'Allah u Akbar' Slogans At BJP Rally As Party Reaches Out To Muslims

New Age Islam News Bureau

30 March 2024

 

·         'Allah u Akbar' Slogans At BJP Rally As Party Reaches Out To Muslims

·         Humza Yousaf Organises Islamic Call To Prayer At The Official Residence of the First Minister of Scotland

·         Taliban Claim Of Combatting ISIS Disputed Following Kandahar Bombing And Moscow Attack: Australian Research Institution

·         Saudi Centre To Prepare Encyclopaedia Entry On Islamic ‘Intellectual Community’

·         Sexual Violence ‘Largely Unpunished’ In Haiti, UN Says

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India

·         Malappuram To Host India's Largest Ramadan Congregation

·         Court in Kerala Acquits 3 RSS Workers in Madrasa Teacher Murder Case

·         IIT Student Who Wanted To Join Islamic State Had No Friends On Campus: Police

·         Raju Pal murder: CBI dropped six names, including Guddu Muslim, Malli

·         Over 1,200 RSS-Run Schools Teach Kids ‘Desh Prem’ In Kashmir

·         Mukhtar Ansari laid to rest in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur amid tight security

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Europe

·         Islam Khalilov, the Boy Who Saved Many During Moscow Concert Hall Attack Awarded Muslim Medal For Bravery

·         EU Capital Brussels To Ban Buying Products From Israeli Settlements

·         ‘Categorically Unacceptable’: Moscow Blasts Israel Over Deadly Strikes On Syria

·         France: Teenager Arrested On Suspicion Of Preparing Terror Attack On School

·         Belgium Must Recall Ambassador To Israel, Says Former Defence Chief

·         Turkish TIKA gives Ramadan Iftar in Kosovo's capital

·         More than 115 UK MPs urge fresh pressure on Israel over Gaza

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South Asia

·         Washington Calls on Kabul to Fulfil Counter-Terrorism Pledges

·         Charity Foundation Provides Food, Cooking Supplies in Helmand for Ramadan

·         Various Trade, Transit Agreements Signed With Pakistan: Azizi

·         Narcotics Production Shifting from Neighbour Countries to Afghanistan: MoI

·         PM's inclusive politics has pushed BNP's politics into darkness: Quader

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Arab World

·         GCC Unveils Vision For Regional Security With Emphasis On Unity And Peace

·         Houthi-led pro-Palestine rallies sweep Yemen in solidarity with Gaza

·         Capital Sana'a rallies in march "We are coming in the tenth year, Palestine is our first cause"

·         Centuries-old mosque showcases Al-Ahsa’s rich heritage

·         Saudi aid agency to deliver Zakat Al-Fitr to Yemen

·         OIC welcomes ICJ's additional order to Israel to avert famine, humanitarian crisis in Gaza

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Africa

·         ‘Treat Your Wives The Way You Treat Yourselves’ – JAMB Registrar Advices Muslim Men

·         Imamship Tussle: Muslim Clerics Appeal To Adeleke To Respect Court Order

·         Nigerian village celebrates the return of kidnapped students

·         Somalia: Greenhouse farming to combat food insecurity

·         Abductors Of Kuriga School Children Killed In Military Operation – DHQ\

·         ‘Most Wanted Boko Haram Commander Surrenders To Nigerian Army’

·         Journalists condemn alleged attack on colleague by DSS in Ibadan

·         Gunmen rob Mpumalanga worshippers in a mosque

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Mideast

·         Gaza Humanitarian Crisis ‘Man-Made’, Israel Must Obey ICJ Order: UNRWA

·         Hamas, Islamic Jihad Say Success Of Indirect Negotiations With Israel Depends On Fulfillment Of 4 Conditions

·         Israeli PM Netanyahu OKs New Gaza Cease-Fire Talks Amid Pressure

·         Gaza international force could include soldiers from three Arab countries

·         Arab, Islamic nations applaud ICJ order for Israel to unblock aid to Gaza

·         Israel Kills Dozens In Airstrikes Across The Gaza Strip

·         Jordanians protest peace treaty with Israel in fresh rallies

·         Hezbollah hits Israeli military sites in reprisal for attacks on southern Lebanon

·         Nasrallah calls for massive participation in Quds day

·         125,000 worshippers perform 3rd Friday prayer of Ramadan in blessed Al-Aqsa

·         UNICEF: 1.7 million Palestinians displaced in Gaza, half of them children

·         IDF commando killed, 16 others wounded during fighting in southern Gaza

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Southeast Asia

·         PM Anwar: Muslims Must Continue To Safeguard Al-Azhar Tradition Of Knowledge, Wisdom

·         Baznas distributing Gaza food aid worth Rp2 billion during Ramadan

·         Religious Affairs Ministry launches Indonesia Global Halal Fashion

·         Second KK Mart firebombed amid 'Allah' socks controversy

·         Mapim urges authorities to step up surveillance of Israeli ops in Malaysia

·         Malaysia arrests three suspected of supplying Israeli man with firearms

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Pakistan

·         Letter Of Six IHC Judges: PTI Demands Resignation Of CJP, IHC CJ

·         President urges int’l community to ensure protection of Palestinian civilians in Gaza Strip

·         Culprits of Besham attack will be brought to justice: Mohsin Naqvi

·         Chinese investigators arrive to join probe into Besham suicide attack

·         Security of Imran in Adiala jail: LHC adjourns proceedings in a plea

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North America

·         US Has Agreed To Send More Bombs And Warplanes To Israel, Sources Say

·         Joe Biden: US Must 'Pause, Reflect' Over Arab Pain Due To Gaza War

·         News study highlights charitable spirit of US Muslims during Ramadan

·         CAIR Condemns Israeli Ban on Palestinian Christians Entering Jerusalem on Easter

·         CAIR-CA to Host 18th Annual Ramadan Iftar at the California State Capitol

·         More Than Two-Thirds of Muslim Americans Prefer Giving Charity During Ramadan

·         Famine ‘quite possibly’ in some areas of northern Gaza, US official says

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:   https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/allah-akbar-bjp-muslims-slogan-rally/d/132044

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'Allahu Akbar' Slogans At BJP Rally As Party Reaches Out To Muslims

  

 Mar 30, 2024

COOCH BEHAR: A BJP Minority Morcha rally, in support of the party's Cooch Behar candidate NisithPramanik, raising "Allahu Akbar" slogans grabbed eyeballs in West Bengal's Dinhata on Thursday.

BJP Cooch Behar president and MLA Sukumar Roy told TOI on Friday the rally was held with Muslims from two assembly segments, Sitai and Dinhata. "We will be holding a rally with Muslims from the entire district in Cooch Behar town soon," Roy said.

Roy said this was not unusual in a district where the party had a Muslim panchayat Samiti member from Bhetaguri.

According to BJP supporters, a large section of Rajbanshi Muslims from north Bengal, particularly from Suktabari area in Cooch Behar district, had participated in PM Narendra Modi's rally in Silliguri earlier this month.

"The situation here is changing. People are now labelling TMC communal because the party always used Muslims as vote bank," Roy said.

Pramanik had held a meeting two months ago where burqa-clad Muslim women were seen raising "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogans with the minister.

The Dinhata rally came a day after BJP's Tamluk candidate, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, offered a Chadar at Mahishadaldargah after praying at Gobindo Jiu temple of MahishadalRajbari during his campaign.

Modi had recently said that Muslim women would vote against TMC because of the torture of women in Sandeshkhali. Taking a cue, Bengal BJP leaders curated their election campaigns to exclude anti-Muslim rhetoric that had been used during the 2021 assembly poll rallies, and are making it a point to assert that the party is in favour of "Bharatiya Muslims".

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/allahu-akbar-slogans-at-bjp-rally-as-party-reaches-out-to-muslims/articleshow/108884976.cms

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Humza Yousaf Organises Islamic Call To Prayer At The Official Residence of the First Minister of Scotland

 

Humza Yousaf at an Interfaith Iftar at Bute House (Image: ScotGov)

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29th March

 Hamish Morrison

HUMZA Yousaf has hailed the Islamic call to prayer being performed in the First Minister’s official residence as a potential Scottish first.

The First Minister invited Sheikh Rabbani to perform the ritual, which marked the end of the day’s fasting for Muslims, at an Interfaith Iftar at Bute House on Thursday night.

Yousaf, alongside Muslims across the world, has been fasting since the evening of March 10 and will continue until April 9 for Ramadan.

Muslims break their fast with Suhur as a pre-dawn meal and Iftar, which is taken after sunset.

The First Minister invited representatives of other faiths practiced in Scotland to the ceremony.

Writing on Twitter/X he hailed it as probably the first time the Islamic call to prayer had been performed in Bute House.

He said: “Muslims break their fast at sunset with the call to prayer. Today, Sheikh Rabbani performed the call to prayer in Bute House with friends from across different faith communities.

“Quite possibly the first time the Islamic call to prayer has been performed in Bute House!”

Source: thenational.scot

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https://www.thenational.scot/news/24220418.humza-yousaf-organises-islamic-call-prayer-bute-house/

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Taliban Claim Of Combatting ISIS Disputed Following Kandahar Bombing And Moscow Attack: Australian Research Institution

 

Photo: Khaama Press

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Fidel Rahmati

March 30, 2024

The Australian research institution added that despite the Taliban’s claim to combat ISIS, the group remains formidable, demonstrated by bombings in Kandahar, the Taliban’s power centre, and an attack on a concert hall in Moscow.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute states that Western societies view ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and other extremist groups separately, but these groups share a common ideological orientation.

In its report released on Thursday, March 28th, the institute wrote that these groups, due to their shared ideology, strive to transform Muslim countries into a unified society under a single rule.

The institute argues that the Taliban’s claim to combat ISIS and sever ties with Al-Qaeda is “hollow.”

According to the institute, the Taliban presents its claim of fighting ISIS to garner “Washington’s goodwill.”

The Australian research institution added that despite the Taliban’s claim to combat ISIS, the group remains formidable, demonstrated by bombings in Kandahar, the Taliban’s power center, and an attack on a concert hall in Moscow.

The institute emphasized that the Taliban has remained loyal to its long-standing alliance with Al-Qaeda, and Al-Qaeda has managed to establish active cells throughout Afghanistan.

A section of the report states that with the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan, the regional landscape has significantly favored violent extremist groups. According to the report, 21 other violent extremist groups have found regional and operational footholds in Afghanistan under Taliban control.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute also noted that the Taliban has maintained its relationship with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and has even sought conflict with this group, known as a designated terrorist organization, over its main supporter, Pakistan.

The Australian institution warned that the threat of terrorism is increasing both in Afghanistan and the region. It added that the Taliban has returned to its despotic government of the 1990s centered around the Pashtuns.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute stated that recent attacks by ISIS in Kandahar and Moscow should motivate regional and global powers to fight terrorism. According to the institute, geopolitical rivalries have allowed ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban greater opportunities for future proliferation.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/taliban-claim-of-combatting-isis-disputed-following-kandahar-bombing-and-moscow-attack-aspi/

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Saudi Centre To Prepare Encyclopaedia Entry On Islamic ‘Intellectual Community’

 

Participants at the conference in Makkah highlighted the specificity of each school of Islamic thought, but stressed that a unified stance on major issues. (SPA)

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March 30, 2024

RIYADH: Muslim scholars at the recently held “Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects” conference in Makkah have chosen the Saudi Defence Ministry’s Centre for Safeguarding Intellect to compile a comprehensive study of “The Islamic Intellectual Community” for an upcoming encyclopaedia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The decision “reflects the centre’s expertise in intellectual matters aligned with the conference’s objectives,” according to the SPA.

Three research bodies have also been assigned roles that will contribute to future conferences aiming to bridge Islamic sects by researching the specifics of each Islamic sect, including their origins and branches.

The Center for Safeguarding Intellect emphasizes “the comprehensiveness, brevity, breadth, and integrity of Islamic discourse,” the SPA stated. “This approach represents an Islamic concept of moderation, embracing diversity and steering clear of exclusionism or factionalism within the sectarian coalition.”

Scholars have endorsed the center’s approach, particularly in refraining from using labels that undermine Islamic cooperation and understanding, something especially pertinent to issues such as extremism.

Participants at the conference in Makkah highlighted the specificity of each school of Islamic thought, but stressed that a unified stance on major issues, such as confronting sectarianism and intellectual extremism, would only be possible by achieving an “Islamic intellectual consensus.”

They added that institutions including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Muslim World League were founded in order to help establish such a consensus.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2485091/saudi-arabia

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 Sexual violence ‘largely unpunished’ in Haiti, UN says

Tires on fire near the main prison of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 3, 2024, after a breakout by several thousand inmates. Luckenson Jean/AFPTV/AFP/Getty Images/File

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March 29, 2024

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The UN human rights office described sexual violence in Haiti as “severely underreported and largely unpunished” in a harrowing report released Thursday that documented cases of rape and forced sexual relations with gang members, as well surging levels of gang violence in the country.

The report, from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), also found that more than 1,500 people have been killed by gang violence in Haiti so far this year, set to outpace the 4,451 killings in 2023, as the country slides deeper into chaos and anarchy, with heavily armed gangs battling authorities in the capital city in recent weeks.

“Corruption, impunity, and poor governance, compounded by increasing levels of gang violence, have eroded the rule of law and brought state institutions, which should be the basis of a democratic society, close to collapse,” the report stated.

The violence has caused the internal displacement of approximately 313,900 people as of December 2023, according to the OHCHR.

The gangs also continue to recruit children, who are often used as lookouts for other gang members to carry out kidnappings and robberies, according to testimonies collected by the OHCHR.

“All these practices are outrageous and must stop at once,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

The report comes two weeks after Ariel Henry announced he would resign as Haiti’s prime minister, bowing to the demands of gang leaders who had orchestrated prison breaks and attacked government offices in an attempt to overthrow Henry’s leadership.

Members of a transitional council established in Henry’s place issued their first statement Wednesday saying that they are finalizing a document that would officially form the council. Once the presidential council is formed, the statement said, it will “appoint a prime minister, with whom he will constitute a government of national unity and put Haiti back on the path of democratic legitimacy, stability and dignity.”

In the UN report, researchers found that weapons and ammunition are regularly trafficked through Haiti’s borders – despite an arms embargo. The flow of arms enables the gangs to have superior firepower to the police forces.

“It is shocking that despite the horrific situation on the ground, arms keep still pouring in. I appeal for a more effective implementation of the arms embargo,” Türk said.

The Haitian National Police face a range of other challenges including their officers being severely underpaid and understaffed, resulting in a police-to-population ratio of 1.3 officers per 1,000 citizens, the OHCHR found.

The OHCHR also reported that so-called “self-defense brigades” made up of civilians have been executing individuals accused of petty crime or suspected of association with gangs. At least 528 cases of lynching were reported in 2023, and 59 so far in 2024, mostly in Port-au-Prince, the report stated.

Haiti’s criminal justice system has remained dysfunctional as national anti-corruption and accountability mechanisms are chronically under-resourced, the OHCHR found.

“Widespread corruption and dysfunction of the justice system greatly contribute to the pervasive impunity for grave human rights violations, and they need to be addressed urgently,” said Türk.

“Accountability is paramount to restore public trust in the rule of law and the state institutions,” he added.

The report found a high level of self-censorship among journalists due to threats or fear of reprisals by gangs. The OHCHR documented four cases of journalists killed in 2023 with no investigations opened regarding the deaths.

The gangs have also caused extensive damage to Haitians’ property. More than 1,880 homes and businesses have been looted or destroyed since January 2023, the OHCHR found. In the Artibonite Valley, Haiti’s breadbasket, gangs have attacked farm properties and also stolen hundreds of livestock. — CNN

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

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https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/641640/World/America/Sexual-violence-largely-unpunished-in-Haiti-UN-says

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India

 

Malappuram To Host India's Largest Ramadan Congregation

Mar 30, 2024

The country's largest Ramadan prayer meet, which is expected to be attended by thousands of faithful from across the country and outside, will be held at Swalathnagar in Malappuram district on April 6.

Madin Academy, a district-based organisation indulging in spiritual and humanitarian activities, has been organizing this spiritual congregation for many years.

This is also the prayer congregation that witnesses the gathering of largest number of believers in the country, the organisers said in a statement said here on Saturday.

All India Sunni Jamiathul Ulama General Secretary Kanthapuram AP AbubakarMusliar will inaugurate the event under the chairmanship of Samasta President E Sulaiman Musliar.

Madin Chairman Syed Ibrahimul Khalil Al Bukhari will deliver the keynote address.

Samasta Kerala Jamiatul Ulama Vice President Syed Ali BafaqiThangal will lead the opening prayers.

A community Iftar will also be arranged at Swalath Nagar for those who come to the prayer meeting, the organisers said in the statement.

Source: outlookindia.com

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https://www.outlookindia.com/national/malappuram-to-host-indias-largest-ramadan-congregation

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Court in Kerala Acquits 3 RSS Workers in Madrasa Teacher Murder Case

 MARCH 30, 2024

A court here on Saturday acquitted three RSS activists in a case relating to the murder of a Madrasa teacher inside a mosque in the district in 2017.

Kasaragod Principal Sessions court judge K K Balakrishnan acquitted the three accused in the case.

The detailed verdict of the case is yet to come out.

Thirty four-year old Mohammed RiyasMaulavi, a muezzin (person who proclaims the Islamic call to prayer) and Madrasa teacher from nearby Choori was found murdered in his room in the mosque on March 20, 2017.

His throat was allegedly slit by a gang which had entered the compound of Muhayuddin Juma masjid of Choori.

Source: news18.com

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https://www.news18.com/india/court-in-kerala-acquits-3-rss-workers-in-Madrasa-teacher-murder-case-8833722.html

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IIT Student Who Wanted To Join Islamic State Had No Friends On Campus: Police

Mar 30, 2024

Rishabh Sharma

Tauseef Ali Farooqui, a fourth-year Biotechnology student at IIT-Guwahati who was detained last week after he allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, was a loner and did not have any friends on campus, the police said on Friday.

Farooqui was sent to 10 days of police custody by a Guwahati court on Friday. The police also took him to his hostel room where police recovered a black flag similar to the Islamic State flag, along with a manuscript.

Additional Superintendent of Police Kalyan Kumar Pathak said, "After receiving an e-mail, we verified the authenticity of the contents and started an investigation."

In the e-mail and on social media, Farooqui had claimed that he intended to visit Khorasan to join the Islamic State.

According to police sources, a look-out alert was issued for Farooqui, who is a resident of Delhi, after he wrote an open letter on LinkedIn stating the reason for his decision.

When police contacted the IIT-Guwahati authorities, they said that the student had been "missing' and his mobile phone had been switched off.

Farooqui was found in Hajo, around 30 km from Guwahati, on March 23 and was detained for interrogation.

Farooqui's parents live in Delhi's Zakir Nagar. After he was detained, they left for Guwahati.

His neighbours said Farooqui is a very bright student and cleared the IIT exam on his first attempt. He is a fourth-year student of biotechnology at IIT-Guwahati.

Source: indiatoday.in

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iit-guwahati-student-tauseef-ali-farooqui-islamic-state-loner-friends-assam-police-2521006-2024-03-30

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Raju Pal Murder: CBI Dropped Six Names, Including Guddu Muslim, Malli

Mar 30, 2024

PRAYAGRAJ: Police had also named Guddu Muslim, a criminal expert in using crude bombs, (who carried a reward of ?5 lakh on his head for his involvement in the February 2023 murders of lawyer Umesh Pal and his two security guards) in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case as an accused.

People present on the spot at the time had claimed to have seen him throwing crude bombs on the vehicle of Raju Pal. The police had also filed a chargesheet but no evidence was found of his involvement in the CBI investigation.

Of the 17 people named as accused by the police in their chargesheet, only 10 were made accused by the CBI in its chargesheet. Names of six accused, including those of Guddu Muslim and Malli, were not included due to lack of evidence whereas one accused had died even before the chargesheet got filed.

Slain mafia-politician Atiq and his brother Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf were named by his wife Pooja Pal after the murder of MLA Raju Pal and three others on January 25, 2005. The names of the other shooters remained unknown.

The police probe revealed the names of the shooters and the police filed a charge sheet against 11 of them.

In 2007, during the BSP regime, further investigation into this case was ordered. Inspectors Surendra Singh and Narayan Singh Parihar identified each shooter on the basis of evidence and brought their names to light. Narayan Singh Parihar revealed the name of absconding Abdul Kavi, who was given a clean chit by the previous investigator. Apart from this, the names of Guddu Muslim and Atiq’s shooter Asif alias Malli were also revealed .

A total of seven new names were added.

In this way, Narayan Singh Parihar filed the charge sheet against 17 accused, including Atiq Ahmad. In 2008, the CB-CID investigated and filed a charge sheet against 17 accused. Here, on the orders of the Supreme Court on the writ of Pooja Pal, CBI started investigation in 2016. Accused Nafees Kalia died even before the CBI investigation was completed.

The CBI did not include names of six accused due to lack of evidence, including Guddu Muslim and Malli, apart from Nafees Kalia and Gulful who died of ailment.

Names included in the charge sheet of police and CB-CID:

1-Atiq Ahmad, 2- Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf, 3-Ranjeet Pal, 4-Abid Pradhan, 5-Mohd Farhan, 6-Javed Israr, 7-Asif alias Malli, 8-Ejaz Akhtar, 9-Javed, 10-Akbar, 11- Gulful Pradhan, 12-Guddu Muslim, 13-Dinesh Pasi, 14-Nafees Kalia, 15-Mustain, 16-Gulfam and 17-Gul Hasan.

Names included in the charge sheet of CBI:

1-Atiq Ahmad, 2- Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf, 3-Ranjit Pal, 4-Abid Pradhan, 5-Mohd Farhan, 6-Gul Hasan, 7-Javed Israr Khan, 8-Gulful alias Rafiq Ahmed, 9-Abdul Kavi, 10-Gulshan

Source: hindustantimes.com

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/raju-pal-murder-cbi-dropped-six-names-including-guddu-muslim-malli-101711739308586.html

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Over 1,200 RSS-Run Schools Teach Kids ‘Desh Prem’ In Kashmir

29th March 2024

Rashtriya Sewa Bharati, affiliated with the Ekal Vidyalaya Abhiyan project, are teaching Kashmiri Muslim children ‘Desh Prem’, according to a report by News18.

Sewa Bharati is an educational initiative of the Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS), and it has established 1,250 schools for children across the Kashmir Valley.

These Vidyalayas are established across 10 districts, including 180 in Baramulla district alone. As per the report, Kashmir witnessed a rise of 53% in the number of Ekal Vidyalayas since 2022, from 800 to 1,250.

Citing security experts and academicians, the News 18 reported that Sewa Bharati achieved “a feat that was almost unthinkable in Kashmir a few years ago.”

The schools are being maintained by Muslim teachers and AviyanPramukhs (project in-charges), village committees, and some local representatives of panchayats as well.

A senior associate with the project said, “The medium of teaching is Kashmiri and Urdu. We do not want our children to become stone-palters or join terrorist groups, and we also do not want them to indulge in drug addiction.”

The associate, whose identity was not revealed in the report, claimed to have been attacked by militant groups a number of times for his association with the RSS-affiliated schools.

“We do teach them the Quran here, and we never faced any adverse reaction from the organization in this regard,” he added.

The report said that Ekal Vidyalayas had been running in the region for over a decade and received a rousing response only over the past five to six years.

Notably, around 70% of the teachers are female, and the schools follow the syllabus of the general education system in J&K.

A teacher told News 18, “Some children come from the villages that don’t have schools. Others come from destitute families who cannot afford the school education for their kids.”

“We try to provide primary and post-primary education to the children. Apart from the general subjects, we teach about nationalist ideas and have a special subject called Kashmiriyat. We also teach them about the history of the region,” she explained, adding that the students in the school celebrate Independence Day, Republic Day, and all other major local and national festivals.

Source: siasat.com

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https://www.siasat.com/over-1200-rss-run-schools-teach-kids-desh-prem-in-kashmir-3000664/

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Mukhtar Ansari laid to rest in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur amid tight security

30.03.24

Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died of cardiac arrest, was laid to rest at the Kali Bagh burial ground in Ghazipur on Saturday.

The body was brought to the family's ancestral burial ground, about half a km from their residence, where a grave was dug on Friday near that of Mukhtar Ansari's parents. The local administration made elaborate security arrangements outside Ansari's residence and the burial ground.

Ansari died on Thursday. His body was brought to his hometown around midnight on Friday, family sources said, adding the pre-burial rituals took place at the residence.

Sources said a funeral procession started from his ancestral residence in which his elder brother Afzal Ansari, a member of Parliament, son Omar Ansari and nephew Suhaib Ansari, an MLA, along with other family members and supporters took part.

A large crowd accompanied the procession and some also raised slogans. On reaching the cemetery, Afzal Ansari appealed to the crowd to maintain peace. His elder brother, former MLA Sibgatullah Ansari, also attended the funeral.

However, Mukhtar Ansari's elder son and MLA Abbas Ansari could not attend the funeral. He is lodged in Kasganj jail in connection with criminal cases.

The funeral procession took longer than expected to reach the burial ground in Mohammadabad because of the large crowd that accompanied the body, said Ravindra Singh, a local.

Police faced a tough time managing the crowd who tried to force their way into the burial ground where entry was restricted. Varanasi Zone Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Piyush Mordia was present in Mohammadabad to supervise the arrangements.

According to the DIG of Varanasi Range, O P Singh, adequate police force was deployed everywhere. The Ansari family has been cooperating with the police. People started gathering in the area from Friday night and announcements were made to ensure that there was no overcrowding, he said.

"Before Mukhtar Ansari was laid to rest, Namaz-e-Janaza was offered near the house and later at the nearby Prince Maidan," Singh said.

Asked about some people in the crowd raising slogans, he said Mukhtar Ansari's family members had given a list of 40 to 50 people who were allowed to stay at the Kali Bagh cemetery at the time of burial.

The rest were stopped after the prayers. There is complete peace, Singh added.

Personnel of the police, Provincial Armed Constabulary and paramilitary forces were deployed at all important places. As the crowd swelled, more security personnel were deployed in the area later.

An official at the police headquarters said tight security arrangements have been made to maintain peace during the funeral.

In a post on X on Friday, Samajwadi Party MLA and Mukhtar Ansari's nephew Suhaib Ansari said, "My uncle Mukhtar Ansari passed away last night. Tomorrow, at 10 am, he will be buried in our Kali Bagh graveyard of Yusufpur Mohammadabad (Ghazipur). All of you are requested to pray for the forgiveness of the deceased." Mukhtar Ansari, who was lodged in the Banda jail, was rushed to the Rani Durgawati Medical College on Thursday night when his health deteriorated. He died at the hospital during treatment.

After the post-mortem on Friday, a convoy carrying Ansari's body left Banda for his native place in Ghazipur amid heavy security. The ambulance carrying the body was accompanied by police vehicles along the 400-kilometre route via several Uttar Pradesh districts.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mukhtar-ansari-laid-to-rest-in-uttar-pradeshs-ghazipur-amid-tight-security/cid/2010022

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Europe

 

Islam Khalilov, the Boy Who Saved Many During Moscow Concert Hall Attack Awarded Muslim Medal For Bravery

Elena Teslova

29.03.2024

The Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia on Tuesday awarded a medal to 15-year-old boy Islam Khalilov who saved dozens of people during last week's attack on the Crocus City concert Hall in Moscow region.

During the ceremony held before the congregational Friday prayer at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, Khalilov was presented with the Medal for Service to Muslims of Russia for his bravery.

The medal was handed by RavilGaynutdin, chairman of the religious association. "I know that what happened will remain as a wound in your heart for the rest of your life. But what you did will also remain in your memory, but the most important thing is in the memory of our entire society, our entire people and all the peoples who expressed condolences to our president, our Russian people," he said.

Khalilov opened doors and provided exit directions when he saw a large crowd of people running from the besieged concert hall.

Gaynutdin said he will also present a medal to Khalilov's colleague ArtyomDonskov, a Russian Orthodox who also helped a lot of people to leave the concert hall during the attack and thus saved their lives.

Both Khalilov and Donskov worked at the concert hall's wardrobe section and are friends. They were also awarded medals for bravery by Russia's commissioner for children's rights earlier this week.

Gunmen on March 22 opened fire on people at the playhouse in Krasnogorsk, a city in the Moscow region. At least 144 people have died as a result, while four people have been charged with terrorism.

Source: aa.com.tr

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EU capital Brussels to ban buying products from Israeli settlements

MAR 29, 2024

The city council of Brussels approved a motion to ban the public procurement of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements.

The motion, brought by Benoit Hellings, a councilor in the capital of Brussels, was adopted unanimously in a vote late Monday.

The motion asks the local authority to ensure that its purchases do not benefit companies working in conditions that do not respect international law, human rights, or environmental law.

In 2015, the EU issued new guidelines for the labeling of products from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli and Palestinian estimates indicate about 650,000 settlers are living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are considered illegal.

Palestinians accuse Israel of systematically working to Judaize East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, and to obliterate its Arab and Islamic identity.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third-holiest site. Jews, for their part, call the area the Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980, in a move never recognized by the international community.

Britain, the European Union and more than a dozen partner countries including Australia and Canada have called on Israel to take immediate and concrete steps to tackle settler violence in the West Bank.

Source: dailysabah.com

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‘Categorically unacceptable’: Moscow blasts Israel over deadly strikes on Syria

29 March 2024

Moscow has strongly denounced the Israeli regime over a raft of earlier airstrikes by Tel Aviv against northern Syria that left dozens of Syrian civilians and military personnel dead and injured.

The regime conducted the attacks against targets near the Syrian city of Aleppo on Friday, using multiple warplanes.

"Such aggressive actions against the Syrian Arab Republic, which constitute a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and the basic norms of international law, are categorically unacceptable," Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement later in the day.

Syria and the Israeli regime are technically at war due to the latter’s 1967-present occupation of the country’s Golan Heights.

The regime began carrying out hundreds of attacks against the country after 2011, when the Arab nation found itself in the grip of rampant foreign-backed militancy and terrorism.

Tel Aviv has significantly ramped up the strikes since last October, when it began a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, in what has been described by observers as a reckless bid threatening to fan tensions throughout the region.

"We strongly condemn these provocative acts of force, which carry extremely dangerous consequences in terms of a sharp deterioration of the situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," Zakharova likewise said.

Earlier on Friday, Iran similarly denounced the Israeli airstrikes, saying the attacks were a failed attempt to heal the regime’s humiliated image in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Condemning the attacks, Zakharova’s Iranian counterpart Nasser Kan’ani also addressed a report by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), which had said the Israeli aggression had coincided with airstrikes by foreign-backed Takfiri terrorist groups from the neighboring province of Idlib on the same area.

Such attacks, which were coordinated and synchronized with the attacks of terrorist groups in Syria, are a “clear testimony to the support of the terrorist regime of Israel for terrorist groups and ideologies in Syria,” he said.

Source: presstv.ir

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France: Teenager arrested on suspicion of preparing terror attack on school

[29/March/2024]

PARIS March 29. 2024 (Saba) - French police have arrested a 16-year-old teenager on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack on a school, as well as making death threats against staff of an educational institution.

The French channel "BFMTV" quoted a judicial source on Friday that "a teenager was arrested at his home in the municipality of Senon near the city of Bordeaux, suspected of threatening to launch a terrorist attack on an educational institution and making death threats against teachers and the secondary school administration."

According to the TV channel, the student partially pleaded guilty.

Yesterday, France's Internal Security Directorate (intelligence) recommended cancelling the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and other cities due to rising terrorist threats.

Since the terrorist attack on the outskirts of Moscow last Friday, the fear of terrorism has returned to the forefront of French concerns, but it should be noted that it has not been completely lost.

Since 2015, France has been on the list of targets of terrorist organizations.

Source: saba.ye

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Belgium must recall ambassador to Israel, says former defense chief

SerdarDincel

29.03.2024

A former Belgium defense minister urged the country's government to recall its ambassador in Israel and summon the Israeli ambassador in Brussels over its continued offensive in the Gaza Strip, local media reported on Friday.

Andre Flahaut called on the Belgian government to undertake measures in relation to Israel's "non-compliance with international law," referring to its continued attacks on the Palestinian enclave despite a UN Security Council resolution on Monday demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Flahaut accused Israeli officials of purposefully flouting the UN decision, which he called "a strong act aimed at putting an end to the genocide committed against the Palestinian people."

He urged Belgium to impose economic and political sanctions on Israel or even to "suspend relations with Tel Aviv."

"No state is above the law. We must neither be complicit nor hostage to the extremism of Netanyahu and his government," he asserted.

The UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which already began on March 11 and is set to end on April 9.

As many as 14 countries voted in favor of the resolution, presented by 10 elected members of the council, while the US abstained from voting.

The resolution called for an "immediate cease-fire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable cease-fire."

It also demanded the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs."

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack by Hamas which killed nearly 1,200 people.

Nearly 32,500 Palestinians have since been killed and 74,900 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Source: aa.com.tr

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Turkish TIKA gives Ramadan iftar in Kosovo's capital

MAR 29, 2024

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) organized a Ramadan iftar in the capital of Kosovo, Pristina, showing Türkiye's unwavering dedication to promoting peace and stability in the Balkans.

The event, held on Thursday, was graced by the presence of notable dignitaries, including Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yasin EkremSerim and Kosovo Prime Minister AlbinKurti. Turkish Ambassador Sabri TuncAngili and the commander of NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR), OzkanUlutas, were also in attendance.

In his address, Deputy Foreign Minister Serim conveyed warm greetings from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister HakanFidan, highlighting Türkiye's steadfast commitment to fostering peace and stability in the region.

He emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in the Balkans is one of Türkiye's "indispensable foreign policy priorities," affirming Türkiye's role as a responsible and proactive partner in regional affairs.

Expressing Türkiye's tangible contributions to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Serim underscored the significant role played by over 800 Turkish Armed Forces members serving in Kosovo, who are actively engaged in KFOR's mission to ensure security and stability in the region.

Reminding that Türkiye and Kosovo always support each other not only in good times but also in bad times, Serim said: "I want you to know that in Kosovo, we feel not as guests but as at home. The history of our friendship with Kosovo is very long, and I want to emphasize once again the significant place Kosovo holds in our hearts."

Serim noted the rapid development of economic relations between Türkiye and Kosovo as a "significant factor strengthening the ties between the two countries."

Also, Prime Minister Kurti highlighted the assistance provided by TIKA for Kosovo's development.

He expressed gratitude for TIKA's continuous support, "excellent cooperation, and contributions to Kosovo's development."

Ambassador Angili emphasized that the "strong bonds between Kosovo and Türkiye will be even stronger in the future."

Source: dailysabah.com

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More than 115 UK MPs urge fresh pressure on Israel over Gaza

March 29, 2024

LONDON: More than 115 MPs in the UK have demanded a series of government measures to safeguard Palestinian civilians in Gaza and place new political pressure on Israel.

In a letter to Foreign Secretary David Cameron dated March 29, backbench parliamentarians from all parties urged the government to take immediate action over the “alarming” situation in Gaza.

Among the demands are the full restoration of UK funding to UNRWA, as well as renewed political pressure on Israel to enable the unimpeded access of humanitarian aid into the enclave.

“Turning the taps back on” in the enclave is “vital,” the letter says, warning that Israel should suffer “diplomatic consequences” if it fails to abide by international law.

The government should also demand that “Israel must not use starvation as a weapon of war” and abide by the provisional measures set by the International Court of Justice in January this year, the letter says.

Any shift in British foreign policy toward Israel must include a deadline that, if passed without changes, would result in “serious consequences” for the relationship between the two countries.

Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, described the letter as a potential “turning point” in the UK’s relationship with Israel.

Since the outbreak of violence on Oct. 7, grassroots political campaigns across the UK have sought to pressure the government into calling for a ceasefire and condemning Israel’s war.

The letter is “evidence of huge anger in political circles” in the UK, Doyle added, warning that it also represented a failure of the government to represent the views of the electorate.

But government communication is fast changing tone in statements regarding the Israel-Hamas war, he said.

The letter warns that the UK’s own efforts to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza have been compromised by Israel.

“It is alarming that Israel has delayed UK aid into Gaza by delaying permissions to cross the border and by preventing the necessary staff from obtaining visas,” it says.

“Further UK pressure on the Israeli government to let aid in, open the Port of Ashdod, and ‘turn the taps back on’ in Gaza is vital.”

The civilian population in the enclave is “on the brink of famine,” the letter adds, warning that the threshold for famine may already have been met in northern sections of Gaza, with 27 children and three adults having fallen victim to starvation or dehydration.

“People have resorted to eating bird seed, animal feed and grass … and digging down into the soil to access water pipes for drinking and washing,” the letter warns.

The UK government, in an earlier response to an MP, officially blamed the failure of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza on “arbitrary denials by the Israeli government.”

The government warned in February that Israel would be in breach of international humanitarian law if it denied food and water to the enclave.

The letter also follows a significant vote in the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the UK voting in favor.

A looming invasion of Rafah has forced the UK government to change its language and tone toward Israel, said Doyle.

Any incursion into the southernmost area of Gaza, where almost the entire population of the enclave is now sheltering, would result in a “reaction” from the UK and European powers, he added.

Source: arabnews.com

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South Asia

 

Washington Calls on Kabul to Fulfill Counter-Terrorism Pledges

March 29, 2024

Amid concerns over the rise in Daesh activities in the region and beyond, Washington has once again spoken of ensuring the Islamic Emirate's commitment to counter-terrorism.

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US Department of State, said Kabul must act on its commitments in this regard.

"We continue to push the Taliban to fulfill all of their counterterrorism commitments to the international community. We have made clear to the Taliban that it is their responsibility to ensure that they give no safe haven to terrorists, whether it be al-Qaeda or ISIS-K or any other terrorist organization," he said at a press briefing.

However, the Islamic Emirate states that the fight against terrorist groups including Daesh is ongoing and reiterated that Afghan soil will not be used against other countries.

"After the victory of the Islamic Emirate, Daesh has been completely defeated in Afghanistan, and only one to two percent may remain hidden somewhere. Its strength and power have been completely depleted,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate.

 "These are accusations that are leveled against the Afghan government claiming that various threatening groups are being nurtured in Afghanistan. This can never be proven true,” said Shams Rahman Ahmadzai, a political analyst.

In response to a question regarding American detainees in Afghanistan, the Department of State's spokesperson also said that the detention of American citizens in Afghanistan is a significant obstacle to positive engagement with the Afghan caretaker government.

The Islamic Emirate has neither confirmed nor denied US claims.

Matthew Miller said: "We have continually pressed, including in our meetings with Taliban representatives, for the immediate and unconditional release of Ryan Corbett and other Americans detained in Afghanistan. We have made clear to the Taliban that these detentions are a significant obstacle to positive engagement, and we will continue to do that. We are using every lever we can to try to bring Ryan and these other wrongfully detained Americans home from Afghanistan."

These statements by the U.S. Department of State's spokesperson on terrorism come as the issue of Daesh in Afghanistan and Moscow has become a controversial topic among regional and global countries.

Source: tolonews.com

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Charity Foundation Provides Food, Cooking Supplies in Helmand for Ramadan

March 29, 2024

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) of the United Arab Emirates is providing food aid to 500 needy individuals in Helmand province.

Sayed Ahmad Selab, a representative of the foundation, said that this aid will also be distributed to the needy in four other provinces of the country.

Selab said: "The humanitarian aid of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) started in Helmand, helping 500 families with nine types of food items, including flour, oil, black tea, green tea, beans, chickpeas, rice, and salt."

Recipients of this aid said they face serious economic challenges during the month of Ramadan.

Lal Mohammad, a 55-year-old resident of Marjah district in Helmand, who supports an 18-member family, said he cannot afford to provide one meal a day for his family due to economic challenges.

He is pleased to receive help from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF).

Lal Mohammad, said: "It's been five years since I have eaten meat in my house."

Other needy individuals who have come to receive aid from this foundation said they cannot afford their family expenses due to poverty and unemployment.

They also request that other aid organizations to assist them.

Siddiqullah, a resident of Helmand, said: "There is unemployment, no work. In a month there is only one day of work that earns me five hundred, with which I should buy tea, oil, grains, or treat my sick? What should I do? There is drought."

Fareed Ahmad, another resident of Helmand, said: "This aid is very beneficial for us, the poor, as they at least cover the consumption for one month of Ramadan."

The aid packages are distributed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) to the needy while the foundation also distributes Iftar to 5,000 needy people across five provinces of the country every day.

Source: tolonews.com

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Various Trade, Transit Agreements Signed With Pakistan: Azizi

March 29, 2024

Bibi Amina Hakimi

The acting minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, announced that various trade and economic agreements have been signed with Pakistan following a meeting with a Pakistani delegation.

Azizi said that in the two-day meetings with the Pakistani delegation, they agreed on coal and cotton exports, cross-border travel of drivers without passports, and resolving trade and transit challenges.

Nooruddin Azizi said: "The movement of trucks is such that from now on, they can freely roam within the territory of the two countries. Our trade with Pakistan, God willing, will increase, and our transit issues, which had been recently proposed by the Pakistani government as a series of guarantees and bank guarantees, have been removed."

The charge d'affaires of Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul and the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate said the visit of the Pakistani delegation to Kabul is beneficial for improving trade relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

The charge d'affaires of Pakistan’s embassy, Obaid Rahman Nizamani, said: “Mohammad Khurram Agha and his delegation, they have just concluded a very successful visit to Afghanistan. The visit is part of Pakistan’s efforts to build strong ties with Afghanistan in transit, trade and all other mutually beneficial areas. So I am happy to report that this was a successful visit and both sides have agreed to work together for mutual benefit on a number of areas they will facilitate transit.”

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson of Pakistan’s foreign ministry, said: "The two sides discussed a bilateral preferential trade agreement, implementation of temporary admission documents for trade vehicle drivers, multimodal air transit and addressed issues relating to transit trade. We are encouraged by the progress made on these issues and remain committed to promoting trade and people-to-people ties with Afghanistan.”

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Investment (ACCI) also said that the closure of the common crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan last year had negative impacts on the trade of both sides, and Afghan traders have increased their trade through alternative routes.

"The issue that was dangerous during this one year was the closure of crossings, in which Spin Boldak, Chaman, and Torkham were closed for about four months, causing millions of dollars in damage to traders," said Khan Jan Alokozay, a board member of the ACCI.

In 1402 (solar year) the blockage of over four thousand containers of Afghan traders in the port of Karachi, as well as challenges in trade between the two countries inflicted significant financial losses on the country's traders.

Source: tolonews.com

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Narcotics Production Shifting from Neighbor Countries to Afghanistan: MoI

March 29, 2024

NaweedSamadi

The Ministry of Interior stated that the production and processing of narcotics has shifted from neighboring and regional countries to Afghanistan.

According to Abdul MatinQane, the spokesperson for the ministry, drugs are clandestinely produced in parts of the country by certain groups; however, efforts to combat them are ongoing.

“We have some cases where (production areas) have become established, but they were transferred in their entirety from regional countries, especially from the same countries you mentioned; however, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is very serious and is conducting its own investigations in this sector. We take any new discovery in the production of drugs very seriously and do not allow it,” said the spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior.

Abdul MatinQane added that regional countries and international organizations have not paid special attention to the narcotics sector after the return of the Islamic Emirate and have not cooperated with the caretaker government in combating this phenomenon.

"In all our meetings with the United Nations, UNAMA, the European Union, and other countries, we have called for cooperation; unfortunately, practical cooperation in this regard has not taken place, and we have not witnessed it,” he said.

The Islamic Emirate has banned the cultivation, production, and trafficking of all types of narcotics in the country.

However, some farmers who previously cultivated poppies criticize the lack of assistance to plant alternative crops and are called for assistance.

“They told us not to cultivate poppies and the government will provide you with the chemical fertilizer or wheat,” Abdul Salam, a farmer, told TOLOnews.

“We did not cultivate poppies, and they did not help us, we should be helped ," said Purdel, another farmer.

Previously, Russia and Iran expressed concern over the increase in industrial drug production from Afghanistan and stated they have not recorded any change in the reduction of drug trafficking and production from Afghanistan; however, the United Nations has repeatedly reported significant reductions in narcotics in Afghanistan in its reports.

Source: tolonews.com

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PM's inclusive politics has pushed BNP's politics into darkness: Quader

Mar 29, 2024

Awami League General Secretary ObaidulQuader today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's development activities and inclusive politics have pushed BNP's politics into darkness.

"And now BNP is unable to come out of this darkness," he said while addressing an Eid gift distribution ceremony at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka this morning.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said before the last general elections, BNP lobbied to foreign powers and hatched plots so that sanctions could be imposed on Bangladesh by developed nations and the elections could be foiled.

He said the wave of global crisis has reached Bangladesh too but the country's people are comparatively in a good position due to the prudent leadership of Hasina.

About BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul's allegation that about 80 percent of BNP leaders and workers are being oppressed and persecuted by the AL government, the AL general secretary said: "I will tell Mirza Fakhrul to refrain from telling such lies. Make the list public. Who are these 80 percent activists? Mirza Fakhrul, Mirza Abbas and Amir Khusru all came out of jail gradually."

Claiming that BNP's politics is negative, he said the politics of BNP has been rejected by the country's people, and BNP is becoming more irrelevant and minimised day by day.

Responding to a BNP statement, Quader said BNP has never severed ties with Pakistan as Pakistan is in the heart and spirit of BNP.

The AL is never subservient to any foreign power or state, he said, adding: "Bangladesh is in our heart and Bangladesh is in our spirit. That is what we hold in our hearts."

The road transport and bridges minister said BNP is spreading propaganda and making falsehood against the ruling AL.

Source: thedailystar.net

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Arab World

 

GCC unveils vision for regional security with emphasis on unity and peace

March 29, 2024

RIYADH — The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has launched its Vision for Regional Security during a ceremony at the group's General Secretariat in Riyadh on Thursday. This landmark initiative, presented by JasemAlbudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, signifies a profound commitment to ethical values and unity, aiming to build a hopeful and prosperous future for the region.

The Vision for Regional Security, highlighted by Albudaiwi as more than just a political commitment, is founded on the principles of dialogue, cooperation, coordination, and respect for diverse perspectives. These principles are deemed essential for confronting challenges and ensuring the common security upon which the GCC's aspirations for a better future are based.

The ceremony, attended by senior officials from the foreign ministries of GCC countries, diplomats, and experts, marks a pivotal step toward achieving international security and peace. The GCC's dedication to tackling political, security, and economic challenges both regionally and globally was reiterated, emphasizing the importance of collective action and sincere will in establishing lasting peace.

Albudaiwi outlined the vision's strategic objectives, which focus on preserving regional security, ensuring stability and prosperity, promoting international peace, and fostering economic and environmental sustainability. The vision comprises several pillars, including security and stability, economic development, and environmental and climate change, addressing a wide array of challenges from geopolitical shifts to cultural and social issues.

This vision represents a call to action for all parties to collaborate toward a secure and prosperous future, reinforcing the GCC's role as a reliable partner in political, security, and economic spheres on the global stage.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

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Houthi-led pro-Palestine rallies sweep Yemen in solidarity with Gaza

Aziz al-Ahmadi

29.03.2024

The Yemeni Houthi group organized rallies on Friday in solidarity with Gaza across most of the provinces under its control in Yemen. 

The largest demonstration in support of Palestine occurred in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which is under the group's administration, according to an Anadolu reporter.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis gathered in Al-Sabeen Square in Sanaa in response to the Houthi group's call, where they waved both Yemeni and Palestinian flags, along with banners denouncing the Israeli war on Gaza.

The pro-Houthi Al-Masirah Channel reported that further rallies took place in the cities and districts of 12 provinces across Yemen including Amran, Dhamar, Saada and Marib in northern Yemen, in Hajjah and Al Hudaydah in western Yemen, and in Taiz in southwestern the country.

During the rallies, the demonstrators chanted in support of the Palestinian resistance as well as the Houthis' military operations in the Red Sea targeting Israel-linked ships.

The Houthis have been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, where more than 32,600 people have been killed in a deadly Israeli offensive since last October following a Hamas attack.

With the US and UK launching retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi sites inside Yemen, the Houthis declared that they consider all American and British ships military targets.

A coalition led by the US - under the name Operation Prosperity Guardian - has conducted intermittent airstrikes since Jan. 12 that have targeted Houthi sites in parts of Yemen in response to the attacks in the Red Sea.

Source: aa.com.tr

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Capital Sana'a rallies in march "We are coming in the tenth year, Palestine is our first cause"

[29/March/2024]

SANA'A March 29. 2024 (Saba) - The capital, Sana'a, witnessed on Friday a million crowd in the march "Coming in the tenth year, Palestine is our first cause" in continuation of steadfastness, support and support for the oppressed Palestinian people.

The million crowds affirmed the continuation of the principled and firm position of the Yemeni people, based on their faith responsibility and the ties of brotherhood and humanity in their support for the Palestinian people and support for the resistance in Gaza and as an extension of the jihad of their ancestors Al-Ansar.

It explained that the Yemeni people's action came in response to God and His Messenger and in response to the call of brothers of faith, Islamic ties and humanitarian reasons, and to the brutal crimes and unprecedented violations of the deliberate killing of civilians, men, women and children, by the Zionists with the support and support of the United States and Britain.

The crowds denounced the Zionist enemy's persistence in war crimes by targeting hospitals, the sick and the displaced, executions, starvation to death, running over the sick under tank tracks, and insulting the dignity of the besieged Palestinian people with show aid that leads to the martyrdom of dozens of people waiting for humanitarian aid.

The masses chanted the Yemeni and Palestinian flags with slogans of support and authorization for all the courageous choices taken by the Leader of the Revolution, Sayyed. Abdul Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and demanding more heroic operations to deter American, Zionist and British aggression, in support of the Palestinian people and resistance.

It stressed that the effective and continuous movement of the Yemeni people and their two million people every week to various arenas, so that the world hears their voice and their firm position in support of Gaza and carrying the banner of jihad for the sake of God against Zionist, American and British tyranny and criminality.

The crowds raised banners confirming the steadfastness of the Yemeni people over nine years in the face of aggression and its cause, Palestine, and that it is coming in the tenth year with determination and courage until victory is achieved. It stressed that the only solution is to stop the aggression, massacres, brutal crimes and the siege on the Gaza Strip.

Source: saba.ye

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Centuries-old mosque showcases Al-Ahsa’s rich heritage

March 30, 2024

RIYADH: Nestled among the eastern villages of Al-Ahsa governorate, some 12 km from Hofuf, lies the village of Al-Tahimiya, which entices visitors with its whispers of a distant past.

Among Al-Tahimiya’s historical treasures is Al-Tahimiyyah Al-Sharqi Mosque, which stands as testament to the region’s rich heritage, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Believed to date back to the Ottoman era, Al-Tahimiyyah Al-Sharqi Mosque is a survivor. Its mud walls, partially cradled by the slopes of Mount Al-Qara, hint at an even older history, echoing architectural styles of bygone eras.

The mosque’s design reflects this, featuring three porticoes, an internal courtyard and an external wall. A traditional palm-frond-thatched completes the picture, alongside a single side-door.

It is named after the village of Al-Tahimiya and is located on the bank of the Al-Zuhairi River.

Al-Tahimiyyah Al-Sharqi Mosque attracts visitors not just from Al-Ahsa governorate, but from across the Arabian Gulf and beyond. Its proximity to the historically significant Mount Al-Qara adds to its appeal.

Visitors come to admire its distinctive structure and interior, often taking photos of it and the surrounding palm trees against the backdrop of Jabal Al-Qarah mountains.

The mosque can accommodate about 50 worshippers and features an ablution area outside.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi aid agency to deliver Zakat Al-Fitr to Yemen

March 30, 2024

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has signed an agreement with a civil society organization to deliver Zakat Al-Fitr to Yemen. The agreement is set to benefit 31,333 needy families.

The deal aims to ensure that Zakat Al-Fitr is distributed to the neediest individuals in Yemen, which is suffering a humanitarian crisis.

Elsewhere, the agency sent its seventh aid shipment through the Saudi relief sea bridge to Sudan on Thursday.

The shipment consisted of 12 refrigerated trucks carrying 14,960 food baskets, weighing 524 tonnes. It arrived at Sudan’s Suakin Port after departing from Jeddah Islamic Port.

The aid is part of the second phase of the food security project in Sudan, implemented by the Saudi agency, aiming to reach 1.5 million beneficiaries. The initiative will help alleviate the ongoing circumstances faced by the Sudanese people.

It highlights the Kingdom’s role in supporting brotherly nations during times of crisis and underscores the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

Meanwhile, the agency has gifted 25 tonnes of dates to Malaysia.

In the presence of several Malaysian officials, the Saudi ambassador to Malaysia, Musaed bin Ibrahim Al-Saleem, presented the aid on behalf of the agency. Al-Saleem commended the strong bond between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

The agency also distributed 400 food baskets to the neediest families in South Africa. The initiative is part of the Ramadan “Etaam” food distribution project in South Africa.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2485101/saudi-arabia

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OIC welcomes ICJ's additional order to Israel to avert famine, humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Ahmed Asmar

29.03.2024

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Friday welcomed the order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) asking for additional provisional measures, including "unhindered provision" of aid to Gaza.

In a statement, OIC stressed the need to immediately implement these measures, providing basic services, humanitarian aid, and medical supplies to Palestinians across the Gaza Strip.

OIC called on the member states of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide to pressure Israel to implement the court's orders as well as the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

On Thursday, the ICJ urged Israel to take immediate measures to ensure the "unhindered provision" of basic services and humanitarian aid, such as food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.

The top UN court said: "Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine ... but that famine is setting in."

South Africa filed a case at the ICJ in late 2023, accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention, and on March 6, it requested additional provisional measures based on the change in the situation.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed.

More than 32,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, besides causing mass destruction, displacement, and conditions of famine.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/oic-welcomes-icjs-additional-order-to-israel-to-avert-famine-humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza/3178715

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Africa

 

‘Treat Your Wives The Way You Treat Yourselves’ – JAMB Registrar Advices Muslim Men

March 29, 2024

Musliudeen Adebayo

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is’haqOloyede, has advised Muslim men to treat their wives the same way they treat themselves.

Oloyede enjoined Muslim men to treat their wives as equals, with respect, kindness and fairness.

The former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin spoke while delivering this year’s National Ramadan Lecture of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ibadan branch at the weekend.

The event was attended by Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola; the Timi of Ede, Oba MunirudeenLawal; the Iba of Kishi, Oba MoshoodOyekolaLawalArowoduye II; wife of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo State, Chief MutiatLadoja; and national officers and members of MAN from across the country.

Oloyede, while speaking on the topic, ‘The Man in Woman: An Exploration of the Responsibility of Muslim Male in the Emancipation of Womanhood’, said that one of the most valuable deeds a man could do is to treat his wife in a way that transforms him into a virtuous person.

The JAMB Registrar while addressing the gathering, said this could be achieved when a man understands his wife’s behaviour and desires.

He said, “Provide accommodation for your family, the same style as your own; not that your wife will be living in the boys’ quarters.

“The Holy Prophet Muhammad urged us to feed them as we also feed.”

Governor SeyiMakinde of Oyo state while speaking, commended religious groups for keeping the peace in the state.

Makinde, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs, AlhajiAbdRasheedAbdAzeez, said the understanding and harmony existing among the groups had banished religious acrimony from the state.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, in a remark, described the topic of the lecture as a vital one that could not have come at a more auspicious time.

He advised states interested in having Sharia courts not to hesitate to apply to the Federal Government.

MAN President, Professor DhikrullahYagboyaju, said the lecture was meant to serve the purposes of soul winning and informing the public about current issues of importance in society, both of which he said are part of the core objectives of MAN.

Source: dailypost.ng

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https://dailypost.ng/2024/03/29/treat-your-wives-the-way-you-treat-yourselves-jamb-registrar-advices-muslim-men/

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Imamship tussle: Muslim clerics appeal to Adeleke to respect court order

March 30, 2024

Muslim clerics in Inisa town in Osun State have appealed to Governor NurudeenAdemola Jackson Adeleke to respect a subsisting court order on the appointment of the new Chief Imam of Inisa Central Mosque.

In the legal tussle in suit number HOS/88/2021 at State High Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, the court restrained all the contenders from paradise themselves as chief Imam of Inisa Central Mosque.

But the State government in flagrant disregard to the court order appointed one of the contenders, Abdul Akeem as Chief Imam.

Clerics in Inisa, Sheikh Tijani Abdulazeez-Kolawole and Sheikh Abdul-Rasaq Ahmad appealed to the governor to tread carefully and abide by court order which restrained contenders from parading themselves as chief Imam of the mosque.

Abdul-Rasaq Ahmad said, “We were surprised that the governor or government appointed one of the contenders as the Chief Imam of Inisa Central mosque despite the court order restraining all contenders from becoming imam of the mosque. We want the whole world to know this.”

Source: thenationonlineng.net

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https://thenationonlineng.net/imamship-tussle-muslim-clerics-appeal-to-adeleke-to-respect-court-order/

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Nigerian village celebrates the return of kidnapped students

MARCH 29, 2024

The whole village of Kuriga ran towards the convoy of buses shouting "Our children are back!" and "Alhamdulillah," meaning "Thank you, God," to welcome home more than 100 students and staff who were abducted this month in Nigeria's northwest.

The army announced on Sunday it had rescued 137 hostages - 76 female and 61 male - in the neighboring state of Zamfara, days before a deadline to pay a 1 billion naira ($767,000) ransom for their release.

The students described being marched through the forest for more than two weeks in an attempt to hide from authorities, having to sleep under trees, being fed half cooked rice and given only filthy water to drink.

"Even the bandits were hungry," said Amina Alhassan, one of the kidnapped students, talking through the window of a bus as it pulled into Kuriga.

"We used our dirty headscarves as sanitary pads...we were crying and praying every day."

Ransom for the kidnapped children

Tanko Musa, one of the freed students, said the kidnappers told them the government had paid the ransom and they could be released as a result.

"We don't know how much was paid, but they said the government has paid them," he said.

Earlier this week, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said no ransom had been paid.

One security source said he saw 14 black bags, which he assumed contained the ransom money, being delivered to an area in Zamfara state where the students were held after their March 7 abduction.

Relieved parents crowded around the buses to catch a glimpse of the children they thought they had lost.

"We had no hope of seeing our children again," said Yunusa Musa, whose two children, Hafsatu, 19, and Zaituna, 16, were among those kidnapped.

Yunusa called on the Nigerian government to deploy soldiers in the town and its surroundings to allow villagers to farm the land they had to abandon because of rampant insecurity.

Abductions at Nigerian schools were first carried out by jihadist group Boko Haram, which seized 276 students from a girls' school in Chibok in northeastern Borno State a decade ago. Some of them never came back.

But since then, criminal gangs without ideological affiliation have adopted the tactic to obtain ransom money.

The kidnappings have become an almost daily occurrence, especially in northern Nigeria, tearing apart families and communities that must pool savings to pay ransoms.

Neither Nigerian presidency spokesperson AjuriNgelale nor Information Minister Mohammed Idris responded to requests for comment on whether a ransom had been paid in this instance.

Source: jpost.com

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https://www.jpost.com/international/article-794376

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Somalia: Greenhouse farming to combat food insecurity

MARCH 30, 2024

Somalia has long suffered from food insecurity.

Years of civil war, frequent droughts and recent flooding have led to malnutrition.

However, a new crop of young and ambitious farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs are driving an agricultural revolution by introducing modern agricultural practices.

Simple greenhouses allow farmers to produce fruit and vegetables all year round, increasing food security for the residents of Mogadishu.

With over 250 greenhouses dotting the outskirts of Mogadishu, these farms are pivotal in ensuring a consistent food supply to Somalia's capital.

The country has experienced extreme weather in recent years with prolonged drought and devastating floods.

Somalia's food security has also been hit by the actions of militant groups like Al Shabaab.

Only in the past few years has Somalia begun to find its footing after three decades of chaos brought by warlords and extremist groups.

The emergence of greenhouse farming is seen as a way to allow farmers to grow fruit and vegetables for the local market.

Abdurahman Mire, the director of 'Green Life Company' says the idea behind the venture was to make the country more self-sufficient.

"We observed that most of the vegetables consumed in Mogadishu were imported from abroad. This drove us to venture into smart agriculture, utilizing greenhouses and irrigation systems. Our aim was to provide produce to the market throughout the year."

The growth of the sector has created employment for young agricultural graduates like Mohamed Mahdi.

"I am thrilled that companies behind these new greenhouse businesses have created job opportunities for us," he says.

"As young people, we make up 75% of the Somali population, and given the high unemployment rate in the country, we are grateful for the chance to work in our chosen field of expertise," he adds.

According to Somalia's National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate for people aged between 15 and 24 years is currently 30.1%.

Local supermarkets in Mogadishu prominently feature products from these greenhouses, drawing praise from customers like Sucdi Hassan.

"Knowing that these vegetables were produced locally makes us feel secure," she remarks. "I hope our local farms continue to produce more and increase their output."

Mohamed Barre, the Minister of Youth and Sports, praises the initiative for contributing to job creation and economic stability.

"The youth who initiated modern farming have made significant contributions to our country," says Barre.

There are however concerns about environmental viability of greenhouse farming.

The method requires substantial energy for lighting, heating, and cooling, it is also water-intensive.

George Wamukoya, Team Lead at African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) says that greenhouses offer a good solution to increased food security in Somalia, but warns that care must be taken to manage water resources.

“The small-scale irrigation is important, but it must be predicated on good science on the amount of groundwater (needed) so that you can be able to regulate its use and ensure its sustainability," he says.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/29/somalia-greenhouse-farming-to-combat-food-insecurity/

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Abductors Of Kuriga School Children Killed In Military Operation – DHQ\

30 March 2024

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said abductors of 137 Kuriga School children in Chikun Local government of Kaduna State have been killed during rescue operations.

Recall that the military said the school children were rescued in Zamfara State on March 24, 2024, after a reported fierce battle between the terrorists and troops in collaboration with local authorities and government agencies.

The pupils were rescued 18 days after their abduction and handed over to the Kaduna state government for rehabilitation before they were reunited with their families.

However, in a chat with Leadership, the Defence spokesman, General Edward Buba, said the children were released following coordinated military operations in collaboration with local authorities.

The DHQ spokesman revealed that some of the terrorists who kidnapped the students were killed in the operation, but no arrest was made.

He said, “Several terrorists were killed in military action, and no arrest was made.

DHQ Gives Update On Rescue of Kuriga Schoolchildren

Meanwhile, the DHQ has said the military was bent on sustaining the winning ways of its operational engagements, as demonstrated by the recent rescue of 16 and 137 hostages in Sokoto and Kaduna States, respectively.

Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, Buba said the rescue of these hostages is indicative of a better understanding of the dynamics of what we are dealing with and to address the issue in a much safer manner.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/30/abductors-of-kuriga-school-children-killed-in-military-operation-dhq/

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‘Most Wanted Boko Haram Commander Surrenders To Nigerian Army’

29 March 2024

A notorious Boko Haram Commander, identified as MallamYathabalwe, has surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Borno State.

The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed ShehuTimta, made the disclosure on Friday, revealing that the Boko Haram Commander, who had been terrorising Gwoza and the surrounding Mandara Mountain communities, surrendered to the troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

The Monarch said Yathabalwe willingly came out from his enclave on Friday morning with two AK47 rifles and some ammunition and surrendered himself to the Nigerian Army.

The traditional ruler added that the terrorist has been moved to Maiduguri for questioning.

The monarch told journalists that, “We are happy to confirm and inform you that the most wanted top Commander of Boko Haram who had been terrorising Gwoza and other surrounding Mandara Mountain communities in my domain, MallamYathabalwe, has surrendered to troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ in the North-East.

“He willingly came out from his enclave on Friday morning with two AK47 rifles and some ammunition. He was then handed over to the troops of the Nigerian military in Gwoza, after which he may be taken to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for further questioning or action.

“Yathabalwe, before surrendering, has been terrorising my people for many years, especially making it very difficult for farmers to access their farmlands. With this new development, we are hopeful that total peace will return to Gwoza and its environs.”

It was gathered that Yathabalwe, before surrendering, had been responsible for a series of attacks and killings, including the slaughtering of farmers on their farmlands in Gwoza LGA and environs.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/29/most-wanted-boko-haram-commander-surrenders-to-nigerian-army/

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Journalists condemn alleged attack on colleague by DSS in Ibadan

SegunShowunmi, Ibadan

March 30, 2024

Journalists in Oyo State yesterday demanded justice for their colleague, Mr. Tony Daniel, a freelance journalist and former employee of 32 FM, who was allegedly brutally assaulted by DSS officers in Ibadan.

The incident, which occurred at NNPC filling station near the State NUJ Press Centre in Iyaganku GRA yesterday, has sparked condemnation from the media community with calls for perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice.

Daniel’s harrowing ordeal unfolded around 9:30 am when he was reportedly beaten by DSS officers, leaving him severely injured before he was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention.

His colleagues, who were angry by the brazen attack on their fellow journalist, have united in a resounding chorus demanding swift and decisive action from the DSS headquarters to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act.

Daniel recounted the events that transpired at the NNPC station, where a routine fuel purchase turned into a nightmare of brutality and intimidation at the hands of the DSS officers.

Describing the traumatic experience of being assaulted and threatened with his life, he detailed the violent encounter that left him battered and his car damaged.

He also narrated the excessive force and aggression exhibited by the alleged perpetrators.

The disturbing account of Daniel’s ordeal has led to his colleagues expressing solidarity and demanding accountability for the heinous assault on one of their own.

The shocking brutality unleashed on Daniel has not only left him physically scarred but raised troubling questions about the conduct of security operatives entrusted with safeguarding the public.

The heinous act came just 24 hours after FirstNews editor, Mr SegunOlatunji, was released from the captivity of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), another security agency in the country.

Source: thenationonlineng.net

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https://thenationonlineng.net/journalists-condmn-alleged-attack-on-colleague-by-dss-in-ibadan/

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Gunmen rob Mpumalanga worshippers in a mosque

NhlamuloMabasa

29 March 2024

Worshippers who had gathered for prayer, while observing the month of Ramadan, were robbed of their personnel belongings on Thursday night.

It is alleged that a group of criminals, wielding guns, stormed the mosque and fired shots in the air.

The four robbers stormed in during prayer and instructed them to lie down. Valuables were taken including cellphones and a vehicle.

No one was injured.

”They said they want all of us to lie down, so we did that. So they started checking in our pockets and took some cellphones, the most issue is that they needed money so they never get it. But took phones of our members, ” says Jumuah Sign Bwazi the leader of the mosque.

This is the second incident in the space of a week. Last week, a mosque in Nkomazi was also robbed.

Mosque congregants believe they are being targeted by criminals.

“Clearly there are some people amongst ourselves that are giving information to outsiders. There is no other individual who can come to the masjid and walk inside while there is prayer. And we are facing one direction during prayer, only a Muslim will understand what happens during prayer,’ adds Mohammed Phiri a worshipper.

The worshippers have expressed concern over the police’s reaction to the crime. They allege that police members have not attended to the crime scene, despite the incident being reported last night.

When the SABC News team arrived at the scene, eight hours later, cartridge cases were still on the floor.

Attempts to get comment from the police, have failed.

Gunmen rob Mpumalanga congregants in a mosque:

Source: sabcnews.com

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https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/929145-2/

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Mideast

 

Gaza humanitarian crisis ‘man-made’, Israel must obey ICJ order: UNRWA

29 March 2024

UNRWA says the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza is man-made, criticizing the Israeli regime’s lack of cooperation with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the facilitation of aid delivery into the besieged Palestinian territory.

The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, made the statement in a post on X on Friday after the ICJ issued a legally binding order calling on Israel to "ensure, without delay" that humanitarian aid is provided to the Gaza Strip to halt famine.

“The renewed binding order from the ICJ yesterday is a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man-made and worsening. It can however still be reversed,” Lazzarini said.

He said the order calls on Israel “to cooperate with the United Nations to facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

“Cooperation means that Israel must reverse its decision and allow UNRWA to reach northern Gaza with food and nutrition convoys on a daily basis and to open additional land crossings.”

Reiterating that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, UNRWA's chief called for more pressure on Israel to stop its months-long aggression.

“The conditions of over 2 million people are worsening. Gaza is becoming an impossible place for a dignified life. In under six months, where people did not know hunger and were largely healthy, famine thresholds are unprecedented in time and speed.”

“Member states should exert more pressure to implement the ICJ order. Those who stopped funding UNRWA should reconsider their decision to allow the Agency to fulfill its mandate including help averting famine.”

The UN and other aid agencies have warned of imminent famine due to Israel's prevention of the land-based delivery of life-saving aid to Gaza.

Israel began hostilities in Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The regime has also cut off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Israel has killed more than 32,500 Palestinians and injured nearly 75,000 others in Gaza since the October day.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/03/29/722728/UNRWA-humanitarian-situation-Gaza-Strip-Philippe-Lazzarini

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Hamas, Islamic Jihad say success of indirect negotiations with Israel depends on fulfillment of 4 conditions

Omar Alothmani and GulsenTopcu

30.03.2024

Palestine resistance groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, said Friday that four conditions, including the return of displaced people to their homes in the Gaza Strip are necessary for the success of indirect negotiations with Israel.

Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh and a delegation led by Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah met in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Hamas said in a statement that for "successful indirect" negotiations with Israel, there must be a complete halt to Gaza attacks, withdrawal of occupation forces, return of displaced persons and uninterrupted aid entry.

The statement highlighted Palestinians' direct conflict with Israel amid raids, attacks in the West Bank and violations in Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It demanded employing all forms of resistance in conflict zones.

The statement urged on the Islamic community to express anger against Israel's daily massacres and resist through legitimate means.

It also rejects any plans or projects aimed at altering the situation in Gaza against the will of the people.

Indirect talks for cease-fire and prisoner exchange between Hamas, Israel

The Israeli delegation, led by Mossad Chief David Barnea, traveled to Doha, the capital of Qatar, on March 18 for a new round of negotiations on the release of prisoners in Gaza.

Israeli media announced the official start of prisoner exchange negotiations between Hamas and Tel Aviv as soon as the Israeli delegation arrived in Doha.

It was noted that NitzanAlon, responsible for the file of captives and missing persons in the Israeli army, was also part of the delegation.

Israel's Channel 12 television news said negotiations were expected to last two weeks.

But on March 26, Israel announced it recalled the negotiation team from Qatar citing Hamas' "extreme demands," including "complete cessation of the war in Gaza and full withdrawal of the Israeli army from the region.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/hamas-islamic-jihad-say-success-of-indirect-negotiations-with-israel-depends-on-fulfillment-of-4-conditions/3178862

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Israeli PM Netanyahu OKs new Gaza cease-fire talks amid pressure

MAR 29, 2024

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved new discussions on a cease-fire in Gaza, as his country continues to violate the recent U.N. Security Council resolution urging an immediate cease-fire and the World Court ordered it prevent enforced starvation of Palestinians and to ensure vital humanitarian aid reached the blockaded enclave.

But despite a binding United Nations Security Council resolution this week demanding an "immediate cease-fire," Israel continued to carry out attacks on Friday, including around hospitals.

Regional fallout from the conflict also flared, with Israel saying it killed a Hezbollah rocket commander in Lebanon, and several Hezbollah fighters killed in Syria strikes that a war monitor blamed on Israel.

Netanyahu's office said new talks on a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release will take place in Doha and Cairo "in the coming days... with guidelines for moving forward in the negotiations," days after they appeared stalled.

In its order, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague said: "Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but... famine is setting in."

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, posted on X that the ruling was "a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man made + worsening."

The court had ruled in January that Israel must facilitate "urgently needed" humanitarian aid to Gaza and prevent genocidal acts, but Israel rejected the case brought by South Africa.

The latest binding ICJ ruling, which has little means of enforcement, came as Israel's military said Friday it was continuing so-called "operations" in Al-Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest, for a 12th day.

Throughout the coastal territory, dozens of people were killed overnight, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said.

Among the dead were 12 people killed in a home in the southern city of Rafah, which has been regularly bombed ahead of a mooted Israeli ground operation there.

Men worked under the light of mobile phones to free people trapped under debris after an air strike, AFPTV images showed.

The ICJ ordered Israel to "take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay" the supply "of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance."

On Monday the U.N. Security Council demanded an "immediate cease-fire" in Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and "ensuring humanitarian access."

Member states are obliged to abide by such resolutions, but the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity said nothing has changed on the ground.

Aid groups say only a fraction of the supplies required have been allowed in since October when Israel placed Gaza under near-total siege.

With limited ground access, several nations have staged airdrops, and a sea corridor from Cyprus has delivered its first food aid.

Heavy damage

The U.N. says Gaza's health system is collapsing "due to ongoing hostilities and access constraints."

Israeli troops first raided Al-Shifa in November, before Israel in January announced it had "completed the dismantling" of Hamas's command structure in northern Gaza.

Netanyahu has said troops "are holding the northern Gaza Strip" and also the southern city of Khan Younis, amid heavy fighting.

"We have bisected the Strip and we are preparing to enter Rafah," he said Thursday.

Netanyahu is under domestic pressure over his failure to bring home all of the hostages seized by Hamas on Oct. 7. Israel says about 130 captives remain in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead.

Near Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, troops carried out attacks, killing dozens backed by air support, the army said Thursday.

Israeli tanks and armored vehicles have massed around another Khan Younis health facility, the Nasser Hospital, the Gaza health ministry said.

An analysis of satellite images shows heavily damaged areas around the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals.

Deadliest toll

Since the Gaza war began, Israel has increased its strikes in Syria, targeting army positions and Iran-backed forces including Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, a key Hamas ally.

A Britain-based war monitor said Israeli air strikes Friday in north Syria killed at least 42 people, six from Hezbollah and 36 Syrian soldiers.

Israel's military said it killed Ali Abdel Hassan Naim, deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket unit, in an air strike in south Lebanon Friday.

U.S., Egyptian and Qatari mediators have tried to secure a truce in Gaza, but those talks had appeared deadlocked more than halfway through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Tensions have risen between Netanyahu and Washington, which provides billions of dollars in military aid but has grown increasingly vocal about the war's impact on civilians.

Washington has also raised the issue of Gaza's post-war rule. It has suggested a future role for the Palestinian Authority, which has partial administrative control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

On Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas approved the new government of prime minister Mohammed Mustafa, who said his cabinet will work on "visions to reunify the institutions, including assuming responsibility for Gaza."

Source: dailysabah.com

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https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/israeli-pm-netanyahu-oks-new-gaza-cease-fire-talks-amid-pressure

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Gaza international force could include soldiers from three Arab countries

MARCH 30, 2024

Israel could allow forces from three Arab militaries of Middle Eastern nations to serve in the Gaza Strip as part of a US-funded peacekeeping mission after the war, Israeli media reported on Friday night.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has reportedly updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of significant developments made during the former's visit to Washington DC this week.

According to the report, Gallant told the prime minister, the IDF chief of staff, and the war cabinet that the peacekeeping force under discussion with the United States would consist of forces from three Arab nations.

American troops will not serve on the ground in Gaza

A previous report on the project by Politico noted that American troops would not serve on the ground in Gaza as part of any option considered in the talks with Israel. The Politico report further said the peacekeeping force could still have a Palestinian majority.

Initial plans were to fund a security force to stabilize the situation on the ground while allowing an influx of aid to be used for reconstruction, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance, and other needs.

The officials cautioned that any movement on the issue would be unlikely for several weeks or months, as the Biden Administration is unwilling to approve any plans until commitments on a two-state solution are made.

Gallant set to advance project with US

Israel's position is not clear as they have not discussed any options with the US, instead preferring to wait until Hamas is defeated and the hostages released.

Source: jpost.com

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https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-794404

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Arab, Islamic nations applaud ICJ order for Israel to unblock aid to Gaza

Mohammad Sio

29.03.2024

Arab and Muslim countries and organizations hailed a fresh measure by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the blockaded Gaza Strip. 

Saudi Arabia said the new measure by the top UN court on Thursday was "welcome," with its Foreign Ministry releasing a statement that reiterated Riyadh's "support for all efforts aimed at increasing the entry of urgent humanitarian aid to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

The kingdom also renewed its call "on the international community to take further actions to stop Israeli violations of international law, and to implement the Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire."

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry also hailed the ICJ order, emphasizing in a statement "the importance of the entire international community exerting pressure on the Israeli occupation to compel it to comply the demands of the Court and UN resolutions, and to work to expedite the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza."

For its part, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry called on the international community to "take immediate action to stop the war on the Gaza Strip and Israeli violations of the humanitarian law, and to implement Security Council Resolution 2728."

Similarly, a statement by the Muslim World League applauded the ICJ order and emphasized "the need for the measures to alleviate the effects of the catastrophe suffered by civilians in Gaza."

The league also stressed "the need to make every effort to enforce international and humanitarian laws, adhere to legitimate international resolutions, and end this devastating war with its resulting killings and destruction."

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed.

More than 32,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and over 75,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

In a Thursday order, the ICJ called on Israel to take measures “without delay” to ensure “the unhindered provision” of basic services and humanitarian assistance, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. The world court said, “Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine ... but that famine is setting in.” 

Source: aa.com.tr

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Israel kills dozens in airstrikes across the Gaza Strip

March 29, 2024

CAIRO: Israel sustained its aerial and ground bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Friday, killing dozens of Palestinians, as fighting raged around Gaza City’s main Al Shifa hospital, Palestinian officials and the Israeli military said.

Palestinian health officials said two Israeli strikes on the Al-Shejaia suburb in eastern Gaza City killed 17 people, while an Israeli air strike on a house in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip killed eight people.

Gaza’s Hamas-run government media office said at least 10 policemen, tasked with securing aid to the displaced in northern Gaza, were among those killed in Al-Shejaia.

The Israeli military said its forces continued operations in around Gaza City’s Al Shifa complex “while mitigating harm to civilians, patients, medical teams, and medical equipment,” adding that over the past day it killed a number of gunmen and located weapons and military infrastructure.

Al Shifa, the Gaza Strip’s biggest hospital before the war, had been one of the few health care facilities even partially operational in north Gaza before the latest fighting. It had also been housing displaced civilians.

The Israeli statement said its forces conducted raids in central and southern areas including Khan Younis and Al-Karara, where troops exchanged fire with Palestinian gunmen before they killed them and located weapons and rockets.

The armed wing of Hamas said their fighters targeted Israeli forces near to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the city’s two hospitals blockaded by Israeli soldiers for several days.

In the far south of the Strip, Israel continued its bombardment in Rafah, the Palestinians’ last refuge where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people were sheltering. An air strike on a house killed 12 Palestinians late on Thursday. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, with 71 killed in the last 24 hours, according to health authorities in the territory.

Thousands more dead are believed to be buried under rubble and more than 80 percent of Gazans have been displaced, many at risk of famine.

The war erupted after Hamas militants broke through the border and rampaged through communities in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

In the northern Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has warned famine is imminent as early as May, an elderly man died of malnutrition and lack of medication, Palestinian media said. On Thursday, the World Court unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies to Gaza’s population and halt spreading famine.

“The renewed binding order from the @ICJ (International Court of Justice) yesterday is a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man made and worsening. It can however still be reversed,” Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, said on X.

“(This) means that Israel must reverse its decision and allow @UNRWA to reach northern Gaza with food and nutrition convoys on a daily basis and to open additional land crossings,” he added. Earlier this week, UNRWA said Israel told it that it would no longer approve its food convoys to north Gaza. Four such requests were denied since March 21, it added.

Source: arabnews.com

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Jordanians protest peace treaty with Israel in fresh rallies

March 30, 2024

AMMAN: Thousands of Jordanians rallied near the Israeli Embassy on a fifth day of large protests against Israel, calling for an end to Jordan’s unpopular peace treaty with its neighbor to the West.

The protesters in an affluent neighborhood of Amman carried Palestinian flags and chanted: “They said Hamas is terrorist. All of Jordan is Hamas.”

“No Zionist embassy on Jordanian land,” protesters also cried, demanding that authorities close the embassy and end a 1994 peace treaty that normalized ties with Israel.

Placards declared “Amman-Gaza one destiny,” while other posters depicted Hamas’ masked military spokesman, Abu Obaida, who has become a folk hero for many in the Arab world.

The Israeli Embassy, where protesters have gathered for five straight days, has long been a flashpoint when violence has escalated between Palestinians and Israel.

Heavy security was aimed at curbing the number of protesters, and the rally went peacefully, unlike earlier this week when riot police fired tear gas and struck protesters with batons to prevent them from storming the embassy.

Hundreds of demonstrators, however, defied police orders to disperse and sat on the streets, saying they would remain until the early hours of Friday morning.

Authorities in Jordan have stepped up arrests and harassment of demonstrators in a months-long campaign that has been slammed by international rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for restricting freedom of expression.

Passions have run high among Jordanians, many of whom are of Palestinian origin, over Israel’s relentless Gaza bombing campaign against Hamas that has killed tens of thousands of civilians, according to Gaza officials, and flattened many parts of the densely populated enclave.

Jordan has seen some of the biggest outpourings of public anger in the region since the war was triggered when Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Authorities in Jordan say peaceful protests are allowed but that they would not tolerate any attempt to exploit anger against Israel to create havoc or efforts to reach a border zone with the Israeli-occupied West Bank or Israel.

Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel is widely unpopular among many citizens who see normalization as betraying the rights of their Palestinian compatriots.

Source: arabnews.com

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Hezbollah hits Israeli military sites in reprisal for attacks on southern Lebanon

30 March 2024

Hezbollah has carried out multiple operations against Israeli military positions in the northern part of the 1948-occupied territories in retaliation for Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon villages.

Hezbollah fighters attacked Israel's Jal al-Alam military base and a gathering of troops nearby on Friday with surface-to-surface Falaq (Dusk) missiles, Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television said, citing a brief Hezbollah statement.

The resistance fighters also struck the Metula settlement with various weapons and targeted an Israeli military vehicle station in a drone attack. The designated targets were precisely hit and destroyed in the aerial assault, the report said.

Hezbollah further targeted the al-Samaqa site in the Kfarchouba Hills with a barrage of rockets. Moreover, they shelled an Israeli infantry unit in the HadabYaroun site with a salvo of artillery rounds, inflicting injuries among troops stationed there.

A number of Israeli military vehicles were hit and damaged at the al-Malikiyah site as well.

Earlier on Friday, Hezbollah fighters attacked the headquarters of the Israeli military’s 91st Division in Branit barracks with Burkan (Volcano) missiles. The resistance group said the operation came in response to the Israeli aggression on Damascus and Aleppo.

Furthermore, Hezbollah attacked the Zibdin barracks in the occupied Shebaa Farms with separate volleys of artillery shells and Falaq missiles.

The Lebanese resistance fighters also fired several artillery shells at a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the Hounin Castle.

The Israeli regime has repeatedly attacked southern Lebanon since October 7, when it launched a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed at least 32,552 Palestinians, most of them women and children, so far.

In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions.

At least 349 people have been killed on the Lebanese border, including 68 civilians.

Israel says at least ten soldiers and eight settlers have been killed in the area.

The fighting has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands from the northern part of the occupied territories, amid rocket fire and shelling carried out by Hezbollah and allied Palestinian groups.

Hezbollah has already fought off two Israeli wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. The resistance forced the regime to retreat in both conflicts.

Source: presstv.ir

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Nasrallah calls for massive participation in Quds day

Mar 30, 2024

TEHRAN, Mar. 30 (MNA) – Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah addressed on Friday the worshippers in Beirut’s Dahiyeh and elsewhere marking the First Night of Al-Qadr , tackling the various religious aspects of the occasion.

In this regard, Sayyed Nasrallah underlined the importance of prayers and resorting to the divine power to face earthly challenges, including the current confrontation with the Israeli enemy in Lebanon, Gaza, and other areas, Al-Manar reported.

Sayyed Nasrallah ridiculed the antagonistic propaganda which claims that calling for prayers reflects Resistance weakness in the battlefield, adding that reading a prayer is vital during the time of woes and bliss similarly.

Holy God’s support has always helped us to defeat the Israeli enemy despite the discrepancy of the military capabilities, Sayyed Nasrallah said.

Sayyed Nasrallah delayed tackling the latest developments in South Lebanon, Gaza, and the entire region till next Friday which marks Al-Quds International Day.

“Al-Quds Day this year synchronizes with important developments.”

Sayyed Nasrallah called for a massive participation in Hezbollah central ceremony which will be held to mark Al-Quds International Day in Beirut’s Dahiyeh.

The Israeli enemy has been bombing Gaza for 175 days, killing 32,600 innocent civilians and injuring over 75, 000 others.

Hezbollah, in turn, has engaged in a border battle to support Gaza in the face of the Zionist enemy, inflicting heavy losses upon the occupation forces.

Source: mehrnews.com

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125,000 worshippers perform 3rd Friday prayer of Ramadan in blessed Al-Aqsa

[29/March/2024]

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS March 29. 2024 (Saba) - Today, more than 125,000 worshippers performed the third Friday prayers of the blessed month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Al-Quds, despite the restrictions imposed by the Zionist enemy forces.

The Palestinian Information Center quoted the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem as saying that 125,000 worshippers performed the third Friday prayers of the blessed month of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Tens of thousands arrived this morning in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, bypassing the enemy's military measures and tightening and the checkpoints surrounding the occupied city.

In turn, the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Youssef Abu Sneineh, stressed the Islamism of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and that it is a pure right for Muslims and not others. He stressed the complete rejection of the Judaization of the mosque and its prejudice.

Abu Sneineh called on the Palestinian people everywhere to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque and Rabat and to retreat in its courtyards today to emphasize their Islamism and reject its Judaization.

The Zionist enemy forces imposed severe restrictions on the access of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to the city of Jerusalem for Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, for the second week in a row.

Enemy forces deployed intensively in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa, erecting military checkpoints, checking the identities of citizens, and preventing hundreds of them from reaching Jerusalem to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa.

Hundreds of citizens prayed in the streets, near the enemy checkpoints, after being prevented from entering to pray at Al-Aqsa, most of them elderly, and hundreds of Jerusalemites and residents of the occupied interior who were deported from Al-Aqsa performed Friday prayers in the Old City and at the nearest point they could reach.

Tens of thousands of worshippers at dawn today led the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed prayers at dawn on the third Friday of the blessed month of Ramadan, despite the enemy's military tightening in the vicinity of the mosque and the Old City.

Worshippers were able to reach the mosque despite the severe restrictions and obstacles imposed by the Zionist enemy on the entry of Palestinians to the holy city.

After the dawn prayers, a mass march roamed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, punctuated by takbeers and slogans in support of the resistance and in support of Gaza and its people.

As part of the "Dawn of the Steadfast" campaign, thousands of worshipers from the city of um al-Fahm in the occupied interior flocked to Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray on the third Friday of Ramadan, where 50 buses arrived from the city of um al-Fahm to the mosque, other than those who came in their own vehicles.

Jerusalemite calls and youth movements continue to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque and retreat there, until the end of Ramadan month to prevent the enemy from singling out Al-Aqsa, confronting settler incursions, and to defend and protect the mosque and break the siege on it.

The calls stressed the need to revive all prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Stressing on everyone who can access the mosque, especially from all areas of Al-Quds.

Source: saba.ye

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UNICEF: 1.7 million Palestinians displaced in Gaza, half of them children

[29/March/2024]

GENEVA March 29. 2024 (Saba) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) confirmed that about 1.7 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been internally displaced, half of them children who do not have access to enough water, food, fuel and medicine.

The UN organization said in a post on its X account last night that the children of Gaza need a humanitarian ceasefire immediately.

The Zionist enemy restricts humanitarian access to Gaza, especially by land, causing scarce supplies of food, medicine and fuel and a famine that has killed children and the elderly in the Strip.

Source: saba.ye

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IDF commando killed, 16 others wounded during fighting in southern Gaza

29 March 2024

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Friday the death of a soldier killed during fighting against the Hamas terror group in the Khan Younis area of the southern Gaza Strip earlier in the day.

He was named as Sgt. First Class AlonKudriashov, 21, of the Commando Brigade’s Egoz unit, from Modiin.

His death brought the number of troops killed in Israel’s ground offensive against Hamas to 254.

Kudriashov was killed and 16 other troops of the Egoz unit were wounded, including six seriously, after a Hamas operative fired an RPG at a building used as an encampment near Nasser Hospital, according to an IDF probe.

Hamas published footage of the Friday morning incident, showing it launching an RPG at the building where the Egoz troops were operating.

All of the wounded troops were taken to hospitals.

Egoz troops had killed a Hamas gunman near their encampment a few hours before the RPG fire, according to the IDF.

Meanwhile, troops of the Nahal Brigade operating in the central Gaza Strip located and destroyed several rocket launchers that were aimed at Israel, the IDF said earlier Friday.

Since Thursday, Nahal soldiers have also killed numerous gunmen, including by calling in airstrikes, the military added.

Separately, the Israeli Air Force struck what the IDF said was a building used by Hamas for terror activities in central Gaza’s Nuseirat.

Fighting against Hamas also continued at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital, as well as in southern Gaza’s al-Qarara and the al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis, where the IDF said troops have killed Hamas operatives, seized weapons and destroyed sites belonging to the terror group.

Amid the operations, the IAF struck dozens of sites, largely in support of the maneuvering ground troops, the military added.

War broke out on October 7 when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 253. Israel has vowed to both wipe out Hamas and secure the hostages’ release. The army says there are 130 people kidnapped from Israel in Hamas captivity, including nearly three dozen people who were killed on October 7 or while held hostage whose remains Gazan terrorists continue to hold.

Talks for a temporary truce and the release of hostages appeared to advance earlier in the week, but fell apart after Hamas rejected a compromise, saying it would only agree to a permanent end to the war and complete withdrawal of troops from Gaza. Efforts to renew the talks were undertaken on Friday.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said at least 32,623 people have been killed and 75,092 have been injured in Gaza since October 7.

The terror group’s figures are unverified and don’t differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel has said it has killed some 13,000 Hamas members in Gaza fighting, in addition to some 1,000 killed inside Israel in the aftermath of the terror group’s October 7 invasion and onslaught.

The ongoing war has also created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as famine is both a risk and “quite possibly” present in at least some areas in northern Gaza, a senior US State Department official told Reuters on Friday.

The official added that the scarcity of trucks was a key obstacle to more humanitarian aid in the densely populated enclave that has been battered by the Israel-Hamas war.

“While we can say with confidence that famine is a significant risk in the south and center but not present, in the north, it is both a risk and quite possibly is present in at least some areas, which accounts for the urgency with which we need to move goods, food at scale into the north,” the senior State Department official, speaking with Reuters on the condition of anonymity, said.

The number of trucks distributing aid in south and central Gaza has nearly topped 200 a day, an increase compared to a month ago, but more are needed, the State Department official said.

“You need to address the full nutrition needs of the population of Gaza of all ages. That means more than just that minimal survival level feeding,” the official said, adding that malnutrition, infant newborn and young child mortality are significant problems that are growing.

“It has to be addressed by additional assistance coming and the right kind of assistance coming in,” he said.

As part of the efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the northern part of the Strip, nine trucks operated by the United Nations’ World Food Programme reached the area Thursday night, according to the Coordinator of Government Affairs in the Territories, the Defense Ministry body responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories.

In total, COGAT said 47 trucks have reached northern Gaza via a new land route opened by the IDF earlier in March.

Additionally, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the country will continue looking for new ways to facilitate the entry of increased aid into Gaza after the International Court of Justice ordered it to increase the provision of basic humanitarian goods to the Gaza Strip.

“Israel will continue to promote new initiatives, and to expand existing ones, in order to enable and facilitate the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip in a continuous and extensive manner, by land, air and sea, together with UN bodies and other partners in the international community,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Hayat said in a statement posted on X.

“This includes ongoing efforts to increase the scale, and means of access for such aid despite the operational challenges on the ground and Hamas?s active and abhorrent efforts to commandeer, hoard, and steal aid.”

Source: timesofisrael.com

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Southeast Asia

 

PM Anwar: Muslims must continue to safeguard Al-Azhar tradition of knowledge, wisdom

29 Mar 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Muslims in Malaysia to continue to safeguard the tradition of knowledge and wisdom of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University.

He said that it should be safeguarded to create widespread awareness among Muslims in the South-east Asian region including Malaysia.

“The modern history of Islam is not separated from the history of change and reform brought by Al-Azhar, this is integrated with the entire line of struggle and awareness of Muslims in South-east Asia including Malaysia,” he said.

The prime minister said this in a video message which was shown at the International Day of Al-Azhar celebration at the Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya, here today.

Anwar said that apart from that, Malaysia enjoys a great gift because it has a close relationship with Al-Azhar and he, himself was welcomed by Sheikh of Al-Azhar Professor Dr Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayyeb.

He added that Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayyeb had also been invited to visit Malaysia and it should be taken advantage of by Muslims in this country.

“He (Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayyeb) accepted the invitation to visit Malaysia. I believe we will take advantage not only to be able to gather together with the Al-Azhar alumni but also to plan programmes that will benefit Malaysian Muslims as a whole.

“I believe fellow Al-Azhar alumni will play an important role in organising programmes which will benefit the people and Muslims as a whole,” he said.

The International Day of Al-Azhar was held in conjunction with the 1,084th anniversary of its establishment and organised by the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates (WOAG Malaysia).

It was also attended by WOAG Malaysia president Prof Datuk MohdFakhrudin Abdul Mukti and Egyptian ambassador to Malaysia RagaiTawfik Said Nasr. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Baznas distributing Gaza food aid worth Rp2 billion during Ramadan

 March 30, 2024

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian National Alms Agency (Baznas), in collaboration with Palestinian institution Althouri Women's Center (AWC), is distributing Rp2 billion (US$126,000) of food and water aid for Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, during the Ramadan holy month.

In a statement received from his office here on Saturday, Head of Baznas Noor Achmad expressed relief and gratitude for the distribution of the assistance that comprises ready-to-eat meals.

"Praise to God, food and water aid from Baznas can arrive in the hands of the people of Rafah, Gaza. Hopefully, the assistance will help the local Muslims during this year's Ramadan fasting month," he remarked.

Achmad also extended appreciation to AWC for its collaboration to facilitate the delivery of food and water aid to displaced Palestinian people in Rafah City.

He then praised the donors for allocating their assets for the sake of assisting Palestinians during the trying time under the siege of Israeli occupation forces.

"We would like to thank the donors who have allocated their assets to help Palestinians in need," he stated.

He further underlined that the alms agency is distributing the aid collected from Indonesian people while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and Islamic law as well as the security of Indonesia.

"This humanitarian act is in line with the mission of Baznas to reach a broader population and bring about positive impacts to their lives," he added.

The official also expressed hope that all parties involved in the distribution of the aid would be blessed by the Almighty God.

"May the Almighty God bless the donors and all parties involved in ensuring smooth distribution of the aid with the rewards they deserve," he remarked.

Source: antaranews.com

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Religious Affairs Ministry launches Indonesia Global Halal Fashion

 March 30, 2024

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs, in collaboration with textile industry players and designers, launched the Indonesia Global Halal Fashion (IGHF) during the Indonesia Fashion Week in Jakarta on Thursday (March 28).

Head of the ministry's Halal Product Guarantee Organizing Agency (BPJPH) Muhammad Aqil Irham stated that the holding of the IGHF is expected to promote the development of Muslim fashion, which is believed to be instrumental in leading Indonesia to become the world's halal fashion center.

"Halal fashion that starts from certified halal textile products and fabrics is expected to help Indonesia emerge as a fashion center in the world," he noted in a statement received from his office here on Saturday.

Irham observed that the development of halal fashion would surely be among the steps that can boost the halal value chain in the country.

Halal textile and fabrics are required as raw materials by Indonesian designers, he remarked, adding that the government will help Indonesia-made halal fashion products to penetrate export markets, including in the Middle East and Europe.

He believes that in this way, Indonesia will be able to solidify the existence of its Muslim fashion at the global level.

Currently, Indonesia ranks third in the Global Islamic Economy Indicator, according to a report released by DinarStandard in 2023.

According to Irham, it is crucial that Indonesia intensively promotes its Muslim fashion products globally to achieve the top spot in the halal fashion industry.

He underlined that the government had made various efforts to involve Indonesian Muslim fashion products in renowned fashion events, such as the New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Dubai Fashion Week, Turkey Fashion Week, and Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week.

"We need to promote our halal fashion products in the international scene through renowned fashion weeks," he stated.

He then revealed BPJPH's plan to conduct a roadshow in five countries by collaborating with a national halal fashion brand to disseminate information on the importance of halal certification and promote Indonesian halal fashion products to the global market.

Source: antaranews.com

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Second KK Mart firebombed amid 'Allah' socks controversy

30 Mar 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — A KK Super Mart branch in Sungai Isap, Kuantan, Pahang, was reported to have been firebombed at 5am today, the second such attack amid Muslim anger over the sale of socks that had “Allah” embroidered on them.

Malaysiakini first reported the incident this afternoon, citing confirmation from Kuantan district police chief Wan MohdZahari Wan Busu, who said the initial investigation showed several possible perpetrators.

The incident was not caught on the shop's security camera, according to the report.

The bomb may have been flung from a distance to avoid being caught by KK Mart’s security camera, Wan MohdZahari was reported saying.

Source: malaymail.com

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Mapim urges authorities to step up surveillance of Israeli ops in Malaysia

30 Mar 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 ? The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (Mapim) urges the authorities to enhance surveillance and monitor any Israeli operations in Malaysia following the arrest of an Israeli citizen here on Wednesday.

Its president, Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said Malaysia has attracted Israel's attention due to the country's firm stance against Israel.

“Malaysia stands out among the countries that strongly condemn Israel and spearheads international campaigns in support of Palestine.

“The Malaysian people are also actively opposed to Israel, including launching boycotts against Israeli products,” he said in a statement here today.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrest of an Israeli man with six pistols and 200 rounds of ammunition in a hotel in JalanAmpang here.

Razarudin said the 36-year-old man is believed to have entered Malaysia through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on March 12 using a French passport.

Mohd Azmi said the case is very serious, and Mapim supports increasing the level of security for prominent figures, including His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. ? Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Malaysia arrests three suspected of supplying Israeli man with firearms

30 Mar 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 ? Malaysian authorities have arrested three people suspected of supplying firearms to a 36-year-old man carrying an Israeli passport, who was detained this week at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, police said today.

The man, arrested with a bag containing six handguns and 200 bullets, had arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from the United Arab Emirates on March 12 using what authorities believed to be a fake French passport, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told a press conference late yesterday.

The suspect turned over an Israeli passport upon questioning by police, Razarudin said, adding that the man, who has not been publicly identified, had ordered the weapons after arriving in Malaysia and paid for them with cryptocurrency.

The Israeli embassy in Singapore did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Malaysia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.

Police did not rule out the possibility that the man could be a member of Israeli intelligence, though the suspect told authorities he had entered Malaysia to hunt down another Israeli citizen due to a family dispute.

“We do not fully trust this narrative as we suspect there may be another agenda,” Razarudin said, adding that the man had stayed at several hotels while in Malaysia.

Three Malaysians, including a married couple, were arrested yesterday and have been remanded for seven days on suspicion of supplying weapons and acting as a driver to the Israeli suspect, Razarudin told Reuters on Saturday.

A pistol was retrieved from a car belonging to the couple, he said.

Authorities have been put on high alert following the man's arrest, with security beefed up for Malaysia's king, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other high-level figures.

Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians and has criticised Israel's actions in the Gaza war. Malaysia is home to around 600 Palestinian refugees, according to the UN refugee agency.

In 2018, a Palestinian scientist was shot dead in the Malaysian capital by two unidentified men in a killing that the Hamas militant group suggested was carried out by Israel's Mossad intelligence service. Israel denied the allegations. ? Reuters

Source: malaymail.com

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Pakistan

 

Letter of six IHC judges: PTI demands resignation of CJP, IHC CJ

 2024-03-30

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) once again plainly rejected the formation of an inquiry commission to investigate the letter of the six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) detailing the intelligence agencies’ meddling in judicial matters and demanded the resignation of Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chief Justice IHC for their alleged vacillation to take actions for the protection and safeguard of independence of the judiciary and fellow judges.

Speaking at a news conference along with senior PTI legal team Shoaib Shaheen, Niazullah Niazi, and Naeem Haider Panjutha, PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hassan said that the judges of the IHC clearly stated in their letter that they repeatedly raised the issue before the chief justice IHC and even apprised the chief justice of the Supreme Court detailing the interference in the affairs of the judiciary and pressure exerted on them to get decisions of their choice.

“What is happening in front of us is judicial surrender, as the judiciary itself is selling its independence to the executive,” he said.

Apart from the chief justice IHC, the chief justice of Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also been nominated in the letter.

“Therefore expecting justice from them is tantamount to murder of justice, constitution and law,” he added.

He stated that all these unlawful activities were conducted when Shehbaz Sharif was the prime minister. “Thus, it would be a murder of law and justice to expect fair and transparent conduct of investigation,” he added.

He categorically stated that PTI vehemently rejects the inquiry commission and they would take every step within the constitution and law to ensure independence of the judiciary come what may.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaheen said that the letter written by IHC judges was a tragic chapter in the history of Pakistan.

He stated that they penned down details of their accounts as how they were pressurised and their family members were harassed, cameras were installed in the bedrooms of the judges and bugging devices were fixed inside their homes and even close relatives were kidnapped and given electric shocks.

He said that PTI leaders including women, workers, and youth had been facing the same cruelties and barbarities for the two years in the name of May 9.

“We have repeatedly requested for the establishment of a judicial commission, but till today neither the CCTV footages could be presented nor the commission was constituted,” he added.

Shaheen asked as to whether a retired judge be able to provide justice to the judges. He demanded that 15 judges of the apex court should sit to conduct an independent and transparent inquiry into the letter saga, adding that the PTI would no longer accept closed-room decisions.

He further demanded that the minutes of the full court meetings should be released to find out which judge said what.

Source: brecorder.com

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President urges int’l community to ensure protection of Palestinian civilians in Gaza Strip

March 29, 2024

President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the international community to make efforts for free flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and ensure protection of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

He was talking to Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan Ahmed Jawad Rabei who called on him in Islamabad today.

The President said Pakistan has historic ties with Palestine, and would continue to stand by its Palestinian brothers and raise its voice at all fora.

He lauded the bravery and resilience of the Palestinian people for their long struggle against Israeli occupation.

The President said Pakistan will send additional relief goods, including food and medicine, to the Palestinian people.

The Ambassador highlighted the atrocities and reign of terror unleashed by the Israeli forces against innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

He appreciated Pakistan's support in the field of education as over 50,000 Palestinians have graduated in various disciplines from educational institutions in Pakistan.

He also conveyed the warm regards of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and thanked Pakistan for its consistent support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/29-03-2024/president-urges-intl-community-to-ensure-protection-of-palestinian-civilians-in-gaza-strip

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Culprits of Besham attack will be brought to justice: Mohsin Naqvi

March 29, 2024

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed the government's resolve to bring culprits of Besham terrorist attack to justice.

He was talking to special investigation team of China at Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.

Interior Minister briefed the Chinese investigation team about the progress made so far in the investigation into the incident.

Measures pertaining to protection of Chinese nationals and overall security were also discussed on the occasion.

The Interior Minister also met with Chinese Ambassador and updated him on the probe into Besham incident.
Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/29-03-2024/real-culprits-of-shangla-attack-will-be-brought-to-justice-interior-minister

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Chinese investigators arrive to join probe into Besham suicide attack

March 29, 2024

ISLAMABAD:Chinese investigators arrived in Pakistan on Friday to join a probe into the killing of five Chinese nationals in a suicide attack, the interior ministry said, seeking to stem assaults threatening Islamabad's drive to modernise the economy.

Tuesday's incident was the third major attack in little over a week on China's interests in Pakistan, where Beijing has invested more than $65 billion in infrastructure projects as part of its wider Belt and Road initiative.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Chinese team of investigators at Beijing's embassy and briefed them on the investigation so far, said a statement issued by the government.

Two days earlier, officials shared with the Chinese embassy the preliminary findings of their investigation into the attack.

In late 2022, the two allied countries started a joint investigation into an attack that year on China's nationals and its interests, which have seen a rise in recent months.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack, in which a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project at Dasu, killing six people.

The bombing followed a March 20 attack on Gwadar port used by China in Balochistan, where Beijing has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects, and a March 25 assault on a naval air base in Turbat.

Both attacks were claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent of several separatist groups in Balochistan.

Dasu, the site of a major dam, has been attacked in the past, with a bus blast in 2021 killing 13 people, nine Chinese among them, although no group claimed responsibility.

Chinese interests are under attack primarily by ethnic militants seeking to push Beijing out of mineral-rich Balochistan, but that area is far from the site of Tuesday's bombing.

Pakistan has set up a dedicated force of police and military to ensure security for Chinese activities, officials say.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2460967/chinese-investigators-arrive-to-join-probe-into-besham-suicide-attack

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Security of Imran in Adiala jail: LHC adjourns proceedings in a plea

2024-03-30

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday adjourned the proceedings in a petition filed for the security of PTI former chairman Imran Khan in Adiala jail till April 03 after a law officer sought time to submit reply of the Punjab government.

The court also directed the law officer to furnish details of the nature of the security threats at the jail till next hearing.

Earlier, Advocate General Punjab (AGP) appeared before the court on a short notice in a petition of PTI Lawyers Forum President and objected to the maintainability of the petition.

He pointed out that Adiala jail was located in Rawalpindi and the relevant authorities were also stationed there. He said the petition should be filed at the Rawalpindi bench of the LHC.

The court, however, inclining with the contention of the petitioner, observed, all central administrative officers were present in Lahore, so the hearing of the petitioner should be conducted in Lahore.

The court remarked that two prime ministers of Pakistan Liaqat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated before and an attack had also been made on the PTI leader.

Therefore, no new incident can be tolerated, the court maintained.

The court observed that there was no difference in hearing the case at Lahore or Rawalpindi and adjourned the proceedings till next hearing.

Source: brecorder.com

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North America

 

US has agreed to send more bombs and warplanes to Israel, sources say

March 29, 2024

WASHINGTON: The US in recent days authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, two sources familiar with the effort said on Friday, even as Washington publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated Israeli military offensive in Rafah.

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, said the sources, who confirmed a report in the Washington Post.

Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel, its longtime ally.

The package comes as Israel faces strong international criticism over its continued bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza and as some members of President Joe Biden’s party call for him to cut US military aid.

The United States has been rushing air defenses and munitions to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticized the Biden administration’s steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.

Biden on Friday acknowledged “the pain being felt” by many Arab Americans over the war in Gaza and over US support for Israel and its military offensive.

Still, he has vowed continued support for Israel despite an increasingly public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The White House declined comment on the weapons transfers.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The decision on weapons follows a visit to Washington by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week when he discussed Israel’s weapons needs with US counterparts.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gallant, apparently seeking to cool US-Israeli tensions, said he stressed the importance of US ties to his country’s security and of maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the region, including its air capabilities.

The war erupted on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants attacked Israel and killed 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated by launching an air and ground assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 32,000 people, health authorities in Gaza say.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2485041/middle-east

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Joe Biden: US must 'pause, reflect' over Arab pain due to Gaza war

MARCH 29, 2024

Joe Biden on Friday acknowledged "the pain being felt" by many Arab Americans over the war in Gaza and over US support of Israel and its military offensive that has left Arabs, Muslims, and anti-war activists angry and disappointed.

Many Muslims and Arabs in the United States have urged the Democratic president to call for a permanent ceasefire, stop the sale of weapons to Israel, and use more leverage to protect civilian lives as a humanitarian crisis unfolds in Gaza.

"We must also pause to reflect on the pain being felt by so many in the Arab American community with the war in Gaza," Biden said in a proclamation on Arab American Heritage Month released by the White House, adding he was "devastated" by the suffering.

However, hours after Biden's Friday statement, the Washington Post reported that his government had signed off on additional bombs and warplanes for Israel in recent days’ worth billions of dollars.

Israel is the leading recipient of US foreign aid, and the US vetoed multiple votes at the United Nations calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza assault, before abstaining from a vote in late March.

The Biden administration has issued proclamations since 2021 ahead of April, which is observed as Arab American Heritage Month. This year's proclamation was longer than previous ones due to Biden's comments on Gaza.

Gaza ceasefire protests

Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza have occurred in many US cities in recent months, including near airports and bridges in New York City and Los Angeles, vigils outside the White House, and marches in Washington.

Demonstrators have regularly interrupted Biden's campaign events and speeches, including a high-profile fundraiser in New York City on Thursday.

They have asked Biden to meet their demands or risk losing their support in November's election. Arab and Muslim Americans are unlikely to back Biden's rival, Republican former President Donald Trump, but observers note they could sit out the election and deny Biden crucial votes. They had overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020.

Biden said on Friday he was working to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza, free hostages taken by Hamas, and establish an immediate ceasefire lasting at least six weeks.

Biden also said Arab Americans have been a target of hate crimes while noting the fatal October stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume in Illinois, the November shooting of three students of Palestinian descent in Vermont, and the February stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Texas.

Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent military assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed over 32,000 people, according to the local health ministry, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million population, put the enclave on the brink of starvation, and led to accusations of genocide that Israel denies.

Source: jpost.com

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https://www.jpost.com/international/article-794387

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News study highlights charitable spirit of US Muslims during Ramadan

2024-03-29

A recent study conducted by the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative research team at Indiana University has revealed significant insights into Muslim Americans' charitable habits during the holy month of Ramadan.

The survey, which surveyed 1,136 Muslims across the United States, illuminates the strong connection between Ramadan and the practice of zakat, a key Islamic tenet of charitable giving.

Nearly 70% of Muslim Americans consistently fulfill their religious obligation of zakat during Ramadan, the month-long period of fasting and spiritual growth.

Zakat is a central aspect of Islam, one of its five pillars. It requires Muslims to give 2.5% of their wealth each year.

This practice aims to redistribute wealth and alleviate poverty within the Muslim community.

This annual donation has profound implications for the donors and beneficiaries, including the poor, those in debt, stranded travelers and individuals striving to liberate people from slavery or captivity.

The study identifies specific demographic segments within the Muslim community that are more likely to give zakat during Ramadan.

These include women, married couples, highly religious individuals, people with incomes ranging from $50,000 to $75,000, those in their 30s, and registered voters.

The timing and nature of zakat giving during Ramadan present unique opportunities and challenges for nonprofit organizations.

While Muslim-led U.S. nonprofits often focus their fundraising efforts on Ramadan, realizing the significant potential of zakat contributions, non-Muslim-led organizations predominantly target December and secular days like Giving Tuesday for their campaigns.

Consequently, these organizations might miss contributions from a smaller yet generous Muslim population during Ramadan.

There’s a growing recognition of the need for these organizations to understand and tap into the unique giving patterns of Muslims, especially targeting those in their 30s, women, married couples, active voters and regular mosque attendees.

Building on these findings, the researchers plan to partner with Islamic Relief U.S., a prominent Muslim-led humanitarian charity and the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at Indiana University.

This collaboration aims to conduct annual surveys starting in 2024 to deepen the understanding of Muslim philanthropy in the U.S.

Moreover, the team intends to expand this research globally, conducting surveys and focus groups in several countries and aims to release comprehensive data by the end of 2025.

Source: turkiyenewspaper.com

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https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/culture/21231

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CAIR Condemns Israeli Ban on Palestinian Christians Entering Jerusalem on Easter

Ismail Allison

March 29, 2024

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned restrictions placed by the Israeli government barring Palestinian Christians from entering Jerusalem on Easter.

Israeli authorities have provided permits for only 200 leaders from the occupied West Bank to enter Jerusalem for Easter, but, in an unprecedented move, have banned their congregations from access to participate in the services. Israeli authorities have also been banning Muslims from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israel restricts Palestinians’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for 3rd Friday of Muslim holy month

In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“This is a holy time for both Muslims and Christian Palestinians, and both are being forced to spend what should be times of peace, prayer and goodwill to humankind under bombs, artillery fire, and famine. The United States and the international community can no longer watch these crimes against humanity unfold in a land held sacred by the majority of the world’s faithful.”

Awad quoted the Holy Quran, Islam’s revealed text, which states:

“(Remember) when the angels proclaimed, ‘O Mary! God gives you good news of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honored in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest (to God). And he will speak to people in (his) infancy and adulthood and will be one of the righteous.’” The Holy Quran, 3:45-46

He also quoted a hadith, or saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), stating: “Both in this world and in the hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.” Sahih Bukhari

Source: cair.com

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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-israeli-ban-on-palestinian-christians-entering-jerusalem-on-easter-2/

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CAIR-CA to Host 18th Annual Ramadan Iftar at the California State Capitol

Ismail Allison

March 29, 2024

On Tuesday, April 2, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) and AssemblymemberArambula, along with co-hosts Senator Wahab, Senator Hurtado, Assemblymember Nguyen, Assemblymember Curry, and Assemblymember Wilson, will host the 18th Annual Capitol Ramadan Iftar.

Ramadan, which began on March 9, 2024, is the Islamic holy month of self-discipline, charity, fasting, and spiritual renewal. Muslims end their daily fast after sunset with a meal known as iftar.

Since 2004, CAIR-CA has worked with members of the California State Legislature to host an annual Ramadan Iftar at the State Capitol to commemorate Ramadan alongside lawmakers, as well as leaders and advocates within the Muslim community, and connect on issues impacting California’s Muslims. It has been our honor to bring together members of the California State Legislature, legislative staff, and community leaders from across the state to break bread, commemorate this significant Islamic holiday, and celebrate the Ramadan Resolution.

WHAT: CAIR-CA’s 18th Annual Capitol Ramadan Iftar

WHEN: Tuesday, April 2, beginning at 4 p.m. PST.

WHERE: Reception: 4–6 p.m., California State Capitol Eureka Room (1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA, 95814)

Media Contact: FauziyaFaruk, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, ffaruk@cair.com| 916.232.0258 EXT. 127

CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Source: cair.com

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More Than Two-Thirds of Muslim Americans Prefer Giving Charity During Ramadan

March 29, 2024

WASHINGTON —

A new survey shows that nearly 70% of Muslims in the United States give zakat, or practice almsgiving, during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting.

The survey, conducted by the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University, found that gender, age, race, income, marital status, religiosity and voter registration status were the factors that influenced Muslim Americans’ preferences for paying zakat during Ramadan.

“The importance of Ramadan to Muslims has long been discussed,” said Shariq Siddiqui, the lead researcher of the study and director of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University.

He told VOA in an email that the survey indicates the importance of Ramadan for U.S. Muslims “when it comes to their charitable giving.”

While there is no specific requirement to pay zakat during Ramadan, many Muslims prefer to fulfill their obligation during the month as they believe that God will multiply the rewards for charity during the Muslim holy month of fasting.

Muslims gather for the Jum?ah service, March 15, 2024, at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. Ramadan fuels a surge in charitable giving, but 85% of American Muslims' donations stay in the U.S.

Muslims believe that God revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan.

During the month, Muslims who have reached puberty and are physically capable fast from sunrise to sunset, which means abstaining from food and drink.

The survey also indicated that more than 45% of U.S. Muslims were giving zakat during the time of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

Zakat is aimed at redistributing wealth and alleviating poverty within the Muslim community.

It is calculated usually at 2.5% of a Muslim’s accumulated wealth annually, including savings, investments, gold, silver and other assets beyond one’s basic needs.

According to the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Muslims in the U.S. paid an estimated $1.8 billion in zakat in 2021.

Nearly 3.5 million Muslims live in the U.S., which is 1.1% of the population in the nation.

Siddiqui told VOA that Muslim Americans give an estimated $4.3 billion in charity, including zakat, every year, and 85% of the money stays in the U.S., of which 50% goes to Muslim-led organizations and about 40% to non-Muslim groups.

He said, however, that the survey identifies some key demographics often overlooked by fundraisers.

According to the survey, married Muslims and Muslim women are more likely to pay zakat during Ramadan.

Muslims in their 30s and those with an annual income of $50,000 to $75,000 are leaning toward giving zakat during the month of fasting, the survey stated.

Religiosity was another factor influencing their decision to give zakat during Ramadan. Those who identified themselves as more religious tended to fulfill their zakat obligations during the month of Ramadan.

The survey also indicated that Muslim Americans who were registered to vote, compared to those who were not registered, were more likely to pay their zakat during the holy month.

Sponsored by Islamic Relief USA, the survey was based on a nationally representative sample of 1,139 U.S.-based Muslim adults across the U.S.

Source: voanews.com

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https://www.voanews.com/a/more-than-two-thirds-of-muslim-americans-prefer-giving-charity-during-ramadan-/7549421.html

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Famine ‘quite possibly’ in some areas of northern Gaza, US official says

2024-03-30

WASHINGTON: Famine is quite possibly present in parts of the northern Gaza Strip, a senior US State Department official said on Friday, adding that a scarcity of trucks was an obstacle to getting more aid into the Palestinian enclave under Israeli siege.

“While we can say with confidence that famine is a significant risk in the south and center but not present, in the north, it is both a risk and quite possibly is present in at least some areas,” the official told Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

The UN has warned that Gaza faces famine and has complained of “overwhelming obstacles” in getting in aid and distributing it around the enclave. US officials have acknowledged Gaza is facing a humanitarian catastrophe but few have offered an assessment on the risk of famine.

Earlier this month a global authority on food security - backed by the United Nations - warned that famine was imminent and likely to occur by May in northern Gaza and could spread across the enclave by July.

Malnutrition and food insecurity have probably exceeded famine levels in Gaza’s north, and hunger-linked death rates were likely to do so soon, said the report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

One of the biggest issues limiting aid distribution is a scarcity of trucks, the State Department official said.

“They’re just about at the limit right now. There aren’t additional trucks in Gaza to be loaded from Kerem Shalom or Rafah or Gate 96 with food,” the official said, referring to various border crossings into the enclave.

The US was working with its partners and the international community to help acquire or help the United Nations acquire additional trucks to be used to distribute aid, the official said.

The official cited improvement for both south and central Gaza and marginally for the north, which has been harder to reach for aid trucks due to increased criminal activity and lawlessness throughout last month.

The number of trucks distributing aid in south and central Gaza had nearly topped 200 a day, an increase compared to a month ago, but more were needed, the official said.

In the north, there have been deliveries of around 350-400 trucks a day over the past few weeks of aid privately contracted and that has been the most significant aid shipment to that part of the enclave since war began on Oct. 7, the official said.

But the aid flow through Gate 96, a new entry point for the north, had yet to settle into a routine. “It is not at that point yet. But that is what we are working on,” he said.

Approved driver shortage was also an issue in the north, the official said. “Because this is a route that goes in Israel, ... they have to be carefully vetted.”

Source: brecorder.com

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40296282/famine-quite-possibly-in-some-areas-of-northern-gaza-us-official-says

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