BJP Calls Congress 'New Muslim League' And "Open War Against Hindus" For Backing Places of Worship Act in Supreme Court
New Age Islam News Bureau
18 January 2025
· BJP Calls Congress 'New Muslim League' And "Open War Against Hindus" For Backing Places of Worship Act in Supreme Court
· 'Rebuild Babri Masjid': Pak-Based Terror, OSINT, Planner Floats New Propaganda Module
· Aid Agencies: Will Take $80bn And 40 Years To Rebuild Gaza Strip
· How ‘Booktok’ Is Redefining Reading For A New Generation Of Saudis
· Nigerian Army Says 76 Islamist Militants Killed In Borno State
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India
· Allahabad HC Judge Shekhar Yadav, Who Kicked Up A Controversy, To Skip Seminar On Ram Temple Movement In Kumbh Mela
· Veteran Lawyers Urge CJI To Direct CBI To Lodge FIR Against Allahabad HC Judge For Anti-Muslim Remarks
· Chirag Paswan Raised Muslim Community's Concerns Regarding Waqf Bill: LJP
· Farooq Abdullah visits Ajmer Sharif Dargah, prays for peace & brotherhood
· Court rejects Azam Khan’s appeal in 2008 blockade case
· Supreme Court denies bail to ex-PFI chairman Abubacker
· BJP-RSS ‘Threat’ To Constitution: CPIML Leader Warns Of 'Manuvadi' System Agenda
· J&K: Cry scam, get shunted; Srinagar Smart City project whistleblower pays 'graft nexus price'
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Pakistan
· President, PM Vow To Wipe Out Terrorism From Country
· Tanveer calls for enhancing trade ties with Iran
· TDPs camps to be established in lower Kurram as anti-terror operation on cards
· What about civil charges against military court convicts, SC asks
· PTI vows to challenge ruling as govt hails ‘just deserts’
· Judicial Commission of Pakistan approves appointment of five judges for IHC, BHC
· Shibli Faraz not allowed to speak on Al-Qadir Trust case verdict
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Mideast
· Iran Has Always Stood By Oppressed Muslims: Speaker
· Israel to free 737 prisoners in first phase of Gaza truce deal
· Protest against PKK/YPG held at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
· International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor meets with Syrian leader in Damascus
· Ban on UNRWA will make plight of Gazans much worse and undermine ceasefire, agency’s chief warns
· US Centcom chief meets Kurdish-led forces in Syria, urges repatriation of foreign Daesh fighters
· Israel prepares for hostages’ return with scant knowledge of their condition
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Arab World
· How Saudi Arabia is weaving sustainable practices into its fashion industry
· Diriyah Season launches At-Turaif District activities
· Courchevel Boulevard World brings skiing experience to Riyadh
· Saudi Arabia participates in children’s rights workshop in Cairo
· Foreign students explore Saudi town under Kingdom Gateway program
· Hajj & Umrah Conference draws more than 150,000 visitors
· Slow food movement has a new home in AlUla
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Africa
· Muslim Man Slams Mohammed Abdul-Salam, Tells Him To Resign As NLA Boss
·Islamic State Claims Deadly Attack In Cabo Delgado’s Macomia District
· It’s Our Duty to Reconcile Kwankwaso, Ganduje, Lawmaker Tells Muslims
· Saudi Arabia distributes 12,000 date cartons in Sudan
· Our Duty Is To Protect, Not Harm Innocent Nigerians – CDS Musa Warns Military
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North America
· Muslim Rights Group Urges Gov. Murphy to Pass Immigrant Trust Act to Counter Trump Deportations
· TikTok says it will 'go dark' on Sunday without US government action
· Donald Trump's inauguration moved indoors due to 'dangerous' cold
· US grounds SpaceX's Starship after test flight explosion
· Bill Gates unveils details of ‘intriguing’ dinner with Trump
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate Delegation Visits Iran to Enhance Trade Relations
· Struggle for fair elections far from over: Jamaat ameer
· Afghan Migrants Protest Taxation and Frozen Accounts in Iran
· EU pledges €36 million to support displaced Afghans and refugees
· 29 Afghan citizens freed from Pakistani police custody
· UNICEF Warns: Water Crisis puts children’s lives in Afghanistan at risk
· Japan’s Halal Navi app taps into need among Muslim travelers
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Southeast Asia
· Anwar: Malaysia Confident In Navigating Uncertainties Amid Trump’s Second Term
· Bank Islam Eyes 800 Sign-ups For Mastercard World Premier Wealth Credit Card-i This Year
· PM Anwar to undertake two-day working visit to Belgium
· Gobind: Asean must set consistent digital, cybersecurity standards to boost digital economy
· Anwar to visit Belgium tomorrow to strengthen Malaysia-EU ties, deliver keynote at College of Europe
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Europe
· National Australia Bank Expands Islamic Finance For Businesses
· Al Fayed claimed 'poor health' when police investigated abuse
· Russia and Iran move to strengthen military ties
· Starmer vows to fight 'poison' of antisemitism in Auschwitz visit
· I'm outraged Church of England leader called my abuser a 'Rolls Royce' priest
· Lancashire cemetery with only eight years capacity could be extended - with Muslim burial area
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bjp-congress-muslim-hindus-supreme-court/d/134371
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BJP Calls Congress 'New Muslim League' And "Open War Against Hindus" For Backing Places of Worship Act in Supreme Court
Jan 18, 2025
NEW DELHI: BJP Friday said Congress moving Supreme Court in support of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act was a declaration of "open war against Hindus" and the party was now the "new Muslim League". "Congress has approached SC seeking to deny Hindus their fundamental constitutional right to legal remedies for addressing historical injustices. It has urged the top court to dismiss petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act, 1991, under the pretext of 'safeguarding secularism'," BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said on X.
BJP had opposed the Places of Worship Act right since the Narasimha Rao-led govt's move to enact it in the face of the movement for construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The bill, passed amid vehement opposition from BJP, sought to freeze the character of all places of worship, save the disputed site in Ayodhya, as it existed on Aug 15, 1947. It was meant to pre-empt a Sangh Parivar bid for Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque and Mathura's Shahi Eidgah.
But this is a first in recent times that BJP has reiterated its stance: something which raises the excitement over the stand the Centre might take in SC over the law.
Congress has moved SC to oppose pleas challenging the Act claiming that it is violative of Articles 14 (equality before law and equal protection), Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination on the ground of religion), Article 25 (right to profess and practice one's religion), Article 26 (right of a community to manage their religious affairs) and Article 29 (protection of cultural rights of citizens) as well as on the basis of the argument that neither Hindu law nor Shariat allows for construction of mosques on sites of temples that were destroyed by invaders.
The petitioners and Sangh Parivar have maintained that the Varanasi mosque was built after demolishing the legendary Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, site of one of the 12 Jyotirlings, and the Mathura Eidgah has come up on the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
BJP's stand is interesting also because of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's caution that there was no need to look for temples under every mosque - a stand which has been rejected by prominent Hindu religious figures and appears to be at odds with Uttar Pradesh govt's effort to "reclaim" properties and temples belonging to Hindus which they were forced to abandon after losing many lives in the 1978 riots.
"Congress consented to India's Partition along religious lines. Following this, it introduced the Waqf law, enabling Muslims to claim properties at will and establish mini-Pakistans across the country. It later enacted the Places of Worship Act, effectively denying Hindus the right to reclaim their historical and religious sites. Now, Congress has declared an open war against Hindus," Malviya said.
Congress moved SC in support of the Places of Worship Act and said the law was "essential to safeguard secularism in India" which was a basic feature of the Constitution and was needed to ensure communal harmony.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-calls-congress-new-muslim-league-for-backing-shrines-act/articleshow/117342132.cms
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'Rebuild Babri Masjid': Pak-Based Terror, OSINT, Planner Floats New Propaganda Module
Jan 17, 2025
Farhatullah Ghori is linked to several past terrorist attacks in India including the one at Ahmedabad's Akshardham Temple in 2002.
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A new online Islamic radicalisation module has been unearthed by India Today’s Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team. The online network calls upon Indian Muslim youths to wage jihad in India, rebuild Babri Mosque, and singles out certain content creators and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as targets.
A newly-registered website and a private group on Signal messenger are central to the module which spreads radical propaganda through Facebook, Instagram, Dailymotion, Internet Archive, YouTube, Soundcloud and a blog.
Digital forensics has established that the website was registered on December 3, 2024. It features several videos with the voice of wanted terrorist Farhatullah Ghori, who currently resides in Pakistan. The opening page of the website reads: "Let’s pledge to rebuild the Babri Masjid".
India Today has withheld the website domain and linked social media accounts to prevent further dissemination of radical propaganda.
The site aims to "awaken the masses towards a path of Jihad and Resistance". It invites potential members to join a private group on secure messaging platform Signal, named "Sawt al Haq", which had 63 members at the time of publishing this report.
In a video released on the anniversary of the Babri Mosque demolition, Gauri, who is also known as ‘Ustad’, is heard urging the Muslim youth to shun the path of patriotism, embrace jihad, and sacrifice for Islam. "One day the Ram Temple, God willing, will be reduced to rubble," he says in the video.
Urging Muslims to draw inspiration from the Quran, he calls on them to carry out violent terror attacks in India. "Merely posting (provocative content) on social media won’t bring change".
In another video, he lauds the man who was arrested for planting a bomb at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bangaluru in March last year for arranging and executing the blast alone. "Agencies took one and half months to track him".
Ghori laments the lack of experienced jihadis and accepts that it has become difficult to carry out attacks in India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power at the Centre.
Another video calls on radical Muslim youths to take inspiration from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian jihadi organisation that overthrew the rule of President Asar al-Assad.
The same videos have been circulated from a few Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Contents on the website refer to a TV journalist as a rabid dog and say it "will send our gifts to dear Yogi".
A blog on Blogger by the name "Islamic Revolution Hind" was also found posting content available on the website.
Ghori has been at the forefront of spreading propaganda on the Indian internet. He released 19 propaganda videos last year.
WHO IS FARHATULLAH GHORI?
Ghori, also known as Abu Sufiyan, Sardar Sahab, and Faru, has been linked to several high-profile attacks, including the 2002 Akshardham Temple attack in Gujarat that killed over 30 people and injured 80 others. He was also behind the 2005 suicide attack on the Task Force office in Hyderabad.
In October 2020, the Indian government officially designated Ghori as a terrorist, under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
In August, he released a video inciting youths to attack trains and petroleum pipelines. India Today earlier reported that Ghori planned the Rameshwaram Cafe blast through a sleeper cell agent with the support of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Source:indiatoday.
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pakistan-based-terror-planner-farhatullah-ghori-propaganda-indian-muslims-rebuild-babri-masjid-2666348-2025-01-17
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Aid agencies: Will take $80bn and 40 years to rebuild Gaza Strip
January 17, 2025
People walk past stalls selling goods amid the rubble of buildings destroyed during previous Israeli strikes, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. (AFP)
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Rebuilding homes and infrastructure after Israel’s 15-month war on Gaza could take 40 years and cost more than $80 billion, aid agencies said on Friday.
The war has transformed the enclave into a rubble-strewn wasteland with blackened shells of buildings and mounds of debris. Major roads have been plowed up. Critical water and electricity infrastructure is in ruins. Most hospitals no longer function.
The full extent of the damage will be known only when the fighting ends on Sunday and inspectors have full access. The most heavily destroyed part of Gaza, in the north, has been sealed off and largely depopulated by Israeli forces in an operation that began last October.
Using satellite data, the UN estimates that 70 percent of structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, including over 245,000 homes.
Before anything can be rebuilt, the rubble must be removed — a staggering task in itself.
The war has littered Gaza with over 50 million tonnes of rubble, about 12 times the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza. With over 100 trucks working full time, it would take 15 years to clear.
“I can’t think of any parallel, in terms of the severity of damage, for an enclave or a country or a people,” said Corey Scher of the Shelter Cluster, an international coalition of aid providers led by the Norwegian Refugee Council.
The first target for aid is the health sector, with more than 80 percent of Gaza’s health facilities damaged or destroyed.
The World Health Organization said on Friday it would start by bringing prefabricated hospitals into the enclave and medically evacuating over 12,000 patients, a third of them children.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2586838/middle-east
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How ‘BookTok’ is redefining reading for a new generation of Saudis
HAJAR ALQUSAYER
January 17, 2025
Beyond social media hype, the growth of book fairs reflects the Ministry of Culture’s strategy and efforts to raise awareness about the importance reading has on the quality of life. (SPA)
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RIYADH: While TikTok is often criticized for minimizing attention spans with its fast-paced content, the social media platform’s “BookTok” community has sparked renewed interest in reading among young adults in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Described by The New York Times as a “best-seller machine,” BookTok has become a global phenomenon.
The platform has emerged as a virtual book club, where readers connect to share recommendations and discuss their favorite titles — especially in genres like romance, fiction, and thrillers.
Arab News spoke to a number of authors and content creators who described how the social media trend is driving book sales and reshaping the local publishing industry.
Mohammed Al-Ashaari is a young reader who regularly shares book recommendations and discussions on his TikTok account.
The platform’s fast-paced nature prioritizes aesthetically pleasing content that can be shared in bite-sized clips, and Al-Ashaari spoke about how this algorithm is changing reading habits.
“BookTok has brought about significant changes in how people read novels, as the reading trends within the BookTok community are constantly evolving, and with each trend, a new way or habit of reading emerges,” he said.
Al-Ashaari explained that this impact was not only limited to readers on the platform but also extended to authors, influencing how they approach their writing and adapt their work to fit the tastes and interests of the platform’s active community.
He added that the most trending genres on BookTok are fantasy, science fiction, and horror: “Books that gain the most engagement tend to be in these genres, which has led many authors to shift their focus on popular categories.”
The BookTok community emerged on TikTok during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and its impact on publishing is undeniable, with authors and publishers seeing remarkable sales growth.
This impact is especially notable in how it has affected book sales and author engagement.
A report by the US-based retail tracking service Circana revealed that TikTok has significantly influenced book sales in the US, particularly in the adult fiction category.
Sales in this genre increased by 8.5 percent in 2022, followed by an additional 1 percent rise in 2023. Other genres, such as dystopian, romance, and thriller, also witnessed notable growth during this period.
Yasmina Al-Mutabagani, the Saudi author of “Beyond the Surface,” said BookTok has played a significant role in boosting the sales of her latest novel, which explores the story of two strangers who form an unexpected connection during a pandemic.
“I did paid ads multiple times on a video I posted that talked about my book; however, at that time, I didn’t think it was going to be that effective. After a while, I went to Jarir Bookstore, and the man told me it was sold out in multiple branches,” she said.
Al-Mutabagani highlighted BookTok’s broader influence on the literary world. “There’s a positive impact on literature and publishing because BookTok offers advice on writing in general, how to publish your book, how to find a literary agent, and it can be useful in promoting your book if you’re an author,” she said.
Kendah Jambi, a Saudi author of the fantasy novel “Al-Rahala,” said that many attendees at Saudi book fairs recognized her from TikTok’s BookTok.
Her novel follows a group of people called Al-Rahala, or nomads, who possess the ability to shift realities and travel through the multiverse.
Jambi emphasized the importance of building a connection between authors and readers. “Interaction between author and reader is often underrated. It’s very important for readers to be genuinely interested in the author as a person to maintain their interest in the books,” she said.
She further elaborated on the impact of BookTok, adding, “BookTok definitely helped readers express their opinions, which is valuable to the author on both an emotional and constructive level.”
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2586836/saudi-arabia
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Nigerian army says 76 Islamist militants killed in Borno state
17 January 2025
Militants have stepped up attacks in Nigeria's Borno since the beginning of the year, including an assault on Dumba community on Sunday where at least 40 farmers were killed. Stock photo.
Image: 123RF/ZABELIN
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Nigerian troops have killed 76 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the country's northeastern Borno state in recent weeks, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
The militants were believed to belong to the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, who have been waging a deadly insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009 that has displaced millions and killed thousands, with Borno at its epicentre.
The militants have stepped up attacks in Borno since the beginning of the year, including an assault on Dumba community on Sunday where at least 40 farmers were killed.
Military spokesperson Maj-Gen Edward Buba said troops killed 24 fighters during offensive operations in Damboa, Bama and Chibok areas of Borno between January 7 and 13.
He did not provide details on troop casualties during the operations.
Troops arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight hostages during the operations, he said in a statement.
Buba said weapons and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices, were recovered during the operations.
Source:timeslive.co.za
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https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2025-01-17-nigerian-army-says-76-islamist-militants-killed-in-borno-state/
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India
Allahabad HC Judge Shekhar Yadav, Who Kicked Up A Controversy, To Skip Seminar On Ram Temple Movement In Kumbh Mela
18 Jan 2025
MAHAKUMBH NAGAR: Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Yadav, whose speech at a VHP event in December kicked up a controversy, has opted out of a seminar on the Ram temple movement in the Kumbh Mela area on January 22 where he was scheduled to deliver the keynote address, an organiser said on Saturday.
According to the organisers, Justice Yadav expressed his inability to attend the "Rashtriya Sangoshthi: Ram Mandir Aandolan aur Gorakshpeeth" seminar, saying January 22 is a working day.
Seminar convener Shashi Prakash Singh said, "Some members of the organising committee had taken consent from Justice Shekhar Yadav to attend this programme. However, since the seminar is a working day, he has expressed his inability to attend it and has informed the organising committee about it."
Singh said the seminar is being held to mark the first anniversary of the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla in the Ayodhya temple.
Senior RSS pracharak Ashok Bery and senior VHP leader Bade Dinesh Ji Singh are also scheduled to address the seminar.
Addressing a provincial convention of the legal cell and the high court unit of the VHP at the High Court complex on December 8, Justice Yadav had said among other things that the main aim of the Uniform Civil Code was to promote social harmony, gender equality and secularism.
The following day, videos of the judge speaking on provocative issues were circulated widely on social media, prompting strong reactions from several quarters, including opposition leaders who questioned his reported statement, labelling it as "hate speech".
On December 10, the Supreme Court took note of news reports over the statements and sought a report from the Allahabad High Court.
Yadav appeared before the SC collegium headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and was asked to put forth his version on the statements made.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jan/18/allahabad-hc-judge-shekhar-yadav-to-skip-seminar-on-ram-temple-movement-in-kumbh-mela-2
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Veteran Lawyers Urge CJI To Direct CBI To Lodge FIR Against Allahabad HC Judge For Anti-Muslim Remarks
Scroll Staff
A group of 13 veteran lawyers on Friday wrote to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, urging him to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a first information report against Allahabad High Court judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav for his anti-Muslim remarks, Live Law reported.
The signatories to the letter include Indira Jaising, Aspi Chinoy, Navroz Seervai, Anand Grover, Chander Uday Singh, Jaideep Gupta, Mohan V Katarki, Shoeb Alam, R Vaigai, Mihir Desai, Jayant Bhushan, Gayatri Singh and Avi Singh.
They also sent copies of their letter to other senior Supreme Court judges BR Gavai, Surya Kant, Hrishikesh Roy and AS Oka.
Speaking at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event on December 8, Yadav said that India would be run as per the wishes of its Hindu majority. He also uttered a communal slur used for Muslims who have been circumcised and described the community as “harmful to the country”.
“They are the kind of people who do not want the country to progress and we need to be cautious of them,” Yadav, a sitting High Court judge, said. He added that India would soon adopt a Uniform Civil Code – a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and adoption for all citizens.
The remarks by Yadav had led to demands for his impeachment, with some critics calling for his judicial work to be suspended.
The letter written by the lawyers said that, “ostensibly, Justice Yadav was commenting on the Uniform Civil Code, but the entire speech seemed like a cover for spreading hate speech” on a public platform. “There was nothing academic, legal, or juristic about the contents of the speech,” Bar and Bench quoted the lawyers as having said.
They added: “This blatantly divisive rhetoric disregards judicial impartiality, with the judge openly aligning himself with one religious community while painting the other in a deeply derogatory light.”
The lawyers further contended that the speech, besides hurting the religious feelings of Muslims, also promoted enmity between different groups on religious grounds.
“The contents of his speech, recorded and widely disseminated, have been characterised as hate speech, containing remarks that appear unconstitutional and contrary to the oath of office taken by a judge,” the letter stated.
The Supreme Court has already taken cognisance of Yadav’s comments and sought a report from the Allahabad High Court about the matter.
Yadav had on December 17 appeared before the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Khanna. The Collegium had sought an explanation for his remarks, The Indian Express reported. Khanna had also informed the full Supreme Court about the matter.
However, Yadav did not submit an apology or an explanation, according to the newspaper, prompting the chief justice of India to ask the Allahabad High Court to file a fresh report about the matter, the newspaper reported.
Besides the Supreme Court, 55 Opposition MPs filed a notice in the Rajya Sabha calling for his impeachment. The 21-page motion, initiated by Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, said that the judge’s speech “prima facie [showed] evidence [that he] has targeted minorities and displayed bias and prejudice against minorities”.
Scroll looked at several of his orders over the last three-and-a-half years and found that Yadav has a pattern of referring to Hindutva talking points.
In his judgements, Yadav has suggested that the state should honour the cow as well as Hindu gods, referred to conspiracy theories about religious conversions and accused people of making false complaints under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Source:scroll.in
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https://scroll.in/latest/1078089/senior-lawyers-urge-cji-to-direct-cbi-to-lodge-fir-against-allahabad-hc-judge-for-anti-muslim-remark
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Chirag Paswan Raised Muslim Community's Concerns Regarding Waqf Bill: LJP
Jan 18, 2025
Patna (Bihar (/topic/bihar)) [India], January 18 (ANI): Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Arun Bharti (/topic/arun-bharti) on Saturday said that his party chief Chirag Paswan (/topic/chirag-paswan) raised the concerns of the Muslim community regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill (/topic/waqf-amendment-bill), 2024. His reaction comes as the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Bill is meeting various stakeholders in Bihar (/topic/bihar) today. "When the bill was brought in Parliament, our president Chirag Paswan (/topic/chirag-paswan) raised the concerns of the Muslim community," Arun Bharti (/topic/arun-bharti) told ANI. "The JPC is going to every place in the country and meeting the Muslim community and listening to their concerns. In this sequence, the committee members have come to Bihar (/topic/bihar) to whom we have also given the names of enlightened people," he added. Meanwhile, the JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal (/topic/jagdambika-pal) said on Saturday that they have very little time to submit their eport as the budget session will get underway on January 31. Speaking to ANI, Pal emphasized that they are touring the country to make a comprehensive report. "I have arrived in Bihar (/topic/bihar), and this is important. We will be holding meetings with the Waqf Board, stakeholders, delegations, and the Minority Commission here because we need to submit our report during this budget session. The session will begin on January 31, so we don't have much time left. We are touring the country to make a comprehensive report," he said. "In Kerala, someone declared an old church as Waqf property, and now there are claims over the Kumbh land as well. This amendment was introduced specifically to address such disputes. If the government had wanted, it could have passed this amendment in both houses, but attention was given to ensuring transparency and providing a comprehensive report on the matter," Jagdambika Pal (/topic/jagdambika-pal) added. The JPC Chairman also mentioned that so far, 34 meetings have been held i n Delhi, and they have met with around 204 different delegations and stakeholders. Meanwhile, the budget session of Parliament will commence on January 31 and continue till April 4 with the union budget to be presented on February 1. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill (/topic/waqf-amendment-bill) is expected to submit its report during the budget session. The term of the committee was extended during the winter session of Parliament. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill (/topic/waqf-amendment-bill), 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is conducting extensive consultations with government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives from various states and UnioTerritories to ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the legislation. (ANI)
Source:aninews.in
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https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/chirag-paswan-raised-muslim-communitys-concerns-regarding-waqf-bill-ljps-arun-bharti20250118134919/
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Farooq Abdullah visits Ajmer Sharif Dargah, prays for peace & brotherhood
January 17, 2025
Jaipur: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah visited the Ajmer Sharif Dargah on Friday evening and prayed for peace and brotherhood across the country.
He shared his joy in visiting the shrine and expressed hopes for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to overcome the challenges of the past decade.
He said he prayed for peace, progress, and snowfall, noting the pressing need for snow to address water shortages.
Farooq Abdullah also spoke about the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, stating that such incidents are not uncommon. He expressed relief that Khan’s life was saved and wished him a speedy recovery.
He added that such attacks should not occur in the country, emphasising the need for a safer environment.
When asked about the possibility of the National Conference collaborating with the BJP, Farooq Abdullah firmly dismissed the idea.
“This can never happen. We cannot align with those who spread hatred,” he said.
Addressing the recent outbreak of an unknown disease in Rajouri, where 15 people died, he said efforts are underway to identify the virus.
On Delhi elections, the former Chief Minister remarked that elections are a regular occurrence.
Meanwhile, a car in Farooq Abdullah’s convoy met with an accident on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Dausa on Friday afternoon around 1:45 PM.
A Nilgai suddenly appeared in front of the vehicle, causing a collision that damaged a Delhi Police escort car. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as both front airbags deployed effectively. (With Agencies Inputs)
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/farooq-abdullah-visits-ajmer-sharif-dargah-prays-for-peace-brotherhood/
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Court rejects Azam Khan’s appeal in 2008 blockade case
January 17, 2025
An MP-MLA court has upheld the two-year jail sentence and Rs 3,000 fine imposed on Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Azam Khan in a 2008 case of blocking a road outside the Chhajlat police station. The court’s decision, announced on Thursday, was confirmed by Special Public Prosecutor Mohan Lal Vishnoi.
The case stems from a protest in 2008, during which Khan and others allegedly obstructed the road outside the police station. Convicted earlier by the MP-MLA special court, Khan had filed an appeal challenging the trial court’s verdict. However, the court rejected his appeal, reaffirming the original sentence and fine.
Khan’s son, Abdullah Azam, who was also convicted in the same case, has filed a separate appeal that is currently under consideration in other courts. The protest incident had led to charges against both leaders, culminating in their conviction for blocking a public thoroughfare.
Azam Khan is presently serving his sentence in Sitapur jail in connection with this case. (With Agencies Inputs)
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/court-rejects-azam-khans-appeal-in-2008-blockade-case/
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Supreme Court denies bail to ex-PFI chairman Abubacker
January 17, 2025
By Muslim Mirror Desk
The Supreme Court on Friday denied bail on medical grounds to Erappungal Abubacker, the former chairman of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Abubacker, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during a crackdown on the PFI in September 2022, had approached the court citing age-related health issues.
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal reviewed Abubacker’s medical records and concluded that his release at this stage was unwarranted. The NIA has alleged that the PFI and its leaders conspired to raise funds and conduct camps to indoctrinate and train cadres for acts of terrorism. The organization was officially banned on September 28, 2022, for five years, with the government accusing it of links to global terror outfits, including ISIS.
In his petition, Abubacker, who is in his 70s, highlighted his health conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and recent cancer surgery. He argued that the NIA had failed to substantiate its case against him and that he was entitled to bail on both medical and legal grounds. However, the trial court and subsequently the Supreme Court rejected these arguments.
The NIA’s crackdown on the PFI in 2022 led to multiple arrests across Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi, and Rajasthan. The organization, along with its affiliates, was accused of engaging in anti-national activities and fostering a network of radicalization and terror training.
Abubacker’s arrest on September 22, 2022, was part of a coordinated effort by the NIA to dismantle the operations of the PFI. Despite his health concerns, the Supreme Court ruled against his release, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and the findings of the investigation. (With Agencies Inputs)
Source:muslimmirror.com
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BJP-RSS ‘threat’ to Constitution: CPIML leader warns of 'manuvadi' system agenda
Animesh Bisoee
18.01.25
Amidst signs of the INDIA bloc crumbling, CPIML national general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has called for the unification of “constitution-loving people” against the “BJP-RSS”.
The senior communist leader, who was in the coal town of Dhanbad to attend party meetings, on Friday accused the BJP and the RSS of trying to end the constitution and imposing a “manuvadi” system in the country.
Dipankar Bhattacharya said: “Communist party will complete its 100th year of establishment in 2025 and RSS will also complete its centennial year. We should be aware of recent developments and statements of RSS-BJP leaders that they want to end the Indian constitution and establish the manuvadi system.”
Bhattacharya was addressing party workers during the inauguration of a party office in Chirkunda under Nirsa assembly constituency in Dhanbad district.
Jharkhand CPIML general secretary Manoj Bhakt said that their national general secretary, during his stay, had been discussing with party comrades about the recent statements made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Union home minister Amit Shah. He said that those statements were clear indications about the BJP’s hidden agenda of ending the constitution.
Mohan Bhagwat had earlier this week claimed that India achieved its “true independence” on Ram Mandir’s construction day in Ayodhya. According to Bhagwat, the date of Ram temple consecration should be celebrated as “Pratishtha Dwadashi”.
“After India got its political independence from the British on August 15, 1947, a written Constitution was made according to the path shown by that specific vision, which comes out of the ‘self’ of the country, but the document was not run according to the spirit of the vision at that time,” Mohan Bhagwat had said on Monday at a function
in Indore.
Speaking during a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah had said in December: “Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai — Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata” (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place
in heaven).”
“On January 26, the constitution of the country will complete its 75 years. The constitution-loving people have the biggest responsibility to unite and weaken the anti-constitution BJP government. The constitution and democracy loving people will have to fight against it together,” stressed Bhattacharya.
The statement assumes significance in the backdrop of INDIA bloc leaders’ recent statement on the future of the alliance forged to defeat the BJP in last year’s Lok Sabha polls.
In the upcoming Delhi assembly polls, the AAP and the Congress have announced to go solo and not forge an alliance while Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party and Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress have expressed their support for the AAP in Delhi leaving the Congress, which hopes to lead the INDIA bloc isolated.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had also sparked controversy with his statement that the INDIA bloc was only for the Lok Sabha election.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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J&K: Cry scam, get shunted; Srinagar Smart City project whistleblower pays 'graft nexus price'
Muzaffar Raina
18.01.25
An order by lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha’s administration transferring a whistleblower in an alleged scam in the Srinagar Smart City project has triggered a row, with the government facing allegations of foul play.
The government on Thursday repatriated three superintendents of police working in the anti-corruption bureau — Abdul Wahid Shah, Mohammad Rashid and Rakesh Kumar — to their parent home department for further posting. The order said Deep Singh Jamwal, Manzoor Ahmad Mir and Mamta Sharma have replaced them.
The order came a week after Shah, who served as additional inspector-general in the anti-corruption bureau, addressed a news conference to announce the registration of an FIR against two officers — Sajid Yousuf Bhat and Zahoor Ahmad Dar, the chief financial officer and the executive engineer of Srinagar Smart City Limited — in a disproportionate assets case.
Four days later, the anti-corruption bureau said it had launched two preliminary inquiries into the misappropriation of materials and the use of substandard materials in the Srinagar Smart City project.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti claimed the transfers had exposed a “nexus between the corrupt & most powerful”.
“The removal of Abdul Wahid & his colleagues from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) highlights the risks faced by officials who challenge corruption,” Mehbooba posted on X.
The former chief minister saw a larger conspiracy as she claimed the action of “punishing the whistleblower has revealed the government’s true intentions behind using various agencies, including the ACB, to raid properties of Kashmiris under the guise of corruption investigations”.
“Raises questions about the government’s commitment to justice and accountability,” she posted on X.
Allegations of the government using top investigative agencies to target opponents are common in Jammu and Kashmir.
The government has not reacted to the latest allegations but a police officer said the decision to remove the three police officers was taken by a designated committee on December 23.
“The transfers have got nothing to do with the alleged scam,” an officer said.
The ACB last week said it had initiated a probe into the alleged use of substandard materials in the ongoing Srinagar Smart City project and the illegal sale of materials in the open market.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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Pakistan
TDPs camps to be established in lower Kurram as anti-terror operation on cards
By Ali Afzal Afzaal
January 18, 2025
The district authorities have announced establishing camps for temporary displaced persons (TDPs) in restive Lower Kurram amid potential anti-terror operation a day after terrorist attack on relief convoy bound for Parachinar.
According to a notification issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner Kurram on Friday, the LEAs were planning to launch operations in various areas of Lower Kurram.
"In order to ensure safety and support of the affected population during the expected operation, following sites are proposed for establishment of camps for the TDPs of District Kurram," stated the notification.
The camps would be established in Government Boys Degree College, Tal, Government Technical College, Rscue 1122 compound and judicial building — both of which are under construction, as per the notification.
Kurram has been wracked by violence for decades, but around 150 people have been killed in a fresh round of fighting which started in November last year when two separate convoys travelling under police escort were ambushed, leaving 40 people dead.
The Thursday ambush targeted a convoy of 35 vehicles set to resupply local traders in the restive territory with rice, flour, cooking oil and essential medicine, which claimed lives of at least 8 people, including security personnel, drivers and civilians.
Meanwhile, the retaliatory action by security forces resulted in the killing of six assailants.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and tribal leaders have brokered numerous truces between the warring communities but none have stopped the violence.
The most recent peace deal was announced on January 1 but just days later an aid convoy en route to the area was also attacked, wounding several local officials and members of their security escort.
So far, only two consignments of aid for Kurram have been dispatched during the last two weeks, with the latest one to reach the tribal region on January 14.
The residents complain that the aid that had been delivered goods was "not good enough", while the helicopter service for patient transfers from Kurram also remained suspended for the past 10 days.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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What about civil charges against military court convicts, SC asks
Nasir Iqbal
January 18, 2025
• Judges question why those booked under penal code, army act only convicted under the latter
• Govt lawyer says attack on state can’t be considered ‘political activism’
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench has raised questions over the future of individuals booked under both civil and military laws, but convicted only under the latter, for their involvement in violence on May 9.
The seven-judge bench, headed by Justice Aminud Din Khan, resumed the hearing on a set of intra-court appeals (ICAs) on Friday against the Oct 23, 2023, order nullifying the military trial of civilians involved in May 9 violence.
The question posed to Khawaja Haris Ahmed, representing the Defence Ministry, was about the status of those individuals charged with offences under the Pakistan Army Act (PAA), 1952 and Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail asked the counsel to explain whether the PPC charges against those convicted under the PAA were quashed, withdrawn or if the accused were acquitted of the civil charges.
The issue regarding civil offences arose during the hearing when Justice Musarrat Hilali pointed out that the military courts had convicted only those accused of attacking and vandalising army installations without addressing their role in instigating violence and terror within society — an offence under civilian laws.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that the counsel must provide a clear explanation, noting that the accused were booked under at least 18 offences, including one section of the PAA and two of the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
Justice Mazhar wondered if the trials had been bifurcated and whether the accused would face separate trials for civilian offences after serving their sentences under PAA.
Justice Mandokhail clarified that similar to Anti-Terrorism Courts when military courts assume jurisdiction, they also adjudicate civilian charges simultaneously when cases fall under their purview.
When Justice Hilali asked if the convicts could be tried for civil offences after completing their sentences awarded by the military court, Justice Khan explained that it would amount to double jeopardy.
Limits of political activity
During the hearing, the counsel referred to the Oct 2023 judgement where then Justice Afridi, in his dissenting note, stated that the federation was not fully heard on the provisions of PAA.
At this, Justice Mazhar inquired whether the attorney general (AGP) was issued a notice under Section 27(A) of the PPC to assist the court on the provisions of PAA.
When questioned, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Chaudhry Amir Rehman recalled that the five-judge bench that declared the military trial of civilians void had asked the AGP to focus his arguments on the incidents of May 9 and 10 instead of the provisions of the Army Act.
Justice Mandokhail recalled that the 21st Constitutional Amendment — under which military courts were set up to try civilians accused of terrorism — stated that the cases of political parties would not go to military courts.
The counsel replied that political activism has a limit, adding that an attack on the state’s properties was not political activity.
Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi said military and civil installations, including the corps commander’s residence in Lahore and Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar, were attacked in a coordinated manner.
In the past, people used to protest at the residences of governors or chief ministers, but on May 9, government installations were attacked for the first time, Justice Rizvi observed.
Justice Mandokhail also wondered why no military trial was conducted when the parliament house was attacked.
Source:dawn.com
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PTI vows to challenge ruling as govt hails ‘just deserts’
Syed Irfan Raza
January 18, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Friday announced its intention to challenge the conviction of its jailed founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the £190 pound Al-Qadir Trust case, while the government tried to justify the punishment as “just deserts” for the former prime minister.
Reacting to the announcement of the verdict on Friday, PTI leaders such as Omar Ayub, Sheikh Waqqas Akram and others protested the couple’s innocence and maintained that their party founder had been subjected to political victimisation.
“We will challenge the verdict in the superior courts,” the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly told a press conference after the verdict.
Interim party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan divulged that an appeal would be filed before the high court within a few days, and hoped that Mr Khan would be released soon.
He also said the party founder, whose morale was high despite his conviction, had directed them to continue talks with the government.
Omar Ayub said that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had nothing to do with the money involved in the case, adding that those who had laundered it were living freely abroad.
His counterpart in the Senate echoed these sentiments, saying that while thieves are roaming freely, those who are innocent and honest, and on the path of righteousness are being punished.
PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry termed the decision an example of the “political use of NAB”.
“There was no evidence of monetary gain, crime proceed or financial corruption. This is a nonsense decision of a nonsense case,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, the party’s spokesperson, Sheikh Waqqas Akram, smelled a rat in the way the decision had been put off multiple times by Judge Nasir Javed Rana, and also questioned his competence.
Addressing a press conference at the KP information department on Friday, Mr Akram said that there was definitely some kind of interference or agenda behind the many postponements of the Al-Qadir Trust case verdict over the past weeks.
He said that previously, three judges hearing the case were changed, and the one who announced the verdict was fourth judge to hear the matter.
The judge, Mr Akram went on to say, was declared by the Supreme Court in 2004 as “unfit for judicial service” and his judicial powers were also withdrawn.
Mr Akram said the PTI rejected this verdict, arguing that if it had been heard under the tenants of law and justice, Imran Khan would have been exonerated.
He said that Imran Khan could not be cowed with such tactics. He said that the cases against the PTI founder were bogus and lacking any substance and this case too would soon find itself in a dustbin.
Govt hails verdict
Reacting to the conviction of Imran Khan and her spouse, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said: “He is the first prime minister in history who was caught red-handed while stealing.”
Speaking to students of University of Okara on Friday, she said the stock market rose as soon as the verdict was announced. “When sedition goes down, the nations progresses. We faced 150 trials and bravely fought against false accusations. When we were in jail, we could not meet our family. We got food once in 24 hours.”
About the Al-Qadir University, Maryam said she saw a video of some students of the varsity who had invited her to visit them. “Students will get religious and conventional education and I will also award them scholarships and laptops.”
In a joint press conference, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar justified Mr Khan’s conviction, saying that it was an open-and-shut matter and the verdict was based on the merits of the case.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, the law minister explained that the issue first came to light when the current government took office. “The matter was discussed in a cabinet meeting, where it was revealed that the UK’s Asset Recovery Unit had launched an investigation. Initially, Hussain Nawaz was among those named in the case but was later cleared following an inquiry.”
His cabinet colleague, the information minister, blamed the defence counsel for fighting the case on political grounds and not submitting any evidence to counter the proof brought forward by the prosecution.
Mr Tarar said it was ironic that the money confiscated by NCA and returned to Pakistan was returned to the very person from whom it was taken, i.e. Malik Riaz.
“Corruption and bribery are proven in this case, misuse of authority is also proven,” he said.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif assailed the PTI founder for his hypocrisy, saying that while he was campaigning against “thieves and robbers”, he committed a major fraud by putting Pakistan’s money into Malik Riaz’s account.
He claimed the so-called Al-Qadir University did not exist; it has been four years since the university opened, but it still has about 300 students to date. “Do universities have the same number of students in so many years,” he asked.
He said that Malik Riaz had fled the country because he was the biggest beneficiary, as Imran Khan sent all this money to his account.
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal also weighed in, saying that “the biggest graft case in the political history of Pakistan” had exposed the real face of the PTI founder and his spouse.
To cover up their corruption, he said the trio of Imran, Bushra and Malik Riaz staged a drama by setting up a university, adding that no charitable work could be justified if it was carried out with looted and plundered money.
Aslam Piracha in Okara and Manzoor Ali in Peshawar also contributed to this report
Source:dawn.com
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Judicial Commission of Pakistan approves appointment of five judges for IHC, BHC
Malik Asad
January 18, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) in a meeting, presided over by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, approved the appointment of five additional judges — two in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and three in the Balochistan High Court (BHC) — for one year, on Friday.
According to a statement by the JCP, two meetings of the commission — one for considering nominations for the appointment of additional judges in the IHC and the second for the BHC — were held in the conference room of the Supreme Court.
In the first meeting, the JCP by a majority decision approved the appointment of District and Sessions Judge (DSJ) Mohammad Azam Khan and Supreme Court advocate Inaam Ameen Minhas for their appointment as additional judges of the IHC.
Later, in a separate meeting, the JCP unanimously approved the names of SC lawyers Mohammad Asif, Muhammad Ayub Khan, and by a majority decision finalised the appointment of SC lawyer Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal as additional judges of BHC.
The commission decided that the nominees who did not secure the required majority vote of the JCP members this time could be renominated for future vacancies.
According to a notification issued by the JCP for the meeting to appoint the IHC judges, there were four vacant positions against which 21 candidates were applicants.
However, the JCP approved the appointments of two nominees only.
Sources privy to the development said that during the meeting, DSJ Khan and SC advocate Minhas secured the required number of votes.
They said that during the second round of voting out of the remaining 19, the names of six candidates who secured the highest votes in the first round but could not achieve the required majority were considered. However, they could not secure the required votes in the second round.
Source:dawn.com
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Shibli Faraz not allowed to speak on Al-Qadir Trust case verdict
Iftikhar A. Khan
January 18, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Senate session was abruptly adjourned on Friday even before the completion of Question Hour, denying an opportunity to the opposition leader to speak, in a clear deviation from the parliamentary tradition.
Leader of the Opposition Shibli Faraz wanted to speak on the conviction of Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, but deputy chairman of Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar refused to give him the floor, saying that under rule 41, Question Hour has to be completed first, leading to uproar in the house.
“This is my prerogative to speak,” Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz could be heard with his mic turned off. He was referring to a parliamentary convention, whereby the chair customarily recognises the leaders of the house or the opposition if they seek an opportunity to speak.
Other PTI members started protesting when the chairman insisted he would not allow Senator Faraz to speak during Question Hour. This prompted the deputy chairman to abruptly adjourned the house, to meet again on Monday.
Soon after the announcement by the chair, PTI lawmakers gathered close to his dais and chanted slogans against what they called “black laws and verdicts”, “travesty of justice” and “a witch-hunt”.
Earlier, during Question Hour, the Senate was informed that data protection and privacy measures were in place to prevent misuse of information available at the National Sex Offenders Register, launched in November last year.
Answering a question asked by Senator Quratul Ain Marri on behalf of the interior minister, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said it was an end-to-end encrypted system and under the rules, its public disclosure was not allowed.
About details of authorised institutions and personnel having access to sensitive information along with the penalties for unauthorised access or misuse of the register, he said those found to be involved in leakage of protected data in deviation from their official duties and responsibilities would face action.
Source:dawn.com
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Mideast
Iran has always stood by oppressed Muslims: Speaker
Jan 17, 2025
Tehran, IRNA – Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stressed that Iran has always stood against oppression and is the only country that supports all Muslims.
Iranian delegation led by Qalibaf arrived in Addis Ababa yesterday for an official visit to Ethiopia.
In one of his meetings in the visit, Qalibaf held a meeting with the Head of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council known as the Majlis, Sheikh Ibrahim Tufa.
"We have different religions in Iran, and in the Iranian Parliament, not only Shia and Sunni representatives, but also Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians have representatives," Qalibaf added.
Referring to the Sunnis in Iran's government, Iran’s Parliament Speaker said that as many as 26 Sunni representatives are currently in Iran’s Parliament.
Praising Iran's role in supporting the Muslims of the world, Sheikh Ibrahim Tufa, for his part, said that "we consider Iran a symbol of the Muslims of the world".
Iran's standing against the US and its supporting for Palestine and Lebanon is an honor for all Muslims, he added.
During his visit to Ethiopia, the Iranian parliament speaker is expected to meet high level government officials to discuss issues of enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Ethiopia and Iran enjoy strong cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, tourism and technology transfer.
The two countries have maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1950, and the visit is a landmark diplomat tour to strengthen bilateral relations of the two historical countries.
Source:en.irna.ir
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Israel to free 737 prisoners in first phase of Gaza truce deal
January 18, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israel’s justice ministry has said 737 prisoners and detainees will be freed as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal approved Saturday.
It said in a statement on its website that “the government approves” the “release (of) 737 prisoners and detainees” currently in the custody of the prison service.
Israel’s cabinet voted to approve the ceasefire deal early Saturday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, ending days of uncertainty about whether the truce would go into effect this weekend.
Those named by the ministry include men, women and children who it said will not be released before Sunday at 4:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT).
It had previously published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners, the majority women, to be freed in exchange for Israeli captives in Gaza.
Among those on the expanded list was Zakaria Zubeidi, a chief of the armed wing of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah party.
Zubeidi escaped from Israel’s Gilboa prison with five other Palestinians in 2021, sparking a days-long manhunt, and is lauded by Palestinians as a hero.
Also to be freed is Khalida Jarar, a leftist Palestinian lawmaker whom Israel arrested and imprisoned on several occasions.
Jarar is a prominent member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group designated a “terrorist organization” by Israel, the United States and the European Union.
Detained in late December in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, the 60-year-old has been held since then without charge.
Two sources close to Hamas told AFP that the first group of hostages to be released consists of three Israeli women soldiers.
However, since the Palestinian Islamist movement considers any Israeli of military age who has completed mandatory service a soldier, the reference could also apply to civilians abducted during the attack that triggered the war.
The first three names on a list obtained by AFP of the 33 hostages set to be released in the first phase are women under 30 who were not in military service on the day of the Hamas attack.
Justice ministry spokeswoman Noga Katz has said the final number of prisoners to be released in the first swap would depend on the number of live hostages released by Hamas.
Source:arabnews.com
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Protest against PKK/YPG held at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
17 Jan 2025
A group of Syrians have held a protest against PKK/YPG terrorist group (which dominates SDF in Syria), after Friday prayers at the Umayyad Mosque in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Among the slogans chanted during the protest were “We are the children of this country, we want the PKK to leave our country”, “Let the murderous SDF fall” and “Those under the SDF cannot represent us.”
Hamid Ali, a protester, said that the terrorist organisation continued its violations in the regions it occupied for 8 years.
“They massacred children, closed roads, there is no electricity. Where is the oil going? Oil is the wealth of this country. We want them to distribute this wealth to the people,” he said.
Ali said that people in the PKK/YPG-occupied areas are unable to leave their homes in the evenings and added: “They capture those who go out after 20:00 in the evening and take them under their fold.”
Emphasising that they want the terrorist organisation PKK/YPG to leave Syria, Ali said, “We want peace. Not the disintegration of the country.”
Ali Shabani, a resident of Aleppo who also participated in the protest, said: “They (YPG/PKK terror group) committed many crimes against us. It is unspeakable. All the lands have been liberated, but they are still there (east of the Euphrates).”
"Syria will not be divided, Türkiye will not be divided"
Shabani called for the liberation of their region from the occupation of the terror group.
Abdulkerim al Hashimi, one of the protesters, said: “The PKK is a terrorist organisation … They have been massacring our Muslim brothers and sisters in Türkiye for 50 years.”
Underlining that the PKK/YPG is a terrorist organisation that must be eliminated, Hashimi said that Daesh and PKK/YPG terror groups are “on the same path and have the same approach.”
He said that these terrorist organisations came from all over the world to destroy peace, adding: “They have no land. They came to us from Mount Qandil. Syria will not be divided, Türkiye will not be divided, Syrian and Turkish people are one, they are Muslims and brothers. We will fight against this deviant organisation for our children, our money and everything we have.
“Honorable Kurds have nothing to do with them (PKK/YPG). The honorable Kurds reject this group,” Hashimi said.
Source:trtworld.com
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International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor meets with Syrian leader in Damascus
January 18, 2025
THE HAGUE, Netherlands: The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan made an unannounced visit Friday to Damascus to confer with the leader of Syria’s de facto government on how to ensure accountability for alleged crimes committed in the country.
Khan’s office said he visited at the invitation of Syria’s transitional government. He met with Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria’s new administration who was formerly known as Mohammad Al-Golani, and the foreign minister to discuss options for justice in The Hague for victims of the country’s civil war, which has left more than half a million dead and more than six million people displaced.
Al-Sharaa is a former Al-Qaeda militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and leads Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS, the group leading the new authority in Syria. The former insurgent group, considered a terrorist group in the US, led the lightning offensive that toppled longtime dictator Bashar Assad last month and is now the de facto ruling party in the country.
Assad, who fled to Russia in December, waged an oppressive campaign against anyone who opposed him during his more than two decades in power.
Rights groups estimate at least 150,000 people went missing after anti-government protests began in 2011, most vanishing into Assad’s prison network. Many of them were killed, either in mass executions or from torture and prison conditions. The exact number remains unknown.
The global chemical weapons watchdog found Syrian forces were responsible for multiple attacks using chlorine gas and other banned substances against civilians.
Other groups have also been accused of human rights violations and war crimes during the country’s civil war.
The new authorities have called for members of the Assad regime to be brought to justice. It is unclear how exactly that would work at this stage.
Syria is not a member of the ICC, which has left the court without the ability to investigate the war. In 2014, Russia and China blocked a referral by the United Nations Security Council which would have given the court jurisdiction. Similar referrals were made for Sudan and Libya.
Khan’s visit comes after a trip to Damascus last month by the UN organization assisting in investigating the most serious crimes in Syria. The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria was created to assist in evidence-gathering and prosecution of individuals responsible for possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide since Syria’s civil war began in 2011.
The group’s head, Robert Petit, highlighted the urgency of preserving documents and other evidence before they are lost.
Source:arabnews.com
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Ban on UNRWA will make plight of Gazans much worse and undermine ceasefire, agency’s chief warns
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
January 18, 2025
NEW YORK CITY: The head of the largest aid agency for Palestinians has warned that the full implementation of a new Israeli law preventing its workers from operating within the country would be “catastrophic” for Gaza, “massively” weaken the international humanitarian response there, and make already “dire and catastrophic” living conditions “immeasurably” worse.
It would also undermine the Gaza ceasefire agreement, said Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees.
He was speaking in New York where he earlier briefed the UN Security Council on the plight of the UNRWA, less than two weeks before the Israeli ban on the agency is due to take effect.
Lazzarini welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement and hostage-release deal in Gaza as a “starting point,” and stressed the “absolute” need for “rapid, unfettered” access for humanitarians to respond to the “tremendous suffering” in the territory.
The anti-UNRWA legislation, approved overwhelmingly by the Knesset in October, would bar the agency from operating within Israel and ban the country’s authorities from any contact with it.
The delivery of aid to Gaza and the West Bank requires close coordination between UNRWA and Israeli authorities. If the legislation is implemented as planned, Israel would no longer issue agency staff with work or entry permits, and the coordination with the Israeli military that is essential for ensuring safe passage for aid deliveries will no longer be possible.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, Israel has relentlessly condemned and attacked the aid agency. More than 260 of its staff have been killed; its schools, where displaced Palestinians sought shelter, were bombed; and a coordinated Israeli media campaign has attempted to discredit the agency by portraying it as a tool of Hamas.
Lazzarini said that though the Israeli government suggests the services provided by UNRWA could be delivered by other agencies, its mandate and capacity to provide public services to an entire population — including education for more than 600,000 Palestinian children, and healthcare — are “unique and far exceed any other entity.”
This means “these services, in reality, can only be transferred to a functioning state public institution,” said Lazzarini, adding that this is in line with the aims of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, initiated last year by Saudi Arabia, the EU and the Arab League.
“UNRWA’s services are also tightly woven into the social fabric of Gaza,” he said. “The disintegration of the agency would intensify the breakdown of social order. So dismounting UNRWA outside the political process would undermine the ceasefire agreement, and sabotage Gaza’s recovery and the political transition.”
Turning to the situation in the West Bank, Lazzarini said the Palestinian Authority has stated clearly that it does not have the financial resources or capacity to make up for any loss of UNRWA services.
“A chaotic dismantling of UNRWA will irreversibly harm the lives and the future of the Palestinians, and I believe it will obliterate their trust in the international community and any solution it attempts to facilitate,” he added.
He reminded the Security Council during his briefing earlier in the day of “the fierce global disinformation campaign” mounted against the agency, and what he described as “the intense diplomatic lobbying by the government of Israel, as well as affiliated nongovernmental organizations, targeting UNRWA and governments of donor countries.”
According to Knesset figures, Israel has allocated an additional $150 million to its 2025 propaganda budget in an effort to reshape global opinions about its actions in Gaza, which critics allege amount to genocide.
Lazzarini said that “misinformation campaigns” have endangered UNRWA staff in the West Bank and Gaza, where 269 of them had been killed as of Friday.
“It has also created a permissive environment for the harassment of UN representatives wherever they are, including in Europe and in the United States,” he added.
Lazzarini said he urged the Security Council and UN member states to do what they can to persuade Israel not to implement the new legislation, and to ensure that the funding crisis the UNRWA faces does not abruptly halt the life-saving services it provides.
The agency was established by UN General Assembly in the aftermath of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War to provide direct relief and works programs for Palestinian refugees.
Lazzarini said the attacks against the agency are attacks on the international multilateral system itself. While UN member states and donor countries, including EU countries, continue to publicly assert that UNRWA is irreplaceable in the absence of a Palestinian state, these statements of support have not been backed up by pressure on Israel to rethink its ban on the agency.
Asked by Arab News about this discrepancy between public statements of support and meaningful action, and whether or not it means Western countries are, through lack of action, undermining the very multilateral values upon which they were founded, Lazzarini said: “The same question could be asked about the importance of international humanitarian law and the blatant and constant disregard of that law.
“You can ask the same question about the disrespect for the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. And you can ask the same question about” the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal, and the court’s call for its withdrawal.
“And so it’s obviously frustrating,” Lazzarini added. “What we have witnessed is an extraordinary ‘crisis of impunity,’ to the extent that international humanitarian law is almost becoming irrelevant if no mechanism is put in place to address this impunity.”
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US Centcom chief meets Kurdish-led forces in Syria, urges repatriation of foreign Daesh fighters
January 18, 2025
BEIRUT: US Central Command said its chief met with Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria and urged the repatriation of foreign Daesh fighters, as Kurds battle Turkiye-backed groups in the region.
General Michael Kurilla met US military commanders and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Thursday “to get an assessment” of efforts to defeat Daesh and prevent its regional resurgence, as well as “the evolving situation in Syria,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The United States and other Western countries as well as Syria’s neighbors have emphasized the need for the country’s new rulers to combat “terrorism and extremism.”
Supported by Washington, the SDF spearheaded the military campaign that ousted Daesh (also known as IS) group jihadists from Syria in 2019 and controls dozens of prisons and camps where thousands of militants and their suspected relatives, including foreigners, are held.
SDF chief Mazloum Abdi said in a statement that he met Kurilla “recently” for a meeting that “was crucial for assessing Syria’s current situation and joint operations” against Daesh.
The SDF “reaffirmed the importance of strengthening partnerships and the critical role of the US in achieving a permanent ceasefire in Northeast Syria and ensuring security and stability across the entire country,” he added.
CENTCOM, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said Kurilla visited the Al-Hol camp which, together with a smaller facility, houses more than 40,000 people, many of them with ties to Daesh.
It added that “without international repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration efforts,” such camps “risk creating the next generation” of Islamic State members.
An additional 9,000 Daesh detainees “from over 50 different countries remain in over a dozen SDF guarded detention facilities in Syria,” CENTCOM said.
Neighbouring Turkiye, a key backer of Islamist-led rebels who ousted longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad last month, sees the main component of the SDF, the YPG People’s Protection Units, as affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Both Turkiye and the United States consider the PKK a “terrorist” group. It has waged a decades-long insurgency on Turkish soil.
Turkiye has been threatening to launch a military operation against the SDF, prompting US-led diplomatic efforts to avert a major confrontation even as fighting continues.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Friday that battles between the SDF and Turkiye-backed fighters in the Manbij region and near a strategic dam had killed 401 people since December 12, most of them combatants.
Turkiye has offered Syria’s new leadership operational support in the fight against jihadist groups, and even offered to help run prisons holding IS fighters.
Earlier this month, the SDF said it held talks with Syria’s new authorities and expressed support for Syrian “unity.”
During a visit to Ankara this week, Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said Syria would never allow its territory to be used as a staging ground for threats against Turkiye.
Syria would “work on removing these threats,” he said, referring to the SDF, the de-facto army of the semi-autonomous Kurdish-led administration that controls swathes of northeastern Syria.
On Thursday in Iraq, Abdi met Masoud Barzani, who heads the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region, a statement from Barzani’s office said.
It noted the need for Syria’s Kurds “to reach understandings and agreements with the new authorities.”
The United States maintains troops in northern Syria as part of an anti-jihadist coalition.
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Israel prepares for hostages’ return with scant knowledge of their condition
January 18, 2025
TEL AVIV, Israel: Israel is preparing for the return of the hostages from Gaza with the expectation that many are likely to have severe, life-threatening complications after more than a year in captivity in Gaza.
While it’s impossible to know the exact conditions in which hostages have been held, the Health Ministry and the Hostages Family Forum, which represents families of the hostages, are preparing for several different scenarios based on information gathered from hostages previously released or rescued.
Hamas militants kidnapped about 250 people during a cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that also left 1,200 people dead. About 100 hostages are still being held, though Israel believes a third of them are no longer alive.
The war that followed the attack has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and militants but say women and children make up more than half of those killed.
Hagai Levine, who heads the health team at the Hostages Families Forum, said he expects the hostages to return with cardiovascular and respiratory issues due to lack of ventilation in the tunnels. Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.
As a result, doctors are expecting the hostages will require longer and more complex medical and mental health interventions than did those who returned after the last ceasefire in November 2023, said Dr. Einat Yehene, a psychologist at the Hostages Families Forum who oversees the captives’ rehabilitation.
Complex medical challenges
Doctors are keenly aware of the challenges they face in treating the surviving hostages. One of them is “refeeding syndrome,” when exposure to certain foods or too much food can lead to profound health complications and even death in those with prolonged vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, said Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Ministry of Health’s medical directorate.
The Red Cross team that will transfer the hostages from Gaza to Egypt and the small Israeli military medical team that will meet the hostages at the border as they cross into Israel have strict guidelines for what the hostages can eat in their first few hours, Mizrahi said.
Six hospitals are preparing to receive hostages, including two in the south, closer to Gaza, that will treat those with acute medical issues, health ministry officials said.
Yehene said the public should not expect joyful reunions like those seen following the last ceasefire, when released hostages ran through hospital halls into the ecstatic embraces of their loved ones.
“Given the physical and emotional conditions, we expect emotional withdrawal symptoms, such as maybe exhaustion, fatigue — and some will probably need assistance with their mobility,” she said.
Medical officials are also prepared for the possibility that returning hostages will need speech therapy, especially if they have been kept in isolation, Yehene noted. She said some might be so traumatized or in shock from the transfer to Israel that they will be unable to speak at all.
To minimize the hostages’ trauma and allow them to acclimate to their new reality, officials will try to limit the number of people who interact with them and have made accommodations to lessen their sensory stimulation, such as stripping down the hospital rooms and changing the lighting.
Israel’s Ministry of Social Welfare has also planned temporary housing solutions if hostages feel unable to return directly from the hospital to their home.
“The hostages don’t owe you anything”
Experts are pleading with the news media and the public to give the hostages and their families privacy, despite intense interest in their plight.
“The first days back are really holy, when a person finally gets to meet with their family, and everyone else needs to take a step back,” said Ofrit Shapira, a psychoanalyst who heads a group of health professionals treating freed hostages, their families, and survivors of the Oct. 7 attack. Hospital wings housing the hostages are expected to be “sterilized,” closed to all but direct family and doctors, to keep the public and news outlets away, medical officials have said.
“It doesn’t matter how much we care about them; they’re their own people, they’re not ‘ours,’” Shapira added. She noted that asking the hostages direct questions about their experiences can force them to relive their trauma. She said it’s best to allow them to release information at their own pace.
“Our curiosity is really not important compared with what the hostages need,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how much you volunteered or were active in this fight; they don’t owe you anything.”
Support for the families
Some of the previously freed hostages and their families have volunteered to help counsel those now going through the same process, Levine said. He noted the strength of the bonds created between the relatives of the hostages, and between the released hostages, who have become like “psychological families” helping each other adapt and heal, he said.
Many released hostages are neglecting their own rehabilitation because they are so wrapped up in the fight to bring the others home, Levine said.
A big priority is also to provide support for the families of hostages who did not survive.
Israel has confirmed the deaths of at least a third of the approximately 90 remaining captives. But Hamas has not confirmed the status of the 33 who are expected to be freed in the first stage of the ceasefire. Some might no longer be alive.
“This moment of the releases is an emotional and psychological trigger for something they were supposed to experience, and they never will experience, because this deal took too long,” Yehene said.
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Arab World
How Saudi Arabia is weaving sustainable practices into its fashion industry
WAAD HUSSAIN
January 17, 2025
RIYADH: Thanks to the mass production and export of cheaply made clothing — a phenomenon of globalization known as “fast fashion” — consumers the world over have gained access to an almost limitless range of affordable outfits.
While this manufacturing and retail boom has stimulated growth, created jobs, and catered to consumer demand, it has also placed an immense strain on the workforces making these garments and on the environment.
In line with the sustainability goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda and its circular economy approach, the Kingdom is encouraging consumers and manufacturers to reduce, reuse, recycle, and upcycle clothing to help ease the environmental burden.
With more than 80 billion garments produced worldwide every year, the industry has contributed to the pollution of the environment, the excessive use of resources, and a throwaway culture that has resulted in towering heaps of waste.
Globally, one garbage truck’s worth of textiles is sent to landfill or incinerated every second, depleting natural resources and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Experts warn the industry could account for a quarter of the world’s carbon emissions by 2050.
One of the most polluting industries globally, fast fashion is responsible for 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to UN figures — surpassing the combined emissions from international flights and maritime shipping.
Compounding the problem, a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation reveals that less than 1 percent of used clothing is recycled into new garments, perpetuating a destructive cycle of resource depletion and waste.
“Sustainability in fashion isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity,” Mohammed Khoja, founder of Saudi clothing brand Hindamme, told Arab News.
“We focus on creating high-quality, timeless pieces designed to transcend trends. This avoids overproduction and ensures that our garments can become cherished vintage finds for future generations.”
Khoja’s emphasis on “timeless design” aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption.
To address the issue of waste, Saudi Arabia is investing in circular fashion — a model focused on reusing, recycling, and upcycling clothing to extend its life cycle.
The Fashion Commission, which is part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, has launched initiatives like the GFX Fashion Swap in Riyadh, which encourages the exchange of high-quality garments while educating participants on the environmental benefits of prolonging wardrobe use.
“We don’t need to keep buying new items,” said Nasiba Hafiz, a Saudi fashion designer. “Why not use the things we already have and repurpose them? This way, we can reduce waste and become more conscious consumers.”
Hafiz collaborates with Al-Oula Women’s Charitable Society to transform surplus fabrics into new garments, reducing waste while empowering women from underprivileged backgrounds in south Jeddah.
Another significant initiative is the Sustainable Materials Research Center. Established in partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, the facility develops eco-friendly textiles for traditional garments like abayas and thobes.
By blending innovation with cultural heritage, the Kingdom advances sustainable design solutions.
Fast fashion’s impact extends beyond consumer waste, with a significant yet often overlooked toll on water resources. Factories in developing countries, where most clothing is produced, consume vast amounts of water and energy.
For instance, producing a single pair of jeans requires about 3,781 liters of water, according to the UN Environment Programme — enough to meet one person’s hydration needs for more than five years.
Textile factories also release hazardous waste that pollutes rivers and groundwater, with dyeing and treatment processes contributing heavily to water contamination.
The World Bank estimates the fashion industry generates 20 percent of global wastewater, which is often laced with toxic chemicals.
In Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce, designers like Chaldene are championing sustainability. The brand incorporates eco-friendly materials, such as coconut-shell buttons, to reduce reliance on resource-heavy alternatives.
“Every detail in our collection reflects our commitment to minimizing waste and honoring nature,” Asma Al-Othaimeen and Ghada Al-Majed, the co-founders of Chaldene, told Arab News in a joint statement.
Indeed, Saudi designers are leading the Kingdom’s sustainable fashion movement, pioneering innovative approaches to reduce the industry’s environmental impact.
One such designer, Ghaydaa Majdaly, uses 3D technology to transform recycled plastic bottles into fabric, ensuring a zero-waste approach.
“Technology allows us to reimagine what’s possible in fashion while addressing the environmental challenges of fast fashion,” said Majdaly.
To the same end, Nasiba Hafiz, in collaboration with Al-Oula, repurposes discarded fabrics into new garments. This partnership not only reduces waste but also provides economic support to women in south Jeddah.
“By reusing and repurposing, we can extend the life of materials and create something beautiful and meaningful,” said Hafiz.
Meanwhile, Hindamme creator Khoja, who focuses on timeless designs over seasonal trends, believes in creating heirloom-quality pieces meant to last generations.
“Sustainability isn’t just about the environment — it’s about preserving our cultural identity while reducing waste,” he said.
However, the shift to sustainable fashion is not just up to brands and designers. Consumers also play a key role in driving demand for eco-conscious products.
Fast fashion thrives on overconsumption, with surveys showing many garments are worn only seven times before being discarded.
Reyouf Madkhali, a Saudi model and sustainable fashion advocate, emphasized the role of consumer behavior. “Sustainable fashion is reshaping the industry by encouraging innovation and responsibility,” she said.
“As a model, I prioritize working with brands that align with these values to promote conscious consumerism to my audience.”
She also noted the growing interest in sustainable practices among younger generations.
“People are starting to ask questions and take ownership of their choices,” she said. “Supporting local brands is a passion of mine, and I’ve been gradually replacing pieces in my wardrobe with designs from Saudi designers.”
Saudi Arabia is proving that sustainability and cultural preservation can go hand in hand. By tackling the environmental impact of fast fashion and promoting innovative solutions, the Kingdom is forging a new path.
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Diriyah Season launches At-Turaif District activities
January 17, 2025
DIRIYAH, Riyadh: Diriyah Season on Friday launched a new program of activities at the At-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering visitors a range of cultural and historical experiences aimed at exploring Saudi Arabia’s heritage.
The program highlights key moments from the history of the first Saudi state through workshops, theatrical performances, and cultural sessions.
Visitors will engage in activities such as traditional Najdi design workshops, poetry recitations, and demonstrations of the Saudi Arda, the Kingdom’s traditional sword dance.
This year’s program also features the updated 850 Interactive Experience, named after the establishment of Diriyah in the Islamic calendar year 850 AH (1446 or 1447 AD in the Gregorian calendar).
The experience uses storytelling and puzzles to explore notable historical figures, including Imam Turki bin Abdullah, and key events from Diriyah’s history.
Workshops in traditional construction techniques, historical games, and exhibitions showcasing the district’s architecture are designed to deepen understanding of the region’s cultural significance, while live performances and discussions will further connect audiences with the stories of At-Turaif’s past, including its role in Saudi Arabia’s early statehood.
Diriyah Season 2024/25 began on Dec. 20 last year, under the theme “Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity.” The event aims to promote Diriyah as a cultural hub, combining historical education with live entertainment and creative showcases.
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Courchevel Boulevard World brings skiing experience to Riyadh
RAHAF JAMBI
January 17, 2025
RIYADH: A new attraction is thriving in Riyadh at the Courchevel zone at Boulevard World, where visitors can indulge in an authentic skiing adventure.
This unique attraction which opened in December brings the thrill of the slopes to the heart of the city, allowing both beginners and seasoned skiers to enjoy the winter sport under the guidance of professional trainers.
These skilled professionals want to do more than teach. “We are here to train and help everyone learn how to ski while enjoying the experience,” said Marwan Akiki, a ski instructor from Lebanon.
The focus at Courchevel is on creating a fun environment for the entire family. “Every day, we receive approximately 200 visitors of different ages, from 7 years old to adults,” Akiki explained.
The attraction also features an enchanting igloo area designed for both children and adults. This whimsical setting allows families to feel as though they have been transported to the snowy parts of Europe.
Children can revel in the joy of making figures from the fresh snow, adding an extra layer of fun to their experience.
Salman Al-Ghamdi recently brought his children, Mohammed and Sara, to Courchevel, and their delight was palpable.
“I came with my children today, and we had a great time in the snow town, especially since they haven’t seen snow before. You should come and visit; honestly, it’s magical,” Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.
For many, Courchevel Boulevard World represents a first encounter with snow and skiing. “This is the first time in Riyadh where we found snow and a school to teach this experience,” Akiki noted.
One of the standout features of Courchevel Boulevard World is the provision of comfortable, tailored clothing for all guests so that they can enjoy their time without worrying about the cold.
“We want to make it a seamless experience for our guests, so they can focus on having fun,” Akiki explained.
After a thrilling day of skiing, visitors can unwind at the on-site restaurants, which offer a range of dining options. These eateries provide a cozy atmosphere ideal for relaxing and sharing stories about the day’s adventures.
Additionally, there is a shop offering equipment and outfits for the snow from various global brands, ensuring guests have access to high-quality gear for their skiing needs.
There are plans to have various events and competitions to further enhance the community aspect of the attraction.
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Saudi Arabia participates in children’s rights workshop in Cairo
January 17, 2025
CAIRO: Saudi Arabia took part in a workshop on the “Media Observatory for Arab Child Rights,” in Cairo.
The workshop was organized by the Arab Council for Childhood and Development, under the patronage of Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, the council’s president.
More than 25 experts participated in the workshop to discuss the implementation of a new component of the observatory’s work, titled “Arab Child and Digital Environment,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The workshop was held to review the general framework of the component in terms of its motivations, objectives, and implementation methodology in the Arab world, in light of the growing use of children’s applications and digital platforms.
In his speech, ACCD Secretary-General Hassan El-Bilawi said the new component of the observatory discussed in the workshop affirms children’s sustainable right to a safe media environment in all aspects of life.
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Foreign students explore Saudi town under Kingdom Gateway program
HEBSHI ALSHAMMARI
January 17, 2025
RIYADH: A foreign student delegation under the Kingdom Gateway program, organized by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, recently visited Al-Dakhlah town in the Sudair region, 170 km north of Riyadh.
The visit this weekend was part of an initiative designed to explore the rich history of Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Muhanna, former advisor at the Ministry of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources, accompanied the delegation on the tour that included Al-Dakhlah’s significant historical landmarks.
The delegation began the tour with a visit to the old palace, a reflection of the region’s rich heritage and architectural legacy.
They then proceeded to the historic Al-Dakhlah Mosque, believed to have been built between 1446–1495 AD, making it one of the oldest mosques in the region.
During the tour, the students had the opportunity to explore its features, including the assarhah (the mosque’s outer courtyard), the side corridors, almujabab (a covered courtyard connecting rooms), and alkatateeb, rooms where students would memorize and review their lessons.
The students expressed their admiration for the intricate Islamic decorations and carvings that adorn the walls and ceiling of the mosque, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of artisans from that historical era.
Al-Muhanna delivered a lecture that focused on the pivotal role of oil in national development. He reviewed Saudi Arabia’s experience in leveraging its petroleum resources to drive comprehensive growth across multiple sectors.
He also addressed the Kingdom’s strategic initiatives to maintain stability in global energy markets.
“The discovery of oil and its escalating economic importance brought about profound transformations across all sectors of the Kingdom. However, these changes did not come at the expense of Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted heritage and culture. On the contrary, oil has been instrumental in both preserving and advancing them,” Al-Muhanna said.
Al-Dakhlah Mosque was restored with the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of the historic mosque restoration and rehabilitation project.
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Hajj & Umrah Conference draws more than 150,000 visitors
SALEH FAREED
January 17, 2025
JEDDAH: The fourth Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition, titled “A Passage to Nusuk” ended on Thursday in Jeddah.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program— an integral component of Saudi Vision 2030.
Over its four days, the event attracted more than 150,000 visitors, according to the organizers, as well as participants from more than 100 countries.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah
stressed that the conference represented “a qualitative leap in providing innovative solutions to serve the guests of Allah.”
He said that more than 320 agreements dedicated to serving pilgrims had been signed at the conference, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing all services related to Hajj.
“These agreements contribute to facilitating procedures and improving the overall experience of pilgrims,” Al-Rabiah said.
The minister also announced that the next edition of the conference will be held in November.
The organizers stated that more than 2,000 trainees attended 56 workshops covering Hajj-related specializations at the conference, which also showcased new innovations aimed at enriching pilgrims’ experience.
In a step to encourage such innovation, the conference included the Sustainable Solutions Challenge and the Humanizing the Holy Sites Hackathon, in which more than 1,000 participants competed to present innovative solutions to improve the experience of pilgrims.
Visitors of many different nationalities attended the exhibition, and those who spoke to Arab News expressed their admiration for the event.
Nawal Abdulwahab from Egypt said: “It is obvious Saudi Arabia is keeping pace with and harnessing various modern technologies for the comfort of visitors to the Holy House. This is what I have witnessed this year.”
Abu Bakr Muhammad, a Nigerian national, pointed out the Kingdom’s commitment to bringing the countries of the world together under one roof to ensure the best for pilgrims and worshippers.
“Things are really getting better every year and I hope these advanced services will be implemented on the ground,” he said.
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Slow food movement has a new home in AlUla
RASHID HASSAN
January 17, 2025
RIYADH: The slow food movement has a new home in the city of AlUla thanks to the opening of the Dadan Culinary Art Centre, which celebrates sustainable agriculture, local food traditions and mindful dining.
The global movement aims to foster a deeper connection between consumers and their food sources, advocating for the use of seasonal and local ingredients, and supporting all members of the community — values that have guided AlUla’s evolution as a sustainable destination.
The Dadan Culinary Arts Centre serves as a global hub for eco-gastronomy, blending the heritage of AlUla’s verdant oasis with the contemporary values of a fair and sustainable food system.
Located near the historic site of Dadan, the center offers dining, interactive workshops and a chance to meet AlUla’s farmers, all amid stunning natural landscapes.
A highlight is Dadan Farmers Market, which highlights the city’s agricultural riches every weekend with an array of fresh, seasonal produce.
Local families, whose livelihoods are deeply tied to oasis agriculture, show off their goods and invite guests to enjoy AlUla’s authentic flavors. Visitors can savor dishes prepared using traditional methods or select fresh foods to enjoy in the picnic area, embracing the oasis-to-table philosophy that is the heart of the center’s mission. Every purchase directly supports local farmers.
The Diyar Restaurant within the center, named after the Arabic word for “home,” offers an unforgettable dining experience. Overlooking the majestic mountains, it is warm and inviting, serving dishes prepared with sustainably sourced, locally grown ingredients. Under the guidance of award-winning chef Sergio Rama, it redefines hospitality by transforming simple meals into a celebration of community and heritage.
Another way to learn about AlUla and its people is through the center’s workshops, which teach participants about sustainable practices and local traditions.
Whether learning the fundamentals of farm-to-table cooking, mastering the arts of pickling and fermentation, or exploring the versatile uses of moringa in oils and soaps, guests gain hands-on insights into multiple crafts and food practices.
Through the Dadan Culinary Arts Centre, AlUla invites the world to rediscover the pleasure of wholesome, traditional dining against the backdrop of its timeless oasis.
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Africa
Muslim Man Slams Mohammed Abdul-Salam, Tells Him To Resign As NLA Boss January 17, 2025
f NLA
This comes after a Muslim appealed to him to turn down the role since it goes against his Islamic beliefs Many people who took to the comment section of the post also shared varied opinions on the concerns raised Don't miss out! Get your daily dose of sports news straight to your phone. Join YEN's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now! A young Ghanaian Muslim has expressed deep concern over Mohammed Abdul-Salam's appointment as the National Lottery Authority Acting Director-General (NLA). Mohammed Awal Hudu made known his displeasure in a post of X, where he said that the appointment of a Muslim to that position was wrong. A Muslim man has advised NLA boss Mohammed Abdul-Salam to resign from his role. Photo credit: @sammiawuku/X Source: TwitterDelving into details, he said Mohammed Abdul-Salam's appointment to head the NLA goes against his Islamic beliefs. He then appealed to the NDC bigwig to resign from his role as the NLA boss.This brouhaha comes as President John Mahama appointed Mohammed Abdul-Salam to replace Sammy Awuku, who resigned earlier this week.
Source:yen.com.gh
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Muslim Man Slams Mohammed Abdul-Salam, Tells Him To Resign As NLA Boss Islamic State Claims Deadly Attack In Cabo Delgado’s Macomia District
ZITAMAR NEWS
January 17, 2025
The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for an attack in Macomia district on 8 January, in which one person was killed.
Local sources told Zitamar that the incident occurred around 6pm in the village of Quinto Congresso, when a group of insurgents, believed to be operating from a base near Namabo, attacked the victim while he was resting on his porch. They beheaded him before fleeing the scene within 15 minutes.
Islamic State said on social media that its Mozambique branch attacked with machine guns, resulting in one death.
Quinto Congresso lies around 14km south of a Rwandan Defence Forces outpost.
Insurgents have mounted small-scale attacks on civilians and security forces in Macomia and Muidumbe districts regularly in the last two months.
Source:zitamar.com
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https://www.zitamar.com/islamic-state-claims-deadly-attack-in-cabo-delgados-macomia-district/
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It’s Our Duty to Reconcile Kwankwaso, Ganduje, Lawmaker Tells Muslims
January 17, 2025
Northerners and Muslims across the country have been urged to form a front that could push for the reconciliation of two former governors of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Ganduje.
The call was made to the Northerners and the Muslims by the chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Jibrin while speaking during a radio interview said the lingering crisis between Kwankwaso and his successor who is currently the chairman of the All Progressives Congress is unfortunate.
He said, “As Muslims, it is our duty to do the right thing by reconciling them. They were once close friends and accomplished many things together. What is happening now is sad and painful. This is a time to embrace peace, unity, and progress.”
Reeling out some of the achievements of both political heavyweights in their different rights, Jibrin said both politicians have been uniquely blessed.
“Not everyone is chosen by God to hold these offices. They have both been uniquely blessed, and it is our responsibility to reconcile them,” Jibrin said.
He further urged leaders and supporters of Kwankwaso and Ganduje to prioritise peace, especially for the sake of development in Kano state.
He also urged both politicians to embrace peace and attend family events of each other irrespective of their political alignment.
“Let us see Kwankwaso attending the wedding of Ganduje’s daughter and Ganduje attending the wedding of Kwankwaso’s son. Politics is their choice, but reconciliation is our duty,” Jibrin said.
Source:politicsnigeria.com
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South Sudan declares nighttime curfew after looting in capital
January 17, 2025
JUBA: South Sudan’s police imposed a nationwide curfew from 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Friday after a night of deadly rioting in the capital over the alleged killing of South Sudanese people by the army and allied groups in Sudan.
In a broadcast on state television, police chief Abraham Peter Manyuat said the curfew would continue until further notice from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily to try to restore security and prevent the destruction of property.
“The police will not tolerate any violations,” he said.
The police said in a statement that at least three people had been killed and seven wounded on Thursday night in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, some by bullets and machetes, when youths in several suburbs looted and vandalized shops of Sudanese people.
In Aweil, near the border with Sudan, three houses belonging to Sudanese people were burned, the police added.
On Friday, shops in many Juba suburbs were closed as police and other security forces tried to relocate Sudanese people to safer areas due to fears rioters could attack them.
The riots followed the alleged killing of South Sudanese people by members of Sudan’s military and allied groups in the city of Wad Madani in Sudan’s Al-Jazira region.
On Tuesday, the Sudanese army condemned what it called “individual violations” in Al-Jazira after human rights groups blamed it and its allies for ethnically targeted attacks against civilians accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces.
South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Sudan’s ambassador over the alleged killings earlier this week, and President Salva Kiir Mayardit called for calm.
“We mustn’t allow anger to cloud our judgment or turn against Sudanese traders and refugees currently residing in our country,” his office said in a statement.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2586827/middle-east
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Our Duty Is To Protect, Not Harm Innocent Nigerians – CDS Musa Warns Military
17 January 2025
By Oladipo Abiola
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has cautioned the Nigerian Military against harming innocent citizens.
The CDS warned that harming innocent Nigerians under whatever guise should not be done by the military, reminding the men and officers that protecting Nigeria and the sovereignty of the nation is the constitutional duty of the armed forces.
According to him, there will be no soft landing or shielding for any officer found guilty in this regard.
Naija News reports General Musa sounded the note of warning on Friday when he paid an official visit to the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State.
During the visit, the military chief commissioned several projects at the academy targeted at improving the welfare and training of cadets.
“We must understand that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is for Nigeria and for Nigerians. Our duty is to protect Nigeria, to protect our sovereignty whether within or outside, it is not to harm innocent people, that we must understand.
“And for cadets, as you grow in the system, understand this clearly our duty is to protect and defend our country,” General Musa said.
The CDS further warned the officers and men of the military against absconding from duty or seeking self-interests in the discharge of their national assignment.
He reminded them about the enormous task ahead of them in national defence and warfare, noting that they must brace up to the challenges of defending their fatherland against any threat.
He also reiterated that they may be posted to difficult terrains as part of duties to their fatherland, urging them to give their best.
On his part, the Commandant of the NDA, Major General John Ochai, emphasized the importance of leveraging information technology to combat terrorism, banditry and other emerging security challenges confronting the country.
The CDS was later accompanied by the NDA Commandant and other top military officers in commissioning the completed projects, which include the NDA emergency and trauma centre, operational, basic military training complex among others.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/01/17/our-duty-is-to-protect-not-harm-innocent-nigerians-cds-musa-warns-military/
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North America
Muslim Rights Group Urges Gov. Murphy to Pass Immigrant Trust Act to Counter Trump Deportations
17 Jan, 2025
TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) is calling on Governor Phil Murphy to urgently pass the Immigrant Trust Act to protect the state’s immigrant communities from potential federal crackdowns.
CAIR-NJ raised concerns about the incoming Trump administration’s stated intentions to implement mass deportations and detainments, warning that immigrant families across New Jersey are at significant risk.
“Protecting immigrants is not just an act of justice—but a necessity for preserving the diverse fabric of our communities,” said Nancy Elbassiouny, Government Affairs Manager at CAIR-NJ. “Gov. Murphy has the opportunity to lead by example and protect those most vulnerable to these harmful policies.”
The Immigrant Trust Act would prevent state and local law enforcement from using resources to enforce federal immigration laws, aiming to strengthen trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement agencies.
Governor Murphy recently reaffirmed his commitment to defending New Jersey’s values during his State of the State address, but CAIR-NJ is urging immediate legislative action as federal immigration threats intensify.
CAIR-NJ’s call to action highlights growing anxiety among immigrant communities as federal proposals for workplace raids, mass detentions, and changes to birthright citizenship gain momentum.
Source:shorenewsnetwork.com
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https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2025/01/17/muslim-rights-group-urges-gov-murphy-to-pass-immigrant-trust-act-to-counter-trump-deportations/
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TikTok says it will 'go dark' on Sunday without US government action
18 Jan, 2025
TikTok has said it will be forced to "go dark" in the US on Sunday unless the government intervenes before a ban takes effect.
In a statement late on Friday, it said the White House and the Department of Justice had "failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok's availability".
It said that unless the government immediately stepped in to assure the video app it would not be punished for violating the looming ban, it would be "forced to go dark on January 19".
The statement follows a Supreme Court ruling earlier on Friday which upheld a law banning the app in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform by Sunday.
Passed in April last year, the law says ByteDance must sell the US version of the platform to a neutral party to avert an outright ban.
TikTok challenged the law, arguing it violates free speech protections for its 170 million users in the country.
But the Supreme Court's ruling means the US version of the app will be removed from app stores and web hosting services unless a buyer is found in the coming days.
It had been thought the ban would not impact TikTok users who already have the app downloaded on their phones.
But given updates would become unavailable once the ban comes into force, the app would eventually degrade and become unusable over time.
TikTok's fresh statement on Friday, however, suggests it may immediately become unavailable to all existing users as well as those seeking to download it.
Influencers and content creators have been posting videos on the app bidding farewell to their followers ahead of the impending ban.
One creator, Nicole Bloomgarden, told the BBC not being on TikTok would amount to a significant salary cut, while another, Erika Thompson, said the educational content on the platform would be the "biggest loss" for the community.
Some users have been announcing where their content will be available to view next, including on the Chinese video app, Red Note, which has been little used by American users up until now.
President Joe Biden's term is due to end on Monday, with Donald Trump due to be sworn in as the next president on that day. The White House earlier said it would therefore fall on the incoming president to enforce the law.
Trump has indicated he is against the ban, after initially supporting the move. "My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation," he said on Friday.
He also revealed he had spoken to China's President Xi Jinping and discussed TikTok, among other issues.
In December Trump said he had a "warm spot" for the app as it helped him with young voters in the 2024 election.
Trump's comments marked a U-turn on his stance in his first term as president when he aimed to enact a similar ban through an executive order.
ByteDance has vowed not to sell TikTok and said it planned to shut US operations of the app on Sunday unless there is a reprieve.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers voted to ban the video-sharing app last year, over concerns about its links to the Chinese government. TikTok has repeatedly stated it does not share information with Beijing.
The potential ban comes at a time of heightened concern in the US about Chinese espionage.
Cybersecurity firms have suggested that the app is capable of collecting users' data beyond what they look at on TikTok.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland said authoritarian regimes should not have "unfettered access" to Americans' data and that the decision prevented China from "weaponising TikTok to undermine America's national security".
China enacted a law in 2017 that compels Chinese nationals living abroad to co-operate with its intelligence apparatus.
But Beijing has denied it pressures companies to collect information on its behalf and criticised the ban. TikTok has repeatedly stressed it has not been asked for its data.
The app argued the law endangers free speech and would hit its users, advertisers, content creators and employees. TikTok has 7,000 US employees.
How did we get here?
24 April 2024: Biden signs bipartisan TikTok bill, which gave Chinese parent company, ByteDance, six months to sell its controlling stake or be blocked in the US.
7 May 2024: TikTok files a lawsuit aiming to block the law, calling it an "extraordinary intrusion on free speech rights".
2 August 2024: The US government files a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media company of unlawfully collecting children's data and failing to respond when parents tried to delete their children's accounts.
6 December 2024: TikTok's bid to overturn a law which would see it banned or sold in the US from early 2025 is rejected by a federal appeals court.
27 December 2024: President-elect Donald Trump asks the US Supreme Court to delay the upcoming ban while he works on a "political resolution".
10 January 2025: The Supreme Court's nine justices hear from lawyers representing TikTok and content creators that the ban would be a violation of free speech protections for the platform's more than 170 million users in the US.
17 January 2025: The US Supreme Court upholds the law that could lead to TikTok being banned within days over national security concerns.
19 January 2025: The deadline for TikTok to sell its US stake or face a ban. TikTok has indicated it will "go dark" on this day.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyeer3qp12o
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Donald Trump's inauguration moved indoors due to 'dangerous' cold
18 Jan, 2025
President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural address on 20 January will take place indoors due to dangerously cold weather being forecast next week in Washington, he has confirmed.
The address, as well as other speeches, will now take place inside the US Capitol's rotunda, rather than outside the building.
The inaugural parade will also be held indoors at Washington's Capital One Arena in downtown Washington about one mile (1.6km) away, along with all three inaugural balls.
The last president to be sworn-in indoors was Ronald Reagan in 1985, when cold weather also plagued the US Capitol.
In a statement posted to his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said that he does not "want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way" amid the freezing temperatures.
"It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of law enforcement, first responders, police K9s and even horses" as well as "hundreds of thousands" of supporters.
"In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly," he added.
The Capital One Arena will also be open for a live viewing of the inaugural address.
BBC Weather: Inauguration Day may be one of the coldest in US history
Trump - who has a rally planned there on Sunday - said he would visit the arena after being sworn-in at the Capitol.
A planned parade will now take place in a modified form. It is unclear whether it will now take place inside.
Extreme cold has been forecast in Washington DC on inauguration day, with temperatures expected to hit a low of -11C (12F) and a high of -5C (23F). With wind chill factored in, the temperature will feel significantly colder.
The weather forms part of a larger polar vortex that will send temperatures plummeting across the US.
"Everyone will be safe, everyone will be happy, and we will, together, Make America Great Again," Trump wrote.
Ahead of the inauguration, organisers had said that about 220,000 tickets would be distributed to watch the event's on the grounds of the US Capitol.
Those without tickets would also have been able to view the ceremonies on the National Mall.
Alternate plans will now be required for those visitors, as well as the tens of thousands of others expected in the city.
Trump said that other inaugural events, including his rally on Sunday and three separate official inaugural balls on Monday evening, would take place as planned.
The move indoors means a much more limited capacity at Monday's swearing-in for Trump, who is known to closely track attendance figures at his public events.
After his first inauguration, he claimed a "million and half people" had attended on the National Mall.
But crowd-size experts said the numbers were about a third of the estimated 800,000 to one million people who attended Barack Obama's one in 2009.
Only about 1,000 people attended Joe Biden's inauguration on the Capitol grounds because of Covid-19 restrictions.
In 1841, then-President William Henry Harrison, 68, gave the longest inauguration speech in US history in cold, wet conditions.
He caught a cold and subsequently pneumonia, and died exactly one month later, making his presidency the shortest in US history.
Source:bbc.com
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US grounds SpaceX's Starship after test flight explosion
17 Jan, 2025
The US has grounded SpaceX's giant Starship rocket while an investigation is carried out into why one exploded during its latest test flight.
The rocket's upper stage dramatically broke up and disintegrated over the Caribbean after launching from Texas on Thursday, forcing airline flights to alter course to avoid falling debris.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was working with SpaceX and other authorities to confirm reports of property damage on the Turks and Caicos Islands. There were no reports of injuries.
Elon Musk's company has been told to carry out a "mishap" investigation by the regulator, which will review the findings before deciding if Starship can return to flight.
The FAA confirmed it had activated a "debris response area" to briefly slow aircraft outside the area where debris was falling, or stop aircraft from leaving their departure locations.
It added that several aircraft asked to divert due to low fuel levels while being held outside the affected area.
Starship is the biggest, most powerful rocket ever built, and is key to Musk's ambitions of colonising Mars.
Thursday's uncrewed launch was Starship's seventh test mission, and the first involving a taller, upgraded version of the rocket.
The Starship upper stage, two metres (6.56 ft) taller than previous versions, was a "new generation ship with significant upgrades", SpaceX said before the test.
It was due to make a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean roughly an hour after its launch from Boca Chica, Texas.
The Starship system lifted off at 17:38 EST (22:38 GMT) and the upper stage separated from its Super Heavy booster nearly four minutes into flight as planned.
But then SpaceX communications manager Dan Huot reported on a live stream that mission teams had lost contact with the ship.
The Super Heavy booster managed to return to its launchpad roughly seven minutes after lift-off as planned, prompting an eruption of applause from ground control teams.
SpaceX later confirmed the upper stage had undergone "rapid unscheduled disassembly".
In a post on his social media platform X, Musk said "preliminary indications" were that the problem was linked to an "oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship engine firewall".
The billionaire added that "nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month".
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket - collectively referred to as Starship - is 123m (403ft) tall and is intended to be fully reusable, the company says.
Nasa hopes to use a modified version of the rocket as a human lunar lander for its Artemis missions to return to the Moon.
In the more distant future, Musk wants Starship to make long-haul trips to Mars and back - about a nine-month trip each way.
The Starship test launch on Thursday came hours after the first flight of the Blue Origin New Glenn rocket system, backed by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos.
It was a huge step forward for Bezos and his company that has spent years getting to the point of sending a rocket into orbit.
Bezos and Musk both want to dominate the space vehicle market.
Source:bbc.com
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Bill Gates unveils details of ‘intriguing’ dinner with Trump
18 Jan, 2025
Bill Gates has discussed with US President-elect Donald Trump how lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic could be used to “accelerate innovation” in addressing other global health challenges, according to a snippet of his interview with the Wall Street Journal.
The billionaire Microsoft founder and global healthcare advocate described his recent three-hour dinner with Trump as “long and actually quite intriguing.” The meeting, which included incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and one of Gates’ staffers, reportedly focused on how Trump could contribute to significant milestones, such as developing a cure for HIV and eradicating polio.
“He was fascinated to hear what he could do to maximize the chance that during the next four years that incredible milestone [eradication of polio] will be achieved,” Gates said in a clip published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday.
Reflecting on Trump’s role during the Covid pandemic, Gates recalled how he had “accelerated the vaccine innovation,” and urged Trump to take a similar approach with the HIV cure that the Gates Foundation is actively working on.
“So I was asking him if maybe the same kind of thing could be done here. And we both got, I think, pretty excited about that,” Gates remarked.
“I was frankly impressed with how well he showed a lot of interest in the issues I brought up,” he added, noting that Trump appeared “energized and looking forward to helping to drive innovation.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest non-state contributors to the World Health Organization (WHO), has been involved in a number of global health initiatives, supporting efforts to combat diseases such as malaria, HIV, and polio, alongside funding vaccine development and distribution programs.
Trump, who has held several meetings with prominent business and technology leaders in recent months, has yet to comment on the details of his discussions with Gates.
The meeting comes as Trump prepares to assume office again, potentially signaling major shifts in healthcare policy. Some reports suggested Trump may revisit his previous attempt to withdraw the US from the WHO. During his first term, Trump accused the organization of being overly influenced by China and criticized its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. While he initiated the withdrawal process in 2020, US President Joe Biden reestablished ties with the WHO on January 20, 2021.
Additionally, Trump has nominated vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next secretary of health and human services, though the appointment awaits Senate approval. RFK Jr. has been a vocal critic of Covid-19 response measures, such as lockdowns and rapid vaccine rollouts. He has also publicly criticized Gates, accusing him of leveraging “philanthro-capitalism” to gain influence over global health policies.
“He’s gotten control of the World Health Organization so that they mandate vaccines all over the world and the companies that make those vaccines are, Gates’ and many of them the major shareholder,” RFK Jr. said in an interview regarding his 2021 book ‘The Real Anthony Fauci’.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/611120-trump-bill-gates-dinner/
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Delegation Visits Iran to Enhance Trade Relations
2025-01-17
KABUL(BNA): A delegation from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by Mohammadullah Bakhtyar, the Head of Transit Affairs at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, departed for Iran on Friday.
This visit aims to strengthen trade ties between Kabul and Tehran, mainly through the strategic port of Chabahar.
The delegation’s trip follows a recent visit by a high-ranking team from the Islamic Emirate, which was headed by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Economic Minister. This earlier visit focused on discussions regarding industry and trade opportunities at the Chabahar port, a key hub for regional commerce.
Officials of the Islamic Emirate confirmed that the current delegation will engage in talks with Iranian counterparts to facilitate smoother trade processes and explore potential collaborations that could benefit both nations.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-delegation-visits-iran-to-enhance-trade-relations/
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Struggle for fair elections far from over: Jamaat ameer
Jan 17, 2025
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday said that the struggle for fair elections, free from the influence of black money and muscle power, is far from over.
At a meeting held at Payra Chattar in Jhenaidah town last night, he called for strengthening efforts to protect citizens' right to vote.
He also stressed the need for impartial governance.
"If Jamaat comes to power, it will belong to the people. We will not be the owners of the country; we will serve the people," he said.
The Jamaat leader further outlined his vision for the nation's future, focusing on moral values and economic progress.
"We want to create a society with a strong moral foundation, one that can pay off the debts to our people. Alongside this, we aim to build an education system where graduates don't need to run from office to office with certificates in hand. Instead, they will have a job in one hand and a certificate in the other," he said.
The meeting was presided over by District Jamaat Ameer Ali Azam Md Abu Bakkar.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/struggle-fair-elections-far-over-jamaat-ameer-3801491
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Afghan Migrants Protest Taxation and Frozen Accounts in Iran
2025-01-18
KABUL(BNA): Afghan migrants in Kerman are voicing their outrage over a recent policy implemented by the Iranian government, which has resulted in the freezing of their bank accounts and the imposition of substantial taxes. Reports indicate that each migrant family is now facing tax demands ranging from one to fifteen billion tomans, making their continued stay in Iran increasingly untenable.
The situation has sparked significant unrest among the migrant community, with hundreds gathering outside the General Office for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants to protest the new measures. Many migrants have expressed their frustration through photos, audio messages, and videos, highlighting the drastic impact these policies have had on their lives.
One migrant, who wished to remain anonymous, shared, “Iran has frozen all our bank accounts without prior notice and has imposed a tax of one to fifteen billion afghanis on each of us. We are ordinary migrants living paycheck to paycheck, while such massive taxes are not even imposed on foreign businessmen and investors.” He added that his monthly income of 13 million tomans is barely enough to cover basic necessities, making the tax demand of 1 billion tomans feel insurmountable.
Another migrant woman, who lives with her children in Iran, reported being charged 250 million tomans in taxes despite having no income. She described the Iranian government’s actions as an effort to make life unlivable for Afghan migrants.
The migrants have voiced their concerns to the Bakhtar News Agency, detailing how they were not warned before their bank accounts were frozen. When they sought assistance from local banks, they were redirected to the tax department, where they faced overwhelming tax liabilities.
Repeated attempts by Bakhtar News Agency to get a statement from the Iranian Embassy in Kabul have been unsuccessful. Afghan migrants are now calling on the Islamic Emirate to intervene on their behalf through diplomatic channels.
In response to the escalating tensions, Iranian officials have met with diplomats from the Islamic Emirate, promising to address the issues faced by Afghan migrants. The Islamic Emirate has expressed its willingness to accommodate returning Afghans but emphasized that such returns must be voluntary.
The situation remains fluid, with Afghan migrants anxiously awaiting clarification and resolution from both Iranian authorities and their own government.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/afghan-migrants-protest-taxation-and-frozen-accounts-in-iran/
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EU pledges €36 million to support displaced Afghans and refugees
ByFidel Rahmati
January 18, 2025
The European Union has announced a financial allocation of €36 million to support displaced Afghan populations and refugees.
This funding aims to provide essential protection services, livelihood opportunities, and other critical support to hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The European Union (EU) website announced on Friday, January 17, that it has signed an agreement with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to support displaced Afghans and host communities. With €36 million in funding, the initiative will benefit Afghan refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) with essential protection, livelihood opportunities, and basic services. This funding is part of a larger €110 million UNHCR program.
The statement stated that Afghans remain one of the world’s largest refugee populations, with 2.6 million registered globally, including 2.2 million in Iran and Pakistan. Within Afghanistan, 3.2 million people are internally displaced. The country faces a humanitarian crisis with significant protection issues such as gender-based violence, child labor, and restrictions on women’s rights. Climate change and frequent natural disasters further aggravate the situation.
The EU-UNHCR initiative emphasizes providing durable solutions for displaced populations. Programs include registration, legal assistance, health and education services, and economic empowerment measures such as cash-for-work, microloans, and vocational training. These efforts aim to promote self-reliance and social cohesion, especially for women and girls.
Vulnerable groups, including women, children, and people with disabilities, are a priority under this initiative. Community-driven projects will ensure their protection, inclusion, and access to essential services, improving living conditions for both individuals and broader communities.
The statement stated that the three-year program, beginning in January 2025 and running through December 2027, represents a long-term commitment to recovery and resilience. Veronika Boskovic Pohar, EU Chargée d’affaires to Afghanistan, reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for displaced Afghans, while UNHCR Representative Arafat Jamal emphasized the goal of empowering displaced populations to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
Afghanistan is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the forced deportation of millions of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Many of these individuals face extreme challenges, including lack of shelter, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare, especially during the harsh winter months. Families are left vulnerable, with children and the elderly suffering the most due to freezing temperatures and insufficient aid.
The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan demands immediate and coordinated action from global stakeholders. While the EU’s contribution is commendable, a broader international effort is necessary to ensure that millions of displaced Afghans receive the support they desperately need, especially as winter poses a life-threatening challenge.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/eu-pledges-e36-million-to-support-displaced-afghans-and-refugees/
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29 Afghan citizens freed from Pakistani police custody
ByFidel Rahmati
January 18, 2025
The Taliban consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, has reported the release of 29 Afghan nationals from Pakistani police custody.
The consulate stated on Saturday, January 18, that these individuals were freed from a police station before being sent to prison.
The Taliban noted that these individuals were detained by Pakistani police despite holding valid migration cards.
According to the consulate, six other Afghan migrants were also freed from police custody a few days earlier.
Over the past two weeks, more than 80 Afghans have reportedly been released from Pakistani prisons.
Amid escalating security and political tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, the detention of Afghan migrants has increased in various Pakistani cities.
The frequent release of detained Afghans highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the issue. However, the rising arrests underline the challenges faced by Afghan migrants in Pakistan.
Resolving these tensions requires coordinated dialogue between the two sides. Strengthening mutual understanding and addressing migration concerns are essential for fostering regional stability and protecting migrant rights.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/29-afghan-citizens-freed-from-pakistani-police-custody/
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UNICEF Warns: Water Crisis puts children’s lives in Afghanistan at risk
ByFidel Rahmati
January 18, 2025
The representative of the UNICEF in Afghanistan emphasized the need for increased efforts to support the people of the country, particularly children, in addressing the water crisis. Tajudeen Oyewale warned that the water crisis continues to threaten the survival and well-being of children in Afghanistan.
On Friday, January 17, Tajudeen Oyewale, the representative of this organization in Afghanistan, thanked UNICEF’s partners for their collaboration with Afghanistan in 2024 through a post on the social media platform X.
According to this United Nations official, UNICEF provided assistance to one million people, including children, in the previous year.
The representative of the organization also urged its partners to continue their efforts in the current year to tackle the ongoing water crisis in the country.
While expressing concern about the expanding water crisis in Afghanistan, this official noted that the European Union Delegation to Afghanistan mentioned in August of 2024 that drought, pollution, and excessive water use were threatening the water resources of the people.
However, according to a report released by the United Nations Development Programme at the end of 2023, Afghanistan ranked sixth among the most vulnerable countries to climate change.
The continued water crisis in Afghanistan demands urgent action and long-term commitments from both national and international communities. The people, especially the children, face grave risks that must not be ignored, and the international community must provide the necessary resources and expertise to mitigate the effects of this crisis.
The situation also highlights the critical need for sustainable water management strategies in Afghanistan. Addressing the root causes of water scarcity, such as climate change and inefficient water usage, will be key in ensuring the resilience and survival of Afghan communities, particularly the most vulnerable groups, in the years to come.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/unicef-warns-water-crisis-puts-childrens-lives-in-afghanistan-at-risk/
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Japan’s Halal Navi app taps into need among Muslim travelers
By SHUN SUZUKI
January 18, 2025
Despite Japan’s popularity as a travel destination, the lack of halal food remains a major hurdle for many Muslim visitors.
But the Japanese-developed app Halal Navi is helping travelers overcome this obstacle.
The app is providing information on restaurants offering halal food and mosques, while also serving as a platform for Muslim visitors to Japan to share practical tips.
Halal Navi is rapidly gaining popularity among Muslims in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The app’s recognition skyrocketed after a short Instagram video, introducing a wagyu restaurant in Japan, shared earlier this year by Ikuto Hongu, the 25-year-old CEO of Halal Navi.
The video garnered more than a million views in just over a month, capturing widespread interest among Muslims.
Halal Navi is a free app that directs users to restaurants offering halal food, mosques and other prayer rooms.
Users can also contribute by adding details about ingredients and other helpful information.
In Islamic law, halal refers to what is permitted by Allah, while items such as pork and alcohol are considered haram, or forbidden. The concept extends beyond food to include products and services.
The app was developed in 2014 by Ryotaro Ejima, a 48-year-old entrepreneur who had previously operated a restaurant and other businesses in Malaysia.
Currently, Halal Navi has approximately 8,000 registered users across 13 countries, including about 3,000 in Japan.
Hongu joined the app’s operations in the spring of 2023 and turned to social media to revitalize its popularity, which had declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The unexpectedly strong response led him to realize, “Information is meaningless if it doesn’t reach those who need it.”
HALAL, PRAYER ESSENTIAL
Since then, Hongu has been posting content with subtitles in English, Arabic, and Indonesian, the latter specifically targeting the country’s large Muslim population.
He said the number of active users grew from 1,000 in spring 2023 to around 12,000 as of November 2024.
“There is a halal menu with photos,” a Singaporean commented on restaurant pages listed in the app.
“There are Muslim staff and a prayer space,” a Malaysian wrote.
“Alcohol is served, but it’s kept separate from the halal menu,” another Malaysian said.
Hongu sees the app’s strength as its role in sharing practical life information.
The app also lists prayer rooms in mosques and department stores.
Users contribute detailed updates, such as prayer room capacity and notes such as, “It was actually closed.”
“Information about halal food and prayer is essential for Muslims, yet until now, there hadn’t been a multilingual, nationwide tool to provide it,” Hongu said.
He said one user commented, “I thought the nearest prayer room was many train stops away, but now I can find one close by.”
Hongu spent a year studying in Malaysia while at university.
He recalls Muslim friends hesitating to travel to Japan, saying, “It’s hard to find food that we can eat.”
Some told him, “I went to Japan but ended up eating kebabs (with halal labels) the whole time.”
Hongu currently has more than 1.6 million followers on social media, becoming somewhat of an “influencer” on halal-related topics.
GROWING MUSLIM PRESENCE
The number of visitors to Japan from Malaysia and Indonesia―both with large Muslim populations―reached around 840,000 in 2023, doubling from a decade ago, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
A study led by Hirofumi Tanada, a professor emeritus at Waseda University, estimates that Japan’s Muslim population stands at 350,000 as of late 2023.
However, strict requirements make halal certification challenging for many domestic companies.
Certification requirements include not only the use of halal-compliant ingredients but also ensuring that products are not transported alongside pork during distribution, according to the Japan Halal Business Association, which promotes halal practices and provides support to Muslims.
On the other hand, some Muslims said they feel reassured even when food information is simply labeled as “non-pork” or “non-alcohol.”
Source:asahi.com
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https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15553733
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Southeast Asia
Anwar: Malaysia confident in navigating uncertainties amid Trump’s second term
18 Jan 2025
LONDON, Jan 18 — With president-elect Donald Trump due to be sworn in on Jan 20, Malaysia believes it can navigate any political or economic uncertainties arising from his second term in office.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it is too early to ascertain that there would be tensions between China and the United States (US) during Trump’s administration.
He said Malaysia and ASEAN have been engaging closely with both countries for decades, and stressed that Malaysia will continue to maintain its independence in its relations with other nations.
Anwar added that China has become a very important trading partner for Malaysia, while the US continues to be the largest investor in Malaysia, citing firms like Google and Amazon with their significant investments.
Speaking at a dinner and engagement session with over 700 Malaysian diaspora here, the prime minister said that there could be some minor volatility in view of the current state of relations between the two nations.
“Maybe there will be some minor volatility. But I am sure we will be able to engage with both China and the US,” said Anwar, who is here on a five-day working visit.
More importantly, Malaysia will maintain its policy of centrality in its engagements with the global superpowers, in the interest of the country.
As Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar has been resolute with Malaysia’s neutral stance in its engagements with other countries, emphasising that the nation will remain independent in its decisions as it continues to pursue its national and strategic interests based on its own principles.
Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th US President on Jan 20, 2025. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/18/anwar-malaysia-confident-in-navigating-uncertainties-amid-trumps-second-term/163683
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Bank Islam Eyes 800 Sign-ups For Mastercard World Premier Wealth Credit Card-i This Year
18/01/2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd is targeting 800 sign-ups for its newly launched Bank Islam Mastercard World Premier Wealth Credit Card-i by the end of this year. Bank Islam wealth management director Datin Zaharah Muttalib shared that the product is designed specifically for the bank’s premium wealth customers. "Premier Wealth is a platform dedicated to our high-net-worth individual customers, tailored for those with Assets nder Management of RM250,000. With this, they qualify as Premier Wealth Customers," she said at the card's launching ceremony here, todayMeanwhile, in a statement, Bank Islam highlighted that the exclusive, invitation-only credit card offers a unique combination of privileges and competitive benefits. "As a special gesture of appreciation to our valued Premier Wealth clients, Bank Islam is offering 5,000 Enrich Points to the first 200 applicants who apply for the card and spend a minimum of RM500 by March 31, 2025," the bank said. The Mastercard World Premier Wealth Credit Card-i also provides a variety of exclusive perks, including lifetime annual fee waivers and generous TruPoints rewards. These benefits are designed to elevate the lifestyle of Premier Wealth members.Cardholders will enjoy numerous privileges, such as five times (5x) Plaza Premium lounge access annually at over 200 lounges across 37 countries. Additionally, Bank Islam also offers generous TruPoints loyalty rewards: three times (3x) TruPoints on contactless transactions, two times (2x) TruPoints on overseas offline spend, and unlimited RM1 = 1 TruPoint on any retail spend. Other benefits include travel accident personal coverage of up to RM2 million, group family Takaful coverage of up to RM100,000, and no compounding finance charges. "We also offer exclusive perks through Mastercard Priceless Offers, including discounts on global travel and unique experiences via the https://www.priceless.com/ platform," it said.Furthermore, cardholders can use their accumulated TruPoints instantly on any purcha e at over 100 million Mastercard-accepting merchants in Malaysia and worldwide, through the Pay with Rewards™ mobile app, an easy-touse platform for tracking rewards and managing preferences. Bank Islam’s group chief business officer – group retail banking, Mizan Masram said that the bank is dedicated to providing comprehensive Shariah-compliant financial solutions that meet clients' evolving needs. "The Bank Islam Mastercard World Premier Wealth Credit Card-i exemplifies our commitment to superior service and unwavering support for their financial journey. "By integrating the bank’s wealth management services, we provide a seamless and rewarding experience for Premier Wealth Banking clients,” he said in the statement.
Source:bernama.com
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https://www.bernama.com/en/business/news.php?id=2383969
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PM Anwar to undertake two-day working visit to Belgium
BERNAMA
18-01- 2025
BRUSSELS: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a two-day working visit to Belgium beginning Sunday, soon after concluding his visit to the United Kingdom.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement Saturday, said that this will be the Prime Minister’s maiden visit to Belgium since assuming office, aimed at deepening Malaysia’s bilateral relations with Belgium and the European Union (EU).
Anwar will be accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
During the visit, Anwar is scheduled to meet Caretaker Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss Malaysia-Belgium bilateral relations and intensify cooperative endeavours, as well as to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Prime Minister will also meet European Council President Antonio Costa, and both leaders are expected to discuss ways to deepen Malaysia-EU ties and regional cooperation.
As the current Chair of ASEAN, the Prime Minister will highlight Malaysia’s priorities and ASEAN’s global aspirations in addressing international challenges, while exploring ways to further strengthen ASEAN-EU dialogue relations.
The Foreign Ministry said Anwar will also emphasise Malaysia’s conviction towards strengthening regional peace, stability and prosperity within an inclusive, sustainable and future-oriented framework
During the visit, Anwar will also deliver a keynote speech at the College of Europe, entitled, “Bridging Regions: Strengthening Southeast Asia-European Resilience.”
From January to November 2024, Malaysia’s bilateral trade with the EU, including Belgium, amounted to a significant RM200 billion (US$3.71 billion).
To date, 1,345 manufacturing projects with EU participation have been implemented in Malaysia, attracting a total investment of RM239.9 billion (US$59.80 billion) and creating 155,933 jobs.
After the two-day visit, Anwar will depart for Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/pm-anwar-to-undertake-two-day-working-visit-to-belgium-KD13549003
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Gobind: Asean must set consistent digital, cybersecurity standards to boost digital economy
18 Jan 2025
BANGKOK, Jan 18 — ASEAN must establish consistent digital and cybersecurity standards, particularly in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence (AI) in order to foster a trusted digital environment and strengthen the region’s global digital economy position.
Malaysia’s Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo, emphasised that such efforts would enhance interoperability across Southeast Asia, benefitting ASEAN Member States by driving growth and competitiveness in the global digital landscape.
“Malaysia fully supports the call to finalise negotiations on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) as soon as possible, given the substantial economic benefits it would deliver to the region,” he said in a statement at the conclusion of the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) in Bangkok on Friday.
He highlighted that DEFA is expected to double the value of ASEAN’s digital economy to US$ 2 trillion by 2030, up from a projected US$ 1 trillion.
Gobind, who led the Malaysian delegation to ADGMIN which ended Friday, said apart from DEFA, the meeting also underscored the importance of stronger collaboration in preventing online scams and fraud, and enhanced connectivity.
“Three key takeaways from ADGMIN were accelerating regional economic growth, especially through DEFA; building a safer digital environment by combating online scams and ensuring proper AI governance, and enhancing regional connectivity as Malaysia, had during ADGMIN, advocated for consistent digital and cybersecurity standards across ASEAN to ensure the interoperability of solutions,” he said.
Gobind added that ADGMIN also endorsed five projects that Malaysia will champion in 2025 namely Championing the safe deployment of AI in Southeast Asia, Sustainable data centre development, Cross Border Cloud Computing Framework, Developing 5G workforce and Development of ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy.
Meanwhile on the sidelines of ADGMIN, the Minister also had a productive bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn and several other important bilateral meetings with ASEAN’s Member States and Dialogue and Development Partners, namely Indonesia, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Japan, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and the USA.
During the meeting ITU, Gobind discussed their role in assisting the newly-established National AI Office Malaysia (NAIO).
Among the key discussions include NAIO and ITU establishing AI standards and promoting the interoperability of AI solutions across ASEAN; and providing regulatory and policy support. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/18/gobind-asean-must-set-consistent-digital-cybersecurity-standards-to-boost-digital-economy/163682
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Anwar to visit Belgium tomorrow to strengthen Malaysia-EU ties, deliver keynote at College of Europe
18 Jan 2025
BRUSSELS, Jan 18 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a two-day working visit to Belgium beginning Sunday, soon after concluding his visit to the United Kingdom.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement Saturday, said that this will be the Prime Minister’s maiden visit to Belgium since assuming office, aimed at deepening Malaysia’s bilateral relations with Belgium and the European Union (EU).
Anwar will be accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
During the visit, Anwar is scheduled to meet Caretaker Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss Malaysia-Belgium bilateral relations and intensify cooperative endeavours, as well as to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Prime Minister will also meet European Council President Antonio Costa, and both leaders are expected to discuss ways to deepen Malaysia-EU ties and regional cooperation.
As the current Chair of ASEAN, the Prime Minister will highlight Malaysia’s priorities and ASEAN’s global aspirations in addressing international challenges, while exploring ways to further strengthen ASEAN-EU dialogue relations.
The Foreign Ministry said Anwar will also emphasise Malaysia’s conviction towards strengthening regional peace, stability and prosperity within an inclusive, sustainable and future-oriented framework.
During the visit, Anwar will also deliver a keynote speech at the College of Europe, entitled, “Bridging Regions: Strengthening Southeast Asia-European Resilience.”
From January to November 2024, Malaysia’s bilateral trade with the EU, including Belgium, amounted to a significant RM200 billion (US$3.71 billion).
To date, 1,345 manufacturing projects with EU participation have been implemented in Malaysia, attracting a total investment of RM239.9 billion (US$59.80 billion) and creating 155,933 jobs.
After the two-day visit, Anwar will depart for Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/18/anwar-to-visit-belgium-tomorrow-to-strengthen-malaysia-eu-ties-deliver-keynote-at-college-of-europe/163675
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Europe
National Australia Bank Expands Islamic Finance For Businesses
By Liezel Once
18 Jan 2025
National Australia Bank (NAB) reported a 28% growth in Islamic finance for business customers in the past year. The bank has now broadened its Islamic finance eligibility criteria, allowing businesses to access funding for acquisitions, equipment purchases, and livestock without requiring property as security.
“The Muslim community is so young and entrepreneurial, often living in fast-growing areas, and this finance option provides them with the support they need to take advantage of new business opportunities,” said Dr. Imran Lum, NAB's head of Islamic finance.
The growth has been strong in New South Wales, which led the expansion with a 54% increase, followed by Victoria at 34% and Queensland at 8%.
As the only major Australian bank offering specialized Islamic financing for businesses, NAB's initiative has attracted both Muslim and non-Muslim enterprises seeking inclusive financing options.
"More Muslim Australians are looking for business funding that fits their values and beliefs. The growth we’re seeing shows just how much this offering has resonated with these customers," Lum said.
One such success story is Your Discount Chemist, started by brothers Fawaz Khodary in 1994. Today, the pharmacy chain has expanded its 13 stores across regional NSW, having just recently drawn on NAB's Islamic financing to build its first warehouse in Port Macquarie.
"Now we have a fantastic new warehouse. It was a big investment, but we'll now be able to keep up with demand, including the end-of-year holiday rush," Khodary said.
The expansion in eligibility criteria manifests NAB's commitment to practices of inclusive banking. "Not every business has property to use as security, that shouldn't stop them from accessing the finance they need to grow," Lum said.
Source:mpamag.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.mpamag.com/au/mortgage-industry/dei/nab-expands-islamic-finance-for-businesses/521122
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Al Fayed claimed 'poor health' when police investigated abuse
18 Jan 2025
The Metropolitan Police failed to challenge a claim from Mohamed Al Fayed that he was too ill to respond to a sexual assault allegation, according to an official complaint.
An American woman, Pelham Spong, reported to officers in 2017 that the tycoon had assaulted her a decade before, but the investigation was shut down with police saying they were "unable to obtain an account from the suspect owing to his poor state of health".
But in a complaint to the UK's police watchdog, shared with BBC News, Ms Spong's lawyers say police should have been more thorough in checking the medical evidence provided to them.
The Met said its review of allegations relating to Mohamed Al Fayed remained ongoing and would share its findings as soon as possible.
The complaint said this police failure reflects an "apathy towards victims" or an "institutional desire to insulate Mr Al Fayed from prosecution".
The BBC has contacted Al Fayed's estate for comment.
Ms Spong is being represented by the high profile US lawyer, Sigrid McCawley who led legal actions against Jeffrey Epstein - who died in a New York prison cell as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.
"This has gone on too long," Ms McCawley said. "Too many survivors were victims of Fayed and they reported to police.
"They got zero protection. That's appalling and it has to stop."
Ms Spong applied for a job as a PA to Al Fayed in 2008, while living in Paris, aged 23.
She told police later that while in London for interviews, Al Fayed grabbed and kissed her, making clear that sex with the boss was a requirement of the role.
The company also required her to have an intimate medical examination, the results of which, she says, were passed to Al Fayed, who appeared to know she had been diagnosed with a minor infection.
She described what had happened in emails shortly afterwards, to friends and a recruitment consultant, but was too scared of Al Fayed's power to report him.
Ms Spong finally felt able to come forward nine years later and a Metropolitan Police investigation began.
In June 2018 she was emailed by a detective to say they had been provided with expert evidence about Al Fayed, which would "have an impact" on the investigation.
Thirteen days later a more senior officer said the case would be closed, partly because police had been unable to obtain the businessman's response to the allegations, due to his health.
The Met said the case couldn't be referred to prosecutors because there wasn't enough evidence.
Ms Spong's complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concludes the decision to terminate the investigation was "premature and flawed".
The complaint said: "The police... ought to have been more thorough in assessing the substance and veracity" of the medical evidence provided by Al Fayed.
Al Fayed's son Omar recently told the Mail On Sunday his father had pretended to suffer from dementia so he could evade prosecution for sexual crimes.
Aging suspects in historical abuse cases have been a common challenge for other police forces. However three years before the Al Fayed investigation ended, a disgraced Church of England Bishop, Peter Ball, was successfully prosecuted despite being in his 80s.
The same year an attempt was made to prosecute the Labour peer Lord Janner, despite four doctors agreeing he was suffering from dementia. He died before a trial could take place.
The Met also told Ms Spong that due to the "historic nature of this allegation" no medical evidence, telephone, CCTV, forensics or eyewitness accounts could be gathered".
However she says she had given them a file of emails, letters and medical records from the application process, which she has also shared with the BBC.
These reveal the names of employees with whom she came in contact, including two doctors involved in the medical examination she was told she had to undergo.
Her IOPC complaint alleges the police failed to obtain formal statements from the doctors, a recruiter who suggested Ms Spong for the job, and other Harrods staff who might have been able to corroborate her claims.
Ms Spong's lawyers also believe police asked the wrong company for records about her job application - approaching the firm managing the apartment block where she stayed in London, rather than Harrods itself.
The complaint concludes: "These investigative failures, particularly when viewed alongside the now disclosed prior and concurrent accounts from other women and girls alleging similar misconduct by Mr Al Fayed, suggest a concerning pattern of systemic inaction by the Met."
Ms Spong said she had been told by the police that if more women made allegations against Al Fayed they could continue to investigate.
But an attempt to reopen the case in 2021 stalled within months.
The Met has confirmed that it was aware of 21 allegations against Al Fayed before the BBC broadcast its documentary last year.
Ms Spong said: "More women did, in fact, come forward to tell their stories of abuse to the Met, and others had before me, and it didn't make any difference. The Met did nothing."
Her lawyer Ms McCawley asked: "Who were the decision makers who allowed Fayed to get a complete pass here?"
"It's beyond unacceptable. They wouldn't do that with any other suspect - they would have been prosecuted."
Ms Spong and her lawyers hope the IOPC complaint will be the start of a legal campaign by US victims for a wider investigation into the response to the Al Fayed abuse scandal.
Ms McCawley's battle against Epstein led to a US Department of Justice investigation "of those who did not do their duty," she said.
She described Ms Spong's complaint as a "little jab at the Met", but "part of a much larger and significant event".
The IOPC can either reject the complaint, hold its own investigation, or pass the case to the Met for investigation overseen by the watchdog.
It can recommend police officers face misconduct proceedings or prosecution.
The Met added it had transformed the way it investigated sexual offences, putting victims at the heart of its response.
Its review of previous Al Fayed investigations is looking for evidence of misconduct or corruption among officers.
The Met is also investigating people who may have enabled Al Fayed's abusive behaviour.
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqldd2xpvy5o
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Russia and Iran move to strengthen military ties
17 Jan 2025
Russia and Iran have agreed to closer military co-operation, in a move announced during a visit to Moscow by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The two countries signed a 20-year "strategic partnership" treaty, covering areas ranging from defence and technology to energy and trade.
Iran already supplies drones to Russia, as well as, according to Western intelligence, ballistic missiles.
Russia has cultivated closer ties with Iran, along with China and North Korea, since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
In the treaty, Russia and Iran pledged to consult and co-operate to deal with military and security threats, as well as taking part in joint military exercises on both their territories and beyond.
They also agreed not to allow their territories to be used for actions that threatened the other side.
Iran's President Pezeshkian said the signing of the accord meant that Russia and Iran were entering a new chapter of relations.
Trade between the two countries could be significantly enhanced by more co-operation in the energy sector.
During a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was considering building new nuclear power units in Iran.
Moscow is also seeking to sell some of its surplus gas to Tehran. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the EU has significantly reduced imports of gas from Russia, spurring Moscow to sign up new customers.
A planned gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, which the countries are negotiating, will be laid through the territory of Azerbaijan if realised, Interfax news agency reported on Friday, quoting Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev.
Russia could eventually supply up to 55 billion cubic metres of gas per year to Iran, said Putin.
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87dd4n4jd0o
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Starmer vows to fight 'poison' of antisemitism in Auschwitz visit
18 Jan 2025
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he was determined to fight the "poison" of antisemitism during a visit to the site of Auschwitz.
Sir Keir, in Poland for talks with the country's political leaders to discuss defence and security, said nothing could have prepared him for the horror of what he had seen.
"It is utterly harrowing," the prime minister said. "The mounds of hair, the shoes, the suitcases, the names and details, everything that was so meticulously kept, except for human life," he added.
In a news conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Sir Keir said he was determined to deepen the two countries' security collaborations.
Sir Keir's visit comes just over a week before the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was the largest Nazi concentration camp.
Six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis and their accomplices during World War Two.
The prime minister recalled feeling "a sickness" and "air of desolation" as he tried to make sense of "the enormity of this barbarous, planned, industrialised murder".
The visit, Sir Keir said, showed "more clearly than ever before" that the Holocaust "took a collective endeavour by thousands of ordinary people who each played their part in constructing this whole industry of death".
He was joined by his wife Lady Victoria Starmer, who is Jewish and had visited Auschwitz once before.
She was equally moved, the prime minister said, adding: "It was her second visit, but no less harrowing than the first time she stepped through that gate and witnessed the depravity of what happened here."
While in Poland, Sir Keir and Tusk discussed defence, energy security, climate and illegal migration in Europe, the prime minister told a news conference.
Speaking about cooperation between the UK and the EU, Tusk said he hoped for a "Breturn", adding: "I'd rather be an optimist and harbour these dreams in my heart - sometimes they come true in politics."
Sir Keir went on to emphasise that Poland and the UK share an "unbreakable commitment" to both Nato and Ukraine.
Hailing a UK-Poland treaty, which is yet to be ratified, the prime minister said it would cover all aspects of threats faced by the two countries, including "deepening ties between our defence industries".
His visit to Poland comes one day after he pledged to put Ukraine in the "strongest possible position" on a trip to Kyiv where he signed a "landmark" 100-year pact with the war-stricken country.
The prime minister condemned the lack of consistency when people use the phrase "never again", as people rightly condemn the persecution of Jewish people during World War Two, but fail to call out antisemitism in other circumstances.
"But where is never again, when we see the poison of antisemitism rising around the world in aftermath of October 7?
"Where is never again, when the pulse of fear is beating in our own Jewish community, as people are despicably targeted once again for the very same reason, because they are Jewish," Sir Keir added.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has said that antisemitism in the UK and globally has increased significantly following 7 October attacks in Israel by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza.
Hamas fighters stormed across Israel's southern border on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza. Israel retaliated with a military offensive, which has been ongoing for more than 15 months.
Last August, the Community Security Trust - a Jewish security charity - said reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK in the first half of 2024 had reached another record high. The charity said the record-high figures were a continuation of the impact of antisemitic reactions to the 7 October attack and ongoing war in Gaza.
Sir Keir's visit comes as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, which is due to begin on Sunday.
The agreement, more than 15 months after the start of the war in Gaza, will see 33 hostages taken from Israel by Hamas returned in the first stage of the deal, Qatari negotiators have said.
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lvvqn68dlo
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I'm outraged Church of England leader called my abuser a 'Rolls Royce' priest
18 Jan 2025
A woman who says she was sexually abused as a child by a priest says it is "absolutely outrageous" her alleged abuser was later praised by the man now leading the Church of England.
Kate – not her real name - was reacting to evidence suggesting Stephen Cottrell, now Archbishop of York, "frequently" held up David Tudor as "an exemplar of parish ministry".
The BBC also understands that at a service in 2018, Mr Cottrell referred to Tudor as a "Rolls Royce priest" even though he knew the priest had paid a large sum to an alleged abuse victim and was banned by the Church from being alone with children.
In response, Mr Cottrell says he "regrets any upset or distress caused by previous comments."
Following a recent BBC investigation, Mr Cottrell acknowledged he knew of serious concerns about Tudor in 2010 when he became Bishop of Chelmsford but said he could not legally remove him and described an "awful situation" he "lived with every day".
Tudor was banned for life from the Church of England in October after he admitted historical sex abuse allegations relating to two girls. He has not responded to the BBC's request for comment.
'I was told to rot in hell'
Kate contacted the BBC last month after hearing our investigation into the same disgraced priest who she says abused her.
She was a pupil at the Surrey school where David Tudor was chaplain in the 1980s, which is when she says the sexual abuse took place. She says it happened around 10 times and included oral sex.
In 1988 Tudor went on trial for indecently assaulting Kate from the age of 15. The priest denied the allegations but admitted he had sex with her when she was 16.
During that trial, then Bishop of Croydon Wilfred Wood appeared as a character witness for Tudor, describing him as having "the utmost integrity", according to press reports. David Tudor was acquitted.
"Not a single member of the church offered to help or support me" says Kate. "Nobody asked how I was. In fact, quite the opposite."
She has copies of hate mail she and her family received from Church members, telling them to "rot in hell" and says it led to them having to move to a different part of the country.
But a month after the trial, Tudor was back in court and this time was convicted of indecently assaulting three other schoolgirls and jailed for six months.
No-one told any of the girls, or Kate, that although he served his full sentence, the convictions were later quashed on technical grounds because the judge misdirected the jury.
An internal Church tribunal then banned Tudor from being a priest for sexual misconduct, partly because of his admission of sex with Kate when she was 16.
Kate was not informed of the process and was never invited by the Church to give her own account of events. Nevertheless she spent more than 30 years thinking Tudor had been punished by the Church.
"I thought right, job done. He is never going to work for the Church again, because that man should not be anywhere near young people. That's how I left the story and went on with the rest of my life."
'Like talking to a stone wall'
It was not until an internet search in July 2023 she learned Tudor was once again a priest, now in the Chelmsford diocese. It was news she found profoundly upsetting and she started to seek answers as to how he was back in ministry.
"I cannot tell you how re-traumatizing it has been since July 2023 trying to get answers from them," she says, adding that she felt it was "like talking to a stone wall".
She says the Church "weren't really very forthcoming", but when she learned Stephen Cottrell was Bishop of Chelmsford from 2010 she contacted him hoping he could shed light on the matter. Mr Cottrell twice refused requests to meet.
Kate was told it was inappropriate "because of on-going proceedings". This is thought to refer to a Church misconduct case into David Tudor that lasted into late 2024. But Kate says it "felt like he didn't believe me."
Kate then contacted David Greenwood, a solicitor specialising in abuse cases, who advised her to make a formal complaint of misconduct under the Church's disciplinary system.
Last February Kate filed three complaints: against Mr Cottrell, David Tudor and Wilfred Wood, the bishop who had been a character witness for Tudor in his trial.
Soon afterwards the Church told her there would be a tribunal hearing into her complaint against David Tudor. Within the submissions sent to her in response was a letter from Tudor's wife, Sandra.
It says "when Archbishop Stephen Cottrell was Bishop of Chelmsford, he would frequently hold the parish of Canvey Island up as an exemplar of church growth and parish ministry."
The archbishop's office says that as this matter is subject to an ongoing disciplinary process, it would not be appropriate to comment.
Sandra Tudor did not respond to the BBC's questions.
Because of what the Church describes as "a serious administrative error", Kate only received acknowledgement of her two other complaints (against Stephen Cottrell and Wilfred Wood) on the very day in December on which the BBC ran its investigation.
Many of her questions were then answered, but only because of the BBC report.
Kate learned that in 1989 Tudor was only banned for five years. He was allowed back by then Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey who quit his service as a Church of England priest after the BBC investigation revealing his role.
She had also been unaware that under Stephen Cottrell, Tudor was twice reappointed to a senior role and had also been made honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral.
Mr Cottrell is now Archbishop of York and currently de facto leader of the Church, after the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby stepped down over his handling of another abuse case.
Mr Cottrell has insisted he did everything he could to manage the risks posed by David Tudor and suspended him as soon as he was legally able to.
That suspension started in 2019 when a new police investigation was opened into Tudor, who was by then an honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral and an area dean.
In a personal statement last month, Mr Cottrell said the situation he faced was "horrible and intolerable".
His office also told the BBC "it was an invidious situation that Stephen Cottrell lived with every day that he was Bishop of Chelmsford until he was able to take action."
'Rolls Royce priest'
But others from Canvey Island have told the BBC they saw evidence Stephen Cottrell was publicly supportive of the priest, several years after we now know he knew of Tudor's abusive past.
One man, who does not want to be named, says in January 2018 he was one of around 60 people at a confirmation service at St Nicholas Church on Canvey Island at which Mr Cottrell spoke alongside Tudor.
"As Bishop of Chelmsford he was invited to preside over the service and was full of praise for David Tudor, including saying that we're very lucky to have David Tudor as our priest, because he was a 'Rolls Royce priest', and he stands out far above many others," he says.
"Many of us were taken aback by what Stephen Cottrell had said and (it) has always stuck in my mind, especially nowadays, with what's going on."
The BBC has independently received similar testimony about the service from a second individual.
When asked about having used the words "Rolls Royce priest" to describe David Tudor at the 2018 service, Mr Cottrell's office responded by saying "the archbishop deeply regrets any upset or distress caused by previous comments, including when they were unrelated to David Tudor's personal conduct."
'Terrible decisions'
Kate is appalled by the remarks attributed to Mr Cottrell. She thinks he should not be the "figurehead of the Church" and must be held accountable for his "terrible decisions".
Similarly, she wants former Bishop of Croydon, Wilfred Wood to face sanction.
Last year, she received a letter from Bishop of Southwark Christopher Chessun saying he regretted Bishop Wood had given a character witness during the 1988 trial.
Mr Wood acknowledged to the BBC that he gave evidence in the trial involving Kate, but said he did not recall the second trial involving 3 other girls girls than one. "I doubt if I would have given such a glowing reference had I known this to be the case," he said.
Mr Cottrell says he is "appalled by David Tudor's abuse and the life long suffering it has caused his victims."
"I have always expressed a willingness to meet with survivors and continue to do so. I am profoundly grateful to all survivors and victims who have come forward to share their experiences from the 1980s in relation to David Tudor," Mr Cottrell says.
"The abuse by David Tudor was an appalling breach of trust, we recognise the courage of those who have come forward and are truly sorry for the devastating effect on their lives," said a Church of England spokesperson.
Meanwhile Kate is still searching for answers and wants the Church to show more humility.
"Even though I have spent the last 40 years doing quite a good job of forgetting it, the way the Church have handled this case and the way they have treated me… has caused me to have to remember it all again," she says.
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20kkz06ngeo
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Lancashire cemetery with only eight years capacity could be extended - with Muslim burial area
17th Jan 2025,
A Lancashire cemetery could be extended into an adjoining field for extra capacity in future years - and a section for Muslim burials created too, under options being considered by councillors.
Ribble Valley Council’s Health and Housing Committee is being asked to decide whether the current operational part of Clitheroe’s Waddington Road Cemetery should remain strictly non-denominational or if this system should stop, to allow for religious grouping.
The Waddington Road cemetery the only operational council-owned burial site in the Ribble Valley. It has been used since 1861. Services there provide for traditional burials, woodland burials and burial of cremated remains. In the late 1990s, the borough council extended the cemetery to provide additional space. This newer area is currently designated as non-denominational, so does not have any restrictions to particular religions or denominations within faiths.
Grave plots are currently sold systematically, typically moving from one plot to the next. The process is simple to manage and makes efficient use of available space, according to a report for councillors. However, the old, historic part of the cemetery, which is now full, had specific areas for Roman Catholic, Methodist and Church of England denominations.
Regarding future space, the report states: “There is currently space in the operational part of the cemetery for 180 burial plots and 90 ashes plots. It will take around seven or eight years to fill these. There are 25 spaces left in the woodland area.”
An adjoining field, bought in 2011 by the council, is 7.7 acres in size and would allow for around 800 graves per acre. To progress its development , a planning application would be needed, looking at details such as drainage, ground water, environmental issues and cemetery design.
Muslim burial area
Separately, Ribble Valley Council has been contacted by local Muslim representatives, requesting a Muslim burial area for around 60 plots, the report adds. There would be additional costs associated with Muslim burial areas, such as different spacing of plots and the need for hand-mowing of grass to avoid vehicles crossing plots. However, extra costs would be recovered through specific fees.
The report adds: “The requesters say that there is currently nowhere in the Ribble Valley borough suitable for Muslim burials. So local Muslim residents have to be interred in cemeteries in neighbouring authorities such as Blackburn, Hyndburn and Pendle, where dedicated Muslim burial areas exist.”
According to the 2021 Census, the population in the Ribble Valley was 61,907 and 1.3 per cent of resodents are Muslim, just under 800 people, according to the report.
Councillors are being asked to consider current and future arrangemenbts. This includes whether up to 60 Muslim graves can be reserved in the current operational part or if an area for Muslim burials can be designed in new extension plans.
Also, councillors have to decide if Muslim graves can be dug perpendicularly to face the east, so the head of the interred, deceased person faces Mecca. Also, if a border, such as a path or a line of shrubs, can be used to separate the Muslim section.
Source:.lep.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.lep.co.uk/news/lancashire-cemetery-with-only-eight-years-capacity-could-be-extended-with-muslim-burial-area-included-4947698
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bjp-congress-muslim-hindus-supreme-court/d/134371