslims as enemies, says Himanta Biswa Sarma
Mar 6, 2026
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the Bharatiya Janata Party does not consider “Miya” Muslims, or Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam, as its enemies but only objects to some alleged practices among sections of the community, The Hindu reported.
“The Miya people are not our enemies,” the BJP leader said, adding that the party’s concerns were about what he described as “love jihad, land encroachment, child marriage and fertiliser jihad [an accusation that farmers of the community use chemicals on the food they grow for mass consumption]”.
He added that the saffron party would not view the community as antagonistic if such matters were addressed, the newspaper reported.
He was responding to a question about whether a “Miya” Muslim could receive a BJP ticket in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, expected to be held in April, India Today NE reported.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Sarma said the party was comfortable with anyone who was “patriotic” and showed support for slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” or “Vande Mataram”, India Today NE reported.
Sarma also outlined the BJP’s electoral strategy in constituencies dominated by Muslims ahead of the Assembly elections.
He said the party planned to contest in a small number of such seats and that candidates would be selected on the basis of their chances of winning rather than their religion.
“Selection of candidates will not be based on religion,” he asserted.
The remarks came a week after the Gauhati High Court issued a notice to the Centre and the Assam government after hearing multiple petitions seeking action against Sarma for alleged hate speech targeting the “Miya” community.
In Assam, “Miya” is a derogatory word used to refer to undocumented immigrants and is exclusively directed at Muslims of Bengali origin. They are often accused of being undocumented migrants from Bangladesh.
Once a pejorative in Assam, from the common use of the honorific “Miya” among South Asian Muslims, the term has now been reappropriated by the community as a self-descriptor to refer to Muslims who migrated to Assam from Bengal during the colonial era.
In the past month, Sarma has made a series of remarks targeting Miyas, including claiming that it was his job to “make them suffer”, and saying that he had directed BJP workers to file applications seeking to strike the names of Miya Muslims off the electoral rolls.
However, in February, the Supreme Court had declined to entertain petitions seeking that a first information report be filed against Sarma for hate speech against Muslims.
Source: scroll.in
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Mideast
Iranian missiles flying over Israel and the West Bank
March 07, 2026
Missiles were seen flying towards Israel in the early hours of Saturday, as the Israeli military said it identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.
Shortly after the fresh barrage the army said it had begun a new wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in Tehran. Israel also launched fresh attacks on Lebanon and said it was attacking Iranian and Hezbollah targets.
There was no immediate comment from Iran's Revolutionary Guard or Hezbollah. Hezbollah has ?fired rockets at Israel, sparking Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and Lebanon's east and south.
Inside Israel, explosions could be heard as Israeli defenses activated to shoot down incoming Iranian fire.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israel announces new wave of ‘broad-scale’ strikes on Tehran
March 07, 2026
TEHRAN: The Israeli military said early Saturday that it had launched a “broad-scale wave of strikes” on government targets in Tehran.
Iran’s state broadcaster reported an explosion in the western part of the capital but further details were not immediately available.
The US Central Command, responsible for US forces in the Middle East, said over 3,000 Iranian targets have been struck over the past week, including Revolutionary Guard headquarters, command-and-control centers, air defense systems, missile sites, navy warships and submarines.
The renewed Israeli attacks on Tehran came a day after Israel intensified its air strikes on Lebanon, striking Beirut’s southern suburbs, where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah holds sway, and Baalbeck in the east.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for “serious diplomatic negotiations” and warned of a “situation that could spiral beyond anyone’s control.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for an “immediate” ceasefire in Iran during a phone call with Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, the Kremlin said.
US President Donald Trump, who has given varying reasons for starting the war, has spurned fresh talks with Tehran, however, and said on Truth Social “there will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Hezbollah says fighters clash with Israeli troops on Lebanon-Syria border
March 07, 2026
BEIRUT: Lebanese official media reported on Saturday that clashes had erupted as Israeli forces attempted a landing operation along the Lebanon-Syria border, with militant group Hezbollah saying its fighters were involved.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has launched numerous strikes and sent ground troops into Lebanon since Tehran-backed group Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on Monday to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
If confirmed, the latest reported raid would be the deepest Israeli forces have reached inside Lebanon since special unit troops apprehended Hezbollah operative Imad Amhaz from the northern city of Batroun in November 2024.
The state-run National News Agency (NNA) said that “clashes are taking place on the eastern mountain range along the Lebanese-Syrian border... to repel Israeli landing attempts.”
It gave the location as Nabi Sheet, in the eastern Baalbek district where Hezbollah holds sway.
Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters had “observed the infiltration of four Israeli enemy army helicopters from the Syrian direction.”
After landing, advancing troops “were engaged by a group” of Hezbollah fighters as they reached the Nabi Sheet cemetery, Hezbollah said, noting the use of light and medium weapons.
“The clash escalated after the enemy force was exposed,” it added, saying the Israeli troops launched intense strikes and began to evacuate.
A separate statement said Hezbollah fighters had fired rockets as the Israeli forces withdrew.
Footage shared on social media showed waves of gunfire in the air.
Nabi Sheet was the target of at least 13 Israeli air strikes on Friday, according to the NNA, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting at least nine people killed.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israeli military says unintentionally struck UN agency truck in Gaza
March 07, 2026
TEL AVIV: Israel’s ?military said on Friday that a “firing component” launched by its navy unintentionally struck a fuel truck belonging ?to a United Nations agency in Gaza the previous day, an incident that prompted the agency to publicly call for a full investigation.
The United Nations Office for Project Services, which oversees fuel distribution in Gaza, said that the empty fuel truck ?was struck ?on Thursday around 5 ?a.m. ?from ?the ?direction of the ?sea, causing damage to the vehicle. There were no injuries.
“Our teams are taking extraordinary risks every day to keep humanitarian operations and life-sustaining services running,” UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva said in ?a statement, calling for an investigation ?into the incident.
“They ?should not have to do ?that under fire,” ?he said.
In response to Reuters questions, ?the Israeli military said that the incident occurred during defensive naval activity, and that a firing component deviated from its intended trajectory.
The fuel truck ?sustained “minor damage,” the military said in a statement. The military did not ?say ?what type of munitions had been fired, or what had been the navy’s intended target.
“The incident was reviewed, and lessons were learned accordingly,” it said, without providing further details.
The fuel truck had been on its way to the Kerem Shalom crossing when it was struck, and the truck’s movements had been coordinated with Israeli ?authorities in advance, ?UNOPS said.
Source: arabnews.com
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Lebanese authorities arrest journalist at Hezbollah-run channel
March 07, 2026
BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities on Friday arrested Aly Berro, a journalist working for Al-Manar TV, which is affiliated with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, state media reported.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said that authorities arrested “Al-Manar TV correspondent Aly Berro this evening, based on a warrant issued against him by the Attorney General Judge Jamal Hajjar.”
The NNA added that Hajjar instructed the security forces’ information branch “to begin questioning Berro in the presence of his lawyer, and a decision regarding his case will be made based on the interrogation.”
Berro shared many videos on social media over the past months in which he criticized Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and defended Hezbollah’s weaponry, often using offensive language.
Hajjar issued an arrest warrant for him in October, after he failed to appear for questioning three times over accusations that included insulting Salam, according to a judicial official.
On Monday, the Lebanese government banned Hezbollah’s military activities after it launched rockets on Israel to avenge the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, pulling Lebanon into the Middle East war.
Last year, after Hezbollah was weakened by its 2024 war with Israel, Beirut committed to disarming the group.
Hezbollah has rejected calls to surrender its weapons.
Source: arabnews.com
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Drones downed over Iraq’s Irbil, debris fell near hotel: security forces
March 07, 2026
IRBIL, Iraq: The US-led coalition in Iraq intercepted on Friday explosive-laden drones over the Kurdish city of Irbil where debris fell near a hotel, Kurdish security forces said.
“The international coalition forces downed four explosive-laden drones over Irbil,” counter-terrorism forces in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region said in a statement.
“Debris from one of the downed drones fell” near a hotel and no casualties were reported, they added.
Earlier, the United States warned that Iranian-backed fighters may target hotels in Kurdistan that are frequented by foreigners.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635539/middle-east
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Arab World
Saudi crown prince discusses Mideast situation with Turkish, British, Cypriot leaders
March 07, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conducted a series of high-level telephone calls on Saturday, coordinating with global leaders as the Middle East grapples with an unprecedented wave of Iranian drone and missile strikes.
In discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, the crown prince emphasized the Kingdom’s rejection of any actions undermining regional stability, the SPA said in separate reports.
The diplomatic marathon comes as the “US-Israel-Iran War” — which erupted on February 28 — enters its second week, fundamentally shifting the geopolitical landscape.
During his call with President Erdogan, the crown prince condemned recent Iranian attacks targeting Turkish territory. He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s full support for “all measures Turkiye takes to safeguard its security and territorial integrity.”
Turkiye recently reported that NATO air defenses intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over the eastern Mediterranean, marking a significant expansion of the conflict’s theater.
Similarly, PM Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s steadfast support for Saudi Arabia. Starmer condemned the “indiscriminate and reckless” Iranian strikes on Saudi soil, emphasizing that the UK stands by the measures Riyadh is taking to preserve its sovereignty.
The current hostilities, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by the US, began on February 28, 2026, following the failure of nuclear negotiations and years of rising tensions. The conflict was initiated by a massive joint US-Israeli “decapitation strike” in Tehran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials.
Since the initial strike, Iran has launched a “nightmare scenario” of retaliation, targeting for the first time in history, all GCC states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman).
Attacks have specifically targeted oil and gas infrastructure, including a drone attempt on the Shaybah field earlier Saturday and successful strikes on Qatari LNG facilities, which have briefly halted 20 percent of the world’s LNG capacity.
While many projectiles have been intercepted by Patriot and THAAD batteries, falling debris and direct hits on civilian hubs have led to significant casualties across the Gulf.
The ongoing escalation has forced a rapid realignment in the region. As the crown prince noted in his call with the Cypriot president, the repercussions of this military escalation now threaten not just regional, but international security.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635547/saudi-arabia
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Saudi air defenses deter drone attacks on Aramco’s Shayba field, missile threat on air base
March 07, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s air defenses have stopped a new wave of airstrikes, this time targeting Aramco’s Shaybah field, the Ministry of Defense said early Saturday.
In a succession of posts on X, ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said a total of 16 drones headed toward the Shaybah field in four waves were intercepted and destroyed in the Empty Quarter.
In separate posts, Al-Maliki also announced the “interception and destruction” of a ballistic missile and a cruise launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj.
Another drone was intercepted east of the national capital, Riyadh city, the spokesman tweeted.
The missile threat was the third attempted strike in three consecutive days on AlKharj, an important industrial zone located approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Riyadh city.
The attempt on Shaybah field was the first since Feb. 28 when Israel and the United States launched a massive air campaign against Iran, which has triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes by Tehran against various targets in the Gulf region, including oil refineries and industrial sites.
Located deep in the Rub’ al-Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, Shaybah is one of Saudi Arabia’s most vital “super-giant” fields. Beyond its massive oil reserves, the field is a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s gas strategy, with a high-tech recovery plant supplying critical natural gas liquids (NGLs) to the petrochemical sector.
The air attacks on Saudi Arabia is part of a massive surge in aerial aggression across the Gulf. In the last 24 hours alone, the region has seen the UAE intercepting over 125 drones and 6 ballistic missiles.
On Friday, Saudi air defenses shot down five missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base, four drones in the eastern Riyadh region, and one drone each in the Eastern Province and Al-Kharj.
On Thursday, the Kingdom destroyed three cruise missiles targeting Al-Kharj, just hours after a drone attack was stopped over the Ras Tanura refinery in the Eastern Province.
The attacks have continued despite the protest and condemnations issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
In an extraordinary ministerial meeting held in Riyadh on March 1, the GCC affirmed the collective right of member states to defend their territories against “treacherous Iranian aggression.”
Following a Cabinet session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 3, Saudi Arabia declared it reserves the “full right” to respond. The Cabinet underscored that the Kingdom will take all necessary measures to safeguard its territory, citizens, and residents from these persistent strikes.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635545/saudi-arabia
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Saudia resumes some flights to Dubai from Riyadh and Jeddah
March 06, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's national carrier Saudia will partially resume operations to Dubai from Saturday, the airline announced on Friday.
The airline will run outbound and inbound flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to the emirate.
The flights will initially operate on a limited schedule with additional services expected to be restored, the airline said.
After the Iran conflict started last weekend, Saudia Airlines suspended flights to Amman, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Moscow and Peshawar.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635524/saudi-arabia
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Al-Fash Mosque a vital station for visitors in Madinah
March 06, 2026
MADINAH: Al-Fash Mosque, also known as the Uhud Mosque, stands as a profound historical landmark on the northern slopes of Mount Uhud.
It serves as a vital station for visitors in Madinah.
Its significance is deeply rooted in the aftermath of the Battle of Uhud in 3 AH, where it is recorded that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed prayers.
Throughout the centuries, the site has undergone several restorations to preserve its architectural identity while safeguarding its role as a testament to Islamic history.
The mosque reflects on the themes of patience and steadfastness associated with the events of Uhud.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635519/saudi-arabia
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Islamic affairs ministry conducts more than 176,000 field visits in first half of Ramadan
March 06, 2026
RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance conducted 176,971 field visits to mosques and prayer halls in the Kingdom during the first half of Ramadan.
The visits aimed to ensure the quality of services provided in mosques and their readiness to serve worshippers during the holy month, according to the ministry.
The ministry in a press release explained that the visits covered more than 84,000 mosques and prayer halls in the Kingdom and were carried out by over 7,000 field inspectors.
The goal was to assess the level of services provided to worshippers, verify the facilities, and identify and address any issues or needs of the mosques promptly to ensure a suitable environment for worshippers.
The visits included monitoring the adherence of imams, preachers, and muezzins to regulations and instructions, verifying the readiness of mosque facilities and the proper functioning of sound systems and external loudspeakers, and overseeing the cleaning and maintenance work carried out by contracted companies to ensure they were fulfilling their obligations according to approved standards.
The inspections revealed a high level of adherence to the ministry’s directives and the comprehensiveness of services provided in mosques and prayer halls.
The inspections focused on monitoring muezzins’ adherence to the Umm Al-Qura calendar for the call to prayer for isha and the performance of prayers, as well as the organization of iftar meals for those fasting in mosques according to established regulations and instructions.
The inspections also monitored imams’ compliance with the prohibition against filming prayers on social media, while continuing educational lessons and lectures for raising awareness among worshippers about the rulings of fasting and night prayers.
These inspections are part of the fieldwork carried out by the ministry in various regions to ensure the upkeep of mosques and to enhance the level of services provided, thus enabling worshippers to perform their religious duties in a serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere during Ramadan.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Police say they “will not tolerate any form of hate crime” as man arrested over alleged attack on Muslim men
by Daisy Morel
6 March 2026
JERSEY “will not tolerate any form of hate crime”, police have said, following the arrest of a 51-year-old man on suspicion of a “racially-motivated” attack against two Muslim men.
The force said in a statement this afternoon that an assault was reported to have taken place around 2pm on Friday outside Jersey’s Islamic Centre on Aquila Road.
Fortunately, neither was seriously injured, officers said.
They added that an investigation was now underway and that a 51-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and disorderly conduct.
“We will not tolerate any form of hate crime, which can have a harmful ripple effect across our Island,” police said.
“Our Police Community Safety Team is working to support members of the Muslim community connected to Jersey’s Islamic Centre,” they added.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham later commented that the assault was “deeply concerning”.
“The Muslim community in Jersey has my full support,” he added. “
No one should ever feel unsafe or singled out because of their faith or background. Behaviour of this kind is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our Island.
“Jersey is a community that respects and values people of all backgrounds and beliefs, and we stand together against discrimination and hatred in any form.”
Source: jerseyeveningpost.com
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https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2026/03/06/police-say-they-will-not-tolerate-any-form-of-hate-crime-as-man-arrested-over-alleged-attack-on-muslim-men/
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Armed robots take to the battlefield in Ukraine war
07 March 2026
Vitaly Shevchenko
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has developed into a high-tech conflict.
Swarms of spy and killer drones have set the skies of Ukraine abuzz, and uncrewed boats have crippled the Russian navy in the Black Sea.
Now, Ukraine has embarked on a massive programme to deploy armed robots on the ground.
Uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), or ground robot systems as they are known in Ukrainian military parlance, have already proven their worth.
There have been reports of UGVs successfully repelling Russian attacks and even taking enemy soldiers prisoner.
Ukrainian and Russian killer robots are even said to have clashed without humans being present at the site of the battle.
"Robot wars are already happening," says Oleksandr Afanasiev from the Ukrainian army's K2 brigade. He commands its UGV battalion - the world's first, he says.
One way in which the brigade has been using these robots is by mounting Kalashnikov machine guns on top.
"They open fire on a battlefield where an infantryman would be afraid to turn up. But a UGV is happy to risk its existence," Maj Afanasiev says.
His battalion has also been using explosive-laden, battery-powered kamikaze UGVs to blow up enemy positions and hideouts.
Unlike aerial drones that buzz overhead, they make no sound to warn the enemy of an impending strike.
The deputy commander of the 33rd Detached Mechanised Brigade's tank battalion, who goes by the callsign Afghan, claims that one Ukrainian UGV armed with a machine gun ambushed a Russian personnel carrier, while a robot defended a Ukrainian position for weeks.
Afghan admits there are limits to the killer robots' autonomy on the battlefield, and says many of them are self-imposed, because of ethics and international humanitarian law.
"Modern UGVs are part-autonomous. They can move on their own, they can observe and detect the enemy. But still, the decision to open fire is made by a human, their operator," Afghan says.
"Robots can misidentify the wrong person or attack a civilian. That's why the final decision must be made by an operator."
Which means that in most cases on the battlefield armed UGVs are remote-controlled by operators over the internet from a safe distance.
Ukraine's lethal UGVs can be armed with grenade launchers as well as machine guns, and can also be deployed to plant landmines or barbed wire.
But the vast majority of its uncrewed vehicles are still used for their original purpose of delivering supplies and evacuating the wounded.
The role of armed UGVs will soon grow exponentially, according to Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's former commander-in-chief and now ambassador to the UK.
Speaking at the London think-tank Chatham House about the future of warfare, he described how strike UGVs would be used not just on their own, but as part of large, AI-powered swarms of drones.
"In the near future we'll see dozens and even hundreds of smarter and cheaper drones attack from various directions and heights, from the air, ground and sea at the same time," he said.
Necessity is a key factor driving innovation in this field. Drones in the air have made it infinitely more dangerous for humans to be present on the battleground, expanding Ukraine's so-called "kill zone" to 20-25km (12-15 miles) from the line of contact.
Infantry is not replaceable but "it needs to be supported by UGVs", says Maj Afanasiev: "Ukraine can afford to lose robots, but it simply cannot afford to lose battle-ready soldiers."
The Ukrainian army has been facing severe manpower shortages, and recruiting new soldiers behind fallen ones is proving increasingly more difficult.
Russia has also been developing combat UGVs, such as the Kuryer. According to Russian media reports, it can be equipped with a flame-thrower, a heavy machine gun normally found on tanks, and it can run autonomously for five hours.
The Russian army has also been using Lyagushka ("Frog") kamikaze vehicles to blow up Ukrainian positions.
Clashes between Russian and Ukrainian killer robots on the battlefields of Ukraine are a matter of time given their increasing numbers and capabilities, says Yuriy Poritsky, CEO of Ukrainian UGV manufacturer Devdroid which produced hundreds of "strike droids" for the military last year.
"Sooner or later, we'll end up in a situation where our strike UGV will come up against their strike UGV on the battlefield. Robot wars may sound like science fiction, but there's nothing sci-fi about the battlefield. It's our reality," he says.
His company is now working on a system that would enable its ground drones to return should communications with the operator be lost.
Further ahead in the future, it wants its machines to be programmed to travel autonomously to a location, carry out its task - such as watching out for advancing enemy soldiers and engaging them if necessary - and then return to base after a certain time.
Another Ukrainian manufacturer of UGVs, Tencore, produced more than 2,000 UGVs for the Ukrainian army in 2025.
Its director, Maksym Vasylchenko, expects demand to jump to around 40,000 units in 2026, at least 10-15% of them armed with weapons.
"Strike drones [UGVs] will become indispensable, there's no question about it," he says.
Further ahead, Vasylchenko believes robots will engage in combat in human form: "It won't be science fiction anymore."
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62662gzlp8o
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Government set to unveil plans for new Islamophobia tsar as part of social cohesion strategy
06 March 2026
The government is expected to unveil plans for an "anti-Muslim hostility tsar" as part of its social cohesion strategy.
A leaked draft suggests a "special representative" will "champion efforts across the UK to tackle hostility and hatred directed at Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim".
Under the proposals, £800 million over 10 years would be allocated to 40 areas where social cohesion is "under pressure".
The 47-page document also warns antisemitism has become "normalised in many corners of society" – from schools and universities to workplaces and the NHS.
The draft was leaked to the Spectator magazine, which reported that ministers will unveil the finalised plans in a cross-Government drive next week.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks.”
A new definition of Islamophobia is also expected to be set out as part of guidance on anti-Muslim hatred.
Critics have argued that a new definition could act as a backdoor “blasphemy law” and limit free speech.
Shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly said the proposal for an anti-Muslim hostility “tsar” risked having a “chilling effect”.
He accused Labour of “pandering to sectarianism” after losing the previously rock-solid seat of Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester to the Greens in a parliamentary by-election last month.
The Tory frontbencher said: “The Conservatives stand against such divisive tactics.
“As Kemi Badenoch said this week, identity politics is a dead end and our country is headed down a dark road if it fails on sectional interests rather than shared values and freedoms.
“Anti-Muslim hatred is real. But we should tackle it with the existing laws we have for that exact purpose, without undermining free expression.”
Last week, a 55-year-old was charged with possession of an offensive weapon after reports of a man armed with an axe entering Manchester Central Mosque during Ramadan prayers.
Nobody was injured during the incident.
A report last year from The Independent revealed that almost half of Muslim women (45 per cent) feel unsafe on public transport, compared to just 8 per cent of women nationally.
More than one in three (34 per cent) of Muslim women said they have experienced Islamophobic or racist abuse whilst travelling, the survey of 1,155 people in November 2025 found.
Source: independent.co.uk
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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/islamophobia-government-social-cohesion-antisemitism-b2933758.html
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Azerbaijan foils alleged IRGC terror plot targeting strategic infrastructure near Baku
6 March 2026
Iranian citizen offered $50,000 to the person who would place an explosive device under the bridge in Azerbaijan's Sangachal, AzeNEWS reports, citing Trend.
As a result of complex counterintelligence measures, the State Security Service prevented terrorist provocations and intelligence gathering planned by the Islamic Republic of Iran's special service, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in Azerbaijan.
The circle of contacts of the IRGC, which organizes the collection of intelligence information, planning terrorist provocations and assassinations in the Republic of Azerbaijan, has been identified.
Thus, the citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sheikhzadeh Sajjad Moghadam Sati Sofi Evad, who promised $50,000 to the person who would place an explosive device under the bridge in the Sangachal settlement of the Garadagh district of Baku, was looking for the person who would do the job.
At the same time, it was revealed that Sheikhzadeh received special instructions from the IRGC to prepare assassination plans against people of Jewish origin living in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Recall that Azerbaijani State Security Service detained citizens, who participated in the terrorist plot of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Comprehensive counterintelligence measures carried out by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service prevented terrorist provocations and the collection of intelligence information that had been planned in Azerbaijan by the special services body of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRGC).
Azerbaijani citizens detained in the case — Tarkhan Guliyev, Nijat Agayev, Asad Abdullayev, Rashad Rustamov, Khadija Agayeva, Elvin Akhmedov, Narmina Shabanova, and Naib Ismiyev — admitted that they were carrying out assignments from individuals linked to the IRGC. They received explosive devices and carried out instructions related to preparing assassination attempts.
The investigation believes that the organization of these actions was handled by an officer of the IRGC intelligence unit — Colonel Ali Asghar Bordbar Sherami.
Iranian citizens Yaser Rahim Zanki, Beynam Rustamzade Sahibali, Hafiz Tavassoli, and Sheikhzadeh Sajad Mohammad Sati Sofi Evad have been placed on the international wanted list. They are suspected of collecting intelligence and preparing terrorist activities to destabilize the situation in Azerbaijan.
The court has already handed down sentences to four defendants in the case. Tarkhan Guliyev, Nijat Agayev, Asad Abdullayev, and Rashad Rustamov were each sentenced to 6 years and 6 months in prison.
Narmina Shabanova and Naib Ismiyev are accused of preparing an attempt on the life of a state or public figure. Elvin Akhmedov is charged with illegal handling of weapons and explosives. The court has ordered their pretrial detention.
Source: azernews.az
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https://www.azernews.az/nation/255372.html
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Reading College held its first Iftar meal for Ramadan
6TH MARCH
By Suzanne Antelme
Reading College held a special community Iftar meal for students breaking their Ramadan fast.
Ramadan is a month of religious fasting observed by Muslims where participants fast from dawn to sunset each day.
For the first time, Reading College held a community Iftar meal on March 3, with over 80 students and staff from all faiths joining special guests at the college's King's Road campus to share a meal.
'Iftar' is the meal Muslims eat each evening during Ramadan to break their daily fast.
Reading College said: "Ramadan is a time for community to come together. The Iftar was organised to give Muslim students and unaccompanied asylum-seeking students an opportunity to break their fast with their college community, instead of breaking it alone."
The meal was also attended by Imam Yahya and Trustee Shakeel Khan from Aisha Masjid & Islamic Centre.
The evening featured a reading from the Quran in Arabic and English, outlining the significant of Ramadan fasting.
The fast was then broken with water and dates, and students and staff were given the chance to join a prayer led by the Imam.
Afterwards, attendees enjoyed food donated by Bina Tandoori in Caversham and Da Village Afghan Restaurant on Oxford Road.
Dates, water, and plates were also donated by the Tesco Extra on Napier Road through their Community Champion scheme, and students and staff brought their own food dishes to contribute.
Rabia Mughal, who is studying at the college, said it was "an amazing experience to attend the Iftar at Reading College and break our fast with other students and staff".
She added: “Thank you to all the fantastic staff who organised the Iftar. It is highly appreciated.”
Imam Yahya from Aisha Masjid & Islamic Centre said: “It was amazing! This was the first time I’ve done an Iftar at the college.
“As a community leader, there were a number of faces that I recognised, as some of my own students from the mosque were here and it was nice to see the Iftar supported by so many students and staff.”
Charlotte Morgan, Regional Head of Student Experience – Berkshire at Activate Learning, said: “It was fantastic to host the college’s first Iftar with over 80 students and staff in attendance.
“We believe in the values of community and inclusion, so to host an event that champions these values was incredibly important for us as a college.
“We were joined by Muslim and non-Muslim members of our community, and it was a fantastic and friendly atmosphere, sharing food and stories and learning about one another’s culture.
“We are very grateful to the Imam and Trustee from Aisha Masjid & Islamic Centre for visiting and supporting our Iftar, and we are incredibly thankful to the restaurants and local businesses for supporting us with food and other donations.”
Source: readingchronicle.co.uk
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https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/25913822.reading-college-held-first-iftar-meal-ramadan/
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British Muslims embrace technology to navigate Ramadan
Pramod Thomas
Mar 06, 2026
RAMADAN has gone digital as prayer time apps, Qu’ran platforms, timetables, fitness trackers and online donation tools are used by many Muslims in the UK during the holy month.
They are used for practical tasks such as checking prayer timings, setting suhoor reminders, reading the Qu’ran, tracking health routines and making charity payments. While some people use multiple apps daily, others avoid apps completely and rely on their personal routine, mosque schedules and offline habits.
Yasmin Karsan, a pharmacist with 10 years of experience and who has a master’s qualification in artificial intelligence (AI), told Eastern Eye she plans to use a wearable device this Ramadan to monitor health indicators while fasting.
“This Ramadan, I’ve actually got a ring, so I’ll be monitoring myself via a wearable ring that tracks my fitness and tracks your food intake and all of that,” she said.
“It’ll be interesting to see what it will track, what it will monitor. Because I won’t be drinking water, will my blood pressure go low? Those kinds of things will be really interesting to monitor.”
She said she has also tried stepping away from social media, including removing apps completely.
“Doom scrolling is a really big thing, at the moment. I have done, previously, the digital detox where I have completely deleted all my social media apps and used the internet only for work, which has actually been quite nice from a digital perspective.”
Karsan said social platforms can be useful for explaining Ramadan to a wider audience.
“I have quite a social media following and write a lot of blogs and things like that, especially on LinkedIn. Being able to communicate the importance of Ramadan and how it feels and sharing when you wake up at 5am for suhoor or sharing breakfast time with everybody, you’re kind of digitally including everybody you might not have previously.”
Prayer-time apps remain one of the most common digital tools used during Ramadan. Muslim Pro, WeMuslim, Athan and Pillars provide prayer notifications, Qibla direction and Islamic calendar functions.
Many also include Ramadan features such as fasting alerts and daily schedules. Alongside apps, UK Muslims also use Ramadan timetables published online by mosques and charities.
Islamic Relief publishes a Ramadan timetable for UK cities including London and St Albans. The timetable lists daily prayer start times for fajr, sunrise, dhuhr, asr, maghrib and isha, along with suhoor and iftar timings. It also notes that congregational prayer times can differ from the prayer start times listed.
A Ramadan app guide published by the Greentech Apps Foundation lists several tools used for Qu’ran reading and supplications. These include Al Qur’an (Tafsir & by Word), which provides word-by-word translation and tafsir, and Dua & Zikr (Hisnul Muslim), which includes collections of duas and daily remembrances.
The guide also lists Tarteel: Qur’an A.I., which supports Qur’an recitation and memorisation.
Hamza Hussian, CEO of Abu Bakr Supermarket, told Eastern Eye digital tools are part of both his business routine and his Ramadan routine.
“With the business, we do digital marketing, so we make sure our marketing is up to date, to make sure that we are sending offers. We are getting customers into our stores through promotional offers on Instagram,” he said. “At the moment, we are in the process of building an app for our business where customers can create an order.”
He said he also uses apps for prayer times and fitness, and described his routine after breaking the fast.
“After my iftar, I go for regular walks,” he said. “During the day, we fast, so we don’t eat. After iftar, when I break my fast, I make sure with the fitness app to track the food and the calories I consume.”
Sheraz Awan, the man behind Sheraz’s Westerhope Convenience Store, told Eastern Eye he does not use technology for Ramadan.
“Technology hasn’t changed the way I see or treat Ramadan,” he said. “No, I don’t use apps for Ramadan.”
Karsan said digital tools can be useful, but can also create distraction, particularly as new AI-based tools appear. She said boundaries matter even for people who use multiple apps and online platforms.
“I think sometimes, do we need all these data points when actually it’s all about being more present, being more focused, being with your loved ones, reflecting in prayer and focusing on your bond with Allah? So, I think there have to be boundaries, right? But I do think that, for my personal opinion, it has added in a positive light, but I’m quite strict with my time on my phone
Source: easterneye.biz
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https://www.easterneye.biz/british-muslims-embrace-technology-to-navigate-ramadan/
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North America
Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’ from Iran
6 Mar, 2026
US President Donald Trump has ruled out making any sort of deal with Iran, demanding its “unconditional surrender” instead.
Trump issued the demand in a social media post on Friday, as the continuing US-Israeli attack on Iran neared the end of its first week.
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE,” Trump wrote.
The US and Israel attacked Iran last Saturday, openly proclaiming the goal of toppling the country’s government. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening strikes on the country, along with several other senior civilian and military officials.
Tehran has retaliated, launching multiple waves of missiles and kamikaze drones at various targets in Israel and numerous US military installations across the Middle East. Arab nations in the Gulf have borne the brunt of the hostilities.
The US, its Israeli ally, and Iran have all expressed resolve to continue the conflict for as long as necessary. While Trump said the US had the resources to wage war “forever,” Tehran said it had had decades to prepare for the conflict and dared Washington to launch a ground invasion into the country.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/634019-trump-iran-unconditional-surrender/
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Trump claims 'Shariah courts' enforce UK laws. Don't believe it
Laerke Christensen
March 6, 2026
In March 2026, while answering press questions alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at the U.S.'s longtime ally the United Kingdom, claiming (archived), "You have Shariah courts adjudicating law."
During the meeting, Trump said:
One X account that shared Trump's remark wrote (archived), "Donald Trump confirms that the UK now has courts that are enforcing Sharia Law."
Trump's claim also spread on Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived) and Threads (archived).
The claim is false. The law in the U.K. is not decided or enforced by Shariah courts or councils, though these do exist in the country. U.K. law is instead built on a combination of acts passed by Parliament and precedents set by judges, who must be free of influence outside the rule of law.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. foreign policy think tank, Shariah is "the divine counsel that Muslims follow to live moral lives and grow close to God." Interpretations of Shariah, the principles of which stem from the Quran and hadith, the latter of which are sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, form the basis of Muslim law.
A 2019 research briefing from the House of Commons, which is part of the Parliament of the U.K., said that Shariah courts or councils are advisory bodies that advise Muslims on various issues, though mostly deal with religious divorces. The review wrote (page 2):
Shariah councils have existed in the U.K. since the early 1980s, according to the research briefing (page 2). The briefing said that though "council" and "court" are used interchangeably to describe the advisory bodies, they are not courts of law.
The Islamic Shariah Council, which describes itself on its website as "the first sharia council established in Europe and the Americas," said its work centers mostly on mediating Islamic divorces.
It's unclear, according to the research briefing (page 7) and a 2018 independent review (page 4) into Shariah law in England and Wales, how many Shariah councils operate in the U.K. Estimates have reportedly varied between 30 and 85.
Government officials in the U.K. have consistently denied that Shariah councils have any power over the law in the U.K. In 2016, then-Leader of the House of Commons and former Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling said:
Then, in September 2025, Trump leveled "Shariah court" accusations at the U.K. and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Trump told (archived) the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2025:
At the time, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called (archived) Trump's claim about Shariah law in the U.K. "ridiculous nonsense," and defended Khan, who represents the same political party as Starmer, as a mayor "who's doing a really good job, in fact driving down serious crime"
Trump's March 2026 remark almost mirrored his September 2025 criticism, again calling Khan a "terrible" mayor.
A spokesperson for Khan responded to Trump's March 2026 remark, saying: "The Mayor is clearly still living rent free in Donald's Trump's head. He's obsessed with him. Sadiq could probably claim squatters rights." The Mayor of London's office confirmed this reported quote to Snopes via email.
Snopes previously investigated the truth behind "Shariah compliant" loans in the U.K.
Source: snopes.com
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https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-shariah-courts-uk/
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Welsh man supported Islamic State and had whole library of terrorist material
Lois McCarthy
06 Mar 2026
A Newport man has been sentenced to five years in prison for supporting the terrorist organisation, ISIS. Shazad Ali, 21, from the Newport area of Gwent, pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism offences and was convicted on September 5, 2025.
Ali's convictions include support for ISIS, two counts of encouragement of terrorism, and possession of documents likely to be useful to a terrorist, under the Terrorism Acts of 2000 and 2006. Ali was arrested in January 2025. During a search of his home, officers recovered digital devices that contained a library of terrorist publications.
Investigators also found that he had publicly shared several extreme Islamist videos online. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter.
He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, March 6, and received an additional two years on extended licence.
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Williams of Counter Terrorism Policing Wales said: "Shazad Ali represented a very clear, very dangerous threat to the public, and this sentence concludes what has been a lengthy investigation conducted by CTP Wales.
"Ali visibly expressed his support for the Islamic State, and it was our overriding priority to ensure the public were protected from both him and the abhorrent rhetoric he promoted.”
Authorities reminded the public that reporting suspicious activity can help protect communities. "Reporting won't ruin lives, but it could save them," they said, adding that in an emergency, people should dial 999.
Source: walesonline.co.uk
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https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/shazad-ali-terror-offences-court-33547063
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Minneapolis mosque recognizes ICE observers for helping its community
By Conor Wight
March 6, 2026
On Friday, Laura Kubick once again came to the Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. She's not Muslim, but coming to the mosque on Fridays had become routine, one that earned the gratitude of Imam Sharif Mohamed.
"What we wanted to do was create a sense of safety and take care of our neighbors," Kubick said.
Kubick said that each week, during Friday prayer, she and a friend would keep watch outside the mosque. She'd become one of tens of thousands of people operating as observers, aiming to document U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and provide a warning to neighbors when agents showed up.
It's why Mohamed and other community leaders organized Friday's Iftar around observers, aiming to provide food and thanks to people who were total strangers before Operation Metro Surge began. Mohamed said he met people who were helping deliver meals to people too afraid to leave their homes, helping get children to school and helping to keep the neighborhood safe.
"The magnitude of the people who said 'no, this is not happening on our own watch and in our neighborhood' was beyond the expectation," Mohamed said.
The mosque was packed on Friday with people of all faiths, eagerly awaiting the meal that would break the daily fast observed during Ramadan. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobsen were in attendance and gave remarks.
"I think everybody did all they could and Minneapolis as a whole showed up in a beautiful way," Frey said.
Kubick said she now lives in St. Paul; until this year, she said she hadn't had much reason to visit Cedar-Riverside since her time in college. When she signed up to help with the Immigrant Defense Network, she noticed that no one had signed up to cover the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque. She said she was happy to be there for them.
"We showed the love for our community and we showed community solidarity," Kubick said.
While the overwhelming majority of Somalis living in Minnesota are U.S. citizens, they reported that ICE targeted them heavily at the beginning of the federal surge into the Twin Cities metro. President Trump first put a spotlight on Somalis in November, blaming the community for individual fraud charges.
Mohamed said that there are still community members afraid to go about their daily lives. A teacher and observer who spoke Friday evening said students are suffering from learning loss. In some neighborhoods, there are outstanding concerns related to paying rent following the surge.
Jacobsen said from his standpoint with the state, the observer network represented resilience. He said that from his understanding in recent conversations with federal officials, the bulk of agents now in the state are focused on fraud. He said that he has not been informed what those investigations will actually look like.
Source: cbsnews.com
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https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minneapolis-mosque-thanks-ice-observers-help-community/
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CAIR Calls on U.S. to Demand China Stop Targeting Uyghurs Fasting in Ramadan
March 6, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the State Department to demand that the Chinese government free Uyghur Muslims allegedly arrested observing the fast of Ramadan and allow the Uyghur population to observe the holy month in peace.
In a press release shared on X, the World Uyghur Congress stated that according to reporting by Radio Free Asia (RFA) published on February 27, police officers detained six Uyghur residents from multiple villages in Hotan Prefecture, including Bulaq Chorgey, Bash Chapal, Dul Tugman and Korgan. Authorities reportedly accused them of secretly observing the Ramadan fast.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“It is long past time for the Chinese Communist Party to stop oppressing Uyghur Muslims and trying to erase their culture. The State Department should speak out against this reported oppression and demand the Chinese government end it. So should the Muslim-majority nations of the world.”
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-u-s-to-demand-china-stop-targeting-uyghurs-fasting-in-ramadan/
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CAIR-Texas, CAIR Action Texas Fact Check Texas Legislature’s ‘Anti-Sharia’ Caucus
March 6, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations Texas (CAIR-Texas) and CAIR Action Texas today condemned the creation of a so-called “anti-Sharia” caucus in the Texas Legislature, saying it is rooted not in reality, but in misinformation and fear that unfairly targets Muslim Texans.
CAIR recently designated the congressional “Sharia-Free America Caucus” an anti-Muslim hate group because of its promotion of conspiracy theories about Islam and American Muslims. Efforts to replicate similar rhetoric in the Texas Legislature rely on the same false narratives that stigmatize an entire faith community.
In a statement, CAIR-Texas and CAIR Action Texas said:
“Let’s do a fact check.
Is Sharia law replacing the Texas Constitution? Absolutely not.
The United States and Texas Constitutions are the law of the land, and no religious tradition can override them. Claims that Muslims are seeking to replace American law with religious law are baseless and have been repeatedly debunked.
For Muslims, Sharia refers to personal religious guidance similar to how kosher laws guide Jewish practice or church teachings guide Christian practice. It shapes personal choices about prayer, charity, ethics, and family life. It is about faith and personal conduct, not replacing American law or governing institutions.
Islam also calls on believers to stand firmly against oppression. Muslims are taught to oppose oppression and defend the rights of women, children, and minorities, values that resonate with the fundamental principles of justice and equality shared by all Texans.
Yet instead of acknowledging the contributions of Muslim Texans, some elected officials continue to promote manufactured fears. Muslim Texans are not a threat. They are doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, first responders, and public servants who strengthen communities across our state.
If lawmakers are concerned about religion influencing our laws, Texans deserve to know why only one religion is being singled out for suspicion and political theater.
Texans expect their leaders to focus on the real challenges facing our state, such as improving schools, strengthening our economy, expanding access to healthcare, and protecting civil liberties, not creating divisive initiatives that target religious minorities.
CAIR-Texas and CAIR Action Texas will continue to defend the civil rights and religious freedom of all Texans and encourage our elected leaders to do the same.”
CAIR Texas is an affiliate of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil rights organization and 501 (c)(3) non-profit. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CAIR Action Texas is an affiliate of CAIR Action, a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and mobilizing Muslim voters, training emerging leaders, and advancing policy priorities that improve community well-being and representation.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-texas-cair-action-texas-fact-check-texas-legislatures-anti-sharia-caucus/
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CAIR-Philadelphia Condemns Sens. Fetterman, McCormick for Refusing to Seek Justice for Slain Philadelphia-Born American
March 6, 2026
Muslim civil rights group welcomes Philadelphia City Council resolution honoring Nasrallah Abu Siyam and Governor Shapiro’s call for federal investigation
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) today condemned Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick for their failure to sign onto a letter led by Senator Chris Van Hollen calling for an investigation into the killing of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a Philadelphia-born American Muslim who was killed by illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The Van Hollen-led congressional letter calls on the U.S. government to investigate the killing and ensure that American citizens abroad are afforded equal protection under the law. CAIR-Philadelphia said the refusal of Pennsylvania’s senators to support that effort raises troubling questions about whether American lives are valued equally when the victims are Palestinian Americans.
“Every American deserves the full protection of their government, regardless of their faith, ethnicity, or where they are killed,” CAIR-Philadelphia said. “The silence of Pennsylvania’s senators in the face of this tragedy is a moral failure that cannot go unanswered.”
At the same time, CAIR-Philadelphia welcomed decisive local and state leadership honoring Abu Siyam’s life and calling for accountability. The Muslim civil rights organization applauded Councilmembers Rue Landau and Nicholas O’Rourke for introducing a resolution in the Philadelphia City Council honoring Abu Siyam’s life and legacy. The resolution passed unanimously, sending a powerful message that Philadelphia stands with one of its own and demands justice for the killing of an American citizen.
CAIR-Philadelphia also welcomed a letter sent by Governor Josh Shapiro to the U.S. Attorney General urging a federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Abu Siyam’s death.
Yesterday, CAIR-Philadelphia and partner community organizations were joined by Abu Siyam’s family members and elected officials at a press conference in Philadelphia highlighting Abu Siyam’s life and calling for accountability. The event featured remarks from members of Abu Siyam’s family, local elected officials, and community leaders who shared his story and urged federal authorities to investigate his killing.
“Nasrallah Abu Siyam was a son of Philadelphia and an American citizen whose life was taken in an act of violence that demands accountability,” said CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu. “While we are deeply disappointed that Senators Fetterman and McCormick refused to join their colleagues in calling for an investigation, we commend Philadelphia City Council for standing on the side of justice and human dignity. We also welcome Governor Shapiro’s letter calling for a thorough investigation.”
Family members described Abu Siyam as a beloved relative and proud Philadelphian whose life and legacy deserve recognition and justice.
“Nasrallah’s family deserves answers, and our community deserves to know that American lives are not treated as expendable,” Ahmet Tekelioglu said.
CAIR-Philadelphia pledges to continue working with local and national partners to ensure that Nasrallah Abu Siyam’s story is heard and that federal authorities conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
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Africa
15 soldiers killed in jihadist attack in northern Benin
March 6, 2026
Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists killed 15 soldiers in an attack on an army base in northern Benin, the west African country's military said Thursday.
The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), Al-Qaeda's branch for the Sahel region of Africa, claimed responsibility for the Wednesday raid on a base in Kofouno, near Benin's border with Niger.
West Africa is suffering from a surge in attacks by the JNIM, the Islamic State group and other jihadist militias, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where a series of military coups have coincided with severe instability. The violence has increasingly spread into northern Benin and Togo in recent years. Beninese army spokesman Colonel James Johnson told AFP Wednesday's raid had also wounded five soldiers, "whose lives are not in danger".
He said military aircraft had killed "at least four terrorists" as they withdrew, adding: "The hunt continues." A military source deployed to the region had earlier told AFP the attack left a "heavy human toll", speaking on condition of anonymity.
"We are currently sweeping the area," the source said. A regional security journalists' group, Wamaps, said the army base had been "pillaged and torched" in the attack. Benin, which is set to hold a presidential election next month, had a particularly deadly year for its security forces in 2025, including an April JNIM attack that killed 54 soldiers.
The country launched a 3,000-troop anti-jihadist force in 2022 to secure its borders, and has since recruited another 5,000 soldiers to reinforce its northern region.
Experts say the JNIM is increasingly recruiting members among the local population.
It has spread into countries along the Gulf of Guinea, where it blends religious proselytising with logistics operations and periodic attacks - though without controlling large swathes of territory, as it does in the Sahel. The border area between Benin, Niger and Nigeria has become a new hotspot for jihadist violence, according to a recent study by conflict monitoring group ACLED.
A UN Security Council report last month said the JNIM had recently appointed an emir for Benin.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/06/15-soldiers-killed-in-jihadist-attack-in-northern-benin/
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Tunisia arrests pro-Palestinian flotilla organisers: activists
March 06, 2026
TUNIS: Tunisian counter-terrorism police on Friday arrested five organizers of a flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists aiming to sail for Gaza this spring, campaigners said.
It was unclear why the five members — all Tunisian — were arrested, with the Global Sumud Flotilla group asking for “immediate clarifications.”
The campaigners sought to break an Israeli blockade by delivering aid to Gaza by sea in October. In February, they announced a new mission to the besieged territory from countries including Tunisia.
The group “strongly condemns the arrest today of local Tunisian GSF organizers,” the campaigners said in a statement.
“Free Nabil Channoufi, Wael Naouar, Sana Msahli, Jawaher Channa, and Mohamed Amin Bannour,” the group said.
The arrests, “together with the repeated shutdowns of lawful gatherings,” marked a “troubling departure from Tunisia’s long history of public solidarity with the Palestinian people,” the statement added.
Earlier this week, organizers said they were “violently blocked” by the police from reaching the Sidi Bou Said port, one of the main ports they had set sail from last year.
And a gathering aimed to be held on Thursday in preparation for the next mission was “also canceled by authorities just moments before it was set to begin,” the group said.
Tunisian authorities have yet to issue a comment or confirm the activists’ arrests.
The Global Sumud Flotilla describes its actions as a “non-violent response to genocide, siege, mass starvation, and the destruction of civilian life in Gaza.”
Before reaching Gaza last year, the flotilla was intercepted by Israel, which seized their boats before detaining then deporting the activists.
Israel controls Gaza’s borders and scrutinizes all aid coming into the territory.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635533/middle-east
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Israeli envoy accuses Iran of sponsoring Islamic movements to spread terror in Nigeria
March 6, 2026
Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has accused the Iranian government of financing and backing Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of a broader campaign to export terrorism across the globe.
Freeman made the allegation on Friday during an interview on AriseTV, identifying the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi’ites, as one of the groups operating under Iranian sponsorship.
“We know there are certain movements, for example, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, that is sponsored and backed by the Iranian regime,” he said.
The envoy alleged that Tehran’s reach extends well beyond Nigeria, describing Iran’s decades-long hostility toward Israel and the West as a sustained, state-directed terror campaign.
“For 47 years, Iran has had a policy of death to Israel, death to America. Its entire apparatus, its state structure, has been sponsoring terrorism, sponsoring organizations around the world to kill Israelis, Jews, to spread terror,” Freeman said, adding that “Nigeria has been on the receiving end of terrorism from Iran.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East following coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, which reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei alongside members of his family. The strikes triggered protests across several Nigerian states on Monday, with IMN members demonstrating in Lagos, Kano, Niger, Sokoto, Gombe, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Yobe. Demonstrators waved Iranian flags, displayed portraits of Khamenei, and carried placards condemning both the United States and Israel.
Freeman also cited Iran’s alleged sponsorship of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, as well as attacks linked to Tehran in Argentina, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Nigeria, describing Iran as “an international sponsor of terror.”
On Iran’s nuclear programme, Freeman insisted that defensive military action is not only justified but a moral imperative.
“When a country says that they want to destroy you and they are trying to build a nuclear weapon, it’s absolutely justified. Not only is it justified, it’s a moral obligation,” he said.
Freeman further signalled Israel’s willingness to support Nigeria in containing any terror spillover, referencing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer to partner with Abuja on security matters.
Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, had on Thursday defended Tehran’s retaliatory missile and drone strikes on US military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, describing the action as within Iran’s rights.
Source: vanguardngr.com
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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/03/israeli-envoy-accuses-iran-of-sponsoring-islamic-movements-to-spread-terror-in-nigeria/
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Libya says identified three suspects in killing of Qaddafi’s son
March 06, 2026
TRIPOLI: Libyan prosecutors said Thursday they had identified three suspects in last month’s killing of the son of former leader Muammar Qaddafi, without specifying their identities.
Seif Al-Islam Qaddafi, once seen by some as Libya’s heir apparent, was shot dead in his home in the northwestern city of Zintan in early February.
The prosecutor’s office said its investigation determined the “meeting place of the suspects, the time at which they went to the scene of the crime and committed it... as well as the identity of three suspects.”
The office added in the statement on Facebook that it had ordered their arrest.
While he held no official position in the North African country under his father’s rule, Seif Al-Islam had been described as Libya’s de facto prime minister, cultivating an image of moderation and reform prior to the 2011 Arab Spring revolt.
But that reputation soon collapsed when he promised “rivers of blood” in the face of the uprisings.
Following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity, he was arrested by Libyan authorities in 2011.
A Tripoli court later sentenced him to death but he was granted amnesty.
Marcel Ceccaldi, a French lawyer who had been representing Seif Al-Islam, told AFP he was killed by a “four-man commando” who stormed his house.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635492/middle-east
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Ethiopia does not want war: PM
March 07, 2026
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said his country does not want war, even as regional Tigray authorities say federal forces are massing around the northern region, raising fears of renewed conflict.
Tigray emerged in 2022 from a two-year war that saw federal forces, backed by militias and the Eritrean army, clash with rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
The TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics for some 30 years before Abiy, a non-Tigrayan, took power in 2018, with the group then marginalised and banned.
At least 600,000 people were killed in the conflict, according to estimates from the African Union.
A ceasefire held for more than two years, but clashes between federal and Tigrayan forces broke out again in November last year and January.
Large numbers of federal troops have for several weeks been massed at the Tigray border, where Tigrayan forces have also deployed.
"On our part, we believe problems should be resolved only through dialogue. We don't want war," Abiy said in an interview broadcast late Thursday by the Ethiopian news agency.
Referring to the TPLF, Abiy -- unusually speaking in Tigrinya, the language spoken in Tigray -- said that some were "obstructing dialogue from taking place" and achieving solutions.
He added that the TPLF "wasn't ready to make even a small compromise".
In an interview given to AFP on Wednesday, the TPLF's second-in-command, Amanuel Assefa, said the "federal government is preparing itself to wage a war against Tigray".
The federal authorities have accused the TPLF of growing closer to neighbouring Eritrea, which maintains fragile relations with Addis Ababa. The group has denied this.
Eritrea accuses its landlocked neighbour of eyeing its port of Assab.
The two countries fought a deadly war from May 1998 to June 2000 for control of several border towns.
In the interview, Abiy also said that Eritrea would "not hesitate to destabilise the country".
"We will not give it a chance to hurt our people once again. If it tries, I believe it will be its last attempt," he said.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/06/ethiopia-does-not-want-war-pm/
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UN report says Ugandan troops helped South Sudan with deadly airstrikes
March 07, 2026
Uganda helped South Sudan carry out airstrikes that killed and badly burned civilians a year ago, according to a U.N. inquiry.
Joint aerial bombardments by South Sudan and Uganda “targeted civilian-populated areas predominantly affecting Nuer communities in opposition-affiliated areas,” said the report by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, referring to South Sudan’s second-largest ethnic group.
Ugandan troops are deployed in South Sudan to help the government of President Salva Kiir against forces loyal to opposition figure Riek Machar, who was suspended as vice president in September after he faced criminal charges. Ugandan military authorities say troops are in South Sudan at the invitation of the South Sudan government and in accordance with a bilateral security agreement.
While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.
The attacks cited in the U.N. report involved widespread use of “improvised incendiary devices,” it said.
Ugandan forces entered South Sudan in March 2025 with military hardware, including tanks and armored vehicles. That happened shortly after a militia overran a military garrison near the Ethiopian border.
Weeks later, Machar was placed under house arrest for his alleged role in orchestrating the attack, charges that he denies. The government has since relied on aerial attacks to gain the upper hand in a widening conflict with Machar’s forces and other armed groups.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni sent his army to intervene in South Sudan’s 2013-2018 civil war on multiple occasions on behalf of Kiir’s forces, helping to turn the tide in his favor. Ongoing fighting threatens a 2018 peace deal.
During one attack in March 2025 in Wunaliet, 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the capital of Juba, homes were engulfed after planes dropped “barrels of liquid that ignited,” witnesses told the U.N. commission. Survivors said they saw “civilians set alight, including a boy burnt beyond recognition.” A barracks, housing opposition soldiers, was also struck.
A day after the attack, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni's son who also serves as the top military commander, posted on X that Uganda had bombed opposition forces.
“Our air offensive will not stop until Riek Machar makes peace with my uncle Afande Salva,” he wrote. While Kiir is not actually Kainerugaba’s uncle, the term shows the closeness of the two governments.
The post, which was later deleted, accompanied a video appearing to show fiery explosions captured from an in-flight aircraft.
Flight tracking data shows that a turboprop plane that circled the area during the bombing had arrived earlier that day from Uganda and was operated by the Ugandan army, the U.N. report said.
The report does not state conclusively how many operations Uganda was involved in or the exact nature of their involvement, only that there appeared to be “high degrees of planning, operational integration and command-level authorization.”
In November, Uganda denied participating in any combat operations in South Sudan. It has also denied using “chemical weapons and barrel bombs” and said it does not attack civilians.
Last year, Amnesty International said that Uganda had violated a 2018 U.N. arms embargo that prohibits member states from providing most forms of military assistance to South Sudan, including weapons and personnel. An U.N. panel of experts echoed that assessment in November.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/06/un-report-says-ugandan-troops-helped-south-sudan-with-deadly-airstrikes/
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President Tinubu Mourns, Issues Fresh Directive After Terrorist Attack In Borno
March 6, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the recent Boko Haram attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The President, in a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mourned the innocent lives lost during the attack.
He described the attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists as a heartless assault on hapless citizens, urging Nigerians in Borno and elsewhere not to succumb to fear.
Naija News reports that the President also directed the military to launch a swift response and ensure those kidnapped by the terrorists are rescued and the criminals are brought to book.
The full statement by Onanuga reads: “President Bola Tinubu has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected by the recent terrorist attack by Boko Haram on the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“The President mourns the loss of innocent lives, including military personnel, and those caught in friendly fire during the aerial interdiction of fleeing terrorists by the Air Force.
“He describes the attack by the terrorists as a heartless assault on hapless citizens, urging Nigerians in Borno and elsewhere not to succumb to fear.
“President Tinubu commends the military for their swift response, which led to the killing of scores of terrorists and their subsequent forced retreat.
“He charges the military and other security agencies to work urgently to rescue those kidnapped by the terrorists.
“Additionally, he directs the armed forces to intensify their efforts to protect civilians nationwide and prevent attacks on military installations in the North East.
“President Tinubu prays for the souls of those who lost their lives in the attacks and friendly fire and extends his sympathies to their families and the Borno State Government.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/06/president-tinubu-mourns-issues-fresh-directive-after-terrorist-attack-in-borno/
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Southeast Asia
Police confirm arrest of six Malaysian youths, three minors, in Islamic State‑linked extremist crackdown
By Soo Wern Jun
06 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — Police have arrested six Malaysian youths, including three minors, suspected of involvement in Islamic State (IS)-linked extremist activities.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the suspects, aged between 16 and 21, were detained in coordinated raids conducted on February 14 and 15 in the Klang Valley, Johor, Kedah and Terengganu.
The arrests followed intelligence findings uncovered through online radicalisation activities, including the promotion of extremist ideology, recruitment efforts and discussions of potential attacks, he said.
“Suspects were found to have promoted IS propaganda on social media, pledged allegiance to the group and possessed materials linked to the terrorist organisation,” Mohd Khalid told a press conference at Bukit Aman police headquarters here today.
Mohd Khalid said as three of the suspects are below the age of 18, and authorities ensured their rights were protected under the Child Act 2001, while the arrests were conducted in accordance with the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
Police have also seized several items believed to be linked to extremist activities during the raids, including 11 mobile phones, two laptops, one external hard disk drive, four IS flags, a shirt bearing the group’s logo and three books containing extremist-related material.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects were active in online messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord, where they created and joined groups used to circulate extremist propaganda and discuss possible attacks.
According to Mohd Khalid, some of the discussions in these groups included plans to target police stations, government installations and places of worship in Malaysia.
Authorities also found that the suspects were heavily exposed to online content related to wars and geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, which they frequently viewed on social media platforms.
Police said the youths were also influenced by online gaming platforms, particularly Roblox, where they spent long hours engaging with war-themed gameplay and interacting with other users.
“This kind of exposure, when combined with extremist propaganda and discussions within closed online groups, can gradually shape the thinking of young people towards radical beliefs,” Mohd Khalid said.
Following the arrests and investigations, he said the six suspects are expected to be charged in court next week under terrorism-related provisions of the Penal Code, including offences linked to promoting terrorist groups, possessing terrorist-related materials and declaring membership in a terrorist organisation.
Mohd Khalid added that investigations are ongoing and further arrests may follow as police continue to track other individuals believed to be connected to the network.
He also urged the public not to speculate about the arrests or spread unverified information, which could interfere with ongoing investigations.
Expanding further, he said investigations also uncovered that the suspects had formed several local messaging groups and were linked to larger online groups involving individuals from neighbouring countries, with some international chat groups believed to have around 1,000 participants.
He also warned that such online spaces can become breeding grounds for extremist indoctrination, where individuals are gradually influenced through repeated discussions about violence and terrorism.
Citing the 2024 Ulu Tiram attack, he said this was an example of radicalisation patterns.
“In the Ulu Tiram attack, we saw how radicalisation can begin with exposure to extremist narratives and discussions within certain groups before eventually leading to violent action.
“The indoctrination process usually starts with discussions in small groups where individuals repeatedly talk about extremist ideology and violence until one person becomes motivated to act on their own,” he said.
He stressed that the attack demonstrated how individuals could eventually become “lone wolf” actors after prolonged exposure to radical ideas.
“That is why early intervention is critical. If these discussions and influences are not stopped at an early stage, they can escalate into real attacks that threaten public safety and national security,” he said.
On parents’ role in preventing radicalisation, he called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s online activities and social interactions, warning that prolonged exposure to extremist or violent content on digital platforms could negatively influence youths.
“Parents and guardians play a critical role. They must actively monitor their children’s online activities, including social media, messaging apps and online games, as these platforms can expose youths to extremist ideas.
“Minimal monitoring by families or parents may leave children exposed to content related to terrorism, IS ideology and similar extremist narratives.
“Some social media videos also discuss countries described as un-Islamic or critical of religious systems, which could negatively influence the thinking of children and youths,” he said.
Despite global geopolitical tensions, he said Malaysia’s security situation remains stable and under control, with authorities continuing to strengthen intelligence monitoring and preventive measures to safeguard national security.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/03/06/police-confirm-arrest-of-six-malaysian-youths-three-minors-in-islamic-statelinked-extremist-crackdown/211597
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Anwar conveys Malaysia’s support to UAE amid Iran-Israel-US tensions
07 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed Malaysia’s sincere sympathy and support to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has been affected by Iran’s response to the attacks carried out by Israel in collaboration with the United States.
He brought up the matter during a telephone discussion with UAE president Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and both leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East, with particular regard to the regional security situation following the conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
“We expressed mutual hope that all parties will prioritize peaceful dialogue and take care to avoid any actions that could compromise regional stability and global security.
“Additionally, I expressed appreciation for the UAE government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the safety and welfare of approximately 10,000 Malaysians currently residing in the UAE.,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He also expressed hope that the month of Ramadan would foster greater unity within the ummah and pave the way toward enduring peace and stability in the region and beyond. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Cabinet Ministers extend Nuzul Quran greetings
7 Mar 2026
Members of the Cabinet extended their greetings and called on Muslims in the country to increase their recitation of the Quran and practise its teachings in their daily lives.
KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the observance of Nuzul Quran today, members of the Cabinet extended their greetings and called on Muslims in the country to increase their recitation of the Quran and practise its teachings in their daily lives.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Quran is not only a guide for life, but also a remedy for the heart and a light that illuminates the path of life in this world and the hereafter.
“Let us all increase our recitation, understanding and practice of the teachings of the Quran in our daily lives,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani expressed hope that Muslims would continue to appreciate and practise the teachings of the Quran, and make it a guide in building a knowledgeable, ethical and compassionate society.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that Nuzul Quran is a significant event in the history of Islamic civilisation, which marks the revelation of the first divine message to Prophet Muhammad SAW.
“This event is not merely a spiritual moment, but also marks the beginning of the formation of a civilisation of knowledge, founded on divine revelation,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also called on Muslims to strengthen their faith, continue reflecting on the Quran and seek the forgiveness of Allah SWT, while striving to be granted the opportunity to encounter Lailatul Qadr.
The Nuzul Quran observance commemorates the significant event in Islamic history, when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad SAW, through the first revelation on the 17th day of Ramadan.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/cabinet-ministers-extend-nuzul-quran-greetings/
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Ahmad Zahid: Malaysia’s sympathy for Muslim nations not defiance against major powers
07 Mar 2026
MELAKA, March 7 — Islam does not teach its followers to discriminate in their sympathy toward any party, regardless of differing schools of thought (mazhab) or religion, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said that Malaysia’s actions in expressing sympathy for Islamic countries under attack in the Middle East is not an act of defiance against major powers.
“As Muslims, whatever school of thought we hold, we must feel sympathy not only when a country is attacked, but also when its top leader is assassinated.
“This is something we must oppose. It cannot be that we are forbidden from expressing sympathy for a fellow Muslim nation just to avoid being seen as not aligned with a major power,” he said.
He said this while speaking at the Melaka State Government’s Majlis Santunan Kasih Ramadan and Iftar Jamaie Mega event, which was also attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and approximately 3,000 guests at the Al-Azim Mosque Islamic Center Square in Bukit Palah yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid added that although Malaysia has a Muslim-majority population, the country has never taken a stance of hating other religions.
“Be grateful for the togetherness we have in our country. Preserve the peace, preserve the harmony, and respect the differences in religion, language, and culture during this month of Ramadan,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Egyptian imam’s soulful Quran recitations remain a beloved Ramadan tradition after more than 20 years of service in Malaysia
07 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Every Ramadan, the Federal Territory Mosque resonates with the soulful recitation of the holy verses of the Quran by a special guest imam from Egypt who has served in Malaysia for more than two decades.
Sheikh Abdelrahman Eldesouky, 62, is not an unfamiliar name to congregants at several major mosques in the capital, especially those who faithfully attend the tarawih prayers throughout Ramadan with the extended recitation of “one juzuk a night”.
The distinction of Sheikh Abdelrahman lies not only in the beauty of his voice but also in his expertise in various methods of Quranic recitation (qiraat), including Hafs ‘an ‘Asim, as well as his ability to lead lengthy tarawih prayers.
Recalling his journey in dakwah, he began leading prayers around 1990 after being appointed as a Quran teacher by Egypt’s renowned institution, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, before arriving in Malaysia for the first time in 2005 as an official representative of the institution.
He said his first assignment in Malaysia began in Terengganu, where he served at Sekolah Menengah Agama (Atas) Sultan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Terengganu. He was also entrusted to lead prayers at the Floating Mosque (Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah) and Masjid Abidin in the state.
“The former Grand Imam of the National Mosque, the late Tan Sri Sheikh Ismail Muhammad, who was from Terengganu, once performed prayers with me. He was the one who later proposed my name to lead prayers at the National Mosque around 2010.
“After that, I began leading prayers at several mosques around Kuala Lumpur before serving as a tarawih imam at the Federal Territory Mosque from 2018 until now,” he told Bernama recently.
Elaborating further, the father of four said one of the main factors that continues to motivate him to accept invitations to Malaysia is the attitude of the local congregants who greatly appreciate and attentively listen to lengthy Quran recitations.
“What gives me peace here is seeing the congregants behind me remain patient with the long recitations. Even though some of them may not be in the best health or physically strong enough to stand for long periods, they remain steadfast in order to appreciate the Quran and the night prayers.
“In addition, the bond that has developed with congregants in Malaysia has grown closer, to the extent that some of them have even visited me in Tanta, Egypt, as if we share a family-like relationship,” he said.
Touching on the uniqueness of Ramadan in Malaysia, Sheikh Abdelrahman described the culture of breaking fast together at mosques before performing tarawih prayers as a beautiful tradition rarely found elsewhere.
“Such an atmosphere is very good because it brings many people together in one gathering. When they sit together to break their fast and then perform tarawih prayers in congregation, it creates a beautiful Ramadan atmosphere filled with blessings,” he said.
He is also pleased that his tarawih recitation is broadcast on radio every night across the country, allowing the public to listen to the recitation of the holy book even if they are not present at the mosque.
After more than 20 years of travelling back and forth between Cairo and Kuala Lumpur, Sheikh Abdelrahman now considers Malaysia his second home as he has become accustomed to the culture, food and the friendliness of the local people.
“I am already familiar with the people here, their culture and their food. So I feel comfortable being in Malaysia and performing tarawih prayers together with them,” said the imam, who understands Malay and can speak it to a limited extent.
Sheikh Abdelrahman also expressed hope that efforts to nurture love for the Quran among the younger generation in Malaysia will continue to be strengthened through support for tahfiz institutions and Quranic education programmes.
“I hope the young people in Malaysia will continue to love the Quran and study it diligently so that a generation will emerge that understands the religion and can lead society better,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/03/07/egyptian-imams-soulful-quran-recitations-remain-a-beloved-ramadan-tradition-after-more-than-20-years-of-service-in-malaysia/211535
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Putrajaya tightens governance framework, inter‑agency coordination on non‑Islamic houses of worship, say deputy ministers
06 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — The government will continue to strengthen governance for non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI) through better inter-agency coordination, adherence to guidelines, and a dialogue-based approach to ensure issues are addressed harmoniously and prudently.
The matter was discussed at the Harmony and Governance Strategy Meeting on Issues Related to RIBI, co-chaired by National Unity Deputy Minister R Yuneswaran and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Roslin today.
According to a joint statement by the deputy ministers, the meeting examined governance aspects related to RIBI issues in an open and constructive manner.
“The discussion focused on management aspects, coordination and finding the best approaches in addressing arising issues in line with the existing administrative framework.
“It also emphasised the importance of enhancing understanding of procedures and guidelines on the management and construction of houses of worship,” they said.
They also noted that the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) plays an important role at the federal level to coordinate matters related to non-Islamic houses of worship, including through the RIBI Fund Coordination Unit.
“All parties are advised to comply with the guidelines set by KPKT regarding the verification and management of sites for houses of worship,” they said.
These matters are guided by existing legal provisions including the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) and the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172).
These provisions empower local authorities to regulate building structures, cleanliness, and ensure that no houses of worship are constructed without permission within their respective administrative areas.
“The government will continue to provide space for dialogue with representatives of religious communities to resolve issues through negotiations, mutual understanding and the spirit of unity,” it said.
At the same time, the government stressed that any party exploiting issues related to religion, race and the royal institution (3R) in a way that undermines social harmony will not be tolerated, and appropriate action may be taken by the authorities in accordance with the prevailing laws.
“Dialogue, negotiation and mediation will continue to be the main approaches in managing issues involving multi-religious communities so that matters can be handled prudently without undermining social harmony and unity,” they added. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Saifuddin Nasution: 1,050 certified Quran copies cleared for printing and distribution nationwide
07 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — The government has approved 1,050 final proofs of Quranic texts and materials for printing and distribution to the public through the enforcement of the Printing of Quranic Texts Act 1986 (APTQ 1986).
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said a total of 12,048 premises were inspected under the law last year, with 56,946 copies of Quranic texts and materials seized.
He said the enforcement action also saw 302 investigation papers opened, with enforcement outcomes amounting to RM1,983,151.
“In ensuring that the dignity and sanctity of the Quran continue to be preserved in this country, the Home Ministry bears the important responsibility of enforcing the APTQ 1986.
“This law serves to regulate the printing, importation, sale, publication, and distribution of Quranic texts and related materials,” he said in a Facebook post in conjunction with the Nuzul Quran observance today.
In addition, he said the Jom Exchange Quran (JEQ) programme was introduced to encourage the public to replace old, damaged or uncertified copies of the Quran with copies officially approved by the Home Ministry.
Since its launch in 2023, a total of 723 JEQ programmes have been implemented, with 75,614 copies of the Quran successfully replaced, in line with the aspiration of ‘Towards Zero Uncertified Copies of the Quran by KDN’.
“This effort is in line with the Malaysia Madani aspiration which emphasises the values of knowledge, integrity and compassion in national governance, ensuring that every policy and action is always guided by values that benefit the people and the country,” he said.
In the same post, he said that the Nuzul Quran event, which began in the Hira Cave with the first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad SAW, is not merely a historical record but a turning point in the rise of human civilisation based on knowledge, morality and justice.
“The first command of Allah SWT, ‘Iqra’ (read), emphasises that the foundation for building the ummah and the nation is knowledge guided by revelation.
“May this Nuzul Quran strengthen our collective resolve to continue making the noble Quran a guide in our lives and in carrying out our responsibilities to religion, nation and country,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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South Asia
We were not consulted before US deal: Jamaat in Bangladesh
07 Mar 2026
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said his party was not consulted on agreements signed with different countries during the tenure of the interim government.
“Several agreements were signed with different countries during the tenure of the previous interim government. Unfortunately, the government did not consult us in any way regarding those deals,” he wrote in a post on his verified Facebook account yesterday.
Shafiqur said Jamaat had repeatedly demanded that, in the absence of a parliament, the interim administration should consult political parties before taking decisions on major issues such as international agreements, as it had done on several other national matters.
“However, the government at the time did not take our demands into consideration. Our position on the matter is therefore clear, and there is no room for confusion,” he added.
His remarks came amid controversy over comments by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who earlier said consent had been obtained from two major political parties -- BNP and Jamaat -- before signing a trade agreement with the United States.
Speaking at a briefing after a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur on Wednesday, Khalilur said the US trade representative had spoken with the heads of the country’s two main parties before the election and received their consent.
“So it’s not that we did this in the dark,” he said.
Before the agreement was signed, Khalilur, who served as national security adviser in the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, played a key role in negotiations with the United States on behalf of Bangladesh.
Shafiqur’s statement yesterday marked Jamaat’s first formal response to the issue.
PROTEST
Jamaat yesterday brought out a protest procession demanding that Khalilur and former interim government adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan be questioned over allegations of “election engineering” in the 13th parliamentary polls.
Leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka city units held a brief rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Juma prayers before bringing out the procession.
Addressing the programme, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said, “Is there any opposition party in the country other than Jamaat-e-Islami? You (Rizwana Hasan) said those who are now in the opposition were not allowed to enter the mainstream.
“We believe you could not have carried out the engineering alone. Reveal the names of others who were involved.”
A day earlier, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher alleged that Khalilur had played a role in the alleged election engineering and raised the same allegation against Rizwana.
Meanwhile, leaders of Jamaat and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis yesterday signed the condolence book for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Iranian embassy in Dhaka. Khamenei was killed in a US-Israel attack in Tehran earlier this week.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/we-were-not-consulted-us-deal-jamaat-4122506
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Govt will pursue deregulation, ease of doing business: Bangladesh PM says at iftar with diplomats
07 Mar 2026
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought deeper engagement with the international community through partnerships rooted in expanded trade and investment, technology transfer, cultural and educational exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties.
“We believe prosperity today is built through cooperation and connectivity, not isolation,” he said, as quoted by his Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, before an iftar hosted in honour of diplomats.
The prime minister hosted the iftar at the state guest house Jamuna this evening, marking his first formal Ramadan gathering since assuming office.
Ambassadors and representatives of foreign missions stationed in Dhaka, members of the cabinet and lawmakers attended the event.
In his speech, the prime minister said his government would pursue prudent deregulation, improve ease of doing business, and foster a competitive environment that attracts responsible investment.
Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh’s foreign policy will be pragmatic and sustainable, guided by friendship to all based on mutual interests, trust, and sovereignty.
He said the government would focus on ensuring law and order, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and advancing human resource development through training, upskilling, and capacity enhancement at all levels of society.
Noting that Bangladesh stands at a crucial juncture of opportunity, the prime minister said, “Our aspiration is to build a diversified, technology-driven, and sustainable economy that creates jobs for our youth, empowers women, encourages entrepreneurship, and promotes shared prosperity.”
He said the government has a plan to strengthen technical and vocational education, introduce third language in curriculum, and expand preventive healthcare services in rural areas, ensuring that the benefits of growth reach every corner of the nation.
“We recognise that public trust depends on transparency and integrity, and we will take firm measures to combat corruption at all levels of governance. Democracy, for us, is not confined to the ballot box; it is an ongoing commitment to inclusion, transparency, and dialogue,” he said.
“We are equally committed to safeguarding human rights, protecting freedom of expression, and fostering a culture of tolerance and pluralism,” he said.
He said the government has already taken initiatives to gradually introduce Family Card and Farmers’ Card to provide targeted social and economic support to women in every family, as well as agricultural communities.
Turning to environmental issue, he said, “As a climate-vulnerable nation, we remain committed to working constructively with our global partners to advance climate resilience and sustainable development”.
On the occasion, the prime minister introduced and sought support for Bangladesh’s candidate, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 2026-2027 term.
Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed and prime minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir also spoke at the event.
Source: thedailystar.net
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UN rights chief warns over Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes
By Fidel Rahmati
March 7, 2026
The UN human rights chief has expressed concern over escalating clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has expressed concern over the growing clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters along the border between the two countries.
In a statement released Friday, Türk said at least 56 Afghan civilians were killed and 129 others injured during fighting over the past week. The casualties include 24 children and six women.
According to the UN rights chief, the escalating violence has displaced around 66,000 people inside Afghanistan, while cross-border attacks have forced the closure of more than 100 schools in Pakistan.
Türk called on both sides to immediately halt the fighting and prioritize the protection of civilians caught in the conflict. He also stressed that all parties must comply with international human rights and humanitarian law and allow independent investigations into any alleged violations.
The UN official warned that continued violence is restricting humanitarian access and worsening the situation for displaced people and vulnerable civilians in the affected areas.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/un-rights-chief-warns-over-pakistan-afghanistan-border-clashes/
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UN says preparing assistance for Afghan returnees from Iran
By Fidel Rahmati
March 7, 2026
The United Nations says it is preparing to support thousands of Afghan returnees from Iran as humanitarian challenges grow amid border tensions.
George Gagnon, acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), says the UN is preparing to support Afghan returnees from Iran.
The UN said Saturday that agencies including the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will assist returnees at border crossings.
These agencies will also provide support to communities hosting the returnees as more Afghans continue to return to the country.
Gagnon said clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan have complicated humanitarian operations and made aid delivery more difficult in several areas.
He warned about increasing civilian casualties linked to the recent cross-border fighting and its impact on vulnerable communities.
The UN official also said the organization and international partners are pressing the Taliban authorities to lift restrictions imposed on women and girls.
He expressed concern about declining international aid to Afghanistan, warning that reduced funding could worsen the humanitarian situation.
In recent months, thousands of Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, including Iran and Pakistan, amid deportations and economic pressure.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that Afghanistan’s fragile economy and ongoing security tensions could make reintegration difficult for many returning families.
UNAMA recently reported that at least 56 civilians were killed in recent clashes, while Taliban authorities have claimed the death toll is higher than 100.
Aid agencies say continued international support will be critical to help returning Afghans and prevent further humanitarian strain across the country.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/un-says-preparing-assistance-for-afghan-returnees-from-iran/
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Pakistani Military Regime’s Airstrikes Martyred Over 100 Civilians, Fitrat Says
March 4, 2026
KABUL: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has strongly condemned a series of deadly Pakistani Military Regime’s airstrikes and artillery attacks that have martyred 110 civilians, most of them women and children.
Hamdullah Fitrat, the Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, in a press conference here in Kabul on Tuesday, urged the United Nations and international human rights organizations to intervene and hold Pakistan accountable for what the Afghan side calls “war crimes” and “intentional targeting of civilians.”
“The escalation began late at night on February 21, when the Pakistani military bombed residential homes in Paktika and Nangarhar provinces. In Behsood district of Nangarhar, one home belonging to a local villager, Nezaqat Khan, was completely destroyed, killing 17 members of his family, most of them women and children. Five others were injured,” Fitrat said.
Pakistan’s military regime claimed responsibility for the attack, describing the target as a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideout, he said, adding, however, that both local and international media subsequently reported that the victims were entirely civilians, with no militant presence in the area.
“On the night of February 26, Afghan forces launched retaliatory strikes along the Durand Line, targeting Pakistani military posts allegedly involved in attacks on Afghan civilians, and dozens of Pakistani militia members involved in killing innocent children and civilians were punished for their crimes,” the deputy spokesman said.
He said that since February 26, Pakistan has continued to violate Afghanistan’s airspace, conducting repeated aerial and artillery strikes across Kabul, Laghman, Nangarhar, Kunar, Khost, Paktika, Paktia, and Kandahar.
“At least 110 civilians, among them more than 65 women and children, have been martyred, while 123 others have been injured, most of whom are also women and children. Residential areas have suffered severe destruction, with 37 homes completely reduced to rubble and another 316 partially damaged, alongside the wreckage of 12 shops.
Places of worship and public service have not been spared either, as 19 mosques were partially destroyed, and both a local clinic and a madrasa sustained heavy damage,” Fitrat said.
As a result of the relentless bombardment and shelling, an estimated 8,400 families have been forced to flee their homes, deepening the scale of displacement and humanitarian suffering across the region, he added.
He also said that three temporary camps for returning Afghan refugees, Injargai Camp in Kandahar, Omari Camp in Torkham, and a camp in Kunar, have been struck by Pakistani forces, putting already vulnerable families at further risk.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/pakistani-military-regimes-airstrikes-martyred-over-100-civilians-fitrat-says/
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Health Ministry Signs $7.7 Million Contract with MSIA to Expand Services in Provinces
March 4, 2026
KABUL: The Ministry of Public Health signed a $7,731,126 contract with MSIA to expand healthcare services across provinces.
Based on the five-year project, 600,000 residents will receive primary and specialised healthcare services in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kapisa, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, Helmand, Samangan, and other provinces, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
The initiative will also create 404 new jobs across various medical fields, the statement said.
Officials said the project aims to enhance the quality of health services, expand access in remote regions, and reduce medical challenges facing communities.
MSIA representatives pledged full compliance with international health standards during implementation.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/health-ministry-signs-7-7-million-contract-with-msia-to-expand-services-in-provinces/
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